The tables below give some examples of water-related data sources for Oregon. This page was last updated in October 2007.
Gaging station data can be viewed in different formats and through different Web interfaces. There are also several tools available that calculate streamflow statistics for ungaged sites. The table below describes some of the pros and cons of different data entry points and tools.
| Source and Description |
Advantages |
Limitations |
| Sources of Streamflow Gaging Station Data |
Oregon Water Resources Department Surface Water (http://www.wrd.state.or.us/OWRD/SW/index.shtml)
Links on this page go to realtime gage data and historic gage data accessible through tables, clickable maps and through a DOS based computer program.
This page also has links to databases with information about water availability, dams, and more. |
The Realtime Data link on this page provides tables with links to data for USGS streamflow gages as well as gages operated by OWRD, USACE and others. It is a great resource for learning about all of the gaging stations in a basin.
The Historic Data link provides data for active and discontinued USGS and OWRD gaging stations. OWRD took over operation of some USGS gages in the 1990's - these are listed as discontinued in the USGS NWIS system but additional records can be obtained here. |
Historic data does not provide all of the gage background information provided in the USGS NWIS system. |
National Water Information System: Web Interface (NWIS) - USGS Surface-Water Data for Oregon
(http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/sw/)
Realtime and historic streamflow data for all USGS gages in Oregon. |
Comprehensive data (both realtime and historic stations) that can be downloaded for import into a spreadsheet program. |
Does not include gage data for non-USGS stations.
The download process can be tricky to navigate.
Doesn't provide some of the summary statistics provided in the Annual Water Data Reports. |
USGS Annual Water Data Reports
(http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/)
PDF files of streamflow data for a particular water year.
Data from the 2006 and 2007 Water Year can be accessed through a clickable map. |
Formatting makes it easy to read.
Includes gage background information and summary statistics for the gage's period of record. |
Doesn't include daily and peakflow data for the period of record, only for the year of the report. |
National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
(http://www.weather.gov/ahps/)
Presents current streamflow conditions and forecasts for some USGS gaging stations. The NWS Web page for a particular gage is also linked from the USGS realtime data for that gage in the NWIS system. |
Nice graphical interface to view gage data.
Includes information specific to flood issues and links to weather information. |
Only presents realtime recent data.
|
USGS Gages for Coastal Oregon
Table of all USGS gages with links to data for coastal
basins of Oregon. This table was assembled for this tutorial. |
Includes summary information about gages for Oregon Coastal basins (e.g. period of record, basin size). |
Only presented here for the Oregon Coast.
Last updated in 2001. |
| Sources of Streamflow Statistics plus Tools to Estimate Peak Flows for Ungaged Sites |
Oregon Water Resources Department Estimation of Peak Discharges (http://www.wrd.state.or.us/OWRD/SW/peak_flow.shtml)
An online tool for estimating peak streamflow at ungaged sites using the regression equations developed by Cooper (2005) for Western Oregon and Cooper (2006) for Eastern Oregon. The site provides peak flow estimates for gaging stations and for 3000 already defined watersheds. It also has a GIS tool similar to USGS StreamStats (see below) that allows you to calculate statistics for a point you choose on a map. |
It includes regression equations specific for Eastern Oregon. StreamStats (see below) cannot make estimates for this part of the state.
Peak flow estimates are already calculated for gaging stations and for many small watersheds around the state. Estimates for gaging stations are based both on streamflow records and regression equations developed by Cooper (2005) and Cooper (2006). |
It allows you to calculate peak flow estimates without fully understanding the data and the analysis limitations that went into them – be careful!
At present (October 2007), the mapping software doesn't work consistently. The functions of the GIS tool can be hard to figure out. |
USGS StreamStats for Oregon
(http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/oregon.html)
An online tool that integrates gage data, a GIS and regression equations for estimating streamflow. For ungaged stations, it allows you to click on a point on a shaded relief map and determine the upstream drainage basin area. It calculates some physical characteristics for that basin and uses the regression equations of Cooper (2005) to estimate peak flow statistics for that site. |
For gaging stations, it includes some basin physical characteristic information (e.g. % forested, relief) and provides peak flow estimates plus other streamflow statistics (e.g. mean annual flow, flow duration statistics, monthly flow statistics) for the period of record.
The map tool depicts the basin boundaries clearly so that they are easy to review for accuracy.
Available or planned for many states around the country.
|
It allows you to calculate peak flow estimates without fully understanding the data and the analysis limitations that went into them – be careful!
At present (October 2007), estimates cannot be made for Eastern Oregon since the tool does not yet incorporate equations from Cooper (2006).
The mapping software to choose a station can be hard to manipulate. |
