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Explore our planet and learn more about our work through photographs and imagery from scientists and support staff.
USGS hydrologic technician Chelsea Vande Pol collects a discharge measurement downstream of a storm drain in Hampton Roads, VA.
Winter 2025 Photo Contest Winner: Taylor Camper, Honorable Mention category
USGS hydrologic technician Chelsea Vande Pol collects a discharge measurement downstream of a storm drain in Hampton Roads, VA.
Winter 2025 Photo Contest Winner: Taylor Camper, Honorable Mention category
A chilly sunrise at the Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge, VA monitoring site (site identifier 02016000), captured in early February, 2025.
A chilly sunrise at the Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge, VA monitoring site (site identifier 02016000), captured in early February, 2025.
Fred D. Brogan (pictured) and Logan C. Jarrell collect the two highest discharge measurements made at Hurricane Creek at Hurricane, WV, using an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) during period of record flooding on 02/06/2025.
Winter 2025 Photo Contest Winner: Logan Jarrell, Where We Work category
Fred D. Brogan (pictured) and Logan C. Jarrell collect the two highest discharge measurements made at Hurricane Creek at Hurricane, WV, using an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) during period of record flooding on 02/06/2025.
Winter 2025 Photo Contest Winner: Logan Jarrell, Where We Work category
USGS hydrologic technician Fred Brogan holds an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) while measuring the highest flow measured to-date on Hurricane Creek at Hurricane, WV. Photo by Logan Jarrell, USGS Hydrologic Technician
USGS hydrologic technician Fred Brogan holds an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) while measuring the highest flow measured to-date on Hurricane Creek at Hurricane, WV. Photo by Logan Jarrell, USGS Hydrologic Technician
How Deep Do We Drill?
When water slows down, such as when it flows from a creek into a lake, suspended sediment can drop out of suspension and settle on the lake bed.
When water slows down, such as when it flows from a creek into a lake, suspended sediment can drop out of suspension and settle on the lake bed.
Lake Accotink is a 55 acre lake in Fairfax county which suffers from high rates of sedimentation. As the lake fills with sediment, it loses volume. This animations shows how the lake might continue to lose volume over time if dredging does not continue.
Lake Accotink is a 55 acre lake in Fairfax county which suffers from high rates of sedimentation. As the lake fills with sediment, it loses volume. This animations shows how the lake might continue to lose volume over time if dredging does not continue.
Lake Accotink is a 55 acre lake in Fairfax county which suffers from high rates of sedimentation. The lake is fed by Accotink Creek, which includes the Long Branch tributary. These two streams deliver most of the sediment to Lake Accotink.
Lake Accotink is a 55 acre lake in Fairfax county which suffers from high rates of sedimentation. The lake is fed by Accotink Creek, which includes the Long Branch tributary. These two streams deliver most of the sediment to Lake Accotink.
The USGS West Point pipe extensometer (56J 49) with a total depth of 1,371 feet. Data for this site can be found on USGS Water Data for the Nation.
The USGS West Point pipe extensometer (56J 49) with a total depth of 1,371 feet. Data for this site can be found on USGS Water Data for the Nation.
Earthquakes can sometimes cause rapid changes in water levels. As seismic waves travel through rock formations, they can squeeze and stretch the rocks. This deformation can cause groundwater levels in aquifers to rise and fall, and it can rapidly force water in and out of nearby wells.
Earthquakes can sometimes cause rapid changes in water levels. As seismic waves travel through rock formations, they can squeeze and stretch the rocks. This deformation can cause groundwater levels in aquifers to rise and fall, and it can rapidly force water in and out of nearby wells.
The building housing the West Point extensometer. The actual extensometer can be seen inside through the open doors.
The building housing the West Point extensometer. The actual extensometer can be seen inside through the open doors.
The USGS West Point pipe extensometer (56J 49) with a total depth of 1,371 feet. Data for this site can be found on USGS Water Data for the Nation.
The USGS West Point pipe extensometer (56J 49) with a total depth of 1,371 feet. Data for this site can be found on USGS Water Data for the Nation.
A USGS technician, Daniel Markey, works to connect GNSS sensors to the instrument table of the West Point extensometer at the West Point Subsidence Superstation.
A USGS technician, Daniel Markey, works to connect GNSS sensors to the instrument table of the West Point extensometer at the West Point Subsidence Superstation.
Two USGS scientists balance the West Point extensometer's fulcrum arm prior to the instrument's activation.
Two USGS scientists balance the West Point extensometer's fulcrum arm prior to the instrument's activation.
Geomorphic Creek Transect
A USGS mobile laboratory vehicle out in the field before dawn near the Lynnwood monitoring site: S F Shenandoah River Near Lynnwood, VA - USGS Water Data for the Nation
A USGS mobile laboratory vehicle out in the field before dawn near the Lynnwood monitoring site: S F Shenandoah River Near Lynnwood, VA - USGS Water Data for the Nation
The North Fork Shenandoah River near the Lynnwood monitoring station at dawn.
This photo was taken as a part of the Shenandoah River HABs Project.
The North Fork Shenandoah River near the Lynnwood monitoring station at dawn.
This photo was taken as a part of the Shenandoah River HABs Project.
Accotink Creek is an urban stream in Fairfax County, Virginia. Like many urban streams, its banks are heavily eroded, and that eroded sediment is transported downstream. This impacts downstream water quality and contributes to lake sedimentation in Lake Accotink.
Accotink Creek is an urban stream in Fairfax County, Virginia. Like many urban streams, its banks are heavily eroded, and that eroded sediment is transported downstream. This impacts downstream water quality and contributes to lake sedimentation in Lake Accotink.
Accotink Creek is an urban creek and a tributary of Lake Accotink. Accotink Creek suffers from high rates of streambank erosion, which causes the steep, unstable banks seen on the far side of the creek in the above image.
Accotink Creek is an urban creek and a tributary of Lake Accotink. Accotink Creek suffers from high rates of streambank erosion, which causes the steep, unstable banks seen on the far side of the creek in the above image.
Water quality samples collected at USGS monitoring station 01628500 - S F Shenandoah River Near Lynnwood, VA.
Water quality samples collected at USGS monitoring station 01628500 - S F Shenandoah River Near Lynnwood, VA.
USGS staff preparing to deploy a bedload sampler.
What is bedload?
USGS staff preparing to deploy a bedload sampler.
What is bedload?