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Research about Arkansas

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Arkansas.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
USGS1979

Water-quality assessment of the L'Anguille River basin, Arkansas

For several years, dissolved oxygen in the L'Anguille River has been reduced to concentrations of less than 5.0 milligrams per liter during the summer and fall. The dissolved-oxygen reduction is due only in part to the municipal-waste discharges which enter the river. In addition, concentrations of pesticides have been reported consistently at one long-term station on the river, and trace metals have been reported at two long-term monitoring sites. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted an intensive study of the L'Anguille River basin during the summer and fall of 1978. This study was done in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology to fulfill the requirements of section 208 of Public Law 92-500. An assessment of the general water quality was made, the causes of stream-dissolved-oxygen reductions were determined, and the occurrence of pesticides and trace metals in the basin was documented. A steady-state, segmented, dissolved-oxygen model was calibrated and used to project simulated dissolved-oxygen profiles. Pesticides are used extensively in the basin and their occurrence in streams throughout the basin is documented. Concentrations of DDT from the river were as high as 110 micrograms per kilogram in streambed material, whereas 1,600 micrograms per kilogram of DDE and 530 micrograms per kilogram of DDD were found in bottom-feeding fish. In addition, toxaphene concentrations of 45 micrograms per kilogram were found in streambed material and concentrations of 3,400 micrograms per kilogram were found in fish. Concentrations of iron and manganese, at times, exceeded recommended limits for human consumption. Also, dissolved solids, chloride, and sulfate occasionally exceeded the water-quality standards set by the State. Streambed materials consist of deposited sand, silt, clay, and organic matter. The respiration of bacteria, fungi, and benthic invertebrates, which feed on the organic matter, accounts for most of the dissolved-oxygen reduction in the river. The sources of the streambed materials include municipal wastes, agricultural fertilizers, fluvial sediment, and natural organic matter. Model projections indicate that a reduction of 60 percent in the streambed-oxygen demand would allow the stream-dissolved-oxygen concentrations to remain at or greater than 5.0 milligrams per liter.

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USGS1979

Progress report to the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Commission for year ending September 30, 1978

The economic design of bridges and culverts requires a knowledge of the magnitude and frequency of floods for all size drainage basins. In addition, an analysis of the hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics at specific sites where unusual circumstances exist is a prerequisite to design. The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Commission and the U.S. Geological Survey have a mutual interest in flood-frequency and open-channel hydraulics and are therefore cooperating in a program to provide information necessary to meet their objectives. This report is a summary of the accomplishments of the cooperative program. Included are plans for future work and a brief description of related water-resources programs of the Geological Survey in Arkansas.

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USGS1979

Digital model of the Bayou Bartholomew alluvial aquifer stream system, Arkansas

A digital model of the Bayou Bartholomew aquifer-stream system in Arkansas was calibrated for the purpose of predicting hydrologic responses to stresses of water development. The simulated-time span for model calibration was from 1953 to 1970, during which time the system was stressed largely by ground- and surface-water diversions for rice irrigation. The model was calibrated by comparing groundwater-level and streamflow data with model-derived groundwater levels and streamflow. In the calibrated model, the ratio of model-derived to observed streamflows for 17 subbasins averaged 1.1; the ratios among the subbasins ranged from 0.8 to 1.6. The average deviation of the differences between model-derived and observed groundwater levels at 47 nodes was 0.2; the average among the nodes ranged from -2.3 to 10.4. The average standard deviation of the differences between the model-derived and observed groundwater levels was 3.5; the average among the nodes ranged from 0.4 to 10.5. The model will provide projections of changes in the potentiometric surface resulting from (1) changes in the rate or distribution of groundwater pumpage or (2) changes in the stage of streams and reservoirs. The model will provide only approximate projections of the streamflow.

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USGS1979

Water-resources appraisal of the south-Arkansas lignite area

The feasibility of developing lignite resources in south-central Arkansas is an important question at the present time (1978). Part of the concern is related to the possible impacts that mining and processing of lignite will have on water resources. Not only will the disturbance caused by excavating affect the quantity and quality of surface and ground water but, the mining, processing, and conversion processes will require the use and consumption of significant quantities of water. In order to assess the magnitude of the effects of strip mining upon both surface and ground water, baseline conditions (hydrologic conditions in the area prior to mining) must be well defined. A thorough data file and literature search was made so that baseline conditions in the area could be defined. In addition, data-collection networks have been established for the collection of quantitative and qualitative information on streamflow and water levels in the aquifers. Data collected to date at these sites are included in the report. Collection of data at these sites will continue through at least September 1979. Information presented in this report can be used to estimate the quantities of water available for use and the possible effects of mining and associated dewatering on water resources.

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USGS1979

Drainage areas of streams in Arkansas, Ouachita River basin

Drainage areas, determined in accordance with procedure recommended by the Subcommittee on Hydrology of the Federal Inter-Agency River Basin Committee, are listed for points on streams in the Ouachita River basin in Arkansas. Points on the streams are identified by some topographic feature and by latitude and longitude.

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USGS1979

Forest and flooding with special reference to the White River and Ouachita River basins, Arkansas

The observed response of trees to hydrologic stress and distribution of trees in relation to habitat indicate that flooding, ground-water level, soil moisture, soil factors, and drainage characteristics exert a strong influence on bottomland forest species distribution. The dominant hydrologic factor influencing the distribution of bottomland tree species is flooding. Individual tree species are distributed as a function of frequency and duration of flooding. In the lower White and Ouachita River basins, the flood plains consist of a series of terraces, progressively higher terraces having less frequent flooding and less duration of flooding, and a significantly different composition of forest tree species. The sites studied can be divided into four basic groups and several subgroups on the basis of flood characteristics. On Group I (water hickory-overcup oak) sites, flooded near annually 32 to 40 percent of the time, the dominant species are water hickory and overcup oak. On Group II (nuttall oak) sites, flooded near annually 10 to 21 percent of the time, a more varied flora exists including nuttall oak, willow oak, sweetgum, southern hackberry, and American elm. The third group (Group III or shagbark hickory-southern red oak) of sites is flooded at intervals from 2 to 12 years. This group includes southern red oak, shagbark hickory, and black gum. The presence of blackjack oak in addition to Group III species marks Group IV (not flooded in historic time). (Kosco-USGS)

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USGS1978

Water-quality investigation of the Tyronza River Watershed, Arkansas

The results of a 1-year study of surface-water quality in the Tyronza River Watershed are presented to document conditions before implementation of Soil Conservation Service programs. The report includes a general description of the watershed's topography, geology, and aquifers, and the results of monthly measurements of discharge at five sites, and several physical and chemical parameters, plus quarterly analyses for several ions and semiannual analyses of bottom material for various pesticides. Interpretation of the results indicates that the quality of the water in the streams and ditches sampled is normal for an intensely farmed area such as this watershed.

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USGS1978

Water-quality data for the Village Creek Watershed, northeast Arkansas

The results of a 1-year study of surface-water quality in the Village Creek Watershed are presented to document conditions before implementation of Soil Conservation Service programs. Analysis of samples collected at six sites showed that most of the concentrations found are in the range to be expected of drainage from an intensely farmed watershed. Dissolved-oxygen values range from low to medium. Arsenic was found in quarterly samples of water and bottom materials at all sites. Traces of a wide range of insecticides were found in samples of bottom materials from all sampling sites.

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USGS1978

Drainage areas of streams in Arkansas--Red River basin

Drainage areas, determined in accordance with procedures recommended by the Subcommittee on Hydrology of the Federal Inter-Agency River Basin Committee, are listed for points on streams in the Red River basin in Arkansas. Points on the streams are identified by some topographic feature and by latitude and longitude.

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