Last updated: March 2026
The short version
Paddle or Portage is a simple, stateless SMS service. When you text it, it looks up river gauge data and texts you back. It does not store your phone number, your message, or any information about you. That's it.
What information is collected
When you send a text message to this service, your message is received by Twilio (our SMS provider) and forwarded to our server. The server reads the gauge number you sent, queries the USGS, and sends a reply.
No information from this transaction is logged, stored, or retained beyond the time it takes to send the reply. Specifically:
- Your phone number is not stored
- The content of your message is not stored
- No usage logs are kept
- No cookies are used on this website
- No analytics or tracking tools are used on this website
Third-party services
This service uses two third-party services to function:
Twilio handles SMS delivery. When you send a text to this number, your message passes through Twilio's infrastructure. Twilio's own privacy policy governs how they handle that data. You can read it at twilio.com/en-us/legal/privacy.
USGS Water Services provides the river gauge data. Your gauge query is sent to the USGS API as a site number only — no personal information is transmitted. USGS is a US government agency.
SMS consent
By texting this service, you consent to receive a single SMS reply containing the gauge data you requested. You will not receive any further messages unless you send another query. This service does not send unsolicited messages, marketing messages, or messages of any kind that you did not directly initiate.
Standard messaging rates from your carrier or satellite provider may apply.
Data sharing
No personal data is collected, and therefore none is shared, sold, or transmitted to any third party beyond what is described above.
Children's privacy
This service is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect information from children.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted at this URL with a revised date. Given the nature of this service, significant changes are unlikely.
Contact
Questions about this privacy policy? Email jamtastical3@gmail.com.