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WaterWatch—Maps, Graphs, and Tables of 

Current, Recent, and Past Streamflow Conditions 

WaterWatch (http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/) is a 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) World Wide Web site that displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and 

past streamflow conditions for the United States. The real-time 

information generally is updated on an hourly basis. WaterWatch 

provides streamgage-based maps that 

•	 Show the location of more than 3,000 long-term (30 years 

or more) USGS streamgages; 

•	 Use colors to represent streamflow conditions compared to 

historical streamflow; 

•	 Feature a point-and-click interface allowing users to 

retrieve graphs of stream stage (water elevation) and 

flow; and 

•	 Highlight locations where extreme hydrologic events, such 

as floods and droughts, are occurring. 

The streamgage-based maps show streamflow conditions 

for real-time, average daily, and 7-day average streamflow. The 

real-time streamflow maps highlight flood and high flow 

conditions. The 7-day average streamflow maps highlight belownormal and drought conditions. 

WaterWatch also provides hydrologic unit code (HUC) 

maps. HUC-based maps are derived from the streamgage-based 

maps and illustrate streamflow conditions in hydrologic regions. 

These maps 

• Show average streamflow conditions for 1-, 7-, 14-, and 

28-day periods, and for monthly average streamflow; 

•	 Highlight regions of low flow or hydrologic drought; and 

•	 Provide historical runoff and streamflow conditions 

beginning in 1901.
 

WaterWatch summarizes streamflow conditions in a region 

(state or hydrologic unit) in terms of the long-term typical condition at streamgages in the region. Summary tables are provided 

along with time-series plots that depict variations through time. 

WaterWatch also includes tables of current streamflow information and locations of flooding. 

U.S. Department of the Interior	 

U.S. Geological Survey	 

Fact Sheet 2008–3031 

April 2008 
How to access WaterWatch products: 

1.	 Menu Bar 

 One way to access WaterWatch products is through a bar containing multiple pull-down menus, as well as Special Features 

and Contents links. The pull-down menu items are organized into Current Maps/Graphs, Flood Watch, Drought Watch, 

Recent/Historical Maps/Graphs, Geographic Area, and Additional Information. 

Current Maps/Graphs: Flood Watch: Drought Watch: Recent/Historical Maps/Graphs: Search WaterWatch: ›

Current Streamflow ›

›

›

Map 

Map 

›

›

United States Special Features Contents 

Map 

Summary Plot 

Percent Summary Plot 

Summary Table 

Map Animation -- Day of Year 

Locations above Flood Stage 

Summarize Recent Conditions 

Google Earth KML 

Google Map 

WaterWatch Hazards Map 

Go 

Additional Information ›

2.	 Contents 

A second approach to accessing WaterWatch products 

is to use the Contents listing at http://water.usgs.gov/ 

waterwatch/?m=sitemap, where the current suite of products 

are listed by type: maps, graphs (plots), or tables. Additional 

links are available. 

Maps 

•	 Current Streamflow (National and State) 

•	 Current Flood and High Flow (National and State) 

•	 Current Hydrologic Drought (National and State) 

•	 Current Hydrologic Hazards (User Selected Area) 

•	 Daily Streamflow (National and State) 

•	 Animation of Daily Streamflow (National, October 

1999 to Present) 

•	 7-, 14-, and 28-Day Average Streamflow (National 

and State) 

•	 7-, 14-, and 28-Day Average Below Normal Streamflow 

(National and State) 

•	 Monthly Average Streamflow (October 2002 to Present) 

•	 Interactive Viewer of Recent Streamflow 


(2003 to Present)
 

•	 Interactive Viewer of Monthly and Annual Runoff 

(1901-2002) 

•	 Google Earth Current Streamflow (National, Regional, 

and State) 

•	 Google Maps Current Streamflow (National, Regional, 

and State) 

Graphs (Plots) 

•	 Current, Daily, and 7-Day Average Streamflow 

(National, Regional, and State) 

•	 7-Day Average Below Normal Streamflow (National, 

Regional, and State) 

•	 Interactive Viewer of Computed Annual Runoff 

(1901-2002; Regional) 

Tables 

•	 Current, Daily, and 7-Day Average Streamflow 

(National, Regional, and State) 

•	 Current Locations Above Flood Stage 

•	 Interactive Retrieval of Flood and High Flow 

Information (May 2005 to Present) 

•	 Monthly Flood Report (January 2008 to Present) 

•	 Computed Median Runoff (National and State, 

1900 to Present) 

•	 Streamgage Statistics Retrieval Tool (For all USGS 

Streamgages for the Period of Record) 

Miscellaneous 

•	 Recent Streamflow Map Archive 

•	 Annual Streamflow Summaries (Water Year 

2006 to Present) 

By Xiaodong Jian, David Wolock, and Harry Lins 

For additional information, please contact: 

Harry F. Lins 

U.S. Geological Survey 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS-415 

Reston, VA 20192 

(703) 648-5712 or hlins@usgs.gov