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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

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Embudo Student Hydrographers
Embudo Student Hydrographers
Embudo Student Hydrographers
Embudo Student Hydrographers

Embudo Student Hydrographers

A hydrographer in a wooden cable car lowers a current meter into the stream below.
Streamgaging cableway, Embudo, New Mexico
Streamgaging cableway, Embudo, New Mexico
Streamgaging cableway, Embudo, New Mexico

Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.

Hydrographer taking a cableway streamflow measurement at the first USGS streamgage at Embudo, New Mexico, established in 1889.

USGS Embudo Personnel
USGS personnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico
USGS personnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico
USGS personnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico

USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”

USGS prersonnel at the Embudo Station, New Mexico. Embudo was selected as the site of the first USGS streamgaging station in 1889 because of the need for systematic water resource assessments of western states as it not only offered a favorable climate and easy rail access, but qualified for congressional funding tapped specifically for the “arid West.”

Grinnell Glacier 1887
Grinnell Glacier 1887
Grinnell Glacier 1887
Grinnell Glacier 1887

Grinnell Glacier 1887

Grinnell Glacier from Footbridge 1887.
Grinnell Glacier from Footbridge 1887.
Grinnell Glacier from Footbridge 1887.
Grinnell Glacier from Footbridge 1887.

Grinnell Glacier from Footbridge 1887.

old-fashioned black and white photo of erupting geyser, and people standing around looking at it
Old Faithful Geyser erupting, c.1878
Old Faithful Geyser erupting, c.1878
Old Faithful Geyser erupting, c.1878

Old Faithful Geyser in Upper Geyser Basin. 1878(?). Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey).

Old Faithful Geyser in Upper Geyser Basin. 1878(?). Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey).

The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission Meeting
The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission Meeting
The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission Meeting
The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission Meeting

The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission meeting with Southern Paiutes near St. George, Washington County, Utah. 1874.

The Powell-Ingalls Special Commission meeting with Southern Paiutes near St. George, Washington County, Utah. 1874.

Boats in Colorado River, Marble Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona
Boats in Colorado River, Marble Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona
Boats in Colorado River, Marble Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona
Boats in Colorado River, Marble Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona

Typed information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.

Typed information on back of photograph: Marble Canyon, Colorado River, Utah. 1872. Side view of Major Powell's boat, the Emma Dean. Note: This photo shows clearly the two life preservers attached to sides of Major Powell's chair.

John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell. Photograph taken about 1872.

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell. Photograph taken about 1872.

Boats of Powell's Second Expedition
Boats of Powell's Second Expedition
Boats of Powell's Second Expedition
Boats of Powell's Second Expedition

Left bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.

Left bank of Green River. Boats of Powell's Second Expedition, before the start of the journey. The boats are "Canonita," "Emma Dean," and "Nellie Powell." Just below the Union Pacific Railroad bridge at Green River Station. The famous eleven of the Powell party were Andy Hattan, W. Clement Powell, S.V. Jones, Major John W. Powell, Frederick S.

Green River, below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, Utah
Green River, below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, Utah
Green River, below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, Utah
Green River, below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, Utah

Green River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.

Green River, about 1/2 mile below Union Pacific Railroad bridge, showing boats soon after they had been run down from unloading at bridge. River flows to the left. 1871. Handwritten notes on back of duplicate photograph: Our Boats, 1871, at Green River, Wyoming.

Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake
Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake
Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake
Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake

Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake (https://hdylake.org/about/history-of-mapping-yellowstone-lake/). The headwaters of the Snake River, Upper Valley of the Yellowstone River, and Pelican River are shown.

Henry Elliott’s 1871 map of Yellowstone Lake (https://hdylake.org/about/history-of-mapping-yellowstone-lake/). The headwaters of the Snake River, Upper Valley of the Yellowstone River, and Pelican River are shown.

Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"

Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean", Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 1871.

Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean", Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 1871.

Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871, watercolor.
Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871
Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871
Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871

Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871, watercolor (Phoenix Art Museum).  The view is from northern Yellowstone Lake looking to the south.  In the foreground, one can see the Annie in the northern lake and the three largest of the lake’s islands: Stevenson Island, with Frank Island and the smaller Dot

Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871, watercolor (Phoenix Art Museum).  The view is from northern Yellowstone Lake looking to the south.  In the foreground, one can see the Annie in the northern lake and the three largest of the lake’s islands: Stevenson Island, with Frank Island and the smaller Dot

The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition

The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.

The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.

Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation

Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.

Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.

formal portrait of caucasian man with full beard, wearing a 19th century suit and bow tie
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870

Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.

Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.

Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870
Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870
Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870
Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870

Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870.  Photo by William Henry Jackson.

Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870.  Photo by William Henry Jackson.

John Wesley Powell
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2.

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2.

Major John Wesley Powell
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3.

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3.

Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell
Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell
Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell
Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell

Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell during Colorado River expeditions. Utah. 1869

Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell during Colorado River expeditions. Utah. 1869