As Climate Change Drives Droughts, Water Conservation And Infrastructure Become Key

Jen Kippin has never seen the wetlands behind her home in Hooksett this dry. She says it means her well is running low too. (Annie Ropeik/NHPR)

Despite some recent rain, New Hampshire’s drought is growing, causing wells to run dry across the state. And the hotter temperatures of a changing climate could make future droughts more likely.

As part of NHPR’s By Degrees project, Annie Ropeik reports on how the dry conditions are affecting people who rely on well water, and what it would take to prepare for the future.

The bog behind Jen Kippin’s house in Hooksett has never been this dry. Normally there’s ducks and frogs, and enough mud and water for her grandsons to lose their sneakers in. But right now, it’s just a lot of dying plants.

“This should all be water, all of it,” she said, pointing out at what looks like dry woods. “As you can see, all these yellow ferns, green ferns — there’s no water, there’s none.”

Read the rest of this story at NHPR’s website.