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General Information Product 70

photo stream

The National Streamflow Information Program

MISSION

Provide the streamflow information and understanding required to meet local, State, regional, and national needs.

Goals


What is streamflow?

Streamflow is the amount of water moving in a stream or river past a given point through time and is typically reported in cubic feet per second, or million gallons per day. You can see the amount of water currently flowing in a river near where you live or elsewhere in the Nation by going to http://water.usgs.gov/nwis/rt.

The USGS currently operates about 7,500 streamgages nationwide. Streamgages are the monitoring tools used to track the movement of water in streams and rivers.

photo - frog

How is streamflow measured?

Streamflow information is usually obtained by

This information is then available to users in real-time 24 hours a day.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt/

photo - bridgeflood watersphoto - irrigationphoto - drought

How is streamflow information used?

raindrop.ai Flood planning and warning

raindrop.ai Streamflow forecasting

raindrop.ai Impact on streamflow from

raindrop.ai Design of

raindrop.ai Water-resource appraisal and allocations

raindrop.ai Operation of locks and dams

raindrop.ai Power production

raindrop.ai Water-quality evaluations

raindrop.ai Habitat assessments

raindrop.ai Recreation safety and enjoyment

photo - boy with dog at drinking fountain

Photo courtesy of Vom Dart Haus German Shepherds


“Nationwide, the benefits........greatly exceed the cost of collecting the data through NSIP.”

National Hydrologic Warning Council, 2006


When fully implemented, NSIP will provide Nation-wide streamflow information and understanding needed by a wide range of users. See http://water.usgs.gov/nsip/

For current streamflow conditions http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/

To learn more about USGS surface water and streamgaging activities, visit:

For real-time streamflow data http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt/

For historical streamflow data http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/sw/

For surface-water information http://water.usgs.gov/osw/


Download the NSIP Brochure-1 (5,72 MB)

Download the NSIP Brochure-2 (5,45 MB)


For more information please contact:

Mike Norris, Coordinator
National Streamflow Information Program
mnorris@usgs.gov

Steve Blanchard, Chief
Office of Surface Water
sfblanch@usgs.gov

Office of Surface Water
703-648-5301

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Page Last Modified: Wednesday, 30-Nov-2016 12:18:48 EST