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Explore water-related photography, imagery, and illustrations.

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Image of Drippy pointing at crossword-styles saying Crossword - Water - Science
USGS Water-themed crossword illustration
USGS Water-themed crossword illustration
USGS Water-themed crossword illustration

Image used for Instagram links for the USGS Water-themed Crossword Puzzles and solutions

Images that represent downloading integrated water data
National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion capabilities
National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion capabilities
National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion capabilities

Images representing three of the services available to users of the National Water Availability Assessments (NWAA) Data Companion. Services include subset and download tool, data file directory, and web services. 

Map of U.S. River Conditions, July to September 2025
U.S. River Conditions, July to September 2025
U.S. River Conditions, July to September 2025
U.S. River Conditions, July to September 2025

U.S. River Conditions, July to September 2025 thumbnail image. The river conditions shown range from the driest condition seen at a gage (red open circles) to the wettest (blue closed circles). A purple outer ring around a gage indicates it is flooding.

U.S. River Conditions, July to September 2025 thumbnail image. The river conditions shown range from the driest condition seen at a gage (red open circles) to the wettest (blue closed circles). A purple outer ring around a gage indicates it is flooding.

Screenshot showing a variety of data collection locations, including a streamgage hydrograph, during Hurricane Ian
Flood Event Viewer: Hurricane Ian data collection near Fort Myers, Florida
Flood Event Viewer: Hurricane Ian data collection near Fort Myers, Florida
Flood Event Viewer: Hurricane Ian data collection near Fort Myers, Florida

During major storms or other short-term events, the USGS collects streamflow and additional data (including storm tide, wave height, high-water marks, and additional sensor deployments) to aid in documenting flood events.

During major storms or other short-term events, the USGS collects streamflow and additional data (including storm tide, wave height, high-water marks, and additional sensor deployments) to aid in documenting flood events.

Map of the Upper Colorado River Basin, Integrated Water Availability Assessment.
Map of Upper Colorado River Basin - Integrated Water Availability
Map of Upper Colorado River Basin - Integrated Water Availability
Map of Upper Colorado River Basin - Integrated Water Availability

Map of the Upper Colorado River Basin —referred to as an Integrated Water Science (IWS) basins—are intensively monitored study basins representing a wide range of environmental, hydrologic, and landscape settings and human stressors of water resources to improve our understanding of water availability across the Nation.

Map of the Upper Colorado River Basin —referred to as an Integrated Water Science (IWS) basins—are intensively monitored study basins representing a wide range of environmental, hydrologic, and landscape settings and human stressors of water resources to improve our understanding of water availability across the Nation.

White and brown carboard boxes stacked on top of each other.
Physical data ready for archive
Physical data ready for archive
Physical data ready for archive

Alaska Science Center Data Management staff organize, scan, and digitally archive physical data. Once published as part of a data release, the physical data are organized and placed into banker boxes, labeled with pertinent information, such as the data release DOI, and moved to a secure location.

Alaska Science Center Data Management staff organize, scan, and digitally archive physical data. Once published as part of a data release, the physical data are organized and placed into banker boxes, labeled with pertinent information, such as the data release DOI, and moved to a secure location.

Bear tracks in an orange-stained river.
Bear tracks in an orange tributary of the Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska
Bear tracks in an orange tributary of the Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska
Bear tracks in an orange tributary of the Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Pale orange creek flowing into clear blue river.
Orange waters mixing in to the mainstem of the Kugururok River
Orange waters mixing in to the mainstem of the Kugururok River
Orange waters mixing in to the mainstem of the Kugururok River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Pale orange river entering clear blue river.
An orange tributary of the Kugururok River in Alaska's Noatak National Preserve
An orange tributary of the Kugururok River in Alaska's Noatak National Preserve
An orange tributary of the Kugururok River in Alaska's Noatak National Preserve

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

A pale orange and clear blue river mixing.
Mixing of an orange tributary and Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska
Mixing of an orange tributary and Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska
Mixing of an orange tributary and Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Brown vegetation and a small stream.
Acidic waters kill and blacken vegetation as they plunge downhill towards the Nakolikurok Creek
Acidic waters kill and blacken vegetation as they plunge downhill towards the Nakolikurok Creek
Acidic waters kill and blacken vegetation as they plunge downhill towards the Nakolikurok Creek

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

pale orange river flowing into a clear blue river.
An orange tributary of the Kugururok River in Noatak National Preserve, Alaska
An orange tributary of the Kugururok River in Noatak National Preserve, Alaska
An orange tributary of the Kugururok River in Noatak National Preserve, Alaska

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Black vegetation surrounding a creek.
An acid seep on the Nakolikurok Creek
An acid seep on the Nakolikurok Creek
An acid seep on the Nakolikurok Creek

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Faint orange creek running through green brush.
Anatok Creek, Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Anatok Creek, Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Anatok Creek, Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

A white net in an orange creek.
Drift net collecting samples in orange tributary of Anatok Creek, Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Drift net collecting samples in orange tributary of Anatok Creek, Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Drift net collecting samples in orange tributary of Anatok Creek, Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

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Klamath Basin
Klamath Basin
Klamath Basin

Klamath River Basin straddles northern California and southern Oregon. The Klamath River empties into the Pacific Ocean just below the Oregon/California border.

Klamath River Basin straddles northern California and southern Oregon. The Klamath River empties into the Pacific Ocean just below the Oregon/California border.

A heatmap of lake temperature by depth over a two year period.
Machine learning of lake temperatures - observed
Machine learning of lake temperatures - observed
Machine learning of lake temperatures - observed

A lake temperature profile showing two years of temperature data by lake depth. PAtterns of summer warming and winter cooling are visible.

A lake temperature profile showing two years of temperature data by lake depth. PAtterns of summer warming and winter cooling are visible.

U.S. River Conditions thumbnail image, April to June 2025
U.S. River Conditions, April to June 2025
U.S. River Conditions, April to June 2025
U.S. River Conditions, April to June 2025

U.S. River Conditions, April to June 2025 thumbnail image. The river conditions shown range from the driest condition seen at a gage (red open circles) to the wettest (blue closed circles). A purple outer ring around a gage indicates it is flooding.

U.S. River Conditions, April to June 2025 thumbnail image. The river conditions shown range from the driest condition seen at a gage (red open circles) to the wettest (blue closed circles). A purple outer ring around a gage indicates it is flooding.

Orange, gray, and white, three-panel pamphlet describing rusting arctic rivers.
Rusting Arctic Rivers Pamphlet
Rusting Arctic Rivers Pamphlet
Rusting Arctic Rivers Pamphlet

Rivers across northern Alaska have recently turned orange in color. Because of their appearance, they are often called “rusting rivers.”

Rivers across northern Alaska have recently turned orange in color. Because of their appearance, they are often called “rusting rivers.”

RT-FI Map flood impact location pop-up showing the hydrograph and webcam of a flooded road along the Mississippi River
Real-Time Flood Impact Map: flooded road impact location in St. Paul, MN
Real-Time Flood Impact Map: flooded road impact location in St. Paul, MN
Real-Time Flood Impact Map: flooded road impact location in St. Paul, MN

Clicking on a flood feature icon in the USGS Real-Time Flood Impact Map will display information about that Flood Impact Location, the current conditions at the nearby USGS streamgage, and the USGS HIVIS webcam image (if available). For example, this Flood Impact Location in St.

Clicking on a flood feature icon in the USGS Real-Time Flood Impact Map will display information about that Flood Impact Location, the current conditions at the nearby USGS streamgage, and the USGS HIVIS webcam image (if available). For example, this Flood Impact Location in St.

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