WASHINGTON – Two US Geological Survey area stream gauges face shutdown on March 1 if the federal government doesn’t continue funding them and Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand Wednesday urged the Office of Management and Budget to continue the money.

Two gauges – at South Dock at West Point on the Hudson River, and at the Hudson River at Piermont – are among 31 in New York that would be impacted.

The National Streamflow Information Program provides advance warning of high water rises in streams and rivers to warn of imminent flooding.

“Flipping off stream gauges in an area prone to flooding like New York would force residents, emergency responders and local officials to tie one hand behind their backs to fight flooding, when in reality we need all hands on deck,” Schumer said.

“After New York’s recent unprecedented flooding from heavy snow melt in the spring and the tropical storms in the summer, there is no excuse not to fund the programs that notify communities of impending flood waters,” said Gillibrand.