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lj,jJ755 25 to 70 percent above the 28-year average for Decem- ber, In north Georgia, water levels in most wells rose slightly. In south Georgia, water levels in both shallow and deep artesian wells continued to rise. Water levels in wells tapping the principal artesian aquifer in the Savannah area declined slightly but were somewhat higher than a year ago, whereas the levels in wells 15 to 20 miles from Savannah rose slightly but were 50mewhat lower than a year ago. Alabama. -Streamflow was excessive over most of the State. In the northern part it was caused by carry- over from last month but in the central and southern part it was runoff from general rains. Storage in Lake Martin continued 73 percent of usable capacity for the third consecutive month and was 45 percent above the 30.:.year average for December. Ground-water levels generally rose. In shallow water-table wells the lev- els rose seasonally but in the deep artesian wells the levels rose abnormally large amounts as a result of heavy precipitation in the fall. Mississippi'/"'-'-Streamflow 'was-ex,:essive over the entire State, the result of carryover from November and substantial rainfall during the latter part of the month. Tennessee. -Runoff continued excessive throughout the State as a result of carryover and somewhat above normal precipitation. Storage in the principal tribu- tary reservoirs in the Tennessee River basin de- creased but was still somewhat above average for December. Kentucky. -Ground-water levels in the Louisville area generally were higher than those of hlst year as a result of greater-than-normal precipitation in the last 2 months and higher-than-normal river stages. In the Mississippian Plateau and Blue Grass regions water levels in limestone aquifers rose to high stages in response to local precipitation. Runoff was exces- sive in western Kentucky and above median in the eastern section of the State. WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION Runoff was excessive in Canada and in part of the United States; it was near median in the remainder. Mtlderate'floods'in'Wabash River basin caused little damage although some families were evacuated from the lowlands. Ground-water levels declined in the northwestern part but rose seasonally elsewhere and were record high for December in the key wells in the extreme southern part of the region. Ohio. -The level in the key well near Crescentville rose sharply for the second consecutive month to a record-high stage for December. Indiana. -The highest stages since 1950 occurred in lower Wabash and White Rivers following the gener- al rains of Dec. 18-20. Damage from flooding of low- lands was not extensive as crops had been harvested, but numerous families were evacuated along the main streams and on several tributaries near Terre Haute. Runoff at the key gaging stations approached the previous maximums for December. Ground-water levels rose also and record-high stages for December were measured in the key wells near Wave land and Henryville. 3 Illinois. -Runoff inc;eased to almost median in northwestern Illinois and was excessive in the re- mainder of the State. Wabash River tributaries in southeastern Illinois and the Big Muddy and Kaskaskia Rivers were out of bank following heavy rains at the middle of the month. Peak flows were nearly equal to those of the summer of 1957. At the gaging station, Little Wabash River at Carmi, the peak was the high- est since 1950 and about 50. families were evacuated from their homes during the Christmas holidays. Lake Bloomington was spilling at the end of the month, the contents being highest for December since 1951. Ontario. -Runoff was excessive throughout the Prov- ince, owing to unseasonal high temperatures. MIDCONTINENT REGION Mild weather in the northern part of the region pro- duced above-median runoff. Missouri River at Bis- marck, N. Dak., did not freeze over until Dec. 30, the latest date for freezing since start oC.observations in 1881. Minor flooding occurred in scattered areas and small areas of deficient runoff occurred in Mis- souri, Arkansas, and Texas. North Dakota. -Streamflow continued-above median partly owing to mild. weather. Missouri River at Bis- marck did,not freeze over until Dec. 30, the latest date for freezing since start of observations in 1881. Water levels in observation wells generally were above average in all except the southwest pf\rt of the State where in heavily pumped areas they were far below average. South Dakota. -Above normal temperatures that prevented formation of the usual ice cover, combined with favorable antecedent conditions, did much to produce the generally excessive flows. Runoff of Bad River near Fort Pierre, whose median flow for De- cember is O. was 92 acre-ft. Nebraska. -Ground-water levels generally rose during the month as a result of recharge from melting snow and a record-high level for December was meas- ured in the key well near Ewing. Iowa. -Runoff increased throughout most of the State as a result of two periods of unusually warm weather. During the first period most of the snow cover was melted and during the second period general rains occurred that caused local flooding in small streams in southeast Iowa on December 20. Water levels in both key wells,. however, declined and re- mained below average. Missouri. -Runoff was deficient in the northern part of the State, excessive in the south-central part, and about median elsewhere. Minor flooding occurred at mid-month in the headwaters of Gasconade and James Rivers. Although the water level in the key well near Trenton rose seasonally, it still WqS record low for December. Texas. -Runoff was generally excessive except in west Texas and in the Panhandle, as a result of carry- over and of .rainfall the last week of December that produced moderate flood runoff. Most flood-control storage in major reservoirs has been released and conservation storage, although reduced slightly. is-