Water Quality Capabilities at MD-DE-DC
Real-Time Water Quality
Explore real-time streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data for MD, DE, and DC.
MD-DE-DC Water Science Center Capability Sites
We have the data, we have the people, we have the technology...
The MD-DE-DC Water Science Center measures, analyzes, and predicts the water quality of surface water and groundwater. We collect and analyze automated continuous data and collect water samples for lab analysis. These data help us detect, quantify, and explain changes to water quality over time, understand how natural conditions and human activities affect water quality, and predict water quality in unsampled areas and into the future.
Hydrogeology and Shallow Groundwater Quality in Tidal Anacostia River
The quality of groundwater within the tidal Anacostia River watershed of Washington, D.C. are related to natural and human influences. The flow and interaction of shallow groundwater is affected by human activities in this highly urbanized area.
Hydrologic Study at Farm Creek Marsh, Dorchester County Maryland
In 2015, the USGS began a 1-year study to investigate the extent and cause of inundation at Farm Creek Marsh. The combination of water-quality, hydrologic, and soils data show inundation is caused by tide and storm events rather groundwater discharge
Spatial and Temporal BMP Patterns in Chesapeake Watershed
Spatial and temporal patterns of BMP implementation across the Chesapeake Bay watershed from 1985 through 2014. Methods to estimate BMP on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads are described and individual BMP types on nutrient loads is estimated.
The MD-DE-DC WSC works at the cutting edge of water-quality and geochemical research and interpretive science. Our experience and expertise cover a wide range of historical and emerging water-quality issues at local and global scales, including:
- Sources, fate, and transport of nutrients, pesticides, metals, road salt, and other contaminants in the environment.
- Microplastics and 6PPD-quinone in selected urban streams, and the bioremediation of organic contaminants in natural settings.
- Numerical methods for estimating contaminant fluxes (loads) in flowing streams.
- Detection and quantification of water-quality trends over space and time.
- Development and application of watershed models for predicting water chemistry in space and time.
- Research into monitoring and predicting Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
As one of our key functions, we consistently monitor the quality of surface water and groundwater at selected locations across Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, including water chemistry and the composition of aquatic ecosystems.
Monitoring is conducted using published standard protocols designed to maximize data accuracy, reproducibility, and precision. Water-quality monitoring at certain locations such as on the Potomac and Susquehanna Rivers has been ongoing for more than 40 years.
Target analytes for water-quality samples vary depending on research goals at different locations but often include nutrient compounds, trace metals, bacteria, suspended sediment, major ions, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), personal-care products, industrial compounds, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, and degradation products.
Additionally, in-situ equipment is used at certain sites to continuously measure selected physical and chemical properties of water, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, nitrate, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM). All data are posted online for the public in real time or (for laboratory analyses) as soon as they become available at Water Data for the Nation.
These projects were conceived and produced, at least in part, by scientists based at the USGS MD-DE-DC WSC, utilizing water quality data collected, analyzed, and maintained (either physically or virtually) at the USGS MD-DE-DC WSC.
To see more, please see the USGS Publications Warehouse at this link (listed as Maryland Water Science Center) and this link (listed as MD-DE-DC Water Science Center).
Quality of Water Resources
Agriculture and the Quality of the Nation's Waters
Contaminant Exposure, Food Web Transfer and Potential Health Effects on Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay Waterbirds
Enhanced hydrologic and geomorphic monitoring in Ten Mile Creek, Montgomery County, Maryland
Bioremediation in Wetland Areas, Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund Site, Delaware City, Delaware
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrologic (SWaTH) Network in Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia
Excess manure and fertilizer are worsening water-quality conditions on Eastern Shore of Chesapeake
The below FAQs have been compiled by water quality scientists, hydrologic technicians, and Water Qualities Capabilities Crew communications liaisons. Most of the applicable inline Q/A's are redirected links from the AskUSGS pages
Feel free to email the Water Quality Capabilities Crew lead (Brenda Majedi — blfeit@usgs.gov) or the Capabilities Technical Liaison (Lonnie Lanham — lrlanahm@usgs.gov)
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages? How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
Information on the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives, protects property, and ensures adequate water supplies for the future. The USGS is the federal agency responsible for operating a network of about 7,000 streamgages nationwide. Data from this network are used by water managers, emergency responders, utilities, environmental agencies, universities, consulting firms...
If the ground filters water, is groundwater always clean? If the ground filters water, is groundwater always clean?
Water drawn from a well was once precipitation that fell onto Earth's surface. It seeped into the ground and, over time, occupied the porous space in some subsurface material. Big particles that are in surface streams, such as leaf chunks, will not be seen in groundwater. So, yes, big particles are filtered out by the ground, along with some minerals and chemicals that are too small to see...
Where can I get my well water tested? Where can I get my well water tested?
Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance. Prices will vary depending on the laboratory and the test(s), but most people consider the cost to be...
The MD-DE-DC Water Science Center measures, analyzes, and predicts the water quality of surface water and groundwater. We collect and analyze automated continuous data and collect water samples for lab analysis. These data help us detect, quantify, and explain changes to water quality over time, understand how natural conditions and human activities affect water quality, and predict water quality in unsampled areas and into the future.
Hydrogeology and Shallow Groundwater Quality in Tidal Anacostia River
The quality of groundwater within the tidal Anacostia River watershed of Washington, D.C. are related to natural and human influences. The flow and interaction of shallow groundwater is affected by human activities in this highly urbanized area.
Hydrologic Study at Farm Creek Marsh, Dorchester County Maryland
In 2015, the USGS began a 1-year study to investigate the extent and cause of inundation at Farm Creek Marsh. The combination of water-quality, hydrologic, and soils data show inundation is caused by tide and storm events rather groundwater discharge
Spatial and Temporal BMP Patterns in Chesapeake Watershed
Spatial and temporal patterns of BMP implementation across the Chesapeake Bay watershed from 1985 through 2014. Methods to estimate BMP on nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads are described and individual BMP types on nutrient loads is estimated.
The MD-DE-DC WSC works at the cutting edge of water-quality and geochemical research and interpretive science. Our experience and expertise cover a wide range of historical and emerging water-quality issues at local and global scales, including:
- Sources, fate, and transport of nutrients, pesticides, metals, road salt, and other contaminants in the environment.
- Microplastics and 6PPD-quinone in selected urban streams, and the bioremediation of organic contaminants in natural settings.
- Numerical methods for estimating contaminant fluxes (loads) in flowing streams.
- Detection and quantification of water-quality trends over space and time.
- Development and application of watershed models for predicting water chemistry in space and time.
- Research into monitoring and predicting Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
As one of our key functions, we consistently monitor the quality of surface water and groundwater at selected locations across Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, including water chemistry and the composition of aquatic ecosystems.
Monitoring is conducted using published standard protocols designed to maximize data accuracy, reproducibility, and precision. Water-quality monitoring at certain locations such as on the Potomac and Susquehanna Rivers has been ongoing for more than 40 years.
Target analytes for water-quality samples vary depending on research goals at different locations but often include nutrient compounds, trace metals, bacteria, suspended sediment, major ions, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), personal-care products, industrial compounds, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, and degradation products.
Additionally, in-situ equipment is used at certain sites to continuously measure selected physical and chemical properties of water, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, nitrate, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM). All data are posted online for the public in real time or (for laboratory analyses) as soon as they become available at Water Data for the Nation.
These projects were conceived and produced, at least in part, by scientists based at the USGS MD-DE-DC WSC, utilizing water quality data collected, analyzed, and maintained (either physically or virtually) at the USGS MD-DE-DC WSC.
To see more, please see the USGS Publications Warehouse at this link (listed as Maryland Water Science Center) and this link (listed as MD-DE-DC Water Science Center).
Quality of Water Resources
Agriculture and the Quality of the Nation's Waters
Contaminant Exposure, Food Web Transfer and Potential Health Effects on Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay Waterbirds
Enhanced hydrologic and geomorphic monitoring in Ten Mile Creek, Montgomery County, Maryland
Bioremediation in Wetland Areas, Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund Site, Delaware City, Delaware
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrologic (SWaTH) Network in Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia
Excess manure and fertilizer are worsening water-quality conditions on Eastern Shore of Chesapeake
The below FAQs have been compiled by water quality scientists, hydrologic technicians, and Water Qualities Capabilities Crew communications liaisons. Most of the applicable inline Q/A's are redirected links from the AskUSGS pages
Feel free to email the Water Quality Capabilities Crew lead (Brenda Majedi — blfeit@usgs.gov) or the Capabilities Technical Liaison (Lonnie Lanham — lrlanahm@usgs.gov)
How do we benefit from USGS streamgages? How do we benefit from USGS streamgages?
Information on the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives, protects property, and ensures adequate water supplies for the future. The USGS is the federal agency responsible for operating a network of about 7,000 streamgages nationwide. Data from this network are used by water managers, emergency responders, utilities, environmental agencies, universities, consulting firms...
If the ground filters water, is groundwater always clean? If the ground filters water, is groundwater always clean?
Water drawn from a well was once precipitation that fell onto Earth's surface. It seeped into the ground and, over time, occupied the porous space in some subsurface material. Big particles that are in surface streams, such as leaf chunks, will not be seen in groundwater. So, yes, big particles are filtered out by the ground, along with some minerals and chemicals that are too small to see...
Where can I get my well water tested? Where can I get my well water tested?
Some counties offer free well water testing, so check with your county first. If they don't, use this EPA website to find a list of state-certified laboratories in your area that do water testing, or contact your county or state health department or your State Certification Officer for assistance. Prices will vary depending on the laboratory and the test(s), but most people consider the cost to be...