Nelson County is currently experiencing a significant drought, categorized by the National Integrated Drought Information System as an Extreme Drought. County Officials are asking all residents to voluntarily conserve water and use best water conservation practices to help conserve this precious resource. All measures to conserve water now will help mitigate future water shortages. In the event of worsening conditions, water restrictions may become mandatory. Here are some simple ideas to start conserving water and for more tips, visit: Drought | Ready.gov. (https://www.ready.gov/drought)

• Turn off faucets while brushing teeth, washing hands, and shaving
• Water Lawns only when necessary and before 10Am to reduce evaporation
• Take shorter showers and baths (saves 25 gallons per shower)
• Limit washing cars, boats, etc. and don’t wash down driveways with water. Washing your car at a car wash uses about 10 times less water than washing your car at home.
• Was only full loads of laundry and dishes
• Fix leaky pipes or running toilets
• Weed and mulch gardens to keep in moisture
• Limit using a pressure washer
• Never put water down the drain when there may be another use of it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning. Also, collecting rain water to water plants is a good way to conserve
• Cook food in as little water as possible, this also helps retain more of the nutrients
• Evaluate your monthly water consumption

Nelson County Service Authority provides public water for several areas in the County and has posted voluntary water restrictions for Lovingston, Colleen, Shipman and Piney River. See Nelson County Service Authority for more information.

Drought Details

Drought Details (June 11, 2026 update). – The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has expanded the drought warning advisory to now include all of Virginia, except for Isle of Wight County, and the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach in southeast Virginia, which remain in a drought watch.

Nelson County is included in this advisory and is categorized as being in a Drought Warning. Drought Dashboard

As a result of these dry conditions, there is increased danger of wildfires . While Nelson, as part of the Charlottesville Region has a low (Level 1) Fire Danger as of June 22, 2026, County officials are asking all citizens to voluntarily restrict unnecessary open air burning until drought conditions significantly improve. Daily Fire Danger Rating | Virginia Department of Forestry.

Current Drought Conditions

The National Integrated Drought Information System shows the location and intensity of drought at the local level. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) monitors and evaluates hydrologic and water supply conditions according to the Virginia Drought Assessment and Response Plan

• Drought | Virginia DEQ
• Drought Indicators & Assessment | Virginia DEQ
• DroughtAssessment_ResponsePlan_2003.pdf.

Residents with Private Wells

Residents who rely on private wells for water in their homes may experience impacts on a case-by-case basis due to drought. The Virginia Department of Health has information for the managing of private wells during a drought (PDF), which provides guidance to residents. Additionally, those experiencing issues with their drinking wells can contact the Nelson County Health Department via phone at 434-263-8315 to request information on their wells and available licensed well pump installers and drillers. Note: information on wells is considered a FOIA request and can take up to 5 days for a reply. Contact information for local well drillers can also be found at the link below.

• Well Drillers: Business Directory – Nelson County Virginia

Financial Tools for Farmers due to weather conditions

Nelson County Cooperative Extension – Nelson County | Nelson County | Virginia Tech,

Farm Service Agency – Contact Tammy Bonner, for FSA sign-up process.

Frost/Freeze Weather Losses – Financial Assistance

Small Business Administration – Low Interest Loans. Nelson County qualifies for this. Here is the link to apply: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance Following is the information about the loans: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/06/09/sba-offers-relief-virginia-businesses-private-nonprofits-affected-drought

USDA Low Interest Loans – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/06-08-2026/usda-announces-availability-low-interest-physical-loss-loans-producers

Drought – Financial Assistance

Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/disaster-recovery/livestock-forage-disaster-program-lfp

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP) – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/disaster-recovery/emergency-assistance-livestock-honeybees-farm-raised-fish-elap

Tree Assistance Program (TAP) – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/disaster-assistance-program/tree-assistance-program

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/noninsured-crop-disaster-assistance-related-information

More Reporting on Drought

NOAA – https://www.drought.gov/states/virginia/county/nelson

Drought Assessment Response Plan – Linked from DEQ Drought Page https://www.deq.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/5115/637490843054630000

The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force is meeting again on June 23 https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/water-quantity/drought?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Additional Resources:

– VT Beef Drought Webinars – https://sas.vt.edu/extension/vtbeef.html
– Managing Horses During Drought
– Expert Advice for Producers Facing Drought Conditions – https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/articles/2026/advice-for-farmers-producers-facing-drought-conditions-spring-2026-beef-dairy.html

– Drought Monitor –

o National Map https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
o Virginia Map https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?VA
o Nelson County Data – https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_51125
o Nelson County Drought Status – https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DmData/DataTables.aspx?county,51125