Integration of Earth Observing Integration of Earth Observing Systems and the U.S. Geological Systems and the U.S. Geological SurveySurvey

Integration of environmental Integration of environmental monitoring networks:monitoring networks:

• Comprehensive, multi-dimensional Comprehensive, multi-dimensional study of environmental problems and study of environmental problems and their linkagestheir linkages

• Broader dissemination of monitoring Broader dissemination of monitoring technologiestechnologies

• Greater operational efficiencyGreater operational efficiency

Elements of a “back-bone” Elements of a “back-bone” network:network:

• Consistent core variablesConsistent core variables

• Standard sampling and calibration Standard sampling and calibration protocolsprotocols

• Integrated data management driven by Integrated data management driven by internet distribution and GPS systems internet distribution and GPS systems

Elements of a “back-bone” Elements of a “back-bone” network:network:

• EPA Estuarine ReservesEPA Estuarine Reserves

• NOAA Estuarine Status and Trends NOAA Estuarine Status and Trends networknetwork

• NOAA ocean current and weather NOAA ocean current and weather buoysbuoys

• USGS Streamgaging stationsUSGS Streamgaging stations

Network CostsNetwork Costs•$120M per year$120M per year•About $12,500/gageAbout $12,500/gage Network FundingNetwork Funding

State / Local agencies 35%State / Local agencies 35%USGS Coop program 25%USGS Coop program 25%OFAOFA 18% 18%MixedMixed 15% 15%USGS NSIPUSGS NSIP 7%7%

Gage NetworkGage Network•7,100 gages7,100 gages•85 % real-time85 % real-time

StreamgagingStreamgaging

PartnersPartners Flood-related UsesFlood-related Uses

Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers

Bureau of ReclamationBureau of Reclamation

Federal Highways Admin.Federal Highways Admin.

Reservoir OperationsReservoir Operations

Engineering DesignEngineering Design

National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service Flood Forecasting and Flood Forecasting and Inundation MappingInundation Mapping

Federal Emergency Federal Emergency Management AgencyManagement Agency

Floodplain mapping,Floodplain mapping,

Evacuation planningEvacuation planning

800 State and local agencies800 State and local agencies All of the aboveAll of the above

Traditional MethodsTraditional Methods

Q=VA Q=VA

Discharge (Q)=Discharge (Q)=Ave Velocity*AreaAve Velocity*Area

Area=Depth*WidthArea=Depth*Width

Measurement Methods Measurement Methods VaryVary

ASP

A

nQ

2

132

1

USGSUSGSStreamStreamGageGage

1997 Flood1997 FloodNew 100-year flood

Old 100-year flood

19001900 20002000

Pea

k F

low

, CF

SP

eak

Flo

w, C

FS

GagesMonitorRiverStage

100

1,000

10,000

100,000

O N D J F M A M J J A S

Flow

, in

CFS

Water.usgs.gov/waterwatch

WaterWatchWaterWatch

• Real-time streamflowReal-time streamflow

• Flood and High flowFlood and High flow

• Monthly Conditions (and historic)Monthly Conditions (and historic)

• Comparison of today and PORComparison of today and POR

• Comparison of 7-Day Average and PORComparison of 7-Day Average and POR

• Below normalBelow normal

• Drought WatchDrought Watch

Modernizing Flow MeasurementModernizing Flow Measurement

HydroAcousticsHydroAcoustics RadarsRadars

HydroAcousticsHydroAcoustics

• Doppler principleDoppler principle• Fast and accurateFast and accurate• Not effective in Not effective in

shallow watershallow water• Used with boats or Used with boats or

tethered from tethered from bridgesbridges

• Can be used as Can be used as side-looking, side-looking, velocity index velocity index metersmeters

Mississippi River at St. LouisMississippi River at St. Louis

Side-Looking Doppler, Index-Velocity Discharge vs Traditional Discharge

RadarsRadars

•Microwave radar for Microwave radar for surface velocity onlysurface velocity only

•Ground-penetrating Ground-penetrating radar for channel arearadar for channel area

•GPR doesn’t work well in GPR doesn’t work well in high conductivity or great high conductivity or great depthdepth

Q=V AQ=V A