South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
Welcome to USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center's (SAWSC) Website. We offer water information for Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Hydrologic Data at SAWSC
Hydrologic Data at SAWSC
We provide current and historical surface-water, groundwater, water quality, water use, and ecological data in various formats (map, graphical, tabular).
Science at SAWSC
Science at SAWSC
The South Atlantic Water Science Center collects high-quality hydrologic data and conducts unbiased, scientifically sound research on Georgia's, North Carolina's, and South Carolina's water resources.
News
Wildfires continue to burn in Georgia, North and South Carolina
Wildfires continue to burn in Georgia, North and South Carolina
USGS experts responding simultaneously to two major natural hazards
USGS experts responding simultaneously to two major natural hazards
Hurricane Helene Weakens to Tropical Storm, Brings Flooding to Georgia and Western Carolinas
Hurricane Helene Weakens to Tropical Storm, Brings Flooding to Georgia and Western Carolinas
Publications
Tapwater exposures, residential risk, and mitigation in a PFAS-impacted-groundwater community Tapwater exposures, residential risk, and mitigation in a PFAS-impacted-groundwater community
Tapwater (TW) safety and sustainability are priorities in the United States. Per/polyfluoroalkyl substance(s) (PFAS) contamination is a growing public-health concern due to prolific use, widespread TW exposures, and mounting human-health concerns. Historically-rural, actively-urbanizing communities that rely on surficial-aquifer private wells incur elevated risks of unrecognized TW...
Statewide cumulative human health risk assessment of inorganics-contaminated groundwater wells, Montana, USA Statewide cumulative human health risk assessment of inorganics-contaminated groundwater wells, Montana, USA
Across the United States, rural residents rely on unregulated and generally unmonitored private wells for drinking water, which may pose serious health risks due to unrecognized contaminants. We assessed the nature, degree, and spatial distribution of cumulative health risks from inorganic contaminants in groundwater. Our analysis included nearly 84,000 data points from 6500+ wells...
Ecohydrological response of a forested headwater catchment to a flash drought in the Southeastern U.S. Ecohydrological response of a forested headwater catchment to a flash drought in the Southeastern U.S.
Flash droughts differ from traditionally defined droughts in their rapidity of intensification and often associated high vapor-pressure deficit. These droughts can lead to declines in streamflow and water table depth and induce water stress to vegetation at a greater rate than droughts that manifest over longer periods. However, little is known regarding the response of forested...
Science
Lake Seminole Hydrologic Analysis - USGS
Water management in the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin has long concerned Alabama, Florida, and Georgia due to competing freshwater demands. Numerous studies have explored the complex relationships among hydrologic components and natural and human-induced stresses. However, prior research lacked mechanisms to collect real-time data critical for developing a precise water...
Hydrogeology and Impact of Pumping on Shallow Water-Bearing Zones and the Upper Floridan Aquifer, South-Central Georgia
During the drought conditions of 2007, ground-water-level declines in south-central Georgia have resulted in numerous domestic wells "going dry," requiring pumps to be lowered or drilling of replacement wells. The cause of the declines is unknown but could be related to reduced recharge during the drought, increased pumping from the Upper Floridan aquifer, or a combination of both. Data from the...
Hydrogeologic Assessment and Simulation of Stream-Aquifer Relations in the Lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin
Current hydrologic information and groundwater-flow modeling in the lower Apalachicola - Chattahoochee - Flint (ACF) River Basin (inset map) are insufficient to describe effects of time-variant irrigation pumping on streamflow. Therefore, existing models cannot accurately predict ground-water or streamflow conditions during a growing season. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources...