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Water School

How is the flow of the river measured?

The rate of the river flow is measured in cubic feet per second (cfs), which is the measure of the volume of water passing any given point in a river in one second. One cubic foot of water is about the size of a beachball. 

These levels are measured by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) along the course of the waterflow at different points, or subsections, along a marked line. A river will typically be measured approximately 25 to 30 times at regularly spaced locations. USGS gage locations may have the ability to measure river flows, gage height, and/or precipitation depending on the need for information in the particular area. 

You can find information on streamflow on the Brazos River and its tributaries flow by going to this link.

Return to Water School to learn more about water!

 

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The information provided on this site is intended as background on water within the Brazos River basin. There should be no expectation that this information is all encompassing, complete or in any way examines every aspect of this very complex natural resource.

If you have questions about a post or would like additional information, please contact us or call 888-922-6272.

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