PUB2766

Water Resources Program

fact sheet

Missouri Geological Survey

Director: Carey Bridges, RG

The Roaring River streamgage at Roaring River State Park is owned by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and funded in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Stage (water-surface elevation) measurements are made and recorded at 15-minute intervals and transmitted to the USGS office every hour. Stage and streamflow values are displayed in near real-time.

The Roaring River in Barry County rises in the Ozark Highlands near Cassville and flows into Table Rock Lake near Eagle Rock. The stream was named for the roaring water as it springs out of a cave at its source (Bell). The area surrounding the spring was purchased by Dr. Thomas Sayman during the early 1900s, who donated the 2,400 acres to the state of Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation operates a trout hatchery at the park.

The streamgage is located downstream of the State Highway F bridge at Roaring River State Park in Barry County and consists of a shelter, a data collection platform, an electronic pressure transducer to measure stage, a crest stage gage to automatically capture crest height during high water events and a wire weight gage used to manually verify electronic measurements. Learn how a USGS streamgage works.

Streamgage Information

  • Streamgage Drainage Area: 35.7 square miles
  • 10-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code: 101000108
  • Area of HUC10 Basin: 247 square miles
  • Gage Location: 36°34'51", -93°50'01" (NAD27) (Barry County)
  • Gage Datum: 1017 feet above NAVD88

USGS Tools

  • Average Discharge (cubic feet per second): March 12, 2008 to present
  • Observation Gage Height (feet): Oct. 1, 2010 to present
  • Peak: Gage Height, Discharge (feet, cubic feet per second) 10.04, 10,600 (April 25, 2011)

The Roaring River at Roaring River State Park streamgage webpage is maintained by USGS. Users are able to create graphs and tables utilizing the recorded parameters, which can be customized to show current and historical observations, daily data, daily statistics, monthly statistics, annual statistics, peak streamflow and field measurements for any time frame within the period of record. A location map and Water-Year Summary also are available. Customize your own data output online. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/07050152

Why is the Roaring River Streamgage at Roaring River State Park Important?

The streamgage provides recreational users in the area, surrounding landowners and the public with accurate stream height data.  The stream is stocked with rainbow trout by the MDC and is a popular fishing destination. The Water Resources Center uses discharge data from this streamgage for flood, drought and water supply studies.

In the area, people can enjoy:

  • Fishing and Trout fishing
  • Bird-watching 
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Hunting
  • Boating and Floating

For more information about recreation activities located within the basin, contact Missouri State Parks or the Missouri Department of Conservation.
 
P1010578.jpg
Figure 3. Site profile.     
P1010577.jpg
Figure 4. Streamgage instrumentation.

1    References Cited
Bell, Margaret E. "Place Names In The Southwest Border Counties Of Missouri." M.A. thesis., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1933.

Nothing in this document may be used to implement any enforcement action or levy any penalty unless promulgated by rule under chapter 536 or authorized by statute.

For more information