Analysis of streamflow-gaging network for monitoring stormwater in small streams in the Puget Sound Basin, Washington

Scientific Investigations Report 2012-5020
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By:  and 

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Abstract

The streamflow-gaging network in the Puget Sound basin was analyzed for its capacity to monitor stormwater in small streams. The analysis consisted of an inventory of active and inactive gages and an evaluation of the coverage and resolution of the gaging network with an emphasis on lowland areas. The active gaging network covers much of the Puget Lowland largely by gages located at sites on larger streams and rivers. Assessments of stormwater impacts and management will likely require streamflow information with higher spatial resolution than provided by the current gaging network. Monitoring that emphasizes small streams in combination with approaches for estimating streamflow at ungaged sites provides an alternative to expanding the current gaging network that can improve the spatial resolution of streamflow information in the region. The highest priority gaps in the gaging network are low elevation basins close to the Puget Sound shoreline and sites that share less than 10 percent of the drainage area of an active gage. Although small, lowland sites with long records of streamflow are particularly valuable to maintain in the region, other criteria for prioritizing sites in the gaging network should be based on the specific questions that stormwater managers need to answer.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Analysis of streamflow-gaging network for monitoring stormwater in small streams in the Puget Sound Basin, Washington
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2012-5020
DOI 10.3133/sir20125020
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Washington Water Science Center
Description iv, 16 p.; CSV Download of Table 1; PDF Downloads of Figures 2 and 6
First page i
Last page 16
Country United States
State Washington
Other Geospatial Puget Sound Basin
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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