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The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water Information System (NWIS) provides access to water-resources data collected at approximately 1.5 million sites in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Water information is available for the following topics. These explanations will help you understand the water data available from USGS. Be aware that some counties will not have data available for some or all of the topics.

Real-time water information

Real-time data typically are recorded at 15-60 minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events. Data from real-time sites are relayed to USGS offices via satellite, telephone, and/or radio and are available for viewing within minutes of arrival.
♦Stage and streamflow
 USGS monitors stream stage (gage height) and streamflow for over 180 streams in Georgia. Current and historical data, charts, statistics, and site descriptions are available.
♦Water quality
 A few surface- and ground-water sites in Georgia monitor water-quality parameters, such as temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH in real time.
♦Ground water
 Currently, there are 18 wells in Georgia that have real-time monitoring of the depth to water level.

Other streamflow information

♦Recent daily streamflow
 Tables and charts showing provisional daily data for the previous 18 months. Values shown are the mean for the day, with one value appearing per day.
♦Historical daily streamflow
 User-selectable table showing, for each day of the period of record for the stream, the mean of the daily mean streamflows. For example, a value of 200 ft3/s means that the mean streamflow of all measured streamflows for that day was 200 ft3/s. For stations with many years of record, the retrieval can be thousands of lines long.
♦Daily streamflow statistics
 Table showing, for each day of the year, the mean of the daily mean streamflows for the period of record for the stream. If, for example, Jan. 1 showed a daily mean of 200 ft3/s, that means that the mean of all mean Jan. 1st streamflows was 200 ft3/s.
♦Monthly streamflow statistics
 Table showing the monthly mean streamflow for each month and year for the period of record for the stream. If, for example, Jan. 1973 showed a monthly mean streamflow of 200 ft3/s, that means that the mean of all measured streamflows during Jan. 1973 was 200 ft3/s.
♦Annual streamflow statistics
 Table showing the annual mean streamflow for each year for the period of record for the stream. If, for example, 1996 showed an annual mean streamflow of 200 ft3/s, that means that the mean of all measured streamflows during 1996 was 200 ft3/s.
♦Peak streamflow
 Annual maximum instantaneous peak stages and streamflows. Useful for investigating when and the extent of the highest flows during high-water periods occured.

Ground-water information

♦Levels (Depth to water)
 Depth to water or water-surface elevation in wells. Periodic measurements are shown in a table or chart.

Site descriptions

♦Surface/ground-water sites
 Descriptive information about USGS water-measurement sites, including latitude and longitude, county, and station type. For streams, drainage are, basin location, datum, and more are included. For wells, site information includes well depth, and site use.

Water-quality samples

♦Surface/ground-water quality
 Water-quality data from field and/or laboratory analysis of water, biological tissue, stream sediments, and other environmental samples.
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Comments? Questions? Contact Steven J. Brady
This URL: http://ga2.er.usgs.gov:80/kswater/help.cfm
Last updated: 02/10/2004 07:57:02 AM

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