April 2008 Water-Conditions Statement

Surface-Water Conditions

Surface-water flows at the end of April 2008 were generally above normal (highest 25 percent of flows for April) in northwestern Massachusetts. Flows were generally normal (between lowest and highest 25 percent of flows for April) in the remaining areas of Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island. This assessment is based on monthly flow statistics (30-year period from 1971 to 2000) for 54 near-real-time streamflow-gaging stations with 30 or more years of record. No record-high or record-low monthly mean discharges were recorded during the month of April. No surface-water-flow data are available for Cape Cod.

All data are provisional and subject to revisions. Please refer to the Surface-Water Conditions map for more information.

Ground-Water Conditions

Ground-water levels were generally above normal (highest 25 percent of levels for April) in northwestern Massachusetts. Ground-water levels were generally normal (between highest and lowest 25 percent of levels for April) in the remaining areas of Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Ground-water levels were also generally normal in Rhode Island, including Block Island. Please refer to the April Ground-Water Conditions map for conditions of individual wells and other information.

A new record-high ground-water level for the month of April was measured in the Orange 63 well in Massachusetts. A new record-low ground-water level for the month of April was measured in the Burrillville 396 well in Rhode Island. No other record-high or record-low ground-water levels were measured during the month of April.

This assessment is based on the evaluation of 118 wells with 10 or more years of record. The data sources for variables OWc (monthly well reading), OWmax (historical high water level for period of well record), and OWr (maximum annual range for period of well record), which are used in conjunction with USGS Open-File Report 80-1205 to estimate high ground-water levels at sites in Massachusetts, are identified on the Well Characteristics Web page of the Ground-Water-Data Web page.

WELL MEASUREMENTS DISCONTINUED AT TRURO 1 WELL

Monthly ground-water-level measurements in the Truro 1 observation well were discontinued on July 27, 2007 after 58 years of operation (1950 to 2007). This was done because the well was located near a pumped supply well, and the record of monthly water-level changes was not indicative of seasonal and climatic changes. Water levels in the Truro 89 observation well, however, are unaffected by pumping and are indicative of seasonal and climatic changes. This well continues to be measured monthly.

Reservoir Conditions

Borden Brook/Cobble Mountain, Quabbin and Scituate Reservoirs were 94-, 100-, and 103-percent full, respectively, at the end of April. In comparison, Borden Brook/Cobble Mountain, Quabbin, and Scituate Reservoirs were 93-, 98- and 104-percent full, respectively, at the end of March.

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.