USWaterLevels
💧 Real-Time Quality Scores

US Water Quality Index

Our composite Water Quality Score combines temperature, reservoir levels, and flow rates to rate conditions for swimming, fishing, and recreation.

1,648
Active Stations
64.3°F
National Avg Temp
1,383
Ideal Temp (65–78°F)
0
≥85% Pool Level

How We Calculate Water Quality Score (0–100)

40 pts
🌡️ Temperature

Maximum points when water temp is near ideal 71.5°F (22°C) for most recreational activities.

30 pts
⛰️ Reservoir Level

Full points when reservoir is at or near full pool capacity. Low levels reduce score.

30 pts
🌊 Flow Rate

Moderate, stable flow (100–5,000 cfs) earns full points. Extreme highs or lows reduce score.

✕ Clear
🟢 Excellent (80–100) 🟩 Good (60–79) 🟡 Fair (40–59) 🔴 Poor (0–39)
#41
45
score

Mf Bradley R Bl Nf Bradley R Nr Homer Ak

Alaska · Lake
Fair
🌊 115 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#42
45
score

Matanuska R At Palmer Ak

Alaska · Lake
Fair
🌡️ 50.7°F ⛰️ 10 ft 🌊 4,940 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#43
41
score

Kuskokwim R At Tuluksak Ak

Alaska · Lake
Fair
🌡️ 54.3°F Updated: Jun 03
#44
36
score

Harris R 1.2 Mi Ab Mouth Nr Hollis Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 52.2°F Updated: Jun 03
#45
35
score

Kvichak R At Igiugig Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 42.8°F 🌊 11,000 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#46
35
score

Eklutna Lk Nr Palmer Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 823 ft Updated: Jun 03
#47
35
score

Wulik R Bl Tutak C Nr Kivalina Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 41.5°F 🌊 6,160 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#48
35
score

Chulitna R Nr Talkeetna Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 46.4°F 🌊 12,000 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#49
35
score

Fish C Bl Solo C Nr Chatanika Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
⛰️ 25 ft Updated: Jun 03
#50
35
score

East Fork Martin R At Mouth Nr Homer Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 39.0°F Updated: Jun 03
#51
35
score

Knik R Nr Palmer Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌊 5,950 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#52
35
score

Nuyakuk R Nr Dillingham Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 44.6°F 🌊 10,200 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#53
35
score

Talkeetna R Nr Talkeetna Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 44.2°F 🌊 10,900 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#54
34
score

Tanana R At Nenana Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 55.8°F 🌊 33,500 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#55
28
score

Yukon R At Pilot Station Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 52.9°F 🌊 685,000 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#56
25
score

Cooper C At Mouth Nr Cooper Landing Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 42.3°F 🌊 71 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#57
25
score

Glacier R Trib Nr Cordova Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌡️ 39.9°F 🌊 49 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#58
25
score

Lowell C At Seward Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌊 47 cfs Updated: Jun 04
#59
25
score

Chester C At Arctic Boulevard At Anchorage Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌊 40 cfs Updated: Jun 03
#60
25
score

Wade C Trib Nr Chicken Ak

Alaska · Lake
Poor
🌊 1 cfs Updated: Jun 03
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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.