Surface-Water Techniques: On Demand Training Opportunities

The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been collecting streamflow information since 1889 using nationally consistent methods. The need for such information was envisioned by John Wesley Powell as a key component for settlement of the arid western United States. Because of Powell’s vision the nation now has a rich streamflow data base that can be analyzed with confidence in both space and time. This means that data collected at a stream gaging station in Maine in 1903 can be compared to data collected in 2007 at the same gage in Maine or at a different gage in California. Such comparisons are becoming increasingly important as we work to assess climate variability and anthropogenic effects on streamflow. Training employees in proper and consistent techniques to collect and analyze streamflow data forms a cornerstone for maintaining the integrity of this rich data base.

This Fact Sheet with live links to the on-line on demand training material described here and any updates to it are available online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2007/3099/

Data collection techniques used at the first USGS streamgaging stations were developed and taught at Embudo, New Mexico. The handful of student hydrographers who learned these techniques were distributed throughout the western United States where they set about establishing what is now the U.S. Geological Survey’s streamgaging network. The USGS now employs hundreds of hydrographers who measure streamflow at over 7000 gaging stations in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Those employees must continue to use standard practices to collect streamflow data if the integrity of the data base is to be maintained. To help USGS employees (and employees of other agencies who have a need to collect streamflow data) keep abreast of current USGS streamgaging techniques, a variety of training classes have been developed. Designed to augment traditional classroom-style training and published technique manuals, these classes are available either on CD-ROMs or over the Internet.

Available Classes

This class provides a basic understanding of techniques the U.S. Geological Survey uses to collect data at streamflow gaging stations. The class reviews:

You can also take virtual visits to two streamgages from this training class. This class is listed as Training Class SW4230 with the USGS National Training Center.

At most streamgaging stations stream discharge is estimated by applying the relation between stream stage, which is measured continuously, and discharge. This class provides a basic understanding of techniques the U.S. Geological Survey uses to develop these important relations. The class reviews:

A set of fourteen exercises accompany this class. USGS employees can take a modified version of this class that uses the graphical tool “GRSAT” to work class exercises. This class is listed as Training Class SW1409 with the USGS National Training Center.

Measurement of Stream Discharge by Wading

Most years the USGS makes over 50,000 stream discharge measurements. Over 75 percent of those measurements are made by wading streams and using the velocity-area method. This class describes how stream discharge should be measured when wading and using the velocity-area method. It is intended as a learning and reference tool for anyone responsible for making wading discharge measurements. This class, which was originally published on CD-ROM, has recently (2007) been revised and is now web-based. The class is listed as Training Class SW1271 with the USGS National Training Center.

The class describes: Basic cableway nomenclature. • How cableways are used during a discharge measure- • ment, A description of all major cableway components, • Forces in action during cableway use, • Inspection procedures required before operating a • cableway, and Rules for safe cableway operation. •

Streamgages record the elevation of the water surface above some reference surface, or datum. This datum is assumed to remain unchanged throughout the life of the gage. However, the elevation of gages and their supporting structures often change over time as a result of ground movement, floods, ice, and debris. The surveying practice of leveling is used to establish datum for new gage structures and to check for vertical movement of those structures over time. Vertical changes in gage structures can affect stage-discharge relations and, thus, could result in incorrect discharge determinations. Datum checks are used to correct stage-discharge relations and allow the USGS to document gage datum throughout the life of a gage. This training presentation describes methods currently used by the U.S. Geological Survey to run levels at gaging stations. The class is listed as Training Class SW1307 with the USGS National Training Center.

Introduction to Suspended-Sediment Sampling

Knowledge of the amount and timing of sediment transport in streams is important to those directly or indirectly responsible for developing and managing water and land resources. Such data are often used to judge the health of watersheds and the success or failure of activities designed to mitigate adverse impacts of sediment on streams and stream habitats. This training class presents an introduction to methods currently used by the USGS to sample suspended-sediment concentrations and particle-size distribution in streams. The class is listed as Training Class SW4416 with the USGS National Training Center.

Taking the classes

Classes are linked to a summary web page at:

All classes are USGS publications and, as such, are available to USGS employees as well as to the general public. Most classes are narrated and many contain video clips that illustrate selected concepts. Videos associated with the web-based classes are best viewed using a relatively highspeed internet connection.

Most classes contain tests that can be used by students and/or supervisors to assess how well students understand class materials. Certificates can be downloaded and filled out by students and supervisors to demonstrate successful completion of a class.

We will continue to update existing training materials and hope to develop training opportunities on additional subjects.

Where this page came from

This page was imported from U.S. Geological Survey. Published by the U.S. Geological Survey and, as a work of the United States government, in the public domain.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.