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Research about Kansas, Nebraska

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Kansas, Nebraska.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1996

Surface-water-quality assessment of the lower Kansas River basin, Kansas and Nebraska: Selected metals, arsenic, and phosphorus in streambed sediments of first- and second-order streams, 1987

The occurrence and geographic distribution of major metals and trace elements was assessed in the lower Kansas River Basin of Kansas and Nebraska by studying the concentrations of metals and nonmetallic elements in the less-than 63-micrometer-sized fraction of streambedsediment samples from 422 sites on first- and second-order streams. Median concentrations were the same order of magnitude as the geometric mean concentrations in soils of the western United States. Either threshold concentrations or upper percentile classes (greater than 50 percent of concentrations) were determined for 14 metals, arsenic, and phosphorus. Threshold concentrations were determined as the point that the slope of a normal-probability plot increases, indicating data from two different populations. Samples with a concentration greater than the threshold concentration indicated possible enrichment with respect to that particular element. Concentrations of the transition metals, which included chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, and vanadium, generally were larger in the southeastern part of the study unit where Permian and Pennsylvanian shale and limestone predominate. The largest concentrations of the alkali metals, potassium and sodium, mainly were in the northwestern part of the study unit, which is an area of Quaternary loess deposits irrigated with ground water. Large concentrations of the alkaline-earth metal, barium, also were in the northwestern part of the study unit. Concentrations of the other alkaline-earth metals, calcium, magnesium, and strontium, were larger in the southern part of the basin, which is underlain by Permian and Pennsylvanian shale and limestone. The largest concentrations of arsenic and lead were mainly in the southeastern part of the study unit, an area of Permian and Pennsylvanian shale. Large concentrations of phosphorus in the northwestern part of the study unit probably were due to runoff from irrigated agricultural lands.

Kansas, Nebraska↗
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↗
USGS1995

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

Surface-water-quality conditions and trends were assessed in the lower Kansas River Basin, which drains about 15,300 square miles of mainly agricultural land in southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas. On the basis of established water-quality criteria, most streams in the basin were suitable for uses such as public-water supply, irrigation, and maintenance of aquatic life. However, most concerns identified from a previous analysis of available data through 1986 are substantiated by analysis of data for May 1987 through April 1990. Less-than-normal precipitation and runoff during 1987-90 affected surface-water quality and are important factors in the interpretation of results. Dissolved-solids concentrations in the main stem Kansas River during May 1987 through April 1990 commonly exceeded 500 milligrams per liter, which may be of concern for public-water supplies and for the irrigation of sensitive crops. Large concentrations of chloride in the Kansas River are derived from ground water discharging in the Smoky Hill River Basin west of the study unit. Trends of increasing concentrations of some dissolved major ions were statistically significant in the northwestern part of the study unit, which could reflect substantial increases in irrigated acreage. The largest concentrations of suspended sediment in streams during May 1987 through April 1990 were associated with high-density cropland in areas of little local relief and medium-density irrigated cropland in more dissected areas. The smallest concentrations were measured downstream from large reservoirs and in streams draining areas having little or no row-crop cultivation. Mean annual suspended-sediment transport rates in the main stem Kansas River increased substantially in the downstream direction. No conclusions could be reached concerning the relations of suspended-sediment transport, yields, or trends to natural and human factors. The largest sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in the study unit were fertilizer and livestock. Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in stream-water samples did not exceed 10 milligams per liter; relatively large concentrations in the northwestern part of the study unit were associated with fertilizer application. Concentrations of total phosphorus generally were largest in the northwestern part of the study unit, which probably relates to the prevalence of cultivated land, fertilizer application, and livestock wastes. Deficiencies in dissolved-oxygen concentrations in streams occurred locally, as a result of discharges from wastewater-treatment plants, algal respiration, and inadequate reaeration associated with small streamflow. Large densities of a fecal-indicator bacterium, Escherichia coli, were associated with discharges from municipal wastewater-treatment plants and, especially in the northwestern part of the study unit, with transport of feca The largest concentrations of the herbicide atrazine generally were measured where the largest quantities of atrazine were applied to the land. Large atrazine concentrations, 10 to 20 micrograms per liter, were measured most frequently in unregulated principal streams during May and June. Downstream of reservoirs, the seasonal variability of atrazine concentrations was decreased compared to that of inflowing streams.

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1995

Surface-water-quality assessment of the lower Kansas River basin, Kansas and Nebraska: Dissolved oxygen and Escherichia coli bacteria in streams during low flow, July 1988 through July 1989

The 15,300-square-mile lower Kansas River Basin in Kansas and Nebraska was investigated, as one of the pilot study units of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, to address a variety of water-quality issues. This report describes sanitary quality of streams as defined by concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) and densities of a fecal-indicator bacterium, Escherichia coli (E. coli). Sixty-one surface-water sampling sites were chosen for this investigation. Synoptic surveys were conducted in July 1988, November 1988, March 1989, and May 1989 to define the concentrations and diel and seasonal variability in concentrations of DO. Synoptic surveys were conducted in July 1988 and July 1989 to define densities of E. coli. Ancillary data included measurements of specific conductance, pH, water temperature. barometric pressure, and concentrations of nutrients, total organic carbon, chlorophyll, and suspended sediment. Surveys were conducted during stable-flow, dry-weather conditions. During the July 1988 synoptic survey for DO, emphasis was placed on the measurement of DO under maximum stress (high water temperature, low streamflow, and predawn conditions). Of 31 sites sampled just before dawn, 5 had DO concentrations less than the 5.0-milligrams-perliter, l-day minimum warmwater criterion for early life stages as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and 4 of these 5 sites had concentrations less than the 3.0-milligrams-per-liter criterion for all other life stages. For all four synoptic surveys, a total of 392 DO determinations were made, and 9 (2.3 percent) were less than water-quality criteria. Concentrations of DO less than water-quality criteria in the study unit are localized occurrences and do not reflect regional differences in DO. The most severe DO deficiencies are the result of discharges from wastewater-treatment plants into small tributary streams with inadequate assimilation capacity. Algal respiratory demand in combination with reduced physical reaeration associated with extreme low flow probably also contributes to temporary, localized deficiencies. Densities of E. coli were determined at 57 surface-water sampling sites during the syn- optic survey in July 1988. Results indicate large regional differences in E. coli densities within the study unit. Densities orE. coli in water at 19 sites in the Big Blue River subbasin, exclusive of the Little Blue River subbasin, ranged from 120 to 260,000 col/100 mL (colonies per 100 milliliters), with a median density of 2,400 col/100 mL. Densities at the 11 sites in the Little Blue River ranged from 100 to 30,000 col/100 mL, with a median density of 940 col/100 mL. Densities at the 27 sites in the Kansas River subbasin ranged from less than 1 to 1,000 col/100 mL, with a median density of 88 col/100 mL. Densities at 84 percent of the sites in the Big Blue River subbasin exceeded the USEPA E. coli criterion of 576 col/100 mL for infrequently used full-body contact recreation, and 53 percent exceeded the 2,000 cot/I00 mL fecal coliform criterion for uses other than full-body contact established by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Densities at 73 percent of the sites in the Little Blue River subbasin exceeded the 576 col/100 mL E. coli criterion, and 36 percent exceeded the 2,000 col/100 mL fecal coliform criterion. Densities at one of the sites in the Kansas River subbasin exceeded the 576 col/100 mL E. coli criterion, and none exceeded the 2,000 col/100 mL fecal-coliform criterion. The largest densities of E. coli in the study unit were the result of discharges from municipal wastewater-treatment plants; however, densities in the Big Blue and Little Blue River subbasins were generally larger than those in the Kansas River subbasin. These larger densities in the Big Blue and Little Blue River subbasins may have been the result of irrigation return flow from fields where manure was used as a soil

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1995

Surface-water-quality assessment of the lower Kansas River Basin, Kansas and Nebraska: Suspended-sediment conditions, May 1987 through April 1990, and trends, 1963 through April 1990

Median suspended-sediment concentrations ranged from 100 to 110 milligrams per liter for 3 stations on the Kansas River and from 4 to 110 milligrams per liter for 10 stations on tributary streams during May 1987 through April 1990. For tributary stream stations upstream from large reservoirs, concen- trations in the 90th percentile ranged from 240 to 3,200 milligrams per liter. The larger median and 90th-percentile concentrations were associated with high-density irrigated cropland with gradual slopes and nonirrigated cropland with steeper slopes. Smaller median and 90th-percentile concentrations upstream from reservoirs were from areas of little or no row-crop cultivation or areas of substantially less-than-normal precipitation and streamflow. Suspended-sediment concentrations followed a con- sistent seasonal pattern; after accounting for the effect of flow, concentrations were typically smallest during January-February and largest during July-August. Mean annual suspended-sediment transport in the Kansas River from May 1987 through April 1990 increased in the downstream direction from 1,700,000 to 4,100,000 tons per year. Suspended-sediment yields for tributary streams ranged from 17 to 260 tons per square mile per year. Because of abnormal climatic conditions and other factors, no conclusions could be reached con- cerning relations of suspended-sediment transport or yield to natural or human factors. Only one upward and one downward trend in flow-adjusted, suspended-sediment concentrations were statistically significant. The trend-test results could not be explained by data on cropland removed from production or the effect of detention structures.

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1995

Surface-water-quality assessment of the lower Kansas River Basin, Kansas and Nebraska: Distribution of trace-element concentrations in dissolved and suspended phases, streambed sediment, and fish samples, May 1987 through April 1990

The distribution of trace elements in dissolved and suspended phases, streambed sediment, and fish samples is described for principal streams in the lower Kansas River Basin, Kansas and Nebraska, from May 1987 through April 1990. Large median concentrations of dissolved lithium and strontium in the Kansas River were related to saline ground-water discharge, and large median concentrations of dissolved strontium in Mill Creek near Paxico, Kansas were related to Permian limestone and shale. Large concentrations of arsenic, chromium, and lead in water were identified downstream from three reservoirs, which may be attributed to resuspension of bed sediment in turbulent flow near the dams or release of water from near the bottom of the reservoirs. Trace elements in streambed sediments greater than background concentrations were identified downstream from the Aurora, Nebraska, wastewater-treatment plant, from industrial or urban areas near Kansas City, Kansas, and from the dam at Perry Lake, Kansas. Median and 90th-percentile concentrations of mercury in fish-tissue samples approximately doubled from 1979-86 to 1987-90. However, concentrations in samples collected during the latter period were less than the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering 1972 criterion of 500 micrograms per kilogram for mercury in fish tissue.

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1995

Surface-water-quality assessment of the lower Kansas River basin, Kansas and Nebraska– Analysis of available data through 1986

Available surface water-quality data were used to provide an initial assessment of current water-quality conditions for 1978-86, define long-term trends in constituent concentrations, and relate current water-quality conditions and trends 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 areas selected for study as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program.

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1995

The occurrence and transport of agricultural pesticides in the Tuttle Creek lake-stream system, Kansas and Nebraska

Median monthly atrazine concentrations detected in surface-water samples from the Big Blue River basin (1977-86) exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency health-advisory level (3.0 micrograms per liter) during May through September. Herbicide loads transported from the basin in 1986, expressed in tons and in percentage of amount applied, were alachlor (1.2 tons, 0.23 percent), atrazine (19 tons, 2.2 percent), and metolachlor (2.2 tons, 2.7 percent).

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1993

Surface-water-quality assessment of the lower Kansas River basin, Kansas and Nebraska: Project data November 1986 through April 1990

Surface-water-quality data were collected from the lower Kansas River Basin in Kansas and Nebraska. The data are presented in 17 tables consisting of physical properties, concentrations of dissolved solids and major ions, dissolved and total nutrients, dissolved and total major metals and trace elements, radioactivity, organic carbon, pesticides and other synthetic-organic compounds, bacteria and chlorophyll-a, in water; particle-size distributions and concentrations of major metals and trace elements in suspended and streambed sediment; and concentrations of synthetic-organic compounds in streambed sediment. The data are grouped within each table by sampling sites, arranged in downstream order. Ninety-one sites were sampled in the study area. These sampling sites are classified in three, non-exclusive categories (fixed, synoptic, and miscellaneous sites) on the basis of sampling frequency and location. Sampling sites are presented on a plate and in 3 tables, cross-referenced by downstream order, alphabetical order, U.S. Geological Survey identification number, sampling-site classification category, and types of analyses performed at each site. The methods used to collect, analyze, and verify the accuracy of the data also are presented.

Kansas, Nebraska↗
USGS1964

Basement depths from widely spaced aeromagnetic profiles in Kansas and Nebraska

Profiles of the basement surface in western Kansas and Nebraska were constructed by drawing smooth curves through the shallowest depths estimated from aeromagnetic anomalies along six widely spaced traverses. Ratios of inferred- depth -to- basement to true depth along the traverses ranges from 0.7 to 1.0. Clusters of shallow depth estimates commonly yield an average estimate within 15 percent of the true depth .

Kansas, Nebraska↗