River Gage Information

Most automated river gages in Idaho are maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation. These gages record the river stage every 15 minutes. Many of the gages are equipped with communication devices that allow the NWS (and other State and Federal agencies) to access "real-time" river data as needed.

Communication with these automated gages is done in one of two ways. Many gages have a Data Collection Platform (DCP) that is connected to the stream-gaging equipment. The DCP stores the data from the gage and then transmits the data through a geostationary satellite (GOES). A few DCP platforms also have automated rain gages; Precipitation data is relayed along with the river stage.

Other gages have a Limited Automatic Remote Collector (LARC) installed that connects the river gage to a telephone. Data from these sites is downloaded via a modem, generally about once an hour.

Some river gaging sites depend entirely on humans to visually inspect the data. One way is through the use of wire weight gages which are generally installed on bridges. These gages have a weight which can be lowered from a measured height down to the surface of the water. The distance from the gage to the top of the river determines the stage.

The simplest way to gage a river is by using a staff gage. This is essentially a board with increments of feet inscribed on it. Most staff gages are attached upright to bridges, but some are laid horizontally on river banks, perpendicular to the river. Either way, these gages require manual inspection in order to access the data.