USGS water expert Jeremy White measures how high and fast floodwaters are moving at Piney Creek near Raleigh, WV. He's using special water measurement equipment (a hydroacoustic doppler profiler) to collect this data.
How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)?
River forecasts (flood forecasts) are made by the National Weather Service - National Water Prediction Service. The overall map on the website uses color designations to give a quick overview of current conditions. A legend and other information can be selected in the right column. From the main map, click on a station to bring up a box which includes a graph showing current information and a forecast if available. There is also a selection for Long Range Flood Outlook in the right column.
The vast majority of current streamflow data used for these forecasts is obtained from U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging stations. The USGS concentrates on current and historical data and has no responsibility or authority for making forecasts.
Learn more: Where can I find flood maps?
Related
How are floods predicted? How are floods predicted?
Flood predictions require several types of data: The amount of rainfall occurring on a real-time basis. The rate of change in river stage on a real-time basis, which can help indicate the severity and immediacy of the threat. Knowledge about the type of storm producing the moisture, such as duration, intensity and areal extent, which can be valuable for determining possible severity of the...
What are the two types of floods? What are the two types of floods?
There are two basic types of floods: flash floods and the more widespread river floods. Flash floods generally cause greater loss of life and river floods generally cause greater loss of property. A flash flood occurs when runoff from excessive rainfall causes a rapid rise in the water height (stage) of a stream or normally-dry channel. Flash floods are more common in areas with a dry climate and...
Where can I find flood maps? Where can I find flood maps?
FEMA is the official public source for flood maps for insurance purposes: FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer NOAA is responsible for producing flood forecast maps that combine precipitation data with USGS streamflow data: NWS - National Water Prediction Service: River forecasts and long range flood outlook Coastal Inundation Dashboard: Real-time and historical...
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages? How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
Information on the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives, protects property, and ensures adequate water supplies for the future. The USGS is the federal agency responsible for operating a network of about 7,000 streamgages nationwide. Data from this network are used by water managers, emergency responders, utilities, environmental agencies, universities, consulting firms...
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information? Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website. Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) and select to show inactive sites...
Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions? Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
Yes! The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
USGS water expert measures floodwaters at Piney Creek near Raleigh, WV.
USGS water expert Jeremy White measures how high and fast floodwaters are moving at Piney Creek near Raleigh, WV. He's using special water measurement equipment (a hydroacoustic doppler profiler) to collect this data.
USGS water expert measures floodwaters in Barbourville, KY
USGS water expert Conner Langley measures flood water speed and height at Cumberland River in Barbourville, KY on February 17. He holds a radio in his left hand to stay in contact with colleagues for safety and to relay water flow measurements. This Cumberland River streamgage is funded by the U.S.
USGS water expert Conner Langley measures flood water speed and height at Cumberland River in Barbourville, KY on February 17. He holds a radio in his left hand to stay in contact with colleagues for safety and to relay water flow measurements. This Cumberland River streamgage is funded by the U.S.
USGS hydro tech taking measurement during major flood
Andrew Clark is measuring the overflow section of a major flood at the Little Arkansas River near Sedgwick, Kansas USGS stream gage 07144100.
Andrew Clark is measuring the overflow section of a major flood at the Little Arkansas River near Sedgwick, Kansas USGS stream gage 07144100.
Taking streamflow measurements during flooding in ND
A USGS crew prepares to measure streamflow during record flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, ND, on April 6, 2019. The instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler which measures streamflow as it's dragged across the water.
A USGS crew prepares to measure streamflow during record flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, ND, on April 6, 2019. The instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler which measures streamflow as it's dragged across the water.
USGS Measures Historic Flooding in eastern Texas
A USGS field crew takes flood measurements on the Sabine River on March 12 near Bon Weir, Texas. USGS scientists on the boat included Jeff East, Jimmy Hopkins, and Jody Avant.
A USGS field crew takes flood measurements on the Sabine River on March 12 near Bon Weir, Texas. USGS scientists on the boat included Jeff East, Jimmy Hopkins, and Jody Avant.
The Anatomy of Floods: The Causes and Development of 2011's Epic Flood Events
Flooding costs the United States more than $7 billion per year and claims more than 90 lives annually. During the Spring and Summer of 2011, the central U.S. experienced epic flooding, while Hurricane Irene followed by Tropical Storm Lee caused severe flooding in the east and northeastern U.S, setting numerous flood records at USGS streamgages. Dr.
Flooding costs the United States more than $7 billion per year and claims more than 90 lives annually. During the Spring and Summer of 2011, the central U.S. experienced epic flooding, while Hurricane Irene followed by Tropical Storm Lee caused severe flooding in the east and northeastern U.S, setting numerous flood records at USGS streamgages. Dr.
Streamgages: The Silent Superhero
Whether you drink water from your tap, use electricity or canoe down your local river, chances are you benefit from USGS streamgage information. So what is a streamgage and what does it do for you? This CoreCast episode gives you the inside scoop on your silent superhero.
Transcript and captions available soon.
Whether you drink water from your tap, use electricity or canoe down your local river, chances are you benefit from USGS streamgage information. So what is a streamgage and what does it do for you? This CoreCast episode gives you the inside scoop on your silent superhero.
Transcript and captions available soon.
Related
How are floods predicted? How are floods predicted?
Flood predictions require several types of data: The amount of rainfall occurring on a real-time basis. The rate of change in river stage on a real-time basis, which can help indicate the severity and immediacy of the threat. Knowledge about the type of storm producing the moisture, such as duration, intensity and areal extent, which can be valuable for determining possible severity of the...
What are the two types of floods? What are the two types of floods?
There are two basic types of floods: flash floods and the more widespread river floods. Flash floods generally cause greater loss of life and river floods generally cause greater loss of property. A flash flood occurs when runoff from excessive rainfall causes a rapid rise in the water height (stage) of a stream or normally-dry channel. Flash floods are more common in areas with a dry climate and...
Where can I find flood maps? Where can I find flood maps?
FEMA is the official public source for flood maps for insurance purposes: FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer NOAA is responsible for producing flood forecast maps that combine precipitation data with USGS streamflow data: NWS - National Water Prediction Service: River forecasts and long range flood outlook Coastal Inundation Dashboard: Real-time and historical...
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages? How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
Information on the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives, protects property, and ensures adequate water supplies for the future. The USGS is the federal agency responsible for operating a network of about 7,000 streamgages nationwide. Data from this network are used by water managers, emergency responders, utilities, environmental agencies, universities, consulting firms...
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information? Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website. Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) and select to show inactive sites...
Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions? Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
Yes! The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
USGS water expert measures floodwaters at Piney Creek near Raleigh, WV.
USGS water expert Jeremy White measures how high and fast floodwaters are moving at Piney Creek near Raleigh, WV. He's using special water measurement equipment (a hydroacoustic doppler profiler) to collect this data.
USGS water expert Jeremy White measures how high and fast floodwaters are moving at Piney Creek near Raleigh, WV. He's using special water measurement equipment (a hydroacoustic doppler profiler) to collect this data.
USGS water expert measures floodwaters in Barbourville, KY
USGS water expert Conner Langley measures flood water speed and height at Cumberland River in Barbourville, KY on February 17. He holds a radio in his left hand to stay in contact with colleagues for safety and to relay water flow measurements. This Cumberland River streamgage is funded by the U.S.
USGS water expert Conner Langley measures flood water speed and height at Cumberland River in Barbourville, KY on February 17. He holds a radio in his left hand to stay in contact with colleagues for safety and to relay water flow measurements. This Cumberland River streamgage is funded by the U.S.
USGS hydro tech taking measurement during major flood
Andrew Clark is measuring the overflow section of a major flood at the Little Arkansas River near Sedgwick, Kansas USGS stream gage 07144100.
Andrew Clark is measuring the overflow section of a major flood at the Little Arkansas River near Sedgwick, Kansas USGS stream gage 07144100.
Taking streamflow measurements during flooding in ND
A USGS crew prepares to measure streamflow during record flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, ND, on April 6, 2019. The instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler which measures streamflow as it's dragged across the water.
A USGS crew prepares to measure streamflow during record flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, ND, on April 6, 2019. The instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler which measures streamflow as it's dragged across the water.
USGS Measures Historic Flooding in eastern Texas
A USGS field crew takes flood measurements on the Sabine River on March 12 near Bon Weir, Texas. USGS scientists on the boat included Jeff East, Jimmy Hopkins, and Jody Avant.
A USGS field crew takes flood measurements on the Sabine River on March 12 near Bon Weir, Texas. USGS scientists on the boat included Jeff East, Jimmy Hopkins, and Jody Avant.
The Anatomy of Floods: The Causes and Development of 2011's Epic Flood Events
Flooding costs the United States more than $7 billion per year and claims more than 90 lives annually. During the Spring and Summer of 2011, the central U.S. experienced epic flooding, while Hurricane Irene followed by Tropical Storm Lee caused severe flooding in the east and northeastern U.S, setting numerous flood records at USGS streamgages. Dr.
Flooding costs the United States more than $7 billion per year and claims more than 90 lives annually. During the Spring and Summer of 2011, the central U.S. experienced epic flooding, while Hurricane Irene followed by Tropical Storm Lee caused severe flooding in the east and northeastern U.S, setting numerous flood records at USGS streamgages. Dr.
Streamgages: The Silent Superhero
Whether you drink water from your tap, use electricity or canoe down your local river, chances are you benefit from USGS streamgage information. So what is a streamgage and what does it do for you? This CoreCast episode gives you the inside scoop on your silent superhero.
Transcript and captions available soon.
Whether you drink water from your tap, use electricity or canoe down your local river, chances are you benefit from USGS streamgage information. So what is a streamgage and what does it do for you? This CoreCast episode gives you the inside scoop on your silent superhero.
Transcript and captions available soon.
Updated Date: March 18, 2025