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At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources
USGS1982

Sediment and channel-geometry investigations for the Kansas River bank stabilization study, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado

Analysis of hydrologic data from the Kansas River basin suggests that the channels of the lower Solomon, Saline, and Smoky Hill Rivers have narrowed and stabilized as a result of construction of upstream reservoirs. The Kansas River channel, however, remains relatively unstable and locally active. Streamflow regulation and sediment trapping by reservoirs are possible causes of changes occurring at various Kansas River sites. An inferred deficiency of the suspended-sediment load, however, is likely to cause continuing instability. Suspended sediment in the Kansas River apparently is too sparse to form and maintain stable alluvial banks. The deficiency probably results in an increase of bed material movement, general channel widening, and local braiding. Significant channel degradation is lacking at most sites, but may occur in response to long-term (decades-to-centuries) regulation. Recent degradation near Bonner Springs, Kans., may be the result of sand and gravel removal. Any imposed changes that shorten the channel or reduce the suspended-sediment discharge of the Kansas River are expected to cause additional channel instability. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of area 3, Eastern Coal Province, Pennsylvania

Hydrologic data are presented for area 3 of the Eastern Coal Province, 4,077 square miles of the lower Allegheny River basin in western Pennsylvania. Seventy-three streams were sampled three times during the 1979 and 1980 water years for specific conductance, pH, acidity, alkalinity, dissolved and total iron, dissolved and total manganese, dissolved sulfate, and dissolved solids. Benthic invertebrate populations were determined and botom material samples were analyzed for metals. Sixteen streams had pH, acidity, alkalinity, total iron, total manganese, and dissolved sulfate indicative of acid-mine drainage. These streams were most common in the Redbank and Blacklick Creek basins and in the Conemaugh and lower Kiskiminetas River basins. Benthic invertebrates were not found in 11 of 64 streams sampled. An additional 13 streams had low benthic invertebrate diversity indices. Low diversity indices were most common in the southern part of area 3. Low flow, mean flow, peak flow, and flow duration data are presented for gaging stations in area 3. Techniques for estimating these data for ungaged sites are presented and referenced. The functions of, and access to, the National Water Data Exchange, National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System, and Office of Water Data Coordination are explained. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Sample mine-site permit application (hydrologic assessment)

Hydrologic data are presented that may be useful in the permitapplication procedure required under current Office of Surface Mining regulations. The material is presented in a format which may serve as a guide for subsequent permit applications. Data on the quality and quantity of surface water and ground water for the mine plan, adjacent, and general areas are presented. The data are presented in three general categories: measured and estimated current conditions, estimated annual variations, and predicted effects of mining and reclamation. Current surface-water, ground-water, and biological conditions are the easiest to define. Seasonal variations in surface-water flow can be estimated with some confidence, but seasonal variations in surface-water quality, biological quality, and ground-water levels and quality are difficult to estimate with the insufficient field data available. The effects of mining and reclamation cannot be predicted through the use of the scant data collected and current predictive tools.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Water-resources investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey in Missouri, fiscal year 1981

Water-resources investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey in Missouri consist of collecting hydrologic data and making interpretative investigations. The data and the results of the investigations are published or released by either the U.S. Geological Survey or by cooperating agencies. This report describes the data-collection activities and investigations in Missouri for the 1981 fiscal year and provides an extensive list of water-resources references for the State of Missouri.

Missouri↗
USGS1981

Maps Showing Ground-Water Conditions in the San Francisco Peaks Area, Coconino County, Arizona - 1979

INTRODUCTION The San Francisco Peaks area includes about 2,300 mi2, of which about 500 mi2 is in the Navajo Indian Reservation, in north-central Arizona. Ground-water development has been slight except for the public-supply wells for Flagstaff and domestic wells in Fort Valley, Pitman Valley, and the area west of Elden Mountain. The public water supply for Flagstaff is primarily from Upper Lake Mary but is supplemented by ground water from wells near Woody Mountain and Lower Lake Mary and from wells and springs in the Inner Basin. In 1978 about 2,000 acre-ft of ground water was withdrawn for public, industrial, domestic, and stock supplies in the San Francisco Peaks area. The hydrologic data on which these maps are based are available, for the most part, in computer-printout form and may be consulted at the Arizona Department of Water Resources, 99 East Virginia, Phoenix, and at U.S. Geological Survey offices in: Federal Building, 301 West Congress Street, Tucson; Valley Center, Suite 1880, Phoenix; and 2255 North Gemini Drive, Building 3, Flagstaff. Material from which copies can be made at private expense is available at the Tucson, Phoenix, and Flagstaff offices of the U.S. Geological Survey. Only the springs for which discharge data are available are shown on the maps, and only selected wells are shown in areas of high well density.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Activities in Idaho; status of projects, fiscal year 1981

Twenty-three projects were conducted by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Idaho during fiscal year 1981. These projects were made in cooperation with 6 State and local and 11 Federal agencies. State and local cooperative funding amounted to $720,670; Federal funding amounted to $2,437,628. Eighty-three persons were employed--40 full time and 43 other than full time. In addition, the Water Resources Division maintains a project office at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Work there is done in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, the sole funding source. Projects other than continuing programs for collection of hydrologic data included flood-characteristics and flood-mapping studies, geothermal-resource investigations, ground-water quality assessments, basin- and region-wide water-resource investigations, river quality-of-water monitoring studies, volcanic-ash related studies, and ground-water-trends and stream-gaging program evaluations.

Idaho↗
USGS1982

Results of hydraulic tests in U.S. Department of Energy's wells DOE-4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, Salt Valley, Grand County, Utah

Six exploratory wells were drilled into the cap rock underlying Salt Valley, Utah, for geologic, geophysical, and hydrologic data to augment information obtained from three previous test wells. Drilling of three other test holes was abandoned due to caving and loss of drilling tools, Before reaching the zone of saturation; the upper 100 meters of cap rock is unsaturated. Within the saturated part of the cap rock, hydraulic heads generally decrease with depth and to the northwest in this part of the valley. Hydraulic conductivity of the cap rock, as determined from pumping tests, ranged from 9.3 X 10 -5 to 2.06 X 10 -1 meters per day; as a result, groundwater flow rates in the cap rock are low. Water ranges from a calcium bicarbonate sulfate type on the western edge of the valley to a calcium magnesium sodium bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride type near the center of the valley. Carbon-14 specific activity for cap-rock water yielded an uncorrected age of about 17,000 to 26,000 years before present near the western edge of the valley and about 41,000 years before present near the center of the valley.

Utah↗
USGS1984

Water resources of the Yap Islands

The Yap Islands consist of four major islands, Yap, Gagil-Tamil, Maap, and Rumung. Of these, Yap Island has more than half the total land area, most of the population, and almost all of the economic development. The islands of Maap and Rumung together compose only 15 percent of the land area and population. Average annual rainfall over the Yap Islands amounts to 122 inches. Rainfall-runoff comparisons indicate that about half of the annual rainfall runs off to the ocean on Yap Island and Gagil-Tamil. Streams on Gagil-Tamil are perennial but streams on Yap Island are dry an average of 3 months per year due to geologic differences. Analyses of water samples from 23 sources show the good quality and the chemical similarity of surface and ground water. This report summarizes the hydrologic data collected and provides interpretations that can be used by the planning and public works officials of Yap to make decisions concerning development and management of their water resources.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Support by the U.S. Geological Survey for adjudications, compacts, and treaties

The U.S. Geological Survey supports interstate compacts, treaties, and court decrees by providing hydrologic data and analysis needed in their administration and by providing Federal representation on compact commissions. As part of this program, in fiscal year 1982 the Geological Survey operated 171 streamflow stations, 3 sediment stations, and 13 water-quality stations, and conducted ground-water studies at a cost of $1,014,000. Funding for Federal representation to i0 interstate compacts is presently budgeted at $56,000.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Integrated model of the shallow and deep hydrothermal systems in the East Mesa area, Imperial Valley, California

Geological, geophysical, thermal, petrophysical and hydrological data available for the East Mesa hydrothermal system that are pertinent to the construction of a computer model of the natural flow of heat and fluid mass within the system are assembled and correlated. A conceptual model of the full system is developed and a subregion selected for quantitative modeling. By invoking the .Boussinesq approximation, valid for describing the natural flow of heat and mass in a liquid hydrothermal system, it is found practical to carry computer simulations far enough in time to ensure that steady-state conditions are obtained. Initial calculations for an axisymmetric model approximating the system demonstrate that the vertical formation permeability of the deep East Mesa system must be very low (kv ~ 0.25 to 0.5 md). Since subsurface temperature and surface heat flow data exhibit major deviations from the axisymmetric approximation, exploratory three-dimensional calculations are performed to assess the effects of various mechanisms which might operate to produce such observed asymmetries. A three-dimensional model evolves from this iterative data synthesis and computer analysis which includes a hot fluid convective source distributed along a leaky fault radiating northward from the center of the hot spot and realistic variations in the reservoir formation properties.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1983

Background hydrologic information in potential lignite mining areas in Mississippi, July 1982

A water-quality sampling program was initiated in 1980 to determine background hydrologic data in potential lignite mining areas of Mississippi. This report is the third in a planned five-part series to provide data to assess future impacts of mining on small streams. The data indicates that most streams in the study area have a dissolved-solids concentration less than 100 mg/. The major ion concentrations were generally less than 10 mg/. Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and selenium in bottom material samples were below detectable limits. Cobalt, lead, zinc, copper, and chromium concentrations exceeded 10 micro-/g at all sites and maganese exceeded 1000 micro-/g at five sites. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1983

Gain-loss study along two streams in the upper Sabine River basin, Texas; August-September 1981

A gain-loss study was made August-September 1981 along the upper Sabine River from Lake Tawakoni to Farm Road 2517 near Carthage and along Lake Fork Creek from Lake Fork Reservoir to its junction (mouth) with the Sabine River. The hydrologic data collected during the gain-loss study indicated that during periods of low flow on the Sabine River, at least as much water as is released from Lake Tawakoni and from Lake Fork Reservoir will be available downstream at Farm Road 14 near Big Sandy and at Farm Road 2517 near Carthage. Gains from bank seepage and small tributary inflows compensate for losses due to evaporation, evapotranspiration, and loss of water into the alluvial aquifer. Dissolved solids concentrations in the Sabine River, estimated from specific conductance, increased from about 120 milligrams per liter near the upstream end of the reach to about 400 milligrams per liter near the downstream end of the reach. Water with these concentrations of dissolved solids generally is suitable for most uses.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1983

Quality of surface water in the coal-mining region, southwestern Indiana, October 1979 to September 1980

The U.S. Geological Survey collected water-quality and other hydrologic data for surface water in the coal-mining region of southwestern Indiana. These data were collected at 85 sites in 19 counties during October 1979 and at 21 of the 85 sites in 12 of the 19 counties monthly from January through September 1980. The samples were collected during steady flow. Samples were also collected at 8 of the 21 monthly sites during unsteady flow caused by storms. Samples were collected prestorm; on the rising, peak, and falling stream stages; and poststorm, after flow had stabilized. Water samples were collected at each site for determining concentrations of major ions, selected metals, nutrients, and suspended sediment. Specific conductance, pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and instantaneous discharge were also determined at each site. During October 1979, streambed-material samples were collected at 74 sites for determining concentrations of acid-soluble constituents on sediment smaller than 63-micron diameter. During March 1980, streambed-material samples were collected at 14 sites for determining the quantity of coal in streambed sediments.

Indiana↗
USGS1984

Hydrology of Area 62, Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Coal Provinces, New Mexico and Arizona

This report summarizes available hydrologic data for Area 62 and will aid leasing decisions, and the preparation and appraisal of environmental impact studies and mine-permit applications. Area 62 is located at the southern end of the Rocky Mountain Coal Province in parts of New Mexico and Arizona and includes approximately 9,500 square miles. Surface mining alters, at least temporarily, the environment; if the areas are unreclaimed, there can be long-term environmental consequences. The land-ownership pattern in Area 62 is complicated. The checkerboard pattern created by several types of ownership makes effective management of these lands difficult. The climate generally is semiarid with average annual precipitation ranging from 10 to 20 inches. Pinons, junipers, and grasslands cover most of the area, and much of it is used for grazing by livestock. Soils vary with landscape, differing from flood plains and hillslopes to mountain slopes. The major structural features of this area were largely developed during middle Tertiary time. The main structural features are the southern San Juan Basin and the Mogollon slope. Coal-bearing rocks are present in four Cretaceous rock units of the Mesaverde Group: the Gallup Sandstone, the Dileo Coal Member, and the Gibson Coal Member of the Crevasse Canyon Formation, and the Cleary Coal Member of the Menefee Formation. Area 62 is drained by Black Creek, the Puerco River, the Zuni River, Carrizo Wash-Largo Creek, and the Rio San Jose. Only at the headwaters of the Zuni River is the flow perennial. The streamflow-gaging station network consists of 25 stations operated for a variety of needs. Streamflow changes throughout the year with variation related directly to rainfall and snowmelt. Base flow in Area 62 is zero indicating no significant ground-water discharge. Mountainous areas contribute the highest mean annual runoff of 1.0 inch. Very few water-quality data are available for the surface-water stations. Of the nine surface-water stations that have water-quality data, only one has chemical analyses from more than 10 samples. Therefore, sufficient data to characterize the area in detail are not available. Suspended sediment data are available only for a few surface- water stations in the area. Erosion rates generally are less than 1 acre-foot per square mile per year. Greater erosion rates are found within the badland areas. Water levels are periodically measured at 21 selected wells in Area 62. These observation wells are located mostly along the Rio San Jose and northeast of Gallup, New Mexico. The recharge to ground-water aquifers generally coincide with areas of greater precipitation in the mountainous areas. Depth to water below land surface is generally less than 200 feet. Well yields of 100 gallons per minute are common in most of the area. Ground-water quality is variable both within each aquifer and between aquifers. Water quality generally is best near recharge areas. Historical and current data related to stream discharge, water quality, and suspended sediment are available from computer files in the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE) and through the National Water Data Exchange (NAWDEX).

Open-File Report↗
USGS1984

Application of a parameter-estimation technique to modeling the regional aquifer underlying the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho

A nonlinear, least-squares regression technique for the estimation of ground-water flow model parameters was applied to the regional aquifer underlying the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho. The computer program simulates two-dimensional, steady-state ground-water flow. Hydrologic data for the 1980 water year were used to calculate recharge rates, boundary fluxes, and spring discharges. Groundwater use was estimated from irrigated land maps and crop consumptive-use figures. These estimates of ground-water withdrawal, recharge rates, and boundary flux, along with leakance, were used as known values in the model calibration of transmissivity. Leakance values were adjusted between regression solutions by comparing model-calculated to measured spring discharges. In other simulations, recharge and leakance also were calibrated as prior information regression parameters, which limits the variation of these parameters using a normalized standard error of estimate. Results from a best-fit model indicate a wide areal range in transmissivity from about 0.05 to 44 feet squared per second and in leakance from about 2.2 x 10 -9 to 6.0 x 10 -8 feet per second per foot. Along with parameter values, model statistics also were calculated, including the coefficient of correlation between computed and observed head (0.996), standard error of the estimates of head (40 feet), and parameter coefficients of variation (about 10-40 per-cent). Additional boundary flux was added in some areas during calibration to achieve proper fit to ground-water flow directions. Model fit improved significantly when areas that violated model assumptions were removed. Model fit also improved when y-direction (northwest-southeast) transmissivity values were larger than x-direction (northeast-southwest) transmissivity values. The model was most sensitive to changes in recharge, and in some areas, to changes in transmissivity, particularly near the spring discharge area from Milner to King Hill.

Idaho↗
USGS1984

A selected bibliography of water resources publications for Mississippi

Hydrologic data were collected at 15 stream sites draining potential lignite areas in Calhoun, Montgomery, and Webster Counties during a period of low streamflow. The total dissolved solids ranged from 25 to 14.9 mg/L and most major ion concentrations were less and suspended sediment concentrations were less than 30 mg/L. The pH ranged from 6.7 to 8.1 units. Aluminum concentrations ranged from less than 100 to 500 micrograms per liter. Chromium and zinc concentrations ranged from 1 to 10 micrograms per gram and mercury concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 micrograms per gram in bottom material. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1984

Ground-water resources of Limestone County, Texas

Limestone County, located in east-central Texas, has small to plentiful ground-water supplies available, depending upon the location within the county. The Wilcox Group in the eastern part of the county has adequate supplies to meet the expected water demands in the foreseeable future. The thicker zones of the Wilcox Group can supply yields in excess of 500 gallons per minute. The Midway Group can supply yields in excess of 100 gallons per minute from the Tehuacana Member of the Kincaid Formation. This represents the largest well yields from the Midway Group in Texas. The Midway Group elsewhere in the State is mostly a poor water producer and is not considered an aquifer. The Taylor Marl and Navarro Group furnish only small quantities of ground water to wells in the western part of the county where these units crop out. The Hosston and Travis Peak Formations are present at depths in excess of 2,000 feet. These formations, which contain slightly saline water in the western part of the county, could be expected to produce water with a temperature of about 150°F that might be used for heating purposes. About 0.9 million gallons per day of ground water was used for all purposes in 1980. This use has declined since 1955 but is expected to increase as additional public-supply and industrial wells are being developed. The Wilcox Group is capable of annually yielding at least 14,000 acre-feet or 11.6 million gallons per day of water to wells on a long-term basis. Generally, the ground water is of acceptable quality for most uses. Relatively high dissolved-solids and iron concentrations are the major water-quality problems. Water-quality problems that may be the result of man's activities are limited to a small oilfield area near Mexia. Lignite mining from the Wilcox Group is expected to take place in the foreseeable future. The collection of additional hydrologic data on the Wilcox would be desirable before, during, and after mining.

Texas↗