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.
Streamgaging generally involves obtaining continuous record of stage (height of water), obtaining periodic measurements of discharge, defining the relationship between the stage and the discharge, use the stage-discharge relationship to convert continuous record of stage into a record of discharge, and disseminating the streamflow information to Water Manages, Scientists, Engineers, and the General Public.
Streamflow information is used to predict floods, manage and allocate water resources, design engineering structures, compute water-quality loads, and operate water-control structures. The USGS has progressively improved the streamgaging program by incorporating new technologies and techniques that streamline data collection while increasing the quality of the streamflow data that are collected.
River Stage
The stage of a stream or lake is the height or elevation of the water surface above an arbitrary or predetermined datum. Though used interchangeably with stage, the term Gage Height refers to the stage at a monitored location. In streamgaging, gage heights are used as independent variables in the computation of stage-discharge relations.
River stage was traditionally measured from inside a stilling-well, but more recent advances have seen Gas-pressure sensors, and Radar stage recording being used as well.
Measurement of Discharge
A USGS hydrographer holds a wading rod that has a current meter attached to it. The current meter is used to measure water velocity at various vertical depths. The hydrographer makes these measurements at a number of locations horizontally across the stream and from these measurements can produce a value of streamflow in cubic feet per second.
Related Content
Below are publications associated with this project.
A new evaluation of the USGS streamgaging network
Recent Improvements to the U.S. Geological Survey Streamgaging Program...from the National Streamflow Information Program
Real-time surface-water monitoring in New Jersey, 2003
The stream-gaging program of the U.S. Geological Survey
Related Content
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
A new evaluation of the USGS streamgaging network
Since 1889, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has operated a streamgaging network to collect information about the Nation's water resources. It is a multipurpose network funded by the USGS and many other Federal, State and local agencies. Individual streamgaging stations are supported for specific purposes such as water allocation, reservoir operations, or regulating permit requirements, but the dAuthorsRecent Improvements to the U.S. Geological Survey Streamgaging Program...from the National Streamflow Information Program
INTRODUCTION The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established its first streamgage in 1889 on the Rio Grande River at Embudo, N.M. As the need for streamflow information increased, the USGS streamgaging network expanded to its current (2007) size of approximately 7,400 streamgages nationwide. The USGS streamgaging network, for most of its history, required mechanical measuring and recording deviceAuthorsStephen F. BlanchardReal-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 postAuthorsRobert D. Schopp, David A. Stedfast, Anthony S. NavoyThe stream-gaging program of the U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey stream-gaging program provides streamflow data for a variety of purposes. The uses of streamflow data are described, and the growth of the stream-gaging program is related to legislation and the need to manage the Nation's water resources more effectively. A brief description is provided of the data-collection processes, computation of streamflow records, dissemination oAuthorsKenneth L. Wahl, Wilbert O. Thomas, Robert M. Hirsch