A substantial proportion of natural streams in the United States and C
anada are affected by ice cover during the winter. To substantiate the
currently used procedures for measuring streamflow during the winter,
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Water Survey of Canada (WSC) be
gan independent, coordinated programs for research and development rel
ated to the measurement of streamflow under an ice cover. Detailed mea
surements of vertical velocity profiles under ice covers in field sett
ings were collected by each agency in accordance with standardized gui
delines. The data were then compiled into a joint database. This paper
presents a description of the two measurement programs, describes the
structure and format of the joint database, and provides preliminary
summaries of the data. Ongoing research efforts by the USGS and WSC ar
e described briefly to give examples of the use of the joint database.