NWDTW 2024: Full Schedule

1:00pm CDT

Developing a New Unified Field Data Collection Application

Do you use SVMAQ/SVMobileAQ, Superfly, QRev, RIVRS, or SedFF to collect surface water, groundwater, water quality, or meteorological data? Do you manage field crews that use these applications? Are you a Local Data Manager that configures these applications for field users? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, please come to this listening session with your likes, gripes, and ideas.

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 →

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Grand Ballroom C

COMPUTER TOOLS, LISTENING SESSION

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

1:00pm CDT

Rating Review Toolbox (RRT) Demo and Q&A

The Rating Review Toolbox (RRT) is expected to fully replace the Rating Development Toolbox within the AQUARIUS Time-Series software around the time of the workshop. Basic functionality and common tripping points will be demonstrated followed by a questions and answers session where presenter and attendees can share available knowledge.

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 →

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Grand Ballroom A

COMPUTER TOOLS, TIPS AND TRICKS

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

8:00am CDT

Automated Time-Series Records Status and Future

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

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

8:00am CDT

GeeWhiz! The GWSI Replacement Project overview, updates, and cleanup tasks

Groundwater Site Inventory (GWSI) version 5.2 is a menu-based data storage and management system on the UNIX platform that is nearing end-of-life and requires modernization. GWSI includes site inventory information and groundwater thematic metadata and is considered part of legacy National Water Information System (NWIS). GWSI is currently in the process of being replaced by modern solutions as part of the NWIS Modernization Program, and the legacy product will be retired by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. By that time, all data stored within legacy GWSI will either be deprecated and archived or migrated to one of three locations: Monitoring Location Registry (MLR), AQUARIUS Time-Series (AQTS), or the new GroundWater Information System (GWIS) database, pronounced as “GeeWhiz”. In this presentation, we will outline the plan for completing modernization, provide updates on our progress so far, and discuss requests for help from Water Science Center Local Data Managers (LDMs) on several cleanup tasks associated with archival and migration.

Speakers

Catherine Fargen

Ben Sperl

Hydrologist, USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana WSC

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 9:20am CDT
Midway 3+4

GROUNDWATER, ANALYSIS

Presented By NWIS Modernization (with OSD Sponsor)
Intended Audience LDMs
Duration 80 minutes

10:00am CDT

3D scanning and 3D design software for field equipment.

This presentation will cover how to use 3D CAD modeling software for designing of field equipment. There will be a discussion on the different types of 3D CAD modeling software, as well as demos. The second part of the presentation will be use of a 3D scanner and importing into CAD software.

The demo will be with Fusion 360, Free trials can be found here: F360 free trial.

Caution: Using the free trial or hobbist trial for government work or products is against the terms of service. Our use is for training purposes only. Do not install the free trial too early, or time may elapse before the class period.

We will be using an Einstar 3D scanner, and scanning equipment and inserting them into digital space.

Check out the Innovation Depot for cool things going on with design and testing!

Speakers

Bryce Redinger

Hydro Tech, USGS

I am a HydroTech out of the Carson City, NV office. I have been working for the USGS for just over 16 years. I have a passion for design and development of equipment and teaching. I am the training coordinator for the state of Nevada, and stream gage remote locations in Nevada as... Read More →

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
Midway 9

COMPUTER TOOLS, TIPS AND TRICKS

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

10:00am CDT

Give Feedback to Your Software Product Lead

Do you use any of these software applications? DECAP, MLR, Go2, AQUARIUS Time-Series, NWIS Reporting Application, QRev, RIVRS, Superfly, SVMAQ, SIMS/RMS, SLAP, WADERS. If you answered "yes" to any of them, please come to this listening session to meet the "Product Owner" (PO). The PO's job is to hear your needs and prioritize work on the application accordingly (within the constraints of budgets, of course...). So, please come meet your PO and share your feedback, ideas and concerns.

Speakers

Travis Knight

Hydrologist, USGS-HNB

Pete Ruhl

Laura Flight

Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS

Wade Walker

USGS AQ-TS Product Owner, USGS

Sonya Vasquez and Automated Records group members

Amber Jones

Physical Scientist/Product Owner, USGS

Melissa Riskin

National Water Quality Network Coordinator

Colleen Barr

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
Grand Ballroom B

COMPUTER TOOLS, LISTENING SESSION

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

10:00am CDT

Imagery and Remote Sensing Listening Session

In our NWDTW in Phoenix last year, we held an "unconference" listening session on non-contact and remote sensing-related work in USGS. This session was valuable for helping steer work over the next several months. We plan to hold another listening session with NWDTW attendees to hear your current successes, pain points, blockers, or visionary ideas directly from you. Come and participate in this open format discussion and help guide how we continue to leverage and grow Imagery and Remote Sensing science at USGS.

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 →

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
Midway 7

IMAGING/REMOTE SENSING, LISTENING SESSION

Presented By Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 80 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Training Basics for Water Workforce Instructors and Presenters

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

10:00am CDT

Tips & Tricks for Running Station Levels

This session will present different ways to combat common issues/errors when running station levels. Topics covered will include but not limited to: equipment, planning, archiving, and documentation. Attendees will have an opportunity to present their office's tips and tricks for running station levels during Open Mic portion.

Speakers

Crystal Hammer

Supervisory Hydrologic Technician/Field Office Chief (Columbus, OH), U.S. Geological Survey

Thursday July 18, 2024 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
Midway 5

GNSS/SURVEYING, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Geospatial Data Collection Group
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 80 minutes

10:00am CDT

Sediment Records Office Hours (and any other sediment related questions)

This "office hours" block of time is intended to help answer questions about your sediment records. Have a question about a site that's been bugging you? Let's talk. Want a fresh set of eyes on your sediment record? Bring it by! Never understood coefficients but didn't want to sound ignorant by asking your boss? Your secret is safe with me! The focus will be on GCLAS based sediment records, but please stop by with any sediment related questions. If I don't know it, I'll pass you off to another subject matter expert.

Speakers

Jeb Brown

Hydrologist, USGS

Jeb Brown is a hydrologist who has been with the USGS in Albuquerque, NM since 2005. His research has focused on fluvial sediment transport, lake sediment coring, sediment surrogate technology, and research and development of emerging technology for application in hydrology studi... Read More →

Thursday July 18, 2024 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
Midway 8

SEDIMENT, LISTENING SESSION

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

1:00pm CDT

Aquarius Station Analysis (AQSA)

The team will provide an overview of the AQSA (Aquarius Station Analysis) process that integrates AQTS data and entered information with SIMS/RMS to generate Station Analysis. This Automated Records project work will be released sometime in August 2024.

Speakers

Sonya Vasquez and Automated Records group members

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Midway 9

COMPUTER TOOLS, TIPS AND TRICKS

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

1:00pm CDT

Uncertainty in Discrete Groundwater-Level Measurements

All methods of taking groundwater-level measurements have uncertainty associated with them, and these uncertainties can be numerous and compounded. Uncertainty sources can be the instrument used for measuring the groundwater level, the equipment used to validate the measured groundwater level, conditions in and near the well, environmental conditions, and even the person measuring the water level. Variables that can affect uncertainty can include temperature, measurement depth, tape stretching or other irregularities like kinks, and well access and construction. Some sources of uncertainty are identified and quantified through testing and laboratory analysis however, some uncertainty can be subjective and require a hydrographers best judgement when in the field. In this brief presentation, various sources and variables of uncertainty will be presented with a discussion to follow on other experiences with uncertainty in groundwater-level data collection.

Speakers

Jason Fine

National Groundwater Networks Coordinator, USGS

Jason graduated from East Carolina University in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in geology. He began working with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 1995. During his career with the USGS, he has focused on groundwater and surface-water studies and data collection efforts, mostly... Read More →

Lance Gruhn

Hydrologist, USGS

Lance Gruhn is a Hydrologist stationed in Iowa City, Iowa and is the groundwater technical and field support lead for the Hydrologic Networks Branck of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area. Lance coordinates the Groundwater Data Processing class and the Groundwater Field Techniques... Read More →

Michelle Sneed

Technical Quality Assurance Advisor for Groundwater Science, Office of Quality Assurance

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Midway 7

GROUNDWATER, ANALYSIS

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

1:00pm CDT

Turbidity basics

Overview of Turbidity basics including theory, calibration and measurement of turbidity.

Speakers

Evan Tillman

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Regency Ballroom A

HIF & EQUIPMENT, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)
Intended Audience Intermediate
Duration 80 minutes