What happens when flooding monitors shut down?
Stephanie Orellana / Illinois Public Media
Stream gages have been monitoring rivers for decades. Scientists use gages to collect water data, nutrient levels and map floodplains.
It also helps local authorities to warn communities about flood risks. Two U.S Geological Survey stream gages in St. Joseph have shut down in the beginning of October.
Many stream gages are being discontinued across the U.S due to funding shortages. So, why is this happening and how will shutting down these gages affect how scientists collect water data?
Illinois State Climatologist at the Prairie Research Institute, Trent Ford and Senior Hydraulic Engineer with the Illinois State Water Survey, Christopher Hanstad discuss the significance of stream gages and what happens when they’re discontinued.
Funding for Weather Realness is partially provided by the Backlund Charitable Trust. If you have a question for a local scientist on this program, please leave a voicemail at 217.333.2141 or email weatherrealness@illinois.edu.
