Cost-effectiveness of the stream-gaging program in New Jersey
Water-Resources Investigations Report
84-4108
By: R.D. Schopp and R.L. Ulery
Links
- Document: Report (pdf)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The results of a study of the cost-effectiveness of the stream-gaging program in New Jersey are documented. This study is part of a 5-year nationwide analysis undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey to define and document the most cost-effective means of furnishing streamflow information. This report identifies the principal uses of the data and relates those uses to funding sources, applies, at selected stations, alternative less costly methods (that is flow routing, regression analysis) for furnishing the data, and defines a strategy for operating the program which minimizes uncertainty in the streamflow data for specific operating budgets. Uncertainty in streamflow data is primarily a function of the percentage of missing record and the frequency of discharge measurements. In this report, 101 continuous stream gages and 73 crest-stage or stage-only gages are analyzed. A minimum budget of $548,000 is required to operate the present stream-gaging program in New Jersey with an average standard error of 27.6 percent. The maximum budget analyzed was $650,000, which resulted in an average standard error of 17.8 percent. The 1983 budget of $569,000 resulted in a standard error of 24.9 percent under present operating policy. (USGS)
Suggested Citation
Schopp, R., and Ulery, R., 1984, Cost-effectiveness of the stream-gaging program in New Jersey: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4108, vi, 103 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844108.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Cost-effectiveness of the stream-gaging program in New Jersey |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 84-4108 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri844108 |
| Year Published | 1984 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Description | vi, 103 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm. |