Developments in the USGS Streamflow-Gaging Station and Real-Time Data Systems in Kansas

Real-time streamflow, ground-water, and water-quality data are important for reservoir operations, flood warning and forecasting, monitoring water-rights administration, recreational activities, and monitoring water-quality conditions and trends. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates about 7,000 streamflow-gaging stations nationwide, and about 70% of these stations have real-time capabilities. In Kansas, real-time data are provided at 163 streamflow-gaging stations and 17 lakes, precipitation at 160 stations, water levels in 84 ground-water wells, and real-time water quality at 12 streamflow-gaging stations. Real-time water-quality information can provide early warning to the public of unsanitary stream conditions and possibly help water managers in identifying source areas and evaluating trends in environmental-resosurce management. Real-time streamflow information for Kansas is available on the Internet at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/nwis/rt. Real-time ground-water data for Kansas are available on the Internet at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/nwis/gw. Real-time water-quality information for Kansas is available on the Internet at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/rtqw.

Real-time data have improved the reliability and quality of data collected at streamflow-gaging stations in Kansas. Telemetry equipment at the stations permits USGS hydrographers to monitor station operation continuously, time station visits to coincide with times of maximum need for data (such as during floods and droughts), and repair malfunctioning equipment more rapidly. A recent USGS evaluation of missing gage-height record for streams and lakes in Kansas found a 40% decrease in missing gage-height record from between 1971 and 1986 to between 1987 and 1999, largely because of the increased use of telemetry equipment during the later period.

The USGS in Kansas has provided real-time streamflow data on the Internet since 1997. The National Water Information web system (NWISweb) has changed how the data are presented and the types of data available. NWISweb provides access to water-resources data collected at approximately 1.5 million sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Online access to these data is organized under five main categories: real-time data, site information, surface water, ground water, and water quality. Real-time data represent current-conditions data transmitted from selected surface-water, ground-water, and water-quality sites. Site information includes descriptive site information for all sites with links to all available water data for individual sites. Surface water provides data on water flow and levels in streams, lakes, and springs. Ground water includes water levels in wells, and water quality presents chemical, biological, and physical data for streams, lakes, springs, and wells. In addition to real-time water information, historical streamflow, water-quality, and ground-water information, streamflow statistics, and streamflow measurements made by USGS hydrographers also are provided on NWISweb. NWISweb provides a consistent look at data presentation nationwide but allows some customization at the state level. Water data for Kansas are available on the Internet at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/nwis.

Real-time streamflow information for Kansas is available on the Internet at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/nwis/rt

Real-time ground-water data for Kansas are available on the Internet at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/nwis/gw

Real-time water-quality information for Kansas is available on the Internet at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/rtqw

Putnam, J.E., 2002, Developments in the USGS streamflow-gaging station and real-time data systems in Kansas [abst.], in Program of Abstracts, 19th Annual Water and the Future of Kansas Conference, March 5, 2002, Lawrence, Kansas, p. 21.