Missouri Stream Gauges To Be Deactivated

Missouri Stream Gauges To Be Deactivated

On May 3, 2017, it was reported that 20 percent of Missouri’s river and stream gauges would be deactivated after June 30, 2017 due to a lack of funding. The gauges, which are used to measure water levels in rivers and streams across the state, are maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey Missouri Water Science Center. The Center receives funding for the gauges from several state entities, including the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Department of Conservation, and Department of Transportation. According to a spokesperson for the Missouri Science Center, several of the state entities are “dealing with budget constraints,” which have led to reduced funding for the gauges. As a result, 49 of the state’s 274 gauges will be deactivated.