A stream gauge is a humble thing.
But the Bay Area’s vast network of gauges, strategically placed and linked to powerful telecommunication lines and computers, offer early warning of rising waters, helping protect lives and property from flood damage.
“We can tell first responders, with some certainty, that our gauges are saying it’s going to be a flood-prone area in one hour and 45 minutes,” said Kevin Murray of the Palo Alto-based San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority. “That gives them some time to get ahead of the disaster.”
This week, with a series of storms just past and more on their way, experts patrolled rivers and creeks to inspect