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Grab our data (and see where we work)

We operate and maintain extensive monitoring networks and conduct hydrologic investigations to quantify each component of the hydrologic cycle.

Virginia and West Virginia data

Northeast region drought streamflow probabilities

Explore drought probabilities for select streams estimated using maximum likelihood regression. Winter streamflows are used to estimate the chance of hydrologic drought during summer months 5 to 11 months in advance.

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Explore essential tools and products

Explore our scientific and data-driven web tools that include data visualizations, digital repositories, and interactive maps with data access and data analysis capabilities.

Web tools

Loads and trends in the Chesapeake Bay nontidal monitoring network

Access tools for exploring primary findings for short-term nutrient and sediment trends from the Chesapeake Bay Program’s 123 nontidal network stations.

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Featured science: Hydrological Drought Probabilities

Climate change raises concern that risks of hydrological drought may be increasing. We estimate hydrological drought probabilities for rivers and streams in the United States using maximum likelihood logistic regression.

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Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

We operate streamgages, observation wells, and monitoring stations that provide reliable scientific information needed to make informed decisions. We use advanced science and analytical methods to investigate and understand our natural world.

Virginia Current Water Conditions

Virginia current water condition

Explore real-time Virginia streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our interactive map application.

Current conditions

West Virginia Current Water Conditions

West Virginia current water condition

Explore real-time West Virginia streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our interactive map application.

Current conditions

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News

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New intensive water-resource monitoring stations support stream and ecological restoration research in Reston, Virginia

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USGS Unveils Mobile Flood Tool for the Nation

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USGS Field Crews Document Isaias' Effects Along Atlantic Coast

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Publications

Nitrogen reductions have decreased hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay: Evidence from empirical and numerical modeling

Seasonal hypoxia is a characteristic feature of the Chesapeake Bay due to anthropogenic nutrient input from agriculture and urbanization throughout the watershed. Although coordinated management efforts since 1985 have reduced nutrient inputs to the Bay, oxygen concentrations at depth in the summer still frequently fail to meet water quality standards that have been set to protect critical estuari
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Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Climate extremes as drivers of surface-water-quality trends in the United States

Surface-water quality can change in response to climate perturbations, such as changes in the frequency of heavy precipitation or droughts, through direct effects, such as dilution and concentration, and through physical processes, such as bank scour. Water quality might also change through indirect mechanisms, such as changing water demand or changes in runoff interaction with organic matter on t
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Water Resources, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center

Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay watershed—A century of change, 1950–2050

ForewordSustaining the quality of the Nation’s water resources and the health of our diverse ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and long-term e
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Water Resources, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Utah Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
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Science

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Chesapeake Bay at Edgewater, MD

Summarizing Scientific Findings for Common Stakeholder Questions to Inform Nutrient and Sediment Management Activities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Issue: The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership is striving to improve water-quality conditions in the Bay by using a variety of management strategies to reduce nutrient and sediment loads. The partnership uses monitoring results and modeling tools to implement management strategies, relying on the scientific community to synthesize existing information and direct new research to address...
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Chesapeake Bay Activities, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
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Summarizing Scientific Findings for Common Stakeholder Questions to Inform Nutrient and Sediment Management Activities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Issue: The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership is striving to improve water-quality conditions in the Bay by using a variety of management strategies to reduce nutrient and sediment loads. The partnership uses monitoring results and modeling tools to implement management strategies, relying on the scientific community to synthesize existing information and direct new research to address...
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Virginia Eastern Shore Groundwater Project

Virginia Eastern Shore Groundwater Resources

Informed management of groundwater resources for the Eastern Shore of Virginia depends on the availability of detailed and up-to-date scientific information. The USGS and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality are conducting a long-term cooperative study to enhance the understanding of groundwater resources in the sole-source aquifer system beneath Accomack and Northampton counties...
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Water Resources, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
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Virginia Eastern Shore Groundwater Resources

Informed management of groundwater resources for the Eastern Shore of Virginia depends on the availability of detailed and up-to-date scientific information. The USGS and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality are conducting a long-term cooperative study to enhance the understanding of groundwater resources in the sole-source aquifer system beneath Accomack and Northampton counties...
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Snakeden Creek near Reston Virginia.

Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Ecological Monitoring and Analysis to Support Stream Restoration Research in Reston, Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Resource Protection Group, Inc. is partnering with Reston Association to monitor the hydrology, water-quality, and ecology of two restored urban streams in Reston, Virginia – Snakeden Branch and The Glade. A combination of continuous and discrete hydrologic and water-quality data are collected to evaluate stream conditions and estimate sediment and...
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Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
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Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Ecological Monitoring and Analysis to Support Stream Restoration Research in Reston, Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Resource Protection Group, Inc. is partnering with Reston Association to monitor the hydrology, water-quality, and ecology of two restored urban streams in Reston, Virginia – Snakeden Branch and The Glade. A combination of continuous and discrete hydrologic and water-quality data are collected to evaluate stream conditions and estimate sediment and...
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