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Pennsylvania Water Science Center

First-of-its-Kind Survey of PFAS in Pennsylvania Surface Waters

In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

New Journal Article

Updating Pennsylvania Streamgage Datums

Over the next year, streamgage datums will be updated to reflect elevations in North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88).

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Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed - A Century of Change

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Water Quality of Domestic Wells in Marcellus Shale Region

New USGS study identifies factors affecting quality of groundwater used for domestic supply in north-central and north-east Pennsylvania

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USGS Collects High-Quality Water-Resources Data for Pennsylvania

Streamflow, groundwater levels, water quality, precipitation, water use, and other related data, both real time and historic

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Hydrologic Studies, Research, and Tools for Pennsylvania

Water availability, groundwater contamination, nutrient loading in streams, effects of land use on water quality, and other water-resource topics

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New Product Category: Web Tools

Data access, data analysis, data visualizations, digital repositories, and interactive maps.

Web Tools

Next Generation Water Observing System

Delaware River Basin pilot testing includes large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) in Philadelphia

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Pennsylvania Water Science Center

We work in cooperation with numerous federal, state, and local agencies to collect scientific data and conduct scientific studies of the source, quantity, quality, ecology, and use of Pennsylvania's water resources.

News

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Pennsylvania Waters - Spring 2023 - Issue 10

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Drought Watch Lifted for All Pennsylvania Counties

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Pennsylvania Waters - Fall 2022 - Issue 9

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Publications

Satellite precipitation bias estimation and correction using in situ observations and climatology isohyets for the MENA region

The availability of reliable gridded precipitation datasets is limited around the world, especially in arid regions. In this study, we utilized observations from satellite-based precipitation data and in situ rain gauge observations to determine a suitable precipitation dataset in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. First, we evaluated seven different precipitation products using rain ga
Authors
Stefanie Kagone, Naga Manohar Velpuri, Kul Bikram Khand, Gabriel B. Senay, Michael R. Van der Valk, Daniel J. Goode, Salam Abu Hantash, Thair M. Al-Momani, Nanor Momejian, Jack R. Eggleston
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Core Science Systems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Pennsylvania Water Science Center, International Programs

Salinity and total dissolved solids measurements for natural waters: An overview and a new salinity method based on specific conductance and water type

The total concentration of dissolved constituents in water is routinely quantified by measurements of salinity or total dissolved solids (TDS). However, salinity and TDS are operationally defined by their analytical methods and are not equivalent for most waters. Furthermore, multiple methods are available to determine salinity and TDS, and these methods have inherent differences. TDS is defined a
Authors
R. Blaine McCleskey, Charles A. Cravotta, Matthew P. Miller, Fred D. Tillman, Paul Stackelberg, Katherine J. Knierim, Daniel Wise
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Water Resources Mission Area, National Water Quality Program, Arizona Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

A multi-level assessment of biological effects associated with mercury concentrations in smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu

Total mercury (THg) was measured in muscle (fillet) and liver tissue of adult smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu collected at multiple sites in the Potomac and Susquehanna River drainages within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Smallmouth bass in these drainages have experienced episodic mortality events, a high prevalence of skin lesions and reproductive endocrine disruption (intersex or testicula
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Vicki S. Blazer, Heather L. Walsh, Adam Sperry, Brenna Raines, James Willacker, Collin Eagles-Smith
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Science

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Conceptual diagram showing the major mechanisms of the fate, transport, and exposure pathways of PFAS

Improving Understanding and Coordination of Science Activities for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Issue: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries in the United States since the 1940s. PFAS are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment and have the potential to have adverse human and ecological health effects. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnerships has concerns about how PFAS will affect the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The CBP...
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Chesapeake Bay Activities, New Jersey Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Improving Understanding and Coordination of Science Activities for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Issue: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries in the United States since the 1940s. PFAS are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment and have the potential to have adverse human and ecological health effects. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnerships has concerns about how PFAS will affect the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The CBP...
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USGS Hydrographers collect water quality samples in the Susquehanna

Susquehanna River and Basin

In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin, in cooperation with regional and...
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Susquehanna River and Basin

In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin, in cooperation with regional and...
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Chesapeake Bay Watershed Index Map for Susquehanna River

Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

USGS provides monitoring, analysis, modeling and research on streams and water quality to better understand the fate and transport of nutrients and sediment to the Susquehanna and other rivers, and their tributaries, and eventually to the Chesapeake Bay. Additional research focuses on emerging contaminants and other stressors that effect human and aquatic life in the watershed and estuary.
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Chesapeake Bay Activities, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

USGS provides monitoring, analysis, modeling and research on streams and water quality to better understand the fate and transport of nutrients and sediment to the Susquehanna and other rivers, and their tributaries, and eventually to the Chesapeake Bay. Additional research focuses on emerging contaminants and other stressors that effect human and aquatic life in the watershed and estuary.
Learn More
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