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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.

News

Bill Werkheiser Selected as Associate Director for the Water Resources Mission Area

Bill Werkheiser Selected as Associate Director for the Water Resources Mission Area

Media Alert: USGS Dye-Tracing Study in Lake Fork Creek to Map Groundwater Flow

Media Alert: USGS Dye-Tracing Study in Lake Fork Creek to Map Groundwater Flow

USGS Scientists Deploy to New Mexico Fire to Enhance Water Monitoring

USGS Scientists Deploy to New Mexico Fire to Enhance Water Monitoring

Publications

The Native American Research Assistantship Program—Building capacity for Indigenous water-resources monitoring

Intertribal networks for collecting and analyzing hydrologic and environmental data are growing. The U.S. Geological Survey can be a key partner with Tribal Nations in the further development of network capacity. A first step is the internship opportunity available through the partnership between the USGS and The Wildlife Society: The Native American Research Assistantship Program.
Authors
Electa Hare-Red Corn, Robert F. Breault, Jason R. Sorenson

Integrating depth measurements from gaging stations with image archives for spectrally based remote sensing of river bathymetry

Remote sensing can be an effective tool for mapping river bathymetry, but the need for direct measurements to calibrate image-derived depth estimates impedes broader application of this approach. One way to circumvent the need for field campaigns dedicated to calibration is to capitalize upon existing data. In this study, we introduce a framework for Bathymetric Mapping using Gage Records and Imag
Authors
Carl J. Legleiter, Brandon Overstreet, Paul J. Kinzel

A predictive analysis of water use for Providence, Rhode Island

To explain the drivers of historical water use in the public water systems (PWSs) that serve populations in Providence, Rhode Island, and surrounding areas, and to forecast future water use, a machine-learning model (cubist regression) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with Providence Water to model daily per capita rates of domestic, commercial, and industrial water use.
Authors
Catherine A. Chamberlin

Science

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in Central Park, New York

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can produce cyanotoxins that pose health risks to humans, pets, and wildlife that use freshwater lakes and ponds. While not often used for swimming or drinking water, human and animal contact with urban lakes can include boating, fishing, or use of shoreline walking paths. CyanoHABs are a persistent, annually recurring problem in several Central Park...
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Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in Central Park, New York

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can produce cyanotoxins that pose health risks to humans, pets, and wildlife that use freshwater lakes and ponds. While not often used for swimming or drinking water, human and animal contact with urban lakes can include boating, fishing, or use of shoreline walking paths. CyanoHABs are a persistent, annually recurring problem in several Central Park...
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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.
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