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River DroughtCast is a new machine learning system that predicts streamflow droughts — specifically “streamflow” droughts when rivers and streams drop to unusually low levels— up to 90 days in advance. Each prediction comes with uncertainty information to help users understand the confidence level of the forecast.
River DroughtCast is a new machine learning system that predicts streamflow droughts — specifically “streamflow” droughts when rivers and streams drop to unusually low levels— up to 90 days in advance. Each prediction comes with uncertainty information to help users understand the confidence level of the forecast.
Diagram of a typical streamgage installation with equipment used to measure stream stage
Diagram of a typical streamgage installation with equipment used to measure stream stage
Diagram of how USGS water data are transferred from streamgage to the internet
Diagram of how USGS water data are transferred from streamgage to the internet
River DroughtCast delivers current streamflow drought conditions and weekly forecasts of streamflow drought at select streamgages with long-term, complete records across the lower 48 states (the conterminous U.S., or CONUS).
River DroughtCast delivers current streamflow drought conditions and weekly forecasts of streamflow drought at select streamgages with long-term, complete records across the lower 48 states (the conterminous U.S., or CONUS).
Aerial view of Chattahoochee River in Harris County, Georgia.
Aerial view of Chattahoochee River in Harris County, Georgia.
Snapshot of modeled stream temperature data from across the lower 48 United States on May 25, 2020. Data from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106655
Snapshot of modeled stream temperature data from across the lower 48 United States on May 25, 2020. Data from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106655
USGS scientist takes measurements of groundwater quality from a monitoring well near Zimmerman, Minnesota.
USGS scientist takes measurements of groundwater quality from a monitoring well near Zimmerman, Minnesota.
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center Hydrologic Technician Dwight Sparks purges a monitoring well in Austin Texas to ensure stable field parameters before collecting a groundwater sample.
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center Hydrologic Technician Dwight Sparks purges a monitoring well in Austin Texas to ensure stable field parameters before collecting a groundwater sample.
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center Hydrologic Technician Sam Matschek processes a groundwater sample at a monitoring well in Austin Texas. This groundwater sampling effort was to quantify geogenic contaminations in groundwater aquifers.
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center Hydrologic Technician Sam Matschek processes a groundwater sample at a monitoring well in Austin Texas. This groundwater sampling effort was to quantify geogenic contaminations in groundwater aquifers.
Screenshot of the Water Data for the Nation (WDFN) homepage. WDFN is the home for USGS's modernization of public delivery of water data. USGS water data can be accessed in many ways:
Screenshot of the Water Data for the Nation (WDFN) homepage. WDFN is the home for USGS's modernization of public delivery of water data. USGS water data can be accessed in many ways:
A hydrographer providing a written description of a flagged high-water mark using a white board.
A hydrographer providing a written description of a flagged high-water mark using a white board.
U.S. River Conditions, October to December 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, October to December 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
A USGS scientist from Selenium Research Laboratory collecting samples on the Kootenai River during field work in 2025.
A USGS scientist from Selenium Research Laboratory collecting samples on the Kootenai River during field work in 2025.
USGS scientists processing samples taken from the Kootenai River during field work in 2025.
USGS scientists processing samples taken from the Kootenai River during field work in 2025.
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.
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.
Video Description – October 2024 to September 2025
Video Description – October 2024 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.
Art of Inquiry show hosted at USGS on 22 September, 2025 as part of Flagstaff Festival of Science and in collaboration with Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy
Art of Inquiry show hosted at USGS on 22 September, 2025 as part of Flagstaff Festival of Science and in collaboration with Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy
3D render of the Delaware River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/
3D render of the Delaware River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/
3D render of Willamette River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/
3D render of Willamette River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/