More Record-High Water Levels in November 2003
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Contact:
Wendy
McPherson (wsmcpher@usgs.gov)
Maryland-Delaware-D.C.
Water Science Center
5522 Research Park Drive
Baltimore, MD 21228
Phone:(443)498-5500
FAX: (443)498-5510
Updated: December 4, 2003
Eleven months of above normal precipitation makes 2003 one of the top three wettest years on record. The abundant precipitation has led to record-setting high streamflow and groundwater levels across Maryland and Delaware. Monthly mean streamflow into the Chesapeake Bay was the second highest November flow for the period of record (since 1937). Monthly mean streamflow at three streams was at their highest November flows. Groundwater levels at six wells were at their highest November levels in 40 years, and for three of these wells, it was the third consecutive month of record high levels, according to hydrologists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Hydrologists expect to see the highest water levels for the year in the winter and spring when recharge has reached its peaked and precipitation becomes runoff. Water levels in several wells and streams are already near their annual high levels. However, water levels in some of the deep aquifers in southern and eastern Maryland continue to decline because the aquifers are being pumped more quickly than they can be recharged.
The above map shows the wells and streams used by the USGS to monitor water conditions in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. In November, all wells and streams were at above normal levels (dark circles and triangles). Six wells were at their highest November levels in 40 years (represented by an asterisk). Three streams had the highest monthly mean flow for November.
Since the region recovered from the drought last winter, water levels in most of these streams and wells have been at above normal levels.
Precipitation
Precipitation during 2003 has been far above normal levels. To date, 2003 is the third wettest year on record in Baltimore, and only 4.40 inches of precipitation are needed in December to break the record set in 1889, according to the National Weather Service. Above normal rainfall has left groundwater and streamflow levels across Maryland and Delaware at very high levels. Since the ground is nearly saturated, when it rains, the water has little place to go except to accumulate in low-lying areas or become runoff and fill our waterways. The high water levels make the region vulnerable to localized flooding.
Chesapeake Bay
Total flow into the Chesapeake Bay during November was the second highest since record keeping began in 1937. Flow averaged 99.2 bgd (billion gallons per day), which is three times the normal November flow into the Bay. The highest November flow was in 1985 (113 bgd). Flow has been above average since March 2003, which has contributed to higher amounts of nutrients and sediments entering the Bay.
With normal flow in December, calendar year 2003 will be the third highest annual flow to the Chesapeake Bay. A record-setting December flow could make 2003 the highest annual flow to the Bay. The outcome will largely depend on how much rain falls in the Susquehanna River basin, which typically contributes more than 50 percent of the flow to the Bay. More information about streamflow, water quality, and the Chesapeake Bay can be found at http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/ and www.chesapeakebay.net.
Streamflow
Streamflow across Maryland and Delaware has been at above normal levels for more than a year. In November, the Patuxent and Pocomoke Rivers in Maryland, and Brandywine Creek in Delaware were at their highest November monthly mean streamflows. Monthly flows were all above normal at all the streamflow stations used to assess water conditions. Five-year monthly streamflow hydrographs from the USGS stream-gaging network can be viewed on the USGS website at http://md.water.usgs.gov/surfacewater/streamflow/. Current and historical streamflow data can be monitored on the web at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/.
Daily streamflow on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. in November averaged 15.7 bgd, which is about 3 times higher than normal November flow. During the last 6 months, the lowest daily flow for each month has exceeded the long-term monthly mean. More information on the Potomac River is available at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/monthly/poto.html
Groundwater-Unconfined or Shallow Aquifers
All of the 15 wells used by the USGS to monitor unconfined or shallow aquifer response to climatic conditions in the bi-state region were either at record highs or within a foot of their highest November levels. Wells in Carroll, Charles, Harford, Prince Georges, and Queen Annes Counties, Maryland, and New Castle County in Delaware reached the highest November level in 40 years. This is the third consecutive month of record-setting high levels for wells in Harford, Queen Annes, and Prince Georges Counties. Last November, the region had just recovered from the severe hydrologic drought of 2002. Water levels are expected to rise through the winter and spring months as groundwater resources are recharged. Recharge typically begins in October when most plants are dormant and temperatures are lower. This year, water levels are already at high levels typically seen during the winter and spring. Winter's cold temperatures can cause the ground to freeze and recharge will subside until warmer temperatures and melting occurs in the spring.
The 5-year hydrograph for a well in Prince Georges County above shows that the water level in the well, measured in depth below land surface, is at a record-setting high for November 2003 and has been for the last three consecutive months. The water level is near to the all-time record set in July 1972. Water levels recovered from the record-setting low during the 2002 drought a year ago, and have been above normal for the past 9 months.
Notice the greater response in the water level at this well to the drought and hurricanes in 2002-2003 in comparison to the drought in 1999 and recovery from Hurricane Floyd.
For 5-year hydrographs of groundwater levels for the climatic indicator wells, visit: http://md.water.usgs.gov/groundwater/.
Groundwater-Confined or Deep Aquifers
Although water is plentiful at the surface (streams, reservoirs, and shallow groundwater reserves are full), some of the deep confined aquifers used for water supply by many people living in southern and eastern Maryland continue to decline. The water levels continue to decline because they are being pumped more quickly than deep groundwater is recharged and because the confined aquifers are deep, water levels in confined aquifers take longer to respond to climatic conditions than shallow aquifers. Confined aquifer wells are measured monthly and can be viewed at http://md.water.usgs.gov/groundwater.
Reservoir Storage
High groundwater levels and above normal streamflow and rainfall helped to keep reservoir storage levels in the Baltimore reservoir system and in the Triadelphia and Duckett Reservoirs on the Patuxent River at capacity in November.
USGS Water Monitoring
Streamflow and groundwater levels are used to assess the current water conditions and can be used to predict the potential for flooding and drought conditions. These USGS data have been provided to State and local water resource managers and are critical for making appropriate decisions on water regulation. For more information on streamflow and groundwater levels in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., visit Water Watch at: Water Watch.
Groundwater is an important component (in addition to streamflow and reservoir storage) in assessing water resources, however, as groundwater is usually hidden underground, it is difficult to know the status of aquifers in a timely manner. Most wells are measured by hand on a regular basis, commonly monthly. Real-time data collection offers many benefits. Real-time groundwater data are defined as data automatically collected, transmitted, and made available to the public at least once a day. These data can be transmitted by land-line telephone, cellular telephone, radio, satellite telemetry, or a combination of these technologies. The advantages of real-time data collection include timeliness, data quality, data availability, and cost. There are currently five wells in Maryland and one well in Delaware equipped with real-time data collection. Within the next year, several wells in Calvert County, Maryland will also be monitored in real-time. To view real-time groundwater levels, visit the USGS NWISWeb site at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/. Select groundwater from the data category, then real-time, then your region of interest, such as Maryland.
The real-time streamflow stations used in this analysis are operated in cooperation with the Maryland and Delaware Geological Surveys, the Maryland State Highway Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of the Environment, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and other agencies. The observation wells used in this analysis are operated in cooperation with the Maryland and Delaware Geological Surveys. The real-time wells are operated in cooperation with the Maryland and Delaware Geological Surveys, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, and Calvert County, Maryland. The USGS publishes data for 137 streamflow stations and 379 observation wells across Maryland and Delaware.
The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.
** * USGS * * *
In-depth information about USGS programs may be found on the USGS home page at http://www.usgs.gov and http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/ for Chesapeake Bay activities.
Archived News Releases 2000-Present
2006
- 01-06-2006 Water Resources Plentiful at End of December 2005; Chesapeake Bay Flow Normal in 2005
2005
- 07-06-2005 Water Levels Fall as Summer Arrives
- 04-06-2005 March 2005 Water Levels Near Normal
- 03-04-2005 Flow Below Normal in Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay
- 02-07-2005 January 2005 Water Levels Normal to Above Normal
- 01-07-2005 2004 Ends with Normal to Above Normal Water Levels
2004
- 12-04-2004 Water Levels Remain Generally Above Normal
- 11-04-2004 Dry October Causes Water Levels to Drop
- 10-06-2004 Highest September Flow to the Chesapeake Bay Since 1937
- 09-03-2004 August Hurricanes Raise Water Levels in Southern Maryland
- 08-06-2004 Localized Flooding in Northeastern Maryland and Delaware in July
- 07-07-2004 Water Levels Normal to Above Normal in June
- 06-04-2004 Streams Return to Normal Levels in Maryland and Delaware during May 2004
- 05-06-2004 Streams Rise to Above Normal Levels in Maryland
- 04-07-2004 Streamflow and Groundwater Levels Fell in March 2004
- 03-04-2004 Streamflow and Groundwater Levels Normal to Above Normal in February 2004
- 02-04-2004 Cold, Dry January Leads to Drop in Water Levels
- 01-06-2004 Wettest Year Leads to Record-High Water Levels Including Third Highest Flow to Chesapeake Bay in December and 2003
2003
- 12-04-2003 More Record-High Water Levels in November 2003
- 11-04-2003 Record High Groundwater Levels in October 2003
- 10-03-2003 Flow to Chesapeake Bay in Water Year 2003 Second Highest Since 1937
- 09-05-2003 Third Consecutive Month of High Flow into the Chesapeake Bay
- 08-06-2003 Flow into Chesapeake Bay near Record High Levels
- 07-07-2003 Record Breaking High Water Levels in Maryland and Delaware
- 06-06-2003 Streamflow and Groundwater Levels High in May
- 05-07-2003 April Water Levels Normal
- 04-05-2003 Water Levels High in March - Water Restrictions Lifted
- 03-05-2003 Exceptionally Wet February Leads to High Water Levels
- 02-06-2003 Maryland and Delaware Streamflow and Groundwater Levels Remain Normal in January 2003
- 01-07-2003 2002: A Record-Setting Year for Low Groundwater Levels - Water Levels Recover to Normal in December 2002
2002
- 12-01-2002 Hydrologic Drought Wanes as Water Levels Rise
- 11-01-2002 Water Levels Rise Across Maryland and Delaware, But Drought Persists in Some Areas
- 10-03-2002 Water Levels Remain at Record-Setting Lows
- 09-05-2002 Groundwater in Parts of Maryland Reaches Lowest Levels Since 1962, Despite Late August Rains
- 08-06-2002 Drought Conditions Lead to 10 Record Low Monthly Groundwater Levels in July
- 07-03-2002 Record Low Water Levels Show the Effects of Long-Term Hydrologic Drought
- 06-04-2002 Groundwater Levels Reflect Long-Term Effects of Drought
- 05-02-2002 April Showers Not Enough to Raise Groundwater Levels
- 04-05-2002 The Drought in Full Bloom: Low Water Levels Result in Water Restrictions
2001
- 12-03-2001 Record Low Water Levels Set in November
- 11-02-2001 Dry October Leads to Low Water Levels
- 10-05-2001 Water Levels Low in Northern Maryland
- 09-07-2001 Water Levels Stable in August
- 08-06-2001 High and Low Water Levels in July
- 07-06-2001 Water Levels Continued to Improve in June
- 06-06-2001 Needed Rain Helps Avert a Drought in May
- 05-08-2001 Water Levels Still Normal in April, but More Rain is Needed
- 04-05-2001 Spring Rains Help Water Levels
- 03-06-2001 Water Levels Improve, But Are Still Below Normal
- 02-06-2001 Streamflow Still Low in Maryland in January
- 01-05-2001 Streamflow to Chesapeake Bay in 2000 Reflects Dry Autumn
2000
- 12-05-2000 Streamflow in Maryland Beginning to Show the Effects of Lack of Rain
- 11-07-2000 Despite Lack of Rain October Water Conditions near Normal
- 10-06-2000 September Water Conditions Above Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 09-08-2000 August Water Conditions Above Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 08-07-2000 July Water Conditions Continue Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 07-07-2000 June Water Conditions Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 06-06-2000 Water conditions begin to decline in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 05-05-2000 Water Conditions Continue to Improve in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 04-07-2000 Water Conditions Continue to Improve in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 03-07-2000 Water Conditions Improving in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
- 02-08-2000 January Streamflow and Ground Water Levels Still Low
- 01-06-2000 1999 Flow Into Chesapeake Bay Lowest Since 1960s Drought