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USGS1980

Statistical analyses of surface-water-quality variables in the coal area of southeastern Montana

Since 1974 a network of water-quality stations has been operated in the coal area of southeastern Montana. This report updates a previous report with 2 years of additional data collection and presents statistics and regression equations for water-quality variables. The most apparent feature of the study is the variability of water quality. Time-trend differences are most noticeable, with areal differences being present but more subtle. In comparing stations at the mouths of the five major drainages entering the Yellowstone River from the study area, water from the Powder River ranks near the middle of the group in dissolved-solids concentration (mean of 1,390 mg/L), but far exceeds the other drainages in suspended-sediment concentration, often exceeding 10,000 mg/L. The Tongue River generally has the best overall quality with respect to dissolved constituents; extremes are moderated by mixing in the Tongue River Reservoir. Suspended sediment ranged from 5 to 4,360 mg/L. Rosebud Creek shows about a 50-percent average increase in dissolved-solids concentration from the most upstream station to the mouth. Armells and Sarpy Creeks, smallest of the five drainages, have a pool-riffle configuration that influences both dissolved and suspended constituents. Pools permit greater evaporation, thus increasing dissolved-constituent concentrations. They also act as sediment traps. (USGS)

Montana↗

USGS1997

Regional water table (1996) and water-level changes in the Mojave River, the Morongo, and the Fort Irwin ground-water basins, San Bernardino County, California

The Mojave River, the Morongo, and the Fort Irwin ground-water basins lie in the southwestern part of the Mojave Desert Region of southern California. These basins supply ground water to local water districts, military bases, and private wells. The rapid growth in population in these basins, which is due, in part, to their proximity toLos Angeles, has increased the demand for water and, therefore, the need to understand the Mojave ground-water systems. Ground-water conditions for the Mojave River, the Morongo, and the Fort Irwin ground-water basins for 1996 and areas with significant changes in water levels are identified in this report. Water-level data were compiled for 632 wells in the study area during January-September 1996 to define the water- table surface and direction of ground-watermovement. These data were used to construct the water-table map included in this report. Also shown on the map are 31 hydrographs that show long-term water-level changes in the study area. Short-term water-level changes were determined and a water- level change map was made by comparing 1996 ground-water conditions to 1990-94 conditions in the Mojave ground-water basin and to 1994 conditions in the Morongo and the Fort Irwin ground-water basins. In general, ground-water levels and the direction of ground-water movement in the regional aquifer have not changed significantly since previously published maps (1995). However, the short-term water level did change at specific locations in all three ground-water basins. Water levels in the Mojave River ground-water basin had a maximum rise during the period 1992-96 of 52 feet and a maximum decline of 28. Water levels in the Morongo ground-water basin had a maximum rise of 66 feet and a maximum decline of 57 feet. The Fort Irwin ground-water basins, however, had relatively little change in water level with a maximum rise of 6 feet and a maximum decline of 8 feet. Hydrographs in the regional aquifer systemindicate a decline or, in some areas, no change in the water table during the period of record. Water levels in the shallow alluvial aquifer, generally within 1 mile of the Mojave River, fluctuate in response to streamflow. Ground-water levels rise during wet periods, when floodflows in the Mojave River recharge the shallow alluvial aquifer.

California↗

USGS1988

Water use in Kentucky, 1985

Water use information for 1985 was collected and reported by county for eight major categories of use. Seven of the categories were offstream uses, which included (1) public supply , (2) commercial, (3) domestic, (4) industrial, (5) mining, (6) thermoelectric, and (7) agricultural uses. The agricultural uses category was separated into irrigation and livestock water use. Instream water-use data also were collected for hydroelectric power generation. Water use in Kentucky was estimated to average 4,200 million gallons per day (M gal/d) during 1985 for all offstream uses. About 95% of this amount was from surface water sources, and about 5% was from groundwater sources. Per capita use for all offstream uses was about 1,100 gal/day. About 260 M gal/d was consumed (not returned to the surface--or groundwater system). Instream water use for hydroelectric power generation was estimated to be 91,000 M gal/d. Almost 97% of the offstream water withdrawals in 1985 were withdrawn for thermoelectric, public supply, and industrial use. Cooling water used in the production of thermoelectric power accounted for about 81% of the total offstream water use in 1985. Water withdrawn for public supplies was the second largest offstream use at about 10 % of the total, and industrial water use was almost 6%. Thermoelectric, domestic, and livestock uses accounted for almost 90% of the consumptive use in 1985. Consumptive use in the thermoelectric category was almost one-half of the total amount consumed in the State for all uses. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2001

Phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations and loads at Illinois River south of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, 1997-1999

Water-quality sampling consisting of every other month (bimonthly) routine sampling and storm event sampling (six storms annually) is used to estimate annual phosphorus and nitrogen loads at Illinois River south of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Hydrograph separation allowed assessment of base-flow and surfacerunoff nutrient relations and yield. Discharge and nutrient relations indicate that water quality at Illinois River south of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, is affected by both point and nonpoint sources of contamination. Base-flow phosphorus concentrations decreased with increasing base-flow discharge indicating the dilution of phosphorus in water from point sources. Nitrogen concentrations increased with increasing base-flow discharge, indicating a predominant ground-water source. Nitrogen concentrations at higher base-flow discharges often were greater than median concentrations reported for ground water (from wells and springs) in the Springfield Plateau aquifer. Total estimated phosphorus and nitrogen annual loads for calendar year 1997-1999 using the regression techniques presented in this paper (35 samples) were similar to estimated loads derived from integration techniques (1,033 samples). Flow-weighted nutrient concentrations and nutrient yields at the Illinois River site were about 10 to 100 times greater than national averages for undeveloped basins and at North Sylamore Creek and Cossatot River (considered to be undeveloped basins in Arkansas). Total phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus were greater than 10 times and total nitrogen and dissolved nitrite plus nitrate were greater than 10 to 100 times the national and regional averages for undeveloped basins. These results demonstrate the utility of a strategy whereby samples are collected every other month and during selected storm events annually, with use of regression models to estimate nutrient loads. Annual loads of phosphorus and nitrogen estimated using regression techniques could provide similar results to estimates using integration techniques, with much less investment.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2003

Occurrence and Transport of Diazinon in the Sacramento River and Selected Tributaries, California, during Two Winter Storms, January?February 2001

Diazinon, an organophosphate insecticide, is applied as an orchard dormant spray in the Sacramento Valley during the winter months when the area receives most of its annual rainfall. During winter rainstorms that frequently follow dormant spray applications, some of the applied pesticide is transported in storm runoff to the Sacramento River and its tributaries. Diazinon is also used to control insect pests on residential and commercial properties in urban areas and is frequently detected in urban storm runoff draining into the Sacramento River system. Between January 24 and February 14, 2001, diazinon concentrations and loads were measured in the Sacramento River and selected tributaries during two winter storms that occurred after dormant spray applications were made to orchards in the Sacramento Valley. Water samples were collected at 21 sites that represented agricultural and urban inputs on a variety of scales, from small tributaries and drains representing local land use to main-stem river sites representing regional effects. Concentrations of diazinon ranged from below laboratory reporting levels to 1,380 nanograms per liter (ng/L), with a median of 55 ng/L during the first monitored storm and 26 ng/L during the second. The highest concentrations were observed in small channels draining predominantly agricultural land. About 26,000 pounds of diazinon were reported applied to agricultural land in the study area just before and during the monitoring period. About 0.2 percent of the applied insecticide appeared to be transported to the lower Sacramento River during that period. The source of about one third of the total load measured in the lower Sacramento River appears to be in the portion of the drainage basin upstream of the city of Colusa. About 12 percent of the diazinon load in the lower Sacramento River was transported from the Feather River Basin, which drains much of the mountainous eastern portions of the Sacramento River Basin. Diazinon use in the study area during the 2000?2001 dormant spray season continued a declining trend observed since 1993. The maximum concentrations of diazinon observed during the last 2 years of monitoring were lower than concentrations observed in previous years when larger amounts of diazinon had been applied as dormant sprays.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1997

Rock-stratigraphic nomenclature, lithology, and subcrop area of the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit in Illinois and Wisconsin

The Galena-Platteville bedrock unit is a dependable source of ground water for many private well owners and some municipal-water-supply systems in northern Illinois (Hackett, 1960) and in Wisconsin. The carbonate lithology of the unit contributes to the availability of ground water and also to the susceptibility of the unit to ground-water contamination. Susceptibility to contamination is greatest in areas where the unit is overlain by only a thin layer (less than 50 feet) of soil or unconsolidated glacial deposits. Within the study area in Illinois and Wisconsin (fig. 1), volatile organic compounds and other contaminants have been detected in groundwater samples from various sites (Kay and others, 1989; Mills, 1993a, 1993b; Kay and others, 1994). Known and suspected sources of contaminants are numerous, including landfills and industrial facilities. To determine the possible effects of contamination on the ground-water supply, an understanding of the regional hydrogeologic framework of the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit is needed. Published map and point data describing the geologic and hydrologic properties of the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit are available from many sources. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, has selected and compiled pertinent data. The objective of this study is to publish these data in a series of concise map reports and a bibliographic report listing available sources of information by county for the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit. Investigators involved in site-specific studies within the subcrop area will be able to utilize these reports to design effective site investigations. This report presents the rock-stratigraphic nomenclature of the lithologic units that make up the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit (fig.2) and provides a brief, generalized description of the lithologic characteristics of each unit. Sources with more detailed descriptions of lithology can be found below in SELECTED REFERENCES. Figure 3 is a map, created from published maps of various scales, showing the areal extent of the Galena-Platteville subcrop and major known geologic structural features in Illinois and Wisconsin. The subcrop area of the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit is that area where the unit crops out, or is the uppermost bedrock unit and is overlain by soil or glacial deposits. The unit is present at depth under younger bedrock units south and east of the subcrop area and is absent north and west of the subcrop area. Data sources used to prepare the map are included in SELECTED REFERENCES.

Illinois, Wisconsin↗

USGS1983

Water-quality assessment of Francis E. Walter Reservoir, Luzerne and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania

Water-quality data, both past and present, show that the waters of the upper Lehigh River basin are somewhat acidic, but otherwise are generally of good quality. This report contains a summary of all known water-quality data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies, as well as a synopsis of current water-quality conditions in the reservoir and its tributaries. Water-quality data collected from June 1981 to May 1982 indicate that raising the pool level from 1,300 to approximately 1,392 feet above sea level (NGVD of 1929) has had some significant, if only temporary, detrimental impacts on the reservoir system and its discharge. Depth profile measurements show that, while the impoindment was thermally stratified for only about 2 weeks, the dissolved oxygen concentrations were depressed to levels critical to fishlife throughout much of the reservoir. Another effect of the raised pool was the lowering of pH in the impoinded water. Median pH values were less than 6.0 throughout the reservoir, whereas they commonly exceeded 6.5 at the normal pool elevation. Tests for fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus indicate the impoinded water is nearly free of enteric bacteria. Algal analyses and nutrient concentrations support the premise that the impoundment is nutrient poor and phosphorus limited. Raising the water level an additional 125 feet should have no permanent detrimental effect upon water quality and will greatly increase available habitat for fish and waterflow. Increased retention time should not alter the current trophic status and may decrease the concentration of available nutrients.

Pennsylvania↗

USGS1985

Chemical and isotopic characteristics of brines from three oil- and gas-producing sandstones in eastern Ohio, with applications to the geochemical tracing of brine sources

Chemical and isotopic characteristics of selected inorganic constituents are reported for brines from the Berea Sandstone of Mississippian age, the Clinton sandstone, Albion Sandstone of Silurian age, and the Rose Run formation of Cambrian and Ordovician age in 24 counties in eastern Ohio. Ionic concentrations of dissolved constituents in brines from these formations generally fall in the following ranges (in millimoles per kilogram of brine): Na, Cl > 1,000; 100 < Ca, Mg < 1,000; 1 < K, Br, Sr, Li, Fe, SO4 < 100; Mn, Zn, Al, I, HCO3, SiO2 < 1. Mean ionic concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, K, SO4 and Br, and mean values of density and dissolved solids are significantly different at the 95-percent confidence level in each formation. Only potassium has a unique concentration range in each formation. Selected concentration ratios are identified as potential indicators for geochemical tracing of brines having some history of dilution. The k:Na ratios work best for identifying the source formation of an unidentified brine. Isotopic characteristics of hydrogen and oxygen indicate a meteoric origin for the water matrix of the brines. Sulfur isotopes may have utility for differentiating brines from oxidizing ground water.

Ohio↗

USGS1995

Water-quality assessment of the upper Snake River Basin, Idaho and western Wyoming — Environmental setting, 1980-92

The 35,800-square-mile upper Snake River Basin is one of 20 areas studied as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. Objectives of NAWQA are to study ground- and surface-water quality, biology, and their relations to land-use activities. Major land and water uses that affect water quality in the basin are irrigated agriculture, grazing, aquaculture, food processing, and wastewater treatment. Data summarized in this report are used in companion reports to help define the relations among land use, water use, water quality, and biological conditions. The upper Snake River Basin is located in southeastern Idaho and northwestern Wyoming and includes small parts of Nevada and Utah. Total population in the basin was about 425,000 in 1990. Major urban areas are Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Rexburg, and Twin Falls, Idaho, which make up 10, 11,3, and 6 percent of the total population, respectively. Climate in the basin is mostly semiarid and mean annual precipitation ranges from 8 to more than 60 inches. The eastern Snake River Plain is the major geologic feature in the basin and is delineated mostly by Quaternary and Tertiary basalt flows. It is about 55 to 62 miles wide and 320 miles long and bisects the basin in a northeast-southwest direction. The Snake River is the dominant surface-water feature and flows about 453 miles from the southern border of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to King Hill, Idaho, where it leaves the basin. The Snake River flows through five reservoirs that provide a total storage capacity of more than 4 million acre-feet. Gravity-flow diversions are predominant in the upper part of the basin and totaled 8.8 million.acre-feet in 1980. Pumped diversions occur mainly in the lower part of the basin and totaled 408,500 acre-feet in 1980. The Snake River Plain aquifer is the predominant ground-water feature in the upper Snake River Basin and underlies the eastern Snake River Plain. The upper 500 feet of the aquifer may store 200 to 300 million acre-feet of water. Ground-water resources that supply agricultural lands are sustained by recharge from surface-water irrigation, precipitation, and tributary inflow. Major ground-water discharges are at springs and seeps or from ground-water pumpage for irrigation. Water use in the basin is dominated by irrigated agriculture, which is the largest consumptive water use in the basin. Major crops in the basin include potatoes, wheat, sugar beets, hay, and barley. Most irrigation needs are supplied from surface-water sources through a series of canals and laterals. In 1990, about 2.5 million acres were irrigated with more than 14.2 million acre-feet of surface and ground water. About 21 percent of the basin is agricultural land and 50 percent is rangeland. Idaho leads the Nation in trout production for commercial sale. Combined mean annual discharges from 12 aquacultural facilities in the basin (1985-90) were about 787,000 acre-feet. These facilities are clustered in a reach of the Snake River between Milner Dam and King Hill where ground-water discharge is from many seeps and springs that provide sufficient quantities of good-quality water. Other facilities that release effluent to the Snake River include 13 municipal wastewater treatment plants and 3 industrial facilities.

Idaho, Wyoming↗

USGS1988

Low-flow profiles of the Tallapoosa River and tributaries in Georgia

Low flow information is provided for use in an evaluation of the capacity of streams to permit withdrawals or to accept waste loads without exceeding the limits of State water quality standards. The report is the fourth in a series of reports presenting the results of a low flow study of all stream basins north of the Fall Line in Georgia. This report covers the part of the Tallapoosa River basin in the Piedmont province of Georgia. The low flow characteristic presented is the minimum average flow for 7 consecutive days with a 10-year recurrence interval (7Q10). The data are presented in tables and shown graphically as ' low flow profiles ' (low flow plotted against distance along a stream channel), and as ' drainage area profiles ' (drainage area plotted against distance along a stream channel). Low flow profiles were constructed by interpolation or extrapolation from points of known low flow data. Low flow profiles are included for all stream reaches where low flow data of sufficient accuracy are available to justify computation of the profiles. Drainage area profiles are included for all stream basins > 5 sq mi, except for those in a few remote areas. Flow records were not adjusted for diversions or other factors that cause measured flows to represent conditions other than natural flow. (Author 's abstract)

Georgia↗

USGS1993

Ground-water conditions in Pecos County, Texas, 1987

A comparison of 1987 water levels with historical (1940-49) water levels in the Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) aquifer indicated that water levels declined more than 50 feet in three locations in the Leon-Belding irrigation area, in an area north of Fort Stockton, and in a well east of Bakersfield. Maximum measured declines were 54 and 82 feet in the Leon-Belding irrigation area. The maximum measured rise was 55 feet in one well in east-central Pecos County. The chemical quality of water in the Edwards-Trinity aquifer of Pecos County varied greatly during 1987. Most wells in the eastern, southern, and southwestern parts of the county had water with a specific conductance of 1,000 μ S/cm (microsiemens per centimeter at 25 °C) or less. Three areas that had anomalously large specific conductances in ground water in north-central Pecos County are associated with water issuing from Santa Rosa, Diamond Y, and Comanche Springs. Specific conductance in water from wells and springs ranged from 311 μ S/cm in south-central Pecos County to 9,600 μ S/cm in the north. Dissolved sulfate concentrations ranged from 17 to 2,300 mg/L (milligrams per liter), and dissolved chloride concentrations ranged from 12 to 1,400 mg/L. Dissolved-solids concentrations ranged from 251 to 5,580 mg/L. Total nitrite plus nitrate concentrations (considered to be all nitrate for this report) ranged from less than 0.1 to 8.9 mg/L. Chemical water types range from calcium bicarbonate to calcium sulfate to sodium chloride. Historical (1940-49) and 1987 dissolved-solids concentrations were compared to identify potential changes in water quality. In some local areas, dissolved-solids concentrations decreased as much as 1,630 mg/L. The increase in dissolved-solids concentrations in water from wells and springs ranged from 5 to 4,894 mg/L. Maximum increases in dissolved-solids concentrations were 3,290 mg/L in water from Comanche Springs and 4,894 mg/L in water from Santa Rosa Springs. The increases may represent a mixing of Edwards-Trinity water with moderately saline water from underlying rocks of Permian age, or an accumulation of salts from surface-water sources. Comanche Springs, dry since 1961, began flowing again in October 1986, following several weeks of record or near-record precipitation in Fort Stockton and the Trans-Pecos region. Accelerated recharge from the increased precipitation, combined with a cessation of irrigation pumpage in August 1986, probably were responsible. The springs ceased flowing in May 1987, following the start of irrigation pumpage in February 1987. Correlation between flow from Comanche Springs and water levels in Fort Stockton city well no. 2 in the Leon-Belding irrigation area indicates that the springs are unlikely to flow when the depth to water in this well exceeds about 232 feet.

Texas↗

USGS1994

Hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow at Arnold Air Force Base, Coffee and Franklin counties, Tennessee

The U.S. Air Force at Arnold Air Force Base (AAFB), in Coffee and Franklin Counties, Tennessee, is investigating ground-water contamination in selected areas of the base. This report documents the results of a comprehensive investigation of the regional hydrogeology of the AAFB area. Three aquifers within the Highland Rim aquifer system, the shallow aquifer, the Manchester aquifer, and the Fort Payne aquifer, have been identified in the study area. Of these, the Manchester aquifer is the primary source of water for domestic use. Drilling and water- quality data indicate that the Chattanooga Shale is an effective confining unit, isolating the Highland Rim aquifer system from the deeper, upper Central Basin aquifer system. A regional ground-water divide, approximately coinciding with the Duck River-Elk River drainage divide, underlies AAFB and runs from southwest to northeast. The general direction of most ground-water flow is to the north- west or to the northwest or to the southeast from the divide towards tributary streams that drain the area. Recharge estimates range from 4 to 11 inches per year. Digital computer modeling was used to simulate and provide a better understanding of the ground-water flow system. The model indicates that most of the ground-water flow occurs in the shallow and Manchester aquifers. The model was most sensitive to increases in hydraulic conductivity and changes in recharge rates. Particle-tracking analysis from selected sites of ground-water contamination indicates a potential for contami- nants to be transported beyond the boundary of AAFB.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2004

Water-quality and bottom-material characteristics of Cross Lake, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, 1997-99

Cross Lake is a shallow, monomictic lake that was formed in 1926 by the impoundment of Cross Bayou. The lake is the primary drinking-water supply for the City of Shreveport, Louisiana. In recent years, the lakeshore has become increasinginly urbanized. In addition, the land use of the watershed contributing runoff to Cross Lake has changed. Changes in land use and urbanization could affect the water chemistry and biology of the Lake. Water-quality data were collected at 10 sites on Cross Lake from February 1997 to February 1999. Water-column and bottom-material samples were collected. The water-column samples were collected at least four times per year. These samples included physical and chemical-related properties such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conductance; selected major inorganic ions; nutrients; minor elements; organic chemical constituents; and bacteria. Suspended-sediment samples were collected seven times during the sampling period. The bottom-material samples, which were collected once during the sampling period, were analyzed for selected minor elements and inorganic carbon. Aside from the nutrient-enriched condition of Cross Lake, the overall water-quality of Cross Lake is good. No primary Federal or State water-quality criteria were exceeded by any of the water-quality constituents analyzed for this report. Concentrations of major inorganic constituents, except iron and manganese, were low. Water from the lake is a sodium-bicarbonate type and is soft. Minor elements and organic compounds were present in low concentrations, many below detection limits. Nitrogen and phosphorus were the nutrients occurring in the highest concentrations. Nutrients were evenly distributed across the lake with no particular water-quality site indicating consistently higher or lower nutrient concentrations. No water samples analyzed for nitrate exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 milligrams per liter. Based on nitrogen to phosphorus ratios calculated for Cross Lake, median values for all water-quality sites were within the nitrogen-limited range (less than or equal to 5). Historical Trophic State Indexes for Cross Lake classified the lake as eutrophic. Recent (1998-99) Trophic State Indexes classify Cross Lake as mesotrophic-eutrophic, which might indicate a recution in eutrophication. Sedimentation traps indicate that Cross Lake is filling at an average rate of 0.41 inches per year. Concentrations of fecal-coliform and streptococci bacteria generally were low. Fecal coliform was detected in higher concentrations than fecal streptococci. High bacterial concentrations were measured shortly after rainfall-runoff events, possibly washing bacteria from surrounding areas into the lake.

Louisiana↗

USGS1995

Database of well and areal data, South San Francisco Bay and Peninsula area, California

A database was developed to organize and manage data compiled for a regional assessment of geohydrologic and water-quality conditions in the south San Francisco Bay and Peninsula area in California. Available data provided by local, State, and Federal agencies and private consultants was utilized in the assessment. The database consists of geographicinformation system data layers and related tables and American Standard Code for Information Interchange files. Documentation of the database is necessary to avoid misinterpretation of the data and to make users aware of potential errors and limitations. Most of the data compiled were collected from wells and boreholes (collectively referred to as wells in this report). This point-specific data, including construction, water-level, waterquality, pumping test, and lithologic data, are contained in tables and files that are related to a geographic information system data layer that contains the locations of the wells. There are 1,014 wells in the data layer and the related tables contain 35,845 water-level measurements (from 293 of the wells) and 9,292 water-quality samples (from 394 of the wells). Calculation of hydraulic heads and gradients from the water levels can be affected adversely by errors in the determination of the altitude of land surface at the well. Cation and anion balance computations performed on 396 of the water-quality samples indicate high cation and anion balance errors for 51 (13 percent) of the samples. Well drillers' reports were interpreted for 762 of the wells, and digital representations of the lithology of the formations are contained in files following the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. The usefulness of drillers' descriptions of the formation lithology is affected by the detail and thoroughness of the drillers' descriptions, as well as the knowledge, experience, and vocabulary of the individual who described the drill cuttings. Additional data layers were created that contain political, geohydrologic, and other geographic data. These layers contain features represented by areas and lines rather than discrete points. The layers consist of data representing the thickness of alluvium, surficial geology, physiographic subareas, watershed boundaries, land use, water-supply districts, wastewater treatment districts, and recharge basins. The layers manually digitizing paper maps, acquisition of data already in digital form, or creation of new layers from available layers. The scale of the source data affects the accurate representation of real-world features with the data layer, and, therefore, the scale of the source data must be considered when the data are analyzed and plotted.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1978

Effects of urban development on the flood-flow characteristics of the Walnut Creek Basin, Des Moines Metropolitan area, Iowa

This report deals with the probable impact of urban development on the magnitude and frequency of flooding in the lower reach of the Walnut creek Basin. Stream-modeling techniques, which include complete definition of unit hydroqraphs and precipitation loss-rate criteria, were utilized to evaluate the effects of urban development as measured by percentages of impervious area over the basin. A mathematical model, called HEC-1, was calibrated by using concurrent rainfall-runoff data collected at three gaging stations in the basin. The model parameters were regionalized to allow future users to estimate the model parameters for ungaged areas within the basin. Long-term rainfall data recorded at two nearby stations were employed as basic input to the calibrated model to generate annual peak discharges corresponding to selected degrees of urbanization. Results are presented in tables and graphs, which compare the pre-urban and urban flood flow characteristics of the lower reach of the Walnut Creek basin.

Iowa↗

USGS1997

Sediment oxygen demand in the Tualatin River basin, Oregon, 1992-96

Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) rates were measured by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel at 20 stream sites in the Tualatin River Basin from 1992 through 1996 as part of an investigation into the sources and sinks of dissolved oxygen in the Tualatin River. During the low-flow summer periods of 1992 through 1994, 97 measurements were collected at 9 sites on the main stem of the river between river miles (RMs) 5.5 and 43.2. During the low-flow summer periods of 1995 and 1996, 28 measurements of SOD were collected at 11 sites on 8 tributaries of the Tualatin River. All SOD rates were measured with in-situ benthic chambers designed to monitor the loss of dissolved oxygen in a known volume of water circulating above a known area of minimally disturbed stream sediment. For main-stem Tualatin River sites, the observed SOD rate ranged from 0.6 to 4.4 grams of oxygen per square meter per day (g/m 2 d) with a median of 2.3 g/m 2 d. In the tributaries, the measured SOD rate ranged from 0.2 to 10.9 with a median of 3.6 g/m 2 d. These rates are in the range of those reported for other sites in Oregon and across the United States. Most of the variation in the measured SOD rates was likely due to heterogeneities in the bed sediment. Statistical comparisons show that the rates measured at the tributary sites are significantly larger than those measured in the main stem. Within the main stem, the rates measured at sites in the meander reach of the river were not significantly different from those measured in the reservoir reach. Similarly, no difference was found when the sites affected by the cycle of phytoplankton bloom and die-off were compared to those unaffected by phytoplankton. Only one site on the main stem, RM 5.5, was found to have an SOD rate that was significantly higher than that found at the other main-stem sites. Algal detritus may contribute to the elevated rate at that site, but other factors such as the rate of sediment accumulation could also account for the increased rate.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1985

Discharge and water quality of springs in Roan and Parachute Creek basins, northwestern Colorado, 1981-83

This report is a compilation and interpretation of discharge, water-quality, and radiochemical data collected at springs in the oil-shale regions of Roan and Parachute Creek basins, Colorado, from 1981 to 1983. Springs located on upland plateaus and ridges are mixed-cation bicarbonate water types with 216 to 713 milligrams per liter dissolved solids. Calcite and dolomite dissolution are dominant chemical reactions in upland springs. Springs located in the canyons contain greater concentrations of sodium and sulfate and have 388 to 3,970 milligrams per liter dissolved solids. Gypsum dissolution is an important chemical reaction in canyon spring water. The only trace constituents with mean concentration greater than 10 micrograms per liter in the study area were barium, boron, lithium and strontium. None of the canyon springs investigated represent discharge from the lower aquifer in the Green River Formation. Analysis of chemical and discharge data for streams in the Roan Creek drainage showed evidence of lower-aquifer discharge into the canyons. Springs located near an oil-shale mine or processing plant could be used for monitoring groundwater quality and quantity. Bicarbonate, fluoride, arsenic, boron, lithium, mercury, ammonia, and organic carbon may be chemical indicators of mine or process-water contamination of shallow aquifers near an oil-shale plant or mine.

Colorado↗

USGS1987

Documentation of a graphical display program for the saturated- unsaturated transport (SUTRA) finite-element simulation model

This report documents a graphical display program for the U. S. Geological Survey finite-element groundwater flow and solute transport model. Graphic features of the program, SUTRA-PLOT (SUTRA-PLOT = saturated/unsaturated transport), include: (1) plots of the finite-element mesh, (2) velocity vector plots, (3) contour plots of pressure, solute concentration, temperature, or saturation, and (4) a finite-element interpolator for gridding data prior to contouring. SUTRA-PLOT is written in FORTRAN 77 on a PRIME 750 computer system, and requires Version 9.0 or higher of the DISSPLA graphics library. The program requires two input files: the SUTRA input data list and the SUTRA simulation output listing. The program is menu driven and specifications for individual types of plots are entered and may be edited interactively. Installation instruction, a source code listing, and a description of the computer code are given. Six examples of plotting applications are used to demonstrate various features of the plotting program. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗