The Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBN) was established in 1963 to provide long-term measurements of streamflow and water quality in areas that are minimally affected by human activities. These data were to be used to study time trends and to serve as controls for separating natural from artificial changes in other streams. The network has consisted of as many as 58 drainage basins in 39 States.
USGS Circular 1173 (Environmental Characteristics and Water Quality of Hydrologic Benchmark Stations in the United States, 1963-95) describes each station within the HBN and provides summary analysis of the water quality data collected. This report is available on the web in its entirety and may be accessed by clicking here.
Data collected by the HBN program between 1962 and 1995 are available in USGS Digital Data Series 37 (Data from Selected U.S. Geological Survey National Stream Water-Quality Monitoring Networks (WQN)) is also available on the web by clicking here.
This page maintained by Richard P. Hooper (rphooper@usgs.gov)
Last updated Thursday, July 27, 2000.