WaterMarks Newsletter - Fall 2025
‘Extreme Drought’ Hits Northern New England States
USGS streamflow and water-level information informs drought managers as conditions worsen and 86% of northern New England states are categorized as being in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Changes in Nitrogen Contributions from Groundwater to the Niantic River Before and After Sewering
Onsite residential septic systems can be a major nonpoint source of nitrogen contamination. The excess nitrogen entering Connecticut’s Niantic River estuary is associated with high nitrate concentrations in the groundwater of the river’s 28-square-mile watershed, creating unsuitable habitat for the growth and recovery of eelgrass (Zostera marina). In an attempt to improve the river’s water quality...
Enhancing Water and Sewer Utility Mapping in Massachusetts
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Water Utility Resilience Program (WURP), is assisting public water and wastewater utilities in transitioning their service infrastructure data to geographic information systems (GIS) and updating related statewide datasets and data visualization tools. Improving access to...
USGS New England Water Science Center Priorities and Programs
Effective Communication in PFAS Research: Moving Beyond "Ubiquitous"
In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have gained attention for their environmental presence; however, the term "ubiquitous" used to describe them can be misleading. USGS scientists push to use more precise language such as "widespread" and “commonly detected” to avoid confusion and misinformation. This distinction is crucial for understanding the actual occurrence of PFAS...
Drought Conditions Expand in Northern New England
A large portion of the state of Maine and all of Vermont and New Hampshire are currently experiencing a “flash drought.” The onset of drought conditions come after weeks of little precipitation and high temperatures.
New England WSC Products in the Third Quarter of 2025
List of products from the New England Water Science Center released in the third quarter of 2025.