Status of USGS Surface-Water Programs and Networks: An OSW Prospective

Robert Mason

The Role of the GOES DCS in the USGS Streamgage Network

–a Users Prospective

Robert MasonU.S. Geological Survey

March 27, 2015

USGS Mission

Provide reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

135 years old8,500 Full-time employees$1.02 B budget

What do we do?Research Assessments Monitoring

What do we monitor?

Number of sites Name----------------------------- 10,841 Gage height

8,134 Discharge 3,339 Precipitation 2,048 Water temperature 1,832 Ground-water Level 1,087 Specific conductance 815 Lake/Res elevation 632 Dissolved oxygen 492 Stream velocity 466 Air temperature 523 pH 323 Turbidity 179 Wind speed 159 Salinity 144 Wind direction

Number of sites Name----------------------------- 119 Reservoir storage 60 Soil temperature 52 Air pressure 50 Relative humidity 39 Soil moisture 25 Chlorophyll 19 Pressure, diss gases 15 Barometric pressure 14 Solar radiation 10 Sodium adsorption ratio 13 Tide elevation 7 Redox potential 5 NO2+NO3 5 Cyanobacteria

(7/22/14)

4

Streamflow Information is Essential

Engineering Design –Corps, BOR, States, locals

Flood Reservoir Operations –Corps (2,478 sites),

BOR, TVA

Hydroelectric Power Ops –FERC, Utilities

Streamflow Forecasting –NWS (3,900 sites)

Water-Quality Regulation –EPA, States (TMDLs, etc.)

Water/Wastewater Treatment –Local and State

Irrigation –BOR, water purveyors

Floodplain Mapping –FEMA (NFIP)

Evacuation Planning –FEMA (Hazus)

Recreational boating –Outfitters, individuals

Research –NAWQA, NRP, CWP, EPA,

NOAA, universities

Network Costs$162M per year850+ Partners

Funding SourcesState / Local Agencies $82M 49%Other Federal Agencies (OFA) $27M 17%USGS Cooperative Program (CWP) $27M 17%USGS Nat Streamflow Info Program $26M 17%

Streamgages8,134 gagesAll real-timeMost via GOES13th top network

2-25-15

GOES and HRIT Data Transmission

GOES – Current Usage and Cost• USGS GOES sites >10,000 (USGS is by far the

largest user of the GOES DCS system.)

• 57 GOES Channels

• Total average cost is ~$129/year (actual cost per state)

• $200k for EDDN.

• Investment in GOES

• Millions invested so far in hardware and software (

• $32 million in deployed GOES dcps and antennas alone). (Basic dcp + antenna ≈ $2,500-$3,500/each).

• Support staff salaries

Strengths & Weaknesses - GOES

Weaknesses•Limited in size and frequency of data transmissions

•Unusable for media transmission

•1-way Limited upgradability

•Lack of alternate or supplemental telemetry.

Strengths•Reliable

•Low Operational Cost

•Established Infrastructure

•Adequate for most existing sites currently operating

•Government owned

•Geostationary Satellite

•Message traffic processing already in place

GOES and HRIT Data Transmission

NOP Series 1694.3-1694.7 MHz;

RSTU Series 1679.7-1680.1 MHz;

LRIT N 1691.0 MHzHRIT R 1694.1 MHz

Our Questions?

Questions??