This fact sheet is available in pdf format (1MB).

U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 128-02

#    NWISWeb: New Site for the Nation’s Water Data

Introduction
The online National Water Information System (NWISWeb) provides the public   with access to more than 100 years of water data collected by the U. S. Geological   Survey (USGS). The new Web site (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/)   allows users to access several hundred million pieces of historical and real-time   data—all from home or office computers.

“We keep up with the stage and flow on a daily basis.”
Data integration
USGS has been providing real-time and historic streamflow data on the Web since   1994. However, the information was available for each State only through separate   Web sites. The NWISWeb system improves that service by aggregating all the data   into one national database accessible through one Web site. NWISWeb integrates   stream-flow information with many other types of water data, including historic   water-quality data from rivers and aquifers, historic ground-water-level data,   and real-time water quality, precipitation, and ground-water levels. (A description   of the development and contents of NWIS can be found at https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/FS-027-98.)
**Figure 1.** Comparison of current flow with median flow       (data over time).
“I appreciate the timely data you provide.”
Mission
NWISWeb is an integral part of the USGS mission to disseminate important water-quality   and quantity data to the public. These data can help interested parties, such   as water managers, engineers, scientists, emergency managers, recreational water   users, utilities, and others, to:
Evaluate current water supplies and plan for       future supplies. Forecast floods and droughts.Operate reservoirs for hydropower, flood control,       or water supplies.Evaluate and control water quality. Navigate rivers and streams.Safely and enjoyably fish, canoe, kayak, or       raft.Study how the Nation’s water resources       are changing over time.
“... very helpful in planning fishing excursions.”
**Figure 2.**Monitoring river levels during a flood.
 
**Figure 3.** Monitoring chemical characteristics.Data Network
NWISWeb data come from a nationwide network of more than 1.5 million USGS water-data   collection sites, currently including: 
315,000 water-quality sites where samples       are taken from rivers or aquifers.22,600 past and present streamflow sites.8,830 real-time sites, including streams,       lakes, reservoirs, ground- water, and meteorological sites. 1.40 million wells.
From this source network comes an array of water-data samples, as well as data   values: 
62.7 million chemical analyses that are based       on 4.0 million water-quality samples. 181 million daily streamflow values. 635,000 flood-peak discharges.7.1 million ground-water-level measurements.     
“... imagine my amazement to find ground-water depth   information and water-quality data online.”
Monitoring
At selected surface-water and ground-water sites, the USGS maintains instruments   that continuously record physical and chemical characteristics of the water   for such information as water level, flow, pH, specific conductance, temperature,   dissolved oxygen, and percent dissolved-oxygen saturation. A list of the many   parameters can be found at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/current?submitted_form=introduction   .

The data is normally transmitted by modem or satellite once every 4 hours and   is processed automatically at USGS offices and made available within minutes.   NWISWeb improves efficiency in USGS research and data retrieval operations.   Most users can obtain the information they need directly from NWISWeb. The system   also allows USGS scientists to better quality-assure data as it is received   from the monitoring sites.

“Your website will REALLY be helpful the next time we   have to monitor a flooding situation in our (radio stations’s) coverage   area.” 
Functionality
A single interface allows access to data from the entire Nation and enables   users to easily compare data spatially over time to track changes. Navigation   features allow users to start their search by specifying the data type of interest   and to search the entire Nation or a specific State. Users select exactly how   they want to see the data they request—as graphs, tables, or files they   can download. They can also create their own Web site bookmarks to make requests   for tailored outputs that they expect to use repeatedly. The bookmarking feature   gives users the output they want when they reconnect to the Web site in a few   hours, weeks, or months. Those users who expect to make large or frequent requests   are urged to e-mail gs–W_support_NWISWeb@usgs.gov   to work with USGS staff to identify the best way to get data they need.

**For more information,please contact:**

Chief, NWIS

U.S. Geological Survey

437 National Center, 

Reston, VA 20192

email: h2oteam@usgs.gov
AccessibilityFOIAPrivacyPolicies and Notices
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological SurveyPersistent URL: http://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/fs/fs-128-02/		Page Contact Information: USGS Publishing NetworkLast modified: Tuesday, November 29 2016, 05:53:50 PM