BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

St. Lawrence County continues under a drought watch declared by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

While St. Lawrence County has been listed under the drought watch warning, 15 other counties in the Mid-Hudson region and New York City were also elevated to a drought warning and urged to conserve water when possible in the coming weeks.

“Recent unseasonably warm weather and lack of precipitation have led to dry conditions for many counties in New York, resulting in Hudson Valley and New York City area counties being elevated to drought warning status and a statewide drought watch,” Hochul said.

“Across the state, local water restrictions and educating New Yorkers about how to help conserve water resources are crucial steps to help prevent a more severe shortage until conditions improve.”

State officials opted to elevate the 15 counties to a drought warning due to a shortage of rainfall and declining levels of streamflow and groundwater.

In a release, state officials also encouraged residents who are dependent on private groundwater wells to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks.

There are four levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. There are no mandatory restrictions under a State drought watch. Under a drought warning, voluntary water conservation is intensified and public water supplies and industries are advised to update and implement local drought contingency plans. Local agencies make plans in case of emergency declaration. This will not impact any wildfire efforts. New York State encourages ongoing water conservation to ensure adequate supply for all emergency uses.

To protect water resources, homeowners in regions under the drought watch or drought warning are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and follow these tips:

• Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water plants.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• Fix leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses and faucets.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly.
• Install water saving plumbing fixtures.
• Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold.
• Wash cars less frequently.

For water wells that may be affected by drought, see the information and links below. Contact a registered water well contractor to discuss appropriate options for your individual situation.

• Check that the well is dry due to drought and no other issues. Sometimes the solution is quite simple, like a broken valve or electrical issue. The only way to definitively tell if a well is dry is to measure the water level in the well.
• Conserve water year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on water wells.
• Consider adding a water storage tank to help get through dry periods.
• Clean or redevelop existing wells.
• Deepen existing wells or drill a new well. If drilling a new well, properly decommission the old well to protect groundwater quality.

Another side effect of the dry weather is the risk of wildfires as well.

Earlier this month, Hochul also announced a statewide burn ban to help prevent wildfires.

St. Lawrence County was listed as "high risk" as part of the burn ban issuance.

Any outdoor fire can spread quickly, especially if the wind picks up. It is illegal to burn leaves anywhere in New York State. Brush of a certain size may be burned. See the burning regulations for details.

Campfires are among the top five causes of wildfires. While camping in the backcountry, New Yorkers are advised to:

• Use existing campfire rings where possible.
• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire.
• Clear the area around the ring of leaves, twigs, and other flammable materials.
• Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly.
• Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath.