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At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
USGS2022

Estimating soil moisture, actual evapotranspiration, climatic water deficit, and groundwater recharge during periods of drought for current and future climate conditions in Hawaiʻi

Mid- and end-of-century climate projections for the Hawaiian Islands indicate that rainfall is projected to decrease across large areas. In areas affected by drought or where the future climate becomes drier, reduced groundwater recharge can affect freshwater availability. Reduced rainfall can also reduce soil moisture, which can increase the risk of wildfire. Cloud-water interception, or fog drip, is the process by which cloud-water droplets are captured on the leaves and branches of plants with some of the captured cloud water subsequently dripping to the ground. Studies in Hawaiʻi indicate that fog drip can contribute substantially to total precipitation and may have the potential to lessen the negative effects of drought or a drying climate on freshwater availability and wildfire risk. Wildfire danger assessments in the continental United States have used estimates of soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and climatic water deficit (that is, the evaporative demand that exceeds available water) to improve the identification of areas at risk for wildfires. In this study, water-budget models developed for the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi were used to quantify the effects of severe drought, future climate conditions, and reducing or eliminating fog drip on groundwater recharge, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and climatic water deficit. Island-wide summaries of groundwater recharge, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and climatic water deficit were developed to (1) illustrate changes between recent, drought, and future climate conditions, (2) illustrate the effects of reducing or eliminating fog drip for recent, drought, and future climate conditions, and (3) highlight areas of increased potential risk for wildfire during drought and future climate conditions. The results of these analyses can be used by natural resource managers in Hawaiʻi.

Hawaii↗
USGS2014

Groundwater level and nitrate concentration trends on Mountain Home Air Force Base, southwestern Idaho

Mountain Home Air Force Base in southwestern Idaho draws most of its drinking water from the regional aquifer. The base is located within the State of Idaho's Mountain Home Groundwater Management Area and is adjacent to the State's Cinder Cone Butte Critical Groundwater Area. Both areas were established by the Idaho Department of Water Resources in the early 1980s because of declining water levels in the regional aquifer. The base also is listed by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality as a nitrate priority area. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, began monitoring wells on the base in 1985, and currently monitors 25 wells for water levels and 17 wells for water quality, primarily nutrients. This report provides a summary of water-level and nitrate concentration data collected primarily between 2001 and 2013 and examines trends in those data. A Regional Kendall Test was run to combine results from all wells to determine an overall regional trend in water level. Groundwater levels declined at an average rate of about 1.08 feet per year. Nitrate concentration trends show that 3 wells (18 percent) are increasing in nitrate concentration trend, 3 wells (18 percent) show a decreasing nitrate concentration trend, and 11 wells (64 percent) show no nitrate concentration trend. Six wells (35 percent) currently exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant limit of 10 milligrams per liter for nitrate (nitrite plus nitrate, measured as nitrogen).

Idaho↗
USGS2008

Review of Available Water-Quality Data for the Southern Colorado Plateau Network and Characterization of Water Quality in Five Selected Park Units in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, 1925 to 2004

Historical water-quality data in the National Park Service Southern Colorado Plateau Network have been collected irregularly and with little followup interpretation, restricting the value of the data. To help address these issues, to inform future water-quality monitoring planning efforts, and to address relevant National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program objectives, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, compiled, reviewed, and summarized available historical water-quality data for 19 park units in the Southern Colorado Plateau Network. The data are described in terms of availability by major water-quality classes, park unit, site type, and selected identified water sources. The report also describes the geology, water resources, water-quality issues, data gaps, and water-quality standard exceedances identified in five of the park units determined to be of high priority. The five park units are Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona, Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona and Utah, and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Statistical summaries of water-quality characteristics are presented and considerations for future water-quality monitoring are provided for these five park units.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS1971

Hydrogeology of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota

An investigation of the geology and ground-water resources of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, was made at the request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs as part of the U.S. Department of the Interior's program for the development of the Missouri River basin. The area of investigation (about 3,930 square miles) includes all the land within the original boundaries of the Reservation, except for that part of Bennett County south of the U.S. Highway 18, where there are only small tracts of Indian land. Emphasis in the study was placed on mapping major rock units and on determining their potential as sources of water for domestic and stock use. The geologic map on sheet 1 shows the areal extent of the major rock units, and a summary of the stratigraphy and physical characteristics of the exposed geologic formations is given in the table on this sheet. The writers appreciate the cooperation of the personnel of the South Dakota State Geological Survey, who provided most of the well data for Bennett County, information about the stratigraphy and geology of selected areas, and copies of published and unpublished geologic maps. (See map showing areas mapped prior to this investigation.) Also, they appreciate the cooperation of ranch owners and tenants, who permitted access to their lands, and the personnel of the Bureau of Indian affairs, who supplied soils mps and other data. Data on which this report is based, including logs of wells and test holes, chemical analyses of water and records of wells and springs, have been summarized by the authors in a basic-data report published jointly by the South Dakota Geological Survey and South Dakota Water Resources Commission (Water Resources Report 4, Basic hydrogeologic data - Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota). A selected bibliography of reports pertaining to the geology of the area has been included in the basic-data report. This atlas will be more useful if studied in conjunction with a copy of the basic-data report.

South Dakota↗
USGS2013

Summary of exploration geochemical and mineralogical studies at the giant Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit, Alaska: Implications for exploration under cover

Exploration geochemical and mineralogical studies by the U.S. Geological Survey at the Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit were designed to (1) determine whether the concealed deposit can be detected with surface samples, (2) better understand the processes of metal migration from the deposit to the surface, and (3) test existing methods for assessing concealed mineral resources and/or develop new ones. Surface water (ponds, streams, and springs), pond and stream sediment, soils subjected to various leaching techniques, and glacial till samples were collected. The tilted nature of the undisturbed orebody, varying depth of cover, and later glacial processes, strongly influence the geochemical responses and processes active on the various sample media. The multimedia approach aids in identifying possible processes that caused the significant geochemical variations within and among the various media. These processes include the following: In the Pebble West zone, thin cover and local exposure of the orebody have facilitated the oxidation of pyrite and other sulfides, and associated ferrous-ferric iron reactions, resulting in the local natural acidification of ponds observed in the West zone, and in associated metal anomalies in waters, sediments, and soils. In contrast, the East zone is concealed by both glacial deposits and underlying thick cover rocks, which precludes the oxidation of sulfides in the underlying orebody. Low-level geochemical anomalies in circumneutral spring and pond waters from the East zone are discernible only by using high resolution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with lower limits of determination two and perhaps three orders of magnitude lower than traditional methods. A variety of partial leaches of soils over the East zone reveal geochemical anomalies in a similar suite of elements that may be related to upwelling waters from depth along graben-bounding faults. The indicator minerals gold, jarosite, and andradite in till reveal a displaced mineralogical anomaly to the west and south of the Pebble orebody, as ore-related minerals were scraped from the orebody and deposited in till downice of the deposit. Geochemical anomalies in pond water and sediment over the displaced till are attributed to the ore-related minerals in till. This orientation study demonstrates the strong control of local geologic and geochemical settings on the effectiveness of different traditional and newer reconnaissance geochemical exploration techniques and thus has important implications for exploration.

Alaska↗
USGS2003

Lake belt study area: High-resolution seismic-reflection survey, Miami-Dade County Florida

Executive Summary The Northwest Dade County Freshwater Lake Plan Area (commonly referred to as the Lake Belt Area) is vital to the future planning and development of southeastern Florida. This area is located within one of the most environmentally sensitive parts of the state – the eastern borders of the Everglades National Park (ENP). The Lake Belt Area and Water Conservation Area BB (WCA BB) provide half of the limestone mining resources used in the state every year. Starting in the mid-1800s canals and levees were built in the area to drain and help develop economic and water resources including protection from floods and droughts. These construction projects have changed the natural water flow (hydropattern and hydroperiod) through the hydrologic system. Changes to the hydropattern and hydroperiod of the area have also had an adverse impact by disrupting the normal breeding patterns of species within the Everglades ecosystem

Florida↗
USGS2012

Fort Collins Science Center-Fiscal year 2011 science accomplishments

The Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) is a multi-disciplinary research and development center of the U.S. Geological Survey located in Fort Collins, Colorado. FORT research focuses on the needs of land- and water-management bureaus within the U.S. Department of the Interior, other Federal agencies, and State, Tribal, and non-government organizations. We emphasize a multi-disciplinary science approach to provide information for natural resource management decisionmaking. Our vision is to maintain and continuously improve the integrated, collaborative, world-class research needed to inform effective, science-based land management. The 2011 science accomplishments report provides an executive summary highlighting key achievements, an appendix of 68 one-page accomplishment descriptions organized by U.S. Geological Survey Mission Area, and a complete list of publications and other products generated in FY2011. The executive summary includes a table cross-referencing all major FY11 accomplishments with the various Mission Areas each supports.

Colorado↗
USGS1996

Summary of the land-use inventory for the nonpoint-source evaluation monitoring watersheds in Wisconsin

In 1992, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a land-use inventory to identify sources of pollutants and track the land-management changes for eight evaluation monitoring watersheds established as part of the WDNR's Nonpoint Source Program. Each evaluation monitoring watershed is within a WDNR priority watershed. The U.S. Geological Survey is responsible for collection of water-quality data in the evaluation monitoring watersheds. An initial inventory was completed for each of the WDNR priority watersheds before nonpoint-source plans were developed for the control of nonpoint pollution. The land-use inventory described in this report expands upon the initial inventory by including nonpoint pollution sources that were not identified and also by updating changes in landuse and land-management practices. New sources of nonpoint pollution, not identified in the initial inventory, could prove to be important when monitored and modeled data are analyzed. This effort to inventory the evaluation monitoring watersheds will help with the interpretation of future land-use and water-quality data. This report describes landuse inventory methods, presents results of the inventory, and lists proposed future activities.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1995

Summary of sediment resuspension monitoring activities, Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, Florida, 1988-91

Sediment resuspension was studied in Old Tampa BaY, the northwestern subembayment of Tampa Bay, and in Hillsborough Bay, the northeastern subembayment of Tampa Bay located along the coast of west-central Florida. Electromagnetic current meters, optical backscatterance sensors, and water samples were used to collect sediment resuspension data at several study sites in the two bays. This report describes the data-collection methods and summaries sediment resuspension data collected intermittently from October 1988 through December 1990 in Old Tampa Bay and from March 1990 through September 1991 in Hillsborough Bay. Example data are presented for selected monitoring events.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1971

Floods in Arkansas, magnitude and frequency characteristics through 1968

Techniques are presented for estimating the magnitude and frequency of floods on Arkansas streams. Modern topographic maps now available and computer techniques facilitate in making a comprehensive analysis in which physical and climactic characteristics of river basins are related to flood characteristics at gaging stations. Equations derived from the analysis make it possible to estimate the magnitude of future floods with recurrence intervals of as much as 50 years on gaged and ungaged streams that have drainage areas of 0.1-3,000 square miles. An estimate of the future flood potential can be used to locate and design flood-control structures, establish flood-insurance rates, and devise flood-zoning plans. Appendixes in the report contain data on flood characteristics of gaged drainage basins, a summary of climatic and topographic characteristics of drainage basins, peak stages and discharges for gaging stations that have 5 or more years of record, and peak-flow data for outstanding floods at miscellaneous sites.

Arkansas↗
USGS2002

Water-level measurements and chloride concentrations for selected wells in Louisiana, January 1988-October 1997

This report presents water - level measurements and chloride concentrations in water from selected wells completed in aquifers in Louisiana . The data were collected during the period January 1988 - October 1997 . Water - level data are presented for 109 wells , and chloride data are presented for 45 wells . Hydrographs and summaries of water - level trends are presented for wells completed in aquifers throughout the State. Chlorographs and summaries of chloride trends are presented for wells completed in the Mississippi River alluvial and Sparta aquifers; Chicot aquifer system; and Gramercy, Norco, and Gonzales-New Orleans aquifers. Data are presented in graphical and tabular formats.

Water-Resources Bulletin↗
USGS2008

Consumptive Water Use in the Great Lakes Basin

Great Lakes state agencies and organizations view understanding consumptive water use as a critical component in water-resource management. To assist them in developing a better understanding of the factors involved in consumptive use, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has completed an inventory of consumptive-use coefficients for the Great Lakes Basin. This fact sheet highlights findings and data from a comprehensive report resulting from that inventory. This fact sheet includes information on water-use categories used to compile and organize consumptive-use coefficients, summary statistics for consumptive-use coefficients by category, and estimated water withdrawals and consumptive-use amounts for the Great Lakes States for 2000.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS1984

Evaluation of the ground-water resources of coastal Georgia: preliminary report of the data available as of July 1983

A compilation of ground-water data that have been collected for nearly 100 years in the coastal area of Georgia is presented in this report. The compilation of pertinent data indicates what information is available for use in the evaluation of the ground-water resources of the 13 counties of coastal Georgia. Also included in this report is a fairly complete discussion of previous and ongoing investigations and monitoring networks, and an extensive list of references. Maps at 1:24,000 and 1:1,000,000 scales contain well locations and identifiers for all wells in the Ground Water Site Inventory (GWSI) data base of the National Water Data Storage and retrieval System (WATSTORE). Tabular summaries of selected site information from GWSI, including well identifiers and names, latitude-longitude location, depth of well, altitude of land surface, and use of water are presented. Water-use data from the National Water Use Data System, and water use for irrigation from the University of Georgia, Department of Agriculture survey, also are tabulated. Also included are pertinent information on geophysical surveys and data obtained, and proposed project activities, particularly test-monitor well drilling. The data in this report were collected and compiled as part of the cooperative activities between the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies.

Georgia↗
USGS2015

A simple web-based tool to compare freshwater fish data collected using AFS standard methods

The American Fisheries Society (AFS) recently published Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes. Enlisting the expertise of 284 scientists from 107 organizations throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this text was developed to facilitate comparisons of fish data across regions or time. Here we describe a user-friendly web tool that automates among-sample comparisons in individual fish condition, population length-frequency distributions, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) data collected using AFS standard methods. Currently, the web tool (1) provides instantaneous summaries of almost 4,000 data sets of condition, length frequency, and CPUE of common freshwater fishes collected using standard gears in 43 states and provinces; (2) is easily appended with new standardized field data to update subsequent queries and summaries; (3) compares fish data from a particular water body with continent, ecoregion, and state data summaries; and (4) provides additional information about AFS standard fish sampling including benefits, ongoing validation studies, and opportunities to comment on specific methods. The web tool—programmed in a PHP-based Drupal framework—was supported by several AFS Sections, agencies, and universities and is freely available from the AFS website and fisheriesstandardsampling.org . With widespread use, the online tool could become an important resource for fisheries biologists.

Fisheries↗
USGS1984

Evaluation of the ground-water resources of coastal Georgia; preliminary report on the data available as of July 1983

A compilation of ground-water data that have been collected for nearly 100 years in the coastal area of Georgia as part of cooperative activities between the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies is presented in this report. The compilation of pertinent data indicates that information is available for use in the evaluation of the ground-water resources of the 13 counties of coastal Georgia. Included in this report is a fairly complete discussion of previous and ongoing investigations and monitoring networks, and an extensive list of references. Maps at 1:24,000, 1:100,000; and 1:1000,000 scales contain well locations and identifers for all wells in the Ground Water Site Inventory (GWSI) data base of the National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE). Tabular summaries of selected site information from GWSI, including well identifiers and names , latitude-longitude location, depth of well, altitude of land surface, and use of water are presented. Water-use data from the National Water Use Data System, and water use for irrigation from the University of Georgia, Department of Agriculture survey , are tabulated. Also included are pertinent information on geophysical surveys and data obtained, and proposed project activities, particularly test-monitor well drilling.

Georgia↗
USGS1983

Statistical summary of daily values data and trend analysis of dissolved-solids data at National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) stations

A statistical summary is provided of the available continuous and once-daily discharge, specific-conductance, dissolved oxygen , water temperature, and pH data collected at NASQAN stations during the 1973-81 water years and documents the period of record on which the statistical calculations were based. In addition, dissolved-solids data are examined by regression analyses to determine the relation between dissolved solids and specific conductance and to determine if long-term trends can be detected in dissolved-solids concentrations. Statistical summaries, regression equations expressing the relation between dissolved solids and specific conductance, and graphical presentations of trend analyses of dissolved solids are presented for 515 NASQAN stations in the United States, Canada, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS2006

Summary of available hydrogeologic data for the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky

The hydrogeologic characteristics of the unconsolidated glacial outwash sand and gravel deposits that compose the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky, indicate a prolific water-bearing formation with approximately 7 billion gallons of ground-water storage and an estimated sustainable yield of over 280 million gallons per day. This abundance of ground water and the need to properly develop and manage this resource has prompted many past investigations (since 1956), which have produced reports, maps, and data files covering a variety of topics relative to the movement, availability, and use of ground water in this area. These data have been compiled into a single report to assist in future development and use of the ground-water resources. Available ground-water data for the alluvial aquifer at Louisville, Kentucky, from Beargrass Creek to Harrods Creek, were compiled from the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System and the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository. Data contained in these databases include ground-water well-construction details and historical ground-water levels, drillers' logs, and water-quality information. Additional data and information were gathered from project files at the U.S. Geological Survey--Kentucky Water Science Center and files at the Louisville Water Company. Information contained in these files included data from area pumping tests describing aquifer characteristics and ground-water flow. Data describing current conditions of the ground-water system in the northeast portion of the alluvial aquifer also are included. Ground-water levels from a network of observation wells show recent trends in the flow system, and information from the Kentucky Division of Water-Groundwater Branch lists current permitted ground-water withdrawals in the area.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2010

Great Basin Integrated Landscape Monitoring Pilot Summary Report

The Great Basin Integrated Landscape Monitoring Pilot project (GBILM) was one of four regional pilots to implement the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Science Thrust on Integrated Landscape Monitoring (ILM) whose goal was to observe, understand, and predict landscape change and its implications on natural resources at multiple spatial and temporal scales and address priority natural resource management and policy issues. The Great Basin is undergoing rapid environmental change stemming from interactions among global climate trends, increasing human populations, expanding and accelerating land and water uses, invasive species, and altered fire regimes. GBLIM tested concepts and developed tools to store and analyze monitoring data, understand change at multiple scales, and forecast landscape change. The GBILM endeavored to develop and test a landscape-level monitoring approach in the Great Basin that integrates USGS disciplines, addresses priority management questions, catalogs and uses existing monitoring data, evaluates change at multiple scales, and contributes to development of regional monitoring strategies. GBILM functioned as an integrative team from 2005 to 2010, producing more than 35 science and data management products that addressed pressing ecosystem drivers and resource management agency needs in the region. This report summarizes the approaches and methods of this interdisciplinary effort, identifies and describes the products generated, and provides lessons learned during the project.

Open-File Report↗