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At least 1,081 records · Page 60Linked to original sources

Velocity, bathymetry, and transverse mixing characteristics of the Ohio River upstream from Cincinnati, Ohio, October 2004–March 2006

Velocity, bathymetry, and transverse (cross-channel) mixing characteristics were studied in a 34-mile study reach of the Ohio River extending from the lower pool of the Captain Anthony Meldahl Lock and Dam, near Willow Grove, Ky, to just downstream from the confluence of the Licking and Ohio Rivers, near Newport, Ky. Information gathered in this study ultimately will be used to parameterize hydrodynamic and water-quality models that are being developed for the study reach. Velocity data were measured at an average cross-section spacing of about 2,200 feet by means of boat-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs). ADCP data were postprocessed to create text files describing the three-dimensional velocity characteristics in each transect. Bathymetry data were measured at an average transect spacing of about 800 feet by means of a boat-mounted single-beam echosounder. Depth information obtained from the echosounder were postprocessed with water-surface slope and elevation information collected during the surveys to compute stream-bed elevations. The bathymetry data were written to text files formatted as a series of space-delimited x-, y-, and z-coordinates. Two separate dye-tracer studies were done on different days in overlapping stream segments in an 18.3-mile section of the study reach to assess transverse mixing characteristics in the Ohio River. Rhodamine WT dye was injected into the river at a constant rate, and concentrations were measured in downstream cross sections, generally spaced 1 to 2 miles apart. The dye was injected near the Kentucky shoreline during the first study and near the Ohio shoreline during the second study. Dye concentrations were measured along transects in the river by means of calibrated fluorometers equipped with flow-through chambers, automatic temperature compensation, and internal data loggers. The use of flow-through chambers permitted water to be pumped continuously out of the river from selected depths and through the fluorometer for measurement as the boat traversed the river. Time-tagged concentration readings were joined with horizontal coordinate data simultaneously captured from a differentially corrected Global Positioning System (GPS) device to create a plain-text, comma-separated variable file containing spatially tagged dye-concentration data. Plots showing the transverse variation in relative dye concentration indicate that, within the stream segments sampled, complete transverse mixing of the dye did not occur. In addition, the highest concentrations of dye tended to be nearest the side of the river from which the dye was injected. Velocity, bathymetry, and dye-concentration data collected during this study are available for Internet download by means of hyperlinks in this report. Data contained in this report were collected between October 2004 and March 2006.

Ohio↗

National coal resource assessment non-proprietary data: Location, stratigraphy, and coal quality for selected tertiary coal in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains region

One of the objectives of the National Coal Resource Assessment in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains region was to compile stratigraphic and coal quality-trace-element data on selected and potentially minable coal beds and zones of the Fort Union Formation (Paleocene) and equivalent formations. In order to implement this objective, drill-hole information was compiled from hard-copy and digital files of the: (1) U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices in Casper, Rawlins, and Rock Springs, Wyoming, and in Billings, Montana, (2) State geological surveys of Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming, (3) Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality in Cheyenne, (4) U.S. Office of Surface Mining in Denver, Colorado, (5) U.S. Geological Survey, National Coal Resource Data System (NCRDS) in Reston, Virginia, (6) U.S. Geological Survey coal publications, (7) university theses, and (8) mining companies.

Open-File Report↗

MODFLOW-2000, the U.S. Geological Survey Modular Ground-Water Model -Documentation of the Hydrogeologic-Unit Flow (HUF) Package

This report documents the Hydrogeologic-Unit Flow (HUF) Package for the groundwater modeling computer program MODFLOW-2000. The HUF Package is an alternative internal flow package that allows the vertical geometry of the system hydrogeology to be defined explicitly within the model using hydrogeologic units that can be different than the definition of the model layers. The HUF Package works with all the processes of MODFLOW-2000. For the Ground-Water Flow Process, the HUF Package calculates effective hydraulic properties for the model layers based on the hydraulic properties of the hydrogeologic units, which are defined by the user using parameters. The hydraulic properties are used to calculate the conductance coefficients and other terms needed to solve the ground-water flow equation. The sensitivity of the model to the parameters defined within the HUF Package input file can be calculated using the Sensitivity Process, using observations defined with the Observation Process. Optimal values of the parameters can be estimated by using the Parameter-Estimation Process. The HUF Package is nearly identical to the Layer-Property Flow (LPF) Package, the major difference being the definition of the vertical geometry of the system hydrogeology. Use of the HUF Package is illustrated in two test cases, which also serve to verify the performance of the package by showing that the Parameter-Estimation Process produces the true parameter values when exact observations are used.

Open-File Report↗

High-resolution chirp seismic reflection data acquired from the Cap de Creus shelf and canyon area, Gulf of Lions, Spain in 2004

Seismic reflection data were collected from the Cap de Creus shelf and canyon in the southwest portion of the Gulf of Lions in October 2004. The data were acquired using the U.S. Geological Survey`s (USGS) high-resolution Edgetech CHIRP 512i seismic reflection system aboard the R/V Oceanus. Data from the shipboard 3.5 kHz echosounder were also collected but are not presented here. The seismic reflection data were collected as part of EuroSTRATAFORM funded by the Office of Naval Research. In October 2004, more than 200 km of high resolution seismic reflection data were collected in water depths ranging 30 m - 600 m. All data were recorded with a Delph Seismic PC-based digital recording system and processed with Delph Seismic software. Processed sections were georeferenced into tiff images for digital archive, processing and display. Penetration ranged 20-80 m. The data feature high quality vertical cross-section imagery of numerous sequences of Quaternary seismic stratigraphy. The report includes trackline maps showing the location of the data, as well as both digital data files (SEG-Y) and images of all of the profiles. The data are of high quality and provide new information on the location and thickness of sediment deposits overlying a major erosion surface on the Cap de Creus shelf; they also provide new insight into sediment processes on the walls and in the channel of Cap de Creus Canyon. These data are under study by researchers at the US Geological Survey, the University of Barcelona, and Texas A and M University. Copies of the data are available to all researchers.

Open-File Report↗

Digital colored residual and regional Bouguer gravity maps of the conterminous United States: Comments on significant features

The gravity maps were prepared from data obtained primarily from data files maintained by the Defense Mapping Agency of the Department of Defense and the Canadian Gravity Data Centre of the Earth Physics Branch of the Department of Energy, Mines, and Resources (Canada). The maps have been used in studies relating to earthquake/reactor hazards, geothermal energy, and nuclear repository site programs of the U.S. Geological Survey. Those shown here (250 km and 1000 km wavelength cut-off regional and residual gravity maps) are part of a series of digital gravity and terrain maps of the United States currently being developed by the authors.

Open-File Report↗

MODFLOW-2000, the U.S. Geological Survey modular ground-water model -- Documentation of MOD-PREDICT for predictions, prediction sensitivity analysis, and evaluation of uncertainty

This document describes the MOD-PREDICT program, which helps evaluate userdefined sets of observations, prior information, and predictions, using the ground-water model MODFLOW-2000. MOD-PREDICT takes advantage of the existing Observation and Sensitivity Processes (Hill and others, 2000) by initiating runs of MODFLOW-2000 and using the output files produced. The names and formats of the MODFLOW-2000 input files are unchanged, such that full backward compatibility is maintained. A new name file and input files are required for MOD-PREDICT. The performance of MOD-PREDICT has been tested in a variety of applications. Future applications, however, might reveal errors that were not detected in the test simulations. Users are requested to notify the U.S. Geological Survey of any errors found in this document or the computer program using the email address available at the web address below. Updates might occasionally be made to this document, to the MOD-PREDICT program, and to MODFLOW- 2000. Users can check for updates on the Internet at URL http://water.usgs.gov/software/ground water.html/.

Open-File Report↗

Water-resources appraisal of the south-Arkansas lignite area

The feasibility of developing lignite resources in south-central Arkansas is an important question at the present time (1978). Part of the concern is related to the possible impacts that mining and processing of lignite will have on water resources. Not only will the disturbance caused by excavating affect the quantity and quality of surface and ground water but, the mining, processing, and conversion processes will require the use and consumption of significant quantities of water. In order to assess the magnitude of the effects of strip mining upon both surface and ground water, baseline conditions (hydrologic conditions in the area prior to mining) must be well defined. A thorough data file and literature search was made so that baseline conditions in the area could be defined. In addition, data-collection networks have been established for the collection of quantitative and qualitative information on streamflow and water levels in the aquifers. Data collected to date at these sites are included in the report. Collection of data at these sites will continue through at least September 1979. Information presented in this report can be used to estimate the quantities of water available for use and the possible effects of mining and associated dewatering on water resources.

Arkansas↗

Least-squares refinement of powder diffraction data for unit cell parameters: Program listing for DEC 10 computer

This FORTRAN computer program is a time-sharing version of the classic program of Appleman and Evans (1973) and Evans, Appleman, and Handwerker (1963), which indexes powder patterns and refines unit-cell dimensions. The program, originally written to be processed in batch mode for an IBM computer, was modified to run in time-sharing mode on the DEC 10 computer. This version does not depart philosophically from the original program; however, the input and output formats have been adapted to the time-sharing terminal. These modifications and the actual running of the program are not discussed in detail here, as this report is intended only to make the program itself available. Examples of the input and output formats are shown on pages 3-8. Input can be entered through the terminal by two methods. An input file may either be independently created and then entered into the program later, or created directly through the interactive mode of the program. With the latter method a file of the input information may also be saved for later use. Both methods allow for the data to be edited after each refinement run. The output format has been changed to an 80-column width, common to many terminals. Only the last refinement cycle is printed and some of the statistical computations have been surpressed. Using the "Unit Cell" program from the terminal in a "real time" situation emphasizes the versatility of the program. This ability to interact directly with the computer gives the user a better appreciation of the program, its options, the data, and the problem being solved.

Open-File Report↗

A Chronosequence Feasibility Assessment of Emergency Fire Rehabilitation Records within the Intermountain Western United States - Final Report to the Joint Fire Science Program - Project 08-S-08

Department of the Interior (DOI) bureaus have invested heavily (for example, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) spent more than $60 million in fiscal year 2007) in seeding vegetation for emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation of non-forested arid lands over the past 10 years. The primary objectives of these seedings commonly are to (1) reduce the post-fire dominance of non-native annual grasses, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and red brome (Bromus rubens); (2) minimize the probability of recurrent fire; and (3) ultimately produce desirable vegetation characteristics (for example, ability to recover following disturbance [resilience], resistance to invasive species, and a capacity to support a diverse flora and fauna). Although these projects historically have been monitored to varying extents, land managers currently lack scientific evidence to verify whether seeding arid and semiarid lands achieves desired objectives. Given the amount of resources dedicated to post-fire seeding projects, a synthesis of information determining the factors that result in successful treatments is critically needed. Although results of recently established experiments and monitoring projects eventually will provide useful insights for the future direction of emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation programs, a chronosequence approach evaluating emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation treatments (both referenced hereafter as ESR treatments) over the past 30 years could provide a comprehensive assessment of treatment success across a range of regional environmental gradients. By randomly selecting a statistically robust sample from the population of historic ESR treatments in the Intermountain West, this chronosequence approach would have inference for most ecological sites in this region. The goal of this feasibility study was to compile and examine historic ESR records from BLM field offices across the Intermountain West to determine whether sufficient documentation existed for a future field-based chronosequence project. We collected ESR records and data at nine BLM field offices in four States (Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah) and examined the utility of these data for the development of a chronosequence study of post-fire seeding treatments from multiple sites and different ages (since seeding) throughout the Intermountain West. We collected records from 730 post-fire seeding projects with 1,238 individual seeding treatments. Records from each project ranged from minimal reporting of the project's occurrence to detailed documentation of planning, implementation, and monitoring. Of these 1,238 projects, we identified 468 (38 percent) that could potentially be used to implement a field-based chronosequence study. There were 206 ground-seeding treatments and 262 aerial-seeding treatments within this initial population, not including hand plantings. We also located a considerable number of additional records from other potential field offices that would be available for the chronosequence study but have yet to be compiled for this feasibility report. There are a number of potential challenges involved in going forward with a field-based chronosequence study derived from data collected at these nine BLM offices. One challenge is that not all seed mixtures in ESR project files have on-the-ground confirmation about what was sown or rates of application. Most projects, particularly records before 2000, just list the planned or purchased seed mixtures. Although this could potentially bias assessments of factors influencing establishment rates of individual species for treatments conducted before 2000, a chronosequence study would not be intended to assess success solely at the species-level. Treatment success would be evaluated based on the establishment of healthy vegetation communities, such as the abundance and density of perennial species, regardless of their lifeforms (grasses, fo

Open-File Report↗

Documentation of a spatial data-base management system for monitoring pesticide application in Washington

The Pesticide-Application Data-Base Management System was created as a demonstration project and was tested with data submitted to the Washington State Department of Agriculture by pesticide applicators from a small geographic area. These data were entered into the Department's relational data-base system and uploaded into the system's ARC/INFO files. Locations for pesticide applica- tions are assigned within the Public Land Survey System grids, and ARC/INFO programs in the Pesticide-Application Data-Base Management System can subdivide each survey section into sixteen idealized quarter-quarter sections for display map grids. The system provides data retrieval and geographic information system plotting capabilities from a menu of seven basic retrieval options. Additionally, ARC/INFO coverages can be created from the retrieved data when required for particular applications. The Pesticide-Application Data-Base Management System, or the general principles used in the system, could be adapted to other applica- tions or to other states.

Open-File Report↗

Section of Morgan formation, Pennsylvanian, at Split Mountain in Dinosaur National Monument, Uintah County, Utah

Extension of the oil pool in the Weber sandstone (Pennsylvanian), in the Rangely oil field, Rio Blanco County, Colorado, subsequent to the completion of the filed work on which Preliminary Chart 16 is based, has stimulated special interest in the beds beneath that sandstone as potential oil reservoirs. In compliance with the demand for additional information concerning these beds, a detailed description of the sequence immediately underlying the Weber sandstone at Split Mountain, Utah, is here given. That part of Split Mountain where the section was measured is approximately 35 airline miles northwest of the town of Rangely. The section itself is shown graphically and somewhat generalized in column 8, sheet 2, Preliminary Chart 16. A more detailed graphic section is presented in the accompanying column section.

Utah↗

Structure and stratigraphy of the western Florida shelf; Part I, Multichannel reflection seismic data

This paper presents a synthesis of multichannel seismic data on the Western Florida shelf (Fig. 1). This work is part of an ongoing regional program conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in studying the Exclusive Economic Zones of the United States. The data include 1270 km of 32-fold, common-depth-point (CDP), reflection seismic line obtained with a 3200 m, 64 channel, hydrophone streamer and a 2000 in 3 airgun array. The rationale for the line layout was to tie eight key exploration wells among the 14 existing in federal waters prior to 1980 to 4 key wells in Florida. An attempt was also made to connect our survey with that of the University of Texas Institute of Geophysics in the deep Gulf of Mexico basin. A second set of 1500 km of 24-fold CDP data were collected using a 1200 m, 24-channel streamer and a 550 in 3 airgun source. This set was intended to tie additional wells, drilled between 1979 and 1983, and to infill our original net. Gravity and magnetic measurements were also made along these lines. Our subsurface information in federal waters consists of well logs and files released to us initially by the Conservation Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and subsequently by the U.S. Minerals Management Service. Most information from wells in state waters was provided by the Florida Geological Survey. Table 1 lists wells included in our study and summarizes the types of logs and other information available from each well. Spontaneous potential or gamma ray, resistivity or conductivity, sonic and density logs were generally available. Lithologic information, paleontologic and log picks on stratigraphic units and dip-meter data were also common. Check shot surveys for velocity analysis were available in three wells.

Florida↗

Geologic interpretation of seismic data, relocation of Route 3: cut, stations 364-382 in Billerica, Mass.

Geologic and seismic studies were made of this site in October 1951, primarily for the purpose of obtaining data what would aid in establishing a grade for the proposed highway. A report on the geology of the site together with the interpretation of the seismic data that were obtained at this time was submitted by James E. Maynard and Robert M. Haslewood (file report of October 1952). Additional seismic work was performed at this site in Maroh 1953; Mr. M. E. Chandler, Engineer, Massachusetts Department of Public Works, operated seismic equipment at this time. This later work was done to obtain information that would augment the data of the preliminary survey sufficiently to permit estimates to be made of the quantities of materials to be excavated from the cut. This report contains the geologic interpretation of the supplementary seismic data that were obtained during the Maroh 1953 survey. The work was perfromed as a part of a cooperative project of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works and the United States Geological Survey.

Massachusetts↗

Merged aeroradiometric data for Alaska: A web site for distribution of gridded data and plot files

The National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program was conducted by the U.S. Government between 1974 and 1983. The NURE program was administered by the Grand Junction, CO, office of the Department of Energy. The program included airborne gamma-ray spectrometry and magnetic data collection as well as extensive geochemical sample collection and processing. Aeroradiometric and aeromagnetic surveys of 98 1° by 3° quadrangles were flown in Alaska between 1975 and 1980. The data were flown in 15 surveys by Texas Instruments (T.I.), Lockwood, Kessler, and Bartlett (LKB), and AeroServices (Aero) under contract to the U.S. Government. A series of contractor reports document the surveys on a quadrangle by quadrangle basis. We list references to these reports on the detailed survey index pages accessible through the Survey Irfo page.

Alaska↗

Ground-water records for southeastern Oklahoma : Part 1, records of wells, test-holes, and springs

The U. S. Geological Survey has collected data on Oklahoma's ground-water resources since 1934. Most of these data were collected as part of specific ground-water studies conducted in cooperation with various Federal, State, and local agencies. Although a large amount of ground-water data have been published, they are scattered through a variety of reports and are not readily available on a regional basis. Furthermore, a considerable amount of data have never been published and can be obtained only from the files of the Geological Survey. The purpose of this report is to make available both published and unpublished records for approximately 1,780 wells, test-holes, and springs in 16 counties in northeastern Oklahoma. In addition, selected references to pertinent ground-water reports covering parts of the 16-county area are included for those requiring more specific information. The stratigraphic nomenclature and age determinations used in the report are those accepted by the Oklahoma Geological Survey and do not necessarily agree with those of the U.S. Geological Survey. Acknowledgment is extended to the many hundreds of individuals who have provided the data compiled in this report.

Open-File Report↗

Ground-water records for northeastern Oklahoma : Part 1, records of wells, test-holes, and springs

The U. S. Geological Survey has collected data on Oklahoma's ground-water resources since 1934. Most of these data were collected as part of specific ground-water studies conducted in cooperation with various Federal, State, and local agencies. Although a large amount of ground-water data have been published, they are scattered through a variety of reports and are not readily available on a regional basis. Furthermore, a considerable amount of data have never been published and can be obtained only from the files of the Geological Survey. The purpose of this report is to make available both published and unpublished records for approximately 3,360 wells, test-holes, and springs in 23 counties in northeastern Oklahoma. In addition, selected references to pertinent ground-water reports covering parts of the 23-county area are included for those requiring more specific information. The stratigraphic nomenclature and age determinations used in the report are those accepted by the Oklahoma Geological Survey and do not necessarily agree with those of the U.S. Geological Survey. Acknowledgment is extended to the many hundreds of individuals who have provided the data compiled in this report.

Open-File Report↗

Geological framework data from Long Island Sound, 1981-1990: A digital data release

Introduction Since 1980 the Coastal and Marine Geology Program of the U.S. Geological Survey and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection have conducted a joint program of cooperative geologic research in Long Island Sound and its vicinity. As part of this program, a highly successful regional-scale study of the geologic framework was completed. Reconnaissance high-resolution seismic reflection data were collected and used to establish the basic stratigraphy within the Sound and to map the major geologic units; field verification of the geologic interpretations of the seismic profiles was primarily accomplished with vibratory cores. These interpretations were in turn used to produce basin-wide syntheses of the late Quaternary depositional history. Unfortunately, the original seismic records and core logs were generated only in analog form. These unique paper documents, which are still under demand for industrial applications and academic research, are fragile and have become ragged from frequent use. The purpose of this report is to preserve these data by converting the seismic profiles, core descriptions, and ancillary reports into digital form, and to organize these files into a product that can be more readily accessed and disseminated. Not all of the existing high-resolution seismic-reflection surveys, collected in Long Island Sound through cooperatives with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, have been incorporated into this report. These surveys, whose records are still in need of preprocessing and annotation, generally cover smaller areas along the Connecticut coast and were originally intended to provide additional detail to the larger, more regional data sets presented herein. The digital release of the omitted data sets is planned as part of a future product.

Connecticut, New York↗

Annual dissolved nitrite plus nitrate and total phosphorous loads for the Susquehanna, St. Lawrence, Mississippi-Atchafalaya, and Columbia River basins, 1968-2004

Annual stream-water loads were calculated near the outlet of four of the larger river basins (Susquehanna, St. Lawrence, Mississippi-Atchafalaya, and Columbia) in the United States for dissolved nitrite plus nitrate (NO2 + NO3) and total phosphorus using LOADEST load estimation software. Loads were estimated for the period 1968-2004; although loads estimated for individual river basins and chemical constituent combinations typically were for shorter time periods due to limitations in data availability. Stream discharge and water-quality data for load estimates were obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with additional stream discharge data for the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The loads were estimated to support national assessments of changes in stream nutrient loads that are periodically conducted by Federal agencies (for example, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and other water- and land-resource organizations. Data, methods, and results of load estimates are summarized herein; including World Wide Web links to electronic ASCII text files containing the raw data. The load estimates are compared to dissolved NO2 + NO3 loads for three of the large river basins from 1971 to 1998 that the USGS provided during 2001 to The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment (The Heinz Center) for a report The Heinz Center published during 2002. Differences in the load estimates are the result of using the most up-to-date monitoring data since the 2001 analysis, differences in how concentrations less than the reporting limit were handled by the load estimation models, and some errors and exclusions in the 2001 analysis datasets (which resulted in some inaccurate load estimates).

Open-File Report↗