Current Water Conditions in Massachusetts
November 8, 2007

October precipitation was below normal

October streamflows were below normal and normal

October ground-water levels were below normal and
normal

Reservoir levels are generally a little below normal and
normal
Precipitation Conditions
A table of October 2007 estimated precipitation statistics, based on precipitation data from the Department of
Conservation and Recreation and National Weather Service precipitation monitoring networks is attached. The
statewide average precipitation for October 2007 is estimated as 3.43 inches, about 92 percent of normal. The
regions of Massachusetts received between 145 percent (Western) and 57 percent (Cape Cod and Islands) of normal
precipitation during October. Several periods of precipitation during the month helped to mitigate the generally dry
conditions from previous months. A map at the back of this report shows the distribution of October total rainfall in
New England.
During early November several substantial rain events have occurred. As of November 8th, November rainfall has
ranged from about 0.5 (west) to 3.5 inches (east). The precipitation in the eastern part of the State is will above
normal for this time of the month thanks to the passage of the remnants of tropical storm Noel.
A Drought Advisory for the Connecticut River, Central, Northeast, and Southeast Regions of Massachusetts
remains in affect. The Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force is scheduled to meet on November 16th to
re-evaluate drought conditions in Massachusetts.
Ground Water Levels
Ground-water levels reported by the United
States Geological Survey (USGS) at the end
of October 2007 were generally below
normal (pink area on map) in most regions of
the State. Levels were normal (white areas on
map) in four small areas in the northwest,
south-central., northeast, and southeast
including Cape Cod. A period-of-record
(1995) low was measured in West Boylston
well 26 and record monthly lows for the end
of October were measured in 3 additional
wells in MA.
To illustrate the effect of the recent dry
period on ground-water levels hydrographs
from three index wells showing two years of
end-of-month water levels are shown at the
back of this report.
The USGS ground water level map and a
Water Conditions Statement for the end of
October 2007 can be viewed at the web site:
http://ma.water.usgs.gov/water/water_g.htm
Stream Flow
At the end of October stream flows in the State
that are monitored by the United States Geological
Survey (USGS) were generally below normal
(orange area) in most of Massachusetts. Stream
flows were normal (areas in white) in river basins
in northwestern Massachusetts. A new minimum
monthly discharge for October was recorded on
the Jones River in Kingston, MA. Hydrographs
showing two years of monthly mean discharge at
three index gages are shown at the end of this
report.
The graph below depicts a composite streamflow
for Massachusetts as of November 7, 2007. The
graph is a composite of 46 gages across the state
with a long period of record. Below normal
streamflow at the beginning of October has slowly
recovered to near normal as a result of several
rainfall events during October. In November, two
rainfall events have contributed to increasing nearnormal flows. Additional information on
streamflow is available from the USGS web page:
http://ma.water.usgs.gov/water/waters.htm
KEY:
1 = New record low for
day
2 = < 10th percentile
3 = 10th – 24th percentile
4 = 25th – 74th percentile
5 = 75th – 89th percentile
6 =  90th percentile
7 = New record high for
day
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Water Supply Reservoir Levels
Surface water reservoir percent full values for water supply sources provided by water suppliers are listed below.
The reservoir levels listed are reported to be a little below normal for this time of year. Seventy-eight water
suppliers shown on an October 9th map provided by MassDEP at the back of this report have instituted mandatory
and voluntary water use restrictions.
October /November 2007 Massachusetts Reservoir Status
Percent
Reservoir/City or Town
Full
Reservoir/City or Town
Quabbin
89
Beverly/Salem
Worcester
61.8
Lynn
Cobble Mt./ Springfield
73
Taunton/New Bedford/Assawompsett
Note: N.A. Indicates data not available for this report
Percent
Full
64
52.6
83.5
Fire Danger
During October the cooler weather and rain events have resulted in a lowering of the fire danger and number of
fires.
Drought Indices/Forecasts
The National Drought Mitigation Center’s
(NDMC’s) November 6, 2007 Drought Monitor
Map of Massachusetts shown at right indicates that
about 15 percent of the south-central part of the
State is in moderate drought and another 36 percent
is abnormally dry.
Standardized Precipitation Index:
The Western Regional Climate Center’s (Desert
Research Institute, University and Community
College System of Nevada) 1, 3, 6, and 12-Month
Standardized Precipitation Index through the end of
October shows normal/extremely wet, moderately
dry/moderately wet, normal, and
normal/moderately wet conditions respectively, in
Massachusetts.
NWS/NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center: The U.S.
Seasonal Drought Outlook dated November 1, 2007
shows that the drought in the southeast area of the
State is expected to improve and impacts ease
through January 2007.
Extended Forecasts
There is only a slight chance of showers/snow
flurries (eastern MA) for Friday night-Saturday as a
result of an ocean storm forecast to pass well to the
east of NE. There is a possibility of additional
showers next week as another frontal system passes
the area. The National Weather Service Climate
Prediction Center’s extended 6-10 and 8-14 day
forecasts both indicate above normal rainfall and
temperature. The 1-month forecast indicates normal
rainfall and temperature. The 3-month forecast
indicates normal rainfall and above normal
temperature.
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http://www.srh.noaa.gov/rfcshare/precip_analysis_new.php
TOTAL RAINFALL
OCTOBER 2007
This report was prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Data were obtained
from the sources described in the report and October may be preliminary in nature. Additional information,
previous and future water conditions reports can be found on our web site:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/rainfall/
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http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/wateruse.htm
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