data collection at u.s. geological survey stream gages
DESCRIPTION
Data Collection at U.S. Geological Survey Stream Gages. Antietam Creek nr Sharpsburg, Md. The first USGS gaging station was established on the Rio Grande near Embudo, New Mexico in 1889. Embudo trainees dispersed to collect data in other locations. Streamflow Measurements in the East. 1889. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Data Collection at Data Collection at U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey
Stream GagesStream Gages
Antietam Creek nr Sharpsburg, Md.
The first USGS gaging station was established on the Rio Grande near Embudo, New Mexico in 1889.
Embudo trainees dispersed to collect data in other locations
Streamflow Measurements in the East
“Flood Crest March 18, 1936”
Potomac River at Chain Bridge nr Washington, D.C.
Potomac River at Point of Rocks, Md.
1889
1994
The Embudo LegacyData collected using nationally consistent, prescribed
standards
. The U.S. Geological Survey currently collects
streamflow data at over 7,000 sites
Potomac River at Little Falls nr Washington, D.C.
Minebank Run at Loch Raven, Md.
Data from over 18,500 locations can be analyzed with confidence
The basic piece of data collected at gaging
stations is stream STAGE (water level)
Stage can be sensed usingSTILLING WELLS
Outside reference gages
Intakes
Little Patuxent River nr Guilford, Md.
Stage can also be sensed using PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS
Orifice LineOrifice Line
Gwynns Falls at Washington Blvd. at
Baltimore, Md.
Stage is usually:
•Measured to an accuracy standard of:
“either 0.01 ft or 0.2 percent of the effective stage being measured” -- Office of Surface Water memorandum 93.07
•Recorded every 15 minutes
Basic Data Recorder
Most users of streamflow
information need to know the
DISCHARGE of the stream
Discharge usually measured using the
velocity-area method
Channel Cross Section
Discharge= Velocity x Depth x Width
1
10
100
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Discharge (cfs)
Sta
ge
(ft)
Rating Curve
Discharge Measurements
Discharge measurements are used to develop rating curves
Discharge must be measured at all stages
1
10
100
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000Discharge (cfs)
Sta
ge
(ft)
Discharge measurements during high stages are particularly important
Indirect measurement
To maintain ratings,
discharge must be measured
regularly
1
10
100
1 10 100 1000 10000Discharge (cfs)
Sta
ge
(f
t)
For example: rating changes as channel fills.
Staff gages can be damaged
Datum must be checked regularly
Benchmark at a station
Surveying crew from Utah District Gage houses settle
Jack DoyleBoise Field Office
By local office personnel
All gaging station data are checked and reviewed regularly
And by national review teams
Data from USGS gaging stations can be used to meet a variety of needs
Data from Thomas and Wahl, 1993
Current needs
Modeling and floodforecasting
Chesapeake Bay inflow
Susquehanna River at Conowingo, Md.
Long-term needs
Regional relations
Uses of Streamflow Information:Flood Frequency Analysis
Rank Year Peak 1 1993 10,500 cfs 2 1995 3,200 3 1988 2,340 4 1989 1,850 5 1997 1,230 6 1990 948 7 1992 550 8 1996 320 9 1991 200 10 1994 163
100
1000
10000
100000
0.010.1110100
Exceedance Probability
Dis
char
ge,
in
cfs
100-yearflood
Data dissemination
http://water.usgs.gov
http://md.usgs.gov
Data dissemination
Hydrologic Stations
GOES
Wallops, VirginiaCommand and DataAcquisition Center
DOMSAT
User Operations
( Internet )
Stage
http://water.usgs.gov
Post-mounted gage houseand sattelite antenna
USGS continues to pursue use of new technology
Acoustic doppler currentprofiler being used in Idaho
Aquacalc being usedto collect discharge information