A Stakeholder-Driven Approach for Enhancing Streamflow Monitoring Networks in Louisiana, USA

Abstract

Effective streamflow monitoring networks are crucial for flood mitigation planning and water management operations. In Louisiana, USA, extreme rainfall, flat topography, and coastal-inland interactions necessitate enhancements to the sparse existing monitoring resources. This study introduces a stakeholder-driven approach to designing a streamflow monitoring network by integrating local expertise with geospatial process-based criteria. Our approach combines stakeholder input, gathered via web-based geospatial applications, with an automated scoring system. The system is based on hydrologic and geomorphic factors to prioritize gage placements while balancing regional needs and resource constraints. Implemented as part of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI), the network design addresses monitoring gaps, particularly in ungauged large watersheds and streams with complex flow regimes. The study highlights the importance of incorporating local knowledge into technical designs to support flood mitigation planning, real-time flood forecasting, and hydrodynamic model calibration. This framework can be adopted by other flood-prone regions worldwide to enhance flood monitoring and mitigation planning efforts.