BLACKSTONE RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 21, 2024
42.18, -71.69


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Blackstone River was last observed at 1,471 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 2,918 acre-ft of water today; about 56% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 2,624 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2023-12-19 when daily discharge volume was observed at 29,630 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Blackstone River At Northbridge reporting a streamflow rate of 1,340 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Blackstone River, with a gauge stage of 3.77 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Blackstone River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 260 ft, the Blackstone River At Northbridge.

The Blackstone River is a waterway in the northeastern United States, stretching 48 miles from Worcester, Mass. to Providence, R.I. It is rich in history, as it played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution and was once known as the "hardest working river in America." The river flows through several cities and towns, including Worcester, Millbury, Sutton, Grafton, Northbridge, Uxbridge, and Woonsocket. Today, the Blackstone River is an important source of drinking water for local communities and supports recreational activities such as fishing and kayaking. The river is also home to several reservoirs and dams, including the Wallum Lake Reservoir, which provides water to the city of Providence, and the Blackstone River Dam, which helps to regulate water flow and prevent flooding. In addition, the Blackstone River Valley is home to many farms and agricultural operations, which rely on the river's water for irrigation.

Last Updated 2024-12-21
Discharge Volume 2,918 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 1,471.0 cfs
None cfs (None%)
Percent of Normal 56.07%
Maximum 29,630.0 cfs
2023-12-19
Seasonal Avg 2,624 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Blackstone River At Northbridge
USGS 01110500
1340 cfs 3.77 ft 34
Blackstone River At Woonsocket
USGS 01112500
683 cfs 2.46 ft -17.51
Blackstone R At Roosevelt St At Pawtucket Ri
USGS 01113895
788 cfs 1.44 ft 7.36
History of the River

The Blackstone River is a river in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It flows approximately 48 mi (80 km) and drains a watershed of approximately 540 sq. mi (1,400 km²). Its long history of industrial use has left a legacy of pollution, and it was characterized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1990 as "the most polluted river in the country with respect to toxic sediments."

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