Virginia drought deepens as state tracks record-low water indicators

Virginia’s drought is deepening, with statewide rainfall averaging about 7.8 inches below normal and the Roanoke Drought Evaluation Region reaching emergency-level conditions under the state’s drought framework.

The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force met July 21, and the Department of Environmental Quality said it continues to monitor conditions across the Commonwealth. The governor’s office described the current water year as the second-driest on record. The Roanoke region received 57 percent of normal rainfall during the period cited by the state.

Water levels remain unusually low

Streamflow in the James, Meherrin, New and Roanoke watersheds remained significantly deficient. Roanoke-region surface-water flow and groundwater levels were both below the fifth percentile, and some wells were reporting provisional record daily lows.

Smith Mountain Lake was 5.5 feet below normal and John Kerr Reservoir was 4.45 feet below normal in the governor’s July 16 update. If conditions continue, the governor could declare a drought emergency. That would allow mandatory restrictions on nonessential uses such as lawn and golf-course irrigation, washing paved surfaces and filling outdoor pools. DEQ would also require industrial water users to reduce withdrawals. The state updates describe those measures as possible next steps, not requirements currently in effect.