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Jack Rawson

Publications and source records attributed to Jack Rawson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Index of surface-water stations in Texas, January 1989

As of January 1, 1989, the surface-water data-collection network in Texas included 373 continuous-streamflow, 75 continuous or daily reservoir-content, 37 gage-height, 15 crest-stage partial-record, 200 data collection platform, 7 periodic discharge through range, 27 flood-hydrograph partial-record, 27 low-flow partial-record, 43 daily chemical-quality, 17 continuous-recording water quality, 87 periodic biological, 11 lake survey, 159 period organic and (or) nutrient, 2 periodic insecticide, 28 periodic pesticide, 19 automatic sampler, 137 periodic minor element, 126 periodic chemical-quality, 75 periodic physical organic, 17 continuous-recording temperature, and 29 national stream-gaging accounting network stations. Plate 1 shows the location of surface-water streamflow or reservoir-content and chemical-quality or sediment stations in Texas. Plate 2 shows the location of partial-record surface-water stations. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Index of surface-water stations in Texas, January 1987

As of January 1, 1987, the surface-water data-collection network in Texas included 376 continuous streamflow, 76 continuous or daily reservoir-content, 34 gage height, 16 crest-stage partial-record, 8 periodic discharge through range, 33 floodhydrograph partial-record, 9 flood-profile partial-record, 36 low-flow partial-record, 46 daily chemical-quality, 19 continuous-recording water-quality, 84 periodic biological, 17 lake surveys, 162 periodic organic and (or) nutrient, 3 periodic insecticide, 42 periodic pesticide, 19 automatic sampler, 141 periodic minor elements, 130 periodic chemical-quality, 78 periodic physical-organic, 22 continuous-recording three- or four-parameter water-quality, 34 periodic sediment, 22 continuous-recording temperature, and 30 national stream-quality accounting network stations. Plate 1 shows the location of surface-water streamflow or reservoir-content and chemical-quality or sediment'stations in Texas. Plate 2 shows the location of partial-record surfacewater stations. This index shows the station number and name, latitude and longitude, type of data collected, and the office principally responsible for the data collection (table 1). An 8-digit permanent numerical designation for gaging stations has been adopted on a nationwide basis; stations are numbered and listed in downstream order. In the downstream direction along the main stem, all stations on a tributary entering above a main-stem station are listed before that station. A tributary entering between two main-stem stations is listed between them. A similar order is followed in listing stations on first rank, second rank, and other ranks of tributaries. To indicate the rank of any tributary on which a gaging station is situated and the stream to which it is an immediate tributary, each indention in the listing of gaging stations represent one rank. This downstream order and system of indention show which gaging stations are on tributaries between any two stations on a main stem and the rank of the tributary on which each gaging station is situated. On plates 1 and 2, the 8-digit station number is abbreviated because of space limitation.

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Index of surface-water stations in Texas, January 1986

As of January 1, 1986, the surface-water data-collection network in Texas operated by the U.S. Geological Survey included 386 streamflow, 87 reservoir-contents, 33 stage, 10 crest-stage partial-record, 8 periodic discharge through range, 38 flood-hydrograph partial-record, 11 flood-profile partial-record , 36 low-flow partial-record 2 tide-level, 45 daily chemical-quality, 23 continuous-recording water-quality, 97 periodic biological, 19 lake surveys, 174 periodic organic- and (or) nutrient, 4 periodic insecticide, 58 periodic pesticide, 22 automatic sampler, 157 periodic minor elements, 141 periodic chemical-quality, 108 periodic physical-organic, 14 continuous-recording three- or four-parameter water-quality, 3 sediment, 39 periodic sediment, 26 continuous-recording temperature, and 37 national stream-quality accounting network stations were in operation. Tables describing the station location, type of data collected, and place where data are available are included, as well as maps showing the location of most of the stations. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Areal and temporal variations in the quality of surface water in hydrologic accounting unit 120301, Upper Trinity River basin, Texas

Hydrologic Accounting Unit 120301 is located in north-central Texas and includes that part of the Trinity River basin upstream from the National Stream Quality Accounting Network station 08062700, Trinity River at Trinidad, Texas. Normal annual precipitation ranges from about 28 inches in the western part of the basin to almost 40 inches in the eastern part. The population of the upper Trinity River basin was nearly 3 million in 1980. Total water use in 1980 was approximately 826,000 acre-feet, of which 90 percent was obtained from surface-water resources. Mean discharges for most stations in the study area during the 1973-82 water years were significantly larger than mean discharges for the period of record. Mean discharges throughout most of the study area during the 1982 water year were more than 300 percent of the long-term mean flow. Water in the upper Trinity River basin upstream of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is generally a calcium bicarbonate type water. In the West Fork Trinity River downstream from Fort Worth and the main stem of the Trinity River from Dallas to Trinidad, the water is a mixed sodium calcium bicarbonate type water. Average dissolved-solids concentrations during the study period ranged from 174 milligrams per liter in the Elm Fork Trinity River near Lewisville to 682 milligrams per liter in Mountain Creek near Cedar Hill. Discharge-weighted average dissolved-solids concentrations during 1973-82 water years ranged from 165 milligrams per liter in the Elm Fork Trinity River near Lewisville to 416 milligrams per liter at Mountain Creek near Cedar Hill. Daily dissolved-solids loads increased from 225 tons at West Fork Trinity River at Beach Street, Fort Worth, to 2,410 tons in the Trinity River at Trinidad. In the 450 square miles of intervening drainage area between West Fork Trinity River at Beach Street, Fort Worth, and West Fork Trinity River at Grand Prairie, the average daily dissolved-solids load increased by 305 tons. Upstream of the municipal waste effluents in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, average dissolved-oxygen concentrations generally exceed 7.0 milligrams per liter, average dissolved-oxygen percent-saturation values generally exceed 70 percent, and average biochemical oxygen demand concentrations generally were less than 4.0 milligrams per liter. Downstream of the municipal waste effluents, average dissolved-oxygen concentrations generally did not exceed 5.0 milligrams per liter, average dissolved-oxygen percent-saturation values generally were less than 50 percent, and average biochemical oxygen demand concentrations generally were greater than 12.0 milligrams per liter.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Index of surface-water stations in Texas, January 1985

The U.S. Geological Survey's investigations of the water resources of Texas are conducted in cooperation with the Texas Department of Water Resources, river authorities, cities, counties, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, International Boundary and Water Commission, and others. As of January 1, 1984, 404 streamflow, 89 reservoir-contents, 32 stage, 10 crest-stage partial-record, 2 periodic discharge through range, 31 flood-hydrograph partial-record, 15 flood-profile partial-record, 41 low-flow partial-record, 11 tide-level, 49 daily chemical-quality, 26 continuous-recording water-quality, 100 periodic biological, 19 lake surveys, 170 periodic organic and (or) nutrient, 3 periodic insecticide, 57 periodic pesticide, 25 automatic sampler, 152 periodic minor elements, 147 periodic chemical-quality y 102 periodic physical-organic, 7 continuous-recording four-parameter water-quality, 3 sediment, 40 periodic sediment, 28 continuous-recording temperature, and 38 national stream-quality accounting network stations were in operation. Plate 1 shows the location of surface-water streamflow or reservoir content and chemical-quality or sediment stations in Texas. Plate 2 shows the location of partial-record surface-water stations. This index shows the station number -and name, latitude and longitude, type of data collected, and the office principally responsible for the data collection (table 1). An 8-digit permanent numerical designation for gaging stations has been adopted on a nationwide basis; stations are numbered and listed in downstream order. In the downstream direction along the main stem, all stations on a tributary entering above a main-stem station are listed before that station. A tributary entering between two main-stem stations is listed between them. A similar order is followed in listing stations on first rank, second rank, and other ranks of tributaries. To indicate the rank of any tributary on which a gaging station is situated and the stream to which it is an immediate tributary, each indention in the listing of gaging stations represent one rank. This downstream order and system of indention show which gaging stations are on tributaries between any two stations on a main stem and the rank of the tributary on which each gaging station is situated. On plates 1 and 2, the 8-digit station number is abbreviated because of space limitation.

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Effects of storm-water runoff on water quality of the Edwards Aquifer near Austin, Texas

Analyses of samples collected from Barton Springs at approximately weekly Intervals and from Barton Creek and five wells in the Austin area during selected storm-runoff periods generally show that recharge during storm runoff resulted in significant temporal and area! variations in the quality of ground water in the recharge zone of the Edwards aquifer. Recharge during storm runoff resulted in significant increases of bacterial densities in the ground water. Densities of fecal coliform bacteria in samples collected from Barton Springs, the major point of ground-water discharge, ranged from less than 1 colony per 100 milliliters during dry weather in November 1981 and January and August 1982 to 6,100 colonies per 100 milliliters during a storm in May 1982. Densities of fecal streptococcal bacteria ranged from 1 colony per 100 miniliters during dry weather in December 1981 to 11,000 colonies per 100 miniliters during a storm in May 1982. Recharge during storm runoff resulted in significant decreases in the specific conductance and the concentration of total nitrate nitrogen in the ground water. Specific-conductance values of samples from Barton Springs ranged from 438 micromhos per centimeter at 25° Celsius after a storm in October 1981 to 682 micromhos after a relatively long period of deficient rainfall in September 1982. The specific-conductance values and, thus, the mineralization of the ground water in the recharge zone generally were inversely related to the quantity of recharge. Nitrate nitrogen was the most prevalent form of nitrogen in the ground water. Concentrations of total nitrate nitrogen in samples from Barton Springs ranged from 0.51 milligram per liter after a storm in October 1981 to 1.6 milligrams per liter during dry weather in February and September 1982. Although the values of these and other properties or constituents in ground water varied temporally and areally, available data indicate that the values of most of the major and minor elements in ground water in the recharge zone of the Edwards aquifer were significantly less than the primary maximum or secondary maximum contaminant levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for public water systems. Bacteriological data for Barton Springs and selected wells indicate that the ground water in the aquifer is susceptible to bacterial pollution, especially during storm runoff. The water may require disinfection if used for drinking or culinary purposes.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Source areas of salinity and trends of salt loads in streamflow in the upper Colorado River, Texas

A series of seven studies of the quality and quantity of low flows in a 35.5-mile reach of the Colorado River upstream from Colorado City, Tex., were made from February 1975 to March 1978 to delineate areas of saline inflows. These studies showed generally that ground water contributed throughout the reach is saline but that loads of dissolved-constituents in ground-water accretions are highest in three subreaches. Yields per mile of river channel from these subreaches during the low-flow studies averaged more than 5.5 tons of dissolved solids per day, of which more than 1.8 tons were sodium and 2.9 tons were chloride. Salt-load trend studies for three long-term continuous streamflow and daily water-quality stations show that the salinity of the flow upstream from Ira, Tex., {mile 826.3) increased significantly after 1963 but decreased significantly after 1970. Part of the reach upstream from Ira is proximate to oil fields, the production and open-pit disposal of oilfield brines in the area increased significantly in the early 1960's, but a ban on open-pit disposal was enacted in 1969. No significantly downward trend in the salinity of flow at other daily water-quality stations downstream from Ira occurred after the ban on open-pit disposal of oil-field brines. The low-flow and salt-load trend studies indicate that part of the salinity in the flow of the Colorado River has resulted from the inflow of oil-field brine, but preponderant evidence indicates that the major part of the salinity is of natural origin. Neither the ban on open-pit disposal nor pumping of saline ground water has significantly reduced the salinity of flow downstream from Cuthbert, Tex. {mile 810.6). Diversion of saline low flows from the Colorado River at mile 799.3 upstream from Colorado City since January 1969 has resulted in significant improvement in the quality of water. Decreases in the discharge-weighted averages of dissolved solids and of chloride in the flow of the Colorado River at Colorado City (mile 796.3) during the 1969-78 water years were about 420 milligrams per liter and 280 milligrams per liter, respectfully.

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Source areas of salinity and trends of salt loads in streamflow in the upper Colorado River, Texas

A series of seven studies of the quality and quantity of low flows in a 35.5-mile reach of the Colorado River upstream from Colorado City, Texas, were made from February 1975 to March 1978 to delineate areas of saline inflow. These studies showed generally that ground water contributed throughout the reach is saline, but that loads of dissolved constituents in ground-water accretions are highest in three subreaches. Yields per mile of river channel from these subreaches during the low-flow studies averaged more than 5.5 tons of dissolved solids per day, of which more than 1.8 tons were sodium and 2.9 tons were chloride. Salt-load trend studies for three long-term continuous streamflow and daily water-quality stations show that the salinity of the flow upstream from Ira (mile 826.3) increased significantly after 1963 but decreased significantly after 1970. Part of the reach upstream from Ira is proximate to oil fields. The production and open-pit disposal of oil-field brines in the area increased significantly in the early 1960's; but a ban on open-pit disposal was enacted in 1969. No significant downward trend of salinity in flow at other daily water-quality stations downstream from Ira occurred after the ban on open-pit disposal of oilfield brines. The low-flow and salt-load trend studies indicate that part of the salinity in the flow of the Colorado River has resulted from the inflow of oil-field brine; but preponderant evidence indicates that the major part of the salinity is of natural origin. Neither the ban on open-pit disposal nor pumping of saline ground water has significantly reduced the salinity of flow downstream from Cuthbert (mile 810.6). Diversion of saline low flows from the Colorado River at mile 799.3 upstream from Colorado City since January 1969 has resulted in significant improvement in the quality of water. Decreases in the dischargeweighted averages of dissolved solids and chloride in the flow of the Colorado River at Colorado City (mile 796.3) during the 1969-78 water years were about 420 milligrams per liter and 280 milligrams per liter, respectively.

Open-File Report↗

Effects of the rate of releases from Sam Rayburn Reservoir on the aeration capacity of the Angelina River, eastern Texas

A three-phase study was conducted during July and August 1979 to determine the effects of varying release rates through the power-outlet works at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, eastern Texas, on aeration capacity of a 14-mile reach of the Angelina River below Sam Rayburn Dam. The dominant factors that affected the aeration capacity during the study time were time of travel and the dissolved-oxygen deficit of the releases. Aeration was low throughout the study but increased in response to increases in the dissolved-oxygen deficit and the duration of time that the releases were exposed to the atmosphere (time of travel). The average concentration of dissolved oxygen sustained by release of 8,800 cubic feet per second decreased from 5.0 milligrams per liter at a site near the power outlet to 4.8 milligrams per liter at a site about 14 miles downstream; the time of travel averaged about 8 hours. The average concentration of dissolved oxygen in flow sustained by releases of 2,200 cubic feet per second increased from 5.2 to 5.5 milligrams per liter; the time of travel averaged about 20 hours.

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Water quality of Livingston Reservoir on the Trinity River, southeastern Texas

The concentrations of dissolved solids, chloride, and sulfate in Livingston Reservoir on the Trinity River in southeastern Texas usually average less than 250 mg/l (milligrams per liter), 40 mg/l, and 50 mg/l, respectively. The water is usually hard or moderately hard (61 to 180 mg/l as calcium carbonate). The concentrations of principal dissolved constituents in the reservoir are usually maximum during summer and fall when evaporation is high and inflow is low. Thermal stratification of the reservoir usually begins in March and persists until September or October. Neither the seasonal variation of dissolved constituents in inflow to the reservoir nor thermal stratification has resulted in significant stratification of the principal dissolved constituents. However, thermal stratification has resulted in significant seasonal and areal variations of dissolved oxygen, which results in higher concentration of dissolved iron, dissolved manganese, total phosphorus, and total inorganic nitrogen. Oxygen utilized in the stabilization of unoxidized material from upstream sources, decaying algae, and pre-existing organic material along the bottom of the reservoir is not replaced during periods of summer stagnation; and water below depths of 25 to 35 feet (8 to 11 meters) usually contains less than 1.0 mg/l dissolved oxygen. During periods of summer stagnation, reducing conditions often result in the solution of iron and manganese from bottom sediments in the deep parts of the reservoir. At site A C , a deep site near Livingston Dam, dissolved-iron concentrations in water near the bottom of the reservoir during summer have ranged from 80 to 2,300 μg/l (micrograms per liter) and have averaged about 750 μg/l. The concentrations of dissolved manganese in water near the bottom of the reservoir at this site during summer have ranged from 230 to 4,700 μg/l and have averaged about 2,600 μg/l. Water near the surface of the reservoir throughout the year and water near the bottom during periods of winter circulation usually contain less than 100 μg/l of dissolved iron and 100 μg/l of dissolved manganese. The concentrations of total phosphorus and inorganic nitrogen in water near the bottom at deep sites near Livingston Dam are usually maximum during periods of summer stagnation when decay of aquatic organisms and chemical reduction of bottom sediments release phosphorus and nitrogen to the water. The concentrations of phosphorus in the bottom stratum of water at site A C average about 2.0 mg/l. The concentrations of inorganic nitrogen in the bottom and surface strata at this site during summer average about 4.0 mg/l and 0.1 mg/l, respectively. Seasonal temperature and dissolved oxygen cycles have resulted in significant quantities of dissolved iron, dissolved manganese, total phosphorus, and total inorganic nitrogen being trapped and recycled within the reservoir.

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The water quality of Livingston Reservoir on the Trinity River, Southeastern Texas

The concentrations of dissolved solids, chloride, and sulfate in Livingstone Reservoir on the Trinity River in southeastern Texas usually average less than 250 mg/1 (milligrams per litre), 40 mg/1, and 50 mg/1, respectively. The water is usually hard or moderately hard (61 to 180 mg/1 as calcium carbonate). The concentrations of principal dissolved constituents in the reservoir are usually maximum during summer and fall when evaporation is high and inflow is low. Thermal stratification of the reservoir usually begins in March and persists until September or October. Neither the seasonal variation of dissolved constituents in inflow to the reservoir nor thermal stratification has resulted in significant stratification of the principal dissolved constituents. However, thermal stratification has resulted in significant seasonal and areal variations of dissolved oxygen, which results in higher concentration of dissolved iron, dissolved manganese, total phosphorus, and total inorganic nitrogen.

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The quality of surface waters in Texas

The discharge-weighted average concentrations of dissolved solids, chloride, and ,sulfate for many of the principal streams in Texas are less than 500 mg/l (millijgraljls per liter), 250 mg/l, and 250 mg/l, respectively. At 65 of 131 sites on streams that were sampled at least 10 times, the biochemical oxygen demand of at least half the samples exceeded 3.0 mg/l. At 20 of the sites, the dissolved-oxygen content of at least half the samples was less than 5.0 mg/l. The higher concentrations of minor elements usually were detected in waters from urban areas, indicating a relation to man's activities. Small amounts of some pesticides are widely distributed in low concentrations. The higher concentrations usually were detected in waters from urban areas.

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