UL Researchers Design River and Rain Gauge Network for Louisiana Watershed Initiative

Congratulations to our UL Lafayette researchers with the UL Department of Engineering and the Louisiana Watershed Flood Center for working on the design with others from around the state. For more information on the network design: https://watershed.la.gov/modeling-program

As part of the modeling program, the state is investing $15 million to install up to 100 river and rain gauges throughout Louisiana over the next six years, in partnership with USGS. LWI—in collaboration with researchers from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Tulane University, as well as technical experts from USGS, DEQ and NOAA—designed an enhanced gauge network based on input provided by local and regional stakeholders regarding areas where additional gauges are needed.

Once deployed, the network will provide enhanced statewide coverage for monitoring riverine and rainfall information in real time and support the development and use of watershed models. Local communities will have information to respond more effectively to flood-related hazards, while the state’s watershed regions can develop more effective mitigation strategies.

View an interactive map of the new LWI gauge network design
View the technical report on the gauge network design

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State Invests $15M to Enhance River and Rain Gauge Network

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, signed a six-year, $15 million cooperative endeavor agreement with the Office of Community Development Jan. 11 for the installation and operation of up to 100 new river and rain gauges throughout the state.

This effort to build up the statewide gauge network is part of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative’s long-term resilience goals. The agreement also involves the installation and operation of 15 water quality monitors, advancing LWI’s mission to boost the natural functions of floodplains.

Once the new gauges are deployed, the network will provide increased statewide coverage for monitoring rainfall and river flows in real time, providing better information for the development of watershed models. Local communities will have information to respond more effectively to flood-related hazards, while the state’s watershed regions can develop more effective mitigation strategies.

The enhanced network was designed in collaboration with federal partners, universities and local jurisdictions and approved by the Council on Watershed Management in November. The new gauges aim to augment data collection in high-risk areas and address existing network gaps.

To see a map of the enhanced network and learn more about how this work fits into the LWI watershed modeling program, click here.

Original Article: https://www.watershed.la.gov/news/press-releases/state-invests-15m-to-en...