Access USGS - MD-DE-DC

Water Resources Review - April 2000

See definitions.

Maryland And Delaware. -- Streamflow decreased 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 slightly, and moved from the normal range into the above-normal range. On the lower Potomac River, flows decreased, and remained in the normal range. On the Eastern Shore, streamflow decreased, and remained in the above-normal range.

Contents of the Baltimore reservoir system increased, and near month's end were 100 percent of average and 112 percent of last year. End of month contents = 80,690 million gallons.

Ground-water levels increased throughout most of the bi-state area. In western Maryland, ground water levels rose, and moved from the below-normal range into the above-normal range. In west central Maryland, ground water levels decreased, 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 remained in 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        4170     79     1.50    6.87     61    -4.33   11100   22
Paw Paw, W.Va.                                                      2410   17

Seneca Cr at        *212    156     2.34   10.54    121    +1.85     615   18
Dawsonville, Md.                                                      98   15

Potomac R near     16600    103     1.61    7.30     72    -2.80   39900   24
Washington, D.C.(1)                                                 9570   16 

Choptank R near     *317    189     3.14   14.18    122    +2.58     688   18
Greensboro, Md.                                                      157   15  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (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          03-30        9.91      04-27        8.72

WA-Be  2   Fort Frederick    03-30       27.12      04-28       29.10

MO-Eh 20   Fairland          03-30       10.86      04-28       10.63

Jd 42-03   Camden            03-29        5.80      04-28        5.39
---------------------------------------------------------------------


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

Accident         8.72      +2.30     +1.19    -0.97    +1.19     04    2000
(April 27, 2000)

Ft. Frederick   29.10      -3.74     -1.98    -0.81    -1.98     04    2000
(April 28, 2000)

Fairland        10.63      +0.84     +0.23    +2.61    +2.35     02    2000
(April 28, 2000)

Camden           5.39      +0.47     +1.21    +1.14    +2.57     02    2000
(April 28, 2000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Potomac River near Washington, D.C.

Last day: 13600 cubic feet per second (estimated).

Reference period: 1961 to 1990.


Chesapeake Bay

Total flow into the Chesapeake Bay was about 96.3 billion gallons per day, (BGD) 103 % of average.

April average: 93.5 BGD.

The three largest rivers flowing into the Chesapeake Bay contributed about 85 % of total inflow in April, with individual contributions of:

     --------------------------
     Susquehanna River     61 %
     Potomac River         14 %
     James River           10 %
     --------------------------
                  Total    85 %
                  Other    15 %

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.