Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Water Use and Availability Science

Demand for water in the U.S. is unevenly distributed. Because of increasing competition for local supplies that could lead to shortages, it is expedient to know how and where water is withdrawn, delivered, and used. The NYWSC studies how the interactions of humans affect the water cycle, including how much water is withdrawn from natural sources, where this water goes, how this water is used, what happens to the water after it is used, and how water moves from its source to its outlet. These studies are a first step in understanding how future water demands can be met while maintaining adequate water quality and balancing the needs of human and ecological water needs. Studies on water use and availability also explore the nature of and outlook for water stored in ice and the oceans, examine the effects of climate change on water systems and ecosystems, analyze the effects of major storms on habitats, human populations, and coastal regions, and track and predict flooding and areas that could potentially be inundated. 

Browse Topics

Filter Total Items: 88
link
outline of New York state with green square marking study area

Simulation of Ground-Water Flow and Chemistry to Evaluate Water-Management Alternatives in Kings and Queens Counties, New York

Water-management alternatives being considered for New York City involve aquifer storage and recovery, or ASR. An ASR system may store surplus water in an aquifer, then later recover this water in times of short supply. The success of an ASR system depends on the quantity and quality of water that can be withdrawn during recovery phases, which are influenced by hydrogeologic, microbiological,
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Simulation of Ground-Water Flow and Chemistry to Evaluate Water-Management Alternatives in Kings and Queens Counties, New York

Water-management alternatives being considered for New York City involve aquifer storage and recovery, or ASR. An ASR system may store surplus water in an aquifer, then later recover this water in times of short supply. The success of an ASR system depends on the quantity and quality of water that can be withdrawn during recovery phases, which are influenced by hydrogeologic, microbiological,
Learn More
link
aerial view of Fire Island, NY

Simulation of the Shallow Ground-Water Flow System at Fire Island National Seashore, Long Island, New York

Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS) is located on the barrier island along the extreme southern shore of western and central Suffolk County, New York. Interspersed throughout FIIS are seventeen residential beach communities that in the summer months greatly increase in population due to the arrival of summer residents and vacationers. Wastewater from the numerous homes and businesses in the bar
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Simulation of the Shallow Ground-Water Flow System at Fire Island National Seashore, Long Island, New York

Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS) is located on the barrier island along the extreme southern shore of western and central Suffolk County, New York. Interspersed throughout FIIS are seventeen residential beach communities that in the summer months greatly increase in population due to the arrival of summer residents and vacationers. Wastewater from the numerous homes and businesses in the bar
Learn More
link
outline of New York state counties with a blacked out area for the study location

The Onondaga Valley Ground-Water Study, central New York

Problem Onondaga Lake has been identified as one of the nation's most contaminated lakes as a result of discharges from industrial, sewage, and stormwater sources, and the lake received priority cleanup status under the National Water Resources Development Act of 1990. Although remediation of polluted surface-water discharges is planned, the migration of poor quality (saline) ground water into th
By
New York Water Science Center
link

The Onondaga Valley Ground-Water Study, central New York

Problem Onondaga Lake has been identified as one of the nation's most contaminated lakes as a result of discharges from industrial, sewage, and stormwater sources, and the lake received priority cleanup status under the National Water Resources Development Act of 1990. Although remediation of polluted surface-water discharges is planned, the migration of poor quality (saline) ground water into th
Learn More
link
large leafless tree in middle of floodwaters of Onondaga Creek

Water-Quality Characterization of Subbasins in the Onondaga Lake Basin, Onondaga County, New York, by Land Type

Problem - The Onondaga Lake Partnership (OLP) is committed to improving the water quality of Onondaga Lake. Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has promoted best-management practices to decrease loads of nutrients and sediment from agricultural lands. Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection has abated many of the outflows from combined sanitary-and-stor
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Water-Quality Characterization of Subbasins in the Onondaga Lake Basin, Onondaga County, New York, by Land Type

Problem - The Onondaga Lake Partnership (OLP) is committed to improving the water quality of Onondaga Lake. Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has promoted best-management practices to decrease loads of nutrients and sediment from agricultural lands. Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection has abated many of the outflows from combined sanitary-and-stor
Learn More