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Home My WebLink About20051457 Ver 1_USGS streamflow and ground-water conditions in NC through Monday July 04.msg_20110705Strickland, Bev From: John C Weaver Dcweaver @usgs.gov] Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2011 11:29 AM To: Yonts, Woody Cc: Ashley. E.Hatchell @usace. army. miI; brian.cullen @noaa.gov; Haines, Brian; Lane, David; Owen, Debra; eric.seymour @noaa.gov; gagalleh @duke- energy.comI garry_grabow @ncsu.edu; george.mathews @noaa.gov; Brady, Harold M.; Kritzer, Jamie; jcweaver @usgs.gov; Jeff.Orrock @noaa.gov; Prevette, Jim; Hoffmann, Jucilene; Lara.Pagano @noaa.gov; Peele, Linwood; Michael .A.Young @saw02.usace. army. miI; michael.moneypenny @noaa.gov; Orbon, Mike; Sarwar, Neelufa; Patricia. Tanner @noaa.gov; Peter. Corrigan @noaa.gov; richard.neuherz @noaa.gov; rwall @ncem.org; ryan_boyles @ncsu.edu; Young, Sarah; todd.hamill @noaa.gov; Fransen, Tom; Reeder, Tom; tony_dorn @nass.usda.gov; Lawrence, Torey; Cox, Vernon N; Munden, Wayne; Yonts, Woody; Brian Fuchs; Allison.Wash @va.usda.gov; Kathleen Carroll; Darin Figurskey Subject: USGS streamflow and ground -water conditions in NC through Monday, July 04 NC Drought advisory group, Similar to last week's rainfall pattern, amounts depicted on the current 7 -day precipitation maps for the past week depict fairly widespread amounts of 0.5+ inch across the eastern half of the state. Coverage in the western half of the state appears to have been somewhat more of a "hit -n- miss" pattern. Available rainfall maps from http: / /nmg.ou.edu/ indicate widespread 0.5+ inch rainfalls across the northern tier of the state, particularly in the northern Coastal Plain where totals of 2+ inches are noted. The streamflow conditions noted on the current real -time maps (http:Hwaterwatch.usgs.gov/ new / ?m= real &r =nc &w= real %2Cmap) continue to echo the pattern that has been noted in past weeks. Streamflows at many USGS streamgages in the eastern half of the state continue to be depicted in the "less than 10th percentile" range with about a half dozen sites where streamflow are indicated at record low for the current calendar day. In the western half, streamflow conditions are more of a mix with predominantly normal conditions indicated in the northwest area of the state. In the southwest Piedmont and southern mountains, streamflows are a mix of normal and below - normal conditions with some "less than 10th percentile" ranges appearing in the Catawba and Broad River basins, an area identified during last week's discussions as needing closer monitoring. As of July 03 (Sunday), streamflow conditions indicate 52 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 indicates practically no change in overall streamflow relative to 52 percent just a week ago. Network issues on Tuesday morning have prevented a full data refresh on the Groundwater Watch pages (http://ogwOl.er.usgs.gov/crn/StateMaps/NC.html). Where data is available, the pattern noted in past weeks continues to be in effect where water levels in western NC wells are predominantly in the normal range and in the well -below normal ranges for wells in eastern part of the state. The primary area of concern is the Coastal Plain wells where water levels in the 4 easternmost wells are either below or very close to record low for the month of July: Comfort in Jones County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 345809077301408 &ncd =crn) Simpson in Pitt County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 353219077153801 &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) Draft 1 for this week's release was available as of Tuesday morning (due to short week arising from July 4th holiday). With exception of very minor DO reductions along the NC /Ga border, no changes were made to the drought depictions in last week's release. The rainfall patterns that occurred during the past week are posing some challenges with defining the proper drought depictions for parts of the state. However, there are a couple areas that have been identified for possible deterioration in drought depictions: (1) Broad and Catawba basins going to D1 -- This area was identified last week as one needing closer monitoring. Email correspondence from Pat Tanner (NWS) and Richard Heim (USDM author) indicate conditions apparently warrant a deterioration. If D1 is to be introduced, then an adjustment to the DO depiction may be required to accommodate the D1 expansion. (2) Eastern Coastal Plain going into D3 -- Several indicators in this area suggest drought conditions may already be at levels reflective of D4 conditions (USDM author). The NC group may need to consider some D3 introduction to bring the depictions more in line with conditions noted by the indicators. 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 Tuesday morning, draft 1 for this week's version was available with no changes yet indicated for North Carolina. Richard Heim, climatologist with the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina, is again the USDM author for this week's release. In the "preliminary thoughts" email preceding the first draft, he made the following specific comments concerning North Carolina: 2) NC: good shot of rain c NC in 24 hours ending Wed 12z. But coastal areas have SPI at D4 levels ( -2) at 60 -120 days, and groundwater & VIC soil moisture levels very low, so considering degrading the D2 to D3 there. Although the NC -SC border area at and w of Charlotte has positive rainfall departures (and SPI) at 30 days to 6 months, streamflows are worsening. Will want to take a closer look here on Tuesday. PEI 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 77472011 1200 UTC- Created 714111 23:55 UTC Q2 [Radar Only] Valid Period: 24hr QPE Accumulation 0710412011 12:00:00 - 0710512011 12:00:00 -- Streamflow -- Current conditions are depicted as real -time, 7 -day, 14 -day, and 28 -day flows available in the WaterWatch series of maps at: httD:Hwaterwatch. usas.aov/ classic / ?m= real &r =nc &w= real %2Cma Current conditions... Tuesday, July 05, 2011 08 :30ET WIM MUSIGS Last week's conditions... Tuesday, June 28, 2011 09 :30ET 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 Explanation - Percentile classes ......,. Lew X10 1 5 -7 r 6 -90 > . � dol- ranked Ajr m ed u w __I , 4OW Ahpvp MUch abO �8l tral . rmal � 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 (July 05 morning) at some selected gaging stations (obtained from http : / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /current / ?type =flow ): Site number Site name (and County) Flow Jun 28 Current flow (% of) Median Jul 05 02053200 Potecasi Creek near Union (Hertford) -- 6.9 cfs 3.4 cfs 17% 20 cfs 02106500 Black River near Tomahawk (Sampson) -- 39 cfs 47 cfs 250 189 cfs 02085500 Flat River at Bahama (Durham) -- 4.6 cfs 7.0 cfs 33% 21 cfs 02096960 Haw River near Bynum (Chatham) -- 90 cfs 183 cfs 600 305 cfs 02115360 Yadkin River at Enon (Yadkin) -- 1,340 cfs 1,510 cfs 940 1,600 cfs 02152100 First Broad River near Casar (Cleveland) -- 27 cfs 22 cfs 410 54 cfs 03451500 French Broad River at Asheville (Buncombe) -- 928 cfs 963 cfs 750 1,290 cfs 03550000 Valley River at Tomotla (Cherokee) -- 1,010 cfs 110 cfs 91% 121 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, July 04, 2011 7 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, July 04, 2011 As of July 03 (Sunday), the graph of 7 -day flow percentiles shown below indicates 52 percent of sites across North Carolina have percentiles for 7 -day average flows falling below the 25th percentile for the calendar date. And 27 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. The percentage of sites with 7 -day average flows falling below the 25th percentile "topped out" at 48 percent on June 17 (Friday). Compared to June 26 (Sunday), the current values indicate practically no change in overall streamflow conditions during course of the past week, considering 52% of sites across the state were below the 25th percentile and 28% 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 If i 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 F+ September + 1 = t= t 2010 2010 2010 2010 i 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 July 04 (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 0 L L Explanation No - No Drought ( >30 percentile) DO - Abnormally Dry (21 to 30 percentile) D1 - Moderate Drought (11 to 20 percentile) D2 - Severe Drought (6 to 10 percentile) D3 - Extreme Drought (3 to 5 percentile) D4 - Exceptional Drought (0 to 2 percentile) n/d - Not determined Unregulated Regulated 6 IM 0 ❑ 0 Em IF E a IM 10 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 �n ♦ [1-.3,860,938 °_ it it ]I 5 li 7i xy n s 11111,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,; X -!, Layers -; ❑ Automated DM maps (short string) ❑Q (weekly change in 7 -day median percentile) ® <all other values> Weekly_c_i nid Greater than 50 percentile increase 25 to 50 percentile increase ti. Display I Source { Selection rr� Drawing ❑ [Anal 110 B I U A — _ • -- 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 11 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 ti. Display I Source { Selection rr� Drawing ❑ [Anal 110 B I U A — _ • -- 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 11 ground -water conditions at selected USGS observation wells in North Carolina. i to network problems # . ter Watch ## not fully refresh Daily Values 1 data. Not all wells/data M M 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) 12 New <f < 1024 ....._ _....aee .......ee �25 7 75 9 >0 ..°°°sees New ....gees....... Not Low Mich Below Below Plarrnal Above hrluoh move' High Ranked Normal Normal Normal Normal 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) 12 13 USES 351 080823 '430 TR-065 (NC-144) AT BLANTYRE, NC (REGOLITH) 27.00 2120.00 CU Q. 27.50 2119.50 4J 28.00 z 2119.00 0 (U (U L ,-I = m 28.50 CU L (U 2118.50 4J L 29.00 CU 4J m 2118.00 4J CL C 29.50 Jun Jun Jun Jul 11 18 25 02 2011 2011 2011 2011 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ---- 13 (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) 14 USES 351 0808237430 TR -065 (SIC -144) AT BLANTYRE, HC (RE OLITH a 27.0 2120.0 m Q Q. a, 28.0 2119.0 0 29.0 2118.0 0 z Do L) 30.0 2117.0 4 t > M r 31.0 2116.0 r 4� 0 32.0 2115.0 1 4J C6 L Gi Q p 33.0 2114.0 +} M >- J r H a 34.0 � L Sep Now Jan Mar May Jul 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 — 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) 14 (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) 15 SGS 354057080362601 Rte -149 (SIC -193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (RE OLIT a 6.00 672.00 SGS 3540 x'0803 01 Rte -149 (SIC -193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (RE OLIT 7.90 670.10 4J 6.50 671,50 m 4J 8.00 670.00 e« 1 8.10 671.00 669.90 y N z *' 8.20 7.50 669.80 > 4J m z 8.30 40 1 8.00 669.70 �F m L 0 L 8.40 L Gi 669,60 m L 669.50 4J m aJ 8.50 J H 669.50 r 0 A 9.00 669.00 0 r0 May Jul 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 L 0 8.60 Period of approved data 669.40 m L 8.70 669.30 � r- G] d L L 8.80 669.20 0 Jun Jun Jun Jul 11 18 25 02 2011 2011 2011 2011 - - -- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- (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) 15 SGS 354057080362601 Rte -149 (SIC -193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (RE OLIT a 6.00 672.00 1 0 CU 4J 6.50 671,50 m y 7.00 671.00 Do L) z 7.50 670.50 4J m 40 1 8.00 670.00 m L +. C6 L Gi Q 0 8.50 669.50 4J m J H r 0 a 9.00 669.00 0 Sep Now Jan Mar May Jul 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 - Daily nean depth to water level Period of provisional data Period of approved data (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) 15 (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) 16 USGS 3555 079043001 OR -069 (NC -126) AT CHAPEL HILL, H (RE t LITH) a m USGS 355522079 143001 OR -069 (NC-126) AT CHAPEL HILL, H (RE t LITH) 44 +75 Q 466 +75 e« 41 +D S ICU 44 +80 �« 466 +70 470+0 � d 4� 42 +D 44 +85 C7 466 +65 ay 469 +0 Qy L 43 +D d 44 +90 466 +60 c 44 +95 468 +0 to }°, r 1 44 +0 466 +55 (U , -W M 467 +0 L C6 Gi L 45 +00 IJ J 466 +50 °} 466 +0 M r- 0 46 +0 45 +05 L Sep Nov Jan Mar Nay Jul 466 +45 L Gi O — Daily nean depth to water level Period of provisional data Period of approved data +4 45 +10 466 +40 CL G] d � � 45 +15 466 +35 L �^ Jun Jun Jun Jul 11 18 25 02 2911 2911 2911 2911 - - -- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- (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) 16 USGS 3555 079043001 OR -069 (NC -126) AT CHAPEL HILL, H (RE t LITH) a m 40.0 Q 471 +0 e« 41 +D S �« 470+0 � d 4� 42 +D C7 469 +0 Qy L 43 +D c 468 +0 to }°, r 1 44 +0 (I} D -W 467 +0 L C6 Gi 0 45 +0 IJ J 466 +0 M r- 0 46 +0 L Sep Nov Jan Mar Nay Jul 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 — 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) 16 17 USES 353219077153801 PI-532 (NC-160) NR IMP ON, NC (SURFICIAL,) C 4J 5.00 51.00 F q 5.50 CU 50.50 4J U 6.00 Lo 4 I z 0 50.00 cu 4 0 6.50 D (U L m 49.50 L 7.00 D CU O 49.00 CU 4 L 7.50 CU 4J 4J 48.50 C6 8.00 a Jun Jun Jun Jul L 11 18 25 02 Lo 2011 2011 2011 2011 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- - Depth to water level A Value exceeds "standard difference" threshold. 17 18 USGS 353 19077153801 PI -532 (NC-160) NR SIMPSON, N URFI IAL) O 4ti 1 +$ 5555 +9 Q- 2 ry �y .0 54 +$ S 41 o% 3 +0 +$ 52 +$ 41 0 55 +0 51 0 +} +$ i a 6 +9 59 +$ }y 7 m -W +9 49 +9 L C6 8 Gi P p +9 48 +9 s 9 H o +$ Sep Now Jan Mar Nay Jul C 2919 2919 2911 2911 2811 2811 0 — Daily nean depth to water level Period of approved data Period of provisional data — Lowest recorded water level prior to MY2911 (8 +97 ft Oct 23,24, 2997) 18