The difference between a flood and a water contamination crisis in communities across America often comes down to one thing: real-time data from USGS water monitoring equipment known as a streamgage. In Batesville, Arkansas, this system just proved its value again. As the White River rose, a USGS streamgage helped water treatment plant officials know exactly when to act—installing flood gates along the levee before rising waters could cause problems. This same technology protects communities across all 50 states and territories. From major cities to small towns, our network of over 12,000 streamgages serves as America's early warning system for public threats during floods. The success in Batesville was made possible through cooperation with the City of Batesville and USACEHQ, who help fund this critical streamgage, and the NWS who develops forecasts using our data. We're proud to work alongside our partners to transform water science into public protection. Together, we're saf...