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2 OZl,1754 THE NORTHEAST Serious water shortages in northern New Jersey and in Maine were alleviated and runoff was record high for December at all key gaging stations in Maine, New Hampshire, and southern Quebec. Over much of the region, ground-water levels rose to above av- erage stages for the first time in many months al- though locally the levels in a few wells were record low for December. In Maine. the levels were at or near record-high stages. Quebec:.~. -Runofr was generally excessive and dis- charge at the key station St. Francois River at Hem- ming Falls was record high for December owing to an unusual spell of mild weather followed by several days of rain which created spring-like high water condi- tions. In Chaudiere River, the heavy runoff and a premature ice break-up caused an outstanding ice jam on the evening of Dec. 20 in the S-shaped section of the river downstream from Beauceville in Beauce County; serious flooding occurred in the town Dec. 21, resulting in: extensive property damage to some 200. dwellings, by water and ice floes. Storage in Gouin and Allard Reservoirs was considerably above average. Maine. -Runoff was the highest of 'record for De- cember at each of the four key gaging stations. How- ever, flows were only about as high as those of aver- age spring high water and damage was negligible from ice jams that occurred in the rivers. Storage in- creased greatly and at end of month ranged from 130 to 170 percent of average for December in three of the systems. Sebago Lake, which held no usable storage Nov. 30, filled to about 35 percent of average for December and the West Branch Penobscot River reservoirs which were critically low, filled to 90 per- cent of the December average, Ground-water levels in all key wells rose greater than average amounts as a result of abnormal recharge and were at or near record-high stages, The levels in the key wells near Portage and Sherman Mills were at or above the land surface and were the highest of 15 and 18 years of record, respectively, The level in the key well near Mercer was record high for December, Central New England. -Extreme contrasts in run- off occurred in this 4-state area. In southeastern Massachusetts runoff continued deficient but it in- creased northward and at the key gaging station Pemi- gewasset River at Plymouth, N. H., it was the high- est December runoff in 55 years of record; the flow of 24,600 cfs at that station Dee, 21 was also the maximum daily December flow of record. The exces- sive runoff was the result of above average precipita- tion and warm weather that produced snowmelt. Ground-water levels also rose generally, and except in southwestern Massachusetts where the level in the key well at Great Barrington was record low for De- cember, were about or above average, indicating re- covery from the drought. Connecticut. -Ground-water levels generally rose but remained below average except in wells tapping the less permeable aquifers where they were above average. New York. -Minor flooding occurred Dec. 20-21 in parts of the lower Catskill Mountains and Adiron- dack Mountains and streamflow increased generally I owing to the excess In precipitation and warm weather. Combined storage in the New York City reservoir system increased about 60 percent and was about 92 percent greater than a year ago. Ground-water levels in most sections of upstate New York rose consider;.. ably and in some areas in the eastern part were well above average. In the western part, however, levels remained below average and a record-low stage for December was observed in the key well near Castile. New Jersey, ~Water supplies improved spectacu- larly during December. The level of Wanaque Reser- voir rose more than 20 feet as the usable contents increased from 25 percent to 63 percent of capacity during the month, Streamflow was excessive through- out the State in contrast to deficient flow for the last 6 months in northern New Jersey. Rivers were at or near flood stage in northern New Jersey on December 21 and again on December 26, A few families were evacuated from their homes on the flood plains of ' Ramapo, Pompton, and Raritan Rivers but damage was minor. A greater-than-average seasonal rise was observed in the key-well- near Old--Bridge.but-the level remained well below average, The outlook for January is runoff about 130 percent of median if precipitation is normal. Pennsylvania. -Water levels in both key wells rose but the level in the well at Clarion was almost record high for December whereas the level in the well at Gaines was almost record low for December, Maryland: -Flooding occurred in some small streams in the central part of the State with near- record peaks at a few gaging stations, and runoffwas excessive generally. The level in the key well at Colesville rose to an above-average stage for the first time since April 1957. THE SOUTHEAST Runoff was excessive in most of the region but flooding was scattered and local. Ground-water levels generally rose and except in heavily pumped areas were mostly in the average range, Virginia. -Some flooding of secondary highways was reported in GreensvilIe and Southampton Counties. in southeastern Virginia the latter part of the month, as runoff ranged from above median to excessive throughout the State. The level in the key well near Fairfax rose sharply to an above-average stage for the first time since April 1957. South Carolina, -Streamflow remained above median to excessive, particularly in the lower reaches of streams crossing the Coastal Plain where there was carryover from the heavy rains of late November. Storage in major reservoirs continued far above av- erage for December. Georgia. -Streamflow continued considerably above median over the entire State. In southern Georgia. flow of Alapaha River near Alapaha was third highest for December in 21 years of record, and in northern Georgia, flow of Chattooga River near Clayton was third highest for December in 19 years of record. Storage in three major reservoirs ranged from about