Citation
| Holmes, R.R., Jr., 2006, Indicators and Indices of Surface-Water Availability, il_water_2006. |
Abstract
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Indicators are defined as performance measures that combine information into a usable form for water managers and private citizens. Indices are defined as higher-order indicators which provide either a summary of or a weighted set of indicators. Because of the relatively rapid changes in rivers, indicators for surface water are more beneficial if they can be updated in near-real time. The importance of adequate spatially distributed data, which are long-term and utilize regionally (or nationally) consistent data-collection and reporting techniques, cannot be overemphasized in the determination of indicators and indices for use in the analysis of important water issues. Consider the following quote from the report by Hudson and Roberts (1955) discussing the drought the State of Illinois faced in the early 1950’s:
“Deficiencies in hydrologic data appear to have had an important role in the failure of public water-supply sources. At the time of design of most of the reservoirs now in use, there were few streamflow data available.”
Examples of indicators and indices of importance for assessing surface water availability include: Of the above indicators and indices, all but one depend on streamflow data. Of the USGS streamflow gages operational in Illinois, 99 percent are real-time gages and provide the ability to update many indicators and indices in a timely manner. Selected surface-water indicators can be found on the Web at http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/ |
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