NWDTW 2024

This workshop is a compact version of a previously offered series designed to serve USGS employees aimed at improving training effectiveness in their centers and offices. Participants will learn best practices in adult learning and apply them to training scenarios in their individual work environments. There will be an opportunity for large and smaller group conversations to process the materials and to encourage collaborating and sharing resources.

This workshop will discuss the three commonly used index velocity rating types, multi-cell selection, and the overall development process. During the workshop, students will use RIVRS to explore data and generate velocity rating curves for multiple datasets. Time at the end of the session will be reserved to discuss student submitted data.

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.

The Colorado WSC is exploring new methods to calculate real time discharge under the ice which hopefully leads to safer and more accurate data collection. We are also looking at discrete discharge measurement techniques that require only a few holes to be drilled in the ice. Techniques include tracer measurements (i.e. salt dilution), and the PC method which only requires a stage-area rating and few holes drilled around the y-axis to record a maximum instream velocity with a current meter or ADCP, and in this case an upward looking ADVM and streamside edge computing.

Operation of Index Velocity Gages Using Two-Way Cellular Telemetry and ADVM RS232 Serial Communication with a Campbell Scientific data logger

Overview of general field safety concerns including, environmental exposure, first aid training, job hazard analysis, field communications, and safety training requirements.

Andrew Gorman from OKI and Christopher Smith from SAWSC were funded by the WMO to visit with Belize's Hydrology department to asses their program and deliver necessary training.

An overview of the 2024 USGS National Flood Plan, which serves to document the National level perspective of the organizational framework, decision processes, resources, and responsibilities of riverine flood response.

A combined point cloud of about 85.6 million points was collected during 27 scans of a section of the western shoreline along the Shinnecock Peninsula of Suffolk County, New York, to document baseline geospatial conditions during July and October 2022 using a scanning total station. The three-dimensional accuracy of the combined point cloud is assessed to identify potential systematic error sources associated with the surveying equipment and the novel methodology used to collect and field-register (data are oriented and aligned in real time) point cloud data. The accuracy of the combined point cloud was assessed in terms of relative and absolute reference frames. Relative accuracy provides a measure of error within the local coordinate system and is determined by combining the uncertainty associated with the position of the scan station (the point being occupied by the scanning total station during the scan), the uncertainty associated with the position of the network control points, and the uncertainty associated with the laser of the scanning total station. Assessment of the absolute accuracy includes these three potential error sources combined with the uncertainty associated with the geodetic coordinates to which the local control network is referenced. The combined overall relative horizontal and vertical accuracy of the point cloud is 0.0156 and 0.0241 meter, respectively, at the 95 percent confidence level; the combined overall absolute horizontal and vertical accuracy of the point cloud is 0.0374 and 0.0733 meter, respectively, at the 95 percent confidence level.
A second survey was conducted during March 2023 following a substantial erosion event associated with (unnamed) Winter Storm “Elliot” (weather channel assigned this unofficial name). A bare-earth digital elevation model was then created of “pre-storm” (1st survey) and “post-storm” (2nd survey) conditions. The pre-storm, bare-earth DEM, was then compared with the post-storm DEM to detect topographic (and shallow bathymetric) change along the western shoreline and determine areas/features that are most susceptible to erosion during a major coastal storm event. The distribution and magnitude of erosion and deposition, and potential volume changes, will be disseminated in a USGS scientific report.

We designed an application through power apps that will provide a more accurate account of those in a given facility. This new facility check-in will provide detailed information of staff and visitors present in a facility in the event of an emergency.

A first look at the data coming out of the 50 new image velocimetry gages in New York is presented, including initial impressions of issues and successes, and comparison to select concurrent conventional measurements

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.

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.

This training course will be offered in the format of an interactive workshop. The focus will be to address topics such as: optimal conditions for the LISST-ABS, installation and maintenance, calibration verification processes, results from USGS pairing factor studies (if you intend to use the LISST-ABS in conjunction with a turbidity sensor), and future work. There will be formal presentations of materials, but the atmosphere will be flexible to accommodate open discussion and 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.

This presentation will present initial results of the recent Federal Priority Streamgage (FPS) Network Open Season, with a first look at the new network design of eligible locations based upon discussions from multiple federal partners.