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Water Resources of the United States

    Water Resources is one of five science mission areas of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Water Resource's mission is to collect and disseminate reliable, impartial, and timely information that is needed to understand the Nation's water resources. This database contains downloadable water-related spatial data files for exploration and analysis.

    Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS)

      This site provides access to the WEPS software version used for official purposes by NRCS field offices and Technical Service providers. NRCS developed and maintains the components of the WEPS Databases and information on this site. The USDA-Agricultural Research Service is the lead agency for developing the science in the WEPS model and the model interface. WEPS predicts many forms of soil erosion by wind such as saltation-creep and suspension including PM-10.

      Soil and Water Hub Modeling Datasets

        The Soil and Water Hub is jointly developed by USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, part of The Texas A&M University System. Modeling dataset resources are available for download for use with software tools Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender Model (APEX), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), ArcSWAT, and related Conservation practices.

        SWAT - Soil and Water Assessment Tool

          The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a public domain model jointly developed by USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, part of The Texas A&M University System. SWAT is a small watershed to river basin-scale model to simulate the quality and quantity of surface and ground water and predict the environmental impact of land use, land management practices, and climate change. SWAT is widely used in assessing soil erosion prevention and control, non-point source pollution control and regional management in watersheds.

          Rocky Mountain Research Station Air, Water, & Aquatic Environments Program

            The Air, Water, and Aquatic Environments (AWAE) research program is one of eight Science Program areas within the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS). Our science develops core knowledge, methods, and technologies that enable effective watershed management in forests and grasslands, sustain biodiversity, and maintain healthy watershed conditions.

            NLET - National Load Estimating Tool

              NLET (National Load Estimating Tool) is a web-based tool for estimating pollutant loads in watersheds across the contiguous United States. This tool helps visualize the effects of land use patterns, cultivated crops, and conservation practices through graphical representation.

              NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Western Waters

                Noteworthy for its agricultural productivity, ecological diversity, and complexity, the Bay Delta and Columbia River Basin is one of the largest and most complex water delivery systems in the nation. The Sacramento River and San Joaquin River meet in the Delta, which provides water to one of the most significant estuary ecosystems in the United States and provides drinking water to 25 million Californians. The Bay Delta offers habitat to 55 species of fish and 750 species of plants and wildlife. This dataset includes a printer-friendly CCA map and shapefiles for GIS.

                NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Chesapeake Bay Watershed

                  The largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed covers 64,000 square miles and includes more than 150 rivers and streams that drain into the Bay. More than 300 species of fish, shellfish and crab species and a wide array of other wildlife call the Bay home. With almost 30 percent of area in agricultural production, the region’s over 83,000 farms generate more than $10 billion annually. This dataset includes a printer-friendly CCA map and shapefiles for GIS.