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No matter the season, we are out monitoring Colorado waters.

In winter...

No matter the season, we are out monitoring Colorado waters.

In spring...

No matter the season, we are out monitoring Colorado waters.

In summer...

No matter the season, we are out monitoring Colorado waters.

and in the fall.

Colorado Water Science Center

Welcome to the USGS Colorado Water Science Center!  Please use these pages to explore the hydrologic data and scientific investigations we conduct on Colorado water resources.

Current Conditions

Screen shot Colorado Water Dashboard

Explore real-time Colorado streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions.

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Science Highlight

The Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado. 

Next Generation Water Observing System: Upper Colorado River Basin
The Next Generation Water Observing System provides high-fidelity, real-time data on water quantity, quality, and use to support modern water prediction and decision-support systems that are necessary for informing water operations on a daily basis and decision-making during water emergencies.

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Quick Links

News

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Media Alert: USGS study will dye Slate River green in November

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Media Alert: Helicopter Will Survey Portions of the Colorado River Basin for Water Studies

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April Showers may Bring May Flowers, but Winter Snow is Water in the Bank

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Publications

The truth is in the stream: Use of tracer techniques and synoptic sampling to evaluate metal loading and remedial options in a hydrologically complex setting

Two synoptic sampling campaigns were conducted to quantify metal loading to Illinois Gulch, a small stream affected by historical mining activities. The first campaign was designed to determine the degree to which Illinois Gulch loses water to the underlying mine workings, and to determine the effect of these losses on observed metal loads. The second campaign was designed to evaluate metal loadin
Authors
Robert L. Runkel, Philip Verplanck, Katherine Walton-Day, R. Blaine McCleskey, Patrick Byrne
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Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

USGS Colorado Water Science Center bookmark

The U.S. Geological Survey Colorado Water Science Center conducts water resource activities in Colorado in cooperation with different entities throughout the State. These activities include extensive data-collection efforts and interpretive studies to address many different issues of concern to Colorado water resource planners, managers, and others. Results are documented in report products and as
Authors
Jeannette Oden
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Salinity and selenium yield maps derived from geostatistical modeling in the lower Gunnison River Basin, western Colorado, 1992–2013

Salinity is known to affect drinking-water supplies and damage irrigated agricultural lands. Selenium in high concentrations is harmful to fish and other wildlife. Land managers, water providers, and agricultural producers in the lower Gunnison River Basin in western Colorado expend resources mitigating the effects of these constituents. The U.S. Geological Survey revised existing salinity (total
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Cory A. Williams, Rachel G. Gidley, Michael R. Stevens
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Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center
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Science

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Yampa River and Steamboat Spring outflow

Data supporting management of thermal springs –Steamboat Springs, Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the city of Steamboat Springs and the Tread of Pioneers Museum, is undertaking a geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical study to better understand the sources of water to hot springs and the possible effects of land use change and human activities on the chemistry and sustainability of springs.
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Colorado Water Science Center
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Data supporting management of thermal springs –Steamboat Springs, Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the city of Steamboat Springs and the Tread of Pioneers Museum, is undertaking a geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical study to better understand the sources of water to hot springs and the possible effects of land use change and human activities on the chemistry and sustainability of springs.
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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Actionable Science

The Colorado River Basin Pilot Project is exploring new approaches for the USGS to answer complex earth systems questions identified in partnership with stakeholders, which cannot be answered through a single discipline approach. Science coproduction is a method where scientists, managers, policy makers, and other stakeholders first identify specific decisions to be informed by science, and then...
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Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
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Actionable Science

The Colorado River Basin Pilot Project is exploring new approaches for the USGS to answer complex earth systems questions identified in partnership with stakeholders, which cannot be answered through a single discipline approach. Science coproduction is a method where scientists, managers, policy makers, and other stakeholders first identify specific decisions to be informed by science, and then...
Learn More
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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Integrated Science Approach

The USGS has a long history of delivering science and tools to help decision-makers manage and mitigate effects of drought. The timing is critical for the USGS to consolidate its diverse expertise into a single landscape-scale effort to rapidly provide integrated transdisciplinary, targeted data, tools, and models required by decision makers in the Basin. This initiative unifies USGS expertise...
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Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
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Integrated Science Approach

The USGS has a long history of delivering science and tools to help decision-makers manage and mitigate effects of drought. The timing is critical for the USGS to consolidate its diverse expertise into a single landscape-scale effort to rapidly provide integrated transdisciplinary, targeted data, tools, and models required by decision makers in the Basin. This initiative unifies USGS expertise...
Learn More
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