Cornell University Restricts Water Use As Drought Deepens

ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) — A severe drought in the Finger Lakes region has prompted Cornell University to restrict water use to ensure there's enough when students arrive in a few weeks.

University officials say employees and students must decrease water use on campus by at least 30 percent. The city of Ithaca is also restricting water use, saying it could run out of water in 30 days.

The Northeast Regional Climate Center says rainfall is at half its normal level in Ithaca, Lowville, Elmira and Batavia.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows eastern New York as abnormally dry and western New York in a severe drought from Buffalo nearly to Syracuse. It says the dry conditions are likely to persist into fall.

The only areas not abnormally dry are the Mohawk Valley and northern St. Lawrence County.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]