PUB2776

Water Resources Program

fact sheet

Missouri Geological Survey

Director: Carey Bridges, RG

The Jacks Fork streamgage near Mountain View, is owned by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and funded in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. 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 Jacks Fork is a stream in Missouri’s Ozark Highlands, beginning in Texas County and flowing into the Current River in central Shannon County, five miles northeast of Eminence. Like a portion of the Current River, it is protected by the Ozark National Scenic Riverways system. The Jacks Fork was named for a Native American, John Jacks, who lived near the river’s headwaters (O’Brien).

The streamgage is located at the State Route 17 bridge over Jacks Fork, two miles east of Mountain View in Texas County and consists of a shelter, data collection platform, a rain gage, an electronic pressure transducer used to measure stage, a crest stage gage to automatically record crest height during high water events, a wire weight gage used to manually verify electronic measurements and a staff gage chiseled into the side of the bridge pier used to manually verify stages. Learn how a USGS streamgage works.

Streamgage Information

•    Streamgage Drainage Area: 185 square miles
•    10-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code: 1101000802
•    Area of HUC10 Basin: 444 square miles
•    Gage Location: 37°03'22", -91°40'05" (NAD27) (Texas County)
•    Gage Datum: 846 feet above NAVD88

USGS Tools

  • Average Discharge (cubic feet per second): Oct. 1, 2001 to present
  • Observation Gage Height (feet): Sept. 30, 2001 to present
  • Peak: Gage Height, Discharge (feet, cubic feet per second) 27.68, 43,700 (May 8, 2002)

The Jacks Fork near Mountain View 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.

Why is the Jacks Fork Streamgage near Mountain View Important?

The streamgage provides recreational users in the area, surrounding landowners, and the public with accurate stream height data. The Water Resources Center uses discharge data from this streamgage for flood, drought and water supply studies. This is one of the most commonly floated streams in the state, and this streamgage is located just above a maintained river access.

In the area, people can enjoy:

•    Floating and Canoeing
•    Bird-watching 
•    Camping
•    Fishing
•    Horseback riding
•    Hiking

For more information about recreation activities located within the basin, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation.
 
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Figure 3. Stream overview.     
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Figure 4. Channel detail.
 
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Figure 5. Staff gage.     
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Figure 6. Bridge profile.

1    References Cited
O'Brien, Anna. "Place Names Of Five Central Southern Counties of Missouri." M.A. thesis., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1939.
 

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.

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