Steve Orr, and Georgie Silvarole

Democrat and Chronicle

Nearly all of western New York and the Finger Lakes region are now in severe drought, according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Though several sets of thunderstorms have rumbled through the area over the last week or so, they brought no widespread relief. Twenty-three percent of New York state, by geographic area, is now in severe drought. Last week it was only 11 percent.

We're now experiencing the most extensive severe drought ever seen in New York since the Drought Monitor, a product of two federal agencies and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, began compiling weekly statistics in 2000. "Severe drought" is the third-worst of five classifications used by the monitor. New York has never had acreage placed in the next-worst classification, "extreme drought."

The ultra-dry weather, which dates to March, has caused deepening concern among growers. Streams and some private wells have run dry, and several smaller water systems in the Rochester region have imposed water-use restrictions to cope with heavy demand. Much of the grass in the region has gone dormant and turned brown.

Growers fret as drought worsens

Josh Schmeider, founder and president of JOSH Landscape Co., said that while he's had to cut hours of some of his employees, the drought won't affect his business all that much.

"Last year, everything was growing like crazy. Twice a week cuttings; weeds were growing like crazy; we were pruning shrubs more than twice a season," Schmeider said. "This year, we had plenty of one-time projects, but our recurring maintenance has been cut back. Things just aren't growing and our lawn maintenance crews have had their hours cut back."

There's some frustration among his employees, he said, but most of the people working in lawn maintenance have been able to transition into the company's other endeavors, such as outdoor living space construction.

Other business ventures, namely vineyards in the Finger Lakes region, aren't upset with the drought at all at the moment, said Hans Walter-Peterson, a viticulture specialist with the Finger Lakes Grape Program. The lack of moisture is actually helping for the time being, he said.

"The drought has actually reduced disease pressure. When we have a lot of rain, we have a lot of fungal pressure," Walter-Peterson said. "(Vineyards) have to apply more sprays or use different kinds of materials, but a year like this — there's not nearly as much water in the air on the plants."

Mature vineyards that are more than a few years old have plants with established roots that can penetrate deeper soil to find water, Walter-Peterson said. Newer vineyards are having a little more trouble, he added, and may take to driving up and down the rows of vines with a truck and a water tank to combat shallow, dry soil.

The biggest concern, both Walter-Peterson and Schmeider said, will be if the drought continues into the later weeks of summer. Grape sweetness and aroma will affect local wineries, and permanent damage to lawns will call for extensive restorative care.

Much of the remainder of the state is classified as either "moderate drought" or "abnormally dry." Monroe County is now evenly divided between moderate and severe drought.

New York now has the most widespread drought of anywhere in the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Since March 1, precipitation is down 40 percent in Rochester compared to the long-term average. The shortfall since June 1 is worse — 66 percent, according to National Weather Service data. Weather service records show even less rain has fallen since June 1 in other locations, such as Avon, Livingston County; Batavia; Naples, Ontario County, and Arcade, Wyoming County.

The forecast holds no real relief, with no widespread soaking rainfalls in sight. There is a chance of hit-or-miss thunderstorms Thursday night and Friday, and also Sunday night and Monday.

SORR@Gannett.com

GSilvarole@Gannett.com