US Water Quality Index
Our composite Water Quality Score combines temperature, reservoir levels, and flow rates to rate conditions for swimming, fishing, and recreation.
How We Calculate Water Quality Score (0–100)
Maximum points when water temp is near ideal 71.5°F (22°C) for most recreational activities.
Full points when reservoir is at or near full pool capacity. Low levels reduce score.
Moderate, stable flow (100–5,000 cfs) earns full points. Extreme highs or lows reduce score.
Hillsborough R At Fowler Av Near Temple Terrace Fl
Alafia River At Us 301 At Riverview, Fl
Halls River At Kingston Dr At Homosassa Springs Fl
Black Creek Canal East Of Us1 Nr Goulds, Fl
Clapboard Crk Ab Buckhorn Bluff Nr Jax, Fl
Curry Creek At Highway 41 At Nokomis Fl
St.Johns Rvr Ab Buckman Bridge At Jacksonville,Fl
Miami Canal Upstream Of S-26 At Miami Springs, Fl
Ortega River Salinity At Jacksonville, Fl
Spring Creek Near Spring Creek, Fl
Halls River Near Homosassa Fl
St Johns R Dames Point Bridge At Jacksonville, Fl
St Johns River At Racy Pt Near Hastings Fl
Santa Fe River At Us Hwy 441 Near High Springs,Fl.
St Johns River Bl Marco Lk At Jacksonville, Fl
Loxahatchee River At Mile 9.1 Near Jupiter, Fl
St Johns Rvr At Christopher Pt Nr Jacksonville, Fl
10B Black Creek Canal At Old Cutler Rd Nr Goulds
Hillsborough R Bl Hannahs Whirl Nr Sulphur Spgs Fl
C-8 Canal At Ne 135 St At North Miami, Fl
Understanding the Water Quality Index
The US Water Quality Index is a composite score designed to give anglers, swimmers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts a quick, at-a-glance assessment of water body conditions. Unlike traditional water quality indices that focus on chemical pollutants (which require laboratory analysis), our index uses real-time USGS sensor data to reflect physical conditions relevant to recreation.
Temperature Component (40 points)
Water temperature is the most important factor for recreational fishing, swimming, and wildlife activity. The ideal range for most activities — comfortable for swimming, optimal for bass and walleye fishing — is approximately 65–78°F (18–26°C). Our scoring peaks at 71.5°F and decreases proportionally as temperature moves away from this ideal.
Reservoir Level Component (30 points)
Reservoir levels (measured as a percentage of full pool) reflect drought conditions, drought recovery, flood risk, and overall ecosystem health. A reservoir at full pool (100%) scores maximum points. Severely depleted reservoirs — common during drought — score fewer points. This metric is particularly relevant in western states where water storage is critical.
Flow Rate Component (30 points)
River discharge (measured in cubic feet per second, cfs) indicates safe boating, wading, and kayaking conditions. Moderate, stable flow rates between 100–5,000 cfs are typically ideal for most recreation. Extremely high flows indicate flood risk, while extremely low flows suggest drought stress and limited habitat for fish.