The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Federal, State, and local agencies, maintains a long-term network of hydrologic monitoring stations in Kansas. In water year 2018, this network included 219 real-time streamgages. A water year is the 12-month period from October 1 through September 30 and is designated by the calendar year in which it ends. Real-time data are calibrated and validated by U.S. Geological Survey personnel throughout the year with regular measurements of streamflow, streamgage height, and lake levels. These data and accompanying analyses provide an overview of hydrologic conditions in Kansas and help advance the understanding of water resources in the State. Annual assessments of hydrologic conditions are made by comparing statistical analyses of current and past water year data for the period of record. Long-term monitoring of hydrologic conditions in Kansas provides imperative information for protecting human life and property, managing water supplies, forecasting floods, operating reservoirs, designing bridges and culverts, processing interstate and intrastate water rights claims, forecasting ecological conditions, and many other uses.
