Geology topics
Research about Maine
Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Maine.
Water resources data for Maine, water year 1981
Water resources data for the 1981 water year for Maine consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of wells. This report contains discharge records for 66 gaging stations; stage only for 2 gaging stations; contents for 17 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 19 gaging stations and 8 wells; and water levels for 24 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies.
Seismicity map of the State of Maine
The earthquake data shown on this map and listed in table 1 are a list of earthquakes that were originally used in preparing the Seismic Risk Studies in the United States (Algermissen, 1969) which have been recompiled and updated through 1977. These data have been reexamined which resulted in some revisions of epicenters and intensities as well as assignment of intensities to earthquakes that previously had none assigened. Intensity values were updated from new and additional data soureces that were not available at the time of original compilation. Some epicenters were relocated on the basis of new informaition. The data shown in table 1 are estimates of the most accurate epicenter, magnitude, and intensity of each earthquake, on the basis of historical and current information. Some of the aftershocks from large earthquakes are listed but are incomplete in many instances, especialy for ones that occurred before seismic instruments were in universal usage. Only earthquakes located within the borders of the states of Maine are listed. This map superceeds Miscellaneous Field Sudies Map MF-845.
Drainage areas of surface water bodies of the Penobscot River basin in central Maine
The report contains drainage-area values for: lakes and ponds included in the MIDAS (Maine Informational Display Analysis System) File 906-Z, streams that drain an area greater than 25 square miles, dam sites, and locations where hydrologic data are available. Supplemental information includes State and Federal location systems used to identify these lake and stream sites.
Sketch maps showing areal extent, thickness, and amount of commercial-quality peat in deposits in and near Piscataquis and Somerset counties and northeastern Aroostook County, Maine
Peat deposits in and near Piscataquis and Somerset Counties and northeastern Aroostook County, Maine, were investigated for their estimated potential as peat resources suitable for energy, horticultural, and agricultural uses. Fifty sketch maps illustrate the areal extent, thickness, and amount of commercial-quality peat. The total yield is estimated at 23,908,000 short tons air-dried peat.
Time-of-travel study in the Sebasticook River basin, Maine
Time of travel was determined for four reaches of the Sebasticook River, two on the East Branch Sebasticook River, and two on the main stem of the Sebasticook River. Reach A included 7.8 miles of the East Branch Sebasticook River from Dexter to Corinna, Maine. Reach B included 8 miles of the East Branch Sebasticook River from Newport to its mouth, and 1 mile of the Sebasticook River to Peltoma bridge near Pittsfield, Maine. Reach C included 3.5 miles of the Sebasticook River from Hartland to West Palmyra, Maine. Reach D included 31.4 miles of the Sebasticook River from Pittsfield to Winslow, Maine. Using a 20-percent solution of rhodamine WT fluorescent dye, three dye-tracer type time-of-travel study runs were made in each reach. Water samples were collected at 10 sites in the study area. The samples were then analyzed for dye concentrations. Time-of-travel data for each subreach are depicted in a series of illustrations and summarized in tabular form. Examples are given to illustrate use of the data presented.
Time-of-travel studies for the Little Androscoggin River, Maine
Time-of-travel studies were conducted at flow durations of 20, 80, and 95 percent on the Little Androscoggin River from South Paris to Auburn, Maine. The river is about 29.3 miles long, and drains an area of about 354 square miles at its mouth. Traveltimes were determined by tracing the movement of rhodamine WI, a soluble fluorescent dye. The dye was injected into the river at the upstream end of each reach studied and water samples were collected at the downstream end of the study reach and analyzed for dye concentrations. Time-of-travel data were related to stream discharge to estimate traveltime for a water-soluble contaminant traveling between any two points at any discharge in the low-to-high flow range. The discharges of the Little Androscoggin River at the time of the study ranged from 40 to 950 cubic feet per second at the Auburn gaging station. Traveltimes from South Paris to Auburn, Maine, ranged from 51 to 648 hours.
Water resources data for Maine, water year 1980
Water resources data for the 1980 water year for Maine consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of wells. This report contains discharge records for 61 gaging stations; stage only for 2 gaging stations; contents for 17 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 14 gaging stations and 12 wells; and water levels for 23 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies.
Floods in Maine, April-May 1979
Heavy rainfall during April 27-30, 1979, resulted in moderate to record flooding in much of northern and western Maine. During this period, rainfall totals of as much as 6 inches were measured. This period was preceded by up to 10 days of seasonally warm temperatures and snowmelt, which helped create conditions favorable to flooding later in the month. Flood peaks having recurrence intervals greater than 30 years were recorded at several sites, and a few sites experienced maximum recorded flood peaks with recurrence intervals in excess of 50 years. There was no loss of life, but local damage to homes and commercial and industrial establishments was significant. This report describes the flooding. A tabulation of peak gage heights and discharges is included for 42 sites. Daily and storm precipitation values are tabulated for 58 sites. (USGS)
Food use and nutrition of black ducks nesting in Maine
Based on 32 adult black ducks ( Anas rubripes ) collected during the nesting seasons of 1974-76, the proportion of macro invertebrates (as aggregate [average] percent of dry weight) in the diet of males, egg-laying females, and postlaying females was 60, 75, and 55%, respectivey. Sample sizes were small, and the differences associated with sex and reproductive condition were not signficant. Molluscs, Isopods, ephemeropteran and odonate nymphs, and coleopteran, trichopteran, and dipteran larvae contributed 74% of the dry weight and 64% of the gross energy ingested. Data from proximate analyses of 9 invertebrate and 9 plant foods were combined with food habits data to estimate the nutrients available to breeding hens. We concluded that females with access to an adequate amount of natural food including invertebrates and the seeds and tubers of aquatic plants would obtain sufficient minerals, protein, and energy for reproduction. Food quality does not appear to limit the density of black ducks nesting in Maine.
Drainage areas of surface water bodies of the Kennebec River basin in southwestern Maine
The report contains drainage-area values for: lakes and ponds included in the MIDAS (Maine Informational Display Analysis System) File 906-Z, streams that drain an area greater than 25 square miles, dams, and locations where hydrologic data are collected. Supplemental information includes State and Federal location systems used to identify these lake and stream sites.
Ground water availability in Acadia National Park and vicinity, Hancock and Knox counties, Maine
In general, yield of water from individual wells in unconsolidated surficial deposits is low (0-10 gallons per minute). Several small, unconsolidated deposits may yield moderate quantities (50-100 gallons per minute) but these have not been adequately tested. Yields from 160 wells in the crystalline bedrock range from 0.5 gallons per minute to 100 gallons per minute, with a median yield of 10 gallons per minute. Wells in zones of extensive fracturing or faulting generally have higher than average yields. Zones of fracturing may correspond to lineations which have been mapped by interpretation from topographic maps and aerial photographs. In general, ground water is of suitable chemical quality for public supply. Most ground water is low in dissolved solids and is soft. Iron exceeds 0.3 milligrams per liter and manganese exceeds 0.05 milligrams per liter in water from some wells. Brackish (salty) water is present in only a few wells at the coast or adjacent to saltwater bodies. Elevated concentrations of Radon-222 have been reported from wells in the granite aquifer.
Reconnaissance of the effect of landfill leachate on the water quality of Marshall Brook, Southwest Harbor, Hancock County, Maine
A small stream (2.2 square miles drainage area) receiving leachate from a landfill was studied from August through November 1979 to determine the impact of the leachate on water quality. The presence of un-ionized ammonia, considered toxic to some aquatic vertebrates, was indicated in samples taken from sections of the stream affected by leachate. Some dissolved oxygen values did not meet the criteria for the protection of aquatic life. Many other dissolved constituents were present in elevated concentrations in the leachate-influenced reaches of the stream. Flow-data comparisons indicate that streamflow less than that observed will occur approximately 20 percent of the time. Leachate-affected stream conditions may deteriorate further during such low streamflow. Several areas with the potential for large sediment yields are present in the basin.
Records of selected wells, springs and test holes in the upper Androscoggin River valley, Maine
The area described in this report includes about 3,050 square miles in west-central Maine. Location of the area within the State is shown in figure 1, and a sketch map identifying the 15-minute topographic quadrangles for the study area is given in figure 2. The western boundary is the New Hampshire State line, and the eastern boundary is the Franklin-Somerset County line.
Some peat deposits in northern Penobscot, eastern Piscataquis, and eastern Aroostook Counties, Maine
Fifty-six peat deposits in northern Penobscot, eastern Piscataquis, and eastern Aroostook Counties, Maine, were investigated for peat resources. The total yield is an estimated 35,196,000 short tons air-dried peat, predominantly sphagnum moss and reed-sedge types. This peat, suitable for horticultural and agricultural uses, also has higher heating values and lower sulfur contents than other peat.
Water resources data for Maine, water year 1979
Water resources data for the 1979 water year for Maine consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of wells. This report contains discharge records for 69 gaging stations; stage only for 2 gaging stations; contents for 17 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 13 gaging stations and 27 wells; and water levels for 21 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Hater Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies.
A limnological study of 43 selected Maine lakes
Federal and State legislation require the trophic clas sification of lakes and ponds in the State of Maine as part of a lake management program. In 1974, the State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) adopted a pre liminary set of procedures for establishing an index of lake trophic status. Also in 1974, this three-year study of selected Maine lakes was initiated to evaluate and improve this trophic classification system. Analyses of project results led to the following rec-commendations for modifications in Maine's lake-management program. Lake trophic state should be established using a mean annual value of twice monthly observations of chlorophyll a in epilimnetic waters during the open-water season. Actual Trophic State Index (TSI) values for lakes are calculated using the formula: TSI = 77.7 - 27.3 (log annual mean chlorophyll a, in mg/L). In lakes with colors less than or equal to TO platinum-cobalt units, mean annual Secchi disk transparencies may be used for calculation of lake TSI using the formula: TSI = 40.0 + 33.0 (log annual10mean Secchi disk, in meters). Supplemental information recommended for inclusion in the lake management program should include: morphological, hydrologic, and geologic data; baseline profile water-quality surveys; and benthic invertebrate, vegetation, and cultural surveys. Another recommendation is to change DEP's method of calculating the mean annual runoff for a lake drainage basin to an empirical formula based on drainage area characteristics. This resulted in more accurate estimations of mean annual hydraulic retention times for lakes. Many of these parameters recommended for inclusion in the lake management program will allow comparisons with future surveys to determine the impacts of cultural development on Maine lakes.