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John O. Helgesen

Publications and source records attributed to John O. Helgesen.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1996

Surface-water-quality assessment of the lower Kansas River basin, Kansas and Nebraska: Results of investigations, 1987-90

Analysis of surface-water-quality data has enabled an assessment of water-quality conditions and trends and their relation to human and natural factors in the lower Kansas River basin, Kansas and Nebraska. This basin drains 15,300 square miles of predominantly agricultural land and is one of seven pilot studies completed as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program.

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1994

Assessment of nonpoint-source contamination of the High Plains Aquifer in south-central Kansas, 1987

Ground-water quality was assessed in a 5,000-square-mile area of the High Plains aquifer in south-central Kansas that is susceptible to nonpoint-source contamination from agricultural and petroleum-production activities. Of particular interest was the presence of agricultural chemicals and petroleum-derived hydrocarbons that might have been associated with brines that formerly were disposed into unlined ponds. Random sampling of ground water was done within a framework of discrete land-use areas (irrigated cropland, petroleum-production land containing former brine-disposal ponds, and undeveloped rangeland) of 3-10 square miles. Although true baseline water-quality conditions probably are rare, in this region they are represented most closely by ground water in areas of undeveloped rangeland. The sampling design enabled statistical hypothesis testing, using nonparametric procedures, of the effects of land use, unsaturated-zone lithology, and type of well sampled. Results indicate that regional ground-water quality has been affected by prevailing land-use activities, as shown by increased concentrations of several inorganic constituents. Ground water beneath irrigated cropland was characterized by significantly larger concentrations of hardness, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fluofide, and nitrite plus nitrate than was water beneath undeveloped rangeland. Few nondegraded pesticides were detected in the aquifer, probably because of degradation and sorption. Atrazine was the most common, but only in small concentrations. round water beneath petroleum-production land was characterized by significantly larger concentrations of hardness, alkalinity, dissolved solids, sodium, and chloride than was water beneath undeveloped rangeland. Nonpoint-source contamination by oil-derived hydrocarbons was not discernible. The occurrences of trace organic compounds were similar between petroleum-production land and undeveloped rangeland, which indicates a natural origin for these compounds. The unsaturated zone in the study area is lithologically heterogeneous and contains substantial amounts of clay that inhibit the downward movement of water and solutes. Within the aquifer, the rate of lateral regional flow and solute transport is slow enough so that the ground-water quality reflects overlying land use in discrete areas of several square miles, but it is still sufficiently rapid so that the type of well sampled is not important in regional characterizations of water quality beneath irrigated cropland; the seasonal pumping of irrigation wells does not appear to divert regional flow enough to cause substantial local anomalies of more mineralized ground water.

South-central Kansas↗
USGS1993

Regional aquifers in Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming: Geohydrologic framework

Regional aquifers are described within a 370,000-square-mile area extending from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in eastern Nebraska and Missouri, and from South Dakota to the Ouachita, Arbuckle, and Wichita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The present geohydrologic framework of aquifers and confining units in this area is controlled by topography, geologic structures, and hydraulic properties. All of these characteristics are the result of past geologic and hydrologic processes. From the end of the Precambrian to Late Cambrian time, the area was above sea level, and an uneven erosional surface had developed on the fractured crystalline rocks. From Late Cambrian through Middle Ordovician time, a transgressive but cyclic sea covered the area. The oldest deposits were mostly permeable sand followed by slightly permeable calcareous mud consisting of aragonite and algal remains.

Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ne↗
USGS1976

Water resources of the Little Fork River watershed, northeastern Minnesota

The Little Fork River watershed is one of 39 watershed units designated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for evaluation of the State 's water resources. Included is an appraisal of the occurrence, quantity, quality, and availability of ground and surface waters. Water resources are not intensively developed anywhere in the watershed. Essentially all water used is withdrawn from ground-water sources, mainly glacial drift, which ranges from 0 to over 200 feet (61 meters) in thickness. Buried sand and gravel in the drift is the most favorable source for development. Most ground water is of the calcium or calcium magnesium bicarbonate type. The degree of mineralization generally increases downgradient in the flow system. Ground water is commonly very hard and high in iron and manganese. Lakes and wetlands have a natural regulating effect on streamflow. Water in streams is of the calcium bicarbonate type. The amount of mineralization reflects surficial geology, being greatest in streams draining glacial-lake sediments and least in streams draining areas of sand lakes. Color and iron concentration in stream waters generally exceed recommended domestic consumption limits.

Minnesota↗
USGS1976

Water resources of the Rainy Lake watershed, northeastern Minnesota

The watershed includes 1,481 lakes that are 10 acres (4 square hectometers) or larger (Minnesota Division of Waters, Soils, and Minerals, 1968). The area of these lakes total about 435,000 acres (176,000 hm 2 ) or 15 percent of the watershed. Most of the lakes are smaller than 250 acres (101 hm 2 ) (graph); data pertaining to selected large lakes are given in the table below. More than 60 percent of the lakes larger than 10 acres (4 hm 2 ) are in the BWCA. The primitive character of the BWCA is maintained in accordance with the Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964. Most lakes not in the BWCA were assigned a Public Waters Classification by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, based upon the suitability of the lake for future shoreland development (unpublished data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources). “Natural environment” is most restrictive and “general development” least restrictive with respect to development standards. About 80 percent of lakes classified in the watershed have been designated “natural environment.”

Minnesota↗
USGS1975

Water resources of the Mississippi and Sauk Rivers Watershed, central Minnesota

A variety of glacial landforms (moraines, till plains, drumlin fields and outwash plains) characterized the 3,890-square mile Mississippi and Sauk Rivers watershed. Underlying the glacial drift are Cambrian and Precambrian sedimentary rocks in the southeastern part of the watershed and Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks elsewhere. Surface drainage is entirely to the Mississippi River, the largest tributary being the Sauk River, which drains an area of about 970 square miles. The Mississippi follows a regional topographic low and transects the watershed from north to south. Greatest relief is in the morainal area in the west-central part of the watershed. The outwash plain in the southeastern part of the watershed and associated terrace deposits along the Mississippi River form a large area of relatively low relief. Details of topography are shown on 7 ½ and 15’ U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle maps, as indexed. Agriculture is the major economic activity. Small communities are scattered throughout the watershed; most larger municipalities and related development are concentrated along the Mississippi River. Lakes and streams offer good recreational opportunities.

Minnesota↗
USGS1975

Water resources of the Lake of the Woods watershed, north-central Minnesota

The Lake of the Woods watershed is an area of about 2,900 square miles (7,500 km), the northern limit of which is part of the boundary between the United States and Canada. Drainage is to Lake of the Woods, either directly or by the Rainy River. The watershed includes about 470 square miles (1,220 km2) of Lake of the Woods, one-third of the lake’s total area. The watershed, a part of the plain of glacial Lake Agassiz, is an area of low relief and slopes generally northward. Details of topography may be obtained from U.S. Geological Survey 7 1/2-minute quadrangle maps, as indexed. Surficial materials consist mainly of peat, lake-washed till, and beach deposits. Extensive wetlands typify much of the watershed. Bedrock is exposed in places near Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Except where cleared for cultivation, most of the watershed is covered by coniferous forests. Harvest of forest products, agriculture, and fishing are major economic activities. The 1970 population of the watershed was bout 6,600, concentrated chiefly along the Rainy River and the south shore of Lake of the Woods.

Minnesota↗
USGS1974

Water resources of the Rum River Watershed, east-central Minnesota

The Rum River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, drains an elongate area of about 1,550 square miles. The source of the Rum River is Mille Lacs Lake. Much of the northern half of the watershed is forested, and there are large areas of swampland. Population is most concentrated in the southern half, where agriculture is the dominant economic activity. Except for scattered Precambrian igneous rock outcrops in the central third of the watershed, bedrock is covered by glacial drift. In the southern third, the drift includes considerable amounts of outwash and is directly underlain by Cambrian and Precambrian sedimentary rocks. Greatest topographic relief is in morainal areas around Mille Lacs Lake. The central third of the watershed slopes gradually southward, grading into the relatively flat area of surficial outwash.

Minnesota↗
USGS1974

Water resources of the Crow River watershed, south-central Minnesota

The Crow River watershed, an area of about 2,760 square miles, is covered entirely by glacial deposits. A topographically high, east-west-trending end moraine divides most of the watershed into two drainage areas of approximately equal size. The North Fork Crow River drains a mixture of glacial outwash and till deposits, whereas the South Fork Crow River drains chiefly till deposits. Local relief is greatest in morainal areas and least in surficial outwash areas. Cambrian and Precambrian sedimentary rocks underlie the glacial drift in the eastern part of the watershed. Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, though discontinuous, are present in part of the western two-thirds of the watershed. Where sedimentary bedrock is absent, the glacial drift is directly underlain by Precambrian igneous or metamorphic rocks. Forested areas are sparse and occur mainly in steeply sloping morainal areas. Most land is used for agriculture, and slightly more than half the total population is rural.

Minnesota↗
USGS1973

Water resources of the Kettle River watershed, east-central Minnesota

The topography of the Kettle River watershed is formed primarily by glacial deposits that mantle the bedrock. The glacial deposits are generally less than 100 feet thick. Bedrock consists of several types and occasionally crops out at land surface. Topography ranges from gently rolling to steeply undulating. About 1,060 square miles is drained by the Kettle River and its tributaries, and about 510 square miles by smaller streams that are direct tributaries to the St. Croix River. Peat and swamp areas are common, particularly in the eastern part of the area. Most of the watershed is forested, mainly with hardwoods.

Minnesota↗
USGS1973

Appraisal of ground water for irrigation in the Little Falls area, Morrison County, Minnesota

Anticipated irrigation on sandy soils has prompted evaluation of ground-water supply potential in the Little Falls area. Geologic conditions cause ground-water availability to vary widely in the area. The largest and most readily available groundwater source is the glacial outwash sand and gravel from which the soils were derived. Test augering shows that the saturated surficial outwash is as much as 50-100 feet thick in the area where the outwash fills a probable former meltwater channel and that it is also this thick in smaller areas elsewhere. Transmissivity of the thicker parts of the aquifer approaches or exceeds 100,000 gallons per day per foot, and probable well yields should exceed 1,000 gallons per minute. In about two-thirds of the study area, a saturated thickness of less than 40 feet generally limits well yields to less than 300 gallons per minute. Recharge to the surficial aquifer is obtained primarily from precipitation. Most discharge occurs as evapotranspiration, base flow to the Mississippi River, and base flow to other streams and to lakes. Possible future response to pumping was studied through electric analog analyses by stressing the modeled aquifer system in accordance with areal variations in expected well yields. The model interpretation indicates most of the sustained pumpage would be obtained from intercepted base flow and evapotranspiration. Simulated withdrawals totaling 18,000 acre-feet of water per year for 10 years resulted in little adverse effect on the aquifer system. Simulated larger withdrawals, assumed to represent denser well spacing, caused greater depletion of aquifer storage, streamflow, and lake volumes, excessively so in some areas. Results of model analyses provide a guide for ground-water development by identifying the capability of all parts of the aquifer system to support sustained pumping for irrigation.

Minnesota↗