The Marmaton River streamgage near Richards 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 Marmaton River is a stream in Missouri’s Cherokee Plains Subsection of the Osage Plains, flowing into the Little Osage River. The river was originally named Marmiton by the French, meaning scullion, but the local town of Marmaton petitioned to change the name to Marmaton.
The streamgage is located on the S. 300 Road bridge over the Marmaton River south of Richards in Vernon County and consists of a shelter, a data collection platform, a rain gage, an electronic pressure transducer to measure stage, a crest stage gage (Figure 3) to automatically record crest height during high water events and a wire weight gage to manually verify electronic measurements. Learn how a USGS streamgage works.
Streamgage Information
- Streamgage Drainage Area: 455 square miles
- 10-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code: 1029010403
- Area of HUC10 Basin: 153 square miles
- Gage Location: 37°51’53”, -94°34’56” (Vernon County)
- Gage Datum: 745 feet above NAVD88
USGS Tools
- Average Discharge (cubic feet per second): Oct. 1, 2005 to present
- Observation Gage Height (feet): Oct. 5, 2005 to present
- Peak: Gage Height, Discharge (feet, cubic feet per second) 34.7, 38,700 (June 10, 2008)
The Marmaton River near Richards 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 Marmaton River Streamgage near Richards 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. The streamgage helps track water coming in from out of state.
In the area, people can enjoy:
- Bird-watching
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Floating
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
For more information about recreation activities located within the basin, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation.
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Figure 3. Crest Stage Gage.
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Figure 4. Stream Cross-section profile.