USGS News Release:
The daily thunderstorms that began July 4 in north-central Indiana overshadowed
the holiday fireworks and caused record flooding across Indiana. Parts of
Indiana received nearly 18 inches of rain by July 8. Stream levels for some
rivers exceeded highs recorded during the 1913 flood--the largest flood ever
documented across much of Indiana.
While the floods ravage Indiana communities, hydrographers from the U.S.
Geological Survey race to document the flood-water levels. The hydrographers
measure the river stage and flow to provide data for river forecasters,
engineers, and emergency managers who rely on the USGS Indiana data network of
170 streamflow-gaging stations. The network is funded in a cooperative program
of federal, State, and local agencies.
Many of those 170 stations are equipped to transmit real-time stage and
streamflow data. Transmitted data are received by National Weather Service
personnel who use the data to prepare forecasts and warnings--a key element in
protecting lives and property.
Real-time river level and streamflow data from USGS Indiana streamflow stations
can be obtained online at:
http://in.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt
During times of high water, USGS hydrographers verify the streamflow-gaging data
electronically collected and transmitted by the gaging station. Hydrographers
verify the data by making stream measurements on site. Thus, the race to
document high water. USGS streamflow-measurement teams are using high-tech
Doppler sonar flowmeters--called acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs)--to
make accurate streamflow measurements very quickly. The ADCPs are deployed from
unmanned tethered boats and transmit data to hydrologists using radio modems on
shore. This technology is described online at:
http://in.water.usgs.gov/hydroacoustics/adcpuses.shtml
The streamflow-gaging-station network makes it possible for government agencies,
private industry, and the general public to monitor streamflow conditions across
Indiana during all types of weather. Some of the USGS gaging stations provide
information needed in the design of dams, bridges, and water- and
wastewater-treatment plants.
Because of financial cutbacks the operation of 31 gaging stations will be
discontinued as of October 1, 2003, unless alternative funding sources are
found. A list of stations planned to be discontinued may be found at:
http://in.water.usgs.gov/loststations/
The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information to
describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from
natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and
enhance and protect our quality of life.
For more information email Scott Morlock at the USGS.
Flood waters surround the USGS streamflow-gaging station Wildcat Creek at Kokomo, Indiana on July 5. Click here for real time data from this station.
The USGS streamflow-gaging station Deer Creek near Delphi during the flood peak on July 6. Click here for real time data from this station.
USGS Hydrographer Chad Menke makes a streamflow measurement at the USGS streamflow-gaging station Wildcat Creek at Owasco, Indiana using an acoustic Doppler Current profiler (ADCP) deployed from a tethered boat. More information about ADCPs and their uses by the USGS can be found at: http://in.water.usgs.gov/hydroacoustics/adcpuses.shtml .
USGS hydrographer Ron Knapp gives an interview for a television station after making a streamflow measurement at the USGS streamflow-gaging station Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana. Click here for real time data from this station.
The USGS streamflow-gaging station St Marys River at Fort Wayne, Indiana surrounded by flood warnings during a record flood peak. Click here for real time data from this station.
USGS hydrographers had to don chest waders to check equipment in the gage house at the USGS streamflow-gaging station Iroquois River near Foresman, Indiana. Real-time data for this site Click here for real time data from this station.
Flooded roads near the Iroquois River in northwestern Indiana made it difficult for USGS hydrographers to drive to streamflow-gages to make streamflow measurements
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