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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
USGS2002

Ground-water, surface-water and water-chemistry data, Black Mesa area, northeastern Arizona: 2001-02

The N aquifer is the major source of water in the 5,400-square-mile area of Black Mesa in northeastern Arizona. Availability of water is an important issue in this area because of continued industrial and municipal use, a growing population, and precipitation of about 6 to 14 inches per year. The monitoring program in the Black Mesa area has been operating since 1971 and is designed to determine the long-term effects of ground-water withdrawals from the N aquifer for industrial and municipal uses. The monitoring program includes measurements of (1) ground-water pumping, (2) ground-water levels, (3) spring discharge, (4) surface-water discharge, and (5) ground-water chemistry. In 2001, total ground-water withdrawals were 7,680 acre-feet, industrial use was 4,530 acre-feet, and municipal use was 3,150 acre-feet. From 2000 to 2001, total withdrawals decreased by 1 percent, industrial use increased by 1 percent, and municipal use decreased by 3 percent. From 2001 to 2002, water levels declined in 5 of 14 wells in the unconfined part of the aquifer, and the median change was +0.2 foot. Water levels declined in 12 of 17 wells in the confined part of the aquifer, and the median change was -1.4 feet. From the prestress period (prior to 1965) to 2002, the median water-level change for 32 wells was -15.8 feet. Median water-level changes were -1.3 feet for 15 wells in the unconfined part of the aquifer and -31.7 feet for 17 wells in the confined part. Discharges were measured once in 2001 and once in 2002 at four springs. Discharges decreased by 26 percent and 66 percent at two springs, increased by 100 percent at one spring, and did not change at one spring. For the past 10 years, discharges from the four springs have fluctuated; however, an increasing or decreasing trend is not apparent. Continuous records of surface-water discharge have been collected from 1976 to 2001 at Moenkopi Wash, 1996 to 2001 at Laguna Creek, 1993 to 2001 at Dinnebito Wash, and 1994 to 2001 at Polacca Wash. Median flows for November, December, January, and February of each water year were used as an index of ground-water discharge to those streams. Since 1995, the median winter flows have decreased for Moenkopi Wash, Dinnebito Wash, and Polacca Wash. Since 1997, there is no consistent trend in the median winter flow for Laguna Creek. In 2002, water samples were collected from 12 wells and 4 springs and analyzed for selected chemical constituents. Dissolved-solids concentrations ranged from 96 to 636 milligrams per liter. Water samples from 8 of the wells and from 3 of the springs had less than 300 milligrams per liter of dissolved solids. There are no appreciable time trends in the chemistry of water samples from 9 wells and 4 springs; the 9 wells had more than 7 years of data, and the 4 springs had more than 9 years of data.

Arizona↗
USGS2004

Ground-water and surface-water flow and estimated water budget for Lake Seminole, southwestern Georgia and northwestern Florida

Lake Seminole is a 37,600-acre impoundment formed at the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers along the Georgia?Florida State line. Outflow from Lake Seminole through Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam provides headwater to the Apalachicola River, which is a major supply of freshwater, nutrients, and detritus to ecosystems downstream. These rivers,together with their tributaries, are hydraulically connected to karst limestone units that constitute most of the Upper Floridan aquifer and to a chemically weathered residuum of undifferentiated overburden. The ground-water flow system near Lake Seminole consists of the Upper Floridan aquifer and undifferentiated overburden. The aquifer is confined below by low-permeability sediments of the Lisbon Formation and, generally, is semiconfined above by undifferentiated overburden. Ground-water flow within the Upper Floridan aquifer is unconfined or semiconfined and discharges at discrete points by springflow or diffuse leakage into streams and other surface-water bodies. The high degree of connectivity between the Upper Floridan aquifer and surface-water bodies is limited to the upper Eocene Ocala Limestone and younger units that are in contact with streams in the Lake Seminole area. The impoundment of Lake Seminole inundated natural stream channels and other low-lying areas near streams and raised the water-level altitude of the Upper Floridan aquifer near the lake to nearly that of the lake, about 77 feet. Surface-water inflow from the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and Spring Creek and outflow to the Apalachicola River through Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam dominate the water budget for Lake Seminole. About 81 percent of the total water-budget inflow consists of surface water; about 18 percent is ground water, and the remaining 1 percent is lake precipitation. Similarly, lake outflow consists of about 89 percent surface water, as flow to the Apalachicola River through Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam, about 4 percent ground water, and about 2 percent lake evaporation. Measurement error and uncertainty in flux calculations cause a flow imbalance of about 4 percent between inflow and outflow water-budget components. Most of this error can be attributed to errors in estimating ground-water discharge from the lake, which was calculated using a ground-water model calibrated to October 1986 conditions for the entire Apalachicola?Chattahoochee?Flint River Basin and not just the area around Lake Seminole. Evaporation rates were determined using the preferred, but mathematically complex, energy budget and five empirical equations: Priestley-Taylor, Penman, DeBruin-Keijman, Papadakis, and the Priestley-Taylor used by the Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network. Empirical equations require a significant amount of data but are relatively easy to calculate and compare well to long-term average annual (April 2000?March 2001) pan evaporation, which is 65 inches. Calculated annual lake evaporation, for the study period, using the energy-budget method was 67.2 inches, which overestimated long-term average annual pan evaporation by 2.2 inches. The empirical equations did not compare well with the energy-budget method during the 18-month study period, with average differences in computed evaporation using each equation ranging from 8 to 26 percent. The empirical equations also compared poorly with long-term average annual pan evaporation, with average differences in evaporation ranging from 3 to 23 percent. Energy budget and long-term average annual pan evaporation estimates did compare well, with only a 3-percent difference between estimates. Monthly evaporation estimates using all methods ranged from 0.7 to 9.5 inches and were lowest during December 2000 and highest during May 2000. Although the energy budget is generally the preferred method, the dominance of surface water in the Lake Seminole water budget makes the method inaccurate and difficult to use, because surface water makes up m

Florida, Georgia↗
USGS1973

Water resources data for Florida, water year 1972: Part 2. Water quality records

Water-resources investigations of the U. S. Geological Survey include the collection of water quality data on the chemical and physical characteristics of surface- and ground-water supplies of the Nation. These data for the 1972 water year for the quality of surface waters in Florida are presented in this report. The data were collected by the Water Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey under the direction of Clyde S. Conover, District Chief, Florida District. Water-quality information is presented for chemical quality, fluvial sediment, and water temperatures. The chemical quality includes concentration of individual dissolved constituents and certain properties or characteristics such as hardness, specific conductance, and pH. Water temperature data represent once-daily observations except for stations where a continuous temperature recorder furnishes information from which daily minimums and maximums are obtained. The Geological Survey has published the annual series of water-supply papers, "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States," from 1941 through 1968 which contain chemical quality, temperature, and suspended sediment data of the water. Each volume covered an area whose boundaries coincide with those of certain natural drainage areas. The records for Florida are contained in Part 2 of the water-supply paper series. (See table, p. 12) These publications are available in most public libraries. Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records for surface water obtained by the Geological Survey were published in a new series of annual releases on a state boundary basis. This report is primarily for local and immediate use, and its distribution is limited. These records will be published later in Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers.

Florida↗
USGS1972

Water resources data for Wyoming, water year 1971; part 2, water quality records

Water-resources data for the 1971 water year for Wyoming include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. At some sites water-temperature data were recorded on charts by recorders. Data are given for 190 sampling stations of which 107 are continuous-record stations and 83 are miscellaneous sites. Chemical analyses also are given for 118 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water-quality stations are shown in figure 1 and locations of ground-water sites are shown in figure 2. Data on a few pertinent stations in bordering States are also included. The data were collected by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of Robert L. Cushman, district chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Wyoming. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Water of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Wyoming↗
USGS1973

Water resources data for Wyoming, water year 1972; part 2, water quality records

Water-resources data for the 1972 water year for Wyoming include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. At some sites water-temperature data were recorded on charts by recorders. Data are given for 138 sampling stations of which 112 are continuous-record stations and 26 are miscellaneous sites. Chemical analyses also are given for 127 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water-quality stations are shown in figure 1 and locations of ground-water sites are shown in figure 2. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Suryey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Wyoming. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of Robert L. Cushman, district chief. Wyoming district personnel who contributed significantly to the collection and preparation of data included in this report were: E. R. Cox, S. A. Druse, W. G. Hodson, M. E. Lowry, D. J. O'Connell, G. W. Armentrout, Jr., M.A. Crist, B. H. Ringen, W. B. Borchert, W.R. Glass, G. C. Lines, H.B. Fabricius, P. B. McCollam, C. E. Obert, K. G. Polinoski, T. W. Custis, R. L. Muench, J. O. Ragsdale, M. D. Stevens, R .. C. Baumann, D. W. Brownell, R. V. Foresman, J.M. Johnson, J. L. Lynch, M. L. Smalley, and J. P. Kyner. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Water of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Wyoming↗
USGS1974

Water resources data for Wyoming, water year 1973, part 2, water quality records

Water-resources data for the 1973 water year for Wyoming include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. At some sites water-temperature data were recorded on charts by recorders. Data are given for 133 sampling stations of which 116 are continuous-record stations and 17 are miscellaneous sites. Chemical analyses are also given for 68 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water-quality stations are shown in figure 1 and locations of ground-water sites are shown in figure 2. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U. S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Wyoming. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey under the direction of Robert L. Cushman, district chief. Wyoming district personnel who contributed significantly to the collection and preparation of data included in this report were: E. R. Cox, S. A. Druse, W. G. Hodson, M. E. Lowry, D. J. O'Connell, G. W. Armentrout, Jr., M. A. Crist, B. H. Ringen, W. B. Borchert, W. R. Glass, G. C. Lines, H. B. Fabricius, P. B. McCollam, C. E. Obert, K. G. Polinoski, T. W. Custis, R. L. Muench, J. 0. Ragsdale, M. D. Stevens, R. C. Baumann, D. W. Brownell, J. L. Lynch, S. L. Green, M. L. Smalley, and J. P. Kyner. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Water of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Wyoming↗
USGS2002

Water Resources Data, Florida, Water Year 2001, Volume 3B. Southwest Florida Ground Water

Water resources data for the 2001 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharges for 406 streams, periodic discharge for 12 streams, continuous daily stage for 142 streams, periodic stage for 12 streams, peak stage and discharge for 37 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 11 lakes, periodic elevations for 30 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 424 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,426 wells, and quality-of-water data for 80 surface-water sites and 245 wells. The data for Southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3B contains records for continuous ground-water elevations for 128 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 33 wells; miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 347 wells; and water quality at 25 ground-water sites. These data represent the national Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

Water Data Report↗
USGS2003

Water Resources Data, Florida, Water Year 2002, Volume 3B. Southwest Florida Ground Water

Water resources data for the 2002 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharges for 392 streams, periodic discharge for 15 streams, continuous daily stage for 191 streams, periodic stage for 13 streams, peak stage for 33 streams and peak discharge for 33 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 14 lakes, periodic elevations for 49 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 418 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,287 wells, and quality-of-water data for 116 surface-water sites and 291 wells. The data for Southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3B contains records for continuous ground-water elevations for 125 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 31 wells; miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 377 wells; and water quality at 46 ground-water sites. These data represent the national Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

Water Data Report↗
USGS2004

Water Resources Data, Florida, Water Year 2003, Volume 3B: Southwest Florida Ground Water

Water resources data for the 2003 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharges for 385 streams, periodic discharge for 13 streams, continuous daily stage for 255 streams, periodic stage for 13 streams, peak stage for 36 streams and peak discharge for 36 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 13 lakes, periodic elevations for 46 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 441 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,227 wells, and quality-of-water data for 133 surface-water sites and 308 wells. The data for Southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3B contains records for continuous ground-water elevations for 128 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 31 wells; miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 405 wells; and water quality at 32 ground-water sites. These data represent the national Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

Water Data Report↗
USGS2004

Water resources data Florida, water year 2004: Volume 3B: southwest Florida ground water

Water resources data for the 2004 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharges for 405 streams, periodic discharge for 12 streams, continuous or daily stage for 159 streams, periodic stage for 19 streams, peak stage for 30 streams and peak discharge for 30 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 14 lakes, periodic elevations for 23 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 408 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,188 wells, and quality-of-water data for 140 surface-water sites and 240 wells. The data for Southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3B contains records for continuous ground-water elevations for 98 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 56 wells; miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 374 wells; and water quality at 25 ground-water sites. These data represent the national Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

Water Data Report↗
USGS2005

Water resources data, Florida, water year 2005. Volume 3B: Southwest Florida ground water

Water resources data for the 2005 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharges for 429 streams, periodic discharge for 9 streams, continuous or daily stage for 218 streams, periodic stage for 5 streams, peak stage for 28 streams and peak discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 15 lakes, periodic elevations for 23 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 401 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,098 wells, and quality-of-water data for 211 surface-water sites and 208 wells. The data for Southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3B contains records for continuous ground-water elevations for 108 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 24 wells; miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 354 wells; and water quality at 2 ground-water sites. These data represent the national Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

Water Data Report↗
USGS1986

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1985. Volume 3A: Southwest Florida - surface water

The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Florida each water year. These data, accumulated during many water years, constitute a valuable data base for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the State. To make these data readily available to interested parties outside the Geological Survey, the data are published annually in this report series entitled "Water Resources Data - Florida." This report series includes records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of groundwater wells. This volume contains records for continuous daily discharge at 91 gaging stations; periodic discharge at 23 stream sites; miscellaneous discharge at 57 stream sites; continuous daily stage at 30 stream sites; periodic stage at 10 stream sites; peak discharge at 20 stream sites; peak stage at 1 stream site; continuous daily elevations at 50 lakes; periodic elevations at 39 lakes; water quality at 146 surface-water sites and 287 ground-water sites; continuous ground-water elevations at 223 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 146 wells; and miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 1,477 wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figure 1. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Florida.

Florida↗
USGS1998

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1997. Volume 3B: Southwest Florida - ground water

Water resources data for the 1997 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharges for 341 streams, periodic discharge for 20 streams, continuous daily stage for 122 streams, periodic stage for 13 streams, peak stage and discharge for 20 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 35 lakes, periodic elevations for 60 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 398 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,247 wells, and quality-of-water data for 166 surface-water sites and 298 wells. The data for Southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3B contains records for continuous ground-water elevations for 150 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 50 wells; miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 416 wells; and water quality at 115 ground-water sites. These data represent the national Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

Florida↗
USGS1987

Ground-water withdrawals and changes in ground-water levels, ground-water quality, and land-surface subsidence in the Houston district, Texas, 1980-84

During 1980-84, ground-water withdrawals from the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers in the Houston district decreased from 511 million gallons per day to 444 million gallons per day. This 13-percent decrease was due to the increased availability of surface water and a decreased demand for water. The largest decreases in ground-water withdrawals occurred in the Houston area. Ground-water pumpage was 219.2 million gallons per day during 1984 compared to 254.8 million gallons per day during 1980. Decreases in ground-water withdrawals from 1980 through 1984 occurred in most of the other areas in the Houston district (Pasadena, Katy, Baytown-LaPorte, and Texas City). Large decreases in ground-water withdrawals for rice irrigation in the Katy area were offset by increases in ground-water withdrawals for public supply. Hence, in the Katy area, the quantity of ground water withdrawn during 1984, 148.9 million gallons per day, was only slightly less than the 157.5 million gallons per day withdrawn during 1980. Water levels generally rose in the eastern part of the Houston district and declined in the western part from spring 1980 to spring 1985. The rise of water levels in wells in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers was as much as 80 feet and 60 feet, respectively. The decline of water levels in wells in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers was as much as 40 feet and 80 feet, respectively. Slight decreases in chloride concentrations in water from the Chicot aquifer occurred in the Alta Loma area between 1980 and 1984. In 1980, chloride concentrations in water from the Chicot aquifer ranged from 250 to 790 milligrams per liter, whereas in 1984, chloride concentrations ranged from 180 to 710 milligrams per liter. Water from one well in the Texas City area had an increase in chloride concentrations from 265 milligrams per liter in 1980 to 300 milligrams per liter in 1984. In water from another well in the Texas City area, chloride concentrations decreased from 760 milligrams per liter in 1980 to 710 milligrams per liter in 1984. The concentrations of chloride and dissolved solids in water from the Evangeline aquifer remained less than 100 milligrams per liter and 500 milligrams per liter during 1980-84. Land-surface subsidence is still evident in the Houston district. Subsidence rates between 1980 and early 1985 in the eastern and southeastern parts of the Houston district were less than during 1975-79. At the Seabrook site, where a monitor measures most of the subsidence, the average compaction rate during 1980 to early 1985 was 0.04 foot per year while during 1975-79, the rate was 0.14 foot per year. However, subsidence rates in the western, southwestern, and northern parts of the Houston district during 1980 to early 1985 increased from the 1975-79 rates. At the Addicks site, the land surface has subsided at a rate of about 0.17 foot per year from 1980 to early 1985. The subsidence rate from 1975 through 1979 at the site was 0.11 foot per year.

Texas↗
USGS2013

The quality of our Nation's waters: factors affecting public-supply-well vulnerability to contamination: understanding observed water quality and anticipating future water quality

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, a study was conducted from 2001 to 2011 to shed light on factors that affect the vulnerability of water from public-supply wells to contamination (referred to hereafter as “public-supply-well vulnerability”). The study was designed as a follow-up to earlier NAWQA studies that found mixtures of contaminants at low concentrations in groundwater near the water table in urban areas across the Nation and, less frequently, in deeper groundwater typically used for public supply. Beside the factors affecting public-supply-well vulnerability to contamination, this circular describes measures that can be used to determine which factor (or factors) plays a dominant role at an individual public-supply well. Case-study examples are used throughout to show how such information can be used to improve water quality. In general, the vulnerability of the water from public-supply wells to contamination is a function of contaminant input within the area that contributes water to a well, the mobility and persistence of a contaminant once released to the groundwater, and the ease of groundwater and contaminant movement from the point of recharge to the open interval of a well. The following measures described in this circular are particularly useful for indicating which contaminants in an aquifer might reach an individual public-supply well and when, how, and at what concentration they might arrive: * Sources of recharge—Information on the sources of recharge for a well provides insight into contaminants that might enter the aquifer with the recharge water and potentially reach the well. * Geochemical conditions—Information on the geochemical conditions encountered by groundwater traveling to a well provides insight into contaminants that might persist in the water all the way to the well. * Groundwater-age mixtures—Information on the ages of the different waters that mix in a well provides insight into the time lag between contaminant input at the water table and contaminant arrival at the well. It also provides insight into the potential for in-well dilution of contaminated water by unaffected groundwater of a different age that simultaneously enters the well. Preferential flow pathways—pathways that provide little resistance to flow—can influence how all other factors affect public-supply-well vulnerability to contamination. For example, preferential flow pathways can influence whether a contaminant source is physically linked to a well, whether contaminant concentrations are substantially altered before contaminated groundwater reaches a well, and whether contaminated groundwater can arrive at a well within a timeframe of concern to the well owner. Methods for recognizing the influence of preferential flow pathways on the quality of water from a public-supply well are presented in this circular and can provide opportunities to prevent or mitigate the deterioration of a water supply. Knowing what water-quality variables to measure, what spatial and temporal scales on which to measure them, and how to interpret the resulting data makes it possible for samples from public-supply wells to provide a broad window into a well’s past and present water quality—and possibly future water quality. Such insight can enable resource managers to prioritize actions for sustaining a high-quality groundwater source of drinking water.

Circular↗
USGS2008

Quantifying Ground-Water and Surface-Water Discharge from Evapotranspiration Processes in 12 Hydrographic Areas of the Colorado Regional Ground-Water Flow System, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona

Rapid population growth in southern Nevada has increased the demand for additional water supplies from rural areas of northern Clark and southern Lincoln counties to meet projected water-supply needs. Springs and rivers in these undeveloped areas sustain fragile riparian habitat and may be susceptible to ground-water withdrawals. Most natural ground-water and surface-water discharge from these basins occurs by evapotranspiration (ET) along narrow riparian corridors that encompassed about 45,000 acres or about 1 percent of the study area. This report presents estimates of ground- and surface-water discharge from ET across 3.5 million acres in 12 hydrographic areas of the Colorado Regional Ground-Water Flow System. Ground-and surface-water discharge from ET were determined by identifying areas of ground- and surface-water ET, delineating areas of similar vegetation and soil conditions (ET units), and computing ET rates for each of these ET units. Eight ET units were identified using spectral-reflectance characteristics determined from 2003 satellite imagery, high-resolution aerial photography, and land classification cover. These ET units are dense meadowland vegetation (200 acres), dense woodland vegetation (7,200 acres), moderate woodland vegetation (6,100 acres), dense shrubland vegetation (5,800 acres), moderate shrubland vegetation (22,600 acres), agricultural fields (3,100 acres), non-phreatophytic areas (3,400,000 acres), and open water (300 acres). ET from diffuse ground-water and channelized surface-water is expressed as ETgs and is equal to the difference between total annual ET and precipitation. Total annual ET rates were calculated by the Bowen ratio and eddy covariance methods using micrometeorological data collected from four sites and estimated at 3.9 ft at a dense woodland site (February 2003 to March 2005), 3.6 ft at a moderate woodland site (July 2003 to October 2006), 2.8 ft at a dense shrubland site (June 2005 to October 2006), and 1.5 ft at a moderate shrubland site (April 2006 to October 2006). Annual ETgs rates were 3.4 ft for dense woodland vegetation, 3.2 ft for moderate woodland vegetation, 2.2 ft for dense shrubland vegetation, and 1.0 ft for moderate shrubland vegetation. Published annual rates of ETgs were used for the other ET units found in the study area. These rates were 3.4 ft for dense meadowland vegetation, 5.2 ft for agricultural fields, and 4.9 ft for open water. For the non-phreatophytic ET unit, ETgs was assumed to be zero. Estimated ground- and surface-water discharge from ET was calculated by multiplying the ETgs by the ET-unit acreage and equaled 24,480 acre-ft for dense woodland vegetation, 19,520 acre-ft for moderate woodland vegetation, 12,760 acre-ft for dense shrubland vegetation, 22,600 acre-ft for moderate shrubland vegetation, 680 acre-ft for dense meadowland vegetation, 16,120 acre-ft for agricultural fields, 1,440 acre-ft for open water, and 0 acre-ft for the non-phreatophytic ET unit. Estimated ground-water and surface-water discharge from ET from each hydrographic area was calculated by summing the total annual ETgs rate for ET units found within each hydrographic area and equaled 1,952 acre-ft for the Black Mountains Area, 6,080 acre-ft for California Wash, 4,090 acre-ft for the Muddy River Springs Area, 11,510 acre-ft for Lower Moapa Valley, 51,960 acre-ft for the Virgin River Valley, 16,168 acre-ft for Lower Meadow Valley Wash, 5,840 acre-ft for Clover Valley, and 0 acre-ft for Coyote Spring Valley, Kane Springs Valley, Tule Desert, Hidden Valley (North), and Garnet Valley. The annual discharge from ETgs for the study area totals about 98,000 acre-ft.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2008

Field Techniques for Estimating Water Fluxes Between Surface Water and Ground Water

This report focuses on measuring the flow of water across the interface between surface water and ground water, rather than the hydrogeological or geochemical processes that occur at or near this interface. The methods, however, that use hydrogeological and geochemical evidence to quantify water fluxes are described herein. This material is presented as a guide for those who have to examine the interaction of surface water and ground water. The intent here is that both the overview of the many available methods and the in-depth presentation of specific methods will enable the reader to choose those study approaches that will best meet the requirements of the environments and processes they are investigating, as well as to recognize the merits of using more than one approach. This report is designed to make the reader aware of the breadth of approaches available for the study of the exchange between surface and ground water. To accomplish this, the report is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 describes many well-documented approaches for defining the flow between surface and ground waters. Subsequent chapters provide an in-depth presentation of particular methods. Chapter 2 focuses on three of the most commonly used methods to either calculate or directly measure flow of water between surface-water bodies and the ground-water domain: (1) measurement of water levels in well networks in combination with measurement of water level in nearby surface water to determine water-level gradients and flow; (2) use of portable piezometers (wells) or hydraulic potentiomanometers to measure hydraulic gradients; and (3) use of seepage meters to measure flow directly. Chapter 3 focuses on describing the techniques involved in conducting water-tracer tests using fluorescent dyes, a method commonly used in the hydrogeologic investigation and characterization of karst aquifers, and in the study of water fluxes in karst terranes. Chapter 4 focuses on heat as a tracer in hydrological investigations of the near-surface environment.

Techniques and Methods↗
USGS1972

Water resources data for Kansas, water year 1971; Part 2, Water quality records

Water-resources data for the 1971 water year for Kansas include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, microbiological, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly, or less frequently. Records are given for 66 sampling stations of which 9 are partial-record stations, and 52 are miscellaneous sites. Records of chemical analyses are given for 46 ground-water sites. Locations of surface water-quality stations are shown in Figure 1, page 2. Records for pertinent water-quality stations in bordering States are also included. The records were collected by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of C. W. Lane, district chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Kansas. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, suspended sediment, and water temperatures since 1941 in annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records also have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. Distribution of these reports is limited; they are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year to meet local needs. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

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