USGS Water Data (BYOK)

USGS Water Data (BYOK) — connector documentation

• MCP endpoint: https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/mcp
• REST API: POST https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/v1/tools/{tool_name}, described by the OpenAPI 3.1 spec at https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/openapi.json
• Transport: Streamable HTTP, stateless, MCP specification 2025-06-18 or later
• Authentication: your own USGS Water Data USGS Water Data API key, sent in the X-Upstream-Key header of every request (never stored, logged or cached)
• Health: https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/health · Tool schemas: https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/tools.json
• Publisher: Unify Dynamics LLC · connectorbay.com/byok-usgs-waterdata · agent@connectorbay.com

What USGS Water Data (BYOK) is for

USGS Water Data (BYOK) lets an AI assistant read your own USGS Water Data data through the USGS Water Data API with a key you supply (USGS Water Data API key). Read-only: 7 tools (list_monitoring_locations, get_monitoring_location, list_time_series_metadata, list_daily_values, list_latest_daily_values, list_latest_continuous_values, list_field_measurements). The BYOK key travels with each request, is used for that one call only and is never stored, logged or cached; it is only ever sent to api.waterdata.usgs.gov. Unofficial connector by Unify Dynamics LLC: not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by USGS Water Data. USGS Water Data and its logos are trademarks of their owners and are used only to say which service the connector works with.

Ask your assistant things like:

• "Which stream gages does USGS have in Wisconsin?"
• "What is USGS site 02238500?"
• "What does USGS site 02238500 measure?"
• "What was the daily mean streamflow at USGS-02238500 over the last 7 days?"
• "What is the latest daily value recorded at USGS-02238500?"
• "What is the current gage height at USGS-02238500?"

What it does

• list_monitoring_locations: List USGS monitoring locations (stream gages, wells, lakes) filtered by state, site type, county or HUC, with name, type, elevation and drainage area.
• get_monitoring_location: Get one USGS monitoring location by its id: name, type, state, county, elevation and drainage area.
• list_time_series_metadata: List which measurements a location records (parameter, statistic, begin and end of the record) to discover what to request next.
• list_daily_values: List daily values (mean, minimum or maximum per day) for a location and parameter over a time range, such as daily mean streamflow.
• list_latest_daily_values: List the most recent daily value of each time series for a location or parameter.
• list_latest_continuous_values: List the latest sensor reading (typically every 15 minutes) of each continuous time series for a location or parameter.
• list_field_measurements: List discrete in-person field measurements such as gage height, discharge and groundwater level for a location.

BYOK key

You bring your own USGS Water Data USGS Water Data API key (https://api.waterdata.usgs.gov/signup/). Your assistant sends it in the X-Upstream-Key header with each request. ConnectorBay uses it for that one call only: it is never stored, logged or cached, never shown in an answer, and it is only sent to api.waterdata.usgs.gov over https, with no redirects followed. Create a key with the fewest permissions the tools need (read-only if the provider offers it), and revoke it at the provider whenever you like.

Data sources

• https://doi-usgs.github.io/dataretrieval-python/ (the API this connector calls, with a BYOK key)

Live from the USGS Water Data API (api.waterdata.usgs.gov) with a BYOK key; documentation: https://doi-usgs.github.io/dataretrieval-python/. Endpoints checked against that documentation on 2026-10-16.

What it is not

Unofficial connector by Unify Dynamics LLC: not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by USGS Water Data. USGS Water Data and its logos are trademarks of their owners and are used only to say which service the connector works with. It is read-only: it never creates, changes, sends or deletes anything in your USGS Water Data account.

Built for: Worldwide. Languages: English.

USGS Water Data (BYOK) — Privacy Policy

Effective 24 October 2026. Unify Dynamics LLC ("we", "us"), Menlo Park, California.

What USGS Water Data (BYOK) is. USGS Water Data (BYOK) is a connector (an MCP server and REST API) that an AI assistant calls on your behalf to read your own USGS Water Data data: Read USGS Water Data for the Nation: monitoring locations, daily and latest streamflow, gage height and field measurements with your own api.waterdata.usgs.gov key. You bring your own USGS Water Data USGS Water Data API key; the assistant sends it to us with each request.

BYOK key. The key you supply is used to make the one USGS Water Data call you asked for. Our application does not store it, write it to a log, put it in a cache, or share it. It is sent only to api.waterdata.usgs.gov, over https, and is removed from any text we return to you or your assistant. We do not follow redirects with your key. If USGS Water Data rejects it, we say so without repeating it.

What we receive. The arguments of each tool call, the BYOK key (for that call only), the technical headers needed to serve the request (an IP address or a client identifier supplied by the assistant) and standard server logs. What USGS Water Data receives. The request we make on your behalf, including the key and the arguments, under USGS Water Data's own terms and privacy policy. USGS Water Data acts at your direction and is the only recipient of the data of your request besides our hosting provider.

What we return. The answer USGS Water Data gives for your request, trimmed to the fields the tool documents. We do not keep it: it is returned to your assistant and not stored, cached or used to train anything.

What we do not do. We do not build a profile, sell or share personal information, or keep your USGS Water Data data. Rate-limit counters (a client identifier and timestamps) are held in memory for at most 24 hours. Hosting access logs (IP addresses, request paths and status codes) are kept for up to 30 days for security and abuse prevention; our application adds no request headers or bodies to them.

Sub-processors. USGS Water Data (the API you call with a BYOK key, at your direction). Hosting: Vercel (United States regions).

Your rights. Because we store no personal data beyond short-lived logs, requests to access, correct or delete data are usually satisfied automatically; you can still contact agent@connectorbay.com and we will respond within 30 days. Revoke your key at USGS Water Data at any time to end all access.

Children. USGS Water Data (BYOK) is a general-audience service operated by the adult using the assistant, under USGS Water Data's own age rules.

Changes. We will post changes here with a new effective date.

USGS Water Data (BYOK) — Terms of Service

Effective 24 October 2026. These terms govern use of the USGS Water Data (BYOK) connector ("the Service") operated by Unify Dynamics LLC ("we", "us").

1. The Service. USGS Water Data (BYOK) provides: Read USGS Water Data for the Nation: monitoring locations, daily and latest streamflow, gage height and field measurements with your own api.waterdata.usgs.gov key. It is accessed through an AI assistant or directly over MCP or HTTP, and is read-only.
2. Your own key, your own account. You must use your own USGS Water Data credentials and only access data you are allowed to access. USGS Water Data's terms apply to your use of USGS Water Data; you are responsible for complying with them, including any rate limits and permitted uses. Do not share a key you do not own.
3. Independent. Unofficial connector by Unify Dynamics LLC: not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by USGS Water Data. USGS Water Data and its logos are trademarks of their owners and are used only to say which service the connector works with.
4. No advice, no guarantees. Output is the data USGS Water Data returns, lightly trimmed; it may be incomplete, delayed or changed by USGS Water Data. Check important facts at the source.
5. Read-only. The Service does not create, change, send or delete anything in your USGS Water Data account.
6. Acceptable use. Automated use within the published rate limits is welcome. Do not use the Service to access data you are not entitled to, to circumvent USGS Water Data's controls, or to attack any system.
7. Availability. The Service is provided "as is" without warranty. We may change, limit or discontinue it at any time; USGS Water Data may change or end its API at any time.
8. Data. Our Privacy Policy describes what we process. In short: the BYOK key is used for the one call and not stored or logged.
9. Pro keys. Optional ConnectorBay Pro API keys are issued at our discretion and are separate from your USGS Water Data key.
10. Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Unify Dynamics LLC is not liable for any loss arising from use of or reliance on the Service, including any action USGS Water Data takes on your account. Our total liability is limited to US $100.
11. Governing law. California law; venue in San Mateo County, California.
12. Contact. Unify Dynamics LLC · agent@connectorbay.com · https://connectorbay.com/byok-usgs-waterdata

USGS Water Data (BYOK) support

Email agent@connectorbay.com. We answer within two business days.

• MCP endpoint: https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/mcp
• REST API: https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/openapi.json
• Live status: https://byok-usgs-waterdata.connectorbay.com/health

When you report a problem, include the question you asked your agent, roughly when, and which agent you used (for example Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini). Never send us passwords, account numbers or ID numbers. USGS Water Data (BYOK) never asks for them.