A new Michigan House bill wants to make it a lot easier to monitor surface-water levels through a process called CrowdHydrology.
CrowdHydrology is when anyone can monitor water levels by using stream gages placed in public surface-water areas such as a lake or river.
Bill 5043 wants to eliminate permits and costs required to install the gages so those interested in helping can participate.
State Representative Gretchen Driskell from Saline's 52nd District, who introduced the bill says this would help the U.S. Geological Survey monitor water levels for data purposes because as of now, Michigan does not have enough resources to do it with government employees.
Residents would be able to take photos of the gages and text it back to the U.S. Geological Survey.
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— Jorge Avellan is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him studio@wemu.org