USGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
Cian Dawson (Former Employee)
(He/him)Science and Products
Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies
Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies: Technology Demonstration and Evaluation
Thermal Imaging Cameras for Studying Groundwater/Surface-Water Exchange
Remotely sensed data from a reach of the Sacramento River near Glenn, California, used to perform Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) within the Robot Operating System (ROS)
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
Near-field remotely sensed streamflow, channel bathymetry, and floodplain topography measurements in the Arkansas River at Parkdale, CO collected March 2018
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
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
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
USGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
USGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
USGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
USGS scientists never stop learning!
USGS scientists never stop learning!
USGS scientists never stop learning! In this photo USGS Hydrologic Technician Charles Hart (USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center) teaches USGS groundwater field personnel about measuring groundwater levels following USGS groundwater field procedures.
USGS scientists never stop learning! In this photo USGS Hydrologic Technician Charles Hart (USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center) teaches USGS groundwater field personnel about measuring groundwater levels following USGS groundwater field procedures.
In this photo, a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone is being prepared to collect thermal infrared data to assess groundwater discharge into Las Vegas Wash, in Clark County, Nevada. The umbrella provides shade to keep the equipment from getting too hot.
In this photo, a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone is being prepared to collect thermal infrared data to assess groundwater discharge into Las Vegas Wash, in Clark County, Nevada. The umbrella provides shade to keep the equipment from getting too hot.
Did you know that plants can help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can sometimes provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Did you know that plants can help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can sometimes provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Did you know that plants can sometimes help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Did you know that plants can sometimes help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Aerial image of stream and wetlands collected using a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone at Ashville Bridge Creek, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Aerial image of stream and wetlands collected using a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone at Ashville Bridge Creek, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Virginia Beach, Virginia.
This video provides an overvew of the USGS Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity (SEER).
This video provides an overvew of the USGS Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity (SEER).
Borehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an emerging geophysical method being applied to hydrogeology investigations. NMR is a quantitative geophysical method that can be used to make in situ assessments of porosity, water content, mobile and immobile water fraction, and estimates of permeability.
Borehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an emerging geophysical method being applied to hydrogeology investigations. NMR is a quantitative geophysical method that can be used to make in situ assessments of porosity, water content, mobile and immobile water fraction, and estimates of permeability.
This video provides an overview of the USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool. The Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool (FRGT-MST) is an Excel-based tool for identification of geophysical methods most likely to be appropriate for project goals and site conditions.
This video provides an overview of the USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool. The Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool (FRGT-MST) is an Excel-based tool for identification of geophysical methods most likely to be appropriate for project goals and site conditions.
Did you know that most streams in the United States have groundwater flowing into them at least part of the time? Contribution of groundwater to total streamflow varies widely among streams but can have a significant affect on water quality and (or) volume.
Did you know that most streams in the United States have groundwater flowing into them at least part of the time? Contribution of groundwater to total streamflow varies widely among streams but can have a significant affect on water quality and (or) volume.
USGS Geophysical Field Experience 2015 - Learn about recent hands-on hydrogeophysics field training for USGS interns and scientists.
USGS Geophysical Field Experience 2015 - Learn about recent hands-on hydrogeophysics field training for USGS interns and scientists.
Efficient hydrogeological characterization of remote stream corridors using drones
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
An integrated surface-geophysical investigation of the University of Connecticut landfill, Storrs, Connecticut: 2000
Science and Products
- Science
Integration of sUAS into Hydrogeophysical Studies
The USGS is evaluating the integration of small unoccupied aircraft systems – sUAS or "drones" – into USGS hydrogeophysical studies.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.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... - Data
Remotely sensed data from a reach of the Sacramento River near Glenn, California, used to perform Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) within the Robot Operating System (ROS)
This data release provides an example data set to accompany the manuscript titled "A Robot Operating System (ROS) package for mapping flow fields in rivers via Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)", submitted to the journal Software X. This ROS *.bag file contains remotely sensed data acquired during an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) flight along a reach of the Sacramento River near Glenn, California,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 spectralNear-field remotely sensed streamflow, channel bathymetry, and floodplain topography measurements in the Arkansas River at Parkdale, CO collected March 2018
A USGS Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aquatic Airshow field testing and demonstration event occurred March 20-21, 2018, on the Arkansas River at Parkdale, CO, USA. At the airshow, a group of USGS scientists and technicians gathered to test non-contact sensors for measuring stream discharge using UAS and a sensor mounted on a tag line. Scientists at the event performed a series of tests to measuThermal 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 isThermal 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 automaThermal 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 - Multimedia
USGS conducts ground-penetrating radar survey to map peatUSGS conducts ground-penetrating radar survey to map peat
USGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
USGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
USGS scientist prepares drone ground-penetrating radar for peat mappingUSGS scientist prepares drone ground-penetrating radar for peat mappingUSGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
USGS recently tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on a drone for mapping peat thickness and extent. This work is part of a collaboration with Florida Atlantic University to study and locate large carbon gas emissions from peat soils in the swampy wetlands of the Everglades in Florida.
USGS Scientists Train on Groundwater Technical ProceduresUSGS Scientists Train on Groundwater Technical ProceduresUSGS scientists never stop learning!
USGS scientists never stop learning!
USGS Scientists Train on Groundwater Technical ProceduresUSGS Scientists Train on Groundwater Technical ProceduresUSGS scientists never stop learning! In this photo USGS Hydrologic Technician Charles Hart (USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center) teaches USGS groundwater field personnel about measuring groundwater levels following USGS groundwater field procedures.
USGS scientists never stop learning! In this photo USGS Hydrologic Technician Charles Hart (USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center) teaches USGS groundwater field personnel about measuring groundwater levels following USGS groundwater field procedures.
Drone being prepared for surveyIn this photo, a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone is being prepared to collect thermal infrared data to assess groundwater discharge into Las Vegas Wash, in Clark County, Nevada. The umbrella provides shade to keep the equipment from getting too hot.
In this photo, a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone is being prepared to collect thermal infrared data to assess groundwater discharge into Las Vegas Wash, in Clark County, Nevada. The umbrella provides shade to keep the equipment from getting too hot.
Using drones to study groundwaterDid you know that plants can help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can sometimes provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Did you know that plants can help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can sometimes provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Using drones to study groundwaterDid you know that plants can sometimes help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Did you know that plants can sometimes help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.
Drone image of streamAerial image of stream and wetlands collected using a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone at Ashville Bridge Creek, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Aerial image of stream and wetlands collected using a small unoccupied aicraft (sUAS) or drone at Ashville Bridge Creek, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Virginia Beach, Virginia.
USGS Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity Survey Design ToolUSGS Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity Survey Design ToolUSGS Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity Survey Design ToolThis video provides an overvew of the USGS Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity (SEER).
This video provides an overvew of the USGS Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity (SEER).
Borehole Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Environmental Site ManagementBorehole Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Environmental Site ManagementBorehole Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Environmental Site ManagementBorehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an emerging geophysical method being applied to hydrogeology investigations. NMR is a quantitative geophysical method that can be used to make in situ assessments of porosity, water content, mobile and immobile water fraction, and estimates of permeability.
Borehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an emerging geophysical method being applied to hydrogeology investigations. NMR is a quantitative geophysical method that can be used to make in situ assessments of porosity, water content, mobile and immobile water fraction, and estimates of permeability.
USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection ToolUSGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection ToolUSGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection ToolThis video provides an overview of the USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool. The Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool (FRGT-MST) is an Excel-based tool for identification of geophysical methods most likely to be appropriate for project goals and site conditions.
This video provides an overview of the USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool. The Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool (FRGT-MST) is an Excel-based tool for identification of geophysical methods most likely to be appropriate for project goals and site conditions.
USGS scientist deploys seepage meterDid you know that most streams in the United States have groundwater flowing into them at least part of the time? Contribution of groundwater to total streamflow varies widely among streams but can have a significant affect on water quality and (or) volume.
Did you know that most streams in the United States have groundwater flowing into them at least part of the time? Contribution of groundwater to total streamflow varies widely among streams but can have a significant affect on water quality and (or) volume.
USGS Geophysical Field Experience 2015USGS Geophysical Field Experience 2015 - Learn about recent hands-on hydrogeophysics field training for USGS interns and scientists.
USGS Geophysical Field Experience 2015 - Learn about recent hands-on hydrogeophysics field training for USGS interns and scientists.
- Publications
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 thatAuthorsMartin A. Briggs, Cian B. Dawson, Christopher Holmquist-Johnson, Kenneth H. Williams, John W. LaneUse 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 wAuthorsCarole D. Johnson, Christopher S. Kochiss, C. B. DawsonAn 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 hydroAuthorsCarole D. Johnson, C. B. Dawson, Marcel Belaval, John W. Lane
*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