Cost-effectiveness of the stream-gaging program in Alaska
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Abstract
This report documents the results of a study of the cost-effectiveness of the stream-gaging program in Alaska. Data uses and funding sources were identified for the 110 continuous stream-gaging stations that were being operated in September 1983 with a budget of about $1,700,000 per year.
However, for the purposes of the report, only 98 stations were included in the analysis of cost-effectiveness. The current policy for operation of the 98-station program required $1,539,000 (1983 dollars) per year, which results in an average standard error of estimate of streamflow records for open-water periods of 18.4 percent. This overall level of accuracy at the 98 sites could be maintained with a budget of approximately $1,440,000 if the scheduling of visits and allocation of funds to the stations were changed.
A minimum budget of $1,381,000 is required to operate the 98 stations; a budget less than this does not permit proper service and maintenance of the gages and recorders. At the minimum budget, the average standard error is 19.8 percent. Several other budgets were analyzed; the maximum budget analyzed was $2,500,000, which resulted in an average standard error of 11.9 percent.
A significant portion of the standard error is attributable to loss of gage-height record, which is used to compute open-water discharge records. If gage-height
record loss could be prevented, the average standard error could be reduced to 13.4 percent at the minimum operating budget of $1,381,000.
It was determined that the standard error of estimate of streamflow records could be reduced by changing some operational policies and by reducing the amount of
missing gage-height record. Since there is no method to determine standard errors of Alaska's winter records of streamflow, it was concluded that such a technique should be developed.
More than half of western Alaska was identified as having insufficient streamflow data. It is suggested that steps be undertaken to remedy this situation as funds become available.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Cost-effectiveness of the stream-gaging program in Alaska |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 84-4096 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri844096 |
| Year Published | 1984 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | v, 100 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |