The USGS collects flood data and conducts targeted flood science to help Federal, State, and local agencies, decision makers, and the public before, during, and after a flood. Our efforts provide situational awareness, drive predictive models, inform infrastructure design and operation, undergird floodplain mapping, assist flood constituent/load quantification, and facilitate flood impact assessments.
Use this website to discover real-time and historic flood data and scientific investigations, and learn how we collect data while addressing logistical and technical challenges.
USGS Flood Current Conditions and Notifications
The USGS offers multiple products that allow our stakeholders and the public to be notified of high-flow conditions and USGS flood response activities:
- WaterWatch: Access current flood and high-flow conditions (image below), along with other streamflow information
- Regional and Local Flood Alerts: View current and historical alerts of flooding and response activities; subscribe to RSS feeds
- WaterAlert: The WaterAlert service sends e-mail or text (SMS) messages to you when certain parameters (including streamflow and gage height/stage) exceed user-definable thresholds, as measured by a USGS real-time data-collection station. Use the WaterAlert map to create your custom notifications.
- WaterNow: When you email or text the WaterNow service with USGS gage or site number, WaterNow will reply with the most recent observation.
Other USGS Flood Resources
Flood Resources from our Partners
National Weather Service River Observations and Forecast
National Weather Service Riverwatch: Mississippi River Basin Forecasts
Below are other science projects associated with USGS flood information and activities.
Water Data Visualizations
Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs)
StreamStats: Streamflow Statistics and Spatial Analysis Tools for Water-Resources Applications
Water Science School
Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Water Science School. We offer information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
USGS Flood Event Viewer: Providing Hurricane and Flood Response Data
Historical Flooding
Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
- Overview
The USGS collects flood data and conducts targeted flood science to help Federal, State, and local agencies, decision makers, and the public before, during, and after a flood. Our efforts provide situational awareness, drive predictive models, inform infrastructure design and operation, undergird floodplain mapping, assist flood constituent/load quantification, and facilitate flood impact assessments.
Use this website to discover real-time and historic flood data and scientific investigations, and learn how we collect data while addressing logistical and technical challenges.
USGS Flood Current Conditions and Notifications
The USGS offers multiple products that allow our stakeholders and the public to be notified of high-flow conditions and USGS flood response activities:
- WaterWatch: Access current flood and high-flow conditions (image below), along with other streamflow information
- Regional and Local Flood Alerts: View current and historical alerts of flooding and response activities; subscribe to RSS feeds
- WaterAlert: The WaterAlert service sends e-mail or text (SMS) messages to you when certain parameters (including streamflow and gage height/stage) exceed user-definable thresholds, as measured by a USGS real-time data-collection station. Use the WaterAlert map to create your custom notifications.
- WaterNow: When you email or text the WaterNow service with USGS gage or site number, WaterNow will reply with the most recent observation.
Remote image UrlSources/Usage: Public Domain.Map of USGS streamgages currently experiencing flood and high-flow streamflow conditions. Image updated hourly by USGS WaterWatch.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Other USGS Flood Resources
Flood Resources from our Partners
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.National Weather Service River Observations and Forecast
National Weather Service Riverwatch: Mississippi River Basin Forecasts
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with USGS flood information and activities.
Water Data Visualizations
Water data visualizations are provocative visuals and captivating stories that inform, inspire, and empower people to address our Nation's most pressing water issues. USGS data science and visualization experts use visualizations to communicate water data in compelling and often interactive ways when static images or written narrative can’t effectively communicate the interconnectivity and...Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs)
Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) are fully-functional streamgages designed to be deployed quickly and temporarily to measure and transmit stream stage data in emergency situations.StreamStats: Streamflow Statistics and Spatial Analysis Tools for Water-Resources Applications
StreamStats provides access to spatial analytical tools that are useful for water-resources planning and management, and for engineering and design purposes. The map-based user interface can be used to delineate drainage areas, get basin characteristics and estimates of flow statistics, and more. Available information varies from state to state.Water Science School
Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Water Science School. We offer information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
During large coastal storms, the storm surge and waves are the main cause of destruction and landscape change, transporting saline water, sediment, and debris inland. The USGS, in collaboration with stakeholders, has constructed a national Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network for the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific. SWaTH monitors and documents the height, extent, and...USGS Flood Event Viewer: Providing Hurricane and Flood Response Data
During large, short-term floods, the USGS collects additional data to help document these high-water events. This data is uploaded to the USGS Short-Term Network (STN) for long-term archival, and served out to the public through the USGS Flood Event Viewer (FEV) which provides convenient, map-based access to storm-surge and other event-based data.Historical Flooding
The USGS provides practical, unbiased information about the Nation's rivers and streams that is crucial in mitigating hazards associated with floods. This site provides information about the USGS activities, data, and services provided during regional high-flow events, such as hurricanes or multi-state flooding events. The USGS response to these events is typically managed by the National Flood...Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
Floods are the leading cause of natural-disaster losses in the U.S. More than 75 percent of declared Federal disasters are related to floods, and annual flood losses average almost $8 billion with over 90 fatalities per year. Although the amount of fatalities has declined due to improved early warning systems, economic losses continue to rise with increased urbanization in flood-hazard areas. - Data
- Publications
- Web Tools
- Software