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At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

USGS2012

Assessment of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in selected surface water of the National Park Service Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, from 1972 through 2007

Nutrients are a nationally recognized concern for water quality of streams, rivers, groundwater, and water bodies. Nutrient impairment is documented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a primary cause of degradation in lakes and reservoirs, and nutrients are related to organic enrichment and oxygen depletion, which is an important cause of degradation in streams. Recently (2011), an effort to develop State-based numeric nutrient criteria has resulted in renewed emphasis on nutrients in surface water throughout the Nation. In response to this renewed emphasis and to investigate nutrient water quality for Northern Colorado Plateau Network streams, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, assessed total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentration data for 93 sites in or near 14 National Park units for the time period 1972 through 2007.

Arizona;Colorado;Idaho;New Mexico;Utah;Wyoming↗

USGS2023

Groundwater flow model investigation of the vulnerability of water resources at Chaco Culture National Historical Park related to unconventional oil and gas development

Chaco Culture National Historical Park (CCNHP), located in northwestern New Mexico, protects the greatest concentration of Chacoan historical sites in the American Southwest. Geologically, CCNHP is located within the San Juan structural basin, which consists in part of complex Cretaceous stratigraphy and hosts a variety of energy resources. As part of a larger study to investigate the vulnerability of water resources at CCNHP related to oil and natural gas extraction activities, a MODFLOW groundwater model of the Mancos Shale and Gallup Sandstone units was created by the U.S. Geological Survey, as a part of a cooperative study with the National Park Service, to assess advective groundwater flow paths and traveltimes. The model determined that groundwater flow directions currently trend from south-southeast to north-northwest within the vicinity of CCNHP, groundwater traveltime through the Gallup Sandstone ranges from thousands to tens of thousands of years, and traveltime through the Mancos Shale may range from millions to tens of millions of years. The capture zone of the main CCNHP well (referred to as the “Chaco well”) extends to the south-southeast and ranges in width from approximately 1 to 12 miles, depending on pumping rate. Eighteen inactive hydrocarbon related wells are located within the capture zone and within 10 kilometers of the Chaco well. Given model estimates of traveltimes of groundwater in the Gallup Sandstone aquifer, advective groundwater transport to the Chaco well would take approximately 430 years from the nearest inactive hydrocarbon related wells. Differencing of historical and modern-day potentiometric surfaces of the Gallup Sandstone indicate a drop in groundwater levels between 34 and 96 feet within the CCNHP boundaries. Hydraulic fracturing, simulated as increased hydraulic conductivity zones, decreased groundwater traveltimes (from millions to thousands of years) and acted as permeable pathways from the Mancos Shale to the Gallup Sandstone.

Arizona, New Mexico↗

USGS1998

Noble gases, stable isotopes, and radiocarbon as tracers of flow in the Dakota aquifer, Colorado and Kansas

A suite of chemical and isotope tracers (dissolved noble gases, stable isotopes of water, radiocarbon, and CI) have been analyzed along a flow path in the Dakota aquifer system to determine likely recharge sources, ground water residence times, and the extent of mixing between local and intermediate flow systems, presumably caused by large well screens. Three water types were distinguished with the tracers, each having a very different history. Two of the water types were found in south-eastern Colorado where the Dakota is poorly confined. The tracer data suggest that the first group recharged locally during the last few thousand years and the second group was composed of ground water that recharged earlier during a cooler climate, presumably during the last glacial period (LGP) and mixed aged water. The paleotemperature record archived in this groundwater system indicates that south-eastern Colorado was about 5??C cooler during the LGP than during the late Holocene. Similar temperature changes derived from dissolved noble gases in other aquifer systems have been reported earlier for the south-western United States. The third water type was located down gradient of the first two in the confined Dakota in western and central Kansas. Groundwater residence time of this water mass is on the order of 104-105 yrs and its recharge location is near the Colorado and Kansas border down gradient of the other water types. The study shows the importance of using multiple tracers when investigating ground water systems.A suite of chemical and isotope tracers (dissolved noble gases, stable isotopes of water, radiocarbon, and CL) were analyzed along a flow path in the Dakota aquifer system to determine likely recharge sources, ground water residence times, and the extent of mixing between local and intermediate flow systems. Three water types were distinguished with the tracers, each having a very different history. Two of the water types were located in south-eastern Colorado where the Dakota is poorly confined. The third water type was located down gradient of the first two in the confined Dakota in western and central Kansas.

Journal of Hydrology↗

USGS2011

Organic compounds in White River water used for public supply near Indianapolis, Indiana, 2002-05

The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) characterized the occurrence of 277 organic compounds in source water (stream water collected before treatment) and finished water (treated water before distribution) from the White River North treatment plant, one of several community water systems that use the White River as its primary water supply (fig. 1). Samples were collected at least monthly during 2002-05 and included 30 source- and 13 finished-water samples. The samples were analyzed for pesticides and selected pesticide degradates (or 'breakdown products'), solvents, gasoline hydrocarbons, disinfection by-products, personal-care and domestic-use products, and other organic compounds. Community water systems are required to monitor for compounds regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Most of the compounds tested in this study are not regulated under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) federal drinking-water standards (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2007a). The White River study is part of the ongoing Source Water-Quality Assessment (SWQA) investigation of community water systems that withdraw from rivers across the United States. More detailed information and references on the sampling-design methodology, specific compounds monitored, and the national study are described by Carter and others (2007).

Fact Sheet↗

USGS1984

Evaluation of the hydrologic system and potential effects of mining in the Dickinson lignite area, eastern slope and western Stark and Hettinger counties, North Dakota

The investigation of the water resources of the Dickinson lignite area, an area of about 500 square miles, was undertaken to define the hydrologic system of the area and to project probable effects of coal mining on the system. Aquifers occur in sandstone beds in: the Fox Hills Sandstone and the lower Hell Creek Formation of Cretaceous age, the upper Hell Creek Formation of Cretaceous age and the lower Ludlow Member of the Fort Union Formation of Tertiary age, and the upper Ludlow and lower Tongue River Members of the Fort Union Formation of Tertiary age. Aquifers also occur in the sandstone and lignite lenses in the upper Tongue River Member and the Sentinel Butte Member of the Fort Union Formation. Depths to the Fox Hills-lower Hell Creek aquifer system range from about 1,300 to 1,710 feet. Well yields range from 18 to 100 gallons per minute. The water is soft and is a sodium bicarbonate type. Dissolvedsolids concentrations in samples collected from the aquifer system ranged from 1,230 to 1,690 milligrams per liter. Depths to the upper Hell Creek-lower Ludlow aquifer system range from about 720 to 1,040 feet. Well yields generally are less than 30 gallons per minute but may be as much as 150 gallons per minute. The water is soft and a sodium bicarbonate type. Dissolved-solids concentrations in samples collected from the aquifer system ranged from 1,010 to 1,450 milligrams per liter. Depths to the upper Ludlow-lower Tongue River aquifer system range from about 440 to 713 feet. Well yields may range from about 1 to 100 gallons per minute. The water generally is soft and a sodium bicarbonate type but may be moderately hard and a sulfate type in the southwestern part of the area. Dissolved-solids concentrations in samples collected from the aquifer system ranged from 995 to 1,990 milligrams per liter. Depths to the upper Tongue River-Sentinel Butte aquifer system range from near land surface to about 530 feet below land surface. Well yields generally range from about 1 to 185 gallons per minute. Yields from the lignite parts of the system range from about 2 to 60 gallons per minute. The water generally is a sodium bicarbonate type, but locally sulfate is the dominant anion. Dissolved-solids concentrations in samples collected from the aquifer system generally ranged from 574 to 2,720 milligrams per liter.

North Dakota↗

USGS2025

Ecohydrological response of a forested headwater catchment to a flash drought in the Southeastern U.S.

Flash droughts differ from traditionally defined droughts in their rapidity of intensification and often associated high vapor-pressure deficit. These droughts can lead to declines in streamflow and water table depth and induce water stress to vegetation at a greater rate than droughts that manifest over longer periods. However, little is known regarding the response of forested environments to flash drought because most studies of impacts have been conducted in agricultural settings. In this study we investigated water-use patterns of riparian trees using sap flow methods and examined the role of groundwater as a source of moisture over three periods that were delimited by antecedent soil moisture conditions. For a longer-term perspective we also examine monthly streamflow over the 35-year record. We observed that trees at only one monitoring plot showed a decrease in water use relative to evaporative demand during a flash drought. Total reverse sap flow (flow toward the roots rather than the canopy) greatly increased during the flash drought period, suggesting the likely occurrence of hydraulic redistribution to the excessively dry soils. Over the drought period groundwater became a more dominant source of moisture for sustaining forest water use. Monthly mean streamflow during the flash drought approached levels observed in past multiyear droughts. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to specifically investigate the response of multiple water budget components to flash drought in a humid forest. As more studies are conducted, a better understanding of the range of expected responses are likely to emerge.

Georgia↗

USGS1994

Summary of water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado - Fiscal years 1992-93

Water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado consist of collecting water-resources data and doing interpretive hydrologic investigations. The water-resources data and the results of the investigations are published or released by either the U.S. Geological Survey or by cooperating agencies. Water-resources investigations in Colorado for the 1992-93 fiscal years (October 1,1991, to September 30,1993) are described in this report.

Colorado↗

USGS2014

Investigations of the fluctuations of water‐levels in observation‐wells in Virginia

An automatic water ‐stage recorder has been maintained on an observation ‐ well in Arlington County, Virginia , about 1‐½ miles from the United States Weather Bureau, in Washington, D.C., since June, 1928, but there are a few interruptions in the record. This is a dug well , about 28 feet deep and extends through terrace deposits of gravelly silt or loam. It has not been used for water ‐supply during the period of record. The recorder was installed by the United States Geological Survey and the record has been given considerable study by O. E. Meinzer, W. N. White, and L. K. Wensel, all of the Geological Survey. In July, 1931, the study of this well was made a part of a more comprehensive investigation of the ground‐ water resources of Virginia in cooperation with the State Geological Survey, which was assigned to the writer. The well is essentially of the water ‐table type, and its hydrograph shows approximately the periods of rainfall‐penetration and the relative amounts of recharge in each of these periods. The record is especially instructive because of certain unusual climatic conditions that have existed in the last four years.

Virginia↗

USGS1987

Evaluation of selected surface-water-quality stations in Wyoming

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, has conducted a surface-water-quality program in Wyoming since 1965. The purpose has been to determine the chemical quality of the water in terms of the major dissolved constituents (salinity). Changing agricultural techniques and energy development have stimulated a need for an expanded program involving additional types of data. This report determines the adequacy of the data collected thus far to describe the chemical quality. The sampling program was evaluated by determining how well the data describe the dissolved-solids load of the streams. Monthly mean loads were estimated at 16 stations throughout the network where daily streamflow and daily specific conductance were available. Monthly loads were then compared with loads estimated from daily streamflow and data derived from analyses of samples collected on a monthly basis at these same stations. Agreement was good. Solute-load hydrographs were constructed for 37 stations and from some reaches where streamflow records were available. Because stations where no discharge records are available are not amenable to this type of analysis, data collected at these stations are of limited usefulness. This report covers analyses of data for all qualifying sites in Wyoming except those in the Green River Basin, which were analyzed in U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations 77-103. The salinity in most of the streams evaluated is adequately described by the data collected. Reduced sampling is feasible, and time and money can be diverted to collecting other data. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1971

Hydrogeologic data for the Upper Connecticut River Basin, Connecticut

This report contains geologic, ground-water, and quality-of-water data collected and compiled for a water resources investigation of the upper Connecticut River basin, Connecticut by the U.S. Geological Survey in financial cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. These data, together with surface-water data, were collected at sites shown on plate A and are, with exceptions discussed below, presented herein. The interpretation of these data will be published separately in Connecticut Water Resources Bulletin No. 24. As defined for this investigation, the upper Connecticut River basin is a 508-square-mile area in north-central Connecticut (see front cover and plate A) drained by the Connecticut River and its tributaries including the Farmington River downstream from the community of Tariffville. The basin includes all or parts of the following 30 towns: Avon, Bloomfield, Bolton, Cromwell, East Granby, East Hampton, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Hartford, Manchester, New Brltain, Newington, Plainville, Portland, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Stafford, Suffield, Tolland, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. The data compiled for this investigation consist of those collected specifically for the study during the period July 1967 - December 1969 and those collected during previous investigations. Many records of wells and test holes in thus report were published in Connecticut Water Resources Bulletin No. 4. This report is out of print, therefore these previously published records, together with newer ones, are published in this report to provide a readily available source of ground-water information. Previously published well numbers have been retained and are those published in this report. However, test holes previously published as wells have been assigned test-hole numbers; the former well number Is noted in table 3.

Connecticut↗

USGS1981

U.S. Geological Survey reports on the water resources of Florida, 1886-1980

The U.S. Geological Survey has been making investigations of the water resources of Florida since the latter part of the 19th century. The earlier work consisted mainly of data collection at a few spring and river sites at intermittent intervals with the exception of a statewide ground-water study made during 1910-12 (Matson and Sanford, 1913). Since 1930, when an office was established for surface-water studies and in 1938 for ground-water studies in Florida, practically all of the water-resources investigations made by the U.S. Geological Survey have been in cooperation with state and local agencies. This second edition of "United States Geological Survey Reports on the Water Resources of Florida, 1886-1980" includes reports approved for release in calendar year 1980. In addition to updating the first edition (1980) several reports released prior to 1979, which were inadvertently omitted, have been added. The bibliographic list of publications which follows is arranged alphabetically by senior author. The publications are also indexed by geographic area and by subject. Only two lines are used for each publication in the indexes; thus the complete reference is given only in the bibliographic list.

Florida↗

USGS1980

Utah water use data: Public water supplies, 1960-1978

This report was prepared as a part of the Statewide cooperative water-resources investigation program administered jointly by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights and the United States Geological Survey. The program is conducted to meet the water administration and water-resources data needs of the State, as well as the water information needs of many units of government and the general public.

Utah↗

USGS1982

Chemical and physical characteristics of water in estuaries of Texas, October 1976-September 1978

The Texas Water Plan (1968) proposes development and utilization of water resources in Texas and includes provision for the use and preservation of water in the estuaries of the State. Management of estuarine waters requires knowledge of the hydrodynamics and of the continuing changes in the chemical and physical characteristics of water in the estuaries. In September 1967, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Texas Department of Water Resources began a cooperative water-resources investigation of the principal estuaries along the Texas coast (fig. 1) except the Rio Grande estuary, which is under the jurisdiction of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico. The objectives of the investigation are to define: (1) The occurrence, source, and distribution of nutrients; (2) the physical, organic, and inorganic water-quality constituents and their areal distribution and time variations; (3) the chemical and physical characteristics of Gulf water that enters the estuaries; (4) the occurrence, quality, quantity, and dispersion of drainage entering the estuarine systems; and (5) the current patterns, directions, and rates of water movement. The coastal waters of Texas are not classical estuaries, but are similar to them in ecosystems and mixing phenomena. A description of various types of estuaries is presented in "Estuaries" edited by Lauff (1967, p. 3-11). The term estuary as used in this report, refers to concomitant water bodies in which streamflow mixes with seawater.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1994

An interactive code (NETPATH) for modeling NET geochemical reactions along a flow PATH, version 2.0

NETPATH is an interactive Fortran 77 computer program used to interpret net geochemical mass-balance reactions between an initial and final water along a hydrologic flow path. Alternatively, NETPATH computes the mixing proportions of two to five initial waters and net geochemical reactions that can account for the observed composition of a final water. The program utilizes previously defined chemical and isotopic data for waters from a hydrochemical system. For a set of mineral and (or) gas phases hypothesized to be the reactive phases in the system, NETPATH calculates the mass transfers in every possible combination of the selected phases that accounts for the observed changes in the selected chemical and (or) isotopic compositions observed along the flow path. The calculations are of use in interpreting geochemical reactions, mixing proportions, evaporation and (or) dilution of waters, and mineral mass transfer in the chemical and isotopic evolution of natural and environmental waters. Rayleigh distillation calculations are applied to each mass-balance model that satisfies the constraints to predict carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and strontium isotopic compositions at the end point, including radiocarbon dating. DB is an interactive Fortran 77 computer program used to enter analytical data into NETPATH, and calculate the distribution of species in aqueous solution. This report describes the types of problems that can be solved, the methods used to solve problems, and the features available in the program to facilitate these solutions. Examples are presented to demonstrate most of the applications and features of NETPATH. The codes DB and NETPATH can be executed in the UNIX or DOS1 environment. This report replaces U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 91-4078, by Plummer and others, which described the original release of NETPATH, version 1.0 (dated December, 1991), and documents revisions and enhancements that are included in version 2.0. 1 The use of trade, brand or product names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1951

Progress report, chemical quality of the surface waters in the Loup River basin, Nebraska

The Loup River and its tributaries transport moderate amounts of siliceous minerals from the sand hills region of north-central Nebraska to the Platte River near Columbus, Nebr. Predominant chemical characteristics of these waters are a high percentage of silica, moderate hardness, and a low percentage of sodium. The composition of the Loup River water is influenced by the geologic formations through which ground water, a major contributor to the flows of the Loup River branches, has percolated. Investigation of water quality at or near proposed dam sites in the Loup River basin indicates that if soil and drainage conditions are favorable, the impounded water would be satisfactory for irrigation use.

Circular↗

USGS1952

Index of water-resources records in the Delaware River basin to September 30, 1951

This report is an index of all surface-water, ground-water, and quality-of-water data which have been or are now being collected on a continuous or periodic basis, by the U. S. Geological Survey and the cooperating agencies in the Delaware River basin, to September 30, 1951. The index is divided into two principal sections, the surface-water section relating to streams and the ground-water section to wells and springs. Each section contains an index of records on quality of water. All surface-water data in this report are classified by stream name and state. The ground-water data are classified by state and county inasmuch as most ground-water studies and compilations are made on the basis of a county as a unit. Lists of selected publications relating to surface and ground waters appear at the end of the respective sections. These lists include not only most of the publications issued or prepared by the Geological Survey, but also a representative group of publications prepared elsewhere, particularly reports concerned with large parts of, or the entire, basin. Those Federal, State, and municipal agencies now engaged in cooperative water-resources investigations with the Geological Survey are listed in a section following the ground-water portion of this report. In addition to the data indicated in this index, the Geological Survey has obtained information at many miscellaneous localities throughout the Delaware River basin. Much of this information is available to the public upon application to the Survey field offices, and to facilitate the use of these miscellaneous data, a list of the field offices having

Circular↗

USGS1983

Bibliography of U.S. Geological Survey reports on the water resources of Florida, 1886-1982

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been making investigations of the water resources of Florida since the latter part of the 19th century. Early work consisted mainly of data collection at a few spring and river sites at intermittent intervals with the exception of a statewide groundwater study made during 1910-12. In 1930, an office was established for surface water studies in Florida and in 1938 for groundwater studies. Since 1930, practically all of the water resources investigations made by USGS have been in cooperation with State and local agencies. The third edition, ' Bibliography of U.S. Geological Survey Reports on the Water Resources of Florida, 1886-1982 ' includes reports approved for release in calendar years 1981 and 1982. In addition to updating the second edition (1981) several reports released prior to that time, which were inadvertently omitted, have been added. The bibliographic list of publications is arranged alphabetically by senior author. The publications are also indexed by geographic area and by subject. (Lantz-PTT)

Open-File Report↗

USGS2009

Water Quality of Combined Sewer Overflows, Stormwater, and Streams, Omaha, Nebraska, 2006-07

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Omaha, investigated the water quality of combined sewer overflows, stormwater, and streams in the Omaha, Nebraska, area by collecting and analyzing 1,175 water samples from August 2006 through October 2007. The study area included the drainage area of Papillion Creek at Capeheart Road near Bellevue, Nebraska, which encompasses the tributary drainages of the Big and Little Papillion Creeks and Cole Creek, along with the Missouri River reach that is adjacent to Omaha. Of the 101 constituents analyzed during the study, 100 were detected in at least 1 sample during the study. Spatial and seasonal comparisons were completed for environmental samples. Measured concentrations in stream samples were compared to water-quality criteria for pollutants of concern. Finally, the mass loads of water-quality constituents in the combined sewer overflow discharges, stormwater outfalls, and streams were computed and compared. The results of the study indicate that combined sewer overflow and stormwater discharges are affecting the water quality of the streams in the Omaha area. At the Papillion Creek Basin sites, Escherichia coli densities were greater than 126 units per 100 milliliters in 99 percent of the samples (212 of 213 samples analyzed for Escherichia coli) collected during the recreational-use season from May through September (in 2006 and 2007). Escherichia coli densities in 76 percent of Missouri River samples (39 of 51 samples) were greater than 126 units per 100 milliliters in samples collected from May through September (in 2006 and 2007). None of the constituents with human health criteria for consumption of water, fish, and other aquatic organisms were detected at levels greater than the criteria in any of the samples collected during this study. Total phosphorus concentrations in water samples collected in the Papillion Creek Basin were in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed criterion in all but four stream samples (266 of 270). Similarly, only 2 of 84 Missouri River samples had total phosphorus concentrations less than the proposed criterion. The proposed total nitrogen criterion for the Corn Belt and Northern Great Plains ecoregion was surpassed in 80 percent of the water samples collected from the stream sites. Samples with total nitrogen concentrations greater than the proposed criterion were most common at Papillion Creek and Big Papillion Creek sites, where the proposed criterion was surpassed in 90 and 96 percent of the samples collected, respectively. Elevated concentrations of total nitrogen were less common at the Missouri River sites, with 33 percent of the samples analyzed having concentrations that surpassed the proposed nutrient criterion for total nitrogen. The three constituents with measured concentrations greater than their respective health-based screening levels were nickel, zinc, and dichlorvos. Differences in water quality during the beginning, middle, and end of the combined sewer overflow discharge and the stream hydrograph rise, peak, and recession were investigated. Concentrations from the ending part of the combined sewer overflow hydrograph were significantly different than those from the beginning and middle parts for 3 and 11 constituents, respectively. No constituents were significantly different between the beginning and middle parts of the combined sewer overflow discharge hydrograph. For the stream site upstream from combined sewer overflow outfalls on Cole Creek, the constituents with geometric mean values for the hydrograph rise that were at least twice those for the values of the peak and recession were specific conductance, magnesium, nitrite, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), methyl salicylate, p-cresol, and Escherichia coli. Similarly, the constituents where the hydrograph peak was at least twice that for the rise and recession at the upstream Cole Creek site were total suspended solids, silver, an

Scientific Investigations Report↗