Water Resources

In September 2020 USGS tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) mounted on a cableway over the Gunnison River in Colorado. USGS has been testing use of the GPR to map river bathymetry (profiles of water depth along the river), measurements often made by personnel in the water or on boats. We are also testing use of the GPR to map the shallow subsurface geology below the

Watch Hurricane Sally move through the southeast U.S. in this data visualization, and see USGS streamgage measurements spike as the storm’s extreme rainfall leads to intense flooding. USGS streamgages provide critical information during storms to flood forecasters and emergency managers as they make decisions that contributes to protecting lives and property. Understanding

In September 2020, field crews in the USGS Nevada Water Science Center measured spring flow and collected water-quality samples at locations around the Soldier Meadows Spring Complex in Nevada. The spring complex is the only home of a small fish called the desert dace. USGS is collaborating with local and federal partners

Pole Bridge Creek is one of the sites investigated in the USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment, during which water quality and ecological condition were sampled.

Throughout the historically active 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season,USGS hydrologists have been working quickly to collect vital flood and streamflow information in impacted areas.

Throughout the historically active 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season,USGS hydrologists have been working quickly to collect vital flood and streamflow information in impacted areas.

Interviews with employees working with the USGS MD-DE-DC Water Science Center
 

In this NOAA satellite image from Sept. 15, 2020, Hurricane Sally approaches the U.S. Gulf Coast, Hurricane Paulettte creates storm waves far out in the Atlantic, and Tropical Storms Teddy and Vicky lie near the coast of Africa. Two tropical depressions are also developing; one of them is not visible in this image.

USGS scientist John Fulton measures streamflow on Middle Fork Ranch Creek, Colorado using instream, conventional methods. USGS radar equipment is also shown recording non-contact river discharge.  

The USGS Active Groundwater Level Network includes about 20,000 wells that have been measured by the USGS or USGS cooperators at least once within the past 13 months. The animation shows a daily snapshot of water-level statistics in the network for August 2020

The USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) held a groundbreaking ceremony on August 25, 2020 at the Idaho Water Science Center (IDWSC) in Boise, Idaho. FRESC is moving their Snake River Field Station, presently located on the Boise State University campus, to the IDWSC campus and building a new facility for the USGS Pacific Northwest environmental DNA