Water Quality
Providing foundational data and scientific analysis to address water quality issues facing California
Providing foundational data and scientific analysis to address water quality issues facing California
California Flood Science
Helping emergency managers and others protect life and property from floods and other water-related hazards
Helping emergency managers and others protect life and property from floods and other water-related hazards
Surface Water
Understanding the science about California surface-water use for irrigation, public consumption, and ecosystems
Understanding the science about California surface-water use for irrigation, public consumption, and ecosystems
Science Programs and Partnerships
Supplying necessary scientific information to local, state, and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations
Supplying necessary scientific information to local, state, and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations
Aquatic Ecology
Gaining better understanding of the effects that human activity, hydrologic extremes, and climate change have on aquatic ecosystems
Gaining better understanding of the effects that human activity, hydrologic extremes, and climate change have on aquatic ecosystems
Groundwater
Using science to assess and quantify the availability and quality of California's groundwater resources
Using science to assess and quantify the availability and quality of California's groundwater resources
California Drought
Monitoring the effects of drought in California through data collection and research
Monitoring the effects of drought in California through data collection and research
California Water Science Center
The U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center provides reliable, impartial, foundational data and scientific analysis to address water issues facing California today. We conduct hydrologic monitoring and investigative studies in partnership with tribal, federal, state, and local agencies to assist them in managing California's water resources.
Large Storms & Floods in California History
Large Storms & Floods in California History
Storms unleash torrential rain and intense winds, posing significant challenges to infrastructure and triggering widespread flooding. Since it became a state in 1850, California has experienced numerous large storms and floods.
New Study on Mercury Contamination
New Study on Mercury Contamination
Legacy Mercury Contamination from Historical Gold Mining -- A visualization tool for spatial data on sediment, water, and biota in the Sierra Nevada, California
California Water & Drought Data
California Water & Drought Data
Basic hydrologic data collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving are major parts of the California Water Science Center program.
News
Central Valley Hydrologic Model - Version 2
Central Valley Hydrologic Model - Version 2
USGS Water Science Centers Partner at 2025 Lake Tahoe Summit
USGS Water Science Centers Partner at 2025 Lake Tahoe Summit
California Waters - Vol. V | Issue I
California Waters - Vol. V | Issue I
Publications
Identifying organic contaminants at trespass cannabis grows on federal land in California, USA Identifying organic contaminants at trespass cannabis grows on federal land in California, USA
Despite the legalization of recreational cannabis in California, USA, illegal cannabis cultivation remains pervasive, partly through the establishment of illegal cultivation on public lands (trespass grows). These operations often illegally divert water for irrigation and perform unauthorized applications of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This work investigates a broad suite of...
An integrated sensor network and data driven approach to satellite remote sensing of dissolved organic matter An integrated sensor network and data driven approach to satellite remote sensing of dissolved organic matter
Traditional remote sensing retrieval models for water quality have historically relied on limited, localized data sets due to the prohibitive costs of extensive field campaigns and logistical challenges of collecting match-up data with satellite overpasses. As a result, these models often lack generalizability across seasons, tides, and sites. Furthermore, small field data sets limit the...
Environmental characteristics of select managed ponds in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta—Implications for native fish conservation and research Environmental characteristics of select managed ponds in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta—Implications for native fish conservation and research
The use of wetlands to support native fish research and conservation efforts in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) of California is a growing priority. The purpose of our study was to examine the physiochemical and biological characteristics of select managed ponds in the Delta to determine if they would be suitable habitats for research involving the conservation of delta smelt...
Science
Bioenergy and Pesticides: Lessons from the AltEn Bioenergy Plant
Ethanol production from seed corn, while reducing waste and promoting renewable energy, can have environmental and health implications. A USGS study on a former bioenergy plant that received pesticide-coated seeds used for ethanol production, revealed that the process led to contaminated wastewater and solid residue, resulting in elevated pesticide levels in nearby surface waters even after the...
Healthy Fish and Wildlife: Community Livelihoods, Fishing and Hunting Heritage, Recreation, and Economic Security
Healthy fish and wildlife underpin the economic vitality, food security, recreational enjoyment, and cultural heritage of fishing and hunting in communities across the United States. Fishing and hunting resources scale from the personal recreation of families to multi-billion-dollar industries. Recognizing these critical connections, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) works to understand, protect...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Sentinel Site Modeling
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) installed more than 40 climate and biodiversity monitoring stations, called sentinel sites, on public lands across the state. These sites collect detailed data on things like temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and more to track how the environment is changing. Each site is meant to reflect conditions in the surrounding area, but...