USGS Fact Sheet 138-97
September 1997
Current Kansas Stream and Lake Information Available on the Internet for Water
Recreationists
By James E. Putnam
Table of Contents
Near real-time water-level information from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently
available on the INTERNET for 103 gaging stations on streams and 24 locations on lakes in
Kansas. Monitoring stage and streamflow at these gaging stations, located at points along
streams and lakes throughout the State, can tell boaters and other water sports enthusiasts
using the river when conditions are favorable or unsafe. Instantaneous gage-height (stage)
and discharge (streamflow) data are processed every 6 hours and more frequently during floods
for each station.
These locations have near real-time stream and lake information available.
Example of near real-time data available on INTERNET for selected stations in Kansas.
Instruments at the gaging station record continuous river stage. River stage is the height of
the water surface above gage datum, a reference elevation. Flood stage is the level where the
stream begins to overflow its banks. If the stage of the streambed is known and subtracted
from the water-surface stage, then the result is the depth of water in the stream. Monitoring
stage changes provides information to river users about river stage due to reservoir releases
and significant rainfall.
Knowledge of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stage-monitoring information like this stage data
recorded in May 1997 for the Kansas River at Lecompton can make boating and other recreational
activities on the river much safer and more enjoyable. If river stages are at or near flood
conditions, the river may be unsafe. In contrast, when the river stages are indicated to be
near the streambed, the stream may be too shallow or nearly dry in some places and may not be
enjoyable for recreational activities.
INTERNET record of stage data recorded May 1997 for Kansas River at Lecompton.
USGS technicians measure discharge or flow at all gaging stations on a routine schedule.
Measurements of water depth and velocity are made at approximately 30 locations across the
stream. The distance between measurement locations (width), the speed of the water (velocity),
and water depth are multiplied to compute discharge (or streamflow) in cubic feet per second
(ft³/s). Many of these measurements made over the range in stage of the stream are
plotted against the corresponding stages to define the stage-discharge relation that is used
in conjunction with the recorded stage to determine continuous discharge throughout the year.
Continuous discharge information at gaging stations, like this "hydrograph" of the flow of
the Kansas River at Lecompton, is useful to boaters and other recreational users. Because
discharge is related to stream velocity, those experienced with the river can relate discharge
information to how fast the water is moving down the stream. For example, veteran boatmen on
the Kansas River have been able, through experience, to determine a relationship between the
river's discharge and good or poor boating conditions.
Stage-discharge relation for Kansas River at Lecompton.
Hydrograph of flow for Kansas River at Lecompton from INTERNET.
Access to USGS real-time water-level information on the INTERNET is made possible by satellite
links with USGS offices. Recorded stage data are transmitted around the clock from gaging
stations to one of two Geostationary Operations Environmental Satellites (GOES) that are
positioned at an altitude of 22,300 miles above the equator. The satellites are operated by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These water-level data are relayed
to ground stations, and the signal is transmitted onto the USGS. The stage data are processed
with the stored stage-discharge relation to compute continuous streamflow (discharge). This
automated telemetry provides water-data users with provisional stage and streamflow
information in a timeframe that meets recreational and water-management needs.
The technology also permits the USGS field offices to monitor the operation of the
hydrological stations continuously, time visits to stations to coincide with times of maximum
need for data (such as during floods), and to service equipment at the stations.
Other water-resources information such as publications, historical streamflow data, and
research in the Kansas District USGS are available on the INTERNET.
Many organizations are linked to the USGS and use its data regularly. Streamflow data are
important for reservoir operation, flood warning and forecasting, design of bridges and
flood-control structures, water-supply development and management, flood-plain regulation and
insurance purposes, water-rights administration, as well as recreational activities. Because
of its importance, funding for gaging stations operated by the USGS in Kansas is provided by
the Kansas Water Office (using State Water Plan funds), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the
USGS, and to a limited extent by many other State and local agencies.
Starting address is http://ks.water.usgs.gov/
Choose from these options in INTERNET hoempage:
- Current Streamflow Conditions--
Then click on station name to get stage graph page,
Four options are:
a. Streamflow hydrograph (discharge Graph)
b. Complete station data (previous years daily discharge)
c. Historical and peakflow data (annual floods for periods of record)
d. Map of area surrounding the gaging station (can zoom in or out)
- Current Streamflow Conditions Map--
Then click on station location to get stage graph and get options a, b, c, and d
above.
- Lakes and Reservoirs--
Then click on lake or reservoir name for individual lakes (format varies) or Corps
of Engineers report for Missouri or Arkansas River Basin Reservoirs
The USGS is a member of the Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance and through this partnership responds
to the needs of water-resource interests in the Kansas River Valley. People with recreational
interests also can access this data from another Kaw Valley Alliance partner, the Kansas Canoe
Association's INTERNET address (http://www.kansas.net/~tjhittle) and then link to the USGS.
For more information please contact:
District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
4821 Quail Crest Place
Lawrence, Kansas 66049-3839
(785) 842-9909
fax: (785) 832-3500
email: [email protected]
