Current Research
Idaho's Water Quality
Idaho National Laboratory Project Office
Idaho Water Science Center
Water is critical to Idaho's quality of life and economic vitality. We provide reliable, unbiased hydrologic data and scientific studies to help our local, state, tribal, and federal partners effectively manage Idaho's water resources.
Idaho Water Dashboard
Idaho Water Dashboard
Explore real-time streamflow, groundwater, water-quality, and weather conditions and access data via our interactive map.
News
Idaho Hydrologic Update, March-April 2025
Idaho Hydrologic Update, March-April 2025
New data products now available in StreamStats
New data products now available in StreamStats
Idaho Hydrologic Update, January-February 2025
Idaho Hydrologic Update, January-February 2025
Publications
Regression models for estimating suspended sediment concentrations and loads and comparison with acoustic surrogate model on the Snake River, Weiser, Idaho, 1977–2022 Regression models for estimating suspended sediment concentrations and loads and comparison with acoustic surrogate model on the Snake River, Weiser, Idaho, 1977–2022
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Idaho Power, developed streamflow- based regression models to estimate suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and loads on the Snake River at Weiser, Idaho site (U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 13269000; hereafter referred to as “Snake at Weiser site”). This site sits upstream from the dams and reservoirs of the Hells Canyon Complex and...
Standardized method for logging drill core at the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Standardized method for logging drill core at the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho
The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Lithologic Core Storage Library (CSL) at the Idaho National Laboratory stores more than 120,000 feet of drill core that is accessible to the public for research and sampling. To effectively convey the physical and descriptive properties of the drill core, USGS staff at the Idaho National Laboratory Project Office log the drill core and publish the...
Lost in translation: Reconciling different streamflow permanence data products Lost in translation: Reconciling different streamflow permanence data products
The objective of this study is to provide a framework to reconcile streamflow permanence products that provide information on whether a stream is perennial or nonperennial. Accurate classification of streams as perennial or nonperennial is important for a variety of land and water resource management decisions. However, resource managers are challenged with how to reconcile different...
Science
INLPO Software
Our science staff has developed a suite of software products designed to enhance research and data analysis capabilities. Each product plays a crucial role in facilitating access to data and analyses relevant to groundwater and surface water monitoring in the region.
Mercury Cycling in the Hells Canyon Complex
The Hells Canyon Complex (HCC) is the largest privately owned hydroelectric power complex in the United States. Upstream are millions of acres of irrigated agricultural lands and Idaho’s largest metropolitan area clustered around the state capital Boise. Downstream lie confluences with the Salmon and Clearwater Rivers, critical habitat for threatened bull trout and fall chinook salmon. Elevated...
Real-Time Pier Scour Monitoring and Evaluation
The most common cause of bridge failure is scour, when high-velocity streamflow scours streambed material from around bridge piers and abutments. As of 2017, the National Bridge Inventory listed 265 of Idaho's nearly 4,500 bridges (about 6 percent) as "scour critical." When rivers rise quickly, bridge inspectors have little or no time to mobilize and monitor bridges at risk of scour. Real-time...