Measuring and Monitoring Water
Measuring and Monitoring Water
Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data
Providing detailed, comprehensive, and citable methods and procedures for water-quality sampling and processing
Providing detailed, comprehensive, and citable methods and procedures for water-quality sampling and processing
National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure
Find water science information and activities related to how the USGS measures and monitors water resources.
Filter Total Items: 176
National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) is a multi-partner atmospheric monitoring program that measures the concentrations and deposition of atmospheric constituents across North America. The USGS has been an NADP partner agency since 1981 and participates by providing funds for 72 National Trend Network (NTN) sites.
USGS Streamgages By the Numbers
Get the facts and figures about the USGS Streamgaging Network, one of the largest streamgaging enterprises in the world!
National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Water Node
Get access to spatial datasets related to water through the NSDI node on ScienceBase.
National Modeled Water Atlas
The National Modeled Water Atlas will deliver routinely updated water availability information in the United States.
Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) Construction
The U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the University of Alabama, is constructing a new Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility, a science and engineering facility that will support our water observing networks and research.
Water Use
Through the Water Availability and Use Science Program, USGS will provide national information on withdrawal, conveyance, consumptive use, and return flow by water-use category at spatial and temporal resolutions important for risk-informed water management decisions. Water-use data provide a foundation for water managers to analyze trends over time, plan more strategically, identify, and...
Water Use in the United States
Water use estimates for 2000 through 2020 are now available for the three largest categories of use in the United States: self-supplied thermoelectric power generation, self-supplied irrigation, and public supply. Five additional categories of use (self-supplied industrial, domestic, mining, livestock, and aquaculture) will be available in 2025.
Regional Water Availability Assessment: Upper Colorado River Basin
Regional Water Availability Assessments are scientific assessments of water availability in different hydrologic regions across the Nation. In the Upper Colorado River Basin, the USGS will conduct a focused assessment of how snowpack and snowmelt influence hydrology and water quality, and an integrated and comprehensive assessment of multiple water quantity, quality and use factors.
Regional Water Availability Assessment: Delaware River Basin
Regional Water Availability Assessments are scientific assessments of water availability in different hydrologic regions across the Nation. In the Delaware River Basin, the USGS will conduct a focused assessment of increasing freshwater salinity and an integrated and comprehensive assessment of multiple water quantity, quality and use factors.
WaterNow
WaterNow is no longer available as of December 15, 2023. An alternative USGS service, called WaterAlert, is available. WaterAlert provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Computational Tools for Water Data Users
Users access USGS water data in various ways, including using automated scripts and functions. Computational tools are open-source software and code resources that make USGS water data easily discoverable, accessible and usable. These tools perform tasks such as retrieving data, calculating statistics, and creating visualizations.
Proxies Project
The Proxies Project is a series of studies to improve our understanding of water contaminants and water quality hazards. These studies develop models and technical approaches for estimating concentrations and assessing risk associated with: - harmful algal blooms (HABs) - per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - 12 elements of concern (EoC)