Hot Spots and Cold Snaps
Daily stream temperature data across the U.S. from 1979-2021
Daily stream temperature data across the U.S. from 1979-2021
Elevated geogenic contaminants common in drinking water aquifers across the U.S.
The U.S. is producing more food - without increasing nutrient pollution
National Water Availability data available now through the Data Companion
Explore, download, and use new datasets related to integrated water availability, supply and use.
Explore, download, and use new datasets related to integrated water availability, supply and use.
USGS releases a comprehensive look at water resources in the United States
New National Water Availability Assessment offers critical insights into water supply, demand, and quality across the Nation.
New National Water Availability Assessment offers critical insights into water supply, demand, and quality across the Nation.
Water Resources Mission Area
Water information is fundamental to national and local economic well-being, protection of life and property, and effective management of the Nation’s water resources. The USGS works with partners to monitor, assess, conduct targeted research, and deliver information on a wide range of water resources and conditions including streamflow, groundwater, water quality, and water use and availability.
Message from the Associate Director
Message from the Associate Director
Learn more about the Mission Area from the Associate Director for Water Resources.
Water Data for the Nation
Water Data for the Nation
Water data collected at approximately 1.9 million sites across all 50 states.
News
Hot spots and cold snaps: Daily stream temperature data across the U.S. from 1979-2021
Hot spots and cold snaps: Daily stream temperature data across the U.S. from 1979-2021
New User’s Guide to Updated Hydrographic Framework
New User’s Guide to Updated Hydrographic Framework
Elevated geogenic contaminants common in drinking water aquifers across the U.S.
Elevated geogenic contaminants common in drinking water aquifers across the U.S.
Publications
Deep critical zone controls on shallow landslides Deep critical zone controls on shallow landslides
The deep critical zone (CZ) has long been recognized for its importance in influencing shallow landslides but was not considered feasible to include in slope stability models at the watershed scale. In this study, we demonstrate that simple approximations of the CZ in a fully coupled hydrologic and soil slope stability model can effectively capture the location, timing, and likely size...
Ice sheet dynamics drive pronounced changes in the subsurface freshwater-saltwater interface Ice sheet dynamics drive pronounced changes in the subsurface freshwater-saltwater interface
Saltwater is migrating into freshwater aquifers globally with water quality and biogeochemical implications, yet saltwater intrusion in glaciated regions is sparsely investigated. Field observations suggest that groundwater head in glaciated systems is influenced by ice sheet forcings and provides evidence that seawater infiltrated into offshore aquifers during past deglaciation events...
Extreme precipitation variability and soil texture controls on water-table response Extreme precipitation variability and soil texture controls on water-table response
Extreme precipitation events (EPEs), a key class of hydrometeorological extremes, are intensifying globally under climate change; however, their effects on water-table dynamics across varying soil textures remain poorly understood. To better understand the impacts of EPEs, we conducted one-dimensional modeling to evaluate water-table response time, displacement, recession time, and total...
Science
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers: Freshwater Ecosystems Respond to Rapidly Uptaking Metals
The water quality of streams and rivers in the Arctic is sensitive to rapid climate change and altered disturbance regimes.
US Geological Survey/Environment and Climate Change Canada International Gauging Stations
For more than a century, Canada and the United States have maintained a system of monitoring streamflow and water levels for shared waters. Today, the USGS and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) maintain a network of International Gauging Stations and International Support Gauging Stations that are determined to be mutually beneficial to both agencies.
High-Water Marks
High-water marks are like footprints left behind by a flood — they show how high the water reached during a flood event. High-water marks serve as valuable data points for both educational purposes and scientific research, helping us understand past and recent flood events. Collecting this information is an essential and time-sensitive task for understanding flood risk and improving public safety.