MD-DE-DC Water Science Center Drought Watch
Water Conditions as of March 31, 2012
Precipitation was below the long-term average for the second consecutive month, and monthly average temperatures were as much as 11 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than average in Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Although precipitation was about half of the average March level, streamflow and groundwater levels were normal or above normal at more than 50 percent of the streams and wells used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess the response of streamflow and groundwater levels to climatic conditions in the Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia region.
Streamflow was normal at 25 of 33 sites (76 percent) throughout Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Four of the remaining 8 sites with below normal monthly mean streamflow were in the southern Delmarva Peninsula region.
In March, groundwater levels were in the normal range in 13 of the 26 wells. Of the remaining 13 wells, groundwater levels were above normal at 4 wells, and below normal at 9 wells. At the observation well in Carroll County, Maryland, preliminary data for March shows the groundwater level at a record low for the second consecutive month.
...read more in the current MD-DE-DC Monthly Water Conditions Summary.
Real-Time
| Real Time MD Streamflow | Real Time DE Streamflow |
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The real-time data used to produce this map are provisional and have not been reviewed or edited. They may be subject to significant change. The map depicts streamflow conditions as measured at USGS gaging stations. The colors represent discharge as a percentile, which is computed from the period of record for the current day of the year. Only stations having at least 30 years of record are used.
Active real-time stations having more than 30 years of continuous record are shown as colored circles. Uncolored circles depict stations having less than 30 years of record, or that are currently not transmitting.
Note: Hold down the Shift key and click on Reload or Refresh to make sure you have the most recent image or table.
Drought Status
Maryland
Image and text from: http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/water/droughtInformation/pages/water/drought/index.aspx
MDE's evaluation of water supply conditions as of March 31, 2012 indicates that the eastern regions of the State is in a drought watch status. Precipitation has been below average for the past three months, and as a result both streamflows and groundwater levels are below normal.
Delaware
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)
District of Columbia
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG):
Current Water Supply Report
Drought Stages
Drought Resources
Drought: Frequently Asked Questions
Drought Definitions
National Drought Monitoring
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)
US Drought Monitor
Weather and Climate
Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC)
NWS Sterling
NWS Philadelphia
Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center: MARFC Departures from Average
Maryland Weather Blog: The Baltimore Sun
Water Supply
Baltimore City
Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC)
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)
Water Conservation
Maryland Department of the Environment: Water Conservation
Water Wise Website
Use It Wisely
