Delaware entered September with continuing drought conditions. Many daily, monthly and all time record low levels for streamflow and groundwater levels were being set and an outdoor burning ban was in effect. Lawn and garden businesses were suffering as homeowners held off on landscape designs and the grass became dormant. Landscapers were given temporary certificates of occupancy for limited watering of new landscaping. Shallow wells were going dry in Sussex County including older developments in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Governor Ruth Ann Minner's declared state of drought emergency for New Castle County north of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal remained in effect. The drought emergency imposed mandatory restrictions in northern New Castle County. The governor also asked downstate residents to voluntarily reduce their water use. Heavy rain, especially in Sussex County, on September 1st initiated the return of normal precipitation. The heavy rain on the 1st permitted Wilmington to pump water from the Brandywine Creek back into the Hoopes Reservoir for emergency storage. The return of rain permitted the state to lift all environmental and general burning bans as of the 6th. The rain came too late to help most crops with the exception of late planted soybeans. Governor Ruth Ann Minner requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Venneman declare a crop disaster in Delaware. About eighty-five percent of farmers have losses of greater than 30 percent. Corn, soybeans, lima beans, snap beans and hay all sustained serious damage. It was expected to be the worst statewide vegetable harvest in 15 years. The mid month crop report showed that nearly 70 percent of the corn, sorghum range and pastures were either in poor or very poor condition. About half of the soybean crop was also in poor or very poor condition. Only eighteen percent of the subsoil had adequate moisture. In spite of the return of normal precipitation, streamflows in New Castle County were still near record low levels at the end of the month. The drought sped leaf changes in the state as 10 to 20 percent of trees already were changing colors and dropping their leaves. Experts were expecting less color this autumn. As a result of recent droughts, Newark will have a new reservoir coming on line.  On a county weighted average September monthly precipitation was 7.6 inches in Sussex County, 6.2 inches in Kent County and 3.6 inches in New Castle County. Normal is around 3.7 inches. The September monthly precipitation total in Georgetown (Sussex County) was 8.22 inches and at the New Castle County Airport was 3.42 inches.   The Delaware River Basin Commission continued its drought emergency declaration for the entire Delaware River drainage basin. The New York City Reservoirs which feed the Delaware River fell from 59.7 percent of capacity on September 1st to 50.4 percent of capacity on October 1st.

Drought in DELAWARE BEACHES, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Property damage: 0
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in INLAND SUSSEX, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Property damage: 0
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in KENT, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Property damage: 0
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Drought in NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Property damage: 0
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL