Videos

The USGS is home to many kinds of scientists studying the earth’s hydrology, topography, geography, geology, seismology, volcanology, and more. 

In this video, we show you what a day is like for scientists studying a stream’s habitability. 

We’re hiring!

This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024. 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.   

The Water Data for the Nation (WDFN) team updated the public and other stakeholders on changes to USGS water quality and samples data access. Legacy access to water-quality and samples data are being retired, and new WDFN pages and features will provide access to discrete water quality and sample data.

This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. 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. Geological Survey scientists created an interactive map to help the public better understand their risk of exposure to PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” This interactive tool allows you to view data from a recently published USGS study on PFAS in tap water as well as learn where known PFAS sources are near your community.

This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. 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.   

This is a timelapse video of a rising glacial lake in Alaska from May through August 2023. This video was captured by a USGS Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System (HIVIS) camera. The water level in the lake gradually rises throughout the video and then the water level dramatically decreases towards the end of the video.

From Snow To Flow - When Snow Falls On A Mountain, Where Does It Go?

By Andrea Creighton, USGS Hydrologist 

This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023. 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.   

Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).

Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).

The Delaware River is rich in history, ecologically diverse, and critical to the regional economy. Water managers in this basin have a long history of applying innovative, regional solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of this treasured resource which provides drinking water to over 15 million people in the region.

This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023. 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.   

The USGS collects water data daily across the U.S. using sensors that automatically sample the data at set intervals. We have over 11,000 of these devices, known as gages, in our nationwide network. 

The data from these gages are used in decision-making at all levels, from recreationists to congresspersons. 

This snow-covered streamgage is situated in Sleepers River Research Watershed – a site of hydrologic research for 65 years. Completely secluded, USGS staff trek about a mile into the woods to the Pope Brook streamgage in Danville, Vermont, once a week to collect data. In the winter, that often means wearing snowshoes or cross-country skis over deep snow!

Brian Nerbonne shares the top priorities for policy and data needs of each of the technical sections of the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee in their effort to protect and manage the Mississippi for the good of the public and its many users.

Mayors Strickland, Simmons, and Prince discuss science gaps prevalent to the Mississippi Valley, and indicate where the mayors see the need for scientific study to support better management of the Mississippi River corridor.

EPA’s Katie Flahive of the Hypoxia Task Force coordinating committee explains current tasks and goals of the Hypoxia Task Force in helping to reduce the size of low oxygen zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Welcome remarks for the Mississippi River Science Forum by JC Nelson, and key address from Tanya Trujillo, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, as well as David Applegate, Director of the USGS.

President Johnny Johnson of the Prairie Island Indian community offers the experiences and concerns of the Dakota people regarding the implementation of lock and dam number 3 on the Upper Mississippi River.  He also shares unique history and perspective of the Bdewakantunwans.