Drought conditions have stretched from the mid-Atlantic states through New England and into Maine. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitors these conditions by collecting streamflow and ground-water data. The following paragraphs summarize the current levels of streamflow and ground-water in the Maine.
Streamflows on free-flowing streams
All flows on free-flowing streams in Maine on August 3rd (except for those in northern Maine) were below their long-term median for this date. The long-term median flow is defined as the middle value of a set of flows that are ordered from lowest to highest. For the following rivers, the long term median was based on 48 to 95 years of flow data, depending on the river.
- The lowest streamflows in the state on August 3rd occurred in
the southern half of Maine on the Piscatiquis, Carrabassett,
Sandy, Swift, Sheepscot, Narraguagus, and Royal Rivers.
- The streamflows on August 3rd for the Piscatiquis,
Carrabassett, Sandy, Swift, Sheepscot, Narraguagus, and Royal
Rivers were within the lowest 10 percent of recorded flows for
this date.
- In northern Maine, the Allagash, Fish, and Aroostook rivers were above their August 3rd median flows.
Current streamflows in Maine are available on the web at http://me.water.usgs.gov
Current streamflows across the Nation are available on the web at http://water.usgs.gov/dwc/national_map.html
Ground water
Ground-water levels across Maine were measured by the USGS from July 19th to July 31st.
- Ground-water levels in western, central, and eastern Maine
were below normal (within the lowest 25 percent of recorded data
for the end of July).
- Record-low July ground-water levels were recorded in Gray
(based on 14 years of recorded data), New Gloucester (based on
10 years of data), Litchfield (based on 21 years of data),
Augusta (based on 39 years of data), T24 MD (Washington County
near Wesley, based on 14 years of data), Calais (based on 19
years of data), Madison (based on 15 years of data), Stratton
(based on 10 years of data), and Eustis (based on 14 years of
data).
- Ground-water levels in northern and southern Maine were in the normal range.
As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2000 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 sound economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.
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