LOCATION.--Lat 42^o24'39", long 71^o47'30", Worcester County, Hydrologic Unit 01070004, on left bank at downstream side of bridge on Muddy Pond Road, 1.5 mi upstream from mouth and 2.5 mi southwest of Sterling.
DRAINAGE AREA.--31.6 mi².

WATER-DISCHARGE RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD.--Low-flow partial record measurements in water years 1971-73, 1991-93. Continuous stage data recorder April 1994 to current year.
GAGE.--Water-stage recorder. Elevation of gage is 400 ft above sea level, from topographic map. Telephone gage-height telemeter at station.
REMARKS.--Records fair. Stage-discharge relation affected by seasonal backwater from aquatic vegetation. Adjustments for backwater are included in the computed record.
NOTE.--River stage and discharge values have been affected by backwater from beaver dams since approximately Aug. 1, 2003. The USGS attempts to correct the discharge values during backwater conditions by making periodic discharge measurements and adjusting the stage-discharge relation to the measured discharge. However, backwater conditions may increase or decrease between discharge measurements. Rapid drops in stage and discharge may occur when beaver dams are removed. During periods of backwater the adjusted discharge values may be in error by 50 percent or more. Discharge records for periods of backwater are considered poor.

WATER-QUALITY RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD.--Water temperature and specific conductance, April 1998 to current year; precipitation October 1998 to current year.
INSTRUMENTATION.--Water temperature and specific conductance monitor and heated tipping-bucket precipitation gage.
REMARKS.--Records good.
COOPERATION BY.--Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection.

Photo of Stillwater gage

Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation