USGS Water Data iPhone App
A Review of Streamflow Plus

USGS water data is easy to access from your computer, but what if you want to follow the flows on your favorite stream when you're away from your desk?

Try out Streamflow Plus.

It's an app for your iPhone that serves up USGS discharge and gage height data for streams and rivers across the country. You select the stream you're interested in and the app delivers real-time flow measurements and an interactive graph of data in 1, 7, 30, or 90-day increments.

Streamflow Plus is easy-to-use and doesn't contain too much fluff. With just a few finger taps, you can select a stream from the USGS database, choose the number of days of data you want to view, and pull up the graph. The data is all displayed on one screen, with buttons to toggle between discharge and height and the different day intervals.

UPDATE: Streamflow Plus now includes Google map views. Version 1.3 was released in October 2011.

Streamflow Plus Features

Select a Stream

On the Settings screen you can select your stream from a list or have the app search for it.

To select a stream, just choose the State and then scroll through the list of gaging sites by county to find the one you are interested in.

To search for a stream, select the State and type in a stream name, gaging station description, or station number. The app will find that station in the USGS database. (The search feature is at the top of the screen but doesn't show up on this screenshot.)

Interactive Graph

The Streamflow tab shows USGS real time water data for your site and an interactive graph of historical streamflow data in intervals of 1, 7, 30, or 90 days.

Use your finger to scroll the graph left or right and view the data through time. As you do that the Min and Max values beneath the graph will automatically re-calculate to match the time interval shown on the screen.

Double-tap the screen to zoom in to a finer level of detail. When the graph is showing a 90-day time interval, a double-tap will zoom the graph in to a 30-day time interval. This works when the screen is showing 30 and 7-day increments as well.

Set Favorites

If you want to monitor a specific stream gage, you can add it as a Favorite and then easily check the data as often as you like. After you've viewed the graph, select the Favorites tab, and tap "Add Favorite."

Usage Issue: I've noticed that if I want to delete a Favorite, the app won't let me delete just one. I have to delete all Favorites and start over.

Add Level Lines

The app has an option for adding "Flood Level" lines to the gage height graph. The assumption here is that most USGS water data users want to know when a stream is at flood stage. But, if you're a fisherman and have a feel for the optimal gage height on your favorite stream, you can set a level line to help you track when the stream is fishing well.

Email a Screenshot

Whenever your favorite stream is ready to fish, you can email a screenshot of the graph to your buddies. Just select the Share tab, tap on "Email a screenshot," type in an email address, and hit Send.

New in Version 1.3 - Google Maps

The latest version includes a Map tab that combines gaging station locations with standard and satellite map views.

You can view the gaging stations near your current location or select a station from your Favorites. The map will automatically update. Touch any station and see its current readings on the interactive graph.

Details

The first generation of this iPhone app is called Streamflow. You can try it out for free, but it doesn't have the options to set Favorites or email screenshots.

Streamflow and Streamflow Plus run on an iPod Touch, iPhone and or iPad running iOS Version 4.0 or greater.

To report bugs or submit questions or comments about the app - email streamflow@todlandis.com

Cost on iTunes: $2.99
AppStore Category: Weather
Updated: October 09, 2011
Current Version: 1.3
Size: 2.2 MB
Publisher: Tod Landis

More about USGS water data services...

Access direct links to online USGS Real-Time Streamflow Data by state...