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Water Data for the Nation

Water Data for the Nation (WDFN) makes high-quality USGS water data and information discoverable, accessible, and usable for everyone.
USGS water data is collected at monitoring locations either by automated sensors or manual data collection.
Each monitoring location has location information that details the location name and identifier, the agency responsible for data collection, and geographic information about the location. Additionally, most monitoring locations have data available online in WDFN in one or more of the following categories: continuous data, daily data, field measurements, and discrete sample data.
Learn more about the categories of water data available in WDFN
Use the pages described below to locate monitoring locations that interest you and visit the Monitoring Location Pages to view all data collected at the location through time.

Find the water information you need

  • Discover real-time data in your state

    Phone showing State Page

    State pages provide a summary of the real-time data being collected in your state. Quickly filter the map and list to show a data type of interest to you, or customize the filters to further refine the map and list to your needs.

  • Create a list of your favorite monitoring locations

    Image of My Favorites features

    Make and share a list of USGS monitoring locations that you are interested in. Access the latest water data at those locations all in one place. Create combined location graphs or a custom list of data graphs from your favorites list.

    Go to My Favorites

  • View latest conditions and water events

    National Water Dashboard image

    USGS has over 13,500 real-time stream, lake, reservoir, precipitation, water quality, and groundwater monitoring locations. View the latest data in your area together with weather-related data to understand rapidly changing water events.

    Go to the National Water Dashboard

  • Create a Water Alert

    Image illustrating WaterAlert function

    USGS monitors water conditions nationwide. Get notified with WaterAlert, a near-real time hydrologic alerting system that notifies you of stream, lake, and coastal conditions across the nation. Subscribe to text or email alerts when water conditions change.

    Go to WaterAlert

  • Explore latest and historic water data

    Explore USGS water data image

    USGS has collected water data throughout US states and territories for more than 135 years. Find historic and currently operational monitoring locations with data that interests you. Filter using locations of interest, type of water data, and recency of data that meet your needs.

    Go to Explore USGS Water Data

  • Access water data programmatically

    Water services image

    USGS has several options to support programmatic access to water data. Water Services provide USGS water data in machine-readable formats via REST APIs, a common framework programs use to search and download data. The dataRetrieval package simplifies the process of loading USGS water data into the R environment.

    Go to Water ServicesGo to dataRetrieval