Waltham remains in a drought

Drought conditions in Middlesex County have worsened despite recent snow and rainstorms.

Waltham and other municipalities within the county have been in droughts of varying severity since October 2024.

But in February drought conditions for the area moved to a level three out of four in the U.S. Drought Monitor. A level three is labeled a critical drought.

“What’s been a little unique about this drought is the seasonality of it,” said Julie Wood, the climate resilience director of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA).

According to Wood, local droughts typically happen during the summer when high temperatures cause bodies of water to evaporate at an increased rate. 

Snow and rain usually offset periods of dryness in the colder months, but according to a press release from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), most of the state has been in a precipitation deficit of 8 inches to 13 inches since last August.

According to the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a precipitation deficit is when an area experiences less rain or snowfall than average.

Wood said droughts in Massachusetts have become more common in recent years due to an increase in tracking from MassDEP and changes in precipitation patterns from climate change.

How can the drought affect Waltham?

The drought can affect how the city’s Conservation Commission reviews permits for construction projects near wetland areas.

Wetlands are defined as any type of land that is saturated with surface water. Types of wetlands include bogs, marshes and swamps. Wetlands often carry unique types of plants and wildlife that are reliant on their wet conditions. Some also filter drinking water and reduce flooding.

Waltham is home to many wetlands including swamps at Beaver Brook, Chester Corridor and the Shady Pond Conservation Area.

Waltham’s Conservation Commission is the local body responsible for enforcing the state’s Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). 

The WPA was enacted in 1972 to protect wetlands as well as the plants and animals that inhabit them. Builders who want to do work near a wetland must petition the Conservation Commission for a permit.

Because wetland areas change due to environmental factors, wetland specialists such as botanists, soil scientists and ecologists must travel to the area to define its border before a petitioner can challenge it. The scientists study the area’s water levels, soil composition and other factors to determine how close a petitioner can build to the wetland without negatively affecting it. The Conservation Commission can accept these borders, reject them or request revisions.

However, according to Megan Sullivan, the conservation agent for the city’s commission, field observations made during extended periods of drought cannot be used to alter the border of wetlands. So during extended droughts, the commission can only use observations from scientists during pre-drought periods when considering an applicant’s permit.

Wood said the CRWA observed some of Waltham’s tributaries or smaller streams of water like Beaver Brook dry up at increased rates during past droughts.

When these streams dry out, anything reliant on their ecosystem runs the risk of dying off.

Wood said these next few months will play a key role in how long this drought will last. The rainier months of March and April could help make up for this rainwater deficit. But if the area continues to see limited rainfall, drought conditions may worsen.Residents can help curb the drought’s impact by being more mindful of their water usage. Wood said minimizing lawn watering can help conserve water. For indoor water conservation, MassDEP recommends using shower timers and fixing water leaks in faucets and toilets. A complete list of guidelines can be found here.