NWDTW 2026

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.

Accurate and efficient cross-section surveys are essential for maintaining high-quality stage-discharge ratings and index velocity gage operations. This presentation demonstrates a streamlined workflow for conducting differential level surveys of river cross-sections using the SVMobileAQ mobile application and importing the data into AreaComp3 software for visualization and analysis.
The session will cover the fundamentals of setting up a conventional differential level instrument (level gun) and collecting cross-section data in the field with SVMobileAQ. Attendees will then learn how to seamlessly import the survey data into AreaComp3 to generate plotted cross-sections referenced to gage datum.
Although commonly applied to index velocity gages, this approach provides broader benefits for streamgaging programs, including evaluation of control features at stage-discharge stations, detection of changes in channel geometry through overlay of historical surveys, and investigation of discrepancies by comparing survey results with ADCP bathymetry.
This practical, field-to-office workflow offers an accessible and efficient method for improving the quality and utility of cross-section data in water resources monitoring.

This talk is a hands on introduction to three geophysical methods, time-domain and frequency-domain electromagnetic (TDEM and FDEM) methods, along with the horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method that are increasingly useful for groundwater investigations. We focus on how these methods work, what they measure, how they’re deployed in the field, and the subsurface information they provide. Case studies highlight how electromagnetic methods can map subsurface conductivity and characterize aquifers, and how the HVSR passive seismic technique helps estimate sediment thickness overlying bedrock, an important input for groundwater modeling.

Manual data review and processing is time-consuming for USGS technicians - the USGS Water Community needs tools to help automate time-series data workflows. HydroCorrect is an AQTS toolbox that monitors data, identifies anomalies, and performs corrective actions based on rate of change, threshold, and flatline rules. In this session, we will demonstrate how HydroCorrect capabilities and workflows can make things easier for you! Join us to learn about opportunities to be part of a pilot testing group to be among the first to implement HydroCorrect and help shape the next iteration of water data tools for the USGS.

Introduction to Campbell Scientific SCWID (Shortcut for Web Interface Design), a web based GUI that lives on the datalogger and can be customized for your application. How they work, what they can do, and how you can design your own.

Continuous water-quality data need careful review and often require drift or fouling corrections to ensure accuracy. This session explains when and how to correct records, describes manual and automatic methods in Aquarius Time Series, and discusses percent versus multi-point corrections. The session also addresses data censoring. Participants will examine how to apply corrections for various continuous water-quality parameters and field conditions.

In 2026 the National Geodetic Survey is releasing the North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022. This will have a wide range of implications on how we collect and disseminate spatial data. This session is an introduction to the new datum and its parts as well as discussion of how it will impact USGS Water systems and interpretive data.

The growth of remotely sensed products dedicated to water quality creates exciting opportunities for the USGS. However, navigating through all these products can be confusing, especially for those just getting experienced with remote sensing of water resources. To orient end users with a working knowledge of existing data products and tools for remotely sensing water quality, this session will demonstrate several products recently developed by the Water Mission Area’s Remote Sensing of Water Quality project, including those dedicated for monitoring temperature, chlorophyll, and turbidity. During this session, instructors will present concrete, potential applications, where remotely sensed products can improve efficiency, decision making, and safety for hydrologic technicians. Following these worked examples, the session will be dedicated to attendees exploring tools on their own and sharing feedback with the instructors on how best to tailor these products’ continued development.

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!

Do you use water-quality monitors and want to learn more about troubleshooting? This course will look at common problems with water-quality monitors and will demonstrate how to identify problems and fix them.

How is Go2 working for you? This is a follow up of the first Go2 session - though the first session is not prerequisite! If you attended the first session, then you configured Go2 and may have received email alerts. In this session, we will examine notifications and follow up on any questions about the results and settings. If you missed the first session, we will review details on set up, customization, and troubleshooting of Go2 configurations along with frequently asked questions and discussion of known limitations, future plans, and timelines.

This session highlights practical ways hydrotechs organize tools, trucks, and shop spaces to work safer, faster, and more efficiently. It’s a collaborative, audience‑driven discussion where attendees share setups, tips, and lessons learned. The open format encourages questions, problem‑solving, and idea‑sharing—so if you’ve got a challenge you’re facing, bring it and let’s talk it through or even better bring send your photo examples!

Use this link to access teams chat to share content. Organized to Succeed: Tools, Trucks, and Shop Setups for Hydrotechs (Open Form)

This listening session is designed to gather feedback and address questions about the RMS auto method. It’s a valuable opportunity for users to share their experiences, raise concerns, and learn more about the software. I will also highlight recent updates and preview what’s coming next.

Join us for a focused 10-minute presentation highlighting the latest research and development initiatives from the Hydroacoustics Work Group (HaWG). Following this, attendees will engage in a dynamic 20-minute open forum, offering the chance to connect directly with HaWG experts, ask questions, and share your operational needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and support from the leading voices in hydroacoustics.

This presentation will summarize the current national agreements, and potential new national agreements, and outline the process for each. After the presentation, there will be time allotted for feedback and discussion with data leadership.

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.

QRevMS is an application used for processing and reviewing ADCP midsection discharge measurements. Like QRev, QRevMS processes data loaded from the manufacture data files using automated quality checks and data filtering. This talk will discuss the workflow of the application, specifically related to post-processing and measurement review. Improvements and updates to the software will also be discussed.

An Innovative, Tiered, Multi‑Platform Framework for High‑Resolution Water‑Quality Monitoring and Mapping (NWDTW 2026)

Theresa Armijo, Hydrologic Technician, Colorado Water Science Center
Matt Burgess, Geographer, National Uncrewed Systems Office
Matt Gyves, Physical Scientist, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Tyler King, Research Hydrologist, Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch

Effective assessment of water-quality conditions requires strategies that capture spatial and temporal variability and complexities of biogeochemical processes. In this talk we present and seek feedback on a tiered, multi-platform monitoring framework that integrates satellite observations, Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS)-based hyperspectral imaging, boat-based discrete sampling, in-situ water-quality measurements, and micro-sized autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs; Jaia Robotics JaiaBot BIO) measurements. Together, these platforms form a scalable and adaptive system for characterizing water-quality dynamics across broad spatial and temporal scales.
This approach will be piloted in August 2026 to characterize conditions in two Colorado reservoirs affected by harmful algal blooms (HABs). Integrating sampling and monitoring technologies within a tiered and multi-platform framework enhances the resolution of water-quality assessments and supports early event detection. This allows for targeted sampling campaigns, and improved mapping of spatially complex environments—including reservoirs, river networks, and estuarine systems.
The multi-platform framework provides an efficient path toward cost-effective, repeatable monitoring, scalable and transferable platforms that can be tailored to diverse management objectives such as site-specific studies to basin-wide or regional initiatives. With this approach, we aim to characterize conditions at increasingly fine resolution.

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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.

This will be an informal session where the latest features of BDL and WQR are demonstrated, with an emphasis on the use cases of those in attendance. The roadmap for the applications will be discussed, and feedback will be solicited regarding the prioritization of future feature development.