[cogitator]

Well, we're supposed to get about half an inch or so tomorrow, but we need a lot more. I heard that the first hurricane season forecast called for a decent number of storms despite the El Niño conditions in the Pacific. All we need is one moderate and slow-moving tropical storm to replenish the reservoirs. Note to God: I said "moderate".

Washington Post article about the declaration:

Drought Declared in Central Md.

Excerpt:

"- U.S. Geological Survey figures released yesterday show that ground-water levels across Maryland set record lows for March. Eight of the 17 wells monitored by the USGS were lower than ever before in March.

-Water levels on the Potomac River were lower last month than have ever been recorded in March, said USGS hydrologist Wendy McPherson. Water levels on the Potomac have been tracked since 1931.

-The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, which oversees the water supply for most of the Washington area, told regional water suppliers yesterday that there is a 43 to 47 percent possibility that reservoir water will need to be released into the Potomac this summer.

In May 1999, just before the last major drought in the area, the likelihood was 12 to 19 percent, said Erik Hagen, a water expert with the commission.

He emphasized that reservoirs are at 100 percent capacity and would supply the region's drinking water even in a record-breaking drought.

[Dutch59]

When Lord Paris first started talking about imposing restrictions about a month or so ago, a reporter from WBAL radio asked a great question. Basically she asked him by what right he could impose restrictions on people who had their own wells. You should have heard him stamer "what right, what right do I have...errr...errr, I think even those with wells...errr". It is pretty generally accepted as fact by most of us with private wells that he does not have the authority to regulate their use. Any legal types out there care to offer an opinion.

[Henchster]

Paris Glendenning? You mean the dork who tried to show how "Easy and safe" gunlocks are at a press conference, only to require two minutes AND assistance to get the damn lock off? Click Here to see the idiot in action

Yep, that's him.

[shezza]

His majesty said, "It varies around the state," the governor said. "Baltimore City, which is able to draw from the Susquehanna River, is not having quite the problem."

Uh, the Susquehanna runs right past our neighborhood in eastern Harford County. Why are those of us upstream forbidden to use the water and save it for the "big city folk" downstream in Baltimore? Could it be VOTES, perhaps? (Harford is a bit of a Republican enclave in a Democratic stronghold.)