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Home My WebLink About20051457 Ver 1_USGS streamflow and ground-water conditions in NC through Monday August 22 2.msg_20110823Strickland, Bev From: John C Weaver Dcweaver @usgs.gov] Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 10:41 AM To: woody.yonts @ncdenr.gov Cc: Ashley. E.Hatchell @usace. army. miI; brian.cullen @noaa.gov; Brian. Hai nes @ncdenr.gov; david.lane @ncdenr.gov; debra.owen @ncdenr.gov; eric.seymour @noaa.gov; gagalleh @duke - energy.com; garry_grabow @ncsu.edu; george.mathews @noaa.gov; harold.m.brady @ncdenr.gov; jamie.kritzer @ncdenr.gov; jcweaver @usgs.gov; Jeff.Orrock @noaa.gov; jim.prevette @ncdenr.gov; jucilene.hoffmann @ncdenr.gov; Lara.Pagano @noaa.gov; linwood.peele @ncdenr.gov; Michael .A.Young @saw02.usace. army. miI; michael.moneypenny @noaa.gov; mike.orbon @ncdenr.gov; neelufa.sarwar @ncdenr.gov; Patricia. Tanner @noaa.gov; Peter. Corrigan @noaa.gov; richard.neuherz @noaa.gov; rwall @ncem.org; ryan_boyles @ncsu.edu; sarah.young @ncdenr.gov; todd.hamill @noaa.gov; Tom.Fransen @ncdenr.gov; tom.reeder @ncdenr.gov; tony_dorn @nass.usda.gov; Torey_Lawrence @nass.usda.gov; Vernon. Cox @ncagr.gov; Wayne.Munden @ncdenr.gov; woody. yonts @ncdenr.gov; Brian Fuchs; Allison.Wash @va.usda.gov; Kathleen Carroll; Darin Figurskey; Glenn Carrin Subject: USGS streamflow and ground -water conditions in NC through Monday, August 22 NC Drought advisory group, Rainfall coverage across North Carolina this past week was more focused on parts of the Coastal Plain, particularly the middle and lower Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, and Lumber / Waccamaw basins where fairly widespread coverage of 0.5+ inch totals are indicated on the rainfall maps (http:/ /www.nc - climate.ncsu.edu /mpe departure /). Even higher totals of 2+ inches are visible on the maps for parts of the above areas, especially most all of the Lumber/ Waccamaw basins where totals of 4+ inches are shown. Other than the southern Coastal Plain, there does not appear to have been much change in overall streamflow conditions across the state. Streamflow conditions noted on the current real -time maps (http:Hwaterwatch.usgs.gov/ new / ?m= real &r =nc &w= real %2Cmap) continue to indicate a mix of conditions across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions in response to the recent rainfalls. Along the same note, the most widespread areas of streamflow conditions in the "less than 10th percentile" likewise continues to be visible for two particular areas: (1) the Triad region east towards the upper Tar River basin and (2) the extreme southwest area of the state in the Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River basins. Streamflow conditions in the "less than 10th percentile" range are also visible at some USGS streamgages in the Broad and South Fork Catawba River basins. As of August 21 (Sunday), streamflow conditions indicate 68 percent of sites across North Carolina have percentiles for 7 -day average flows falling below the 25th percentile for the calendar date (see graph below). This percentage suggests practically no change in overall streamflow relative to 67 percent just a week ago. As noted the previous week, water levels at the 10 Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Sand Hills observations wells in the Climate Response Network (http: / /ogw01.er.usgs.gov /crn /StateMaps /NC.html) continue to be depicted in the normal range for 7 wells, below normal for 1 well in Rowan County, and much below normal for 2 wells at Chapel Hill in Orange County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 355522079043001 &ncd =crn) and near Marston in Scotland County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites. asp ?S = 345812079313401 &ncd =crn). Likewise, water levels for the 6 wells in the Coastal Plain continue to be depicted in the normal range for 1 well at Southport in Brunswick County ( http : / /groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov /AWLSites. asp ?S = 335631078003606 &ncd =crn), below normal for 2 wells in Wayne and Pitt Counties, and record low for the month of August at 3 wells: Comfort in Jones County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 345809077301408 &ncd =crn) Hoke in Washington County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 354418076463601 &ncd =crn) Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 361829076163201 &ncd =crn) Changes made for last week's USDM release included the expansion of the D- nothing area across central North Carolina, some D3 trimming across southern Coastal Plain, and further trimming of the D1 /D2 area across northern Coastal Plain. Draft 1 for this week's release was available as of Monday afternoon with only one change indicated for North Carolina, that being some trimming of the D2 depiction in the southern Coastal Plain within the Lumber/ Waccamaw basins, apparently in response to the rainfall totals during the past week. I will note that it's interesting that not all the D2 was trimmed in the southeast corner of the state for draft 1( ?). Given the: (1) recent changes made during the previous weeks, (2) very little change in overall streamflow conditions during the past week, and (3) the current focus and anticipation of Hurricane Irene having potential impacts on parts of the state later this week, it would be my suggestion that draft 1 be accepted and to use "status quo" across the remainder of the state for this week's release. Comments and opinions welcome... Thanks. JCWeaver ****************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** J. Curtis Weaver, Hydrologist, PE USGS North Carolina Water Science Center 3916 Sunset Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone: (919) 571 -4043 H Fax: (919) 571 -4041 Mobile: (919) 830 -6235 E -mail address -- jcweaver @usgs.gov Internet address -- http: / /nc.water.usgs.gov/ ****************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** -- USDM draft (if available) -- As of Monday afternoon, draft 1 for this week's version was available with D2 trimming in the southeast counties of North Carolina. Eric Luebehusen, meteorologist with the USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board in Washington, D.C., is the USDM author for this week's release. In the email accompanying draft 1, he made the following comments concerning the Carolinas region: Southeast — Prelim 6 -day AHPS (attached) indicated locally heavy showers in portions of the Carolinas and Florida, where improvements were made. USDM archive (you can select North Carolina from the drop -down box near the top, a quick way to see the last two USDM releases): htto:H drouaht.unl.edu /dm /archive.html -- Observed precipitation -- Sources of precipitation totals are available from the following: (1) USGS rainfall totals (sorted by county) for the last 7 days at http : / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /current ?tvpe = precip &group kev= county cd (2) State Climate Office of North Carolina at http : / /www.nc - climate.ncsu.edu /mpe departure/ (3) NOAA NWS's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at http: / /water.weather.gov /precip/ Image shown below pulled from the State Climate Office of North Carolina at http: / /www.nc- climate.ncsu.edu /mpe departure/ ncsu.edu File Edit View Favorites Tools Help x convert - ,select 90 Favorites 0- Free Hotmail Customize Links gp� Windows U� Windows Marketplace Windows Media USGS WaterW,tch -- Stre... Internal Home - USGS NC... USGS WaterWatch -- Stre... O'AHP5 Precipitation Analysis State Climate Office of North Carolina There are possible errors associated with these radar-based precipitation estimates- This product is in beta.. Select Layers: Precipitation: G Estimate 0 Difference from normal 0 ("', Percent of normal (7) Geographic. 2 County lines El Cities 0 Rivers and Streams El HUC-6 El HUC-8 � El Highways Internal users jggh2 -- Streamflow -- Current conditions are depicted as real -time, 7 -day, 14 -day, and 28 -day flows available in the WaterWatch series of maps at: http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/classic/?m=real&r=nc&w=real%2Cmap Current conditions... Tuesday, August 23, 2011 09 :30ET Last week's conditions... Tuesday, August 16, 2011 09 :30ET WIM MUSIGS When viewing the USGS WaterWatch streamflow information, you can hover your cursor over a site and a pop -up box appears with various pieces of information, including the percentile for the current streamflow AND the current percentage of mean and median for the calendar date. Highlighting current flows (August 23 morning) at some selected gaging stations (obtained from http : / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /current / ?type =flow ): Site number Explanation - Percentile classes Flow Aug 16 ......,. flow (% of) Lo 1 i 25-75 r -0 > � - �: High Idol- ranked j N ch beds ur - ---- ---- -� Be lbw P trr� al Ah,,we % asU) a, , � mar €Y,,aI When viewing the USGS WaterWatch streamflow information, you can hover your cursor over a site and a pop -up box appears with various pieces of information, including the percentile for the current streamflow AND the current percentage of mean and median for the calendar date. Highlighting current flows (August 23 morning) at some selected gaging stations (obtained from http : / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /current / ?type =flow ): Site number Site name (and County) Flow Aug 16 Current flow (% of) Median Aug 23 02053200 Potecasi Creek near Union (Hertford) -- 2.0 cfs 1.1 cfs 5.2% 21 cfs 02106500 Black River near Tomahawk (Sampson) -- 73 cfs 300 cfs 870 344 cfs 02085500 Flat River at Bahama (Durham) -- 1.5 cfs 1.5 cfs 100 15 cfs 02096960 Haw River near Bynum (Chatham) -- 214 cfs 77 cfs 37% 207 cfs 02115360 Yadkin River at Enon (Yadkin) -- 1,000 cfs 837 cfs 59% 1,409 cfs 02152100 First Broad River near Casar (Cleveland) -- 22 cfs 17 cfs 41% 41 cfs 03451500 French Broad River at Asheville (Buncombe) -- 759 cfs 748 cfs 640 1,160 cfs 03550000 Valley River at Tomotla (Cherokee) -- 46 cfs 39 cfs 41% 94 cfs 4: ! 4 Visit the WaterWatch pages at http: / /waterwatch.usgs.gov /classic / ?r =nc to get the most recent data for sites of interest. Durations plots for selected individual USGS stations can be accessed at http: / /nc.water.usgs.gov /drought /duration.html The OVERALL 7 -day average flows by HUC map (http:Hwaterwatch.usgs.gov /classic / ?m= pa07d &r= nc &w =pa07d nwc %2Cmap) are depicted in the image below: Monday, Rugust 22, 2011 To help provide more detail by major basin, the BELOW NORMAL 7 -day average flows by HUC map (http: / /waterwatch.usgs.gov /classic /index.php ?map type =drvw &state =nc) are depicted in the image below: Monday, Rugust 22, 2011 As of August 21 (Sunday), the graph of 7 -day flow percentiles shown below indicates 68 percent of sites across North Carolina have percentiles for 7 -day average flows falling below the 25th percentile for the calendar date. And 20 percent of sites across North Carolina are shown as having 7 -day average flows below the 10th percentile or reaching new minimum for calendar date. Compared to August 14 (Sunday), the current values indicate practically no change in overall streamflow conditions during course of the past week, considering 67% of sites across the state were below the 25th percentile and 21 % of sites were below 10th percentile and /or reaching new minimum for the calendar date. Below is a graph developed from the 7 -day average flow summary table available at: http: / /waterwater.usgs.gov/ classic / ?m= pa07d &r= nc &w= paO7d %2Ctable i i ii Less than 25th percentile Percentage of sites in North Carolina with 7 -day t Less than 10th percentile indicated percentile range or lowe New min forthe day August, September October ilovember December t 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 Date Another measure of the streamflow conditions is available from maps of median percentiles for 7 -day average flows for the previous 7 -, 14- 30 -, 60 -, and 90 -day periods updated through August 22 (Monday). These maps are intended to provide some kind of "long- term" index of the streamflow conditions (not available through the USGS WaterWatch pages) that is mapped according to the classification scheme for streamflow used by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Map images (via the above URL) showing the median percentiles for 7 -day average flows for previous 7 and 30 days are shown below. http: / /nc. water. usgs .gov /drought/dm- streamflow.html 10 Previous 7 days Monday, August 22, 2011 Previous 30 days Monday, August 22, 2011 tt: E 0- 65 . . ........ k i ! ° D 111, Or f e Explanation Unregulated Regulated No - No Drought ( >30 percentile) 6 IM DO - Abnormally Dry (21 to 30 percentile) 0 ❑ D1 - Moderate Drought (11 to 20 percentile) D2 - Severe Drought (6 to 10 percentile) D3 - Extreme Drought (3 to 5 percentile) IF D4 - Exceptional Drought (0 to 2 percentile) a IM n/d - Not determined 0 ❑ 11 The following ArcMap screenshot shows the change in the median percentiles of 7 -day average flows for 7 -day period from last week (with last week's U.S. Drought Monitor in the background). In other words, at a given site, take last week's median percentile and compare it to this week's median percentile. Sites in red indicate a decrease in the median percentile from last week to this week (suggesting a decline in streamflow). Sites in blue indicate an increase in the median percentile from last week to this week (suggesting an improvement decline in streamflow). The size of the circles indicates the general range in percentile increase or decrease (note legend to left of the map). File Edit View Bookmarks Insert Selection Tools Window Help --- ____ ____ _____mmmm________ 23 61 & 10 rc r + 1:3,547,900 ............................................................................................................................................. ..............................' x -!, Layers -1 ❑Q Automated DM maps (short string) ❑Q (weekly change in 7 -day median percentile) ® <all other values> WeeHy_c_i nfd Greater than 50 percentile increase 25 to 50 percentile increase O -? ,> ,f., xv a Editor ff Display I Source Selection)p' rr Drawing El rlal T 1 T B'r u — - -- Ground Water -- Please visit the Climate Response Network page at http: / /groundwaterwatch. usqs. gov /StateMapsNet.asp ?ncd= crn &sc =37 (map shown below) for more information on 12 10 to 25 percentile increase 5 to 10 percentile increase 0 to 5 percentile increase 0 No percentile change 0 to 5 percentile decrease 5 to 10 percentile decrease 10 to 25 percentile decrease 25 to 50 percentile decrease Greater than 50 percentile decrease O -? ,> ,f., xv a Editor ff Display I Source Selection)p' rr Drawing El rlal T 1 T B'r u — - -- Ground Water -- Please visit the Climate Response Network page at http: / /groundwaterwatch. usqs. gov /StateMapsNet.asp ?ncd= crn &sc =37 (map shown below) for more information on 12 ground -water conditions at selected USGS observation wells in North Carolina. ak ti!VES �PFrIMIA �' �taunthrlokev,,. 17 t Uniarsauu Oak a,. ��La anTappaY�annad< Atlantic into, Bedtle d6ki4kam '� ° ¢White Mane Beach aWelc Unia L' bUl „a 60,E Covf,onialHvigh (Eastville rW ' P aski - , anok. F� ark He Virginia 7 Explanation - Percentile class �. ......ee __ New <10 1024 25-75 75-90 >90 New Not Bel' ..... — - ....... " Low hrluah ''""' ""'Bel' Normal lave hrluGl l aver High Ranked Shown below are the hydrographs at four selected wells across North Carolina... real -time page for USGS ground water data in NC is available at http: / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /current ?tvpe =qw (MOUNTAINS) NC -144 at Blantyre in Transylvania County (http: / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /dv / ?site no= 351808082374302 &agency cd =USGS &referred module =sw) 13 14 CU Q. 30.00 z 2117.00 0 CU L (U 2116.50 CU 31.00 4J CL C Jul Aug Aug Aug 30 06 13 20 2011 2011 2011 2011 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ---- 14 (WESTERN PIEDMONT) NC -193, Piedmont RS near Barber in Rowan County (http: / /waterdata .usgs.gov /nc /nwis /dv / ?dd cd =01 72019 00003 &format =imq default &site no= 354057080362601 &set to qscale v =0 &begin date = 20070319) 15 USES 351 0808237430 TR -065 (SIC -144) AT BLANTYRE, HC (RE OLITH a 27.E 2129.9 m Q. a, 28.9 2119.9 0 29 +0 2118.9 0 z Do ' c 39.9 2117.9 t > M r 31.9 2116.9 r 0 J 32.9 2115.9 4 4J C6 L Gi Q p 33.9 .... 2114.9 +} M >- J r H G 34 +0 0 L Sep Now Jan Mar Nay Jul 2919 2919 2911 2911 2911 2911 — Daily nean depth to water level Period of provisional data Period of approved data (WESTERN PIEDMONT) NC -193, Piedmont RS near Barber in Rowan County (http: / /waterdata .usgs.gov /nc /nwis /dv / ?dd cd =01 72019 00003 &format =imq default &site no= 354057080362601 &set to qscale v =0 &begin date = 20070319) 15 16 SGS 3540 x'0803 01 Rte -149 NC -193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (RE OLIT m C 'i 8 +49 669 +69 y F � +6$ 8.60 �y 669 +4$ G } �F L7 z } m pp ply V +89 �y ry�y 669 +29 Qb 0 G] L m L 4J �y �y �y 9 +99 �y �y �y 669 +99 } L 4J CU 4J m �y ry�y 9 +29 p ply 668 +89 C C L d Jul Rug Rug Rug +o 39 96 13 29 2911 2911 2911 2911 - - -- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- 0 Measured depth to water level — Depth to water level 16 (EASTERN PIEDMONT) NC -126 at Chapel Hill in Orange County ( http:/ /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /dv/ ?site no= 355522079043001 &agency cd =USGS &referred module =sw) SGS 354057080362601 Rte -149 (SIC -193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (RE OLIT a 672 +0 1 6 +0 OR -069 (NC-126) AT CHAPEL 0 (RE t LITH) 45 +36 CU 466 +28 c � 6.5 CU 671 +5 4J s 45 +40 7 +9 466 +10 671 +6 G } L) z C 7 +5 670 +5 L 466 +88 > 4 m -0 8 +0 45 +69 670 +0 r 465 +99 �} L 8 +5 669 +5 -I C6 45 +78 CU 4� 465 +88 GU A +} ° 9 +0 669 +0 s r0 J L r H � a 9 +5 224 668 +5 L Sep Now Jan Mar May Jul +78 � C 2919 2919 2011 2911 2011 2011 — Daily nean depth to water level Period of provisional data Period of approved data 45 +9$ (EASTERN PIEDMONT) NC -126 at Chapel Hill in Orange County ( http:/ /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /dv/ ?site no= 355522079043001 &agency cd =USGS &referred module =sw) 17 USGS 355522079 143001 OR -069 (NC-126) AT CHAPEL HILL, H (RE t LITH) 45 +36 466 +28 c CU s 45 +40 466 +10 +' 45 +58 466 +88 > z 45 +69 465 +99 m L 45 +78 465 +88 GU A r0 L O 45 +88 465 Gi s L C +78 � C CL G] d 45 +9$ 465 +6$ L L 0 Jul Aug Aug Aug 3$ $6 13 2$ 2911 2911 2911 2911 - - -- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- 17 (COASTAL PLAIN) NC -160 near Simpson in Pitt County ( http:/ /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /dv/ ?site no= 353219077153801 &agency cd =USGS &referred module =sw) 18 USGS 3555 079043001 OR -069 (NC -126) AT CHAPEL HILL, H (RE t LITH) a 41.0 m 470.0 S Q 42•$ 0 469.0 m y 43.9 z 468.6 0 s or 44,8 2 cu } 467.8 -W C 45.9 L cu G M 466.$ 3 � c H � a 46.0 L Sep Now Jan Mar May Jul 2010 2919 2911 2011 2911 2911 — Daily nean depth to water level Period of provisional data Period of approved data (COASTAL PLAIN) NC -160 near Simpson in Pitt County ( http:/ /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /dv/ ?site no= 353219077153801 &agency cd =USGS &referred module =sw) 18 19 USES 353219077153801 PI-532 (NC-160) NR IMP ON, NC (SURFICIAL,) C 5.00 4J 51.00 O F 5.50 50.50 4J 6.00 4 U 1 50.00 Lo z 0 6.50 CU 49.50 (U L 7. 00 m L 49.00 P-4 CU DO Q -W 7.50 CU 48..50 L 8 0 0 CU 48.00 C6 8.50 Jul Aug Rug Aug L 30 06 13 20 Lo 2011 2011 2011 2011 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- - Depth to water level A Value exceeds "standard difference" threshold. 19 20 USGS 353 19077153801 PI -532 (NC-160) NR SIMPSON, N URFI IAL) O 4ti 1 +$ 5555 +0 Q- 2 ry �y .0 54 +0 S 41 0% 3 +0 +$ 52 +0 41 0 55 +0 51 0 +} +$ i a 6 +0 CU 50 +0 }y 7 m -W +9 49 +0 L C6 G Gi +0 L +0 m 9 C H o +$ Sep Now Jan Mar May Jul C 2919 2910 2911 2011 2911 2911 0 — Daily nean depth to water level Period of approved data Period of provisional data — Lowest recorded water level prior to MY2011 (8 +97 ft Oct 23,24, 2007) 20