Citing the importance of the earth sciences in meeting the resource needs of the nation, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has outlined its current goals in meeting its mission to provide essential geologic, topographic, and hydrologic information in service to the public. Some highlights of selected USGS goals that are designed to meet national needs related to the hydrologic sciences include Timely Reporting of Events and Conditions: Provide timely reporting, and forecasts when possible, of important hydrologic and geologic events and conditions of immediate concern to the public and to government bodies. Water Resources Assessment: Increase knowledge of the distribution and quality of the nation's groundwater and surface water resources for use in the formulation and evaluation of policies and programs that assure the most efficient use of the nation's water resources. Hydrologic Processes: Increase understanding of the processes that affect the properties and movement of water and its dissolved and suspended constituents through hydrologic systems.