Revised

USGS Mobile Water Data Tutorial

The new USGS Mobile Water Data site is a site designed for mobile users. It highlights USGS
current conditions water data.

There is nothing to install. Simply use any browser to go to m.waterdata.usgs.gov. While the site
was designed for smartphones, it is accessible on other devices.

Initial access
1. Navigate to the https://m.waterdata.usgs.gov/ webpage.
2. Follow the onscreen prompts and allow the webpage to use your location.
3. The screen will zoom near the location of your device and lookSelect the OK and YES
similar to the screenshot below to agree to the terms and allow your location to be
tracked.
Special access buttons
The Compass Button in the top right allows you to quickly return to the location of your
device.

The Menu Button in the top left corner takes you to a menu with additional options.

Legend Information
Full list of all symbols used on the map screen is shown in the
mobile screen screenshot below. To access the following
webpage:

1. Starting form the main map screen, select the Map

Button in the top left corner.
2. Then select Map Explanation in the “USGS Mobile
Water Data” list.

Navigating the mapper

● Use the + button to zoom in and the - button to

zoom out. Zooming out too far will cause sites to
disappear.
● You can navigate east, west, north or south using your
device. This is done by dragging your mouse or finger
across the map in the direction you want the map to
move.
● Use the search bar to look up a specific location. You
cannot use it to search by USGS site number of site name. If you type a geographical
name there is a good chance you will see USGS sites near it.
Using the menu
When you press the menu button on any screen
you should see a menu screen consisting of:
Map, Map Explanation, Site Search, Site
List/Favorites, Full Site, Help, Accessibility.

● Map returns you to the map

● Map Explanation explains the map
symbology
● Site Search lets you find a site if you
know its number
● Site List / Favorites shows the sites on
the current map extent, or you can use it to
access your favorite sites
● Full site takes you to the USGS Water
Data for the Nation Site
● Help takes you to this page. This page
includes information on how to report bugs and
technical information about the site.
● Accessibility takes you to the USGS
accessibility site

Getting site details

1. Select the upside down raindrop that corresponds to the site you would like
information on
2. Select Types of Data Available in the popup dialog box to navigate to a site detail
page

 Note: you have the option to save the site as a favorite by pressing the Add this
site to your favorites on the site detail page
 3. To see the most recent 7-day graph of the data for a data type, select the right arrow
button for that type

Additional resources
The Search resource will get you a site's detail page. Site numbers are 8-15 digits. Surface
water sites are typically 8 digits and groundwater sites are typically 15 digits.

The Site List option shows you a list of sites on the current map plus any favorites you may
have stored
Reporting problems
When reporting problems please include
● A screen image of the error
● Cell phone make and model number
● The operating system and version used
● Browser version and number used
● Steps needed to replicate the problem
We will do our best to solve reported problems if we can replicate them. Send us email.