Other Software

This page contains links to other non-phpBB software that I have written which is of general interest.

USGS Unit Values RDB Class - a PHP class that greatly eases the retrieving recent streamflow measurements provided by the U.S. Geological Survey. Includes some examples you can try.

Web Services

U.S. Geological Survey Streamflow Services

Data provided courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey, however these services are not USGS sponored services. Please be kind to my server. If you have suggestions for improvement, send them to me.

USGS Streamflows on Twitter

Receive the most current streamflow readings for one of thousands of a streams or rivers monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey. If you are in the field, streamflow readings can be sent to your cell phone as a text message. The latest values for streamflow (00060), stage (00065) and water temperature (00010) only are served, if they are present.

USGS Streamflows via RSS

Pass the site number in the URL using the site parameter, ex: site=06108800 and receive the latest streamflow reading for a site in RSS 2.0 format.

The latest values for streamflow (00060), stage (00065) and water temperature (00010) are served, if they are present.
If an agency is other than USGS (very unusual) the agency parameter can also be included. "agency" defaults to USGS.
You can also include a "parameters" parameter. "parameters" is a comma delimited list of USGS real-time parameter codes for the site of interest. Real-time parameter codes for a site can be found on the USGS Water Data for the Nation site page. If used, "parameters" will override streamflow, stage and water temperature.

Examples:

Teton River at Loma MT (USGS:06108800): http://phpbbservices.com/WebServices/rss.php?site=06108800
Elevation over NGVD (parameter 72020) for Lk Buchanan nr Burnet, TX (TX071:08148000) maintained by Lower Colorado River Authority: http://phpbbservices.com/WebServices/rss.php?site=08148000&agency=TX071&parameters=72020

If you need help finding a USGS site number, try this site.

Enhancements:

5/18/2009 - Site latitude/longitude embedded in GeoRSS in a separate namespace.
7/30/2009 - Service should be much faster since it uses a USGS experimental web service documented here. Also, flow is now reported to the tenth of a cubic foot per second.
11/2/2009 - Note that this service now also accepts an optional "agency" parameter and a "parameters" parameter. It also includes exception logic to handle events like seasonally monitored sites.
8/26/2010 - Format of RSS information has changed and is more specific. It uses a new improved USGS web service to reformat the data. All real-time parameters are now served by default instead of gage height, discharge and water temperature (if they exist). You can still specify a specific parameter.