The West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) at West Virginia University is accepting donations on behalf of the newly created West Virginia Water Gaging Council to maintain and improve the state’s water gaging network.

Without water gages, we lose our ability to predict water events such as floods and droughts,explained Paul Ziemkiewicz, WVWRI director and member of the council.

In 2003, funding cuts threatened the operation of 18 gages that were essential for monitoring water,said Ziemkiewicz.

The gages are too important, so a coalition has formed to appeal to private individuals and organizations for donations to enhance funding for the network,said Ziemkiewicz.

In addition to fundraising, the West Virginia Water Gaging Council provides a forum for conversation and collaboration among groups that are interested in water issues in the state.

Council members include the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, W.Va. Department of Environmental Protection, W.Va. Water Research Institute, W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, W.Va. Conservation Agency, W.Va. Office of Emergency Services, W.Va. Department of Transportation, W.Va. Rivers Coalition, Michael Baker Corp., and Canaan Valley Institute.

Liz Garland, executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, is the current council chairperson.

To learn more about donating and for background about the Water Gaging Council, visit:http://wvwri.nrcce.wvu.edu/programs/wvwgc.