USGS Sends Crews in Maine to Measure Flooding

Thursday May 01st 2008
Filed Under USGS 



U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

News Release

Upon Receipt        Gregory Stewart        207-622-8201, ext. 118        gstewart@usgs.gov
May 1, 2008                                                
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USGS Sends Crews in Maine to Measure Flooding
High Flows Measured on Many of Maine’s Rivers

Record snowfall, a few warm days, plus several inches of rain have resulted in high river flows on most of Maine’s rivers, which are expected to crest today.  Five of the rivers monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey have exceeded the calculated 100-year peak flow.

Although roads are flooded, the USGS has dispatched three crews from its Maine Water Science Center in Augusta to northern Maine to check those gages that remain accessible.  USGS hydrographers will work to keep station instruments operating and to verify streamflow data needed for National Weather Service (NWS) flood forecasts.

USGS personnel are working with federal, state, and local agencies during the flood to provide flood information for emergency managers, the media, and the public. The USGS is maintaining a Web page that provides flood updates and includes a webcam of the Kennebec River at Augusta: http://me.water.usgs.gov/

The USGS operates a network of 70 stream gages throughout Maine and provides real-time information to the NWS where it is used for flood forecasting and to notify emergency managers. Field personnel collect data, or the gages relay it through telephones or satellites to offices where it is processed automatically in near real time. In many cases, the data are available online within minutes.

For more information on USGS flood-related activities, please see: http://water.usgs.gov/osw/

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state. They can provide more detailed information on stream conditions and on the USGS response to local events: http://water.usgs.gov/district_chief.html
USGS provides science for a changing world. For more information, visit www.usgs.gov.

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Diane Noserale
Media Relations, Eastern Region
U.S. Geological Survey
150 National Center
Reston, VA  20192
phone:  703-648-4333
fax: 703-648-4588