International Water Science
Information about water resources is fundamental to national and local economic well-being, protection of life and property, and effective management. The USGS works with domestic and international partners to monitor, assess, and conduct targeted research on a wide range of water resource conditions, including streamflow, groundwater, water quality, and water use and availability.
USGS provides reliable information to answer your questions and provide assistance related to international water resources science issues, including impacts to people and communities. Training and technology transfer often are integral to the technical assistance provided by USGS international activities.
International studies related to water are conducted by scientists from throughout USGS on topics including:
- streams, lakes, reservoirs
- aquifers, wells, springs
- snow, ice, glaciers
- groundwater/surface water exchange
- extreme hydrologic events
- floods & droughts
- transboundary assessments
- streamgaging networks
- stormwater & wastewater
- erosion & sedimentation
- contaminants & pollution
- eutrophication & harmful algal blooms
- water supply & demand
- water temperature & thermal stress
- hydrogeophysical studies
- sea level rise impacts
Assessing River Erosion and Sedimentation in Ecuador
In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USGS is helping Ecuadorian government officials from the Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC) develop strategies for managing sediment and erosion in the Río Coca basin after the 2020 collapse of the 144-meter-tall San Rafael waterfall.
Research in the Los Planes Watershed – Water Cycle Augmentation
The USGS is working with partners to understand the impacts of installing structures made from rock, sandbags and wood in channels at a dryland ranch in southern Baja California. Hydrogeological instrumentation, recording observations, modeling hydrogeological scenarios, and an interdisciplinary scientific study of the watershed interactions between water, ecological systems, and human activities...
Africa Groundwater Exploration and Assessment Program
The purpose of the Program is to develop a sound understanding of the potential for development of potable groundwater supply in selected African countries and build local capacity to plan and conduct the hydrologic investigations and monitoring necessary to help ensure that groundwater resources are developed and managed efficiently and sustainably.
Groundwater Exploration in Northwest Kenya, Turkana and Marsabit Counties: Groundwater Potential Mapping, Hydrogeology, Economic Assessment, and Capacity Building
The US Geological Survey collaborated with Northern Arizona University and New Mexico State University in a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development-Kenya and East Africa Mission to investigate the use of satellite image data, along with hydrological and geological data sets, to research and develop maps of the potential of groundwater resources in southern Turkana...
Accelerating Aquifer Storage & Recovery in the Middle East and North Africa Region
In cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International Development, USGS helped regional partners assess the suitability for managing scarce groundwater resources, and improving water supply, using artificial recharge methods.
International Water Resources Activities
USGS water-related projects of international interest.
Brazilian Agencies Partner With USGS On Water Programs
The USGS International Programs Office has intermittently collaborated with Brazil's Geological Survey (CPRM) since the early 1970's. With the creation of the Brazilian National Water Agency (ANA), Brazil's hydrologic monitoring network has taken on a higher socioeconomic importance. The collaboration agreements between USGS and ANA/CPRM have strengthened the Brazilian streamgaging network as well...
Mongolia - Building Groundwater Modeling Capacity
Project Period: 2015-2016 Cooperator: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Chief: Joshua Valder
Armenia - Building Groundwater Management Capacity for the Ararat Valley
Project Period: 2016-17 Cooperator: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Project Chief: Joshua Valder
Assessing River Erosion and Sedimentation in Ecuador
In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USGS is helping Ecuadorian government officials from the Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC) develop strategies for managing sediment and erosion in the Río Coca basin after the 2020 collapse of the 144-meter-tall San Rafael waterfall.
Research in the Los Planes Watershed – Water Cycle Augmentation
The USGS is working with partners to understand the impacts of installing structures made from rock, sandbags and wood in channels at a dryland ranch in southern Baja California. Hydrogeological instrumentation, recording observations, modeling hydrogeological scenarios, and an interdisciplinary scientific study of the watershed interactions between water, ecological systems, and human activities...
Africa Groundwater Exploration and Assessment Program
The purpose of the Program is to develop a sound understanding of the potential for development of potable groundwater supply in selected African countries and build local capacity to plan and conduct the hydrologic investigations and monitoring necessary to help ensure that groundwater resources are developed and managed efficiently and sustainably.
Groundwater Exploration in Northwest Kenya, Turkana and Marsabit Counties: Groundwater Potential Mapping, Hydrogeology, Economic Assessment, and Capacity Building
The US Geological Survey collaborated with Northern Arizona University and New Mexico State University in a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development-Kenya and East Africa Mission to investigate the use of satellite image data, along with hydrological and geological data sets, to research and develop maps of the potential of groundwater resources in southern Turkana...
Accelerating Aquifer Storage & Recovery in the Middle East and North Africa Region
In cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International Development, USGS helped regional partners assess the suitability for managing scarce groundwater resources, and improving water supply, using artificial recharge methods.
International Water Resources Activities
USGS water-related projects of international interest.
Brazilian Agencies Partner With USGS On Water Programs
The USGS International Programs Office has intermittently collaborated with Brazil's Geological Survey (CPRM) since the early 1970's. With the creation of the Brazilian National Water Agency (ANA), Brazil's hydrologic monitoring network has taken on a higher socioeconomic importance. The collaboration agreements between USGS and ANA/CPRM have strengthened the Brazilian streamgaging network as well...
Mongolia - Building Groundwater Modeling Capacity
Project Period: 2015-2016 Cooperator: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Chief: Joshua Valder
Armenia - Building Groundwater Management Capacity for the Ararat Valley
Project Period: 2016-17 Cooperator: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Project Chief: Joshua Valder