Track Flooding with the New USGS Flood Map

 

An online, user-friendly map that tracks flood conditions has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). As expected rains drive flood waters higher along the Mississippi River Valley, USGS crews are in the field collecting data needed to update the flood maps, prepare forecasts, manage the flood, and warn communities. This new system is part of the USGS WaterWatch suite of web-based streamflow products and can be accessed by clicking here.

 

This real-time water monitoring is part of a continuing effort by the USGS to assist the National Weather Service (NWS) in making accurate and timely flood forecasts. During a flood, teams of USGS hydrographers travel to stream gages to keep the instruments operating and to make crucial calibration measurements of the streamflow.

 

Other information available from this web site for each stream gage include current flood levels, historical peaks, and NWS flood forecast information. Monthly flood reports are also available that include maximum flows and compares the data to previous years that observations were made at each station.