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At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources
USGS1982

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Ironton-Galesville aquifer, southeast Minnesota

Quality of water in the Ironton-Galesville aquifer is generally acceptable for all kinds of uses. Calcium magnesium bicarbonate type water is most common. The dissolved-solids concentration ranges from about 200 to 1,000 milligrams per liter. The lowest values are in the northern part of the aquifer, where the bedrock is at or close to land surface, and the lowest ones are in the southwestern part, where leakage into the aquifer from overlying Cretaceous deposits is highly mineralized water. The concentrations of the major ions, except for bicarbonate and chloride, also increase toward the southwest. Confining beds protect the aquifer from surface pollutants, but high sulfate and iron concentrations and hardness degrade water quality locally in some places. The aquifer was deposited from Paleozoic seas that occupied a shallow depression known as the Hollandale embayment. The surface of the Ironton-Galesville aquifer dips toward the interior of the embayment. The aquifer is as deep as 1,000 feet below land surface and as thick as 325 feet. The Ironton and Galesville Sandstones are both white and medium grained. The aquifer is used mainly in the northern and western parts of the study area, where it is the uppermost bedrock aquifer, This report is one of a series on the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

Minnesota↗
USGS1983

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifer, southeast Minnesota

The Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifer in southeast Minnesota consists of a thick sequence of sandstone that generally yields large quantities of good-quality water to wells. The aquifer is most important as a source of water supply in the Twin Cities area, where it supplies approximately 10 percent of the ground water used. It is the uppermost bedrock aquifer and, locally, the principal source of domestic supply where it is present north of the Twin Cities. Yield to wells are generally about 500 gallons per minute but may be as high as 2,000 gallons per minute. The aquifer is a good potential source of water because of (1) large quantities of water in storage, (2) adequate yields to wells, and (3) good water quality. The quality of water in the aquifer is generally acceptable for municipal, industrial, and domestic uses. The dissolved-solids concentration in water from the aquifer ranges from a minimum of 48 milligrams per liter to a maximum of 2,810 milligrams per liter. The lowest values are in the eastern and northern parts of the aquifer, where bedrock is at or close to land surface. The highest concentrations are in the southwestern part of the aquifer, where leakage from over lying Cretaceous rocks is highly mineralized water. Magnesium and sulfate concentrations are also high in the southwest. The dissolved-solids concentration generally increases with depth in the aquifer. The predominant water type in the aquifer is calcium magnesium bicarbonate, although sodium chloride waters are present at depth and in the discharge areas along large rivers. This report is one of a series of the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

Minnesota↗
USGS1977

Availability and quality of ground water in the Winston area, Douglas County, Oregon

A map of the Winston area, Douglas County, Oreg., shows areal geology and locations and chemical diagrams of wells with water analyses. Another map of the area has diagrams showing the depth to water, pumping level, total depth, and yields of selected wells. Reported yields of wells range from less than 1 to as much as 70 gallons per minute; the average is less than 10. A table listing chemical analyses of water shows that, although most ground water is of adequate quality for domestic use, some wells yield water with dissolved constituents in excess of recommended limits. (Woodard-USGS)

Oregon↗
USGS1999

Hydrogeologic framework and ground-water levels, 1982 and 1996, middle Humboldt River basin, north-central Nevada

The Humboldt River Basin encompasses an area of nearly 17,000 mi 2 in north-central Nevada; it is the only major river basin that begins and ends entirely within the State (fig. 1). The study area for this report is the middle Humboldt River Basin, which consists of 14 hydrographic areas that encompass 7,400 mi 2 (fig. 1 and table 1). The principal tributaries to the Humboldt River in the study area are Pine Creek, Rock Creek, and Reese River.

Nevada↗
USGS2008

Chapter A6. Section 6.0. General information and guidelines for field-measured water-quality properties

This report summarizes information, guidelines, and minimum requirements that apply generally to the seven field-measurement sections that comprise the rest of Chapter A6 of this U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM). Protocols are specified for establishing and maintaining data records, use of field-measurement instruments and methods, and quality assurance of data-collection and reporting methods that are relevant to surface-water and ground-water field-measurement activities. Each chapter of the National Field Manual is published separately and revised periodically. Newly published and revised chapters will be announced on the USGS Home Page on the World Wide Web under 'New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey.'

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations↗
USGS1975

Availability and quality of ground water in the Sutherlin area, Douglas County, Oregon

The purpose of this map report is to present information in a form that will enable water users, potential water users, and planners to estimate the likelihood of obtaining ground water in adequate quantity and of suitable quality at desired locations. The Sutherlin area is in Douglas County in southwestern Oregon and includes about 280 square miles (720 km 2 ) entirely within the Umpqua River drainage basin.

Oregon↗
USGS1979

Chemical quality of ground water on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is a 440 square mile hook-shaped peninsula which extends 40 miles into the Atlantic. Freshwater in Pleistocene sand and gravel deposits is the source of supply for nearly 100 municipal and thousands of private domestic wells. Most ground water on Cape Cod is of good chemical quality for drinking and other uses. It is characteristically low in dissolved solids and is soft. In 90 percent of the samples analyzed, dissolved solids were less than 100 mg/l (milligrams per liter) and pH was less than 7.0. Highway deicing salt, sea-water flooding due to storms , and saltwater intrusion due to ground-water withdrawal are sources of sodium chloride contamination. Chloride concentrations have increased from 20 to 140 mg/l, owing to saltwater intrusion at Provincetown 's wells in Truro. In Yarmouth, contaminated ground water near a salt-storage area contained as much as 1,800 mg/l chloride. Heavy metals, insecticides, and herbicides were not found at concentrations above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 's recommended limits for public drinking-water supplies, but iron and manganese in some samples exceeded those limits. Ninety percent of 84 samples analyzed for nitrate reported as nitrogen contained less than 1.3 mg/l and 80 percent contained 0.5 mg/l or less of nitrate as nitrogen. Water containing nitrogen in excess of 0.5 mg/l has probably been affected by municipal or domestic sewage or fertilizer, and water with less than this amount may have been affected by them. (Woodard-USGS)

Massachusetts↗
USGS1982

Modifications and corrections to the finite-difference model for simulation of three-dimensional ground-water flow

This report describes modifications incorporated into the finite-difference model for simulation of groundwater flow in three dimensions. These modifications extend the application of this model to simulations involving head-dependent sources and sinks (i.e., rivers, evapotranspiration, and springs or drains). Other modifications are made that enhance the iterative-solution process of the Strongly Implicit Procedure (SIP). An acceleration (or dampening) factor is introduced to the matrix equation that is to be solved, and optional methods of computing iteration parameters are incorporated into the original model. This report also describes corrections to the model that eliminate errors in the equation formulation and in mass-balance computations of certain types of simulations. Additional data-input instructions, definitions of new variables, and a list of program-statement changes are given in an appendix. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1994

Instrumentation, methods, and preliminary evaluation of evapotranspiration for a grassland in the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve, Benton County, Washington, May-October 1990

The report describes instrumentation, methods, and preliminary results for a study on evapo- transpiration at a grassland in Snively Basin of the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve. Instrumentation was used to collect data from May 30 to October 15, 1990. A combination of the Bowen-ratio and Penman-Monteith methods was used to calculate estimates of evapotranspiration. The Bowen-ratio method could be used to calculate estimates of latent-heat flux and evapotranspiration during only parts of the study period. Latent-heat flux values obtained during these periods were used in the Penman-Monteith method to estimate the canopy resistance. These canopy resistances were averaged for each day and the average values were used to recalculate the laten-heat flux for all periods using the Penman-Monteith method. The canopy resistance ranged from near zero during periods of rainfall to more than 40,000 seconds per meter during periods of extreme dryness. Evapotranspiration estimates varied during the study period. Daily evapotranspiration ranged from less than 0.1 millimeter on some days in August, September, and October to about 2 milli- meters on June 3 and August 22. Monthly totals of evapotranspiration were as follows: June, 28.2 millimeters; July, 10.5 millimeters; August, 15.0 millimeters; September, 5.3 millimeters; and October 1-15, 1.8 millimeters. Evapotranspiration values given in the report are estimates. Some error, perhaps as low as 25 percent on a daily basis and 4 percent on a monthly total basis, is probably introduced into these estimates through complexities of data collection, data analysis, and canopy-resistance estimation, particularly when evapotranspiration was near zero.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1996

Location and depth of sand and clay intervals in Jackson County, Mississippi

Driller's logs and geophysical logs from various sources were used to compile information on the location and depth of water-bearing sands and intervening clays in Jackson County, southeastern Mississippi. Each log was checked for accuracy of location and for adequate description of subsurface materials. Generally, data for sand intervals greater than about 20 feet in thickness and less than 2,000 feet below land surface were compiled. Data from more than 1,600 logs were compiled. Well logs generally showed two or three sand intervals, but as many as seven were reported. Compiled sand intervals averaged about 48 feet in thickness, and well depths averaged about 417 feet below land surface. Data determined from each log were entered into a geographic information system (GIS) data base. A graphical representation of each well log is presented.

Mississippi↗
USGS1978

Geohydrologic data from the Jemez Mountains and vicinity, north-central New Mexico

The Jemez Mountains volcanic region, on the west margin of the Rio Grande rift in north-central New Mexico, is the site of studies for power development from geothermal heat. This report summarizes geohydrologic data to provide background information relative to the geothermal exploration and to investigate the usefulness of hydrology in assessment of the geothermal resource. Eleven tables present chemical, temperature, discharge , and other data for springs, wells, and streams. Accompanying figures show locations of the data points and present temperature profiles and geophysical logs for selected wells. (Woodard-USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1987

Water-level maps of the alluvial aquifer in eastern Arkansas, 1985

Maps shown in this report show the potentiometric surface of the alluvial aquifer before and after the pumping season of 1985, the depth-to-water in the spring of 1985, and the change in water levels between the spring of 1980 and the spring of 1985. Hydrographs showing long-term water-level changes in the alluvial aquifer are also included. (Rubinstein-PTT)

Arkansas↗
USGS1974

Effect of mine drainage on the quality of streams in Colorado, 1971-72

In July 1971, a study of the effects of mine drainage on Colorado's streams was begun in cooperation with the Colorado Water Pollution Control Commission. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent and magnitude of the problem as a whole, and to gain a greater understanding of the processes and their potential ramifications by detailed definition of problems in specific areas. In order to accomplish these objectives, a three-pronged approach was devised to include: (1) a reconnaissance of the entire State to locate problem areas, (2) the detailed study of selected problem areas on a short-term basis, and (3) the monitoring of selected problem areas on a long-term basis. This report summarizes the results of the reconnaissance phase. It describes some basic physical, chemical, and biological water-quality characteristics of the streams, discusses observed effects of mine drainage on the surface-water environment, delineates problem areas, and provides a list of streams where intensive study and subsequent monitoring might provide further insight into the various problems encountered.

Colorado↗
USGS1983

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, Southeast Minnesota

Quality of water in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer is generally good, except for some localized contamination, Coal-tar derivatives that contaminate the aquifer in St. Louis Park, a western suburb in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, pose the most serious threat to water quality. High hardness and iron concentration limit suitability for municipal and industrial use in parts of extreme southeast Minnesota. Confining beds of bedrock and drift, however, protect most of the aquifer from surface pollutants. The Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer is part of a sequence of sedimentary bedrock units in southeast Minnesota. The Jordan Sandstone is a white to yellow, fine- to coarse-grained sandstone. The Prairie du Chien Group comprises two dolomitic formations that are vuggy and fractured and interbedded with thin layers of shale. The aquifer formations were deposited in Paleozoic seas that occupied the Hollandale embayment. The aquifer dips toward the interior of the embayment where it is as deep as 750 feet below land surface and as thick as 500 feet. Permeability is secondary in the Prairie du Chien Group because of solution cavities and fractures, and intergranular in the Jordan Sandstone. Water in the aquifer is confined except in the eastern part. Water generally flows to the north and east into the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. A ground-water divide separates part of the flow southward into Iowa. This aquifer supplies more water than any other bedrock one in the State. Calcium magnesium bicarbonate type water is most common in the aquifer. Calcium and sulfate and, to a lesser degree sodium and magnesium, increase in concentration toward the southwestern part of the study area. Bicarbonate concentration, on the other hand, decreases toward the southwestern corner of the study area. Leakage from overlying Cretaceous deposits is the source of much of the sulfate and other minerals in the southwest. This report is one of a series on the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U. S. Geological Survey. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

Minnesota↗
USGS1988

A finite-element model for simulating hydraulic interchange of surface and ground water

A model was developed to be useful for predicting changes in streamflow as a result of groundwater pumping. The stream aquifer model is especially useful for simulating streams that flow intermittently owing to leakage to the aquifer or diversion for irrigation or streams that become perched owing to declining hydraulic head in the aquifer. The model couples the equation of two-dimensional groundwater flow with the kinematic equations of one-dimensional open-channel flow. Darcy 's law for vertical flow through a semipermeable streambed is used to couple the groundwater flow and streamflow equations. The equations of flow are approximated numerically by the finite-element method. A listing of the Fortran program that solves the equations of flow , and a description of data-input formats are given in the report. The program can simulate a variety of hydrologic characteristics including perched streams, streamflow diversions , springs, recharge from irrigated acreage, and evapotranspiration from the water table and phreatophytes. Time-dependent boundary conditions can be simulated. The program can be modified easily to simulate unconfined aquifers and aquifers with variable directions of anisotropy. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1980

Temperature and solute-transport simulation in streamflow using a Lagrangian reference frame

A computer program for simulating one-dimensional, unsteady temperature and solute transport in a river has been developed and documented for general use. The solution approach to the convective-diffusion equation uses a moving reference frame (Lagrangian) which greatly simplifies the mathematics of the solution procedure and dramatically reduces errors caused by numerical dispersion. The solution procedure has the further advantages, relative to conventional Eulerian solution schemes, of being easy to understand in the physical sense, of being extremely stable numerically, and of providing an accounting system which is very useful for model calibration. The model documentation is presented as a series of four programs of increasing complexity. The conservative transport model can be used to route a single conservative substance, such as dye, through a reach of a river. The simplified temperature model is used to predict water temperature in rivers, either with or without thermal loading, when few meteorological data are available. Only equilibrium temperature and windspeed are required. It is suggested that air temperature can be used to approximate equilibrium temperature. The complete temperature model is highly accurate but requires rather complete meteorological data. Finally, the 10-parameter model can be used to route as many as 10 interacting constituents through a river reach. The mathematical description of the interaction between the constituents, which does not need to be linear, is generally up to the user to supply. An example problem is solved for a three-parameter system involving temperature, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand. For simplicity, all models are developed and presented assuming steady non-uniform flow. Generalization of the models to allow unsteady flow is extremely simple, involving the addition of no more than 18 cards to the program deck. The report is concluded by describing this generalization for any of the models. Before using the models with unsteady flow, a flow model must be used to calculate and store the necessary flow data at each cross section and time step. Such a flow model is available and documented.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1983

Front-tracking model for convective transport in flowing ground water

A finite-difference numerical model that simulates the convective transport of water or tracer particles through porous media is described. It can be applied to one- or two-dimensional problems involving either steady-state or transient flow. The model tracks representative water or tracer particles, initially located along specified lines, as they move in response to the groundwater velocity filed. Aquifer properties may be both anisotropic and nonhomogeneous. Included in the report is a listing of the program along with input formats and test problem results. The front-tracking model provides a useful first approximation determining the movement of solutes in an aquifer, particularly in cases when dispersion and dilution is of minor consideration. (USGS)

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↗