USGS gage 422302071083801 Fresh Pond in Gate House at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Evaluation of Lakes and Impoundments Drought Index for the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan
Lake and impoundment levels are used for calculating a drought severity index.
The Massachusetts Drought Management Plan (DMP) uses lakes and impoundments as an index for drought in seven regions in the state. Lake and impoundment levels are reported to Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR) and then classified for drought severity based on five levels, with Level 0 being normal conditions and Level 4 being emergency drought.
These data are provided to MA DCR through multiple agencies using varied measurement techniques. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and document the data and methods used to measure lake and impoundment contents at multiple locations and to compute statistics that will improve the drought index calculation method.
Objectives:
- Improve and document the data and methods being used at current lake and impoundment index sites
- Evaluate historical data and degree of regulation
- Evaluate each site’s appropriateness for use as a drought index
- Evaluate current methods used for drought index analyses
- Publish USGS report and data release with documented methods that can be used for DMP

Data for the Lakes and Impoundments Drought Index in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan
USGS gage 422302071083801 Fresh Pond in Gate House at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Evaluation of the lakes and impoundments drought index for the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan
Lake and impoundment levels are used for calculating a drought severity index.
The Massachusetts Drought Management Plan (DMP) uses lakes and impoundments as an index for drought in seven regions in the state. Lake and impoundment levels are reported to Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR) and then classified for drought severity based on five levels, with Level 0 being normal conditions and Level 4 being emergency drought.
These data are provided to MA DCR through multiple agencies using varied measurement techniques. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and document the data and methods used to measure lake and impoundment contents at multiple locations and to compute statistics that will improve the drought index calculation method.
Objectives:
- Improve and document the data and methods being used at current lake and impoundment index sites
- Evaluate historical data and degree of regulation
- Evaluate each site’s appropriateness for use as a drought index
- Evaluate current methods used for drought index analyses
- Publish USGS report and data release with documented methods that can be used for DMP

Data for the Lakes and Impoundments Drought Index in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan
USGS gage 422302071083801 Fresh Pond in Gate House at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
USGS gage 422302071083801 Fresh Pond in Gate House at Cambridge, Massachusetts.