Water Quality
Water Quality
Ground-water and surface-water quality is one of the most critical concerns in the State of Oklahoma. The major water-quality issue in Oklahoma is preserving the quality of public drinking-water supply. Water-resource planning and water-quality assessment require a nationwide database with standardized information for planning and assessment of water resources. Thus, the chemical and physical quality of rivers, streams, and ground water need to be monitored and defined to effectively manage the resource to meet needs of the people of Oklahoma and our present and future customers.
Oklahoma Water-Quality Data
Current Conditions | Historical Data | Site Inventory
Oklahoma Water-Quality Statistics
Daily | Monthly | Annual
Information Resources
USGS Office of Water-Quality
National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA)
Toxic Substances Hydrology Program (Toxics)
NAWQA Summary Reports
Selected USGS Water-Quality Publications
Filter Total Items: 13
Hydrologic Summary for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Jurisdictional Area
The objectives of this proposed project are to compile and evaluate existing data and reports from the USGS, other government agencies, and tribes to summarize the types of data that have been collected in the area and identify gaps in those data. Such analysis will provide a comprehensive background document of geographic, hydrologic, and environmental features of the area and will identify data...
Green Infrastructure, CECs, and Geochemistry in Urban Stormwater Runoff used to Recharge Groundwater
This national project is a joint effort between the USGS and EPA looking at contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in urban stormwater runoff that is infiltrated into the subsurface or likely to be infiltrated in the future. Phase I of the project aims to provide a broad-scale assessment of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and basic composition of water chemistry in urban stormwater runoff...
Groundwater Monitoring on Fort Sill Apache Tribal Lands
This USGS investigation will examine the hydraulic properties of the Rush Springs aquifer underlying Fort Sill Apache tribal lands to determine their potential for groundwater development. The information gathered from this investigation will assist the Fort Sill Apache Tribe in identifying well locations with optimal long-term pumping capacity and water quality.
Water Budget Analysis of the Pawnee Tribe Jurisdictional Area in Payne County, OK
The objective of this proposed project is to construct an annual water budget for the Cimarron River alluvial aquifer between USGS streamgages Cimarron River near Ripley, OK and a proposed new USGS streamgage. Components of the water budget (precipitation, [runoff], evapotranspiration, stream base flow, bedrock lateral flow, and groundwater pumping) will be calculated for the 2017 water year...
Black Bear Creek Watershed Hydrologic Summary for the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
The objectives of this project are to compile, summarize, and analyze available data and reports from the Pawnee Nation, the USGS, and other government agencies. The final report of the analysis will provide a comprehensive background document for geographic, hydrologic, and environmental features of the area and will identify gaps in available data that need to be filled for the Pawnee Nation to...
Tonkawa Tribe Groundwater Survey
The objective of this study is to analyze the alluvial aquifer of the Chikaskia River to determine the potential for additional groundwater resources for the Tonkawa Tribe’s water supply. This investigation will examine the depth, lithology, hydraulic properties, and general water quality of the Chikaskia River alluvial aquifer.
Boone and Roubidoux Aquifers Study
The objective of the study is to conduct an investigation of the hydrogeology of the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers that will provide information to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board that will enable that agency to determine maximum annual yield of the aquifers based on different proposed management plans.
Red River Water Availability and Use and Ecological Characteristics Focus Area Study
Staff members of the Oklahoma Water Science Center in Oklahoma City and of the Oklahoma Coop Unit at Stillwater are working with USGS staff members from Water Science Centers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and New Jersey to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of water-resource availability, refine water-use estimates, and characterize aquatic ecology and streamflows needed to support selected...
Oklahoma FloodWatch
By combining the historical record, data from ongoing streamgage monitoring, and data on new events, the USGS is able to develop the expertise and tools that help Federal, State, and local community leaders not only to enhance short-term preparation, aid, and recovery efforts, but to better understand how their flood risk may be changing over time and how they can reduce their risk in future...
Subject-Area Specialists
Please feel free to contact any of our subject-area specialists. Center Director/Surface-water specialist - Jason Lewis Data Chief - Vacant Studies Chief - Matthew Varonka Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist - S. Jerrod Smith Groundwater specialist - Shana Mashburn Water-quality specialist - Stephanie Buck Water-use specialist - Carol Becker
Interpretive Reports
The Oklahoma Water Science Center publishes water-information reports on many topics and in many formats. From this Web page, you can locate, view, download, or order scientific and technical articles and reports as well as general interest publications such as booklets, fact sheets, pamphlets, and posters resulting from the research performed by our scientists and partners. Scientific...
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets are intended as a short publication that provides for rapid publication and dissemination of facts and findings.