Surface-Water Quality and Ecology Active
Water quality and ecology of small streams
USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA)
Modeling contaminant loads in rivers and streams
SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models
Research by the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project on water quality of rivers and streams covers a broad range of topics, from nonpoint pollution issues to vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems. Dive in and find out more about current water-quality conditions, how and where water quality is changing, and the latest information on pesticides, nutrients, and other contaminants.
The Nation's rivers and streams are a priceless resource—they provide drinking water for a growing population, irrigation for crops, habitat for aquatic life, and countless recreational opportunities.
NAWQA research on surface-water quality is focusing on three areas:
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current conditions and trends in water quality in the Nation’s rivers and streams;
-
developing models and interactive mappers that estimate the amount of a contaminant transported from inland watersheds to larger water bodies (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes, or SPARROW); and
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characterizing water quality and ecology in hundreds of small streams across the United States (Regional Stream Quality Assessments; RSQA).
Explore NAWQA science on topics related to water quality in streams and rivers
Relations between land use and surface-water quality
Urban Land Use and Water Quality
Contaminants in surface water
Emerging contaminants (pharmaceuticals, personal-care products, and more)
Sediment-associated contaminants (metals, pesticides, PAHs, and more)
Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealcoat, PAHs, and Environmental Health
Relations to aquatic life
NWQP Research on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Drinking water issues
Drinking Water and Source Water Research
Chloride, Salinity, and Dissolved Solids
Water-Quality Benchmarks for Contaminants
Trends in water quality
Water-Quality Trends from Lake Sediment Cores
How do we do it?
Access USGS publications and manuals on National Water-Quality Project sampling methods.
Looking for information on groundwater quality as well?
Explore these links:
Learn about topics and projects related to surface-water quality.
Access USGS data on surface-water quality and ecology using the links below.
Natural Monthly Flow Estimates for the Conterminous United States, 1950-2015
Datasets and metadata for estimates of nitrate loads and yields from groundwater to streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed based on land use and geology
Code, data, executables, and other information used to run Unit Flows in Networks of Channels (UFINCH) - A method for simulating unit and daily flows in networks of channels described by NHDPlus using continuous flow data at U.S. Geological Survey streamg
U.S. Geological Survey GAGES-II time series data from consistent sources of land use, water use, agriculture, timber activities, dam removals, and other historical anthropogenic influences
Watershed characteristics for study sites of the U.S. Geological Surveys National Water Quality Programs Surface Water Trends project
Ecological community datasets used to evaluate the presence of trends in ecological communities in selected rivers and streams across the United States, 1992-2012
Pesticide concentration and streamflow datasets used to evaluate pesticide trends in the Nations rivers and streams, 1992-2012
Real and synthetic data used to test the Two-tracer Ratio-based Mixing Model (TRaMM)
Water Quality and Hydrologic Data (2011-13) for Freshwater Science Paper titled, "Patterns of Diel Variation in Nitrate Concentrations in the Potomac River"
Langelier Saturation Indices Computed for U.S. Groundwater, 1991-2015; Water Well Data and Characteristic Values for States
Below, you’ll find the latest in peer-reviewed journal articles and USGS reports on water-quality issues in streams and rivers.
Agriculture — A river runs through it — The connections between agriculture and water quality
Daily stream samples reveal highly complex pesticide occurrence and potential toxicity to aquatic life
Network controls on mean and variance of nitrate loads from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico
Response of nitrogen loading to the Chesapeake Bay to source reduction and land use change scenarios: A SPARROW‐informed analysis
Projected urban growth in the Southeastern USA puts small streams at risk
Variable impacts of contemporary versus legacy agricultural phosphorus on US river water quality
Historical changes in fish communities in urban streams of the southeastern U.S. and the relative importance of water-quality stressors
Phosphorus and nitrogen transport in the binational Great Lakes Basin estimated using SPARROW watershed models
Chemical and physical controls on mercury source signatures in stream fish from the northeastern United States
Regional patterns of anthropogenic influences on streams and rivers in the conterminous United States, from the early 1970s to 2012
Assessing water-quality changes in U.S. rivers at multiple geographic scales using results from probabilistic and targeted monitoring
Monitoring the Riverine Pulse: Applying high-frequency nitrate data to advance integrative understanding of biogeochemical and hydrological processes
Recent trends in nutrient and sediment loading to coastal areas of the conterminous U.S.: Insights and global context
Isotopic tracers in fish in Northeast provide clue to mercury sources
Isotopes of mercury in fish can indicate the source of that mercury, reports a new study from the USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment.
- Overview
Research by the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project on water quality of rivers and streams covers a broad range of topics, from nonpoint pollution issues to vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems. Dive in and find out more about current water-quality conditions, how and where water quality is changing, and the latest information on pesticides, nutrients, and other contaminants.
The Nation's rivers and streams are a priceless resource—they provide drinking water for a growing population, irrigation for crops, habitat for aquatic life, and countless recreational opportunities.
NAWQA research on surface-water quality is focusing on three areas:
-
current conditions and trends in water quality in the Nation’s rivers and streams;
-
developing models and interactive mappers that estimate the amount of a contaminant transported from inland watersheds to larger water bodies (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes, or SPARROW); and
-
characterizing water quality and ecology in hundreds of small streams across the United States (Regional Stream Quality Assessments; RSQA).
Explore NAWQA science on topics related to water quality in streams and rivers
Relations between land use and surface-water quality
Urban Land Use and Water Quality
Contaminants in surface water
Emerging contaminants (pharmaceuticals, personal-care products, and more)
Sediment-associated contaminants (metals, pesticides, PAHs, and more)
Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealcoat, PAHs, and Environmental Health
Relations to aquatic life
NWQP Research on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Drinking water issues
Drinking Water and Source Water Research
Chloride, Salinity, and Dissolved Solids
Water-Quality Benchmarks for Contaminants
Trends in water quality
Water-Quality Trends from Lake Sediment Cores
How do we do it?
Access USGS publications and manuals on National Water-Quality Project sampling methods.
Looking for information on groundwater quality as well?
Explore these links:
-
- Science
Learn about topics and projects related to surface-water quality.
- Data
Access USGS data on surface-water quality and ecology using the links below.
Filter Total Items: 22Natural Monthly Flow Estimates for the Conterminous United States, 1950-2015
This metadata record describes monthly estimates of natural stream flows for greater than 2.5 million stream reaches, defined by the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Version 2.0, in the conterminous United States for the period 1950-2015. A statistical machine learning technique - random forest modeling - was applied to estimate natural flows using 200 potential predictor variables. The datasetDatasets and metadata for estimates of nitrate loads and yields from groundwater to streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed based on land use and geology
This USGS data release contains datasets, metadata, and figures associated with estimating nitrate loads and yields from groundwater to streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed based on land use and geology. There are three shapefiles with associated metadata and figures representing the shapefiles: Catchments_GWcontribN.shp: NHDPlus catchment estimates of groundwater contribution of nitraCode, data, executables, and other information used to run Unit Flows in Networks of Channels (UFINCH) - A method for simulating unit and daily flows in networks of channels described by NHDPlus using continuous flow data at U.S. Geological Survey streamg
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release contains the code, data, executables, and other information necessary to run the application Unit Flows in Networks of Channels (UFINCH). The UFINCH application is a computer code that utilizes the geospatial stream connectivity and catchment geometry described in National Hydrography Dataset Plus value added attributes (NHDPlus Version 2) to simulatU.S. Geological Survey GAGES-II time series data from consistent sources of land use, water use, agriculture, timber activities, dam removals, and other historical anthropogenic influences
This product is a series of ten datasets containing tabular data from historical time series sources for the 9,067 conterminous United States sites in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geospatial Attributes of Gages for Evaluating Streamflow II (GAGES-II) dataset. The tables contain time-series data derived from consistent sources of agricultural commodities such as crop types, irrigation, and livWatershed characteristics for study sites of the U.S. Geological Surveys National Water Quality Programs Surface Water Trends project
This product consists of 29 datasets of tabular data and associated metadata for watershed characteristics of 1,530 study sites of the Surface Water Trends (SWT) project of the U.S. Geological Surveys (USGS) National Water Quality Program (NWQP). The project is conducting national studies of trends in water quality of streams and rivers for periods ranging from 10 to 40 years, between 1972 and 201Ecological community datasets used to evaluate the presence of trends in ecological communities in selected rivers and streams across the United States, 1992-2012
In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a study of more than 50 major river basins across the Nation as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project of the National Water-Quality Program. One of the major goals of the NAWQA project is to determine how water-quality and ecological conditions change over time. To support that goal, long-term consistent and comparable ecologPesticide concentration and streamflow datasets used to evaluate pesticide trends in the Nations rivers and streams, 1992-2012
In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a study of more than 50 major river basins across the Nation as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project of the National Water-Quality Program. One of the major goals of the NAWQA project is to determine how water-quality conditions change over time. To support that goal, long-term consistent and comparable monitoring has been cReal and synthetic data used to test the Two-tracer Ratio-based Mixing Model (TRaMM)
This USGS Data Release represents the synthetic and real data from hydrologically diverse streams used to test the performance and limitations of the Two-tracer Ratio-based Mixing Model (TRaMM) which uses high-frequency measures of two tracers (A and B) and streamflow to separate total streamflow into water from slowflow and fastflow sources. The ratio between the concentrations of the two tracersWater Quality and Hydrologic Data (2011-13) for Freshwater Science Paper titled, "Patterns of Diel Variation in Nitrate Concentrations in the Potomac River"
This data set includes nitrate concentration, water temperature, and discharge collected every 15 minutes during Dec. 2011 - Nov. 2013 from the USGS gage at the Potomac River near Wash, DC, Little Falls Pump Sta (01646500). Additional data includes day length, and photosynthetically active radiation from USDA research station in Beltsville, MD. Several calculations derived from these data are inclLangelier Saturation Indices Computed for U.S. Groundwater, 1991-2015; Water Well Data and Characteristic Values for States
The occurrence of metals, such as lead and copper, in household drinking supplies can often be a result of the corrosion of pipes and joints in water distribution systems. One measure of the potential for water to cause corrosion is the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) (Langelier, 1936). The LSI is a measure of the potential for water to deposit a mineral layer (scale) within a water distribution - Publications
Below, you’ll find the latest in peer-reviewed journal articles and USGS reports on water-quality issues in streams and rivers.
Agriculture — A river runs through it — The connections between agriculture and water quality
Sustaining the quality of the Nation’s water resources and the health of our diverse ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and longterm economic,AuthorsPaul D. Capel, Kathleen A. McCarthy, Richard H. Coupe, Katia M. Grey, Sheila E. Amenumey, Nancy T. Baker, Richard L. JohnsonFilter Total Items: 49Daily stream samples reveal highly complex pesticide occurrence and potential toxicity to aquatic life
Transient, acutely toxic concentrations of pesticides in streams can go undetected by fixed-interval sampling programs. Here we compare temporal patterns in occurrence of current-use pesticides in daily composite samples to those in weekly composite and weekly discrete samples of surface water from 14 small stream sites. Samples were collected over 10–14 weeks at 7 stream sites in each of the MidwAuthorsJulia E. Norman, Barbara Mahler, Lisa H. Nowell, Peter C. Van Metre, Mark W. Sandstrom, Mark A. Corbin, Yaorong Qian, James F. Pankow, Wentai Luo, Nicholas B. Fitzgerald, William E. Asher, Kevin J. McWhirterNetwork controls on mean and variance of nitrate loads from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico
Excessive nitrate loading to the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) has caused widespread hypoxia over many decades. Despite recent reductions in nitrate loads observed at local scales, decreases in nitrate loading from the MRB to the GoM have been small (1.58 % during 2002-2012) with a low level of analytical confidence in this trend. This work seeks to determine the reasons why local-scale improvements have nAuthorsJohn T. Crawford, Edward G. Stets, Lori A. SpragueResponse of nitrogen loading to the Chesapeake Bay to source reduction and land use change scenarios: A SPARROW‐informed analysis
In response to concerns regarding the health of streams and receiving waters, the United States Environmental Protection Agency established a total maximum daily load for nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for which practices must be in place by 2025 resulting in an expected 25% reduction in load from 2009 levels. The response of total nitrogen (TN) loads delivered to the Bay to nine sourceAuthorsMatthew P. Miller, Paul D. Capel, Ana M. Garcia, Scott W. AtorProjected urban growth in the Southeastern USA puts small streams at risk
Future land-use development has the potential to profoundly affect the health of aquatic ecosystems in the coming decades. We developed regression models predicting the loss of sensitive fish (R2=0.39) and macroinvertebrate (R2=0.64) taxa as a function of urban and agricultural land uses and applied them to projected urbanization of the rapidly urbanizing Piedmont ecoregion of the southeastern USAuthorsPeter C. Van Metre, Ian R. Waite, Sharon L. Qi, Barbara Mahler, Adam Terando, Michael Wieczorek, Michael R. Meador, Paul M. Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Travis S. Schmidt, Daren CarlisleVariable impacts of contemporary versus legacy agricultural phosphorus on US river water quality
Phosphorus (P) fertilizer has contributed to the eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems. Watershed-based conservation programs aiming to reduce external P loading to surface waters have not resulted in significant water-quality improvements. One factor that can help explain the lack of water-quality response is remobilization of accumulated legacy (historical) P within the terrestrial-aquatic conAuthorsSarah M. Stackpoole, Edward G. Stets, Lori A. SpragueHistorical changes in fish communities in urban streams of the southeastern U.S. and the relative importance of water-quality stressors
A total of 71 stream sites representing a gradient of urban land use was sampled across the Piedmont of the southeastern U.S. in 2014. Fish data collected (observed) at each site were compared to an expected community based on georeferenced historical (~1950 - ~1990) species occurrence records for stream segments (1:100,000 scale) containing the sampled stream sites. Loss of expected fish specieAuthorsMichael MeadorPhosphorus and nitrogen transport in the binational Great Lakes Basin estimated using SPARROW watershed models
Eutrophication problems in the Great Lakes are caused by excessive nutrient inputs (primarily phosphorus, P, and nitrogen, N) from various sources throughout its basin. In developing protection and restoration plans, it is important to know where and from what sources the nutrients originate. As part of a binational effort, Midcontinent SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attribuAuthorsDale M. Robertson, David A. Saad, Glenn A. Benoy, Ivana Vouk, Gregory E. Schwarz, Michael T LaittaChemical and physical controls on mercury source signatures in stream fish from the northeastern United States
Streams in the northeastern U.S. receive mercury (Hg) in varying proportions from atmospheric deposition and legacy point sources, making it difficult to attribute shifts in fish concentrations directly back to changes in Hg source management. Mercury stable isotope tracers were utilized to relate sources of Hg to co-located fish and bed sediments from 23 streams across a forested to urban-industrAuthorsSarah E. Janssen, Karen Riva-Murray, John F. DeWild, Jacob M. Ogorek, Michael T. Tate, Peter C. Van Metre, David P. Krabbenhoft, James F. ColesRegional patterns of anthropogenic influences on streams and rivers in the conterminous United States, from the early 1970s to 2012
This paper introduces a dataset containing consistent time-series measurements of anthropogenic activities potentially affecting stream quality across the conterminous United States and summarizes the most noteworthy trends from 61 variables in 16 categories. Data include measures of atmospheric deposition, agricultural production, livestock, urbanization, irrigation, land use, nutrients from ferAuthorsJames A. Falcone, Jennifer C. Murphy, Lori A. SpragueAssessing water-quality changes in U.S. rivers at multiple geographic scales using results from probabilistic and targeted monitoring
Two commonly used approaches for water quality monitoring are probabilistic and targeted. In a probabilistic approach like the US Environmental Protection Agency’s National Rivers and Streams Assessment, monitoring sites are selected using a statistically representative approach. In a targeted approach like that used by many monitoring organizations, monitoring sites are chosen individually to ansAuthorsLori A. Sprague, Richard M. Mitchell, Amina I. Pollard, James A. FalconeMonitoring the Riverine Pulse: Applying high-frequency nitrate data to advance integrative understanding of biogeochemical and hydrological processes
Widespread deployment of sensors that measure river nitrate (NO3-) concentrations has led to many recent publications in water resources journals including review papers focused on data quality assurance, improved load calculations, and better nutrient management. The principal objective of this paper is to review and synthesize studies of high-frequency NO3- data that have aimed to improve undersAuthorsDouglas A. Burns, Brian A. Pellerin, Matthew P. Miller, Paul Capel, Anthony J. Tesoriero, Jonathan M. DuncanRecent trends in nutrient and sediment loading to coastal areas of the conterminous U.S.: Insights and global context
Coastal areas in the U.S. and worldwide have experienced massive population and land use changes contributing to significant degradation of coastal ecosystems. Excess nutrient pollution causes coastal ecosystem degradation, and both regulatory and management efforts have targeted reducing nutrient and sediment loading to coastal rivers. Decadal trends in flow-normalized nutrient and sediment loadsAuthorsGretchen P. Oelsner, Edward G. Stets - Software
- News
Isotopic tracers in fish in Northeast provide clue to mercury sources
Isotopes of mercury in fish can indicate the source of that mercury, reports a new study from the USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment.
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