Vandals damage Stillaguamish River gauge

Published 10:57 pm Tuesday, July 29, 2008

ARLINGTON — If the North Fork Stillaguamish River had spilled beyond its normal flow during the last week, meteorologists would have found out like the rest of us: through first- person accounts of the flooding.

That’s because a troublemaker broke the gauge that helps scientists and weather experts monitor the river’s level.

“Somebody had broken the gauge-house window,” said John Clemens, a spokesman for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Washington Water Science Center. “It’s plexiglass, so they really had to work at it. In doing so, they damaged the equipment.”

The good news is that the problem was caught quickly. Scientists rely continuously on the geological survey’s 15 stream gauges in Snohomish County, so they immediately noticed when the data from the Stillaguamish River’s north fork began to come in blank the morning of July 21.

But the problem couldn’t be fixed immediately. The gauges, which are usually housed in secluded concrete structures the size of walk-in closets alongside the region’s waterways, are valued at up to $20,000, Clemens said.

He’s glad the vandalism was only in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.

Still, it’s another burden for taxpayers, and it’s not the only case of vandalism on water gauges. A gauge on the Nooksack River at Ferndale has been attacked three times this year, causing more than $5,000 in damage, Clemens said.

The geological survey has about 300 water gauges placed throughout the state. More than 200 of them are monitored by satellites.

The geological survey routinely checks on the gauges, but many are in remote locations that can be tough to reach, Clemens said. It’s difficult for geological survey employees to keep daily tabs on the devices, other than watching whether they submit data to the survey’s offices.

Residents who live near a river or stream, especially those who depend on reports that could affect water sports, fishing or other activities, should find out where the nearest water gauges are and check on them to ensure they haven’t been damaged by vandals, Clemens said.

Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.

Keep an eye out

People who live near rivers or streams or who use them regularly for fishing, kayaking or other water sports should find out where the nearest water gauge is located and check on it for vandalism or other problems, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

To find water gauge stations, go to http://wa.water.usgs.gov and click on “Latest River Conditions.”