The Next Generation Water Observing Program (NGWOS) supports the advancement of water resources observations in order to assess water availability, management, and prediction across the US’s major hydrologic regions.
Videos
Explore our collection of videos of USGS water science. Discover our Center’s scientific expertise through our capabilities videos. Watch our series, “USGS On The Road,” about water science for the public. Explore easy to understand videos about scientific publications and ongoing studies.
The Next Generation Water Observing Program (NGWOS) supports the advancement of water resources observations in order to assess water availability, management, and prediction across the US’s major hydrologic regions.
USGS On the Road - Remotely Sampling a Stream for Contaminants
USGS On the Road - Remotely Sampling a Stream for ContaminantsTyler and Laura as they replace an auto sampler after a large rain event. USGS scientists use these samplers to log river conditions before, during, and after a storm.
USGS On the Road - Remotely Sampling a Stream for Contaminants
USGS On the Road - Remotely Sampling a Stream for ContaminantsTyler and Laura as they replace an auto sampler after a large rain event. USGS scientists use these samplers to log river conditions before, during, and after a storm.
Photo of a hydrologic technician collecting a water sample from a canoe.
The USGS and D.C.’s DOEE have been working together to monitor water quality in the Anacostia, in support of the District's goal of expanding access to the water for local communities. DOEE relies on data and continuous monitoring from USGS to support important decisions about public safety and the accessibility of the area’s natural resources.
The USGS and D.C.’s DOEE have been working together to monitor water quality in the Anacostia, in support of the District's goal of expanding access to the water for local communities. DOEE relies on data and continuous monitoring from USGS to support important decisions about public safety and the accessibility of the area’s natural resources.
A three-image collage of work Studying the Water Quality of the Anacostia River.
The USGS and D.C.’s DOEE have been working together to monitor water quality in the Anacostia, in support of the District's goal of expanding access to the water for local communities. DOEE relies on data and continuous monitoring from USGS to support important decisions about public safety and the accessibility of the area’s natural resources.
The USGS and D.C.’s DOEE have been working together to monitor water quality in the Anacostia, in support of the District's goal of expanding access to the water for local communities. DOEE relies on data and continuous monitoring from USGS to support important decisions about public safety and the accessibility of the area’s natural resources.
Your Future at USGS: Discover the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center
Your Future at USGS: Discover the MD-DE-DC Water Science CenterDiscover what a career in science with the U.S. Geological Survey looks like. The Maryland-Delaware-DC Water Science Center is home to skilled scientists of many disciplines: hydrologists, geomorphologists, geographers, data scientists, statisticians, biologists, technicians, and more. You name it, we need it.
Your Future at USGS: Discover the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center
Your Future at USGS: Discover the MD-DE-DC Water Science CenterDiscover what a career in science with the U.S. Geological Survey looks like. The Maryland-Delaware-DC Water Science Center is home to skilled scientists of many disciplines: hydrologists, geomorphologists, geographers, data scientists, statisticians, biologists, technicians, and more. You name it, we need it.
Westernport, Maryland was one of the hardest hit towns during the mid-May flooding in Western Maryland, where Georges Creek flooded an elementary school in Westernport, MD, prompting the emergency rescue of schoolchildren.
Westernport, Maryland was one of the hardest hit towns during the mid-May flooding in Western Maryland, where Georges Creek flooded an elementary school in Westernport, MD, prompting the emergency rescue of schoolchildren.
USGS is committed to monitoring water quality and quantity in all conditions, and sometimes that means walking out onto frozen rivers to make a measurement. In this episode, we join a team as they cut through the ice to safely access the water that still flows underneath.
USGS is committed to monitoring water quality and quantity in all conditions, and sometimes that means walking out onto frozen rivers to make a measurement. In this episode, we join a team as they cut through the ice to safely access the water that still flows underneath.
USGS On the Road - Deploying the Autonomous Boat at Lower Darby Creek
USGS On the Road - Deploying the Autonomous Boat at Lower Darby CreekDid you know the USGS is involved in understanding how PFAS travel through the environment?
USGS On the Road - Deploying the Autonomous Boat at Lower Darby Creek
USGS On the Road - Deploying the Autonomous Boat at Lower Darby CreekDid you know the USGS is involved in understanding how PFAS travel through the environment?
Are you afraid of the dark?
Not this scientist. He is using a special technique to examine sediment samples that can help scientists study historical hurricanes.
Are you afraid of the dark?
Not this scientist. He is using a special technique to examine sediment samples that can help scientists study historical hurricanes.
It’s the final checkpoint…
As the largest river flowing into the nation's largest freshwater estuary, the Susquehanna River plays an important role in the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay.
It’s the final checkpoint…
As the largest river flowing into the nation's largest freshwater estuary, the Susquehanna River plays an important role in the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay.
USGS On the Road — Choptank River Water Quality Sampling
USGS On the Road — Choptank River Water Quality SamplingOn a fair sunny day in March, hydrologic technician Michael Brownley makes his way up the metal rung ladder to a platform. From there he beards a cableway, no bigger than a twin-sized bed. Luckily, he’s the only one aboard the cableway, space is tight as it is.
USGS On the Road — Choptank River Water Quality Sampling
USGS On the Road — Choptank River Water Quality SamplingOn a fair sunny day in March, hydrologic technician Michael Brownley makes his way up the metal rung ladder to a platform. From there he beards a cableway, no bigger than a twin-sized bed. Luckily, he’s the only one aboard the cableway, space is tight as it is.
USGS On the Road - Measuring Water Quality at Plumtree
USGS On the Road - Measuring Water Quality at PlumtreeAs a USGS hydrologic technician Kelly McVicker explains, we collect water-quality samples with an attention to detail.
Why care about water quality? Because it holds the clues to the health of the stream or river.
USGS On the Road - Measuring Water Quality at Plumtree
USGS On the Road - Measuring Water Quality at PlumtreeAs a USGS hydrologic technician Kelly McVicker explains, we collect water-quality samples with an attention to detail.
Why care about water quality? Because it holds the clues to the health of the stream or river.
Our scientists are keen on understanding the impact that urban and suburban developments can have on stream habitats.
Our scientists are keen on understanding the impact that urban and suburban developments can have on stream habitats.
The Potomac River Supplies drinking water for Washington D.C., so it’s important for us to understand what’s going on in the river.
The Potomac River Supplies drinking water for Washington D.C., so it’s important for us to understand what’s going on in the river.
Introducing the Massachusetts Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool
Introducing the Massachusetts Statewide Hydraulic Modeling ToolThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, have developed a GIS-based hydraulic modeling tool for Massachusetts stream crossing replacement projects.
Introducing the Massachusetts Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool
Introducing the Massachusetts Statewide Hydraulic Modeling ToolThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, have developed a GIS-based hydraulic modeling tool for Massachusetts stream crossing replacement projects.
The USGS is home to many kinds of scientists studying the earth’s hydrology, topography, geography, geology, seismology, volcanology, and more.
In this video, we show you what a day is like for scientists studying a stream’s habitability.
The USGS is home to many kinds of scientists studying the earth’s hydrology, topography, geography, geology, seismology, volcanology, and more.
In this video, we show you what a day is like for scientists studying a stream’s habitability.
This video is an introduction of the USGS Northeast Region's science efforts to support society's evolving needs through its engaged and diverse workforce.
This video is an introduction of the USGS Northeast Region's science efforts to support society's evolving needs through its engaged and diverse workforce.
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better Decisions (AD)
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better Decisions (AD)This video is an introduction of the USGS Northeast Region's science efforts to support society's evolving needs through its engaged and skilled workforce.
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better Decisions (AD)
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better Decisions (AD)This video is an introduction of the USGS Northeast Region's science efforts to support society's evolving needs through its engaged and skilled workforce.
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better Decisions
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better DecisionsThis video is an introduction of the USGS Northeast Region's science efforts to support society's evolving needs through its engaged and skilled workforce.
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better Decisions
The USGS Northeast Region: Delivering Science for Better DecisionsThis video is an introduction of the USGS Northeast Region's science efforts to support society's evolving needs through its engaged and skilled workforce.
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream TemperatureGroundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream TemperatureGroundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature (AD)
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature (AD)Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature (AD)
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature (AD)Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.