Streamflow monitoring
Announcing the National Water Dashboard!
Our new interactive, mobile-friendly tool provides real-time water, weather, and flood information all in one place
The USGS works in partnership with more than 1,885 Federal, regional, State, Tribal, and local agencies or organizations to maintain and manage a multipurpose network of streamgages that monitor streamflow and (or) water level.
USGS Streamgaging
The USGS operates a multipurpose streamgaging network that includes more than 10,000 streamgages and meets many diverse needs.
Next Generation Water Observing System
The NGWOS will provide quantitative info on streamflow, evapotranspiration, snowpack, soil moisture, water quality, groundwater / surface water connections, and water use.
The USGS works in partnership with more than 1,885 Federal, regional, State, Tribal, and local agencies or organizations to maintain and manage a multipurpose network of streamgages that monitor streamflow and (or) water level. Approximately 8,500 of the more than 11,300 USGS streamgages in the network continuously monitor streamflow year-round and are collectively referred to as the National ‘Streamflow’ Network (NSN). Approximately 40% of the NSN are part of the Federal Priority Streamgages network (FPS), which was designed at Congress request to support national needs and serve as a backbone network that is not vulnerable to changing local priorities and resources and that is ‘hardened’ against extreme events. USGS streamgage data are made available online and are used by governmental organizations, private industries, and the general public. The data form the scientific basis for decision making related to protection of life and property from water-related hazards, such as floods; cost-effective management of freshwater that is safe and available for drinking, irrigation, energy, industry, recreation, and ecosystem health; and national, State, Tribal, and local economic well-being. In addition to maintaining and managing a national network of streamgages, the GWSIP ensures the integrity and quality of the data and information produced by its streamflow monitoring program by investing in quality assurance, and research and development.
Stakeholder Quotes
“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
“I wanted to thank your team for their stellar work yesterday moving/installing new instruments at both dams [Barker and Addicks reservoirs]. It allows us to continue to use our assets and monitoring systems of the dams in the way we intended, allowing us to do more intensive monitoring elsewhere. The professionalism and skill your team displayed should make all taxpayers proud. Truly above and beyond.”
Coraggio Maglio, P.E., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District
