Flood
Forecasting--This type of forecasting is
a joint effort of several federal, state, and local agencies. Flood forecasting
allows for timely warnings that save lives and decrease property damage.
The National Weather Service (NWS), which is part of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, is the federal agency charged by law with
the responsibility for issuing river forecasts and flood warnings. A reliable
flood forecast, and its subsequent warning, depend on having a reliable
and current source of depth and flow data, as well as precipitation data.
Flood
forecasts are based upon river models that provide estimates of how a
river will respond to rainfall. River discharge and stage data provided
by gaging stations are essential components of river models and flood
forecasts. Although the NWS uses many sources
of data to develop flood forecasts, the USGS stream-gaging
network is the principal source of data on river depth and flow.
Flood forecasts are prepared by 13 NWS river-forecast centers around the
country.
Flood Management Benefits of the USGS Stream Gaging Program (4 MB - free Adobe reader required to view this 2006 report prepared by the National Hydrologic Warning Council)
Water
Supply Allocation--Streamflow data assist
water managers in making daily operational decisions for dealing with
water requirements for municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes,
as well as demands for hydroelectric power generation and space for flood
control in reservoirs. As of 1994, data from about 2,900 stations operated
by the USGS were used by agencies, such as the Army Corps of Engineers,
to operate more than 2,000 flood control, navigation, and water-supply
reservoirs.Highway
Bridges--Many highway bridges are designed
to withstand a 50- or 100-year flood (a flood of such magnitude that it
could only be expected to happen on the average once every 50 or 100 years).
Stream data from the USGS stream-gaging network assist in design decisions
by providing the data needed to develop a design flood. A design flood
that is too small could lead to a bridge design that causes water to back-up
and inundate the road. Too large a design flood can lead to a design that
is wasteful and requires a higher roadway than needed.Wastewater
Treatment Plants--Availability of long-term
streamflows is important for wastewater treatment facilities. These facilities
need to have estimates of streamflows available to allow for the proper
dilution of treated wastewater releases. For example, if estimated low flows
are understated, then there wouldn't be enough water available to properly
dilute the wastewater. As a result, there would be a need for additional
costly wastewater treatment to meet water-quality standards. USGS has archived
its streamflow data since the gaging program began and it is a reliable
source for such informationRecreation--Stream
gages don't just provide information
useful to technical personnel and projects.
Information about how high or low the water in a stream is or how fast
the water is flowing is an important factor in recreation activities.
Such information benefits countless outdoor enthusiasts, from canoeists
and whitewater rafters, to fisherman and swimmers alike. Much of this
information is now readily available on the World Wide Web for the general
public to easily access.  |
