Record High Groundwater Levels in October 2003

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

Jump to archives >>

Updated: November 5, 2003

Streamflow and groundwater levels remain at unusually high levels across Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Groundwater levels at five wells were at their highest October levels in 40 years, and for three of these wells, it is the second consecutive month of record high levels. At the end of October, three streams were at their highest levels, according to hydrologists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These high water levels are typical of levels hydrologists expect to see in the winter and spring when recharge is at its peak and water levels are usually the highest for the year. Water levels are elevated from the abundant rainfall during the last 12 months.

The map below shows the wells and streams used by the USGS to monitor water conditions in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. At the end of October, all wells and streams were at above normal levels (dark circles and triangles). Five wells were at their highest October levels in 40 years (represented by an asterisk). Three streams had the highest flow for the last week of October.

After the region recovered from the 2002 drought last winter, water levels in most of these streams and wells have been at above normal levels. Many of these sites were at or near record-setting low levels only a year before.

Groundwater

Sixty percent of the wells used by the USGS to monitor climatic conditions in the bi-state region were near their highest October levels, and wells in Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Prince Georges, and Queen Annes Counties, Maryland reached the highest October level in 40 years. This is the second consecutive month of record-setting high levels for wells in Harford, Queen Annes, and Prince Georges Counties. All wells were above normal levels. Last October, the region was still recovering from the severe hydrologic drought of 2002, and wells in Baltimore and Harford Counties were at their lowest levels in 40 years. Recharge to groundwater typically begins in October when most plants are dormant and temperatures are lower, but water levels are already at high levels typically seen during the winter and spring.

The 5-year hydrograph for a well in Harford County above shows that the water level in the well, measured in depth below land surface, is at a record-setting high for October 2003. This is the second consecutive month of record-setting high levels. Water levels recovered from the record-setting low during the 2002 drought a year ago, and have been above normal for the past 6 months.

Notice the greater response in the water level at this well to the drought and hurricanes in 2002-2003 in comparison to the drought in 1999 and recovery from Hurricane Floyd.

For 5-year hydrographs of groundwater levels for the climatic indicator wells, visit: http://md.water.usgs.gov/groundwater/.

Groundwater is an important component (in addition to streamflow and reservoir storage) in assessing water resources, however, as groundwater is usually hidden underground, it is difficult to know the status of aquifers in a timely manner. Most wells are measured by hand on a regular basis, commonly monthly. Recently, four wells in Maryland (Allegany, Frederick, and Washington Counties) have been equipped with real-time data collection as part of a cooperative study by the USGS and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) to assess water resources in the Basin.

The above 31-day hydrograph for a well in Frederick County, Maryland, is an example of the real-time output used to assess groundwater levels. Water levels are measured continuously in depth below land surface and are typically recorded once per hour and the data are transmitted via satellite every 4 hours.

Hydrographs and data can be viewed at the National Water Information System (NWISWeb) Web page. Notice the response in the well to about an inch of rainfall from October 26-29. The water level rose about 6 feet in less than a week.

Real-time groundwater data are defined as data automatically collected, transmitted, and made available to the public at least once a day. These data can be transmitted by land-line telephone, cellular telephone, radio, satellite telemetry, or a combination of these technologies. The advantages of real-time data collection include timeliness, data quality, data availability, and cost. There are currently five wells in Maryland and one well in Delaware equipped with real-time data collection. Within the next year, several wells in Calvert County, Maryland will also be monitored in real-time. To view real-time groundwater levels, visit the USGS NWISWeb site at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/. Select groundwater from the data category, then real-time, then your region of interest, such as Maryland.

Streamflow

Streamflow across Maryland and Delaware has been at or above normal levels for about 12 months. At the end of October, Deer Creek and Patuxent River in Maryland, and Shellpot Creek near Wilmington, Delaware were at their highest levels for this period. Monthly flows were all above normal. Five-year monthly streamflow hydrographs from the USGS stream-gaging network can be viewed on the USGS website at http://md.water.usgs.gov/surfacewater/streamflow/. Current and historical streamflow data can be monitored on the web at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/.

Daily streamflow on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. in October averaged 8.0 bgd (billion gallons per day), which is 4 times higher than normal flow. Further information on the Potomac River is available at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/monthly/poto.html

Chesapeake Bay

Total flow into the Chesapeake Bay during October averaged 53 bgd, which is 96 percent above average or almost twice the normal October flow into the Bay. Flow has been above normal since May 2003. More information about streamflow, water quality, and the Chesapeake Bay can be found at http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/ and www.chesapeakebay.net.

Precipitation and Reservoir Storage

Precipitation during 2003 has been far above normal levels-- the third wettest year at Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport and the second highest at Washington National Airport since record-keeping began in the late 1800s, according to the National Weather Service. Above normal rainfall has left groundwater and streamflow levels across Maryland and Delaware at very high levels. Since the ground is nearly saturated, when it rains, the water has little place to go except to accumulate in low spots or become runoff and fill our waterways. The high water levels make the region vulnerable to localized flooding.

High groundwater levels and above normal rainfall helped to keep reservoir storage levels in the Baltimore reservoir system and in the Triadelphia and Duckett Reservoirs on the Patuxent River at capacity in October.

USGS Water Monitoring

Streamflow and groundwater levels are used to assess the current water conditions and can be used to predict the potential for flooding and drought conditions. These USGS data have been provided to State and local water resource managers and are critical for making appropriate decisions on water regulation. For more information on streamflow and groundwater levels in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., visit Water Watch at: Water Watch.

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, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and other agencies. The observation wells used in this analysis are operated in cooperation with the Maryland and Delaware Geological Surveys. The real-time wells are operated in cooperation with the Maryland and Delaware Geological Surveys and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. The USGS publishes data for 137 streamflow stations and 379 observation wells across Maryland and Delaware.

The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

** * USGS * * *

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 Groundwater Levels Still Low
• 01-06-2000 1999 Flow Into Chesapeake Bay Lowest Since 1960s Drought