The USGS New Jersey Water Science Center streamgage program is part of the nationwide program that provides streamflow information for a variety of purposes—including the protection of life and property, infrastructure design, recreational usage, and long-term trend assessment. This information is critical to resource managers, farmers, fishermen, kayakers, land-use planners, engineers, environmentalists, and flood forecasters. The program relies on a network of streamgaging stations to accurately and reliably measure stream height and flow and to accumulate data over long periods for many locations. The New Jersey WSC operates nearly 187 streamflow gages across the state. The gages provide daily streamflow records that are accessible to the public.
Water Information Critical to New Jersey
The availability of fresh water is central to the health of the citizens and the environment of the United States and to the growth of the Nation’s economy. This is especially true in New Jersey, where water resources are in high demand and water-resource managers often must contend with satisfying conflicting water-use needs. Water-resource managers face human-induced problems, such as long-term groundwater over use and water pollution, and thus must do complex operational planning and meet strict water-quality standards. In addition, they must prepare for natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and droughts. The effects of these problems will continue to increase as the states' population grows. Reliable, accurate, and timely information from the USGS streamgage program is crucial to State and local water-resource managers and to Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Flood Warning and Forecasting
Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Flood warnings and river-level forecasts are essential tools for reducing loss of life and property. USGS streamgage information includes historical and upto date flow data needed to calibrate National Weather Service (NWS) models to assure timely and accurate NWS forecasts.
Real-Time Information
USGS streamgaging stations equipped with real-time telemetry are integral components of reservoir operations and river-forecast and floodwarning systems. One of the strengths of the USGS streamgage realtime network is the ability to provide, at any time, a snapshot of the current hydrologic conditions at home and across the country. This real-time information, available on the Internet, benefits not only engineers and resource, emergency, and disaster managers, but also those who enjoy recreational activities such as kayaking and fishing.
Crest-Stage Gage Network
Historically, streams with drainage areas less than 100 square miles have not been adequately represented in regional peak flow analysis. To help fill this data gap, crest-stage gages were installed at sites throughout New Jersey in order to augment the peak flow record for small streams (less than 100 square miles). After enough peak flow data have been collected at these sites, an updated statewide flood-frequency analysis will likely improve the estimation of peak flows at ungaged streams site with smaller drainage areas.
Cooperative Support for the Streamgage Program
The USGS New Jersey Water Science Center streamgaging network is supported by two programs. The Cooperative Water Program funds many of the USGS streamgages using funds from State and local agencies. The National Streamflow Information Program funds the remainder of the program and supports the on-going modernization and improvement of the streamgaging network.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Hydroacoustics and Technological advancements in Streamgaging
In the mid-1990s, a new technology emerged in the field of streamflow monitoring; the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). It was originally developed for oceanographic work, but was adapted for inland streamflow measurements. This instrument has been transforming the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgaging program ever since.
Streamgaging
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established its first streamgage in 1889 on the Rio Grande River at Embudo, NM. As the need for stream-flow information increased, the USGS expanded its Streamgaging network, and continues to do so to this day.
Research and Investigations
New Jersey Flood Reports
Low-Flow Characteristics
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
USGS Surface-Water Data for New Jersey
Nationally, USGS surface-water data includes more than 850,000 station years of time-series data that describe stream levels, streamflow (discharge), reservoir and lake levels, surface-water quality, and rainfall. The data are collected by automatic recorders and manual field measurements at installations across the Nation.
Water Watch - National
WaterWatch is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) World Wide Web site that displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States.
Lake & Reservoir Data
Real-time, daily, and statistics of current and historical data that describe reservoir and lake levels. Reservoir data are collected and stored as either discrete field-water-level measurements or as continuous time-series data from automated recorders.
StreamStats for New Jersey
The USGS StreamStats website is a GIS-based web tool for estimating streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations. Features similar to the National Streamflow Statistics program are presented to users with no programs to install. Users can visit the StreamStats website linked here and click on a stream location on the interactive map to compute estimated streamflows for floods and other statistics.
WaterWatch - Drought NJ
Interactive map of the below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year in New Jersey
WaterWatch - Floods NJ
Real-Time Interactive Map of Floods and High Flow conditions in New Jersey
Below are publications associated with this project.
Determination of Baseline Periods of Record for Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations in New Jersey for Determining Ecologically Relevant Hydrologic Indices (ERHI)
Flood Magnitude and Frequency of the Delaware River in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Development of the Hydroecological Integrity Assessment Process for Determining Environmental Flows for New Jersey Streams
Streamflow characteristics and trends in New Jersey, water years 1897-2003
Real-time surface-water monitoring in New Jersey, 2003
A hydrologic primer for New Jersey watershed management
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
- Overview
The USGS New Jersey Water Science Center streamgage program is part of the nationwide program that provides streamflow information for a variety of purposes—including the protection of life and property, infrastructure design, recreational usage, and long-term trend assessment. This information is critical to resource managers, farmers, fishermen, kayakers, land-use planners, engineers, environmentalists, and flood forecasters. The program relies on a network of streamgaging stations to accurately and reliably measure stream height and flow and to accumulate data over long periods for many locations. The New Jersey WSC operates nearly 187 streamflow gages across the state. The gages provide daily streamflow records that are accessible to the public.
Water Information Critical to New Jersey
The availability of fresh water is central to the health of the citizens and the environment of the United States and to the growth of the Nation’s economy. This is especially true in New Jersey, where water resources are in high demand and water-resource managers often must contend with satisfying conflicting water-use needs. Water-resource managers face human-induced problems, such as long-term groundwater over use and water pollution, and thus must do complex operational planning and meet strict water-quality standards. In addition, they must prepare for natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and droughts. The effects of these problems will continue to increase as the states' population grows. Reliable, accurate, and timely information from the USGS streamgage program is crucial to State and local water-resource managers and to Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
USGS Hydrographer, Brian Painter< wading into the Rahway River at Rahway, New Jersey to access the stream gage. Flood Warning and Forecasting
Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Flood warnings and river-level forecasts are essential tools for reducing loss of life and property. USGS streamgage information includes historical and upto date flow data needed to calibrate National Weather Service (NWS) models to assure timely and accurate NWS forecasts.
Real-Time Information
USGS streamgaging stations equipped with real-time telemetry are integral components of reservoir operations and river-forecast and floodwarning systems. One of the strengths of the USGS streamgage realtime network is the ability to provide, at any time, a snapshot of the current hydrologic conditions at home and across the country. This real-time information, available on the Internet, benefits not only engineers and resource, emergency, and disaster managers, but also those who enjoy recreational activities such as kayaking and fishing.
Crest-Stage Gage Network
Historically, streams with drainage areas less than 100 square miles have not been adequately represented in regional peak flow analysis. To help fill this data gap, crest-stage gages were installed at sites throughout New Jersey in order to augment the peak flow record for small streams (less than 100 square miles). After enough peak flow data have been collected at these sites, an updated statewide flood-frequency analysis will likely improve the estimation of peak flows at ungaged streams site with smaller drainage areas.
Cooperative Support for the Streamgage Program
The USGS New Jersey Water Science Center streamgaging network is supported by two programs. The Cooperative Water Program funds many of the USGS streamgages using funds from State and local agencies. The National Streamflow Information Program funds the remainder of the program and supports the on-going modernization and improvement of the streamgaging network.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Hydroacoustics and Technological advancements in Streamgaging
In the mid-1990s, a new technology emerged in the field of streamflow monitoring; the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). It was originally developed for oceanographic work, but was adapted for inland streamflow measurements. This instrument has been transforming the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgaging program ever since.
Streamgaging
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established its first streamgage in 1889 on the Rio Grande River at Embudo, NM. As the need for stream-flow information increased, the USGS expanded its Streamgaging network, and continues to do so to this day.
Research and Investigations
The NJWSC conducts research and investigations related to topics such as groundwater and surface-water quality related to anthropogenic and agricultural activities, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, tracking the movement of groundwater contamination, groundwater resource assessments and modeling, ecological assessments and response to urbanization, and estimating water-use for human and...New Jersey Flood Reports
USGS reports document New Jersey floods from 1896 to the present.Low-Flow Characteristics
Streamflow data collection and analysis are a necessary component of effective water resource management and planning. Low-flow statistics are needed to safely allow withdraws from and discharges to surface waters in the State of New Jersey. Operating streamflow gaging stations at every water use location would be ideal but is cost prohibitive. Statistics help extend the utility of available data... - Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
USGS Surface-Water Data for New Jersey
Nationally, USGS surface-water data includes more than 850,000 station years of time-series data that describe stream levels, streamflow (discharge), reservoir and lake levels, surface-water quality, and rainfall. The data are collected by automatic recorders and manual field measurements at installations across the Nation.
Water Watch - National
WaterWatch is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) World Wide Web site that displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States.
Lake & Reservoir Data
Real-time, daily, and statistics of current and historical data that describe reservoir and lake levels. Reservoir data are collected and stored as either discrete field-water-level measurements or as continuous time-series data from automated recorders.
StreamStats for New Jersey
The USGS StreamStats website is a GIS-based web tool for estimating streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations. Features similar to the National Streamflow Statistics program are presented to users with no programs to install. Users can visit the StreamStats website linked here and click on a stream location on the interactive map to compute estimated streamflows for floods and other statistics.
WaterWatch - Drought NJ
Interactive map of the below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year in New Jersey
WaterWatch - Floods NJ
Real-Time Interactive Map of Floods and High Flow conditions in New Jersey
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Determination of Baseline Periods of Record for Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations in New Jersey for Determining Ecologically Relevant Hydrologic Indices (ERHI)
Hydrologic changes in New Jersey stream basins resulting from human activity can affect the flow and ecology of the streams. To assess future changes in streamflow resulting from human activity an understanding of the natural variability of streamflow is needed. The natural variability can be classified using Ecologically Relevant Hydrologic Indices (ERHIs). ERHIs are defined as selected streamfloFlood Magnitude and Frequency of the Delaware River in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
From September 2004 to June 2006, the Delaware River in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania experienced three major floods that caused extensive damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) needed updated information on the flood magnitude and frequency for the eight active streamflow-gaging stations along the main stem Delaware River in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania that incDevelopment of the Hydroecological Integrity Assessment Process for Determining Environmental Flows for New Jersey Streams
The natural flow regime paradigm and parallel stream ecological concepts and theories have established the benefits of maintaining or restoring the full range of natural hydrologic variation for physiochemical processes, biodiversity, and the evolutionary potential of aquatic and riparian communities. A synthesis of recent advances in hydroecological research coupled with stream classification hasStreamflow characteristics and trends in New Jersey, water years 1897-2003
Streamflow statistics were computed for 111 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations with 20 or more years of continuous record and for 500 low-flow partial-record stations, including 66 gaging stations with less than 20 years of continuous record. Daily mean streamflow data from water year 1897 through water year 2001 were used for the computations at the gaging stations. (The water year is tReal-time surface-water monitoring in New Jersey, 2003
A network of 93 gaging stations that provide surface-water stage, flow (discharge), and tide-level data on a “realtime” basis through satellite, radio, and telephone telemetry is operating (May 2003) in New Jersey through a cooperative effort of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other agencies. The stream data from these stations are transmitted every 1 to 4 hours and then are immediately postA hydrologic primer for New Jersey watershed management
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and many other agencies and organizations are striving to educate the public about New Jersey’s water resources. In 1996, the NJDEP began implementing a “watershed management approach” to maintain the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of New Jersey’s waters. This approach concentrates on manag - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
ByWater Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), National Water Quality Laboratory