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At least 1,261 records · Page 70Linked to original sources

USGS1955

Fitting curves to cyclic data

A common problem in hydrology is to fit a smooth curve to cyclic or periodic data, either to define the most probable values of the data or to test some principle that one wishes to demonstrate. This study treats of those problems where the length or period of the cycle is know beforehand - as a day, year, or meander length for example. Curve-fitting can be made by free-hand drawing, and where the data are closely aligned this method offers the simplest and most direct course. However, there are many problems where the best fit is far from obvious, and analytical methods may be necessary.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1989

Estimating pumping time and ground-water withdrawals using energy- consumption data

Evaluation of the hydrology of an aquifer requires knowledge about the volume of groundwater in storage and also about the volume of groundwater withdrawals. Totalizer flow meters may be installed at pumping plants to measure withdrawals; however, it generally is impractical to equip all pumping plants in an area with meters. A viable alternative is the use of rate-time methods. Rate-time methods may be used at individual pumping plants to decrease the data collection necessary for determining withdrawals. At sites where pumping-time measurement devices are not installed, pumping time may be determined on the basis of energy consumption and power demand. At pumping plants where energy consumption is metered, data acquired by reading of meters is used to estimate pumping time. Care needs to be taken to read these meters correctly. At pumping plants powered by electricity, the calculations need to be modified if transformers are present. At pumping plants powered by natural gas, the effects of the pressure-correction factor need to be included in the calculations. At pumping plants powered by gasoline, diesel oil, or liquid petroleum gas, the geometry of storage tanks needs to be analyzed as part of the calculations. The relation between power demand and pumping rate at a pumping plant can be described through the use of the power-consumption coefficient. Where equipment and hydrologic conditions are stable, this coefficient can be applied to total energy consumption at a site to estimate total groundwater withdrawals. Random sampling of power consumption coefficients can be used to estimate area-wide groundwater withdrawal. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2002

Hydrologic, water-quality, and sediment-quality data for the Christmas Bay system, Brazoria County, Texas, February 1999-March 2000

The Christmas Bay system is a group of three small secondary bays (Christmas, Bastrop, and Drum Bays) at the southwestern end of the Galveston Bay estuarine system in Brazoria County, Texas. During February 1999-March 2000, hydrologic, water-quality, and sediment-quality data were collected from each of the three bays to establish baseline conditions. Gage-height fluctuations closely matched open-water tidal fluctuations. Rainfall during February 1999-February 2000 was about 20 percent below the annual average. Specific conductance, pH, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen monitored at 30-minute intervals in Christmas Bay for 13 months showed seasonal variations typical of monitoring stations on the Texas Gulf Coast. Prevailing winds were from the southeast. Monthly water-quality sampling for 13 months showed that in each of the three bays concentrations of major ions were small, and most nutrient concentrations were at or less than minimum reporting levels; indicator bacteria counts were consistently higher in samples collected from Drum Bay. Several trace elements (sampled twice) were detected in small concentrations. The only organochlorine pesticides (sampled once) that were greater than minimum reporting levels were atrazine, deethylatrazine, metolachlor, and simazine. During February 29-March 29, 2000, three semipermeable membrane devices were deployed at the Christmas Bay monitoring station. Seven of 77 semivolatile organic compounds analyzed in the lipids from the devices were detected in minute amounts. Analyses of surficial bed sediment sampled once in each of the three bays yielded detections of a number of semivolatile organic compounds; all concentrations were less than 10 micrograms per liter and much less than the respective benchmark concentration for those compounds that have had a benchmark concentration established for the protection of aquatic life.

Texas↗

USGS1976

Basic data from five core holes in the Raft River geothermal area, Cassia County, Idaho

Studies of the geothermal aspect-of the Bridge area of the Raft River basin in south-central Idaho (fig. 1) by the U.S. Geological Survey began in 1972 when Young and Mitchell (1973) made a geochemical and geologic reconnaissance of selected thermal waters in Idaho. The Bridge area had been designated the Frazier known geothermal resource area (Frazier KGRA) by the U.S. Geological Survey (Godwin and others-, 1971) . Since 1972, several units of the Geological Survey have studied the area to provide data for the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration, which proposes to ascertain whether the geothermal resource can be developed for power generation and other uses. The studies include geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, water sampling, test drilling, and studies of all available drill- hole data. A list of reports already prepared on the area is included with this report. Core drilling of five holes began in August 1974 and was completed in March 1975. These holes are referred to as intermediate-depth core holes, principally because in the spring of 1974, 35 auger holes 25 to 98 feet (7.6 to 30 meters) were completed in the area (Crosthwaite, 1974), and the Aerojet Nuclear Company, under the auspices of the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration, was planning some deep drilling 4,000 to 6,000 feet (1,200 to 1,800 meters) (fig. 1). The purpose of the core drilling was to provide information to test geophysical interpretations of the subsurface structure and lithology and to provide hydrologic and geologic data on the shallow part of the geothermal system. Samples of the core were made available to several divisions and branches of the Geological Survey and to people and agencies outside the Survey. This report presents the basic data from the core holes that had been collected to September 1, 1975, and includes lithologic and geophysical well logs, chemical analyses of water (table 1), and laboratory analyses of cores (table 2) that were completed as of the above date. The data were collected by the Idaho District office, Hydrologic Laboratory, Borehole Geophysics Research Project, and Drilling, Sampling, and Testing Section, all of the Water Resources Division, and the Branch of Central Environmental Geology of the Geologic Divison.

Idaho↗

USGS2009

Meteorological Data near Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado, U.S.A., 1984-2008

In 1983, a snowmelt energy budget study was initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey on a small watershed near Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado, to better understand snowmelt processes. The study included data collection from hydrological and meteorological instrumentation. Interest in long term, high-altitude meteorological sites has increased recently due to the increased awareness of global climate change. The meteorological data collected near Rabbit Ears Pass may aid researchers involved in global climate change studies. Meteorological data from 1984 to 2008 are presented.

Data Series↗

USGS2013

Origin and characteristics of discharge at San Marcos Springs, south-central Texas

The Edwards aquifer in south-central Texas is one of the most productive aquifers in the Nation and is the primary source of water for the rapidly growing San Antonio area. Springs issuing from the Edwards aquifer provide habitat for several threatened and endangered species, serve as locations for recreational activities, and supply downstream users. Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs are major discharge points for the Edwards aquifer, and their discharges are used as thresholds in groundwater management strategies. Regional flow paths originating in the western part of the aquifer are generally understood to supply discharge at Comal Springs. In contrast, the hydrologic connection of San Marcos Springs with the regional Edwards aquifer flow system is less understood. During November 2008–December 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the San Antonio Water System, collected and analyzed hydrologic and geochemical data from springs, groundwater wells, and streams to gain a better understanding of the origin and characteristics of discharge at San Marcos Springs. During the study, climatic and hydrologic conditions transitioned from exceptional drought to wetter than normal. The wide range of hydrologic conditions that occurred during this study—and corresponding changes in surface-water, groundwater and spring discharge, and in physicochemical properties and geochemistry—provides insight into the origin of the water discharging from San Marcos Springs. Three orifices at San Marcos Springs (Deep, Diversion, and Weissmuller Springs) were selected to be representative of larger springs at the spring complex. Key findings include that discharge at San Marcos Springs was dominated by regional recharge sources and groundwater flow paths and that different orifices of San Marcos Springs respond differently to changes in hydrologic conditions; Deep Spring was less responsive to changes in hydrologic conditions than were Diversion Spring and Weissmuller Spring. Also, San Marcos Springs discharge is influenced by mixing with a component of saline groundwater.

Texas↗

USGS1987

Records of wells and chemical analyses of ground water in Campbell County, South Dakota

Well and chemical groundwater data contained in two tables were collected during a 3-yr study started in 1964 to determine the geology and water resources of Campbell County, South Dakota. Physical, hydrologic, and geologic data for 631 wells and test holes have been entered into computer storage in the Groundwater Site Inventory File of the U.S. Geological Survey 's National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE). The well table in the report is a computer printout from WATSTORE. Water quality data from 257 chemical analyses have been stored in the Water Quality File of WATSTORE and is computer printed in the chemical table by aquifer. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

USGS2023

Evaluation of potential stresses and hydrologic conditions driving water-level fluctuations in well ER-5-3-2, Frenchman Flat, southern Nevada

Well ER-5-3-2 is part of a well network designed to monitor long-term water levels and radionuclide concentrations downgradient from underground nuclear tests that occurred in Frenchman Flat, an area of the U.S. Department of Energy Nevada National Security Site in southern Nevada. Interpretation of monitoring records for well ER-5-3-2 was confounded by previously unexplained water-level fluctuations in the well hydrograph. This study integrated geologic, hydrologic, and water-chemistry data to evaluate potential stresses and hydrologic conditions that likely affected the well ER-5-3-2 hydrograph. Numerical groundwater models were applied to evaluate four model scenarios: (1) wellbore leakage without recharge, (2) wellbore leakage with recharge, (3) equilibration to vertical heterogeneities between shallow (low transmissivity) and deep (higher transmissivity) carbonate zones, and (4) equilibration to lateral heterogeneities in carbonate rocks. Meteoric recharge was not the cause of the 21-foot (ft) water-level rise in well ER-5-3-2 from 2001 to 2011 or the 4-ft decline from 2012 to 2016. Based on observed water-level fluctuations in nearby wells, the water-level rise and decline from recharge for these periods was less than 3 and 1 ft, respectively. The lateral-heterogeneity scenario is based on the assumption that the 21-ft water-level rise from 2001 to 2011 was a natural water-level reequilibration following the pumping-induced depressurization of a large volume of high transmissivity and low-storage carbonate rock that is surrounded by low transmissivity and high-storage carbonate rock. The lateral-heterogeneity scenario was discounted because simulated water levels cannot match the well ER-5-3-2 hydrograph. Underground nuclear testing and temperature effects were discounted based on hydraulic connections and water-temperature data. Wellbore-leakage scenarios are based on the assumption that the water-level rise was sustained from leakage rates required to cause a localized mounding in the carbonate system near well ER-5-3-2, where the carbonate transmissivity is 530 square feet per day. Even though simulated and measured water levels compare favorably for scenarios of wellbore leakage with and without recharge, large volumes (178–184 million gallons) of groundwater from volcanic rocks would be required to leak into the carbonate system, which is not supported by water-chemistry data. An alternative conceptualization of wellbore leakage is based on the assumption that the 21-ft water-level rise from 2001 to 2011 was sustained by the hydraulic disconnection of well ER-5-3-2 from the carbonate system. The disconnection occurred several months after a constant-rate test in well ER-5-3-2 when carbonate rocks were hydraulically disconnected from the well by either (1) the shifting of sloughed fill in the open hole or (2) the encrusting of carbonate precipitate in the well screen. The hydraulic disconnection effectively sealed the well and caused a 21-ft water-level rise from wellbore leakage during 2001–11. In this case, total wellbore leakage from 2001 to 2011 was about 50 gallons. The 4-ft water-level decline from 2012 to 2016 was conceptualized to have occurred from the slow breaking of the seal and reconnection of the well to the carbonate system. This alternative conceptualization of wellbore leakage was consistent with water-chemistry analyses because the computed wellbore leakage (50 gallons) was small relative to purged volumes (30,000–40,000 gallons) for sampling, and the water chemistry would not be expected to change. The shallow-deep carbonate scenario provided another explanation for the well ER-5-3-2 hydrograph. This scenario is based on the assumption that well-construction effects and vertical heterogeneity of the carbonate system explain the ER-5-3-2 water-level trend. Well-construction effects are attributed to a temporary clogging of the open interval below the well screen that was opened during pumping events, which affected the hydraulic connection of deep transmissive carbonate rocks to the wellbore. The 21-ft water-level rise from 2001 to 2011 was a natural equilibration to shallow, low-transmissivity carbonate rocks during a period when the lower open interval was clogged. The 4-ft decline from 2012 to 2016 represents equilibration between the shallow and deep intervals, because of a partial unclogging of the connection between the two intervals. The low water levels from 2016 to 2021 resulted from pumping for sampling and an unclogging of the open interval so that the low head in the deep carbonate dominated the water level. Despite potential well-construction effects, from either a wellbore leakage or shallow-deep carbonate scenario, samples collected from well ER-5-3-2 are representative of the carbonate system.

Nevada↗

USGS2005

Snowmelt discharge characteristics Sierra Nevada, California

Alpine snow is an important water resource in California and the western U.S. Three major features of alpine snowmelt are the spring pulse (the first surge in snowmelt-driven river discharge in spring), maximum snowmelt discharge, and base flow (low river discharge supported by groundwater in fall). A long term data set of hydrologic measurements at 24 gage locations in 20 watersheds in the Sierra Nevada was investigated to relate patterns of snowmelt with stream discharge In wet years, the daily variations in snowmelt discharge at all the gage locations in the Sierra Nevada correlate strongly with the centrally located Merced River at Happy Isles, Yosemite National Park (i.e., in 1983, the mean of the 23 correlations was R= 0.93 + 0.09) ; in dry years, however, this correlation breaks down (i.e., in year 1977, R=0.72 + 0.24). A general trend towards earlier snowmelt was found and modeled using correlations with the timing of the spring pulse and the river discharge center of mass. For the 24 river and creek gage locations in this study, the spring pulse appeared to be a more sensitive measure of early snowmelt than the center of mass. The amplitude of maximum daily snowmelt discharge correlates strongly with initial snow water equivalent. Geologic factors, base rock permeability and soil-to-bedrock ratio, influence snowmelt flow pathways. Although both surface and ground water flows and water levels increase in wet years compared to dry years, the increase was greater for surface water in a watershed with relatively impermeable base rock than for surface water in a watershed with highly permeable base rock The relation was the opposite for base flow (ground water). The increase was greater for groundwater in a watershed with permeable rock compared to ground water in a watershed with impermeable rock. A similar, but weaker, surface/groundwater partitioning was observed in relatively impermeable granitic watersheds with differing soil-to-bedrock ratios. The increase in surface flow was greater in a watershed with a low, compared to a high, soil-to-bedrock ratio; whereas the increase in ground water flow was greater in a watershed with a high, compared to a low, soil-to-bedrock ratio. Transects that include long-term observations of shallow well-water depth and chemistry would complement traditional hydroclimate data and provide a more complete understanding of hydrologic controls of snowmelt.

California↗

USGS2002

Archiving, processing, and disseminating ASTER products at the USGS EROS Data Center

The U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center archives, processes, and disseminates Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data products. The ASTER instrument is one of five sensors onboard the Earth Observing System's Terra satellite launched December 18, 1999. ASTER collects broad spectral coverage with high spatial resolution at near infrared, shortwave infrared, and thermal infrared wavelengths with ground resolutions of 15, 30, and 90 meters, respectively. The ASTER data are used in many ways to understand local and regional earth-surface processes. Applications include land-surface climatology, volcanology, hazards monitoring, geology, agronomy, land cover change, and hydrology. The ASTER data are available for purchase from the ASTER Ground Data System in Japan and from the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center in the United States, which receives level 1A and level 1B data from Japan on a routine basis. These products are archived and made available to the public within 48 hours of receipt. The level 1A and level 1B data are used to generate higher level products that include routine and on-demand decorrelation stretch, brightness temperature at the sensor, emissivity, surface reflectance, surface kinetic temperature, surface radiance, polar surface and cloud classification, and digital elevation models. This paper describes the processes and procedures used to archive, process, and disseminate standard and on-demand higher level ASTER products at the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center.

Conference Paper↗

USGS2015

Synthesis of geophysical data (phase V, deliverable 55)

Aeromagnetic and radiometric data were used to map shallow Precambrian basement lithology and structure and determine the depth to magnetic basement, which in most cases, corresponds to the depth to crystalline basement of interest for mineral exploration. These depths, along with those determined from gravity data, help identify basins with hydrologic potential. In addition, the magnetic data were used to identify buried Precambrian rocks of unknown affinity.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1987

Records of wells and chemical analyses of ground water in Hand and Hyde counties, South Dakota

Well and chemical groundwater data contained in three tables were collected during a 4-year study started in 1972 to determine the geology and water resources of Hand and Hyde Counties, South Dakota. Physical, hydrologic, and geologic data for 2,729 wells and test holes have been entered into computer storage in the Groundwater Site Inventory File of the U.S. Geological Survey 's National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System WATSTORE. Water quality data from 300 chemical analyses has been stored in the Water Quality File of WATSTORE and is computer printed int he chemical analyses table by aquifer. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

USGS1989

Streamflow and water-quality data for Little Clearfield Creek basin, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, December 1987 - November 1988

Streamflow and water quality data were collected throughout the Little Clearfield Creek basin, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, from December 1987 through November 1988, to determine the existing quality of surface water over a range of hydrologic conditions. This data will assist the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources during its review of coal mine permit applications. A water quality station near the mouth of Little Clearfield Creek provided continuous record of stream stage, pH, specific conductance, and water temperature. Monthly water quality samples collected at this station were analyzed for total and dissolved metals, nutrients, major cations, and suspended sediment concentrations. Seventeen partial record sites, located throughout the basin, were similarly sampled four times during the study. Streamflow and water quality data obtained at these sites during a winter base flow, a spring storm event, a low summer base flow, and a more moderate summer base flow also are presented. (Author 's abstract)

Open-File Report↗

USGS1990

Records of wells and chemical analyses of ground water in Deuel and Hamlin counties, South Dakota

Well and chemical groundwater data contained in three tables were collected during a 5-year study started in 1971 to determine the geology and water resources of Deuel and Hamlin Counties, South Dakota. Physical, hydrologic, and geologic data for 3,228 wells and test holes have been entered into computer storage in the Ground-Water Site Inventory File of the U.S. Geological Survey 's National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE). The well tables in the report are computer printouts from WATSTORE. Water quality data from 564 chemical analyses have been stored in the Water-Quality File of WATSTORE and is computer printed in the chemical analyses table by aquifer. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

USGS2019

Assessing the feasibility of satellite-based thresholds for hydrologically driven landsliding

Elevated soil moisture and heavy precipitation contribute to landslides worldwide. These environmental variables are now being resolved with satellites at spatiotemporal scales that could offer new perspectives on the development of landslide warning systems. However, the application of these data to hydro-meteorological thresholds (which account for antecedent soil moisture and rainfall) first need to be evaluated with respect to proven, direct measurement-based thresholds that use rain gauges and in situ soil moisture sensors. Here, we compare ground-based hydrologic data to overlapping satellite-based data before, during, and after a recent season of widespread shallow landsliding in the San Francisco Bay Area (California, USA). We then explore how the remotely sensed information could be used to empirically define hypothetical thresholds for shallow landsliding. We find that the ground-based thresholds developed with a single monitoring station show superior performance because the in situ soil saturation data better reflect the gravity-dominated subsurface flow conditions that are characteristic of hillslopes during the rainy season. Although the satellite-based thresholds can identify most of the landslide days, they include a greater number of false alarms due to overestimates of soil moisture between major storm events. To avoid the type of false alarms that are characteristic of our satellite-based thresholds, further post-processing of the near-surface hydrologic response data to better reflect gravity-dominated drainage should be integrated into satellite-based model outputs. Our results encourage further deployment of ground stations in landslide-prone terrain and cautious exploration of satellite-based hydro-meteorological thresholds where in situ networks are nonexistent.

California↗

USGS1989

Streamflow and water-quality data for Meadow Run basin, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, December 1987 - November 1988

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected throughout the Meadow Run basin, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, from December 7, 1987 through November 15, 1988, to determine the prevailing quality of surface water over a range of hydrologic conditions. This data will assist the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources during its review of coal-mine permit applications. A water-quality station near the mouth of Meadow Run provided continuous-record of stream stage, pH, specific conductance, and water temperature. Monthly water-quality samples collected at this station were analyzed for total and dissolved metals, nutrients, major cations and anions, and suspended-sediment concentrations. Fourteen partial-record sites, located throughout the basin, were similarly sampled four times during the study. Streamflow and water-quality data obtained at these sites during a winter base flow, a spring rainfall event, a summer rainfall event, and a low summer base flow also are presented.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1999

1:2,000,000-scale Hydrologic Units of the United States

This data set has been superseded by huc2m. This file contains hydrologic unit boundaries and codes for the conterminous United States along with Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was revised for inclusion in the National Atlas of the United States of America, and updated to match the streams file created by the USGS National Mapping Division (NMD) for the National Atlas of the United States of America. For the most current data and information relating to hydrologic unit codes (HUCs) please see http://water.usgs.gov/GIS/huc.html. The Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) is the most current data available for watershed delineation. See http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/watersheds/dataset

Report↗

USGS2011

Historical legacies, information and contemporary water science and management

Hydrologic science has largely built its understanding of the hydrologic cycle using contemporary data sources (i.e., last 100 years). However, as we try to meet water demand over the next 100 years at scales from local to global, we need to expand our scope and embrace other data that address human activities and the alteration of hydrologic systems. For example, the accumulation of human impacts on water systems requires exploration of incompletely documented eras. When examining these historical periods, basic questions relevant to modern systems arise: (1) How is better information incorporated into water management strategies? (2) Does any point in the past (e.g., colonial/pre-European conditions in North America) provide a suitable restoration target? and (3) How can understanding legacies improve our ability to plan for future conditions? Beginning to answer these questions indicates the vital need to incorporate disparate data and less accepted methods to meet looming water management challenges.

Water↗