[Acoustics] TRAINING -- Hydroacoustics Training for FY2005

[Kevin Oberg]

District and Data Chiefs:

The purpose of this email is to announce the schedule for Office of Surface 
Water (OSW) hydroacoustics training for fiscal year 2005, and to announce 
that the first two classes are open for enrollment.

Training Schedule for Hydroacoustics

The 2005 hydroacoustics training schedule is available at 
http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/training/schedule_2004.html.

Classes Open for Enrollment

Two classes are open for enrollment at the present time, Review of ADCP 
Discharge Measurement Data and Streamflow Measurements using 
ADCP's.  Enrollment in the Review of ADCP Discharge Measurement Data class 
must be completed by October 15, 2004.  In order to nominate individuals 
for this class, please use the Web page available at:
http://simon.er.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/rgs/index.cgi?register=1&session_id=59&to=register

Enrollment in the Streamflow Measurements using ADCP's class must be 
completed by October 22, 2004.  In order to nominate individuals for this 
class, please use the Web page available at:
http://simon.er.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/rgs/index.cgi?register=1&session_id=61&to=register

Please indicate the manufacturer of the equipment you would like training for.

You can review nominations by going to
http://simon.er.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/rgs/index.cgi?register=1&session_id=59&to=view 
and
http://simon.er.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/rgs/index.cgi?register=1&session_id=61&to=view 
for the respective classes.

NOTE: Entering an individual in the Training Management System DOES NOT 
nominate them for this class. To be nominated for this class you MUST 
follow the instructions below. Likewise nominating someone for this class 
using the instructions below DOES NOT enter them into the Training 
Management System.


Class Descriptions

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Review of ADCP Discharge Measurement Data
PLEASE RESPOND NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2004

October 26-28, 2004
Altamonte Springs, FL

A training course, "Review of ADCP Discharge Measurement Data" will be held 
October 26-28, 2004 in Altamonte Springs, FL at the USGS Subdistrict 
Office.  This class has been prepared for the purpose of training personnel 
in the application of ADCP's as per Office of Surface Water (OSW) memo 
2002.02, which provides U.S. Geological Survey policy on the use of ADCP's.

Description

This 3-day class is designed to provide instruction on review of streamflow 
measurement data collected using ADCP's.  Students will need to indicate 
what kind of profiler and software that they routinely use (see below).

The following topics will be covered during the class, (1) review of basic 
principles of ADCP operation, (2) USGS policy on use of ADCP's, (3) 
configuring ADCPs, (4) review of basic procedures for streamflow 
measurement, and (5) playback and review ADCP discharge measurements.  We 
also will allow time for students to present data files that they have 
questions about and we will review them as a group.

Attendees

This class is intended for those who need a 'refresher' on the application 
of ADCP's for streamflow measurement and USGS policies and procedures.  It 
is designed to assist persons involved in both the collection and review of 
ADCP discharge measurements.  It is NOT a substitute for the introductory 
class, "Streamflow Measurements using ADCP's", which is a requirement for 
USGS personnel who collect ADCP data (OSW memo 2002.02).  Attendance will 
be limited to approximately 25 students.  Priority will be given to USGS 
Districts who currently own an ADCP.  Requests from cooperators to attend 
the class will be considered if space is available.  If 15 or more 
students, we may cancel the class.

Requirements

Each attendee to bring a laptop computer for reviewing ADCP data.  It is 
expected that each attendee will have basic PC computer skills.  This 
includes rudimentary knowledge of how to use Windows programs, edit files 
with a text editor, etc.  Those selected for the class should bring a 
laptop that has a processor speed of 1 GHz and 256 megabytes of RAM 
minimum.  A faster machine with more memory will provide for a more 
rewarding class experience and significantly less time playing back data files.

Towards the end of the class, we will allow for a group review of problem 
data files.  Please make sure to bring all of the data collected for this 
measurement to the class. This should include the moving bed test, 
pre-deployment test(s), compass calibrations and mag var runs (for GPS 
measurements) and data collected that may not have been used in the 
measurement, including any data collected using a different water mode or 
different cross section location.

Cost

The tuition for the class will be $500. The tuition is used to pay for 
instructor time and travel, preparation of training materials, equipment 
used in the class, etc.  In order to be nominated for the class, USGS 
personnel are required to submit an account number that will be used to 
initiate an SV for those selected to attend the class.  Payment for 
non-USGS attendees must be made through the USGS National Training Center 
(NTC), who assesses an additional $100 fee.  A cancellation fee of 75% of 
the tuition will be assessed if a student cancels out of the class after 
being selected.

Accommodations

Accommodation information will be provided to those students selected at a 
later date.

Contact information:
Kevin Oberg
U.S. Geological Survey, WRD
221 N. Broadway
Urbana, IL 61801
Ph:     (217) 344-0037, ext 3004
cell:   (217) 778-3235

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REGISTER BY October 22, 2004

Measurement of Streamflow Using ADCP's
November 15-19, 2004
Louisville, KY

Announcement

A training course on streamflow measurement using acoustic Doppler current 
profilers (ADCP's) will be held November 15-19, 2004 in Louisville, 
KY.  This class has been prepared for the purpose of training personnel in 
the application of ADCP's as per OSW memo 2002.02, which provides U.S. 
Geological Survey policy on the use of ADCP's.

Description

This 5-day class will provide an introduction to the use of ADCP's for 
streamflow measurement.  The course will combine lectures and "hand's-on" 
use of ADCP's for collecting streamflow.  The course will require some pre- 
and post-class work by each student.  The pre-class work will consist of 
reading assignments and one exercise that must be completed prior to the 
class.  Post-class work will consist of collecting data using an ADCP and 
having that data reviewed by a certified USGS ADCP instructor.

The emphasis of this course will be on the practical aspects of using 
ADCP's for streamflow measurements.  Some of the topics that will be 
covered during the course include (1) basic principles of ADCP operation, 
(2) configuration files, (3) ADCP expert commands, (4) basic procedures for 
streamflow measurement, (5) using PLAYBACK to review ADCP measurements and 
compute discharge, and (6) trouble-shooting problems encountered in the field.

NOTE: If there is sufficient interest, both Sontek RiverSurveyor and RDI 
Rio Grande equipment will be used in the training.

Attendees

This class is designed for personnel who need training on the application 
of ADCP's for streamflow measurement.  The Office of Surface Water policy 
on the use of ADCP's currently requires that ADCP operators receive 
training. It is important that the attendees be current ADCP users or 
intends using the ADCP within 1-2 months of taking the class.  Attendance 
will be limited to approximately 24 students.  Priority will be given to 
USGS Districts who currently own, or are purchasing an ADCP.  Requests from 
USGS cooperators to attend the class MUST be made through the local USGS 
District Office. If you are a cooperator who would like to attend please 
contact your local District Office and have them contact the course 
coordinator.

Requirements

In order to attend the class, attendees must complete pre-class activities, 
including reading assignments and one exercise.  In addition, prior to 
coming to the class, each attendee must load software used in the class and 
verify that it will work on the laptop they will be using during the 
class.  Finally, each student must commit to making at least 2 discharge 
measurements within 2 months of completing the class and having those 
measurements successfully reviewed by a USGS ADCP instructor.  We strongly 
encourage those selected for the class to obtain some experience with the 
use of the ADCP prior to attending the class.

Each attendee should bring field clothes, PFD, and a laptop computer for 
use in collecting ADCP data.  In addition, it is expected that each 
attendee will have basic PC computer skills.  This includes rudimentary 
knowledge of how to use Windows programs, edit files with a text editor, etc.

The laptop computer should have a minimum of: 1 GHz clock speed Pentium 
processor, 1 serial port, and 256 megabytes of RAM.  A faster computer with 
more memory is desirable.

Cost

The tuition for the class is $1,000. The tuition is used to pay for 
instructor time and travel, preparation of training materials, equipment 
used in the class, etc.  In order to be nominated for the class, USGS 
personnel are required to submit an account number that will be used to 
initiate an SV for those selected to attend the class.  The cost for 
attendees from other agencies will be $100 greater than the USGS tuition.

A cancellation fee of 75% of the tuition will be assessed if a student 
cancels out of the class after being selected.

Accommodations

The hotel arrangements have not been finalized as of this 
date.  Information about accommodations will be transmitted at a later date 
to those who are selected for the class.

Contact information:

David S. Mueller
U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Surface Water
9818 Bluegrass Parkway
Louisville, KY 40299

dmueller at usgs.gov

Voice: 502-493-1935
Fax: 502-493-1909
Mobile:502-558-5907
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If you have ideas or comments or suggestions for improvement in the area of 
hydroacoustics training or support, please send email to Kevin Oberg 
(kaoberg at usgs.gov) or the Hydroacoustics Work Group (hawg at simon.er.usgs.gov).

Kevin Oberg



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Kevin Oberg
USGS - Office of Surface Water
Voice:  217.344.0037 extension 3004
Cell:   217.840.9739
http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/