Flow

Measuring Flow for Our Projects

Efficient water management depends on accurately measuring how much water is available, stored and used. Flow measurement is also essential for complying with water rights decrees, permits, regulations and contractual agreements. The data supports daily operations, water accounting and billing, water rights administration, compliance reporting, and a wide range of engineering and scientific analyses.

As water moves through Northern Water's systems, it passes through dozens of flow gauging stations that continuously collect and transmit real-time data. This flow monitoring network helps ensure water is collected, managed and delivered accurately to water users.

Flow data is critical for determining how much water is available within our systems, allowing Northern Water to allocate and deliver water efficiently for beneficial use.

Flow Data
Man in bright yellow shirt sitting next to river conducting flow measurements.

Building on our Partnerships 

Through a partnership with the State of Colorado Division of Water Resources, Northern Water installed flow monitoring stations throughout the South Platte River Basin. Our Field Services Department maintains the telemetry equipment, but also downloads the data and passes it along directly to the state. This cooperative effort has allowed transparency with water users throughout the South Platte River Basin. Overall, this cooperative effort has built a very comprehensive flow monitoring network for the Division 1 office.

In addition to the State of Colorado, we also partner with the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District and St. Vrain and Left Hand Conservancy District, who have contributed funding and resources in developing the South Platte River Basin flow monitoring network.