Images

USGS scientist Eric Grossman interviewed by KOMO-TV (ABC,Seattle) at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

USGS scientist Eric Grossman demonstrates the water-quality instruments, used during the tribal canoe journeys, at the Swinomish Tribal Community Center.

Stormwater runoff following a May 2008 storm event in the Arrowhead drainage basin in Rapid City, SD. Runoff from this drainage discharges into Rapid Creek. Stormwater runoff from urbanized lands is known to harm surface-water resources by increasing stream velocities, destroying natural habitat, and increasing pollutant loads in the receiving waters.

A juvenile (neotone) salamander perches on a rock in a Pacific Northwest stream.

Crest gages record high flows. In this case, pieces of cork floating in a tube record the highest level that water reached during a storm event. A technician records the level with a tape measure.

November 2006 recorded extensive flooding across Western Washington. High flows transported large amounts of sediment and large wood, as shown in this photograph taken near USGS streamgage 12093500.

High flows coursed through rivers in Western Washington in November 2006. USGS Hydrologic Technicians worked hard to measure the streamflow, using a variety of methods including cableway measurements which allow safe transport over high flowing water.

In November 2006, the Puyallup River overtopped its banks in several locations, including near USGS streamgage 12096500. Flood waters carried sediment and large wood.

In November 2006, flooding damaged infrastructure alongside several rivers in Western Washington. This photograph shows where Puyallup River eroded parts of the riverbank near USGS streamgage 12092000.

High flows and floods affected several Western Washington rivers in November 2006. This photo shows a hydrologic technician preparing to measure the Puyallup River near Orting, WA from a cableway.

A USGS hydrologic technician adjusts equipment while preparing to make a measurement from a cableway. Cableways provide technicians with a way to safely measure fast-flowing rivers. 

Cableways allow USGS hydrologic technicians to cross fast-flowing and deep rivers to make measurements.

Hydrologic Technicians use bridge cranes and reels to collect water quality samples. Similar technology is still in use today. 

Technicians installed a new cableway on the Columbia River below Priest Rapids Dam at USGS streamgage 12472800. Date unknown.

A cableway spanning the Columbia River allowed hydrologic technicians to traverse the steep basalt river banks. Pictured before the construction of Priest Rapids Dam, the cableway was located at USGS streamgage 12472800. 

USGS staff prepare to measure a flooding river from a cableway. The location is likely USGS streamgage 12472800 on the Columbia River below Priest Rapids Dam. 

The steep basalt banks of the Columbia River below Priest Rapids Dam at USGS streamgage 12472800 made for tricky streamflow measurements.

A historical USGS streamgage measured flow through a small river in Washington State. The gagehouse on the right relied on the concrete weir to make flow measurements. The exact date and location are unknown.

A goose wades in front of a USGS streamgage. The staff plate (measuring stick) is visible in front of the small bridge. The exact date and location are unknown.

A USGS streamgage and cableway situated on a small river in central Washington State. The exact location and date are unknown.

Before/after photographs document the installation of a new USGS gagehouse and cableway in Washington State. The exact date and location are unknown.