Geology topics

David R. Scully

Publications and source records attributed to David R. Scully.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1981

Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Beluga, Peters Creek, and Healy coal areas, Alaska

The Beluga, Peters Creek, and Healy coal areas in Alaska were studied during 1975-78, with major emphasis on surface-water hydrology and water quality. In the Beluga coal area, mean annual discharge is estimated to range from 2.2 to 3.4 cubic feet per second per square mile of drainage area. The 7-day low flow having a 10-year recurrence interval is estimated to be 0.3 to 0.6 cubic feet per second per square mile. The dilute surface waters are a calcium bicarbonate type, have low concentrations of nutrients, and at times may contain dissolved iron and manganese in concentrations in excess of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended limits. The pooled diversity index of the benthic invertebrate community ranges from 2.93 to 4.06. No ground-water wells have been drilled in the potential mining areas. Water quality of streams in the Peters Creek coal area is similar to that of streams in the Beluga coal area. No attempt is made to define streamflow characteristics in the Peters Creek coal area due to poor correlations with nearby gaging stations. In the Healy coal area, streamflow characteristics of the two major basins studied are dissimilar. Lignite Creek is estimated to have less yield than Healy Creek. Studied tributaries of Healy and Lignite Creeks have a dissolved-solids range of 111 to 636 milligrams per liter and have calcium and bicarbonate or magnesium and bicarbonate as principal ions. Iron and manganese concentrations are high at some times of the year. The concentrations of sodium and chloride increase significantly in the lower reaches of Lignite Creek.

Alaska↗

USGS1980

Water resources of the Cook Inlet Basin, Alaska

Ground-water and surface-water systems of Cook Inlet basin, Alaska, are analyzed. Geologic and topographic features that control the movement and regional availability of ground water are explained and illustrated. Five aquifer systems beneath the most populous areas are described. Estimates of ground-water yield were determined for the region by using ground-water data for the populated areas and by extrapolating known subsurface conditions and interpreting subsurface conditions from surficial features in the other areas. Area maps of generalized geology, Quaternary sediment thickness, and general availability of ground water are shown. Surface-water resources are summarized by describing how basin characteristics affect the discharge in streams. Seasonal trend of streamflow for three types of streams is described. Regression equations for 4 streamflow characteristics (annual, monthly minimum, and maximum discharge) were obtained by using gaging station streamflow characteristics and 10 basin characteristics. In the 24 regression equations presented, drainage area is the most significant basin characteristic, but 5 others are used. Maps of mean annual unit runoff and minimum unit yield for 7 consecutive days with a recurrence interval of 10 years are shown. Historic discharge data at gaging stations is tabulated and representative low-flow and flood-flow frequency curves are shown. (USGS)

Hydrologic Atlas↗

USGS1980

Data from a hydrologic reconnaissance of the Beluga, Peters Creek, and Healy coal areas, Alaska

Data are tabulated from a hydrologic study of the Beluga, Peters Creek, and Healy coal areas from July 1975 to June 1979. These include streamflow and water-quality data for all three areas, ground-water data for the Beluga and Healy coal areas, and information from springs in the Beluga coal area. Results of analyses of samples of the benthic invertebrate community in the Beluga area are also included.

Alaska↗

USGS1978

Surface water records of Cook Inlet basin, Alaska, through September 1975

This report summarizes records of streamflow and water temperature collected prior to October 1, 1975, in the Cook Inlet Basin of south-central Alaska. Streamflow records for gaging stations are tabulated as monthly and annual summaries and annual extremes. For those gaging stations at which continuous or daily water temperature records have been collected, monthly summaries of water temperature extremes are shown. For other gaging stations periodic water temperatures are published. Discharge at crest-stage partial-record stations and at miscellaneous sites is tabulated. Results of seepage investigations are presented for 4 streams.

Alaska↗

USGS1977

Combined Ice and Water Balances of Maclure Glacier, California, South Cascade Glacier, Washington, and Wolverine and Gulkana Glaciers, Alaska, 1967 Hydrologic Year

Combined ice and water balances were measured in the 1967 hydrologic year (October 1-September 30) on four glaciers in western North America ranging in latitude from 37 deg to 63 deg N. This hydrologic year was characterized by heavier than normal winter precipitation in California and Washington and abnormally dry winter conditions in coastal Alaska. In summer the western conterminous states were abnormally dry and central and southern Alaska experienced very wet conditions. Maclure Glacier (lat 37 deg 45' N., 3,650-m (metres) mean equilibrium line altitude) had an above normal winter balance of 3.46 m and a positive annual balance of 1.05 m (metres of water equivalent). South Cascade Glacier (lat 48 deg 22' N., 1900-m mean equilibrium line altitude) had a winter balance of 3.28 m, slightly above average. Above normal summer ablation resulted in a final annual balance of -0.58 m, slightly more negative than has been the case for the past decade. Wolverine Glacier's (lat 60 deg 24' N., 1,200-m mean equilibrium line altitude) winter balance was 1.17 m, considerably below normal; the annual balance was -2.04 m. Gulkana Glacier (lat 63 deg 15' N., 1,700-m mean equilibrium line altitude) had a winter balance of 1.05 m, approximately normal for this glacier; the final annual balance was -0.30 m.

Professional Paper↗