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Why does the USGS use the spelling "gage" instead of "gauge"?

The spelling of “gage” is part of our very rich USGS history. 

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.

 

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    WaterAlert - An explanation

    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...

    link

    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...

    Learn More
    link
    Virginia Data Resources streamflow data cover image 0

    Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?

    The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website.Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) in the left menu.The USGS Water Data...

    link

    Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?

    The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website.Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) in the left menu.The USGS Water Data...

    Learn More
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    Image of real-time data map sites for NC portion of Roanoke River watershed

    Why might USGS streamflow data be revised?

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    link

    Why might USGS streamflow data be revised?

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    link

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    link

    How can I obtain river forecasts (flood forecasts)?

    River forecasts (flood forecasts) are made by the National Weather Service River Forecast Centers and released through local Weather Service Offices. The NOAA website has a map showing the location of the forecast centers, their areas of responsibility, and the location of the gages they use.The vast majority of current streamflow data used for these forecasts is obtained from U.S. Geological...

    Learn More
    link
    Picture of tow truck driver assisting car stuck in flood waters.

    How are floods predicted?

    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 flooding...

    link

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    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 flooding...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: USGS Topographic Field Party

    How can I find USGS historical photographs?

    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...

    link

    How can I find USGS historical photographs?

    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...

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    link
    Early streamflow measurement card
    link
    Early streamgage data were recorded on paper.
    link
    Image: Early USGS streamgage in Texas
    link
    Image: Oldest version of a USGS streamgage in Texas
    link
    Image: Oldest version of a USGS streamgage in Texas
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    Image: Early USGS streamgage in Dallas, Texas
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    Image: Streamgage Maine
    link
    Image: Celebrating the First USGS Streamgage
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    Image: George Arcement Explains USGS Streamgages
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    Image: Celebrating the First USGS Streamgage
    link
    Early versions of streamflow measuring equipment
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    A hydrographer in a wooden cable car lowers a current meter into the stream below.
    link
    Embudo Student Hydrographers
    link
    USGS Embudo Personnel
    link
    Image: Early USGS streamgage on the San Saba river in Texas
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  • Publications

    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 developments in the use of acoustic Doppler current pr
    By
    Water Resources, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program

    The USGS at Embudo, New Mexico: 125 years of systematic streamgaging in the United States

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    A history of the Water Resources Branch of the United States Geological Survey: vol. II, years of increasing cooperation, July 1, 1919 to June 30, 1928

    This volume of the History of the Water Resources Branch of the United States Geological Survey by Robert Follansbee covers the period from July 1, 1919, to June 30, 1928. In conformity with the practice followed in the first volume of the "History" Mr. Follansbee has named this volume "Years of Increasing Cooperation."
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    From the River to You: USGS Real-Time Streamflow Information...from the National Streamflow Information Program

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    The United States Geological Survey: 1879-1989

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    A history of the Water Resources Branch, U.S. Geological Survey; Volume I, from predecessor surveys to June 30, 1919

    This volume is the first in a series of chronological summaries of the activities and achievements of the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. First published in 1939 through private subscription by interested personnel, Volume I is now available as a public document. The manuscripts of the following three volumes that cover the years 1919-47, all by the author of this volume, w

    Methods of stream measurement

    Two-hundred years of hydrogeology in the United States

    The Hydrogeology Division of the Geological Society of America (GSA) sponsored a symposium entitled ' Hydrogeology in the United States, 1776- 1976 ' at the annual meeting of the GSA on November 9, 1976. The symposium was organized to provide a forum for discussion of major eras in the history of American hydrogeology and to contribute to the bicentennial celebration of the founding of the United
    By
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    Embudo, New Mexico, birthplace of systematic stream gaging

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    Read Article
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    Read Article
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    New Mexico Streamgage Marks 125 Years of Running Strong

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    Read Article