Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

Check out photos of some of the awesome work USGS scientists and field technicians have done over the years.

Filter Total Items: 263
brown water rushes through narrow river channel lined with black rocks and snow.
Williamson River near Klamath Agency, OR
Williamson River near Klamath Agency, OR
Williamson River near Klamath Agency, OR

In March 2025 the streamgage on the Williamson River Near Klamath Agency, Oregon (11493500) recorded significant flow for the first time since March 2020. The aluminum cylinder on the right houses the gage equipment.

In March 2025 the streamgage on the Williamson River Near Klamath Agency, Oregon (11493500) recorded significant flow for the first time since March 2020. The aluminum cylinder on the right houses the gage equipment.

Tan sediment rich water flows high through trees and brush along the river bank. The river looks swollen.
High-flow conditions on the Umpqua River near Elkton
High-flow conditions on the Umpqua River near Elkton
High-flow conditions on the Umpqua River near Elkton

Hydrologic technicians captured the powerful high flow of the Umpqua River near Elkton, measuring an impressive 128,000 cubic feet per second on March 17th, 2025. This marks the third-highest flow measured since monitoring began in 1905.

Hydrologic technicians captured the powerful high flow of the Umpqua River near Elkton, measuring an impressive 128,000 cubic feet per second on March 17th, 2025. This marks the third-highest flow measured since monitoring began in 1905.

Two men stand on the edge of a boat right up against a concrete bridge pier covered in barnacles
Sonar install at Youngs Bay Bridge
Sonar install at Youngs Bay Bridge
Sonar install at Youngs Bay Bridge

The sonar equipment monitors streambed elevation near the bridge footing to measure scour depth. Accurately measuring scour depth is essential for evaluating bridge safety. During short storm events, crews may not arrive in time to monitor in real-time. Without continuous monitoring, the deepest scour could be missed if the hole refills before inspection.

The sonar equipment monitors streambed elevation near the bridge footing to measure scour depth. Accurately measuring scour depth is essential for evaluating bridge safety. During short storm events, crews may not arrive in time to monitor in real-time. Without continuous monitoring, the deepest scour could be missed if the hole refills before inspection.

man in a life jacket stands in the river next to concrete bridge footers with ladders propped against them
Installing sonar equipment at Luckiamute River
Installing sonar equipment at Luckiamute River
Installing sonar equipment at Luckiamute River

Field crew installs sonar equipment on the highway 99W bridge over the Luckiamute River near Parker Oregon. 

Field crew installs sonar equipment on the highway 99W bridge over the Luckiamute River near Parker Oregon. 

Trees with brightly colored fall leaves reflect on calm river water. Blue skies
Tualatin River in the fall
Tualatin River in the fall
Tualatin River in the fall

The Tualatin River in Oregon flows approximately 83 miles from the Northern Oregon Coast Range to the Willamette River, providing vital water resources and habitat across the Tualatin Valley.

The Tualatin River in Oregon flows approximately 83 miles from the Northern Oregon Coast Range to the Willamette River, providing vital water resources and habitat across the Tualatin Valley.

thin meandering waterway weaving through a sandy landscape on a sunny day
Long Tom River
Long Tom River
Long Tom River

When Fern Ridge Lake levels are low the Long Tom River can be seen meandering through the reservoir. Check out the USGS water elevation gage at Fern Ridge Lake Near Elmira, OR - 14168000.

When Fern Ridge Lake levels are low the Long Tom River can be seen meandering through the reservoir. Check out the USGS water elevation gage at Fern Ridge Lake Near Elmira, OR - 14168000.

narrow channel winding through brown sediments on a cloudy day
Fern Ridge Reservoir during low water level
Fern Ridge Reservoir during low water level
Fern Ridge Reservoir during low water level

USGS Hydrologist is looking at a headcut/headward erosion/knickpoint in thr center-right of photo during field effort to verify geomorphic mapping.

USGS Hydrologist is looking at a headcut/headward erosion/knickpoint in thr center-right of photo during field effort to verify geomorphic mapping.

Female with outreached hands basks under a distant rainbow by a green gage house and murky river on cloudy grey day
Hydrologic technician at the South Santiam streamflow gage
Hydrologic technician at the South Santiam streamflow gage
Hydrologic technician at the South Santiam streamflow gage

Morgan, an Oregon Water Science Center hydrologic technician stands under a rainbow during field work at the South Santiam River near Foster, OR streamflow gage (14187200).

Morgan, an Oregon Water Science Center hydrologic technician stands under a rainbow during field work at the South Santiam River near Foster, OR streamflow gage (14187200).

man uses a rope to pull an ADCP in a pontoon across the river. Steep, green forested river bank in distance
Measuring streamflow
Measuring streamflow
Measuring streamflow

Hydrologist, Rod Owre, uses an acoustic doppler current profiler to measure the speed and direction of water currents using sound waves.

Hydrologist, Rod Owre, uses an acoustic doppler current profiler to measure the speed and direction of water currents using sound waves.

ADCP sensors in a small orange trimaran attached to cable with a rope. Narrow river with steep rocky banks.
Measuring the White Salmon River
Measuring the White Salmon River
Measuring the White Salmon River

An acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) is attached to a bank mounted cable way so it can be pulled across the channel to measure the river flow. White Salmon River Near Underwood, Washington (14123500).

An acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) is attached to a bank mounted cable way so it can be pulled across the channel to measure the river flow. White Salmon River Near Underwood, Washington (14123500).

snow dusted rocky ridges with pine trees frame clear running river water. USGS gage house on the right side.
White Salmon streamgage
White Salmon streamgage
White Salmon streamgage

White Salmon River near Underwood, Washington (14123500). Photo taken by Adam Ostman, hydrologic technician, during a routine site visit. The streamgage is the small square building on the right river bank.

White Salmon River near Underwood, Washington (14123500). Photo taken by Adam Ostman, hydrologic technician, during a routine site visit. The streamgage is the small square building on the right river bank.

bright green bubbly sludge attached to the brown rocky lake bed
Benthic Cyanobacteria
Benthic Cyanobacteria
Benthic Cyanobacteria

Benthic cyanobacteria are a type of photosynthetic bacteria that live on the bottom of aquatic environments, such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and wetlands. The term "benthic" refers to their habitat in the sediment or substrate of these water bodies, as opposed to being free-floating in the water column (planktonic).

Benthic cyanobacteria are a type of photosynthetic bacteria that live on the bottom of aquatic environments, such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and wetlands. The term "benthic" refers to their habitat in the sediment or substrate of these water bodies, as opposed to being free-floating in the water column (planktonic).

male hydrologist drills down into brown soil to create an opening for the piezometer
Installing a Piezometer near Bethany Lake
Installing a Piezometer near Bethany Lake
Installing a Piezometer near Bethany Lake

A piezometer is a device used to measure the pressure of a liquid, particularly water, within a specific point of a system, such as soil, rock, or a pipe. It is widely used in geotechnical, hydrogeological, and civil engineering applications to monitor water levels, pore water pressure, and hydraulic head in the ground or other systems.

A piezometer is a device used to measure the pressure of a liquid, particularly water, within a specific point of a system, such as soil, rock, or a pipe. It is widely used in geotechnical, hydrogeological, and civil engineering applications to monitor water levels, pore water pressure, and hydraulic head in the ground or other systems.

A blue EXO sonde submerged in shallow muddy lake water connects by a cable to the handheld device that shows the readings
Water quality readings at Bethany Lake
Water quality readings at Bethany Lake
Water quality readings at Bethany Lake

Water quality readings, like temperature and dissolved oxygen, are taken during field visits at Bethany Lake.

Water quality readings, like temperature and dissolved oxygen, are taken during field visits at Bethany Lake.

Small stream bends through brush and trees. Algae clumped in the stream bend
Rock Creek
Rock Creek
Rock Creek

Rock Creek flows north to south in Washington County, Oregon and is a tributary of the Tualatin River.

Rock Creek flows north to south in Washington County, Oregon and is a tributary of the Tualatin River.

small cement weir backs up calm water with algae growing in it. The weir is in a park with green grass and wooden bench
Bethany Lake weir
Bethany Lake weir
Bethany Lake weir

The concrete weir that impounds Bethany Lake was constructed in the 1950's  to provide irrigation for Rock Creek Golf Course.

The concrete weir that impounds Bethany Lake was constructed in the 1950's  to provide irrigation for Rock Creek Golf Course.

grey flex tube bolted into the river bank leads down into the water where the hydrophone records
McKenzie River hydrophone
McKenzie River hydrophone
McKenzie River hydrophone

A hydrophone installation along the McKenzie River records 1-minute audio files of water and any bedload being moved by the current.

A hydrophone installation along the McKenzie River records 1-minute audio files of water and any bedload being moved by the current.

scenic river view. Clear-green water with pine trees lining each bank on a cloudy day.
Collowash River near Breitenbush (14208300)
Collowash River near Breitenbush (14208300)
Collowash River near Breitenbush (14208300)

Collowash River near Breitenbush (14208300). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water level, water temperature, and air temperature at this location.

Collowash River near Breitenbush (14208300). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water level, water temperature, and air temperature at this location.

Scenic river view. Clear water and moss covered boulders. Tree lined bank in the fog on a cloudy day.
North Santiam River near Marion Forks (14174450)
North Santiam River near Marion Forks (14174450)
North Santiam River near Marion Forks (14174450)

North Santiam River near Marion Forks (14174450). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors monitors water level, water temperature and air temperature at this location.

North Santiam River near Marion Forks (14174450). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors monitors water level, water temperature and air temperature at this location.

sdg;jghw
Lost Creek above Yale Lane near Belknap Springs (14158977)
Lost Creek above Yale Lane near Belknap Springs (14158977)
Lost Creek above Yale Lane near Belknap Springs (14158977)

Lost Creek above Yale Lane near Belknap Springs (14158977). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water level and water temperature at this location.

Lost Creek above Yale Lane near Belknap Springs (14158977). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water level and water temperature at this location.

Scenic river view on a cloudy fall day. Clear-green water is lined by trees with leaves turning orange and yellow.
Middle Fork Willamette below Mac Creek near Oakridge (14144780)
Middle Fork Willamette below Mac Creek near Oakridge (14144780)
Middle Fork Willamette below Mac Creek near Oakridge (14144780)

Middle Fork Willamette below Mac Creek near Oakridge (14144780). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water temperature at this location.

Middle Fork Willamette below Mac Creek near Oakridge (14144780). The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water temperature at this location.

Was this page helpful?