여러 협력 단체와 긴밀한 관계를 유지하고 있는 미국 지질 연구소(USGS)의 설립 125주년 행사가 뉴멕시코 엠버도에서 개최됐다.

뉴멕시코 주의 공학자인 Scott Verhines와 미국 지질 연구소 국장 대리인 Suzette Kimball은 행사에서 현대 수질 관리를 위한 장치를 알리기 위해 많은 연방정부와 국가, 지역 공무원과 접촉했다.

산타페에서 43 mile 떨어진 곳에 위치하는 엠버도는 서부의 체계적이 수자원 평가를 위해 첫 관측소를 설치했다. 엠바도는 우호적인 환경과 철도 접근성이 용이해서 긴요한 과학적 캠프 장비를 수송하기 위해 중대한 결정이다.

the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), along with many partner agencies, is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its first streamgage built in the United States, at a ceremony held at the site located in Embudo, N.M., near the city of Espanola.

New Mexico State Engineer Scott Verhines and USGS Acting Director Suzette Kimball will join a number of federal, state and local officials at the ceremony to recognize the device that set the foundation for modern water management.

Situated 43 miles from Santa Fe, Embudo was selected as the site of the first gaging station given the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states. Embudo not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access -- an important consideration for transporting the imperative scientific and camp equipment, but it qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the "arid West."

The first USGS streamgage, at Embudo, New Mexico, just turned 125 years old. (Photo credit: Pete Modreski, USGS)

Reporting river flows is a matter of public safety, environmental protection and wise economic development. USGS streamgage data is used to forecast floods and droughts, manage flood flows, deliver water supplies, establish water rights, and protect threatened aquatic habitats. Thousands of boaters and fishermen also access the data every day to plan recreational outings.

Today, More than 247 million daily observations from 26,000 streamgages are available through the USGS National Water Information System, including those first Embudo recordings in 1889. The USGS operates 4,461 stations with more than 30 years of record, and 8,024 gages comprise the U.S. streamgage network today.

[출처 = Water World/ 2014년 4월 21일]