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Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Welcome to the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center. We deliver timely and reliable data, advanced interpretive science, and tools needed to understand the water resources of Virginia and West Virginia in support of effective decision making.

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Publications

Environmental tradeoffs of urban stream restoration in Fairfax County, Virginia Environmental tradeoffs of urban stream restoration in Fairfax County, Virginia

Regulatory mandates to improve water quality and stream health have driven substantial investment in stream restoration. Most projects aim to improve channel-floodplain connectivity, reduce sediment erosion, and enhance habitat for aquatic organisms, yet few include adequate pre- and post-restoration monitoring to assess outcomes. Since 2007, Fairfax County, Virginia, and the U.S...
Authors
Aaron Porter, Christopher Ruck, Spencer Tassone

Imidacloprid in United States rivers, 2013–2022: Persistent presence and emerging chronic hazard Imidacloprid in United States rivers, 2013–2022: Persistent presence and emerging chronic hazard

Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, is used for agricultural and nonagricultural purposes and is toxic to nontarget organisms at low concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. A total of 12,547 water samples were collected from 2013 to 2022 from 77 rivers across the United States (U.S.) and were analyzed to evaluate detections and temporal trends in imidacloprid concentrations...
Authors
Samuel Miller, Travis Schmidt, Larry B. Barber, Michelle Hladik, Dana W. Kolpin, Megan Shoda, Sarah Stackpoole

Reconnaissance of potential alternate water supply sources for the City of Gary, West Virginia Reconnaissance of potential alternate water supply sources for the City of Gary, West Virginia

Seven potential sources of water, consisting of free-flowing discharge from abandoned coal mines at six locations and one abandoned flooded underground coal mine air shaft, were sampled for chemical analysis to assess the quality of the groundwater emanating from the seven mine sources. The six free-flowing mine discharge sources were also assessed for discharge by current-meter...
Authors
Mark Kozar, Samuel Austin

Multimedia

Drill rig lowering extensometer pipe into a borehole.
James River Extensometer Installation
James River Extensometer Installation
A metal endcap with a flat base which serves at the foot of an extensometer. It is about half the size of a nearby hardhat.
Extensometer Foot
Extensometer Foot
Completed extensometer borehole. Multiple nested pipes protrude from the surface and the drill rig is still in place above.
James River Deep Extensometer After Completion of Drilling
James River Deep Extensometer After Completion of Drilling
A USGS scientists leads a tour of a drilling site. He indicates where drilled sediments are deposited out of the shaker.
Tour of the James River Extensometer drill site
Tour of the James River Extensometer drill site
A drilling rig at the site of the James River Extensometer. Several individuals in hardhats and safety vests tour the rig.
Drilling the James River Extensometer
Drilling the James River Extensometer
A USGS geologist gives a tour of a drilling site
Geologist Greg Connock giving a tour of a USGS drill rig
Geologist Greg Connock giving a tour of a USGS drill rig
A small concrete block wellhouse with two solar panels and a satellite antenna on the roof.
Christiansburg Wellhouse
Christiansburg Wellhouse
Scientist standing next to a state observation well
Joel Maynard (VA DEQ) at State Observation Well 19 in Christiansburg, Virginia
Joel Maynard (VA DEQ) at State Observation Well 19 in Christiansburg, Virginia
A scientist shows a reporter the various monitoring equipment used to record and transmit water level data.
DEQ Scientist and Reporter visit State Observation Well 19 in Christiansburg, Virginia
DEQ Scientist and Reporter visit State Observation Well 19 in Christiansburg, Virginia
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