The USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center provides reliable hydrologic and water-related ecological information to aid in the understanding of the use and management of water resources in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and the Nation.
Super Gages
Super gages provide real-time data specifically designed to improve the understanding of watershed processes and address specific water-resource issues such as climate and land-use effects, water-related human health issues, floods and droughts.
Harmful Algal blooms
Large quantities of cyanobacteria can create harmful algal blooms (HABs). In addition to ruining the natural beauty of lakes and streams, HABs can be toxic to humans, wildlife, and aquatic organisms.
Advanced Technologies
Our modern and innovative science applications are the foundation for our leading-edge research. This piece of equipment is termed an "underwater autonomous vehicle" (UAV).
Science Topics
FAQs
What are wetlands?
Wetlands are transitional areas, sandwiched between permanently flooded deepwater environments and well-drained uplands, where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. They include mangroves, marshes (salt, brackish, intermediate, and fresh), swamps, forested wetlands, bogs, wet prairies, prairie potholes, and vernal pools. In general terms...
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands provide habitat for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. Wetlands are valuable for flood protection, water quality improvement, shoreline erosion control, natural products, recreation, and aesthetics. Wetlands are among the most productive habitats on earth providing shelter and nursery areas for commercially and recreationally important animals like fish...
What are the differences between endangered, threatened, imperiled, and at-risk species?
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), plant and animal species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. “Endangered” means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “Threatened” means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. States have their own ESA-type laws, so species can have different Threatened...