Geology topics

James L. Smoot

Publications and source records attributed to James L. Smoot.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1995

Water-quality assessment of the Kentucky River Basin, Kentucky; analysis of available surface-water-quality data through 1986, with a section on biological indicators of water quality

As part of the National Water-Quality Assessment program (NAWQA), existing water-quality data and ancillary information from the Kentucky River basin study unit were compiled and evaluated to provide a description of existing conditions and long-term trends in water quality. The data and evaluations were used to develop a conceptual understanding of the observed conditions and trends, including relations to causative factors, both natural and human controlled.

Kentucky↗

USGS1990

Geohydrology and numerical model analysis of ground-water flow in the Pullman-Moscow area, Washington and Idaho

The geohydrology of the Pullman, Washington-Moscow, Idaho area was investigated by mapping geohydrologic units, determining the distribution of hydraulic head in each unit, and determining some of the components of the water budget. This information was used to construct a three- dimensional groundwater-flow model that incorporates three layers--a surficial loess layer, a Wanapum Basalt layer, and a Grande Ronde Basalt layer. The model was used to assess the effects of changes in the rate of withdrawal of groundwater on the water levels in the geohydrologic units and on streamflow in the area. Recharge to the groundwater system was calculated independent of the model. It was determined that current farming practices use soil moisture more effectively than did natural vegetation, and these practices have reduced groundwater recharge by nearly 10%. The three-dimensional model was calibrated using the time- averaged method for the period 1974-85, and was evaluated by simulating historical pumpage rate changes (1890-1985) and comparing calculated with observed water-level changes. Model results indicate that groundwater levels would stop declining if pumpage were stabilized at a constant level. Levels will continue to decline into the foreseeable future, however, as long as groundwater pumpage continues to increase. The source of the additional simulated pumpage is streamflow depletion near pumping locations.

Idaho, Washington↗

USGS1989

Effect of flow conditions on stream reaeration coefficients

Contrary to the findings of previous studies of channel-controlled stream reaches, it was found that, in four reaches of a small stream characterized by a series of pools and riffles, reaeration coefficients decrease with decreasing discharge. In the reach with the most pool-and-riffle development, the measured reaeration coefficient under low-flow conditions was 86 percent less than its value during average-flow conditions. A regression equation was developed which accurately predicted the measured values in the four study reaches. The equation appears to have applicability to other similar pool-and-riffle streams.

Conference Paper↗

USGS1987

EFFECT OF STREAMFLOW CONDITIONS ON GAS-TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS.

Contrary to the findings of previous studies of channel-controlled stream reaches, it was found that, in four reaches of a small stream characterized by a series of pools and riffles, reaeration coefficients decrease with decreasing discharge. In the reach with the most pool-and-riffle development, the measured rearation coefficient under low-flow conditions was 86 percent less than its value during average-flow conditions. A regression equation was developed which accurately predicted the measured values in the four study reaches. The equation may have applicability to other similar pool-and-riffle streams.

Conference Paper↗

USGS1984

Hydrology of Lake Butler, Orange County, Florida

Lake Butler is one of the lakes that collectively make up the Butler chain of lakes in the headwaters of the Kissimmee River, Florida. The bottom configuration of the lake is typical of relict karst features formed during lower stages in sea level. The top of the Floridan aquifer is 50 to 100 feet below the land surface. The drainage area of Lake Butler is approximately 14.5 sq mi and is comprised of sub-basins of other lakes in the vicinity. Surface outflow from Lake Butler is generally southward to Cypress Creek, a tributary of the Kissimmee River. The extremes in lake stage for the period 1933-81 are 94.67 ft on June 23, 1981 and 101.78 ft on September 13, 1960. The median lake stage for this period was 99.28 ft above sea level. The quality of water in Lake Butler is excellent, based on studies of physical, chemical, and biological conditions by the Orange County Pollution Control Department. The lake water is slightly acidic and soft (48 mg/L hardness as calcium carbonate). Pesticides in water were below detection levels at two sites sampled in the lake, but were detected in the bottom sediments. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1981

Water-resources information for the Withlacoochee River region, west-central Florida

Daily water use in the Withlacoochee River region in 1977 averaged about 2,005 million gallons per day, 94 percent of which was saline surface water used in thermoelectric power-generation cooling. Industrial and irrigation uses required 73 percent of the freshwater. The largest user of freshwater was Hernando County, using 43.0 million gallons per day. The ground-water system is comprised of up to three different aquifers--the surficial, the secondary artesian, and the Floridan. Little is known about the surficial and secondary artesian aquifers. The Floridan aquifer consists mostly of limestones and dolomites, and is as much as 1,500 feet thick. Transmissivities are known to be as high as 25 million feet squared per day. Yields of 2,000 gallons per minute from 12-inch wells are possible. Although the range in fluctuations of the potentiometric surface is as great as 20 feet, no significant change has occurred since the 1930's when data were first collected. The quality of water within the Floridan aquifer is generally excellent except near the Gulf Coast and in extreme east Marion County, near the St. Johns River where saltwater is present in the aquifer. Iron and hydrogen sulfide are sometimes a problem, but they can usually be con-trolled by proper well design and aeration of the water. Concentrations of sulfate do not exceed 250 milligrams per liter in the study area, and only in a small part of the area do dissolved-solids concentrations exceed 250 milligrams per liter. Summaries were compiled of more than 1,000 wells, 43 continuous-record gaging stations, 21 lakes, and 46 springs. The predominant chemical type for both streams and springs is calcium and magnesium bicarbonate due to the dissolution process of the carbonate rocks. Along the coastal areas and near the St. Johns River, water is commonly of the sodium chloride type. The majority of the streams have average dissolved-solids concentrations between 100 and 200 milligrams per liter, maximum-observed specific conductance between 250 and 750 micro-mhos per centimeter, and average total nitrogen concentrations of less than 1.2 milligrams per liter. Data for six lakes showed that the range of stage between the 90 and 10 percent exceedance stages is as great as 4.5 feet and as small as 2.2 feet. Little water-quality data for lakes are available, especially for the important constituents such as biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total carbon. Flow-duration data for springs show small ranges in discharge. The differences between the 10 and 90 percent exceedance discharges are 350 cubic feet per second for Silver Springs and 280 cubic feet per second for Rainbow Springs, the two largest springs in the area. Water quality of the springs is relatively constant with time because of the water's long residence time within the carbonate rocks.

Florida↗