OVERVIEW: USGS Streamgage Network Design

USGS Streamgage Network effective combination to achieve high quality science based on reliable measurements and shared investment guided by national priorities

USGS Streamgaging History John Wesley Powell (USGS Director; 1881 – 1894) directed the USGS to begin monitoring streamflow in the west First USGS gage established in 1889 on the Rio Grande near Embudo, New Mexico By 1895, streamflow was being monitored by USGS personnel in 27 states (territories) Most stations in 1968 = 8,320 in operation In FY-2010, USGS was operating 7,845 Streamgages

USGS Streamgage Network Cooperative Water Program CWP = 3,300 streamgages in 2012 (+750 interpretive studies) National Streamflow Information Program NSIP = 4,500 streamgages in 2012  7,850 total USGS active streamgages effective combination to achieve high quality science based on reliable measurements and shared investment guided by national priorities

Cooperative Water Program CWP Mission: to provide reliable, impartial, and timely information needed to understand the Nation's water resources through a program of shared efforts and funding with state, tribal, and local partners to enable decision makers to wisely manage the Nation's water resources.

Cooperative Water Program CWP = hydrologic data + investigative studies Program started as a 50:50 cost-share not authorized by Congress, except for specific direction in annual federal appropriations legislation Active in every state & most territories Engages more than 1,500 cost-share “Cooperators” Guided by national priorities

Cooperative Water Program CWP = hydrologic data + investigative studies Data collection by USGS maintaining high QA/QC Accessible to all without charge Consistent, Reliable & Available 24x7x365 Data & studies are limited by funding, but Cooperators are paying 2x the funds USGS gets – Competitive selection applying national priorities – USGS scientists get direct involvement in latest challenges – Cooperators get impartial science expertise from a national agency that has no regulatory function

National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP) Requested by Congress in 1998 USGS design was reviewed by NAS/NRC in 2004 NSIP was authorized by Congress in 2009 Program concept is to establish a reliable national “backbone” streamgage network to meet 5 specific, national needs and provide benchmark for other’s monitoring Design = Network of 4,780 streamgages Strategic locations across America to Supplement existing streamgage networks Reliable + Continuous  Federal Funded

National Research Council Review 2004 review of USGS design for NSIP 2007 review of USGS River Science 2009 review of USGS Water Program New science and more data are needed by federal, state, tribal, interstate and local officials to effectively manage water towards sustainable ends American water community needs a national leader in water sciences Favorable review of USGS operations, science capabilities and NSIP design

National Streamflow Information Program Reliable national streamgage network to meet 5 specific, national needs Design =network of 4,780 monitoring sites Reliable + Continuous  Federal Funded Actual = 4,500 operating, but 87% lack reliable funding in FY-2013 (i.e., depend on CWP & Cooperators, which defeats the intent of NSIP) A fully implemented NSIP would require $115 M to complete and $110 M/yr to operate

Active NSIP Gages

Total NSIP + CWP Streamgages

Questions?? effective combination to achieve high quality science based on reliable measurements and shared investment guided by national priorities Contact ICWP/Peter Evans (703) or

USGS Streamgage Network effective combination to achieve high quality science based on reliable measurements and shared investment guided by national priorities Cooperative Water Program without the cost-share investment federal government would not have adequate coverage National Streamflow Information Program without reliable funding for the set of “backbone” streamgages federal government loses long-term records needed to identify trends and support interpretive science  7,850 total USGS active streamgages providing the benchmark needed by USGS and other agencies

Stakeholder Support Coalition Organized by Interstate Council on Water Policy with help from: – Western States Water Council – Association of State Floodplain Managers – American Society of Civil Engineers – National Water Resources Association – American Rivers – National Wildlife Federation – The Nature Conservancy

Stakeholder Support Coalition Focused effort to inform the Administration ( Interior & OMB ) and Congress 53 organizations endorsed our 2013 letters

2013 Stakeholder Coalition American Canoe Association American Rivers American Society of Civil Engineers American Water Resources Association American Water Works Association American Whitewater Appalachian Mountain Club Association of American State Geologists Association of California Water Agencies Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies Association of State Dam Safety Officials Association of State Floodplain Managers Association of Clean Water Administrators Bear River Commission California Sportfishing Protection Alliance Coastal States Organization Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum Colorado Water Congress Delaware River Basin Commission Environmental Defense Fund International Federation of Fly Fishers Great Lakes Commission Hydropower Reform Coalition Idaho Rivers United Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Interstate Council on Water Policy Irrigation Association Missouri River Association of States & Tribes National Association of Clean Water Agencies National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies National Association of State Boating Law Administrators National Drought Mitigation Center National Hydropower Association National Water Resources Association National Wildlife Federation The Nature Conservancy New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission Oregon Water Resources Congress Pennsylvania Environmental Council Pennsylvania Organization of Watersheds & Rivers Rivers Alliance of Connecticut River Network Susquehanna River Basin Commission Texas Water Conservation Association Trout Unlimited Trout Unlimited, Pennsylvania Council Upper Colorado River Compact Commission Upper Mississippi River Basin Association Water Environment Federation Western States Water Council Yellowstone River Compact Commission

USGS Streamgage Network effective combination to achieve high quality science based on reliable measurements and shared investment guided by national priorities