NWS River Gauges threatened by lack of funding

[Fish]

Just wanted to point this out:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/news/display_cm ... 1&source=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not sure ACC wants to help out, but should be aware that this if happening and could eventually affect more gauges in AR, etc.

- Fish

[SteveGabbard]

Are the gauges NWS or USGS? I'm confused on that point.

[FarPastGone]

They are all USGS stream gauges, and some are USGS gauges that the NWS uses in forecasting flooding (the ones that say NWS Forecast Point).

A couple gauges were discontinued in Arkansas last year, and currently the gauging station on North Syllamore Creek near Fifty Six is on the cutting block.

http://ar.water.usgs.gov/endangered.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Matt

[Fish]

We should still have a conduit to the USGS where ACC can have some input into which gauges get funded vs. get the axe. We have used this effectively in the past to influence the "upgrades" of Richland and Hailstone gauges to 1 hr updates. We probably need to ping our contacts with USGS to let them know we'd like to stay informed and involved in these decisions. Is anyone responsible for this stuff now? Would that person like some contact info for USGS?

- Fish, Former ACC Grand-Poohbah of Gauges

[fryingsquirrel]

You'd think the scientific and meteorological data provided by these gauges would be valuable enough in its own right, never mind the warnings these can provide for flooding (Little Missouri, anyone?)
Oh well, I don't understand politics or bureaucracy, and don't expect I will anytime soon.

[rickyrod]

One of my gauges on Big Creek is under consideration to be cut.
Just talked to the dude takeing requests to keep them alive. he said he was noting interest in the ones being cut to hopefully safing them. so call and find out if your fav. gauge is threatend. the number in OK. is 405-530-8934. Help please, we have till 9-30-10. Thank you

[Bozman]

Ricky is right. I'm not sure about the other gauges, but the one on "Black Fork below BIG CREEK near Page OK" is very important, especially to us paddlers in western AR/east OK. If you have never floated Big Creek.....well I guess you've missed something (Big Creek = class 3+) or maybe more. Unfortunately it goes up and down quickly, and is easy to miss without the gauge. All the gauges in danger are important, and your calls may help to save at least some. As Rickyrod said, you can call the OK Water Resources Board @ 405-530-8934, or the US Geological survey @ 405-810-4404 to voice your concerns. The gauge # is 07247250, for Big Creek. Sept. 30th is the termination date. Thanks. Boz

[rickyrod]

Even if you have'nt or plan on floating the big creek section of Blackfork, or surf the wave/hole at freeman hole(blackhole) that is a super SWEET playhole for us close by and a great place to hang out.
My good freind Glen has a cabin on the Blackfork that has a view of two of the main rapids there. One is the blackhole some of you have surfed and stayed at the cabin with me.
But to keep this a great place to KAYAK we need to keep this graph for the guage alive. cus unlike me, you may live to far to get a vis. and for those who live close to the river and use it as a means to look if the river has gone down enuf to know if they can come home or cross the bridge.
Glen has a VERY nice house and guesthouse and stage/pavilion on stilts on the river the house is a easaly over $500,000 and a qtr mile deck also on stilts.
In the past five years his house has been flooded three times.
And its 20 ft. above the water level.
Like Boz said theres some nice runs in there. and the guage helps, so if you can call the USGS and let them know that mabee they should'nt take it down cus theres more important things out there than saving money.
the other guages threatened are on lage body's of water that may or may not be needed, but this one is being used and helps at least acouple yakers stay local.

Thanks Boz. and thank you all in advance.

[rickyrod]

Oh and it takes about $6000 a year to fund a site for this guage. ruffly>FYI