NWDTW 2024

Become proficient with format statements used in DECAP! We will cover skip, check, scan, dates, times, format labels, data types, delimiters and more! The pace will be for beginners, but content will also serve as a comprehensive overview and refresher for those with experience as well.

Speakers

Laura Flight

Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS

ShortLaura began her USGS career in 1995 as a summer student and was hired full-time in 1997 as a Hydrologic Technician running surface water and groundwater field trips and computing records. Over time she started doing LDM duties, teaching courses, and testing NWIS applications... Read More →

Amarys Acosta

Hydrologic Technician, USGS

Amarys started her career in 2008 as a Hydrologic Technician in Ft. Lauderdale, FL with the USGS Florida Water Science Center (now Caribbean Florida Water Science Center). Her work involved construction, programming, monitoring, calibrating, and maintenance of remote tidal index-velocity... Read More →

Monday July 15, 2024 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT
Midway 3+4

DATABASE (DBA/LDM/NWIS), COURSE

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 6 Hours

8:00am CDT

Procedures for Running Station Levels & Hands-On Training

Monday July 15, 2024 8:00am - 4:00pm CDT

Midway 7

This training is in two parts: a morning classroom session and an afternoon hands-on session. The classroom portion will cover policy and procedures for running station levels found within the Techniques and Methods 3-A19 Levels at Gaging Stations as well as proper documentation within SVMobileAQ and SLAP. The hands-on session will include students using the digital instrument, reading the rod optically, running a short circuit to completion, and the proper way to level in reference and auxiliary gages; this portion will be outdoors or indoors depending upon weather conditions so plan accordingly. Students will need to bring their computers and have SVMobileAQ loaded onto them.

Speakers

Seth Bishop

Monday July 15, 2024 8:00am - 4:00pm CDT
Midway 7

GNSS/SURVEYING, COURSE

Presented By Geospatial Data Collection Group
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 8 Hours

8:00am CDT

Rise Above (Imagery and Remote Sensing Training Track)

Monday July 15, 2024 8:00am - 5:00pm CDT

In this full-day training track, students will gain knowledge and basic concepts about the available tools and techniques leveraging imagery and remote sensing for hydrometry applications. Students will be exposed to image and Doppler radar velocimetry techniques, camera hardware, and software configuration concepts. Additionally, students will learn where to find satellite data that can help them plan field work and improve their ground-based measurements.

8:00am-9:45am: Introduction to Image Velocimetry Methods
9:45am-11:15am: USGS introduction to the Toolbox for River Velocimetry Using Images from Aircraft (TRiVIA)
11:30am-1:00pm: Doppler Velocity Radars, Drones, and the Probability Concept Method
1:00pm-2:00pm: Lunch Break
2:00pm-3:30pm: Camera-Based Monitoring Hardware and Software Basics
3:30pm-5:00pm: No-Cost, open-source satellite data viewing and access

Speakers

Frank Engel

Geographer, U.S. Geological Survey

Me in a Sentence: Geographer and researcher passionate about developing new tools, technology, and apps using remote sensing to solve real-world problems.A bit more about me:I joined the Illinois WSC Data Section in 2012 while pursuing my Ph.D. in Geography and Civil Engineering... Read More →

John Fulton

Research Hydrologist, USGS

John is a DOI sUAS remote pilot and Research Hydrologist for the Colorado Water Science Center. His interests include (1) remote sensing from fixed- and drone-based platforms, (2) operationalizing Doppler and pulsed radars to measure river discharge in small- and big-river systems... Read More →

Matt Gyves

Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey

NGWOS Hydrologic Instrumentation Research and Development Project Manager (HI R&D), with the goal of advancing water observing technologies and capabilities within the integrated water science basins and the USGS nationally.

Matt Nicotra

Physical Scientist, USGS

Surface Water quantification.

Russ Lotspeich

Hydrologist, USGS VA-WV WSC

Robert (Russ) Lotspeich is a Hydrologist in the Hydrologic Networks Branch of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area. Russ' interests are in developing new and innovative technologies and methods to aide in data collection activities across the Water Enterprise. As the Research to... Read More →

Dave Owens

UMid WSC - Madison WI

Carl Legleiter

Research Hydrologist, USGS

As a member of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch, Carl conducts research on remote sensing of rivers, specifically retrieval of depth, velocity, and other channel attributes from various types of image data. Current efforts are focused on the development... Read More →

John Jones

Chelsea Vande Pol

Hydrologic Technician, USGS

Merritt Harlan

Research Hydrologist, USGS Water Mission Area

Paul Kinzel

Hydrologist, USGS

I am a hydrologist with the Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch. My research interests involve evaluating innovative techniques for measuring velocity and bathymetry in rivers. I have expertise in fluvial geomorphology, surveying and mapping river channels, and hydrodynamic modeling... Read More →

Monday July 15, 2024 8:00am - 5:00pm CDT
Grand Ballroom A

IMAGING/REMOTE SENSING, COURSE

Presented By Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 8 Hours

1:00pm CDT

What Makes the Mechanical Meter QA Program Click

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Midway 5

This session will provide an overview of the Mechanical Meter QA Program, as well as the Water Science Centers’ participation in the program. Topics will include navigating the OneStop Website and managing your equipment using Query Portal tools. Additionally, the calibration procedure used by the hydraulics lab team at the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility will be presented, including the criteria used to evaluate the meters. The calibration sheets provided for each meter will be explained to facilitate understanding of what the results mean and how to use them. Quality Assurance program results from recent years will also be presented.

Speakers

Christopher Wilson

Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS

Recently, I have become the section chief for the Hydraulics and Water Quality section at the HIF, overseeing the QA programs for ADCPs, ADVs, mechanical meters, and groundwater tapes, as well as the preparation and calibration of the water quality probes and sondes. Before joining... Read More →

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Midway 5

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

1:00pm CDT

Introduction the Image Velocimetry (IVy) Framework, a Windows Sofware Application for Processing Streamflow with Videos

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Midway 8

This presentation will demonstrate the new Image Velocimetry (IVy) Framework software application. The IVy Framework is a Windows application aimed at field scientists that enables the processing of videos into streamflow measurements. This presentation will demonstrate the IVy Framework concepts and method implementation, using real-world examples. We will discuss the generalized workflow for producing Image Velocimetry streamflow measurements with IVy. Finally, we will discuss upcoming training and development plans to make IVy the most helpful tool for hydrotechs and their everyday workflows.

Speakers

Frank Engel

Geographer, U.S. Geological Survey

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Midway 8

Presented By Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

2:00pm CDT

Cellular Communications - Tips and Tricks

Tuesday July 16, 2024 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT

Midway 6

The use of cellular telemetry for DCP and Internet of Things (IoT) is increasing in the USGS. This presentations will give practical tips and tricks to enhance the success of your cellular installation.

Speakers

Dave Owens

UMid WSC - Madison WI

Tuesday July 16, 2024 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Midway 6

Presented By Human Resources (HR)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Water Data for the Nation Show and Tell

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Calling all hydrotechs! Would you like to know how to better navigate the modernized Water Data for the nation pages? Have questions or feedback on a legacy replacement page? Want to know what is coming next for the modernized pages? Please join for this presentation designed by and for hydrotechs. Studies and other data section staff are welcome, too! Computers with internet are recommended to follow along but not required.

Speakers

Kammy Durham

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Midway 3+4

COMPUTER TOOLS, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Basic Electronics Principles

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Midway 6

An introduction to basic electronics principles regarding gage houses and DCP's.

Speakers

Michael West

Electronics Technician - Telemetry, USGS

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Midway 6

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Wading through the USGS Quality Assurance Testing Program for ADCPs and FlowTrackers

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Midway 5

This session focuses on the quality assurance programs for both ADCPs and FlowTrackers. It will identify the Water Science Centers’ tasks for participating in the programs. This session will walk your through the OneStop Website, especially the Query Portal tools for maintaining your equipment inventory and reviewing the test results. The testing procedure used by the hydraulics lab team at the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility will be presented, including the criteria used to evaluate the instruments. The results provided for each unit will be explained to facilitate understanding and application. Quality Assurance program results from recent years will also be presented.

Speakers

Christopher Wilson

Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Midway 5

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

3:30pm CDT

3D Modeling and its Application in the Field

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:30pm - 3:50pm CDT

Midway 9

Using 3d modeling software such as fusion360 and sketchup we have been able to create cost effective prototypes and finished final products for a variety of uses. Using this software we have been able to design and manufacture items in house to decrease cost of production and more effectively demonstrate to collaborators how certain instrument installations work. In this presentation we will show the different detail levels of design and the endless possibilities that come with 3d modeling.

How 3D modeling software such as fusion360 or sketchup can be used for various field applications to improve quality of life, collaboration, and innovation while reducing costs. We can design and manufacture parts in house that are durable and cost effective.

Speakers

Patrick Dellwo

Hydro Tech

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:30pm - 3:50pm CDT
Midway 9

COMPUTER TOOLS, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

3:30pm CDT

State of the Science for Sediment Acoustics

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:30pm - 3:50pm CDT

Grand Ballroom C

Acoustic instrumentation can be used to accurately and cost-effectively provide time-series and discrete estimates of suspended-sediment concentration, load, and sediment particle sizes, which are essential for creating informed solutions to many sediment-related environmental, engineering, and land management concerns. Historically, scientists have developed relations between suspended sediment characteristics and other parameters, most commonly measured streamflow, to estimate sediment information when physical sediment samples can’t be collected. Approaches using streamflow can have substantial accuracy limitations because of hysteresis effects, however. As a result, the use of more direct surrogate methods such as acoustic methods have become increasingly important. Interagency efforts in recent years have advanced the testing, methods development, operational guidelines, and training on acoustic methods for measuring suspended sediment. Scientists and technicians interested in using these methods are faced with many decisions on type of application and deployment: horizontal profiling, vertical profiling, or point acoustic instruments; single or multi-frequency instruments; continuous or discrete sediment measurements; and fixed or mobile instrument deployments. To promote cost effective, accurate, and high-resolution fluvial sediment data for the Nation, the interagency Sediment Acoustic Leadership Team (SALT) develops technical guidance and training for using acoustic instruments to measure aquatic sediment. Even though acoustic instrumentation has been used successfully to measure suspended-sediment characteristics through the world, some deployments have been unsuccessful because of limited technical guidance and selection of an inappropriate method. To guide decisions on method selection, the SALT has compiled the state of the science for the main types of acoustics-based suspended-sediment measurement methods in development, testing, and use, and has created a flowchart to guide method selection.

Speakers

Paul Diaz

Hydrologist, USGS

Paul is a Hydrologist splitting time with the Hydrologic Networks Branch and Oregon Water Science Center. Paul leads numerous projects involving sediment acoustic monitoring, hyperspectral imagery, and several other emerging technologies for measuring water and sediment. Paul... Read More →

Tuesday July 16, 2024 3:30pm - 3:50pm CDT
Grand Ballroom C

SEDIMENT, ANALYSIS

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

4:00pm CDT

Camera Types for NIMS/HIVIS

Tuesday July 16, 2024 4:00pm - 4:20pm CDT

This presentation will look at the different camera types used in the NIMS/HIVIS system. It will discuss strengths and weaknesses of each camera, general costs, power usage, etc of each camera type.

Speakers

Dave Owens

UMid WSC - Madison WI

Tuesday July 16, 2024 4:00pm - 4:20pm CDT
Midway 3+4

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

4:00pm CDT

Meters and Measurements

Tuesday July 16, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm CDT

Midway 6

A companion presentation to basic electronics principles.

Speakers

Michael West

Electronics Technician - Telemetry, USGS

Tuesday July 16, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm CDT
Midway 6

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

8:00am CDT

CQW Best Practices When Servicing a Sonde

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:20am CDT

Regency Ballroom A

Best practices for beginners in continuous water quality when performing a servicing on a multi-parameter sonde.

Speakers

Taylor Camper

Hydrologic Technician, USGS: Western WA Field Office

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:20am CDT
Regency Ballroom A

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

8:00am CDT

Upcoming Changes to Public Delivery of WaterWatch

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Grand Ballroom C

This presentation and listening session is oriented toward anyone who needs to understand upcoming changes to features currently being provided by the WaterWatch product (https://waterwatch.usgs.gov), from hydrotechs and program managers. WaterWatch is nearing the end of life and key features are being modernized through Water Data for the Nation (WDFN) including the National Water Dashboard and new statistical features expected in water services.

In this listening session, we will give a brief overview of some of the major changes in public delivery, which include changes to delivery method (website vs API vs Python package), integration of statistical visualizations into other WDFN features, and new ways of grouping map layers in National Water Dashboard. The remainder of the session will be an open discussion for attendees to ask questions, provide comments and share feedback on how these changes could impact your work and that of your cooperators and data users.

Speakers

Shawna Gregory

Water Data for the Nation Product Owner

Shawna Gregory is a Product Owner for Water Data for the Nation, the primary access point for real-time and historical USGS water data and information. In this role, Shawna is leading a user-centered design approach to web-based delivery applications as the USGS is modernizing water... Read More →

Florence Thompson

Geographer, USGS OTWSC

Florence Thompson is a geographer and has been with the U.S. Geological Survey since 2006. She is currently a member of the Integrated Hydrology and Data Science Branch in the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center. In her early years with USGS she produced national hydrologic datasets... Read More →

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Grand Ballroom C

COMPUTER TOOLS, LISTENING SESSION

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

8:00am CDT

Batteries, Charging and Current.

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Midway 6

Part 3 in a series, a companion of Basic Electronics Principles and Meters and Measurements.

Speakers

Michael West

Electronics Technician - Telemetry, USGS

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Midway 6

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

8:00am CDT

Drilling into the USGS Groundwater Tapes Recalibration Program

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Grand Ballroom B

This session will provide an overview of the Groundwater Tape Recalibration Program, as well as the Water Science Centers’ participation in the program. Topics will include navigating the OneStop Website and managing your equipment using Query Portal tools. Additionally, the calibration procedure used by the hydraulics lab team at the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility will be presented, including the criteria used to evaluate the tapes. The calibration sheets provided for each tape will be explained to facilitate understanding of what the results mean and how to use them. Quality Assurance program results from recent years will also be presented.

Speakers

Christopher Wilson

Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Grand Ballroom B

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

8:00am CDT

Discrete Water-Quality Sampling - (part 1 of 3) What to do before discrete water-quality samples are collected

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

This session will cover the various aspects of what is typically done before a discrete water-quality sample can be collected and options for project management.
It will include a general overview of the discrete water-quality sampling process, how to look up lab codes/schedules, what bottles are needed for what analysis, equipment blanks, filling out ASR's and other laboratory paperwork, site selection, assessing equipment needs, establishing field folders and various project related documents.
Target audience: Staff who are interested or new(er) to collecting a discrete water-quality sample or will be in the future.

Speakers

Lee Bodkin

I am the water-quality specialist for the south-Atlantic water science center (GA/NC/SC - aka SAWSC) and sit in the Raleigh, NC office.I started with the USGS in 2007 as a hydro-tech in the Gulf Coast program office of the OK-TX WSC, became a hydrologist in 2009 and became the QW... Read More →

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Regency Ballroom B

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

8:00am CDT

Automated Time-Series Records Status and Future

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am CDT

What is the current status of Water Mission Area time-series record automation work and what does the future hold for available tools and research?

Speakers

Wade Walker

USGS AQ-TS Product Owner, USGS

Current USGS AQUARIUS Time-Series product owner who represents the USGS stake in the software and helps enable new USGS work within it. Spent 20 years as a Hydrologic Technician in Pueblo, CO, doing just about all types of data collection we have and developing grassroots software... Read More →

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am CDT
Grand Ballroom A

COMPUTER TOOLS, ANALYSIS

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 80 minutes

9:00am CDT

What’s new with the NOMS Water Data Exploration System (WADERS)?

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT

Grand Ballroom C

This course will be of interest for field personnel across the Water Enterprise that have to daily QA/QC their real-time data. This product of the Network Operations Management System (NOMS) project is the planned replacement support tool for field personnel to use in lieu of NWISWeb for all sites, but particularly for sites coded with internal or cooperator-only access. This presentation will go over the latest improvements to WADERS based upon user feedback and look to gain additional user feedback for future releases.

Speakers

Cary Carman

San Angelo, Texas, USGS

Chuck Hansen

Hydrologist, USGS

Chuck Hansen is a Hydrologist with the California Water Science Center in Sacramento. He leadsa team of software and hardware engineers focusing on remote sensing and data delivery.

Colin Keating

Physical Scientist, USGS California WSC

Colin joined the USGS in 2021 as a software developer and has contributed to numerous data dissemination and mapping products including the National Water Dashboard-internal and WADERS.

James Merges

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT
Grand Ballroom C

COMPUTER TOOLS, ANALYSIS

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

9:00am CDT

Modernization of surface water station mapping of vertical control points

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT

Midway 5

This presentation covers a web application to quickly and easily create/access accurate maps of station vertical control points. The purpose of creating these maps is to expedite locating these points during levels and prevent issues caused by mixing up points. These maps can be easily accessed using QR codes that can be printed onto stickers placed on the inside of a gage house or added to the station paperwork.

Speakers

Nick Pierson

Hydrologic Technician, USGS - OKTX WSC

Nick Pierson is a hydrologic technician from the Oklahoma City office of the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center. He has been in the USGS for three years, focusing on surface water and ground water data.

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT
Midway 5

SURFACE WATER, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

9:00am CDT

Discrete Water-Quality Sampling - (part 2 of 3) Techniques and Methods for Discrete Sample Collection (SW & GW)

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 10:20am CDT

This session will cover the various techniques and methods used to collect a discrete water-quality sample.
It will include an overview of various discrete sampling equipment, conditions the equipment is appropriate for, techniques for using the equipment, introduction to sample processing and sample preservation.
Target audience: Staff who are interested or new(er) to collecting a discrete water-quality sample or will be in the future.

Class will Break from 9:30 to 10 am.

Speakers

Lee Bodkin

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 10:20am CDT
Regency Ballroom B

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

10:00am CDT

The NEW HIF, same as the old HIF?

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Midway 10

This session will provide an update on the HIF 2.0 facility. Along with a progress report on the facility's operations, this session will discuss the existing and new functions of the HIF, as well as the services available to WSCs and their hydrologic technicians.

Speakers

Christopher Wilson

Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Midway 10

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

10:30am CDT

Discrete Water-Quality Sampling - (part 3 of 3) What Happens After a Discrete Water-Quality Sample has been Collected

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

This session will cover what has to be done after a discrete water-quality sample has been collected.
It will include sample processing methods and order, sample preservation, overview of sample shipping, completing paperwork and an introduction to data review options.
Target audience: Staff who are interested or new(er) to collecting a discrete water-quality sample or will be in the future.

Speakers

Lee Bodkin

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Regency Ballroom B

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

10:30am CDT

Real-time Phosphorus: USGS Testing and Usage of Phosphorus Analyzers

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Regency Ballroom A

Phosphorus data is an integral part of numerous scientific studies due to its role as a potential limiting nutrient. This presentation will demonstrate some successful ways to achieve real-time phosphorus data and results from testing six commercially available analyzers. Results cover usage, data quality, and common issues collecting real-time phosphorus.

Speakers

Colin Peake

Physical Scientist, USGS - CMWSC

I’m into all things continuous water quality! Expert in nutrient sensor technologies.

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Regency Ballroom A

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch non-contact activities and services

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Midway 5

This presentation provides an overview of the non-contact activities that the Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch (HRSB) performs or assists, with an eye toward how WSCs can benefit. We will discuss what the HRSB does and how we work with WSCs to use remote sensing and non-contact science to make their jobs easier.

Speakers

Jack Eggleston

Frank Engel

Geographer, U.S. Geological Survey

Carole Johnson

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Midway 5

Presented By Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Training Basics for Water Workforce Instructors and Presenters

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 4:20pm CDT

Midway 10

Beyond subject matter expertise, developing effective training for any audience requires significant planning, organization, and attention to detail to ensure learners receive the maximum benefit. This session is geared toward new or aspiring instructors and presenters who want to learn about foundational training logistics, modalities, and delivery. Participants will gain insight into topics like venue selection, audience engagement, and creating accessible and helpful presentations.

Speakers

Grant Walters

Senior Learning & Development Advisor (Contractor) - Water Workforce Development & Training, United States Geological Survey/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 4:20pm CDT
Midway 10

LEADERSHIP, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Water Workforce Development & Training Function
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 80 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Feedback on public web delivery

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 4:50pm CDT

Join Water Data for the Nation developers and product owners to experiment with or give feedback on public web delivery like the National Water Dashboard, Monitoring Location Pages, legacy NWISweb. This is an opportunity for the USGS community to give freeform feedback and ask questions about web delivery.

Speakers

Shawna Gregory

Water Data for the Nation Product Owner

Florence Thompson

Geographer, USGS OTWSC

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 4:50pm CDT
Midway 3+4

COMPUTER TOOLS, LISTENING SESSION

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 110 minutes

3:00pm CDT

What to do after you've measured the "big one": USGS peak-flow data for Hydrologic Technicians

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 4:50pm CDT

Regency Ballroom C

Annual peak streamflow data from USGS streamgages are a critical dataset engineers and hydrologists use for flood frequency analyses that inform bridge designs, floodplain maps, and other projects in and along rivers. Updated Federal guidelines for flood-frequency analysis (Bulletin 17C) were released in 2019, which allow for better use of information published by the USGS, such as censored (greater than or less than) data, and data sources outside of streamgage records, such as historic peaks. In this workshop, attendees will learn how annual peak-flow data are used, what peak flow qualification codes mean and when to use them, what flood information should be included in station descriptions and manuscripts in SIMS, the proper application of “highest since” notes to annual peaks, proper treatment of peak flows at crest-stage gages, and lots of other flood-related facts. An example streamgage will be analyzed with the PeakFQ software to demonstrate application of USGS data to a real-world flood-frequency problem.

Speakers

Daniel Wagner

Padraic O'Shea

Statistician, U.S. Geological Survey

Seth Siefken

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:00pm - 4:50pm CDT
Regency Ballroom C

SURFACE WATER, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 110 minutes

4:00pm CDT

Datalogger and Camera setup for Situational Awareness and Image Velocimetry

Wednesday July 17, 2024 4:00pm - 4:20pm CDT

Midway 8

Increasing value is being placed on Image-based data collection for both situational awareness and remote measurement. NY WSC is investigating various camera hardware that can be effectively controlled using a Campbell Scientific CR1000x datalogger. A combination of techniques are being evaluated including: image capture and transmission to HIVIS for situational awareness, video capture for the purposes of computing discharge with image velocimetry. As these setups are power-hungry, power budgets play a very significant role on the success of these approaches.

Speakers

Martyn Smith

Hydrologic Applied Innovations Lab (HAIL), US Geological Survey

Wednesday July 17, 2024 4:00pm - 4:20pm CDT
Midway 8

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

4:30pm CDT

NGWOS Soil Moisture Sensing in the Delaware River Basin

Wednesday July 17, 2024 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT

Midway 8

As part of NGWOS efforts in the Delaware River Basin, a soil moisture sensing testbed was developed at a continuous records observation well, DE 723. Both proximal and in-situ sensors were installed utilizing both novel and traditional technologies. Likely the precursor to a soil moisture sensing techniques and methods (T&M), practices are being developed for calibration, installation, verification, and analysis. Over 100 time-series are being maintained and reviewed using AQ Time-Series. Beyond soil moisture content other time-series include meteorological parameters (i.e. solar flux, precipitation, wind speed, etc), cosmic ray neutron counts, and soil temperature. Discrete measurements used for verifying in-situ and proximal soil moisture sensors are also being made and include soil core grab samples, downhole nuclear magnetic resonance logs, and handheld soil moisture "check measurements". These efforts are advancing the USGS's ability to quantify water being stored in the soil zone, while also characterizing an underrepresented phase of the water cycle. Future work regarding computation of infiltration and recharge rates, prediction of streamflow responses, and quantification of drought conditions will all benefit from long-term soil moisture records established by the USGS.

Speakers

Patrick Anzman

Hydrologic Technician, USGS PAWSC

Mitchell Weaver

Hydrologist, PAWSC

Wednesday July 17, 2024 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT
Midway 8

GROUNDWATER, ANALYSIS

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

8:00am CDT

USGS Water Use Data Management Function Part 1

Thursday July 18, 2024 8:00am - 8:20am CDT

The Water Use Data Management Function provides support for water-use data acquisition, review, management, and storage for Water Enterprise water-use data needs. This support includes developing or contributing to water use related policies, technical memos, training, and data review tools. This presentation will give an overview of the Water Use Data Management Function activities; provide an overview of water-use data available to USGS studies and how to access these data; and highlight several national and local water use projects.

Speakers

Cheryl Dieter

Thursday July 18, 2024 8:00am - 8:20am CDT
Grand Ballroom A

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

8:00am CDT

Discrete Water-Quality Sampling - Information on the NWQL ASRs, cooler packing, and Information related to Contract Labs

Thursday July 18, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

This session will cover various aspects of shipping discrete water-quality samples to the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL).
It will include how to look up information on the NWQL internal website, LIMs v11, ASRs, and general information on contract labs.
Target audience: Staff who are sending discrete water-quality samples to the NWQL or will be in the future.

Speakers

Lee Bodkin

Thursday July 18, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Regency Ballroom B

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

8:30am CDT

USGS Water Use Data System (WUDS) Part 2

Thursday July 18, 2024 8:30am - 8:50am CDT

The Water Use Data System (WUDS) is the replacement for the current Site-Specific Water Use Data System (SWUDS) database and is being developed under the NWIS Modernization effort. WUDS is planned for release by the end of September 2024, and will include retrieval access to the full Monitoring Location Registry contents and the modernized Permit and Other Identifier tables, as well as all water-use specific data from SWUDS. Batch input will support all water-use data, permits, and other identifiers.

This demo will go over the retrieval and batch-entry workflows and discuss a few of the changes from SWUDS to WUDS.

Speakers

Cheryl Dieter

Nancy Barber

Thursday July 18, 2024 8:30am - 8:50am CDT
Grand Ballroom A

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

9:00am CDT

Considerations for Deploying the YSI EXO in Long-Term Deployments

Thursday July 18, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT

Regency Ballroom A

Considerations for deploying and working with the YSI EXO sonde.

Speakers

Taylor Camper

Hydrologic Technician, USGS: Western WA Field Office

Thursday July 18, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT
Regency Ballroom A

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

9:00am CDT

Water Use Toolkit: Data Entry and Status Tools Part 3

Thursday July 18, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT

This presentation will demonstrate the Data Entry and Status tools of the Water Use Toolkit. State agency reported water-use data are provided to USGS staff in many formats. To improve efficiency in entry of data into USGS site-specific water use databases, the Data Entry tool uses several crosswalk tables and translates the state agency provided data into USGS input template format.

The Status tool was developed to allow USGS staff to easily find out what data are in the USGS site-specific water use databases. This tool provides graphs, maps, and counts of the number of water use sites and the category of water use, and the number of monthly and annual data values for the country and by state. A Tableau dashboard allows users to filter by date, category, and state, and is useful for identifying available water-use data for studies with different spatial and temporal extents.

The Water Use Toolkit is a new USGS multiple component tool that was designed to improve efficiency in entering site-specific water-use data, avoid duplication of sites, and provide graphical interfaces for reviewing water quantity data in USGS databases.

Speakers

Malia Scott

Hydrologist, USGS

Samantha Sullivan

Statistician, USGS

Cheryl Dieter

Thursday July 18, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT
Grand Ballroom A

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

10:00am CDT

Water Use Toolkit: Site Comparison Tool part 4

Thursday July 18, 2024 10:00am - 10:20am CDT

This presentation will demonstrate the Site Comparison tool of the Water Use Toolkit. Each year, USGS staff create and enter large numbers of new water use sites in order to enter site-specific water use data into USGS databases. Limited site information from the source agency can make it difficult to determine if a site already exists in USGS databases. The Site Comparison tool was developed to compare source agency information with current NWIS site information. The tool allows the user to select different data components for comparison, such as name, latitude and longitude, etc. and outputs a likely match score table for the user to evaluate. This tool also has application to any new site creation in NWIS, not just water use sites.

The Water Use Toolkit is a new USGS multiple component tool that was designed to improve efficiency in entering site-specific water-use data, avoid duplication of sites, and provide graphical interfaces for reviewing water quantity data in USGS databases.

Speakers

Malia Scott

Hydrologist, USGS

Cheryl Dieter

Thursday July 18, 2024 10:00am - 10:20am CDT
Grand Ballroom A

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

10:30am CDT

Water Use Toolkit: Data Review and Outlier Detection tool (part 5)

Thursday July 18, 2024 10:30am - 10:50am CDT

This presentation will demonstrate the Data Review and Outlier Detection tool of the Water Use Toolkit. State agency reported water-use data often contain erroneous data and outliers, and current USGS water use databases do not have graphical user interfaces for easily reviewing these data. The Data Review and Outlier Detection tool of the Water Use Toolkit allows USGS staff to interactively review time series plots of annual and monthly water-use data, and provides the users a .csv file of potential outliers and data anomalies. The Water Use Toolkit is a new USGS multiple component tool that was designed to improve efficiency in entering site-specific water-use data, avoid duplication of sites, and provide graphical interfaces for reviewing water quantity data in USGS databases.

Speakers

Samantha Sullivan

Statistician, USGS

Thursday July 18, 2024 10:30am - 10:50am CDT
Grand Ballroom A

IMAGING/REMOTE SENSING, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

1:00pm CDT

Physical Installation of NIMS/HIVIS cameras

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT

Midway 5

This presentation will look at different camera mounting systems, tools used for installation, termination of ethernet cables and use of POE injectors.

Speakers

Dave Owens

UMid WSC - Madison WI

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
Midway 5

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

1:00pm CDT

Traffic Control Awareness

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Midway 1+2

This presentation will provide an overview of traffic control awareness and precautions for employees that work along roads and bridges. Training requirements, traffic control devices, and the importance of worker visibility for personnel working on or within 15 feet of roadways will be discussed. In addition, things to consider when setting up traffic control, and a discussion of flagging and traffic control plans (TCPs) will be presented.

Speakers

Shelley Niesen

U.S. Geological Survey

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Midway 1+2

SAFETY, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

1:00pm CDT

OKI Hydrotech Bootcamp, Methods, curriculum, lessons learned.

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Grand Ballroom B

OKI would like to share our hydrotech bootcamp experience with the data workshop in order to share our successes, learn from our mistakes, and start a discussion with other trainers on their center's bootcamp techniques.

Speakers

Shawn LeMaster

Hyd Tech, USGS

Andrew Gorman

USGS

Travis D. Smith

USGS

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Grand Ballroom B

SURFACE WATER, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 50 minutes

2:00pm CDT

Using AirVantage with Sierra Wireless RV50, RV50X and RV55 cellular modems

Thursday July 18, 2024 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT

Midway 5

Cellular telemetry is getting wider use throughout the USGS. AirVantage is a tool that can be used to manage and troubleshoot Sierra Wireless cellular modems/gateways. This presentation will show some of the tools available in the AirVantage dashboard. Anyone using Sierra Wireless modems (RV50, RV50X, RV55 and LX60) should have access to AirVantage.

Speakers

Dave Owens

UMid WSC - Madison WI

Thursday July 18, 2024 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Midway 5

IMAGING/REMOTE SENSING, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By WMA (Headquarters)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 20 minutes

2:00pm CDT

Overview of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program

Thursday July 18, 2024 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT