Blue Liner Flows Review | USGS Stream Gauges

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Traveling more than an hour to go fly fishing often requires some planning. Weather and water levels are the two most important variables to understand before heading out. Everyone has their favorite weather apps, but this year more than ever, having a good understanding of water levels has been non-negotiable.

All water level data originates from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Surface-Water Data, which monitors over 13,000 stream gauges across the U.S. and more than 350 in Pennsylvania. The USGS has been transitioning to a new online interface over the past five-plus years. The updated look and feel have left some old features behind while adding new ones. I hate it.

So, I’ve been on the hunt for a desktop and mobile app that delivers USGS backend data through a clean, easy-to-use interface. Blue Liner Flows offers a solid solution for iPhone, iPad and Mac users, with apps built for both platforms. Most importantly, favorites and preferences sync across devices. There’s a free version, but I’ll be reviewing the $6.99 annual paid version.

Key features include: favorites, state selection, map view, latest data overview, discharge in CFS, discharge in feet, average annual discharge, various time views, weather forecasts, alerts, temperatures (station-dependent), turbidity (station-dependent), and other data specific to each gauge.

I found the app very easy to set up on my Mac. Once configured, all my favorites and alerts synced automatically to my iPhone. You don’t need both devices—an iPhone alone works just fine. I especially liked navigating between the state, favorites, and map views. It’s fast and intuitive. Most views display the key information I’m looking for, including directional arrows indicating whether water levels are rising or falling.


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AGENDA POSTED FOR FISH & BOAT COMMISSION FALL MEETING

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The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its fall quarterly meeting September 25-26 at agency headquarters, 1601 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg. Commission committees will meet beginning at approximately 10:15 a.m. on Monday, September 25. The full Commission will meet for formal consideration of the agenda beginning at approximately 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. All committee meetings and the review of the agenda are open to the public and attendance is encouraged.

PENNSYLVANIA TROUT ANGLERS BIG ON RECYCLING

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Pennsylvania’s trout anglers are big on recycling – fish that is. Two newly-released Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission/Penn State University studies found that the state’s trout anglers have high catch rates and high release rates as well. In fact, most trout caught in Pennsylvania’s waters are released, in turn extending and improving recreational fishing opportunities.
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