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
Where surface water runs low, groundwater supplements water supply
1,000 Cameras and Counting
Growing network of webcams supports water science and safety
Growing network of webcams supports water science and safety
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
Science Spotlight: USGS Monitoring of Glacial Outburst Flood in Juneau Alaska
Science Spotlight: USGS Monitoring of Glacial Outburst Flood in Juneau Alaska
Expanding Our Global ZIGsight into Freshwater Ecology
Expanding Our Global ZIGsight into Freshwater Ecology
As above, so below? Trends in groundwater and streamflow across the United States 1980-2020
As above, so below? Trends in groundwater and streamflow across the United States 1980-2020
Publications
Triple oxygen isotope compositions of isotopic reference waters: Implications for VSMOW-Scale and VSMOW-SLAP-Scale Δ′¹⁷O calibration Triple oxygen isotope compositions of isotopic reference waters: Implications for VSMOW-Scale and VSMOW-SLAP-Scale Δ′¹⁷O calibration
Triple oxygen isotope ratios of waters are commonly reported on the VSMOW–SLAP scale, whereas comparison with theoretical calculations and assessment of instrumental scale distortion require accurate constraints on the measured isotopic compositions of the primary isotopic reference materials (iRMs) themselves. In particular, the measured δ17OVSMOW and Δ′17OVSMOW values for SLAP and its...
U.S. Geological Survey Monitoring Milestones—Oe-151 at Woodgate, NY (433112075091501) U.S. Geological Survey Monitoring Milestones—Oe-151 at Woodgate, NY (433112075091501)
On July 9, 1926, monitoring well Oe-151 at Woodgate, New York (USGS ID 433112075091501) recorded its first groundwater data. Since then, the well has provided water data nearly continuously and has now reached a 100-year milestone for data collection. The well is part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Climate Response Network (CRN), which is a national network of wells selected to...
An approach for identifying drought typologies: Drivers, characteristics, and impacts of streamflow drought across the Delaware River Basin An approach for identifying drought typologies: Drivers, characteristics, and impacts of streamflow drought across the Delaware River Basin
Connecting drought drivers to drought conditions and drought conditions to consequences are two key components of drought risk assessment. We propose a two-step data-driven approach that contributes to advancing this capability. First, we use machine learning feature selection techniques to transform hydrologic model outputs into calculated indices and determine which features are most...
Science
Remote Sensing of Water Quality
The USGS Water Resources Mission Area develops state-of-the-art remote sensing and satellite technology to monitor water quality across the United States. Remote sensing allows us to track water quality conditions and monitor potentially hazardous events like harmful algal blooms in every lake and river in the country that is 100 m or more in width.
Centennial Streamgages
Centennial Streamgages are USGS streamgages that have been in operation for more than 100 years.
Lemon Creek Glacier
Lemon Creek Glacier is located in southeast Alaska, at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield. Glacier observations began at this site in 1953 and continue through present, serving as a central site between glaciers in the contiguous USA and those in mainland Alaska.