1/17/2024
WT Staff
HAPPENING NOW
NWS Wind chill advisory ends
Ice impacts USGS streamflow sensor on the Ohio River
Water news for Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - last updated 230 pm EST
Streamflow Situation from USGS Waterwatch based on real-time flow monitors across Ohio
A frozen sensor on the Ohio River at Wheeling is confirmed sending erroneous data, as we suspected. Earlier this morning WTOH noticed one station in the USGS streamflow network indicating the Ohio River flowing almost eight feet over flood stage at Wheeling, OH. USGS has confirmed this station managed by West Virginia branch is ice impacted and sending erroneous readings. See the USGS Provisional Data Statement at the end of this update.
Seasonal normal to above normal flows statewide Wednesday with Sandusky River and Vermilion River flowing above 90th percentile in the Lake Erie basin. A tributary of the Little Miami River Massies Creek looking much above seasonal normal flow values today. A handful of stations reporting below seasonal normal here and there with one gauge is recording an extreme low, Alum Creek at Africa. No extreme high flows as of this update.
National Weather Service Hazardous weather outlook issued 442 am Jan 17
Lucas-Wood-Ottawa-Sandusky-Hancock-Seneca-Wyandot-Crawford-Richland-Ashland-Wayne-Stark-Mahoning-Marion-Morrow-Holmes-Knox Counties
WIND CHILL ADVISORY ENDED NOON EST WEDNESDAY. Very cold wind chills, as low as 15 degrees below zero forecast for portions of north central and northwest Ohio have now passed.
Drought map from USGS Waterwatch 7-day average streamflow compared with historic flow for today's date
No part of Ohio is rated below normal or any degree of drought.
Harmful Algal Bloom update based on the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) satellite monitoring program
A new image provided by NCCOS was captured on Jan 16 with surface wind conditions measured at 22.2 mph. This image is completely cloud obscured. The image obtained yesterday was partially cloud obscured, captured on Jan 15 at a high wind speed.
In spite of high wind, widespread HAB is visible off Catawba Island occupying open water in and around South Bass, Middle Bass and Kelleys Islands at 100 thousand cells per 100 ml. The image captured Jan 14 showed extensive HABs north of the international border up to the north shore.
See the HABs button to the right of the map for more information.
The height-of-land divide in Ohio runs from Mercer County in the west angling northeast up to Ashtabula County on the east state border. Streamflows north of the divide feed Lake Erie, flows south of the divide run to the Ohio River, part of the Mississippi River basin that drains the majority of interior North America to the Gulf of Mexico.
As streamflow conditions shift and change in the Ohio River basin, track the effects south down the Mississippi River into to Louisiana. Louisiana is experiencing drought relief. As of Friday January 12, the Mississippi River channel through north Louisiana departed the drought map following the most prolonged and severe dry conditions in decades. As of this update, higher Ohio River flows help to shift the drought map of Louisiana. As of this update, moderate drought remains along one river channel in southwest LA with some below normal area hanging on through the west part of the state. East Louisiana is completely clear of the drought map today. To see how surface water streamflows in the Mississippi River basin impact downstream water levels, visit WTLA.us.
USGS Provisional Data Statement
Data are provisional and subject to revision until they have been thoroughly reviewed and received final approval. Current condition data relayed by satellite or other telemetry are automatically screened to not display improbable values until they can be verified.
Provisional data may be inaccurate due to instrument malfunctions or physical changes at the measurement site. Subsequent review based on field inspections and measurements may result in significant revisions to the data.
Data users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences. Information concerning the accuracy and appropriate uses of these data or concerning other hydrologic data may be obtained from the USGS.
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