NWDTW 2024

Groundwater flow meters that measure horizontal groundwater flow direction and velocity have been used in several different investigations by the USGS across the nation. Historically, flowmeters were used to measure groundwater flow related to contaminant plumes (TCE, PFAS, etc.) to assist in remedial actions or site characterizations in in relation to aquifer tests to determine the area of influence from groundwater production. Recently, as part of the NGWOS Illinois Basin Study, groundwater flowmeters have been deployed at real-time continuously recording stations at two field sites to help quantify groundwater and surface water interactions between streams and the surrounding agricultural setting. This presentation will include an overview of the available technologies, proper deployment and use, case studies and best management practices.

This presentation will cover the essential issues for those involved in the groundwater sampling effort for the National Water Quality Network. Some field sampling issues will be discussed. However, the focus will be on the cycle of management and the importance of the steps needed to maintain the networks at optimal size, provide timely flow of data, and how the various forms and data provided by the sampling crews are used. The presentation will discuss these issues from the user's perspective so that the sampling crews have a better understanding of the essential steps to ensuring the health and longevity of the network to evaluate groundwater quality trends in the nation.

This session is an open forum for general groundwater discussion, and for representatives from Hydrologic Networks Branch and Office of Quality Assurance to discuss and listen to topics and concerns from USGS scientists.

This discussion will focus on best practices for Real-Time GNSS surveys, using Real-Time Networks and local radio-linked base stations for kinematic observations. Part of this discussion will highlight the process of evaluating uncertainty.

Tips and tricks to HWM data collection in various environments. The presentation will go into detail on HWM preservation, collection and documentation.

Overview of resoures avaliable to assist with Hydroacoustic issues and equipment

Tips on detecting and correcting common problems found in ADCP measurements

The California Water Science Center’s Estuarine Hydrodynamics team works in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (the Delta) and faces two main challenges with tying water level to datum. Challenges include: 1) long distances between land and gage infrastructure on pilings in the river (sometimes ~300m+). This makes it virtually impossible to use traditional leveling techniques. 2) land movement. The Delta is comprised of human-made levee systems that are susceptible to significant movement due to the organic soils of the region. Couple this with the movement of a given gage’s piling and it becomes extremely time consuming and costly to determine the accuracy of the water level’s data tied to datum.
The solution? Automate static GNSS surveys on every gage every week. We use a single board computer (SBC), GNSS Survey Grade Receiver, cellular modem, and datalogger to conduct a 12-hour static survey once per week. Once the survey is complete, the SBC packages the raw data, converts those data to a format the National Geodetic Survey’s Online Position User Service (OPUS) can ingest and then sends the converted file off to the USGS sFTP server as well as OPUS. Once the OPUS corrections have been made, we receive an email containing the corrected data and metadata and can then relate those data to our water level with much more confidence.

This will walk the audience through how FRGS is being used in datum conversion at gaging stations. The presenter will use FRGS in real-time to demonstrate how FRGS interacts with the NGS database to begin planning for the campaign. Documentation of GNSS data collection in the field will be simulated. The presentation will conclude with a demonstration of how to use FRGS to assess the uncertainty of the GNSS survey and apply vertical adjustments. (If time allows, I will show an example of the tracking sheet that we use in SAWSC to pass datum metadata from the surveyor to a reviewer, and finally to our LDM)

The CAWSC has been using total stations for the past several years to run levels at a number of challenging sites. This presentation will discuss some of the pros and cons of using a total station as well as recommendations for optimizing vertical accuracy.

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.