About the USGS Idaho Water Science Center
Science Center News
Citizen Scientists Monitor Boise Watershed
September 30, 2009
On Saturday morning, October 3, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., local citizens will gather at sites along the Boise River to collect water and insect samples, conduct basic water-quality tests, and record their data. The event is sponsored by the City of Boise’s WaterShed Environmental Education Center. The U.S. Geological Survey is an event cosponsor. Read more
Helping Idaho Teachers Prepare for Earth Science Week
September 28, 2009
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Idaho Geological Survey are teaming up to distribute Earth Science Week toolkits to Idaho teachers on October 1. Read more
Landsat Plays Key Role in Water-Use Maps
September 21, 2009
Data from earth-observing Landsat satellites plays a central role in a new, award-winning type of mapping that tracks water use. Read more
USGS Tracking Iodine-129 in Eastern Idaho Groundwater
April 22, 2009
Concentrations of a potentially-harmful nuclear contaminant found in groundwater at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) are well below the federal safety threshold for public drinking water. Read more
USGS Helps Citizen Scientists Conduct Boise Watershed Watch
April 16, 2009
Residents of Idaho’s Treasure Valley will once again become citizen scientists to monitor water quality in the Boise River watershed. Read more
Clark Named Associate Director of USGS Idaho Water Science Center
April 7, 2009
The USGS has named Gregory M. Clark as the Associate Director for Hydrologic Investigations for its Idaho Water Science Center, headquartered in Boise. Read more
Where's the Water? USGS Geospatial Model Improves Estimates of Idaho's Perennial Streams
March 13, 2009
Idaho’s water-quality managers have a new tool to help them estimate whether water flows in any given stream year-round or only intermittently. The tool—a geospatial model—applies statistical equations that feed information into a geographic information system (GIS) map similar to the Web-based street maps most people are familiar with. Read more
Lipscomb Named Director of USGS Idaho Water Science Center
February 18, 2009
The USGS has named Stephen W. Lipscomb the new director of its Idaho Water Science Center. Read more
Drought, Consumptive Uses Lowering Wood River Valley Water Levels
February 18, 2009
Drought and water consumption are lowering water levels in Idaho’s Wood River Valley, according to a water budget study released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Wood River Valley depends on its ground water for everything from irrigation to domestic uses to adequate flows in its rivers and streams. The study examined the sources and amounts of recharge to and discharge from the aquifer system. The USGS study focused on three time periods: the decade from 1995 through 2004, the relatively wet year of 1995, and the relatively dry year of 2001. The USGS is conducting the assessment in cooperation with Blaine County and a consortium of valley cities and organizations. Read more
USGS Poster Selected as Idaho’s "Map of the Month"
October 30, 2008
The State of Idaho selected Ken Skinner’s poster, "Trends and Comparisons Between Partial-Development and October 2006 Hydrologic Conditions, Wood River Valley, Idaho" as its Map of the Month for November. Derived from information published in USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5258., the map will be displayed throughout November in the Len B. Jordan state office building adjacent to the Idaho State Capitol. The Map of the Month series is designed to raise awareness of the profound role geospatial data play in government and other sectors.
Coeur d’Alene River Flooding Worst Since 1996
May 19, 2008
Northern Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene River has risen to its highest flood stage since 1996, according to information collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). As of 11:00 am, Mountain Daylight Time, today, the USGS streamflow gage on the Coeur d’Alene River near Cataldo, Idaho measured the height of the river at 45.87 feet. This is the highest stage measurement recorded at that gage since February 9, 1996, when the river stood at 51.62 feet. Flood stage for the Coeur d’Alene River at Cataldo is 43 feet. Read more
USGS and the Idaho Department of Water Resources to Measure Water Levels in 1,300 Southern Idaho Wells
March 27, 2008
Between March 31 and April 11, employees of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), working in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), will measure ground water levels in more than 1,300 wells throughout southern Idaho’s eastern Snake River Plain. The eastern Snake River Plain aquifer, with an estimated volume of 200 billion cubic feet, is the area’s chief source of drinking water, provides irrigation for one million acres of farmland, and is the water source for the state’s aquaculture industry. Read more
USGS Web Site Provides Idaho Ground Water Information
January 18, 2008
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a Web site that provides a wealth of data about ground water levels in Idaho and across the Nation. The USGS Ground Water Network includes water-level measurements from 871 wells throughout Idaho. Read more
USGS Study Shows Declining Water Levels in Idaho’s Wood River Valley
December 18, 2007
As south-central Idaho’s Wood River Valley continues to grow in population, residents and authorities are concerned about the long-term sustainability of the area’s water resources. A study released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows that ground water levels and streamflows in some parts of the valley are indeed declining beyond what might be expected from typical, short-term fluctuations. Read more
Elevated Levels of Mercury Found in Fish Collected from Four Idaho and Nevada Reservoirs
December 10, 2007
Fish tissue samples taken from rainbow trout collected from four Idaho and Nevada reservoirs revealed elevated concentrations of methylmercury, according to data released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Read more
From Iraq to Idaho: Scientists Share Knowledge to Manage Water Resources
December 7, 2007
Scientists and engineers from throughout Iraq recently gathered in Boise, Idaho to learn about the latest technology and methods for managing their nation’s water resources. Read more
See the related news story Iraq Water Resources Benefit From U.S. Expertise, Funding
Read more USGS news releases at the USGS Newsroom.
