Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) are fully-functional streamgages designed to be deployed quickly and temporarily to measure and transmit stream stage data in emergency situations.
The speed with which Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) can be installed allows the USGS to:
- augment gage networks during coastal or riverine flooding by adding additional temporary locations to the network.
- provide situational awareness and support to emergency managers.
- maintain data flow when streamgaging equipment is damaged.
The design and uses of RDGs vary according to the environment where they are installed.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
An emergency USGS Rapid Deployment Gage is installed on a bridge (right) above permanent gaging station (left) as back-up during a storm event.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Below are other science projects associated with Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs).
USGS Flood Information
The USGS collects flood data and conducts targeted flood science to help Federal, State, and local agencies, decision makers, and the public before, during, and after a flood. Our efforts provide situational awareness, drive predictive models, inform infrastructure design and operation, undergird floodplain mapping, assist flood constituent/load quantification, and facilitate flood impact...
Filter Total Items: 19
Historical Flooding
The USGS provides practical, unbiased information about the Nation's rivers and streams that is crucial in mitigating hazards associated with floods. This site provides information about the USGS activities, data, and services provided during regional high-flow events, such as hurricanes or multi-state flooding events. The USGS response to these events is typically managed by the National Flood...
2015 Appalachian Floods and Hurricane Joaquin
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the 2015 Appalachian Floods and Hurrican Joaquin. An upper atmospheric low-pressure system over the Southeast combined with moisture from Hurricane Joaquin off the Atlantic coast to create historic rainfall in early October, 2015, across South Carolina.
Hurricane Isaac
Hurricane Isaac was a Category 1 storm that made landfall in Louisana on August 28, 2012, causing tornadoes and widespread flooding in five states.
Tropical Storm Lee
During and after Tropical Storm Lee, the USGS made stream flow measurements, sampled suspended sediment, and repaired gages in Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other states in the region.
Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene, peaking as a Category 3 hurricane, battered Carribean Islands and U.S. states all along the eastern seaboard from South Carolina to Maine on August 21-29, 2011.
Summer 2011 Missouri River Basin flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the 2011 Missouri River Basin Flood resulting from higher-than-average snowmelt runoff combined with heavy spring rains.
Spring/Summer 2011 Mississippi River Basin Floods
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the Spring/Summer 2011 floods throughout the Mississippi River Basin.
May 2011 Louisiana flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the May 2011 flood in Louisiana, including additional real-time monitoring for the Morganza and Bonnet Carre Spillways which were opened to release floodwaters into the Mississippi River.
May 2011 Memphis, Tennessee Flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the May 2011 flood in Memphis, Tennessee, including deploying emergency real-time surface-water stage gages at critical locations in Shelby County.
May 2011 New Madrid Floodway
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the May 2011 New Madrid Floodway breaches.
April 2011 Arkansas Flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the April 2011 Arkansas Flood.
April 2011 North Dakota Flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the April 2011 North Dakota Flood resulting from sudden winter snowmelt due to warmer-than-expected temperatures and rain.
Below are multimedia items associated with Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs).
- Overview
Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) are fully-functional streamgages designed to be deployed quickly and temporarily to measure and transmit stream stage data in emergency situations.
The speed with which Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) can be installed allows the USGS to:
- augment gage networks during coastal or riverine flooding by adding additional temporary locations to the network.
- provide situational awareness and support to emergency managers.
- maintain data flow when streamgaging equipment is damaged.
The design and uses of RDGs vary according to the environment where they are installed.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
An emergency USGS Rapid Deployment Gage is installed on a bridge (right) above permanent gaging station (left) as back-up during a storm event.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Solar panels and batteries supply power to a Rapid Deployment Gage.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Various brackets have been designed to mount Rapid Deployment Gages to stream banks and bridges.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Rapid Deployment Gages transmit data through satellite-based radio networks so they can continue broadcasting during a storm.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Different types of weather stations may also be mounted with Rapid Deployment Gages to capture environmental data along with stream data. (Credit: Todd Koenig) - Science
Below are other science projects associated with Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs).
USGS Flood Information
The USGS collects flood data and conducts targeted flood science to help Federal, State, and local agencies, decision makers, and the public before, during, and after a flood. Our efforts provide situational awareness, drive predictive models, inform infrastructure design and operation, undergird floodplain mapping, assist flood constituent/load quantification, and facilitate flood impact...Filter Total Items: 19Historical Flooding
The USGS provides practical, unbiased information about the Nation's rivers and streams that is crucial in mitigating hazards associated with floods. This site provides information about the USGS activities, data, and services provided during regional high-flow events, such as hurricanes or multi-state flooding events. The USGS response to these events is typically managed by the National Flood...2015 Appalachian Floods and Hurricane Joaquin
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the 2015 Appalachian Floods and Hurrican Joaquin. An upper atmospheric low-pressure system over the Southeast combined with moisture from Hurricane Joaquin off the Atlantic coast to create historic rainfall in early October, 2015, across South Carolina.Hurricane Isaac
Hurricane Isaac was a Category 1 storm that made landfall in Louisana on August 28, 2012, causing tornadoes and widespread flooding in five states.Tropical Storm Lee
During and after Tropical Storm Lee, the USGS made stream flow measurements, sampled suspended sediment, and repaired gages in Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other states in the region.Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene, peaking as a Category 3 hurricane, battered Carribean Islands and U.S. states all along the eastern seaboard from South Carolina to Maine on August 21-29, 2011.Summer 2011 Missouri River Basin flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the 2011 Missouri River Basin Flood resulting from higher-than-average snowmelt runoff combined with heavy spring rains.Spring/Summer 2011 Mississippi River Basin Floods
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the Spring/Summer 2011 floods throughout the Mississippi River Basin.May 2011 Louisiana flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the May 2011 flood in Louisiana, including additional real-time monitoring for the Morganza and Bonnet Carre Spillways which were opened to release floodwaters into the Mississippi River.May 2011 Memphis, Tennessee Flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the May 2011 flood in Memphis, Tennessee, including deploying emergency real-time surface-water stage gages at critical locations in Shelby County.May 2011 New Madrid Floodway
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the May 2011 New Madrid Floodway breaches.April 2011 Arkansas Flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the April 2011 Arkansas Flood.April 2011 North Dakota Flood
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the April 2011 North Dakota Flood resulting from sudden winter snowmelt due to warmer-than-expected temperatures and rain. - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs).
- Web Tools
- Partners