Access USGS - MD-DE-DC

Water Resources Review - March 2000

See definitions.

Maryland And Delaware. -- Streamflow increased throughout most of the bi-state area. In Western Maryland and on the upper Potomac River, streamflow decreased, and remained in the normal range. In Central Maryland, flows increased, and remained in the normal range. On the lower Potomac River, flows increased, and remained in the normal range. On the Eastern Shore, streamflow increased, and moved from the normal range into the above-normal range.

Contents of the Baltimore reservoir system increased, and near month's end were 95 percent of average and 106 percent of last year. End of month contents = 74,910 million gallons.

Ground-water levels increased throughout most of the bi-state area. In western Maryland, ground water levels fell, and moved from the above-normal range into the below-normal range. In west central Maryland, ground water levels increased, but remained in the below-normal range (below normal since June 1998). In central Maryland, water levels increased, and remained in the above-normal range. On the Eastern Shore, water levels rose, and moved from the below-normal range into the above-normal range.


Surface Water Data

         [% = percent; ft³ = cubic feet per second; in. = inches; 
      Med. = median; Max. = maximum; Min. = minimum; Date = day of month]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Mean discharge                   Cumulative runoff
                   --------------          -----------------------------------
                             %                      %               Max.
                             of    Runoff           of   Departure  Min.  Date
Station name       (ft³)    Med.   (in.)   (in.)   Med.    (in.)    (ft³)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potomac R at        4730     64     1.75    5.37     59    -3.68    8730   23
Paw Paw, W.Va.                                                      1920   11

Seneca Cr at         199    127     2.27    8.20    120    +1.34    1330   22
Dawsonville, Md.                                                      85   10

Potomac R near     18100     74     1.81    5.69     76    -1.81   51800   23
Washington, D.C.(1)                                                 6870   11 

Choptank R near     *411    193     4.20   11.04    126    +2.30    2350   22
Greensboro, Md.                                                      107   16  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Includes diversions for water supply
  *  Above normal
  #  Below normal


Ground Water Data

                          [Date = month & day]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
       Station                  Feet below land surface datum
-------------------------    ---------------------------------------- 
Number     Name               Date       Level       Date       Level
-------------------------    ----------------------------------------
GA-Bc  1   Accident          02-28        8.23      03-30        9.91

WA-Be  2   Fort Frederick    02-28       32.59      03-30       27.12

MO-Eh 20   Fairland          02-28       11.04      03-30       10.86

Jd 42-03   Camden            02-28        7.01      03-29        5.80
---------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   [ft = feet]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Water level change (ft) from        Last reversal
               Water   ----------------------------   ----------------------
Name           level     Average    Last      Last     (ft)    Month   Year
(Date)         (ft)                 Month     Year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accident         9.91      -0.76     -1.68    -3.10    -1.68     03    2000
(March 30, 2000)

Ft. Frederick   27.12      -0.80     +5.47    +0.36    +7.60     02    2000
(March 30, 2000)

Fairland        10.86      +0.14     +0.18    +1.88    +2.12     02    2000
(March 30, 2000)

Camden           5.80      +0.22     +1.21    +1.37    +2.16     02    2000
(March 29, 2000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Potomac River near Washington, D.C.

Last day: 16200 cubic feet per second (estimated).

Reference period: 1961 to 1990.


Chesapeake Bay

Total flow into the Chesapeake Bay was about 91.4 billion gallons per day, (BGD) 93 % of average.

March average: 98.2 BGD.

The three largest rivers flowing into the Chesapeake Bay contributed about 86 % of total inflow in March, with individual contributions of:

     --------------------------
     Susquehanna River     61 %
     Potomac River         16 %
     James River            9 %
     --------------------------
                  Total    86 %
                  Other    14 %

Period of record: 1951 to Present.


Related Information

Reports for previous months
Monthly Water Conditions in the Chesapeake Bay Region
National Water Conditions
Definitions of terms
Northeast Regional Climate Center (from Cornell University)
Northeast Climate Impacts - monthly
Monthly Climate Summary

For additional information, contact:
webmaster@md.water.usgs.gov or call 410-238-4200.