Assessing the National Streamflow Information Program (2004) / Chapter Skim
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7 Summary and Conclusions
7 Summary and Conclusions
Pages 135-145
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From page 135... ...
water quality. This report examines the goals and method by which the base gage network sites were selected, the rationale for the supporting elements of the NSIP, and the role of streamflow information in advancing river science.
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From page 136... ...
However, the USGS, in collaboration with the NWS, needs to communicate better that streamflow information creates public value, for example, by saving lives and preventing economic losses through flood forecasting. A federal agency logically fills the role of providing streamflow information because such information supports national interests, not just local or private interests.
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From page 137... ...
In the following sections, each stated NSIP goal for the base gage network and the number of gage sites designated to meet that goal are examined in turn. NSIP Goal 1: Meeting Legal and Treaty Obligations on Interstate and International Waters The USGS designates 515 gage sites to provide streamflow information supporting legal compacts (185 gages)
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From page 138... ...
This number is 73 percent of the 4,424 NSIP base gage network sites, so it is clear that this goal dominates numerically among the five NSIP site selection goals. The USGS and the NWS have complementary roles with respect to streamflow information: the USGS does streamflow measurement and the NWS does flood forecasting.
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From page 139... ...
In particular, long-term streamflow records in sentinel watersheds provide the benchmark data needed to assess hydrologic, ecologic, and water quality changes in similar, more numerous, watersheds with substantial anthropogenic landscape changes and thereby improve watershed management and planning. Given the interplay between hydrology and geomorphology, collecting channel morphological data in the sentinel watersheds would increase their scientific value -- the sentinel watersheds could serve not only as hydrologic reference sites, but also as morphologic reference sites.
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From page 140... ...
A possible exception is Nevada, where the committee's analysis of the NSIP base gage network found a surprisingly small number of gage sites (30) relative to neighboring states -- Arizona (85)
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From page 141... ...
With the possible exception of Nevada, the geographic distribution of gages produced by these NSIP goals appears reasonable when states are compared using metrics such as number of gages per unit of land area or number of persons per gage. The USGS has developed an innovative method for selecting sites for the NSIP base gage network using geospatial analysis of the national stream network, drainage areas, ecological zones, and gage sites where other functions are performed, such as forecasting floods or systematic collection of water quality data.
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From page 142... ...
Regionalization methods will significantly increase streamflow information coverage of the nation. OTHER NSIP COMPONENTS Besides enhancing the base gage network, the NSIP has four other components dealing with intensive data collection during major floods and droughts, assessments of streamflow characteristics, streamflow information delivery to customers, and methods development and research.
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From page 143... ...
The USGS is attempting to develop the "gaging station of the future." There are many research opportunities for advancement over current methods: · Develop and use a portfolio of data collection tools in addition to the fixed, permanent stations. This would include phasing in new technologies such as acoustic Doppler current profilers to measure stream velocity and channel resistance; making the data widely available to foster research outside USGS on the relationships among channel morphology, velocity, and flow resistance in channels; and providing real-time information delivery at critical stations through satellite links.
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From page 144... ...
The ICWP thereby identified the need for more than 18,000 gages. However, some of these information needs (e.g., for National Flood Insurance Program communities or Impaired Water Quality Reaches)
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RIVER SCIENCE The USGS has a long history of research on rivers. Pressing issues such as streamflow losses to groundwater pumping, nonpoint source pollution loads, and aquatic and riparian ecosystem degradation make a compelling case for developing river science.
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