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Water Resources Data
Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Water Year 2003

By R.S. Socolow, J.L. Zanca, T.R. Driskell, and L.R. Ramsbey

Water-Data Report MA-RI-03-1


INTRODUCTION

The Water Resources Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with State agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Massachusetts and Rhode Island each water year. These data, accumulated during many water years, constitute a valuable database for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the States. To make these data readily available to interested parties outside the Geological Survey, the data are published annually in this report series entitled “Water Resources Data-Massachusetts and Rhode Island.”

Hydrologic data are also available through the Massachusetts–Rhode Island District Home Page on the World Wide Web (http://ma.water.usgs.gov). Historical data and real-time data (for sites equipped with satellite or telephone gage-height telemeters) are also available. The home page also contains a link to the U.S. Geological Survey national home page where streamflow data from locations throughout the United States can be retrieved (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis). Please be advised that hydrographs for surface-water discharge stations and ground-water-level observation wells are available only online in page-sized pdf format through the USGS Web page (http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/wdr/). Surface-water hydrographs display daily mean discharge for water year 2003; ground-water-level hydrographs display water levels for water years 1994 through 2003.

This report series includes records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels of ground-water wells. This volume contains discharge records for 108 gaging stations; stage records for 2 gaging stations; stage records for 3 ponds; month-end contents of 1 reservoir; precipitation totals at 8 gaging stations; water quality for 27 gaging stations; air temperature at 2 climatological stations; water levels for 129 observation wells; and ground-water quality for 15 wells. Locations of these sites are shown in figures 1 and 2. Hydrologic data were collected at many sites that were not involved in the systematic data-collection program; these data are published as miscellaneous discharge measurements, miscellaneous surface-water-quality, and miscellaneous ground-water-quality data. The data in this report represent that part of the National Water Information System (NWIS) operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

This series of annual reports for Massachusetts and Rhode Island began with the 1961 water year with a report that contained only data relating to the quantities of surface water. For the 1964 water year, a similar report was introduced that contained only data relating to water quality. Beginning with the 1975 water year, the report format was changed to present, in one volume, data on quantities of surface water, quality of surface and ground water, and ground-water levels.

Prior to introduction of this series and for several water years concurrent with it, water-resources data for Massachusetts and Rhode Island were published in U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers. Data on stream discharge and stage and on lake or reservoir contents and stage, through September 1960, were published annually under the title "Surface-Water Supply of the United States, Parts 1A and 1B." For the 1961 through 1970 water years, the data were published in two 5-year reports. Data on chemical quality, temperature, and suspended sediment for the 1941 through 1970 water years were published annually under the title "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States," and water levels for the 1939 through 1974 water years were published under the title "Ground-Water Levels in the United States." The above-mentioned Water-Supply Papers may be consulted in the libraries of the principal cities of the United States and may be purchased from U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services, Box 25286, Denver Federal Center, Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225-0286.

Publications similar to this report are published annually by the USGS for all States. These official Survey reports have an identification number consisting of the two-letter State abbreviation, the last two digits of the water year, and the volume number. For example, this volume is identified as "U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report MA-RI-03-1." For archiving and general distribution, the reports for 1971-74 water years also are identified as water-data reports. These water-data reports are for sale in paper copy or in microfiche by the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. Additional information, including current prices, for ordering specific reports may be obtained from the District Office at the address given on the back of the title page or by telephone (800) 696-4042.

PRESENTATION

The printed version of this report includes 307 total pages and two inside covers.  The online version of this report includes those pages and 251 pages of hydrographs that were not included in the printed version. The online annual data report is presented electronically in Portable Document Format. You will need a PDF viewer or reader (available as freeware from Adobe.com) to view and print the report.  Users with visual disabilities can visit the Adobe accessibility site for conversion tools to make the PDF files more accessible.

Outside cover -- (696 kilobytes)
MARIWDR0301 -- Entire (printed version) of report for print-on-demand (8.6 megabytes). Note, this file is large and does not include any hydrograph links.
In the PDF, to go directly to a site of interest, click on its page number in the table of contents or use the bookmark on the left side of the PDF.
Surface-Water Hydrographs -- 111 pdf graphs of 2003 water year data
Ground-Water Hydrographs -- Massachusetts -- 99 graphs of 10-water-year period, 1994-through 2003, Rhode Island -- 41 graphs of 10-water-year period, 1994-through 2003
Gaging Stations Photos


The citation for this report, in USGS format, is as follows:

Socolow, R.S., Zanca, J.L., Driskell, T.R., and Ramsbey, L.R., 2003, Water Resources Data for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 2003, Water-Data Report MA-RI-03-1, 384 p.

For more information about this or other USGS publications, or for information about other USGS activities within Massachusetts and Rhode Island District, please go to the USGS Massachusetts-Rhode Island Home Page. If you cannot fully access the information on this page, please contact the District's Information Officer by calling (508) 490-5058.


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