Feature Spotlight: Real-Time Water Data
August 14th, 2006
Real-time water data tracks short term changes (over several hours) in rivers and streams across the United States. This is a great information source for paddlers and fisherman as water flows can vary significantly from hour to hour. Now on Thoos.com, you can search for current beta and weather conditions for your chosen destination as well ashourly updated stream flows for over 7,900 stream/river gages across the United States.
Real-time data typically are recorded at 15-60 minute intervals and then transmitted to USGS (or State agency) offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events. Data from real-time sites are relayed to USGS offices via satellite, telephone, and/or radio and are available for viewing within minutes of arrival. We update our databases with the stream flow information every hour.
Are you planning on adding your favorite fishing spot to Thoos.com? When you add or edit a new page, you have the option to add real-time streamflow information to that page based on USGS water stations within a 5 mile radius of your desired location. The data will show up on the place description page in the blue box (see sample at left). The four pieces of data returned are: Current Discharge, Current Gage Height, Time of Measurement, Station Location.
In the very near future, we will be offering a single map interface where you can search for any location, pinpoint it on a map, and retrieve historical data and graphs of water data. Additionally, we will be providing JavaScript feeds so that you can place the current water conditions of your favorite stream/river directly on your website or blog.
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SITE UPDATE (FEB 15, 2007) - Now you can search the entire country for real-time water data and river conditions with one simple interface. Read more …Real-time stream flows and river conditions - UPDATED