United States Geologic Survey – Stream Gauging Stations

The Bridge Division project manager must approve requests by the United States Geologic Survey or other public or private agencies for gauging stations to be located on or near highway stream crossing bridges. These requests are handled by permit after approval is received from the District. A stipulation of the agreement is that the gauging equipment will be removed upon 30 days’ notice when it is necessary to widen, repair, or reconstruct the bridge. Notify the bridge project manager of any proposed work that will require removal or relocation of a gauging station.
Accordingly, the only reasons that USGS would not be granted access would be situations such as pending maintenance, widening, repair, or removal of the structure which would also negatively affect the gauging station. The proper procedure for requesting a location agreement is:
  • USGS selects a gauge location and then determines whether or not the location is on TxDOT ROW. County, city, and private roads are not TxDOT controlled; USGS must contact the entity that owns the structure.
  • USGS determines which TxDOT District is responsible for the structure by going to the TxDOT website (www.txdot.gov) or contacting the TxDOT Bridge Division’s project manager for assistance.
  • USGS contacts the TxDOT District office with information identifying the structure. The contact at the TxDOT District office should be either the District bridge engineer or the District hydraulics engineer. The TxDOT engineer will contact the appropriate area engineer and maintenance supervisor for coordination.
  • The TxDOT District office will provide USGS the as-built drawings of the respective bridge within 10 working days of USGS’s request at no charge.
  • USGS supplies the details for attachment of a gauging station to the selected TxDOT structure. The detail sheets shall be signed and sealed by a Texas licensed professional engineer. Proof of insurance is neither required nor requested because USGS is a function of the U.S. Government Department of the Interior.
  • The TxDOT District bridge engineer will forward the request and attachment detail sheets to the Bridge Division project manager for processing. A copy of the agreement, signed by the TxDOT Bridge Division director, will be forwarded to USGS for its files within 10 working days of receiving the respective District’s approval of the attachment details.
These procedures apply to any attachment by USGS to any TxDOT structure or within its ROW, regardless of how minor the attachment may be.