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Cian Dawson (Former Employee)

(He/him)

Science and Products

Efficient hydrogeological characterization of remote stream corridors using drones

This project demonstrates the successful use of small unoccupied aircraft system (sUASs) for hydrogeological characterization of a remote stream reach in a rugged mountain terrain. Thermal infrared, visual imagery, and derived digital surface models are used to inform conceptual models of groundwater/surface‐water exchange and efficiently geolocate zones of preferential groundwater discharge that
Authors
Martin A. Briggs, Cian B. Dawson, Christopher Holmquist-Johnson, Kenneth H. Williams, John W. Lane
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology

Use of discrete-zone monitoring systems for hydraulic characterization of a fractured-rock aquifer at the University of Connecticut Landfill, Storrs, Connecticut, 1999 to 2002

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the University of Connecticut, used a suite of hydraulic methods to characterize the hydrogeology of a fractured-rock aquifer near the former landfill and chemical-waste disposal pits at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. Multiple methods were used to determine head, driving potential, and transmissivity, including manual open-hole w
Authors
Carole D. Johnson, Christopher S. Kochiss, C. B. Dawson
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Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program

An integrated surface-geophysical investigation of the University of Connecticut landfill, Storrs, Connecticut: 2000

A surface-geophysical investigation to characterize the hydrogeology and contaminant distribution of the former landfill area at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut, was conducted in 2000 to supplement the preliminary hydrogeologic assessment of the contamination of soil, surface water, and ground water at the site. A geophysical-toolbox approach was used to characterize the hydro
Authors
Carole D. Johnson, C. B. Dawson, Marcel Belaval, John W. Lane
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Water Resources Mission Area, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program
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USGS Hydrologist flying a drone

Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies

The USGS is evaluating the integration of small unoccupied aircraft systems – sUAS or "drones" – into USGS hydrogeophysical studies.
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Water Resources Mission Area
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Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies

The USGS is evaluating the integration of small unoccupied aircraft systems – sUAS or "drones" – into USGS hydrogeophysical studies.
Learn More
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USGS Hydrologist flying a drone

Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies: Technology Demonstration and Evaluation

The USGS is evaluating the integration of small unoccupied aircraft systems – sUAS or "drones" – into USGS hydrogeophysical studies. The following projects are part of a Water Resources Mission Area demonstration and evaluation effort in collaboration with USGS Water Science Centers (WSCs) starting in June 2018.
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
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Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies: Technology Demonstration and Evaluation

The USGS is evaluating the integration of small unoccupied aircraft systems – sUAS or "drones" – into USGS hydrogeophysical studies. The following projects are part of a Water Resources Mission Area demonstration and evaluation effort in collaboration with USGS Water Science Centers (WSCs) starting in June 2018.
Learn More
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Inset thermal infrared image of groundwater discharge along stream bank, displayed against visible light image of stream bank

Thermal Imaging Cameras for Studying Groundwater/Surface-Water Exchange

USGS scientists are using high-resolution handheld and airborne thermal imaging cameras in groundwater/surface-water exchange studies and other investigations where surface temperature contrasts indicate various hydrological processes. These cameras are used to quickly locate and characterize thermal (temperature) anomalies along streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and across the landscape...
By
Water Resources Mission Area
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Thermal Imaging Cameras for Studying Groundwater/Surface-Water Exchange

USGS scientists are using high-resolution handheld and airborne thermal imaging cameras in groundwater/surface-water exchange studies and other investigations where surface temperature contrasts indicate various hydrological processes. These cameras are used to quickly locate and characterize thermal (temperature) anomalies along streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and across the landscape...
Learn More

True color and multispectral imagery data collected by small unoccupied aircraft systems at the USGS National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site, Bemidji, Minnesota, June 2018

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed multirotor small unoccupied aircraft systems (sUAS or drones) on June 21, 2018, to collect imagery data documenting site conditions at the USGS National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota, USA. True color visible light images were collected across the general study area. Multispectral images in five spectral
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Water Resources Mission Area

Thermal infrared and photogrammetric data collected by drone for hydrogeologic characterization around two US Geological Survey Next Generation Water Observing Systems stream gage locations near Claryville, NY, USA

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected low-altitude (typically 200-350 ft above land surface) airborne thermal infrared, and visual imagery data via a multirotor, small unoccupied aircraft system (UAS or 'drone') deployed along the river corridor encompassing two U.S. Geological Survey Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) stream gage locations near Claryville, NY, USA. One site is
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Thermal infrared, multispectral, and photogrammetric data collected by drone for hydrogeologic analysis of the East River and Coal Creek beaver-impacted corridors near Crested Butte, Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude (typically 200-350 ft als) airborne thermal infrared, multispectral, and visual imagery data via a multirotor, small unoccupied aircraft system deployed along beaver-impacted sections of the East River and Coal Creek stream corridors, near the town of Crested Butte, CO. Visual imagery was collected in jpg format, and the images were compiled automa
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Thermal infrared and photogrammetric data collected by small unoccupied aircraft system for hydrogeologic analysis of Oh-be-joyful Creek, Gunnison National Forest, Colorado, August 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne thermal infrared data and visual imagery via a multirotor, small unoccupied aircraft system deployed from the northern bank of Oh-be-joyful Creek and adjacent to the Peeler fault, approximately 6 kilometers northwest of the town of Crested Butte, in Gunnison National Forest, Colorado, on August 17, 2017. Thermal infrared still images were
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program
Photo of geophysical equipment mounted on a drone sitting on a launchpad, with wetland open water and grasses in background
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Photo of equipment mounted on a drone sitting on a launchpad. In the background, a scientist is sitting next to a van.
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Scientists operate equipment at groundwater well
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Scientist lowers electric tape into groundwater well
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Photo of drone and controller under umbrella with stream and hills in the background
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Photo of scientists operating small drone in the field
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Photo of scientist operating small drone in the field
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Aerial image of stream and adjacent wetlands
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Two scientists are standing in a river. One of them is lifting a large metal container out of the water; the bottom of the conta
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Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government