Governor Spanberger, Roanoke Region Leaders Urge Increased, Commonsense Water Conservation Efforts in Face of Worsening Drought

The Roanoke Region Has Received Only 57% of the Rain Expected by This Time of Year, Elevating the Region to Emergency Status

While most of the Commonwealth remains in either a drought warning or watch status, the Roanoke Drought Evaluation Region — which includes Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Roanoke counties, and the cities of Danville, Martinsville, Roanoke, and Salem — has reached emergency status. On July 7, Virginia’s Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF) recommended a drought emergency for the Roanoke Drought Evaluation Region. As a result, local and regional leaders are working together to determine next steps if the situation does not immediately improve.

“In the midst of this historic dry period, all Virginians can help preserve our water supply,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Increased water conservation measures are critical to protect access to adequate water supplies for Virginia’s families, farms, and communities as the drought persists. I appreciate the work of Virginia’s Drought Monitoring Task Force to paint an accurate picture of the severe drought conditions. We will continue to evaluate the impacts and how we can contend with this historic drought.”

“We continue to work alongside our partners throughout the Commonwealth to implement critical steps to protect our water supply during this prolonged period of exceptionally dry conditions,” said Adrienne Kotula, the Commonwealth’s Acting Drought Coordinator and Deputy Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. “Unfortunately, if conditions on the ground do not rapidly improve, mandatory water conservation measures may be necessary in the Roanoke Region.”

“Virginia’s farmers have been struggling with a drought that began to take root in 2025 and has become more severe throughout 2026,” said Scott Sink, President of Virginia Farm Bureau. “The drought has impacted planting, availability of hay and pasture, and water access for crops and livestock. We continue to coordinate with our partners at VDACS, DOF, and other state and federal agencies to secure assistance and communicate needs. Recent rains have helped in the short term, but we anticipate long-term drought conditions to continue to impact Virginia agriculture and urge Virginians to implement best management practices related to water use and to report drought impacts they are experiencing to their local Virginia Cooperative Extension and FSA offices.”

“Providing a safe and reliable water supply is a responsibility we take seriously, and we can accomplish this goal by proactively managing the challenges of these extended dry conditions through careful planning, operational adjustments, and responsible stewardship of our water resources,” said Michael T. McEvoy, Executive Director, Western Virginia Water Authority. “While these efforts are helping maintain reliable service, water conservation is an essential part of our shared response. We encourage residents to take simple, voluntary steps to use water wisely. By reducing water use today, we can preserve available resources and help our communities better withstand continued dry conditions.”

“Protecting our water supply is a priority shared by leaders across the region,” said Senator Chris Head. “I continue to hear from farmers, small business owners, and families who are worried about the drought facing our region — and know how vital a reliable water supply is to our economy and our way of life. As we work to meet this challenge, I will continue to support the Virginians most affected by these conditions and make sure our community always has a voice in these decisions.”

“Over the past several months, I have heard directly from Virginians across the 41st District who have shared their concerns about declining water levels and below-average rainfall,” said Delegate Lily Franklin. “The data is clear: our region is facing a drought emergency. It is important that we take action to protect our farmland, our communities, and our entire economy.”

CURRENT DROUGHT STATUS

• Rain is approximately 7.8 inches below normal on average throughout the Commonwealth. This represents the second driest water year on record. The Roanoke Drought Evaluation Region has only received 57 percent of the rain that is normal for this time of year. While the seven‑day forecast calls for continued isolated rain events, below‑normal totals (less than 0.5 inch) are forecast for the New River and Roanoke Drought Evaluation Regions.

• Streamflow within the James River, Meherrin River, New River, and Roanoke River watersheds continue to have significant deficits. Surface water flow for the Roanoke Drought Evaluation Region is below the 5th percentile.

• Soil moisture remains well below normal, with the driest conditions persisting along the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the central and eastern portions of the Virginia-North Carolina border.

• Groundwater levels continue to be depleted in the region. Many groundwater wells in the Roanoke Drought Evaluation Region continue to set provisional record daily low water levels. Groundwater levels in the Roanoke Drought Evaluation Region are below the 5th percentile. The long-term outlook for groundwater levels remains a concern and will take a prolonged period of additional rainfall to recover.

• Reservoir levels at Smith Mountain Lake and John Kerr Reservoir are much lower than normal, at 5.5 feet and 4.45 feet below normal, respectively.

Should the situation continue, a drought emergency declaration may be required — as recommended by the Drought Monitoring Task Force — to activate mandatory non-essential water use restrictions, as called for in Virginia’s Drought Assessment and Response Plan. This plan has been in effect in the Commonwealth since 2003 and was developed after the last time Virginia experienced a drought of this level.

Mandatory non-essential water use restrictions that are not currently in effect, but may be required in the future, include restrictions on:

• Irrigation of lawns, gardens, and landscape materials;

• Irrigation of golf courses;

• Irrigation of athletic fields;

• Washing of paved surfaces, including streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts, and patios;

• Washing or cleaning of mobile equipment, including automobiles, trucks, trailers, and boats, except washing of public safety or highway construction and maintenance vehicles as necessary to preserve the proper functioning and safe operation of the vehicle or washing of agricultural equipment for biosecurity;

• Operation of ornamental fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines, and reflecting pools;

• Filling and topping off outdoor swimming pools

In addition, should a drought emergency be declared, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will require industrial water users to reduce water withdrawals to protect essential water uses for public safety, health, and welfare. For the duration of a drought emergency, the DMTF would continue to assess conditions and provide weekly updates. The DMTF will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Governor Spanberger continues to encourage all Virginians to conserve water during this drought.

Additional information on the current drought status is available on DEQ’s Drought webpage and Drought Dashboard, which includes interactive data on stream gages, groundwater wells, soil moisture, and precipitation.