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New Jersey Water Science Center

Welcome! Since 1903, the New Jersey Water Science Center has been collecting high-quality hydrologic data and conducting unbiased water-science research to address the water-resource priorities of the Nation, global trends and support statewide water-resource infrastructure and management needs.

News

Geospatial Applications to Visualize Science and Support Decision‑Making Across Scales

Geospatial Applications to Visualize Science and Support Decision‑Making Across Scales

Predictions of PFAS in groundwater at drinking water supply depths in the U.S.

Predictions of PFAS in groundwater at drinking water supply depths in the U.S.

USGS deploys “aftershock kits” to study Whitehouse Station earthquakes

USGS deploys “aftershock kits” to study Whitehouse Station earthquakes

Publications

Analysis of alternative weir designs for improved passage of select fish at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging weir at Blackwells Mills, New Jersey Analysis of alternative weir designs for improved passage of select fish at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging weir at Blackwells Mills, New Jersey

As the population of New Jersey continues to remain dense, the need for water supply will likely continue to be high, which can lead to water managers needing to make difficult decisions about managing drinking-water supply. Streamgaging weirs like the ones used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) play a critical role in providing accurate and stable streamflow data, but their presence...
Authors
Thomas P. Suro, Michal J. Niemoczynski, Kevin B. Mulligan

Understanding the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface waters of the nontidal Passaic River Basin Understanding the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface waters of the nontidal Passaic River Basin

This study, completed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC), was designed to characterize the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface waters of the nontidal Passaic River Basin in New Jersey that have the potential to affect public-drinking-water quality. In 2025, 37 sites...
Authors
Molly L. Schreiner, Kristin M. Romanok, Jacob T. Gray, Eileen J. Brown, Brianna M. Williams, Maureen Kneser, Albert J. Capuzzi, Jason Boerner, Luke Giunta, Paul Serillo, John J. Trainor, Kelly L. Smalling

Occurrence of cyanobacteria and associated cyanotoxins in the Raritan Basin Water Supply Complex, New Jersey, August 2020 to August 2021 Occurrence of cyanobacteria and associated cyanotoxins in the Raritan Basin Water Supply Complex, New Jersey, August 2020 to August 2021

Harmful algal blooms, particularly cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs), have emerged as a substantial global concern because of their detrimental effects on water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. CyanoHABs can produce cyanotoxins, which pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife, such as liver failure and respiratory distress. This is particularly concerning for...
Authors
Rebecca M. Gorney, Heather A. Heckathorn, Kyle R. Clonan, Pamela A. Reilly, Kathryn Cahalane, Bradley W. Bjorklund

Science

Biological Studies in New Jersey Waters

Biological microbes such as Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB)—including Escherichia coli (E. coli)—along with pathogens like Cryptosporidium, and microbial signatures used in Microbial Source Tracking (MST), are receiving heightened attention from the public, environmental agencies, and water-resource managers. These indicators help identify potential contamination sources, assess recreational water...
Biological Studies in New Jersey Waters

Biological Studies in New Jersey Waters

Biological microbes such as Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB)—including Escherichia coli (E. coli)—along with pathogens like Cryptosporidium, and microbial signatures used in Microbial Source Tracking (MST), are receiving heightened attention from the public, environmental agencies, and water-resource managers. These indicators help identify potential contamination sources, assess recreational water...
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Harmful Algal Blooms Studies in New Jersey Waters

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in lakes, ponds, and rivers adversely affect water resources worldwide. Under the right conditions, cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins that can pose health risks to both animals and humans which makes them a major environmental and public health concern. More studies to examine the occurrence and persistence of HABs and their potential transport are needed to better...
Harmful Algal Blooms Studies in New Jersey Waters

Harmful Algal Blooms Studies in New Jersey Waters

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in lakes, ponds, and rivers adversely affect water resources worldwide. Under the right conditions, cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins that can pose health risks to both animals and humans which makes them a major environmental and public health concern. More studies to examine the occurrence and persistence of HABs and their potential transport are needed to better...
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Delaware River at Montague Ice Affected Discharge Measurement

On February 11, 2026, a team of scientists from the New Jersey Water Science Center made a discharge measurement at the USGS 01438500 Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey monitoring site during ice cover conditions. This is the first time since February 1999 that this type of measurement was made at this site. Frigid winter weather conditions made the measurement both necessary and possible.
Delaware River at Montague Ice Affected Discharge Measurement

Delaware River at Montague Ice Affected Discharge Measurement

On February 11, 2026, a team of scientists from the New Jersey Water Science Center made a discharge measurement at the USGS 01438500 Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey monitoring site during ice cover conditions. This is the first time since February 1999 that this type of measurement was made at this site. Frigid winter weather conditions made the measurement both necessary and possible.
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