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Check out photos of some of the awesome work USGS scientists and field technicians have done over the years.
The Donner und Blitzen River flows north through the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge into Malheur Lake. Photo by Brandon McMullen.
The Donner und Blitzen River flows north through the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge into Malheur Lake. Photo by Brandon McMullen.
USGS Oregon Water Science Center instructors prep Malheur National Wildlife Refuge & High Desert Partnership staff to collect streamflow measurements with an acoustic instrument (ADCP). This training will empower them to collect important data for decision-making for years to come. Photo by Brandon McMullen.
USGS Oregon Water Science Center instructors prep Malheur National Wildlife Refuge & High Desert Partnership staff to collect streamflow measurements with an acoustic instrument (ADCP). This training will empower them to collect important data for decision-making for years to come. Photo by Brandon McMullen.
Participants from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and High Desert Partnership gathered for a USGS lead streamflow measurement training using acoustic technology. Photo by Jeremiah Drewel.
Participants from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and High Desert Partnership gathered for a USGS lead streamflow measurement training using acoustic technology. Photo by Jeremiah Drewel.
Training participant holds the rope that is tethered to an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP). The ADCP is ferried back and forth the channel while it collects streamflow data.
Training participant holds the rope that is tethered to an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP). The ADCP is ferried back and forth the channel while it collects streamflow data.
Esteemed Hydrologic Technician, Katie Baker, measures streamflow with an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP). The ADCP tracks the velocity of particles in the water and maps the channel bottom, combine that data with channel width and you can calculate stream flow!
Esteemed Hydrologic Technician, Katie Baker, measures streamflow with an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP). The ADCP tracks the velocity of particles in the water and maps the channel bottom, combine that data with channel width and you can calculate stream flow!
Sometimes climbing up on top of a gage house is necessary to check on the condition of the solar panel and satellite antenna.
Sometimes climbing up on top of a gage house is necessary to check on the condition of the solar panel and satellite antenna.
Measuring streamflow from a human powered cable car takes a lot of skill and quick thinking. A flow meter is lowered into the water using a reel.
Measuring streamflow from a human powered cable car takes a lot of skill and quick thinking. A flow meter is lowered into the water using a reel.
The pipes suspended from the bridge house monitoring equipment that records real-time water-quality data in the Klamath River (11511990) during the Klamath dam removal.
The pipes suspended from the bridge house monitoring equipment that records real-time water-quality data in the Klamath River (11511990) during the Klamath dam removal.
USGS streamgage 11516530 on the Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam in Siskiyou County, California, monitors real-time river discharge and water temperature for a 4,630-square-mile basin.
USGS streamgage 11516530 on the Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam in Siskiyou County, California, monitors real-time river discharge and water temperature for a 4,630-square-mile basin.
USGS field crew pauses for a photo while performing emergency repairs on water-quality pipes suspended from Daggett Bridge. Once hanging in the calm reservoir, the pipes were exposed to swift currents after dam removal and had to be stabilized to ensure the instruments continued collecting reliable data.
USGS field crew pauses for a photo while performing emergency repairs on water-quality pipes suspended from Daggett Bridge. Once hanging in the calm reservoir, the pipes were exposed to swift currents after dam removal and had to be stabilized to ensure the instruments continued collecting reliable data.
The drained Iron Gate Reservoir is a free flowing section of the Klamath River after reservoir drawdowns and damn removal.
The drained Iron Gate Reservoir is a free flowing section of the Klamath River after reservoir drawdowns and damn removal.
Starting January 2024, water levels behind the dams were gradually lowered over several weeks to prevent flooding and minimize downstream sediment impacts.
Starting January 2024, water levels behind the dams were gradually lowered over several weeks to prevent flooding and minimize downstream sediment impacts.
Sediment samples collected during reservoir drawdown on the Klamath River below where John C. Boyle Powerplant used to be near Keno, Oregon.
Sediment samples collected during reservoir drawdown on the Klamath River below where John C. Boyle Powerplant used to be near Keno, Oregon.
One of our incredible hydrologic technicians is in full safety gear, including fall protection and life vest, as she surveys elevation levels. In this photo the white level marker rod has fallen onto the pile of floating logs. It was safely retrieved!
One of our incredible hydrologic technicians is in full safety gear, including fall protection and life vest, as she surveys elevation levels. In this photo the white level marker rod has fallen onto the pile of floating logs. It was safely retrieved!
Hydrologic technicians use electronic tapes to measure groundwater in wells. The tape beeps or lights up when makes contact with water.
Hydrologic technicians use electronic tapes to measure groundwater in wells. The tape beeps or lights up when makes contact with water.
A field crew member stops to smile for a photo during sediment sampling on the Klamath River. The sediment sampler is lowered from a truck-mounted crane across the channel to collect measurements at multiple locations.
A field crew member stops to smile for a photo during sediment sampling on the Klamath River. The sediment sampler is lowered from a truck-mounted crane across the channel to collect measurements at multiple locations.
An electronic measuring tape will beep when it hits the surface of the water. This well inspection caught the attention of a neighborhood cat.
An electronic measuring tape will beep when it hits the surface of the water. This well inspection caught the attention of a neighborhood cat.
A tree mounted white PVC pipe houses water-quality sensors along the South Santiam River.
A tree mounted white PVC pipe houses water-quality sensors along the South Santiam River.
The grey PVC pipe is securely mounted on the river bank to house water-quality instruments.
The grey PVC pipe is securely mounted on the river bank to house water-quality instruments.
A floating water-quality station that can only be accessed by boat! Sensors hang in the water below the platform. The data is collected and transmits via satellite to the internet.
A floating water-quality station that can only be accessed by boat! Sensors hang in the water below the platform. The data is collected and transmits via satellite to the internet.
A USGS hat sits on a bed of black bear berry vegetation. This photo was taken in Kanuti, Alaska.
A USGS hat sits on a bed of black bear berry vegetation. This photo was taken in Kanuti, Alaska.