The department's Missouri Water Resources Center is working to build a network of streamgages across the state to measure water levels in stream channels. This network will complement the USGS Streamgage Network and provide additional valuable information to emergency personnel and the public. The department currently provides funding for 45 of the 274 USGS streamgages located in Missouri.
The streamgages will be attached to bridges and monitor the stream without needing to be placed within the stream. Remote sensing radar sensors will be used to measure the height of the water, providing valuable stage data. Doppler radar sensors will also be installed at various sites to provide instantaneous discharge velocity. The streamgages will be able to alert when waters rise within the channel and approach flooding conditions. This information will be better equipped Missourians to make informed decisions about travel conditions and where emergency resources are most needed.
This data can also be used to improve flood modeling to understand how water level in the stream channels affect Missouri citizens. Recording the data over a long period of time provides insight into the water flow patterns throughout the state. These patterns help predict what conditions will be like when a storm rolls through causing levels to rise. This data can also inform recreators on the current conditions in these waterways. High water levels in the stream channels can produce hazardous situations so understanding the risk level will help reduce accidents.