On Thursday, March 22, discharge on the Blackstone River at Northbridge totalled 2,840 cfs, almost ten times the long-term average flow. Total flow on the Pawtuxet River at Cranston, RI, was measured at 2,850 cfs, more than eight times the long-term average flow. Although recent flooding has caused substantial property loss, there are scientific benefits from measuring the high flows. According to USGS scientist Roy Socolow, These high flows help to better define the relation between a river s stage, the height of the river s surface above an arbitrary point, and its discharge, which is the actual volume of water flowing in the river. The National Weather Service uses this information to better predict flooding.
All data are subject to revision and considered provisional until reviewed and published.
Measurement of high flows resulting from the rains of March 22-25 will continue through the weekend. As the Nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, and customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to sound economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.