V. Forecast Point Forms
Forecast Point Form - Page 1 (Hydrologic Conditions)
1 Lid (Descrip.Lid) Alphanumeric 8
NWS location identifier.
2 Proximity (Descrip.Prox) Alphanumeric 6
A word describing the relationship of the gage to the location name entered on the location form.
Since the field is only six characters long, the word must be short. Suggested entries are: "at",
"near", "above" or "below". The field is used in the WHFS applications to associate the location
of a station on a river. For example, a descriptive phrase may be used such as
, as in "Magdelyn River at Ethan".
3 Bed (Descrip.Bed) Alphanumeric 60
A description of the stream bed where the river gage is located. This is best determined by a
station visit, but may be available from a USGS gaging description.
4 Reservoir (Descrip.Res) Memo 160
Description of control structures upstream which affect flow at the site. Control structures may
include flood control reservoirs, hydroelectric power generation and water supply dams. The
description should include a brief explanation of when and what effect these structures have on the
flow at the gage site.
5 Divert (Descrip.Divert) Alphanumeric 60
Description of any known diversions near the gage. Include why and how water is diverted around
the gage if known.
Forecast Point Form - Page 1 (Damage)
Note: The flood damage information allows scrolling through the multiple entries for the current
location.
6 Stage (Damage.Stage) Numeric
Critical stages that will be displayed on the flood and staff picture pages of the E-19. The damage
at that stage will also be displayed. This should include important stages such as when roads,
landmarks and residential areas flood.
This information is for internal usage only and is not for public dissemination. The information
should be general in nature and not pertain to a certain event or be dated. Information on flood
damages that is for public distribution is to be included in the Impact Statements.
7 Summary (Damage.Damagescr) Alphanumeric 60
A short summary of the damage at this flood elevation. This will appear on the Summary Screen
only.
8 Damage (Damage.Damage) Alphanumeric 255
Damages that will be listed at the appropriate elevations on the flood and staff picture pages of the
E-19.
9 Damage2 (Damage.Damage2) Alphanumeric 255
Additional details of what floods or actions necessary at this elevation. This information will only
appear on the flood page of the E-19.
10 Ice (Descrip.Ice) Alphanumeric 80
Description of any changes in flow because of freezing in the winter. This information may be
available in the USGS gage description. If there is no ice effect, leave this field blank.
11 Reach (Descrip.Reach) Alphanumeric 80
Defines the reach of the river for which the stage and forecasts are representative. The reach will
be much longer for rivers which have mild slopes than for those with steep slopes with frequent
changing terrain. This field is used in the WHFS applications. In the River Product Formatter, it
will be used to describe the stretch of river affected by conditions at a given location. The UGC
information for the location should correspond to this river reach; i.e. include those zones/counties
in the UGC that cover the reach.
12 Topography (Descrip.Topo) Alphanumeric 255
Description of the topography along this reach of the river. The Reach is defined in a separate
field.
Forecast Point Form - Page 2 (Benchmark)
Note: The benchmark information allows scrolling through the multiple entries for the current
location.
13 Number (Bm.Bnum) Alphanumeric 6
An abbreviation defining all bench marks, reference marks, and reference points in the vicinity of
the gage. Suggested format is BM 1, BM 2, RM 1, RM 2, RP 1, RP 2, etc. Use BM for Bench
Mark, RM for Reference Mark, RP for Reference Point.
In defining bench marks, the following definitions should be used:
Bench Mark Permanent mark that has been incorporated by the National Geodetic
Survey (NGS) into its national level net, described in its publications, and installed
originally by the NGS or its predecessor, the United States Coastal and Geodetic Survey
(USC&GS). Bench marks will not normally be found in the vicinity of a river gage.
Reference Mark Refers to a permanent mark in the vicinity of the river gage and
usually installed and described by the agency that established the river gage. Reference
marks are often called bench marks by many agencies. They should be highly resistant to
vertical disturbances.
Reference Point Refers to the elevation marks immediately associated with a river gage.
This may be found inside a gage house, on a bridge or bridge railing. The reference point
should be highly resistant to vertical disturbances.
Bench marks should be entered first, followed by reference marks, and finally reference points.
Entering detailed bench mark information will take considerable time. Almost all the USC&GS
bench marks are listed on CD-ROMs. Reentering or summarizing this data is not necessary;
reference the CD-ROM. These CD-ROMs are entitled "National Geodetic Survey Data Sheets"
and are available by section of the country. Refer to: http://www.ngs.noaa.gov on the Internet.
You may call 301-713-3242 or Fax 301-713-4176 Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Eastern Time. There is no charge for the CD-ROM if you are in NOAA.
Data about reference marks and points are not in any organized database as of this writing. Include
enough information about the mark or point to document its existence. Save long, detailed written
descriptions for local file. Do not enter into the Remarks field.
14 Elevation (Bm.Belev) Numeric
Elevation in feet NGVD of the elevation marker (i.e. BM, RM, or RP). Elevations should be
entered with the same precision as measured. In many cases, bench marks will be precise to a hun-
dredth of a foot.
15 Description (Bm.Bench) Alphanumeric 255
Description and location of the bench mark, reference mark, or reference point. Save long,
detailed written descriptions for local file. Enter only generalized information in this field.
Forecast Point Form - Page 2 (Datum)
Note: The datum information allows scrolling through the multiple entries for the current location.
16 Datum (Datum.Delev) Numeric
Datums or gage zeroes used at the gaging site in feet NGVD. These should be listed
chronologically. Datums should be precise to a hundredths of foot.
17 Date (Datum.Ddate) Date
The first date the datum was valid. Two different datums can not be valid during the same period.
Forecast Point Form - Page 2 (Publication and Records)
Note: The publication and records information allows scrolling through the multiple entries for the
current location.
18 Location (Pub.Ppub) Alphanumeric 25
The name of the publication where the records appear or the location where records are stored.
19 Begin (Pub.Pbegin) Date
Date records began in the publication or at location. Enter as mm/dd/yyyy.
20 End (Pub.Pend) Date
Date records end in the publication or at location. Enter as mm/dd/yyyy. Leave blank if records
are current.
Forecast Point Form - Page 3 (References)
Note: The references information allows scrolling through the multiple entries for the current
location.
21 References (Refer.Reference) Alphanumeric 70
Any references used in preparing the E-19 should be listed here. Sources can include annual USGS
publications, NWS (Daily River Stages), USCE Districts and/or Divisions, the International Bound-
ary and Water Commission and the previous E-19.
Forecast Point Form - Page 3 (Low Water)
Note: The low water information allows scrolling through the multiple entries for the current
location.
22 Stage (Lw.Lwstg) Numeric
Significant low flow stages in feet above the current datum; use precision to the tenths or
hundredths of feet. These may be available from annual USGS publications or those of other
agencies such as the NWS (Daily River Stages), USCE Districts or Divisions, or the International
Boundary and Water Commission.
23 Date (Lw.Lwdat) Date
Date that the low stage occurred. Enter as mm/dd/yyyy. For low stages that last longer than one
day (a common situation) enter the date when the low stage first occurred.
24 Flow (Lw.Lwq) Date
Discharge corresponding to the record low stage. This should only include field discharge
measurements or discharge estimates from the USGS. Do not use a rating curve to obtain the
discharge. Low flows may be given to the nearest whole CFS. Enter the value in cubic-feet-per-second
(CFS). If flow ceases, enter 0.
25 Remarks (Lw.Lwrem) Alphanumeric 80
Comments about this low water entry.
26 Remarks (Descrip.Dremark) Alphanumeric 255
Additional remarks about this location as a forecast point. This is separate from the Remarks fields
available for the Crest information, the Low Water information.
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