Measuring and Monitoring Water
Measuring and Monitoring Water
Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data
Providing detailed, comprehensive, and citable methods and procedures for water-quality sampling and processing
Providing detailed, comprehensive, and citable methods and procedures for water-quality sampling and processing
National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure
Find water science information and activities related to how the USGS measures and monitors water resources.
Filter Total Items: 177
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.
National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) is a collaboration of atmospheric monitoring networks. The purpose of the networks is to collect data to evaluate air quality. Network data also inform science-based actions to protect human health and preserve ecosystems for current and future generations. The NADP National Trends Network (NTN) quantifies the concentration of eight major ions and...
Integrated Water Science Basins: Willamette River
The Willamette River Basin reflects the conflicting water demands between humans and ecosystems—particularly salmon— and the challenge resource managers face throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Water-Quality Benchmarks for Contaminants
How does the water quality measure up? It all depends on what the water will be used for and what contaminants are of interest. Water-quality benchmarks are designed to protect drinking water, recreation, aquatic life, and wildlife. Here you’ll find links to some of the most widely used sets of water, sediment, and fish tissue benchmarks and general guidance about their interpretation.
USGS Streamgages By the Numbers
Get the facts and figures about the USGS Streamgaging Network, one of the largest streamgaging enterprises in the world!
National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Water Node
Get access to spatial datasets related to water through the NSDI node on ScienceBase.
National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion
The National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion (NWDC) will deliver routinely updated water availability information in the United States.
Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) Construction
The U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the University of Alabama, is constructing a new Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility, a science and engineering facility that will support our water observing networks and research.
Water Use
Through the Water Availability and Use Science Program, USGS will provide national information on withdrawal, conveyance, consumptive use, and return flow by water-use category at spatial and temporal resolutions important for risk-informed water management decisions. Water-use data provide a foundation for water managers to analyze trends over time, plan more strategically, identify, and...
Water Use in the United States
Water use estimates for 2000 through 2020 are now available for the three largest categories of use in the United States: self-supplied thermoelectric power generation, self-supplied irrigation, and public supply. Five additional categories of use (self-supplied industrial, domestic, mining, livestock, and aquaculture) will be available in 2025.
Regional Water Availability Assessment: Upper Colorado River Basin
Regional Water Availability Assessments are scientific assessments of water availability in different hydrologic regions across the Nation. In the Upper Colorado River Basin, the USGS will conduct a focused assessment of how snowpack and snowmelt influence hydrology and water quality, and an integrated and comprehensive assessment of multiple water quantity, quality and use factors.