Images

Physical Scientist Emily Richardson discusses her research at 2023 IEP workshop.

The Santa Ana River is the largest river entirely within Southern California in the United States.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay collectively make up the "Bay-Delta." Much of the fresh water used for agriculture, municipal and industrial use in central and southern California passes through the Delta, where it is subjected to tidal forcing and other inputs that impact its quality. 

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay collectively make up the "Bay-Delta." Much of the fresh water used for agriculture, municipal and industrial use in central and southern California passes through the Delta, where it is subjected to tidal forcing and other inputs that impact its quality. 

Map of dams being removed on the Klamath River. The world's largest dam removal is underway along the mainstem Klamath River. Dam removal aims to restore threatened and endangered salmon fisheries, the economy, and the way of life of local communities and Indigenous Tribes, especially the Yurok and Karuk, who depend on those fisheries.  

The Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus santaanae) is a species of freshwater fish native to Southern California, particularly the Santa Ana River watershed. Here's a description of the Santa Ana Sucker:

Physical Characteristics:

The Arroyo Chub (Gila orcuttii) is a species of freshwater fish native to the western United States, particularly California. It belongs to the Cyprinidae family, which includes other minnows and carps. Here's a description of the Arroyo Chub:

Physical Characteristics:

Travis Apo photo cred. Mad River near Arcata, 11481000. Highwater mark, shot in with levels this day. One of the low water staffs broken off and, in the bushes, center of photo. CSG's exceeded. Provisional discharge is 53,900 cfs. Highest discharge since 1997. Gage height recorded was 27.31 ft., highest since 1964.

Anthony Smith photo cred. Redwood Cr at Orick, 11482500. Under 101 bridge and is also the measuring section. Provisional peak was 42,700 cfs. Looks to be the highest peak since 1975. NWS had concerns of levee capacity that night. At the gage, highwater mark which exceeded CSG's, looked to be roughly 8 ft from top of levee.

Travis Apo photo cred. Redwood Cr at Orick. Staffs and CSG's in water with debris on staff. Highwater mark in rocks. 

Aerial photo of Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which covers 1,100 square miles and provides water to the San Francisco Bay Area and coastal and southern California and supports dozens of legally protected fish, plant and animal species.

Photo of a delta smelt being measured during a fish survey. The delta smelt is a federally endangered fish species found only in turbid waters of the San Francisco Estuary. 

Illustration showing written physics equations blended with a photograph of Delta smelt.

USGS technician collects water samples from a dock to analyze for phytoplankton and phycotoxins (Bay Point, CA; January 10, 2024).

Banner graphic for fall 2023 ACWA conference held in Indian Wells, California.

USGS booth at fall 2023 Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) conference in Indian Wells, California.

The CAWSC ACWA Conference team included (L to R): Steve Ackley, Elizabeth Jachens, Anke Mueller-Solger, John "Izzy" Izbicki, Bryant Jurgens, and Claudia Faunt

Dr. John Izbicki discusses research with an Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) conference attendee.

Dr. John Izbicki (seated) discusses differences in local geology within the groundwater aquifer with Hinkley residents. This took place at a meeting in Sacramento to discuss the development of MODFLOW Model.

A USGS scientist meets with a Hinkley resident at research site to discuss the details of a geophysical survey.

Researchers from the USGS use a mobile lab to carry out on-site sample analyses near Hinkley, CA.