PR-685-184506-R04 Potential Monitoring Techniques and Technologies for Real Time Rainfall and Flooding

Systems to alert pipeline operators of existing or impending flood events of concern are important tools as operators work to protect infrastructure at crossings of concern. A critical return period flood alert allows operators to take pre-emptive actions that may reduce consequences involved in major flood events. Gages are valuable tools for collecting data and information about discharge. Physical in-waterway gages include reference gages, crest stage gages, and recording stage gages. For recording stage gages, data can be transmitted electronically and limit the need for site visits. Online, or ‘virtual’ gages, such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s high-resolution National Water Model and the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center, are an alternative to using gages to collect data, as they cover larger areas and are typically less expensive than installing, maintaining and operating site-specific gages.

This is D1 on the PHMSA table