Our region's water supply comes from streams and rivers, groundwater, and reservoirs. Areas not served by public-water supply rely on groundwater withdrawn from fractured rock aquifers in western Maryland, or surficial (water table) and confined aquifers in southern Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and the Eastern Shore.
Groundwater research works to improve our understanding of groundwater resources across Maryland through groundwater monitoring networks and in-depth studies. Team monitoring and research projects are site specific to regional in scale, and can address groundwater flow, groundwater availability, water supply and use, water resource modeling, and/or contaminant fate and transport. The MD-DE-DC WSC logs data on nearly 400 groundwater wells throughout the region.
Investigative capabilities include groundwater model development and maintenance, down-hole and surface geophysics, advanced geochemical, microbial, and hydrologic data-collection techniques, statistical and spatial analysis, database design and maintenance, and interpretive reporting and communication of results to water resource managers, cooperators, colle
A Graphical and Mapping Interface for Analysis of Hydrologic Data

The Groundwater Toolbox is a graphical and mapping interface for analysis of hydrologic data. The software is customized interface built on the non-proprietary, open-source MapWindow geographic information system software, running on the Windows OS.
Hydrologic study at Farm Creek Marsh, MD from April 2015 to April 2016

In 2015, the USGS began a year-long hydrologic study to investigate the extent and cause of water inundation. The combination of water-quality, hydrologic, and soils data indicate that inundation is caused by tide and storm events, not GW discharge.
Hydrogeology and Shallow GW Quality in the Tidal Anacostia Watershed

Groundwater hydrology and geochemistry within the tidal Anacostia River watershed are related to natural and human influences. The flow and interaction of shallow groundwater are affected by human activities in this highly urbanized watershed.
Groundwater specializes in the use of hydrologic, hydrogeologic, water-chemistry, water-use, and other data, either directly, or to develop models to understand and address groundwater quality and resource issues, including the following:
- Explaining contaminant fate and transport in groundwater in complex hydrostratigraphic settings in fractured rock, or unconsolidated sediments.
- Describing groundwater impacted by human activities whether it be organic and inorganic contaminants at hazardous waste sites, or a broad range of contaminants from urban, agricultural, and (or) sewage disposal sources.
- Identifying optimal (simulated) withdrawal patterns from aquifer systems based on hydrologic or economic criteria.
- Managing and analyzing water-use data to provide enhanced groundwater use databases to help manage the resource for sustainable and ecologically sound supplies.
Science capabilities include groundwater model development and maintenance, down-hole and surface geophysics, advanced geochemical, microbial, and hydrologic data-collection techniques, statistical and spatial analysis, database design and maintenance, and interpretive reporting and communication of results to cooperators, the general public, and federal, state, and local water managers.
Groundwater Wells
Artificial Groundwater Recharge
Enhanced hydrologic and geomorphic monitoring in Ten Mile Creek, Montgomery County, Maryland
Geomorphic Responses to Stream Channel Restoration at Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland
Here are some publications related to the subject of Groundwater
Sequential biodegradation of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at oxic-anoxic groundwater interfaces in model laboratory columns
Hydrogeology and shallow groundwater quality in the tidal Anacostia River watershed, Washington, D.C.
Hydrologic study at Farm Creek Marsh, Dorchester County, Maryland, from April 2015 to April 2016
Drought forecasting for streams and groundwaters in northeastern United States
Monitoring the water-quality response of agricultural conservation practices in the Bucks Branch watershed, Sussex County, Delaware, 2014–16
Water quality in the surficial aquifer near agricultural areas in the Delaware Coastal Plain, 2014
The Maryland Coastal Plain Aquifer Information System: A GIS-based tool for assessing groundwater resources
Urban hydrology—Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey
Tools include alert and notification services, data access, data analysis, data visualizations, digital repositories, and interactive maps.
MODFLOW
MODFLOW is the USGS's three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference groundwater model. MODFLOW is considered an international standard for simulating and predicting groundwater conditions and groundwater/surface-water interactions.
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Our region's water supply comes from streams and rivers, groundwater, and reservoirs. Areas not served by public-water supply rely on groundwater withdrawn from fractured rock aquifers in western Maryland, or surficial (water table) and confined aquifers in southern Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and the Eastern Shore.
Groundwater research works to improve our understanding of groundwater resources across Maryland through groundwater monitoring networks and in-depth studies. Team monitoring and research projects are site specific to regional in scale, and can address groundwater flow, groundwater availability, water supply and use, water resource modeling, and/or contaminant fate and transport. The MD-DE-DC WSC logs data on nearly 400 groundwater wells throughout the region.
Investigative capabilities include groundwater model development and maintenance, down-hole and surface geophysics, advanced geochemical, microbial, and hydrologic data-collection techniques, statistical and spatial analysis, database design and maintenance, and interpretive reporting and communication of results to water resource managers, cooperators, colle
A Graphical and Mapping Interface for Analysis of Hydrologic DataThe Groundwater Toolbox is a graphical and mapping interface for analysis of hydrologic data. The software is customized interface built on the non-proprietary, open-source MapWindow geographic information system software, running on the Windows OS.
Hydrologic study at Farm Creek Marsh, MD from April 2015 to April 2016In 2015, the USGS began a year-long hydrologic study to investigate the extent and cause of water inundation. The combination of water-quality, hydrologic, and soils data indicate that inundation is caused by tide and storm events, not GW discharge.
Hydrogeology and Shallow GW Quality in the Tidal Anacostia WatershedGroundwater hydrology and geochemistry within the tidal Anacostia River watershed are related to natural and human influences. The flow and interaction of shallow groundwater are affected by human activities in this highly urbanized watershed.
Groundwater specializes in the use of hydrologic, hydrogeologic, water-chemistry, water-use, and other data, either directly, or to develop models to understand and address groundwater quality and resource issues, including the following:
potentiometric map of central MD - Explaining contaminant fate and transport in groundwater in complex hydrostratigraphic settings in fractured rock, or unconsolidated sediments.
- Describing groundwater impacted by human activities whether it be organic and inorganic contaminants at hazardous waste sites, or a broad range of contaminants from urban, agricultural, and (or) sewage disposal sources.
- Identifying optimal (simulated) withdrawal patterns from aquifer systems based on hydrologic or economic criteria.
- Managing and analyzing water-use data to provide enhanced groundwater use databases to help manage the resource for sustainable and ecologically sound supplies.
- Science
Science capabilities include groundwater model development and maintenance, down-hole and surface geophysics, advanced geochemical, microbial, and hydrologic data-collection techniques, statistical and spatial analysis, database design and maintenance, and interpretive reporting and communication of results to cooperators, the general public, and federal, state, and local water managers.
Groundwater Wells
Wells are extremely important to all societies. In many places wells provide a reliable and ample supply of water for home uses, irrigation, and industries. Where surface water is scarce, such as in deserts, people couldn't survive and thrive without groundwater, and people use wells to get at underground water.Artificial Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater levels are declining across the country as our withdrawals exceed the rate of aquifers to naturally replenish themselves, called recharge. One method of controlling declining water levels is by using artificial groundwater recharge. The USGS monitors wells to evaluate the effect of groundwater depletion and recharge, and provides vital information to those who depend on groundwater...Enhanced hydrologic and geomorphic monitoring in Ten Mile Creek, Montgomery County, Maryland
Ten Mile Creek is a small, predominantly agricultural and forested watershed located to the west of Clarksburg, Maryland, in an area that has experienced land-use change and urban development over the past decade. Additional development extending into the Ten Mile Creek watershed is planned over the next several years.This planned development in the Ten Mile Creek watershed presents an opportunity...Geomorphic Responses to Stream Channel Restoration at Minebank Run, Baltimore County, Maryland
Urban streams frequently undergo severe incision and erosion due to flashy streamflows caused by impervious surfaces in the watershed. The study was designed to investigate the hydrodynamics and geomorphology of a selected reach of Minebank Run before and after stream restoration, in order to determine the effect that stream restoration had on sediment processes in the stream. - Publications
Here are some publications related to the subject of Groundwater
Sequential biodegradation of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at oxic-anoxic groundwater interfaces in model laboratory columns
Halogenated organic solvents such as chlorobenzenes (CBs) are frequent groundwater contaminants due to legacy spills. When contaminated anaerobic groundwater discharges into surface water through wetlands and other transition zones, aeration can occur from various physical and biological processes at shallow depths, resulting in oxic-anoxic interfaces (OAIs). This study investigated the potentialAuthorsSteven J. Chow, Michelle Lorah, Amar R. Wadhawan, Neal D. Durant, Edward J. BouwerHydrogeology and shallow groundwater quality in the tidal Anacostia River watershed, Washington, D.C.
Groundwater hydrology and geochemistry within the tidal Anacostia River watershed of Washington, D.C. are related to natural and human influences. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the District Department of Energy & Environment, began investigating the hydrogeology and groundwater quality of the watershed in 2002. Lithologic coring, groundwater-level and tidal monitoring, and water-AuthorsScott W. Ator, Judith M. Denver, Cheryl A. DieterHydrologic study at Farm Creek Marsh, Dorchester County, Maryland, from April 2015 to April 2016
In 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey began a 1-year hydrologic study to investigate the extent and cause of inundation at Farm Creek Marsh, in Dorchester County, Maryland. In combination with a tide and precipitation gage, a representative section of the marsh was instrumented with surface-water monitors and shallow groundwater piezometers to capture the spatial and temporal extent of inundation. IAuthorsCharles W. Walker, Todd R. Lester, Christopher W. NealenDrought forecasting for streams and groundwaters in northeastern United States
BackgroundWhen rainfall is lower than normal over an extended period, streamflows decline, groundwater levels fall, and hydrological drought can occur. Droughts can reduce the water available for societal needs, such as public and private drinking-water supplies, farming, and industry, and for ecological health, such as maintenance of water quality and natural ecosystems. Recent droughts in the noAuthorsSamuel H. Austin, Robert W. DudleyMonitoring the water-quality response of agricultural conservation practices in the Bucks Branch watershed, Sussex County, Delaware, 2014–16
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation and cover crops as conservation practices on water quality in groundwater and streams. Bucks Branch, a stream in the Nanticoke River watershed in southwestern Delaware, was identified as having one of the highest concentrations of nitrate in all surface-water sites sampled by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and EnviroAuthorsJudith M. Denver, Alex Soroka, Betzaida Reyes, Todd R. Lester, Deborah A. Bringman, Michael S. BrownleyWater quality in the surficial aquifer near agricultural areas in the Delaware Coastal Plain, 2014
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, developed a network of wells to monitor groundwater quality in the surficial aquifer of the Delaware Coastal Plain. Well-drained soils, a flat landscape, and accessible water in the Delaware Coastal Plain make for a productive agricultural setting. As such, agriculture is one of the largest industries in the StAuthorsBrandon J. Fleming, Laura L. Mensch, Judith M. Denver, Roberto M. Cruz, Mark R. NardiThe Maryland Coastal Plain Aquifer Information System: A GIS-based tool for assessing groundwater resources
Groundwater is the source of drinking water for ∼1.4 million people in the Coastal Plain Province of Maryland (USA). In addition, groundwater is essential for commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses. Approximately 0.757 × 109 L d–1 (200 million gallons/d) were withdrawn in 2010. As a result of decades of withdrawals from the coastal plain confined aquifers, groundwater levels have declined bAuthorsDavid C. Andreasen, Mark R. Nardi, Andrew W. Staley, Grufron Achmad, John W. GraceUrban hydrology—Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey
Urbanization affects streamflow characteristics, coastal flooding, and groundwater recharge. Increasing impervious areas, streamflow diversions, and groundwater pumpage are some of the ways that the natural water cycle is affected by urbanization. Assessment of the relations among these factors and changes in land use helps water-resource managers with issues such as stormwater management and vulnAuthorsJoseph M. Bell, Amy E. Simonson, Irene J. Fisher - Web Tools
Tools include alert and notification services, data access, data analysis, data visualizations, digital repositories, and interactive maps.
MODFLOW
MODFLOW is the USGS's three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference groundwater model. MODFLOW is considered an international standard for simulating and predicting groundwater conditions and groundwater/surface-water interactions.
- Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.