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Water-resources investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey in the Souris-Red Rivers basin in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota

Information obtained on water resources by Federal and State agencies in the Souris-Red Rivers basin along the Canadian border in the midwestern United States is available for analysis to address flood, drought, and supply problems. It consists of streamflows, ground water measurements, and quality of water determinations. This summary contains locations of data sites; lists of current and past studies with titles, objectives, locations, and dates; and available water resources reports. Listed are 46 projects and investigations; 233 active and 145 inactive streamflow gages; 198 active and 252 inactive surface water quality sites; 457 active and 49 inactive ground water level observation wells, some of which are water quality sampling sites; and 252 reports. Four maps are included as an aid in locating the sites.

Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Water-resources investigations in Wisconsin

The statewide average precipitation of 38.79 inches for the 1993 water year was 122 percent of the normal annual precipitation of 31.77 inches for water years 1961-90. Average precipitation values ranged from 103 percent of normal in northwestern Wisconsin to 150 percent of normal in southwestern Wisconsin (Pamela Naber Knox, UW-Extension, Geological and Natural History Survey, written commun., 1993). Runoff was variable for rivers throughout the State ranging from 99 percent in northcentral Wisconsin to 278 percent in southwestern Wisconsin. Departure of runoff in the 1993 water year from long-term average runoff is shown in figure 4, along with long-term average runoff for the period 1951-80. Runoff was lowest (99 percent of the average annual runoff from 1936-93) for the Wisconsin River at Rainbow Lake near Lake Tomahawk. Runoff was highest (278 percent of the average annual runoff from 1939-93) for the Pecatonica River at Darlington. The average annual runoff for the 1993 water year was the maximum for the period of record at 33 long-term stations (more than 10 years of record) in the southern half of Wisconsin. A comparison of the annual discharge for the individual water years (1916-93) at the Oconto River near Gillett, Jump River at Sheldon, and Sugar River near Brodhead is shown figure 5, The comparisons of monthly and annual discharges for the 1993 water year to discharge for a 78-year base period at the same three gaging stations are shown in figure 6. Spring runoff from snowmelt and major storms, in the period March through September 1993, caused floods with discharges that equalled or exceeded those with a recurrence interval of 10 years (Krug and others, 1991) at a number of crest-stage gage and gaging stations.

Wisconsin

Water-Resources Investigations in Wisconsin

The statewide average precipitation of 33.37 inches for the 1996 water year was 105 percent of the normal annual precipitation of 31.79 inches for water years 1961-90. Average precipitation values ranged from 77 percent of normal at Trempealeau Dam 6 weather station in west central Wisconsin to 151 percent of normal at Oconto 4 W weather station in northeast Wisconsin (State Climatologist Office, Geological and Natural History Survey, written commun., 1997). Runoff was variable for rivers throughout the State ranging from 64 percent in southwest Wisconsin to 212 percent in east central Wisconsin. Runoff was lowest (64 percent of the average annual runoff from 1935-96) for the Platte River near Rockville and highest (212 percent of the average annual runoff from 1949-69, 1988-96) for the South Branch Rock River at Waupun. Departures of runoff in the 1996 water year as a percent of long-term average runoff in the State are shown in Figure 4. EXPLANATION

Wisconsin

Geochemical data from produced water contamination investigations: Osage-Skiatook Petroleum Environmental Research (OSPER) sites, Osage County, Oklahoma

We report chemical and isotopic analyses of 345 water samples collected from the Osage-Skiatook Petroleum Environmental Research (OSPER) project. Water samples were collected as part of an ongoing multi-year USGS investigation to study the transport, fate, natural attenuation, and ecosystem impacts of inorganic salts and organic compounds present in produced water releases at two oil and gas production sites from an aging petroleum field located in Osage County, in northeast Oklahoma. The water samples were collected primarily from monitoring wells and surface waters at the two research sites, OSPER A (legacy site) and OSPER B (active site), during the period March, 2001 to February, 2005. The data include produced water samples taken from seven active oil wells, one coal-bed methane well and two domestic groundwater wells in the vicinity of the OSPER sites.

Oklahoma

Water-Resources Investigations in Wisconsin, 2000

The statewide average precipitation of 36.00 inches for the 1999 water year was 4.35 inches greater than the normal annual precipitation of 31.65 inches for water years 1961-90. Average precipitation values ranged from 83 percent of normal at both the Rosholt 9 NNE weather station in north central Wisconsin and Shawano 2 SSW WWTP weather station in northeast Wisconsin to 155 percent of normal at the Solon Springs weather station in northwestern Wisconsin (from tables provided by JoAnne Kruepke, UW-Extension, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, written commun., 2000). Runoff differed for rivers throughout the State and ranged from 46 percent in east central Wisconsin to 157 percent in south central Wisconsin. Runoff was lowest (46 percent of the average annual runoff from 1989-99) for the Duck Creek near Oneida station and highest (157 percent of the average annual runoff from 1949-69, 1988-99) for the South Branch Rock River at Waupun station in south central Wisconsin. Departures of runoff in the 1999 water year as a percent of long-term average runoff in the State (determined using stations with drainage areas greater than 150 square miles and at least 20 years of record) are shown in Figure 4.

Wisconsin

Water-Resources Investigations in Wisconsin, 2001

The statewide average precipitation of 32.82 inches for the 2000 water year was 1.14 inches greater than the normal annual precipitation of 31.68 inches for water years 1961-90. Average precipitation values affecting streamflow conditions ranged from 90 percent of normal in northwest Wisconsin to 121 percent of normal in southeast Wisconsin (summary tables provided by Lyle Anderson, State Climatology Office, University of Wisconsin, Madison, written commun., 2001). Although precipitation for the year averaged only 104 percent of normal, the 2000 water year had extremes of beginning dry, turning very wet in the spring, and ending dry again. The year began below normal the first quarter of the year in all climatic divisions of the State. Record high temperatures in February and March and below normal snowfall brought an early spring and dry conditions statewide during March and April (Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service, 2000). The northern part of the State was still below normal for May. May and June brought record wet weather and cool temperatures for the southern half of the State: southeast Wisconsin received over 270 percent of normal rainfall for May, and southwest Wisconsin received over 250 percent of normal rainfall for June. June was the wettest month statewide, averaging 173 percent of normal. The last quarter of the year was more variable with the northern half of the State being below normal and the remainder near normal; heavy rains exceeding 10 inches for the month occurred in localized areas during July and September. Runoff differed for rivers throughout the State and ranged from 33 percent in east central Wisconsin to 166 percent in south central Wisconsin. Runoff was lowest (33 percent of the average annual runoff from 1964- 2000) for the Lake Michigan tributary Kewaunee River near Kewaunee, and highest (166 percent of the average annual runoff from 1974-2000) for the Pheasant Branch at Middleton station in south central Wisconsin. Departures of runoff in the 2000 water year as a percent of long-term average runoff in the State (determined using stations with drainage areas greater than 150 square miles and at least 20 years of record) are shown in Figure 4.

Wisconsin

Water-Resources Investigations in Wisconsin, 2002

The statewide average precipitation of 34.83 inches for the 2001 water year was 3.15 inches greater than the normal annual precipitation of 31.68 inches for water years 1961–90. Average precipitation values affecting streamflow conditions ranged from 92 percent in northeast Wisconsin to 122 percent in southwest Wisconsin with a statewide average of 110 percent (summary tables provided by Lyle Anderson and Ed Hopkins, State Climatology Office, University of Wisconsin, Madison, written commun., 2002). The year started out very dry with all regions of the state below 50% of the long-term October average. November precipitation, which was approximately normal, was followed by a December which had record-setting snowfall in most of southern Wisconsin and heavier than normal snowfall the rest of the state. This snowfall total was boosted by the colder than normal temperatures that increased the snowfall depth for water content. The state had the first emergency snow declaration since 1979 with 14 counties receiving aid for December snow clean-up (Wisconsin State Journal, Dec. 15, 2001). Statewide precipitation in January was close to normal. February precipitation was above normal in northwest, north central and all of southern Wisconsin. Elsewhere in the state precipitation was close to normal. In March all regions of the state were very dry with total precipitation below 50% of the long-term March average. In April, the northwest corner of the state had precipitation over three times normal, north central had more than double normal and west central also had precipitation significantly above normal. The rest of the state was also above normal. In May, precipitation in the southern and central parts of the state was about 160 percent of normal. From mid June to mid July there was a statewide dry spell, with most of the state receiving less than 1 inch of rain. August precipitation was close to normal for most of the state with some localized very heavy rains of over 11 inches in southwest and south central Wisconsin. In September, the southern part of the state was above normal, the northwest part of the state was below normal and the rest of the state was about normal. Runoff for rivers in the state ranged from 67 percent of the average annual runoff (1964–2001) at the Kewaunee River site in the northeast part of the state to 160 percent of the average annual runoff (1944–2001) at the Eau Galle River at Spring Valley site in the west central part of the state. Departures of runoff in the 2001 water year as a percent of long-term average runoff in the state (determined using stations with drainage areas greater than 150 square miles and at least 20 years of record) are shown in figure 4.

Wisconsin

Water-resources investigations in Wisconsin, 1995

The statewide average precipitation of 30.66 inches for the 1994 water year was 96 percent of the normal annual precipitation of 31.79 inches for water years 1961-90. Average precipitation values ranged from 81 percent of normal in southeastern Wisconsin to 103 percent of normal in west-central Wisconsin (Pamela Naber Knox, UW-Extension, Geological and Natural History Survey, written commun., 1994). Runoff was variable for rivers throughout the State ranging from 60 percent in southeast Wisconsin to 142 percent in west-central Wisconsin. Runoff was lowest (60 percent of the average annual runoff from 1972-94) for the Pike River near Racine. Runoff was highest (142 percent of the average annual runoff from 1915-19, 1935-94) for the Trempealeau River at Dodge. Departure of runoff in the 1994 water year as a percent of long-term average runoff in the State are shown in Figure 4.

Wisconsin

Water-resources investigations in Wisconsin, 1999

The statewide average precipitation of 31.23 inches for the 1998 water year was 0.42 inches less than the normal annual precipitation of 31.65 inches for water years 1961-90. Average precipitation values ranged from 69 percent of normal at both the Willow Reservoir WVI weather station in north central Wisconsin and Crivitz High Falls WPS weather station in northeast Wisconsin to 141 percent of normal at the Dodgeville 1 NE WWTP and Muscoda weather stations in southwest Wisconsin (from tables provided by Lyle Anderson, Program Assistant, UW-Extension, Geological and Natural History Survey, written commun., 1999). Runoff differed for rivers throughout the State and ranged from 54 percent in northwest Wisconsin to 146 percent in southeast Wisconsin. Runoff was lowest (54 percent of the average annual runoff from 1975-98) for the Nemadji River near South Superior and highest (146 percent of the average annual runoff from 1976-79, 1981-98) for the Underwood Creek at Wauwatosa station which monitors a small urban basin (drainage area is 18.2 square miles) in southeastern Wisconsin. Departures of runoff in the 1998 water year as a percent of long-term average runoff in the State (determined using stations with drainage areas greater than 150 square miles and at least 20 years of record) are shown in Figure 4. Annual discharges for the individual water years (1916-98) at the Oconto River near Gillett, Jump River at Sheldon, and Sugar River near Brodhead are shown in Figure 5. The comparison of monthly and annual discharges for the 1998 water year to discharge for a 83-year base period at the same three gaging stations are shown in Figure 6. Low flows occurred at 21 gaging stations where the annual minimum 7-consecutive day average flows (Q7) had recurrence intervals of 5 or more years. Precipitation was well below normal from July through September in northern Wisconsin. Monthly precipitation values were 4.46, 5.69, and 4.24 inches below normal in northwestern, north central, and northeastern Wisconsin, respectively, in the July through September period (from tables provided by Lyle Anderson, Program Assistant, UW-Extension, Geological and Natural History Survey, written commun., 1999). The precipitation for the April to October period was

Wisconsin

Reconnaissance investigation of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the Salton Sea area, California, 1986-87

Water, bottom sediment, and biota were sampled during 1986 and 1987 in the Salton Sea area to determine concentrations of trace elements and pesticides as part of the Department of Interior Irrigation Drainage Program. The sampling sites (12 water, 15 bottom sediment, and 5 biota) were located in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys. The focus of sampling was to determine the current or potential threat to the wildlife of the Salton National Wildlife Refuge from irrigation projects sponsored or operated by the Department of the Interior. Results of the investigation indicate that selenium is the major element of concern. Elevated concentrations of selenium in water were restricted to tile-drain effluent. The maximum selenium concentration of 300 microg/L was detected in a tile-drain sample, and the minimum concentration of 1 microg/L was detected in a composite sample of Salton Sea water. The median selenium concentration was 19 microg/L. In contrast to the water, the highest bottom-sediment selenium concentration of 3.3 mg/kg was in a composite sample from the Salton Sea. The selenium detected in samples of waterfowl and fish also are of concern, but, to date, no studies have been done in the Salton Sea area to determine if selenium has caused adverse biological effects. Concentrations of boron and manganese were elevated in tile-drain samples throughout the Imperial Valley. Boron concentrations in migratory waterfowl were at levels that could cause reproduction impairment. Elevated concentrations of chromium, nickel, and zinc were detected in the Whitewater River , but they were not associated with irrigation drainage. Organochlorine pesticide residues were detected in bottom sediment throughout the study area at levels approaching those measured more than 10 years ago. More detailed studies would be needed to determine if these residues are affecting the waterfowl. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Bibliography of hydrologic and water-quality investigations conducted in or near the Albermarle-Pamlico Sounds Region, North Carolina

A bibliography containing 1,100 citations is presented. The cited works are primarily reports of investigations of the effects of land use and land-use change on water quality, artificial drainage, hydrology and hydrodynamics, and water quality in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds region, North Carolina. The bibliography is indexed according to research topic and geographic location of the investigation. the bibliography is also computerized and has been transferred to the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study data-management system.

Open-File Report

Compilation of atrazine and selected herbicide data from previous surface-water-quality investigations within the Big Blue River basin, Nebraska, 1983-92

Atrazine has been detected in the surface water of the Big Blue River Basin during every month of the year. Recent data (1983-92) documenting the occurrence of atrazine and related herbicides in the surface water of the basin are compiled in this report. In samples analyzed during these studies, atrazine was the herbicide detected most frequently within the basin. Of the 385 samples analyzed, 369 contained atrazine in detectable concentrations with detection levels varying from 0 to 0.1 micrograms per liter. The concentrations of atrazine within the samples varied from 0.5 to 166 micrograms per liter, with a median concentration of 2.7 micrograms per liter. Other herbicides frequently detected in the Big Blue River Basin were alachlor, cyanazine, metolachlor, and simazine, and two metabolites of atrazine, desethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine. In the 226 samples which alachlor was detected, the concentrations of the herbicide ranged from 0.05 to 56 micrograms per liter, and the median concen- tration was 1.1 micrograms per liter. Cyanazine was detected in 210 of 365 samples collected with con- centrations that ranged from 0.05 to 8.6 micrograms per liter with a median concentration of 0.4 microgram per liter. The maximum concentrations of metolachlor and simazine were 26 and 35 micrograms per liter, respectively. The median concentrations of these herbicides were 1.0 and 0.1 micrograms per liter, respectively. The maximum concentration of desethylatrazine, was 3.7 micrograms per liter, with a median concentration of 1.0 microgram per liter. Deisopropylatrazine, was detected in 152 samples with maximum and median concentrations of 2.6 and 0.6 micrograms per liter, respectively.

Open-File Report

Water-resources investigations in Tennessee: Programs and activities of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1988-1989

he following report is the most current in a series of reports published by the Water Resources Division of the US. Geological Survey describing the ongoing water-resources programs and activities in the Tennessee District. These reports provide general information about the projects conducted by the Tennessee District in cooperation with state, local, and other federal agencies. In addition to describing the principal objectives of each program and project, information about the progress of each investigation is provided. The variety of projects conducted by the Tennessee District’s staff normally results in significant new findings. Each year the focus of the programs conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in Tennessee varies in response to local, state, and federal interests. The local and state interests are addressed through our cooperative investigations program, in which the U.S. Geological Survey provides as much as 50 percent of the funds to conduct investigations. Almost two thirds of the projects in the District are in the cooperative program; the U.S. Geological Survey contributed almost 1.5 million dollars in matching funds to cooperative programs in Tennessee in fiscal year 1989. Federal funds from within the U.S. Geological Survey and other federal agencies financed additional programs at a cost of about 1 million dollars. Technical focus of local and federal programs has shifted during the last few years towards issues addressing hazardous-wastes and ground-water contamination. Many of the projects presented in this report address those issues. Emerging issues such as concerns about wetlands, scour of bridges, quality of storm-water runoff, and droughts, are well represented in the scope of the investigations described in this report. The results of these programs provide significant input to many other activities of the State of Tennessee and the Federal Government that have a direct impact on the quality of life. The information and conclusions obtained from these data-collection programs and investigations are crucial to meet many of the water-supply needs, regulatory, and other water-related issues that the local, state, and federal governments must address. The ability of the U.S. Geological Survey to provide the data to meet these needs resides with the support that the program receives by the State and Federal cooperators. I am pleased with the extent and degree of cooperation that the program receives across the State and from other federal agencies. This report is a testimony to this support. I wish to share these achievements with the dedicated employees of the Tennessee District as well as with the cooperating agencies and their representatives that make this program feasible.

Tennessee

Selected literature on water-resources investigations in New Jersey by the U.S. Geological Survey, through 1986

Because of the importance and complexity of the water resources of New Jersey today, there is a need for a current bibliography to serve as a basis for future water resources studies. This report lists about 400 book reports, map reports, and articles that deal with the water resources of New Jersey published through 1986. The publications are grouped under three major headings: (1) publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, (2) publications of State agencies prepared by or in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, and (3) other publications, such as technical journals prepared by or co-authored by U.S. Geological Survey personnel. Most of the publications are available for inspection at the West Trenton office of the U.S. Geologic Survey and at large public and university libraries. Ordering information is given for those publications that are for sale. (USGS)

Open-File Report

A supplement to "Methods for collection and analysis of aquatic biological and microbiological samples" (U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 5, Chapter A4)

The manual contains methods used by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect, preserve, and analyze waters to determine their biological and microbiological properties. It supplements ' Methods for Collection and Analysis of Aquatic Biological and Microbiological Samples ' (TWRI, Book 5, Chapter A4, 1977, edited by P. E. Greeson, T. A. Ehlke, G. A. Irwin, B. W. Lium, and K. V. Slack). Included are 5 new methods, a new section of selected taxonomic references for Ostracoda, and 6 revised methods.

Open-File Report

Technical Review of Water-Resources Investigations of the Tule Desert, Lincoln County, Southern Nevada

The Nevada State Engineer in Ruling No. 5181 required Lincoln County and Vidler Water Company, Inc., to provide results from additional water-resources studies of Tule Desert in southern Nevada to support water-rights application 64692. As outlined by the ruling, the additional studies were to include the determination of the amount of ground water available from the Tule Desert basin, ground-water recharge to the Tule Desert, and the direction of ground-water flow. Results of these additional studies were published in five reports prepared for Lincoln County and Vidler Water Company, Inc. The National Park Service formally requested that the U.S. Geological Survey provide technical reviews of these five reports. The Nevada State Engineer in Ruling No. 5181 required Lincoln County and Vidler Water Company, Inc., to provide results from additional water-resources studies of Tule Desert in southern Nevada to support water-rights application 64692. As outlined by the ruling, the additional studies were to include the determination of the amount of ground water available from the Tule Desert basin, ground-water recharge to the Tule Desert, and the direction of ground-water flow. Results of these additional studies were published in five reports prepared for Lincoln County and Vidler Water Company, Inc. The National Park Service formally requested that the U.S. Geological Survey provide technical reviews of these five reports.

Open-File Report