posted 03-13-2002 02:17 PM               

March 9, 2002

A hydrologist studying groundwater in Greenwich said the region needs a lot of precipitation this month to avoid water shortages.

"It's too early to predict shortages," said John Mullaney, a hydrologist with the Connecticut District of the U.S. Geological Survey in East Hartford. "But any hope we have is between now and April."

Mullaney has been measuring the amount of water underground in town since the summer of 2000, and he gave an update on the study before the Conservation Commission on Thursday.

Before giving a presentation on the progress of the study, Mullaney spoke about the drought and how it affects the water table, which is the point below the surface where the ground becomes saturated with water.

The U.S. Geological Survey routinely monitors 90 wells in Connecticut to test the quality and quantity of groundwater. Tests last month showed that water levels in 50 of these wells, including four in Fairfield, were at the lowest point recorded for the month of January since testing at those wells began.

Mullaney said this month is critical because the groundwater should be at its maximum level at the beginning of April to meet the demands of vegetation.

Generally, the groundwater recharges from October to April -- when it is colder and there is less demand for water from plants and humans -- and then the water table drops from April to September.

He said the area would usually have received about 22 inches of precipitation since October, and only 9 inches have been recorded this year.

Mullaney said this drought is not as bad as one that affected the region in the mid-1960s, although even during that drought the water table rose in the colder months. He said because of a lack of rainfall in the autumn, and no snow on the ground now, the water levels have not recovered.

"We're not getting any recharge," he said, "and unless we get significant rainfall, the levels will decline."

The Greenwich groundwater study, which Mullaney is leading, is being done to gauge the availability of water for residents who use wells, and to plan how best to use that natural resource.

The U.S. Geological Survey is measuring streamflow at two places on the Middle Branch of the Byram River, and is monitoring water levels at three wells in town.

posted 03-14-2002 09:09 AM            

....I don't, and I doubt that Duncan does, use any strategies or ploys as you suggest....

No, of course you don't. You just pass other people's **personal information** on to the likes of Jay Reynolds and others of your crew and let them do your dirty work FOR you.

Still going strong, I see.

posted 03-14-2002 09:24 AM            

-------------------------=>

N.H. declares drought emergency
http://www.fosters.com/news2002a/mar02/13/nh0313q.htm

State to declare drought emergency
http://www.citizen.com/news2002/March/13/con0313bb.htm

Low water level at Laurel Reservoir reveals lost town
http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/fc/scn-sa-reservoir1mar13.story?coll=hc%2Dheadlines%2D fc

Drought emergency curbs seen for central Maryland
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.water13mar13.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dheadlin es

Water warning issued
http://www.telegram.com/news/page_one/drought.html

Maine eligible for federal disaster aid to offset drought-related farm losses
http://www.fosters.com/news2002a/mar02/13/me0313f.htm

Forum explores water woes
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,53%257E460867,00.html

posted 03-14-2002 02:04 PM               

Forecasters Predict Rain in East, but Not Enough to Break Drought http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,47919,00.html
"The drought in some areas will worsen as we move into the warmer months, when demand for water is greatest, said NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr. "Nearly four years of little rain and snow in some places has left many areas with deep water deficits," he said. "Changing weather patterns may offer a glimmer of hope, but we don't see the water levels returning to normal anytime soon."

posted 03-14-2002 09:18 PM            

I don't buy what Deb says anymore than most of you, but there is no need to bite the bait. It just makes two pigs wallowing the mud. Easy..easy... it's a parable.

It is frustrating watching day after day knowing someone new is checking out this board for the first time and seeing the hash slinging.

Oh yeah, there is one thing worse... to hear the debunkers with the same lame arguments and put downs just because they know someone hasn't heard it, yet. That person is then more likely to be discouraged from this web site. It sure keeps some of us here going round and round, with them...maybe that's the whole purpose.

I doubt she changes any minds on the issue but has chased a few would be researchers off to find friendlier ground.

Meanwhile, what I came here to post was more news on the drought. We can't study chemtrails without the weather, this is an important thread.

Thursday, March 14, 2002

NEW YORK — Gripped by drought, states from the Atlantic Ocean nearly to the Pacific have become a veritable tinderbox ready for the spark — and there's no relief in sight, weather forecasters said Thursday.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,47924,00.html

posted 03-15-2002 03:49 AM               

some areas experience radical drought, ask the egyptians (2000 to 10000 bc) where all the trees and plant life went, ask the extinct mayans where the water went in a tropical rainforest, or someone from the dust bowl days of Oklahoma...

equating this to a chemtrail (man made) inference is...off the mark...so to speak...

posted 03-15-2002 07:43 AM            

Talking about the possibility of weather control as a potential purpose of Chemtrails,
opens the idea to both rain and drought. One doesn't preclude the other.

posted 03-15-2002 09:58 AM            

....my figures indicate that when I see contrails the chance of rain increases 50% , and more often than not when I see contrails within a day we have rain....or precipitation....

Your "figures" and observations may be accurate for *your* region.

They do not reflect what is **actually going on** in OTHER regions.

posted 03-15-2002 04:54 PM               

Your "figures" and observations may be accurate for *your* region.

They do not reflect what is **actually going on** in OTHER regions.

One doesn't have to be *paranoid* to find certain developing patterns a little scary.

I don't know where the word paranoid fits here ?!?!?!

and looking at the palmer drought index seems the majority of the country is right where it should be...tell me where I'm wrong ?

posted 03-15-2002 05:14 PM            

I have this posted on the first page of the thread, but I'll repost it here. This map also has the NOAA seal of approval, but unless we've had a bunch of rain lately, it tells a different story than your map. I wonder which one is "true."

posted 03-15-2002 05:22 PM            

Here's the most recent of the maps in that series. It suggests that the drought is worsening, and it looks even less like your drought map. Have we stepped through the looking glass?

posted 03-15-2002 07:23 PM            

....my figures indicate that when I see contrails the chance of rain increases 50% , and more often than not when I see contrails within a day we have rain....or precipitation....

I inferred from this statement that you were referring to observations made in your area. If I was wrong, I apologize.

All I am saying is that the incidence of trailing in my area, which is the only area I will reference here - the incidence of trailing in my area more often than not results in a very different situation than what you are conveying regarding your area.

You can reference "probability" of precipitation all you like. I am interested only in what actually HAPPENS.

You don't live over here, so you don't know firsthand what is actually occurring in this region.

Let's leave "right" and "wrong" out of it.

posted 03-15-2002 08:12 PM               

well your right, when looking at data that for the most part is a generalization of what has been and should happen, right and wrong don't necessarily enter the mix...in other words...these maps are a "educated guess" of what *may* happen...

here's one that deals with precip only, that shows an easing of the drought...and a snippet on interpreting it...

3 month drought

It is important to compare the 3-month SPI with longer time scales. A relatively normal 3-month period could occur in the middle of a longer-term drought that would only be visible at longer time scales. A good example of this can be illustrated by the four Climate Divisions in southeastern Nebraska. The 3-month SPI for the end of March 1996showed these Climate Divisions in the "near normal" category, largely because of above-normal precipitation in January 1996. However, dry conditions across this region began in June 1995, and can be seen in the 6-month SPI for the end of March 1996. Looking at longer time scales, as in this example, would prevent a misinterpretation that any "drought" might be over

posted 03-18-2002 09:51 AM               

May Not Be Enough http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020314/ap_on_re_us/drought_2

Farmers Pray for Rain http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0315/p03s01-ussc.html
Much of the U.S. is facing the worst drought in a century.
Despite drought, N.J. pools will open (Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/krphiladelphia/20020316/lo/despite_drought_n_j_pools_will_open_1.html
...We need strong coordination to get through this drought emergency....

Desertification Seen Ravaging Farming and Wildlife Sun Mar 17, 1:23 PM ET - (Reuters) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=585&u=/nm/20020317/sc_nm/food_biotech_desertification_dc_1
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) - Desertification is devastating farm production and the variety of plant and animal life in many parts of the world, adding to pressure to produce food more efficiently, delegates at a conference said Sunday.
Drought could sprout more crop insurance (Allentown Morning Call)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/mcall/20020315/lo/drought_could_sprout_more_crop_insurance_1.html
To better his odds against the drought, Northampton County farmer Robert Fulmer decided to buy more crop insurance.

posted 03-19-2002 09:31 PM               

psssst...larry, it's raining...

posted 03-19-2002 10:05 PM               

we've had almost a foot of rain in the last 36 hours...

if you don't get any this time, hang in there april showers bring may flowers