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A streamgage is a structure installed beside a stream or river that contains equipment that measures and records the water level (called gage height or stage) of the stream. Streamflow (also called discharge) is computed from measured water levels using a site-specific relation (called a stage-discharge rating curve) developed from onsite water level and streamflow measurements made by USGS hydrographers. The water level and streamflow data are quality assured and made available online.
Most USGS streamgages are used to generate continuous streamflow information year-round. Together these gages constitute the National Streamflow Network. Some gages, however, only record the water level (gage height or stage) of a stream, lake or reservoir; no streamflow (discharge) is computed. These less costly gages are used to observe trends in water levels, when flow information is not needed or not applicable (lakes). Other streamgages, known as partial-record gages, are operated and quality assured only for given flow regimes such as high flow, peak flow, low flow, etc. These streamgages include crest-stage gages that are used to determine the elevation of a peak stage occurring at a specific location in a stream—used for flood-frequency analyses. Seasonal streamgages are those that are operated for a defined period of the water year (for example, a streamgage that is only operated during irrigation allotment season). Rapid-deployment gages (RDGs) are gages that are temporarily fixed on structures above streams and rivers (such as bridges) during emergencies to provide water level information when a streamgage does not exist or is damaged. Supergages are a small subset of streamgages that collect both streamflow and continuous water-quality data.
Streamgages do not measure streamflow directly. Rather, streamflow monitoring involves several steps, which generally include (1) continuously measuring and recording the stage of a stream, (2) periodically taking discharge measurements in the stream, (3) developing the relation between stage and discharge for the site and applying this relation to the continuous stage record to compute streamflow (discharge).
Stage Measurement
Stream stage can be measured using a variety of methods. These methods include the traditional float/stilling-well method and newer methods that utilize pressure transducers, gas-purge (bubbler) systems or radar sensors, etc. Stream stage is usually expressed in feet and hundredths of a foot, or in meters and hundredths or thousandths of a meter. The accuracy of the measurements generally is ±0.01 foot or 0.2 percent of the effective stage.
A streamgage usually measures stage every 15 minutes. When intense rainfall and runoff cause a stream or river to rise quickly, however, the time intervals can be as short as every 5 minutes. The data are typically transmitted to USGS computers on a preset schedule by way of satellite—usually every 1 to 4 hours. During high water or other emergency situations, however, data will be sent to the satellite every 15 minutes to provide more timely information.
Discharge Measurement
Streamflow, or discharge, is the volume of water moving down a stream or river per unit of time, commonly expressed in cubic feet per second or gallons per day. Because stream discharge cannot be measured directly, it must be computed from variables that can be measured directly, such as stream depth, stream width, and streamflow velocity. This is generally done by multiplying the cross-sectional area of water in the stream channel by the average velocity of the water in that cross section (see below). Although streamflow is computed from measurements of other variables, the term “streamflow measurement” or “discharge measurement” is generally applied to the final result of the calculations.
There are a variety of methods for measuring streamflow velocity. Two of the more common methods are the mechanical current-meter method and the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) method. In the mechanical current-meter method, the stream channel cross section is divided into vertical subsections and a current meter is used to estimate the velocity in each subsection. As water flows past the current meter, a wheel of metal cups revolves around a vertical axis and transmits an electronic signal on each revolution, allowing the revolutions to be counted and timed. The rate at which the cups revolve is translated into water velocity. Subsection velocities are multiplied by corresponding subsection areas; these values are summed to compute total discharge for the cross section. In contrast, ADCPs are hydroacoustic instruments that use the principles of the Doppler Effect to measure water velocity by sending a sound pulse into the water and measuring the change in the frequency of the sound pulse reflected back to the ADCP by sediment or other particulates being transported in the water. The change in frequency, or Doppler Shift, that is measured by the ADCP is translated into water velocity. The ADCP provides a detailed profile of water velocity and direction for the majority of a cross section, rather than limiting measurements to point locations within subsections of the stream channel. This improves discharge measurement accuracy.
Stage-Discharge Relations
A stage-discharge rating curve depicts the relation between stream stage and stream discharge at a location along a stream, generally at a streamgage. Rating curves are developed from numerous physical stream discharge measurements collected over a period of time and over a range of stages (from low flow to flood stage). Each point on the stage-discharge graph represents one discharge measurement. The stage-discharge relation depends on the shape, size, slope and roughness of the stream channel at each gage and is different for every streamgage. The rating curve for almost every streamgage will vary over time due to changes in the stream channel resulting from sedimentation, scour, ice, debris, growth of aquatic vegetation, etc. To keep rating curves accurate and up-to-date, USGS hydrographers visit each streamgage about once every 6 weeks to make a discharge measurement. They also measure high flows whenever they happen. USGS computers are used to apply the stream-discharge rating curve for a given streamgage to the continuous water level (stage) data for the gage to estimate continuous streamflow (discharge) for the site.
For some rivers, the typical stage-discharge relation does not apply, because stage is not uniquely related to discharge due to tides, low slope, or density currents. The advent of hydroacoustic or ultrasonic velocity meters has made it possible to continuously monitor discharge at these types of streams using the index velocity method. In this method, a hydroacoustic or ultrasonic velocity meter is placed in the river to continuously monitor the water velocity for a section of the river; this is called the index velocity. Periodic discharge measurements are paired with the index velocity to develop a relation between the index velocity and the mean velocity. This index velocity versus mean velocity relation is used along with a continuous record of the stage and a stage versus cross-sectional area relation to determine the continuous record of discharge at the site.
Additional Resources
Below is other information associated with USGS streamgaging activities.
Below are multimedia items associated with USGS streamgaging activities.
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.
Below are FAQ associated with USGS streamgaging activities.
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...
A streamgage is a structure installed beside a stream or river that contains equipment that measures and records the water level (called gage height or stage) of the stream. Streamflow (also called discharge) is computed from measured water levels using a site-specific relation (called a stage-discharge rating curve) developed from onsite water level and streamflow measurements made by USGS hydrographers. The water level and streamflow data are quality assured and made available online.
Most USGS streamgages are used to generate continuous streamflow information year-round. Together these gages constitute the National Streamflow Network. Some gages, however, only record the water level (gage height or stage) of a stream, lake or reservoir; no streamflow (discharge) is computed. These less costly gages are used to observe trends in water levels, when flow information is not needed or not applicable (lakes). Other streamgages, known as partial-record gages, are operated and quality assured only for given flow regimes such as high flow, peak flow, low flow, etc. These streamgages include crest-stage gages that are used to determine the elevation of a peak stage occurring at a specific location in a stream—used for flood-frequency analyses. Seasonal streamgages are those that are operated for a defined period of the water year (for example, a streamgage that is only operated during irrigation allotment season). Rapid-deployment gages (RDGs) are gages that are temporarily fixed on structures above streams and rivers (such as bridges) during emergencies to provide water level information when a streamgage does not exist or is damaged. Supergages are a small subset of streamgages that collect both streamflow and continuous water-quality data.
Streamgages do not measure streamflow directly. Rather, streamflow monitoring involves several steps, which generally include (1) continuously measuring and recording the stage of a stream, (2) periodically taking discharge measurements in the stream, (3) developing the relation between stage and discharge for the site and applying this relation to the continuous stage record to compute streamflow (discharge).
Stage Measurement
Stream stage can be measured using a variety of methods. These methods include the traditional float/stilling-well method and newer methods that utilize pressure transducers, gas-purge (bubbler) systems or radar sensors, etc. Stream stage is usually expressed in feet and hundredths of a foot, or in meters and hundredths or thousandths of a meter. The accuracy of the measurements generally is ±0.01 foot or 0.2 percent of the effective stage.
A streamgage usually measures stage every 15 minutes. When intense rainfall and runoff cause a stream or river to rise quickly, however, the time intervals can be as short as every 5 minutes. The data are typically transmitted to USGS computers on a preset schedule by way of satellite—usually every 1 to 4 hours. During high water or other emergency situations, however, data will be sent to the satellite every 15 minutes to provide more timely information.
Discharge Measurement
Streamflow, or discharge, is the volume of water moving down a stream or river per unit of time, commonly expressed in cubic feet per second or gallons per day. Because stream discharge cannot be measured directly, it must be computed from variables that can be measured directly, such as stream depth, stream width, and streamflow velocity. This is generally done by multiplying the cross-sectional area of water in the stream channel by the average velocity of the water in that cross section (see below). Although streamflow is computed from measurements of other variables, the term “streamflow measurement” or “discharge measurement” is generally applied to the final result of the calculations.
There are a variety of methods for measuring streamflow velocity. Two of the more common methods are the mechanical current-meter method and the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) method. In the mechanical current-meter method, the stream channel cross section is divided into vertical subsections and a current meter is used to estimate the velocity in each subsection. As water flows past the current meter, a wheel of metal cups revolves around a vertical axis and transmits an electronic signal on each revolution, allowing the revolutions to be counted and timed. The rate at which the cups revolve is translated into water velocity. Subsection velocities are multiplied by corresponding subsection areas; these values are summed to compute total discharge for the cross section. In contrast, ADCPs are hydroacoustic instruments that use the principles of the Doppler Effect to measure water velocity by sending a sound pulse into the water and measuring the change in the frequency of the sound pulse reflected back to the ADCP by sediment or other particulates being transported in the water. The change in frequency, or Doppler Shift, that is measured by the ADCP is translated into water velocity. The ADCP provides a detailed profile of water velocity and direction for the majority of a cross section, rather than limiting measurements to point locations within subsections of the stream channel. This improves discharge measurement accuracy.
Stage-Discharge Relations
A stage-discharge rating curve depicts the relation between stream stage and stream discharge at a location along a stream, generally at a streamgage. Rating curves are developed from numerous physical stream discharge measurements collected over a period of time and over a range of stages (from low flow to flood stage). Each point on the stage-discharge graph represents one discharge measurement. The stage-discharge relation depends on the shape, size, slope and roughness of the stream channel at each gage and is different for every streamgage. The rating curve for almost every streamgage will vary over time due to changes in the stream channel resulting from sedimentation, scour, ice, debris, growth of aquatic vegetation, etc. To keep rating curves accurate and up-to-date, USGS hydrographers visit each streamgage about once every 6 weeks to make a discharge measurement. They also measure high flows whenever they happen. USGS computers are used to apply the stream-discharge rating curve for a given streamgage to the continuous water level (stage) data for the gage to estimate continuous streamflow (discharge) for the site.
For some rivers, the typical stage-discharge relation does not apply, because stage is not uniquely related to discharge due to tides, low slope, or density currents. The advent of hydroacoustic or ultrasonic velocity meters has made it possible to continuously monitor discharge at these types of streams using the index velocity method. In this method, a hydroacoustic or ultrasonic velocity meter is placed in the river to continuously monitor the water velocity for a section of the river; this is called the index velocity. Periodic discharge measurements are paired with the index velocity to develop a relation between the index velocity and the mean velocity. This index velocity versus mean velocity relation is used along with a continuous record of the stage and a stage versus cross-sectional area relation to determine the continuous record of discharge at the site.
Additional Resources
Below is other information associated with USGS streamgaging activities.
Below are multimedia items associated with USGS streamgaging activities.
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.
Below are FAQ associated with USGS streamgaging activities.
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...
