MAY 2005 WATER-CONDITIONS STATEMENT

Groundwater levels at the end of May 2005 were generally above normal (highest 25 percent of levels for May) in parts of western, northeastern, and southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island, and all but extreme northern Rhode Island. Water levels in the rest of Massachusetts (except for extreme northwestern Massachusetts) and Rhode Island were generally normal (between highest and lowest 25 percent of levels for May). Water levels in extreme northwestern Massachusetts were below normal (lowest 25 percent of levels for May). Please refer to the May Groundwater Conditions map for individual well conditions and other information.

New high groundwater levels for the month of May were measured in 11 wells in Massachusetts and one well in Rhode Island. No new low groundwater levels for the month of May were measured in any wells in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. New high groundwater levels for the periods of record were measured in two wells in Massachusetts: Georgetown 168 (measured since 1965) and Sandwich 252 (measured since 1962). 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 126 wells with 10 or more years of record. 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 identified on the Groundwater-Data Web page.

Surface-water flows at the end of May 2005 were generally above normal (highest 25 percent of flows for May) in central and eastern Massachusetts and southern Rhode Island. Flows in western Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island were generally normal (between highest and lowest 25 percent of flows for May). 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 22 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 May Surface-Water Conditions map for more information.

Reservoir Conditions

Borden Brook/Cobble Mountain, Quabbin, and Scituate (Rhode Island) Reservoirs were 93-, 100-, and 104-percent full, respectively, at the end of May. In comparison, these reservoirs were 95-, 101-, and 103-percent full, respectively, at the end of April. 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_200505.htm

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