Online Gaging
Public Gage Map
Balance Hydrologics has installed and manages a number of web-accessible real-time stream and rain gages throughout California and Nevada, both for public and private interests. Rainfall totals, flow, and water quality data from these automated stations are downloaded and posted hourly to our web site. Clients use real-time data for compliance with various agency diversion protocols, water rights, management of reservoir operations, and enhancing knowledge about in-stream conditions during storm events. While the data are considered preliminary until formally reviewed, Balance does provide periodic site visits and calibration to keep the gages up-to-date.
Storm Links
When planning stream gaging and sampling runs, we find the following links useful for tracking winter storms. We draw as well on other websites specific to individual counties or regions.
We find the National Weather Service forecast discussions to be especially useful and are the first sites we check when tracking approaching storms, or simply for a daily synopsis of weather conditions.
In addition to the forecast discussion, this National Weather Service page is the other forecast site most commonly used by Balance staff when monitoring approaching storms. We especially like the 1 to 3 day, 6-hour grids, with localized forecast while hovering the cursor over the area of interest.
This site graphically shows current precipitation across northern and central California, and most of Nevada. Other regions can also be selected. We use satellite imagery to view approaching storms still over the ocean. There are many websites that post satellite images and loop. These are some of our favorites. We find the infrared red and water vapor image loops most useful.
NOAA Satellite and Information Services
Naval Research Laboratory
National Weather Service
Unisys Satellite
Streamflow Forecasts
Snowpack, precipitation, and reservoir storage conditions for Western US, and runoff and water supply outlook reports
NRCS National Water and Climate Center
NWS California Nevada River Forecast Center
The Department of Water Resources posts rainfall totals for the past 24 hours at mapped stations across California. Prior data can be acquired at the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) Bulk Data Selector.
US Geological Survey gaging data for the past 60 days at stations across California are found at this website. If you hover over a mapped station symbol, the station name will appear. To view data, tap on the station symbol.
The National Weather Service also offers forecasts by city or zip code.
US Geological Survey, California Nevada Region