The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been describing the water resources of Florida since the early 1900's. The U.S. Geological Survey's Water Discipline in Florida consists of 256 personnel at eight locations, all of whom contribute to the studies underway. In conducting its mission of describing the water resources of the nation, the Geological Survey's Florida staff works with about 54 cooperating local, State, and other federal agencies with common interests in water resources. As part of the USGS Florida Integrated Science Center (FISC), water discipline scientists conduct interdisciplinary studies with USGS biologists and geologists in Florida.

Scientists of the USGS are collaborating with resource-management agencies in all major hydrologic matters of concern in Florida. Program development among the USGS and State and local agencies is an evolving solution-oriented activity. Programs are reviewed regularly by participants, and future needs for data collection and hydrologic investigations are projected. Typically, USGS investigations are of the following major types: data collection, problem-oriented appraisals, and applied research. The historic and current data-collection programs in Florida consist of statewide monitoring networks for surface and ground waters. In addition to hydrologic surveillance, these sites furnish data for appraisal studies and research. Some networks are unique. For example, the USGS's streamflow program is the primary source of long-term discharge data in the State. Information from various USGS networks is combined for all the States to establish a national computerized data base.

In 1999, the USGS managed about 65 hydrologic studies in Florida, most of which pertained to problem-oriented appraisals and applied research. These include, by broad category, the determination of the availability of regional water resources for growth-management planning,the assessment and mitigation of water-quality degradation, and current research programs on evapotranspiration, hydrodynamic and chemical modeling of surface- and ground-water flow, chemical solute transport, and wetland processes all of which are important to water-resources management.

The Florida Water Discipline staff welcomes any comments or suggestions that you, the users of our information, might have to help us in accomplishing our mission of describing Florida's water resources. Please feel free to call us at 850-942-9500, or write to:

U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
2010 Levy Avenue
Tallahassee, Florida 32310