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Explore water-related photography, imagery, and illustrations.

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Scientists collecting samples on lake Hopatcong
Sampling Hopatcong
Sampling Hopatcong
Sampling Hopatcong

USGS scientists Brad Bjorklund and Jon Cohl collect a water-quality sample at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, to monitor a harmful algal bloom on the lake.

USGS scientists Brad Bjorklund and Jon Cohl collect a water-quality sample at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, to monitor a harmful algal bloom on the lake.

USGS boat sampling on the Mississippi River for the NWQP
USGS boat sampling on the Mississippi River for the NWQP
USGS boat sampling on the Mississippi River for the NWQP
USGS boat sampling on the Mississippi River for the NWQP

USGS boat sampling on the Mississippi River for the NWQP 

Photo of scientist standing in water operating equipment next to a boat
USGS intern Kira Waldman collecting water-quality samples
USGS intern Kira Waldman collecting water-quality samples
USGS intern Kira Waldman collecting water-quality samples

Each summer, interns join USGS offices around the Nation in support of our water studies.

Each summer, interns join USGS offices around the Nation in support of our water studies.

Hydrologist Nora Nelson swapping passive charcoal samplers in a carbonate spring during a fluorescein dye tracer test
Hydrologist Nora Nelson swapping passive charcoal samplers in a test
Hydrologist Nora Nelson swapping passive charcoal samplers in a test
Hydrologist Nora Nelson swapping passive charcoal samplers in a test

Hydrologist Nora Nelson swapping passive charcoal samplers in a carbonate spring during a fluorescein dye tracer test Great Basin National Park. Station number 385254114114801 Spring BW2 in the South Fork of Big Wash, Great Basin National Park, NV

Hydrologist Nora Nelson swapping passive charcoal samplers in a carbonate spring during a fluorescein dye tracer test Great Basin National Park. Station number 385254114114801 Spring BW2 in the South Fork of Big Wash, Great Basin National Park, NV

Spring 2019 Midwest flooding data visualization
Spring 2019 Midwest flooding data visualization
Spring 2019 Midwest flooding data visualization
Spring 2019 Midwest flooding data visualization

This DataVisualization shows the severity of flooding in the Midwest . As of June 1, 2019, 17 USGS streamgage sites in red had the highest streamflow for the entire period of record available. Both the Mississippi and the Arkansas rivers are seeing record breaking flows.

This DataVisualization shows the severity of flooding in the Midwest . As of June 1, 2019, 17 USGS streamgage sites in red had the highest streamflow for the entire period of record available. Both the Mississippi and the Arkansas rivers are seeing record breaking flows.

USGS hydro tech taking measurement during major flood
USGS hydro tech taking measurement during major flood
USGS hydro tech taking measurement during major flood
USGS hydro tech taking measurement during major flood

Andrew Clark is measuring the overflow section of a major flood at the Little Arkansas River near Sedgwick, Kansas USGS stream gage 07144100.

Andrew Clark is measuring the overflow section of a major flood at the Little Arkansas River near Sedgwick, Kansas USGS stream gage 07144100.

Photo of USGS scientist operating drone with ground-penetrating radar system over a river
USGS tests drone-based ground-penetrating radar
USGS tests drone-based ground-penetrating radar
USGS tests drone-based ground-penetrating radar

USGS hydrographers collect tens of thousands of streamflow measurements every year. In-water work by personnel is one of the most dangerous aspects of USGS hydrologic studies, especially during high-flow conditions. In May 2019, USGS continued testing of a light-weight, self-contained ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system that can be mounted on a small drone.

USGS hydrographers collect tens of thousands of streamflow measurements every year. In-water work by personnel is one of the most dangerous aspects of USGS hydrologic studies, especially during high-flow conditions. In May 2019, USGS continued testing of a light-weight, self-contained ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system that can be mounted on a small drone.

Photo of drone with ground-penetrating radar system flying close over river surface
USGS Tests drone-based ground-penetrating radar for bathymetry
USGS Tests drone-based ground-penetrating radar for bathymetry
USGS Tests drone-based ground-penetrating radar for bathymetry

USGS hydrographers collect tens of thousands of streamflow measurements every year. In-water work by personnel is one of the most dangerous aspects of USGS hydrologic studies, especially during high-flow conditions. In May 2019, USGS continued testing of a light-weight, self-contained ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system that can be mounted on a small drone.

USGS hydrographers collect tens of thousands of streamflow measurements every year. In-water work by personnel is one of the most dangerous aspects of USGS hydrologic studies, especially during high-flow conditions. In May 2019, USGS continued testing of a light-weight, self-contained ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system that can be mounted on a small drone.

USGS LSPIV and Photogrametry Drones
USGS LSPIV and Photogrametry Drones
USGS LSPIV and Photogrametry Drones
USGS LSPIV and Photogrametry Drones

(Left) Frank Engel of the hydrologic remote sensing branch prepares the DJI Mavic Pro quadcopter , while Sean Andrews and Jeff Kinsey of the New England WSC observe. The Mavic was used for Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV).

(Left) Frank Engel of the hydrologic remote sensing branch prepares the DJI Mavic Pro quadcopter , while Sean Andrews and Jeff Kinsey of the New England WSC observe. The Mavic was used for Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV).

USGS Water Science Center Personnel Conducting Measurements
USGS Water Science Center Personnel Conducting Measurements
USGS Water Science Center Personnel Conducting Measurements
USGS Water Science Center Personnel Conducting Measurements

(Above) New England Water Science Center and Virginia - West Virginia Water Science Center personnel collected measurements use GPS surveying equipment and ADCP to collect ground-truth data and quality assure non-contact data (above left Tom and Andy Massey; above right Andy Massey and Jeff Kinsey; lower left Russ Lotspeich on shore and Jeff Kinsey and Sean Andrews

(Above) New England Water Science Center and Virginia - West Virginia Water Science Center personnel collected measurements use GPS surveying equipment and ADCP to collect ground-truth data and quality assure non-contact data (above left Tom and Andy Massey; above right Andy Massey and Jeff Kinsey; lower left Russ Lotspeich on shore and Jeff Kinsey and Sean Andrews

Aerial photo taken by drone of the Androscoggin river, Maine
Aerial photo taken by drone of the Androscoggin river, Maine
Aerial photo taken by drone of the Androscoggin river, Maine
Aerial photo taken by drone of the Androscoggin river, Maine

Aerial photo taken by drone of the Androscoggin river, Maine

USGS Tests Prototype Ground Penetrating Radar Drone
USGS Tests Prototype Ground Penetrating Radar Drone
USGS Tests Prototype Ground Penetrating Radar Drone
USGS Tests Prototype Ground Penetrating Radar Drone

The USGS, in cooperative research and development with GuidelineGEO, tested an 80 GHz self contained ground penetrating radar unit on a DJI Matrice 600 hexcopter (left). This platform was tested for flight performance and for measurement of river channel cross-sectional area as well as river water depth and river width.

The USGS, in cooperative research and development with GuidelineGEO, tested an 80 GHz self contained ground penetrating radar unit on a DJI Matrice 600 hexcopter (left). This platform was tested for flight performance and for measurement of river channel cross-sectional area as well as river water depth and river width.

2019 USGS UAS Aquatic Airshow participants
2019 USGS UAS Aquatic Airshow participants
2019 USGS UAS Aquatic Airshow participants
2019 USGS UAS Aquatic Airshow participants

2019 Aquatic Airshow participants at the Androscoggin River in Auburn Maine, May 1, 2019, photograph by Mario Martin-Alciati USGS.

2019 Aquatic Airshow participants at the Androscoggin River in Auburn Maine, May 1, 2019, photograph by Mario Martin-Alciati USGS.

Doppler Radar Mounted On A Drone for Stream Velocity
Doppler Radar Mounted On A Drone for Stream Velocity
Doppler Radar Mounted On A Drone for Stream Velocity
Doppler Radar Mounted On A Drone for Stream Velocity

The sensor mounted on the drone is called the Qcam and is a Doppler radar sensor providing velocity from a hovering position above the river. USGS hydrologic technician (left) aboard a USGS John Boat mounted with Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler observes the Qcam conducting a measurement.

The sensor mounted on the drone is called the Qcam and is a Doppler radar sensor providing velocity from a hovering position above the river. USGS hydrologic technician (left) aboard a USGS John Boat mounted with Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler observes the Qcam conducting a measurement.

Pilot, Co-pilot, and USGS Co-worker gather around a drone getting prepared for takeoff
USGS Pilot, Co-pilot, & employee gather to prepare a drone flight
USGS Pilot, Co-pilot, & employee gather to prepare a drone flight
Blackwater River at Davis, West Virginia
USGS gaging station Blackwater River at Davis, West Virginia
USGS gaging station Blackwater River at Davis, West Virginia
USGS gaging station Blackwater River at Davis, West Virginia

Photograph of USGS Gaging station 03066000, Blackwater River at Davis, West Virginia. 

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?03066000

IWAAs project map - Continental US overview (outdated)
(outdated) Map for Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs)
(outdated) Map for Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs)
(outdated) Map for Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs)

Project area map for the Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs), including the Mississippi Alluvial Plain pilot and projects using Cooperative Matching Funds. This map represents 2019 projects and is not current.

Project area map for the Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs), including the Mississippi Alluvial Plain pilot and projects using Cooperative Matching Funds. This map represents 2019 projects and is not current.

Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) project areas
Integrated Water Availability Assessments project areas, carousel
Integrated Water Availability Assessments project areas, carousel
Integrated Water Availability Assessments project areas, carousel

Map of Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) project areas scaled for a carousel image, including the Mississippi Alluvial Plan (MAP) pilot and projects utilizing Cooperative Matching Funds (CMF).

Map of Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) project areas scaled for a carousel image, including the Mississippi Alluvial Plan (MAP) pilot and projects utilizing Cooperative Matching Funds (CMF).

USGS soil moisture and groundwater well site inspection
USGS soil moisture and groundwater well site inspection
USGS soil moisture and groundwater well site inspection
USGS soil moisture and groundwater well site inspection

Shown in this photo is Hydrologic Technician Sam Banas performing a site inspection at an soil moisture and continuous groundwater well monitoring site. The site ID is: 424250072493101 MA-HNW 14 in Heath, Massachusetts.

Shown in this photo is Hydrologic Technician Sam Banas performing a site inspection at an soil moisture and continuous groundwater well monitoring site. The site ID is: 424250072493101 MA-HNW 14 in Heath, Massachusetts.