#RecreateWithUSGS Photo Contest
This national photo contest raised awareness of the importance of USGS water data collected on public lands where people recreate in, on, and around water. Thank you to all who participated by submitting your photos on Instagram!
What’s #RecreateWithUSGS about?
USGS water data collected on public lands can provide helpful information to people recreating in, on, and near water. Countless recreationalists use our data from gages which collect water data remotely. Last year marked the inaugural year of this summer campaign, and we're thrilled with the impressive photos that comprised 2023's submissions!
2023 Winners
Optimum Overall Winner
A kayak slips through calm waters as it heads into the sunset with tree lines flanking the horizon on either side. A crisp blue sky lies above the bright orange and yellow sunset at Lake Placid, New York. Photo by @amanda.liese on Instagram.
Pet Play Winner
A dog stands on the edge of a paddle board looking out over the water towards a tree line within Big Hickory Preserve, Bonita Springs, FL. Puffy white clouds and a crisp blue sky contrast the mass of green trees. In the distance, other paddle boarders make their way along the tree line. Photo by @jwmusser on Instagram.
Serene Spot Winner
Through water that is as clear as glass, but not colorless, pebbles and small rocks can be seen. Hues of pinkish-orange and purplish-blue cascade across the sky and are reflected over the water as the sun sets over Lake McDonald at Glacier National Park. Mountains are visible as near silhouettes along the horizon. Photo by @migasproductions on Instagram.
Family Fun Winner
In the foreground, a person in silhouette holds a fishing rod, standing knee-deep in nearly still water at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. The horizon is dark, the rest of the photo encompassed in sunset. In the top left, the sky is a vibrant blue, but just below it, the clouds are dark purple and then a deep pink. They extend along the horizon, fading into yellow, and then white. Photo by @phlightyagami on Instagram.
When did #RecreateWithUSGS happen?
2023's contest is over. Thank you to all who participated!
Entries were accepted from June 12th – September 30th. Public voting occurred from October 7th – October 16th via an anonymous form. Votes were collected by USGS, not Instagram. For our privacy policies, visit https://www.doi.gov/privacy. Winners were announced on October 17th.
What are the rules for entry?
If you're recreating on, in, or near water that's on public lands, share it with us!
If you like kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming, etc. on public lands, then participate in our friendly, fun, and engaging photo competition to showcase your awesome photographs. To participate, and for a chance to win one of four categories, submit your photos by posting on Instagram. Use the hashtag #RecreateWithUSGS and tag @USGS_Water.
Categories
Optimum Overall: Your best photo of your overall experience while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos from the entire pool of submissions for the BEST overall photo to represent the champion water recreation photo of the year.
Pet Play: Your best photo of your pet having fun while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos that show one or more pets goofing off while recreating.
Serene Spot: Your best photo that evokes a serene experience while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos that show a peaceful spot found while recreating.
Family Fun: Your best photo of however you define family while recreating on, in, or near the water. Contest committee selects four finalist photos that show a group of people enjoying recreating.
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Post a photo of your journey recreating on, in, or near water on your publicly visible Instagram feed. *UPDATE: if your profile is NOT publicly visible, you can still enter. Please email us your photograph (gs-w_wma_web@usgs.gov). We want this contest to be inclusive, and we welcome your participation.
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In the caption, use the hashtag #RecreateWithUSGS and tag @USGS_Water. If you want your entry to be associated with a specific category, put the category title in the caption. If there is no category mentioned, our committee will assign it to the most relevant category
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If there are minors present in the photo, a legal guardian must provide permission by adding the following text to the photo’s caption: A minor is present in this photo, and as legal guardian I approve of their presence in this photo. Upon receiving your submission, we'll send you a short form releasing us to share the photo
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Your photo must be on public lands, not private property
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By participating in this campaign, you are consenting to this additional copyright permissions agreement that applies to your entry. Voting is completely anonymous and no personal information is collected. Votes are being collected by USGS, for our privacy policies, visit https://www.doi.gov/privacy
What’s the prize?
Our committee will catalog all entries that comply with the rules, then associate them with the most relevant category. Our committee will select the top four photos that will be the finalists for each category. We will provide a publicly accessible form so that members of the public can vote for the winners. The winners of #RecreateWithUSGS will have their photos featured on our social media platforms!
FAQ
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Do I have to be in the photo?
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No, you don’t have to be in the photo! If your photo & caption combined indicate you’re recreating, you’re good. The photo can be of your kayak on the water, or a picture of a river as you launch your boat to fish, etc.
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Where does USGS collect water data?
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We’re so happy you asked! We collect water data all across the nation, some of which is only publicly managed lands. Our scientists go into the field to collect data and we use sensors to remotely monitor waters. A monitoring location is a place where we monitor conditions and collect data, represented by a webpage like this one, https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11264500/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D. And a gage is a piece of equipment we use to collect water data remotely: https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/streamgaging…;
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