USGS Water-Year Summary for Site 03479000

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	Available Parameters
	00045 Precipitation(Sum)
	00060 Discharge(Max.,Min.,Mean)
	00065 Gage height(Max.,Min.,Mean)

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Water year 2023: 2022-10-01 to 2023-09-30

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USGS Water-Year Summary 2023

03479000 WATAUGA RIVER NEAR SUGAR GROVE, NC

LOCATION - Lat 36°14'21", long 81°49'20" referenced to North American Datum of 1983, Watauga County, NC, Hydrologic Unit 06010103, Lat 36014'21", long 81049'20", Watauga County, (Quad. Valle Crucis or 215 NE), 250 ft upstream from bridge on Secondary Road 1121, 300 ft downstream from Cove Creek, 2.3 miles southwest of Sugar Grove, and at mile 64.4.

DRAINAGE AREA - 92.1 mi². (measured from topographic maps, scale 1:24,000). The basin, in general, is open farm or grazing land, with the steep rocky slopes in forest cover, particularly in the upper portion. It is moderately populated. Average annual rainfall is 45- 50 inches.

REVISIONS HISTORY -

WDR NC-81-1: Drainage area. Gage datum was revised on April 07, 2022 based on an error in the determination of the gage datum.

Gage datum was revised on October 01, 2021, based on an error in the determination of the gage datum.

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - October 1939 to current year. Monthly discharge only for some periods, published in WSP 1306.

GAGE - Data collection platform. Datum of gage is 2,607.68 ft above NAVD of 1988. Satellite telemetry at streamgage.

REMARKS - Gage-height records are generally good. Discharge records are generally good except for estimated discharges, which are fair. Additional details on the accuracy of the records can be obtained by contacting the USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center at gs-w-nc_nwisweb_data_inquiries@usgs.gov.

EXTREMES OUTSIDE PERIOD OF RECORD - Flood of July 1916 reached a stage of 22.1 ft, from floodmarks on barn 0.25 mi upstream from station, as witnessed by local resident; discharge, 28,000 ft³/s, from rating curve extended above 4,900 ft³/s, on basis of slope-area measurement.

EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - Maximum discharge from rating curve extended above 7,300 ft³/s on basis of slope-area measurement of peak flow, from profile based on floodmarks.

CLIMATOLOGICAL RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - November 2016 to current year.

INSTRUMENTATION - Tipping-bucket raingage and electronic datalogger. Satellite telemetry at station.

REMARKS - Gage is operated in cooperation with Tennessee Valley Authority. Precipitation data collected during freezing periods may not be accurately reflected in daily record.