The Maine Drought Task Force (Task Force) coordinates drought monitoring, assessment, and response across the state. Its role is to facilitate communication and situational awareness, develop a unified assessment of drought conditions, and provide recommendations to the Governor or other relevant organizations.
The Task Force activates when abnormally dry conditions in Maine escalate. Activation is led by Task Force Chairs from MEMA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). During active drought conditions, MEMA organizes monthly meetings to review monitoring data, track trends, and identify actions to reduce drought impacts. Observations from multiple agencies and organizations are summarized in concise reports, which are publicly available below. When dry conditions develop but do not worsen rapidly, the Task Force conducts a preliminary activation, relying on email coordination to compile its report.
During severe droughts, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture may issue a disaster declaration to support farmers affected by crop losses. Under this declaration, the Small Business Administration provides Economic Injury Disaster Loans to eligible businesses and agricultural operations. These loans can help cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other essential expenses but are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Maine Emergency Management Agency has prepared a survey for the public to report private dry wells in the state of Maine. Data collected through these reports helps determine the scope and magnitude of private dry well conditions across the state. Please note: submitting a report is not a request for assistance. For help locating local community water resources, contact your Town or City municipal office.
Recent Reports
Resources
Financial & Assistance Programs
- RCAP Solutions - Individual Household Well & Septic Loan Program
- MaineHousing Home Repair Program - Provides grants or loans to help low-income homeowners make critical home repairs, including those related to drought impacts such as well issues.
- USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants - Offers loans and grants to very-low-income rural homeowners for essential repairs, including water system and well improvements.
- DACF Farmers Drought Relief Fund - Provides financial assistance to Maine farmers affected by drought to support water access and infrastructure improvements.
- SBA Disaster Loan Assistance - Low-interest federal disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters affected by drought-related losses.
Public Water & Private Well Guidance
- Maine CDC Private Well Water - Offers guidance and technical assistance for maintaining and testing private wells, especially during drought conditions.
- RCAP Solutions Regional Private Well Program - RCAP Solutions’ private well program, funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), uses a combination of online and in-person technical assistance, training, education, and resources/tools to boost knowledge and competency of individual well owners as well as thousands of private well professionals and stakeholders across the country.
- MEMA Natural Hazards - Drought - Water conservation tips and information about historic droughts.
Monitoring & Forecasting Tools
- US Drought Monitor - Weekly national drought status updates showing intensity and location of drought conditions.
- National Current Conditions (Drought.gov) - Interactive maps and data on current drought conditions across the U.S.
- Northeast DEWS Dashboard - Regional drought information, forecasts, and impacts specific to the Northeastern U.S.
- NOAA Climate Prediction Center - Provides seasonal climate outlooks and drought predictions.
- NWS Caribou Forecast - Local weather, precipitation, and drought outlooks for northern Maine.
- NWS Gray Forecast - Local weather, precipitation, and drought outlooks for southern and western Maine.
- Maine Cooperative Snow Survey - Tracks snowpack and water content data to assess potential water supply conditions.
- USGS Streamflow Monitor - Real-time data on streamflow levels across Maine to monitor drought effects on surface water.
- USGS Ground Water Monitor - Provides groundwater level data to assess drought impacts on aquifers and wells.
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