In 2014, an odd contraption appeared on the side of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
It was a tidal gauge and and storm surge monitor. The US Geological Survey installed it, to help improve the town’s warning, mitigation and prevention capabilities. It was funded entirely by the federal government.
Ruth Steinkraus Cohen river gauge.
Well, it was nice while it lasted.
Extremely alert “06880” reader Thomas Quealy spotted this on USGS website:
Data collection at the following gage [sic] will be discontinued on December 31, 2017 due to funding reductions from partner agencies. Although historic data will remain accessible, no new data will be collected unless one or more new funding partners are found. Users who can contribute funding for the non-Federal share of costs to continue operation of this streamgage [sic] should contact Timothy Sargent at the USGS New England Water Science Center – Connecticut Office (860-291-6754) or email at tcsargen@usgs.gov.
Which “gage” was listed?
You guessed it: “01209510 Saugatuck River at Route 1 at Westport.”