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Water Resources Mission Area

Water information is fundamental to national and local economic well-being, protection of life and property, and effective management of the Nation’s water resources. The USGS works with partners to monitor, assess, conduct targeted research, and deliver information on a wide range of water resources and conditions including streamflow, groundwater, water quality, and water use and availability.

News

USGS Measures Flooding Across Texas

USGS Measures Flooding Across Texas

USGS Stands Ready for a Potentially Active Atlantic Hurricane Season

USGS Stands Ready for a Potentially Active Atlantic Hurricane Season

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

Publications

Select elements of concern in surface water of three hydrologic basins (Delaware River, Illinois River, and Upper Colorado River)—Data screening for the development of spatial and temporal models Select elements of concern in surface water of three hydrologic basins (Delaware River, Illinois River, and Upper Colorado River)—Data screening for the development of spatial and temporal models

The report focuses on the screening of previously published concentration data associated with 12 elements of concern (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, lead, selenium, uranium, and zinc) measured in stream surface waters of three hydrologic basins (Delaware River Basin, Illinois River Basin, and the Upper Colorado River Basin). The purpose of this...
Authors
Mark C. Marvin-DiPasquale, R. Blaine McCleskey, Samantha L. Sullivan, Jonathan Casey Root, Serena M. Seawolf, Katherine M. Ransom, Susan A. Wherry, Evangelos Kakouros, Shaun Baesman

Disparate groundwater responses to wildfire Disparate groundwater responses to wildfire

Post-wildfire investigations of groundwater response reveal a range of outcomes, varying from substantial increases to notable decreases in recharge and baseflow, with some studies indicating negligible or short-lived effects. This review assesses these varied responses within five critical categories: climate, vegetation, hydrogeology, fire characteristics, and the cryosphere, examining...
Authors
Michelle A. Walvoord, Brian A. Ebel, Trevor Fuess Partridge, David M. Rey, D.O. Rosenberry

The nonpoint source challenge: Obstacles and opportunities for meeting nutrient reduction goals in the Chesapeake Bay watershed The nonpoint source challenge: Obstacles and opportunities for meeting nutrient reduction goals in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

This document examines the Chesapeake Bay watershed response to nutrient and sediment reduction efforts under the Clean Water Act's total maximum daily load (TMDL) regulation. As the 2025 Chesapeake Bay TMDL deadline approaches, water quality goals remain unmet, primarily because of nonpoint source pollution, the largest remaining source of nutrients and sediment, and the primary...
Authors
Zachary M. Easton, Kurt Stephenson, Brian Benhem, J.K. Böhlke, Anthony R Buda, Amy S. Collick, Lara Fowler, Ellen Gilinsky, Andrew Miller, Gregory Noe, Leah Palm-Forster, Leonard Shabman, Tess Wynn-Thompson

Science

Navigating PFAS Contamination: Insights from the USGS Potomac River Watershed Study

The Potomac River is a major watershed in the eastern United States that serves as a crucial water supply for millions of people. USGS researchers conducted a comprehensive investigation to identify the contributions of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant effluent to the levels of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Potomac River. This study included measuring PFAS...
Navigating PFAS Contamination: Insights from the USGS Potomac River Watershed Study

Navigating PFAS Contamination: Insights from the USGS Potomac River Watershed Study

The Potomac River is a major watershed in the eastern United States that serves as a crucial water supply for millions of people. USGS researchers conducted a comprehensive investigation to identify the contributions of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant effluent to the levels of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Potomac River. This study included measuring PFAS...
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Increasing Efficiency During the Life Cycle of Energy Development: Key Strategies for Improving the Utilization of Our Nation's Energy Resources

Energy development is critical to American energy independence and provides economic benefits to local communities. Scientific information is needed to aid in the sustainable development of energy resources. Sustainable energy development can include strategies for protecting environmental health and ecological services that benefit local communities. The USGS Environmental Health Program, Energy...
Increasing Efficiency During the Life Cycle of Energy Development: Key Strategies for Improving the Utilization of Our Nation's Energy Resources

Increasing Efficiency During the Life Cycle of Energy Development: Key Strategies for Improving the Utilization of Our Nation's Energy Resources

Energy development is critical to American energy independence and provides economic benefits to local communities. Scientific information is needed to aid in the sustainable development of energy resources. Sustainable energy development can include strategies for protecting environmental health and ecological services that benefit local communities. The USGS Environmental Health Program, Energy...
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Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS)

Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS) are automated stations that monitor water conditions in streams and rivers throughout the country. Originally established in 1999, these are important for meeting specific long-term needs of the Nation. The FPS Network was recently re-prioritized which resulted in size of the network increasing to nearly 12,400 locations.
Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS)

Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS)

Federal Priority Streamgages (FPS) are automated stations that monitor water conditions in streams and rivers throughout the country. Originally established in 1999, these are important for meeting specific long-term needs of the Nation. The FPS Network was recently re-prioritized which resulted in size of the network increasing to nearly 12,400 locations.
Learn More
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