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
Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series
Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series
Developing the next generation of USGS water monitoring technologies
Developing the next generation of USGS water monitoring technologies
Reclamation joins innovative water management partnership
Reclamation joins innovative water management partnership
Publications
The U.S. Geological Survey National Streamgage Network—2023
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operated 11,850 continuous surface-water monitoring locations (streamgages) across the United States in 2023. The streamgages provide information on river height and streamflow, typically at 15-minute intervals. This information is then made available to everyone, most of it delivered nearly in realtime on the USGS National Water Dashboard.
Groundwater and surface-water interactions in the Lower Duwamish Waterway, Seattle, Washington
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), conducted a study to describe the current understanding of the regional groundwater system of the lower Duwamish River valley and groundwater and surface-water interactions in the lower Duwamish Waterway. The lower Duwamish Waterway is the final 5-mile (mi) reach of the Duwamish River befor
Using a time-of-travel sampling approach to quantify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) stream loading and source inputs in a mixed-source, urban catchment
Understanding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mass distribution in surface and groundwater systems can support source prioritization, load reduction, and water management. Thirteen sites within an urban catchment were sampled utilizing a time-of-travel sampling approach to minimize the influence of subdaily fluctuations in mass from PFAS point sources and to quantify PFAS and ancillary
Science
Integrated Water Prediction (IWP)
The USGS Integrated Water Prediction science program is focused on developing and improving model code, workflows, and applications of core water availability components at a national extent.
Centennial Streamgages
Centennial Streamgages are USGS streamgages that have been in operation for more than 100 years.
Water Science School
The USGS Water Science School is an educational resource provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) focused on all things water science. It offers a variety of information, and interactive activities designed to teach students, educators, and the public about various aspects of water.