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Preliminary Stage and Streamflow Data at Selected U.S. Geological Survey Streamgages in New England for the Floods of April 2019

Open-File Report 2019-1052
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191052

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Abstract

The combination of rainfall and snowmelt in northern New England and rainfall in southern New England resulted in minor to major flooding from April 15 to 24, 2019, according to stage and streamflow data collected at 63 selected U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages. A typical USGS streamgage measures and records stream stage and estimates streamflow based on a relation (rating curve) of discrete measurements of streamflow and the recorded stage. USGS hydrographers were deployed during and after these storms to measure the streamflow of the flooded rivers and confirm streamgage rating curves.

Preliminary Data Indicate...

  • The National Weather Service flood stage was reached at 36 USGS streamgages selected for monitoring; the minor flood stage category was reached at 30 streamgages, moderate flood stage category at 5 streamgages, and major flood stage category at 1 streamgage.
  • Peak streamflows for the period of record occurred at three streamgages in Maine. Of these, the peak at the St. John River at Ninemile Bridge, Maine streamgage was the highest in its 67-year period of record.
  • A total of 30 streamgages—15 streamgages in Maine, 9 in Vermont, 4 in New Hampshire, and 1 each in Connecticut and Massachusetts—recorded peak streamflows within the top 10 for their period of record. Two of these streamgages, the Clyde River at Newport, Vermont and the Saco River at Cornish, Maine, have periods of record greater than 100 years.
  • In total, USGS hydrographers made more than 210 streamflow measurements during the April 15–24 floods in New England.

Suggested Citation

Kiah, R.G, Smith, B.A. and Stasulis, N.W., 2019, Preliminary stage and streamflow data at selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in New England for the floods of April 2019: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019–1051, 8 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191052.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Preliminary Data Indicate
  • Study Area
  • Timeline for the Storms
  • U.S. Geological Survey Storm-Related Data
  • General Weather Conditions
  • Methods Used To Collect Streamflow Data
  • Floods of April 15–24, 2019
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Preliminary stage and streamflow data at selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in New England for the floods of April 2019
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2019-1052
DOI 10.3133/ofr20191052
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) New England Water Science Center
Description 8 p.
Country United States
State Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details