Centennial Streamgages are USGS streamgages that have been in operation for more than 100 years.
USGS streamgaging began in 1889 with the establishment of the streamgage on the Rio Grande in Embudo, New Mexico, where the first team of hydrographers were trained in new techniques to measure water flow systematically.
Now, there are more than 11,000 USGS streamgages nationwide, 900 of which are Centennial Streamgages. In August 2025, we will celebrate the 1,000th Centennial Streamgage—more information about this grand celebration will be released as we get closer to the date.
A streamgage is like a bottle of wine—it gets better with age
Long-term streamgages provide valuable data for trend analysis, flood and drought prediction, and information for water supply, climate change, and land-use changes.
USGS streamgage data impacts the lives of everyone directly or indirectly—from the bridge you drive over, to the tap water that flows when you turn on your sink, to the production of food you eat each day.
Where is your closest USGS streamgage?
Find the closest USGS streamgage to you using the National Water Dashboard. Subscribe to WaterAlert and receive notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Happy birthday to these Centennial Streamgages
These USGS streamgages are celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow this month, August 2024:
The National Streamgage Network is funded by Congress and through partnerships with over 1,400 state and local agencies.
![Circular black and white logo reading "Monitoring Milestone Over 100 Years of Scientific Data U.S.G.S."](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/media/images/CentennialLogo.png?itok=o3qANwi-)
USGS Streamgages By the Numbers
USGS Streamgaging Network
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS)
Centennial Streamgages are USGS streamgages that have been in operation for more than 100 years.
USGS streamgaging began in 1889 with the establishment of the streamgage on the Rio Grande in Embudo, New Mexico, where the first team of hydrographers were trained in new techniques to measure water flow systematically.
Now, there are more than 11,000 USGS streamgages nationwide, 900 of which are Centennial Streamgages. In August 2025, we will celebrate the 1,000th Centennial Streamgage—more information about this grand celebration will be released as we get closer to the date.
A streamgage is like a bottle of wine—it gets better with age
Long-term streamgages provide valuable data for trend analysis, flood and drought prediction, and information for water supply, climate change, and land-use changes.
USGS streamgage data impacts the lives of everyone directly or indirectly—from the bridge you drive over, to the tap water that flows when you turn on your sink, to the production of food you eat each day.
Where is your closest USGS streamgage?
Find the closest USGS streamgage to you using the National Water Dashboard. Subscribe to WaterAlert and receive notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Happy birthday to these Centennial Streamgages
These USGS streamgages are celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow this month, August 2024:
The National Streamgage Network is funded by Congress and through partnerships with over 1,400 state and local agencies.
![Circular black and white logo reading "Monitoring Milestone Over 100 Years of Scientific Data U.S.G.S."](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/media/images/CentennialLogo.png?itok=o3qANwi-)