Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Images described and linked on this webpage come from a wide variety of USGS science activities and presentations performed by USGS Science Center staff members in the Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin. A search tool is provided to narrow the number of image files shown.
Water flowing on the Colorado River near Moab, Utah.
The entire Colorado River Basin currently supports 50 million people, and that amount is expected to increase by 23 million between 2000 and 2030. A new USGS study shows more than half of the streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin originates as groundwater.
Water flowing on the Colorado River near Moab, Utah.
The entire Colorado River Basin currently supports 50 million people, and that amount is expected to increase by 23 million between 2000 and 2030. A new USGS study shows more than half of the streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin originates as groundwater.
Biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, are lichens, mosses, and cyanobacteria that grow on the soil surface and are common in the spaces between native plants in arid and semi-arid systems. Biocrusts reduce soil erosion, contribute to nutrient and water cycling, and reduce evaporation and invasion by exotic plants.
Biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, are lichens, mosses, and cyanobacteria that grow on the soil surface and are common in the spaces between native plants in arid and semi-arid systems. Biocrusts reduce soil erosion, contribute to nutrient and water cycling, and reduce evaporation and invasion by exotic plants.
Intensely altered propylitic rocks (red and yellow) in the Red Mountain mining district, overprinting the regional, propylitically altered igneous rocks (grayish-green), peaks at top of image. View to west.
Intensely altered propylitic rocks (red and yellow) in the Red Mountain mining district, overprinting the regional, propylitically altered igneous rocks (grayish-green), peaks at top of image. View to west.
Measuring streamflow from a cableway using an ADCP, Green River blw Fontenelle Reservoir, WY
Measuring streamflow from a cableway using an ADCP, Green River blw Fontenelle Reservoir, WY
Photograph taken from a Colorado National Guard helicopter looking north down the West Salt Creek rock avalanche deposit. On May 25, 2014, the central core of the rock avalanche deposit continued to move for 1-2 hours after the main rock avalanche deposit had stopped moving.
Photograph taken from a Colorado National Guard helicopter looking north down the West Salt Creek rock avalanche deposit. On May 25, 2014, the central core of the rock avalanche deposit continued to move for 1-2 hours after the main rock avalanche deposit had stopped moving.
Measuring streamflow on Dry Piney Creek
Preparing to measure water level in streambank piezometer, New Fork R
Preparing to measure water level in streambank piezometer, New Fork R
Panoramic photo of Silverton, Colorado, with Sultan Mountain in the distance. Silverton is the town most directly affected by the Gold King mine blowout.
Panoramic photo of Silverton, Colorado, with Sultan Mountain in the distance. Silverton is the town most directly affected by the Gold King mine blowout.
Wade fishing on Big Horn River
Two anglers wade fishing on Big Horn River, Wyoming
Two anglers wade fishing on Big Horn River, Wyoming
Image of whitebark pine cone and seeds.
Image of whitebark pine cone and seeds.
Biologists place a culvert trap in locations that they need data from. Field crews will set up the culvert trap and check it daily, usually in the morning, to determine if a bear has been captured. Additionally, trap doors are checked via radio telemetry.
Biologists place a culvert trap in locations that they need data from. Field crews will set up the culvert trap and check it daily, usually in the morning, to determine if a bear has been captured. Additionally, trap doors are checked via radio telemetry.
A biologist measures a grizzly bear’s head length.
A biologist measures a grizzly bear’s head length.
Biologists with IGBST and the National Park Service fit a grizzly bear with a radio collar. Once a bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry.
Biologists with IGBST and the National Park Service fit a grizzly bear with a radio collar. Once a bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry.
At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data.
At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data.
A biologist prepares to collect biological information from the bear they have captured. Biologists collect hair samples for genetic analysis, weigh the bear, and gather numerous measurements of the body, such as the head, paws, claws, teeth, etc. Overall condition of the bear is assessed as well, including a body fat measurement.
A biologist prepares to collect biological information from the bear they have captured. Biologists collect hair samples for genetic analysis, weigh the bear, and gather numerous measurements of the body, such as the head, paws, claws, teeth, etc. Overall condition of the bear is assessed as well, including a body fat measurement.
Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry via airplane. The IGBST also used the latest telemetry technologies, which allows downloading of GPS data from the radio collar via satellites.
Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry via airplane. The IGBST also used the latest telemetry technologies, which allows downloading of GPS data from the radio collar via satellites.
Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s body length.
Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s body length.
Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry on foot.
Once a grizzly bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry on foot.
Biologists use road-killed ungulates such as deer, elk, or bison as bait in the traps.
Biologists use road-killed ungulates such as deer, elk, or bison as bait in the traps.
Biologists have immobilized the bear and prepare to lift it out of the trap and onto the tarp for data collection. Once on the tarp the bear is easier to move.
Biologists have immobilized the bear and prepare to lift it out of the trap and onto the tarp for data collection. Once on the tarp the bear is easier to move.