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Ferdinand Quinones-Marquez

Publications and source records attributed to Ferdinand Quinones-Marquez.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1987

Hydraulic analyses of water-surface profiles in the vicinity of the Coamo Dam and Highway 52 bridge, southern Puerto Rico: Flood analyses as related to the flood of October 7, 1985

The magnitude, frequency and extent of the flood of October 7, 1985 at the Rio Coamo in the vicinity of the Coamo Dam and Highway 52 bridge in southern Puerto Rico, were investigated. The observed flood profiles were used to calibrate a step-backwater model. The calibrated model was then used to investigate several alternative flow conditions in the vicinity of the bridge. The peak discharge of the flood at the Highway 52 bridge was 72,000 cu ft/sec. This peak discharge was determined from the peak computed at a reach in the vicinity of the Banos de Coamo, about 1.2 mi upstream from the bridge. The computed discharge at the Banos de Coamo of 66,000 cu ft/sec was adjusted to the dam and bridge location by multiplying it by the ratio of the drainage areas raised to the 0.83 power. The flood had a recurrence interval of about 100 yr, exceeding all previously known floods at the site. The flood overtopped the spillway and levee of the Coamo Dam just upstream of Highway 52. The flow over the spillway was 54,000 cu ft/sec. Flow over the levee was about 18,000 cu ft/sec. About 10,000 cu ft/sec of the flow over the levee returned to the main channel at the base of the embankment at the northeast approach to the bridge. The remaining 8,000 cu ft/sec flowed south through the underpass on Highway 153. The embankment and shoulder on the northern span of the bridge were eroded with the eventual collapse of the approach slab.

Puerto Rico↗
USGS1984

Earth and water resources and hazards in Central America

Long-range economic development in Central America will depend in large part on production of indigenous mineral, energy, and water resources and on mitigation of the disastrous effects of geologic and hydrologic hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods. The region has six world-class metal mines at present as well as additional evidence of widespread mineralization. Systematic investigations using modern mineral exploration techniques should reveal more mineral deposits suitable for development. Widespread evidence of lignite and geothermal resources suggests that intensive studies could identify producible energy sources in most Central American countries. Water supply and water quality vary greatly from country to country. Local problems of ground- and surface-water availability and of contamination create a need for systematic programs to provide better hydrologic data, capital improvements, and management. Disastrous earthquakes have destroyed or severely damaged many cities in Central America. Volcanic eruptions, landslides, mudflows, and floods have devastated most of the Pacific side of Central America at one time or another. A regional approach to earthquake, volcano, and flood-risk analysis and monitoring, using modern technology and concepts, would provide the facilities and means for acquiring knowledge necessary to reduce future losses. All Central American countries need to strengthen institutions and programs dealing with earth and water resources and natural hazards. Some of these needs may be satisfied through existing or pending projects and technical and economic assistance from U.S. or other sources. The need for a comprehensive study of the natural resources of Central America and the requirements for their development is evident. The U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative offers both an excellent opportunity for a regional approach to these pervasive problems and an opportunity for international cooperation.

Circular↗
USGS1984

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 1946-1984

A bibliography of water-resources investigations conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands was compiled. The bibliography includes an alphabetical listing by author as well as listings by general and specific areas in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The publications are also classified by type of report: Open File, Open-File Data Report, KWater-Supply Paper, Water-Resources Investigations, and Professional Paper. (USGS)

Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands↗
USGS1980

Limnology of Lago Loiza, Puerto Rico

The principal chemical, physical and biological characteristics of Lago Loize, P.R., and its main tributaries were studied from 1973-74. The lake supplies an average of 300,000 cubic meters per day of water to metropolitan San Juan. Flows from Rio Grande de Loize and Rio Gurabo contribute 84.0 percent of the water, 67.3 percent of the nitrogen, and 66.8 percent of the phosphorus to the lake. About 31 percent of the nitrogen and 45 percent of the phosphorus were retained in the lake, which has a mean flusing rate of 19 times per year. The lake 's capacity declines at a rate of about 1.9 percent per year and is about 14.9 million cubic meters. Sewage inputs to the lake 's tributaries average 18,560 cubic meters per day. Fecal coliform bacteria in numbers ranging from 100 to 6,700,000 were recorded throughout the tributaries and the lake. In the lake, dissolved oxygen concentration is less than 5.0 milligrams per liter below the 1.5-meter depth. Lago Loize is a hypereutrophic lake, with an average total nitrogen concentration of 1.7 milligrams per liter and 0.33 milligram per liter of total phosphorus. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1978

Chemical, physical, biochemical, and bacteriological characteristics at selected stream sites in Puerto Rico, 1976-77

In 1969, the Caribbean District of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, initiated the operation of a network to monitor some parameters indicative of water-quality changes at selected stream sites. The initial network consisted of 18 stations, which were expanded to 20 in 1971, and to 30 in 1973 (Reed and others, 1971, 1972, Quinones, 1975). In 1974, at the request of the Environmental Quality Board of Puerto Rico, the network was modified to conform with the Environmental Protection Agency National Water Quality Surveillance System. Under the revised concept, monitoring stations were established at sites near the headwaters and mouths of the principal rivers in Puerto Rico. Most of the stations in the p-evious network were located at sites downstream in the valleys in order that the overall water-quality conditions in the principal rivers could be monitored. The purpose of the present network is to monitor changes in water quality between the upstream and downstream stations. The expanded network consisted of 58 stations. During 1976, five had been discontinued. One other was added late in 1976. Progress reports have been published in 1976 (Quinones and others) and 1977 (Quinones and others). Most of the stations in the original network have been maintained, thus providing sore degree of continuity. The monitoring stations used in this report are shown in figure 1 and listed in table 2. This report summarizes the results of the network operation from July 1976 to August 1977.

Puerto Rico↗
USGS1978

Limnology of Laguna Tortuguero, Puerto Rico

The principal chemical, physical and biological characteristics, and the hydrology of Laguna Tortuguero, Puerto Rico, were studied from 1974-75. The lagoon, with an area of 2.24 square kilometers and a volume of about 2.68 million cubic meters, contains about 5 percent of seawater. Drainage through a canal on the north side averages 0.64 cubic meters per second per day, flushing the lagoon about 7.5 times per year. Chloride and sodium are the principal ions in the water, ranging from 300 to 700 mg/liter and 150 to 400 mg/liter, respectively. Among the nutrients, nitrogen averages about 1.7 mg/liter, exceeding phosphorus in a weight ratio of 170:1. About 10 percent of the nitrogen and 40 percent of the phosphorus entering the lagoon is retained. The bottom sediments, with a volume of about 4.5 million cubic meters, average 0.8 and 0.014 percent nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. (Woodard-USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗