Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
Yes! The USGS offers two services:
- WaterAlert - automated emails or text messages are sent to you whenever certain parameters (that you define) are exceeded at one of our gaging stations.
- WaterNow - Send an email or text message to WaterNow@usgs.gov containing the USGS Site Number of the gage you want to query (optionally add parameter codes to customize your query). You will receive an automated response within a few minutes.
Related Content
Why does the USGS use the spelling "gage" instead of "gauge"?
How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)?
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
Where can I find flood maps?
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.
Follow Your Stream to Learn About Water
Explore America's streams and rivers from your computer or mobile device.
Stay Current on Your Rivers with USGS WaterNow
For the first time, anyone can find out the current conditions on thousands of rivers and streams across the country, right from their phone, using USGS' latest system WaterNow.WaterNow makes the water conditions monitored by more than 16,000 streamgages and other sites across the country available via text or email.
WaterAlert - An explanation
WaterNow - A quick explanation
USGS WaterNow: Example of output message on a smartphone.
USGS WaterAlert: Example of output message on a smartphone.
USGS WaterAlert and WaterNow Data Delivery Services
USGS WaterAlert and WaterNow Data Delivery Services
USGS WaterAlert
USGS Associate Director Jason Lambrecht talks about WaterAlert, a new USGS notification system used by managers, recreators, and many others.