Cost effective stream-gaging strategies for Maine

This report documents the successful application of the traveling-hydrographer program developed by Moss and Gilroy to stream-gaging operations. This application was novel in the consideration of winter discharge records for the period of backwater effects due to ice. The current level of operation in Maine was identified as requiring a budget of $195,000 and having a total uncertainty of 374 cubic feet per second. Stream-gaging strategies were identified that could reduce the level of uncertainty in the system by as much as 45.8%, assuming the budgetary level remained constant. Alternately, practical stream-gaging strategies were also indentified that could reduce the total level of funding by as much as 19.2%, assuming the current level of uncertainty was deemed acceptable. Several alternatives of concurent budgeting and levels of uncertainty were identified. These relationships provide flexibility to the network manager. The results, documented in the report, were based on a sparse data base and should be applied in that context. (USGS)