EPA News
These are top news stories from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically relating to water.
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DailyScience Water News
This is an outstanding collection of science news reported daily, and has issues directly dealing with water topcis. Get all of ScienceDaily's Earth & Climate headlines automatically delivered to you daily by subscribing for free via email or RSS feeds.
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National Weather Service (NOAA)
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Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
This site offers an interactive map created by the National Weather Service (NOAA) that allows viewers to quickly view observed precipitation maps of the nation by month back to 2005. It also features the abilities to zoom into specific counties and show county lines, rivers, lakes and highways/cities.
These two maps show the distribution of precipitation stations across the United States (courtesy of NOAA, 2015) compared to the average amount of precipitation (courtesy of Oregon State University's PRISM Climate Group, 2015). Noticed that there are fewer to no weather stations where there is very little average precipitation.
Water Conservation & Management
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American RiversColorful, highly detailed and easily navigated, this site provides information on national river conservation and management (includes 25 of the most endangered rivers).
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Aquatic Resources Monitoring (ARM)This EPA web site provides info on monitoring of aquatic resources in the US, primarily focused on design and analysis of probability based surveys. Links are provided to other aquatic resources monitoring information available on the internet. For ecological regions of the US, see http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions.htm.
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International Water Law ProjectInfo on international access to and maintenance of water sources.
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Life Cycle of Drinking Water SystemsLife cycle assessment of drinking water systems: bottle water, tap water, and home/office water delivery (2009) Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
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USGS Water Resources of the USProvide water information that benefits the Nation's citizens through publications, data, maps, and applications software. USGS Water-Resources offices are located in every State. Includes national water survey, stream flow conditions (e.g. floods, droughts, water quality, ground water), science topics, water resource programs.
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2007 Agriculture Census by Watershed (USDA)This contains agricultural census information performed every five years, and it is organized by watershed (interactive map).
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USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) ProgramNAWQA provides an understanding of water-quality conditions; whether conditions are getting better or worse over time; and how natural features and human activities affect those conditions. Regional and national assessments are possible because of a consistent study design and uniform methods of data collection and analysis.
Water Resources of the US (USGS)
The United State Geological Survey is the place to start water research!
It contains a wealth of info about water in the United States, such as national water surveys, current water and stream flow conditions (e.g. floods, droughts, water quality, ground water), science topics, water resource programs. And it links to State USGS offfices throughout the nation, plus browse for state & local info via maps.
Main topics include:
- Streams, lakes, and reservoirs (Science to observe, analyze, and understand the movement and condition of surface water)
- Groundwater, aquifers, and wells (Science to discover and describe the location, condition, and behavior of water in the ground)
- Quality of water resources (Science to monitor and evaluate biological, chemical, and environmental factors affecting water quality)
- International water activities (Ongoing water projects of international interest)
- Floods & droughts (Study the conditions and consequences of water over-abundance or scarcity)
- Water use (Information about how water is used now and in the past)
- Contamination & pollution (Study the existence and results of harmful substances in water, produced by humans and natural processes)
- Methods & Models (Available tools and expertise to conduct water resources science)
State Rainwater Harvesting and Graywater Laws and Programs
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State Rainwater Harvesting and Graywater Laws and LegislationThere has been increased interest over the past five years in legislation allowing, defining, and clarifying when rainwater harvesting can occur. Rainwater harvesting is the act of utilizing a collection system to use rainwater for outdoor uses, plumbing, and, in some cases, consumption. States have also passed legislation encouraging the use of Graywater. Graywater refers to the reuse of water drained from baths, showers, washing machines, and sinks (household wastewater excluding toilet wastes) for irrigation and other water conservation applications.
States must ensure water-quality standards and public health concerns are met. In some states, such as Colorado, previous water law stated that all precipitation belonged to existing water-rights owners, and that rain needed to flow to join its rightful water drainage. However, a 2007 study conducted by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Douglas County determined that only 3 percent of rain actually reached a stream or the ground. Colorado followed-up by enacting two pieces of legislation, one allowing certain types of well owners to use rainwater and one authorizing pilot development projects...
Arizona | Colorado | Illinois | North Carolina | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Virginia | Washington | U.S. Virgin Islands
Oregon Water
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City of Salem, Oregon, Public Works DepartmentPublic Works Department constructs and maintains the infrastructure necessary for the basic urban needs of the Salem, Oregon, metropolitan area. This includes a safe and reliable road system, healthy and plentiful water supplies, a well-functioning storm drainage system, and proper treatment of wastewater.
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Estimating Historical Salmon Runs in OregonEstimated historical Salmon runs in Oregon back to the 1700s.
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Northwest Waterfall SurveyNorthwest waterfall survey of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Includes a database of information (browse via maps), the "best" northwest waterfalls to visit, a database of waterfalls around the world, and waterfall photography.
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Oregon Water Quality Assessment Report (EPA)The Oregon Water Quality Assessment Report (2006), performed by the US EPA, provides a summary and detailed information for the health and contamination of Oregon bodies of water (streams, rivers, lakes, coast line, etc).
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Salem River CrossingThis site explores the various options of installing a fourth bridge to cross the Willamette River in Salem, Oregon.
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USGS Oregon Water Science CenterUSGS Oregon Water Science Center: a wealth of info on surface water, groundwater, and water quality in Oregon and the Nation. Includes water data, plus interpretations of data to Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, and the public. This data and study results are widely used to manage Oregon's water resources for the benefit of both people and our environment.
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Water Quality Nonpoint Source Pollution (Oregon DEQ)The annual report is the primary mechanism by which EPA evaluates whether or not Oregon has made satisfactory progress in implementing the approved milestones of its updated Nonpoint Source Control Program Plan.
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Water Resources Department, State of OregonThe State of Oregon Water Resources Dept contains info on: News and Events, Adjudications, Commission, Dam Safety, Ground Water, Jobs at WRD, Related Links, Maps, Publications, Surface Water, Water Law, Water Management, and Water Rights.
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Network of Oregon Watershed CouncilsThis links to various publications & resources by and for the Network of Oregon Watershed Councils.
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City of Salem Water Resources ProgramsThis links to watershed information related to the City of Salem Public Works Division.
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Directory of Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs)This 2010 resource lists all of the districts within Oregon that are associated with the Oregon Soil & Water Conservation.
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The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, Biennial Report 2015-17This is a biennial report (2007-2009) lists watershed projects and areas of concern.
Watersheds
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Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (EPA)The Environmental Protection Agency's Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds site links to a ton of info including watersheds. It includes a watershed locate function by zip code, "watershed academy," laws, publications, technical tools, news, and other related links.
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EPA Handbook on Watershed Restoration and ProtectionThis is the Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters developed by the EPA. It also includes info on polluted runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution), in addition to a step-by-step guide for restoring watersheds to their original natural state.
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Science in Your WatershedDesigned for environmental professionals as a source for online environmental data sets.
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Surf Your Watershed (EPA)Find watersheds by zip code, map, or specific watershed name. Contains list of “citizen-based groups" at work in the watershed for cleanups, monitoring activities, restoration projects and other activities.
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Pringle Creek Watershed, Salem, OregonThis is the Pringle Creek Watershed Management, Salem, Oregon 2013 Final Report.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS)
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National Wildlife Refuge System
Clean water. Clean air. Unusual and abundant wildlife. World-class recreation. The Refuge System provides and protects it all on 150 million acres of land and water from the Caribbean to the Pacific, Maine to Alaska, plus more than 418 million acres of national marine monuments. There is at least one national wildlife refuge in every state.
Search for your Nation Wildlife Refuge by zip code, state, or browse the list.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
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BLM Programs
BLM is responsible for managing a large spectrum of natural resource values. Below are just a few programs that the BLM deals with in terms of natural resource management:
- Abandoned Mine Lands
- Acquisition and Procurement
- Cultural, Paleontological Resources & Tribal Consultation
- Climate Change
- Filming on Public Lands
- Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation
- Forests and Woodlands
- Hazardous Materials Management
- Landscape Approach for Managing Public Lands
- Mining and Minerals Claims
- Noxious Weeds
- Rights-of-Way
Smithsonian's American Museum of Natural History
Take a look at the Exhibition by American Museum of Natural History.
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/water/
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Water unites usEvery language has a word for water; no living thing exists without water. It soothes the spirit and sustains the body; its beauty inspires art and music. Employed by cultures around the world in rituals and ceremonies, water bathes us from birth to death. Water is essential to life as we know it. And as it cycles from the air to the land to the sea and back again, water shapes our planet—and nearly every aspect of our lives.
Oceanography
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Census of Marine LifeThe Census of Marine Life is a global network of researchers in more than 80 nations engaged in a 10-year scientific initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the oceans. The world's first comprehensive Census of Marine Life - past, present, and future - will be released in 2010.
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NASA OceanographyPart of NASA's mission is to develop an understanding of the total Earth system and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment. Our oceans play a major role in influencing changes in the world's climate and weather. Collecting and analyzing long-term ocean data from satellites is a relatively new field of exploration.