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USGS stream gages

Mon, 12/01/2008 - 21:48 — ox

So time marches on. I have just recently completed my CREP fencing commitment and passed the inspection with flying colors. Some small adjustments to the gate access to Singing Falls and all will be done.
The herd and flock are now enjoying pasture that they have not browsed for two years. It did the land well to be able to rest. There was a wonderful resurgence of native grasses in the area. Soon I hope to be able to intensively graze smaller zones so that recovery and utilization are more speedy. It is better for the stock and the land not to over graze. That has been a perennial problem here until recently. With the new New Zealand type electrical fence installed things should be far more beneficial all the way around.
Unbeknown to me I have found myself up on YouTube. The URLs are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uwE-O3MUtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_o5OkYLM7M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X2al7OsRYU
They were recorded during the OWEB Biennial Conference by the conference media fellow. No apologies on my part for content or my lack of photogenic qualities.
I am concerned that the weather is now in drought mode. have never seen the streams this low on the stream gage this time of year. We've had some rain but not enough.
Speaking of stream gages, Drew, Oregon is now sporting its own USGS stream stage gage on Elk Creek. It is a mere 3 miles from the house. The URL for live data from the gage can be found here:
http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/?m=real&r=or&w=real%2Cmap
or here at ELK CREEK NR DREW, OR:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/current?type=flow
or here:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv/?site_no=14308500&PARAmeter_cd=0006...
It's a really nice remote setup that uses solar panels, radio and satellite

Comments

Thu, 12/04/2008 - 13:06 — premodern

Glad to hear that the fencing

Glad to hear that the fencing project passed the CREP inspection. All of the planning, design, and hard work bore good fruit.

Thanks also for the link to the USGS water watch site. They have similar valuable data for my neck of the woods.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows your part of Oregon as still “normal” in terms of rainfall. They must not be factoring in stream gages. We have been on the edge of the severe drought centered in the southeast U.S. for the last two seasons.
http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_midwest.htm (see western KY)
Thankfully, we did receive about 1.5” inches yesterday, so perhaps we will be in the “normal” range again. I will pray that you receive some healthy winter rains.

Your comment about the land resting reminded me of:

“The LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, when you come into the land that I give you, the land shall keep a Sabbath to the LORD. For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its fruits, but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap what grows of itself in your harvest, or gather the grapes of your undressed vine. It shall be a year of solemn rest for the land. The Sabbath of the land shall provide food for you, for yourself and for your male and female slaves and for your hired servant and the sojourner who lives with you, and for your cattle and for the wild animals that are in your land: all its yield shall be for food.”

Modern agricultural methods often ignore the wisdom of our LORD.

Mon, 12/08/2008 - 08:44 — ox

yes

Very little attention is paid to letting the land rest in a fallow state so it can adjust and heal. As usual man, land and beast are consumed to the point of burnout. Typical of a culture out of touch with God and nature.

The latest drought info posted for here indicates very below normal precipitation. There is still time for rain in our region so we pray for it.

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The ~ox{ is grateful