Skip Links

USGS - science for a changing world

Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5068

Prepared in cooperation with the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency

Characteristics of the April 2007 Flood at 10 Streamflow-Gaging Stations in Massachusetts

By Phillip J. Zarriello and Carl S. Carlson

Cover and link to report pdf (3.8 MB)

Abstract

A large “nor’easter” storm on April 15–18, 2007, brought heavy rains to the southern New England region that, coupled with normal seasonal high flows and associated wet soil-moisture conditions, caused extensive flooding in many parts of Massachusetts and neighboring states. To characterize the magnitude of the April 2007 flood, a peak-flow frequency analysis was undertaken at 10 selected streamflow-gaging stations in Massachusetts to determine the magnitude of flood flows at 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 200-, and 500-year return intervals. The magnitude of flood flows at various return intervals were determined from the logarithms of the annual peaks fit to a Pearson Type III probability distribution. Analysis included augmenting the station record with longer-term records from one or more nearby stations to provide a common period of comparison that includes notable floods in 1936, 1938, and 1955.

The April 2007 peak flow was among the highest recorded or estimated since 1936, often ranking between the 3d and 5th highest peak for that period. In general, the peak-flow frequency analysis indicates the April 2007 peak flow has an estimated return interval between 25 and 50 years; at stations in the northeastern and central areas of the state, the storm was less severe resulting in flows with return intervals of about 5 and 10 years, respectively. At Merrimack River at Lowell, the April 2007 peak flow approached a 100-year return interval that was computed from post-flood control records and the 1936 and 1938 peak flows adjusted for flood control.

In general, the magnitude of flood flow for a given return interval computed from the streamflow-gaging station period-of-record was greater than those used to calculate flood profiles in various community flood-insurance studies. In addition, the magnitude of the updated flood flow and current (2008) stage-discharge relation at a given streamflow-gaging station often produced a flood stage that was considerably different than the flood stage indicated in the flood-insurance study flood profile at that station.

Equations for estimating the flow magnitudes for 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 200-, and 500-year floods were developed from the relation of the magnitude of flood flows to drainage area calculated from the six streamflow-gaging stations with the longest unaltered record. These equations produced a more conservative estimate of flood flows (higher discharges) than the existing regional equations for estimating flood flows at ungaged rivers in Massachusetts. Large differences in the magnitude of flood flows for various return intervals determined in this study compared to results from existing regional equations and flood insurance studies indicate a need for updating regional analyses and equations for estimating the expected magnitude of flood flows in Massachusetts.

Posted August 20, 2009

Last modified November 2009

For additional information contact:
Director, Massachusetts-Rhode Island Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
10 Bearfoot Road
Northborough, MA 01532
http://ma.water.usgs.gov/

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.


Suggested citation:

Zarriello, P.J., and Carlson, C.S., 2009, Characteristics of the April 2007 flood at 10 streamflow-gaging stations in Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5068, 75 p., also available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5068.



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Study Area

Previous Studies

Antecedent and Storm Conditions

Streamflow

Precipitation

Methods

Annual Peak Flows

Magnitude and Frequency of Flood Flows

Flood-Insurance Studies and Flood-Warning Levels

Characteristics of the April 2007 Flood at Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations

North Nashua River at Fitchburg–01094400

Stillwater River near Sterling–01095220

Squannacook River near West Groton–01096000

Nissitissit River at Pepperell–01096503

Merrimack River at Lowell–01100000

Spicket River near Methuen–01100561

Shawsheen River at Andover–01100627

Mill River at Northampton–01171500

Sevenmile River near Spencer–01175670

West Branch Westfield River near Huntington–01181000

Magnitude of Peak-Flow in Relation to Drainage Area

Summary

References Cited




Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
[an error occurred while processing this directive] URL: http://pubsdata.usgs.gov
Page Contact Information: Contact USGS
Page Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Jan-2013 19:34:54 EST