|
About the Program:
Since 1991, USGS scientists with the NAWQA program have been collecting
and analyzing data and information in more than 50 major river basins
and aquifers across the Nation. The goal is to develop long-term
consistent and comparable information on streams, ground water,
and aquatic ecosystems to support sound management and policy decisions.
The NAWQA program is designed to answer these questions:
- What is the condition of our Nation's streams and ground water?
- How are these conditions changing over time?
- How do natural features and human activities affect these conditions?
How does NAWQA answer these questions?
|
Study design and methods are nationally consistent
|
. . . .so that. . . .
|
water-quality conditions can be compared on a regional and
national basis.
|
|
Studies are long-term and cyclical
|
. . . .so that. . . .
|
trends in water quality can be analyzed to determine whether
conditions are getting better or worse.
|
|
Studies relate human activities (contaminant sources, land
and chemical use) and natural factors (soils, geology, hydrology,
climate) to water quality, aquatic life, and stream habitat
|
. . . .so that. . . .
|
findings help with decisions about managing water resources
and protecting drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.
|
|
USGS scientists interact with government officials, resource
managers, industry representatives, and other interested parties
|
. . . .so that. . . .
|
findings are relevant to decision makers.
|
|
USGS scientists cover a range of disciplines, including hydrology,
geology, geophysics, biology, geography, and statistics
|
. . . .so that. . . .
|
the interdependent nature of river basins and aquifer systems
can be analyzed.
|
|
USGS is committed to making its unbiased scientific information
available to everyone
|
. . . .so that. . . .
|
findings are presented in multiple formats, including raw
data, reports, journal articles, pamphlets, and videos. Most
of these products are free.
|
For more information:
The
National Water-Quality Assessment Program-Entering a new decade
of investigations. (USGS Fact Sheet 071-01, a preview of the
second decade of studies)
The
National Water-Quality Assessment Program-Informing water-resource
management and protection decisions (a summary of key findings
in the first decade of studies and examples of how decision makers
use the information)
|
