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(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).

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.

(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

NER May 2019 Where We Work
Brachiopods in the Devonian Mahantango Formation examined by Mercer Parker under the hand lens

Cisco being prepared for surgical implantation of an acoustic transmitter at the USGS Ann Arbor aquatic research laboratory

NER May 2019 Honorable Mention 2
Yvonne Dinh and Mercer Parker examine ripple marks in a bedding plane exposure of Devonian Foreknobs Formation

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

As the Salton Sea continues to evaporate, old boat docks are now surrounded by sand and salt.

Sampling for microplastics at USGS 01355470 ALPLAUS KILL AT GLENRIDGE NY

Supporting the project of winter habitat of juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River.

Supporting the project of winter habitat of juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River.

In Photo: Interior mudflat on Jim Foot Key covered with saline water, April 2019.  Stumps of dead mangroves (reportedly damaged by Hurricane Donna in 1960 (Craighead, 1962)) are visible projecting from the water.  Shadowed areas below the water are underwater grasses typically found in Florida Bay, now growing inside

In Photo: Juvenile mangroves on eastern berm of Jim Foot Key, April 2019.  Mangroves are intermingled with saltwort, the dominant live vegetation on the damaged berms, and standing dead mangroves.  Grid is 25 cm high.  The question is whether these trees will mature fast enough to protect the berm from rising sea level. 

Supporting the project of winter habitat of juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River.

Supporting the project of winter habitat of juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River.

Supporting the project of winter habitat of juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River.

Supporting the project of winter habitat of juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River.

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

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