Geology topics

Jaysson E. Funkhouser

Publications and source records attributed to Jaysson E. Funkhouser.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2009

Floods of Selected Streams in Arkansas, Spring 2008

Floods can cause loss of life and extensive destruction to property. Monitoring floods and understanding the reasons for their occurrence are the responsibility of many Federal agencies. The National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Geological Survey are among the most visible of these agencies. Together, these three agencies collect and analyze floodflow information to better understand the variety of mechanisms that cause floods, and how the characteristics and frequencies of floods vary with time and location. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has monitored and assessed the quantity of streamflow in our Nation's streams since the agency's inception in 1879. Because of ongoing collection and assessment of streamflow data, the USGS can provide information about a range of surface-water issues including the suitability of water for public supply and irrigation and the effects of agriculture and urbanization on streamflow. As part of its streamflow-data collection activities, the USGS measured streamflow in multiple streams during extreme flood events in Arkansas in the spring of 2008. The analysis of streamflow information collected during flood events such as these provides a scientific basis for decision making related to resource management and restoration. Additionally, this information can be used by water-resource managers to better define flood-hazard areas and to design bridges, culverts, dams, levees, and other structures. Water levels (stage) and streamflow (discharge) currently are being monitored in near real-time at approximately 150 locations in Arkansas. The streamflow-gaging stations measure and record hydrologic data at 15-minute or hourly intervals; the data then are transmitted through satellites to the USGS database and displayed on the internet every 1 to 4 hours. Streamflow-gaging stations in Arkansas are part of a network of over 7,500 active streamflow-gaging stations operated by the USGS throughout the United States in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local government agencies. In Arkansas, the major supporters of the streamflow-gaging network are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and Arkansas Geological Survey. Many other Federal, State, and local government entities provide additional support for streamflow-gaging stations. It is the combined support of the USGS and all funding partners that make it possible to maintain an adequate streamflow-gaging network in Arkansas. Data collected over the years at streamflow-gaging stations can be used to characterize the relative magnitude of flood events and their statistical frequency of occurrence. These analyses provide water-resource managers with accurate and reliable hydrologic information based on present and historical flow conditions. Continued collection of streamflow data, with consideration of changes in land use, agricultural practices, and climate change, will help scientists to more accurately characterize the magnitude of extreme floods in the future.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2008

Low-flow characteristics and regionalization of low-flow characteristics for selected streams in Arkansas

Water use in Arkansas has increased dramatically in recent years. Since 1990, the use of water for all purposes except power generation has increased 53 percent (4,004 cubic feet per second in 1990 to 6,113 cubic feet per second in 2005). The biggest users are agriculture (90 percent), municipal water supply (4 percent) and industrial supply (2 percent). As the population of the State continues to grow, so does the demand for the State’s water resources. The low-flow characteristics of a stream ultimately affect its utilization by humans. Specific information on the low-flow characteristics of streams is essential to State water-management agencies such as the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission when dealing with problems related to irrigation, municipal and industrial water supplies, fish and wildlife conservation, and dilution of waste. Low-flow frequency data are of particular value to management agencies responsible for the development and management of the State’s water resources. This report contains the low-flow characteristics for 70 active continuous-streamflow record gaging stations, 59 inactive continuous-streamflow record stations, and 101 partial-record gaging stations. These characteristics are the annual 7-day, 10-year low flow and the annual 7-day, 2-year low flow, and the seasonal, bimonthly, and monthly 7-day, 10-year low flow for the 129 active and inactive continuous-streamflow record and 101 partial-record gaging stations. Low-flow characteristics were computed on the basis of streamflow data for the period of record through September 2005 for the continuous-streamflow record and partial-record streamflow gaging stations. The low-flow characteristics of these continuous- and partial-record streamflow gaging stations were utilized in a regional regression analysis to produce equations for estimating the annual, seasonal, bimonthly, and monthly (November through April) 7-day, 10-year low flows and the annual 7-day, 2-year low flow for ungaged streams in the western two-thirds of Arkansas.

Arkansas↗

USGS2004

Development of a traveltime prediction equation for streams in Arkansas

During 1971 and 1981 and 2001 and 2003, traveltime measurements were made at 33 sample sites on 18 streams throughout northern and western Arkansas using fluorescent dye. Most measurements were made during steady-state base-flow conditions with the exception of three measurements made during near steady-state medium-flow conditions (for the study described in this report, medium-flow is approximately 100-150 percent of the mean monthly streamflow during the month the dye trace was conducted). These traveltime data were compared to the U.S. Geological Survey?s national traveltime prediction equation and used to develop a specific traveltime prediction equation for Arkansas streams. In general, the national traveltime prediction equation yielded results that over-predicted the velocity of the streams for 29 of the 33 sites measured. The standard error for the national traveltime prediction equation was 105 percent. The coefficient of determination was 0.78. The Arkansas prediction equation developed from a regression analysis of dye-tracing results was a significant improvement over the national prediction equation. This regression analysis yielded a standard error of 46 percent and a coefficient of determination of 0.74. The predicted velocities using this equation compared better to measured velocities. Using the variables in a regression analysis, the Arkansas prediction equation derived for the peak velocity in feet per second was: (Actual Equation Shown in report) In addition to knowing when the peak concentration will arrive at a site, it is of great interest to know when the leading edge of a contaminant plume will arrive. The traveltime of the leading edge of a contaminant plume indicates when a potential problem might first develop and also defines the overall shape of the concentration response function. Previous USGS reports have shown no significant relation between any of the variables and the time from injection to the arrival of the leading edge of the dye plume. For this report, the analysis of the dye-tracing data yielded a significant correlation between traveltime of the leading edge and traveltime of the peak concentration with an R2 value of 0.99. These data indicate that the traveltime of the leading edge can be estimated from: (Actual Equation Shown in Report)

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS2003

Simulations of floodflows on the White River in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 79 near Clarendon, Arkansas

A two-dimensional finite-element surface-water model was used to study the effects of the proposed modification to the U.S. Highway 79 corridor on flooding on the White River near Clarendon, Arkansas. The effects of floodflows were simulated for the following scenarios: existing, natural, and four proposed bridging alternatives. All of the scenarios were modeled with floods having the 5- and 100-year recurrence intervals (115,100 and 216,000 cubic feet per second). The simulated existing conditions included a 3,200-foot White River bridge located on the east side of the study area near Clarendon, Arkansas; a 3,700-foot First Old River bridge located 0.5 mile west of the White River bridge opening; and a 1,430-foot Roc Roe Bayou bridge located 1.6 mile west of the First Old River bridge. The simulated hypothetical natural conditions involved removing the U.S. Highway 79 and the Union Pacific Railroad embankments along the entire length of the flood plain. The primary purpose of model simulations for natural conditions was to calculate backwater data for the existing and proposed conditions. The four simulated hypothetical proposed alternatives involved a 1.8-mile White River bridge located on the east side of the study area near Clarendon, Arkansas, either a 1,400-foot relief bridge (Alternative 1) or a 1,545 relief bridge (Alternatives 2-4) located 0.25 mile west of the White River bridge opening, and three different Roc Roe Bayou bridge openings ranging from 1,540-3,475 feet in length located 0.9 mile west of the relief bridge (Alternatives 1-4). Simulation of the 5-year floodflow for the existing bridge openings indicates that about 57 percent (65,600 cubic feet per second) of flow was conveyed by the White River bridge, about 26 percent (29,900 cubic feet per second) by the First Old River bridge, and about 17 percent (19,600 cubic feet per second) by the Roc Roe Bayou bridge. Maximum depth-averaged point velocities for the White River, First Old River, and Roc Roe Bayou bridges were 3.6, 1.6, and 3.3 feet per second, respectively. For the 100-year floodflow, the simulation indicates that about 56 percent (123,100 cubic feet per second) of flow was conveyed by the White River bridge, about 26 percent (56,200 cubic feet per second) by the First Old River bridge, and about 19 percent (41,000 cubic feet per second) by the Roc Roe Bayou bridge. The maximum depth-averaged point velocities for the White River, First Old River, and Roc Roe Bayou bridges were 4.2, 2.2, and 4.1 feet per second, respectively. Simulation of the 5-year floodflow for the proposed U.S. Highway 79 alignment alternatives indicates that 76-78 percent (87,100-89,900 cubic feet per second) of the flow was conveyed by the proposed White River bridge, 6-7 percent (7,000-7,500 cubic feet per second) by the proposed relief bridge, and 13-16 percent (14,600-18,600 cubic feet per second) by the proposed Roc Roe Bayou bridge. For the 100-year floodflow, simulations predicted that 70-72 percent (151,200-155,600 cubic feet per second) of the flow was conveyed by the proposed White River bridge, 9-10 percent (19,800-20,700 cubic feet per second) by the proposed relief bridge, and 14-20 percent (30,700-43,000 cubic feet per second) by the proposed Roc Roe Bayou bridge.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2003

Water quality and streamflow gains and losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Osage and Prairie Creeks in Benton County, Arkansas, were studied between July 24 and July 26, 2001, to describe the surface-water quality and the streamflow gains and losses along sections of each mainstem. The creeks are located in northwestern Arkansas. Water-quality samples were collected at 12 surface-water sites on the mainstem and at 6 points of inflow for Osage Creek, and at 9 surface-water sites on the mainstem and at 4 points of inflow for Prairie Creek. Water-quality analyses were performed by Rogers Water Utilities and the Arkansas Water Resources Laboratory. Streamflow measurements were made along the mainstem of each creek and at points of inflow (prior to confluence with the mainstem) to identify gaining and losing reaches. Water-quality data collected for Osage Creek indicated that dissolved ammonia concentrations were within the typical range of concentrations measured for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. Nitrite plus nitrate and total phosphorus concentrations were within the range of concentrations measured for several streams in the western part of the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. Total phosphorus concentrations measured on the mainstem of Osage Creek were higher downstream from the Rogers wastewater-treatment plant than upstream from the wastewater-treatment plant. Water-quality data collected for Prairie Creek indicated that dissolved ammonia concentrations measured for three mainstem sites were above the typical level of dissolved ammonia concentrations measured for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. High concentrations of dissolved ammonia measured at these sites might be indicative of sewage disposal or organic waste. Most concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate for Prairie Creek were above the range measured for some of the least-disturbed streams of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion but were within the range that is typical for several streams in the western part of the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. Total phosphorus concentrations were below or within the range that is typical for several streams in the western part of the Springfield and Salem Plateaus with elevated concentrations measured at two sties. Elevated concentrations of total phosphorus measured might be indicative of sewage or animal metabolic waste. Identification of losing and gaining reaches indicates that interaction exists between the local shallow unconfined ground-water aquifer and surface flow in Osage and Prairie Creeks. Measured streamflow for the mainstem of Osage Creek ranged from 2.34 to 19.1 cubic feet per second during this study. Streamflow measured at the beginning of the study reach for Osage Creek was 2.34 cubic feet per second, and streamflow measured at the downstream end of the study reach was 15.7 cubic feet per second. One losing and two gaining reaches were identified on the mainstem of Osage Creek with a net gain of 3.58 cubic feet per second upstream from the wastewater-treatment plant. Measured streamflow for the mainstem of Prairie Creek ranged from 0 to 3.17 cubic feet per second during this study. Streamflow measured at the beginning of the study reach for Prairie Creek was 0.44 cubic feet per second, and the stream bed was dry at the downstream end of the study reach. Three losing and two gaining reaches were identified on the mainstem of Prairie Creek with a net loss of 3.06 cubic feet per second.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗