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Explore water-related photography, imagery, and illustrations.

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map of mining water use across US
Mining Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Mining Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Mining Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed

This map represents the average amount of water withdrawn in 2020 for mining use for all subwatersheds (12-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes or HUC12s) in the 50 United States. 

 Map tracking Hurricane Isaias across the Gulf Coast and Southeast U.S. from October 7 through October 12.
Cover image of Hurricane Isaias flooding animation from the USGS Vizlab
Cover image of Hurricane Isaias flooding animation from the USGS Vizlab
Cover image of Hurricane Isaias flooding animation from the USGS Vizlab

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida as a Category 2 storm on October 9, 2026. Tracking inland through Alabama, its remnants brought damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and life-threatening storm surge from the Gulf Coast to the southern Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic.

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida as a Category 2 storm on October 9, 2026. Tracking inland through Alabama, its remnants brought damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and life-threatening storm surge from the Gulf Coast to the southern Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic.

Bar chart showing water withdrawals at 5 year intervals
Aquaculture withdrawals, 1985-2020
Aquaculture withdrawals, 1985-2020
Aquaculture withdrawals, 1985-2020

Time series of aquaculture withdrawals from 1985 to 2020 by source (groundwater or surface water) for the lower 48 United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Combined water use withdrawals include saline and freshwater. 

Time series of aquaculture withdrawals from 1985 to 2020 by source (groundwater or surface water) for the lower 48 United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Combined water use withdrawals include saline and freshwater. 

Public supply Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Public Supply Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Public Supply Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
map of thermoelectric water use - fresh
Thermoelectric Power Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Thermoelectric Power Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Thermoelectric Power Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed

This model computes the amount of water withdrawn and consumed by thermoelectric power plants each month in calendar year 2020 for all subwatersheds (12-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes or HUC12s) in the lower 48 United States.

USGS hydrologic technician wading on Interstate 70
Flooding on Interstate 70 in Ohio, August 21, 2026
Flooding on Interstate 70 in Ohio, August 21, 2026
Flooding on Interstate 70 in Ohio, August 21, 2026

USGS field crews monitor stream gages and flood impact on closed Interstate 70 in Ohio. I-70 was closed due to Buckeye Lake spilling over into South Fork Licking River, Ohio. 

USGS field crews monitor stream gages and flood impact on closed Interstate 70 in Ohio. I-70 was closed due to Buckeye Lake spilling over into South Fork Licking River, Ohio. 

microscope image
Dolichospermum is a common toxin-producing cyanobacteria in Harmful Algal Blooms
Dolichospermum is a common toxin-producing cyanobacteria in Harmful Algal Blooms
Dolichospermum is a common toxin-producing cyanobacteria in Harmful Algal Blooms

Filaments of Dolichospermum, a common toxin producing cyanobacteria. Sample collected from Willow Creek Reservoir, CO on 08/20/26. Image captured at 400x zoom.

map of irrigation by huc12
Irrigation Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Irrigation Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed
Irrigation Water Use map, monthly averages 2020 by watershed

This model computes the amount of crop irrigation withdrawals each month in 2020 for all subwatersheds (12-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes or HUC12s) in the lower 48 United States. 

stream gage with damaged roof from Hurricane Lala
Hurricane Lala impact on gage near Pā’auhau, Big Island of Hawai’i, August 17, 2026
Hurricane Lala impact on gage near Pā’auhau, Big Island of Hawai’i, August 17, 2026
Hurricane Lala impact on gage near Pā’auhau, Big Island of Hawai’i, August 17, 2026

Hurricane Lala left lingering impacts on the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricane Lala began to hit the islands on August 15, 2026, and brought heavy rains and flash flooding. Photo shows damage to streamgage 16770500 in Pā’auhau, Big Island of Hawai’i, on August 17, 2026

Hurricane Lala left lingering impacts on the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricane Lala began to hit the islands on August 15, 2026, and brought heavy rains and flash flooding. Photo shows damage to streamgage 16770500 in Pā’auhau, Big Island of Hawai’i, on August 17, 2026

Hurricane Helene flooding animation cover image
Cover image of Hurricane Helene Flooding Animation from the USGS Vizlab
Cover image of Hurricane Helene Flooding Animation from the USGS Vizlab
Cover image of Hurricane Helene Flooding Animation from the USGS Vizlab

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, 2024, bringing historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding across the Southeast. This animation tracks hourly precipitation and streamflow at USGS streamgages along Helene's path (Sep 24–29, 2024).

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, 2024, bringing historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding across the Southeast. This animation tracks hourly precipitation and streamflow at USGS streamgages along Helene's path (Sep 24–29, 2024).

Image of surface water and groundwater maps
Surface water and groundwater conditions website thumbnail
Surface water and groundwater conditions website thumbnail
Surface water and groundwater conditions website thumbnail

USGS Vizlab's new interactive website "Surface water and groundwater conditions" provides a deeper dive into water data over the past year. 

Photo showing a glass being filled with water from a faucet, along with a water well tank.
Water Vulnerability and Insecurity
Water Vulnerability and Insecurity
Water Vulnerability and Insecurity

Photo of a glass being filled from a faucet, above another photo showing a water well tank in a field.

Photo of a glass being filled from a faucet, above another photo showing a water well tank in a field.

map of aquaculture by state in 2023
Aquaculture Water Use map, annual withdrawals for 2023 by state
Aquaculture Water Use map, annual withdrawals for 2023 by state
Aquaculture Water Use map, annual withdrawals for 2023 by state

This map represents the total amount of water withdrawn in 2023 for aquaculture use estimated for all states in the lower 48 United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. States colored white did not disclose aquaculture water use (missing data).

This map represents the total amount of water withdrawn in 2023 for aquaculture use estimated for all states in the lower 48 United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. States colored white did not disclose aquaculture water use (missing data).

chemist putting samples into centerfuge
Chemist processing water quality samples at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)
Chemist processing water quality samples at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)
Chemist processing water quality samples at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)

Chemist placing water-quality samples in a centrifuge at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). These samples were collected for PFAS analysis.

chemist reviewing water sample analysis results
Chemist analyzing water quality results at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)
Chemist analyzing water quality results at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)
Chemist analyzing water quality results at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)

Chemist reviewing the output of water-quality sample analysis at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). These water samples were collected for the analysis of pesticide contamination.

Chemist preparing water samples
Chemist preparing water samples at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)
Chemist preparing water samples at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)
Chemist preparing water samples at National Water Quality Lab (NWQL)

Chemist preparing water quality samples at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). These water samples were collected for PFAS analysis.

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