Unified Interior Regions
Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian
Our Science Centers
The NAA Region has 15 Science Centers spanning 14 NE States and Washington, DC. The Centers conduct interdisciplinary biologic, geologic, hydrologic, and energy monitoring and research addressing natural resource issues facing our nation.
Learn MoreMarch Photo Contest
Check out the winning photographs in the March 2020 Photo Contest! Categories include People, USGS at Work, Where We Work, and Honorable Mention
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MD-DE-DC Coding and Statistical Data Capabilities
This site is dedicated to Coding and Statistical Data that is produced and analyzed by scientists at the MD-DE-DC WSC. We use many tools at the USGS including software exclusively developed for, sometimes written by the USGS.
Contaminants in groundwater near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania
USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of former Navy bases in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Additional cooperative support for these investigations has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bucks and Montgomery...
Contaminant Fate and Transport Studies in Fractured Sedimentary Rock Aquifers at the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), West Trenton, N.J.
Contaminants associated with industrial, airport, and other activities are present in groundwater in fractured-rock aquifers, posing long-term hazards to drinking-water supplies and ecosystems. The heterogeneous character of fractured rock challenges our understanding, monitoring, and remediation of such sites.
MD-DE-DC WSC Seminar Series
Welcome to the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center Seminar Series
Here, you will find a list of upcoming public seminars taking place** at the USGS Maryland, Delaware-District of Columbia Water Science Center.
If you are new to our site, then welcome! Please take a few minutes to look around once you've taken care of business on this page. If you want to be included in...
Coastal Change Hazards
Natural processes such as waves, tides, and weather, continually change coastal landscapes. The integrity of coastal homes, businesses, and infrastructure can be threatened by hazards associated with event-driven changes, such as extreme storms and their impacts on beach and dune erosion, or longer-term, cumulative...
MD-DE-DC WSC Water Quality Capabilities
Water quality is a measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Water-quality monitoring is used to help water-resource managers understand and avert potential negative effects of man-made and natural stresses on water resources, evaluate trends, and compare to water-quality criteria.
One of our primary...
Tectonic Processes
Geophysical research utilizes analytical and numerical tools to quantify tectonic processes. Basic geophysical research lays the ground for understanding of Earth processes, which affect natural hazards and resource estimation.
DETAILED AQUIFER MAPPING OF THE SPRINGVILLE, N.Y. AREA Erie, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming Counties, New York
Introduction Public-water systems at Springville and Yorkshire/Delavan, N.Y. along Cattaraugus Creek draw from local groundwater resources and serve about 5,500 people (U.S. EPA SDWIS database). The remainder of the population obtains water from domestic wells, many of them completed in glacial aquifers. A Cattaraugus Creek tributary valley (Buttermilk Creek) to the south is the site of the...
DETAILED AQUIFER MAPPING OF THE MALONE, N.Y. AREA (Adirondack foothills and St. Lawrence lowlands transect) Franklin County, New York
Introduction The Village of Malone, Franklin County, New York is located along the Salmon River where it exits the northern foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and flows northward across the St. Lawrence Lowlands until its confluence with the St. Lawrence River. The public water supply of the Village of Malone serves a population of 13,200 (U.S. EPA SDWIS database), which includes three...
MD-DE-DC WSC Surface Water Capabilities
As an integrated part of the WSC, the Surface Water Team monitors and conducts investigative research to describe and improve our region's understanding of extreme hydrologic events - droughts, floods and flood hazards, and coastal or bay storm surge and inundation. They also facilitate measurement stream stages, streamflow, and computes daily streamflow at locations in Maryland, Delaware, and...
Enabling AI for citizen science in fish biology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing ecology and conservation by enabling species recognition from photos and videos. Our project evaluates the capacity to expand AI for individual fish recognition for population assessment. The success of this effort would facilitate fisheries analysis at an unprecedented scale by engaging anglers and citizen scientists in imagery collection. This...
New information on chemical and physical characteristics of streams and floodplains across the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Issue: Improving stream health is an important outcome of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. Stream conditions are important for recreational fisheries, and mitigating the amount of nutrients, sediment, and contaminants delivered to the Bay.
Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network 1985-2019: WRTDS input data
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in major rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network (RIM) stations for the period 1985 through 2019. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression appro
Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network 1985-2019: Average annual yields
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in major rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network (RIM) stations for the period 1985 through 2019. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression appro
Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network 1985-2019: Short- and long-term trends
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in major rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network (RIM) stations for the period 1985 through 2019. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression appro
Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network 1985-2019: WRTDS output data
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in major rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network (RIM) stations for the period 1985 through 2019. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression appro
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads and trends measured at the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring stations: Water years 1985-2019
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in major rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring (RIM) stations for the period 1985 through 2019. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression approach call
Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network 1985-2019: Monthly loads
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in major rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network (RIM) stations for the period 1985 through 2019. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression appro
Physiological changes in response to salinity and cortisol treatment in Atlantic sturgeon
The dataset are the results of studies examining the osmoregulatory physiology of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus). Two experiments were conducted on physiological responses to salinity change, and another experiment on the effects of cortisol treatment on osmoregulation.
Streamflow Magnitude, Water Temperature, and Water Chemistry in Robinson Forest, Breathitt County, Kentucky (1971-2018)
Robinson Forest, in eastern Kentucky, is a research forest owned and operated by the University of Kentucky (UK) since the 1920s. The UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources began collecting streamflow and water-chemistry data in the forest starting with weirs at Falling Rock and Little Millseat in 1971, and supplemented by weirs at Coles Fork and Clemons Fork in 1973. This digi
Chemical alteration index values and rare earth element data and expected ranges for regolith overlying the Stewartsville pluton, Virginia
This dataset contains whole major element geochemical data used to calculate values of the chemical alteration index (CIA), data for Nd, Sm, Y, and total REE and expected ranges for total REEY for samples of regolith overlying the Stewartsville pluton, Virginia. The southeastern United States was first identified as prospective for regolith-hosted REE deposits based on the recognit
Phytoplankton Community Composition in Western Lake Erie Basin and Northeast Ohio, 2016-2018
This dataset contains a tabular file of phytoplankton abundance and community composition analysis in samples collected from two sites in the Western Lake Erie Basin and one inland lake site in northeast Ohio. Samples were processed by the Ohio Water Microbiology Lab of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and analyzed by BSA Environmental Inc. and during federal fiscal years 2016-2018. The data...
Hydrologic simulations for Robinson Forest and Reclaimed Mineland Soils
Robinson Forest, in eastern Kentucky, is a research forest owned and operated by the University of Kentucky (UK) since the 1920s. The Forest is situated in a portion of eastern Kentucky that has undergone extensive resource extraction, including silvaculture and both underground and surface mining of coal. This site has been used to evaluate hydrologic process, stream permanence, a
Sea-floor sediment samples, seabed imagery, and CTD instrument data collected on Stellwagen Bank in May and June, 2015, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2015-017-FA
This field activity is part of the effort to map geologic substrates of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The R/V Auk visited 61 locations on Stellwagen Bank at which a customized Van Veen grab sampler equipped with a video camera and a CTD was deployed to collect sediment for grain-size analysis, seabed video imagery, and measurements of water column properties.
Calibration watersheds used in the Maine Soil-Water-Balance model and location of the study area.
Hydrologic soil groups of the Maine Soil-Water-Balance model.
As part of the USGS National Water-Use Science Project, the New England WSC works in cooperation with local, State, and Federal agencies as well as academic and private organizations to collect and report total water withdrawals for the 6 states in New England.The most recent estimated water use compilation was completed in 2015. A summary for New England is presented in this geo-narrative.
Land use for the Maine Soil-Water-Balance model.
Available water capacity of the Maine Soil-Water-Balance model.
DayMet average annual precipitation, 1991 to 2015, for the Maine Soil-Water-Balance model.
Simulated 25-year median annual potential recharge to groundwater for Maine, 1991 to 2015.
Simulated 25-year minimum annual potential recharge to groundwater for Maine, 1991 to 2015.
Simulated 25-year maximum annual potential recharge to groundwater for Maine, 1991 to 2015.
This geonarrative constitutes the Decadal Strategic Plan of the U.S. Geological Survey's Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program for 2020 to 2030.
Locations of active wells (at least one measurement during the previous year) in the New England groundwater level network at the end of 2017. The dataset contains 104 wells with continuous water-level measurements (15-minute to hourly measurements), 182 wells with discrete water-level measurements (monthly measurements at most locations), and 95 wells with intermittent water-level measurements.
Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) projects map depicts the sites and watersheds, as well as the data for each site through the interactive map.
USGS Streamflow and water-quality data including nutrient and sediment concentrations and daily, monthly, and annual loads are available on NWISWeb.
Optimization of salt marsh management at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, Connecticut, through use of structured decision making
Structured decision making is a systematic, transparent process for improving the quality of complex decisions by identifying measurable management objectives and feasible management actions; predicting the potential consequences of management actions relative to the stated objectives; and selecting a course of action that maximizes the total...
Low, Laurel E.; Neckles, Hilary A.; Lyons, James E.; Nagel, Jessica L.; Adamowicz, Susan C.; Mikula, Toni; Vagos, Kristina; Potvin, RichardCo-habiting in a disease hotspot: Overlap between wild and domestic birds in Egypt impacts transmission of highly pathogenic H5N1
Understanding transmission dynamics that link wild and domestic animals is a key element of predicting the emergence of infectious disease, an event that has highest likelihood of occurring wherever human livelihoods depend on agriculture and animal trade. Contact between poultry and wild birds is a key driver of the emergence of highly pathogenic...
Hill, Nichola J.; Smith, Lacy M.; Muzaffar, Sabir B.; Nagel, Jessica L.; Prosser, Diann; Sullivan, Jeffery D.; Spragens, Kyle A.; DeMattos, Carlos A.; Demattos, Cecilia C.; El Sayed, Lu'ay; Erciyas-Yavuz, Kiraz; Davis, C. Todd; Jones, Joyce; Kis, Zoltan; Donis, Ruben O.; Newman, Scott H.; Takekawa, John Y.Development of genetic baseline information to support the conservation and management of wild Brook Trout in North Carolina
Following centuries of declines, there is growing interest in conserving extant wild populations and reintroducing Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations of native ancestry. A population genetic baseline can enhance conservation outcomes and promote restoration success. Consequently, it is important to document existing patterns of...
Kazyak, David; Lubinski, Barbara A.; Rash, Jacob M; Johnson, Thomas C; King, Timothy L.Simulation of groundwater flow in the regional aquifer system on Long Island, New York, for pumping and recharge conditions in 2005–15
A three-dimensional groundwater-flow model was developed for the aquifer system of Long Island, New York, to evaluate (1) responses of the hydrologic system to changes in natural and anthropogenic hydraulic stresses, (2) the subsurface distribution of groundwater age, and (3) the regional-scale distribution of groundwater travel times and the...
Walter, Donald A.; Masterson, John P.; Finkelstein, Jason S.; Monti, Jr., Jack; Misut, Paul E.; Fienen, Michael N.Survival of Laysan Teal Anas laysanensis differs among island populations: Role of chronic avian botulism
Monitoring demographic response over time is valuable for understanding population dynamics of endangered species. We quantified the variation in survival patterns for three small isolated island populations of endangered waterfowl in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Laysan Teal Anas laysanensis were individually marked and the fate of 1,150...
Reynolds, Michelle H; Hatfield, Jeffrey; Courtot, Karen; Vanderlip, CynthiaResearch priorities for migratory birds under climate change—A qualitative value of information assessment
The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science Center is to provide actionable, management-relevant research on climate change effects on ecosystems and wildlife to U.S. Department of the Interior bureaus. Providing this kind of useful scientific information requires understanding how natural-resource managers make...
Rubenstein, Madeleine A.; Rushing, Clark S.; Lyons, James E.; Runge, Michael C.A Bayesian framework for assessing extinction risk based on ordinal categories of population condition and projected landscape change
Many at-risk species lack standardized surveys across their range or quantitative data capable of detecting demographic trends. As a result, extinction risk assessments often rely on ordinal categories of risk based on explicit criteria or expert elicitation. This study demonstrates a Bayesian approach to assessing extinction risk based on this...
Fitzgerald, Daniel Bruce; Henderson, Andrew R; Maloney, Kelly O.; Freeman, Mary; Young, John A.; Rosenberger, Amanda E.; Kazyak, David; Smith, David R.Soil organic carbon development and turnover in natural and disturbed salt marsh environments
Salt marsh survival with sea‐level rise (SLR) increasingly relies on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and preservation. Using a novel combination of geochemical approaches, we characterized fine SOC (≤1 mm) supporting marsh elevation maintenance. Overlaying thermal reactivity, source (δ13C), and age (F14C) information demonstrates several...
Luk, Sheron; Todd-Brown, Katherine; Eagle, Meagan; McNichol, Ann; Sanderman, Jonathan; Gosselin, Kelsey; Spivak, Amanda C.Spatial capture–recapture with random thinning for unidentified encounters
Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models have increasingly been used as a basis for combining capture–recapture data types with variable levels of individual identity information to estimate population density and other demographic parameters. Recent examples are the unmarked SCR (or spatial count model), where no individual identities are available...
Jiménez, José; Augustine, Ben; Linden, Daniel W.; Chandler, Richard B.; Royle, AndyInvestigation of U.S. Foreign Reliance on Critical Minerals—U.S. Geological Survey technical input document in response to Executive Order No. 13953 Signed September 30, 2020
Over the past few decades (1990–2019), the United States has become reliant on foreign sources to meet domestic demand for a large and growing number of mineral commodities. In combination with recent trends towards progressively concentrated supply of mineral commodities from a limited number of countries, this heightened import reliance may...
Nassar, Nedal T.; Alonso, Elisa; Brainard, Jaime L.Considerations for incorporating quality control into water quality sampling strategies for the U.S. Geological Survey
This report describes considerations for incorporating routine quality-assessment and quality-control evaluations into U.S. Geological Survey discrete water-sampling programs and projects. U.S. Geological Survey water-data science in 2020 is characterized by robustness, external reproducibility, collaborative large-volume data analysis, and...
Medalie, LauraQuality of data from the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network for water years 2013–17
Water samples from 122 sites in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network were collected in 2013–17 to document ambient water-quality conditions in surface water of the United States and to determine status and trends of loads and concentrations for nutrients, contaminants, and sediment to estuaries and streams. Quality-control (QC...
Medalie, Laura; Bexfield, Laura M.iPlover was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center and the USGS Center for Integrated Data Analytics. It is used by trained and vetted personnel to record information about habitats on coastal beaches and he environment surrounding them.
LSC Conte Anadrmous Fish Laboratory is currently involved in https://ecosheds.org.
Wellfootprint computes a raster map of groundwater withdrawals relative to a user-defined "Depth-Rate Index" (DRI), such as a recharge rate. Dividing each well's withdrawal rate by the length per time DRI yields an area for display for each well's 'footprint' as a circle around each well. Symbols for closely spaced wells are merged to visualize the combined withdrawals equitably.
Capture-recapture software to correct raw counts of wildlife fatalities using trial experiments for carcass detecition probability and persistence time.
The programs perform input file formation, distribution visualization, individual-based dynamic population simulation, pedigree accuracy assessment, effective population si
The New York Streamflow Estimation Tool produces a complete estimated daily mean time series from which daily flow statistics can be estimated and a means for quantitative flow assessments at ungaged locations to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.
Overview
The Massachusetts Reservoir Simulation Tool is a screening-level model developed to examine the effects of reservoirs on the natural streamflow of streams in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Reservoir Simulation Tool simulates the daily water balance equation of a water supply reservoir and estimates the magnitude, frequency and duration of spillage below the dam over the period of record.
The Delaware River Basin Streamflow Estimator Tool (DRB-SET) estimates baseline and altered streamflow at a daily time step for ungaged stream locations in the Delaware River Basin for water years 1960-2010.
Estimates the total number of species from species presence-absence data on multiple sample sites or occasions using model M(h) from program CAPTURE.
Estimates patch occupancy rates and related parameters.
Computes estimates of survival and capture probability using capture-recapture data with "robust-design" models and recoveries.
Tests the null hypothesis that two samples of recoveries belong to the same bivariate distribution.
Dry river bed during 2020 drought - Mill River, Cheshire, CT
Station 01196588 Mill River at Cook Hill Rd. in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Photo shows dry river channel at location of staff gage.
Lake George in the Fall
Lake George, New York, in the fall with a dock and watercraft.
2020 drought impact on Quinebaug River, West Thompson, CT
Station 01124151 Quinebaug River West Thompson Connecticut. Photo shows the orifice line that senses the river stage. The orifice is out of water, so we were not able to collect stage or discharge data. The orifice line was extended further into the channel to a
...Quinebaug River during 2020 drought, West Thompson CT
Quinebaug River near West Thompson, Connecticut. Photo shows one of few deeper pools of water in the 01124151 station vicinity during drought.
USGS boat crew on Merrimack River, Massachusetts
Two USGS scientists traveling by boat to estuary sampling and monitoring stations, Merrimack River, Massachusetts
Dragonfly Mercury Project specimen collection in Glacier NP
Researchers instruct volunteers on how to collect dragonfly larvae in Glacier NP as a part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Social distancing in the field
Safety is a top priority. USGS staff recently improved access to field sites at the Herring River estuary within the Cape Cod National Seashore to provide safer paths through a phragmites wetland. Research continues largely through deployment of instruments that can take measurements in water and air continuously, but some measurements do require staff, who are
...Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts
Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts (USGS ID: 010965985).
The site is one of the Merrimack project water quality sampling and monitoring stations.
Numerous aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa collected from a stream
Benthic macroinvertebrate taxa collected from Straight Run, Tioga County, Pennsyvania, USA.
Rebecca Sanders-DeMott performing maintenance on an eddy flux tower
Instruments continue to collect vital data during workplace closures. Here staff perform maintenance on an eddy flux tower located within a phragmites wetland at the Cape Cod National Seashore. The instruments on this tower measure methane and CO2 fluxes related to plant and soil processes day in and day out for the entire year. This information is critical for
...Map of gas hydrate locations, known and inferred
Map of gas hydrate locations, known and inferred. Browse graphic for ScienceBase data release, Preliminary global database of known and inferred gas hydrate locations.

Current information to help with understanding the extent and severity of the recent drought in New England.
To learn more about USGS’s role in providing science to decision makers before, during, and after Hurricane Isaias, visit the USGS Hurricane Isaias page at https://www.usgs.gov/isaias.
To learn more about USGS’s role in providing science to decision makers before, during, and after Hurricane Isaias, visit the USGS Hurricane Isaias page at https://www.usgs.gov/isaias.

Over 80 points have been added since last week! Keep up the good work!
Birds bring joy merely by their presence, from their bold colors and majestic songs to their grace as they glide through the sky. Birds contribute more than beauty to the environment and society. Many plants depend on hummingbirds and other species to pollinate them. Hawks and owls prey on rodents and other pests. Fruit- and grain-eating birds help spread plants’ seeds.

This challenge is seeing some progress with the northwestern corner of VT filling in!

There's a lot of talent at the Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC Water Science Center!
We’ve created a series of websites, thematically named to characterize our work as our “Capabilities”, working interdependently with a diverse array of cooperative partners, the scientists, technicians, and support staff work tirelessly to produce the high-quality output for which the USGS is world renown.

Approximately 80 edits have come in since this challenge was launched! This includes ~70 new points! Nice work!
Dirt, sand, and other particulate material on parking lots and streets is washing off into urban streams, reports a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey Regional Stream Quality Assessment. The study used novel particle tracers to determine that particles washed from pavement made up almost half of the streambed sediment in parts of Dead Run, an urban stream in the Baltimore area.
Pollinators in the form of bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles provide vital but often invisible services, from supporting terrestrial wildlife and plant communities, to supporting healthy watersheds.

TNMCorps Mapping Challenges head to New England with a new challenge for city/town halls in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont!

Melinda Chapman, recently appointed Director of the Pennsylvania Water Science Center (previously Assistant Chief of the USGS Office of Groundwater), introduces the first issue of the Pennsylvania Waters newsletter, available via http://www.usgs.gov/pennsylvania-waters-newsletters.