Grey and black PVC piping housing the water-quality sensors for this stream gage.
Images
Check out photos of some of the awesome work USGS scientists and field technicians have done over the years.
Grey and black PVC piping housing the water-quality sensors for this stream gage.
Essential gear for measuring streamflow above large rivers. Within this cable car a reel connects to a Price AA flowmeter and sounding weight. Hydrologic technicians reel down the weight until they hit the river bottom, input the total depth into the AquaCalc, then they measure the flow within the water column at various depths to best capture water velocities.
Essential gear for measuring streamflow above large rivers. Within this cable car a reel connects to a Price AA flowmeter and sounding weight. Hydrologic technicians reel down the weight until they hit the river bottom, input the total depth into the AquaCalc, then they measure the flow within the water column at various depths to best capture water velocities.
A high water day at Hood River. Taken while hydrologic technicians out in the field collect streamflow data.
A high water day at Hood River. Taken while hydrologic technicians out in the field collect streamflow data.
Sediment samplers are designed to obtain representative samples across all depths and locations in a river cross-section. This is important because sediment concentrations are not always consistent across the channel. This D-74 sampler weighs 62 pounds and can sample in velocities up to 6.6 feet per second and depths up to 15 feet. It has been in use since 1974.
Sediment samplers are designed to obtain representative samples across all depths and locations in a river cross-section. This is important because sediment concentrations are not always consistent across the channel. This D-74 sampler weighs 62 pounds and can sample in velocities up to 6.6 feet per second and depths up to 15 feet. It has been in use since 1974.
Photo taken during the Green Peter Reservoir drawdown The water is brown due to suspended sediment loads.
Photo taken during the Green Peter Reservoir drawdown The water is brown due to suspended sediment loads.

A striking contrast between the clear water in the Middle Fork Willamette River and brown water in Fall Creek. The flows from Fall Creek dam during this time had heavy loads of suspended sediment from the reservoir drawdown.
A striking contrast between the clear water in the Middle Fork Willamette River and brown water in Fall Creek. The flows from Fall Creek dam during this time had heavy loads of suspended sediment from the reservoir drawdown.
Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
Researchers prep equipment before a river mapping survey on the Niagara section of the North Santiam River.
Researchers prep equipment before a river mapping survey on the Niagara section of the North Santiam River.
River bed-sediment size and distribution is critical for fish spawning habitat. The kayaking scientist in this photo is towing an advanced acoustic instrument that measures river velocity and depth. In addition, a camera captures photos that can be used to create digital elevation models and eventually maps of river bed-sediment size.
River bed-sediment size and distribution is critical for fish spawning habitat. The kayaking scientist in this photo is towing an advanced acoustic instrument that measures river velocity and depth. In addition, a camera captures photos that can be used to create digital elevation models and eventually maps of river bed-sediment size.
Following a wet winter, bulrush is shown growing in Malheur Lake. Emergent vegetation like bulrush provides nesting habitat and food resources for birds.
Following a wet winter, bulrush is shown growing in Malheur Lake. Emergent vegetation like bulrush provides nesting habitat and food resources for birds.
Black angular basalt fragments in the foreground against a backdrop of rolling yellow hills.
Black angular basalt fragments in the foreground against a backdrop of rolling yellow hills.
The small house is the monitoring station for Columbia River at The Dalles. The house protects sensitive electronics from the elements.
The small house is the monitoring station for Columbia River at The Dalles. The house protects sensitive electronics from the elements.

A substrate mapping survey in action. Scientists aim to map the size and distribution of river sediments.
A substrate mapping survey in action. Scientists aim to map the size and distribution of river sediments.
Native fish populations, like the Chinook salmon during spawning season, rely on the Santiam River.
Native fish populations, like the Chinook salmon during spawning season, rely on the Santiam River.

Hydrologic technician, Ann McGowan, shows OMSI representative a water quality sensor deployed in the Willamette River near OMSI. This sensor monitors water temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, blue green algea, specific conductance and pH. The sensors need cleaned every 4-6 weeks.
Hydrologic technician, Ann McGowan, shows OMSI representative a water quality sensor deployed in the Willamette River near OMSI. This sensor monitors water temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, blue green algea, specific conductance and pH. The sensors need cleaned every 4-6 weeks.
Hydrologist Kurt Carpenter demonstrated gathering a water sample from the Willamette on the docks at OMSI. The netting gets pulled through the water and is then funneled into a sample bottle.
Hydrologist Kurt Carpenter demonstrated gathering a water sample from the Willamette on the docks at OMSI. The netting gets pulled through the water and is then funneled into a sample bottle.

Oregon Water Science Center received the award plaques during the 2023 USGS National Data Training Conference in Phoenix Arizona. Pictured right to left: Marc Stewart, Deputy Director for Data, followed by expert hydrologic technicians; Carrie Boudreau, Amarys Acosta, Scott Deweese, and Tasha Albertson-Herberholz.
Oregon Water Science Center received the award plaques during the 2023 USGS National Data Training Conference in Phoenix Arizona. Pictured right to left: Marc Stewart, Deputy Director for Data, followed by expert hydrologic technicians; Carrie Boudreau, Amarys Acosta, Scott Deweese, and Tasha Albertson-Herberholz.

Green cyanobacteria in the Willamette River at the new USGS water quality monitor at OMSI.
Green cyanobacteria in the Willamette River at the new USGS water quality monitor at OMSI.

Streaks of blue-green cyanobacteria in the Willamette River at the new USGS water-quality monitor at OMSI.
Streaks of blue-green cyanobacteria in the Willamette River at the new USGS water-quality monitor at OMSI.