The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20051457 Ver 1_USGS streamflow and ground-water conditions in NC through Monday January 09 2012.msg_20120110Strickland, Bev From: John C Weaver Dcweaver @usgs.gov] Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 11:20 AM To: Linwood Peele 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; Yonts, Woody Subject: USGS streamflow and ground -water conditions in NC through Monday, January 09, 2012 NC Drought advisory group, Precipitation coverage across North Carolina during the past week was not impressive as much of the state received little to no rainfall, as indicated on the State Climate Office precipitation totals map (http: / /www.nc- climate.ncsu.edu /mpe departure). The only areas receiving totals of 0.5+ inch were parts of (1) the southeast Piedmont and Sand Hills at the South Carolina border, (2) Hyde County in east central Coastal Plain, and (3) the mountains region along the border with Tennessee. Because of little to no precipitation, there was an "across the board" decline in the observed streamflows across most of North Carolina. Streamflow conditions indicated on the current real -time streamflow map (http:Hwaterwatch.usgs.gov/ new / ?m= real &r =nc &w= real %2Cmap) continue to indicate areas across the state with differing streamflow patterns. although the distinction is not as pronounced as in previous weeks. Widespread streamflow conditions in the "less than 10th percentile" range with several sites at the 1 st percentile (record low for the calendar date) are predominant in eastern half of the state. In the western half of the state, conditions generally in the normal ranges continue to visible in the mountains region with a transition to below - normal in western Piedmont. It appears the dryness pattern is expanding towards the west across the state. As of January 08 (Sunday), streamflow conditions indicate 61 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 little change in overall streamflows relative to 25 percent just a week ago. Water levels at the 10 Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Sand Hills observations wells depicted on the Climate Response Network in North Carolina (http: / /ogw01.er.usgs.gov /crn /StateMaps /NC.html) indicate water levels in the above normal range for 1 wells, normal range for 6 wells, below normal for 1 well at Marble in Cherokee County, and much below normal for 2 wells: • well near Marston in Scotland County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 345812079313401 &ncd =crn) • well at Chapel Hill in Orange County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites. asp ?S = 355522079043001 &ncd =crn), functionally "dry" since late October Similar to last week, water levels at the 6 Coastal Plain wells are in the below - normal range for 4 wells and much below - normal for the 2 wells: • well near Grantham in Wayne County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 353219077153801 &ncd =crn) • well near Simpson in Pitt County (http: // groundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 353219077153801 &ncd =crn) Draft 1 for this week's release was available as of Monday evening with no changes yet indicated for North Carolina. Changes to last week's map include DO /D1 expansions across the central and northern Coastal Plain. A couple thoughts need to be considered by the NC drought group: (1) It's possible that a D2 depiction may need to be introduced for parts of the Coastal Plain giving the continuing precipitation deficits and widespread below - normal streamflow / groundwater conditions in the eastern half of the state. This week's draft 1 release shows expanded D2 and D3 along the South Carolina coast towards the state border. As everyone is aware, the drought depictions during the winter period can be challenging due to lack of visible and widespread impacts. However, the hydrologic conditions in the eastern half are reaching a point where deterioration in the drought categories may be justified. (2) If no substantial rainfalls occur within the next week or so, there may potentially be some justification for deterioration in the central Piedmont with a return to DO. (3) Need to keep any eye on parts of the western Piedmont (particularly, the Broad River and Catawba River Basins) for potential return to DO. 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 evening, draft 1 for this week's version was available with no changes yet indicated for North Carolina. Laura Edwards, climate field specialist in Aberdeen, South Dakota, is the USDM author for this week's release. This is also her last rotation serving as a USDM author. In the email accompanying draft 1, she made no specific comments concerning the Carolinas region. However, she indicated some changes to the depictions in Atlantic coast states (incl. South Carolina): 6. Atlantic coast states: brought D2 and D3 a little northward along the coast. Also expanded DO northward to Delmarva peninsula, and inland a bit. 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): http: / /drought.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/preci shown below pulled from the NOAA NWS's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at http: / /water.weather.gov /precip/ North Carolina: Current 7 —Day Observed Precipitation Valid at 1/10/2012 1200 UTC— Created 1/10/12 15:54 UTC -- 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, January 10, 2012 09 :30ET WIM MUSIGS Last week's conditions... Tuesday, January 03, 2012 09 :30ET When viewing the USGS WaterWatch streamflow information, you can hover your cursor over a site and a pop -up box Explanation - Percentile classes ......,. X10 Lew 1024 25-75 76 -90 > � ............ - �: High Idol- ranked l M N ch beds ur - ---- ---- -� Be lbw al P trr� al Al y g % asc.l� aD0VV, mar €Y I r� rm l 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 (January 10 morning) at some selected gaging stations (obtained from http : / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /current / ?type =flow ): Site number Site name (and County) Flow Jan 03 Current flow (% of) Median Jan 10 02053200 Potecasi Creek near Union (Hertford) -- 79 cfs 48 cfs 20% 245 cfs 02106500 Black River near Tomahawk (Sampson) -- 246 cfs 201 cfs 24% 849 cfs 02085500 Flat River at Bahama (Durham) -- 28 cfs 24 cfs 30% 81 cfs 02096960 Haw River near Bynum (Chatham) -- 537 cfs 379 cfs 370 1,030 cfs 02115360 Yadkin River at Enon (Yadkin) -- 2,080 cfs 1,810 cfs 890 2,030 cfs 02152100 First Broad River near Casar (Cleveland) -- 48 cfs 41 cfs 550 75 cfs 03451500 French Broad River at Asheville (Buncombe) -- 1,910 cfs 1,610 cfs 890 1,810 cfs 03550000 Valley River at Tomotla (Cherokee) -- 203 cfs 239 cfs 87% 276 cfs Focusing on the 7-day average flows... 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, January 09, 2012 I, SGS 6 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, January 09, 2012 As of January 08 (Sunday), the graph of 7 -day flow percentiles shown below indicates 61 percent of sites across North Carolina have percentiles for 7 -day average flows falling below the 25th percentile for the calendar date. And 30 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 January 01 (Sunday), the current values indicate declines in overall streamflow conditions during course of the past week, considering 25% of sites across the state were below the 25th percentile and 6% 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 1 100 ONN A4, Less than 25th percentile Percentage of sites in North Carolina with 7 -dad? Less than 10th percentile indicated percentile range or love New min forthe clay 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 January 09 (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 8 Previous 7 days Monday, January 0, 2012 Previous 30 days Monday, January 0, 2012 Explanation Unregulated Regulated No - No Drought ( >30 percentile) DO - Abnormally Dry (21 to 30 percentile) D ❑ D1 - Moderate Drought (11 to 20 percentile) D2 - Severe Drought (6 to 10 percentile) r s' D3 - Extreme Drought (3 to 5 percentile) D4 - Exceptional Drought (0 to 2 percentile) n/d - Not determined ❑ 0 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 7:�,e�7,��e � Ei Leers ❑► Automated DM maps (short string) E] ❑1 (weekly change in 7 -day median percen' ® gall othervalues? 10 to 25 percentile increase 25 to 50 percentile decrease Greaterthan 50 percentile decrease E Display �Source !Selectlon Drawing �� [:]I B 'r U i A — Is � _ � • °n [ ? �+ i -- Ground Water -- 10 5 to 10 percentile increase 0 to 5 percentile increase 0 No percentile change g to 5 percentile decrease 5 to 10 percentile decrease 10 to 25 percentile decrease 25 to 50 percentile decrease Greaterthan 50 percentile decrease E Display �Source !Selectlon Drawing �� [:]I B 'r U i A — Is � _ � • °n [ ? �+ i -- Ground Water -- 10 Please visit the North Carolina Real -Time Network page at http: / /groundwaterwatch. usqs. gov /StateMapsNet.asp ?ncd= rtn &sc =37 (map shown below) for more information on ground -water conditions at selected USGS observation wells in North Carolina. !VES 51IRINIA , taunt4 li rlotte � r 17 t U�iarsaw t ok , v ,"'Logan - � Oak I R G Tappjhannock Atlantic ° Into, " Bedtle`�,aludg ° ,tdtrrham ° White Mane Beach �elc Unio L L7�lt ram i4 C of arnal H 4 igh s E,asville .t r,, P aski aanak ort Mew Virginia r , 4onway rth" "f7 rtle Beach Kingstree, Myrtle Beach 'c Georgetown nerviile t ! a rr t i c 0 e e a 7 Explanation - Percentile class �. ......ee __ New <10 1024 25-75 75-90 >90 New Not Bel' ..... — - 66`v.. " Law hrluch Below Below Nonnal love hrluGl l over 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) 11 12 USES 351 080823 '430 TR-065 (NC-144) AT BLANTYRE, NC (REGOLITH) 31.00 2116.00 4J CU Q. 3 31.50 2115.50 4J 32.00 2115.00 z 32.50 (U L 2114.50 m L (U -p 33.00 CU D 0 2114.00 --' O L CU -p 33.50 m 2113.50 C CL 1 34.00 L 0 Dec Dec Dec Jan 17 24 31 07 2011 2011 2011 2012 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ---- 12 (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) 13 USES 351 0808237430 TR -065 (SIC -144) AT BLANTYRE, HC (RE OLITH a 27.E 2129.9 m Q. .0 28 +9 2119.9 4 29 +9 2118.9 Duo 39.9 2117.9 z 31 +9 2118.9 4J M 32,9 2115.9 cu 33 +$ 2114.9 L C6 Q cu Q 34 +$ 2113.9 M J C CE 35 +6 L Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan 2911 2911 2911 2911 2911 2912 — 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) 13 14 SGS 3540 x'0803 01 Rte -149 NC -193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (RE OLIT m C 6 80 - 671.20 7.00 671,00 y cQ 4 7.2$ 670 +80 Lo 0 Qb L 7.40 670.60 m L Q GU } 7.60 670.40 C: ^i L CU m 7.80 670,20 C d L Dec Dec Dec Jan ca 17 24 31 07 2011 2011 2011 2012 - - -- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- 0 Measured depth to water level — Depth to water level 14 (EASTERN PIEDMONT) Local nurnborVVK'284. NCOENR Lake VVhoo|or Research Station at Raleigh in Wake County ROTE: Effective December 13, 2011, the LakeTTheeler Research Station observation well in T-Take County will be used in lieu of the Chapel Hill well in Orange County. Water levels at the Chapel Hill well () have been dry since latter October 15 SGS 354057080362601 RO-149 (NC-193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (REGOLITI 0 CU 4J 6.5 671.5 7.0 671.0 4J M 4J C6 L CU Mar May Jul Sep Now Jan 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 Daily nean depth to water level Period of provisional data Period of approved data (EASTERN PIEDMONT) Local nurnborVVK'284. NCOENR Lake VVhoo|or Research Station at Raleigh in Wake County ROTE: Effective December 13, 2011, the LakeTTheeler Research Station observation well in T-Take County will be used in lieu of the Chapel Hill well in Orange County. Water levels at the Chapel Hill well () have been dry since latter October 15 16 USES 3 544040 78403101 WK -284 LAK E' HEELER RS MW-3 S (RE G 0LITHWELL) C 27 +7D e« 347 +3D � ° 27 +75 347 +25 347 +2$ L7 27 +85 C] 347 +15 CU 27 +9D (U L 347 +1$ L 27 +95 CU }, 347 +$5 rcu s 28 +DD L 0 347 +$$ cu 28 +D5 m i 346 +95 Q G Dec Dec Dec Jan L 17 24 31 $7 C7 2911 2911 2911 2912 - - -- Provisional data Subject to Revision - - -- - Depth to water level — Lowest recorded water level prior to MY2011 (27 +89 ft Dec 12, 2008) 16 UPS 3 544040 78403101 WK -284 LAK E' HEELER RS MW-3 S (RE G 0LITH'W at) 25 +99 359 +99 4 4} GF N 41 4. 25 +59 349 +59 OJ � rl G 7 26 +99 349 +99 x 7 26 +59 348 +59 too 27 +99 348 +99 y 27 +59 347 +59 C6 CU >- 28+$$ N Mar may Jul Sep Now Jan r- 0 2911 2911 2911 2911 2911 2912 La — Daily naxinun depth to water level Daily nininun depth to water level --Daily nean depth to water level Period of approved data Period of provisional data Lowest recorded water level prior to MY2911 (27 +89 ft Dec 12, 2998) (COASTAL PLAIN) NC -160 near Simpson in Pitt County ( http:/ /waterdata.usas.aov /nc /nwis /dv/ ?site no= 353219077153801 &aaencv cd =USGS &referred module =sw USES 353210077153801 PI -532 (NC -160) SIR SIMPSON, N (URFI IAL.) m 52 +49 e« 3 +89 r-I 4 +99 G] �U 4 +2$ U rl U L 4 +4$ L G] 4 +6$ i O 4J 4 +8$ C6 4� G Dec Dec Dec Jan 17 24 31 97 2911 2911 2911 2912 - - -- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- Measured depth to water level — Depth to water level 17 S 52 +2$ G } L7 z 52 +$$ cu } O M 51 +8$ 4 CU } G} r-I 51 +6$ i C 51 +4$ L L7 18 USGS 353 19077153801 PI -532 (NC-160) NR SIMPSON, N URFI IAL) O 4ti 1.0 55.9 Q- 0 ry 2 +9 54 *0 S CF 0% S q +} 3 +9 #$ 52.0 41 (U 0 5 +9 51.9 0 (U .$ 50.9 } r - 7.0 49.0 rl L C6 p 8.0 Cu P 48.0 s N 9.0 o Mar May Jul Sep Now Jan 2911 2911 2011 2911 2011 2912 — 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) 18