Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Rowan A. Johnson
Rowan Johnson is a data engineering hydrologist at the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center.
Rowan is an early-career science communications specialist and hydrologist on the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center's data engineering team. His professional interests include public outreach, science communications, decision-making support, graphic design, and media production.
The focus of Rowan's work at the USGS is taking complex hydrologic and geologic research topics and data, and distilling them down into concepts, multimedia, and web tools that are accessible to both decision-makers and the public.
Science and Products
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Nutrient Pollution
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Stormwater Runoff in Urban Watersheds
Stormwater Runoff in Urban Watersheds
Stormwater Runoff in Urban Watersheds
Nutrient Pollution
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Drainage Density
When rainwater falls over a watershed, its fate is determined by multiple factors, such as the relief of the watershed, the permeability of the surface it falls on, the presence and density of plant life, and the drainage density of the watershed.
When rainwater falls over a watershed, its fate is determined by multiple factors, such as the relief of the watershed, the permeability of the surface it falls on, the presence and density of plant life, and the drainage density of the watershed.
Everglades Restoration Goals
This video covers the history of the South Florida ecosystem, from the early drainage projects in the 1880s up through current restoration projects designed to reverse the major unintended impacts to this unique ecosystem. All major restoration projects and proposed future projects are covered.
This video covers the history of the South Florida ecosystem, from the early drainage projects in the 1880s up through current restoration projects designed to reverse the major unintended impacts to this unique ecosystem. All major restoration projects and proposed future projects are covered.
Methods of subsidence and sea level rise monitoring
When it comes to measuring land subsidence, sea level rise, and shoreline retreat, the USGS uses a variety of methods, each with their own strengths and drawbacks.
When it comes to measuring land subsidence, sea level rise, and shoreline retreat, the USGS uses a variety of methods, each with their own strengths and drawbacks.
Virginia Coastal Plain Aquifer systems
The Virginia Coastal Plain is the relatively flat region east of the fall line characterized by a wedge of coarse permeable sediments with interbedded layers of less-permeable silts and clays that thickens towards the east. The region has multiple layered aquifers, including the Potomac aquifer system.
The Virginia Coastal Plain is the relatively flat region east of the fall line characterized by a wedge of coarse permeable sediments with interbedded layers of less-permeable silts and clays that thickens towards the east. The region has multiple layered aquifers, including the Potomac aquifer system.
Virginia Extensometers Depth Comparison
How Deep Do We Drill?
Groundwater Monitoring Well - Franklin, Virginia
The USGS well at Franklin, Virginia (USGS 364059076544901 55B 16) constantly monitors water levels in the Potomac Aquifer and provides scientists with a record of water levels going as far back as 1960.
The USGS well at Franklin, Virginia (USGS 364059076544901 55B 16) constantly monitors water levels in the Potomac Aquifer and provides scientists with a record of water levels going as far back as 1960.
Borehole Extensometer
Borehole Extensometer
Borehole extensometers are highly sensitive instruments which measure aquifer compaction. This infographic explains the various parts of a borehole extensometer, and is modeled after the USGS extensometer at Nansemond, Virginia.
Borehole Extensometer
Borehole extensometers are highly sensitive instruments which measure aquifer compaction. This infographic explains the various parts of a borehole extensometer, and is modeled after the USGS extensometer at Nansemond, Virginia.
Glacial Isostatic Adjustment
Glacial isostacy is the upward or downward land motion caused by the weight of ice sheets deforming the Earth's crust. The weight of the ice sheet deforms the underlying crust downward and displaces the underlying lithosphere, creating an indentation.
Glacial isostacy is the upward or downward land motion caused by the weight of ice sheets deforming the Earth's crust. The weight of the ice sheet deforms the underlying crust downward and displaces the underlying lithosphere, creating an indentation.
Aquifer compaction and land subsidence
This animated infographic shows how aquifer compaction can lead to land subsidence. When water is pumped from a confined aquifer faster than it can recharge, the water pressure in the aquifer begins to decrease. As water pressure decreases, both the confining layers and the aquifers themselves can start to compact under the weight of the overlying sediments.
This animated infographic shows how aquifer compaction can lead to land subsidence. When water is pumped from a confined aquifer faster than it can recharge, the water pressure in the aquifer begins to decrease. As water pressure decreases, both the confining layers and the aquifers themselves can start to compact under the weight of the overlying sediments.
Chesapeake Bay Status and Trends (AD)
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the Nation's largest ecosystem restoration efforts, so monitoring to assess changes in condition is crucial. The USGS is monitoring the status and trends of key indicators for the health of streams and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the Nation's largest ecosystem restoration efforts, so monitoring to assess changes in condition is crucial. The USGS is monitoring the status and trends of key indicators for the health of streams and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Science and Products
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Nutrient Pollution
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity. High amounts of suspended solids increase turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less light can penetrate. In turbid waters, aquatic plants may die due to decreased light availability.
Stormwater Runoff in Urban Watersheds
Stormwater Runoff in Urban Watersheds
Stormwater Runoff in Urban Watersheds
Nutrient Pollution
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Nutrient pollution is caused when excess nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus are introduced into aquatic ecosystems, often due to leaching or surface water runoff. These excess nutrients can contribute to the degradation of downstream ecosystems.
Drainage Density
When rainwater falls over a watershed, its fate is determined by multiple factors, such as the relief of the watershed, the permeability of the surface it falls on, the presence and density of plant life, and the drainage density of the watershed.
When rainwater falls over a watershed, its fate is determined by multiple factors, such as the relief of the watershed, the permeability of the surface it falls on, the presence and density of plant life, and the drainage density of the watershed.
Everglades Restoration Goals
This video covers the history of the South Florida ecosystem, from the early drainage projects in the 1880s up through current restoration projects designed to reverse the major unintended impacts to this unique ecosystem. All major restoration projects and proposed future projects are covered.
This video covers the history of the South Florida ecosystem, from the early drainage projects in the 1880s up through current restoration projects designed to reverse the major unintended impacts to this unique ecosystem. All major restoration projects and proposed future projects are covered.
Methods of subsidence and sea level rise monitoring
When it comes to measuring land subsidence, sea level rise, and shoreline retreat, the USGS uses a variety of methods, each with their own strengths and drawbacks.
When it comes to measuring land subsidence, sea level rise, and shoreline retreat, the USGS uses a variety of methods, each with their own strengths and drawbacks.
Virginia Coastal Plain Aquifer systems
The Virginia Coastal Plain is the relatively flat region east of the fall line characterized by a wedge of coarse permeable sediments with interbedded layers of less-permeable silts and clays that thickens towards the east. The region has multiple layered aquifers, including the Potomac aquifer system.
The Virginia Coastal Plain is the relatively flat region east of the fall line characterized by a wedge of coarse permeable sediments with interbedded layers of less-permeable silts and clays that thickens towards the east. The region has multiple layered aquifers, including the Potomac aquifer system.
Virginia Extensometers Depth Comparison
How Deep Do We Drill?
Groundwater Monitoring Well - Franklin, Virginia
The USGS well at Franklin, Virginia (USGS 364059076544901 55B 16) constantly monitors water levels in the Potomac Aquifer and provides scientists with a record of water levels going as far back as 1960.
The USGS well at Franklin, Virginia (USGS 364059076544901 55B 16) constantly monitors water levels in the Potomac Aquifer and provides scientists with a record of water levels going as far back as 1960.
Borehole Extensometer
Borehole Extensometer
Borehole extensometers are highly sensitive instruments which measure aquifer compaction. This infographic explains the various parts of a borehole extensometer, and is modeled after the USGS extensometer at Nansemond, Virginia.
Borehole Extensometer
Borehole extensometers are highly sensitive instruments which measure aquifer compaction. This infographic explains the various parts of a borehole extensometer, and is modeled after the USGS extensometer at Nansemond, Virginia.
Glacial Isostatic Adjustment
Glacial isostacy is the upward or downward land motion caused by the weight of ice sheets deforming the Earth's crust. The weight of the ice sheet deforms the underlying crust downward and displaces the underlying lithosphere, creating an indentation.
Glacial isostacy is the upward or downward land motion caused by the weight of ice sheets deforming the Earth's crust. The weight of the ice sheet deforms the underlying crust downward and displaces the underlying lithosphere, creating an indentation.
Aquifer compaction and land subsidence
This animated infographic shows how aquifer compaction can lead to land subsidence. When water is pumped from a confined aquifer faster than it can recharge, the water pressure in the aquifer begins to decrease. As water pressure decreases, both the confining layers and the aquifers themselves can start to compact under the weight of the overlying sediments.
This animated infographic shows how aquifer compaction can lead to land subsidence. When water is pumped from a confined aquifer faster than it can recharge, the water pressure in the aquifer begins to decrease. As water pressure decreases, both the confining layers and the aquifers themselves can start to compact under the weight of the overlying sediments.
Chesapeake Bay Status and Trends (AD)
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the Nation's largest ecosystem restoration efforts, so monitoring to assess changes in condition is crucial. The USGS is monitoring the status and trends of key indicators for the health of streams and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the Nation's largest ecosystem restoration efforts, so monitoring to assess changes in condition is crucial. The USGS is monitoring the status and trends of key indicators for the health of streams and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.