Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program - Mississippi Embayment Study Area

By Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center June 23, 2017

The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is designed to describe the status and trends in the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources and to provide a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the quality of these resources. As part of the program, investigations will be conducted in approximately 60 areas -- called study units -- throughout the Nation to provide a framework for national and regional water-quality assessment. National and regional synthesis of information from study units will consist of comparative studies of specific water-quality issues using nationally consistent information.

The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is designed to describe the status and trends in the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources and to provide a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the quality of these resources. As part of the program, investigations will be conducted in approximately 60 areas -- called study units -- throughout the Nation to provide a framework for national and regional water-quality assessment. National and regional synthesis of information from study units will consist of comparative studies of specific water-quality issues using nationally consistent information.

The Mississippi Embayment (MISE) Study Unit is one of 15 units that began in 1994. Surface-water, ground-water, and ecological data collection took place in the MISE area in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Data collection for the first intensive phase was completed during August 1998, and analysis and synthesis has begun.

  • Overview

    The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is designed to describe the status and trends in the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources and to provide a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the quality of these resources. As part of the program, investigations will be conducted in approximately 60 areas -- called study units -- throughout the Nation to provide a framework for national and regional water-quality assessment. National and regional synthesis of information from study units will consist of comparative studies of specific water-quality issues using nationally consistent information.

    The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is designed to describe the status and trends in the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources and to provide a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the quality of these resources. As part of the program, investigations will be conducted in approximately 60 areas -- called study units -- throughout the Nation to provide a framework for national and regional water-quality assessment. National and regional synthesis of information from study units will consist of comparative studies of specific water-quality issues using nationally consistent information.

    The Mississippi Embayment (MISE) Study Unit is one of 15 units that began in 1994. Surface-water, ground-water, and ecological data collection took place in the MISE area in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Data collection for the first intensive phase was completed during August 1998, and analysis and synthesis has begun.