Curious about what happens on the Ohio River or along Symmes Creek after heavy rains?<!—->.

Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Curious about what happens on the Ohio River or along Symmes Creek after heavy rains?

Then, the United States Geological Survey has a way for you to find out if you own a computer and have access to the Internet.

Hydrology data – specific numbers about how much water is flowing along creeks and streams throughout the United States – is collected by the USGS around the clock. Included are numbers that tell amount of flow, the water’s temperature and height of the stream.

In Lawrence County, a USGS gauge monitors Symmes Creek at Aid. And, in Huntington, W.Va., a gauge monitors the Ohio River.

For example, recent rains caused Symmes Creek to rise to its highest level, almost 24 feet, about midway through May 19. And, the Ohio River hit a crest high of about 36 feet between May 19 and May 20. (About 14 feet below flood stage.)

To watch the water flow for yourself, start up your computer and point your browser to the USGS Real Time Water Data page on the Internet (http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html)

Scroll down slightly on the page until you see a box on the lefthand side listing all of the state and regions of the U.S.

Click on the Ohio link and then find the Aid gauge station (No. 03205470); or click on the West Virginia link and then click on "Ohio Mainstem" to find the Huntington gauge (No. 03206000).

Each link presents data and a chart keyed to a specific time. Keep checking back to see the change.