Images

A hydrologic technician from the USGS Idaho Water Science Center measures streamflow in Lightning Creek at Clark Fork, ID. The USGS is collecting data at hundreds of sites on rivers and streams in six western states to document the 2015 drought. USGS scientists will analyze the data to identify which rivers and streams may be most vulnerable to future droughts.

A hydrologic technician from the USGS Idaho Water Science Center measures streamflow in Homer Creek near Herman, ID. The USGS is collecting data at hundreds of sites on rivers and streams in six western states to document the 2015 drought. USGS scientists will analyze the data to identify which rivers and streams may be most vulnerable to future droughts.

A hydrologic technician from the USGS Idaho Water Science Center measures streamflow in Fall Creek near Anderson Ranch Dam in southwestern Idaho. The USGS is collecting data at hundreds of sites on rivers and streams in six western states to document the 2015 drought.

Hydrologic technicians from the Post Falls Field Office of the USGS Idaho Water Science Center complete refresher training with acoustic Doppler current profilers on the Spokane River near Post Falls, ID.

USGS hydrologic technician Jayson Blom collects a water-level measurement at a monitoring well on the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory site. During the summer of 2014, water levels measured at the site reached all-time lows.

This time-lapse photo shows the process that U.S. Geological Survey hydrographers use to measure streamflow across the cross-section of a wadeable river. USGS hydrographers follow standard, documented techniques and methods to ensure high-qualtiy, reliable data.

A misty morning at the auxiliary streamgage on the Pend Oreille River at Newport, WA.

USGS hydrologic technicians Erin Murray (far left) and Russ Miller collect water-quality data from the Boise River with citizen volunteers as part of the 2014 Boise Watershed Watch. Watershed Watch is an annual community outreach effort of the City of Boise's WaterShed Environmental Education Center. The USGS is an annual event co-sponsor.

During August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 114,000 acres in south-central Idaho. Shortly after the fire was contained, heavy rainfall triggered numerous debris flows, including this one in Badger Gulch. USGS hydrologists Dave Evetts (left) and Jake Jacobson examine the debris flow while in the burn area to install precipitation gages.

The Big Wood River flows through communities of the Wood River Valley of south-central Idaho. It is one of eight sites at which the USGS is conducting an ecological assessment during the summer of 2014. Study results will be published in 2015.

Warm Springs Creek is a tributary of the Big Wood River in south-central Idaho. It is one of eight sites at which the USGS is conducting an ecological assessment during the summer of 2014. Study results will be published in 2015.

The Big Wood River flows through communities of the Wood River Valley of south-central Idaho. It is one of eight sites at which the USGS is conducting an ecological assessment during the summer of 2014. Study results will be published in 2015.

During August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 114,000 acres near the south-central Idaho communities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey. Partnering with Blaine County, the USGS installed a network of real-time precipitation gages in the burn area.

During August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 114,000 acres near the south-central Idaho communities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey. Partnering with Blaine County, the USGS installed a network of real-time precipitation gages in the burn area.

During August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 114,000 acres near the south-central Idaho communities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey. Partnering with Blaine County, the USGS installed a network of real-time precipitation gages in the burn area.

During August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 114,000 acres near the south-central Idaho communities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey. Partnering with Blaine County, the USGS installed a network of real-time precipitation gages in the burn area.

During August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 114,000 acres near the south-central Idaho communities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey. Partnering with Blaine County, the USGS installed a network of real-time precipitation gages in the burn area.

USGS Hydrologic Technician Alvin Sablan prepares to check USGS streamgage 13310850 on Meadow Creek in the historical Stibnite Mining District of central Idaho. Data from the streamgage were used in a USGS water-quality study in the area.

USGS hydrologist Greg Clark measures streamflow on Government Gulch Creek, a tributarty to the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho. Streamflow data collected are included in the Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Monitoring Program the USGS conducts in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency.

A U.S. Geological Survey hydroloic technician measures streamflow in the Blackfoot River at the site of USGS streamgaging station 13063000, Blackfoot River above Blackfoot Reservoir near Henry, ID.

USGS biologist Terry Maret holds a channel catfish samples as part of a mercury monitoring program conducted by the USGS and the City of Boise.