Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 1, 2026

ClearGauge ("we," "us," or "our") operates this website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our river telemetry services. Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

Information We Collect

We do not require user accounts or registrations to use ClearGauge. The information we collect is strictly limited to what is necessary for the security and operation of our service:

• Automatically Collected Data: When you access the site, our servers automatically collect standard log data (IP addresses, browser type, operating system, pages visited, and timestamps) for security monitoring and abuse prevention.
• User-Submitted Reports: If you voluntarily submit a condition report using our feedback tools, we collect the report type and any optional comment you provide. We also store a cryptographic, salted hash of your IP address for rate-limiting purposes to prevent spam. We never store your raw IP address in our database alongside your report.

Third-Party Data Sources (USGS & NWS)

ClearGauge fetches real-time streamflow and weather data from third-party government entities, primarily the United States Geological Survey (USGS) via their modern WDFN OGC APIs, and the National Weather Service (NWS) active alerts API. We do not transmit any of your personal information, including your physical location, to these government servers. All requests for environmental data (including NWS coordinate-based alert queries) are made securely server-to-server by ClearGauge on your behalf, using the coordinates of the river gauge, not your device.

Advertising & Cookies

We use minimal first-party cookies necessary for site functionality. However, we use third-party advertising companies (such as Google AdSense) to serve ads when you visit the site. These companies may use information about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.

• Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites.
• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your browsing history.
• You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings.

U.S. State Privacy Rights (CCPA, VCDPA, CPA)

Depending on your U.S. state of residence (including California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah), you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Know: You have the right to request what personal information we collect, use, and disclose.
• Right to Delete: You have the right to request the deletion of your personal information.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do not sell your personal information. However, our use of third-party advertising cookies may constitute a "sale" or "sharing" under certain state laws. You can opt out via your browser's Global Privacy Control or Google Ad Settings.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below.

Children's Privacy (COPPA)

ClearGauge is not directed to, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from, children under the age of 13. If we learn we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will delete that information as quickly as possible. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal data, please contact us.

Contact Us

If you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: support@cleargaugerivers.com