NWDTW 2026: Full Schedule

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8:00am CDT

Developing Guidelines for Continuous Meteorological Monitoring

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 8:20am CDT

Continuous meteorological (MET) monitoring is conducted across the USGS to meet cooperator needs, support hydrologic research, and provide operational support for other data collection activities. We will provide an early-stage development overview of USGS MET monitoring guidelines to facilitate standardized data collection for air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind, and solar radiation observations. The current state of continuous MET monitoring across the USGS will be discussed along with progress toward creating monitoring guidelines that can be consistently applied across the agency.

Speakers

Shawn Naylor

Richard Van Nevel

Ariele Kramer

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 8:20am CDT
BCC - Smith (28 Class / 45 Theater)

LISTENING SESSIONS

Length 30 minutes
Can't teach Monday, AM;

8:00am CDT

New Limited-Use Method for the Collection of Low Precision (0.1 ft) Stage Data

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

BCC - Sellers (476 Class / 800 Theater)

Limited-Use methods are collected and/or reviewed using non-standard methods, which may include modifications to a standard method, differences in quality assurance procedures, and(or) following external methods with limited validation information pertaining to a particular use or context. The low precision, or 0.1ft, stage data method establishes the procedural framework for these modification. The method provides a complete description of the requirements for site establishment, as well as the data collection and data processing quality assurance/quality control procedures.
This session will discuss these requirements and examine how the new method's modifications impact data quality compared to the standard methods currently collected under the parameter Gage height.

Speakers

Bryan Pula

Hydrologist

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
BCC - Sellers (476 Class / 800 Theater)

Fit for Purpose/Surface Water

Length 50 minutes
Can't teach Monday, AM;

8:00am CDT

Tips & Tricks for Running Station Levels

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 9:20am CDT

Hotel Capstone - Presidents (50 Theater/40 Classroom)

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

Tyler Sansing

Dustin Wallace

Holden Smith

Crystal Hammer

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

I'm the Columbus OH Field Office Chief for the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana WSC. For my 1st 2.5 years in the USGS, I worked out of the Pacific Islands WSC in Honolulu, Hawaii. I accepted a position in Columbus, Ohio to return to my home state and be closer to family having grown up in Cincinnati... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 9:20am CDT
Hotel Capstone - Presidents (50 Theater/40 Classroom)

SHOW AND TELL FIELD HACKS: EFFICIENCY TIPS AND TRICKS

Length 80 minutes
Can't teach Tuesday, AM;Tuesday, PM;Wednesday, AM;Wednesday, PM;Thursday, AM;

8:30am CDT

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Applications for Water Science

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Moody Music - Room 1003 (150 Theater / Thurs Only)

This is an introduction to planning effective missions for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Water Science Centers. An overview will be presented for establishing capabilities, selecting UASs and sensors, mission planning, data processing, quality assurance and publication for UAS-collected data. Logistical and safety considerations, as well as scientific best practices will be discussed. Examples of UAS projects and use cases from across the Nation will be presented for streamflow monitoring, flood response, terrain mapping, groundwater - surface water exchange zone identification, and more!

Speakers

Chris L. Gazoorian

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Moody Music - Room 1003 (150 Theater / Thurs Only)

UNCREWED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

Length 50 minutes
Can't teach Monday, AM;
Notes This will cover high-level overview of UAS operations general information for WSC management and scientists. This is very much a presentation and NOT a training session.

10:00am CDT

Groundwater Workgroup Open-Forum

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:20am CDT

Moody Music - Room 1003 (150 Theater / Thurs Only)

The goal of this open-forum/listening session is to provide groundwater expertise for Q&A and to promote interaction and networking within the USGS groundwater community

Speakers

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 →

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
Moody Music - Room 1003 (150 Theater / Thurs Only)

GROUNDWATER

Length 80 minutes
Can't teach Monday, PM;Monday, AM;

10:30am CDT

Envisioning the future of QWDX and SedLOGIN

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 10:50am CDT

BCC - Smith (28 Class / 45 Theater)

The QWDX and SedLOGIN Modernization Discovery project is evaluating options for updating the systems that support the efficient and traceable transfer of laboratory and field data into AQUARIUS Samples. This session will share a project update and offer users a chance to contribute directly to the alternatives analysis—helping shape the future of how discrete-sample data flows into AQS.

Speakers

Kate Norton

Patrick Eslick-Huff

Michael Canova

Hydrologist / Data Management Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 10:50am CDT
BCC - Smith (28 Class / 45 Theater)

DISCRETE QW

Length 20 minutes
Can't teach Monday, PM;Monday, AM;

1:00pm CDT

Dremio for LDMs and Hydrologists

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

BCC - Nichols (21 Class / 40 Theater)

Discover how Dremio makes it easy for local data managers and hydrologists to gain valuable insights from your AQUARIUS Samples Data. Learn to run the growing library of useful queries, build your own custom views, and share them with others. This session is your first step toward modernizing your data workflows.

Speakers

Michael Canova

Hydrologist / Data Management Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
BCC - Nichols (21 Class / 40 Theater)

DATABASE (DBA/LDM/NWIS)

Length 50 minutes
Can't teach Thursday, AM;Monday, AM;

1:00pm CDT

Visualizing Current Conditions at the state-level with hyswap

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT

BCC - Wilson (54 Tiered Class Only)

This session introduces a set of state-level Python notebooks that use hyswap to generate maps and charts of current water conditions. These notebooks are designed to be easy to run and modify, providing a practical entry point for creating visuals that were previously available through legacy systems like WaterWatch.

Participants will learn how to produce 7-, 14-, and 28-day percentile maps, along with HUC-based runoff maps, using reproducible workflows that can be adapted to different states or regions. The session will walk through how the notebooks are structured, how they access and process data, and how outputs can be customized for specific communication or analysis needs.

This is a hands-on, work-along session. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop and follow along as we get the notebooks running locally, step through the code, and make simple modifications. Support will be provided to help participants set up Python environments and troubleshoot issues so they can continue using the notebooks independently after the session. The session is open to anyone interested in learning how to generate state-level water condition visuals using Python, regardless of prior experience.

Speakers

Cee Nell

Elise Hinman

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
BCC - Wilson (54 Tiered Class Only)

COMPUTER TOOLS

Length 80 minutes
Can't teach Tuesday, AM;Tuesday, PM;Wednesday, AM;Wednesday, PM;Thursday, AM;

1:00pm CDT

Measuring Groundwater flow velocity and direction: Project investigations, long term deployments, and Research and Development of New Multi-dimensional Heat Pulse Flowmeters

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT

Moody Music - Room 1003 (150 Theater / Thurs Only)

Groundwater flow meters that measure horizontal flow direction and velocity have been used by the USGS in a variety of investigations across the country. Traditionally, these instruments required on-site operation and supported investigative studies of contaminant plumes (such as TCE and PFAS) to aid in site characterization and remedial planning, as well as to evaluate aquifer test responses and production well influence. As part of the NGWOS Illinois Basin Study, groundwater flow meters have been deployed for long-term, telemetered monitoring at two testbed sites to help characterize groundwater flow and direction to assess groundwater–surface water interactions between streams and nearby agricultural areas. Recently, as part of the NGWOS Research and Development sub-program, work has commenced to develop a heat pulse flowmeter that is capable of measuring flow direction and velocity in 3-dimensional space rather than being limited to the horizontal plane. This presentation will provide an overview of available technologies, guidance on proper deployment and operation, case studies, best management practices, and research and development of a new multi-dimensional instrument.

Speakers

Lance Gruhn

Hydrologist, USGS

David Lampe

Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS OKI WSC

Matt Hardebeck

Hydrologist, United States Geological Survey

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
Moody Music - Room 1003 (150 Theater / Thurs Only)

GROUNDWATER

Length 80 minutes
Can't teach Thursday, AM;

1:30pm CDT

Peak Precision from Your Desk: In-Office Validation of the Upper End of Stage-Discharge Rating Curves

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

Developing reliable upper-end extensions of stage-discharge rating curves is often challenging due to limited high-flow measurements. This presentation outlines a clear hierarchy of preferred approaches—starting with direct flow measurements, followed by indirect methods—and then focuses on practical in-office techniques that can be performed without field work. Methods include estimating peak flows using areal regression (Q vs. drainage area), transferring peak discharges from upstream or downstream gages, and leveraging the StreamStats cross-section cutting tool along with the AreaComp3 software program to generate control and channel geometry. These desk-based strategies allow hydrologists to effectively vet rating descriptor pairs, assess curve shape, and confidently extend ratings to higher stages.

Speakers

Arthur Lilienthal

Hydrologist, USGS

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

SURFACE WATER

Length 50 minutes
Can't teach Monday, AM;Monday, PM;Thursday, AM;

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:30am CDT

10:00am CDT

10:30am CDT

1:00pm CDT

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1:30pm CDT

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