01/16/2025 | News release | Archived content
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released the National Water Availability Assessment, a comprehensive study of water supply, demand, and quality across the contiguous United States. Covering data from 2010 to 2020, the assessment reveals that nearly 30 million Americans live in areas with limited surface-water supplies relative to water use, with many in socially vulnerable communities. The report integrates advanced models and state-of-the-art data to provide a detailed overview of water availability, addressing gaps left by prior studies that analyzed water quality and use separately. These insights aim to guide sustainable water management and policymaking in the face of growing water challenges.
Accompanying the report is the National Water Availability Assessment Data Companion, an interactive online platform offering access to underlying datasets, modeled data, and future projections. This platform complements the existing Water Data for the Nation site, providing a holistic view of national water resources. A visualization website further enhances understanding by presenting key findings through interactive storytelling. Launched on January 16, 2025, this suite of tools underscores the USGS's commitment to equipping policymakers, scientists, and resource managers with the information needed to address critical water resource issues.
For more information on the National Water Availability Assessment and to access the report, Data Companion, and visualization website, please visit usgs.gov/iwaas.