Ground-Water Data

Monthly Ground-Water Conditions

Ground-water levels at the end of May 2009 were generally designated as normal (the monthly ground-water level is between the 25th and 75th percent of the monthly water levels for this same month) in most of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The exceptions were the Northeast and Central Regions of Massachusetts, where ground-water levels were generally designated as below normal (the monthly ground-water level is between the 24th and 10th percent of the monthly water levels for this same month).
This assessment is based on the USGS Ground-Water Watch Climate Response Network for 89 wells in Massachusetts (Figure 3) and 37 wells in Rhode Island (Figure 4). General ground-water conditions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island by State- designated drought regions are shown in table 1 and table 2. Ground-water conditions for individual wells may differ from conditions shown for a region in tables 1 and 2.

For users of USGS Open-File Report 80-1205, Probable High Ground-Water Levels in Massachusetts, the OWc value is shown in the "Most Recent Measurement" column in the Climate Response Network. To obtain topographic setting, lithology, OWr and OWmax values for estimating depth to probable high ground-water level, select Well Characteristics on the Ground-Water-Data Web page.

Hydrographs that show general ground-water- level trends over the last year and for the period of record for selected ground-water-monitoring stations in each of the six Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (MA EOEEA) and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Drought Management Task Force Regions are provided. Each region includes one to five ground-water monitoring stations.

Cape and Islands

Southeastern

Northeastern

Central

Connecticut

Western

Hydrographs that show general ground-water- level trends over the last year and for the period of record for selected ground-water-monitoring stations in each of the seven Rhode Island Water Resources Board (RIWRB) Drought Regions are provided. Each region includes one to five near-real-time ground-water monitoring stations.