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Check out photos of some of the awesome work USGS scientists and field technicians have done over the years.
Whitewater cataraft equipped with a multibeam sonar (underwater) and lidar scanner (above water) capture detailed bathymetry and surface topography on the Clackamas River.
Whitewater cataraft equipped with a multibeam sonar (underwater) and lidar scanner (above water) capture detailed bathymetry and surface topography on the Clackamas River.
This image is a 3‑D point cloud collected from a combined multibeam sonar and lidar survey along the Clackamas River. The scene is built entirely from millions of individual points, each with its own position and color, creating a detailed model of the river corridor. Points are colored based on elevation.
This image is a 3‑D point cloud collected from a combined multibeam sonar and lidar survey along the Clackamas River. The scene is built entirely from millions of individual points, each with its own position and color, creating a detailed model of the river corridor. Points are colored based on elevation.
Underwater images help scientists identify the materials that make up the riverbed, or river substrate. River substrate influences habitat quality, water flow, sediment movement, and where fish can successfully spawn or feed.
Underwater images help scientists identify the materials that make up the riverbed, or river substrate. River substrate influences habitat quality, water flow, sediment movement, and where fish can successfully spawn or feed.
A remotely controlled uncrewed surface vehicle equipped with an acoustic Doppler current profiler and multiple cameras to collect hydrographic and channel bed information.
A remotely controlled uncrewed surface vehicle equipped with an acoustic Doppler current profiler and multiple cameras to collect hydrographic and channel bed information.
UPP Team members and supporters smile together outside the Vernier Science Center. All USGS unless otherwise noted.
UPP Team members and supporters smile together outside the Vernier Science Center. All USGS unless otherwise noted.
ORWSC Director, Joanna Thamke gives opening remarks at the January 2026 Water Workforce Career Workshop. The workshop, hosted by the UPP, was attended by more than 50 representatives from universities, federal and state agencies, and municipal water providers to collaborate on the future of Oregon’s water workforce.
ORWSC Director, Joanna Thamke gives opening remarks at the January 2026 Water Workforce Career Workshop. The workshop, hosted by the UPP, was attended by more than 50 representatives from universities, federal and state agencies, and municipal water providers to collaborate on the future of Oregon’s water workforce.
A contracted aircraft equipped with a USGS camera pod containing multispectral, thermal, and high-resolution red-green-blue cameras. April 26 - May 1, 2026, ORWSC conducted an airborne and field campaign to map the Clackamas, Molalla, and North Santiam Rivers.
A contracted aircraft equipped with a USGS camera pod containing multispectral, thermal, and high-resolution red-green-blue cameras. April 26 - May 1, 2026, ORWSC conducted an airborne and field campaign to map the Clackamas, Molalla, and North Santiam Rivers.
A scientist operates a remotely controlled acoustic instrument along the riverbank of the North Santiam River. Sonar and imagery from rafts, kayaks, and autonomous platforms complement long-term continuous monitoring at USGS stations.
A scientist operates a remotely controlled acoustic instrument along the riverbank of the North Santiam River. Sonar and imagery from rafts, kayaks, and autonomous platforms complement long-term continuous monitoring at USGS stations.
USGS members of the UPP Team and supporting staff accept Portland States 2026 Public Impact Award for the Oregon Water Science Center.
USGS members of the UPP Team and supporting staff accept Portland States 2026 Public Impact Award for the Oregon Water Science Center.
USGS and Portland State University Partnership members smile together at the 2026 Portland State Research Award ceremony.
USGS and Portland State University Partnership members smile together at the 2026 Portland State Research Award ceremony.
Meet our small but mighty team of 6. From left to right: Tanner Tibbetts, Justin VonTungeln, Will Ault, Zach Leininger, Ali Moss, and Justin Willhite.
Meet our small but mighty team of 6. From left to right: Tanner Tibbetts, Justin VonTungeln, Will Ault, Zach Leininger, Ali Moss, and Justin Willhite.
Hydrologic Technician, Will Ault, examines a water quality sensor in the Klamath River during a routine inspection.
Hydrologic Technician, Will Ault, examines a water quality sensor in the Klamath River during a routine inspection.
Klamath Falls Field Office Hydrologic Technician collects a streamflow measurement on the Chewaucan River at Mouth near Valley Falls, OR (10387110). The Chewaucan River flows into Lake Abert, OR.
Klamath Falls Field Office Hydrologic Technician collects a streamflow measurement on the Chewaucan River at Mouth near Valley Falls, OR (10387110). The Chewaucan River flows into Lake Abert, OR.
Pulling measurement equipment through shallow waters on the banks of the Chewaucan River.
Pulling measurement equipment through shallow waters on the banks of the Chewaucan River.
Measuring a shallow spring fed channel at Lake Abert, Oregon. Lake Abert is one of the 20 plus terminal lakes identified by USGS partners as priority ecosystems for study by the Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA.
Measuring a shallow spring fed channel at Lake Abert, Oregon. Lake Abert is one of the 20 plus terminal lakes identified by USGS partners as priority ecosystems for study by the Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA.
Hydrologic Technician, Ali Moss, installs a radar unit on a large boulder in the shallow water of Lake Abert, OR. The radar unit records the water level in near real-time at this saline lake.
Hydrologic Technician, Ali Moss, installs a radar unit on a large boulder in the shallow water of Lake Abert, OR. The radar unit records the water level in near real-time at this saline lake.
In 1996 the USGS Water Resources Division (now called Water Mission Area) received Vice President Gore's Hammer Award. It was presented by Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Patricia Beneke, at the Carnegie Center in Oregon City, Oregon, with Dennis Lynch, District Chief, Oregon, accepting on behalf of the Division.
In 1996 the USGS Water Resources Division (now called Water Mission Area) received Vice President Gore's Hammer Award. It was presented by Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Patricia Beneke, at the Carnegie Center in Oregon City, Oregon, with Dennis Lynch, District Chief, Oregon, accepting on behalf of the Division.
Participants at the January 2026 Water Workforce Career Workshop engage in an activity symbolizing their united support for workforce education, internships, and career opportunities.
Participants at the January 2026 Water Workforce Career Workshop engage in an activity symbolizing their united support for workforce education, internships, and career opportunities.
USGS Hydrologic Technicians captured this aerial image above Marys River during the December 2025 flood event.
USGS Hydrologic Technicians captured this aerial image above Marys River during the December 2025 flood event.
Downstream view of Shitike Creek near Warm Springs, Oregon. This gage is operated in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation's Natural Resources Department.
Downstream view of Shitike Creek near Warm Springs, Oregon. This gage is operated in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation's Natural Resources Department.
