Figure 1. Location of U.S. Geological Survey continuous near real-time water-monitoring stations in Kansas as of 2003

Fishing on the Kansas River below Bo

Lawrence, Kansas

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customers. 

The most profound c

USGS water-monitoring 

Kansas has been the deve

widespread use of continu

time data. All continuous 

stations in Kansas are equ

automated data-collection 

(DCPs) that use satellite t

transmit data 24 hours a d

to the USGS office in La

then onto the World Wide 

stations, equipped with re

Continuous real-time information 

on streams, lakes, and ground water is 

a vital Kansas asset that can safeguard 

lives and property and ensures adequate 

water resources for a healthy State 

economy. The U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) operates more than 190 watermonitoring stations that keep watch 

on Kansas streams, lakes, and ground 

water. The majority of these stations are 

jointly funded in partnerships with local, 

tribal, State, or other Federal agencies. 

The USGS real-time water-monitoring 

network provides long-term, accurate, 

and unbiased information that meets 

the needs of many customers. Whether 

the customer is a water-management 

or water-quality agency, an emergency 

planner, a power or navigational official, 

a farmer, a canoeist, or a fisherman, all 

can benefit from the continuous real-time 

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

USGS 

water information gathered by the 

USGS and made available on the 

World Wide Web at URL:

http://ks.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis

CONTINUOUS REAL-TIME DATA

The USGS has collected hydrologic data in Kansas since 1886. 

The first USGS streamflow-monitoring 

station in Kansas, Cimarron River near 

Liberal, began recording data on October 1, 1895. Over time, the USGS monitoring network (fig. 1) has changed as 

new needs for water information have 

emerged and new technologies for data 

collection, analysis, and dissemination 

have evolved. In recent years, the USGS 

has focused on adapting new communication technologies to better serve its 
WATER INFORMATION

Continuous real-time water information 

from the USGS is used by:

State and local water-management 

and supply agencies—to plan, monitor, and adjust water-withdrawal and 

treatment strategies in protecting 

public health.

National Weather Service River 

Forecast Centers— to determine 

flood stages for various streams and 

to help forecast when and where 

streams will crest during floods.

y

and bridges remain above water 

during flooding and escape structural 

damage.

Federal Emergency Management 

Agency—to delineate flood-prone 

areas, develop flood-insurance rates, 

and address emergency-response 

needs before, during, and after flooding.

Fishermen, swimmers, and 

boaters—to monitor water conditions for safe, optimum recreational 

use.

map. 

Real-Time Streamflow and Lake-Level 

Information

Continuous, near real-time stream 

discharge and water-level information is currently available on the World 

Wide Web for 171 monitoring stations 

on streams and 14 locations on lakes in 

Kansas (fig. 1). This real-time information can help Web viewers decide when 

water levels are too low for specific 

activities such as boating or fishing, 

when conditions are unsafe such as dur

4 hours or more frequently during floods 

for distribution on the World Wide Web. 

Access real-time streamflow and lakelevel information at URL:

http://ks.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/sw

Real-Time Ground-Water Information

Currently, continuous real-time 

ground-water information from eight 

monitoring wells in Kansas (fig. 1) are 

available on the World Wide Web at 

URL:

http://ks.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/gw 

Available information on ground water 

characteristics of the water, including 

specific conductance, pH, temperature

turbidity, fluorescence (chlorophyll co

centration), and dissolved oxygen con

centration. Supporting data such as air 

temperature and barometric pressure a

also monitored at some stations. This 

water-quality information is recorded 

at 5-minute to 1-hour intervals using 

the DCPs and uploaded to the USGS 

computer database every 4 hours via 

satellite.

For some monitoring stations (cur

rently 13, see fig. 1), the continuously 

Schematic diagram showing flow of continuous near real-time streamflow and lake-level information.
adjust management strategies rapid

concentrations of water-quality c

affect the quality of a water supp

A TMDL is an estimate of the max

load (material transported during a 

period) from point and nonpoint so

ceiving water can accept without e

quality standards.

For more information on real-t

ity information available for Kansa

Web sites at URL:

http://ks.waterdata.usgs.gov

or 

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/

KANSAS AND THE PEOPLE BENE

The water resources of Kansas 

the lifeblood of our State and repre

that meets countless needs of many 

Accurate, timely scientific informa

assess, manage, and use the State’s 

greatest benefit.

For more information, visit the U

URL:

http://ks.water.usg

or contact:

District Chie

U.S. Geological S

4821 Quail Crest 

Lawrence, Kansas 66

(785) 842-990

Schematic diagram showing flow of continuous near real-time water-quality E-mail: dc_ks@us

information from monitoring stations to the World Wide Web.