Surface Water Field School

August 1 - 5, 2022

Application Deadline 5.19.2022

Location: University of Oregon
Apply Here

Instructors

Dr. J. Toby Minear
University of Colorado, Boulder
Dr. Taylor Rowley
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Dr. Mark Fonstad
University of Oregon
Dr. Sarah Cooley
University of Oregon

Interested in learning advanced surface water measurement techniques?

Adding a field component or satellite observations to your research?

Join water researchers in the field to learn the latest techniques for measuring rivers, lakes and wetlands, and how to relate field surface water measurements to satellite observations!

This workshop will educate up-and-coming hydrologists on best practices in surface water field measurement and is especially geared towards those interested in comparing field measurements to satellite observations and towards underrepresented groups within the hydrological sciences. The workshop will also provide a brief introduction to field safety and field planning, and no prior field hydrology experience is necessary to participate.

Attendees must apply for this workshop. Applications will be reviewed by workshop organizers and instructors, and students will be notified of their application status in Early June.

Workshop Overview

Field surface water measurements, such as water surface elevation and river discharge, are a critical component of hydrology. These measurements are vital not only for water management and for modeling, but also for their role in validating hydrologic data acquired using remote sensing. Two major NASA water-observing satellites, SWOT and NISAR, are due to launch in the next two years. Hydrologists will play an important role in contributing data to support the science of those missions. This workshop will educate up-and-coming hydrologists on best practices in surface water field measurement and is especially geared towards those interested in comparing field measurements to satellite observations and towards underrepresented groups within the hydrological sciences. The workshop will also provide a brief introduction to field safety and field planning, and no prior field hydrology experience is necessary to participate.

Course Outcomes:

This workshop will provide an introduction to the following skills and topics:

  • Water, moving water and boat safety
  • Field planning for surface water measurements
  • Measurement of water surface elevations using GNSS (static and kinematic), pressure transducers, and auto levels
  • Measurement of water surface extent
  • Measurement of depth and bathymetry using sonar
  • Measurement of velocity and discharge
  • Construction of rating curves and continuous discharge estimates


Workshop Eligibility and Requirements:

Applicants must apply to attend the workshop. There are a limited number of spots available. This workshop is geared toward graduate students; however, postdocs, early career researchers, teaching faculty and professionals that meet the requirements are encouraged to apply.

  • Participants must be proficient swimmers and be comfortable being in and around water
  • Fully vaccinated against COVID 19


COVID Considerations:

CUAHSI is closely monitoring guidance from the CDC and other health authorities to ensure a safe experience for all participants. CUAHSI requires that all workshop attendees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the CDC at the time of the workshop. .

If conditions and advice dictate, CUAHSI reserves the right to cancel or reschedule this workshop.

Registration Costs

CUAHSI Member - Student Registration Fee $300

Non-CUAHSI Member - Student Registration Fee $350

CUAHSI Member - Professional Registration Fee $400

Non-CUAHSI Member - Professional Registration Fee $450

Registration cost will cover:

  • Lodging at the University of Oregon, and meals
  • Course tuition
  • Facilities costs
  • Field Supplies
  • Transportation to/from the field site


Travel grants are also available on a first come first served basis after registration for accepted participants who are graduate students or postdocs at US universities which can be used to defray the cost of travel to the program.

Please note that all participants are expected to travel on July 31 and in the afternoon August 5.

Tentative Workshop Agenda

Workshop agenda is here. This workshop agenda is tentative and subject to change.