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, and recreation enthusiasts.
A few examples of the many uses for streamgage data include:
- Planning, designing, operating, and maintaining the Nation’s multipurpose water management systems.
- Issuing flood warnings to protect lives and reduce property damage.
- Designing highways and bridges.
- Mapping floodplains.
- Protecting water quality and regulating pollutant discharges.
- Managing water rights and transboundary water issues.
Learn more:
Related Content
Why does the USGS use the spelling "gage" instead of "gauge"?
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What is a reach?
What does the term "stream stage" mean?
What is a rating curve? Why does it change over time?
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
How often are real-time streamflow data updated?
Streamflow—Water year 2020
The maps and graphs in this summary describe national streamflow conditions for water year 2020 (October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020) in the context of streamflow ranks relative to the 91-year period of water years 1930–2020. Annual runoff in the Nation’s rivers and streams during water year 2020 (11.10 inches) was higher than the long-term (...
Jian, Xiaodong; Wolock, David M.; Lins, Harry F.; Henderson, Ronald J.; Brady, Steven J.
Streamflow—Water year 2019
The maps and graphs in this summary describe national streamflow conditions for water year 2019 (October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019) in the context of streamflow ranks relative to the 90-year period of water years 1930–2019. Annual runoff in the Nation’s rivers and streams during water year 2019 (13.62 inches) was much higher than the long-...
Jian, Xiaodong; Wolock, David M.; Lins, Harry F.; Brady, Steven J.
Water priorities for the nation—The U.S. Geological Survey next generation water observing system
The challenges of providing safe and sustainable water supplies for human and ecological uses and protecting lives and property during water emergencies are well recognized. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) plays an essential role in meeting these challenges through its observational networks and renowned water science and research activities (...
Eberts, Sandra M.; Wagner, Chad R.; Woodside, Michael D.
Compilation of streamflow statistics calculated from daily mean streamflow data collected during water years 1901–2015 for selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages
Streamflow statistics are needed by decision makers for many planning, management, and design activities. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) StreamStats Web application provides convenient access to streamflow statistics for many streamgages by accessing the underlying StreamStatsDB database. In 2016, non-interpretive streamflow statistics were...
Granato, Gregory E.; Ries, Kernell G.; Steeves, Peter A.
How does a U.S. Geological Survey streamgage work?
Information on the flow of rivers and streams is a vital national asset that safeguards lives, protects property, and ensures adequate water supplies for the future. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates a network of more than 9,000 streamgages nationwide with more than 500 in Texas.
Lurry, Dee L.
U.S. Geological Survey Streamgage Operation and Maintenance Cost Evaluation...from the National Streamflow Information Program
To help meet the goal of providing earth-science information to the Nation, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates and maintains the largest streamgage network in the world, with over 7,600 active streamgages in 2010. This network is operated in cooperation with over 850 Federal, tribal, State, and local funding partners. The streamflow...
Norris, J. Michael
An evaluation of selected extraordinary floods in the United States reported by the U.S. Geological Survey and implications for future advancement of flood science
Thirty flood peak discharges determine the envelope curve of maximum floods documented in the United States by the U.S. Geological Survey. These floods occurred from 1927 to 1978 and are extraordinary not just in their magnitude, but in their hydraulic and geomorphic characteristics. The reliability of the computed discharge of these extraordinary...
Costa, John E.; Jarrett, Robert D.
From the River to You: USGS Real-Time Streamflow Information...from the National Streamflow Information Program
This Fact Sheet is one in a series that highlights information or recent research findings from the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP). The investigations and scientific results reported in this series require a nationally consistent streamgaging network with stable long-term monitoring sites and a rigorous program of data,...
Nielsen, Joseph P.; Norris, J. Michael
StreamStats: A U.S. Geological Survey Web Application for Stream Information
Ries, Kernell G.; Steeves, Peter A.; Coles, Jacqueline D.; Rea, Alan H.; Stewart, David W.
Floods and flood plains
Moreland, Joe A.
New Real-Time Streamgage, Reservoir, and Precipitation Sites
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) operates a network of real-time streamgages that continually record stage and streamflow every 15 to 60 minutes.
The Vital Nature of Streamgaging
Gary Moore spent the last three days of 2015 stacking hefty bags of sand in front of a fellow church member’s brick home. With only 1,000 feet between the house and the swelling Mississippi and Meramec Rivers, Moore and other volunteers worked quickly, in frigid temperatures, to assemble a 10-foot high, 1,000-foot-long sandbag wall to ward off floodwaters.
Fighting the Floods
The USGS response to the Louisiana floods is part of the larger USGS flood science mission...
First USGS Streamgage Records 125 Years of Measuring New Mexico’s Vital Water Resources
In 1889, the foundation for modern water management began on the Rio Grande in Embudo, N.M. Today, 125 years later, a celebration was held to honor the first U.S. Geological Survey streamgage in the picturesque town located 43 miles outside of Santa Fe.
New Mexico Streamgage Marks 125 Years of Running Strong
The first USGS streamgage in the country is turning 125 years old, and the U.S. Geological Survey, along with many partner agencies, is commemorating the event on Tuesday, April 22, with a celebration at the Embudo streamgage near Espanola.
Snowmibiles needed to get to Blackrock Creek streamgage
Snowmibiles needed to get to Blackrock Creek streamgage
Servicing a Streamgage at Addicks Reservoir following Hurricane Harvey
USGS scientist Jimmy Hopkins repairs a streamgage downstream of Addicks reservoir at Buffalo Bayou after flooding from Hurricane Harvey. This gauge is normally accessed on land from a platform on the side of a bridge.
Historic USGS Streamgage on the Wabash River at Lafayette Indiana
This video will provide a brief history and purpose for one of the oldest streamgages in Indiana. The gage is at the Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana. The site number is 03335500. This video was produced at the request of the West Lafayette Parks Department where this historic gage is located. A QR code is displayed on an interpretive plaque next to the gage which is
A USGS hydrologic technician installing a Rapid Deployment Gauge
A USGS hydrologic technician installs a Rapid Deployment Gauge in Florida in preparation for Hurricane Matthew. USGS photo
USGS Streamgage near Junction, Texas
A modern 21st century version of a streamgage structure.
Hydrologist Arin Peters on Real-time Streamgage Cameras
USGS hydrologist Arin Peters shares his thoughts about the What's the Big Idea? innovation event at Kansas Water Science Center on Sept 2., 2015.
USGS streamgage measures flooding in the lower Trinity River
A USGS streamgage measures flooding in the lower Trinity River, Texas.
For the first time, USGS scientists are now collecting real-time sediment and water-quality information on water traveling into Galveston Bay. A better understanding of sediment and freshwater flow into Galveston Bay is now available from a new USGS report, done in cooperation with the Texas
...
Streamgage 13317000, Salmon River at White Bird, Idaho
U.S. Geological Survey hydrographer Doug Ott inspects the gagehouse at streamgage stations 13317000, Salmon River at White Bird, Idaho, May 10, 2013. The flow at the gage was approximately 40,000 cubic feet per second at the time of this photo.
Flood Waters Take USGS Streamgage Wind River near Crowheart, WY
Gagehouse at 06225500 Wind River near Crowheart WY right before it washed away.
Jul 01 2011; 13,900 ft3/s
Celebrating the First USGS Streamgage
The first USGS streamgage, at Embudo, New Mexico, just turned 125 years old.
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.