Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
Water Data for the Nation (WDFN) is the home for USGS streamflow, groundwater, and water quality data. Through WDFN you can find different tools to look at historic and real-time streamflow data, find sites of interest, and access using USGS water data application programming interfaces (APIs). State pages (e.g., California) allow you to discover real-time data in your state, or you can create a list of your favorite monitoring locations to keep track of with My Favorites. Use the Explore tool to browse historical water data, going back as far as 135 years.
To get a national view of current conditions, check out National Water Dashboard. Zoom in and hover your cursor over a station to get a quick real-time reading. Click on a station to see a graph and get links to the gage’s site page and data. The National Water Dashboard defaults to showing streamflow but other parameters can be selected in the right column.
For developers, or those who want to access USGS water data programmatically, we offer a collection of APIs and computational tools for R, Python, and Julia to retrieve data.
The USGS Water Resources Data and Web Tools websites are good starting points.
If you are unable to find the information you need, contact the USGS Water Science Center for that state.
Related
Why are there sometimes differences between USGS and National Weather Service river stages? Why are there sometimes differences between USGS and National Weather Service river stages?
At some USGS streamgage installations, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) maintains a separate stage sensor that is serviced by NWS technicians. Calibration of any sensing device can occasionally drift from a "true" value, so there might be differences between USGS and NWS data reports. USGS personnel visit installations on an interval of 6 weeks or less to maintain equipment and make required...
What does the term "stream stage" mean? What does the term "stream stage" mean?
Stream stage (aka gage height) is an important concept when analyzing how much water is moving in a stream at any given moment. "Stage" is the water level above some arbitrary point in the river and is commonly measured in feet. For example, on a normal day when no rain has fallen for a while, a river might have a stage of 2 feet. If a big storm hits, the river stage could rise to 15 or 20 feet...
How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)? 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...
Does "stage" tell you how much water is flowing in a stream? Does "stage" tell you how much water is flowing in a stream?
Not directly. You cannot say that because a stream rises (doubles) from a 10-foot stage to a 20-foot stage that the amount of flowing water also doubles. Think of a cereal bowl with a rounded bottom. Pour one inch of milk in it. It doesn't take much milk to make it up to the one inch level because the bowl is at its narrowest near the bottom. Now, pour in milk until it is two inches deep -- it...
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.
Related
Why are there sometimes differences between USGS and National Weather Service river stages? Why are there sometimes differences between USGS and National Weather Service river stages?
At some USGS streamgage installations, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) maintains a separate stage sensor that is serviced by NWS technicians. Calibration of any sensing device can occasionally drift from a "true" value, so there might be differences between USGS and NWS data reports. USGS personnel visit installations on an interval of 6 weeks or less to maintain equipment and make required...
What does the term "stream stage" mean? What does the term "stream stage" mean?
Stream stage (aka gage height) is an important concept when analyzing how much water is moving in a stream at any given moment. "Stage" is the water level above some arbitrary point in the river and is commonly measured in feet. For example, on a normal day when no rain has fallen for a while, a river might have a stage of 2 feet. If a big storm hits, the river stage could rise to 15 or 20 feet...
How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)? 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...
Does "stage" tell you how much water is flowing in a stream? Does "stage" tell you how much water is flowing in a stream?
Not directly. You cannot say that because a stream rises (doubles) from a 10-foot stage to a 20-foot stage that the amount of flowing water also doubles. Think of a cereal bowl with a rounded bottom. Pour one inch of milk in it. It doesn't take much milk to make it up to the one inch level because the bowl is at its narrowest near the bottom. Now, pour in milk until it is two inches deep -- it...
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.