Sometimes the USGS real-time stage data seems too high (or too low). Are the USGS data inaccurate?
There can be occasional equipment or database problems where erroneous data are reported for short periods of time until corrections can be made. This is why it is important to look at a record of streamflow (like the 7-day hydrograph plots) rather than a single point in time. However, most of the time the USGS has a high level of confidence in its real-time stage data.
During low streamflow conditions, aquatic grasses, debris, or rocks near the gage can produce artificial increases in water level readings. During extreme cold weather, ice can affect stage and discharge determinations at some stations. Adjustment of data for ice effects requires detailed analysis.
Related Content
Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)?
Does "stage" tell you how much water is flowing in a stream?
What does the term "stream stage" mean?
Why are there sometimes differences between USGS and National Weather Service river stages?
What is a rating curve? Why does it change over time?
Why might USGS streamflow data be revised?
How often are real-time streamflow data updated?
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
Why do some real-time streamgaging stations stop transmitting data for extended periods of time?
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
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.
U.S. Geological Survey water resources Internet tools
The U.S. Geological Fact Sheet (USGS) provides a wealth of information on hydrologic data, maps, graphs, and other resources for your State.Sources of water resources information are listed below.WaterWatchWaterQualityWatchGroundwater WatchWaterNowWaterAlertUSGS Flood Inundation MapperNational Water Information System (NWIS)StreamStatsNational...
Shaffer, Kimberly H.
Discharge measurements at gaging stations
The techniques and standards for making discharge measurements at streamflow gaging stations are described in this publication. The vertical axis rotating-element current meter, principally the Price current meter, has been traditionally used for most measurements of discharge; however, advancements in acoustic technology have led to important...
Turnipseed, D. Phil; Sauer, Vernon B.
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.
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.
The 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...
Wahl, Kenneth L.; Thomas, Wilbert O.; Hirsch, Robert M.
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...
Follow Your Stream to Learn About Water
Explore America's streams and rivers from your computer or mobile device.
Measuring streamflow in fast moving floodwater.
USGS hydrographer measuring streamflow using a handheld Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter in fast moving floodwater Cajon Creek near Keenbrook, California.
Measuring streamflow, South Fork Salmon River, Idaho
USGS hydrologic technician Pete Spatz measures streamflow on the South Fork Salmon River near Krassel Ranger Station, Idaho
A USGS Hydrologic Technician installs a new streamgage
U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Technician Patrick Anzman installs a new streamgage February 23 over the Schuylkill River in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Manayunk. Photo by Mason Manis, USGS.
Ice jam on Little Wind River (06235500)
Ice jam on Little Wind River Ice jam on Little Wind River (06235500), February 2017. Streamgage destoryed soon after photo taken.
Measuring streamflow
Neil Yobbi, U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician, uses an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter to measure stream flow on Curlew Creek in Tampa, Florida. While Hurricane Hermine might have made landfall almost 200 miles away in St. Marks, Florida, a USGS rain gauge in Pinellas County, Florida, still measured more than 16 inches of total rain during the past three-day storm
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USGS streamgage 04092750 INDIANA HARBOR CANAL AT EAST CHICAGO, IN
Example NWIS graph of real-time streamflow monitoring
Example NWIS graph of real-time streamflow monitoring, including historical median information.
Ice Jam at White River near Interior, SD (06446500)
Ice jam at White River near Interior, SD (USGS streamgage 06446500). More information on this site is available at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/sd/nwis/inventory/?site_no=06446500&agency_cd=USGS&.
Ice Jam Remnants
On April 29, hydrologic technicians Anthony Underwood and Jeremiah Pomerleau visited the USGS gaging station on the St. John River at Ninemile Bridge and found a sea of broken up, dirty ice left behind by a recent ice jam.
According to Anthony, photos don't do the size and scale of the ice chunks any justice.
Under The Ice
On February 26, Nick Stasulis and Charlie Culbertson visited USGS station 01054200 Wild River at Gilead, Maine to make a streamflow measurement through the ice. For these measurements, 20-30 holes are drilled through the ice and a current meter (the spinning yellow cups) is used to measure velocity. River depths and distance across the channel are also measured. After this
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Streamgage Maine
USGS Streamgage in Maine.
Streamflow Gaging Station and Measurement on San Pedro River, AZ
USGS employee, Hanna Coy, talks about stream gauging.