‘Extreme Drought’ Conditions Take Hold In Stoneham, Eastern Mass.

STONEHAM, MA — Severe weather that brought rain and high winds to communities north of Boston in recent days still wasn’t enough to bust the region’s lingering drought conditions, according to state and federal drought experts.

Instead, the situation has now worsened, as noted by the U.S. Drought Monitor, which has identified “extreme drought” conditions across a large stretch of Eastern Massachusetts from the Cape Ann area, through Greater Boston and south into Bristol County and Cape Cod.

The state similarly announced this week that conditions had “deteriorated.” The drought, officials warned, is leading to everything from decreased water levels in local waterways to heightened fire activity.

The state offered tips on water conservation alongside its most recent announcement on Tuesday.

While many area communities have faced water restrictions in recent months, no such restrictions were in place in Stoneham as of Thursday.

The town is one of 32 municipalities and agencies that draws its water through the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. The authority, in turn, pulls from the Quabbin Reservoir and the Wachusett Reservoir. It is not experiencing drought conditions according to its standards.

Contacted on Thursday, Stoneham Director of Public Works Brett Gonsalves said Stoneham residents can still help by watering lawns less frequently and watering during off peak hours when they do water.