A stream gauge, streamgage or stream gauging station is a location used by hydrologists or environmental scientists to monitor and test terrestrial bodies of water. Hydrometric measurements of water level surface elevation ("stage") and/or volumetric discharge (flow) are generally taken and observations of biota and water quality may also be made. The locations of gauging stations are often found on topographical maps. Some gauging stations are highly automated and may include telemetry capability transmitted to a central data logging facility.
Brant Broughton Gauging Station on the River Brant in Lincolnshire, England.
Stream Gaging Station, Carnation, Washington
December 12, 2001 photo of the USGS streamflow-gaging station at Huey Creek, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.
Stream gauge B62, a combination weir at Doddieburn, on the Mzingwane River, Zimbabwe
Hydrology is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and drainage basin sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is called a hydrologist. Hydrologists are scientists studying earth or environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, and physical geography. Using various analytical methods and scientific techniques, they collect and analyze data to help solve water related problems such as environmental preservation, natural disasters, and water management.
Rain over a Scottish catchment. Understanding the cycling of water into, through, and out of catchments is a key element of hydrology.
The Roman aqueduct at Caesarea Maritima, bringing water from the wetter Carmel mountains to the settlement.
A standard NOAA rain gauge
Estimates of changes in water storage around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, measured by NASA's GRACE satellites. The satellites measure tiny changes in gravitational acceleration, which can then be processed to reveal movement of water due to changes in its total mass.
