Title
Resolution Approving Partnership Agreement between the United States Geological Survey and City of Greensboro for Stream Flow and Rainfall Gauges within Greensboro City Limits
Body
Department: Water Resources
Council District: All
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Steven D. Drew, 373-7893
Contact 2 and Phone: David Phlegar, 373-7207
PURPOSE:
The City of Greensboro Water Resources Department requests to enter into an annual agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to maintain the network of continuous stream flow and rainfall gauges within Greensboro city limits.
BACKGROUND:
The stream data collection network consists of twelve representative sites that are operated and maintained by USGS. The gauging stations allow the City to quantify both rainfall and stream flow in major streams that include North Buffalo, South Buffalo, Reedy Fork, Brush Creek and Horse Pen Creek. The continuous monitoring data is available to the public in near real time mode via the USGS's website.
The continuous stream flow and rainfall gauging allows City staff to better quantify individual drainage and flooding problems in terms of the "return frequency" of the given rainfall event. The USGS data is also heavily used for monitoring area rainfall and stream flow into the City's three drinking water lakes. This data is useful in numerous other applications as well, from hydraulic modeling to calculating pollutant loads. The City and the USGS have had this contractual relationship since 1998 and the City has been satisfied with the level of service and products delivered. USGS is providing partial funding for some of the operation and maintenance of these gauges.
BUDGET IMPACT:
City funding in the amount of $144,800 is budgeted in the Stormwater Management Fund account number 505-7003-03.5413. The portion of funds contributed by the USGS is $62,000.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is reco...
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