The USGS Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program supports the collection and (or) delivery of both streamflow and water-level information at approximately 8,500 sites and water-level information alone for more than 1,700 additional sites. The data are served online—most in near realtime—to meet many diverse needs.
In the late 1800s, John Wesley Powell, second Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), proposed gaging the flow of rivers and streams in the Western United States to evaluate the potential for irrigation. Around the same time, several cities in the Eastern United States established primitive streamgages for use in designing water-supply systems. Streamgaging technology has greatly advanced since the 1800s, and USGS hydrographers have made at least one streamflow measurement at more than 37,000 sites throughout the years. Today, the USGS Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program supports the collection and (or) delivery of both streamflow and water-level information at approximately 8,500 sites (continuous record) and water-level information alone or partial record streamflow at approximately 2,900 additional sites. The data are served online—most in near realtime—to meet many diverse needs; more than 880 million requests for streamflow or water level information were fulfilled during the 2020 water year (Oct. 1, 2019‒Sept. 30, 2020).
Unique Partnership
The streamgages are primarily operated and maintained by the USGS, but most are funded in partnership with one or more of about 1,800 Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies or organizations. This unique cooperation results in nationally consistent and impartial data that also aids local decision making. The shared costs result in the operation of far more streamgages than would be possible if financed solely by USGS appropriations, which provide less than one-third of the needed funding. These partnerships also enable fixed costs (such as costs associated with data storage and delivery infrastructure) to be broadly distributed, resulting in more economical streamgaging information for all.
“The independent, science-based streamflow information that we obtain from USGS gages is paramount to assuring compliance under our various interstate compacts with our neighboring states.”
Julie Cunningham, Oklahoma Water Resources Board
“Many thanks … we sincerely appreciate your [USGS] support. Your data makes our forecasts possible.”
Kevin Low, National Weather Service, Missouri River Basin Forecast Center Hydrologist, May 25, 2018
A Network of Networks
The USGS streamgaging network is a multipurpose network that comprises more than 10,000 streamgages. It encompasses several smaller networks that produce specific information or support specific needs.
National Streamflow Network (NSN). The National Streamflow Network (NSN) consists of all streamgages that continuously monitor streamflow year-round and from which daily mean streamflows are computed and made available online. The data collected at NSN streamgages serve several functions (including flood warning, water allocation, and recreation) and can be used by anyone regardless of whether or not they help fund the network. The use of consistent methods enables data from the many gages to be combined, expanding the use and value of the data from every gage. At present (2020), approximately 8,500 gages are in the NSN.
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS). The Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS) Network (previously known as the National Streamflow Information Program) was conceived in 1999 to be a core, federally funded network. The original network design included 4,300 then active, previously discontinued, or proposed new gages that were strategically positioned across the country to address long-term Federal information needs (such as supporting National Weather Service flood forecasts, or interstate and international compacts and decrees). At present (2020), more than 4,700 locations meet the criteria for inclusion in the FPS network, but only about 3,500 FPS are active because of funding limitations. These active FPS are supported through a combination of Federal and partner funding—approximately 35 percent of the active streamgages are fully funded by the USGS.
Information Delivery and Application
The USGS operates one of the largest streamgaging enterprises in the world. Water levels are measured by more than 11,000 gages; the data are typically transmitted to USGS computers within 1 hour of measurement. At most gages, continuously measured water levels are used to compute hourly (or more frequent) time series of streamflows from gage-specific rating curves that were developed using onsite streamflow measurements made by USGS hydrographers—more than 80,000 onsite measurements are typically made each year. The data are quality assured and made available online. Data users include emergency responders, water managers, environmental and transportation agencies, universities, utilities, recreational enthusiasts, and consulting firms. Specific uses of the data include the following:
- planning, forecasting, and warning about floods and droughts;
- managing water rights and transboundary water issues;
- operating waterways for power production and navigation;
- monitoring environmental conditions to protect aquatic habitats;
- describing impacts to streamflow from changing land and water uses;
- assessing water quality and regulating pollutant discharges;
- determining if streams are safe for recreational activities; and
- designing reservoirs, roads, bridges, drinking water and wastewater facilities.
Below are other pages associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs)
StreamStats: Streamflow Statistics and Spatial Analysis Tools for Water-Resources Applications
Streamgaging Basics
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS)
USGS Streamgages By the Numbers
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
Below are multimedia items associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
Below are publications associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
Monitoring the pulse of our Nation's rivers and streams—The U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging network
Discharge measurements at gaging stations
Below are data or web applications associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
National Water Dashboard (NWD)
The National Water Dashboard (NWD) is a mobile, interactive tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather, and flood forecasts - all in one place on a computer, smartphone, or other mobile device. The NWD presents real-time stream, lake and reservoir, precipitation, and groundwater data from more than 13,500 USGS observation stations across the country.
WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
NWIS Current Water Data for the Nation (Real-Time Data)
The USGS provides real-time or near-real-time conditions water data at sites across the Nation. Current data typically are recorded at 15- to 60-minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events.
USGS Flood Event Viewer
During large, short-term events, the USGS collects streamflow and additional data (including storm tide, wave height, high-water marks, and additional sensor deployments) to aid in documenting flood events. The USGS Flood Event Viewer provides convenient, map-based access to downloadable event-based data.
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS) Mapper
This mapper identifies USGS Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS). FPS are monitoring stations that track the amount of water in streams and rivers across the Nation to meet long-term federal information needs. They are strategically positioned to serve as a backbone for the larger National Streamflow Network that is operated in cooperation with over 1,200 federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.
StreamStats Application
StreamStats provides access to spatial analytical tools that are useful for water-resources planning and management, and for engineering and design purposes. The map-based user interface can be used to delineate drainage areas, get basin characteristics and estimates of flow statistics, and more. Available information varies from state to state.
USGS Water Services
This site serves USGS water data (streamflow, groundwater, water quality, site information, and statistics) via automated means using web services and extensible markup language (XML), as well as other popular media types. Services are invoked with the REST protocol. These services designed for high fault tolerance and very high availability.
Endangered, Discontinued, and Rescued Streamgages Mapper
This mapper identifies USGS streamgages that are in danger of being discontinued or converted to a reduced level of service due to lack of funding, gages that already have been discontinued, and gages that have been ‘rescued’ by a new funding source.
StreamStats Batch Processing Tool
This tool produces shapefiles that contain the delineated basins, basin characteristics, and flow statistics for multiple sites requested at once by users. Before this tool can be used, the the points of interest will likely need to be edited in GIS so that they are coincident with the stream grid used by StreamStats for delineations and saved to a shapefile.
StreamStats Web Services
The StreamStats application uses data web services that were created for it. When in use, the application manages interactions between the user and the services. However, the web services can be directly accessed using the StreamStats Service API documented here or consumed by a custom client application using HTTP protocols.
NWIS Mapper
This mapper provides access to over 1.5 million sites contained in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), including sites where surface-water, groundwater, springs, and atmospheric data has been collected.
Below are software products associated with this project.
National Streamflow Statistics (NSS) Application - Formerly NSS Program
The USGS develops regression equations for estimating streamflow statistics for every state, Puerto Rico, and a number of metropolitan areas in the U.S. These equations have been compiled into the National Streamflow Statistics (NSS) Application for design, planning, management, and regulatory purposes. These estimates are often needed at ungaged sites where no observed flow data are available.
The Groundwater Toolbox: A Graphical and Mapping Interface for Analysis of Hydrologic Data
The Groundwater Toolbox is a graphical and mapping interface for analysis of hydrologic data. It provides methods to estimate many of the components of the water budget for a hydrologic basin, including precipitation, streamflow, base flow, runoff, groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration. As of May 2022, the Groundwater Toolbox has been superseded by the Hydrologic Toolbox.
- Overview
The USGS Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program supports the collection and (or) delivery of both streamflow and water-level information at approximately 8,500 sites and water-level information alone for more than 1,700 additional sites. The data are served online—most in near realtime—to meet many diverse needs.
USGS streamgage with rainbow in the background. (Credit: Robert Swanson) In the late 1800s, John Wesley Powell, second Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), proposed gaging the flow of rivers and streams in the Western United States to evaluate the potential for irrigation. Around the same time, several cities in the Eastern United States established primitive streamgages for use in designing water-supply systems. Streamgaging technology has greatly advanced since the 1800s, and USGS hydrographers have made at least one streamflow measurement at more than 37,000 sites throughout the years. Today, the USGS Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program supports the collection and (or) delivery of both streamflow and water-level information at approximately 8,500 sites (continuous record) and water-level information alone or partial record streamflow at approximately 2,900 additional sites. The data are served online—most in near realtime—to meet many diverse needs; more than 880 million requests for streamflow or water level information were fulfilled during the 2020 water year (Oct. 1, 2019‒Sept. 30, 2020).
Unique Partnership
The streamgages are primarily operated and maintained by the USGS, but most are funded in partnership with one or more of about 1,800 Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies or organizations. This unique cooperation results in nationally consistent and impartial data that also aids local decision making. The shared costs result in the operation of far more streamgages than would be possible if financed solely by USGS appropriations, which provide less than one-third of the needed funding. These partnerships also enable fixed costs (such as costs associated with data storage and delivery infrastructure) to be broadly distributed, resulting in more economical streamgaging information for all.
“The independent, science-based streamflow information that we obtain from USGS gages is paramount to assuring compliance under our various interstate compacts with our neighboring states.”
Julie Cunningham, Oklahoma Water Resources Board“Many thanks … we sincerely appreciate your [USGS] support. Your data makes our forecasts possible.”
Kevin Low, National Weather Service, Missouri River Basin Forecast Center Hydrologist, May 25, 2018A Network of Networks
The USGS streamgaging network is a multipurpose network that comprises more than 10,000 streamgages. It encompasses several smaller networks that produce specific information or support specific needs.
National Streamflow Network (NSN). The National Streamflow Network (NSN) consists of all streamgages that continuously monitor streamflow year-round and from which daily mean streamflows are computed and made available online. The data collected at NSN streamgages serve several functions (including flood warning, water allocation, and recreation) and can be used by anyone regardless of whether or not they help fund the network. The use of consistent methods enables data from the many gages to be combined, expanding the use and value of the data from every gage. At present (2020), approximately 8,500 gages are in the NSN.
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS). The Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS) Network (previously known as the National Streamflow Information Program) was conceived in 1999 to be a core, federally funded network. The original network design included 4,300 then active, previously discontinued, or proposed new gages that were strategically positioned across the country to address long-term Federal information needs (such as supporting National Weather Service flood forecasts, or interstate and international compacts and decrees). At present (2020), more than 4,700 locations meet the criteria for inclusion in the FPS network, but only about 3,500 FPS are active because of funding limitations. These active FPS are supported through a combination of Federal and partner funding—approximately 35 percent of the active streamgages are fully funded by the USGS.
Information Delivery and Application
The USGS operates one of the largest streamgaging enterprises in the world. Water levels are measured by more than 11,000 gages; the data are typically transmitted to USGS computers within 1 hour of measurement. At most gages, continuously measured water levels are used to compute hourly (or more frequent) time series of streamflows from gage-specific rating curves that were developed using onsite streamflow measurements made by USGS hydrographers—more than 80,000 onsite measurements are typically made each year. The data are quality assured and made available online. Data users include emergency responders, water managers, environmental and transportation agencies, universities, utilities, recreational enthusiasts, and consulting firms. Specific uses of the data include the following:
- planning, forecasting, and warning about floods and droughts;
- managing water rights and transboundary water issues;
- operating waterways for power production and navigation;
- monitoring environmental conditions to protect aquatic habitats;
- describing impacts to streamflow from changing land and water uses;
- assessing water quality and regulating pollutant discharges;
- determining if streams are safe for recreational activities; and
- designing reservoirs, roads, bridges, drinking water and wastewater facilities.
- Science
Below are other pages associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
The USGS Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) provides high-fidelity, real-time data on water quantity and quality necessary to support modern water prediction and decision support systems for water emergencies and daily water operations. The Delaware River Basin was the first NGWOS basin, providing an opportunity to implement the program in a nationally important, complex interstate...Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs)
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.StreamStats: Streamflow Statistics and Spatial Analysis Tools for Water-Resources Applications
StreamStats provides access to spatial analytical tools that are useful for water-resources planning and management, and for engineering and design purposes. The map-based user interface can be used to delineate drainage areas, get basin characteristics and estimates of flow statistics, and more. Available information varies from state to state.Streamgaging Basics
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...Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS)
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS) are monitoring stations that track the amount of water in streams and rivers across the Nation and that meet one or more strategic, long-term Federal information needs. FPS are strategically positioned across the Nation to serve, in part, as a “backbone” of 4,758 eligible sites for the larger USGS streamgaging network of 11,531 sites (2021) that is operated by...USGS Streamgages By the Numbers
Get the facts and figures about the USGS Streamgaging Network, one of the largest streamgaging enterprises in the world!Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
During large coastal storms, the storm surge and waves are the main cause of destruction and landscape change, transporting saline water, sediment, and debris inland. The USGS, in collaboration with stakeholders, has constructed a national Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network for the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific. SWaTH monitors and documents the height, extent, and... - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
Monitoring the pulse of our Nation's rivers and streams—The U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging network
In the late 1800s, John Wesley Powell, second Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), proposed gaging the flow of rivers and streams in the Western United States to evaluate the potential for irrigation. Around the same time, several cities in the Eastern United States established primitive streamgages to help design water-supply systems. Streamgaging technology has greatly advanced since tAuthorsSandra M. Eberts, Michael D. Woodside, Mark N. Landers, Chad R. WagnerDischarge 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 prAuthorsD. Phil Turnipseed, Vernon B. Sauer - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with the USGS streamgaging network.
National Water Dashboard (NWD)
The National Water Dashboard (NWD) is a mobile, interactive tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather, and flood forecasts - all in one place on a computer, smartphone, or other mobile device. The NWD presents real-time stream, lake and reservoir, precipitation, and groundwater data from more than 13,500 USGS observation stations across the country.
ByWater Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Central Midwest Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Nebraska Water Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
ByWater Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), National Water Quality LaboratoryNWIS Current Water Data for the Nation (Real-Time Data)
The USGS provides real-time or near-real-time conditions water data at sites across the Nation. Current data typically are recorded at 15- to 60-minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events.
USGS Flood Event Viewer
During large, short-term events, the USGS collects streamflow and additional data (including storm tide, wave height, high-water marks, and additional sensor deployments) to aid in documenting flood events. The USGS Flood Event Viewer provides convenient, map-based access to downloadable event-based data.
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS) Mapper
This mapper identifies USGS Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS). FPS are monitoring stations that track the amount of water in streams and rivers across the Nation to meet long-term federal information needs. They are strategically positioned to serve as a backbone for the larger National Streamflow Network that is operated in cooperation with over 1,200 federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.
StreamStats Application
StreamStats provides access to spatial analytical tools that are useful for water-resources planning and management, and for engineering and design purposes. The map-based user interface can be used to delineate drainage areas, get basin characteristics and estimates of flow statistics, and more. Available information varies from state to state.
ByWater Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science CenterUSGS Water Services
This site serves USGS water data (streamflow, groundwater, water quality, site information, and statistics) via automated means using web services and extensible markup language (XML), as well as other popular media types. Services are invoked with the REST protocol. These services designed for high fault tolerance and very high availability.
Endangered, Discontinued, and Rescued Streamgages Mapper
This mapper identifies USGS streamgages that are in danger of being discontinued or converted to a reduced level of service due to lack of funding, gages that already have been discontinued, and gages that have been ‘rescued’ by a new funding source.
StreamStats Batch Processing Tool
This tool produces shapefiles that contain the delineated basins, basin characteristics, and flow statistics for multiple sites requested at once by users. Before this tool can be used, the the points of interest will likely need to be edited in GIS so that they are coincident with the stream grid used by StreamStats for delineations and saved to a shapefile.
StreamStats Web Services
The StreamStats application uses data web services that were created for it. When in use, the application manages interactions between the user and the services. However, the web services can be directly accessed using the StreamStats Service API documented here or consumed by a custom client application using HTTP protocols.
NWIS Mapper
This mapper provides access to over 1.5 million sites contained in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), including sites where surface-water, groundwater, springs, and atmospheric data has been collected.
- Software
Below are software products associated with this project.
National Streamflow Statistics (NSS) Application - Formerly NSS Program
The USGS develops regression equations for estimating streamflow statistics for every state, Puerto Rico, and a number of metropolitan areas in the U.S. These equations have been compiled into the National Streamflow Statistics (NSS) Application for design, planning, management, and regulatory purposes. These estimates are often needed at ungaged sites where no observed flow data are available.
The Groundwater Toolbox: A Graphical and Mapping Interface for Analysis of Hydrologic Data
The Groundwater Toolbox is a graphical and mapping interface for analysis of hydrologic data. It provides methods to estimate many of the components of the water budget for a hydrologic basin, including precipitation, streamflow, base flow, runoff, groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration. As of May 2022, the Groundwater Toolbox has been superseded by the Hydrologic Toolbox.