The Vital Flow
Understanding water's essential role in thermoelectric power generation
Understanding water's essential role in thermoelectric power generation
Expanding our ZIGsight into freshwater ecology
USGS and collaborators recently published new global, harmonized collection of freshwater zooplankton records
USGS and collaborators recently published new global, harmonized collection of freshwater zooplankton records
As above, so below?
New USGS study examines trends in groundwater and streamflow across the United States 1980-2020
New USGS study examines trends in groundwater and streamflow across the United States 1980-2020
From Source to Streams
New national models estimate seasonal nutrients over 21 years in rivers across the U.S.
New national models estimate seasonal nutrients over 21 years in rivers across the U.S.
New Research, Development, and Innovation Program
The Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) launches national research and development program
The Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) launches national research and development program
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
The vital flow: Understanding water’s essential role in thermoelectric power generation
The vital flow: Understanding water’s essential role in thermoelectric power generation
Investigation of Drivers and Sources of Potential Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Anna, Virginia, 2023–24
Investigation of Drivers and Sources of Potential Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Anna, Virginia, 2023–24
September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month
Publications
A demonstrated workflow to efficiently identify better performing process-based model configurations A demonstrated workflow to efficiently identify better performing process-based model configurations
There are often competing options for process representation when designing process-based hydrologic models. Comparing candidate model configurations during model development can be computationally expensive and existing methods for evaluating prior-data conflict often cannot distinguish between multiple models with low prior-data conflict. Here, we demonstrate a workflow to efficiently...
Low pH exposure alters mediator-dependent response in poly(o-phenylenediamine)-based molecularly imprinted polymer electrochemical sensors (MIP-ES) Low pH exposure alters mediator-dependent response in poly(o-phenylenediamine)-based molecularly imprinted polymer electrochemical sensors (MIP-ES)
Molecularly imprinted polymer electrochemical sensors (MIP-ES) are a promising approach for detecting less electrochemically active contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, exposure of poly(o-phenylenediamine) [poly(o-PD)]-based MIP films to strongly acidic conditions can alter the polymer environment and complicate the interpretation of electron...
Quantifying and interpreting annual and daily slopes between actual and potential evapotranspiration by land cover type Quantifying and interpreting annual and daily slopes between actual and potential evapotranspiration by land cover type
In the water cycle, the lion’s share of precipitation transforms into evapotranspiration (ET), which is the water converted to water vapor through evaporation and plant transpiration. Potential evapotranspiration (PET) characterizes the atmospheric demand for water. Both ET and PET are driven to first order by radiative forcing, but the manner and extent to which ET and PET affect each...
Science
Mining Water Use
Mining water use is water used for the extraction of minerals that may be in the form of solids, such as coal, iron, sand, and gravel; liquids, such as crude petroleum; and gases, such as natural gas. The category includes quarrying, milling of mined materials, injection of water for secondary oil recovery or for unconventional oil and gas recovery (such as hydraulic fracturing), and other...
Networks at Risk (NAR)
Networks At Risk identifies USGS monitoring locations threatened, discontinued, or recently rescued because of funding, staffing, access, or safety challenges. It also shows monitoring gaps and efforts to preserve essential data.
Aquaculture Water Use
Aquaculture water use is water associated with raising organisms that live in water—such as finfish and shellfish—for food, restoration, conservation, or sport. Aquaculture production occurs under controlled feeding, sanitation, and harvesting procedures in ponds, flow-through raceways, cage and net pen culture systems, recirculating aquaculture systems, and aquaponics.