Since 1889, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has operated a streamgaging network to collect information about the Nation's water resources. It is a multipurpose network funded by the USGS and many other Federal, State and local agencies. Individual streamgaging stations are supported for specific purposes such as water allocation, reservoir operations, or regulating permit requirements, but the data are used by others for many purposes. Collectively, the USGS streamgaging network produces valuable data that are used for current forecasting and operational decisions as well as long-term resource planning, infrastructure design, and flood hazard mitigation. The guiding principles of the network are: Streamgaging stations are funded by the USGS and many agencies to achieve the Federal mission goals of the USGS and the individual goals of the funding agencies. Data are freely available to the public and all partners. USGS operates the network on behalf of all partners, which achieves economies because it eliminates the need for multiple infrastructures for testing equipment, providing training to staff, developing and maintaining the communications and database systems, and conducting quality assurance. USGS brings the capability of its national staff to bear on challenging problems such as responding to catastrophic floods or finding solutions to unique streamgaging conditions. This report has been prepared in response to a request from the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations in its report to accompany H.R. 4193.
