Water Resources Plentiful at End of December 2005; Chesapeake Bay Flow Normal in 2005

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 6, 2006

Water levels throughout Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. were normal to above normal at the end of December according to hydrologists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Most of the rivers were flowing at normal levels, while many of the wells were at above normal levels in December. Except for September 2005, water levels have been normal to above normal for the past 2 years. In the past four months, the region experienced the driest September on record including record-low streamflow on the Savage River, to the wettest October on record and flooding from intense rainfall over a two-day period.

The 5-year hydrograph for the Savage River in western Maryland illustrates how streamflow responds to climatic conditions. Streamflow typically increases at this time of year when water demands from evapotranspiration (evaporation and water used by plants) are low. Monthly mean streamflow (shown as the dark line) changed from record-low levels during the dry September to normal levels (white band) in October, November, and December, when rainfall was normal or above. In October, the Hagerstown area received 5.07 inches of rain, while areas to the east in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. had more than twice the normal rainfall, which brought streams from below normal to normal levels.

Status of Streams and Wells

This map shows the location and status of wells and streams used by the USGS to monitor water levels in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. at the end of December 2005. To view hydrographs for these sites, visit: Water Watch.

Streamflow levels are normal in central and western Maryland and above normal on the Delmarva Peninsula. Groundwater levels ranged from normal to above normal. Many of the streams and wells in western Maryland are normal, which reflects the drier conditions in that region.

Chesapeake Bay Flow

Monthly mean streamflow to the Chesapeake Bay averaged 70 bgd (billion gallons per day) for December, which was 32 percent above normal. Normal flow for December is 52.8 bgd. Abundant rainfall and runoff in October helped bring the flow to the Bay from below normal levels to above normal levels (see graph). Near normal rainfall in November and December helped keep the Bay flow at normal to above normal levels.

The graph above shows monthly mean streamflow to the Chesapeake Bay for 2005. The white band shows the normal range of monthly mean flows, 1937-2003 (25th to 75th percentile). Darker shaded areas show the maximum and minimum monthly mean flows based on data from 1937-2003.

The Susquehanna, Potomac, and James Rivers are the largest rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and usually contribute about 85 percent of the freshwater streamflow to the Bay. In an average year, approximately 50 percent of the freshwater flow comes from the Susquehanna River, 20 percent from the Potomac River, and 15 percent from the James River.

The remaining 15 percent comes from surrounding tributaries and smaller streams. This December, the amount of freshwater entering the Bay included higher than normal flow from tributaries. Flow from the Susquehanna River was 53 percent, while the Potomac River contributed 13 percent, the James River contributed 8 percent, and the remainder from other sources was 25 percent. More information about USGS studies to help with the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed can be found at http://chesapeake.usgs.gov.

Annual freshwater flow to the Chesapeake Bay for 2005 was normal, and is shown above as a gray bar within the white band. The white band in this graph shows normal range of annual mean flows for data from 1937-2003 (25th to 75th percentile). Flow in 2005 was normal for the first year since 2000. During 2001 and 2002, the flow was less than normal and in 2003 and 2004, the flow was above normal. This graph is available on the web at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/monthly/bay.html.

Streamflow

Streamflow levels were normal in most of the streams in the Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. region in December, and above normal in Delaware. During 2005, streamflow levels were at normal to above normal levels throughout the year, except during September when they reached below normal levels because of almost no rainfall. Current and historical streamflow data can be found 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 9.3 bgd in December, which is 18

Streamflow data, also called discharge data, is collected every 15 minutes at the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The triangles represent the normal flow for that day. The graph shows normal fluctuations due to rainfall events and intervening dry periods.

Daily streamflow for the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. averaged 9.3 bgd in December, which is 18 percent above normal. Normal December flow is 7.9 bgd. Real-time streamflow data for this station and thousands across the Nation are available at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/. The USGS provides access to water-resources data collected at approximately 1.5 million sites in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Groundwater

Groundwater levels in wells used by the USGS to monitor unconfined or shallow aquifer response to climatic conditions in Maryland and Delaware were at normal to above normal levels throughout the region in December. During 2005, water levels in these wells were at normal to above normal levels.

The above 5-year hydrograph shows groundwater levels for a well in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Water level is shown in depth below land surface. The water level (dark line) has been normal to above normal since the fall of 2002, and in the normal range for the past 8 months.

Precipitation

December rainfall was near normal throughout most of Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. with more than 3 inches of rain at BWI Airport (3.90 inches), Reagan National Airport (3.34 inches), Wilmington (3.26 inches), and Georgetown (3.31 inches). Rainfall in Hagerstown, however, was only 1.56 inches, according to preliminary rainfall data from the National Weather Service (NWS).

September 2005 was a record-setting dry month and streamflow levels were below normal. October 2005 was the wettest month on record in Maryland and Washington D.C. with 9.23 inches at BWI and 9.41 inches at Reagan National Airport. Delaware also experienced more than double normal rainfall in October. The abundance of water resulted from a rainfall event at the beginning of the month. The ground was dry and compact from the previous month of little rainfall and the intense rain quickly led to flooding in low-lying areas. Annual rainfall for 2005 was normal for the region, with less rainfall in western Maryland (Source: NWS Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center).

Reservoir Storage

Storage in the Baltimore reservoir system rose 11 percent to about 98 percent of capacity at the end of December. The Baltimore reservoirs (Loch Raven, Liberty, and Prettyboy) had been nearly full since May 2003. The Triadelphia and Duckett Reservoirs on the Patuxent River, which serve Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, increased 4 percent to 76 percent of capacity at the end of December.

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 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

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

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