Welcome to the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center
Consider this site your source for water-related information, collected and interpreted by the USGS in MD, DE, and Washington, DC
Consider this site your source for water-related information, collected and interpreted by the USGS in MD, DE, and Washington, DC
Explore our Scientific Expertise
We work with our partners to study important water issues facing the nation.
We work with our partners to study important water issues facing the nation.
Access data from our streamgages and wells
Explore real-time streamflow, water-quality, and groundwater conditions for Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.
Explore real-time streamflow, water-quality, and groundwater conditions for Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.
USGS WaterAlert
Get notifications for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Get notifications for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Soaking Up Stormwater In Clarksburg
A 20-year study by the U.S. Geological Survey and Montgomery County, Maryland assesses ecosystem response to different types of stormwater management.
A 20-year study by the U.S. Geological Survey and Montgomery County, Maryland assesses ecosystem response to different types of stormwater management.
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center
We are your go to source for water monitoring and research in the nation’s Capital region. Operating streamgages, observation wells, and monitoring stations, we collect scientific data that supports both real-time monitoring and long-term research, delivering reliable information essential for understanding and managing our natural water resources.
Explore our Expertise
Explore our Expertise
Our highly skilled staff work with our partners to study important water issues facing the Nation.
Local Water Conditions
Local Water Conditions
Explore real-time streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data for MD, DE, and DC.
News
Fall 2025 Newsletter - In The Flow
Fall 2025 Newsletter - In The Flow
Summer 2025 Newsletter - In The Flow
Summer 2025 Newsletter - In The Flow
Spring 2025 Newsletter - In The Flow
Spring 2025 Newsletter - In The Flow
Publications
Machine learning generated streamflow drought forecasts for the Conterminous United States (CONUS): Developing and evaluating an operational tool to enhance sub-seasonal to seasonal streamflow drought early warning for gaged locations Machine learning generated streamflow drought forecasts for the Conterminous United States (CONUS): Developing and evaluating an operational tool to enhance sub-seasonal to seasonal streamflow drought early warning for gaged locations
Forecasts of streamflow drought, when streamflow declines below typical levels, are notably less available than for floods or meteorological drought, despite widespread impacts. To address this gap, we apply machine learning (ML) models to forecast streamflow drought 1-13 weeks into the future at > 3,000 streamgage locations across the conterminous United States (CONUS). We applied two...
Potomac Tributary Summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985 - 2022 Potomac Tributary Summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985 - 2022
The Potomac Tributary Summary outlines change over time for a suite of monitored tidal water quality parameters and associated potential drivers of those trends for the period of 1985 to 2022, and provides a brief description of the current state of knowledge explaining these observed changes. Water quality parameters described include surface (above pycnocline) total nitrogen (TN)...
Variability in hydrologic response to wildfire between snow zones in forested headwaters Variability in hydrologic response to wildfire between snow zones in forested headwaters
Rising temperatures and shifting fire regimes in the western United States are pushing fires upslope into areas of deep winter snowpack, where we have little knowledge of the likely hydrologic impacts of wildfire. We quantified differences in the timing and magnitude of stormflow responses to summer rainstorms among six catchments of varying levels of burn severity and seasonal snowpack...
Science
Leading the Way: Specialized Laboratory Contributions to Environmental Health
The Environmental Health Program features a Unified Core Technology Team comprised of multiple laboratories with specialized expertise that support the overall program research assessing actual and perceived risks from environmental contaminants and pathogens. Individual Core Technology Teams work closely with the Integrated Science Teams to ensure current and emerging techniques are being used to...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Informing Chesapeake Bay Watershed Management by Monitoring Trends in River Nutrient and Sediment Loads
The USGS has computed nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and trends through water year 2023 in Chesapeake Bay rivers. These monitoring-based estimates help federal, state, and local managers evaluate and plan water-quality restoration strategies.
Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center