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Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Montana.

At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources

Water resources data for Montana, water year 1976

Water resources data for the 1976 water year for Montana consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water-levels of wells. This report contains discharge records for 217 gaging stations; stage only records for 1 lake station; stage and contents for 9 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 61 gaging stations, 43 water-quality stations, and 4 lake stations; and water levels for 25 observation wells. Also included are data for 205 crest-stage partial-record stations and 53 smaller reservoirs. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. A few pertinent stations (not included above) in bordering States are also included in this report; however, numerous stations in Canada operated for the International Joint Commission under cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State are included in the above. Locations of gaging stations are shown on figure 3, ground-water observation wells are shown on figure 4, and water-quality stations are shown on figure 4. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Montana.

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Water quality of selected streams in the coal area of southeastern Montana

This report summarizes and evaluates water-quality data collected at 35 stream sites the the coal region of southeastern Montana. Sarpy Creek, Armells Creek, and Rosebud Creek sometimes have dissolved-solids concentrations that cause water to be marginal for agricultural purposes. At times of rainfall and snowmelt, the runoff water mixes with the base-flow component to improve the overall quality. Water in the Tongue River generally showed a downstream degradation in which some changes were related to lithology of the aquifers contributing water to streamflow. Water from Pumpkin Creek and Mizpah Creek is used mostly for cattle watering. To some extent water is used for irrigation although the salinity hazard was often high. The chemical quality of the Powder River changed little during flow downstream. High sediment loads of the river acted as transporting agents for many of the plant nutrients and trace-element constituents. (Woodard-USGS)

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Water-level changes in wells along the west side of the Cedar Creek anticline, southeastern Montana

Water levels have been measured periodically in wells along the west side of the Cedar Creek anticline in southeastern Montana since 1962-64. The measurements show the response of the Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer of Late Cretaceous age to withdrawals for domestic, stock, and industrial uses. Water levels were as much as 109 feet lower in 1975 than they were in 1962-64. During the same period water levels lowered by 10 feet under about 400 square miles. From 1962-64 to 1969 water levels declined by as much as 133 feet. From 1969 to 1975 water levels rose as much as 46 feet near the outcrop of the aquifer and lowered 10 feet or more beneath about 100 square miles. Decreases in the rate of pumping from industrial wells near the outcrop have caused the water-level rise. Withdrawals from domestic and stock wells have remained the same or increased during the last 14 years and have contributed to water-level declines in areas west of the aquifer 's outcrop. (Woodard-USGS)

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Preliminary bedrock geologic map of part of the northern disturbed belt, Lewis and Clark, Teton, Pondera, Glacier, Flathead, and Powell Counties, Montana

The geologic map covers the Sawtooth and Lewis and Clark Ranges and part of the Flathead Range. It includes most of the disturbed belt in northwestern Moutana except the area east of the northern Rocky Mountains and the norhtern and southern parts of the belt. Most data are from an unpublished map of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and of the many proposed additions to the Wilderness. Strike and dip symbols are omitted from the map, and all contacts are shown in solid lines, alhough locally they are inferred beneath a Quaternary cover. Future studies will complete mapping of the northern disturbed belt in Montana.

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Serpentinization and alteration in an olivine cumulate from the Stillwater Complex, Southwestern Montana

Some of the olivine cumulates of the Ultramafic zone of the Stillwater Complex, Montana, are progressively altered to serpentine minerals and thompsonite. Lizardite and chrysotile developed in the cumulus olivine and postcumulus pyroxenes; thompsonite developed in postcumulus plagioclase. The detailed mineralogy, petrology, and chemistry indicate that olivine and plagioclase react to form the alteration products, except for H 2 O, without changes in the bulk composition of the rocks.

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Hydrologic Unit Map - 1974, state of Montana

This map and accompanying table show Hydrologic Units that are basically hydrographic in nature. The Cataloging Units shown will supplant the Cataloging Units previously used by the U.S. Geological Survey in its Catalog of Informaiton on Water Data (1966-72). The previous U.S. Geological Survey Catalog-Indexing System was by map number and letter, such as 49M. The boundaries as shown have been adapted from "The Catalog of Information on Water Data" (1972), "Water Resources Regions and Subregions for the National Assessment of Water and Related Land Resources" by the U.S. Water Reseources Council (1970), "River Basins of the United States" by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service ((1963, 1970), "River Basin Maps Showing Hydrologic Stations" by the Inter-Agency Committee on Water Resources, Subcommittee on Hydrology (1961), and State planning maps.

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A method for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods in Montana

This report provides methods for estimating flood characteristics at most natural flow sites on rural streams in Montana. It also contains significant flood data and related information for many gaged sites on Montana streams. Frequency curves are provided for 442 gaged sites as defined by log-Pearson Type III analysis. To allow estimates at ungaged sites, mathematical equations relate the 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year flood magnitudes to basin characteristics. Drainage area, main channel slope, and mean annual precipitation were found to be the most significant estimating variables. Equations presented are limited to use on streams with drainage areas from about 0.1 to 2,600 square miles (0.3 to 6,700 square kilometres), with slope from about 5 to 1,200 feet per mile (1.5 to 366 metres per kilometre), and with precipitation from 10 to 100 inches (250 to 2,500 millimetres). Nomographs provide a simple graphical means of solving the estimating relations, and illustrative examples are presented.

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Results of phytoplankton sampling at National Stream Quality Accounting Network stations in Montana, 1975 water year

Twelve National Stream Quality Accounting Network stations were operated in Montana during the 1975 water year. The network was established for the purpose of acquiring a base of hydrologic data for use by agencies engaged in water-resources planning on a national or regional scale. Among the characteristics analyzed were phytoplankton identification and cell counts. Samples consisted of composites of equal aliquots, collected at the center of each quartile of flow, using modified suspended-sediment samplers and sediment collection techniques. Identification and counting were done using the Sedgwick-Rafter cell method. Cell counts ranged from 21 cells per millilitre at Flathead River at Flathead, British Columbia to 27,000 cells per millilitre at Yellowstone River near Sidney. The class Bacillariophyceae was most abundant in both number and variety at all sampling sites. Anabaena and Aphanizomenon of the phyllum Cyanophyta were found at six stations and two stations respectively. These two genera of blue-green algae often become abundant in enriched waters resulting in nuisance conditions.

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Corwin Springs Known Geothermal Resources Area, Park County, Montana

The Corwin Springs Known Geothermal Resources Area (KGRA) is contiguous to Yellowstone National Park along a part of the northern boundary of the park near Gardiner, Park County, Mont. The area contains two known sites of hot-spring activity--LaDuke Spring, 2.8 km southeast of the small resort community of Corwin Springs, and Bear Creek Spring, 2.6 km east of Gardiner. LaDuke Spring issues from brecciated quartzite and has a flow rate of 380 1/min, a surface water temperature of 65°C, a silica-geothermometer temperature of 68.7°C, and a Na-K-Ca geothermometer temperature of 76.8°C. Bear Creek Spring issues from limestone and has a flow rate of 4 1/min, a surface water temperature of 32°C, a silica temperature of 46.7°C, and a Na-K-Ca temperature of 87.2°C. The springs, which are actively depositing travertine, are on or near the trace of the Gardiner fault-a high-angle reverse fault which forms the southwestern boundary of the Beartooth uplift. Features that make the Corwin Springs KGRA potentially significant include: (1) Proximity of the Corwin Springs area to significant Pliocene and Pleistocene volcanism in Yellowstone National Park and related geothermal activity, (2) existence of a large potential geothermal reservoir in the northern extension of the Sepulcher Mountain graben, (3) localization of thermal activity along the Gardiner fault in the Corwin Springs area, (4) occurrence of negative gravity anomaly centered over the northern end of the Sepulcher Mountain graben, (5) existence of negative magnetic anomaly in the Corwin Springs area, (6) location of the area within the Intermountain seismic belt, (7) evidence of recent tectonism in the area, as demonstrated by Pleistocene and Holocene faulting, and (8) observed surface temperatures and estimated geochemical temperatures of the two known hot springs (features which do not indicate high subsurface temperatures).

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Mineral resources of the proposed additions to the Scapegoat Wilderness, Powell and Lewis and Clark Counties, Montana

The proposed additions to the Scapegoat Wilderness include the Silver King-Falls Creek and Arrastra-Stonewall units. They cover about 84 square miles (218 km 2 ) south and southeast of the wilderness in the Helena and Lewis and Clark National Forests, northwest Montana. Their mineral resources were evaluated as part of a study by the U.S. Forest Service to determine their suitability for addition to the wilderness. The additions have copper resources, which may also contain some silver, some lead, and possibly zinc and gold. Stone and sand and gravel deposits are present, but deposits of equal or better quality are available closer to major markets. The Silver King-Falls Creek addition may have a potential for the discovery of oil and gas, but detailed studies, including seismic surveys and drilling, would be required to adequately determine the potential. The additions have a low potential for geothermal resources. The geology is structurally complex and consists of sedimentary rocks that range from Precambrian Y to Holocene in age. Precambrian rocks are locally intruded by sills of intermediate composition. The mineral resource evaluation is based ongpological, geochemical, economic, and geophysical studies. A total of 480 rock samples and 120 stream-sediment samples were collected during geologic mapping; 86 lode samples and two placer samples were collected during the examination of mines and prospects. Results from these samples delineate areas that are anomalously high in base metals, precious metals, and mercury. The geophysical investigations indicate small magnetic and gravity anomalies, which mostly appear to be unrelated to mineralized areas. More than 60 recorded mining claims have been located in theadditions. Except for a small amount of copper shipped from StonewallMountain, no record of mineral production exists for the additions.Gold has been mined from placer deposits near the southern boundary ofthe Arrastra-Stonewall unit, and small amounts of copper have beenextracted from deposits near the northern boundary. A copper deposit in Cotter basin, adjacent to the northern boundary of the Arrastra-Stonewall unit, was being explored and developed by industry during the present investigations, and minor production has resulted. This deposit, a carbonate vein system, is estimated to contain 1 million tons (910,000 t) of paramarginal resource averaging0.85 percent copper and 0.2 ounce byproduct silver per ton (6.9 g/t) with selected areas of higher grade that may be presently economic. Similar copper deposits may occur in this carbonate vein system in the northern and eastern parts of the Arrastra-Stonewall unit. Smaller and lower grade copper deposits occur near the mouth of Byrnes Creek and near the head of Alice Creek, in the Silver King-Falls Creek unit.

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Water resources data for Montana, water year 1975

Water resources data for the 1975 water year for Montana consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels in wells. This report contains discharge records for 213 gaging stations; stage only records for 1 lake station; stage and contents for 9 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 85 gaging stations, 4 lakes; water levels for 18 observation wells. Also included are 219 crest-stage partial-record stations and 53 smaller reservoirs. 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 Montana.

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Water-resources data for deep aquifers of eastern Montana

Water from aquifers of Mesozoic and Paleozoic age in eastern Montana is little used. This report presents maps and tables to assist in the evaluation of the water in terms of possible utility. In the southern third of eastern Montana water from the Madison Group or from the Tensleep Sandstone contains less than 2,000 milligrams per liter dissolved solids and is available in amounts of as much as 3,700 gallons per minute (230 liters per second) from individual wells. Elsewhere, dissolved-solids concentrations of water from Mesozoic and Paleozoic aquifers commonly exceed 1,000 milligrams per liter, well yields range from 5 to about 1,500 gallons per minute (0.3 to 95 liters per second), and well depths generally are greater than 1,500 feet (460 meters). (Woodard-USGS)

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Water in carbonate rocks of the Madison Group in southeastern Montana: A preliminary evaluation

The Madison Group of Mississippian age comprises, from oldest to youngest, the Lodgepole and Mission Canyon Limestones and the Charles Formation. The Madison crops out in the Bighorn and Pryor Mountains and in the mountains west of the study area. These rocks consist of cyclically deposited normal-marine carbonates and restricted-marine carbonates and evaporites. The Madison ranges in thickness from about 700 feet (210 metres) in the Bighorn Mountains to about 2,000 feet (610 metres) in the Williston basin. The top of the Madison ranges in depth from land surface in the mountains to about 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) below land surface along the MontanaWyoming border. The potentiometric surface of water in the Madison Group slopes northeastward from the outcrops. Potentiometric lows occur in the Cat Creek anticline-Porcupine dome area along the Bighorn River and at the north end of Powder River basin. Potentiometric highs occur in outcrop areas, on the interstream divide between the Bighorn, Tongue, and Yellowstone Rivers, and along the Cedar Creek anticline. The potentiometric surface ranges from 1,200 feet (370 metres) below land surface in the topographically high areas in the southern part of the area to 1,000 feet (300 metres) above land surface along the Yellowstone River. Yields from wells range from about 50 gallons per minute (3 litres per second) at several places to a reported 1,400 gallons per minute (88 litres per second) from a flowing well on the north side of the Porcupine dome. Yields estimated or reported from drill-stem tests range from about 1 to 157 gallons per minute {0.1 to 9.9 litres per second). Water from the Madison generally contains less than 3,000 milligrams per litre dissolved solids south of T. 1 N., and from 3,000 to 10,000 milligrams per litre in most of the remaining area; in the Williston basin the concentration increases to more than 100,000 milligrams per litre. In the southeastern and southwestern parts of the area, calcium, magnesium, and sulfate ions constitute more than 75 percent of the dissolved constituents, in milliequivalents per litre. North of about T. 8 N., sodium, potassium, and chloride ions constitute more than 50 percent of the dissolved constituents; in the Williston basin, sodium, potassium, and chloride ions constitute more than 75 percent of the total.

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