5/1/14 - A federal agency says itâs not to blame for a decision that almost led to the closing down of a key river gauging station on the Huron River. Hamburg and Green Oak townships recently agreed to put forward money to replace the funding for the stations, which measure the height, flow and characteristics of rivers. The devices are monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey, which funds them through partnerships with local agencies. Tom Weaver is the Data Chief for the USGS Water Science Center and tells WHMI that in the case of the gauge on Huron River near New Hudson, it was the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority that announced in February it was no longer contributing to their cost. Weaver says while the U.S. Geological Survey funding of river gauges has generally declined through the years along with a shrinking federal budget, they had actually budgeted an additional $1,100 this year for the New Hudson gauge. Weaver says the importance of keeping the gauge operational took on even more importance due to concerns over the heavy winter snowfall and how that might impact spring flooding. After the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Parks Authority declined to fund the gauges, officials in Hamburg and Green Oak townships stepped forward to pay for the cost, with Livingston County serving as a fiduciary as township governments cannot legally pay for the upkeep of a gauging station outside of their borders. (JK)
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