Education

Watch all episodes of USGS On The Road, a web-series about USGS scientists and water science from all corners of Maryland, Delaware, and DC.

Season 1 received the 2023 Shoemaker Award for Communications Product Excellence for Social Media.
 

Did you know? Earthquakes can affect groundwater levels?

We often see a response to large (and sometimes not so large) earthquakes in groundwater levels in wells. The USGS maintains a network of wells for monitoring various things like natural variability in water levels and response to pumping and climate change across the U.S.

The USGS provides access to many different data and analytical tools that are useful for understanding the water-resource data that we collect. These tools allow the public, state and local governments and utilities, and other Federal agencies to view and understand the quality, quantity, distribution, and movement of surface and underground waters in New Jersey.

Spatial/GIS data sets for New Jersey are available numerous spatial data clearinghouses. Spatial/GIS data sets for USGS studies that include New Jersey or include parts of New Jersey are also available from USGS.

Many streams do not have a direct streamflow-to-gage height (water-surface elevation referenced to a datum) relation. These sites include streams influenced by control structures, general backwater effects, and tidal effects. Historically, computation of streamflow at these sites has been difficult. Deploying stationary acoustic doppler instruments allows the USGS to “index” the mean channel veloc

In the mid-1990s, a new technology emerged in the field of streamflow monitoring; the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). It was originally developed for oceanographic work, but was adapted for inland streamflow measurements. This instrument has been transforming the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgaging program ever since.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established its first streamgage in 1889 on the Rio Grande River at Embudo, NM.  As the need for stream-flow information increased, the USGS expanded its Streamgaging network, and continues to do so to this day.

How do we know or measure if a flood that could happen tomorrow is worse than one that happened 2, 10 or 50 years ago? If heavy rain is being forecasted does that mean that rivers are going to rise and spill over their banks and flood your neighborhood? These are some of the questions that we think about when flooding or heavy rain is forecast by public media or the National Weather Service (NWS).

Adopted by Water Environment Federation (WEF) in July 2006, World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Held annually between September 18 and October 18, the program engages communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. Since its inception in 2002, more than 80,000 people have participated in 50 countries.

Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments. The USGS partners with the Groundwater Foundation and other agencies and organizations to help make Science Olympiad events possible. The NYWSC has coached students in the Awesome Aquifer activity at the middle school regional competition.

The New York Water Science Center has developed a collection of Earth Science materials available on loan for use by teachers and adults within the Albany Capital District. A brief list of items available for loan includes the ground water model; rock, fossil, mineral, and sand collections; landform display, water cycle model, contour mapping tools; a variety of books, posters, videos, and maps. Email askny@usgs.gov for more details if interested.

The International Continental Scientific Drilling Program and the U.S. Geological Survey drilled a 1,766-m-deep test hole near the center of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure in 2005 and 2006. Learn more here.