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Water Hazards

By Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program

A critical application of USGS streamflow information is safeguarding communities from natural hazards.

A critical application of USGS streamflow information is safeguarding communities from natural hazards. The Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program promotes the development and application of information and tools to minimize the loss of life and property due to hazards, including supporting flood forecasting, monitoring debris flows and storm surge during floods and hurricanes, and informing drought and post-fire conditions. The USGS WaterWatch website provides streamgage-based maps that highlight locations where floods and droughts are occurring. In addition to permanent streamgages, the USGS continues to expand the use of temporary Rapid Deployable Streamgages (RDGs) and storm-tide sensors, as well as enhance flood inundation mapping capabilities. The USGS Flood Event Viewer provides a one-stop application for partners and the public to view all data collected for a particular event, including real-time streamflow information and post event high-water marks. Furthermore, the USGS Floods website provides access to a range of USGS tools and datasets for current and past events. The USGS Drought website provides access to the USGS Integrated Drought Science Plan, as well as to drought-related datasets that include basic hydrologic monitoring data from the Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program.

 

Stakeholder Quotes

“Gaging stations are critical for being next to the river.”

Bill Bergin, Jr., Musselshell River Landowner and Musselshell Watershed Coalition [Montana] Board Member

“Many thanks…we sincerely appreciate your [USGS] support. Your data make our [river] forecasts possible.”

Kevin Low, National Weather Service, Missouri River Basin Forecast Center Hydrologist, May 25, 2018

 

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Related Content

link
Installation of a USGS Rapid Deployment Gage

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Water Resources Mission Area
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Learn More
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USGS Hydrologic Technician performing wire weight measurement during record flood at USGS gage 7018500

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By
Water Resources Mission Area
link

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...
Learn More
link
USGS technician on a bridge with instruments and laptop

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...
By
Water Resources Mission Area
link

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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...
Learn More
link
Screenshot of USGS Flood Event Viewer

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During large, short-term floods, the USGS collects additional data to help document these high-water events. This data is uploaded to the USGS Short-Term Network (STN) for long-term archival, and served out to the public through the USGS Flood Event Viewer (FEV) which provides convenient, map-based access to storm-surge and other event-based data.
By
Water Resources Mission Area
link

USGS Flood Event Viewer: Providing Hurricane and Flood Response Data

During large, short-term floods, the USGS collects additional data to help document these high-water events. This data is uploaded to the USGS Short-Term Network (STN) for long-term archival, and served out to the public through the USGS Flood Event Viewer (FEV) which provides convenient, map-based access to storm-surge and other event-based data.
Learn More
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Image shows a USGS scientist in a PFD taking a high-water mark

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Floods are the leading cause of natural-disaster losses in the U.S. More than 75 percent of declared Federal disasters are related to floods, and annual flood losses average almost $8 billion with over 90 fatalities per year. Although the amount of fatalities has declined due to improved early warning systems, economic losses continue to rise with increased urbanization in flood-hazard areas.
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Hurricanes
link

Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program

Floods are the leading cause of natural-disaster losses in the U.S. More than 75 percent of declared Federal disasters are related to floods, and annual flood losses average almost $8 billion with over 90 fatalities per year. Although the amount of fatalities has declined due to improved early warning systems, economic losses continue to rise with increased urbanization in flood-hazard areas.
Learn More
link
Drought damage to fields near Chico, CA

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The USGS National Integrated Drought Science Plan seeks to improve understanding of drought processes and impacts on human and natural systems through coordinated and multidisciplinary data collection, synthesis, analysis, and predictions generated from Mission Areas and a variety of partnerships. The long-term goal is to provide decision support tools and technologies to stakeholders for...
By
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link

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Learn More

Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation of selected areas in southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana from the August and September 2017 flood resulting from Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas, on August 25, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane with wind gusts exceeding 150 miles per hour. As Harvey moved inland, the forward motion of the storm slowed down and produced tremendous rainfall amounts over southeastern Texas, with 8-day rainfall amounts exceeding 60 inches in some locations, which is about 15 inches more than average annual amou
Authors
Kara M. Watson, Glenn R. Harwell, David S. Wallace, Toby L. Welborn, Victoria G. Stengel, Jeremy S. McDowell
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Hurricane Harvey

USGS integrated drought science

Project Need and OverviewDrought poses a serious threat to the resilience of human communities and ecosystems in the United States (Easterling and others, 2000). Over the past several years, many regions have experienced extreme drought conditions, fueled by prolonged periods of reduced precipitation and exceptionally warm temperatures. Extreme drought has far-reaching impacts on water supplies, e
Authors
Andrea C. Ostroff, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Patrick M. Lambert, Nathaniel L. Booth, Shawn L. Carter, Jason M. Stoker, Michael J. Focazio
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 3D Elevation Program, Drought

WaterWatch (surface water)

WaterWatch displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States, including flood and droughts. Real-time information generally is updated on an hourly basis.

By
Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), Water Science School

Flood Inundation Mapper

USGS Flood Inundation Maps, along with Internet information regarding current stage from the USGS streamgage, provide emergency management personnel and residents with information that is critical for flood-response activities, such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for post-flood recovery efforts.

By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Hurricane Laura, Hurricanes, Water Science School

Hurricane Harvey's Water Footprint

Hurricane Harvey approached the U.S. Gulf coast on August 25, 2017. The Hurricane Harvey Water Footprint data visualization shows the hurricane's impact on precipitation and streamflow.

By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Science School