The USGS R/V Peterson conducts monthly cruises covering the San Francisco Estuary up to the Sacramento River at Rio Vista, California. The USGS has been researching and monitoring the San Francisco Estuary since 1969.
Multimedia
For more than a century, USGS science has informed natural-resource management decisions in the region. Use the "Select Multimedia" filter below to isolate the different types of visual media available for our work in the Bay and Delta, then click "Apply Filter" to view the media.
Images
USGS R/V Peterson
The USGS R/V Peterson conducts monthly cruises covering the San Francisco Estuary up to the Sacramento River at Rio Vista, California. The USGS has been researching and monitoring the San Francisco Estuary since 1969.
A USGS technician conducts a phytoplankton net tow to measure harmful algae and toxins in San Francisco Bay.
linkA USGS technician conducts a phytoplankton net tow to measure harmful algae and toxins in San Francisco Bay.
A USGS technician conducts a phytoplankton net tow to measure harmful algae and toxins in San Francisco Bay.
linkA USGS technician conducts a phytoplankton net tow to measure harmful algae and toxins in San Francisco Bay.
Remotely sensed chlorophyll estimates during the 2022 HAB event.
Remotely sensed chlorophyll estimates during the 2022 HAB event (mg m-3). Data are from the ESA Sentinel-3 satellite and are processed using a locally tuned algorithm for San Francisco Bay.
Remotely sensed chlorophyll estimates during the 2022 HAB event (mg m-3). Data are from the ESA Sentinel-3 satellite and are processed using a locally tuned algorithm for San Francisco Bay.
Return of the Terns
Now that Forster’s terns have returned to nesting in Pond A16, an important nesting colony has been re-established, with hopes that this tern colony will grow in future years and help reverse the decline of the Forster’s tern population in San Francisco Bay.
Now that Forster’s terns have returned to nesting in Pond A16, an important nesting colony has been re-established, with hopes that this tern colony will grow in future years and help reverse the decline of the Forster’s tern population in San Francisco Bay.
Conducting a high tide waterbird survey on San Fransisco Bay
San Francisco Bay and the surrounding wetlands and ponds provide important habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds.
San Francisco Bay and the surrounding wetlands and ponds provide important habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds.
Mokelumne River Bathymetry
A winding strip of rainbow colors shows the bathymetry (depth) of the bed of the Mokelumne River just above its confluence with the San Joaquin in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta east of San Francisco Bay.
A winding strip of rainbow colors shows the bathymetry (depth) of the bed of the Mokelumne River just above its confluence with the San Joaquin in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta east of San Francisco Bay.
Videos
Establishing Forster's Tern Nesting Colonies
Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) are conducting a "social attraction" study for seabirds in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Historically, this region offered wetland habitats to local wildlife. With the introduction of industrial salt ponds and human development, however, much of this habitat was lost.
Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) are conducting a "social attraction" study for seabirds in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Historically, this region offered wetland habitats to local wildlife. With the introduction of industrial salt ponds and human development, however, much of this habitat was lost.
Tracking California's Water
This short video is one of a series of four total shorts highlighting USGS water science in California's Delta region. California is experiencing a drought, surface water, rainfall, groundwater and snowpack have been at historic lows. This shortage is impacting water users and natural systems across the state.
This short video is one of a series of four total shorts highlighting USGS water science in California's Delta region. California is experiencing a drought, surface water, rainfall, groundwater and snowpack have been at historic lows. This shortage is impacting water users and natural systems across the state.
Hazards to California's Delta Water System
This short video is one of a series of four total shorts highlighting USGS water science in California's Delta region. Earthquakes, land subsidence and flooding pose significant threats to California’s fresh water. Aqueducts, pipes and sewer lines can break and levees can breach.
This short video is one of a series of four total shorts highlighting USGS water science in California's Delta region. Earthquakes, land subsidence and flooding pose significant threats to California’s fresh water. Aqueducts, pipes and sewer lines can break and levees can breach.
Drought, Drinking Water and Natural Environments
This short video is one of a series of four total shorts highlighting USGS water science in California's Delta region. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the hub of the state's water system. Water quality touches on all aspects of life. Teams of U.S.
This short video is one of a series of four total shorts highlighting USGS water science in California's Delta region. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the hub of the state's water system. Water quality touches on all aspects of life. Teams of U.S.
What is the Delta?
This short video is intended to serve as an introduction to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta, and is the first in a series of four short videos highlighting USGS science in the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.
This short video is intended to serve as an introduction to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta, and is the first in a series of four short videos highlighting USGS science in the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.