USGS Mapping Tool Provides Pesticide Data for Water Managers

A new interactive mapping tool from the U.S. Geological Survey provides predicted concentrations for 108 pesticides in streams and rivers across the country and identifies which streams are most likely to exceed water-quality guidelines for human health or aquatic life. Citizens and water managers can create maps showing where pesticides are likely to occur in local streams and rivers and evaluate the likelihood of concentrations exceeding water-quality guidelines. The predictions can also be used to design cost-effective monitoring programs.“Because pesticide monitoring is very expensive, we cannot afford to directly measure pesticides in all streams and rivers,” says William Werkeiser, USGS associate director for water. “This