Geology topics
Stephen J. Kalkhoff
Publications and source records attributed to Stephen J. Kalkhoff.
Suspended sediment and stream discharge in Bloody Run and Sny Magill watershed, water year 1992
Hydrologic data were collected in the Bloody Run and Sny Magill watersheds in Clayton County, Iowa during the 1992 Water Year (October 1, 1991 to September 30, 1992) to provide data on suspended sediment and stream discharge from these watersheds. Suspended-sediment samples were collected daily during normal flow and several times during rainstorms. Stream stage was recorded continuously and stream-discharge measurements were made monthly to develop a stage-discharge relation. Data on drainage-basin morphology and precipitation were quantified to help understand the variability in sediment and stream discharge. The total suspended-sediment discharge for Water Year 1992 was 2,720 tons at site BR1 on Bloody Run and 1,940 tons at site SN1 on Sny Magill Creek The daily median suspended-sediment discharge was 1.1 tons at both sites BR1 and SN1. The maximum daily mean stream discharge (205 cubic feet per second) at site BR1 on Bloody Run occurred on November 1, 1991. The median daily discharge at BR1 for the 1992 Water year was 24 cubic feet per second or 0.70 cubic feet per second per square mile (ft 3 /s/mi 2 ). The maximum daily mean stream discharge at site SN1 on Sny Magill Creek was 90 cubic feet per second which occurred on April 20, 1992. The median daily discharge at site SN1 for the 1992 Water Year was 15 cubic feet per second or 0.54 ft 3 /s/mi 2 .
Brine contamination of ground water and streams in the Baxterville oil field area, Lamar and Marion Counties, Mississippi
A hydrologic investigation to define the extent of brine contamination in ground water and streams in the Baxterville oil field area was conducted from October 1984 through November 1985. The 260-square-mile study area includes the Baxterville oil field (approximately 12.5 square miles) in southwestern Lamar and southeastern Marion Counties, Mississippi. Since 1944, disposal of more than 1 billion barrels of brine pumped from the oil- producing zones has contaminated (increased chloride to greater than background concentrations) parts of the Citronelle and shallow Miocene aquifers and some streams that drain the oil field. Many domestic wells have been abandoned because of the presence of substantial quantities of brine in the ground water. Brine has moved laterally through the shallowest aquifers and discharged into Clear Creek and its tributaries. Although the presence of brine in surface water was greatest during periods of low flow when streamflow originated primarily from ground-water inflow, brine was also detected during high-flow periods when streamflow consisted largely of precipitation runoff.
Hydrologic data for the Big Spring basin, Clayton County, Iowa, water year 1990
Hydrologic data were collected in the Big Spring basin located in Clayton County, Iowa, during the 1990 water year. The data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey Bureau, to provide information on variation and movement of agricultural chemicals in the hydrologic cycle in the basin. Precipitation, surface-water, and ground-water data were collected. Rainfall recorded during water year 1990 at a monitoring site on Roberts Creek totaled 43.67 inches. The greatest monthly rainfall (14.45 inches) occurred in August. Calcium and sulfate were the predominant ions in the rain, and the median concentrations of nitrate and ammonia as nitrogen were 0.35 and 0.48 milligrams per liter, respectively. Stream discharge, specific conductance, pH, and water temperature were monitored continuously, and monthly water-quality samples were collected at three sites in the basin. The predominant ions in samples from Roberts Creek at the point where it leaves the basin were calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen concentrations in 42 samples ranged from less than 0.10 to 18 milligrams per liter. Pesticide concentrations in 34 samples ranged from less than 0.10 to 12 micrograms per liter. Alachlor was detected in 56 percent of the samples; atrazine in 100 percent; cyanazine in 68 percent; and metolachlor in 47 percent. At Big Spring, the ground-water discharge point, the daily mean specific conductance ranged from 378 to 796 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, the daily median pH ranged from 6.5 to 7.2, and the daily mean water temperature ranged from 5.5 to 11.5 degrees Celsius. Calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate generally were the predominant ions in solution. Concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen in 32 samples ranged from 3.4 to 16 milligrams per liter. Alachlor was detected in 22 percent of the samples; atrazine in 100 percent; cyanazine in 44 percent, and metplachlor in 6 percent. The maximum atrazine concentration was 4.5 micrograms per liter. During a low-flow seepage study, May 29 and 30,1990, the measured discharge lost by streams in the basin was 8.56 cubic feet per second, the measured dissolved nitrogen load lost was 0.29 ton per day, and the measured atrazine load lost was 0.028 pound per day. The total measured discharge and total dissolved nitrogen load leaving the basin in streams were 3.63 cubic feet per second and about 0.04 ton per day, respectively.
Hydrologic data for the Big Spring basin, Clayton County, Iowa, water year 1988
Hydrologic data was collected during the 1988 water year in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey Bureau in the Big Spring ground-water basin located in Clayton County, Iowa. Information on precipitation, streams, and ground water was collected in the basin. Total rainfall at Big Spring was 24.08 inches. The greatest monthly rainfall was in September. Calcium and sulfate were the predominant ions in the rain and the median ammonia and nitrate concentrations as nitrogen were 0.40 and 0.37 mg/L (milligrams per liter), respectively. Stream discharge, water temperature, specific conductance, and pH were monitored continuously and monthly water-quality samples were collected at three sites in the basin. In the streams, water temperature and pH vary diurnally and are greatest during the day. Specific conductance varies inversely with water temperature and pH. The predominant ions in the streams were calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. Nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 15 mg/L. Pesticide concentrations ranged from less than 0.10 µ g/L (micrograms per liter) to 0.72 µ g/L. Atrazine was detected in 12 of 13 stream samples and cyanazine was detected in 4 of 13 samples. The daily mean temperature of the water in Big Spring ranged from 9.7 to 10.6 degrees Celsius, the daily mean specific conductance ranged from 698 to 735 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, and the daily median pH ranged from 6.7 to 7.1. Calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate were the predominant ions in solution. Nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen concentrations ranged from 7.5 to 11 mg/L. Atrazine was the only pesticide detected in the monthly samples from Big Spring. Atrazine concentrations were greater than the detection limit in six of seven samples and ranged from less than 0.10 to 0.26 µ g/L. During a baseflow seepage study, June 28 and 29, the discharge lost by streams in the basin was 5.57 cubic feet per second and the dissolved nitrogen load lost was 0.19 tons per day. The discharge and total dissolved nitrogen leaving the basin in streams was 2.93 cubic feet per second and 0.02 tons per day, respectively.
Background hydrologic information in potential lignite mining areas in Mississippi, July 1982
A water-quality sampling program was initiated in 1980 to determine background hydrologic data in potential lignite mining areas of Mississippi. This report is the third in a planned five-part series to provide data to assess future impacts of mining on small streams. The data indicates that most streams in the study area have a dissolved-solids concentration less than 100 mg/. The major ion concentrations were generally less than 10 mg/. Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and selenium in bottom material samples were below detectable limits. Cobalt, lead, zinc, copper, and chromium concentrations exceeded 10 micro-/g at all sites and maganese exceeded 1000 micro-/g at five sites. (USGS)
Quality of water in Luxapallia Creek at Columbus, Mississippi
A quality-of-water study was conducted on September 9-12, 1979, on Luxapallila Creek and its tributaries, Magby and McCrary Creeks. The short term study indicated that the water in Luxapallila, Magby, and McCrary Creeks is suitable for many purposes. The dissolved-oxygen concentration, temperature, and pH of the water in Luxapallila Creek changed little downstream from site 1 to site 5. The mean specific conductance increased from 25 micromhos per centimeter at site 1 to 46 micromhos per centimeter at site 5. The concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus species, densities of fecal bacteria and 5-day biochemical-oxygen-demand load in Luxapallila Creek also increased downstream. The maximum BOD 5 increased from 0.7 mg/L at the upstream site to 2.6 mg/L at the most downstream site. The maximum total nitrogen concentration increased from 0.71 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L. The maximum ammonia nitrogen concentration increased from 0.08 mg/L to 0.50 mg/L. Maximum nitrate plus nitrite concentrations increased from 0.13 mg/L to 0.15 mg/L and the maximum organic nitrogen concentrations increased from 0.53 mg/L to 1.6 mg/L. Maximum total phosphorus concentrations increased from 0.04 mg/L at the upstream site to 0.30 mg/L at the downstream site. The fecal coliform to fecal streptococcus ratio of three of five samples collected at site 5 was greater than 4.0 strongly suggesting the presence of human wastes at the downstream sites during the study.
Quality of water and time of travel in Bakers Creek near Clinton, Mississippi
A short-term intensive quality-of-water study was conducted during a period of generally low streamflow in Bakers Creek and its tributary, Lindsey Creek, near Clinton, Mississippi. During the September 15-18, 1980 study, dissolved oxygen concentrations in Bakers Creek were less than 5 milligrams per liter. The specific conductance, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, nutrient concentrations, and bacteria densities in Bakers Creek decreased downstream through the study reach. The mean specific conductance decreased from 670 micromhos per centimeter to 306 micromhos per centimeter. The 5-day biochemical oxygen demand decreased from 19 milligrams per liter to 2.8 milligrams per liter. The mean total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations decreased from 10 and 7.1 milligrams per liter to 1.0 and 0.87 milligram per liter, respectively. The maximum fecal bacteria decreased from 7,200 colonies per 100 milliliter to 400 colonies per 100 milliliter. The concentrations of mercury (0.4 micrograms per liter), iron (3,400 micrograms per liter), and manganese (1,100 micrograms per liter) in a sample collected at the downstream site exceeded recommended limits. Diazinon (0.01 micrograms per liter) and 2,4-D (0.02 micrograms per liter) were also present in the water. A bottom material sample contained DDD (2.5 micrograms per kilogram), DDE (2.7 micrograms per kilogram), and DDT (.3 micrograms per kilogram). The tributary inflow from Lindsey Creek did not improve the water quality at downstream sites on Bakers Creek. The dissolved oxygen concentrations were generally less than 5.0 milligrams per liter at the sampling site on Lindsey Creek. The 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, the mean specific conductance, and fecal coliform densities were greater in the tributary than at the downstream site on Bakers Creek. The average rate of travel through a 1.8 -mile reach of Bakers Creek was 0.06 foot per second or 0.04 miles per hour.
Quality of water in the Tallahatchie River near New Albany, Mississippi
The quality of water in the Tallahatchie River was somewhat affected by municipal wastes as it flowed through a 5-mile stretch near New Albany, Miss. Specific conductance, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, and densities of bacteria in the river increased in a downstream direction. At site 1 (upstream) the mean concentration of total nitrogen was 0.28 milligram per liter with a mean total phosphorus concentration of 0.05 milligram per liter. At site 3 (downstream) mean-total nitrogen and phosphorus were 0.48 and 0.14 milligram per liter respectively. Specific conductance ranged from 90 to 125 micromhos per centimeter at site 1 and from 155 to 175 at site 3. The fecal coliform to fecal streptoccai bacteria ratio of most samples at site 1 was less than 2.0. At site 3 the ratio exceeded 4.0 in most samples indicating wastes of human origin were probably present. (USGS)
Quality of water and time of travel in Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks near Magee, Mississippi
An intensive quality-of-water study was conducted during a period of generally low streamflow in Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks near Magee, Miss. During the August 12-14, 1980, study, the mean specific conductance of the water at all sites was less than 59 micromhos per centimeter; the dissolved-oxygen concentrations were greater than 5.0 milligrams per liter: pH values ranged from 6.0 to 6.8, and the mean water temperature ranged from 23.0 to 27.0 Celsius. The biochemical oxygen demand and nutrient concentrations at the downstream sampling sites were higher in Goodwater Creek than in Okatoma Creek. The maximum 5-day biochemical oxygen demand was 2.7 milligrams per liter in Goodwater Creek and 1.5 milligrams per liter in Okatoma Creek. The mean concentration of total nitrogen was 1.0 and 0.71 milligrams per liter and the mean total phosphorus concentration was 0.26 and 0.10 milligrams per liter at the downstream sites on Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks, respectively. Fecal coliform densities generally were high at all sites, exceeding 4,000 colonies per 100 milliliters in both Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks. Objectionable concentrations of total cadmium, mercury, iron, and phenol were present in a sample of water. Dieldrin, chlordane, DDD, DDE, and DDT were present in a sample of bottom material collected at the downstream site of Okatoma Creek. The peak concentration of dye injected into Goodwater Creek traveled through a 1.7-mile reach at a rate of 0.3 mile per hour.
Quality of water in Tibbee Creek and tributaries near West Point, Mississippi
An intensive water-quality study was conducted on Tibbee Creek and two of its tributaries, Town Creek and Catalpa Creek, on June 19-22, 1979. The data were collected during a period of low discharge and high air temperatures. The water in Tibbee Creek and Catalpa Creek was of much better quality than water in Town Creek. Large quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved solids and high densities of fecal coliform were present in Town Creek. The five-day biochemical oxygen demand values averaged 14 mg/L, and the mean total nitrogen concentration was 56 mg/L. The mean concentrations of ammonia, nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen, and organic nitrogen were 1.8 mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 3.7 mg/L, respectively. A total phosphorus load of more than 400 pounds per day, more than 91 percent of the total phosphorus load leaving the study area, was carried by Town Creek into Tibbee Creek. Total phosphorus concentrations averaged 14 mg/L in Town Creek and 0.11 and 0.12 mg/L in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks respectively. Bacterial densities were higher at site 2 in Town Creek than at sites 1 and 3 in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks respectively. The median fecal coliform bacterial density was 25,000 col/100 mL (colonies per 100 milliliters) in Town Creek and less than 200 col/100 mL in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks. Median fecal streptococcal densities were 1,000 col/100 mL in Town Creek, 210 col/100 mL in Tibbee Creek, and 800 col/100 mL in Catalpa Creek. Fecal coliform to fecal streptococcal ratios were greater than 4.0 in Town Creek, indicating wastes of human origin were probably present during the study. Ratios were less than 0.7 in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks, indicating human wastes were probably absent during the study.