Geology Reports⌕ Search

SEARCH · Geology Reports

Results for “Geologic report (New Jersey)”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
USGS2007

Contamination in fractured-rock aquifers: Research at the former Naval Air Warfare Center, West Trenton, New Jersey

The U.S. Geological Survey and cooperators are studying chlorinated solvents in a fractured sedimentary rock aquifer underlying the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), West Trenton, New Jersey. Fractured-rock aquifers are common in many parts of the United States and are highly susceptible to contamination, particularly at industrial sites. Compared to 'unconsolidated' aquifers, there can be much more uncertainty about the direction and rate of contaminant migration and about the processes and factors that control chemical and microbial transformations of contaminants. Research at the NAWC is improving understanding of the transport and fate of chlorinated solvents in fractured-rock aquifers and will compare the effectiveness of different strategies for contaminant remediation.

New Jersey↗
USGS2010

Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2005-November 30, 2006

A Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States, entered June 7, 1954, established the position of Delaware River Master within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition, the Decree authorizes diversions of water from the Delaware River Basin and requires compensating releases from certain reservoirs, owned by New York City, to be made under the supervision and direction of the River Master. The Decree stipulates that the River Master will furnish reports to the Court, not less frequently than annually. This report is the 53rd Annual Report of the River Master of the Delaware River. It covers the 2006 River Master report year-the period from December 1, 2005, to November 30, 2006. During the report year, precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin was 55.03 inches (in.) or 126 percent of the long-term average. Combined storage in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs was above the long-term median level on December 1, 2005. Reservoir storage remained above long–term median levels throughout the report year. Delaware River operations during the year were conducted as stipulated by the Decree. Diversions from the Delaware River Basin by New York City and New Jersey were in full compliance with the Decree. Reservoir releases were made as directed by the River Master at rates designed to meet the flow objective for the Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey, on 27 days during the report year. Releases were made at conservation rates-or rates designed to relieve thermal stress and protect the fishery and aquatic habitat in the tailwaters of the reservoirs-on all other days. During the report year, New York City and New Jersey complied fully with the terms of the Decree, and directives and requests of the River Master. As part of a long-term program, the quality of water in the Delaware Estuary between Trenton, New Jersey, and Reedy Island Jetty, Delaware, was monitored at various locations. Data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected continuously by electronic instruments at four sites. In addition, selected water-quality data were collected at 19 sites on a twice-monthly basis and at 3 sites on a monthly basis.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1961

Geologic summary of the Appalachian Basin, with reference to the subsurface disposal of radioactive waste solutions

The Appalachian basin is an elongate depression in the crystalline basement complex which contains a great volume of predominantly sedimentary stratified rocks. As defined in this paper it extends from the Adirondack Mountains in New York to central Alabama. From east to west it extends from the west flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the crest of the Findlay and Cincinnati arches and the Nashville dome. It encompasses an area of about 207,000 square miles, including all of West Virginia and parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The stratified rocks that occupy the basin constitute a wedge-shaped mass whose axis of greatest thickness lies close to and parallel to the east edge of the basin. The maximum thickness of stratified rocks preserved in any one part of the basin today is between 35,000 and 40,000 feet. The volume of the sedimentary rocks is approximately 510,000 cubic miles and of volcanic rocks is a few thousand cubic miles. The sedimentary rocks are predominantly Paleozoic in age, whereas the volcanic rocks are predominantly Late Precambrian. On the basis of gross lithology the stratified rocks overlying the crystalline basement complex can be divided into nine vertically sequential units, which are designated "sequences" in this report. The boundaries between contiguous sequences do not necessarily coincide with the commonly recognized boundaries between systems or series. All sequences are grossly wedge shaped, being thickest along the eastern margin of the basin and thinnest along the western margin. The lowermost unit the Late Precambrian stratified sequence is present only along part of the eastern margin of the basin, where it lies unconformably on the basement complex. It consists largely of volcanic tuffs and flows but contains some interbedded sedimentary rocks. The Late Precambrian sequence is overlain by the Early Cambrian clastic sequence. Where the older sequence is absent, the Early Cambrian sequence rests on the basement complex. Interbedded fine- to coarse-grained noncarbonate detrital rocks comprise the bulk of the sequence, but some volcanic and carbonate rocks are included. Next above is the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate sequence which consists largely of limestone and dolomite. Some quartzose sandstone is present in the lower part in the western half of the basin, and much shale is present in the upper part in the southeast part of the basin. The next higher sequence is the Late Ordovician clastic sequence, which consists largely of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. Coarse-grained light-gray to red rocks are common in the sequence along the eastern side of the basin, whereas fine-grained dark-gray to black calcareous rocks are common along the west side. The Late Ordovician clastic sequence is overlain unconformably in many places by the Early Silurian clastic sequence. The latter comprises a relatively thin wedge of coarse-grained clastic rocks. Some of the most prolific oil- and gas-producing sandstones in the Appalachian basin are included. Among these are the "Clinton" sands of Ohio, the Medina Sandstones of New York and Pennsylvania, and the Keefer or "Big Six" Sandstone of West Virginia and Kentucky. Conformably overlying the Early Silurian clastic sequence is the Silurian-Devonian carbonate sequence, which consists predominantly of limestone and dolomite. It also contains a salt-bearing unit in the north-central part of the basin and a thick wedge of coarse-grained red beds in the northeastern part. The sequence is absent in much of the southern part of the basin. Large volumes of gas and much oil are obtained from some of its rocks, especially from the Oriskany Sandstone and the Huntersville Ghert. The Silurian-Devonian carbonate sequence is abruptly overlain by the Devonian clastic sequence a thick succession of interbedded shale, mudrock, siltstone, and sandstone. Colors range from predominantly purple and red in the northeastern part of the basin to predominantly dark gray and black in the southwestern part. Many rocks in the upper part contain hydrocarbons in commercial quantities. The next higher sequence is a heterogeneous succession that comprises most rocks of Mississippian age in the basin. It is composed largely of fine-grained to very coarse-grained noncalcareous clastic rocks in the northern half of the basin, and largely of carbonate rocks in the southern part. Large quantities of oil and gas are produced from the sequence. The youngest sequence consists of coarse-grained clastic rocks largely of Pennsylvanian age. In the center of the basin a relatively small volume of lithologically similar rocks of Permian age are included. The sequence has been intensively mined for coal throughout most of its extent. The waste-disposal possibilities of the stratified rocks in the Appalachian basin are considered in terms of the following: 1) gross lithology of the sequences; 2) general lithology of the rock units composing the sequences; and 3) the structural attitudes of the sequences in different parts of the basin. The degree of exploitation of economically significant mineral* resources is considered briefly where such exploitation may affect waste-disposal possibilities. Hydrologic aspects are not in general considered. Based largely on consideration of the above geologic factors the following types of reservoirs associated with particular geologic environments offer some prospects for the disposal of radioactive waste solutions. They are: 1) artificially created cavities in thick salt beds; 2) artificially fractured thin lenticular sandstone bodies isolated in shale or mudrock sequences; 3) portions of thick noncarbonate clastic sequences possessing appreciable natural porosity and permeability; 4) thin clastic units (with natural or artificially created openings) in the plate of a thrust fault overlain by impermeable strata. Considered in its entirety the Late Ordovician clastic sequence appears to have a greater number of favorable geologic factors for waste-disposal purposes than the others. The Early Silurian clastic sequence, the Silurian-Devonian carbonate sequence, and the Devonian clastic sequence offer fewer possibilities. The Late Precambrian stratified sequence, Early Cambrian, and the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate sequence offer few possibilities. The Mississippian and Pennsylvanian sequences appear to be generally unsuitable.

Appalachian Basin↗
USGS1961

Geologic summary of the Appalachian basin, with reference to the subsurface disposal of radioactive waste solutions

The Appalachian basin is an elongate depression in the crystalline basement complex which contains a great volume of predominantly sedimentary stratified rocks. As defined in this paper it extends from the Adirondack Mountains in New York to central Alabama. From east to west it extends from the west flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the crest of the Findlay and Cincinnati arches and the Nashville dome. It encompasses an area of about 207,000 square miles, including all of West Virginia and parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The stratified rocks that occupy the basin constitute a wedge-shaped mass whose axis of greatest thickness lies close to and parallel to the east edge of the basin. The maximum thickness of stratified rocks preserved in any one part of the basin today is between 35,000 and 40,000 feet. The volume of the sedimentary rocks is approximately 510,000 cubic miles and of volcanic rocks is a few thousand cubic miles. The sedimentary rocks are predominantly Paleozoic in age, whereas the volcanic rocks are predominantly Late Precambrian. On the basis of gross lithology the stratified rocks overlying the crystalline basement complex can be divided into nine vertically sequential units, which are designated "sequences" in this report. The boundaries between contiguous sequences do not necessarily coincide with the commonly recognized boundaries between systems or series. All sequences are grossly wedge shaped, being thickest along the eastern margin of the basin and thinnest along the western margin. The lowermost unit the Late Precambrian stratified sequence is present only along part of the eastern margin of the basin, where it lies unconformably on the basement complex. It consists largely of volcanic tuffs and flows but contains some interbedded sedimentary rocks. The Late Precambrian sequence is overlain by the Early Cambrian clastic sequence. Where the older sequence is absent, the Early Cambrian sequence rests on the basement complex. Interbedded fine- to coarse-grained noncarbonate detrital rocks comprise the bulk of the sequence, but some volcanic and carbonate rocks are included. Next above is the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate sequence which consists largely of limestone and dolomite. Some quartzose sandstone is present in the lower part in the western half of the basin, and much shale is present in the upper part in the southeast part of the basin. The next higher sequence is the Late Ordovician clastic sequence, which consists largely of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. Coarse-grained light-gray to red rocks are common in the sequence along the eastern side of the basin, whereas fine-grained dark-gray to black calcareous rocks are common along the west side. The Late Ordovician clastic sequence is overlain unconformably in many places by the Early Silurian clastic sequence. The latter comprises a relatively thin wedge of coarse-grained clastic rocks. Some of the most prolific oil- and gas-producing sandstones in the Appalachian basin are included. Among these are the "Clinton" sands of Ohio, the Medina Sandstones of New York and Pennsylvania, and the Keefer or "Big Six" Sandstone of West Virginia and Kentucky. Conformably overlying the Early Silurian clastic sequence is the Silurian-Devonian carbonate sequence, which consists predominantly of limestone and dolomite. It also contains a salt-bearing unit in the north-central part of the basin and a thick wedge of coarse-grained red beds in the northeastern part. The sequence is absent in much of the southern part of the basin. Large volumes of gas and much oil are obtained from some of its rocks, especially from the Oriskany Sandstone and the Huntersville Ghert. The Silurian-Devonian carbonate sequence is abruptly overlain by the Devonian clastic sequence a thick succession of interbedded shale, mudrock, siltstone, and sandstone. Colors range from predominantly purple and red in the northeastern part of the basin to predominantly dark gray and black in the southwestern part. Many rocks in the upper part contain hydrocarbons in commercial quantities. The next higher sequence is a heterogeneous succession that comprises most rocks of Mississippian age in the basin. It is composed largely of fine-grained to very coarse-grained noncalcareous clastic rocks in the northern half of the basin, and largely of carbonate rocks in the southern part. Large quantities of oil and gas are produced from the sequence. The youngest sequence consists of coarse-grained clastic rocks largely of Pennsylvanian age. In the center of the basin a relatively small volume of lithologically similar rocks of Permian age are included. The sequence has been intensively mined for coal throughout most of its extent. The waste-disposal possibilities of the stratified rocks in the Appalachian basin are considered in terms of the following: 1) gross lithology of the sequences; 2) general lithology of the rock units composing the sequences; and 3) the structural attitudes of the sequences in different parts of the basin. The degree of exploitation of economically significant mineral* resources is considered briefly where such exploitation may affect waste-disposal possibilities. Hydrologic aspects are not in general considered. Based largely on consideration of the above geologic factors the following types of reservoirs associated with particular geologic environments offer some prospects for the disposal of radioactive waste solutions. They are: 1) artificially created cavities in thick salt beds; 2) artificially fractured thin lenticular sandstone bodies isolated in shale or mudrock sequences; 3) portions of thick noncarbonate clastic sequences possessing appreciable natural porosity and permeability; 4) thin clastic units (with natural or artificially created openings) in the plate of a thrust fault overlain by impermeable strata. Considered in its entirety the Late Ordovician clastic sequence appears to have a greater number of favorable geologic factors for waste-disposal purposes than the others. The Early Silurian clastic sequence, the Silurian-Devonian carbonate sequence, and the Devonian clastic sequence offer fewer possibilities. The Late Precambrian stratified sequence, Early Cambrian, and the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate sequence offer few possibilities. The Mississippian and Pennsylvanian sequences appear to be generally unsuitable.

Appalachian Basin↗
USGS1985

Attitude, movement history, and structure of cataclastic rocks of the Flemington Fault results of core drilling near Oldwick, New Jersey

Since 1978, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has cored cataclastic rocks at six localities along border faults of the Early Mesozoic Newark basin in New York and New Jersey. This drilling was done as part of fault definition studies for the USGS Earthquake and Reactor Hazard Programs. The purposes of these studies are to: (1) determine the attitude and location of major faults, (2) assess evidence for recent reactivation, and (3) identify the movement history and depth of formation of the faults. The results of these studies up to 1980 are summarized in Ratcliffe (1980) and a study of a site in Rockland County, N.Y. appears in Ratcliffe 1982). The attitude and movement history of these faults is particularly important because of the possible association of recent low-level seismicity in the New York-New Jersey area with the Ramapo-Flemington fault system (Aggarwal and Sykes, 1978). Previous studies have shown that the Ramapo fault dips to the southeast at angles varying from 70° to 45° and strikes N. 40° E. to N. 10° E. In all of the cored fault zones, the actual contact of hanging-wall and footwall blocks is expressed as a relatively narrow zone, 3 to 8 inches thick, of dark, finely comminuted, fluxionbanded gouge. The intensity of cataclasis decreases rapidly upwards so that rocks 60 ft or so above the fault are not strongly cataclastic. Gneiss, dolostone, and phyllonite in the footwall block are generally weakly deformed more than 30 ft below the fault. Movement sense on the Ramapo fault is largely dip-slip and right-oblique normal faulting. In the summer of 1983, two holes were drilled through the border fault of the Newark basin near Oldwick, New Jersey, in the Gladstone 7.5minute quadrangle. Figure 1A shows the location of the drill site in relation to regional geology and the major faults. The fault drilled in this study connects to the south with the Flemington fault, which trends southwestward across the Newark basin, as shown. To the north, the fault can be traced along the valley that extends towards Mendham, N. J., beyond the limits of exposed Mesozoic rocks, to connect with the Ramapo fault near Morristown N. J. (fig. 1A; Ratcliffe, 1980). For this reason, we use the name "Flemington" for the border fault in the region of the drill site. A detailed map (fig. 1B) shows the local geology along the border fault from Pottersville, N. J. southward to the axis of the Oldwick syncline.

New Jersey↗
USGS2015

Geospatial compilation and digital map of centerpivot irrigated areas in the mid-Atlantic region, United States

To evaluate water availability within the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the University of Delaware Agricultural Extension, created a dataset that maps the number of acres under center-pivot irrigation in the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain study area. For this study, the extent of the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain falls within areas of the States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. The irrigation dataset maps about 271,900 acres operated primarily under center-pivot irrigation in 57 counties. Manual digitizing was performed against aerial imagery in a process where operators used observable center-pivot irrigation signatures—such as irrigation arms, concentric wheel paths through cropped areas, and differential colors—to identify and map irrigated areas. The aerial imagery used for digitizing came from a variety of sources and seasons. The imagery contained a variety of spatial resolutions and included online imagery from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Imagery Program, Microsoft Bing Maps, and the Google Maps mapping service. The dates of the source images ranged from 2010 to 2012 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture imagery, whereas maps from the other mapping services were from 2013. Most of the irrigation in the study area is on the Delmarva Peninsula, where about 75 percent of the total acreage was delineated and where corn and soy bean are the main crops. The methods used to develop this dataset focused primarily on identifying center-pivot irrigation systems. In some instances (such as in in Suffolk County, New York), irrigated rectangular fields were observed through the aerial imagery, and these were included within the dataset. Other irrigation methods included subsurface drip and flood irrigation, which are commonly used on vegetable crops such as peppers and tomatoes and forage crops such as alfalfa in parts the western United States. Some fruit and nursery stock crops also use subsurface drip and flood irrigation. Drip irrigation is especially apparent in New Jersey where large plantings of truck crops are common. Subsurface drip and flood irrigation methods were not accounted for in this dataset. The U.S. Geological Survey collected these data to enhance the understanding of irrigation water demand and associated groundwater withdrawals for the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain. The digitized acreage totals were compared with the irrigation estimates provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture farm and ranch irrigation survey, which is the most comprehensive source of information on irrigation water use within the agricultural industry. This survey collects information on a wide range of topics, including the amount of water used, total acres irrigated, crop specific data, and even energy costs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture samples data for both entire States and individual counties.

Data Series↗
USGS2014

Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2007-November 30, 2008

A Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States, entered June 7, 1954, established the position of Delaware River Master within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition, the Decree authorizes diversions of water from the Delaware River Basin and requires compensating releases from certain reservoirs, owned by New York City, to be made under the supervision and direction of the River Master. The Decree stipulates that the River Master will furnish reports to the Court, not less frequently than annually. This report is the 55th Annual Report of the River Master of the Delaware River. It covers the 2008 River Master report year, the period from December 1, 2007, to November 30, 2008. During the report year, precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin was 49.79 inches (in.) or 114 percent of the 67 report-year average. Combined storage in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs remained high from December 2007 to May 2008. Reservoir storage decreased seasonally from June to late October, then increased gradually through the end of November. Delaware River operations during the year were conducted as stipulated by the Decree. Diversions from the Delaware River Basin by New York City and New Jersey were in full compliance with the Decree. Reservoir releases were made as directed by the River Master at rates designed to meet the flow objective for the Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey, on 107 days during the report year. Releases were made at conservation rates—rates designed to relieve thermal stress and protect the fishery and aquatic habitat in the tailwaters of the reservoirs—on all other days. During the report year, New York City and New Jersey complied fully with the terms of the Decree, and directives and requests of the River Master. As part of a long-term program, the quality of water in the Delaware Estuary between Trenton, New Jersey, and Reedy Island Jetty, Delaware, was monitored at various locations. Data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected continuously by electronic instruments at four sites. Data on water temperature and specific conductance were collected intermittently at one site. In addition, selected water-quality data were collected at 19 sites on a twice-monthly basis and at 3 sites on a monthly basis.

Delaware;New Jersey;New York;Pennsylvania↗
USGS2016

Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2008–November 30, 2009

A Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States, entered June 7, 1954, established the position of Delaware River Master within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition, the Decree authorizes diversions of water from the Delaware River Basin and requires compensating releases from certain reservoirs, owned by New York City, to be made under the supervision and direction of the River Master. The Decree stipulates that the River Master will furnish reports to the Court, not less frequently than annually. This report is the 56th Annual Report of the River Master of the Delaware River. It covers the 2009 River Master report year, the period from December 1, 2008, to November 30, 2009. During the report year, precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin was 50.89 inches (in.) or 116 percent of the long-term average. Combined storage in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs remained high throughout the year and did not decline below 80 percent of combined capacity at any time. Delaware River operations during the year were conducted as stipulated by the Decree and the Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP). Diversions from the Delaware River Basin by New York City and New Jersey were in full compliance with the Decree. Reservoir releases were made as directed by the River Master at rates designed to meet the flow objective for the Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey, on 25 days during the report year. Releases were made at conservation rates—rates designed to relieve thermal stress and protect the fishery and aquatic habitat in the tailwaters of the reservoirs—on all other days. During the report year, New York City and New Jersey complied fully with the terms of the Decree, and directives and requests of the River Master. As part of a long-term program, the quality of water in the Delaware Estuary between Trenton, New Jersey, and Reedy Island Jetty, Delaware, was monitored at various locations. Data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected continuously by electronic instruments at four sites. In addition, selected water-quality data were collected at 22 sites on a monthly basis. The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) collects monthly samples from March through October at 22 sites between Biles Channel and South Brown Shoal. Samples were collected and analyzed by the State of Delaware for the DRBC. At each site, water samples were collected at a single point near the center of the channel near the surface and analyzed for selected physical properties, and chemical and biological constituents including routine chemical substances, nutrients and bacteria. These consist of analyses of field measurements and laboratory determinations.

Delaware River↗
USGS2004

Water Resources Data, New Jersey, Water Year 2003; Volume 1. Surface-Water Data

Water-resources data for the 2003 Water Year for New Jersey are presented in three volumes, and consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground water. Volume 1 contains discharge records for 100 gaging stations; tide summaries at 29 tidal gaging stations; and stage and contents at 39 lakes and reservoirs. Also included are stage and discharge for 106 crest-stage partial-record stations, stage-only at 33 tidal crest-stage gages, and discharge for 142 low-flow partial- record stations. Locations of these sites are shown in figures 8-11. Additional discharge measurements were made at 143 miscellaneous sites that are not part of the systematic data-collection program. Discontinued station tables for gaging stations, crest-stage gages, tidal crest-stage and tidal gaging stations show historical coverage. The data in this report represent that part of the National Water Information System (NWIS) data collected by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Hydrologic conditions are also described for this water year, including streamflow, precipitation, reservoir conditions, and air temperatures.

Water Data Report↗
USGS1979

Mid- and North Atlantic multichannel seismic reflection profiles, 7, 8 A, B, and C, 12 E, F, G, H, I, and J, and 13 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H

Available are four multichannel profiles collected by Digicon Geophysical Corporation in 1975 using a 48-channel streamer (3600 m long), and a 27.9 cubic liter airgun array. They were processed in Denver on the Phoenix "I" by William C. Petterson. The processing includes demultiplexing and resampling, geometry and common-depth-point, definition, velocity analysis noise muting, band-pass filtering, time-variant filtering, time-variant deconvolution, and automatic gain control (AGC) sealing, prior to the final profile playout. The release includes pares of or all of four lines off the eastern United States (see map) over the Georges Bank basin and the Long Island platform and upper continental rise. These profiles were collected as a part of a regional arid over the offshore Atlantic sedimentary basins as a part of a continuing program to assess the resource potential using non-proprietary data. Lines 7 and 8 are cross-shelf profiles (280 ken and 400 km long respectively) taken across Georges Basin George Bank, the continental slope and rise east of Massachusetts. A five kilometer gap exists in line 8C near the outer edge of the shelf because the high concentration of lobster pots there prevented a continous traverse through the area. Line 12 (shotpoint 5988 - 14380, parts E, F, G, H, I and J) is along-the-shelf profile, and stretches from the vicinity of Husdon Channel (mid-shelf east of New Jersey) to Browns Bank, 100 km southeast of Nova Scotia, terminating in the vicinity of the Shell Mohawk (B-93) hole. Line 13 (shotpoint 83-11295, 1120 km) traverse the upper Continental rise between Cape Hatteras and Georges Bank. These profiles including velocity scans and shot point maps, may be viewed at U. S. Geological Survey Office, Bldg. B, Quissett Campus, Woods Hole, MA., and U. S. Geological Survey Office, Bldg. 25 at the Denver Federal Center. Copies of maps, scans and profiles can be purchased from the National Geophysical Solar-Terrestrial Data center, Environmental Data Service - NOAA, Code D 621, Boulder, Co. 80303.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2011

Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2006–November 30, 2007

A Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States, entered June 7, 1954, established the position of Delaware River Master within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition, the Decree authorizes diversions of water from the Delaware River Basin and requires compensating releases from certain reservoirs, owned by New York City, to be made under the supervision and direction of the River Master. The Decree stipulates that the River Master will furnish reports to the Court, not less frequently than annually. This report is the 54th Annual Report of the River Master of the Delaware River. It covers the 2007 River Master report year—the period from December 1, 2006, to November 30, 2007. During the report year, precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin was 46.72 inches (in.) or 107 percent of the long-term average. Combined storage in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs was high on December 1, 2006. Reservoir storage remained high throughout the winter, declined seasonally during the summer, and began to recover in mid-October. Delaware River operations throughout the year were conducted as stipulated by the Decree. Diversions from the Delaware River Basin by New York City and New Jersey were in full compliance with the Decree. Reservoir releases were made as directed by the River Master at rates designed to meet the flow objective for the Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey, on 123 days during the report year. Releases were made at conservation rates—or rates designed to relieve thermal stress and protect the fishery and aquatic habitat in the tailwaters of the reservoirs—on all other days. During the report year, New York City and New Jersey complied fully with the terms of the Decree, and directives and requests of the River Master. As part of a long-term program, the quality of water in the Delaware Estuary between Trenton, New Jersey, and Reedy Island Jetty, Delaware, was monitored at various locations. Data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected continuously by electronic instruments at four sites. In addition, selected water-quality data were collected at 19 sites on a twice–monthly basis and at 3 sites on a monthly basis.

Delaware;Pennsylvania;New York↗
USGS2013

Method to support Total Maximum Daily Load development using hydrologic alteration as a surrogate to address aquatic life impairment in New Jersey streams

More than 300 ambient monitoring sites in New Jersey have been identified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) in its integrated water-quality monitoring and assessment report (that is, the 305(b) Report on general water quality and 303(d) List of waters that do not support their designated uses) as being impaired with respect to aquatic life; however, no unambiguous stressors (for example, nutrients or bacteria) have been identified. Because of the indeterminate nature of the broad range of possible impairments, surrogate measures that more holistically encapsulate the full suite of potential environmental stressors need to be developed. Streamflow alteration resulting from anthropogenic changes in the landscape is one such surrogate. For example, increases in impervious surface cover (ISC) commonly cause increases in surface runoff, which can result in “flashy” hydrology and other changes in the stream corridor that are associated with streamflow alteration. The NJDEP has indicated that methodologies to support a hydrologically based Total Maximum Daily Load (hydro-TMDL) need to be developed in order to identify hydrologic targets that represent a minimal percent deviation from a baseline condition (“minimally altered”) as a surrogate measure to meet criteria in support of designated uses. The primary objective of this study was to develop an applicable hydro-TMDL approach to address aquatic-life impairments associated with hydrologic alteration for New Jersey streams. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the NJDEP, identified 51 non- to moderately impaired gaged streamflow sites in the Raritan River Basin for evaluation. Quantile regression (QR) analysis was used to compare flow and precipitation records and identify baseline hydrographs at 37 of these sites. At sites without an appropriately long period of record (POR) or where a baseline hydrograph could not be identified with QR, a rainfall-runoff model was used to develop simulated baseline hydrographs. The hydro-TMDL approach provided an opportunity to evaluate proportional differences in flow attributes between observed and baseline hydrographs and to develop complementary flow-ecology response relations at a subset of Raritan River Basin sites where available flow and ecological information overlapped. The New Jersey Stream Classification Tool (NJSCT) was used to determine the stream class of all 51 study sites by using either an observed or a simulated baseline hydrograph. Two New Jersey stream classes (A and C) were evaluated to help characterize the unique hydrology of the Raritan River Basin. In general, class C streams (1.99–40.7 square miles) had smaller drainage areas than class A streams (0.7–785 square miles). Many of the non-impaired and moderately impaired class A and C streams in the Raritan River Basin were found to have significant hydrologic alteration as indicated by numerous flow values that fell outside the established 25th-to-75th- and the more conservative 40th-to-60th-percentile boundaries. However, percent deviations for the class C streams (defined as moderately stable streams with moderately high base-flow contributions) were, in general, much larger than those for the class A streams (defined as semiflashy streams characterized by moderately low base flow). The greater deviations for class C streams in the hydro-TMDL assessments likely resulted from comparisons that were based solely on simulated baseline hydrographs, which were developed without considering any anthropogenic influences in the basin. In contrast, comparisons for many of the class A streams were made by using an observed baseline, which already includes an implicit level of ISC and other human influences on the landscape. By using the hydro-TMDL approach, numerous flow deviations were identified that were indicative of streams that are highly regulated by reservoirs or dams, streams that are affected by increasing amounts of surface runoff resulting from ISC, and streams that are affected by water abstraction (that is, groundwater or surface-water withdrawals used for agricultural and human supply). Eight of the reservoir- and (or) dam-affected sites showed flow deviations that are indicative of flow-managed systems. For example, indices that account for the timing and magnitude of high and low flows were often found to fall outside the 25th-to-75th-percentile range. In general, at regulated class C streams, annual summer low flows are arriving later and tend to be lower, and high flows are arriving earlier with higher magnitudes of longer duration. At class A streams, high and low flows are arriving later with an overall increase in discharge with respect to the prereservoir baseline conditions. The drainage basins of eight of the study sites had large values of ISC (>10 percent), most likely as a result of expanding urban development. In general, the magnitude and frequency of high flows at class A and C sites with high ISC are increasing and were commonly found to fall outside the 25th-to-75th-percentile range. Additionally, magnitudes of low flows are becoming lower and, although the timing of high flows was highly variable, low-flow events appeared to be arriving earlier than would be expected under normal low-flow conditions. Three of the study sites appeared to be affected by hydrologic changes associated with water abstraction. At these sites, the timing of flows appeared to be altered. For example, low flows tended to arrive earlier and high flows arrived later at two of the three sites. Additionally, the magnitude and duration of low flows were commonly less than the 25th-percentile value and the duration of high flows appeared to increase. A reduced set of hydrologic and ecological variables was used to develop univariate and multivariate flow-ecology response models for the aquatic-invertebrate assemblage. Many hydrologic variables accounting for the duration, magnitude, frequency, and timing of flows were significantly correlated with ecological response. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models were developed to provide a more holistic evaluation of the combined effects of hydrologic alteration and to identify models with two or three hydrologic variables that account for a significant proportion of the variability in invertebrate-assemblage condition as represented by assemblage metric scores. MLR models, derived on the basis of hydrologic attributes, accounted for 35 to 75 percent of the variability in assemblage condition. The hydro-TMDL method developed herein for non- to moderately impaired Raritan River Basin streams utilizes a “surrogate” approach in place of the traditional “pollutant of concern” approach commonly used for TMDL development. Managers can use the results obtained by using the hydro-TMDL method to offset the effects of impervious-surface runoff and altered streamflow and to implement measures designed to achieve the necessary load reductions for the “pollutant of concern” (that is, percentage deviations of stream-class-specific flow-index values outside the established 25th-to-75th-percentile range). In this case, such deviations could represent all or a subset of the altered flow indices that prevent the stream from meeting designated aquatic-life criteria. This hydro-TMDL uses a reference, or attainment stream approach for developing the TMDL endpoint. That is, either observed or simulated baseline hydrographs were selected as appropriate reference conditions on the basis of results of QR analysis and watershed modeling procedures, respectively. For any stream in the Raritan River Basin evaluated as part of this study, the hydro-TMDL can be expressed as the greatest amount of deviation in flow a stream can exhibit without violating the stream’s designated aquatic-life criteria. Use of this surrogate approach is appropriate because flows that fall outside the established percentile ranges are ultimately a function of many anthropogenic modifications of the landscape, including the amount of stormwater runoff generated from impervious surfaces within a given basin, the presence of manmade structures designed to retain or divert water, the magnitude of ground- and surface-water abstraction, and the presence of water-supply processes implemented to support human needs. In addition, the stream-type-specific flow indices used as the basis for the hydro-TMDL approach are useful for representing the hydrologic conditions of class A and C streams/basins because they incorporate the full spectrum of flow conditions (very low to very high) that occur in the stream system over a long period of time, as well as those flow properties that change as a result of seasonal variation. Ultimately, an estimate of the maximum percentage flow reduction that could be allowed will be needed to address the aquatic-life impairments in many of the study streams in the Raritan River Basin and will be necessary for identifying appropriate target flow conditions for hydro-TMDL implementation. As described in this report, a target flow value equal to the 25th- or 75th-percentile flow rate could be selected as the point useful for setting specific hydrologic targets. This selection, however, is a management decision that could vary depending on the designated use of the stream or other regulatory factors (for example, water-supply protection, trout production, antidegradation policies, or special protection designations). In New Jersey streams where no unambiguous stressors can be identified, State monitoring agencies, such as the NJDEP, could choose to require the implementation of a flow-based TMDL that not only supports designated uses, but meets the regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act, and represents a balance between water supply intended to meet human needs and the conservation of ecosystem integrity.

New Jersey↗
USGS2009

Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2003-November 30, 2004

A Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States, entered in 1954, established the position of Delaware River Master within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition, the Decree authorizes diversions of water from the Delaware River Basin and requires compensating releases from certain reservoirs, owned by New York City, to be made under the supervision and direction of the River Master. The Decree stipulates that the River Master will furnish reports to the Court, not less frequently than annually. This report is the 51st Annual Report of the River Master of the Delaware River. It covers the 2004 River Master report year; that is, the period from December 1, 2003, to November 30, 2004. During the report year, precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin was 9.03 in. (121 percent) greater than the long-term average. Combined storage in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs was at a record high level on December 1, 2003. Reservoir storage remained high throughout the year with at least one reservoir spilling every month of the year. Delaware River operations throughout the year were conducted as stipulated by the Decree. Diversions from the Delaware River Basin by New York City and New Jersey were in compliance with the Decree. Reservoir releases were made as directed by the River Master at rates designed to meet the flow objective for the Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey, on 30 days during the report year. Releases were made at conservation rates—or rates designed to relieve thermal stress and protect the fishery and aquatic habitat in the tailwaters of the reservoirs—on all other days. During the report year, New York City and New Jersey complied fully with the terms of the Decree, and directives and requests of the River Master. As part of a long-term program, the quality of water in the Delaware Estuary between Trenton, New Jersey, and Reedy Island Jetty, Delaware, was monitored at various locations. Data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected continuously by electronic instruments at four sites. In addition, selected water-quality data were collected at 3 sites on a monthly basis and at 19 sites on a semi-monthly basis.

New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania↗
USGS2008

Flood Magnitude and Frequency of the Delaware River in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

From September 2004 to June 2006, the Delaware River in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania experienced three major floods that caused extensive damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) needed updated information on the flood magnitude and frequency for the eight active streamflow-gaging stations along the main stem Delaware River in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania that included the three recent floods in order to update its flood insurance studies. Therefore, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) computed updated flood magnitude and frequency values following the guidelines published by the Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data in its Bulletin 17B. The updated flood-frequency values indicate that the recurrence interval of the September 2004 flood ranged from 20 to 35 years, the recurrence interval of the April 2005 flood ranged from 40 to 70 years, and the recurrence interval of the June 2006 flood ranged from 70 to greater than 100 years. Examination of trends in flood discharges indicate no statistically significant trends in peak flows during the period of record for any of the eight streamflow-gaging stations.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1998

Somerset County Flood Information System

Introduction The timely warning of a flood is crucial to the protection of lives and property. One has only to recall the flood of August 2, 1973, in Somerset County, New Jersey, in which six lives were lost and major property damage occurred, to realize how unexpected and costly, especially in terms of human life, a flood can be. Accurate forecasts and warnings cannot be made, however, without detailed information about precipitation and streamflow in the drainage basin. Recognizing the need for detailed hydrologic information for Somerset County, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Somerset County, installed the Somerset County Flood Information System (SCFIS) in 1990. The availability of data provided by this system will improve the flood forecasting ability of the National Weather Service (NWS), and has assisted Somerset County and municipal agencies in planning and execution of flood-preparation and emergency evacuation procedures in the county. This fact sheet describes the Somerset County Flood Information System and identifies its benefits.

New Jersey↗
USGS2009

Mineral Resource Assessment of Marine Sand Resources in Cape- and Ridge-Associated Marine Sand Deposits in Three Tracts, New York and New Jersey, United States Atlantic Continental Shelf

Demand is growing in the United States and worldwide for information about the geology of offshore continental shelf regions, the character of the seafloor, and sediments comprising the seafloor and subbottom. Interest in locating sand bodies or high quality deposits that have potential as sources for beach nourishment and ecosystem restoration is especially great in some regions of the country. The Atlantic coast, particularly New York and New Jersey, has been the focus of these studies for the past 40 years with widely varying results. This study is the first attempt at applying probability statistics to modeling Holocene-age cape-and ridge-associated sand deposits and thus focuses on distinct sand body morphology. This modeling technique may have application for other continental shelf regions that have similar geologic character and late Quaternary sea-level transgression history. An estimated volume of 3.9 billion m3 of marine sand resources is predicted in the cape-and ridge-associated marine sand deposits in three representative regions or tracts on the continental shelf offshore of New York and New Jersey. These estimates are taken from probabilistic distributions of sand resources and are produced using deposit models and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) techniques. The estimated sand resources presented here are for only three tracts as described below and for Holocene age sand resources contained in cape-and ridge-associated marine sand deposit types within this area. Other areas may qualify as tracts for this deposit type and other deposit types and geologic ages (for example, paleo-stream channels, blanket and outwash deposits, ebb-tide shoals, and lower sea level-stand deltas), which are present on the New Jersey and New York continental shelf area but are not delineated and modeled in this initial evaluation. Admittedly, only a portion of these probable sand resources will ultimately be available and suitable for production, dependent largely on geographic, economic, preemptive use, environmental, geologic and political factors. In addition, offshore sand resources should only be considered if the area is seaward of the active zone of significant nearshore sediment transport, about 10 to 12 m in depth, and in sufficiently shallow water so that sand can be extracted within U.S. dredging equipment limits, currently about 40 m in depth. If the material is to be used for beach nourishment, material must be of an appropriate sediment texture and character (grain size, sorting, shape, and color) to match the native beach and have mineralogical properties important to its use. Extraction of sand can disturb or alter the benthic habitat and seafloor ecology, so these factors and other site-specific effects will need to be evaluated for any intended use. These and other factors are not considered in this report but can be expected to reduce the total net volume of sand resources available for production. The purpose of this report is to describe and present results from a probabilistic mineral modeling technique previously applied to onshore mineral resources. This modeling and assessment procedure is being used for the first time to assess and estimate offshore aggregate resources; this study is part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Marine Aggregates Resources and Processes Project (http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/aggregates/).

Bulletin↗
USGS2011

Report of the River Master of the Delaware River for the period December 1, 2004-November 30, 2005

A Decree of the Supreme Court of the United States, entered in 1954, established the position of Delaware River Master within the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition, the Decree authorizes diversions of water from the Delaware River Basin and requires compensating releases from certain reservoirs, owned by New York City, to be made under the supervision and direction of the River Master. The Decree stipulates that the River Master will furnish reports to the Court, not less frequently than annually. This report is the 52nd Annual Report of the River Master of the Delaware River. It covers the 2005 River Master report year; that is, the period from December 1, 2004, to November 30, 2005. During the report year, precipitation in the upper Delaware River Basin was 7.56 in., or 117 percent of the long-term average. Combined storage in Pepacton, Cannonsville, and Neversink Reservoirs remained high from December 2004 to May 2005 and reached a record high level on April 3, 2005. Reservoir storage decreased steadily from May to early October, then increased rapidly through the end of November. Delaware River operations throughout the year were conducted as stipulated by the Decree. Diversions from the Delaware River Basin by New York City and New Jersey were in compliance with the Decree. Reservoir releases were made as directed by the River Master at rates designed to meet the flow objective for the Delaware River at Montague, New Jersey, on 120 days during the report year. Releases were made at conservation rates-or rates designed to relieve thermal stress and protect the fishery and aquatic habitat in the tailwaters of the reservoirs-on all other days. During the report year, New York City and New Jersey complied fully with the terms of the Decree, and directives and requests of the River Master. As part of a long-term program, the quality of water in the Delaware Estuary between Trenton, New Jersey, and Reedy Island Jetty, Delaware, was monitored at various locations. Data on water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected continuously by electronic instruments at four sites. In addition, selected water-quality data were collected at 3 sites on a monthly basis and at 19 sites on a twice-monthly basis.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2005

Water resources data, New Jersey, water year 2004-volume 1. surface-water data

Water-resources data for the 2004 water year for New Jersey are presented in three volumes, and consists of records of stage, discharge, and water-quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water-quality of ground water. Volume 1 contains discharge records for 105 gaging stations; tide summaries at 27 tidal gaging stations; stage and contents at 39 lakes and reservoirs; and diversions from 51 surface-water sources. Also included are stage and discharge for 108 crest-stage partial-record stations, stage-only at 34 tidal crest-stage gages, and discharge for 124 low-flow partial-record stations. Locations of these sites are shown in figures 8-11. Additional discharge measurements were made at 131 miscellaneous sites that are not part of the systematic data-collection program. Discontinued station tables for gaging stations, crest-stage gages, tidal crest-stage and tidal gaging stations show historical coverage. The data in this report represent that part of the National Water Information System (NWIS) data collected by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Hydrologic conditions are also described for this water year, including stream-flow, precipitation, reservoir conditions, and air temperatures.

Water Data Report↗