New England Water Science Center - Rhode Island Office
DATA CENTER
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Water Resources of Rhode IslandUSGS to Discontinue Streamgages Due to Sequestration: The U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) will discontinue operation of up to 375 streamgages nationwide due to budget cuts as a result of sequestration. Additional streamgages may be affected if partners reduce their funding to support USGS streamgages. The USGS is working to identify which streamgages will be impacted and when, and will post this information as it becomes available. Streamgages are used nationwide to predict and address drought and flood conditions by monitoring water availability. The USGS and over 850 Federal, State, and local agencies cooperatively fund the USGS streamgaging network, which consists of over 8,000 streamgages. When budget fluctuations occur, the network is impacted. For more information contact Richard Verdi at 508-490-5064 or rverdi@usgs.gov. Welcome to the New England Water Science Center - Rhode Island Office web page. This is your direct link to water-resource information on Rhode Island's rivers and streams, groundwater, water quality, and biology. Data collection and interpretive studies are done by the Center to support state-wide water-resource infrastructure and management needs and are part of the USGS science strategy to address the water-resource priorities of the nation and global trends in:
RI Water SciencesThe USGS Rhode Island Office monitors and analyzes surface water, groundwater, water-quality and biological parameters throughout the state. Data collection and interpretive studies are done in cooperation with various local, State, or Federal agencies. Surface WaterRhode Island provides real-time water-stage and streamflow data at over 140 sites across the state. Flood prediction, stream low-flow characteristics and surface-quality are currently under investigation in 28 studies. GroundwaterTwenty-two groundwater wells are monitored hourly by the USGS in Rhode Island. Over 30 current groundwater investigations evaluate groundwater-supply and groundwater-quality issues. Water QualityWater-quality conditions are continuously monitored by the USGS at 42 sites across the state of Rhode Island. Water-quality issues in groundwater and surface water are addressed in over 30 current interpretive studies. BiologyInterpretive studies based on periodic monitoring address aquatic life impairments resulting from the impact of hydrologic stresses. Featured ProjectField Characterization and Numerical Simulation of Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions in Rhode Island Wetlands: Big River Watershed Case StudyBig River Watershed - wetland sediment coring Water demand in Rhode Island is increasing, and the Rhode Island Water Resources Board (RIWRB), which is responsible developing and protecting the State's major water resources, is concerned that this increasing demand may exceed the current capacity. Nearly all of the potable groundwater supplies identified in Rhode Island are found in shallow, river-dominated valley-fill aquifer systems, such as the Big River Watershed in central Rhode Island. There are concerns about potential effects of groundwater withdrawals on the hydrology of streams and wetlands. These concerns have created the need for a better understanding of the interaction between groundwater and surface water in wetlands in order to better assess potential effects of pumping on wetlands. USGS Highlighted Publications
Open-File Report 2013–1043
Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5114
Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5110
Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5109
Open–File Report 2011–1284
Open–File Report 2011–1076
Open–File Report 2011–1029 |