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The spelling of “gage” is part of our very rich USGS history. We have used that spelling for over a hundred years.
In 1888, USGS Director John Wesley Powell met a very forward-thinking graduate student named Frederick Haynes Newell. Powell was so impressed that he made Newell the first full-time appointee to the new Irrigation Survey, which was created to investigate the potential for dams and canals in the western United States.
At that time, there were no practical and systematic techniques for obtaining daily streamflow (or discharge) records, so Newell set up a training camp on the Rio Grande River at Embudo, New Mexico. Newell’s Camp of Instruction developed water measurement methods that are widely used by the USGS today. During the next ten years, Newell continued to play an important role in the development of streamflow gaging techniques and methods, and he eventually became the first Chief Hydrographer of the USGS.
Newell is purported to be the person responsible for the adoption of the USGS spelling of “gage” instead of “gauge”. Around 1892, Newell reasoned that “gage” was the proper Saxon spelling before the Norman influence added a 'u'. USGS historian Robert Follansbee speculated that Newell might have also been influenced by the adoption of “gage” in the Standard Dictionary (the first dictionary produced by Funk and Wagnalls).
See pages 28 and 50 of A History of the Water Resources Branch, U.S. Geological Survey: Volume I, From Predecessor Surveys to June 30, 1919.
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.
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...
Real-time USGS streamflow data are PROVISIONAL, meaning that the data have not been reviewed or edited. These data might be subject to significant change and are not official until reviewed and approved by the USGS. Real-time streamflow data can be affected by: backwater from ice or debris such as log jams algae and aquatic growth in the stream sediment movement malfunction of recording equipment...
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...
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...
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...
The USGS Photographic Library, located at our library in Denver, Colorado , is an archive of still photographs dating from the 1870s and taken by USGS scientists as part of their field studies. The works of pioneer photographers W.H. Jackson, T.H. O’Sullivan, Carleton Watkins, J.K. Hillers, Thomas Moran, A.J. Russell, E.O. Beaman, and William Bell are represented in the collection. Topics include...
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.
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.
This 1922 photo shows an early USGS streamgage on the Trinity River in Dallas.
This 1922 photo shows an early USGS streamgage on the Trinity River in Dallas.
Looking upstream from gage site at Trinity River at Commerce Street Bridge.
Looking upstream from gage site at Trinity River at Commerce Street Bridge.
One of the oldest versions of a streamgage structure constructed in Texas.
One of the oldest versions of a streamgage structure constructed in Texas.
A close-up view of the top part of one of the oldest streamgage structures constructed in Texas.
A close-up view of the top part of one of the oldest streamgage structures constructed in Texas.
A rainbow over the USGS streamflow station gage house at the outlet of Bass Harbor Marsh in Maine (monitoring location 010228955).
A rainbow over the USGS streamflow station gage house at the outlet of Bass Harbor Marsh in Maine (monitoring location 010228955).
The first USGS streamgage, at Embudo, New Mexico, just turned 125 years old.
The first USGS streamgage, at Embudo, New Mexico, just turned 125 years old.
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.
Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.
Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.
Embudo Student Hydrographers
USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”
USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”
An early streamgage is used to measure water levels on San Saba River. USGS crews would visit this equipment to collect water level readings.
An early streamgage is used to measure water levels on San Saba River. USGS crews would visit this equipment to collect water level readings.
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.
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...
Real-time USGS streamflow data are PROVISIONAL, meaning that the data have not been reviewed or edited. These data might be subject to significant change and are not official until reviewed and approved by the USGS. Real-time streamflow data can be affected by: backwater from ice or debris such as log jams algae and aquatic growth in the stream sediment movement malfunction of recording equipment...
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...
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...
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...
The USGS Photographic Library, located at our library in Denver, Colorado , is an archive of still photographs dating from the 1870s and taken by USGS scientists as part of their field studies. The works of pioneer photographers W.H. Jackson, T.H. O’Sullivan, Carleton Watkins, J.K. Hillers, Thomas Moran, A.J. Russell, E.O. Beaman, and William Bell are represented in the collection. Topics include...
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.
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.
This 1922 photo shows an early USGS streamgage on the Trinity River in Dallas.
This 1922 photo shows an early USGS streamgage on the Trinity River in Dallas.
Looking upstream from gage site at Trinity River at Commerce Street Bridge.
Looking upstream from gage site at Trinity River at Commerce Street Bridge.
One of the oldest versions of a streamgage structure constructed in Texas.
One of the oldest versions of a streamgage structure constructed in Texas.
A close-up view of the top part of one of the oldest streamgage structures constructed in Texas.
A close-up view of the top part of one of the oldest streamgage structures constructed in Texas.
A rainbow over the USGS streamflow station gage house at the outlet of Bass Harbor Marsh in Maine (monitoring location 010228955).
A rainbow over the USGS streamflow station gage house at the outlet of Bass Harbor Marsh in Maine (monitoring location 010228955).
The first USGS streamgage, at Embudo, New Mexico, just turned 125 years old.
The first USGS streamgage, at Embudo, New Mexico, just turned 125 years old.
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.
Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.
Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.
Embudo Student Hydrographers
USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”
USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”
An early streamgage is used to measure water levels on San Saba River. USGS crews would visit this equipment to collect water level readings.
An early streamgage is used to measure water levels on San Saba River. USGS crews would visit this equipment to collect water level readings.