Heather Fordham

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Jan 3, 2025, 5:22 PM

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Updated

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The statewide drought watch has officially been lifted in New York.

The Department of Environmental Protection credits above-average rainfall coupled with conservation efforts by New Yorkers as to what helped restore reservoir levels back to normal.

This was the first time in more than 20 years that the city had to enact a watch of this kind due to a historic dry spell.

October 2024 saw 29 days without any rain. It's what contributed to more than 200 wildfires and brush fires that popped up daily throughout the boroughs from the end of October to mid-November, according to the FDNY.

Drought timeline:

Nov. 2,2024: Drought watch issued

Nov. 18,2024: Watch elevated to drought warning

Dec. 16,2024: Drought warning reduced to watch

Jan. 3, 2025: Drought watch canceled

City agencies were mandated to start their water conservation plans, and New Yorkers were encouraged to save water any way they could. The state also paused the Delaware Aqueduct Project, which is now scheduled to restart in the fall.