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Parched Pennsylvania

  • Writer: Jack Johnston
    Jack Johnston
  • Nov 11, 2024
  • 2 min read

By: Marissa Miczek

Do you love juicy, sweet blueberries? Perhaps vibrant, tangy cranberries? What about cozying up indoors on a rainy day? While you might think my last question is an odd one, all three involve one thing: rain. If you haven't noticed, it hasn't rained for nearly a month in Garnet Valley until just last night, November 10th, 2024. Walking outside this morning I could feel a gentle, humid warmth in the air and the colors of fall appearing more vibrant than usual. I'm sure nature felt a little more rejuvenated from the downpours.

A Dry Spell

A "dry spell" is a fancy-sounding idiom from the late 1800s/early 1900s meaning a long period with no rain. It's a great way to describe the drought declared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Conservation in 35 Pennsylvania counties, starting November 1st. Among the areas lacking rain, Philadelphia broke its rainless-streak set in 1874! This only confirms that this level of drought occurs "once in a generation, or less than once in a generation" according to Steve Seman, professor of meteorology and atmospheric science at Penn State University.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection encourages residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their nonessential water use by 3 to 6 gallons (looks like you should slow down on the bubble baths). While reservoirs such as those by Philadelphia are aren't in shortage, conservation helps prevent conditions from worsening. Whyy.org reports:

"Some public water systems have implemented their own conservation measures. For instance, Audubon Water Company in Norristown is requiring customers to conserve water because its wells are at 'critically low' levels."

Great ways to reduce your use of water is to take shorter showers, run full dishwashers and laundry loads rather than multiple cycles, and (one of my favorites) use unused water to water your house/garden plants. This is something I know my close relatives do and it is a great way to conserve water while giving your plants some life!

Fire Fuel

With 100 reported wildfires in the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has prohibited campfires on all state park and forest lands until further notice. While some may be skeptical that fires would occur in these conditions, you would be surprised at what dry weather and crinkly leaves can cook up. New Jersey just next door reported last week a total of 238 wildfires! Human activity is the causes of 99% of these fires which is why building bonfires, setting off fireworks, or dropping cigarettes on the ground is most definitely not encouraged.

Berryless

This might just be the worst part: less water, smaller buds, less blueberries. Water is crucial for bud development and good harvests the following year. While cranberries can somewhat benefit from the drought with there being less fungi, the watering costs are on the rise. Farmer Stephen Lee IV, of Lee Brother's Incorporated in Chatsworth, reported spending "more money was spent on fuel in the last six weeks than all of last year", the fuel used for the irrigation pump that pumps water out of his wells. CBS News shares the shock of New Jersey blueberry and cranberry farmers who are working to ensure a successful harvest next year despite the drought.

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