2004 Ends with Normal to Above Normal Water Levels

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: January 7, 2005

Water levels in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. were normal to above normal in December and have been for several months, according to hydrologists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Groundwater and streamflow levels were normal to above normal throughout most of Maryland and Delaware in 2004, with the exception of streams in southern Maryland during the summer months, and a well in Delaware that was below normal in October.

Chesapeake Bay

Monthly mean streamflow into the Chesapeake Bay during December averaged 100 bgd (billion gallons per day), which is 90 percent above normal. Normal flow for December is 52.8 bgd. The record high flow in September 2004 contributed to the total annual flow to the Chesapeake Bay, which was 36 percent above normal with 68.7 bgd.

The above graph shows the mean monthly flow to the Chesapeake Bay during 2004 and is available on the web at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/monthly/bay.html. For the first half of the year, flow to the Bay was normal (white band), but has been above normal since July, with a peak for the year in September.

According to USGS scientists, the increased nutrient and sediment loads associated with the higher flows probably only had short-term impacts on the Bay. The increased sediment resulted in less light in the Bay waters, which could impact the growth of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV).

This impact might be minimal, however, since it was late in the growing season for SAV. SAV is important in the Bay because it provides oxygen and habitat for fish and crabs, and food for waterfowl. The increased nutrient loads could also contribute to algal blooms, which result in low dissolved-oxygen levels in the Bay, especially during the summer months.

Low dissolved oxygen levels can cause loss of fish, crabs, and oysters. The higher nutrient loads during the fall occurred when Bay waters were beginning to cool, so there was less likelihood for impacts on dissolved oxygen levels. The high nutrient loads delivered this fall may cause worse than normal algal blooms and dissolved oxygen levels during the spring of 2005 as the waters warm. For more information about USGS research in the Chesapeake Bay, visit: http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/chesbay/.

Streamflow

Streamflow increased and was normal to above normal in streams in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. in December. Streamflow was normal to above normal throughout 2004, except for the Choptank River, Nassawango Creek, and the Pocomoke River, which were below normal during the summer. The hydrograph of Piscataway Creek shows that streamflow levels did not follow the typical seasonal pattern because of abundant rainfall and groundwater levels.

The above hydrograph of Piscataway Creek in Prince Georges County, Maryland shows that monthly streamflow levels have been normal (white band) to above normal since the region recovered from the drought in 2002. The streamflow level did not drop as much as usual during the summer months of 2003 or 2004.

Current and historical streamflow data can be monitored on the web at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/. Five-year monthly streamflow hydrographs from the USGS stream-gaging network can be viewed on the web at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/surfacewater/streamflow/

Daily streamflow for the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. averaged 13.2 bgd in December, which is 67 percent above normal. For 2004, average flow was 10.4 bgd, which is 49 percent above the long-term annual average of 7.0 bgd. More information on the Potomac River is available at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/monthly/poto.html.

Groundwater

Precipitation was slightly below normal in December, yet groundwater levels rose and were above normal during December in wells used by the USGS to monitor unconfined or shallow aquifer response to climatic conditions in Maryland and Delaware. The fall and winter months typically are time of recharge to the groundwater system and water levels rise because of low evapotranspiration (water that evaporates or is used by plants) rates. The highest groundwater levels are typically in March or April before the growing season begins. For 5-year hydrographs of groundwater levels for the climatic indicator wells, visit: http://md.water.usgs.gov/groundwater/.

The above observation well BA Ea 18 in Baltimore County, Maryland shows groundwater levels in depth below land surface. The water level in the well shows a similar pattern to the hydrograph of Piscataway Creek above. Since the recovery from the 2002 drought, during which water levels were at record monthly lows, water levels have generally been above normal and did not show the typical seasonal pattern.

Status of Streams and Wells

This map below shows the location and status of wells and streams used by the USGS to monitor water conditions in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. for December 2004. Water levels were normal to above normal in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.

Precipitation

December rainfall was slightly less than normal in Maryland and Delaware, and normal in Washington, D.C. Rainfall in Baltimore was 3.73 inches above normal in 2004, according to preliminary rainfall data from the National Weather Service.

Reservoir Storage

Storage in the Baltimore reservoir system rose 1 percent to 99 percent of capacity in December. The Baltimore reservoirs (Loch Raven, Liberty, and Prettyboy) have been nearly full since May 2003. Storage in the Triadelphia and Duckett Reservoirs on the Patuxent River, which serve Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, rose 9 percent to 93 percent of capacity in December.

Virginia Well Records Northern Sumatra Earthquake

Real-time hydrologic data show a water-level response to the Magnitude 9.0, Sumatra-Andaman Islands Earthquake on December 25, 2004 at 7:58:52 PM (EST) in a 450 foot deep well in Montgomery County, Virginia. The epicenter was 9,600 miles away. The water level fluctuated in response to compression and expansion of fractures caused by the seismic waves and is available on the web at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/. No water-level fluctuations were recorded in Maryland in response to the earthquake. For more information, see the special news release about these unique phenomena at http://va.water.usgs.gov/.

U.S. Geological Survey

Streamflow and groundwater levels are used to assess 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 the Washington, D.C., visit Water Watch at: Water Watch.

The USGS, a Bureau within the Department of the Interior, has served the Nation and the world for 125 years 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 make important decisions 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