Slide 7 shows how the USGS has strived to convert streamgages to deliver data in real-time, with nearly 90 percent of the USGS streamgages delivering real-time streamflow information at the end of 2004. The real-time technology used at the majority of streamgages is satellite transmission, but some streamgages are equipped with telephone or radio transmitters. Nearly all of the USGS real-time streamgages display the streamflow information on the WWW within 4 hours the measurement at the streamgage.
| Year | Streamgages with Real-Time Telemetry |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 1000 |
| 1984 | 1300 |
| 1985 | 1520 |
| 1986 | 1789 |
| 1987 | 2292 |
| 1988 | 2475 |
| 1989 | 2742 |
| 1990 | 2962 |
| 1991 | 3210 |
| 1992 | 3494 |
| 1993 | 3560 |
| 1994 | 3715 |
| 1995 | 3920 |
| 1996 | 4190 |
| 1997 | 4467 |
| 1998 | 4571 |
| 1999 | 5132 |
| 2000 | 5749 |
| 2001 | 6013 |
| 2002 | 6185 |
| 2003 | 6370 |
| 2004 | 6650 |