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Donald C. Hayes

Publications and source records attributed to Donald C. Hayes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2010

Physical Habitat Characteristics on the North Fork Shenandoah River, VA in 2002-2003

This dataset was collected with a PLGR government-issue GPS, and through manual measurement in the field. Points were gathered while canoeing along the North Fork Shenandoah River. Each location marked a change in meso-scale habitat type. GPS points were supplemented with GIS-derived points in areas where manual measurements were made. The points were used to generate a line coverage. This coverage represents physical habitat at a meso-scale (width of stream).

Virginia↗
USGS2010

Physical Habitat Characteristics on the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River, VA in 2002-2007

Data collected with the GeoXT Trimble GPS unit using ArcPad 6.1. (summer 2006-2007). Files were created within a geodatabase to create a data dictionary for use in ArcPad during data collection. Drop down lists for habitat type, substrate, depth, width, length, and descriptions were included. Data files produced on the GeoXT were point shapefiles that could be checked back into the geodatabase and viewable as a layer. Points were gathered while canoeing along the South Fork Shenandoah River. Each location marked a change in meso-scale habitat type. GPS points were supplemented with GIS-derived points in areas where manual measurements were made. The points were used to generate a line coverage. This coverage represents physical habitat at a meso-scale (width of stream).

Virginia↗
USGS2006

Drainage Areas of Selected Streams in Virginia

Drainage areas were determined for more than 1,600 basins in the three major river basins of Virginia -- the North Atlantic Slope, South Atlantic Slope, and Ohio River Basins. Drainage areas range from 0.004 square mile to 7,866 square miles. A geographic information system was used to digitize and store data associated with the drainage basins. Drainage divides were digitized from digital U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale, topographic quadrangles using procedures recommended by the Subcommittee on Hydrology, Federal Interagency River Basin Committee. Digital drainage basins were quality assured, polygons of the closed drainage basins were generated, and drainage areas were computed.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2006

Physical habitat classification and instream flow modeling to determine habitat availability during low-flow periods, North Fork Shenandoah River, Virginia

Increasing development and increasing water withdrawals for public, industrial, and agricultural water supply threaten to reduce streamflows in the Shenandoah River basin in Virginia. Water managers need more information to balance human water-supply needs with the daily streamflows necessary for maintaining the aquatic ecosystems. To meet the need for comprehensive information on hydrology, water supply, and instream-flow requirements of the Shenandoah River basin, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission conducted a cooperative investigation of habitat availability during low-flow periods on the North Fork Shenandoah River. Historic streamflow data and empirical data on physical habitat, river hydraulics, fish community structure, and recreation were used to develop a physical habitat simulation model. Hydraulic measurements were made during low, medium, and high flows in six reaches at a total of 36 transects that included riffles, runs, and pools, and that had a variety of substrates and cover types. Habitat suitability criteria for fish were developed from detailed fish-community sampling and microhabitat observations. Fish were grouped into four guilds of species and life stages with similar habitat requirements. Simulated habitat was considered in the context of seasonal flow regimes to show the availability of flows that sustain suitable habitat during months when precipitation and streamflow are scarce. The North Fork Shenandoah River basin was divided into three management sections for analysis purposes: the upper section, middle section, and lower section. The months of July, August, and September were chosen to represent a low-flow period in the basin with low mean monthly flows, low precipitation, high temperatures, and high water withdrawals. Exceedance flows calculated from the combined data from these three months describe low-flow periods on the North Fork Shenandoah River. Long-term records from three streamflow-gaging stations were used to characterize the flow regime: North Fork Shenandoah River at Cootes Store, Va. (1925-2002), North Fork Shenandoah River at Mount Jackson, Va. (1943-2002), and North Fork Shenandoah River near Strasburg, Va. (1925-2002). The predominant mesohabitat types (14 percent riffle, 67.3 percent run, and 18.7 percent pool) were classified along the entire river (100 miles) to assist in the selection of reaches for hydraulic and fish community data collection. The upper section has predominantly particle substrate, ranging in size from sand to boulders, and the shortest habitat units. The middle section is a transitional section with increased bedrock substrate and habitat unit length. The lower section has predominantly bedrock substrate and the longest habitat units in the river. The model simulations show that weighted usable-habitat area in the upper management section is highest at flows higher than the 25-percent exceedance flow for July, August, and September. During these three months, total weighted usable-habitat area in this section is often less than the simulated maximum weighted usable-habitat area. Habitat area in the middle management section is highest at flows between the 25- and 75-percent exceedance flows for July, August, and September. In the middle section during these months, both the actual weighted usable-habitat area and the simulated maximum weighted usable-habitat area are associated with this flow range. Weighted usable-habitat area in the lower management section is highest at flows lower than the 75-percent exceedance flow for July, August, and September. In the lower section during these three months, some weighted usable-habitat area is available, but the normal range of flows does not include the simulated maximum weighted usable-habitat area. A time-series habitat analysis associated with the historic streamflow, zero water withdrawals, and doubled water withdrawals was completed. During s

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2004

Water-quality synoptic sampling, July 1999: North Fork Shenandoah River, Virginia

A study was conducted of water-quality conditions that may affect aquatic life during periods of low streamflow on the North Fork Shenandoah River, Va. Monthly mean streamflows in July 1999 at three streamflow-gaging stations were the lowest measured during the historical record on the river. Daily extremes of dissolved-oxygen concentrations were measured, along with pH, specific conductance, and water-temperature values, at 52 sites along 80 mi of the North Fork Shenandoah River from Cootes Store, Va., to its confluence with Passage Creek, near Strasburg, Va. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 2.1 to 16.4 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Dissolved-oxygen concentrations were equal to or less than the State water-quality minimum of 4.0 mg/L at 18 of 52 monitoring sites; all 18 sites were in the upper and middle portions of the river, where more than half of the first 34 sites had minimum dissolved-oxygen concentrations equal to or less than 4.0 mg/L. There were large variations from minimum to maximum dissolved-oxygen concentrations, with concentrations fluctuating as much as 10 mg/L per day; and typically 5 mg/L per day during the study period. pH ranged from 7.6 to 9.6, with pH values frequently greater than 9.0 in the downstream portion of the river. Specific-conductance values ranged from 178 to 856 microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm), with values greater than 600 μS/cm only measured at a group of five sites in the upstream portion of the river. Air temperatures ranged from 21.0 to 37.0 degrees Celsius (ºC), and water temperatures ranged from 17.00 to 30.14ºC. Along the length of the North Fork Shenandoah River, longitudinal variation in water-quality parameters was small. Groups of sites that differed from the general pattern define reaches where increased monitoring may help determine the factors that affect water quality at those sites.

Virginia↗
USGS2004

Water Resources Data, Virginia, Water, Year 2003 Volume 1. Surface-Water Discharge and Surface-Water Quality Records

Water-resources data for the 2003 water year for Virginia includes records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams and stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs. This volume contains records forwater discharge at 178 gaging stations; stage only at 2 gaging stations; stage and contents at 11 lakes and reservoirs; and water quality at 16 gaging stations. Also included are data for 49 crest-stage partial-record stations. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 4 and 5. Miscellaneous hydrologic data were collected at 149 measuring sites and 6 water-quality sampling sites not involved in the systematic data-collectionprogram. The data in this report represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Virginia.

Water Data Report↗
USGS2002

Water resources data, Virginia, water year 2001; Volume 1: Surface-water discharge and surface-water quality records

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 Virginia 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 - Virginia."

Virginia↗
USGS1998

A demonstration of the instream flow incremental methodology, Shenandoah River, Virginia

Current and projected demands on the water resources of the Shenandoah River have increased concerns for the potential effect of these demands on the natural integrity of the Shenandoah River system. The Instream Flow Incremental Method (IFIM) process attempts to integrate concepts of water-supply planning, analytical hydraulic engineering models, and empirically derived habitat versus flow functions to address water-use and instream-flow issues and questions concerning life-stage specific effects on selected species and the general well being of aquatic biological populations. The demonstration project also sets the stage for the identification and compilation of the major instream-flow issues in the Shenandoah River Basin, development of the required multidisciplinary technical team to conduct more detailed studies, and development of basin specific habitat and flow requirements for fish species, species assemblages, and various water uses in the Shenandoah River Basin. This report presents the results of an IFIM demonstration project, conducted on the main stem Shenandoah River in Virginia, during 1996 and 1997, using the Physical Habitat Simulation System (PHABSIM) model. Output from PHABSIM is used to address the general flow requirements for water supply and recreation and habitat for selected life stages of several fish species. The model output is only a small part of the information necessary for effective decision making and management of river resources. The information by itself is usually insufficient for formulation of recommendations regarding instream-flow requirements. Additional information, for example, can be obtained by analysis of habitat time-series data, habitat duration data, and habitat bottlenecks. Alternative-flow analysis and habitat-duration curves are presented.

Virginia↗
USGS1997

Base-flow characteristics of streams in the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont physiographic provinces of Virginia

Growth within the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont Physiographic Provinces of Virginia has focused concern about allocation of surface-water flow and increased demands on the ground-water resources. The pur pose of this report is to (.1) describe the base-flow characteristics of streams, (2) identify the regional differences in these flow characteristics, and (3) describe, if possible, the potential surface-water and ground-water yields of basins on the basis of the base-flow characteristics. Base-flow characteristics are presented for streams in the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont Physiographic Provinces of Virginia. The provinces are separated into five regions: (1) Valley and Ridge, (2) Blue Ridge, (3) Piedmont/Blue Ridge transition, (4) Piedmont northern, and (5) Piedmont southern. Different flow statistics, which represent stream flows predominantly comprised of base flow, were determined for 217 continuous-record stream flow-gaging stations from historical mean daily discharge and for 192 partial-record streamflow gaging stations by means of correlation of discharge measurements. Variability of base flow is represented by a duration ratio developed during this investigation. Effective recharge rates were also calculated. Median values for the different flow statis tics range from 0.05 cubic foot per second per square mile for the 90-percent discharge on the streamflow-duration curve to 0.61 cubic foot per second per square mile for mean base flow. An excellent estimator of mean base flow for the Piedmont/Blue Ridge transition region and Piedmont southern region is the 50-percent discharge on the streamflow-duration curve, but it tends to underestimate mean base flow for the remaining regions. The base-flow variability index ranges from 0.07 to 2.27, with a median value of 0.55. Effective recharge rates range from 0.07 to 33 .07 inches per year, with a median value of 8.32 inches per year. Differences in the base-flow characteristics exist between regions. The median discharges for the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont/Blue Ridge transition regions are higher than those for the Piedmont regions. Results from statistical analysis indicate that the regions can be ranked in terms of base-flow characteristics from highest to lowest as follows: (1) Piedmont/Blue Ridge transition, (2) Valley and Ridge and Blue Ridge, (3) Piedmont south ern, and (4) Piedmont northern. The flow statis tics are consistently higher and the values for base-flow variability are lower for basins within the Piedmont/Blue Ridge transition region relative to those from the other regions, whereas the basins within the Piedmont northern region show the opposite pattern. The group rankings of the base-flow characteristics were used to designate the potential surface-water yield for the regions. In addition, an approach developed for this investigation assigns a rank for potential surface-water yield to a basin according to the quartiles in which the values for the base-flow characteristics are located. Both procedures indicate that the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont/ Blue Ridge transition regions have moderate-to high potential surface-water yield and the Piedmont regions have low-to-moderate potential surface-water yield. In order to indicate potential ground-water yield from base-flow characteristics, aquifer properties for 51 streamflow-gaging stations with continuous record of streamflow data were determined by methods that use streamflow records and basin characteristics. Areal diffusivity ranges from 17,100 to 88,400 feet squared per day, with a median value of38,400 feet squared per day. Areal transmissivity ranges from 63 to 830 feet squared per day, with a median value of270 feet squared per day. Storage coefficients, which were estimated by dividing areal transmissivity by areal diffusivity, range from approximately 0.001 to 0.019 (dimensionless), with a median value of 0.007. The median value for areal diffusivity decreases as potential surface-water yield of the basins increases. The ranking of a real diffusivity does not correspond with the ranking of potential surface-water yield for either the regions or the basins. Areal transmissivity generally increases as storage coefficient increases; however, basins with low potential surface-water yield generally have high values of areal transmissivity associated with low values of storage coefficient over a narrow range relative to those from basins designated as having moderate-to-high potential surface-water yield. Although the basins with high potential surface-water yield tend to have comparatively lower values for areal transmissivity, storage coefficients generally are large when compared to those from basins with similar values of a real transmissivity but different potential surface-water yield. Aquifer properties were grouped by potential surface-water yield and were related to hydro geologic units categorized by large, medium, and small well yields for the Valley and Ridge Physio graphic Province and for the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont Physiographic Provinces. Generally, no trend is evident between areal diffusivity and the hydrogeologic units. Some of the high values of a real diffusivity are associated with basins predominantly underlain by hydrogeologic units with small well yields, especially basins with a low potential surface-water yield. Areal transmissivity and storage coefficient tend to decrease, which is the expected trend, as more ofthe basin is underlain by the hydrogeologic unit with small well yields in the Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province. A similar trend is indicated for the hydrogeologic unit with medium well yields in the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont Physiographic Provinces. Areal transmissivity and storage coefficient tend to increase, which is not the expected trend, as more of the basin is underlain by the hydrogeologic unit with small well yields in the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont Physiographic Provinces. The base-flow characteristics of a basin may provide a relative indication of the potential ground-water yield; but other factors need to be considered, such as geologic structure, lithology, precipitation, relief, and degree of hydraulic interrconnection between the regolith and bedrock.

Virginia↗
USGS1996

Low-flow characteristics of streams in Maryland and Delaware

Hydrologic information on the variability of streamflow during low-flow periods is needed for the effective management of surface-water resources in Maryland and Delaware. Low-flow characteristics derived from streamflow under natural conditions are presented for 94 continuousrecord gaging stations in Maryland, Delaware, and surrounding States, and for 131 low-flow partial-record gaging stations in Maryland and Delaware. Methods are developed to estimate low-flow characteristics at ungaged stream sites for average 7-, 14-, and 30-consecutive-day lowflow discharges for recurrence intervals of 2, 10, and 20 years. The methods are applicable to unregulated streams in Maryland and Delaware for watersheds having drainage areas ranging from 2.0 to 875 square miles. Maryland and Delaware are divided into four regions on the basis of physiography and the results of regression analyses. The regions are the Eastern Shore region in Maryland and Delaware, the eastern-Piedmont region in Maryland, the western region in Maryland, and the southern region in Maryland. Equations are developed from regression analyses to estimate lowflow characteristics at ungaged sites on ungaged streams for the Eastern Shore region, the easternPiedmont region, and the western region. A generalized least-squares multiple-regression technique is used to develop the estimation equations that relate average 7-, 14-, and 30- consecutive-day low-flow discharges for recurrence intervals of 2, 10, and 20 years to physical and climatological features of drainage basins in the study area. Adjustments are necessary to low-flow discharges estimated from the equation for the western region because of the effects of carbonate rocks on low flows. The adjustment method is based on analysis of the residuals of regional estimation equations and the percentage of the basin underlain by carbonate rocks. An equation is developed on the basis of a distance-weighted average of low-flow discharges at gaging stations to estimate low flow characteristics at ungaged sites on ungaged streams for the southern region. Estimates of the accuracy of low-flow characteristics determined from all regional equations are provided. Two methods are presented for estimating low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites on gaged streams. One method combines low-flow characteristics determined from gaging station data with results from the regional regression equation at the gaging station and at the ungaged site to estimate the low-flow characteristics either upstream or downstream from the gaging station. The other method estimates low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites between gaging stations using a graphical solution. Estimates of accuracy of the low-flow characteristics determined by these methods also are provided.

Delaware, Maryland↗