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Check out photos of some of the awesome work USGS scientists and field technicians have done over the years.
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.
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.
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 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.
Grey and black PVC piping housing the water-quality sensors for this stream gage.
Grey and black PVC piping housing the water-quality sensors for this stream gage.
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 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.
A high water day at Hood River. Taken while hydrologic technicians out in the field collect streamflow data.
A high water day at Hood River. Taken while hydrologic technicians out in the field collect streamflow data.
Essential gear for measuring streamflow above large rivers. Within this cable car a reel connects to a Price AA flowmeter and sounding weight. Hydrologic technicians reel down the weight until they hit the river bottom, input the total depth into the AquaCalc, then they measure the flow within the water column at various depths to best capture water velocities.
Essential gear for measuring streamflow above large rivers. Within this cable car a reel connects to a Price AA flowmeter and sounding weight. Hydrologic technicians reel down the weight until they hit the river bottom, input the total depth into the AquaCalc, then they measure the flow within the water column at various depths to best capture water velocities.
Sediment samplers are designed to obtain representative samples across all depths and locations in a river cross-section. This is important because sediment concentrations are not always consistent across the channel. This D-74 sampler weighs 62 pounds and can sample in velocities up to 6.6 feet per second and depths up to 15 feet. It has been in use since 1974.
Sediment samplers are designed to obtain representative samples across all depths and locations in a river cross-section. This is important because sediment concentrations are not always consistent across the channel. This D-74 sampler weighs 62 pounds and can sample in velocities up to 6.6 feet per second and depths up to 15 feet. It has been in use since 1974.
Photo taken during the Green Peter Reservoir drawdown The water is brown due to suspended sediment loads.
Photo taken during the Green Peter Reservoir drawdown The water is brown due to suspended sediment loads.
A striking contrast between the clear water in the Middle Fork Willamette River and brown water in Fall Creek. The flows from Fall Creek dam during this time had heavy loads of suspended sediment from the reservoir drawdown.
A striking contrast between the clear water in the Middle Fork Willamette River and brown water in Fall Creek. The flows from Fall Creek dam during this time had heavy loads of suspended sediment from the reservoir drawdown.
River bed-sediment size and distribution is critical for fish spawning habitat. The kayaking scientist in this photo is towing an advanced acoustic instrument that measures river velocity and depth. In addition, a camera captures photos that can be used to create digital elevation models and eventually maps of river bed-sediment size.
River bed-sediment size and distribution is critical for fish spawning habitat. The kayaking scientist in this photo is towing an advanced acoustic instrument that measures river velocity and depth. In addition, a camera captures photos that can be used to create digital elevation models and eventually maps of river bed-sediment size.
Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
Researchers prep equipment before a river mapping survey on the Niagara section of the North Santiam River.
Researchers prep equipment before a river mapping survey on the Niagara section of the North Santiam River.
European Space Agency Sentinel-2 satellite image of Foster and Green Peter Lakes showing turbidity conditions during the 2023 drawdown.
European Space Agency Sentinel-2 satellite image of Foster and Green Peter Lakes showing turbidity conditions during the 2023 drawdown.
Following a wet winter, bulrush is shown growing in Malheur Lake. Emergent vegetation like bulrush provides nesting habitat and food resources for birds.
Following a wet winter, bulrush is shown growing in Malheur Lake. Emergent vegetation like bulrush provides nesting habitat and food resources for birds.
Black angular basalt fragments in the foreground against a backdrop of rolling yellow hills.
Black angular basalt fragments in the foreground against a backdrop of rolling yellow hills.
