National Water Conditions

Conditions for the month of December 1997

Mid-Continent South Region
Heavy rain on December 5 caused rises on the san bernard River in southeastern Texas.

Rains on December 22-23 caused minor to moderate flooding in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Affected rivers included the Neches, Sabine, Trinity Rivers and Attoyac Bayou in Texas, the Little and Poteau rivers in Oklahoma, and the Osage River in Missouri.

Southeast Atlantic Region
Intermittent heavy rains from December 12-16 over parts of Florida caused some moderate flooding. Rivers affected included the Peace, Manatee, Myakka and St. Mary's Rivers.

Torrential rains hit west central florida from December 24-27. Rainfall totals were over 7 inches in many areas with totals over 5 inches generally found across the area. This rainfall aggravated existing high water conditions in many rivers. Evacuations were necessary in Pinellas County, Florida. Kissimmee, Florida, had several homes flooded. Rivers in this area remained high through the end of December.

Rainfall of up to 5 inches was reported in east central Georgia on December 24 causing widespread urban and small stream flooding. Many rivers were pushed over flood stage by this rainfall including the Flint, Ogeechee, Ohoopee, Savannah, and Ocmulgee Rivers. These rivers were still above flood stage on December 31.

Northwest Region
On December 17, heavy rains from a series of frontal systems hit coastal Washington and Oregon. The Skokomish River in washington and the Tualatin River in Oregon both rose above flood stage.

Southwest Region
Southern california was hit by heavy showers on December 18. Flash flooding was experienced in local areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ventura Counties.

Alaska
Three of the four index stations in Alaska had normal flows during December. The Little Susitna River near Palmer, Alaska, was below normal.

Puerto Rico
Both the streamflow index stations in Puerto Rico were below normal. The Rio Grande de Manati at Highway 2 near Manati, Puerto Rico set a new December minimum monthly mean with only 59.1 cubic feet per second.