According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 50 counties in the state are in a drought watch. Close by, Delaware, Chemung, and Tompkins counties are all under the drought watch. The NYS DEC notes:A "watch" is the first of four levels of state drought advisories ("watch," "warning," "emergency" and "disaster"). There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch, but residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water. Learn more about drought conditions from the NYS DEC and keep updated with current conditions throughout the state by visiting the DEC website.