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Washington Water Science Center

This is your direct link to all kinds of water resource information. Here you'll find information on Washington's rivers and streams. You'll also find information about groundwater, water quality, and many other topics. The USGS operates the most extensive satellite network of streamgaging stations in the state, many of which form the backbone of flood-warning systems.

News

Uncrewed Aviation Systems (UAS) Training Interest Survey

Uncrewed Aviation Systems (UAS) Training Interest Survey

USGS Unveils Mobile Flood Tool for the Nation

USGS Unveils Mobile Flood Tool for the Nation

Lending a Hand During COVID-19: Maintaining a Streamgage on the Canadian Border

Lending a Hand During COVID-19: Maintaining a Streamgage on the Canadian Border

Publications

A conceptual site model of contaminant transport pathways from the Bremerton Naval Complex to Sinclair Inlet, Washington, 2011–21

Historical activities on the Bremerton Naval Complex (BNC) in Puget Sound, Washington, have resulted in Sinclair Inlet sediments with elevated concentrations of contaminants, including organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and trace elements including mercury. Six U.S. Geological Survey–U.S. Navy datasets have been collected since the last major assessment, in 2013, of soil and gr
Authors
Kathleen E. Conn, Sarah E. Janssen, Chad C. Opatz, Valerie A.L. Bright

Evaluation of groundwater resources in the Upper White River Basin within Mount Rainier National Park, Washington state, 2020

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the National Park Service, investigated groundwater gains and losses on the upper White River within Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. This investigation was conducted using stream discharge measurements at 14 locations within 7 reaches over a 6.5-mile river length from near the White River’s origin at the terminus of the Emmons Glaci
Authors
Leland T. Fuhrig, Andrew J. Long, Alexander O. Headman

Extent and duration of cold-water areas associated with side channels and tributaries of the lower Yakima River, Washington, September 2018–20

Previous work on the lower Yakima River, Washington (downstream from Union Gap), has identified several cold-water areas that could be thermal refuges for migrating salmonids. These cold-water areas are characterized by small tributaries that are typically cooler than the main-stem river during summer months (June–August). Twenty-seven temperature sensors were deployed along the lower 90 miles of
Authors
Richard W. Sheibley, Marcella Appel, Rachel Little, James R. Foreman

Science

Hoh geomorphology

The Issue: Glaciers in the Hoh River watershed are expected to largely disappear by 2050, while flooding is expected to become more intense. Understanding if or how this will impact sediment transport and channel change in the watershed is relevant for salmon habitat, restoration efforts, and flood hazard management. However, there is relatively little information about historical channel...
link

Hoh geomorphology

The Issue: Glaciers in the Hoh River watershed are expected to largely disappear by 2050, while flooding is expected to become more intense. Understanding if or how this will impact sediment transport and channel change in the watershed is relevant for salmon habitat, restoration efforts, and flood hazard management. However, there is relatively little information about historical channel...
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Nooksack geomorphology

The Issue: Changes in channel geometry in the Nooksack River can reduce flood conveyance capacity, and so increase local flood hazards. Near Everson, WA, sand and gravel accumulations have increased the likelihood that major floods will spill overbank, sending water north over a low drainage divide where it may cause substantial damage to communities in both Washington and British Columbia. Major...
link

Nooksack geomorphology

The Issue: Changes in channel geometry in the Nooksack River can reduce flood conveyance capacity, and so increase local flood hazards. Near Everson, WA, sand and gravel accumulations have increased the likelihood that major floods will spill overbank, sending water north over a low drainage divide where it may cause substantial damage to communities in both Washington and British Columbia. Major...
Learn More

Osoyoos Ice Jam

The Issue: Ice jams can occur at the outlet of Osoyoos Lake on the border of Canada and the United States, resulting in a decrease or complete interruption in streamflow on the Okanogan River. These ice jams appear to be occurring at a greater frequency than they have in the past and interruptions in streamflow can hinder the passage of anadromous fish and impact downstream water rights and water...
link

Osoyoos Ice Jam

The Issue: Ice jams can occur at the outlet of Osoyoos Lake on the border of Canada and the United States, resulting in a decrease or complete interruption in streamflow on the Okanogan River. These ice jams appear to be occurring at a greater frequency than they have in the past and interruptions in streamflow can hinder the passage of anadromous fish and impact downstream water rights and water...
Learn More