Correct Answer!

It is a common misconception that the gage height reading corresponds to water depth in a river. The datum for a gage may be several feet below the stream bed. Therefore, a completely dry river can have a gage height reading well above zero. For example, if a gage datum is 5 feet below the stream bead, and the gage height reading is 12 feet, the actual water depth is about 7 feet.