New York State Enhances Flood Prediction and Water Supply Management Systems
New York State is upgrading its statewide system, FloodSafe NY, to improve the prediction and understanding of flooding, aiming to reduce associated risks for communities. This initiative is a partnership between the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), designed to establish a first-in-the-nation statewide hydrologic monitoring network. The program will modernize the existing streamgage network by upgrading current stations with camera technology, backup data transmission, and two-way telemetry. Additionally, new streamgages will be placed in high-priority flood warning locations, and virtual streamgages will be deployed in data-sparse areas. Governor Kathy Hochul stated that these improvements will help communities save lives and reduce property damage by anticipating flood risks earlier and enabling smarter infrastructure decisions. DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton emphasized that FloodSafe NY will produce more accurate flood warnings. The program is...
