U.S. Geological Survey

On April 1-3, 2000, between 5 and 6 inches of rain fell in parts of Madison County, Alabama. These rains caused the Tennessee River to rise out of its banks and spill out across thousands of acres of flood plain. Obtaining flow data during this event was crucial. Two months earlier, we had purchased a Rough Rider I rugged laptop. With this laptop, we were able to collect the data we needed from a boat while bouncing off of 3 feet waves, in currents of 8 feet/second, and in heavy rainfall. The laptop weathered the storm and the turbulent conditions and was a great asset in our data collection effort.

John M. Shelton
Hydrologist
U.S. Geological Survey