Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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

From Lake to Table: $3 Million Investment Helps Track Great Salt Lake's Future

From Lake to Table: $3 Million Investment Helps Track Great Salt Lake's Future

Science or Superstition?

Science or Superstition?

Millions in the U.S. may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking water supplies

Millions in the U.S. may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking water supplies

Publications

Streamflow, water quality, and constituent loads and yields, Scituate Reservoir drainage area, Rhode Island, water year 2021

As part of a long-term cooperative program to monitor water quality within the Scituate Reservoir drainage area, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with Providence Water (formerly Providence Water Supply Board) collected streamflow and water-quality data in tributaries to the Scituate Reservoir, Rhode Island. Streamflow and concentrations of chloride and sodium estimated from records of spe
Authors
Kirk P. Smith, Alana B. Spaetzel

Longitudinal and seasonal changes of organic matter sources through a semi-arid river-reservoir system

The quality and quantity of organic matter (OM) in a river system directly affects ecosystem health; thus, managers benefit from an in-depth understanding of the drivers and sources of OM. In the Snake River, a highly altered river-reservoir system in the semi-arid western United States, OM production and loading are key drivers of reservoir anoxia, which leads to several deleterious processes suc
Authors
Alysa Muir Yoder, Austin K. Baldwin, Mark C. Marvin-DiPasquale, Brett Poulin, Jesse Naymik, David P. Krabbenhoft

The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network—Groundwater—2023

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates a National Water Quality Network (NWQN) to monitor trends in groundwater quality and assess emerging contaminants of concern. It is a “network of networks” with 81 subnetworks being sampled on a decadal time scale. Each year, eight of the subnetworks are sampled. Subnetworks have 20–30 wells each and include studies of domestic supply wells or shallow gro
Authors
Bruce D. Lindsey, James A. Kingsbury

Science

Effects of global change on alpine and subalpine ecosystems

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition, climate change and recreation are rapidly altering high elevation ecosystems. This project will evaluate long-term biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological trends in Rocky Mountain National Park to understand the causes and rates of change in alpine and subalpine waters, soils, and vegetation. Policy makers and resource managers of high-elevation, protected...
link

Effects of global change on alpine and subalpine ecosystems

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition, climate change and recreation are rapidly altering high elevation ecosystems. This project will evaluate long-term biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological trends in Rocky Mountain National Park to understand the causes and rates of change in alpine and subalpine waters, soils, and vegetation. Policy makers and resource managers of high-elevation, protected...
Learn More

Integrated Water Prediction (IWP)

The USGS Integrated Water Prediction science program is focused on developing and improving model code, workflows, and applications of core water availability components at a national extent.
link

Integrated Water Prediction (IWP)

The USGS Integrated Water Prediction science program is focused on developing and improving model code, workflows, and applications of core water availability components at a national extent.
Learn More

Centennial Streamgages

Centennial Streamgages are USGS streamgages that have been in operation for more than 100 years.
link

Centennial Streamgages

Centennial Streamgages are USGS streamgages that have been in operation for more than 100 years.
Learn More
Was this page helpful?