California Water Science Center
Read about the latest research, outreach events, partnerships, and other activities taking place at the California Water Science Center
News
In this section you will find California Water Science Center news and events. If you are with a media outlet and are requesting information please contact: Sally House, Science Communications, at (916) 698-0270.
Study to Commence on the Effects of Wildfires and Fire Retardants in California Watersheds
California Water Science Center Research Chemist Dr. Charles Alpers will commence a study on assessing the effects of wildfire and fire retardants on nutrient transport in California watersheds.
USGS Responds to Spring Flooding
U.S. Geological Survey field crews are measuring flooding across the country as spring weather is in full swing. Warming temperatures, increased precipitation and snowmelt have caused moderate to major flooding in the upper Midwest, East Coast, Central Plains and the Southeast portions of the country.
Modeling Water Supply and Demand in the Transboundary Rio Grande to Support Long Term Management Strategies
Changes in population, agricultural practices, and climate are increasing demands on available water resources, particularly groundwater, in the southwest.
California Groundwater Wells Receive Grades for Improvement and Degradation
In California, groundwater is a major source for drinking and other uses. Identifying where groundwater quality is getting better or worse is essential for managing groundwater resources.
Toxic Mineral Selenium Found in California Fish Species
Spinal deformities in California native fish species, the Sacramento Splittail, were first seen in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in 2011. It is now known that this is due to exposure to the chemical element selenium.
USGS Scientists Use Sound and Light to Measure Sediment in Water
In two recent publications, California Water Science Center scientists discuss their research using acoustic and optic technology to measure the quantity and movement of sediment in rivers and reservoirs.
USGS Hydrologist Collaborates with Danish Scientists on Groundwater Research
Groundwater provides much of the world's drinking water. When a supply of groundwater becomes contaminated, determining the timing and source of the contamination is an obvious concern. But the answers aren’t always clear. Contaminants may have different sources, even in a single groundwater well.
USGS Scientist to Discusses the Impacts of Agricultural Runoff in California’s Bay-Delta
Research Chemist, Dr. Michelle Hladik, presented her research on current-use pesticides being introduced into certain areas of California’s Bay-Delta ecosystem. Dr. Hladik’s presentation took place at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Annual...
The Ups and Downs of Groundwater Levels after the July 2019 Ridgecrest, CA Earthquakes
Effects from the two July 2019 Ridgecrest, CA earthquakes were observed in several USGS continuous groundwater-level monitoring sites in California, Nevada, and Arizona.
USGS Science at Work in the San Francisco Bay Estuary
In an article written for the Interagency Ecological Program for the San Francisco Estuary, Dr. Paul Work and Dr. Maureen Downing-Kunz, of the California Water Science Center, provide examples of the work being done to measure water flow and quality in the San Francisco Estuary.
Below is the article in its entirety.
The CAWSC is Hiring a Hydrologic Field Assistant!
Do you get excited about working outdoors? Do you enjoy creative problem solving? Would you like to work part to full time in a challenging position that could lead to incredible career opportunities?
California Water Science Center Scientists Will Discuss Their Research on Drinking Water Sources at the 2019 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona
The annual meeting of the Geological Society of America supports the geological community in the scientific discovery, communication, and application of geoscience knowledge. This year’s meeting will feature 28 short courses and workshops, 6 Pardee Symposia, and 201 topical sessions and symposia, as well as other networking and learning opportunities.