USGS CoreCast

The United States is using less water than during the peak years of 1975 and 1980, according to USGS water use estimates for 2005. Despite a 30 percent population increase during the past 25 years, overall water use has remained fairly stable.

So what else do we know--and not know--about water use in the U.S.? Learn from a USGS scientist and partners, and hear what they're going to talk about at a water use briefing on Capitol Hill.

(18:03) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (16.60 MB)  

Whether you drink water from your tap, use electricity or canoe down your local river, chances are you benefit from USGS streamgage information. So what is a streamgage and what does it do for you? This CoreCast episode gives you the inside scoop on your silent superhero.

Also available in:
YouTube | MPG/WMV (94.64 MB) | QuickTime (48.29 MB) | Audio only (4.38 MB)

(5:04) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (48.29 MB)  

Interview with USGS scientist Dr. Roger Clark about his Sept. 24 Science article that suggests water exists on the moon. Imaging spectroscopy led Clark and others to this discovery which opens the possibilities into further moon exploration.

(6:26) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (5.97 MB)  

Mercury contamination was detected in every fish sampled in 291 streams across the country. About a quarter of these fish were found to contain mercury at levels exceeding the criterion for the protection of people who consume average amounts of fish, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

We talked to Lia Chasar, lead ecologist on the USGS study.

(6:27) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (6.00 MB)  

USGS scientists continue to monitor streamflow during the historic flooding taking place in Fargo, N.D. This information provides critical information used to estimate flood dangers and helps protect lives and property.

Also available in:
YouTube | MPG/WMV (27.28 MB) | QuickTime (5.31 MB) | Audio only (2.07 MB)

(2:15) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (5.31 MB)  

More than 20 percent of private, domestic wells contain at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern. About 43 million people—or 15 percent of the Nation's population—use drinking water from private wells, which are not regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

USGS scientist Leslie Desimone discusses the new study, the contaminants found, and the implications for society.

(5:30) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (5.12 MB)  

A new method to assess the Nation's potential for storing carbon dioxide in rocks below the earth's surface could help lessen climate change impacts. The injection and storage of liquid carbon dioxide into subsurface rocks is known as geologic carbon sequestration.

USGS scientist Robert Burruss discusses this new methodology and how it can help mitigate climate change.

(5:44) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (5.25 MB)  

Safe drinking water supplies are critical to maintaining and preserving public health. But how healthy is that resource? A recent USGS study found low levels of man-made chemicals in water entering and leaving drinking water treatment plants. USGS lead scientist Greg Delzer explains the findings of this study.

(7:42) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (7.13 MB)  

Long-standing farming practices in California's Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta expose fragile peat soils to wind, rain and cultivation, emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and cause land subsidence.

To capture or contain the carbon, farmers would "grow" wetlands. In doing so, they would begin to rebuild the Delta's unique peat soils, take CO2 out of the atmosphere, ease pressure on the Delta's aging levees, and infuse the region with new economic potential.

We learn more from USGS bio-geochemist Robin Miller about how this could help California, the nation, and the world.

(8:34) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (7.92 MB)  

The USGS and the Coast Salish Tribal Nation have partnered during the annual Tribal Canoe Journey to study and help improve resources of the Salish Sea.

This final episode in the Corecast Tribal Journey gives an overview of the journey, including a look at preliminary results and additional short video clips and commentary as they paddle through the San Juan Islands and British Columbia (in the Transcript section).

Also available in:
YouTube | MPG/WMV (152.84 MB) | QuickTime (42.95 MB) | Audio only (6.13 MB)

(6:41) | Transcript/Links | Download directly (42.95 MB)