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Research about Indiana

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Indiana.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
USGS1987

Water resources data for Indiana, water year 1986

Water resources data for the 1986 water year for Indiana consist of records of discharge, stage, and water quality of streams; reservoir stage and contents; and water levels in lakes and wells. This report contains records of discharge for 189 stream-gaging stations, stage for 1 stream station, stage and contents for 1 reservoir, water quality for 5 streams, and water levels for 79 lakes and 94 observation wells. Also included are records of peak flows for 24 crest-stage, partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are shown as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in Indiana in cooperation with State and Federal agencies.

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USGS1987

Statistical analysis of surface-water-quality data in and near the coal-mining region of southwestern Indiana, 1957-80

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 requires that applications for coal-mining permits contain information about the water quality of streams at and near a proposed mine. To meet this need for information, streamflow, specific conductance, pH, and concentrations of total alkalinity, sulfate, dissolved solids, suspended solids, total iron, and total manganese at 37 stations were analyzed to determine the spatial and seasonal variations in water quality and to develop equations for predicting water quality. The season of lowest median streamflow was related to the size of the drainage area. Median streamflow was least during fall at 15 of 16 stations having drainage areas greater than 1,000 square miles but was least during summer at 17 of 21 stations having drainage areas less than 1,000 square miles. In general, the season of lowest median specific conductance occurred during the season of highest streamflow except at stations on the Wabash River. Median specific conductance was least during summer at 9 of 9 stations on the Wabash River, but was least during winter or spring (the seasons of highest streamflow) at 27 of the remaining 28 stations. Linear, inverse, semilog, log-log, and hyperbolic regression models were used to investigate the functional relations between water-quality characteristics and streamflow. Of 186 relations investigated, 143 were statistically significant. Specific conductance and concentrations of total alkalinity and sulfate were negatively related to streamflow at all stations except for a positive relation between total alkalinity concentration and streamflow at Patoka River near Princeton. Concentrations of total alkalinity and sulfate were positively related to specific conductance at all stations except for a negative relation at Patoka River near Princeton and for a positive and negative relation at Patoka River at Jasper. Most of these relations are good, have small confidence intervals, and will give reliable predictions of the water-quality variables listed above. The poorest relations are typically at stations in the Patoka River watershed. Suspended-solids concentration was positively related to streamflow at all but two stations on the Patoka River. These relations are poor, have large confidence intervals, and will give less reliable predictions of suspended-solids concentration. Predictive equations for the regional relations between dissolved-solids concentration and specific conductance and between sulfate concentration and specific conductance, and the seasonal patterns of water quality, are probably valid for the coal-mining regions of Illinois and western Kentucky.

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USGS1986

Method for estimating low-flow characteristics of ungaged streams in Indiana

Equations for estimating the 7-day, 2-year and 7-day, 10-year low flows at sites on ungaged streams are presented. Regression analysis was used to develop equations relating basin characteristics and low-flow characteristics at 82 gaging stations. Significant basin characteristics in the equations are contributing drainage area and flow-duration ratio, which is the 20-percent flow duration divided by the 90-percent flow duration. Flow-duration ratio has been regionalized for Indiana on a plate in this report. Ratios for use in the equations are obtained from this plate. Drainage areas are determined from maps or are obtained from reports. The predictive capability of the method was determined by tests of the equations and of the flow-duration ratios on the plate. The accuracy of the equations alone was tested by estimating the low-flow characteristics at 82 gaging stations where flow-duration ratio is already known. In this case, the standard errors of estimate for 7-day, 2-year and 7-day, 10-year low flows are 19 and 28 percent. When flow-duration ratios for the 82 gaging stations are obtained from the map, the standard errors are 46 and 61 percent. However, when stations with drainage areas less than 10 square miles are excluded from the test, the standard errors reduce to 38 and 49 percent. Standard errors increase when stations with small basins are included, probably because some of the flow-duration ratios obtained for these small basins are incorrect. Local geology and its effect on the ratio are not adequately reflected on the plate, which shows the regional variation in flow-duration ratio. In all the tests, no bias is apparent areally, with increasing drainage area or with increasing ratio. Guidelines and limitations should be considered when using the method. The method can he applied only at sites in the northern and the central physiographic zones of the State. Low-flow characteristics cannot be estimated for regulated streams unless the amount of regulation is known so that the estimated low-flow characteristic can be adjusted. The method is most accurate for sites with drainage areas ranging from 10 to 1,000 square miles and for predictions of 7-day, 10-year low flows ranging from 0.5 to 340 cubic feet per second.

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USGS1986

Water resources data for Indiana, water year 1985

Water resources data for the 1985 water year for Indiana consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of 1 reservoir; and water levels in wells. This report contains discharge records for 185 gaging stations, stage and contents for 1 reservoir, water temperature for 1 gaging station, water quality for 5 gaging stations, and water levels for 84 observation wells. Also included are 25 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Indiana.

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USGS1986

Shallow ground-water flow, water levels, and quality of water, 1980-84, Cowles Unit, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

The Cowles Unit of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter County, northwest Indiana, contains a broad dune-beach complex along the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan and a large wetland, called the Great Marsh, that occupies the lowland between the shoreline dunes and an older dune-beach complex farther inland. These lacustrine sediments form a surficial aquifer that extends from the Lake Michigan shoreline to the northern edge of the Lake Border moraine. Water levels and water quality in the surficial aquifer were monitored from 1977 to 1984 near settling ponds on adjacent industrial property at the western end of the Cowles Unit, Seepage from the settling ponds from 1967 to 1980 created a water-table mound that extended north into the shoreline dune complex and caused perennial flooding of several intradunal lowlands on National Lakeshore property. Since 1980, when the settling-pond bottoms were sealed, these intradunal lowlands contained standing water only during periods of high snowmelt or rainfall. Water-level declines following the cessation of seepage ranged from 6 feet at the easternmost settling pond to nearly 14 feet at the westernmost pond. No general pattern of water table decline was observed in the Great Marsh or in the shoreline dune complex at distances greater than approximately 3,000 feet east or north of the settling ponds. Since the settling ponds were sealed, the concentration of boron has decreased while concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, zinc, and molybdenum in shallow ground water downgradient of the ponds show no definite trends in time. Arsenic, boron and molybdenum have remained at concentrations above those of shallow ground water in areas unaffected by settling-pond seepage.

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USGS1986

Review of the hydrologic data-collection network in the St. Joseph River basin, Indiana

The St. Joseph River Basin data-collection network in the St. Joseph River for streamflow, lake, ground water, and climatic stations was reviewed. The network review included only the 1700 sq mi part of the basin in Indiana. The streamflow network includes 11 continuous-record gaging stations and one partial-record station. Based on areal distribution, lake effect , contributing drainage area, and flow-record ratio, six of these stations can be used to describe regional hydrology. Gaging stations on lakes are used to collect long-term lake-level data on which to base legal lake levels, and to monitor lake-level fluctuations after legal levels are established. More hydrogeologic data are needed for determining the degree to which grouhd water affects lake levels. The current groundwater network comprises 15 observation wells and has four purposes: (1) to determine the interaction between groundwater and lakes; (2) to measure changes in groundwater levels near irrigation wells; (3) to measure water levels in wells at special purpose sites; and (4) to measure long-term changes in water levels in areas not affected by pumping. Seven wells near three lakes have provided sufficient information for correlating water levels in wells and lakes but are not adequate to quantify the effect of groundwater on lake levels. Water levels in five observation wells located in the vicinity of intensive irrigation are not noticeably affected by seasonal withdrawals. The National Weather Sevice operates eight climatic stations in the basin primarily to characterize regional climatic conditions and to aid in flood forecasting. The network meets network-density guidelines established by the World Meterological Organization for collection of precipitation and evaporation data but not guidelines suggested by the National Weather Service for density of precipitation gages in areas of significant convective rainfalls. (Author 's abstract)

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USGS1985

Hydrologic data in small watersheds, coal-mining region, west-central Indiana, October 1980 to June 1983, and instrumentation and methods of collecting the data

Hydrologic data were collected in seven watersheds ranging in area from 0.11 to 4.87 square miles. Principal uses of land include farming in two of the watersheds, farming and forestry in one, farming and unreclaimed surface coal mines in one, reclaimed surface coal mines in two, and an unreclaimed surface coal mine in one. Methods and instrumentation used in collecting samples and measuring concentrations and properties of the following types of data are described in the text: streamflow in seven watersheds; ground-water levels in 46 wells in unconsolidated material and 12 wells in bedrock in or near the watersheds; precipitation in seven watersheds; solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed, and temperature of air and soil at one location; and pH, specific conductance, temperature of water, and concentrations of selected chemical constituents and suspended sediment in two watersheds.

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USGS1985

Water resources data for Indiana, water year 1984

Water resources data for the 1984 water year for Indiana consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels in wells. This report contains discharge records for 185 gaging stations, stage and contents for 7 lake and reservoirs, releases from 7 flood control reservoirs, water quality for 5 gaging stations, and water levels for 83 observation wells. Also included are 24 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Indiana.

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USGS1985

Hydrologic effects of ground- and surface-water withdrawals in the Milford area, Elkhart and Kosciusko counties, Indiana

Agricultural irrigation in northern Indiana has increased rapidly since 1975 and might double by the year 2000. A 16.5 square-mile area in north-central Indiana was studied to determine possible effects of increased irrigation on local water supply. In 1982, an average of 2 inches of water was used to irrigate 975 acres of sandy soil overlying highly transmissive outwash deposits. Irrigational pumpage was 75 percent of the summer water use but was less than potential irrigational pumpage because (1) only one-third of the suitable land was irrigated, and (2) precipitation was near normal for the year. A three-dimensional digital flow model, calibrated with data collected in 1982, was used to simulate four hypothetical pumping plans representing various irrigational schemes and possible rainfall conditions: (1) 1982 acreage irrigated and 1982 (above normal) precipitation; (2) 1982 acreage irrigated and below-normal precipitation; (3) maximum acreage irrigated and normal precipitation; and (4) maximum acreage irrigated and below-normal precipitation. A fifth pumping plan was used to simulate maximum year-round water use. Plan 5 was not designed to simulate irrigational development but rather a maximum rate of withdrawal sustainable year-round until steady-state is reached. Of the four pumping plans that simulated irrigational pumpage, plan 4 had the greatest effect on ground- and surface-water supply. Compared with 1982 pumpage, this plan represented a thirteenfold increase in the volume of water pumped for irrigation from wells and from Turkey Creek, a stream bordering the area of study. The model predicted a potentiometric decline of as much as 20.7 feet over an 8-acre area of the aquifer. This decline was one-fourth of the available drawdown and would not dewater the source aquifer. Streamflow in Turkey Creek would be reduced 39 percent by simulated ground-water and surface-water pumpage but remaining flow would still be twice the 7-day, 10-year low flow. However, the model predicted that flow in two smaller streams would be reduced to zero. The rate of pumping used in plan 5 was nearly 4 times the pumping rate in 1982. Potentiometric decline for plan 5 was as much as 40 percent of available drawdown, and predicted streamflow reduction would cause flow in Turkey Creek to decrease below the 7-day, 10-year low flow. Results of plans 1, 2, 3, and 4 indicate that the outwash system provides adequate water for current (1982) needs and substantial growth for irrigation. However, maximum irrigational development might cause temporary, local competition for water in several parts of the area. Plan 5 indicates .that water use could increase substantially before effects of pumping would prevail year-round.

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USGS1985

Effects of land use and surficial geology on flow and water quality of streams in the coal-mining region of southwestern Indiana, October 1979 through September 1980

An assessment of streams in the coal-mining region of southwestern Indiana was done from October 1979 through September 1980 during stable stream flows to provide baseline hydrologic and water-quality information and to document the effect of several natural and human-induced factors on water quality in the region. Streams in southwestern Indiana are generally well buffered against acidification from acid-mine drainage because they flow upon calcareous unconsolidated surficial deposits and bedrock. The pH of streams draining forested, agricultural, and reclaimed mined watersheds ranged from 6.3 to 8.8, which is generally within the range of natural waters. The pH of streams draining unreclaimed mined watersheds ranged from 3.8 to 7.9, which was much more variable than for streams draining lands used for other activities. Concentrations of major dissolved constituents in streams affected by coal mining were significantly higher than in streams unaffected by mining. The principal cause of the elevated concentrations of dissolved constituents was the oxidation of pyrite and marcasite and subsequent dissolution of calcite and dolomite. The principal water type of streams draining forested and agricultural watersheds was calcium bicarbonate, whereas the principal water types of streams draining mined watersheds were magnesium sulfate and magnesiumcalcium sulfate. Concentrations of boron, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc were generally higher in streams draining mined areas than in streams draining forested and agricultural watersheds. Median concentrations of iron and manganese were lower in streams draining reclaimed mined watersheds than in streams draining unreclaimed mined watersheds; this suggests that post-1967 surface-mine reclamation techniques have been effective at reducing concentrations of these metals in streams. Concentrations of aluminum, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc increased significantly as pH decreased below 6.0 in streams draining unreclaimed mined watersheds. The elevated concentrations of metals in waters and the low pH result from the oxidation of the sulfide in pyrite to sulfate, which releases dissolved ferrous iron, other metals, and acidity into the water. Median suspended-sediment concentrations of samples from streams draining agricultural and mined watersheds were 1.5 and 5.4 times those of streams draining forested watersheds. Suspended sediment in streams was composed primarily of silt and clay-sized particles. The effect of surficial geology on stream quality was evident for several dissolved constituents in forested and agricultural watersheds. In general, pH and concentrations of alkalinity and calcium were significantly higher in streams draining the Wisconsin glacial province than in streams draining the Illinoian glacial province and unglaciated regions. The higher pH and concentrations of these constituents suggests that there is greater dissolution of carbonate minerals in the Wisconsin glacial province than the other regions. Median concentrations of arsenic, lead, and manganese for streams draining the Wisconsin glacial province were significantly lower than for those constituents in streams draining the Illinoian province and unglaciated region. The median cadmium concentration for streams draining the Wisconsin glacial province was lower than for streams draining the unglaciated region. These differences may have been due to lower solubilities of metal and trace elements at higher pH values in the Wisconsin glacial province than in the Illinoian glacial province and the unglaciated region.

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USGS1985

Determination of reaeration-rate coefficients of the Wabash River, Indiana, by the modified tracer technique

The modified tracer technique was used to determine reaeration-rate coefficients in the Wabash River in reaches near Lafayette and Terre Haute, Indiana, at streamflows ranging from 2,310 to 7,400 cu ft/sec. Chemically pure (CP grade) ethylene was used as the tracer gas, and rhodamine-WT dye was used as the dispersion-dilution tracer. Reaeration coefficients determined for a 13.5-mi reach near Terre Haute, Indiana, at streamflows of 3,360 and 7,400 cu ft/sec (71% and 43% flow duration) were 1.4/day and 1.1/day at 20 C, respectively. Reaeration-rate coefficients determined for a 18.4-mile reach near Lafayette, Indiana, at streamflows of 2,310 and 3,420 cu ft/sec (70% and 53 % flow duration), were 1.2/day and 0.8/day at 20 C, respectively. None of the commonly used equations found in the literature predicted reaeration-rate coefficients similar to those measured for reaches of the Wabash River near Lafayette and Terre Haute. The average absolute prediction error for 10 commonly used reaeration equations ranged from 22% to 154%. Prediction error was much smaller in the reach near Terre Haute than in the reach near Lafayette. The overall average of the absolute prediction error for all 10 equations was 22% for the reach near Terre Haute and 128% for the reach near Lafayette. Confidence limits of results obtained from the modified tracer technique were smaller than those obtained from the equations in the literature.

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USGS1984

Water resources data, Indiana, water year 1983

Water resources data for the 1983 water year for Indiana consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels in wells. This report contains discharge records for 174 gaging stations, stage and contents for 9 lake and reservoirs, releases from 7 flood control reservoirs, water quality for 5 gaging stations, and water levels for 84 observation wells. Also included are 23 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Indiana.

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USGS1984

Chemical and biological quality of streams at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana, 1978-80

A variety of land uses affects water quality of streams at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Discharge from storm sewers and runoff from roads contributed lead, zinc, and chlorinated hydrocarbons (chlordane, DOT, ODD, DDE, and PCB's) to all streams except Derby ditch. In addition, the Little Calumet River received ammonia from industrial discharges, and organic materials, nitrogen, phosphorus, and fecal coliform from wastewater-treatment-plant and combinedsanitary- and storm-sewer discharges. As a result, water at some sites in the lower reaches of the Little Calumet River contained dissolved-ammonium-nitrogen concentrations exceeding 0.10 milligram per liter, dissolved-oxygen concentrations less than 3.0 milligrams per liter, and fecal coliform populations exceeding 2,000 colonies per 100 milliliters. Seepage from two landfills may have caused the concentration of dissolved solids in the west Grand Calumet River lagoon to exceed that in the east lagoon. Ammonium concentrations in the west lagoon ranged from 13 to 16 milligrams per liter as nitrogen. Pesticides used in agricultural areas were the major source of DOT, ODD, DDE, and dieldrin on streambed materials. Runoff from residential areas was a major source of nitrate, organic materials, and chlordane in Derby ditch and Dunes Creek. Wetland drainage contributed significant amounts of organic materials to streams and at times increased concentrations of dissolved sulfate and iron. Dissolved-iron concentrations correlated with dissolved-organic-carbon concentrations in yellow-brown water of Kintzele and Derby ditches.

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USGS1984

Ground-water resources of the White River basin, Randolph County, Indiana

The two major aquifer systems in Randolph County, Indiana are sand and gravel and bedrock (limestone, dolomite, and shale of Silurian to Odovician age). The average thickness of the sands and gravels is 15 ft, and the aquifers are areally discontinuous. The bedrock aquifer underlies the entire study area and is estimated to be 150 ft in thickness. Six pumping plans simulated in the two systems by a five-layer, digital, ground-water-flow model provide data for an assessment of the water-yielding potential of the systems. The model indicates that as much as 2.5 million gallons per day can be pumped from the aquifers at some locations. This and similar rates of pumping may cause drawdown greater than 5 feet in 10 to 50 percent of the study area. About half the stream reaches were reduced in flow by more than 10 percent by the simulated pumping. However, reaches where discharge exceeded more than 2 cubic feet per second were not affected to this degree. (USGS)

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USGS1984

Techniques for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods on streams in Indiana

Equations are presented for estimating the magnitude and frequency of floods at ungaged sites on unregulated and nonurban streams in Indiana. The equations were developed by multiple-regression, analysis of basin characteristics and peak-flow statistical data from 242 gaged locations in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. The State of Indiana was divided into seven areas on the basis of the regression analysis. A set of equations for estimating peak discharges with recurrence intervals of 2, IO, 25, 50, and 100 years was developed for each area. Significant basin characteristics in the equations are drainage area, channel length, channel slope, mean annual precipitation, storage, precipitation intensity, and a runoff coefficient. Standard errors of estimate for the equations range from 24 to 45 percent. Methods are also presented for estimating flood magnitude and frequency at sites on gaged streams. Flood-frequency data based on observed peaks are given for 270 gaged locations. Twenty of these are on regulated streams, and six are on urban streams. Basin characteristics are also included car 245 of the gaged locations on unregulated and nonurban streams. No techniques are given for estimating flood magnitude and frequency at ungaged sites on regulated or urban streams. A rainfall-runoff model was tlsed to synthesize long-term peak data at 11 gaged locations on small streams. Flood-frequency curves developed from the long-term synthetic data were combined with curves based on short-term observed data to provide weighted estimates of flood magnitude and frequency at the rainfall-runoff stations.

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USGS1984

Refuge management analyses: research needs for Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, located in southeastern Indiana, was established by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission in 1966. Land use planning for the Refuge formally began in 1971, and development of facilities designed in that planning effort is now nearing completion. As these facilities become operational, Refuge personnel will be manipulating water (both spatially and temporally) and other habitat components to achieve the joint Refuge goals of natural resource conservation and public use. This situation offers a unique opportunity to institute research and management studies designed to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of the management regime in providing for the needs of migratory waterfowl and other wildlife resources.

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USGS1983

Lineaments and fracture traces, Decatur County, Indiana

Lineanents and fracture traces have been mapped throughout Decatur County, Indiana. These lineaments and fracture traces may indicate that solution enlarged vertical fractures in the limestone and dolonite aquifers underlie most of the county. The use of lineament and fracture-trace maps in selecting bedrock-drilling sites results in a significant increase in the number of usable sites. Bedrock wells drilled on or near mapped lineaments and fracture traces have a higher average yield than veils drilled into interfracture areas. Parts of Decatur County and several adjacent counties are economically restricted by inadequate water supplies. The Greensburg Municipal Water Works, supplying 35 percent of the county's population, obtains 25 percent of its water from six wells in Greensburg. The remaining 75 percent is pumped from the Flat Rock River. This water is piped 8.25 miles and lifted 183 feet to the treatment station. Although the Flatrock River has adequate flow to supply Greensburg's water needs, a ground-water supply can probably be developed nearer the treatment plant. Pleistocene till covers most of the nearly horizontal bedrock. Although averaging about 50 feet thick, this unconsolidated unit does not seem to inhibit the mapping of lineaments and fracture traces. Bedrock is middle Paleozoic limestone, dolomite, and shale. Two sequences of limestone and dolomite, separated by a thin shale unit, constitute the principal aquifer. The extremely variable well yields from this aquifer indicate that the bedrock permeability is also variable. Well placement is important in a fractured bedrock terrane, as fractures are a principal source of water to the well. Here, the most productive bedrock wells are at the mapped intersection of two or more fracture traces or lineaments and at the lowest local altitude. Use of a fracture-trace map will not guarantee a sufficient supply of ground water but will reduce the chance of drilling an inadequate well.

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