Drought Conditions Lead to Record-Breaking Low Water Levels Across Maryland and Delaware

U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

Contact:
Wendy McPherson (wsmcpher@usgs.gov)
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center
5522 Research Park Drive
Baltimore, MD 21228
Phone:(443)498-5500
FAX: (443)498-5510

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Updated: March 6, 2002

New record low monthly water levels were set at 21 of the 30 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) real-time streamflow stations and 7 of the 17 wells used to monitor the drought for the end of February across Maryland and Delaware, according to hydrologists at the USGS in Baltimore, Maryland. These monthly records are lower than the low water levels set for February during the 1960s drought and some water levels are lower for February than during the drought of the 1930s. Streamflow levels rose with the March 2-3 rainfall, but quickly decreased to near record low levels within days.

Lack of rain, snow, and ice, in addition to warm temperatures during the fall and winter, have led to below normal monthly streamflow at 100 percent of the real-time USGS gaging stations (see real-time graphs at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/rt ) and 100 percent of the USGS observation wells across Maryland and Delaware at the end of February. The below normal water levels reflect the hydrologic drought (streamflow and groundwater) that the region has been experiencing since the fall of 1998. The region has also been experiencing warmer temperatures since the 1990s, which increases the amount of water lost to evaporation and transpiration (water used by plants). The persistence of the drought was masked by hurricanes in 1999 and 2000 that contributed to above normal precipitation to the region.

Last month was the driest February on record with only 0.36 inch total precipitation at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall has been below normal for the last 6 months and temperatures have been warmer than usual during this period. Precipitation during late fall and winter usually replenishes/recharges the groundwater supply (aquifers), which contributes flow to rivers during times of low flow. Recharge to groundwater has been minimal to nonexistent this year, and there is little water in storage from snowpack or ice to replenish the supply.

Total flow into the Chesapeake Bay averaged 34.2 bgd (billion gallons per day), which is only half the average flow into the Bay. Streamflow entering the Bay increased in February because of almost three times the January flow from the Susquehanna River. February flow for the Potomac and James Rivers, which also empty into the Chesapeake Bay, reached record lows not seen since 1934. Monthly streamflow in the Potomac River set a record low for February averaging 1.6 bgd. The previous record low for February was 2.1 bgd in 1934.

One of the most affected streams was Deer Creek in Maryland, where streamflow has been below normal in 9 of the last 10 months, and for February, monthly flow decreased to an average flow of 23 mgd (million gallons per day), far exceeding the previous record of 39 mgd set in 1932 (see graphs at http://md.water.usgs.gov/monthly/bay.html). A new record daily low for February was also set when streamflow was 19 mgd for three days, from February 24-26, 2002.

Groundwater levels were below normal at all wells in Maryland and Delaware at the end of February. Record low groundwater levels were set at eight water-table observation wells in Baltimore, Carroll, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Queen Annes, and Somerset Counties in Maryland, and Kent County in Delaware (see graphs at http://md.water.usgs.gov/groundwater/). Groundwater levels for February are now lower than they were during the drought of 1999 and the severe drought of the 1960s.

Storage in the Baltimore reservoir system decreased to 57 percent of capacity in February. In Maryland and Delaware, rainfall was more than 10 inches below normal for the past 6 months, according to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Above normal rain or snow is critical during the next few months to replenish low streamflow and groundwater levels. To recover from the current drought by summer, the region needs 15 to 27 inches of rainfall over the next 3 months, according to the National Climatic Data Center.

Tracking streamflow and groundwater levels is essential to gauge drought severity and recovery. Short-term rainfall will improve soil moisture and aid farmers, but only adequate rainfall over many months can replenish groundwater and streamflow and fill reservoirs, which together supply water to all public and private users in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The real-time streamflow stations used in this analysis are operated in cooperation with the Maryland and Delaware Geological Surveys, the Maryland State Highway Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and other agencies. The observation wells used in this analysis are operated in cooperation with the Maryland and Delaware Geological Surveys. The USGS publishes data for 128 streamflow stations and 379 wells across Maryland and Delaware.

The U.S. Geological Survey is the Nation's largest water, earth and biological science, and civilian mapping agency providing reliable, impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation and the economic and physical development of the Nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.

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In-depth information about USGS programs may be found on the USGS home page at http://www.usgs.gov and http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/ for Chesapeake Bay activities.

Archived News Releases 2000-Present

2006

• 01-06-2006 Water Resources Plentiful at End of December 2005; Chesapeake Bay Flow Normal in 2005

2005

• 07-06-2005 Water Levels Fall as Summer Arrives
• 04-06-2005 March 2005 Water Levels Near Normal
• 03-04-2005 Flow Below Normal in Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay
• 02-07-2005 January 2005 Water Levels Normal to Above Normal
• 01-07-2005 2004 Ends with Normal to Above Normal Water Levels

2004

• 12-04-2004 Water Levels Remain Generally Above Normal
• 11-04-2004 Dry October Causes Water Levels to Drop
• 10-06-2004 Highest September Flow to the Chesapeake Bay Since 1937
• 09-03-2004 August Hurricanes Raise Water Levels in Southern Maryland
• 08-06-2004 Localized Flooding in Northeastern Maryland and Delaware in July
• 07-07-2004 Water Levels Normal to Above Normal in June
• 06-04-2004 Streams Return to Normal Levels in Maryland and Delaware during May 2004
• 05-06-2004 Streams Rise to Above Normal Levels in Maryland
• 04-07-2004 Streamflow and Groundwater Levels Fell in March 2004
• 03-04-2004 Streamflow and Groundwater Levels Normal to Above Normal in February 2004
• 02-04-2004 Cold, Dry January Leads to Drop in Water Levels
• 01-06-2004 Wettest Year Leads to Record-High Water Levels Including Third Highest Flow to Chesapeake Bay in December and 2003

2003

• 12-04-2003 More Record-High Water Levels in November 2003
• 11-04-2003 Record High Groundwater Levels in October 2003
• 10-03-2003 Flow to Chesapeake Bay in Water Year 2003 Second Highest Since 1937
• 09-05-2003 Third Consecutive Month of High Flow into the Chesapeake Bay
• 08-06-2003 Flow into Chesapeake Bay near Record High Levels
• 07-07-2003 Record Breaking High Water Levels in Maryland and Delaware
• 06-06-2003 Streamflow and Groundwater Levels High in May
• 05-07-2003 April Water Levels Normal
• 04-05-2003 Water Levels High in March - Water Restrictions Lifted
• 03-05-2003 Exceptionally Wet February Leads to High Water Levels
• 02-06-2003 Maryland and Delaware Streamflow and Groundwater Levels Remain Normal in January 2003
• 01-07-2003 2002: A Record-Setting Year for Low Groundwater Levels - Water Levels Recover to Normal in December 2002

2002

• 12-01-2002 Hydrologic Drought Wanes as Water Levels Rise
• 11-01-2002 Water Levels Rise Across Maryland and Delaware, But Drought Persists in Some Areas
• 10-03-2002 Water Levels Remain at Record-Setting Lows
• 09-05-2002 Groundwater in Parts of Maryland Reaches Lowest Levels Since 1962, Despite Late August Rains
• 08-06-2002 Drought Conditions Lead to 10 Record Low Monthly Groundwater Levels in July
• 07-03-2002 Record Low Water Levels Show the Effects of Long-Term Hydrologic Drought
• 06-04-2002 Groundwater Levels Reflect Long-Term Effects of Drought
• 05-02-2002 April Showers Not Enough to Raise Groundwater Levels
• 04-05-2002 The Drought in Full Bloom: Low Water Levels Result in Water Restrictions

2001

• 12-03-2001 Record Low Water Levels Set in November
• 11-02-2001 Dry October Leads to Low Water Levels
• 10-05-2001 Water Levels Low in Northern Maryland
• 09-07-2001 Water Levels Stable in August
• 08-06-2001 High and Low Water Levels in July
• 07-06-2001 Water Levels Continued to Improve in June
• 06-06-2001 Needed Rain Helps Avert a Drought in May
• 05-08-2001 Water Levels Still Normal in April, but More Rain is Needed
• 04-05-2001 Spring Rains Help Water Levels
• 03-06-2001 Water Levels Improve, But Are Still Below Normal
• 02-06-2001 Streamflow Still Low in Maryland in January
• 01-05-2001 Streamflow to Chesapeake Bay in 2000 Reflects Dry Autumn

2000

• 12-05-2000 Streamflow in Maryland Beginning to Show the Effects of Lack of Rain
• 11-07-2000 Despite Lack of Rain October Water Conditions near Normal
• 10-06-2000 September Water Conditions Above Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 09-08-2000 August Water Conditions Above Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 08-07-2000 July Water Conditions Continue Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 07-07-2000 June Water Conditions Normal in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 06-06-2000 Water conditions begin to decline in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 05-05-2000 Water Conditions Continue to Improve in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 04-07-2000 Water Conditions Continue to Improve in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 03-07-2000 Water Conditions Improving in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.
• 02-08-2000 January Streamflow and Ground Water Levels Still Low
• 01-06-2000 1999 Flow Into Chesapeake Bay Lowest Since 1960s Drought