Images

This ADCP sends an acoustic pulse into the water to measure the speed of the water, the depth of the river and to measure how far it's moved across the river. With this information, it can compute discharge.

A manned boat is used to ferry the ADCP back and forth across the river. The velocities at this section were quite slow, and the line across the river allowed better control than driving the small boat.

Another view of the manned boat, with ADCP attached.

This is the view upstream of the cross section.

This is the cross section where the measurement was made and the line we strung across the river, marked with flagging for visibility. In slow velocities, the line helps control the speed of the boat as it is moved across the channel.

This is the view downstream of the cross section.

Salmon Creek at Bruno Road near Seward, AK; Paul Schauer running a level survey for the streambed scour project.

USGS scientists Robert Sickler (below) and Rufus Catchings (standing) attaching a section of an auger bit in order to drill a hole for a seismic survey.

USGS scientists Robert Sickler (left) and Rufus Catchings (right) carrying an auger to a drill hole for seismic survey.

Invasive sea lamprey prey on commercially important fish species such as lake trout, living off of the blood and body fluids of adult fish. It is one of many fish species that USGS scientists study from the USGS Research Vessel Muskie. These lamprey belong to the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission.

Invasive sea lamprey prey on commercially important fish species such as lake trout, living off of the blood and body fluids of adult fish.  It is one of many fish species that USGS scientists study from the USGS Research Vessel Muskie. These lamprey belong to the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission.

The R/V Muskie was temporarily moored in Buffalo, N.Y., August 8 and 9, 2013, when it was visited by Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26).

The R/V Muskie was temporarily moored in Buffalo, N.Y., August 8 and 9, 2013.

The USGS Research Vessel Muskie was temporarily moored in Buffalo, N.Y., August 8 and 9, 2013.

USGS large vessels like the R/V Muskie are "floating laboratories" that carry scientific instruments, such as this Niskin bottle, which collects lake water samples.

The R/V Muskie was temporarily moored in Buffalo, N.Y., August 8 and 9, 2013.

Congressman Higgins (NY-26) speaks to the press during a visit to the USGS Research Vessel Muskie. The R/V Muskie was temporarily moored in Buffalo, N.Y., August 8 and 9, 2013.

USGS Great Lakes Science Center Director Russel Strach speaks to the media during Congressman Brian Higgins' recent visit to the USGS Research Vessel Muskie. The R/V Muskie was temporarily moored in Buffalo, N.Y., August 8 and 9, 2013.

A large strand of non-native prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) grows near a well pad in Dunn County, ND.

A stand of field sow thistle (yellow flowers; Sonchus arvensis), Canada thistle (purple flowers; Cirsium arvense), and Kentucky bluegrass (grass; Poa pratensis), all of which are non-native and growing near an oil well pad in Mountrail County, ND.

Warren Hall on California State University East Bay's Hayward campus is scheduled to be demolished Aug. 17, 2013 for seismic safety reasons. The landmark building's implosion will produce energy similar to a small earthquake that can be used to study and map the nearby Hayward Fault. In partnership with the university, U.S.

This common loon has been marked with a satellite transmitter and geolocator tag.