Welcome to the Washington Water Science Center
Washington Water Science Center
The USGS Washington Water Science Center provides water resource information. You’ll find information about Washington’s rivers and streams, as well as groundwater, water quality, and cutting-edge water research. We welcome you to explore our data and scientific research.
Current Washington Water Conditions
Current Washington Water Conditions
Explore real-time Washington streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our new interactive map application.
View current water conditions
View current water conditions
Uncrewed Aviation Systems Program
Uncrewed Aviation Systems Program
Data collection provided by uncrewed aviation systems (UAS) enhances the Washington Water Science Center’s (WAWSC) ability to monitor dynamic environmental systems, respond to natural hazards, analyze the impacts of climate change, and assess landscape change.
News
Sediment contaminants in Puget Sound: Implications for ecosystem health and remediation
Sediment contaminants in Puget Sound: Implications for ecosystem health and remediation
Washington Waters Newsletter - Spring 2025
Washington Waters Newsletter - Spring 2025
New data products now available in StreamStats
New data products now available in StreamStats
Publications
Estimation of impounded sediment volume in the Similkameen River upstream of Enloe Dam, Okanogan County, Washington Estimation of impounded sediment volume in the Similkameen River upstream of Enloe Dam, Okanogan County, Washington
The Enloe Dam was built in 1920 for hydropower generation and impounds a steep-banked, narrow reach of the Similkameen River in north-central Washington. During the subsequent century, sediment from the Similkameen River watershed, which includes historical mining operations, accumulated within Enloe Dam’s impoundment. Enloe Dam ceased hydropower production in 1958 and is currently under
Urbanization alters riverine fluorescent dissolved organic matter characteristics in a forested city – metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia (USA) Urbanization alters riverine fluorescent dissolved organic matter characteristics in a forested city – metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
Streams and rivers in urban watersheds are predicted to export more bioreactive, autochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM) relative to forested watersheds. However, the spatial and temporal variations of DOM quality in forested urban watersheds remain uncertain, and their relationships with socioeconomic conditions, biological characteristics, and the built environment are...
Channel change and sediment transport in the Puyallup River watershed through 2022 Channel change and sediment transport in the Puyallup River watershed through 2022
The Puyallup River drains a 990 square mile watershed in western Washington, with headwaters on the glacier-covered flanks of Mount Rainier. Major tributaries include the White, Carbon, and Mowich Rivers. In the levee-confined reaches of the lower watershed, loss of flood conveyance due to sand and gravel deposition has been a chronic issue. Over much of the 20th century, flood...
Science
Remotely mapping stormwater facility footprints and storage volumes
Stormwater management practices are being used throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed to reduce flood risks and pollutant loads, but consistent and comprehensive maps of these practices are often lacking. Stormwater managers often have incomplete information about the location and storage volume of stormwater facilities within their jurisdiction. Therefore, the USGS is working to develop...
Testing non-contact discharge measurement methods in the Nooksack River
The Issue: The North Cedarville streamgage on the Nooksack River (USGS 12210700) is critical for flood monitoring and hazard assessments. However, making discharge measurements at high flows, which are necessary to maintain an accurate stage-discharge relation at this dynamic site, is complicated by transport of woody debris and difficulties detecting the bed using traditional acoustic doppler...
Bear Gulch Fire Water Quality Monitoring
The USGS is monitoring water quality in the North Fork Skokomish River following the Bear Gulch Fire that burned in summer 2025. USGS has over 100 years of data from this river. Streamflow data support water supply management and flood prediction. Post-fire data provides an important window into how watersheds are shaped by fire.