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Current U.S. Flood Information

Environmental Monitoring:

NEWS: Current U.S. Flood Information

Flodding in Memphis, May 10, 2011. Source: NASA. Flodding in Memphis, May 10, 2011. Source: NASA.
Published:
Updated: September 23, 2011, 5:24 pm
Topics: Weather & Climate Environmental Monitoring Hydrogeology Remote Sensing
Content Source: U.S. Geological Survey
This news article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Sidney Draggan Ph.D.

Flood Information

When flooding happens, USGS field crews are among the first to respond. During and after storms and floods, USGS field crews measure the streamflow and height of rivers and ensure the accuracy and reliable operation of streamgages. In addition to the permanent gages maintained by the USGS Water Science Centers, additional temporary gages are often deployed during a flood to measure, record, and transmit additional data about the event. Field crews continue to work as waters recede, gathering high water marks for post flood analysis. All of this data is crucial for such activities as the issuance of flood warnings and characterization of flood hazards to mitigate future damages.

This photo shows a temporary USGS Rapid Deployment Gage (RDG) used in the Spring 2011 floods near Karnak, Illinois.

Current and recent USGS flood activity:

For a complete list of local USGS news releases, click here: (http://www.usgs.gov/blogs/features/2011/04/21/flooding-spring-2011/)"

 WaterWatch current Flood conditions map WaterWatch current Flood conditions map map legend map legend

WaterWatch (http://waterwatch.usgs.gov) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) World Wide Web site that displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States. The real-time information generally is updated on an hourly basis.

Click here to learn how to use USGS WaterWatch to track flooding in your area, or click on the map to go directly to the WaterWatch Flood map.

USGS Local Flood Resources

Previous and Historic Floods

 

Citation

U.S. Geological Survey (Content Source);Sidney Draggan Ph.D. (Topic Editor) "Current U.S. Flood Information". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth May 14, 2011; Last revised Date September 23, 2011; Retrieved May 20, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/news/view/166186/?topic=49501>

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