How do the streamgages work?
The majority of our streamgages use a sensor called a “pressure transducer”. This device senses the pressure exerted by water (or any fluid) above it. Only the density of the fluid need be known to calculate the depth of the fluid above. Once the depth is known, the flow rate (usually cubic feet per second, or cfs, also known as discharge) can be calculated by application of a rating curve.
