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<br />shortages of water equitably with other users. <br /> <br />With the Montana Method, U.S.G.S measures the hydraulic characteris- <br />tics of the stream and biologists interpret the biological responses. <br />This saves considerable precious time that biologists can use on a <br />more complete ecological analysis of streamflow needs. U.S.G.S. is <br />recognized nationwide for its expertise in waking reliable streamflow <br />measurements, and their results are less apt to be questioned by <br />water resource development agencies and more likely to withstand the <br />scrutinty of adversaries in a court of law.l2 This method is applicable <br />to hundreds of thousands of streamflow records that have been published <br />by U.S.G.S. since 1888 on most of the perennial streams in America. <br />In 1972 alone, there were nearly 24,000 active, surfacewater gagIng <br />stations in the United States.17 U.S.G.S. employs more than 2,000 <br />professional hydrologists, working out of 220 different locations to <br />measure streamflow parameters on our Nation's lotic waters. 12 These <br />scientists maintain and use several million dollars worth of special- <br />ized supplies and equipment specifically for this purpose.7 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />There is significant hydrological and biological evidence that the <br />~bntana Method can also be used successfully on streams throughout <br />the world. 6, 8, 10, 13, 15,16, 18, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31 <br /> <br />U.S.G.S. is considering the revision of streamflow data programs for <br />most of the states.23 The majority of existing gages may be dis- <br />continued under its future program. Techniques like measuring channel <br />geometry, interpolation from a known flow to an unknown flow, and <br />correlations with adjacent streams will be used to provide streamflow <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />16 <br />