5/13/2024
WT Staff
HAPPENING NOW
Below normal streamflows through west state
Water news for Monday, May 13, 2024 958 am EDT
Current Streamflows, Drought Map from the USGS network in New York
North state flows feature below normal ratings through the Black River and St. Lawrence River watersheds Monday, the Lake Champlain watershed in the northeast recording normal to above normal flow levels. In the central basin the upper Hudson River watershed is still experiencing much below normal streamflows in the headwaters as recorded in Essex County at Newcomb. Flow improves downstream, below normal at North Creek and normal at Hadley and Fort Edward, continuing at seasonal normal volume to the outlet Long Island Sound.
Streamflows in the west interior run at a consistent seasonal normal level through the Delaware, Ramapo, Susquehanna, Oswego River - Finger Lakes Region. Further west into the upper Chemung River and Genesee River watersheds, we see the below normal ratings appear. The below normal trend continues to the west borders, through Allegheny, Niagara River - Lake Erie and Lake Ontarion west watersheds. Long Island flows run normal to above normal Monday with Swan River station at East Patchogue signalling 1st percentile flow. This station was the one recording much above seasonal normal the last two weeks while all surrounding stations remained at normal levels, it is possible the gauge is malfunctioning, more to follow.
In spite of below normal streamflows, St. Lawrence County has been relieved of drought rating on the east side. A band along the Oswegatchie River and tributaries in the west half of St Lawrence County remains below normal Monday, the east side of St. Lawrence County is off the drought map. Upper Hudson River watershed southwest Essex, central Hamilton and central Warren Counties remain rated below normal. In the west interior, the Lake Ontario minor tributaries west section has cleared off the drought map leaving the Lower Genesee and Allegheny River watersheds behind at the below normal rating. A band of Niagara River - Lake Erie watershed running along Lake Erie shoreline in Chautauqua County remains below normal. The Schoharie Creek channel and feeder creeks coming off the west slopes of the Catskills has been slower than normal for the previous 7 days, as such, Schoharie County is rated below normal on the drought map. One extreme low flow registers in the network on Monday morning.
WT USA Flows and Flood Tracker provisional data from the network of USGS streamflow monitors
Sixty two streamflow gauges record flooding in the USA Monday morning, up from Fifty-seven Sunday. WT tracks the nation's most common natural disaster dynamics through the states of New York, Ohio, Georgia and Louisiana. As of this report, five sites record flooding on the network, all in Louisiana.
NWS is calling for more thunderstorm and rain activity in central state this week with potential for localized heavy rains and flooding where the ground is already saturated. As of this report, there are no active floods registering on the network. Coosawattee River records 99th percentile flow near Carters with a declining flow trend.
See blue tag on the map for 99th percentile flow volume, updated daily here.
Louisiana posts the same five stations running above flood stage again going into Monday as reported the past week. Region 4 watershed Sabine River is up overnight, running more than two feet above the channel near Bon Wier. Downstream near Ruliff, the flooding continues a foot and a half above the channel. Calcasieu River is also up, more than a foot over flood stage near Glenmora. In Region 1, Bayou Dorcheat continues on a declining flow trend, flowing nine inches over flood stage near Springhill. Bayou Bodcau has maintained a level four and a half feet above the basin near Shreveport for the last twenty four hours. See black tags on the map here.
As many drinking water facilities are supplied from surface water reservoirs, the streamflow situation is pertinent to both drinking water supply and quality. High flows can stir up sediment and cause turbidity in the reservoirs, requiring additional treatments to render the water potable. Low flow volume is linked to warmer temperatures in the reservoir and can be an issue for water quality where HABs are present. WT tracks streamflow trends with an eye to the impacts on drinking water supply and quality in each of the state's watersheds. Check the watershed layer on the map to see the direction of flow and streamflows that may be impacting drinking water today.
USGS Provisional Data Statement
Data are provisional and subject to revision until they have been thoroughly reviewed and received final approval. Current condition data relayed by satellite or other telemetry are automatically screened to not display improbable values until they can be verified.
Provisional data may be inaccurate due to instrument malfunctions or physical changes at the measurement site. Subsequent review based on field inspections and measurements may result in significant revisions to the data.
Data users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences. Information concerning the accuracy and appropriate uses of these data or concerning other hydrologic data may be obtained from the USGS.
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