Groundwater Data

Monthly Groundwater Conditions

Ground-water levels at the end of October 2009 were generally designated as above normal (the monthly ground-water level is between the 76th and 90th percent, respectively, of the monthly water levels for this same month) in eastern Massachusetts (Northeast, Southeast, and Cape and Islands Regions). Ground-water levels in the remainder of Massachusetts (Central, Connecticut River, and Western Regions) and all of Rhode Island 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).
This assessment is based on the USGS Groundwater Watch Climate Response Network for 89 wells in Massachusetts (Figure 3) and 37 wells in Rhode Island (Figure 4). General groundwater conditions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island by State- designated drought regions are shown in table 1 and table 2. Groundwater 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 Groundwater 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 groundwater level, select Well Characteristics on the Groundwater-Data Web page.

Hydrographs that show general groundwater- level trends over the last year and for the period of record for selected groundwater-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 groundwater monitoring stations.

Cape and Islands

Southeastern

Northeastern

Central

Connecticut

Western

Hydrographs that show general groundwater- level trends over the last year and for the period of record for selected groundwater-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 groundwater monitoring stations.