Grab Our Data (and See Where We Work)
We operate and maintain extensive monitoring networks and conduct hydrologic investigations to quantify each component of the hydrologic cycle.
We operate and maintain extensive monitoring networks and conduct hydrologic investigations to quantify each component of the hydrologic cycle.
Nontidal Network Mapper Updates
The Nontidal Network Mapper has been updated with the latest short-term total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended-sediment load and trend data for water years 2014 to 2023..
The Nontidal Network Mapper has been updated with the latest short-term total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended-sediment load and trend data for water years 2014 to 2023..
Virginia and West Virginia Groundwater Levels and Trends
See current groundwater levels and trends at continuous groundwater wells across Virginia and West Virginia.
See current groundwater levels and trends at continuous groundwater wells across Virginia and West Virginia.
Explore Essential Tools and Products
Explore our scientific and data-driven web tools that include data visualizations, digital repositories, and interactive maps with data access and data analysis capabilities.
Explore our scientific and data-driven web tools that include data visualizations, digital repositories, and interactive maps with data access and data analysis capabilities.
Northeast Region Drought Streamflow Probabilities
Explore drought probabilities for select streams estimated using maximum likelihood regression. Winter streamflows are used to estimate the chance of hydrologic drought during summer months 5 to 11 months in advance.
Explore drought probabilities for select streams estimated using maximum likelihood regression. Winter streamflows are used to estimate the chance of hydrologic drought during summer months 5 to 11 months in advance.
Latest Worldwide Earthquakes detected by Virginia Well
2025 Eastern Kamchatka, Russia Earthquake causes water level fluctuations in Christiansburg, VA groundwater
2025 Eastern Kamchatka, Russia Earthquake causes water level fluctuations in Christiansburg, VA groundwater
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Welcome to the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center. We deliver timely and reliable data, advanced interpretive science, and tools needed to understand the water resources of Virginia and West Virginia in support of effective decision making.
Need assistance? Contact us through our Connect page.
Virginia Current Water Conditions
Virginia Current Water Conditions
Explore real-time Virginia streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our interactive map application.
West Virginia Current Water Conditions
West Virginia Current Water Conditions
Explore real-time West Virginia streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our interactive map application.
News
The Mystery of the Christiansburg Well
The Mystery of the Christiansburg Well
In West Point, Virginia, a New 'Subsidence Superstation' Measures Changing Land Surface
In West Point, Virginia, a New 'Subsidence Superstation' Measures Changing Land Surface
USGS Hydrology Technicians measure peak flows after a recent storm in West Virginia
USGS Hydrology Technicians measure peak flows after a recent storm in West Virginia
Publications
Using satellite imagery and soil data to understand occurrences and migration of soil conditions harmful to archaeological sites on Jamestown Island, Virginia Using satellite imagery and soil data to understand occurrences and migration of soil conditions harmful to archaeological sites on Jamestown Island, Virginia
Many know Jamestown Island, Virginia, hereafter referred to as “the Island,” located near the mouth of the James River into the Chesapeake Bay, as the home of the first permanent English settlement in North America. However, the Island is home to 15,000 years’ worth of cultural artifacts and archaeological sites. In addition to its rich history, the Island is home to a variety of native...
Assessment of natural gas pipeline construction on stream temperature and turbidity in southwestern Virginia, 2017—25 Assessment of natural gas pipeline construction on stream temperature and turbidity in southwestern Virginia, 2017—25
The natural gas pipeline network in the United States is extensive and often intersects streams and other sensitive habitats, yet there are limited case studies utilizing a comparative upstream-downstream approach to evaluate potential short- and long-term effects of pipeline stream crossing construction from pre-construction to post-site restoration. In 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey...
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)...
Science
Applying Multiple Tools to Inform Management of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Potomac River Watershed
The reuse of municipal wastewater provides multiple benefits, including maintaining stream flow, recharging aquifers, and providing public water supply. However, along with the benefits are concerns related to the presence of ‘forever’ chemicals, like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater discharge. Managing PFAS in waterways is challenging because there are many potential PFAS...
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.
Lake Accotink Sedimentation Study
Lake Accotink is a 55-acre lake in Fairfax County which is highly valued by the local community. Much like a living organism, lakes go through many changes. Several factors affect their health and well-being such as sediment buildup. As the lake fills with sediment, it loses surface area and volume. Lake Accotink has been dredged in the past to remove excess sediment, but this process is costly...
