USGS Selects Software to Centralize National Water Data Management

Aquatic Informatics Inc., a global leader in providing innovative software solutions for hydrologic data management and analysis, is announcing from the USGS National Water Data Conference in Portland, Ore. that the USGS has selected AQUARIUS Software for water time series data management. By centralizing real-time operations on the AQUARIUS platform, the USGS Water Resources Division will optimize efficiency in the storage, processing and publishing of hydrological data collected from its 7400 steam gauging stations across the United States.

The USGS is the most widely used provider for hydrological and environmental data, helping resolve complex natural resource problems across the U.S. and around the world. The USGS is a recognized global leader in natural sciences and is renowned for scientific excellence.

“The USGS first chose Aquatic Informatics in 2005 for a customized version of an AQUARIUS toolbox to develop consistent, accurate and defensible rating curves for computation of flow in streams and rivers within the United States.  The USGS will now be expanding its use of AQUARIUS, making it the primary platform for hydrological data storage, processing and publishing by 3000 staff,” said Ed Quilty, president and CEO of Aquatic Informatics.

In addition to increasing operational efficiencies, adopting one platform will allow the USGS to further sharpen internal consistency, data comparability and reliability nationwide. Added benefits will include reduced training and IT system operational costs.

The Request for Proposal was issued in March 2012, and following a lengthy formal evaluation process, the USGS selected AQUARIUS Software. The USGS was seeking a qualified contractor to supply commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software and technical services to replace its automated data processing system (ADAPS) and a number of other legacy software used for time-series data processing. The USGS will work with the services team at Aquatic Informatics to ensure a successful deployment of AQUARIUS. Professional services will include system architecture design, data migration, telemetry integration, customized workflows to support USGS business rules, quality controls and tailored reporting and publishing.

The basic methods, techniques and technologies developed or adopted by the USGS for hydrological data measurement, computations, real-time communications and reporting have subsequently been adopted worldwide. The USGS is a recognized leader in the development of international standards through its work with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) TC 113 Hydrometry, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Commission for Hydrology (CHy), the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Hydrology Domain Working Group, the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science (CUAHSI), the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and other organizations.

“AQUARIUS Software is designed to match the standards set out by the USGS and the ISO and follows recommendations put forth by the WMO and OGC,” said Alastair Foreman, product manager at Aquatic Informatics. “AQUARIUS allows organizations of all sizes to conform to these international standards since it is the software used by the very agencies who are the leaders in defining the standards. AQUARIUS is the solution trusted by leading environmental monitoring agencies, including the USGS and Water Survey Canada, and is setting the standard for hydrometric data production software.”

Source: Aquatic Informatics Inc.