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Water Resources

Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands

Pacific Islands Water Science Center

The USGS Pacific Islands Water Science Center conducts hydrologic monitoring and investigative studies on a wide variety of issues affecting water resources in the State of Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. In partnership with Federal, State, and local agencies, the USGS provides data and information to assist these agencies in managing water resources.

Science

Collecting water sample.

The USGS Pacific Islands Water Science Center provides reliable, objective scientific information to address water-related issues in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands. 

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News

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Community Meeting for Reimagining Molokaʻi's Wetlands

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USGS Unveils Mobile Flood Tool for the Nation

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Adaptive management strategies for potential impacts of climate change on Guam

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Publications

Groundwater-level monitoring from January 17 to March 3, 2022, Hālawa area, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

A reported fuel release in November 2021 at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility within the naval reservation at Red Hill led to the shutdown of several production wells in the Hālawa area, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Red Hill Shaft—one of the high-capacity production wells that shut down—was reactivated on January 29, 2022. Submersible pressure transducers were deployed at 20 wells in the Hālawa area to m
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pacific Islands Water Science Center

Long-term groundwater availability in the Waihe‘e, ‘Īao, and Waikapū aquifer systems, Maui, Hawai‘i

Groundwater levels have declined since the 1940s in the Wailuku area of central Maui, Hawai‘i, on the eastern flank of West Maui volcano, mainly in response to increased groundwater withdrawals. Available data since the 1980s also indicate a thinning of the freshwater lens and an increase in chloride concentrations of pumped water from production wells. These trends, combined with projected increa
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pacific Islands Water Science Center

Water-budget accounting for tropical regions model (WATRMod) documentation

Regional groundwater recharge commonly is estimated using a threshold-type water-budget approach in which groundwater recharge is assumed to occur when water in the plant-root zone exceeds the soil’s moisture storage capacity. A water budget of the plant-soil system accounts for water inputs (rainfall, fog interception, irrigation, septic-system leachate, and other inputs), water outputs (runoff,
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pacific Islands Water Science Center
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Science

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Laser In-Situ Scattering and Transmissometer- StreamLine

River Loads into Puget Sound

The Issue: Puget Sound, WA, is the second largest estuary in the United States and its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters sustain biologically-productive terrestrial, coastal, and marine habitats. Development and associated human activities have significantly degraded the Sound, causing declines in fish and wildlife populations, water-quality issues, and losses of critical habitats...
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Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center
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River Loads into Puget Sound

The Issue: Puget Sound, WA, is the second largest estuary in the United States and its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters sustain biologically-productive terrestrial, coastal, and marine habitats. Development and associated human activities have significantly degraded the Sound, causing declines in fish and wildlife populations, water-quality issues, and losses of critical habitats...
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