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The demand for information describing low-flow characteristics of Maine streams is increasing. Federal, State, and local agencies, and consulting engineers and commercial enterprises require the data for determining the adequacy of streamflow for development of water supplies, disposal of wastes, maintenance of aquatic habitat, generation of electricity, agricultural irrigation, and other uses.
The USGS is conducting similar studies in two areas of the State where water issues are particularly evident. One northern Maine in cooperation with the Aroostook County Water and Soil Management Board, and the other in eastern Maine in cooperation with the Maine Geological Survey and the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission. The purpose of the studies is to develop regression equations that could be used to estimate low-flow statistics at any ungaged, unregulated location.
Water problems are particularly evident in Aroostook County, Maine where the demand for irrigation water stresses valuable aquatic habitat during low-flow periods. The problems are also evident in Eastern Maine where the demand for irrigation water stresses valuable aquatic habitat, particularly Atlantic salmon, during low-flow periods. Regional low-flow criteria for aquatic habitat currently in use may not be applicable to streams in specific areas of Maine. Management and effective utilization of water resources could be improved if more accurate, locally-based, low-flow estimation techniques were available.
Location of low-flow sampling locations in Aroostook County, Maine
The Narraguagus River, one of the Atlantic Salmon rivers in Downeast Maine