- Geoconnex Explorer offers an interactive map-based platform for water data.
- Users can view real-time datasets linked to specific rivers and streams.
- The tool connects information from multiple sources, regardless of jurisdiction.
- Developed by USGS and the Center for Geospatial Solutions with support from the Internet of Water Coalition.
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 — A powerful new water data platform known as the Geoconnex Explorer
provides public access to a wide range of water-related information through an intuitive, map-based interface. Created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Center for Geospatial Solutions, this tool is the result of years of work to develop a national reference system for waterway data.
Streamlined Access to Complex Data.
The Geoconnex Explorer simplifies the process of finding and using water-related datasets. By tying information directly to real-world rivers and streams, users can now explore current data across a broad spectrum of hydrologic systems—even when the data comes from multiple agencies or crosses state lines.
Visitors to the Explorer can search by location, click on a specific waterway, and instantly access related datasets. These datasets may include streamflow levels, water quality readings, reservoir conditions, and more. The platform is designed to eliminate the need for users to navigate numerous websites or understand administrative boundaries.
Interactive Features Enhance Usability.
The Explorer includes several helpful tools:
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Mainstem Search: Users can locate rivers by name or Uniform Resource Identifier. Matching waterways are highlighted on the map.
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Visual Search: Mainstems can also be discovered by zooming in on the map or selecting a hydrologic region. Hovering over a river displays its name and clicking reveals available datasets.
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Filtering and Downloading: Users can filter results and download the data in CSV format for further analysis or offline use.
Part of a Larger Water Data Ecosystem.
This project is rooted in the broader efforts of the Geoconnex initiative, a framework supported by the Internet of Water Coalition. The initiative promotes the use of metadata best practices to connect data to physical hydrologic features like lakes, wells, monitoring stations, and distribution systems.
The Explorer taps into this growing network by automatically harvesting and indexing metadata, enabling users to locate datasets in both human-readable and machine-readable formats. This makes it a valuable tool for researchers, water managers, journalists, and community advocates.
A Step Toward Better Water Governance.
By organizing vast amounts of hydrologic data into a single, accessible platform, the Geoconnex Explorer may help improve transparency, decision-making, and public understanding of water resources throughout the United States.
To explore the tool or begin searching water datasets, visit: https://explorer.geoconnex.us
To learn more about the Geoconnex initiative, visit the Internet of Water Coalition at: https://internetofwater.org/geoconnex/
