A level crew running a line from Mojave, California to Keeler, California via the state road, preparing the way for topographers to follow. R.A. Farmer, just to the left of the long-barreled Engineers WYE level instrument, was the levelman and Chief of Party.
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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.
A level crew running a line from Mojave, California to Keeler, California via the state road, preparing the way for topographers to follow. R.A. Farmer, just to the left of the long-barreled Engineers WYE level instrument, was the levelman and Chief of Party.
Image scan of a historical bird migration card (1904).
Image scan of a historical bird migration card (1904).
Topographic mapping crew poses in camp in the Cascade Mountains of Washington.
Topographic mapping crew poses in camp in the Cascade Mountains of Washington.
Grant Glacier - 1902
USGS laboratory in Washington DC where water samples 1883-87 from Yellowstone National Park were analyzed. Photograph, USGS Historical Photography Library.
USGS laboratory in Washington DC where water samples 1883-87 from Yellowstone National Park were analyzed. Photograph, USGS Historical Photography Library.
Portage (the carrying of a boat or its cargo between two navigable waterways) from Niukluk to Kruzgamepa River, Seward Peninsula. Alfred Hulse Brooks party. Alaska. 1900.
Portage (the carrying of a boat or its cargo between two navigable waterways) from Niukluk to Kruzgamepa River, Seward Peninsula. Alfred Hulse Brooks party. Alaska. 1900.
Grinnell Glacier from trail 1900
Grinnell Glacier from trail 1900
Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado - 1891
Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado - 1891
Embudo Student Hydrographers
Embudo Student Hydrographers
Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.
Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.
USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”
USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”
Grinnell Glacier 1887
Grinnell Glacier from Footbridge 1887.
Grinnell Glacier from Footbridge 1887.
Old Faithful Geyser in Upper Geyser Basin. 1878(?). Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey).
Old Faithful Geyser in Upper Geyser Basin. 1878(?). Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey).
The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission meeting with Southern Paiutes near St. George, Washington County, Utah. 1874.
The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission meeting with Southern Paiutes near St. George, Washington County, Utah. 1874.
Typed information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.
Typed information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.
Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell. Photograph taken about 1872.
Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell. Photograph taken about 1872.
Left bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.
Left bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.
Green River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.
Green River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.
Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake (https://hdylake.org/about/history-of-mapping-yellowstone-lake/). The headwaters of the Snake River, Upper Valley of the Yellowstone River, and Pelican River are shown.
Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake (https://hdylake.org/about/history-of-mapping-yellowstone-lake/). The headwaters of the Snake River, Upper Valley of the Yellowstone River, and Pelican River are shown.
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean", Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 1871.
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean", Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 1871.