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NWDTW 2026
Venue: BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only) clear filter
Monday, July 20
 

8:00am CDT

Procedures for Running Station Levels & Hands-On Training
FULL
Monday July 20, 2026 8:00am - 5:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
Limited Capacity full
This training is in two parts: a morning classroom session and an afternoon hands-on session. The classroom portion will cover policy and procedures for running station levels found within the Techniques and Methods 3-A19 Levels at Gaging Stations as well as proper documentation within SVMobileAQ and SLAP. The hands-on session will include students using the digital instrument, reading the rod optically, running a short circuit to completion, and the best way to level in reference and auxiliary gages; this portion will be outdoors or indoors depending upon weather conditions so plan accordingly. Students will need to bring their computers; instructors will provide a Class Mode Version of SVMobileAQ for students to load onto their computers.
Speakers
avatar for Crystal Hammer

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 →
TS
DW
HS
Monday July 20, 2026 8:00am - 5:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  GNSS/SURVEYING
 
Tuesday, July 21
 

1:00pm CDT

Development and Use Cases of a Rapid Deploy Camera System
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
Colorado WSC Network Integration and Science Innovation (I&I) team has developed a standalone Rapid Deployment Camera (RDC) system which allows USGS staff to install cameras quickly and with no formal camera training. Camera imagery is served via USGS HIVIS. Use cases for RDC deployment include camera installation prior to flooding events; after significant landscape processes such as wildfires, landslides, avalanches; to monitor seasonal conditions which affect gage reliability such as algae, sediment deposition, leave accumulation; and rapid response to cooperator or emergency management requests.
Speakers
MH
AL
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  IMAGERY AND REMOTE SENSING

1:30pm CDT

Alpha Coefficient Data Mining for Image Velocimetry from the USGS Database of ADCP Measurements
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 1:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
To compute discharge using image velocimetry, the measured surface velocity must be related to the depth-averaged velocity; this is typically done using a simple coefficient known as the alpha coefficient. The alpha coefficient is the most significant input to the computation of discharge from imagery that is often not empirically determined, but the resulting discharge value is directly proportional to the value chosen. The USGS database contains more than half a million ADCP measurements - the profiles in these measurements can be used to inform selection of alpha. Results from a compilation of profiles at a variety of sites will be presented.
Speakers
EN
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 1:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  IMAGERY AND REMOTE SENSING

2:00pm CDT

Water, Watts, and Wires: An Introduction to Microcontrollers for Instrument Control and Monitoring
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
"Did you unplug it and plug it back in?" - every IT Person, ever.
Field visits for simple instrument resets are a costly drain on resources. While most dataloggers have control ports that can power cycle devices and instruments, these ports are often exhausted as sensor density increases. By integrating a microcontroller, we have expanded our control capacity via multi-channel relay boards. Logic within the main datalogger verifies data transmission, validity, and connectivity before communicating with an external microcontroller that manages the power supply to individual devices and instruments. More importantly, we've moved beyond simple "On/Off" control by monitoring individual instrument's current draw in real-time. These data are passed to the primary datalogger, enabling automated notifications if hardware is drawing outside of specifications. Because the entire system can be monitored and controlled remotely, it provides a comprehensive "health check". This reduces unnecessary field visits and equips staff with additional diagnostic information needed to troubleshoot before leaving the office.
Speakers
avatar for Trevor Violette

Trevor Violette

Physical Scientist
Trevor has been working for the Estuarine Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport team for almost 14 years. In his time, he has been heavily involved in index velocity and complex velocity mapping projects, water quality, and fish tracking. He's installed more ADCPs, QW Sondes, and Hydrophones... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SHOW AND TELL FIELD HACKS: EFFICIENCY TIPS AND TRICKS

2:30pm CDT

Break
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

3:00pm CDT

Fulfilling Our Mission (Life & Property), One Gage at a Time: USGS Real-time Flood Impact Map Workshop
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 4:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
Since 2021, the USGS Real-time Flood Impact Map has evolved through the Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) into an increasingly operational capability that delivers actionable flood impact intelligence.

This hands-on workshop will train participants to enter and document flood impacts within the system. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own flood impact scenarios; alternatively, examples may be selected from National Weather Service flood impact statements. These scenarios will be used for guided, step-by-step instruction on data entry, standards, and quality assurance.

The session will include: (1) an overview of the Real-time Flood Impact Map, (2) criteria for defining and selecting flood impacts, (3) hands-on data entry exercises, and (4) best practices for ensuring consistency and accuracy. The map currently includes more than 6,000 documented flood impacts nationwide and continues to expand in operational use.

Participants will leave prepared to independently contribute high-quality flood impact data and support broader adoption across cooperators and stakeholders.
Speakers
avatar for Athena Clark

Athena Clark

Coastal Storm Team Leader, SER Science Advisor & Tribal Liaison, USGS
Athena Clark is currently serving as the USGS Coastal Storm Team Leader, Southeast Region Science Advisor and Tribal Liaison. Prior to her current role, Athena also served as the USGS Alabama Water Science Center Director and USGS Lower Mississippi Gulf Deputy Director.
Athena has... Read More →
avatar for Julia Prokopec

Julia Prokopec

Hydrologist/FIM Coordinator/Assistant Flood Coordinator, USGS
Julia Prokopec is a hydrologist in the Web Informatics & Mapping Team (WIM) in the Upper Midwest Water Science Center in St Paul, MN. She works with partners and lead developers to coordinate development and project management within WIM. She is also the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping... Read More →
avatar for Lauren Privette

Lauren Privette

WIM Software Developer, USGS

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 4:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SURFACE WATER

4:30pm CDT

Surrogate Analysis and Index Developer (SAID) 2.0 Tool
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
This session will give a status update on SAID 2.0 and walk through developing a model so users can see common workflows and ask questions.
Speakers
avatar for Colleen Barr

Colleen Barr

Hydrologist, USGS
Colleen is a Hydrologist/Software Developer in the Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB).
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:30pm - 4:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SEDIMENT
 
Wednesday, July 22
 

8:00am CDT

Remotely Operated Smart Gages
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
As site loads increase and resources stay tight, many technicians are being asked to manage more than ever before.

This session looks at how modern gaging technology—cameras, remote communications, enhanced power systems, and smarter backend tools—can help ease that burden by reducing unnecessary trips and highlighting what actually needs attention.
Speakers
CG

Chris Grindle

Physical Scientist, USGS
Started in the USGS with the VA/WV WSC in 2016. Currently work for the NYWSC in the research to operations section. I enjoy trying to use new methods and technologies to provide more high quality and relevant data. My focuses are in gage construction, equipment design and programming... Read More →
MS
CM
EN
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SURFACE WATER

9:30am CDT

Break
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

10:00am CDT

ICE-Edge: Computing Continuous Under-ice Discharge on the Edge
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
As of Jan 5, 2026, 1,185 of the 9,004 USGS streamgages were ice-affected - approximately 13.2% of our assets that lack the capacity to deliver real-time discharge. Existing USGS under-ice methods require hours to complete, are cost prohibitive, lack the capacity to deliver continuous discharge time series, and place hydrographers at risk. ICE-Edge computes real-time under ice discharge on the “edge” (think by the riverbank) by integrating a RaspberryPi (RPi) computer, python code, uplooking Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meter (u-ADVM), FirstNet modem, and leveraging the probability concept discharge algorithm.
Speakers
BW
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SURFACE WATER

10:30am CDT

Some Tools for Assessing Drought
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
This session will cover a few tools for assessing drought, with examples from the record statewide Texas drought of 2011.
Speakers
avatar for Karl Winters

Karl Winters

National Flood Coordinator, USGS
Karl serves as the National Flood Coordinator, and a Surface-Water Specialist in the Hydrologic Networks Branch. He provides operational support and coordination of USGS flood response, as well as training and support for flood documentation and modeling, and computation of streamflow... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SURFACE WATER

11:30am CDT

Lunch
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

2:30pm CDT

Introduction to the Salt Dilution Streamflow Method
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
The salt dilution method is a technique for measuring streamflow by injecting a trace pulse of sodium chloride (NaCl) into a stream, allowing it to fully mix, and tracking the downstream dilution through changes in specific conductance. Because salt dilution performs well in turbulent or irregular flow conditions where velocity–area methods often fail, it is a practical option for difficult‑to‑measure sites. This presentation introduces the salt dilution method, including how to identify suitable site conditions, the core field procedures for making salt dilution measurements, and the principles behind salt dilution discharge calculations.
Speakers
avatar for Lewis Craghead

Lewis Craghead

Hydrologic Technician, U.S. Geological Survey
Lewis Craghead joined the South Atlantic WSC in 2016 as a Pathways Intern while finishing a water resources program at the University of Georgia. As a hydrologic technician, he runs a surface water field trip in metro-Atlanta with the Urban Hydrologic Unit which focuses on continuous... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SURFACE WATER

3:30pm CDT

Frozen SUSHI (Scientists Using Salt Hydrometric Instruments): Salt Dilution Tracer Discharge Measurements Under Ice
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:30pm - 3:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
A presentation on the application of salt dilution tracer discrete discharge measurements in under ice conditions. An overview of the method and workflow is discussed. Results of under ice measurements will be reviewed emphasizing the successes, technical challenges, and the lessons learned. Including a further discussion on improving accuracy and repeatability of the method in the future.
Speakers
avatar for Tony Trease

Tony Trease

Hydro Tech, USGS
Hydro Tech at the Lakewood Field Office. Colorado WSC Hydracoustics Specialist. Rocky Mountain SUSHI. 17 years with the USGS.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:30pm - 3:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SURFACE WATER

4:00pm CDT

Peak Flow Visualization Tools
Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
USGS peak-flow data is one of the most important datasets used to assess flood risk in the United States. This presentation will discuss tools for visualizing USGS peak-flow data and indirect discharge measurements to improve accessibility of USGS flood data. These tools can be used to easily find what USGS peak-flow data are available in an area to inform operations during and after floods events and identify data for use in flood frequency studies.
Speakers
SS

Seth Siefken

Hydrologist
Seth Siefken is a civil engineer based in Helena, Montana. He's been working with USGS since fall 2018, where his projects have included flood frequency analysis, water quality monitoring, writing software, and field data collection. He is currently the maintainer of the USGS PeakFQ... Read More →
DW
PM
Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  SURFACE WATER
 
Thursday, July 23
 

8:30am CDT

Future Directions in GNSS Surveying- Intro to the New NSRS
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
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.
Speakers
avatar for Bryce McClenney

Bryce McClenney

hydro tech, USGS-South Atlantic
I am presenting on both the GNSS and Storm Response tracks. I have been involved with both GNSS and storm response campaigns all over the country and hope to convey some of my lessons learned as well as learn from others.
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  GNSS/SURVEYING

9:30am CDT

Break
Thursday July 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

Thursday July 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

10:00am CDT

Future Directions in GNSS Surveying: Proposed Changes to Field Data Collection Methods
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
This session will focus on a new tech memo from the NGS (NOS NGS 92). I will present the changes in field survey methods the NGS has outlined in the document and discuss potential changes to USGS GNSS data collection methods to bring us into compliance.
Speakers
avatar for Bryce McClenney

Bryce McClenney

hydro tech, USGS-South Atlantic
I am presenting on both the GNSS and Storm Response tracks. I have been involved with both GNSS and storm response campaigns all over the country and hope to convey some of my lessons learned as well as learn from others.
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:20am CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  GNSS/SURVEYING

11:30am CDT

Lunch
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)

1:00pm CDT

HDAC - Workshopping a workshop and how the sausage is made
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
Have you ever paused to wonder what it really takes to organize a training workshop or to be a part of a high-functioning, collaborative, national level team? Well, this is your chance to get a clear, behind-the-scenes look at the role and how HDAC members can influence different initiatives and create tangible improvements within the data collection community. Join us to discover the wide range of activities HDAC undertakes — from workshop planning to offering practical, front line input that helps shape procedures, policies, and best practices across the organization.

During this open session, HDAC Chair Chris Smith along with current HDAC members will be on hand to share detailed insight into the group’s inner workings. Come prepared with your questions.

Speakers
avatar for Chris Smith

Chris Smith

Field Office Chief, USGS
I am the Field Office Chief of the Norcross (Atlanta) Georgia office. I am also the Chair of the Hydrologic Data Advisory Committee (HDAC). I am proudest of my years helping others learn the job and my years of field work, where I have always tried to set a good example. My most significant... Read More →
avatar for Maria Clemens

Maria Clemens

Hydrologic Technician, USGS - OKI WSC
Member of HDAC and NWDTW 2024 Planning Team
JV

Jordan Vance

Hydrologic Technician, USGS

avatar for Brian Imig

Brian Imig

Hydrologic Technician, USGS

avatar for Ernie McCoy

Ernie McCoy

Hydrologic Technician, USGS-Dakota WSC
Hydrotech at the Grand Forks field office in North Dakota. I started as a student the summer of 09, graduated from UND with a bachelors degree in Environmental Geoscience. I stream gage, collect discrete samples and run continuous monitors collecting the big five.
avatar for Sean Townsend

Sean Townsend

Hydrographer, USGS
avatar for Seth Bishop

Seth Bishop

Hydro Tech, USGS
Seth Bishop is a hydrologic technician in the Urbana, Illinois office of the Central Midwest Water Science Center. He has been with the USGS for eight years, focusing on surface water.  
avatar for Hampton Childres
avatar for Georgia Michael

Georgia Michael

Hydrologic Technician, USGS

avatar for Crystal Hammer

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 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
BCC - Lackey (54 Tiered Class Only)
  Field Support

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
AL

Arthur Lilienthal

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

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BCC - Birmingham (65 Class / 100 theater)
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  • AQUARIUS (AQ)
  • COASTAL SCIENCE/STORM RESPONSE
  • Collaboration
  • COMPUTER TOOLS
  • CONTINUOUS QW
  • DATA CHIEFS/FIELD OFFICE CHIEFS
  • DATABASE (DBA/LDM/NWIS)
  • DISCRETE QW
  • Field Support
  • Fit for Purpose/Surface Water
  • GNSS/SURVEYING
  • GROUNDWATER
  • HYDROACOUSTICS
  • Hydrogeophysics for groundwater investigations
  • HYDROLOGIC INSTRUMENTATION FACILITY (HIF)
  • IMAGERY AND REMOTE SENSING
  • LISTENING SESSIONS
  • New Technologies/New Data/Remote Sensing
  • Precipitation Chemistry QA
  • SEDIMENT
  • SHOW AND TELL FIELD HACKS: EFFICIENCY TIPS AND TRICKS
  • SHOW AND TELL FIELD HACKS: TIPS AND TRICKS
  • SURFACE WATER
  • Telemetry
  • Training & Workforce Development
  • UNCREWED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
  • Length
  • 0800-1600
  • 110 minutes
  • 20 minutes
  • 30 minutes
  • 4 Hours
  • 50 minutes
  • 80 minutes
  • All day Monday
  • I am good with 20 or 50!
  • Can't teach
  • also presenting nugo2 and HydroCorrect;
  • AM;
  • AM;Monday
  • AM;Thursday
  • AM;Tuesday
  • AM;Unavailable during any Water Training Advisory Council (WTAC)-related sessions;
  • AM;Wednesday
  • Monday
  • Not available during LDM forum or NWDi presentation;
  • PM;
  • PM;during other presentations I am giving as well as any salt dilution presentation.;
  • PM;Monday
  • PM;Thursday
  • PM;Tuesday
  • PM;Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Tuesday
  • Notes
  • This session is for managers only.
  • 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.
  • Popular