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.
We operate and maintain extensive monitoring networks and conduct hydrologic investigations to quantify each component of the hydrologic cycle.
Nontidal Network Mapper Updates
The Nontidal Network Mapper has been updated with the latest short-term total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended-sediment load and trend data for water years 2014 to 2023..
The Nontidal Network Mapper has been updated with the latest short-term total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended-sediment load and trend data for water years 2014 to 2023..
Virginia and West Virginia Groundwater Levels and Trends
See current groundwater levels and trends at continuous groundwater wells across Virginia and West Virginia.
See current groundwater levels and trends at continuous groundwater wells across Virginia and West Virginia.
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.
Explore our scientific and data-driven web tools that include data visualizations, digital repositories, and interactive maps with data access and data analysis capabilities.
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.
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.
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.
Need assistance? Contact us through our Connect page.
Virginia Current Water Conditions
Virginia Current Water Conditions
Explore real-time Virginia streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our interactive map application.
West Virginia Current Water Conditions
West Virginia Current Water Conditions
Explore real-time West Virginia streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our interactive map application.
News
In West Point, Virginia, a New 'Subsidence Superstation' Measures Changing Land Surface
In West Point, Virginia, a New 'Subsidence Superstation' Measures Changing Land Surface
USGS Hydrology Technicians measure peak flows after a recent storm in West Virginia
USGS Hydrology Technicians measure peak flows after a recent storm in West Virginia
USGS experts responding simultaneously to two major natural hazards
USGS experts responding simultaneously to two major natural hazards
Publications
METRIC: An interactive framework for integrated visualization and analysis of monitored and expected load reductions for nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Reductions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads have been the focus of watershed restoration in many regions for improving water quality, including the Chesapeake Bay. Watershed models and riverine monitoring data can provide important information on the progress of load reductions but do not always generate consistent interpretations. A new framework for integrated visualization...
Improving time of concentration estimates for small rural watersheds in the Appalachian Plateaus physiographic province, West Virginia
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, compared time of concentration (Tc) and related runoff characteristics measured at four field sites in West Virginia to estimates of these values made using accepted methods. These four sites were selected to represent a range of basin size, length, and slope, and...
Increasing phosphorus loss despite widespread concentration decline in US rivers
The loss of phosphorous (P) from the land to aquatic systems has polluted waters and threatened food production worldwide. Systematic trend analysis of P, a nonrenewable resource, has been challenging, primarily due to sparse and inconsistent historical data. Here, we leveraged intensive hydrometeorological data and the recent renaissance of deep learning approaches to fill data gaps and...
Science
Lake Accotink Sedimentation Study
Lake Accotink is a 55-acre lake in Fairfax County which is highly valued by the local community. Much like a living organism, lakes go through many changes. Several factors affect their health and well-being such as sediment buildup. As the lake fills with sediment, it loses surface area and volume. Lake Accotink has been dredged in the past to remove excess sediment, but this process is costly...
New study highlights the role of wastewater and landscape sources contributing to pesticide contamination in the Potomac River watershed
Wastewater treatment plant discharges can be a source of organic contaminants, including pesticides, to rivers. Pesticide concentrations were predicted based on wastewater percentages in stream water using a modeling tool, and verified with measured concentrations to identify other potential landscape sources.
Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge
Many abandoned historic mines surround the New River Gorge. Untreated water draining from these mines has the potential to alter the temperature and water quality of nearby creeks and rivers. Remediation and restoration has been proposed for many of these abandoned mines. However, the cold water seeping out of these mines may also create wetland areas along the flat mine benches which were cut...
