Low Flow Data and Model Discovery Table
Do you need to know when streamflows are low or if streams go dry?
The USGS has developed a table that provides an overview of available data and models with information on streamflow, including low-flow and no-flow conditions in Montana.
Resource managers often need to understand where streams flow year-round, or where low-flow conditions exist. There are a variety of observed and modeled data products available for this purpose. However, it can be challenging to navigate between all these products. The Low Flow Data and Model Discovery Table consolidates resources on streamflow, including low-flow and no flow conditions in Montana. The table provides product summaries, required level of expertise for use, practical examples of use, and uncertainties and limitations associated with each product. Though the table is focused on Montana, many of the products are regionally or nationally available.
How can the table be used?
Managers that need to identify or adjudicate water rights, declare drought, or permit uses can turn to the table as a starting point.
Key tool functions:
Links to data and model products, as well as support documentation
- Ability to filter the table using criteria including product; measured or modeled; spatial extent; description of assumptions, limitations, and uncertainty; and ease of use
- Search tool to find specific topics
- Ability to generate reports that can be downloaded as PDFs or exported as a CSV
The table is the result of a collaborative effort with an expert group of land and water resource managers in Montana. This group engaged in interviews and workshops that allowed the capture of a broad spectrum of viewpoints from Federal, State, non-governmental, and Tribal land and water resource decision-makers. Thank you to the partners who shared their time and knowledge to make this portal possible.
The project was funded by the USGS North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. The Montana table was inspired by a product created by the Texas-Oklahoma Water Science Center.
