U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

Streamflow and Ground-water Levels Remain Well Below Normal in New Hampshire and Vermont

Since August 2001, below-normal monthly streamflows have been recorded at U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) streamgaging sites throughout New Hampshire and Vermont due to continued lack of precipitation. "Throughout the two-state region, December streamflows in the major river basins averaged about one-half of normal," says Brian Mrazik, Chief of the USGS New Hampshire-Vermont District in Pembroke, N.H., which maintains a long-term network of streamgages in both States. "Streamflows are now below normal at more than 90 percent of our long-term streamgages in the two-state region," says Mrazik. He also said that ground-water levels were averaging nearly 2 feet below normal at 34 observation wells across the region and nearly half showed new record-low levels for the month of December.

Record Low Monthly Streamflow

In New Hampshire, new monthly low streamflow records for December were recorded on the Salmon Falls River, West Branch Warner River, and Connecticut River near Pittsburg. Streamflows in the Lamprey River were only one-fifth of those normally recorded for December. In Vermont, new record-low streamflows for December were recorded on Ayers Brook, Williams River, and the Dog River.

Ground-water levels

Ground-water levels were also below normal throughout the two-State region at the end of December. New all-time record-low water levels were measured for wells in Enfield and Greenfield, N.H. at the end of December. In New Hampshire, new monthly low water levels for December were established at wells in Albany, Deerfield, Lisbon, New Durham, Newport, Ossipee, and Shelburne. The observation well in Lee has remained dry since June. In Vermont, new monthly low water levels for December were established at wells in Chester, Hartland, Middlebury, Morristown, and Rochester.

Current streamflow and ground-water level data in New Hampshire and Vermont are available on the web at http://nh.water.usgs.gov .

The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information to: describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

***USGS***

  General Contact:

Debra Foster phone (603) 226-7837 dhfoster@usgs.gov FAX (603) 226-7894

Technical Contact:

Brian Mrazik phone (603) 226-7807 bmrazik@usgs.gov Address:

New Hampshire/Vermont District
361 Commerce Way
Pembroke, NH 03275