by Kernell Ries

1
Use of the USGS StreamStats Web Application for
Stream Analysis
Presented at the Association of State Floodplain
Mangers ConferenceReno, NVMay 18, 2008

• by Kernell Ries

2
Objectives of Workshop

• Explain what is StreamStats
• Describe current status and implementation
  process
• Explain functionality of current version
• Explain functionality of new version

3
What is StreamStats?

• A map-based Web application that provides
  information that can be used by engineers,
  managers, planners, and others to make informed
  decisions on water-related activities
• Primary product is streamflow statistics

4
How is StreamStats Information Used?

• Engineering DesignBridges, culverts, flood-plain
  management
• Water and Land ManagementWater rights
  adjudication, in-stream flows, fish
  passage/habitat studies
• Water Quality RegulationLow flows, perennial vs.
  intermittent streams (TMDLs, NPDES Permits)
• Sampling Network DesignCover a range of desired
  flows

5
Development Team

• USGS
• John Guthrie, programmer
• Dave Litke, GIS specialist
• Al Rea, GIS specialist
• Kernell Ries, hydrologist, coordinator
• Pete Steeves, GIS specialist
• Dave Stewart, GIS specialist
• ESRI
• Christine Dartiguenave
• Dean Djokic
• Zichuen Ye

6
Implementation Status
7
State Implementation Process

• Usually done through cooperative agreements
  between the USGS and local agencies
• Local Water Science Centers
• Generate and format GIS datasets
• Test and report on accuracy of basin and climatic
  characteristics and equation results
• Potentially develop new equations, using GIS data
  to measure basin characteristics
• Populate and quality assure data-collection
  station data
• Cooperatively fund any required customization
• National development team sets up State site
• USGS HQ and local office concurrence to put on Web

8
StreamStats Versions

• National site for data-collection stations only
• Classic version built using ESRIs ArcMap and
  ArcIMS software, with custom connectors
• Initial state (Idaho) implemented in 2002
• Currently implemented in 14 states
• New ArcGIS Server 9.2 version in final testing
• Plan to convert all states to new version by
  Sept. 08

Use of trade, product, or firm names is for
descriptive purposes only and does not imply
endorsement by the U.S. Government.
9
Classic Site Capabilities

• Provides published streamflow statistics and
  basin characteristics for USGS data-collection
  stations
• For user-selected ungaged sites
• Delineates drainage basin boundaries
• Editing of basin boundaries, if necessary
• Computes basin characteristics
• Provides estimates of streamflow statistics based
  on regression equations
• Download of basin boundary shapefiles
• Printing of maps shown in user interface

10
Added ArcGIS Server Capabilities

• Estimates streamflow statistics for ungaged sites
  based on flow at nearby gages (drainage-area
  ratio method)
• Navigates upstream and/or downstream from
  selected sites to identify locations of
  water-related activities and provides information
  on those activities
• Computes NHD reach addresses for selected sites
• Primary capabilities available as map services

11
Additional ArcGIS Server Benefits

• Replaces one-at-a-time environment with
  multi-user environment for faster service
• Improved scalability
• Easier maintenance
• Better development environment for advanced
  functionality

12
StreamStats Home Page http//streamstats.usgs.gov
13
News Page
14
StreamStats Description
15
Ungaged Sites Reports
16
Data-Collection Station Reports
17
StreamStats Limitations

• Main Points
• Errors in base GIS data may occur
• Estimates for ungaged sites assume natural flow
  conditions
• Differences in regression estimates for a gaging
  station and estimates based on the historical
  record at the station are not equal to the extent
  of regulation
• Errors in estimates are unknown when basin
  characteristics are outside indicated ranges
• Basin attributes that are not used in the
  regression equations but are unusual may cause
  inaccurate estimates
• USGS disclaims responsibility for use of
  information provided by StreamStats

18
User Instructions
19
Basin Characteristics Definitions
20
Streamflow Statistics Definitions
21
Frequently Asked Questions
22
Current Streamflow Conditions
23
National Station Statistics Site
24
National Application Toolbar
Turns on/off world map insert in top left corner
Decreases map extent to cover selected area
Increases map extent larger area
Reverts to previous map extent
Reverts to initial map extent
Moves the center of the mapped area to chosen
location
Displays information for selected map features
Displays information for USGS data-collection
stations
Measures distances between user-selected points
Clears the measurement line or identified
information
Prints the map
Provides brief user instructions
25
Layers/Legend Frame
26
Zoom Into State
27
Display Stations
28
Select Stations
29
Station Output
30
State Applications
31
Massachusetts Introductory Page
Lists statistics estimated
Gives report references
Describes limits of applicability
Link to application
Other issues, cooperative statement
32
Classic Site for Massachusetts
Toolbar
Zoom Tools
Map
Layers/Locator Frame
33
Classic Toolbar
34
Zoom-To Tools
Town
Water Feature
Latitude/Longitude
Named Place
35
Layers/Locator Frame
Map Layers frame shows layers that can be shown
on the map, associated symbols, and enables
turning on/off layers (refresh is needed)
Locator map frame shows extent of current map in
relation to larger area
36
Zoom In
37
Zoom in Again
38
Select Ungaged Site
39
Delineated Basin
40
Generate Flow Statistics
41
Get Basin Characteristics
42
Editing a Basin Boundary
Single click on each corner of polygon Double
click on final corner to end
43
Edited Basin
Added area
44
Download Shapefile
45
Printing the Map
46
Help Page
47
ArcGIS Server 9.2 Interface
48
Working With Panels
49
Displaying Layers
Map automatically refreshes upon checking boxes
50
Toolbar
51
Help
Help is not specific to StreamStats yet
52
Zoom In, Display Dams/Gages
Scale bar must indicate distance of 0.4 miles or
less for delineation
53
Select Ungaged Site
54
Delineated Basin
55
Generate Flow Statistics
56
Get Basin Characteristics
57
Compute Flows Based on Similar Gages
58
Editing a Basin Boundary
Single click on each corner of polygon Double
click on final corner to end
59
Network Trace Configuration
60
Upstream Network Trace
61
Adhoc Upstream Trace