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Explore water-related photography, imagery, and illustrations.
Circularity of named lakes in the U.S. A histogram shows circularity for lakes and reservoirs in the United States, defined as 4π * Area / perimeter squared. The distribution is skewed left, as most lakes and reservoirs aren’t very circular.
Circularity of named lakes in the U.S. A histogram shows circularity for lakes and reservoirs in the United States, defined as 4π * Area / perimeter squared. The distribution is skewed left, as most lakes and reservoirs aren’t very circular.
The USGS is monitoring streamflow and water-quality in burned watersheds across the western U.S.
The USGS is monitoring streamflow and water-quality in burned watersheds across the western U.S.
East Troublesome burned area, Colorado, two years post-fire. Compared to the other photo, it is a bit more lush with grasses growing. Many trees are distinctly still black and have no foliage.
East Troublesome burned area, Colorado, two years post-fire. Compared to the other photo, it is a bit more lush with grasses growing. Many trees are distinctly still black and have no foliage.
A Tale of two winters. A map of CONUS and lollipop style charts show the difference in percent snow covered area for February 2023 compared to the 20-year mean (2003-2022). Paired charts show the relationships between latitude, longitude, and difference in percent snow covered area, depicting two very different winters between the coasts.
A Tale of two winters. A map of CONUS and lollipop style charts show the difference in percent snow covered area for February 2023 compared to the 20-year mean (2003-2022). Paired charts show the relationships between latitude, longitude, and difference in percent snow covered area, depicting two very different winters between the coasts.
8 maps of the continental U.S. show county-level water use for 8 categories of use – thermoelectric, irrigation, public supply, industrial, aquaculture, mining, domestic, and livestock. Use in each category is shown as a percent of total water use, by county. In the northern plains, most water is used for livestock. In west Texas, most water is used for mining.
8 maps of the continental U.S. show county-level water use for 8 categories of use – thermoelectric, irrigation, public supply, industrial, aquaculture, mining, domestic, and livestock. Use in each category is shown as a percent of total water use, by county. In the northern plains, most water is used for livestock. In west Texas, most water is used for mining.
A 3D aerial view of Norristown, Pennsylvania shows where the Schuylkill River passes through the city. The water in the river is shown in bright blue, while the surrounding city is shown in natural color.
A 3D aerial view of Norristown, Pennsylvania shows where the Schuylkill River passes through the city. The water in the river is shown in bright blue, while the surrounding city is shown in natural color.
An alluvial diagram showing the number of deaths due to natural disasters in the United States over the past 50 years (1972 – 2022). The data include deaths due to eight types of natural disasters: wildfires, drought, extreme temperatures, landslides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, storms, and floods
An alluvial diagram showing the number of deaths due to natural disasters in the United States over the past 50 years (1972 – 2022). The data include deaths due to eight types of natural disasters: wildfires, drought, extreme temperatures, landslides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, storms, and floods
A data visualization showing how Minimum Annual Streamflow has changed from generation to generation over the past 100 years. Across the contiguous United States, streamflow has increased by 22% when comparing the baseline “Silent generation” (1920 – 1946) against the Gen Z years (1997-2020).
A data visualization showing how Minimum Annual Streamflow has changed from generation to generation over the past 100 years. Across the contiguous United States, streamflow has increased by 22% when comparing the baseline “Silent generation” (1920 – 1946) against the Gen Z years (1997-2020).
A tile map of the US showing streamgages by flow levels through the month of March 2023. For each state, an area chart shows the proportion of streamgages in wet, normal, or dry conditions. Streamflow conditions are quantified using percentiles comparing the past month’s flow levels to the historic record for each streamgage.
A tile map of the US showing streamgages by flow levels through the month of March 2023. For each state, an area chart shows the proportion of streamgages in wet, normal, or dry conditions. Streamflow conditions are quantified using percentiles comparing the past month’s flow levels to the historic record for each streamgage.
An animation of spring leaf out timing in the contiguous U.S. from Jan 1 2023 to Apr 3, 2023. A map and bar chart are synchronized to show the onset of spring as the year progresses, with southernmost parts of the U.S. first entering spring and rising up through parts of the midwest and east coast.
An animation of spring leaf out timing in the contiguous U.S. from Jan 1 2023 to Apr 3, 2023. A map and bar chart are synchronized to show the onset of spring as the year progresses, with southernmost parts of the U.S. first entering spring and rising up through parts of the midwest and east coast.
Six panel data visualization in the graphical form of a comic. The first panel is of a bright sun with trees lining a street that has tall buildings on either side.
Six panel data visualization in the graphical form of a comic. The first panel is of a bright sun with trees lining a street that has tall buildings on either side.
USGS Water Resources Mission Area Gage Greatness final bracket showing eliminations and final two gaging stations.
USGS Water Resources Mission Area Gage Greatness final bracket showing eliminations and final two gaging stations.
Waffle charts are colorized and faceted by contaminant (Pb, Fe, NO3-, and Sr) and region (West, Central, Midwest, East). Each 10 x 10 waffle charts shows the proportion of study area that contains high, moderate, and low concentrations where 1 square = 1 % of region. Figure contains callouts where, for example, NO3- in the Central U.S.
Waffle charts are colorized and faceted by contaminant (Pb, Fe, NO3-, and Sr) and region (West, Central, Midwest, East). Each 10 x 10 waffle charts shows the proportion of study area that contains high, moderate, and low concentrations where 1 square = 1 % of region. Figure contains callouts where, for example, NO3- in the Central U.S.
In 2015, water use in the U.S. totaled 322 billion gallons/day. Total water use is broken out into 8 categories using different colors.
In 2015, water use in the U.S. totaled 322 billion gallons/day. Total water use is broken out into 8 categories using different colors.
Where is Earth’s water? Series of 3 interconnected tree maps for all Earth’s water, all freshwater, and surface & other freshwater. All Earth’s water tree map is broken down in size order displaying oceans, other saline water, and freshwater.
Where is Earth’s water? Series of 3 interconnected tree maps for all Earth’s water, all freshwater, and surface & other freshwater. All Earth’s water tree map is broken down in size order displaying oceans, other saline water, and freshwater.
Where is Earth’s water? Series of 3 landscapes depicting where water is in blue for all Earth’s water, all freshwater, and surface & other freshwater.
Where is Earth’s water? Series of 3 landscapes depicting where water is in blue for all Earth’s water, all freshwater, and surface & other freshwater.
Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. A rushing river in the foreground is bordered by green vegetation, with waterfalls in background.
Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. A rushing river in the foreground is bordered by green vegetation, with waterfalls in background.
Iguazu Falls view from above, on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Green vegetation surrounds the waterfalls.
Iguazu Falls view from above, on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Green vegetation surrounds the waterfalls.
Boardwalk leading towards Iguazu Falls viewpoint. Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. A river in the foreground is bordered by green vegetation, with waterfalls in background.
Boardwalk leading towards Iguazu Falls viewpoint. Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. A river in the foreground is bordered by green vegetation, with waterfalls in background.
(L to R) USGS's Brian McCallum, Joel Groten, and Molly Wood inside Itaipu Binational dam and standing on the original Paraná River bottom on the border of Brazil and Paraguay.
(L to R) USGS's Brian McCallum, Joel Groten, and Molly Wood inside Itaipu Binational dam and standing on the original Paraná River bottom on the border of Brazil and Paraguay.
U.S. Geological Survey and Itaipu Binacional staff outside of a Itaipu Binational water quality laboratory. (L to R) USGS's Brian McCallum, Molly Wood, three Itaipu Binacional staff, and USGS's Joel Groten. The binational dam and water quality laboratory is located on the Parana River on the border of Brazil and Paraguay.
U.S. Geological Survey and Itaipu Binacional staff outside of a Itaipu Binational water quality laboratory. (L to R) USGS's Brian McCallum, Molly Wood, three Itaipu Binacional staff, and USGS's Joel Groten. The binational dam and water quality laboratory is located on the Parana River on the border of Brazil and Paraguay.