Science Programs and Partnerships
Supplying necessary scientific information to local, state, and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations
Supplying necessary scientific information to local, state, and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations
Aquatic Ecology
Gaining better understanding of the effects that human activity, hydrologic extremes, and climate change have on aquatic ecosystems
Gaining better understanding of the effects that human activity, hydrologic extremes, and climate change have on aquatic ecosystems
Groundwater
Using science to assess and quantify the availability and quality of California's groundwater resources
Using science to assess and quantify the availability and quality of California's groundwater resources
Water Quality
Providing foundational data and scientific analysis to address water quality issues facing California
Providing foundational data and scientific analysis to address water quality issues facing California
Surface Water
Understanding the science about California surface-water use for irrigation, public consumption, and ecosystems
Understanding the science about California surface-water use for irrigation, public consumption, and ecosystems
California Flood Science
Helping emergency managers and others protect life and property from floods and other water-related hazards
Helping emergency managers and others protect life and property from floods and other water-related hazards
California Drought
Monitoring the effects of drought in California through data collection and research
Monitoring the effects of drought in California through data collection and research
California Water Science Center
The U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center provides reliable, impartial, foundational data and scientific analysis to address water issues facing California today. We conduct hydrologic monitoring and investigative studies in partnership with tribal, federal, state, and local agencies to assist them in managing California's water resources.
Large Storms & Floods in California History
Large Storms & Floods in California History
Storms unleash torrential rain and intense winds, posing significant challenges to infrastructure and triggering widespread flooding. Since it became a state in 1850, California has experienced numerous large storms and floods.
Join the USGS Team
Join the USGS Team
Explore careers at the USGS, experience a day in the life of employees, navigate USAJobs, and see frequent questions on Federal hiring.
California Water & Drought Data
California Water & Drought Data
Basic hydrologic data collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving are major parts of the California Water Science Center program.
News
Embers of Wisdom: The Yurok Tribe and USGS Partnership in Culturally Prescribed Fire Management
Embers of Wisdom: The Yurok Tribe and USGS Partnership in Culturally Prescribed Fire Management
California Water Science Center Scientists to Present at 2024 IEP Annual Workshop
California Water Science Center Scientists to Present at 2024 IEP Annual Workshop
USGS Scientists to Present at 58th Biennial American Fisheries Society (AFS) Cal-Neva Meeting
USGS Scientists to Present at 58th Biennial American Fisheries Society (AFS) Cal-Neva Meeting
Publications
Status and understanding of groundwater quality in the Mojave Basin Domestic-Supply Aquifer study unit, 2018—California GAMA Priority Basin Project
Groundwater quality in the western part of the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California, was investigated in 2018 as part of the California State Water Resources Control Board Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program Priority Basin Project. The Mojave Basin Domestic-Supply Aquifer study unit (MOBS) region was divided into two study areas—floodplain and regional—to assess dif
Land-use interactions, Oil-Field infrastructure, and natural processes control hydrocarbon and arsenic concentrations in groundwater, Poso Creek Oil Field, California, USA
Like many hydrocarbon production areas in the U.S., the Poso Creek Oil Field in California includes and is adjacent to other land uses (agricultural and other developed lands) that affect the hydrology and geochemistry of the aquifer overlying and adjacent to oil development. We hypothesize that the distributions of hydrocarbons and arsenic in groundwater in such areas will be controlled by comple
Status of water quality in groundwater resources used for drinking-water supply in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley, 2013–15—California GAMA Priority Basin Project
The California Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program Priority Basin Project (GAMA-PBP) investigated water quality of groundwater resources used for drinking-water supplies in the Madera-Chowchilla, Kings, Kaweah, Tule, and Tulare Lake groundwater subbasins of the southeastern San Joaquin Valley during 2013–15. The study focused primarily on groundwater resources used for domestic-s
Science
Bay-Delta Catchability Study
Addressing Catchability Bias in Fish Surveys San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta collectively make up the "Bay-Delta." In the scientific study of fish, "catchability" refers to the probability that a fish will be captured by a particular fishing gear or method. Catchability is a measure of how effectively a fishing gear or method can capture fish. "Catch data" refer to...
Santa Ana River Native Fish Study
Native Fish Population and Habitat Study, Santa Ana River, California The Santa Ana River, the largest river in southern California, flows through diverse landscapes, from the high desert to urban and suburban areas in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, stretching approximately 96 miles (154 kilometers) from its headwaters in the San Bernardino Mountains to its mouth at the Pacific...
Culturally Prescribed Fire
Culturally prescribed burning has been long practiced by the Yurok Tribe for a variety of reasons. This study explores using culturally prescribed fire as a land management tool for increasing the resiliency of streams and watersheds.