Surface-Water Stations

Period of Project: 1948 to present

Chief: Steven A. Frenzel

Location: Statewide

Purpose:

(1) Collect surface-water data sufficient to satisfy needs for uses such as (a) assessment of water resources, (b) operation of reservoirs or industries, (c) forecasting, (d) disposal of wastes and pollution controls, (e) discharge data to accompany water-quality measurements, (f) legal requirements, and (g) research or special studies. (2) Collect data necessary for analytical studies to define---for any location---the statistical properties of and trends in water in streams, lakes, and estuaries for use in planning and design. In 2004, USGS hydrographers are collecting water-discharge measurements a 139 stream-gaging stations and 55 crest-stage stations..