USGS Ohio Indiana Kentucky Water Science Center

Super Gage Network

"Super" gages provide real-time, continuous water-quality information for rivers and streams at selected Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages. By combining discrete and continuous data in statistical models, USGS scientists can continuously estimate constituents that are difficult to measure in real-time. For example, in-stream turbidity sensors are often used to continuously estimate suspended sediment concentrations. Continuously measured and estimated concentrations, as well as loads, are publicly accessible on USGS Web pages.

Super Gage Types

Specific water-quality parameters collected at each site are listed below. Additional data, such as precipitation, also may be collected. The site page for each gage lists all the data available.

  • Continuous (water-quality parameters: water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity)
  • Nitrate (water-quality parameters: water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate plus nitrate)
  • Nutrient (water-quality parameters: water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate plus nitrate, orthophosphate as phosphorus)
  • Nitrate and Modeled Constituent (water-quality parameters: water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate plus nitrate, modeled constituent)
  • Nutrient and Modeled Constituent (water-quality parameters: water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate plus nitrate, orthophosphate as phosphorus, modeled constituent)
  • Sediment and Modeled Constituent (water-quality parameters: water temperature, turbidity, suspended sediment, modeled constituent)

 

USGS Fact Sheet 2015-3041 provides more detailed information about super gages, how they operate, and the data they collect.

Contact Information

Indiana:
Tim Lathrop
(317) 600-2782
trlathro@usgs.gov

Kentucky:
Jeff Woods
(317) 600-2762
jwoods@usgs.gov