Pegelstands

Pegelstand refers to the vertical height of the surface of a body of water at a specific location, as read from a water level gauge (Pegel). The term is used in the singular and plural Pegelstände to describe readings at different monitoring stations along rivers, lakes, or coastal areas. It is a core quantity in hydrology and flood management.

Measurement and references: Pegelstände are determined at fixed gauge stations by various instruments, such as staff gauges, float-based sensors, pressure transducers, or radar and ultrasonic devices. Readings are typically expressed in meters above a reference level, commonly NHN (Normalhöhennull) or another standard reference, and are updated at regular intervals (often hourly) with real-time data available at many sites.

Data sources and usage: Official agencies publish current and historical Pegelstände to support flood forecasting, water resource management, navigation, and environmental monitoring. In Germany, agencies such as the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) and the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) provide pegell data for major rivers and coastal areas. Researchers and the public can access these data for trend analysis, risk assessment, and planning.

Accuracy and quality: Pegelstände are subject to quality control, calibration, and maintenance. Data may carry quality flags indicating gauge problems, sensor errors, or maintenance activity. Public portals typically provide metadata to help interpret readings and ensure reliable use for decision-making.