Frequently Asked Questions

Water Related Information

• How can I obtain current streamflow/groundwater/water quality data?
• How can I obtain historical or long term streamflow/groundwater/water quality data?
• Where can I get river forecasts?
• How can I get information on flood plains?

Maps, Publications, and other USGS Products

• How do I find, buy, or learn abut:
  • Topographic maps?
  • Aerial photography, satellite imagery, and other mapping products?

You may also want to look through the extensive USGS FAQ or browse the USGS Science Topics. For questions that aren't covered, you may want to try Ask-A-Geologist or Ask USGS. Specific questions for Nebraska information can be directed to the NE Water Science Center Information Officer.

Current water (streamflow, groundwater, water quality) data

All of the data being collected by our real-time gaging stations is available from the National Water Information System (NWIS Web). The NWIS Web Real-time Water Data page includes several pre-defined displays for surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality data. Additional resources are listed on our Information/Data pages.

Historical water (streamflow, groundwater, water quality) data

Much of the long term and historical data collected by our real-time gaging stations is available from the National Water Information System (NWIS Web). This data is finalized annually and published in the Annual Data Report.

For active stations, there is a pull down menu near the top of each station data page labelled 'Available data for this site.' Long term data is available under the "Time Series: Daily Data" option.

For discontinued stations, the NWIS Web Site Inventory contains records from all USGS gaging stations.

Historical instantaneous streamflow data (generally 15-minute) is also available from the Instantaneous Data Archive (IDA).

Not all historical data is available online. If you don't find the data you need, contact the NE Water Science Center Information Officer.

River stage forecasts

The National Weather Service provides stage forecasts for selected streams in Nebraska.

Floodplains and floodplain maps

An interactive floodplain map of Nebraska is available through the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The Nebraska Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association (NeFSMA) also has some helpful links related to floodplains in Nebraska. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) web site includes several helpful flood-related resources as well.

To obtain hardcopy map products directly from FEMA, call 1-800-358-9616 or order online through the Map Service Center.

Meta-Indexes to USGS Maps, Publications, and other products

Portals to USGS products are listed under General Catalogs, Locators, and Collections and through Ask USGS. Items can be purchased through the USGS Store.

USGS topographic maps

General information is available from the Topographic Mapping page. All USGS maps may be ordered online through the USGS Store or by calling 1-888-ASK USGS. Maps can also be viewed online through the National Map or National Atlas.

USGS mapping products

The Earth Reource Observation and Science Center has aerial, elevation, satellite, and land cover products.