TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
Ware River
was last observed at
232
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
460
acre-ft of water today; about 23%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
998 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2019-01-25 when daily discharge volume was observed at
4,728 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Ware River At Gibbs Crossing
reporting a streamflow rate of 114 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre
with a gauge stage of 3.79 ft.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Ware River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 738 ft, the
Ware River Near Barre.
The Ware River is a tributary of the Chicopee River, located in central Massachusetts. It is approximately 35 miles long and has a history dating back to the 1600s. The river's hydrology has changed significantly over the years due to the construction of reservoirs and dams, including the Quabbin Reservoir, which was built in the 1930s to provide drinking water to Boston. Other notable reservoirs include the Ware River Reservoir and the Birch Hill Dam. The river has a variety of recreational uses, including fishing and boating. It also supports local agriculture, with farms utilizing the river for irrigation. Despite the changes to its flow and function, the Ware River remains an important natural resource for the region.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-25 |
| Discharge Volume | 460 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
232.1 cfs
-6.0 cfs (-2.52%) |
| Percent of Normal | 23.25% |
| Maximum |
4,727.5 cfs
2019-01-25 |
| Seasonal Avg | 998 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ware River Near Barre
USGS 01172500 |
50 cfs | 3.1 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre
USGS 01173000 |
68 cfs | 3.79 ft | -1.45 | |||||
|
Ware River At Gibbs Crossing
USGS 01173500 |
114 cfs | 2.38 ft | -4.2 |
History of the River
The Ware River is a 35.4-mile-long (57.0 km) river in central Massachusetts. It has two forks, the longer of which (the east branch) begins near Hubbardston, Massachusetts. The Ware River flows southwest through the middle of the state, joins the Quaboag River at Three Rivers, Massachusetts, to form the Chicopee River on its way to the Connecticut River.
The Brigham Pond Dam, forming a pond of the same name, first impounds the East Branch of the Ware River in Westminster. The area north of Hubbardston feeds tributaries of the Ware and Millers rivers, the Millers River running generally west, and the Ware River running generally southwest. The Ware River is part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority drinking water system serving the greater Boston area.