Water Resources Mission Area | U.S. Geological Survey
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:23
Water Resources Mission Area | U.S. Geological Survey
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USGS Investigates Groundwater Drought Metrics Across the United States
Learn more
River DroughtCast
New AI Tool Forecasts Drought 90 Days Ahead Nationwide
Explore the tool
Hot Spots and Cold Snaps
Daily stream temperature data across the U.S. from 1979-2021
Read the news story
Elevated geogenic contaminants common in drinking water aquifers across the U.S.
Read the news story
National Water Availability data available now through the Data Companion
Explore, download, and use new datasets related to integrated water availability, supply and use.
National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion
Water Resources Mission Area
Home
Science
Programs
Data
Maps
Multimedia
Publications
Web Tools
Software
Documents
News
Connect
Partners
About
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
Learn more about the Mission Area from the Associate Director for Water Resources.
Read
Water Data for the Nation
Water data collected at approximately 1.9 million sites across all 50 states.
Get data
Popular Water Data and Tools
WaterAlert
National Water Dashboard
Water Quality Portal
National Groundwater Monitoring Network Data Portal
MODFLOW
StreamStats
Water Data Visualizations
More data and tools
USGS Investigates Groundwater Drought Metrics Across the United States
April 17, 2026
USGS Investigates Groundwater Drought Metrics Across the United States
Alaska Park Science: USGS and National Park Service Partners in Research
April 8, 2026
Alaska Park Science: USGS and National Park Service Partners in Research
New AI Tool Forecasts Drought 90 Days Ahead Nationwide
March 31, 2026
New AI Tool Forecasts Drought 90 Days Ahead Nationwide
View All
April 18, 2026
The role of groundwater in contributing to surface water salinization in the Upper Colorado River Basin
The role of groundwater in contributing to surface water salinization in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Freshwater salinization impacts the availability of water for human use and ecosystem needs worldwide. It has been estimated that total dissolved solids (TDS) in the Colorado River Basin cause $350 million/year in damages and substantial resources are devoted to reducing TDS loading to streams. This study describes the development and application of coupled watershed models that enable...
Authors
Matthew P. Miller, Olivia L. Miller, Patrick C. Longley, Daniel R. Wise, Morgan C. McDonnell, Noah M. Schmadel, Jay R. Alder
By
Water Resources Mission Area
April 8, 2026
Simulated seasonal loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus by major source from watersheds draining to Washington waters of the Salish Sea, 2005 through 2020
Simulated seasonal loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus by major source from watersheds draining to Washington waters of the Salish Sea, 2005 through 2020
The U.S. Geological Survey and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) have developed watershed models of seasonal load estimates of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) discharging into the Washington State waters of the Salish Sea from 2005 through 2020. The modeling approach used was dynamic SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes), a...
Authors
Noah M. Schmadel, Cristiana Figueroa-Kaminsky, Daniel R. Wise, Jamie K. Wasielewski, Zachary Johnson, Robert W. Black
By
Water Resources Mission Area
April 4, 2026
Long-term monotonic trends in water budget components in the contiguous United States: Insights from two hydrologic models
Long-term monotonic trends in water budget components in the contiguous United States: Insights from two hydrologic models
Characterizing changes to water availability for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and other uses is essential to support water management. To better quantify these changes, the U.S. Geological Survey and National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research produced two hydrologic models simulating water budget components from 1980 to 2021 over the contiguous United...
Authors
Phillip J. Goodling, Sydney Foks, Jessica Ayers
By
Water Resources Mission Area
,
Integrated Water Availability Assessments
View All
February 27, 2026
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers: Freshwater Ecosystems Respond to Rapidly Uptaking Metals
The water quality of streams and rivers in the Arctic is sensitive to rapid climate change and altered disturbance regimes.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area
,
Water Resources Mission Area
,
Alaska Science Center
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers: Freshwater Ecosystems Respond to Rapidly Uptaking Metals
February 27, 2026
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers: Freshwater Ecosystems Respond to Rapidly Uptaking Metals
The water quality of streams and rivers in the Arctic is sensitive to rapid climate change and altered disturbance regimes.
Learn More
February 18, 2026
US Geological Survey/Environment and Climate Change Canada International Gauging Stations
For more than a century, Canada and the United States have maintained a system of monitoring streamflow and water levels for shared waters. Today, the USGS and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) maintain a network of International Gauging Stations and International Support Gauging Stations that are determined to be mutually beneficial to both agencies.
By
Water Resources Mission Area
US Geological Survey/Environment and Climate Change Canada International Gauging Stations
February 18, 2026
US Geological Survey/Environment and Climate Change Canada International Gauging Stations
For more than a century, Canada and the United States have maintained a system of monitoring streamflow and water levels for shared waters. Today, the USGS and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) maintain a network of International Gauging Stations and International Support Gauging Stations that are determined to be mutually beneficial to both agencies.
Learn More
January 8, 2026
High-Water Marks
High-water marks are like footprints left behind by a flood — they show how high the water reached during a flood event. High-water marks serve as valuable data points for both educational purposes and scientific research, helping us understand past and recent flood events. Collecting this information is an essential and time-sensitive task for understanding flood risk and improving public safety.
By
Water Resources Mission Area
High-Water Marks
January 8, 2026
High-Water Marks
High-water marks are like footprints left behind by a flood — they show how high the water reached during a flood event. High-water marks serve as valuable data points for both educational purposes and scientific research, helping us understand past and recent flood events. Collecting this information is an essential and time-sensitive task for understanding flood risk and improving public safety.
Learn More
View All
Was this page helpful?
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
USGS Investigates Groundwater Drought Metrics Across the United States
Learn more
River DroughtCast
New AI Tool Forecasts Drought 90 Days Ahead Nationwide
Explore the tool
Hot Spots and Cold Snaps
Daily stream temperature data across the U.S. from 1979-2021
Read the news story
Elevated geogenic contaminants common in drinking water aquifers across the U.S.
Read the news story
National Water Availability data available now through the Data Companion
Explore, download, and use new datasets related to integrated water availability, supply and use.
National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion
Water Resources Mission Area
Home
Science
Programs
Data
Maps
Multimedia
Publications
Web Tools
Software
Documents
News
Connect
Partners
About
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
Learn more about the Mission Area from the Associate Director for Water Resources.
Read
Water Data for the Nation
Water data collected at approximately 1.9 million sites across all 50 states.
Get data
Popular Water Data and Tools
WaterAlert
National Water Dashboard
Water Quality Portal
National Groundwater Monitoring Network Data Portal
MODFLOW
StreamStats
Water Data Visualizations
More data and tools
USGS Investigates Groundwater Drought Metrics Across the United States
April 17, 2026
USGS Investigates Groundwater Drought Metrics Across the United States
Alaska Park Science: USGS and National Park Service Partners in Research
April 8, 2026
Alaska Park Science: USGS and National Park Service Partners in Research
New AI Tool Forecasts Drought 90 Days Ahead Nationwide
March 31, 2026
New AI Tool Forecasts Drought 90 Days Ahead Nationwide
View All
April 18, 2026
The role of groundwater in contributing to surface water salinization in the Upper Colorado River Basin
The role of groundwater in contributing to surface water salinization in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Freshwater salinization impacts the availability of water for human use and ecosystem needs worldwide. It has been estimated that total dissolved solids (TDS) in the Colorado River Basin cause $350 million/year in damages and substantial resources are devoted to reducing TDS loading to streams. This study describes the development and application of coupled watershed models that enable...
Authors
Matthew P. Miller, Olivia L. Miller, Patrick C. Longley, Daniel R. Wise, Morgan C. McDonnell, Noah M. Schmadel, Jay R. Alder
By
Water Resources Mission Area
April 8, 2026
Simulated seasonal loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus by major source from watersheds draining to Washington waters of the Salish Sea, 2005 through 2020
Simulated seasonal loads of total nitrogen and total phosphorus by major source from watersheds draining to Washington waters of the Salish Sea, 2005 through 2020
The U.S. Geological Survey and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) have developed watershed models of seasonal load estimates of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) discharging into the Washington State waters of the Salish Sea from 2005 through 2020. The modeling approach used was dynamic SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes), a...
Authors
Noah M. Schmadel, Cristiana Figueroa-Kaminsky, Daniel R. Wise, Jamie K. Wasielewski, Zachary Johnson, Robert W. Black
By
Water Resources Mission Area
April 4, 2026
Long-term monotonic trends in water budget components in the contiguous United States: Insights from two hydrologic models
Long-term monotonic trends in water budget components in the contiguous United States: Insights from two hydrologic models
Characterizing changes to water availability for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and other uses is essential to support water management. To better quantify these changes, the U.S. Geological Survey and National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research produced two hydrologic models simulating water budget components from 1980 to 2021 over the contiguous United...
Authors
Phillip J. Goodling, Sydney Foks, Jessica Ayers
By
Water Resources Mission Area
,
Integrated Water Availability Assessments
View All
February 27, 2026
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers: Freshwater Ecosystems Respond to Rapidly Uptaking Metals
The water quality of streams and rivers in the Arctic is sensitive to rapid climate change and altered disturbance regimes.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area
,
Water Resources Mission Area
,
Alaska Science Center
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers: Freshwater Ecosystems Respond to Rapidly Uptaking Metals
February 27, 2026
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers: Freshwater Ecosystems Respond to Rapidly Uptaking Metals
The water quality of streams and rivers in the Arctic is sensitive to rapid climate change and altered disturbance regimes.
Learn More
February 18, 2026
US Geological Survey/Environment and Climate Change Canada International Gauging Stations
For more than a century, Canada and the United States have maintained a system of monitoring streamflow and water levels for shared waters. Today, the USGS and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) maintain a network of International Gauging Stations and International Support Gauging Stations that are determined to be mutually beneficial to both agencies.
By
Water Resources Mission Area
US Geological Survey/Environment and Climate Change Canada International Gauging Stations
February 18, 2026
US Geological Survey/Environment and Climate Change Canada International Gauging Stations
For more than a century, Canada and the United States have maintained a system of monitoring streamflow and water levels for shared waters. Today, the USGS and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) maintain a network of International Gauging Stations and International Support Gauging Stations that are determined to be mutually beneficial to both agencies.
Learn More
January 8, 2026
High-Water Marks
High-water marks are like footprints left behind by a flood — they show how high the water reached during a flood event. High-water marks serve as valuable data points for both educational purposes and scientific research, helping us understand past and recent flood events. Collecting this information is an essential and time-sensitive task for understanding flood risk and improving public safety.
By
Water Resources Mission Area
High-Water Marks
January 8, 2026
High-Water Marks
High-water marks are like footprints left behind by a flood — they show how high the water reached during a flood event. High-water marks serve as valuable data points for both educational purposes and scientific research, helping us understand past and recent flood events. Collecting this information is an essential and time-sensitive task for understanding flood risk and improving public safety.
Learn More
View All
Was this page helpful?