Md. streams, wells touch record lows
The deepening drought sent flow rates in four Maryland streams, and levels in three groundwater monitoring wells to record lows in September, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The red dots on the map above show where stream gauges are recording record-low flows today. The data on the new Maryland records should be posted on the agency's Maryland Web site on Wednesday. Here are the highlights:
Gauges on the Monocacy River at Bridgeport in northern Frederick County, hit a 64-year low last month, with an average flow of just 1.8 cubic feet per second. That broke the previous record low of 2.3 cf/s, set in 1943. The average September flow there is 21.1 cf/s.
On Nassawango Creek, near Snow Hill, the average flow last month was 1.3 cf/s, breaking the record low of 1.6 cf/s, set there in 1980. The average September flow since records began in 1949 is 8.3 cf/s.
The Patuxent River gauge near Unity, in Montgomery County, set a new record of 2.9 cf/s last month. That broke the prior record low flow of 3.8 cf/s set there in 2002. Record keeping at that gauge began in 1944. The average flow there in September is 16.2 cf/s.
And on Winters Run, in Harford County, the USGS gauge recorded a new low flow of 9.9 cf/s, busting the old record opf 10.4 cf/s set in 1986. The average flow in September there is 27.9 cf/s.
Three groundwater monitoring wells in Charles, Carroll and Wicomico counties also reached record September lows last month, according to USGS hydrologist Wendy McPherson.
In Charles County, groundwater dropped to 11.48 feet below ground level, breaking the odl record of 11.05 feet, set in 2002. The average is 9.12 feet.
In Carroll, the well water dropped to a record 4.62 feet below the surface, just breaking the old record of 4.59 feet, also set in 2002. The September average is 3.71 feet.
In Wicomico, water in the the USGS well fell to 8.86 feet below the surface, breaking the previous record of 8.60 feet, set in 1995. The average there in September is 6.61 feet.
Nearly 90 percent of the state was in moderate or severe agricultural drought last week, according to the Department of Agriculture's Drought Monitor. Here's the USGS map for hydrological drought, which shows both the Eastern Shore and the Western Shore in severe drought.
Comments
Charles County groundwater levels are at records lows.
Charles County is 100% dependent on aquifers (groundwater), and the levels have been declining for several years. In fact, there is one well in the Indian Head area that has reached the 80% management level.
MGS has reported that this problem is primarily due to overdevelopment, NOT the drought. HOWEVER, MDE continues to issue Water Appropriation and Use Permits for new subdivisions (more than 10 homes).
Obviously MDE is not taking the MGS report very seriously or it would restrict the issuance of these permits or would impose a building moratorium as it did a few years ago in Frederick.
MDE is "talking" out of both sides of its mouth - telling us how awful the drought is (which is true) BUT at the same time continues to allow new subdivisions to withdraw thousands and thousands of groundwater per day from the aquifers?
PLUS the PSC is allowing Mirant Chalk Point to withdraw MILLIONS of gallons of ground water per month. This "approval" was based in part on MDE's testimony!!
It seems to me that MDE is trying to blame the drought for its own inadequacies and ineptness!!
Posted by: SEER | October 8, 2007 12:45 PM