Final answer:
Stream gauges installed by the U.S. Geological Survey are used by hydrologists to create flood frequency graphs for flood control decisions. The collection and analysis of hydrological data are vital for understanding water as a resource and its management, illustrated by the 2009 western Georgia flood event.
Step-by-step explanation:
The monitoring of water flow during storm events through stream gauges is crucial for hydrologists to understand stream behavior and predict flood events. The U.S. Geological Survey installs these gauges across various water bodies to collect data that can help construct flood frequency graphs. Such graphs are instrumental in flood control decisions, especially given past events like the dramatic flood in western Georgia in September 2009 which had significant impacts, including fatalities, property damage, and transportation disruption. This type of hydrological monitoring and data analysis is a part of Environmental Biology and helps in understanding the scale and impact of hydrological services on water as a resource, whether it's a boon for drinking or a bane when in excess leading to floods.
Applying mathematical models assists in cost analysis and availability assessments of water sources. For instance, during the 2009 flood event, the discharge measured was 21,200 cubic feet per second (cfs), a data point that would be plotted on a flood frequency graph to determine the recurrence interval of such a flood event. Through interdisciplinary approaches combining geography, biology, and mathematics, studying the impact of natural phenomena like storms on hydrology is vital for resource management and environmental planning.