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We are operating at maximum telework and continue to conduct the important work of the USGS, including maintaining mission essential and critical functions. We have implemented new safety and fieldwork processes to maintain social distancing to ensure the safety of our employees and communities while following all guidance from the White House, Department of the Interior, USGS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Pennsylvania state and local authorities.
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News
Pennsylvania Waters - Spring 2021 - Issue 4
This issue of our Pennsylvania Water Science Center Newsletter highlights USGS data on the occurrence of PFAS contaminants in surface waters across the Commonwealth, a first-of-its-kind survey, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. USGS identified likely causes for changing low-flow statistics for streams in the Delaware River Basin, and there's more.
USGS is Hiring Hydrologic Field Assistants Throughout Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Water Science Center is looking for Hydrologic Field Assistants to join our teams in New Cumberland (Harrisburg), Downingtown (Philadelphia), Pittsburgh, and Williamsport. Positions are part time and temporary for up to one year, but may be extended to 2 years. U.S. citizenship required.
Apply by 4/16/21...
USGS Studies Low-Flow Changes in the Delaware River Basin
USGS scientists published a new study of low flow in streams in the Delaware River Basin. In general, the low flows measured during 1980-2018 increased along with increased precipitation, although low flows decreased in the Coastal Plain area, in the southern part of the basin, where water use and impervious surface...
Publications
Evaluating low flow patterns, drivers and trends in the Delaware River Basin
In the humid, temperate Delaware River Basin (DRB) where water availability is generally reliable, summer low flows can cause competition between various human and ecological water uses. As temperatures continue to rise, population increases and development expands, it is critical to understand historical low flow variability to anticipate and...
Hammond, John; Fleming, Brandon J. Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management
If not managed properly, modern agricultural practices can alter surface and groundwater quality and drinking water resources resulting in potential negative effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Exposure to agriculturally derived contaminant mixtures has the potential to alter habitat quality and negatively affect fish and other aquatic...
Smalling, Kelly; Devereux, Olivia H.; Gordon, Stephanie; Phillips, Patrick J.; Blazer, Vicki S.; Hladik, Michelle; Kolpin, Dana W.; Meyer, Michael T.; Sperry, Adam; Wagner, Tyler Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), specifically estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds, vary in concentration and composition in surface waters under the influence of different landscape sources and landcover gradients. Estrogenic activity in surface waters may lead to adverse effects in aquatic species at both individual and population...
Gordon, Stephanie; Jones, Daniel K.; Blazer, Vicki S.; Iwanowicz, Luke R.; Williams, Brianna; Smalling, Kelly