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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 Vizlab is a group of data science and visualization experts who 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 complexity of a water data issue.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, 2024, bringing historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding across the Southeast. This animation tracks hourly precipitation and streamflow at USGS streamgages along Helene's path (Sep 24–29, 2024).
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, 2024, bringing historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding across the Southeast. This animation tracks hourly precipitation and streamflow at USGS streamgages along Helene's path (Sep 24–29, 2024).
May 2026 snowstorm in the Colorado River Basin. This infographic includes data visualizations showing the impact of the snowstorm on snow water equivalent across the basin.
May 2026 snowstorm in the Colorado River Basin. This infographic includes data visualizations showing the impact of the snowstorm on snow water equivalent across the basin.
January to March 2026
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. 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.
3D render of the Illinois River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/
3D render of the Illinois River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. 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.
October to December 2025
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 to December 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 to December 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.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research on how wildfire affects the Juneau Icefield, Alaska. The upper left image of the Juneau Icefield represents a viz about where the icefield is located and where scientists collect data.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research on how wildfire affects the Juneau Icefield, Alaska. The upper left image of the Juneau Icefield represents a viz about where the icefield is located and where scientists collect data.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research in the Beaufort Sea. The upper left image of an Arctic icebreaker and research vessel represents a viz about how sediment cores are collected.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research in the Beaufort Sea. The upper left image of an Arctic icebreaker and research vessel represents a viz about how sediment cores are collected.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2023 - September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2023 - September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 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.
Diagram of the process of water use from source (surface water, groundwater, reuse water) through transmission, utility reservoir, water treatment, distribution, and withdrawal for industry, residential, and commercial.
Diagram of the process of water use from source (surface water, groundwater, reuse water) through transmission, utility reservoir, water treatment, distribution, and withdrawal for industry, residential, and commercial.
Animation of five satellite images of the Tanana River in Alaska. The imagery is colored in shades of blue to show the degree of confidence that water is present. Two scatter plots show positive pairwise relationships between satellite river elevation and satellite river width and satellite streamflow.
Animation of five satellite images of the Tanana River in Alaska. The imagery is colored in shades of blue to show the degree of confidence that water is present. Two scatter plots show positive pairwise relationships between satellite river elevation and satellite river width and satellite streamflow.
A tile map of the U.S. with alluvial charts for each state and the nation that show changes in the total volume of water use from 1985-2015 across eight categories (thermoelectric, irrigation, public supply, industrial, aquaculture, mining, domestic, and livestock).
A tile map of the U.S. with alluvial charts for each state and the nation that show changes in the total volume of water use from 1985-2015 across eight categories (thermoelectric, irrigation, public supply, industrial, aquaculture, mining, domestic, and livestock).
Mean daily streamflow (cfs) of the Rio Grande at Embudo, New Mexico from 1991 to 2022. The chart has a black background and the 30 years of mean daily streamflow data are plotted as stacked white ridge lines that emulate the aesthetics of a classic rock album.
Mean daily streamflow (cfs) of the Rio Grande at Embudo, New Mexico from 1991 to 2022. The chart has a black background and the 30 years of mean daily streamflow data are plotted as stacked white ridge lines that emulate the aesthetics of a classic rock album.
A data visualization showing how Minimum Annual Streamflow has changed from generation to generation over the past 100 years. Across the contiguous United States, streamflow has increased by 22% when comparing the baseline “Silent generation” (1920 – 1946) against the Gen Z years (1997-2020).
A data visualization showing how Minimum Annual Streamflow has changed from generation to generation over the past 100 years. Across the contiguous United States, streamflow has increased by 22% when comparing the baseline “Silent generation” (1920 – 1946) against the Gen Z years (1997-2020).
In 2015, water use in the U.S. totaled 322 billion gallons/day. Total water use is broken out into 8 categories using different colors.
In 2015, water use in the U.S. totaled 322 billion gallons/day. Total water use is broken out into 8 categories using different colors.
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 Vizlab is a group of data science and visualization experts who 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 complexity of a water data issue.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, 2024, bringing historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding across the Southeast. This animation tracks hourly precipitation and streamflow at USGS streamgages along Helene's path (Sep 24–29, 2024).
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 26, 2024, bringing historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding across the Southeast. This animation tracks hourly precipitation and streamflow at USGS streamgages along Helene's path (Sep 24–29, 2024).
May 2026 snowstorm in the Colorado River Basin. This infographic includes data visualizations showing the impact of the snowstorm on snow water equivalent across the basin.
May 2026 snowstorm in the Colorado River Basin. This infographic includes data visualizations showing the impact of the snowstorm on snow water equivalent across the basin.
January to March 2026
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. 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.
3D render of the Illinois River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/
3D render of the Illinois River Basin, created using TopoRivBlender. Read more about this method at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/blog/topo-riv-blender/
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. 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 an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. 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.
October to December 2025
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 to December 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2024 to December 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.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research on how wildfire affects the Juneau Icefield, Alaska. The upper left image of the Juneau Icefield represents a viz about where the icefield is located and where scientists collect data.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research on how wildfire affects the Juneau Icefield, Alaska. The upper left image of the Juneau Icefield represents a viz about where the icefield is located and where scientists collect data.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research in the Beaufort Sea. The upper left image of an Arctic icebreaker and research vessel represents a viz about how sediment cores are collected.
These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research in the Beaufort Sea. The upper left image of an Arctic icebreaker and research vessel represents a viz about how sediment cores are collected.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2023 - September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from October 1, 2023 - September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 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.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions relative to the historic record of USGS streamgages from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 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.
Diagram of the process of water use from source (surface water, groundwater, reuse water) through transmission, utility reservoir, water treatment, distribution, and withdrawal for industry, residential, and commercial.
Diagram of the process of water use from source (surface water, groundwater, reuse water) through transmission, utility reservoir, water treatment, distribution, and withdrawal for industry, residential, and commercial.
Animation of five satellite images of the Tanana River in Alaska. The imagery is colored in shades of blue to show the degree of confidence that water is present. Two scatter plots show positive pairwise relationships between satellite river elevation and satellite river width and satellite streamflow.
Animation of five satellite images of the Tanana River in Alaska. The imagery is colored in shades of blue to show the degree of confidence that water is present. Two scatter plots show positive pairwise relationships between satellite river elevation and satellite river width and satellite streamflow.
A tile map of the U.S. with alluvial charts for each state and the nation that show changes in the total volume of water use from 1985-2015 across eight categories (thermoelectric, irrigation, public supply, industrial, aquaculture, mining, domestic, and livestock).
A tile map of the U.S. with alluvial charts for each state and the nation that show changes in the total volume of water use from 1985-2015 across eight categories (thermoelectric, irrigation, public supply, industrial, aquaculture, mining, domestic, and livestock).
Mean daily streamflow (cfs) of the Rio Grande at Embudo, New Mexico from 1991 to 2022. The chart has a black background and the 30 years of mean daily streamflow data are plotted as stacked white ridge lines that emulate the aesthetics of a classic rock album.
Mean daily streamflow (cfs) of the Rio Grande at Embudo, New Mexico from 1991 to 2022. The chart has a black background and the 30 years of mean daily streamflow data are plotted as stacked white ridge lines that emulate the aesthetics of a classic rock album.
A data visualization showing how Minimum Annual Streamflow has changed from generation to generation over the past 100 years. Across the contiguous United States, streamflow has increased by 22% when comparing the baseline “Silent generation” (1920 – 1946) against the Gen Z years (1997-2020).
A data visualization showing how Minimum Annual Streamflow has changed from generation to generation over the past 100 years. Across the contiguous United States, streamflow has increased by 22% when comparing the baseline “Silent generation” (1920 – 1946) against the Gen Z years (1997-2020).
In 2015, water use in the U.S. totaled 322 billion gallons/day. Total water use is broken out into 8 categories using different colors.
In 2015, water use in the U.S. totaled 322 billion gallons/day. Total water use is broken out into 8 categories using different colors.
