Collection and archiving of accurate weather data is important for a variety of water supply, engineering and infrastructure planning reasons, not just to predict when the next powder day is happening!

Historical precipitation information is used in a variety of engineering related analysis. By using accurate historical rainfall data, over an appropriate period of time, proper water supply planning and design for infrastructure can be determined.  Some examples:

• Right-sizing of stormwater facilities can save millions of dollars
• Creating better designs that prevent localized flooding
• Estimating future demands for long term water supply forecasting

Accurate weather data collection and the corresponding review and processing of regular weather data is no easy task. The City of Bend has chosen to partner with weather experts who use federal weather data standards, making the weather data even more useful for a variety of related analysis and forecasting.

Below are links to local weather stations with a summary of data types collected. Data and more information can be found at each station's web site.  Please note:  There may be additional information available from paid weather services, and we do not have those listed here.

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/agrimet/agrimetmap/bewoda.html 

Location:  Bend, Oregon

Agency:  Bureau of Reclamation, Agrimet Program

Precip. Type:  Heated tipping bucket

Frequency of data collection:  Cumulative inches of water

Other data recorded: 15 minute average temperature (Deg F), 15 minute average maximum temperature (Deg F), 15 minute minimum temperature (Deg F), incremental global solar radiation (Langleys per hour), global solar radiation (Langleys cumulative), average dew point temperature (Deg F), 15 minute average relative humidity (%), 15 minute maximum relative humidity (%), 15 minute minimum relative humidity (%), average actual vapor pressure (kpa), cumulative wind run (Miles), wind direction (Degrees), peak wind gusts (MPH), average wind speed (MPH)

Comment:  Bureau of Reclamation weather stations are calibrated annually and monitored and maintained to a very high standard. Extremely reliable data.

Cost:  Bend Water Division paid for original installation and continues to pay an annual maintenance fee to Reclamation Agrimet Program. (Other Agrimet Stations paid by others)

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/agrimet/agrimetmap/poboda.html 

Location:  Powell Butte, Oregon

Agency: Bureau of Reclamation, Agrimet Program

Precip. Type:  12'' Belfort

Frequency of data collection:  Cumulative inches of water

Other data recorded:  15 minute average temperature (Deg F), 15 minute average maximum temperature (Deg F, 15 minute minimum temperature (Deg F), incremental global solar radiation (Langleys per hour), global solar radiation (Langleys cumulative), soil temperature - 8 inch depth (Deg F), soil temperature - 4 inch depth (Deg F), soil temperature - 2 inch depth (Deg F), average dew point (Deg F), 15 minute average relative humidity (%), 15 minute average maximum relative humidity (%), 15 minute minimum average relative humdity (%), average acutual vapor pressure (kpa), Cumulative wind run (miles), wind direction (degrees), peak wind gust (MPH), average wind speed (MPH),

Comment:  Bureau of Reclamation weather stations are monitored and maintained to a very high standard. Extremely reliable data.

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/agrimet/agrimetmap/mrsoda.html 

Location:  Madras, Oregon   

Agency: Bureau of Reclamation, Agrimet Program

Precip. Type:  25'' load cell storage gage

Frequency of data collection:  Cumulative inches of water

Other data recorded:  15 minute average temperature (Deg F), 15 minute maximum temperature (Deg F), 15 minute minimum temperature (Deg F), incremental global solar radiation (Langleys per hour), incremental diffuse solar radiation (Langleys per hour), global solar radiation (Langleys cumulative), diffuse solar radiation (Langleys cumulative), soil temperature - 8'' depth (Deg F), soil temperature - 4'' depth (Deg F),average dew point temperature (Deg F), 15 minute average relative humidity (%), 15 minute maximum relative humidity (%), 15 minute average minimum relative humidity (%), average actual vapor pressure (kpa), cumulative wind run (miles), wind direction (degrees), peak wind gust (MPH), average wind speed (MPH)

Comment:  Bureau of Reclamation weather stations are monitored and maintained to a very high standard. Extremely reliable data. 

http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/roman/meso_base.cgi?stn=BWSO3&time=GMT 

Location:  City of Bend Water Shed, LATITUDE:44.0308 LONGITUDE: -121.5814

Precip. Type:  Tipping Bucket

Frequency of data collection:  Cumulative inches of water

Other data recorded:  maximum teperature (F hourly), minimum temperature (F hourly), relative humidity (% hourly), wind speed (MPH hourly), wind gust (MPH hourly), wind direction (N,E,S,W,etc), solar radiation (W/m*m), fuel temperature (Deg F), 10 hour fuel moisture (gm)

Comment:  RAWS weather station. Location is 5,330 ft. elevation.

Cost:  City of Bend paid for installation of station by USFS and maintains with annual payment contract under the Watershed agreement. 

http://216.228.187.69/ 

Location:  City of Bend Municipal Airport

Precip Type:  unknown

Frequency of data collection:  unknown

Comments:  This station provides general weather information specific to aviation. Cumulative precipitation data is not provided.