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These photos show the effect of the drought in parts of Massachusetts

Nearly 44 percent of the state is experiencing severe lack of rainfall.

By Shannon Larson Globe Staff,Updated July 28, 2022, 11:11 a.m.
A bicyclist biked past grassy fields that have dried to a golden brown at Rock Meadow Conservation Area in Belmont on Wednesday.Erin Clark/Globe Staff

Crops withering on the vine. Lush green fields morphing into a shade of golden-brown. Cracked river beds due to receding water levels.

The effects of a significant and widespread drought — exacerbated by high temperatures and a lack of substantial rain — have been clear throughout Massachusetts this summer.

The entire state is experiencing drought conditions on some level, with nearly 44 percent seeing severe drought readings and almost 94 percent under moderate drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor’s website.

The monitor released the data on Thursday, and said the readings were valid as of Tuesday morning.

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Areas experiencing severe drought include Middlesex County, parts of Worcester County, Essex County, Suffolk County, Norfolk County, Bristol County, and parts of Plymouth County, according to the website. Under these conditions, the impacts can range from the yield size and fruit size of specialty crops being affected to both the air and water quality being considered poor.

In a moderate drought, which most of the state is under, the chances of wildfires can increase and voluntary water conservation is often requested, according to the monitor.

As of Monday, more than 100 cities and towns throughout the state had imposed mandatory restrictions on outdoor water use, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Many of those restrictions were put in place during the spring and early summer.

Lisa Kumpf, river science program manager for the Charles River Watershed Association, said in a statement that the group has received numerous reports about “critically low water levels throughout our watershed over the past few weeks.”

“From Milford to Watertown, the Charles River and its tributaries are stagnant and even drying up, putting the health of the river ecosystem in grave danger,” Kumpf said.

On Tuesday, Watertown officials tweeted a pair of photos to highlight the difference in water levels between this year and last year at a city dam along the Charles River.

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“The drought is especially evident there now,” officials said.

The conditions plaguing the state is a trend that experts say climate change will intensify.

While there is a chance that there will be “a couple of afternoon showers” on Thursday and Friday, according to meteorologist Dave Epstein, who writes a weather column for the Globe, it’s “more likely than not that you stay dry.”

“Severe drought expanded across southern New England over the past week,” he tweeted on Thursday. “No extreme drought yet, but if this pattern continues, it will show up.”

Here are some photos that show the effect the drought is having on Massachusetts so far.

Susan Smart watered her plants at Belmont Victory Garden on Wednesday. “It’s almost concerning,” says Smart, who has had to increase her water usage to keep her garden alive. “I can’t even imagine how much water is being used.” Erin Clark/Globe Staff
The Ipswich River flowed at a lower water level in the Ipswich River Water Park on July 14. Water levels have receded due to the current drought. Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe
The Wading River — part of the Taunton River watershed — on July 27. This river is part of the city of Attleboro's water supply.Ben Cote
The water level was almost gone at the Hoppin Hill Reservoir in North Attleboro on July, 14, according to Mass Rivers Alliance. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
Baby geese looked for food on the bottom of the reservoir bed at the Hoppin Hill Reservoir in North Attleborough on July 14.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
The Charles River Dam July 2021 at left and July 2022 at right. Photos by Matthew J. Lee/ Globe Staff and Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
The Weweantic River in Wareham on July 21.Kathy Pappalardo

Shannon Larson can be reached at shannon.larson@globe.com. Follow her @shannonlarson98.