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At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources
USGS1960

Floods of May 1959 in the Au Gres and Rifle River basins, Michigan

The floods of May 1959 in the Au Gres and Rifle River basins, Michigan, resulted from heavy rainfall during the night of May 19-20. Peak unit discharges for small drainage areas (less than about 15 square miles) were the highest ever measured in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and for very small areas (about one square mile) were of the same order of magnitude as those for the record Ontonagon River flood of August 1942 in the Upper Peninsula. Because the flood area is sparsely populated, damages were largely confined to farm lands and facilities and to secondary roads and their appurtenant drainage structures. The U. S. Geological Survey, through the district office in Lansing, Michigan, operates a network of streamgaging stations and crest-stage stations in the area affected by this flood. Six recording rain gages are operated in the upper Rifle River basin. Most of the gaging stations have been in operation for 7 to 9 years giving systematic records of stage, discharge, and volume of flow covering the range from drought to flood. This report contains records of -stage and discharge at 9 gaging stations for the flood period, peak discharges at 7 crest-stage stations and 2 miscellaneous sites within the flood area, and other data pertinent to the flood.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

Analysis of water level data for Everglades National Park, Florida

Stage-duration curves were developed for five gaging stations in Everglades National Park, Florida. Four of the five curves show similar characteristics with an increase in the slope when the water level is below land surface. Monthly stage-duration curves, developed for one of the stations, reflect the seasonal trends of the water level. Recession curves were prepared for the same five stations. These curves represent the average water-level decline during periods of little or no rainfall. They show the decline in level at the end of 10, 20, and 60 days for any given initial stage. A family of curves was also prepared to give the recession from various initial stages for any period up to 60 days.

Florida↗
USGS1977

Small-stream flood investigations in Minnesota: October 1958 to September 1975

An investigation of flood flows from small drainage basins in Minnesota was initiated to aid in the design of bridges, culverts and other highway drainage structures. The program provides peak flow data on streams having drainage areas generally less than 50 square miles, placing particular emphasis on those less than 10 square miles. Basin parameters being investigated are drainage area, length of main stream, slope of main channel, basin altitude, forest cover, and storage area. Each of the 138 gaging stations are equipped with crest-stage gages, and 10 stations have continuous recorded records of stage and precipitation. The relative magnitude of flood flows for different hydrologic regions are shown in graphs which relate maximum discharge to drainage area. Each station record contains location, drainage area, records available, type of gage, on-site structure elevations, bankfill stage, and annual maximum stage and discharge data.

Minnesota↗
USGS1979

Small-stream flood investigations in Minnesota, October 1958 to September 1977

An investigation of flood flows from small drainage basins in Minnesota is being made to aid in the design of bridges, culverts and other highway drainage structures. Results of the investigation provide peak-flow data on streams generally with drainage areas less than 50 square miles, placing particular emphasis on those with drainage areas less than 10 square miles. Basin parameters being investigated for their effect on floods are drainage area, length of main stream, slope of main channel, basin altitude, forest cover, and storage area. All the 163 gaging stations included in the report are equipped with crest-stage gages, and 10 stations are equipped to record stage and precipitation continuously. The relative magnitude of flood flows for different hydrologic regions is shown in graphs that relate maximum discharge to drainage area. Station records contain location, drainage area, records available, type of gage, on-site structure elevations, bankfull stage, and annual maximum stage and discharge data. The data form the basis for statewide flood-frequency studies.

Minnesota↗
USGS1979

Formation and resulfidization of a South Texas roll-type uranium deposit

Core samples from a roll type uranium deposit in Live Oak County, south Texas have been studied and results are reported for Se, Mo, FeS2 and organic-carbon distribution, sulfide mineral petrology, and sulfur isotopic composition of iron-disulfide phases. In addition, sulfur isotopic compositions of dissolved sulfate and sulfide from the modern ground water within the ore bearing sand have been studied. The suite of elements in the ore sand and their geometric relationships throughout the deposit are those expected for typical roll-type deposits with well-developed oxidation-reduction interfaces. However, iron-disulfide minerals are abundant in the altered tongue, demonstrating that this interval has been sulfidized after mineralization (resulfidized or rereduced). Iron disulfide minerals in the rereduced interval differ mineralogically and isotopically from those throughout the remainder of the deposit. The resulfidized sand contains dominantly pyrite that is enriched in 34S, whereas the sand beyond the altered tongue contains abundant marcasite that is enriched in the light isotope, 32S. Textural relationships between pyrite and marcasite help to establish relative timing of iron disulfide formation. In reduced rock outside the altered tongue, three distinct generations of iron disulfide are present. The oldest of these generations consists largely of pyrite with lesser amounts of marcasite. A major episode of marcasite formation contemporaneous with ore genesis postdates the oldest pyrite generation but predates a younger pyrite generation. Resulfidization probably led to the final pyrite stage recognized beyond the altered tongue. Stable isotope data establish that the source of sulfur for the resulfidization was fault-leaked H2S probably derived from the Edwards Limestone of Cretaceous age which underlies the deposit. The deposit formed in at least two stages: (1) a pre-ore process of host rock sulfidization which produced disseminated pyrite as the dominant iron disulfide phase; and (2) an ore-stage process which led to the development of the uranium roll with emplacement of the characteristic suite of minor and accessory elements and which produced abundant isotopically light marcasite. The host rock was modified by a post-ore stage of resulfidization which precipitated isotopically heavy pyrite. Sulfur isotopic compositions of sulfide and sulfate present in modern ground water within the host sand differ greatly from sulfur isotopic composition of iron disulfides formed during the resulfidization episode. Iron disulfide minerals formed from the sulfur species of modern ground water have not been unequivocally identified.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1979

Annual peak discharges from small drainage areas in Montana through September 1978

Annual peak stage and discharge data have been collected and tabulated for crest-stage gaging sites in Montana. The crest-stage program was begun in July 1955 to investigate the magnitude and frequency of floods from small drainage areas. The program has expanded from 45 crest-stage gaging stations initially to 173 stations maintained in 1978. Data are tabulated for the period of record. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Ground-water hydrology of the Mormon Island Crane Meadows wildlife area near Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska

The Platte River in south-central Nebraska flows generally eastward in a broad, flat valley. The river banks and many areas adjacent to the river support thick stands of cottonwood and willow trees. Brush, grass, pasture land, and cultivated fields occupy most of the remaining area. This is the habitat for many types of wildlife that live in the area or stop over in the area during annual migrations. Both sandhill cranes and whooping cranes are part of the annual migration. There is concern that water-management changes, such as surface-water diversions or ground-water withdrawals for irrigation, may alter the hydrologic environment of the wetland areas and be harmful to the wildlife habitat. In order to determine what affect changes in water management might have on ground-water levels in the wetland areas, detailed data were collected from Crane Meadows Wildlife Area, which is on an island in the Platte River near Grand Island, Nebr. Ground-water levels beneath the island respond to changes in river stage, to recharge from snowmelt and precipitation, and to evapotranspiration by riparian vegetation and from areas where the water table is close to the land surface. The data show that ground-water levels respond rapidly to changes in river stage-usually within 24 hours for distances up to 2,500 feet from the edge of the river. Thus changes in river stage due to changes in surface-water diversions will not have a long-term effect on ground-water levels. Changes in ground-water withdrawals will have the double effect of changing ground-water levels due to changes in drawdown and due to changes in river stage caused by the effects of pumping on river flow. These effects will develop slowly and be long lasting.

Nebraska↗
USGS1981

Simulated hydrologic effects of possible ground-water and surface-water management alternatives in and near the Platte River, south-central Nebraska

Digital computer models were developed and used to simulate the hydrologic effects of hypothetical water-management alternatives on the wetland habitat area near Grand Island, Nebr. Areally distributed recharge to and discharge from the aquifer system adjacent to the Platte River between Overton and Grand Island were computed for four hypothetical water-management alternatives. Using stream-aquifer response functions, the stream depletions resulting from the different alternatives ranged from 53,000 acre-feet per year for increased surface-water irrigation to 177,000 acre-feet per year for increased ground-water pumpage. Current conditions would result in stream depletions of 125,000 acre-feet per year. Using the relationship between discharge and river stage, frequency curves of the stage in the river near the wildlife habitat area were computed using a 50-year sequence of historical streamflow at Overton, minus the stream depletions resulting from various management practices. For the management alternatives previously discussed, differences in the stage-frequency curves were minimal. For comparative purposes, three additional water-management alternatives whose application would change the incoming streamflow at Overton were simulated. Although in these alternatives the amounts of water that were diverted or imported were similar to the amounts in the previous alternatives, their effects on the stage-frequency curves were much more dramatic. (USGS)

Nebraska↗
USGS1981

Hydrologic description of Lake Hancock, Polk County, Florida

Available data were evaluated to document hydrologic conditions in the Lake Hancock basin. Bathymetric data indicate that Lake Hancock is very shallow, having a maximum depth of about 3 feet. The lake bottom is covered by a layer of organic material that may be more than 5 feet thick near the center of the lake. Lake Hancock 's stage fluctuates within 0.5 foot of average stage about 40 percent of the time. Lake outflow is through an operable control. There are many days with no outflow in some years. A water-budget analysis of the lake indicates that substantial lake stage declines in 1968 and 1975 followed successive years of deficient precipitation and were primarily the result of a net loss of water from the lake to the ground-water system. During a period in 1971-72 when lake stage remained relatively stable, the ground-water system contributed a significant volume of water to the lake. Water-quality data indicate that Lake Hancock is in a eutrophic state. The eutrophication process appears to have been accelerated through the addition of nutrients from inflow of wastewater effluent from secondary treatment plants.

Florida↗
USGS1955

Annual peak discharges from small drainage areas in Montana through September 1980

Annual peak stage and discharge data have been collected and tabulated for crest-stage gaging sites in Montana. The crest-stage program was begun in July 1955 to investigate the magnitude and frequency of floods from small drainage areas. The program has expanded from 45 crest-stage gaging stations initially to 172 stations maintained in 1980. Data in the report are tabulated for the period of record. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Annual peak discharges from small drainage areas in Montana through September 1981

Annual peak stage and discharge data have been collected and tabulated for crest-stage gaging sites in Montana. The crest-stage program was begun in July 1955 to investigate the magnitude and frequency of floods from small drainage areas. The program has expanded from 45 crest-stage gaging stations initially to 172 stations maintained in 1981. Data in the report are tabulated for the period of record. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Small-stream flood investigations in Minnesota, October 1958 to September 1980

An investigation of flood flows from small drainage basins in Minnesota is being made to aid in the design of bridges, culverts and other highway drainage structures. Results of the investigation provide peak-flow data on streams generally with drainage areas less than 200 square miles, placing particular emphasis on those with drainage areas lees than 10 square miles. Basin parameters being investigated for their effect on floods are drainage area, length of main stream, slope of main channel, basin altitude, forest cover, and storage area. All of the 187 gaging stations included in the report are equipped with crest-stage gages. In addition, 4 stations are equipped to record stage and precipitation continuously. The relative magnitude of flood flows for different hydrologic regions is shown in graphs that relate maximum discharge to drainage area. Station records contain location, drainage area, records available, type of gage, on-site structure elevations, bankfull stage, and annual maximum stage and discharge data. These data, with annual peak data from continuous-record stations, form the basis for statewide flood-frequency studies.

Minnesota↗
USGS1983

Geohydrology and model analysis of the stream-aquifer system along the Arkansas River in Kearny and Finney counties, southwestern Kansas

A study was made, in cooperation with the Division of Water Resources, Kansas State Board of Agriculture, to determine geohydrologic conditions in an area comprising nearly 850,000 acres along the Arkansas River valley in Kearny and Finney Counties, southwestern Kansas. The Arkansas River meanders atop and interacts hydraulically with the area's multilayered, unconsolidated aquifer system. Declines in static water levels in wells in the heavily pumped lower aquifer ranged from 20 to 80 feet during 1974-80. The river is dry in much of the area. A digital computer model was calibrated to simulate the trends of historic water levels. Simulated 1974-80 conditions depicted an average annual recharge to the unconsolidated aquifer system of 66,900 acre-feet from precipitation and 36,200 acre-feet from river and canal seepage and boundary inflow. Simulated average annual discharge consisted of 634,800 acre-feet from pumpage and boundary outflow. Simulated average annual recharge to the unconsolidated aquifer system was 531,700 acre-feet less than average annual discharge, indicating the ground-water resource is currently (1982) being mined in the study area. Simulation also indicated that there would be sufficient saturated thickness in 2005 for irrigation if 1980 hydrologic conditions continued. Seepage losses from the Arkansas River and irrigation canals are a major source of recharge to the unconsolidated aquifer system. Therefore, the amount of flow in the Arkansas River would be important in determining the rate of future water-level declines in the study area. Streamflow seepage losses could be decreased by (1) decreasing the number of wells pumping in the study area in order to reduce downward leakage from the valley aquifer, or (2) increasing streamflow discharge in order to recharge the valley aquifer. The rate and direction of flow between the river and the valley aquifer depend on the hydraulic conductivity of the streambed and the hydraulic gradient between the river stage and the water table. As long as river stage remains high, the water table in the valley aquifer continues to rise. Seepage from the river to the valley aquifer decreases as the altitude difference between the river stage and the valley aquifer decreases, becoming insignificant when the water level in the valley aquifer nearly equals river stage. However, a rise in the water table in the valley aquifer because of recharge from the river will correspond to increased downward leakage to the lower aquifer, impeding recharge to the valley aquifer.

Kansas↗
USGS1987

Water resources activities, Georgia District, 1986

The U.S. Geological Survey, through its Water Resources Division , investigates the occurrence, quantity, quality, distribution, and movement of the surface and underground water that composes the Nation 's water resources. Much of the work is a cooperative effort in which planning and financial support are shared by state and local governments and other federal agencies. This report contains a brief description of the water-resources investigations in Georgia in which the Geological Survey participates, and a list of selected references. Water-resources data for the 1985 water year for Georgia consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and groundwater levels. These data include discharge records for 108 gaging stations; water quality for 43 continuous stations, 109 periodic stations, and miscellaneous sites; peak stage and discharge only for 130 crest-stage partial-record stations and 44 miscellaneous sites; and water levels of 27 observation wells. Nineteen Georgia District projects are summarized. (Lantz-PTT)

Georgia↗
USGS1988

Profile of Sacramento River, Freeport to Verona, California, flood of February 1986

A major storm in February 1986 caused record flooding in the Sacramento River and other nearby basins in north-coastal and central California. As part of an effort to document this flood, the peak water surface profile of a 33 mi reach of the Sacramento River was surveyed between Freeport and Verona, California. Supplementary profiles in this reach include elevations of the approximate top of levee, flood plain, and the water surface on March 17, 1987. On the Sacramento River at Sacramento, the peak discharge of 117,000 cu ft/sec occurred February 19 and 20, 1986. The peak stage of 30.58 ft on February 19 is the highest on record, including the period prior to construction of large flood control dams in the Sacramento River basin beginning with Shasta Dam in 1942. The February 1986 flood profile of the Sacramento River between the mouth of the American River and the Sacramento Weir (located upstream from the American River) shows a reverse water surface slope with a corresponding drop of about 0.13 ft. On the Sacramento River at Verona, upstream from Sacramento, a peak stage of 39.11 ft occurred February 20 (peak discharge 92,900 cu ft/sec) due to runoff from upstream tributaries. The February 1986 peak stage is the highest of record for 1914-87 (no record for 1918-20, 1922-25). The previous peak stage of record at Verona, March 1, 1940, was 38.20 ft, with a discharge of 79,200 cu ft/sec.

California↗
USGS1995

Simulation of the water-table altitude in the Biscayne Aquifer, southern Dade County, Florida, water years 1945-89

A digital model of the flow system in the highly permeable surficial Biscayne aquifer of southern Dade County, Florida, was constructed for the purposes of better understanding processes that influence the flow system and of supporting the construction of a subregional model of the transport of brackish water from a flowing artesian well. Problems that needed resolution in this endeavor included the development of methods to represent the influence of flowing surface water in seasonally inundated wetlands and the influence of a network of controlled canals developed in stages during the simulation time period (water years 1945-89). An additional problem was the general lack of natural aquifer boundaries near the boundaries of the study area. The model construction was based on a conceptual description of the Biscayne aquifer developed from the results of previous U.S. Geological Survey investigations. Modifications were made to an existing three-dimensional finite-difference simulator of ground-water flow to enable an upper layer of the grid to represent seasonally occurring overland sheetflow in a series of transient simulations of water levels from 1945 to 1989. A rewetting procedure was developed for the simulator that permitted resaturation of cells in this layer when the wet season recurred. An "equivalent hydraulic conductivity" coefficient was assigned to the overland flow layer that was analogous, subject to various approximations, to the use of the Manning equation. The surficial semiconfining peat and marl layers, levees, canals, and control structures were also represented as part of the model grid with the appropriate choices of hydraulic coefficient values. For most of the Biscayne aquifer grid cells, the value assigned to hydraulic conductivity for model calibration was 30,000 feet per day and the value assigned to porosity was 20 percent. Boundary conditions were specified near data sites having long-term records of surface-water stages or water-table altitudes, and modifications to the simulator permitted the specification of time-varying pressures at boundary grid cells. Rainfall data from a station in Homestead generally were used as an areally uniform rainfall specification throughout the modeled region. Maximum evapotranspiration rates ranged seasonally from a minimum of 0.08 inch per day in January to a maximum of 0.21 inch per day between June and October. Shallow-root and deep-root zone depths for the evapotranspiration calculation were 3 and 20 feet in the coastal ridge and were 0.10 and 5 feet in the glades regions where peat and marl covers occurred. Results of sensitivity analyses indicated that the simulations of stages and water levels were relatively unresponsive to 50 percent changes in aquifer hydraulic conductivity, porosity, and the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of overland flow. However, 20 percent changes in rainfall and maximum evapotranspiration rates produced significantly different water levels, as did interchange of coastal ridge and glades deep-root zone (extinction) depths. Water levels were simulated very well at most measurement sites. Sensitivity analyses illustrated the significant influence of the uncontrolled agricultural drainage canals on pre-1968 regional water levels and the further influence of Black Creek Canal in draining a region of high water after 1961. Other analyses indicated that the flood-control system of 1968-82 lowered peak water levels in the affected region by as much as 1.5 feet in the wet summers of 1968, 1969, and 1981, and that Levee 67 Extended channeled flows from the S-12 spillway structures and raised overland flow stages in Shark River Slough. Hypothetical scenarios of well-field pumping in the vicinity of Levee 31N indicated that the pumping induced a significant amount of recharge from the adjacent borrow canal, the degree of which depended on the distance between the canal and the well field. The computed ratio of evapotranspiration to rainfall recharge ranged from 88 to 94 percent during water years 1945-82. The ratio increased to about 97.9 percent during water years 1983-89, possibly because of changing water-management practices and deficient rainfall.

Florida↗
USGS1997

1997 flood tracking chart for the Sheyenne River basin

The "1997 Flood Tracking Chart for the Sheyenne River Basin" can be used by local citizens and emergency response personnel to record the latest river stage and predicted flood-crest information. By comparing the current state (water-surface elevation above some datum) and predicted flood crest to the recorded peak stages of previous floods, emergency response personnel and residents can make informed decisions concerning the threat to life and property. The flood tracking chart shows a map of the basin, the location of major real-time streamflow-gaging stations in the basin, and the historical recorded peak stages at selected stations. Each graph represents a station and has a scale on which to record the most recently reported river stage from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The predicted flood-crest information from the National Weather Service (NWS) also can be recorded on each graph.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1998

Flood tracking chart for the Illinois River basin

This Flood Tracking Chart for the Illinois River Basin in Illinois can be used to record and compare the predicted or current flood-crest stage to past flood-crest information. This information can then be used by residents and emergency-response personnel to make informed decisions concerning the threat of flooding to life and property. The chart shows a map of the Illinois River Basin (see below), the location of real-time streamflow-gaging stations in the basin, graphs of selected historical recorded flood-crest stages at each of the stations, and sea-level conversion (SLC) factors that allow conversion of the current or predicted flood-crest stage to elevation above sea level. Each graph represents a streamflow-gaging station and has a space to record the most current river stage reported for that station by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts flood crests for many of the stations shown on this chart.

Illinois↗