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 (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
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.
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
Research and Investigations
The USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) is comprised of water-science offices throughout Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The SAWSC conducts research and investigations related to topics such as groundwater and surface-water quality related to anthropogenic and agricultural activities, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, tracking the movement of groundwater contamination...
Monitoring water-quality and geomorphology in the French Broad River during I-26 construction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess the water-quality and geomorphologic impacts resulting from the I-26 construction projects in western North Carolina. Streamflow, precipitation, and water-quality monitoring data, coupled with periodic assessments of geomorphology, will support the NCDOT construction-site...
Triangle Area, NC, Water Supply Monitoring
The Research Triangle area, located within the upper Cape Fear and Neuse River basins, is one of the most rapidly developing areas in the Nation. Growth has increased demand for water from public suppliers, the majority of which draw water from streams and lakes in the region. Growth also brings the threat of greater loads of contaminants and new contaminant sources that, if not properly managed...