SUMMARY OF HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS
FOR THE
UPPER DELAWARE RIVER BASIN
October 2000


Prepared by the
Office of the Delaware River Master
Milford, Pennsylvania

 

Adjusted streamflow in the upper Delaware River basin during October was in the normal range. The maximum daily discharge of 5,940 cfs occurred on October 19. The minimum daily discharge was 1,690 cfs on October 17. 

On the basis of a multi-station average, precipitation during October was 2.41 inches, which was 71 percent of the 59-year average. The maximum daily-average precipitation during October was 0.91 inches on October 6. Precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin during the past 12 months was 3.76 inches greater than the long-term average. Precipitation during October was 0.98 inches less than the long-term average for the month. 

The monthly mean streamflow of the Delaware River at Montague, N.J. during October was 2,591 cfs (observed), which was 111 percent of median. The flow at Montague, adjusted for diversions from the basin and change in storage in the major reservoirs was 2,854 cfs, or 130 percent of median (water years 1961-90).

Combined storage November 1, 2000, in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs was 84.8 percent of capacity above the point of maximum depletion. The combined storage of 230 billion gallons was 9 billion gallons less than that of one month ago and was 64 billion gallons more than that of one year ago. Median storage on the first day of November in 33 years of record is 147 billion gallons. 

As part of a statewide network, the USGS operates 14 observation wells in the Pennsylvania part of the Delaware River Basin. At the time of this report, water-level data were available for 12 wells. Mean water levels during October were below average in 8 of the wells. Water levels in 10 of the wells were trending downward in comparison to September levels. Water levels in 3 of the wells were above October 1999 levels.

 

HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS IN THE UPPER DELAWARE RIVER BASIN
Compiled by the Office of the Delaware River Master, Milford, Pa.
(Preliminary data - subject to revision)
PRECIPITATION, IN INCHES

 

Dec. 1940 to Oct. 1999

November 1999 to October 2000

 

Average

Actual

Percent of average

Excess (+) or deficit (-)

 

Amount

Cumulative

Amount

Cumulative

By month

Cumulative

By month

Cumulative

Nov.

 3.87 43.23 2.75 46.99 71 109 -1.12 +3.76
Dec. 3.37 39.36 1.84 44.24 55 112 -1.53 +4.88
Jan. 3.02 35.99 3.44 42.40 114 118 +.42 +6.41
Feb. 2.64 32.97 3.26 38.96 123 118 +.62 +5.99
Mar. 3.32 30.33 4.08 35.70 123 118 +.76 +5.37
Apr. 3.76 27.01 4.81 31.62 128 117 +1.05 +4.61
May 4.17 23.25 *6.36 26.81 153 115 +2.19 +3.56
June 3.91 19.08 6.67 20.45 171 107 +2.76 +1.37
July 4.09 15.17 4.24 13.78 104 91 +.15 -1.39
Aug. 3.86 11.08 3.60 9.54 93 86 -.26 -1.54
Sept. 3.83 7.22 3.53 5.95 92 82 -.30 -1.28
Oct. 3.39 3.39 2.41 2.41 71 71 -.98 -.98

Note: Amount shown in cumulative columns is total from month shown to present.

* Revised since previous month

 

STREAMFLOW, IN CFS

DELAWARE RIVER AT MONTAGUE, N.J.

Month

1940-99

2000
Monthly Mean

Percent of
Median

Maximum

Median

Minimum
October (observed) 15,690 (1955) 2,326 807 (1941) 2,591 111
October (adjusted) 18,570 (1955) 2,130 322 (1964) 2,854 134
 
November (observed) 11,760 (1951) 4,642 995 (1964)  
November (adjusted) 16,160 (1972) 6,100 390 (1964)