Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream channel from bridge
Yellow River near Brems, Indiana Active
By Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
July 15, 2019
Site News:
Surrogate model relating continuous turbidity data with discrete suspended sediment samples now provides real-time estimates of suspended sediment
Surrogate model relating continuous turbidity data with discrete suspended sediment samples now provides real-time estimates of suspended sediment
A Super Gage is a conventional streamflow gage equipped with continuous water-quality monitors. Super gages provide real-time data specifically designed to improved our understanding of watershed processes and to address specific water-resource issues such as climate and land-use effects, water-related human health issues, floods and droughts, or hazardous substance spills. Our ability to model estimates of continuous data (sediment surrogates) and continuous nitrate data help improve estimates of loads to downstream critical areas such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes.
Available Data
Available Data
Stream Data: None
Water-Quality Data: Water temperature, turbidity, suspended sediment
Atmospheric Data: None
Station Description
Station Description
Latitude: 41°18'24"
Longitude: 86°44'15"
Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC): 07120001
Datum: 650 feet above NAVD88
Drainage Area: 438 square miles (gage location)
County: Starke County
Site managed by: Indianapolis Office
Station Funding
Station Funding
This station is operated and maintained in cooperation with the Kankakee River Basin Commission.
Station ID# 05517010
Hydrologic Conditions
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Situated in northwestern Indiana, the Yellow River is a tributary of the Kankakee River with a length of approximately 60 miles and a total drainage area of 439 square miles. The headwaters of the Yellow River are in St. Joseph County. From there the river flows southerly into Marshall County then southwesterly into Starke County where it joins the Kankakee River.
The Yellow River lies in the Northern Moraine and Lake physiographic region of Indiana where the surficial geology consists of stratified sand and gravel. The primary land use is for agriculture.
Sample Collection and Use
Yellow River near Brems, IN is the most downstream site in a group of 3 super gages deployed on the Yellow River and is located approximately 5 miles upstream of the Yellow River’s confluence with the Kankakee River. This super gage deploys a multi-parameter sonde to collect continuous measurements of water temperature and turbidity. Measurements are collected every 15 minutes and update to the web hourly. Additionally, hydrologic technicians collect water-quality samples to represent a variety of hydrologic and seasonal conditions. Samples are analyzed for suspended sediment concentration and percent composition of sand sized particles.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Concentrations from laboratory analysis and corresponding values from in-stream instruments are mathematically combined to develop a statistical surrogate model. The model is then used to compute real-time concentrations based on continuous in-stream sensor readings of another, more easily measured value. At this site, turbidity is used as a surrogate for suspended-sediment concentration. Daily, monthly, and annual loads can be computed and compared to understand seasonal and annual variability.
Why Continuous Monitoring is Important
Over time, the Yellow River has been altered by excess sedimentation as a result of channelization and land use practices. A major concern to local residents and users of the Yellow River is that sedimentation is limiting the recreational, ecological, and overall usefulness of the river.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
The Kankakee River Basin Commission (KRBC) is a local Indiana agency charged with overseeing water resources within the basin including the Kankakee River and its tributaries. In 2012, three member counties of the KRBC (LaPorte, Starke, and Marshall Counties) asked the USGS to install, operate, and maintain three super gages on the Yellow River. Continuous and discrete data were collected such that a suspended sediment concentration surrogate model could be developed. The model allows the estimation of suspended sediment concentration and load of the river, quantifying the amount of sediment being transported downstream. The effect that future bank stabilization projects and other management techniques may have on sediment reduction in the stream will be quantified.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream channel from bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream channel from bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage on bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage on bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage on bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - reference point of gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - reference point of gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - reference point of gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream from gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream from gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream from gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - ice on the equipment
Yellow River near Brems, IN - ice on the equipment
Yellow River near Brems, IN - ice on the equipment
Yellow River near Brems, IN - icy conditions
Yellow River near Brems, IN - icy conditions
Yellow River near Brems, IN - icy conditions
Yellow River near Brems, IN - snow on the ground
Yellow River near Brems, IN - snow on the ground
Yellow River near Brems, IN - snow on the ground
Yellow River near Brems, IN - dirty equipment probe
Yellow River near Brems, IN - dirty equipment probe
Yellow River near Brems, IN - dirty equipment probe
Yellow River near Brems, IN - under the bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - under the bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - under the bridge
- Overview
A Super Gage is a conventional streamflow gage equipped with continuous water-quality monitors. Super gages provide real-time data specifically designed to improved our understanding of watershed processes and to address specific water-resource issues such as climate and land-use effects, water-related human health issues, floods and droughts, or hazardous substance spills. Our ability to model estimates of continuous data (sediment surrogates) and continuous nitrate data help improve estimates of loads to downstream critical areas such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes.
Available Data
Stream Data: None
Water-Quality Data: Water temperature, turbidity, suspended sediment
Atmospheric Data: None
Station Description
Latitude: 41°18'24"
Longitude: 86°44'15"
Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC): 07120001
Datum: 650 feet above NAVD88
Drainage Area: 438 square miles (gage location)
County: Starke County
Site managed by: Indianapolis Office
Station Funding
This station is operated and maintained in cooperation with the Kankakee River Basin Commission.
Station ID# 05517010
Hydrologic Conditions
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsSituated in northwestern Indiana, the Yellow River is a tributary of the Kankakee River with a length of approximately 60 miles and a total drainage area of 439 square miles. The headwaters of the Yellow River are in St. Joseph County. From there the river flows southerly into Marshall County then southwesterly into Starke County where it joins the Kankakee River.
The Yellow River lies in the Northern Moraine and Lake physiographic region of Indiana where the surficial geology consists of stratified sand and gravel. The primary land use is for agriculture.
Sample Collection and Use
Yellow River near Brems, IN is the most downstream site in a group of 3 super gages deployed on the Yellow River and is located approximately 5 miles upstream of the Yellow River’s confluence with the Kankakee River. This super gage deploys a multi-parameter sonde to collect continuous measurements of water temperature and turbidity. Measurements are collected every 15 minutes and update to the web hourly. Additionally, hydrologic technicians collect water-quality samples to represent a variety of hydrologic and seasonal conditions. Samples are analyzed for suspended sediment concentration and percent composition of sand sized particles.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsConcentrations from laboratory analysis and corresponding values from in-stream instruments are mathematically combined to develop a statistical surrogate model. The model is then used to compute real-time concentrations based on continuous in-stream sensor readings of another, more easily measured value. At this site, turbidity is used as a surrogate for suspended-sediment concentration. Daily, monthly, and annual loads can be computed and compared to understand seasonal and annual variability.
Why Continuous Monitoring is Important
Over time, the Yellow River has been altered by excess sedimentation as a result of channelization and land use practices. A major concern to local residents and users of the Yellow River is that sedimentation is limiting the recreational, ecological, and overall usefulness of the river.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsThe Kankakee River Basin Commission (KRBC) is a local Indiana agency charged with overseeing water resources within the basin including the Kankakee River and its tributaries. In 2012, three member counties of the KRBC (LaPorte, Starke, and Marshall Counties) asked the USGS to install, operate, and maintain three super gages on the Yellow River. Continuous and discrete data were collected such that a suspended sediment concentration surrogate model could be developed. The model allows the estimation of suspended sediment concentration and load of the river, quantifying the amount of sediment being transported downstream. The effect that future bank stabilization projects and other management techniques may have on sediment reduction in the stream will be quantified.
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream channel from bridgeYellow River near Brems, IN - downstream channel from bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream channel from bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gageYellow River near Brems, IN - gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage on bridgeYellow River near Brems, IN - gage on bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - gage on bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - reference point of gageYellow River near Brems, IN - reference point of gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - reference point of gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream from gageYellow River near Brems, IN - downstream from gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - downstream from gage
Yellow River near Brems, IN - ice on the equipmentYellow River near Brems, IN - ice on the equipment
Yellow River near Brems, IN - ice on the equipment
Yellow River near Brems, IN - icy conditionsYellow River near Brems, IN - icy conditions
Yellow River near Brems, IN - icy conditions
Yellow River near Brems, IN - snow on the groundYellow River near Brems, IN - snow on the ground
Yellow River near Brems, IN - snow on the ground
Yellow River near Brems, IN - dirty equipment probeYellow River near Brems, IN - dirty equipment probe
Yellow River near Brems, IN - dirty equipment probe
Yellow River near Brems, IN - under the bridgeYellow River near Brems, IN - under the bridge
Yellow River near Brems, IN - under the bridge