Longmont, USGS provide water gauges for flood, wildlife safety

A long-standing agreement to provide and maintain streamflow gauges at three locations on Boulder Creek, Left Hand Creek and St. Vrain Creek was renewed by the city council last week.

The U.S. Geological Survey and the city of Longmont have partnered for several years to jointly fund the streamflow stations. They are vital in supplying streamflow data for the city to administer water rights and to comply with regulatory requirements with stormwater and wastewater discharge permits, a city staff report to the city council states.

The gauges also are important for flood monitoring and evaluating impacts on wildlife, the report said.

The annual cost of maintaining the monitoring stations is $58,800, with the cost split between the city and the USGS at $39,320 and $19,480 respectively, the staff report said.

The city ‘s funding will come from the 2023 Water and Wastewater Operations Budgets.