Images

U.S. Geological Survey research hydrologist Austin Baldwin collects a soil sample near Meadow Creek, Washington, for mercury analysis. Baldwin and USGS colleagues conducted a study of mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest burned by wildfire.

USGS hydrologic technician Travis Gibson confirms Great Salt Lake water levels at the SaltAire gauge.

A sailboat is removed from the Great Salt Lake Marina due to low lake levels. 

Joanne Chan conducting a seismic survey in San Carlos, California, looking for traces of the Serra Fault. 

Dixie Fire The Dixie Fire has become the largest single fire in California's recorded history. State fire officials don't list it at the top, however. The record is held by the massive August Complex Fire of 2020 which burned over one million acres. The term "complex" is used when multiple fires in the same area ignite separately.

Decreasing water levels in the southern arm of the Great Salt Lake expose microbialite communities that are normally underwater.  

Lees Ferry streamgage and cableway downstream on the Colorado River, Arizona

The view from the river of the USGS gaging station on the Kennebec River at The Forks, station 01042500 during summer.

Light trails of LED-tagged sea lampreys, part of a study of sea lamprey sex pheromone antagonists, altered pheromone cocktails that can disrupt spawning behavior.

A light trail of an LED-tagged sea lamprey, part of a study of sea lamprey sex pheromone antagonists, altered pheromone cocktails that can disrupt spawning behavior.

Sea lampreys spawning in a stream during a study that tested how sea lamprey sex pheromone antagonists influenced spawning behavior.

Spawning sea lampreys tagged for a study of sea lamprey sex pheromone antagonists.

Sea lamprey spawning during a study of sea lamprey sex pheromone antagonists, altered pheromone cocktails that can disrupt spawning behavior.

Sea lampreys attached to lake trout in a tank at Hammond Bay Biological Station.

A sea lamprey tagged with a red LED light as part of a study of sex pheromone antagonists, altered sex pheromone compounds that can interfere with sea lamprey spawning.

This rat snake is a preserved museum specimen with snake fungal disease that was collected in Tennessee in 1973. The photo was taken at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in 2017 as part of a study.

Fly fishing for trout in one on Montana's rivers.                                                             

Rain Gauge installed after the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. Scientists installed a network of rain gauges and soil moisture sensors throughout the rugged burn area. These instruments provide real-time data on rainfall intensity and duration, which are critical factors in determining the likelihood of a debris flow. 

Rain gauge installed in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire, scientists installed a network of rain gauges and soil moisture sensors throughout the rugged burn area. These instruments provide real-time data on rainfall intensity and duration, which are critical factors in determining the likelihood of a debris flow. 

Rain gauge in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire, scientists installed a network of rain gauges and soil moisture sensors throughout the rugged burn area. These instruments provide real-time data on rainfall intensity and duration, which are critical factors in determining the likelihood of a debris flow. 

 A USGS scientist wearing black gloves is collecting a sample of tap water from the kitchen sink using small plastic vials to test for PFAS.