Basic AHPS Implementation is now Complete for the Entire Susquehanna River Basin

With the addition of 56 new Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) forecast points in FY 2003, the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (MARFC) has successfully implemented AHPS throughout the entire Susquehanna River Basin. A total of 63 forecast points now populate the basin. The completion of basic AHPS on the Susquehanna is a notable achievement for the MARFC, Eastern Region (ER), and the National AHPS program. This is the first major river basin in the National Weather Service (NWS) ER where AHPS has been fully implemented.

So why is this important for the citizenry of the Susquehanna River Basin region? Peter Gabrielsen, Chief of ER's Hydrologic Services Division explains, "The Susquehanna River has had numerous major floods since the 1930s, the worst caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The completion and implementation of AHPS in this region will allow NOAA's National Weather Service to issue more timely and accurate flood forecasts. Timely and accurate flood forecasts will enable emergency managers and the river community to plan for and respond aggressively to the threat of floods, droughts and everything in between."

This achievement was made possible by the effective partnership developed as part of the Susquehanna Flood Warning System Initiative. This liaison between the NWS, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and local and state agencies in the Susquehanna River Basin has been instrumental in providing vital data, supporting the AHPS program, and spreading the word through outreach meetings and multi-media display of AHPS information.