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763 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
USGS2024

State of science, gap analysis, and prioritization for southeastern United States water-quality impacts from coastal storms—Fiscal year 2023 program report to the Water Resources Mission Area from the Water Availability Impacts of Extreme Events Program—Hurricanes

Tropical cyclones (coastal storm events that include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) cause landscape-scale disturbances that can lead to impaired water quality and thus reduce water availability for use. Stakeholders and scientists at local and national scales have illustrated a need for understanding these risks to water quality. A regional and comprehensive understanding of the impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes on surface-water and groundwater quality—and thus water availability—is lacking for potentially impacted coastal and inland areas. As the U.S. Geological Survey considers development of tools to predict the extent to which water-quality impacts of hurricanes affect water availability, an assessment of the state of the science of hurricane impacts is needed, including a gap analysis and prioritization of data and science needs. This assessment focuses on the southeastern coastal States.

southeastern United States↗
USGS2025

U.S. Geological Survey—Department of the Interior, Region 11, Alaska—2023–24 biennial science report

Introduction U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mission—The USGS national mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict the current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable information at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. Consistent with the national mission, the USGS in Alaska provides timely and objective scientific information to help address issues and inform management decisions across five interconnected focus areas: Energy and Minerals; Geospatial Mapping; Natural Hazards; Water Quality, Streamflow, and Ice Dynamics; and Ecosystems. The USGS in Alaska consists of approximately 350 scientists and support staff working in 3 Alaska-based science centers. USGS science activities are also initiated by the Cooperative Research Unit and USGS centers outside Alaska. In the last 5 years, USGS research in Alaska has produced many scientific benefits resulting from more than 900 publications. Publications relevant to Alaska can be conveniently searched by keyword through the USGS Publications Warehouse at https://pubs.usgs.gov/.

Alaska↗
USGS2026

Water use permits as of July 2024 and reported water use near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, 1980–2023

Starting in the early 2000s, increasing oil and gas development in western North Dakota created a need for additional water resources from surface-water and groundwater sources near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. To summarize the use of water in that area, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, developed a map of surface-water and groundwater resources, aquifers, and water-use diversions, and plotted water-use trends from 1980 to 2023. Reported water used from permits in the map area has more than doubled since 2020, increasing from about 750 acre-feet in 2020 to about 2,300 acre-feet in 2022 and 2,000 acre-feet in 2023. Surface water provided the primary source of reported water used for the study period with an average of about 410 acre-feet per year from 1980 through 2017 and about 1,330 acre-feet per year from 2018 through 2023. After 2011, groundwater sourced from the Little Missouri River, Tobacco Garden Creek, Fox Hills, Fort Union, and Dakota aquifers became a larger portion of total annual reported water use from permits in the map area. From 1980 through 2015, water use for irrigation averaged 86 percent of the total annual reported surface-water and groundwater use in the map area. Starting in 2011, however, industrial uses became a proportionally larger total use of water, and in 2015, became the highest reported volume of water use in the map area. From 2011 to 2023, industrial use designated for water depots increased from 50 acre-feet to about 1,370 acre-feet, accounting for about 70 percent of total reported water use in the map area in 2023.

North Dakota↗
USGS1998

Satellite imagery of the north-central Gulf of Mexico, June 1993-May 1997

This CD contains imagery collected by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on the NOAA polar-orbiting weather satellites. The AVHRR provides almost daily coverage of a site at a resolution of approximately 1 km. The data types included are sea surface temperature (SST), water reflectance (REF), and a false-color infrared overview (FCI).

Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi↗
USGS1999

Reconfigured-Channel Monitoring and Assessment Program

A U.S. Geological Survey program to monitor and assess channel reconfiguration activity is described. A data base available on the world wide web will enable land-management agencies and other interested parties to evaluate the long-term success of various channel reconfiguration projects. A demonstration project on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, Colorado, illustrates the program objectives and approach.

Colorado↗
USGS2026

Methodology for quantitative spatial sensitivity analysis of volcanic geodetic networks

Introduction This report introduces a methodology for assessing the state of the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Observatories’ geodetic monitoring networks that measure how volcanoes deform or change shape. This new method uses a model-based approach that considers the uniqueness of the instrument environments at each volcano. This report focuses on simplified volcanic sources, is independent of the shape or size of the volcano, or the network geometry, and thus highlights the strengths and potential vulnerabilities of each volcano’s geodetic network in an actionable visual format. This analysis can help observatories to make informed decisions about whether volcanoes have an adequate level of geodetic monitoring and indicate where improvements are needed.

Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta↗
USGS1976

Hydrogeology of stratified drift in Farmington, Connecticut: Available data and future needs

The purpose of this report is twofold. The first is to update hydrogeologic information on the major stratified-drift deposits that underlie much of Farmington. The second is to outline data requirements for future ground-water evaluation and management. The scope of the report is limited to the stratified drift, as it is the only aquifer capable of sustaining large withdrawals for public or industrial supply. This aquifer is composed of interbedded layers of gravel, sand, silt and clay. Most of this material was deposited by glacial meltwaters, but locally the aquifer contains some unconsolidated deposits of nonglacial origin. The most extensive stratified-drift deposits are in the valleys of the Farmington and Pequabuck Rivers.(See plate B.) A few small areas of stratified drift near East Farmington Heights and Oakland Gardens are not discussed in this report as their potential for large-scale development is slight.

Connecticut↗
USGS1985

Low flows and flow duration of Tennessee streams through 1981

Estimates of low-flow characteristics and flow duration for the period of record at continuous-record streamflow gages are essential in hydrologic studies and water-resources management. This report provides estimates of low flow for 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 consecutive days for recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, and 20 years for continuous-record streamflow gages. These estimates were used in correlation methods to estimate low flow at partial-record streamflow sites for 1, 3, and 7 consecutive days for a recurrence interval of 10 years; and 3 consecutive days for a recurrence interval of 20 years.

Tennessee↗
USGS1976

Geology and mineral deposits of the Needle Mountains District, Southwestern Colorado

The Needle Mountains district is set in highly fractured Precambrian granitic rocks that have intruded and metamorphosed older Precambrian metasedimentary rocks. The Precambrian rocks are overlain by outliers of Paleozoic strata and intruded by a late Tertiary stock. Past mineral production reportedly was limited to silver and gold ores presumably taken from small fissure veins. Although the economic potential of the district has not been adequately explored, some evidence indicates potential for base metal deposits.

Colorado↗
USGS2024

ECCOE Landsat quarterly Calibration and Validation report—Quarter 1, 2024

Executive Summary The U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science Calibration and Validation (Cal/Val) Center of Excellence (ECCOE) focuses on improving the accuracy, precision, calibration, and product quality of remote-sensing data, leveraging years of multiscale optical system geometric and radiometric calibration and characterization experience. The ECCOE Landsat Cal/Val Team continually monitors the geometric and radiometric performance of active Landsat missions and makes calibration adjustments, as needed, to maintain data quality at the highest level. This report provides observed geometric and radiometric analysis results for Landsats 8 and 9 for quarter 1 (January–March), 2024. All data used to compile the Cal/Val analysis results presented in this report are freely available from the U.S. Geological Survey EarthExplorer website: https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov . This quarterly report is the third to include analysis results for Landsat 9, which was launched in September 2021. The inclusion of Landsat 9 analysis results was dependent on two factors: a complete reprocessing of the Landsat 9 data archive and enough time elapsing to begin formulating lifetime trends. In April 2023, all Landsat 9 image data acquired since the satellite’s launch were reprocessed to take advantage of calibration updates identified by the ECCOE Landsat Cal/Val Team. Additional information about the Landsat 9 reprocessing effort is available at https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/news/upcoming-reprocessing-all-landsat-9-data . Additional information about Landsat 9 prelaunch, commissioning, and early on-orbit imaging performance is available at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing/special_issues/15B4V2K92K . This quarterly report is the first to not include analysis results for Landsat 7 because Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus imaging was suspended on January 19, 2024, after the satellite transitioned into full sunlight. The satellite has been drifting since early 2022 after being lowered from the nominal orbit altitude, and the transition into full sunlight is a result of the satellite operating in its extended science mission. Additional information about the imaging suspension is available at https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/news/landsat-7-imaging-suspended . Additional information about the Landsat 7 extended science mission is available at https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/landsat-7-extended-science-mission .

Open-File Report↗
USGS1976

Distribution functions for statistics derived from bivariate normal and bivariate two-parameter log-normal populations

The distribution functions for statistics that may be used to assess the significance of differences between sample means, standard deviations, coefficients of skewness, and coefficients of variation are obtained by Monte Carlo experiments. The distributions are expressed as functions of sample size, cross correlation, and skewness. In general, the distributions are more sensitive to cross correlation than to skewness. As sample size increases, however, the distributions tend to become more sensitive to skewness.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2024

ECCOE Landsat quarterly Calibration and Validation report—Quarter 2, 2024

Executive Summary The U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science Calibration and Validation (Cal/Val) Center of Excellence (ECCOE) focuses on improving the accuracy, precision, calibration, and product quality of remote-sensing data, leveraging years of multiscale optical system geometric and radiometric calibration and characterization experience. The ECCOE Landsat Cal/Val Team continually monitors the geometric and radiometric performance of active Landsat missions and makes calibration adjustments, as needed, to maintain data quality at the highest level. This report provides observed geometric and radiometric analysis results for Landsats 8 and 9 for quarter 2 (April–June) of 2024. All data used to compile the Cal/Val analysis results presented in this report are freely available from the U.S. Geological Survey EarthExplorer website: https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov . This is the fourth quarterly report to include analysis results for Landsat 9, which was launched in September 2021. The inclusion of Landsat 9 analysis results was dependent on two factors: a complete reprocessing of the Landsat 9 data archive and enough time elapsing to begin formulating lifetime trends. In April 2023, all Landsat 9 image data acquired since the satellite’s launch were reprocessed to take advantage of calibration updates identified by the ECCOE Landsat Cal/Val Team. Additional information about the Landsat 9 reprocessing effort is available at https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/news/upcoming-reprocessing-all-landsat-9-data . Additional information about Landsat 9 prelaunch, commissioning, and early on-orbit imaging performance is available at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing/special_issues/15B4V2K92K . This is the second quarterly report that does not include analysis results for Landsat 7 because Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus imaging was suspended on January 19, 2024, after the satellite transitioned into full sunlight. The satellite has been drifting since early 2022 when it was lowered from the nominal orbit altitude, and the transition into full sunlight is a result of the satellite operating in its extended science mission. Additional information about the imaging suspension is available at https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/news/landsat-7-imaging-suspended . Additional information about the Landsat 7 extended science mission is available at https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/landsat-7-extended-science-mission .

Open-File Report↗
USGS2026

Streamflow, base-flow, and precipitation trends and simulated effects of groundwater withdrawals from the North Fork Red River aquifer on base flows upgradient from Lake Altus, western Oklahoma, 1980–2022

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, used five scenarios created from a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model (1980–2013) and historical streamflow records (1980–2022) to investigate the relation between groundwater withdrawals from the North Fork Red River aquifer and inflows to Lake Altus from the North Fork Red River in western Oklahoma. The five scenarios were (1) a scaled-equal-proportionate-share (EPS) groundwater-withdrawal scenario, (2) a study-area-scaled-reported groundwater-withdrawal scenario, (3) a zonal-scaled-reported groundwater-withdrawal scenario, (4) a historical drought-threshold scenario, and (5) a base-flow and evapotranspiration depletion scenario. For the scaled-EPS groundwater-withdrawal scenario, EPS groundwater withdrawals were often much higher than reported groundwater withdrawals and greatly decreased base flows for most scale factors. For the study-area-scaled-reported groundwater-withdrawal scenario, base flows were reduced more but by smaller percentages during wet periods than during dry periods when scaling simulated reported groundwater withdrawals. For the zonal-scaled-reported groundwater-withdrawal scenario, scaling simulated reported groundwater withdrawals within selected zones with more groundwater withdrawals did not always affect base flows more than scaling reported groundwater withdrawals within zones with less groundwater withdrawals. For the historical drought-threshold scenario, curtailing groundwater withdrawals at the drought thresholds increased annual base flows to Lake Altus by about 1,169 to 3,665 acre-feet. For the base-flow and evapotranspiration depletion scenario, the distance between a groundwater well and a stream was a major factor affecting base flow to the North Fork Red River when increasing groundwater withdrawals; however, spatially variable hydrologic properties and saturated-zone evapotranspiration could also affect the relation between base flows and groundwater withdrawals.

Oklahoma↗
USGS2026

Petrography and mineralogy of selected pre-Middle Jurassic basement rocks beneath the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains in Florida

Florida is covered by flat-lying sedimentary strata of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. These strata have accumulated since Middle Jurassic time. The pre-Middle Jurassic, or basement, rocks that underlie the Coastal Plain in Florida are known only from drill cores and cuttings recovered from a relatively small number of boreholes. This data report presents petrographic observations and the results of X-ray diffraction analyses of basement rocks from 18 boreholes across Florida in support of the identification, discrimination, and correlation of units for a subcrop geologic map of pre-Middle Jurassic rocks composing Florida’s sub-Coastal Plain geology.

Florida↗