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Home My WebLink About20051457 Ver 1_USGS streamflow and ground-water conditions in NC through Monday June 27.msg_20110628Strickland, Bev From: John C Weaver Dcweaver @usgs.gov] Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 11:59 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, June 27 NC Drought advisory group, Rainfall amounts depicted on the precipitation maps for the past week indicate somewhat widespread amounts of 0.5+ inch occurred in parts of the mountains, western Piedmont, and Sand Hills regions. As of this time (11:30), the maps have not been completely updated for the state to reflect the rainfalls in the Triad area and parts of the Coastal Plain where rains fell yesterday afternoon and evening. Available rainfall maps from http: / /nmg.ou.edu/ indicate widespread 0.5+ inch rainfalls across much of the Triad and Coastal Plain during the past 24 hours (see additional screenshot below). Streamflow conditions noted on the real -time maps (http: / /waterwatch.usgs.gov/ new / ?m= real &r =nc &w= real %2Cmap) at many USGS streamgages in the eastern half of the state continued to be depicted in the 'less than 10th percentile" range. And as noted in the past few weeks, streamflow conditions depicted in the normal range continue in the northwest area of the state. Examination of the 28 -day average flows (http: / /waterwatch.usgs.gov/ new /index.php ?m= pa28d &r =nc &w =map) also continues to indicate widespread "less than 10th percentile" and record low for the calendar date across much of eastern North Carolina. One area in the western Piedmont that needs to be closely monitored is the South Fork Catawba basin that is showing 4 streamgages with 28 -day flows in the "less than 10th percentile" range. As of June 26 (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 very little change in overall streamflow relative to 55 percentjust a week ago. Very little change seems to be the continuing pattern in the groundwater depictions for the 10 observation wells in the Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Sand Hills regions within the NC Climate Response network (http: / /ogw01.er.usgs.gov /crn /StateMaps /NC.html). Among these 10 wells, groundwater conditions continue to be depicted at levels in the normal (7), below normal (2), and much below normal (1) ranges. In general, water levels in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge wells are in a declining pattern. Of particular note, the water levels at the Mocksville well in Davie County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 355359080331701 &ncd =crn) and Champion well in Haywood County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 352315082484401 &ncd =crn) are particularly close to the below - normal ranges. The water levels in the Marble well in Cherokee County (http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 351121083545002 &ncd =crn) have risen in the past week in response to the rainfalls in that area. Water levels at the six Coastal Plain observation wells within the same network continue to be depicted in the below - normal range for 1 wells, much below - normal for 2 wells, and record low for the month at 3 wells. As note last week, the wells with the record low for the month (June) are: 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) Draft 1 for this week's release was available as of Monday afternoon with no changes yet indicated for North Carolina. This week's USDM author is awaiting input from the NC group following the weekly conference call. Changes made last week were the reduction of DO across parts of the mountains and western Piedmont while DO was expanded across parts of the central Piedmont. Expansions of D1 and D2 were also implemented across parts of the eastern Piedmont and western Coastal Plain. Given the rainfall patterns that occurred last week (including yesterday's rainfalls), I'm inclined to suggest use of "status quo" as appropriate for this week's depiction. The rainfalls were not sufficient to warrant any improvements to any of the depictions. But the amounts were sufficient to prevent any deterioration. However, it should be noted that next week is a short week due to the July 4th holiday. Thus, I would also suggest the group apply any changes to drought depictions this week in anticipation of next week when use of "status quo" would also be appropriate. My 2 cents... 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 no changes yet indicated for North Carolina. Richard Heim, climatologist with the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina, is the USDM author for this week's release. In the email accompanying the first draft, he made no specific comment concerning North Carolina (he is awaiting input following the NC telecom). 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 072772011 1200 UTC- Created 0127711 23:55 UTC Q2 [Radar Only] Valid Period: 24hr QPE Accumulation 0612712011 15:00:00 - 0612812011 15:00:00 -- 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, June 28, 2011 09 :30ET WIM MUSIGS Last week's conditions... Tuesday, June 21, 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 (June 28 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 21 Current flow (% of) Median Jun 28 02053200 Potecasi Creek near Union (Hertford) -- 3.2 cfs 6.9 cfs 410 17 cfs 02106500 Black River near Tomahawk (Sampson) -- 14 cfs 39 cfs 15% 261 cfs 02085500 Flat River at Bahama (Durham) -- 7.0 cfs 4.6 cfs 19% 24 cfs 02096960 Haw River near Bynum (Chatham) -- 107 cfs 90 cfs 32% 281 cfs 02115360 Yadkin River at Enon (Yadkin) -- 1,270 cfs 1,340 cfs 74% 1,800 cfs 02152100 First Broad River near Casar (Cleveland) -- 31 cfs 27 cfs 450 60 cfs 03451500 French Broad River at Asheville (Buncombe) -- 1,060 cfs 928 cfs 650 1,419 cfs 03550000 Valley River at Tomotla (Cherokee) -- 106 cfs 1,010 cfs 8490 119 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, June 27, 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, June 27, 2011 As of June 26 (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 28 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 19 (Sunday), the current values indicate very little change in overall streamflow conditions during course of the past week, considering 55% of sites across the state were below the 25th percentile and 30% 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 ruin forthe day August - -, - - -- 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 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 June 27 (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 Display I Source { Selection rr - - al Drawing � F,01 Ari ._._._._._._ -- Ground Water -- B F U A W Em 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 C Display I Source { Selection rr - - al Drawing � F,01 Ari ._._._._._._ -- Ground Water -- B F U A W Em 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. WES' VII GJMIA �tauntu,,ImrlOtkev,. 17; Warsauu o a akLagan Oak �i�j ;I RTappaannad< Atlantic i Arta " Bedcle '� � Saludg ° u,, �idcir� ham '� ° ¢White Mane Beach aWelc Unia L' bUl a 60,E ' C o �.'��nialHigh '�Eastville P aski - " oanok f� ork Me Virginia Explanation - Percentile class �. ......ee __ New <10 1024 25-75 75-90 >90 New Not ..... ..... — - ..... Low hrluah Below Below Plartnal lave hrluGl Dave' 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) 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 L 29.50 0 Jun Jun Jun Jun 04 11 18 25 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 0 25 +9 2122 +9 J cu Q Q. .0 26 +9 2121 +9 S 4 Q 27 +9 .... 2126 +9 0 S Q 28 +9 2119 +9 d > } z L 29 +9 2116+6 5 Q 39 +9 2117 +9 C to c} }°, r-I 31 +9 2116 +9 r0 32 +9 2115 +9 � G M J 33 +9 2114 +9 3 c H a 34 +6 � L Jul Sep Now Jan Mar May 2919 2919 2919 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) 14 15 SGS 3540 x'0803 01 RO-149 (NC-193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (REGOLITI 7.80 670.20 4J CU 7.90 670.10 e« 1 8.00 670.00 4J 8.10 669.90 > z 8.20 669.80 (U 0 L 8.30 669.70 m L 4J 8.40 669.60 0 L 0 8.50 669.50 " 4J m 4J CL 8.60 669.40 C L 8.70 669.30 0 Jun Jun Jun Jun 04 11 18 25 2011 2011 2011 2011 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ---- 15 (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 3540 x'0803 01 Rte -149 (SIC -193) PIEDMONT RS 1 NR BARBER (RE OLIT a 6.00 672.00 1 0 ICU Q 44.75 Q. 4J 6.50 e« ^i 671,50 m 466.70 c, y 7.00 44.85 671.00 Do L) 466.65 a z z Q 0 7.50 670.50 0 (U , m 44.95 }°, 1 8.00 466.55 670.00 m L +. C6 s 45.00 L Gi p 8.50 r-I L O 669.50 J Gi +4 J H r � 0 9.00 669.00 Jul Sep Now Jan Mar May CL7 45.10 2010 2010 2010 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) 16 USGS 355522079 143001 OR -069 (NC-126) AT CHAPEL HILL, H (RE t LITH) ICU 44.75 466.75 e« ^i 44.80 466.70 c, 44.85 466.65 a z 44.90 466.60 (U , m 44.95 466.55 ICU L' Q +} D 0 s 45.00 466,50 r-I L O Gi +4 45.05 466.45 CL C � G] d 45.10 466.40 � CL7 Jun Jun Jun Jun 04 11 18 25 2011 2011 2011 2011 - - -- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- 16 (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) 17 USGS 3555 079043001 OR -069 (NC -126) AT CHAPEL HILL, H (RE t LITH) a 40.0 m Q 471.0 Q. 41.0 S 470.0 S d Qy 42.0 C7 469.0 Qy 43.0 0 r 468.0 to }°, r 1 44.0 c} y -W 467.0 L C6 Gi G 4 .0 M J 466.0 r H 0 p 46.0 L Jul Sep Now Jan Mar May 2010 2010 2010 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) 17 18 USES 353219077153801 PI-532 (NC-160) NR IMP ON, NC (SURFICIAL,) C 4J 5.0 51.0 F q 5.5 CU 50.5 4J 0 U 6.0 Lo 4 I z 0 50.0 cu 4 0 6.5 D (U L m 49.5 L 7.0 CU DO 49.0 CU 4 L 7.5 CU fq 48.5 C6 8.0 a Jun Jun Jun Jun L 04 11 18 25 Lo 2011 2011 2011 2011 ---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision - - -- - Depth to water level A Value exceeds "standard difference" threshold. 18 19 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 55 +0 51 +} +0 tq i a 6 +9 59 +$ }y 7 m +9 49 +9 L C6 8 Gi P p +9 48 +9 s 9 H o +$ Jul Sep Now Jan Mar May C L 2919 2919 2919 2911 2911 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) 19