Maine’s Drought Task Force Convenes to Discuss Conditions Across the State

State of Maine
Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
Maine Emergency Management Agency

CONTACT: Vanessa Sperrey
CELL PHONE: (207) 592-6201
EMAIL: vanessa.sperrey@maine.gov

AUGUSTA, MAINE — Maine’s Drought Task Force convened yesterday, September 4, for the first time this season to discuss drought conditions across the state. Data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows over 85% of the state is abnormally dry and over half the state is experiencing severe drought.

Conditions rapidly deteriorated from late July through mid-August during which time multiple dangerous heat events occurred with little to no appreciable rainfall leading to a “flash drought”. The National Weather Service offices in Gray and Caribou report rainfall deficits between 3 and 8 inches in the drought-stricken parts of the state through the summer. Near and long-range forecasts show no signals of drought-reducing rainfall. 

Severe drought conditions have expanded across Eastern and Northern Maine, now encompassing much of Washington County, all of Hancock County, Southern and Central Penobscot County, and Southern Piscataquis County.

“Northern Maine streamflows are normal, but conditions degrade as you move south,” said Nick Stasulis, Data Section Chief of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Co-chair of the Drought Task Force. “When it comes to groundwater conditions, some wells have struggled to recover from last fall’s drought, and others improved this spring. Conditions are variable statewide, but many wells will trend below normal for September, a month when groundwater levels are at their lowest.”

A total of 21 dry private wells have been reported this season with the month of August gaining the greatest increase of dry wells. Maine homeowners with dry wells are encouraged to report this information on the Dry Well Survey. If assistance is required filling out the survey, Mainers can either call 211 or 1-877-463-6207, or they can text their Maine zip code to 898-211. Please note that reporting a dry well is not an application for assistance.

“Any information we can get from the public to help drive updates to the US Drought Monitor goes a long way,” said NWS Gray’s Senior Service Hydrologist Sarah Jamison.

“Drought impacts reach far beyond water supply; they affect our farms, our forests, and our communities,” said Peter Rogers, Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). “By working together through the Drought Task Force, we can coordinate resources and take steps to mitigate risks to public health and safety.”

The Maine CDC Drinking Water Program (DWP) is reporting relatively few drought-related water quantity and quality issues. The DWP has recently been notified of drought-related water quantity challenges to operations across Cumberland, Oxford, and Somerset Counties. Specifically, the South Berwick Water District issued a mandatory conservation order on August 11, 2025, which is still in effect. The Stonington Water Company issued a mandatory conservation order on July 22, 2025, through August 31, 2025, and hauled in bulk water to help meet demand.

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service reports there have been 662 wildfires, burning a total of just over 450 acres, 19 residences, and 36 other structures so far this season. 251 of these wildfires, burning just over 114 acres, occurred in the month of August alone. This number of fires is more than double than the previous busiest August in Maine for wildfires recorded over the past 20 years.

The DACF Farmers Drought Relief Fund has recently awarded grants for drilled wells, water storage ponds, and water management plans for 24 farms across the state: 4 water storage ponds, 10 drilled wells, and 10 water management plans. DACF plans a second round for grant applications this winter. Program details are at: maine.gov/dacf/ard/grants/farmers-drought-relief-program.shtml

The Drought Task Force is made up of state, federal and private scientific, agricultural, regulatory, water use and natural resources organizations and assists in monitoring, coordinating, and managing responses to droughts and recommends actions to minimize impacts on public health, safety, the environment, and agriculture. Additional meetings are planned as the drought continues.

For more information please visit:

For safety and preparedness information, visit MEMA’s website or find us on Facebook, X, Bluesky, and Nextdoor. 

###