Cooperator Meeting for the Data Program Operatted by the U.S. Geological Survey June 26 2003

• Description: Cooperator Meeting for the Data Program Operatted by the U.S. Geological Survey June 26 2003 Handwrittend notes
• State: CO
• Date: 6/26/2003
• Title: Cooperator Meeting for the Data Program Operatted by the U.S. Geological Survey June 26 2003
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Meeting

What are the Issues?
Streamflow forecasts for the Nation are produced by the
National Weather Service. These forecasts depend on
1) weather data, 2) weather forecasts, 3) river forecast
models, and 4) streamflow data. Losses in funding at the
USGS and many partner agencies have resulted in the loss
of about 300 streamgages that are critical to the NWS
forecasts. This has compromised their ability to provide
many communities with the accurate and timely streamflow
forecasts and flood warnings they need.
During the 1990s, many long -term streamgages were
discontinued due to lack of funding. These streamgages
(with records of 30 years or more) are of great value to
planning and to the scientific study of variations and trends
in flow. On average, each year of the decade saw a net loss
of about 70 of these important streamgages.
Increased stresses on the Nation's water resources have
increased the need for streamflow information. At the same
time, advances in technology (e.g. satellite telemetry, the
Internet, acoustic measurement methods) have increased the
potential usefulness of streamflow information. In spite of
these trends the network of streamgages has been shrinking
and the pace of modernization of the technology has been
slow. To achieve its true potential, the network needs to be
fully modernized and gaps in coverage need to be filled.
A Shared Plan
The National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP)
provides a plan to reverse the losses of crucial streamgages and
to provide for a stable and modern system for the future. The
USGS is working with the Interstate Council on Water Policy
and a wide range of partners and users of the information to
come to agreement on a shared plan for the future.
Core NSIP Streamgages to be fully USGS funded
Existing USGS Streamgages
2,791
Old USGS stream a es to be reactivated
867
Streamgages operated by other agencies
278
New stream a es needed
485
Total number of streamgages in design
4,421
The NSIP plan calls for a carefully designed core of
streamgages that would be fully funded by the USGS, along with
a much larger set of streamgages funded through partnerships to
provide the breadth and depth of coverage needed by the over-
growing user community.
The plan also identifies these needs:
• Add real -time satellite reporting capability at about 1,700
streamgages.
• Flood harden about 3,000 streamgages.
• Build backup computer and communication systems to
improve system reliability.
• Replace satellite radios in all streamgages with newer
high- transmission rate radios to increase data throughput.
• Enhance accessibility and form of data provided to users.
• Research and development on methods of data collection
and analysis.
• Special data - collection efforts for flood and drought
emergencies.
Is Progress being made towards NSIP Plan Goals?
Yes; increased federal appropriations in FY 2000 and
FY 2001 will resulted in:
37 new streamgages built and operating
73 streamgages reactivated and operating
127 streamgages modernized
15 streamgages flood hardened
I� FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For additional information
on USGS water programs in
each State, please see lit
tp: //
water.usgs.eov. For current
information on progress towards
the plans for the National
Streamflow Information
Program, please go to htt
` water.usgs. ovg /nsin or contact:
J. Michael Norris
4
,• s U.S. Geological Survey
National Center, MS 415
• 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, Virginia 20192
e ,} mnorris @usgs.gov
4 (703) 648 -5301
r' \r