The Vigil Network

Those of us who seek to explain the variations in hydrologic phenomena such as may be observed in the occurrence of floods or in changes in the shape of river channels are painfully aware of the lack of adequate data. Our existing data, collected mainly to serve immediate practical needs for water-resources development, usually are deficient in providing information useful for many kinds of scientific inquiry. Hydrologic records are usually obtained on streams that are highly regulated or otherwise put to use, to the neglect of headwater streams better suited to studies of the details of hydrologic processes.