20051457 Ver 1_USGS streamflow and ground-water conditions in NC through Monday May 28 2012.msg_20120529

Strickland, Bev
From:
John C Weaver Dcweaver @usgs.gov]
Sent:
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 11:51 AM
To:
Jackson, Donna
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;
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; 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; wly
Subject:
USGS streamflow and ground -water conditions in NC through Monday, May 28, 2012
NC Drought advisory group,
Precipitation maps for the state (http:/ /water.weather.gov /precip/ or http : / /www.nc - climate.ncsu.edu /mpe departure)
indicate a somewhat "hit -or- miss" rainfall pattern across North Carolina during the past week. Areas noted as having
received 0.5+ inch rainfall are in the Piedmont and the northern Coastal Plain. Higher totals of 2+ inches are shown for
parts of the upper Yadkin River basin and the middle /lower Tar River basin. Even higher totals of 3+ inches are shown for
parts of the central Coastal Plain peninsular in Washington and Tyrrell Counties.
Streamflows on the current real -time streamflow map (http:Hwaterwatch.usgs.gov/ new / ?m= real &r =nc &w= real %2Cmap)
indicate a mix of conditions across the state following the recent rainfalls. Below- normal streamflow conditions are
depicted along a band running from the upper Neuse and Tar River basins towards the southwest across the middle Cape
Fear River basin into the Sand Hills region. Below- normal flows also are somewhat widespread across the Broad River
basin and in the southern mountains region. Current streamflows are depicted in the normal range across the central and
northern mountains, northwest Piedmont, and most of the Coastal Plain. Above - normal flows also are noted for the areas
that received 3+ inches rainfall during the past week.
As of May 28 (Sunday), streamflow conditions indicate 16 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
declines in overall streamflows relative to 6 percent just a week ago.
Groundwater levels at the Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Sand Hills observations wells in the Climate Response Network in
North Carolina (http://ogwOl.er.usgs.gov/crn/StateMaps/NC.html) are depicted in the normal range for 5 wells, below
normal for 1 well, much below - normal for the Champion well near Cruso in Haywood County
(http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 352315082484401 &ncd =crn), and continued record low for the
calendar month at the Chapel Hill well in Orange County and Marston well in Scotland County.
A mix of conditions following the recent rainfalls is noted in the water levels for the 6 Coastal Plain wells. Water levels are
depicted in the above normal range for the well near Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County, record high for the well near
Simpson in Pitt County, and normal range for the well near Grantham in Wayne County
(http: // qroundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 351849078163901 &ncd =crn). Water levels increased about 3 feet
in the Simpson well following this past week's rainfall
(http: / /nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov /nwis /uv ?site no= 353219077153801). Below- normal water levels are noted this week for
the 3 wells located in Brunswick County, Jones County, and Washington County. Water levels for the Hoke well in
Washington County are depicted in the below - normal range despite a 0.5 rise following this past week's rainfall.
A 1- category improvement was implemented for most of southern and central Coastal Plain region in last week's USDM
depiction for North Carolina (D1 converted to DO). Parts of the extreme northeastern NC also were improved from DO to
D- nothing.

After the improvements made during the past two weeks, observations on the current hydrologic conditions, and
forecasted rainfall later this week associated with the potential passage of Tropical Storm Beryl, it may be appropriate to
use "status quo" for this week's depiction.
The band of below - normal streamflow conditions from the upper Neuse /Tar River basins southwest towards the Broad
River basin and into the southern mountains needs to be closely monitored. The conditions of these areas following the
recent rainfalls continue to emphasize the overall "roller coaster" pattern that has been discussed in recent months.
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: [phone] H Fax: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
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 not was available (because of short week due to holiday). Brad
Rippey, agricultural meteorologist with the USDA's Office of the Chief Economist in Washington, D.C., is again the USDM
author for this week's release.
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 /precip/

Image shown below pulled from the State Climate Office of North Carolina at http: / /www.nc-
climate.ncsu.edu /mpe departure/
depmlurc',!
File Edit View Favorites Tools Help
... ... ... ... ... 7 . ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . . ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 7 . .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
............ --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- 7-7 --------------------------
SEEM
Search
.......................... 7 ......................................................
i i �.� •
L),D 1 1 M USGS Nor... HP Pre... State...
Favorites 0" USGS Nor... Internal I ...
Sel,ect Layers:
Precipitation:
Estimate
Difference from
normal (7)
Percent of
normal
Geographic:
Transportation:
Highways
Done
Internal users logjn
3
Q Internet I Protected Mc
County lines
LJ
Cities
Rivers and
Streams
HUC-6
HUC-8
Transportation:
Highways
Done
Internal users logjn
3
Q Internet I Protected Mc

-- Streamflow --
4: 110,111MITITERIT110111111111
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, May 29, 2012 09 :30ET
WIM
MUSIGS
Last week's conditions...

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 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 (May 28 morning) at some selected gaging stations (obtained from
http : / /waterdata.usgs.gov /nc /nwis /current / ?type =flow ):
Site number
Explanation - Percentile classes
Flow May 22
......,.
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 (May 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 May 22
Current
flow
(% of)
Median May 28
02053200
Potecasi Creek near Union (Hertford) --
151
cfs
49
cfs
1110
44 cfs
02106500
Black River near Tomahawk (Sampson) --
593
cfs
291
cfs
970
301 cfs
02085500
Flat River at Bahama (Durham) --
21
cfs
25
cfs
570
44 cfs
02096960
Haw River near Bynum (Chatham) --
302
cfs
186
cfs
38%
491 cfs
02115360
Yadkin River at Enon (Yadkin) --
3,930
cfs
2,020
cfs
760
2,650 cfs
02152100
First Broad River near Casar (Cleveland) --
47
cfs
39
cfs
490
79 cfs
03451500
French Broad River at Asheville (Buncombe) --
1,720
cfs
1,310
cfs
74%
1,780 cfs
03550000
Valley River at Tomotla (Cherokee) --
149
cfs
112
cfs
640
175 cfs
5

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, May 28, 2012
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, May 28, 2012
As of May 28 (Sunday), the graph of 7 -day flow percentiles shown below indicates 16 percent of sites across North
Carolina have percentiles for 7 -day average flows falling below the 25th percentile for the calendar date. And 5 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 May 20 (Sunday), the current values indicate declines in overall streamflow conditions during course of the
past week, considering 6% of sites across the state were below the 25th percentile and 2% 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
f
Less than 25th percentile
Less than 10th percentile
New min forthe clay
Percentage of sites in North Carolina with 7 -day
indicated percentile range or love
IN 4N IN
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 May 28 (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

7,
15. -d1
8141
Previous 7 days
Monday, May 2 8, 2012
N! MI,
A
Previous 30 days
Monday, May 2 8, 2012
M�t.',
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
g
a.

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
_ v
f s' 's +':, err + ' `±-^ !`,'� .4 k? .y � � s
— ...,rata,
Ei Leers
❑►r Automated DM maps (short string)
El ❑ .
® gall othervalues?
10 to 25 percentile increase
25 to 50 percentile decrease
Greaterthan 50 percentile decrease
Editor T € ax { {t' [ Create Nevv Fe tlirE
Display Source Selection 1I 0 _ �-, iiii �
Drawing >} ❑ vial 1 B U . w w .,Ow
-- Ground Water --
10
5 to 10 percentile increase
0 to 5 percentile increase
No percentile change
4 to 5 percentile decrease
5 to 10 percentile decrease
10 to 25 percentile decrease
25 to 50 percentile decrease
Greaterthan 50 percentile decrease
Editor T € ax { {t' [ Create Nevv Fe tlirE
Display Source Selection 1I 0 _ �-, iiii �
Drawing >} ❑ vial 1 B U . w w .,Ow
-- 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.
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
New
<f
1024
. ..................................... ................................
X25 7 75 9 >0
New
..... . . . . . . . . . . . . ............
Not
Low
Mich Below
Below
--
Normal Above hrluoh Above'
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)
11

12
USES
351 080823 '430
TR-065
(NC-144) AT
BLANTYRE, NC
(REGOLITH)
27.65
2119.45
4J
'U
27.70
2119.40
27.75
2119.35
z
27.80
2119.30
0
(U
(U L
m
27.85
2119.25
L
(U
CU
D
4J
27.90
-
2119.20
L
O
27.95
CU
4J
m
-
2119.15
4J
CL
28.00
C
-
2119.10
L
May
May
May
May
05
12
19
26
2012
2012
2012
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
27.9
2129.9
m
Q.
fyp �y
28.9
ry �y �y
2119.9
y
4.
29.0
2116.9
�
d
Duo
30.0
2117.9
z
Q0
31.9
2116.9
32,9
2115.9
} cu
�}
33.0
2114.9
L
C6
cu
Q
34 *$
2113.9
M
J
H
C
�
a
35.0
L
Jul Sep
Now Jan
Mar
Nay
2911 2911
2911 2912
2912
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
USGS 354057080362601
RO-149 (NC-193) PIEDMONT
RS 1 NR BARBER
(REGOLITH)
7.00
671.00
CU
Q.
7.20
670.80
7.40
670.60
L
7.60
670.40
CU
7.80
670.20
CU
m
C
CL
8.00
670.00
0
Hag
May
May
May
05
12
19
26
2012
2012
2012
2012
---- Provisional Data
Subject to
Revision ----
14

(EASTERN l T) Local number WK -284, NCDENR Lake Wheeler Research Station at Raleigh in Wake County
(http: // groundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 354404078403101 &ncd =rtn)
USES 354057080362801 FAO -149 (NC-193) PIEDMONT FMS 1 NR BARBER ( E OLITH)
a
672 +9
1
6 +9
0LITHWELL)
0
CU
347 +95
27 +19
�
6.5
m
671 +5
4J
347 +99
27 +15
7 +9
671 +9
G
347 +85
°}
} L)
z
' C
7 +5
679 +5
L
a
4
M
to -0
8 +9
679 +0
C
27 +25
�}
L
8 +5
(U
669 +5
+.
347 +75
L
C6
27 +39
Gi
Q
M
+}
°
9 +9
669 +9
s
}
+0
27 +35
J
r-I
r
H
�
a
9 +5
mwmmw4668.5
27 +49
L
Jul Sep Now Jan Mar May
+4
2911 2911 2911 2912 2912 2912
— Daily nean depth to water level Period of provisional data
347 +69
Period of approved data
CL
d
27 +45
(EASTERN l T) Local number WK -284, NCDENR Lake Wheeler Research Station at Raleigh in Wake County
(http: // groundwaterwatch .usgs.gov /AWLSites.asp ?S= 354404078403101 &ncd =rtn)
15
USES
3 544040 78403101 WK -284 LAK E' HEELER
RS MW-3 S (RE G
0LITHWELL)
347 +95
27 +19
m
^i
347 +99
27 +15
y
N
347 +85
°}
27 +29
a
347 +89
Z
27 +25
(U
347 +75
Ly L
y
27 +39
M
347 +7$
}
+0
27 +35
r-I
347 +65
CU
+'
27 +49
+4
347 +69
CL
d
27 +45
347 +55
�^
Hay May
May
May
95 12
19
26
2912 2912
2912
2912
- - -- Provisional Data
Subject to
Revision - - --
15

UPS 3 544040 78403101 WK -284 LAK E' HEELER RS MW-3 S (RE G 0LITH'W at)
25.99
359.99
4
4}
25,59
349,59
N
�
G
y
26.99
349.99
}
Z
G]
26,59
348.59
L t �
O
*'
27.99
348.99
+4
r
° r�-I
�
27,59
347.5$
5
y
r-I
28.99
347,99
CU
Q
+}
G
M
>-
28,5$
N
Jul
Sep Nov Jan Mar Nay
r-
0
2911
2911 2911 2912 2912 2912
0
0
— 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.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,)
0.0
56.0
CU
Q.
55.0
ai
2.0
54.0
L
3.0
m
L53.0
CU
L
(U
-p
D
0
4.0
L
52.0
4J
m
CL
5.0
C
51.0
Lo
May may May May
05 12 19 26
2012 2012 2012 2012
---- Provisional Data Subject to Revision ----
17

18
USGS 353 19077153801 PI -532 (NC-160) NR
SIMPSON, N
URFI IAL)
O
4ti
1.9
55.9
Q-
0
ry
2 +9
y4 *$
S
o%
3.9
#$
y2•$
41
+9
51.9
�-
#09t9
} CU
�}
r
-
7.9
49.9
rl
L
C6
p
8.9
Gi
P
48.$
s
N
9.9
C
o
Jul Sep Now Jan
Mar
May
2911 2911 2911 2912
2912
2912
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