MARCH 2005 WATER-CONDITIONS STATEMENT

Groundwater levels at the end of March 2005 were generally above normal (highest 25 percent of levels for March) in southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island, and in west-central Massachusetts, including the Connecticut River Valley and southeastern Rhode Island. Water levels in the rest of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were generally normal (between highest and lowest 25 percent of levels for March). Please refer to the March Groundwater Conditions map for individual well conditions and other information.

New high groundwater levels for the month of March were measured in six wells in Massachusetts and one well in Rhode Island. No new low groundwater levels for the month of March were measured in any wells in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. New high groundwater levels for the periods of record were measured in five wells in Massachusetts (Chicopee 95, Granville 6, Taunton 337, Westfield 152, and Weymouth 4), and in one well in Rhode Island (Portsmouth 551). No new low groundwater levels for the periods of record were measured in any wells in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. This assessment is based on the evaluation of 112 wells with 10 or more years of record.

During the period from March 28 through April 7, groundwater levels in selected wells monitored in real time increased by the following amounts: Acton 158 (0.9 ft); Brewster 22 (0.3 ft); Duxbury 79 (0.6 ft); Lakeville 14 (2.3 ft); Pelham 23 (0.5 ft); Pittsfield 51 (2.0 ft); Wakefield 38 (1.1 ft); and Wilmington 78 (1.1 ft).

The data sources for variables OWc, OWmax, and OWr, which are used in conjunction with USGS Open-File Report 80-1205 to estimate high groundwater levels at sites in Massachusetts, are now identified on the Groundwater-Data Web page.

Despite increased streamflows in late March, surface-water flows at the end of March 2005 were generally normal (between lowest and highest 25 percent of flows for March) in eastern and extreme northwestern Massachusetts (Hoosic River Basin) and all of Rhode Island. Flows in central and most of western Massachusetts were below normal (lowest 25 percent of flows for March), which resulted from ice and medium-flow conditions prevalent at the start of the month. No new minimum or maximum monthly mean discharges were recorded at any stream-gaging stations in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. This assessment is based on monthly flow statistics (30-year period from 1971 to 2000) from 21 near-real-time stations with 30 or more years of record. No surface-water-flow data are available for Cape Cod. Please refer to the March Surface-Water Conditions map for more information.

During the week of March 28, heavy precipitation, ranging from 2 to 4 inches across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, increased streamflows significantly starting on March 29 and continuing into early April. Flooding from rainfall and snowmelt resulted in recurrence intervals ranging from approximately two to five years (one-in-two to one-in-five chance of occurring in any one year). The USGS made high-flow discharge measurements to verify the upper ends of stage-discharge ratings at many stream-gaging stations throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Ratings were verified at the following major rivers (measured discharge in cubic feet per second): Connecticut River at Montague City, MA (73,000); Housatonic River near Great Barrington, MA (5,000); Deerfield River at Charlemont, MA (2,060); Merrimack River Below Concord River at Lowell, MA (42,900); and Nashua River at East Pepperell, MA (3,300).

Reservoir Conditions

Borden Brook/Cobble Mountain, Quabbin, and Scituate (Rhode Island) Reservoirs were 88-, 98-, and 103-percent full, respectively, at the end of March. In comparison, these reservoirs were 89-, 95-, and 103-percent full, respectively, at the end of February. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection, provides reservoir figures for Borden Brook/Cobble Mountain Reservoirs and Quabbin Reservoir. The Providence Water Supply Board provides reservoir figures for Scituate Reservoir.

Last modified: October 6, 2008

URL: http://ma.water.usgs.gov/water_const/water_conditions_200503.htm

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