Fall 2024 Newsletter - In The Flow
The USGS In The Flow newsletter focuses on water science issues in the Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. region.
In this Fall edition: Gage Funding • Drought Monitoring • Day in the Life of a Scientist • Anacostia Bacteria Sampler • New Remote Cameras • New Gages • New Publications
What happens when a gage loses its funding?
By: Chuck Walker, Associate Director for Data at USGS MD-DE-DC WSC
“Data Collection at this streamgage will be discontinued on...” is a statement that can cause many questions and concerns by our stakeholders.
Typically, this statement is posted on our NWIS webpages when funding has been or will soon be lost for operating one of our streamgages, such as what occurred this summer with more than a dozen of our gages. Fortunately, the funding for those gages was continued.
“Why is this happening?” or “why this gage?” are common questions that I receive from both our cooperators and the public.
The funding model that USGS Water Science Centers operate under is unique. We rely on external cooperators, such as federal, state, and local agencies to fund the installation, operation, and maintenance of most of our data collection networks. This ensures that our cooperators are getting the data they need.
If a funding partner no longer has the need for the data or the means to provide the funding for it, we must cease operation, unless another partner has a similar need for the data and is able to cover the costs. We do not have the ability to pick which gages remain operational or substitute the removal of one gage for another as these decisions are driven by whomever is funding the site. We do everything possible to keep our network intact and our goal is for it to grow.
Speaking of growing the network, we are always willing to evaluate new locations for monitoring. If there is an interest for a new monitoring site, we will typically have a brief meeting with the interested party to determine the objectives of the monitoring, conduct a reconnaissance visit and prepare a proposal that includes an installation and monitoring plan and estimated costs. If you have additional questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to contact me at cwwalker@usgs.gov.
Drought data that helps policy makers and stakeholders
By: Jerry Casile, Hydrologist
With just over half of Maryland experiencing abnormally dry conditions, per the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), the USGS is focused on providing data to policy makers and stakeholders that manage water resources.
Thanks to continuous data recorded at USGS streamgages, we are able to provide benchmark flows at rivers and streams. This information is used by water supply managers. For example, water managers refer to these benchmark flows when making decisions about water withdrawals. Water managers can also use these benchmarks in combination with dry weather and forecasts to serve as warnings of stress on water resources used for public supply and to sustain ecosystem health.
Along with real-time streamgages on large rivers and tributaries, the USGS maintains a statewide network of real-time groundwater level monitoring wells. Groundwater level data produced by the USGS encompasses all of the shallow unconfined aquifer systems and some of the deep confined aquifers in Maryland, Delaware, and DC.
Real-time stream discharge and groundwater aquifer level data as well as discrete water level data are used by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to help assign drought action levels to the different regions of the states. MDE also produces a publicly available weekly or biweekly drought status report using USGS data.
USGS data and expertise are also used by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) to set drought action levels for the DC metro area. These drought action levels inform over six million people living in the metro Washington area of water conservation and/or restriction levels due to water availability during drought. Additionally, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) produces a drought report for metro area residents when the Potomac River flow is less than 2000 cubic feet per second as measured by the USGS at the Potomac River at Point of Rocks, MD site.
If drought conditions persist, USGS has in the past, undertaken additional groundwater level measurements to track the effects of drought on short and long-term groundwater availability.
Have a scientifically minded student in your life? Share this video with them:
The USGS is home to many kinds of scientists studying the earth’s hydrology, topography, geography, geology, seismology, volcanology, and more.
Tristan Mohs, a physical scientist at the Maryland Water Science Center, takes us along on a Day in the Life of a USGS scientist where he and his team conduct habitat assessments of Red Run, an urban stream in Maryland. Tristan explains the importance of collecting these data and shows us what they look like once he gets back to the office.
Anacostia River bacteria sampler finds a new home
We're so excited to share with you that we recently moved our bacteria sampler/streamgage along the Anacostia River to its new home at Kenilworth (01651760). This gage is super special because it allows us to remotely collect data on bacteria levels in the river during different stages of the tidal cycle.
Currently, swimming is not permitted in the river due to the public health risk. As you may have seen in the news, the much-anticipated swim day was postponed this past summer due to the public health concerns associated with bacteria levels. Our long-term goal is to establish the relationship between river flow and bacteria levels, which will give river managers data to use when making decisions on when it's safe to swim.
You can get stage and water-quality data online right now. The data from the bacteria sampler is part of an ongoing study and will be released when completed. The bacteria sampler and gage were previously located at Anacostia Boat Ramp.
New stream cameras allow for remote observation of sites
We are pleased to announce that we’ve more than tripled our network of stream cameras. Over the last several months, we installed 8 HIVIS (Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System) cameras to select existing streamgage sites, bringing our total up to 11. These cameras, which take photos at fixed intervals, help us verify the data that our gage is reporting, notice any changes to the stream that may influence the data, and check conditions before sampling.
You can go online to compare the flow data to the imagery.
We added 5 new streamgages this summer
The USGS installed two gages along the Assawoman Canal for the Town of Bethany Beach, Delaware, one at Central Ave and one at Route 26 to monitor the tides in the canal for flooding in the coastal town and to collect more information for flood mitigation strategies.
We built a new water-quality gage at Bucks Branch with funding from the EPA and USDA, which has significance to understanding land management practices and water quality trends within the Chesapeake Bay region.
In Frederick, Maryland, we built a new gage along Linganore Creek. And as mentioned above, we also relocated our Anacostia River water-quality gage and associated bacteria sampler to Kenilworth.
Find Out Who Took Home Our 2024 Center Awards
Join us in celebrating those at our Center who have been recognized for going above and beyond in their efforts to support the U.S. Geological Survey and its mission.
The USGS On The Road video series returns for a third season!
This series takes you on the ground for a look at our regional science. Learn about how we measure flow in the Potomac, assess habitats, sample water quality from a river on the Eastern Shore, and more in our latest season. Watch episodes 1-6 now and check back on our social media for weekly updates. Watch USGS On The Road Season 3 on Instagram
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