NWDTW 2024: Full Schedule

8:00am CDT

Continuous Water-Quality: Best practices for Calibrations and Field Procedures

Calibrations, Field Procedures and Demos, Oh My! Are you interested in best practices for Continuous Water Quality? This course will go over fundamentals of continuous water-quality calibrations and field procedures and include on-site demos and exercises. Students should bring a laptop.

Speakers

Cory Kavan

Hydrologist, USGS

Taylor Camper

Hydrologic Technician, USGS: VA-WV WSC

I have been with the Survey since 2017, based in the Virginia-West Virginia WSC. During my career, I have worked in the Watershed Studies section primarily focused on continuous and discrete water-quality work. In 2021, I was selected to be my team's field coordinator, ensuring projects... Read More →

Ernie McCoy

Hydrologic Technician, USGS-Dakota WSC

Hydrotech at the Grand Forks field office in North Dakota. I started as a student the summer of 09, graduated from UND with a bachelors degree in Environmental Geoscience. I stream gage, collect discrete samples and run continuous monitors collecting the big five.

Kim Shaffer

Continuous Water Quality Lead for the Hydrologic Networks Branch, USGS

Kimberly Shaffer has a degree in Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University and has worked for the U.S. Geological Survey for the past 26 years. As a hydrologist, she has collected and published streamflow, water-quality, and water-use data. In 2021, Kim became the Continuous... Read More →

Justin Krahulik

Hydrologic Technician, USGS

Brent Hall

Hydrologist, USGS

Monday July 15, 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Midway 5

WATER QUALITY, COURSE

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience Introductory
Duration 4 Hours

1:00pm CDT

Continuous Water-Quality Records Refresher

The USGS maintains a large network of real-time continuous water-quality instruments to assess conditions in surface and groundwater. Throughout the country, there are over 2,500 sites where the big 5 parameters (temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity) are monitored. These continuous water-quality data are available to the public (WaterQualityWatch, National Water Information System, and USGS National Water Dashboard). USGS data are known for the high quality and accuracy, which means that staff must apply data corrections consistently. Staff often need instruction on records corrections, computation, and processing using AQUARIUS Time Series (TS). This refresher presents concepts and procedures for record computation outlined in Techniques and Methods Report Book 1, Section D3 titled "Guidelines and Standard Procedures of Continuous Water-Quality Monitors Station Operation, Record Computation and Data Reporting." Staff that are involved in the collection and processing of continuous water-quality monitoring data and interested in better understanding continuous water-quality monitoring records computation are encouraged to attend. This is not intended to replace QW2298, but to offer staff an opportunity to get hands-on training and assistance in water-quality records. Staff should bring questions!

Speakers

Kim Shaffer

Continuous Water Quality Lead for the Hydrologic Networks Branch, USGS

Monday July 15, 2024 1:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Midway 5

WATER QUALITY, COURSE

Presented By Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB)
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 4 Hours

1:00pm CDT

What Makes the Mechanical Meter QA Program Click

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

HIF & EQUIPMENT, ANALYSIS

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

2:00pm CDT

Equipment Tracking in the Field with NOMS InTrac

Come learn about the latest in field equipment tracking! This presentation will introduce InTrac, a mobile-friendly and offline-capable application designed to unify instrument tracking efforts across the Water Enterprise. A product of the Network Operations Management System (NOMS) project, InTrac will allow you to update the status and location of your equipment with the scan of a barcode. Tune in to see a preview of the application and provide feedback about current and future features.

Speakers

Travis Adams

Computer Scientist, USGS - SAWSC

Tuesday July 16, 2024 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Midway 5

COMPUTER TOOLS, ANALYSIS

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

3:00pm CDT

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

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

HIF & EQUIPMENT, ANALYSIS

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

4:00pm CDT

Safe Return and Float Plans

This course is designed to discuss the implementation of a center-wide safe return plan as well as how to properly follow and use said plan. During the presentation we will discuss the use of field plans, float plans, the roles and responsibilities of both field workers and watch people and have a couple of brief scenarios to use for group discussion. Safe return plans help ensure that all field workers are able to complete their mission and return safely, therefore having them properly implemented into a center is paramount for a safe and successful work environment.

Speakers

Zachary Holcomb

Hydrology Technician, USGS-KSWSC

Tuesday July 16, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm CDT
Midway 5

SAFETY, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By USGS Cooperative Research Units
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 50 minutes

8:00am CDT

NAAR Shark Tank Award Ceremony

Winner of NAAR Shark Tank will present their innovative idea.

Speakers

Crystal Hammer

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

Wednesday July 17, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Midway 5

WATER USE, SHOW AND TELL

Duration 20 minutes

9:00am CDT

Modernization of surface water station mapping of vertical control points

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

Nicholas Pierson

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

10:00am CDT

Show and Tell: Gage Installs, wiring to construction

DISCUSSION GROUP--This guided session aims to provide a venue for dialogue amongst those interested in gage construction. Utilizing the projector in the classroom we can share photos so have your photos handy and able to send them through email or teams

Speakers

Ernie McCoy

Hydrologic Technician, USGS-Dakota WSC

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Midway 5

HIF & EQUIPMENT, SHOW AND TELL

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 50 minutes

3:00pm CDT

Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch non-contact activities and services

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

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 →

Carole Johnson

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

IMAGING/REMOTE SENSING, ANALYSIS

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

4:00pm CDT

Women’s Safety in the Field

There has been an expressed need for a greater focus on women’s safety in the field. As a whole, field safety is not just a concern for women, but for all employees. We will discuss overall field safety as well as the unique situations women might find themselves in.

Speakers

Sarina Little

Hydrologic Technician, USGS

Lara Chapman

Wednesday July 17, 2024 4:00pm - 4:50pm CDT
Midway 5

SAFETY, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By Your WSC
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 50 minutes

8:00am CDT

Ice Measurements with ADCP's and ADV's

The basics of collecting acoustic mesurments under ice.

Speakers

Garret Welsh

Garret began his career with the USGS as a student in the Iowa City, IA office in 2009 before joining on as a full time hydro tech after completing his studies. In 2015 he transferred to the Mounds View, MN office. He is a member of the Hydroacoustics Workgroup (HaWG) and spends... Read More →

Thursday July 18, 2024 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Midway 5

HYDROACOUSTICS, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By HAWG
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 50 minutes

9:00am CDT

RIVRS: Index Velocity Deployment Planning

There are many factors that go into producing accurate discharge at an Index Velocity gage. Before data collection begins, the gage location needs to be established and a velocity meter installed. What frequency meter should you use? Should the meter be uplooking or side looking? Where in the water column should the meter be mounted? During this talk we will discuss the various deployment options, what site reconnaissance data needs to be collected, and how to plan for successful data collect.

Speakers

Travis Knight

Hydrologist, USGS-HNB

Thursday July 18, 2024 9:00am - 9:20am CDT
Midway 5

HYDROACOUSTICS, TIPS AND TRICKS

Presented By HAWG
Intended Audience General Audience
Duration 20 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

1:00pm CDT

Physical Installation of NIMS/HIVIS cameras

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

Dave Owens represents the Upper Midwest (UMid) Water Science Center in Madison, WI where he has worked as a hydro tech, project chief, lead IT specialist, operations manager and Innovation specialist for the last 34 years. He has extensive experience with Campbell Scientific dataloggers... Read More →

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

IMAGING/REMOTE SENSING, TIPS AND TRICKS

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

1:30pm CDT

Why are Real Time Cameras Important

Camera imagery can help describe conditions that can't be measured by traditional sensors. Real time cameras help USGS employees, first responders and the public to make decisions about conditions at the site before going to the site which can enhance efficiency and improve safety.

Speakers

Dave Owens

UMid WSC - Madison WI

Thursday July 18, 2024 1:30pm - 1:50pm CDT
Midway 5

IMAGING/REMOTE SENSING, ANALYSIS

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

2:00pm CDT

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

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