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Explore water-related photography, imagery, and illustrations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A USGS crew prepares to measure streamflow during record flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, ND, on April 6, 2019. The instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler which measures streamflow as it's dragged across the water.
A USGS crew prepares to measure streamflow during record flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, ND, on April 6, 2019. The instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler which measures streamflow as it's dragged across the water.
A USGS crew measures streamflow during record flooding on the Red River of the North near Georgetown, ND, on April 6, 2019. The apparatus in the middle of the image is a USGS temporary streamgage installed to monitor flooding, and the orange instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler that measures streamflow.
A USGS crew measures streamflow during record flooding on the Red River of the North near Georgetown, ND, on April 6, 2019. The apparatus in the middle of the image is a USGS temporary streamgage installed to monitor flooding, and the orange instrument pictured is an acoustic Doppler current profiler that measures streamflow.
A USGS crew measures high flow during flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, North Dakota. The yellow instrument is an acoustic Doppler current profiler, which is used to measure streamflow as it's pulled across the water. The crew is standing on a road that had been overtaken by the river.
A USGS crew measures high flow during flooding on the Maple River near Mapleton, North Dakota. The yellow instrument is an acoustic Doppler current profiler, which is used to measure streamflow as it's pulled across the water. The crew is standing on a road that had been overtaken by the river.
This is not a lake! 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 (ADCP), which is used to measure streamflow.
This is not a lake! 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 (ADCP), which is used to measure streamflow.
Brittney Izbicki, USGS, at the edge of the ice in the Connecticut River, preparing to collect water-quality samples.
Brittney Izbicki, USGS, at the edge of the ice in the Connecticut River, preparing to collect water-quality samples.
David Sullivan, USGS, using an ice bar to chip away at the ice built up on the trail to get down to the water-quality sampling site at USGS gage Connecticut River near Thompsonville, CT
David Sullivan, USGS, using an ice bar to chip away at the ice built up on the trail to get down to the water-quality sampling site at USGS gage Connecticut River near Thompsonville, CT
Theresa Armijo, USGS, collecting water-quality samples from the Connecticut River by USGS gage 01184000, Connecticut River near Thompsonville
Theresa Armijo, USGS, collecting water-quality samples from the Connecticut River by USGS gage 01184000, Connecticut River near Thompsonville
Colin Sweeney, USGS, collecting water-quality samples from the Connecticut River, CT
Colin Sweeney, USGS, collecting water-quality samples from the Connecticut River, CT
USGS streamgage number 13309220 on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.
USGS streamgage number 13309220 on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.
WWG Reading on the Wild Rice River in Minnesota during record Midwest flooding in spring 2019.
WWG Reading on the Wild Rice River in Minnesota during record Midwest flooding in spring 2019.
U.S. Geological Survey hydrographers preparing the Shavano Park at Fawn Drive site for hydrologic and water-quality monitoring. Located in the Edwards Aquifer, Texas
U.S. Geological Survey hydrographers preparing the Shavano Park at Fawn Drive site for hydrologic and water-quality monitoring. Located in the Edwards Aquifer, Texas
Recently retired hydrologic technician Doug Hutchinson services gage 10329500 MARTIN Creek near Paradise Valley, NV, March of 2019. This gage is designated as a centennial gage for FY21! Happy birthday, Martin Creek near Paradise Valley!
Recently retired hydrologic technician Doug Hutchinson services gage 10329500 MARTIN Creek near Paradise Valley, NV, March of 2019. This gage is designated as a centennial gage for FY21! Happy birthday, Martin Creek near Paradise Valley!
This is an animation showing the changing conditions of USGS streamgages for Water Year 2018 (October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018). The conditions shown range from the driest condition seen at a gage to the wettest.
This is an animation showing the changing conditions of USGS streamgages for Water Year 2018 (October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018). The conditions shown range from the driest condition seen at a gage to the wettest.
USGS scientists and technicians took water measurements during flooding on the Big Sioux River near Hawarden, Iowa in March 2019.
USGS scientists and technicians took water measurements during flooding on the Big Sioux River near Hawarden, Iowa in March 2019.
USGS technician Chris Broz helps take water measurements on the Big Sioux River during record flooding in March, 2019.
USGS technician Chris Broz helps take water measurements on the Big Sioux River during record flooding in March, 2019.
USGS scientists and technicians took water measurements during flooding on the Big Sioux River near Jefferson, SD in March 2019. Measurements for this site were 52,000 cfs at a gage height of 40.14 ft.
USGS scientists and technicians took water measurements during flooding on the Big Sioux River near Jefferson, SD in March 2019. Measurements for this site were 52,000 cfs at a gage height of 40.14 ft.
USGS technician Chris Broz helps take water measurements on the Big Sioux River during record flooding in March, 2019.
USGS technician Chris Broz helps take water measurements on the Big Sioux River during record flooding in March, 2019.