WRD of New Hampshire and Vermont

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Hampshire/Vermont District dhfoster@usgs.gov

7/2/99 Debra Foster (603) 226-7837 (603) 226-7894

Below-Normal Streamflow and Ground-Water Levels in New Hampshire For the Third Consecutive Month

In New Hampshire, monthly average streamflows and ground-water levels for June were generally below-normal for the third consecutive month according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Statewide, average streamflow conditions for June were at levels usually measured in August or September. To bring relief to below-normal streamflows and ground-water levels throughout the State this year, a widespread soaking rainfall will be needed.

Streamflows were down to about one-half of the long-term average streamflow for June. By comparison, 1 year ago (1998), June streamflow was above-normal following below-normal conditions in May, which was due to the prolonged rainfall and runoff that caused flooding throughout much of New Hampshire and Vermont.

To view daily streamflow levels for local sites in New Hampshire, visit the New Hampshire/Vermont District home page at http://nh.water.usgs.gov and click on "Water Data" followed by "Real-time streamflow page." Click on any of the listed streamgaging sites listed to view the record of streamflow over the last days of June.

CHECKING ON NATIONAL DROUGHT CONDITIONS JUST GOT EASIER

As drought conditions persist in many parts of the country, particularly the Mid-Atlantic region reporting on the links between rainfall, streamflow and weather just got easier thanks to the new online availability of daily streamflow information from the U.S. Geological Survey that is plotted on a national map and updated daily.

The USGS online service draws upon the near real-time streamflow information available from the streamgaging network operated by the USGS in cooperation with other federal, state and local agencies across the country.

Online access to real-time streamflow information, which has been available in tabular form from the USGS for several years now, has become a relied-upon resource to emergency officials, water managers, and water enthusiasts. This is the first time the data have been readily available in a daily map.

Although being able to plan for and respond to flood conditions and the day-to-day operation of dams and reservoirs are the more serious uses of streamflow information, the access to real-time information has also proven to be a popular feature for anglers and kayakers in preparing for a day on the water. Being able to predetermine the flow of the river not only makes a whitewater enthusiasts experience more interesting, but safer as well.

The new service, located at http://water.usgs.gov/dwc/national_map.html (or go to the USGS water home page, http://water.usgs.gov and click on "Daily" under "National Water Conditions," provides a color-coded map of current flow conditions around the country.

The colors on the map represent streamflow (discharge) as a percentile, which is computed from the period of record for the current day of the year. Only stations having at least 30 years of record are used. (More detailed explanation of this is provided as a link from the word "percentile" on the web site.)

Links are also provided to the National Weather Service for current rainfall information and to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center for drought information, based on the Palmer Drought Index.

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation, economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy and mineral resources.