Geology topics

L.G. Labriola

Publications and source records attributed to L.G. Labriola.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2024

Streamflow, base flow, and precipitation trends and simulated effects of Rush Springs aquifer groundwater withdrawals on base flows upgradient from Fort Cobb Reservoir, western Oklahoma

To better understand the relation between groundwater use in the Rush Springs aquifer and inflows to the Fort Cobb Reservoir, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, used a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model and historical streamflow records to evaluate four scenarios to investigate how changing groundwater withdrawals could affect base flows in streams that flow into Fort Cobb Reservoir. These scenarios consisted of observing simulated base-flow response by (1) scaling the 20-year equal-proportionate-share groundwater-withdrawal rate by various percentages over a 50-year period; (2) scaling the historical groundwater-withdrawal rates by various percentages across the entire Rush Springs aquifer; (3) scaling the historical groundwater-withdrawal rates within various subareas (zones) of the Fort Cobb Reservoir surface watershed; and (4) simulating a base-flow-depletion scenario. Cobb, Lake, and Willow Creeks are the major streams upgradient from the Fort Cobb Reservoir (listed from highest to lowest mean annual base flow). The results of scenarios 1 and 2 indicated that Willow Creek is the most susceptible to drying, but Cobb Creek was the most likely to have reduced base flow. Scenarios 3 and 4 indicated that groundwater withdrawals affect Cobb Creek base flows over a broader watershed area compared to Lake and Willow Creeks. In scenario 4, Cobb Creek base-flow depletion was higher across a larger area than Lake Creek and Willow Creek. Groundwater withdrawals in the Cobb Creek watershed tended to affect total inflows into Fort Cobb Reservoir more than other areas in the extent of the Rush Springs aquifer.

Oklahoma↗

USGS2022

Potential effects of out-of-basin groundwater transfers on spring discharge, base flow, and groundwater storage pertaining to the Rush Springs aquifer in and near the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Tribal jurisdictional area, western Oklahoma

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and Bureau of Indian Affairs, assessed four groundwater-withdrawal scenarios and their potential effects on the Rush Springs aquifer in and near the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Tribal jurisdictional area in western Oklahoma. Increases in industrial and public water supply needs have led to increased development of water resources within the Rush Springs aquifer. As new areas within the aquifer are developed, increased water withdrawals may result in decreases in available groundwater resources and conflicts among water users. For this study, a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model of the Rush Springs aquifer was modified to simulate the potential effects of four groundwater withdrawal scenarios. For the previously published calibrated model, groundwater flow was simulated from 1979 through 2015. In this study, groundwater flow simulations were extended through 2035. The period from 2016 through 2035 is referred to as the “20-year projection.” Four groundwater withdrawal scenarios starting in 2007 and continuing through 2035 were evaluated. Scenario 1 simulated no groundwater withdrawals; scenario 2 simulated no withdrawals allocated for out-of-basin water-use transfers; scenario 3 simulated withdrawals based on reported withdrawals during the 2007–15 simulation period and compounded annual increases in groundwater use during the subsequent 20-year projection; and scenario 4 simulated maximum permitted withdrawals for allocation to out-of-basin water-use transfers. Out-of-basin water transfers were classified as withdrawals that are not returned back to the aquifer. At the springs of interest, changes in water-level altitudes in response to different groundwater withdrawal scenarios were simulated by comparing the results from different model cells. Between 2007 and 2015, scenarios 2–4 yielded similar simulated water-level altitudes in the model cells containing springs of interest, with water-level altitudes decreasing to below the land surface altitude at 13 of the total 25 springs of interest, whereas under scenario 1 there were only two model cells containing springs of interest where the simulated water-level altitudes of a spring decreased to below land surface altitude. For the 20-year projection, water-level altitudes at springs simulated in model cells in scenarios 2–4 decreased to below land surface altitude for 13 of the total 25 model cells containing springs of interest, whereas under scenario 1 there were only two model cells containing springs of interest where the simulated water-level altitudes of a spring decreased to below land surface altitude. The potential effects of groundwater withdrawals were evaluated by comparing changes in groundwater storage between the four scenarios. The 2007–15 groundwater withdrawal scenarios were used to simulate the potential effects of groundwater withdrawal rates on groundwater storage of the Rush Springs aquifer. The simulated groundwater storage change in the Rush Springs aquifer ranged from an increase of 2.8 percent for scenario 1 to an increase of 1.0 percent for scenario 4. Projected 20-year groundwater withdrawal scenarios were used to simulate the potential effects of selected groundwater withdrawal rates on groundwater storage of the Rush Springs aquifer. Simulated groundwater storage changes ranged from a decrease of 0.5 percent for scenario 1 to a decrease of 0.7 percent for scenario 4.

Oklahoma↗

USGS2020

Evaluating the effects of downscaled climate projections on groundwater storage and simulated base-flow contribution to the North Fork Red River and Lake Altus, southwest Oklahoma (USA)

Potential effects of projected climate variability on base flow and groundwater storage in the North Fork Red River aquifer, Oklahoma (USA), were estimated using downscaled climate model data coupled with a numerical groundwater-flow model. The North Fork Red River aquifer discharges groundwater to the North Fork Red River, which provides inflow to Lake Altus. To approximate future conditions, Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 climate data were downscaled to the watershed and a time-series of scaling factors were developed and interpolated for three climate scenarios (central tendency, warmer and drier, and less warm and wetter) representing future climate conditions for the period 2045–2074. These scaling factors were then applied to a soil-water-balance model to produce groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration estimates. A MODFLOW groundwater-flow model of the North Fork Red River aquifer used the scaled recharge and evapotranspiration data to estimate changes in base flow and water-surface elevation of Lake Altus. Compared to a baseline scenario, the mean percent change in annual base flow during 2045–2074 was −10.8 and −15.9% for the central tendency and warmer/drier scenarios, respectively; the mean percent change in annual base flow for the less-warm/wetter scenario was +15.7%. The mean annual percent change in groundwater storage for the central tendency, warmer/drier, and less-warm/wetter climate scenarios and the baseline are −2.7, −3.2, and +3.0%, respectively. The range of outcomes from the climate scenarios may be influenced by variability in the downscaled climate data for precipitation more than for temperature.

Oklahoma↗

USGS2019

Methods for estimating the magnitude and frequency of peak streamflows for unregulated streams in Oklahoma developed by using streamflow data through 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, updated peak-streamflow regression equations for estimating flows with annual exceedance probabilities from 50 to 0.2 percent for the State of Oklahoma. These regression equations incorporate basin characteristics to estimate peak-streamflow magnitude and frequency throughout the State by use of a generalized least-squares regression analysis. The most statistically significant independent variables required to estimate peak-streamflow magnitude and frequency for unregulated streams in Oklahoma are contributing drainage area, mean-annual precipitation, and main-channel slope. The regression equations are applicable for stream basins with drainage areas less than 2,510 square miles that are not affected by regulation. The standard model error ranged from 31.28 to 49.32 percent for the different annual exceedance probabilities that were computed. Annual-maximum peak flows observed at 212 USGS streamgages through water year 2017 were used for the regression analysis, excluding the Oklahoma Panhandle region. The USGS StreamStats web application was used to obtain the independent variables required for the peak-streamflow regression equations. Limitations on the use of the regression equations and the reliability of regression estimates for natural unregulated streams are described. Log-Pearson Type III analysis information, basin and climate characteristics, and the peak-streamflow frequency estimates for the 212 streamgages in and near Oklahoma are provided in this report. This report contains descriptions of the methods that can be used to estimate peak streamflows at ungaged sites by using estimates from streamgages on unregulated streams. For ungaged sites on urban streams and streams regulated by small floodwater-retarding structures, an adjustment of the statewide regression equations for natural unregulated streams can be used to estimate peak-streamflow magnitude and frequency.

Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas↗

USGS2019

Capacity and area of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, northeastern Oklahoma, 2009

In February 2017, the Grand River Dam Authority filed to relicense the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The predominant feature of the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project is Pensacola Dam, which impounds Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees (locally called Grand Lake) in northeastern Oklahoma. Identification of information gaps and assessment of project effects on stakeholders are central aspects of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process. Due to the natural changes to the reservoir over time, new capacity and area tables are needed periodically. The most recent complete capacity and area table was produced in 1940. Capacity and area tables identify the relations between the elevation of the water surface and the volume of water that can be impounded at each water surface elevation. This report (1) presents an updated capacity and area table for Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees for 2009, (2) describes the methods used to calculate the updated capacity and area values presented in the table, and (3) compares the updated capacity table to historical capacity tables produced from a survey in 1940 and from a hydrographic survey of the lake by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in 2009. The new capacity values computed for Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees indicate that capacity at conservation pool elevation has decreased about 157,000 acre-feet or 10 percent since 1940 and capacity at top of dam elevation has decreased about 200,000 acre-feet or 8 percent since 1940. This difference in the capacities could be attributed to the advancements of technologies; the techniques used for surveying lakes have changed from the 1940 survey to the 2009 survey. Another possible reason for loss in capacity could be as time progresses, lakes like Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees slowly impound sediment carried by the rivers that feed into the lakes, thus diminishing the amount of water that the lake holds. The most recent survey used measured water depths and Global Position System collected electronically, but the methods used to collect data in 1940 are unknown. Due to the advancement of technology, the 2009 survey is likely more precise than the 1940 survey.

Oklahoma↗