USGS scientists deploy SPMD and POCIS samplers to collect waterborne contaminants in Manoa Stream on Oahu, Hawaii.

Noteworthy

Press Releases

• USGS Assessment of Brackish Water Could Help Nation Stretch Limited Freshwater Supplies
• First-of-its-kind Interactive Map Brings Together 40 Years of Water-Quality Data
• 20 Years Researching Harmful Algal Blooms Supports Sustainable Water Supply in Wichita
• The Quality of the Nation's Groundwater: Progress on a National Survey (1/19/2017)

Featured Science:

• Spatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015
• Why Monitor Water Quality? [1.7MB PDF]

Past featured science...

Water Quality Data

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USGS Water-Quality Sampling of Flood Waters > 2011 - Hurricane Irene

USGS Water-Quality Sampling after Hurricane Irene, August 2011

Originally posted August 29, 2011; Revised August 30, 2011

• Overview
• Water-Quality Sampling Activities
  • Press Releases
• For more information
  • Main USGS Hurricane Irene Activities page
  • USGS Flood Monitoring and Data Collection
  • Flooding and Water-Quality Health and Safety

Overview

When a hurricane happens, USGS field crews are among the first to respond. USGS scientists, engineers, and technicians are working along the eastern U.S. coast in response to Hurricane Irene. The USGS is making storm surge, streamflow, and water quality measurements related to hurricane floods and providing geospatial products of Hurricane Irene's movement and the storm aftermath. In the coming weeks and months, USGS, in concert with our partners, will provide scientific assessments of the challenges wrought by Irene.

Storms and associated flooding can affect the quality of our Nation's water resources. The USGS responds to major events that can affect water quality by working with local, State, and Federal agencies and the citizenry to identify, quantify, and understand environmental issues and concerns. During and after flooding events, USGS may collect additional water samples to help us understand how the hurricane and any associated flooding is affecting water quality in the short and long term. The frequency and location of water sampling varies by local conditions and depends on the needs and concerns of our Cooperators and local communities.

Activities

Please note: this page highlights USGS water-quality sampling related to Hurricane Irene. For all USGS Hurricane Irene response activities, see the main USGS Hurricane Irene Activities page.

USGS Water Science Centers are collecting water-quality samples in major coastal drainages expected to be impacted from Irene (see Table 1, below). During the high flows expected along major rivers in the days following Irene, USGS crews will monitor concentrations and transport to coastal areas of

• nutrients,
• sediment,
• carbon,
• E. coli, and
• pesticides.

It is important for the USGS to monitor and document water quality after significant high-water events like Hurricane Irene. These events can cause changes in water quality that affect human health and the environment or affect commercial and recreational use of our Nation’s water resources. Large storms can

• flush large quantities of nutrients, pesticides, and bacteria into rivers;
• alter sediment flow; and (or)
• result in higher concentrations of E. coli in surface water used for drinking.

Excessive nutrients in rivers, streams, and coastal areas can cause algal blooms that increase the costs of drinking-water treatment, limit recreational activities, and threaten valuable commercial and recreational fisheries. Increased sediment can cause costly changes in shipping channels, where new sediment can require additional dredging.

USGS information and data from areas affected by Irene can be used by scientists to better understand how large storm events impact our water resources. Water managers and municipalities will be able to use the USGS data to make resource management and response decisions based on sound science.

Table 1: USGS water-quality sampling locations in response to Hurricane Irene. (Table will be updated as information becomes available.)

The constituents measured and sample collection methods may vary by site. Information on typical National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) constituents measured and methods of sample collection are available from NASQAN.

Press Releases

• USGS In the Surge Sampling for Nutrients, Sediment, E. coli, and Pesticides(August 28, 2011)
• USGS Responds to Hurricane Irene and Prepares for Aftermath (August 27, 2011)

For more information:

The USGS WaterWatch (http://waterwatch.usgs.gov) web site displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States. The real-time information generally is updated on an hourly basis.

USGS Flood Monitoring and Data Collection

For information on overall USGS flood monitoring and data collection activities, see:

• main USGS Hurricane Irene Activities page
• general USGS national flood activities web site

For more information on USGS water-quality sampling, contact the USGS Office of Water Quality.

To learn more about USGS water-quality sampling methods and protocols, see:

• Water-Quality Sampling by the U.S. Geological Survey: Standard Protocols and Procedures (Fact Sheet 2010-3121)
• USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (USGS Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations Book 9)

Health and Safety Information

Every effort should be made to limit contact with flood water due to potentially elevated levels of contamination associated with raw sewage and other hazardous substances.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - water and food safety during and after a flood
  • EPA: Hurricanes
  • EPA: Private drinking water wells - What to do after the flood
  • EPA: Septic Systems - What to do after the flood
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - what to do after a flood
  • CDC: Cleanup of flood water
  • CDC: Information for water-related emergencies