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Explore water-related photography, imagery, and illustrations.

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Two men are waist-deep in a creek
Hydrologic technicians survey and record streambed characteristics
Hydrologic technicians survey and record streambed characteristics
Hydrologic technicians survey and record streambed characteristics

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, two hydrologic technicians record characteristics of stream habitat.

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, two hydrologic technicians record characteristics of stream habitat.

Hydrologic technician holds up tile colonized by biofilm
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile

Biofilms take up pesticides in streams. Here, a hydrologic technician hold ups an unglazed ceramic tile that has been colonized by biofilm over 60-90 days. Learn more about biofilms as integrative samplers of pesticides here.

Biofilms take up pesticides in streams. Here, a hydrologic technician hold ups an unglazed ceramic tile that has been colonized by biofilm over 60-90 days. Learn more about biofilms as integrative samplers of pesticides here.

Hydrologic technician collects biofilm from a ceramic tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile

Biofilms take up pesticides in streams. Here, a hydrologic technician collects a sample of biofilm that has colonized an unglazed ceramic tile over 60-90 days. Learn more about biofilms as integrative samplers of pesticides here.

Biofilms take up pesticides in streams. Here, a hydrologic technician collects a sample of biofilm that has colonized an unglazed ceramic tile over 60-90 days. Learn more about biofilms as integrative samplers of pesticides here.

Hydrologic technician collects biofilm from a ceramic tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile
Biofilms colonize a deployed tile

Biofilms take up pesticides in streams. Here, a hydrologic technician collects a sample of biofilm that has colonized an unglazed ceramic tile over 60-90 days. Learn more about biofilms as integrative samplers of pesticides here.

Biofilms take up pesticides in streams. Here, a hydrologic technician collects a sample of biofilm that has colonized an unglazed ceramic tile over 60-90 days. Learn more about biofilms as integrative samplers of pesticides here.

With gloved hands and tweezers, folding a water filter
A hydrologist carefully folds a filter used to collect an eDNA sample
A hydrologist carefully folds a filter used to collect an eDNA sample
A hydrologist carefully folds a filter used to collect an eDNA sample

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, a hydrologist carefully folds a filter used to collect a sample for analysis of eDNA.

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, a hydrologist carefully folds a filter used to collect a sample for analysis of eDNA.

Man standing ankle-deep in creek takes notes
A hydrologic technician records stream habitat characteristics
A hydrologic technician records stream habitat characteristics
A hydrologic technician records stream habitat characteristics

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, a hydrologic technician records characteristics of the habitat of a highly urbanized stream.

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, a hydrologic technician records characteristics of the habitat of a highly urbanized stream.

Nasturtiums hang down over a graffiti-decorated culvert conveying Sausal Creek
Urban creek graced by flowers and graffiti
Urban creek graced by flowers and graffiti
Urban creek graced by flowers and graffiti

Flowers and graffiti turn urban Sausal Creek into a bizarre wonderland. Water-quality and ecological surveys were done at the creek as part of the USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) in the summer of 2016.

Flowers and graffiti turn urban Sausal Creek into a bizarre wonderland. Water-quality and ecological surveys were done at the creek as part of the USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) in the summer of 2016.

Hydro-tech in front of graffiti defacing a wall channelizing a stream
Graffiti at Sausal Creek
Graffiti at Sausal Creek
Graffiti at Sausal Creek

A hydrotech prepares to collect a water-quality sample at urban Sausal Creek, with its distinctive graffiti. Water-quality and ecological surveys were done at the creek as part of the USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) in the summer of 2016.

A hydrotech prepares to collect a water-quality sample at urban Sausal Creek, with its distinctive graffiti. Water-quality and ecological surveys were done at the creek as part of the USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) in the summer of 2016.

Urban creek with concrete banks
Concrete channelization of urban creek
Concrete channelization of urban creek
Concrete channelization of urban creek

Sausal Creek in central Oakland, California, is an urban creek that has been extensively modified for flood control. The USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment assessed the water quality and ecological integrity of small streams like Sausal Creek in five major regions of the country.

Sausal Creek in central Oakland, California, is an urban creek that has been extensively modified for flood control. The USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment assessed the water quality and ecological integrity of small streams like Sausal Creek in five major regions of the country.

Urban creek with concrete banks
Concrete channelization of urban creek
Concrete channelization of urban creek
Concrete channelization of urban creek

Sausal Creek in central Oakland, California, is an urban creek that has been extensively modified for flood control. The USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment assessed the water quality and ecological integrity of small streams like Sausal Creek in five major regions of the country.

Sausal Creek in central Oakland, California, is an urban creek that has been extensively modified for flood control. The USGS Regional Stream Quality Assessment assessed the water quality and ecological integrity of small streams like Sausal Creek in five major regions of the country.

A man walks knee-deep in stream next to outfall pipe
A geomorphologist walks a stream as part of an ecological survey
A geomorphologist walks a stream as part of an ecological survey
A geomorphologist walks a stream as part of an ecological survey

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, a geolomorphologist assesses stream banks.

As part of the Regional Stream Quality Assessments (RSQA), hydrologists, ecologists, and technicians did ecological surveys of aquatic biota and stream habitat.  Here, a geolomorphologist assesses stream banks.

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

Scientist operates equipment console while towing GPR on ice
Pulling GPR
Pulling GPR
Pulling GPR

Research Hydrologist Neil Terry (USGS) collects ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data. Using hydrogeophysical tools such as GPR enables scientists to collect images of the structure and conditions of the ice below them. (April 2017)

Research Hydrologist Neil Terry (USGS) collects ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data. Using hydrogeophysical tools such as GPR enables scientists to collect images of the structure and conditions of the ice below them. (April 2017)

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

Landscape view of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon with plants in the foreground.
Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

The Colorado River in Grand Canyon taken from Grand Canyon Village, Arizona. 

The Colorado River in Grand Canyon taken from Grand Canyon Village, Arizona. 

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Team with Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Team with Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Team with Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Team with Sensor

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

Mobile laboratory fathead minnow experiment station pictures
Shenandoah mobile laboratory fathead minnow experiment station
Shenandoah mobile laboratory fathead minnow experiment station
Shenandoah mobile laboratory fathead minnow experiment station

Shenandoah mobile laboratory fathead minnow experiment station

USGS Hydrologic Technician performing wire weight measurement during record flood at USGS gage 7018500
USGS Employee Performing Measurement In Record Flood At Gage 7018500
USGS Employee Performing Measurement In Record Flood At Gage 7018500
USGS Employee Performing Measurement In Record Flood At Gage 7018500

USGS employee Aaron Walsh performing wire weight measurement in record flood at gage 7018500 Big River at Byrnesville, MO

USGS employee Aaron Walsh performing wire weight measurement in record flood at gage 7018500 Big River at Byrnesville, MO

USGS hydrologic technician Christopher Rowden verifies the accuracy of streamgage information at the Jacks Fork River.
USGS Measures Record Flooding in Missouri
USGS Measures Record Flooding in Missouri
USGS Measures Record Flooding in Missouri

USGS hydrologic technician Christopher Rowden verifies the accuracy of streamgage information at the Jacks Fork River at Eminence, Missouri.

USGS hydrologic technician Christopher Rowden verifies the accuracy of streamgage information at the Jacks Fork River at Eminence, Missouri.

USGS hydrologic technician measures floodwaters along Flat Creek near Jenkins, Missouri.
USGS Measures Record Flooding in Missouri
USGS Measures Record Flooding in Missouri
USGS Measures Record Flooding in Missouri

USGS hydrologic technician measures floodwaters along Flat Creek near Jenkins, Missouri using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling instrument. 

USGS hydrologic technician measures floodwaters along Flat Creek near Jenkins, Missouri using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling instrument.