# USGS Water Services Scraper — Real-Time Streamflow & Gauge Data (`compute-edge/usgs-water-services-scraper`) Actor Extract real-time USGS instantaneous-values water data — streamflow, gauge height, water temperature and more from thousands of US Geological Survey monitoring sites nationwide. - **URL**: https://apify.com/compute-edge/usgs-water-services-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Compute Edge](https://apify.com/compute-edge) (community) - **Categories:** Lead generation - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $3.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## USGS Water Services Scraper Extract **real-time water data** from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Information System — streamflow, gauge height, water temperature, precipitation and more from thousands of monitoring stations across the United States. The USGS NWIS instantaneous-values service is the authoritative source for live streamflow and gauge measurements used by flood forecasters, water utilities, hydropower operators and emergency managers. This Actor wraps the `waterservices.usgs.gov` endpoint and returns the latest observation for each requested site/parameter as a clean JSON record. **No API key required.** ### Why scrape USGS water data? - **Flood / drought monitoring**: track real-time streamflow against historical thresholds. - **Water utilities**: monitor source-water gauges in real time for intake operations. - **Hydropower**: link discharge data into generation forecasting models. - **Insurance & reinsurance**: parametric flood products keyed off gauge height. - **Construction**: monitor nearby gauges during dewatering or site preparation. ### Output fields | Field | Description | |---|---| | `siteCode` | USGS site identifier | | `siteName` | Station name | | `stateCode` / `countyCode` / `hucCode` | Administrative + hydrologic unit codes | | `latitude` / `longitude` | Coordinates | | `parameterCode` | USGS parameter code (e.g. `00060` discharge) | | `parameterDescription` | Human-readable variable name | | `latestValue` / `unit` | Most recent value + units | | `latestDateTime` | UTC timestamp of latest value | | `qualifier` | USGS quality flags | | `observationCount` | Number of points in the returned series | ### How to use 1. Choose a `stateCd` (e.g. `dc`, `ny`, `ca`) **or** a list of specific `sites` **or** a `countyCd`. 2. Optionally adjust `parameterCd` — defaults to `00060` (discharge cfs) and `00065` (gauge height ft). 3. Run the actor. ### Common parameter codes | Code | Meaning | |---|---| | 00060 | Streamflow (cfs) | | 00065 | Gauge height (ft) | | 00010 | Water temperature (°C) | | 00045 | Precipitation (in) | | 00095 | Specific conductance | | 63680 | Turbidity | ### Pricing Pay-per-result. Each `(site, parameter)` series returned = one record. ### Other actors - NDBC Marine Buoy Observations Scraper - USGS Earthquake Scraper - NOAA Tides Scraper ### FAQ **Is the data free?** Yes. USGS NWIS data is in the public domain. **How recent is "real-time"?** Most sites transmit every 15–60 minutes; the actor returns the latest value seen for each series. **Can I request multiple states?** Run the actor once per state and combine the datasets. ### Legal Data is sourced from the public USGS NWIS service. The data is in the public domain in the US; please credit "U.S. Geological Survey" when redistributing. # Actor input Schema ## `stateCd` (type: `string`): Two-letter US state code (e.g. 'ny', 'ca'). Used when no specific sites are provided. ## `sites` (type: `array`): Specific USGS site IDs (e.g. ['01646500']). If set, overrides state/county filters. ## `countyCd` (type: `string`): 5-digit FIPS county code (e.g. '36061' for New York County). Overrides stateCd if set. ## `parameterCd` (type: `string`): Comma-separated USGS parameter codes. Common: 00060 (discharge cfs), 00065 (gauge height ft), 00010 (water temp C), 00045 (precipitation in). Default: 00060,00065. ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum measurement series to return. 0 = unlimited. ## Actor input object example ```json { "stateCd": "dc", "sites": [], "countyCd": "", "parameterCd": "00060,00065", "maxResults": 1000 } ```` # Actor output Schema ## `dataset` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("compute-edge/usgs-water-services-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("compute-edge/usgs-water-services-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call compute-edge/usgs-water-services-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=compute-edge/usgs-water-services-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "USGS Water Services Scraper — Real-Time Streamflow & Gauge Data", "description": "Extract real-time USGS instantaneous-values water data — streamflow, gauge height, water temperature and more from thousands of US Geological Survey monitoring sites nationwide.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "tfKP1sWg5crnXQNTQ" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/compute-edge~usgs-water-services-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-compute-edge-usgs-water-services-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/compute-edge~usgs-water-services-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-compute-edge-usgs-water-services-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/compute-edge~usgs-water-services-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-compute-edge-usgs-water-services-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "stateCd": { "title": "State Code", "type": "string", "description": "Two-letter US state code (e.g. 'ny', 'ca'). Used when no specific sites are provided.", "default": "dc" }, "sites": { "title": "Site IDs", "type": "array", "description": "Specific USGS site IDs (e.g. ['01646500']). If set, overrides state/county filters.", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "countyCd": { "title": "FIPS County Code", "type": "string", "description": "5-digit FIPS county code (e.g. '36061' for New York County). Overrides stateCd if set.", "default": "" }, "parameterCd": { "title": "Parameter Codes", "type": "string", "description": "Comma-separated USGS parameter codes. Common: 00060 (discharge cfs), 00065 (gauge height ft), 00010 (water temp C), 00045 (precipitation in). Default: 00060,00065.", "default": "00060,00065" }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 0, "maximum": 20000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum measurement series to return. 0 = unlimited.", "default": 1000 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```