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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.

News

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

USGS provides easy access to Colorado River science with new online portal

USGS provides easy access to Colorado River science with new online portal

Physics to Fish

Physics to Fish

Publications

Temporal variability and sources of PFAS in the Rio Grande, New Mexico through an arid urban area using multiple tracers and high-frequency sampling

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment but sources are not well defined for temporal and spatial aspects within an urban environment, and especially for an arid urban environment subject to seasonal short term high-intensity precipitation events. A focused diel sampling was conducted in the summer of 2021 to assess the temporal and spatial variability of PFAS
Authors
Kimberly R. Beisner, Rebecca E. Travis, David Alvarez, Larry Barber, Jacob Fleck, Jeramy Jasmann

California Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program Priority Basin Project: Domestic-Supply Assessment

The GAMA-PBP is a comprehensive assessment of statewide groundwater quality in California. The first phase of the GAMA-PBP in 2004–15 assessed groundwater resources used for public drinking-water supplies. The second phase is assessing groundwater resources used for domestic drinking-water supplies. An estimated 2 million Californians rely on individual domestic wells or State small-system wells f
Authors
Jennifer L. Shelton, Elias Tejeda

Predicting redox conditions in groundwater at a national scale using random forest classification

Redox conditions in groundwater may markedly affect the fate and transport of nutrients, volatile organic compounds, and trace metals, with significant implications for human health. While many local assessments of redox conditions have been made, the spatial variability of redox reaction rates makes the determination of redox conditions at regional or national scales problematic. In this study, r
Authors
Anthony J. Tesoriero, Susan Wherry, Danielle Dupuy, Tyler D. Johnson

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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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.
Learn More