New & Noteworthy

Press Release: Study Explores Groundwater and Geothermal Energy in Drought-Stricken Eastern Oregon and Neighboring States

Technical Announcement: USGS Issues Revised Framework for Hydrogeology of Floridan Aquifer

Press Release: High Plains Aquifer Groundwater Levels Continue to Decline

Regional Groundwater Availability Study Geospatial Data

Press Release: USGS Assesses Current Groundwater-Quality Conditions in the Williston Basin Oil Production Area

Past listings...

USGS Groundwater Watch

USGS maintains a network of active wells to provide basic statistics about groundwater levels.

Other Water Topics

 Water Resources

 Groundwater

 Surface Water

 Water Quality

 Water Use

USGS in Your State

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

Geophysical Methods & Applications

USGS Hydrologist Jason Sorenson (USGS Massachusetts/Rhode Island Water Science Center) prepares passive seismic equipment for survey.

USGS conducts research into new and emerging geophysical methods and applications for groundwater investigations.  Near-surface geophysical techniques can be used to rapidly and effectively characterize the shallow subsurface and to monitor hydrologic and remediation processes in ways not previously possible with standard technology.  Areas of recent hydrogeophysical applied research supported by Groundwater Resources Program have included:

• development of fiber-optics distributed temperature sensing system for field applications,
• development of rapid seismic subsurface imaging methods,
• development of an electrical-resistivity method to identify and model rate-limited mass transfer,
• development of an easy-to-use stepped-frequency electromagnetic tool for subsurface characterization, and
• initiation of gravity monitoring projects in varied hydrogeologic settings.

More information:

• USGS Office of Groundwater, Branch of Geophysics