Geology ReportsSearch

Geology topics

Dann K. Yobbi

Publications and source records attributed to Dann K. Yobbi.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Archive of digital boomer seismic reflection data collected during USGS field activity 04SGI01 in the Withlacoochee River of West-Central Florida, March 2004

In March of 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a geophysical survey in the Withlacoochee River of west-central Florida. This report serves as an archive of unprocessed digital boomer seismic reflection data, trackline maps, navigation files, GIS information, Field Activity Collection System (FACS) logs, observer's logbook, and FGDC metadata. Filtered and gained digital images of the seismic profiles are also provided. Refer to the Acronyms page for expansion of all acronyms and abbreviations used in this report. The archived trace data are in standard Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) SEG-Y format (Barry and others, 1975) and may be downloaded and processed with commercial or public domain software such as Seismic Unix (SU). Example SU processing scripts and USGS software for viewing the SEG-Y files (Zihlman, 1992) are also provided.

Florida

Testing the sensitivity of pumpage to increases in surficial aquifer system heads in the Cypress Creek well-field area, west-central Florida — An optimization technique

Tampa Bay depends on ground water for most of the water supply. Numerous wetlands and lakes in Pasco County have been impacted by the high demand for ground water. Central Pasco County, particularly the area within the Cypress Creek well field, has been greatly affected. Probable causes for the decline in surface-water levels are well-field pumpage and a decade-long drought. Efforts are underway to increase surface-water levels by developing alternative sources of water supply, thus reducing the quantity of well-field pumpage. Numerical ground-water flow simulations coupled with an optimization routine were used in a series of simulations to test the sensitivity of optimal pumpage to desired increases in surficial aquifer system heads in the Cypress Creek well field. The ground-water system was simulated using the central northern Tampa Bay ground-water flow model. Pumping solutions for 1987 equilibrium conditions and for a transient 6-month timeframe were determined for five test cases, each reflecting a range of desired target recovery heads at different head control sites in the surficial aquifer system. Results are presented in the form of curves relating average head recovery to total optimal pumpage. Pumping solutions are sensitive to the location of head control sites formulated in the optimization problem and as expected, total optimal pumpage decreased when desired target head increased. The distribution of optimal pumpage for individual production wells also was significantly affected by the location of head control sites. A pumping advantage was gained for test-case formulations where hydraulic heads were maximized in cells near the production wells, in cells within the steady-state pumping center cone of depression, and in cells within the area of the well field where confining-unit leakance is the highest. More water was pumped and the ratio of head recovery per unit decrease in optimal pumpage was more than double for test cases where hydraulic heads are maximized in cells located at or near the production wells. Additionally, the ratio of head recovery per unit decrease in pumpage was about three times more for the area where confining-unit leakance is the highest than for other leakance zone areas of the well field. For many head control sites, optimal heads corresponding to optimal pumpage deviated from the desired target recovery heads. Overall, pumping solutions were constrained by the limiting recovery values, initial head conditions, and by upper boundary conditions of the ground-water flow model.

Florida

Science Plan, U.S. Geological Survey Florida District

This Science Plan has been prepared by the Florida District of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a tool to provide direction for the scientific work to be accomplished in the District during the next 5-10 years. A Science Plan can serve as a guide to determine the optimum use of the limited financial resources of the USGS in Florida to address water resource issues. The Florida District has four primary operational centers geographically distributed across the State, in Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, with a laboratory in Ocala and field offices in Jacksonville and Fort Myers. Other USGS discipline offices in Florida are located in Gainesville (biology), St. Petersburg (geology), and Miami (restoration ecology) (fig.1). Although some differences exist in programs among the four water-resource offices because of differing physiographic settings and information needs, many common elements are present and these common elements are the focus of this District Science Plan. Science Plan development was based on other planning documents including individual Science Plans prepared by personnel in each of the four primary Florida water resource offices, and strategic planning documents of the Southeastern Region, Water Resources Discipline (WRD), and the USGS. A broad cross-section of District staff, representing all primary offices, a number of different scientific disciplines, and different programs of the District (data collection, investigations, and research) collaborated on the development of this Science Plan. As part of the development process, input was solicited from staff in every office and considered for inclusion in the plan. The Science Plan will be evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure its continued relevancy to recognized water resources needs in Florida, and to guide future program development and collaboration with our existing and potential partners and customers, both within and outside the USGS.

Florida

Hydrology of the coastal springs ground-water basin and adjacent parts of Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties, Florida

The coastal springs in Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties, Florida consist of three first-order magnitude springs and numerous smaller springs, which are points of substantial ground-water discharge from the Upper Floridan aquifer. Spring flow is proportional to the water-level altitude in the aquifer and is affected primarily by the magnitude and timing of rainfall. Ground-water levels in 206 Upper Floridan aquifer wells, and surface-water stage, flow, and specific conductance of water from springs at 10 gaging stations were measured to define the hydrologic variability (temporally and spatially) in the Coastal Springs Ground-Water Basin and adjacent parts of Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties. Rainfall at 46 stations and ground-water withdrawals for three counties, were used to calculate water budgets, to evaluate long-term changes in hydrologic conditions, and to evaluate relations among the hydrologic components. Predictive equations to estimate daily spring flow were developed for eight gaging stations using regression techniques. Regression techniques included ordinary least squares and multiple linear regression techniques. The predictive equations indicate that ground-water levels in the Upper Floridan aquifer are directly related to spring flow. At tidally affected gaging stations, spring flow is inversely related to spring-pool altitude. The springs have similar seasonal flow patterns throughout the area. Water-budget analysis provided insight into the relative importance of the hydrologic components expected to influence spring flow. Four water budgets were constructed for small ground-water basins that form the Coastal Springs Ground-Water Basin. Rainfall averaged 55 inches per year and was the only source of inflow to the Basin. The pathways for outflow were evapotranspiration (34 inches per year), runoff by spring flow (8 inches per year), ground-water outflow from upward leakage (11 inches per year), and ground-water withdrawal (2 inches per year). Recharge (rainfall minus evapotranspiration) to the Upper Floridan aquifer consists of vertical leakage through the surficial deposits. Discharge is primarily through springs and diffuse upward leakage that maintains the extensive swamps along the Gulf of Mexico. The ground-water basins had slightly different partitioning of hydrologic components, reflecting variation among the regions. Trends in hydrologic data were identified using nonparametric statistical techniques to infer long-term changes in hydrologic conditions, and yielded mixed results. No trend in rainfall was detected during the past century. No trend in spring flow was detected in 1931-98. Although monotonic trends were not detected, rainfall patterns are naturally variable from month to month and year to year; this variability is reflected in ground-water levels and spring flows. A decreasing trend in ground-water levels was detected in the Weeki Wachee well (1966-98), but the trend was statistically weak. At current ground-water withdrawal rates, there is no discernible affect on ground-water levels and spring flows. Sporadic data records, lack of continuous data, and inconsistent periods of record among the hydrologic components impeded analysis of long-term changes to the hydrologic system and interrelations among components. The ongoing collection of hydrologic data from index sites could provide much needed information to assess the hydrologic factors affecting the quantity and quality of spring flow in the Coastal Springs Ground-Water Basin.

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Analysis and simulation of ground-water flow in Lake Wales Ridge and adjacent areas of central Florida

The Lake Wales Ridge is an uplands recharge area in central Florida that contains many sinkhole lakes. Below-normal rainfall and increased pumping of ground water have resulted in declines both in ground-water levels and in the water levels of many of the ridge lakes. A digital flow model was developed for a 3,526 square-mile area to help understand the current (1990) ground-water flow system and its response to future ground-water withdrawals. The ground-water flow system in the Lake Wales Ridge and adjacent area of central Florida consists of a sequence of sedimentary aquifers and confining units. The uppermost water-bearing unit of the study area is the surficial aquifer. This aquifer is generally unconfined and is composed primarily of clastic deposits. The surficial aquifer is underlain by the confined intermediate aquifer and confining units which consists of up to three water-bearing units composed of interbedded clastics and carbonate rocks. The lowermost unit of the ground- water flow system, the confined Upper Floridan aquifer, consists of a thick, hydraulically connected sequence of carbonate rocks. The Upper Floridan aquifer is about 1,200 to 1,400 feet thick and is the primary source for ground-water withdrawals in the study area. The generalized ground-water flow system of the Lake Wales Ridge is that water moves downward from the surficial aquifer to the intermediate aquifer and the Upper Floridan aquifer in the central area, primarily under the ridges, with minor amounts of water flow under the flatlands. The water flows laterally away from the central area, downgradient to discharge areas to the west, east, and south, and locally along valleys of major streams. Upward leakage occurs along valleys of major streams. The model was initially calibrated to the steady-state conditions representing September 1989. The resulting calibrated hydrologic parameters were then tested by simulating transient conditions for the period October 1989 through 1990. A final test of model calibration was conducted by successfully simulating transient conditions for the period October 1988 through September 1989. Altitudes of the water table, base of the surficial aquifer, riverbed conductances, confining-unit leakances, aquifer transmissivities, and net recharge and discharge rates were determine during calibration. Steady-state and transient simulations reasonably approximated measured aquifer heads and lake levels. Residuals were within the established calibration criteria that required 68 percent of all simulated heads to be within + - 2 feet of observed surficial aquifer heads and lake levels and + - 5 feet of observed intermediate and Upper Floridan aquifer heads. Simulation of streamflow was poor, probably due to the scale of the model and regulated streamflow conditions. Simulation indicates a marked difference between the ground-water flow rates of September 1989 (steady-state conditions, end of wet season) and May 1990 (large pumpage, end of dry season) in million gallons per day: September May 1989 1990 Pumping rate 126 486 Donward leakage (into 367 564 Upper Floridan aquifer) Streamflow 67 13 Net lateral boundary flow 218 115 Total discharge (excluding 479 626 evapotranspiration. The calibrated flow model was used to simulate the short-term (one year) effects of 1990 water year pumpage (349 Mgal/d) on the September 1989 ground- water flow system in response to five different pumping schemes: (2) no pumpage, (2) no public supply pumpage, (3) no industrial pumpage, (4) no agricultural pumpage, and (5) no regional pumping outside the Water Use Caution Area. Simulation of no pumpage indicated maximum aquifer head rises of about 2 feet in the surficial aquifer and lakes, about 12 feet in the intermediate aquifer and about 16 feet in the Upper Floridan aquifer. The high rate recharge areas along the Lake Wales Ridge are most affected by pumping. Simulation of no agricultural pumpage resulted in a maximum recovery of about 2 feet in each aquifer. Simulation of no industrial or mining pumpage resulted in a maximum of less than one foot in the surficial aquifer and lakes, about 10 feet in the intermediate aquifer, and about 14 feet in the Upper Floridan aquifer. Simulation of no public supply pumpage indicated a maximum recovery of less than one foot in the surficial aquifer and lakes, about 4 feet in the intermediate aquifer, and about 10 feet in the Upper Floridan aquifer. Simulation of no regional pumping outside the Water Use Caution Area indicated recoveries of less than 2 feet within the Water Use Caution Area. Simulations were used to investigate long- term aquifer changes in response to two development alternatives: (1) continuation of 1990 water year hydrologic conditions and pumping rates (349 Mgal/d), and (2) increased pumpage (506 Mgal/d). Simulation of continued 1990 water year hydrologic conditions and pumping for 20 years indicated that head decline of more than 10 feet might be expected in each aquifer in the northern part of the Water Use Caution Area. Simulation of increased pumpage (an additional 45 percent) for 20 years indicated head declines of more than 20 feet in each aquifer in the northern part of the Water Use Caution Area. Because lakes are hydraulically connected to the surficial aquifer, lake levels within the Water Use Caution Area could decline substantially as a result of present and future pumping and a continuation of 1990 hydrologic conditions. These relatively large head declines were accompanied by decreased simulated lateral boundary outflow of about 40 percent and decreased simulated streamflow of about 32 percent. Equilibrium conditions at the end of the two 20-year simulations had not been attained.

Florida