StreamStats in Montana and Wyoming

What can StreamStats do?

StreamStats allows users to select any point along a stream in Montana or Wyoming. The application then identifies the contributing drainage area upstream of that point, provides relevant watershed characteristics, and calculates flow statistics where data are available. In more detail, StreamStats can:

• Delineate drainage areas: StreamStats allows users to delineate drainage areas for any user-selected point on a stream. After a point is selected, the application automatically maps out the watershed boundary that contributes to that point.
• Obtain basin characteristics: Once a drainage area is delineated, StreamStats can generate a set of basin characteristics, including drainage area size, channel width, basin mean slope, elevation data, soil types, and more.
• Estimate flow statistics: StreamStats provides estimates of streamflow statistics for locations with and without streamgages. These statistics can include peak flow, low-flow, bankfull, flow-duration, and more. The types of flow statistics that are available vary from state to state. Currently, more statistics are available for Montana than Wyoming. However, a full suite of statistics is expected to be available for both states by 2027. 

StreamStats provides access to a range of USGS applications and data, including PROSPER, streamflow data from gaging stations, historical flood information, and water-quality data. To access this information, users can select the locations of U.S. Geological Survey data-collection stations (shown as triangles on the StreamStats map). 

The application also offers a Batch Processing Tool that allows users to analyze multiple points of interest simultaneously. After users submit a list of points, the application will automatically delineate the watershed, calculate basin characteristics, and solve regression equations for each point.

Each state has different StreamStats capabilities depending on the availability of water data. More information about StreamStats in Montana, Wyoming, and across the nation is available online.

Supporting water resource planning, research, and management in Montana and Wyoming

StreamStats is a national application that is customized to meet the needs of state agencies, engineers, water users, recreationists, and others. The application can be helpful for water resource and land management, planning, engineering, and scientific research. StreamStats data can inform understanding of and decisions related to: 

• River-basin management plans
• Siting and permitting of new water withdrawals and effluent discharges
• Minimum streamflow thresholds
• Land-use planning and regulation
• Water availability for water supply
• Design of bridges, culverts, spillways
• Appropriate sizing of impoundments
• Land-use zoning and emergency preparedness
• Consistent data and methods

The National StreamStats webpage includes detailed information on StreamStats fundamentals, related applications, how-to guides, common user questions, and more. 

• Visit the News webpage to learn about the latest news related to StreamStats.
• Check out the StreamStats Status Map to view the status and availability of the application in each state.