Images

USGS hydrographers collect tens of thousands of streamflow measurements every year. In-water work by personnel is one of the most dangerous aspects of USGS hydrologic studies, especially during high-flow conditions. In May 2019, USGS continued testing of a light-weight, self-contained ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system that can be mounted on a small drone.

The USGS, in cooperative research and development with GuidelineGEO, tested an 80 GHz self contained ground penetrating radar unit on a DJI Matrice 600 hexcopter (left). This platform was tested for flight performance and for measurement of river channel cross-sectional area as well as river water depth and river width.

The sensor mounted on the drone is called the Qcam and is a Doppler radar sensor providing velocity from a hovering position above the river. USGS hydrologic technician (left) aboard a USGS John Boat mounted with Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler observes the Qcam conducting a measurement.

Aerial photo taken by drone of the Androscoggin river, Maine

(Left) Frank Engel of the hydrologic remote sensing branch prepares the DJI Mavic Pro quadcopter , while Sean Andrews and Jeff Kinsey of the New England WSC observe. The Mavic was used for Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV).

(Above) New England Water Science Center and Virginia - West Virginia Water Science Center personnel collected measurements use GPS surveying equipment and ADCP to collect ground-truth data and quality assure non-contact data (above left Tom and Andy Massey; above right Andy Massey and Jeff Kinsey; lower left Russ Lotspeich on shore and Jeff Kinsey and Sean Andrews

2019 Aquatic Airshow participants at the Androscoggin River in Auburn Maine, May 1, 2019, photograph by Mario Martin-Alciati USGS.

USGS hydrographers collect tens of thousands of streamflow measurements every year. In-water work by personnel is one of the most dangerous aspects of USGS hydrologic studies, especially during high-flow conditions. In May 2019, USGS continued testing of a light-weight, self-contained ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system that can be mounted on a small drone.

Pilot Joe Adams, Co-pilot Sandy Brosnahan, and USGS scientist 

Photograph of USGS Gaging station 03066000, Blackwater River at Davis, West Virginia. 

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?03066000

Project area map for the Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs), including the Mississippi Alluvial Plain pilot and projects using Cooperative Matching Funds. This map represents 2019 projects and is not current.

Map of Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) project areas scaled for a carousel image, including the Mississippi Alluvial Plan (MAP) pilot and projects utilizing Cooperative Matching Funds (CMF).

Shown in this photo is Hydrologic Technician Sam Banas performing a site inspection at an soil moisture and continuous groundwater well monitoring site. The site ID is: 424250072493101 MA-HNW 14 in Heath, Massachusetts.

USGS streamgage 05082500 Red River at Grand Forks, ND By Ernie McCoy

USGS gage number 02310678 Homosassa Springs at Homosassa Springs, FL 

USGS gage number 05051522, Red River of The North at Hickson, ND. This gage is managed by the Dakota Water Science Center.

USGS gage 05079000 Red Lake River at Crookston, MN manged by Dakota Water Science Center.

An instrument called an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) takes streamflow measurements during flooding. The ADCP is attached to a buoy that is dragged in the water either alongside a boat or by hand. USGS hydrologist Dan Thomas points to the ADCP sensor on the Red River of the North during flooding in downtown Fargo, ND.

A USGS crew measures flooding on the Red River in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. The orange instrument is an acoustic Doppler current profiler, which is used to measure streamflow as it's pulled across the water.

USGS hydrologist Dan Thomas prepares to measure record flows on the Red River of the North in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. The orange instrument is an acoustic Doppler current profiler, which is used to measure streamflow as it's pulled across the water.

A USGS crew measures high flow during flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, North Dakota. The instrument being pulled across the water is an acoustic Doppler current profiler, which is used to measure streamflow. The truck is parked on a road that had been overtaken by the river.