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Research about Pennsylvania

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Pennsylvania.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
USGS1989

Withdrawals and consumptive use of water in Pennsylvania, 1984

Total accountable water withdrawals in Pennsylvania during 1984 were 14,033.66 Mga/d (million gallons per day); of that total, 5.2 percent (729.53 Mgal/d) was supplied from ground-water sources in 94.8 percent (13,302.12 Mgal/d) was supplied from surface-water sources. Thermoelectric power generation accounted for 71 percent of the total withdrawals (10,010.60 Mgal/d); this was followed by self-supplied industry, 15 percent (2,055.63 Mgal/d); public supply, 11 percent (1,600.02 Mgal/d); mining (147.73 Mgal/d), self- supplied domestic use (131.63 Mgal/d), livestock and poultry (83.52 Mgal/d) and irrigation (4.52 Mgal/d) collectively made up 3 percent. Total consumptive use of water was 615.22 Mgal/d; self-supplied industry is responsible for the greatest consumptive use--185.53 Mgal/d. Trends in water withdrawals from 1950 to 1984 were examined for public supply, thermoelectric power generation and self-supplied industry. Total population and water withdrawals for public supply gradual increased in those years, whereas withdrawals for self-supplied industry and power generation increased until 1970 and then decreased.

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USGS1988

U.S. Geological Survey ground-water studies in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, large water demands generally are met from surface-water sources; small water demands generally are met from ground-water sources. Ground-water sources supply 6 percent of the total water used in Pennsylvania. Of the ground water used in 1984,55 percent was for industry, 23 percent for public supply, 15 percent for rural domestic supplies, 5 percent for livestock, and 2 percent for irrigation. Public supplies provide ground water to about 2,180,000 people, and rural self-supplied systems provide ground water to about 3,000,000 people. The major issues related to ground water in Pennsylvania are: Adequacy of supplies, Contamination by hazardous wastes, and Effects of coal mining, oil and gas production, and agriculture.

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USGS1988

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1986. Volume 1: Delaware River Basin

Water resources data for the 1986 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1, includes records from the Delaware River basins. Specifically, it contains: (1) Discharge records for 74 continuous record streamflow-gaging stations and 72 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lakes and reservoirs and elevations for 4 tidal stations; (3) water-quality records for 40 streamflow-gaging stations, for 43 ungaged streamsites, and (4) water-level records for 17 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 6-9. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

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USGS1988

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1986. Volume 2: Susquehanna and Potomac River basins

Water resources data for the 1986 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report. Volume 2, includes records from the Susquehanna and Potomac River basins. Specifically, it contains: (1) Discharge records for 93 continuous record stream-flow-gaging stations and 12 crest-stage partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 13 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 22 streamflow-gaging stations, for 8 ungaged streamsites, and for 30 wells or springs; and (4) water-level records for 41 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 7-10. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses and represent 3 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites and 22 ground-water quality sites. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

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USGS1988

Sediment loads, discharges, and yields in the East Branch Mahoning Creek basin, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties, Pennsylvania, June 1979 through September 1981

Rainfall, streamflow, and sediment discharge data were collected from the East Branch Mahoning Creek basin from June 1979 through September 1981 to evaluate sediment discharges from an area in which erosion and sediment controls were being used on surface mined areas. Sediment yields from the basin averaged 144 tons/sq mi/year. During the study, 9,570 tons of sediment were transported from the East Branch Mahoning Creek basin. Increased monthly suspended-sediment loads were found after July 1980 when mined-area reclamation was accelerated. Beaver Run near Troutville discharged 576 tons of sediment, which was 7% of the load transported from the basin from December 1979 through September 1981. Turbidity and suspended-sediment concentration follow a linear relation throughout the range of measured values. Using this relation and the frequency distribution of suspended-sediment concentrations, the estimated turbidity levels in the stream were equal to or greater than 30 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (the level at which the streams become unusable as a public water source) approximately 15% of the time during the study. (USGS)

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USGS1988

Effects of urbanization on storm-runoff volume and peak discharge of Valley Creek, eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania

Peak discharge and runoff volume were simulated for 21 storms in the Valley Creek basin using the U.S. Geological Survey Distributed Routing Rainfall-Runoff Model (DR3M). Storm peak discharges ranged from 301 to 900 cubic feet per second. Rainfall was measured at three recording rain gages in the basin. Observed and simulated runoff volumes and peak discharges were compared for the upper 20.8 square miles of the basin. The average error for runoff volume was 29 percent. The average error for peak discharge was 19 percent for the 11 calibration storms and 32 percent for the 10 verification storms. Streamflow was routed to the Schuylkill River for the lower 2.6 square miles of the basin. Simulations were made to determine the effect on runoff volume and peak discharge of increasing impervious are from 9 percent to 15, 20, and 25 percent in the part of the basin most likely to be developed. For 25 percent impervious area, runoff volume would increase an average of 52 percent and peak discharge would increase an average of 55 percent for Valley Creek at the Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge. At the confluence of Valley Creek with the Schuylkill River, runoff volume would increase an average of 46 percent and peak discharge would increase an average of 50 percent.

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USGS1988

Preimpoundment hydrologic conditions in the Swatara Creek (1981-84) and estimated postimpoundment water quality in and downstream from the planned Swatara State Park Reservoir, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, Pennsylvania

The hydrology and water quality of Swatara Creek were studied by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Bureau of State Parks, from July 1981 through September 1984. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of anthracite-coal mining and other point and nonpoint sources on the water quality of a planned 10,500 acre-foot reservoir. The Swatara State Park Reservoir is planned to be used for recreation and drinking-water supply for the city of Lebanon and surrounding communities. Annual precipitation during 1982, 1983, and 1984 was about 8 percent below, near normal, and 29 percent above the long-term average, respectively. The average annual precipitation during a year with near-normal precipitation, the 1983 water year, was 47 inches at Pine Grove. Mean streamflows during 1982, 1983, and 1984 were about 15 percent below, 4 percent above, and 50 percent above the long-term average, respectively. The average streamflow to the planned reservoir area during the 1983 water year was about 220 cubic feet per second. Inflows to, and downstream discharge from, the planned reservoir wer poorly buffered. Median alkalinity ranged from 4 to 7 mg/L (milligrams per liter) and median acidity ranged from 2 to 5 mg/L at the three sampling locations. Maximum total-recoverable iron, aluminum, and manganese concentrations were 100,000, 66,000, and 2,300 micrograms per liter, respectively. During 1983 the annual discharges of total-recoverable iron, aluminum, and manganese to the planned reservoir area were estimated to be 692, 300, and 95 tons, respectively. About 87 percent of the total-recoverable iron and 91 percent of total-recoverable sluminum measured was in the suspended phase. The data indicated that mine drainage affects the quality of Swatara Creek and will affect the quality of the planned reservoir. In addition to mine drainage, point-source nutrient and metal discharges will probably affect the planned reservoir. For example, in September 1983, Swatara Creek was sampled downstream from a point source. A dissolved- phosphorus concentration of 14 mg/L and total ammonia plus organic nitrogen concentration of 8.2 mg/L were measured. At the same location, concentrations of total-recoverable aluminum, chromium, copper, iron, and lead were 35, 300, 110, 1,300, and 32 micrograms per liter, respectively. Inflows to the planned Swatara State Park Reservoir are estimated to be acidic and rich in nutrients and select metals. Unless an effort is made to improve the quality of water from point and nonpoint sources, these conditions may impair the planned uses for the reservoir. Conservation releases from the reservoir need to be carefully controlled or these conditions also may degrade the water quality downstream.

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USGS1988

Effects of zinc smelter emissions on farms and gardens at Palmerton, PA

In 1979, before the primary Zn smelter at Palmerton was closed due to excessive Zn and Cd emissions and change in the price of Zn, we were contacted by a local veterinarian regarding death of foals (young horses) on farms near the smelter. To examine whether Zn or Cd contamination of forage or soils could be providing potentially toxic levels of Zn or other elements in the diets of foals, we measured metals in forages, soils, and feces of grazing livestock on two farms near Palmerton. The farms were about 2.5 and about 10 km northeast of the East stack. Soils, forages, and feces were greatly increased in Zn and Cd. Soil, forage, and fecal Zn were near 1000 mg/kg and Cd, 10-20 mg/kg at farm A (2.5 km) compared to normal background levels of 43 mg Zn and 0.2 mg Cd/kg, respectively. Liver and kidney of cattle raised on Farm A were increased in Zn and Cd, indicating that at least part of the Zn and Cd in smelter contaminated forages was bioavailable. During the farm sampling, we obtained soil from one garden in Palmerton within 200 m of the primary (West) smelter. The Borough surrounds the smelter facility in a valley. Because soil Cd was near 100 mg/kg, we sampled garden soils and vegetables from over 40 gardens in 6 randomly selected blocks and in rural areas at different distances from the smelter during September, 1980. All homes were contacted on each sampled block. Nearly all homes had some garden, while at least 2 appeared to grow over 50% of their annual vegetable and potato consumption. Palmerton garden soils averaged 76 mg Cd/kg and 5830 mg Zn/kg. Gardeners had been taught to add limestone and organic fertilizers to counteract yield reduction and chlorosis due to the excessive soil Zn. Gardens with over 5000 mg Zn/kg were nearly allover pH 7, and many were calcareous. Because the smelter had not yet ceased operations in 1980, crops could have been polluted by aerosol Zn and Cd emitted by the smelter. Crop Zn and Cd were extremely high, about 100 times normal Cd levels. In more distant gardens, soil metals were not so high, and gardeners had not added as much limestone. Bean rotated with the potatoes and leafy vegetables often suffered chlorosis and visible yield reduction. Potatoes contained up to 6 mg Cd/kg dry wt. compared to backgrournd 0.20 mg/kg DW. An estimate of potential Zn and Cd intakes due to the contaminated crops was made using the teen-aged male diet model, and average Cd intakes would be 250 ug/day if diets contained 100% locally grown leafy and root vegetables and potatoes. Gardeners were warned to restrict consumption of garden grown leafy and root vegetables and potatoes, and to apply 22 T/A of limestone to restrict Cd uptake. Use of improved adult diet models, and increased understanding of the effect of Zn on Cd bioavailability indicate that little Cd risk may result from consuming garden vegetables grown at Palmerton. Individuals appear to be protected because Zn accompanied crop Cd, they grew only small amounts of vegetables in most cases, and aerosol pollution of crops has ceased. Reduced Zn emissions, and Cu supplementation have prevented further health effects on foals or cattle. Detailed examination of these risks is needed to develop remedial measures for both farms and gardens in the Zn + Cd polluted soils near Zn smelters at many locations in the United States and other countries. Remedial actions are necessarary to prevent chronic Zn toxicity to crops and livestock, and minimize the risk of chronic Cd toxicity to humans who consume locally grown garden crops.

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USGS1987

Seismicity map of the state of Pennsylvania

This map is one of a series of seismicity maps produced by the U. S. Geological Survey that show earthquake data of individual states or groups of states at the scale of 1:1,000,000. This map shows only those earthquakes with epicenters located within the boundaries of Pennsylvania, even though earthquakes in nearby states may have been felt or may have caused damage in Pennsylvania. The data in table 1 were used to compile the seismicity map; these data are a corrected, expanded, and updated (through 1983) version of the data used by Algermissen (1969) for a study of seismic risk in the United States. The locations and intensities of some earthquakes were revised and intensities were assigned where none had been before. Many earthquakes were added to the original list from new data sources as well as from some old data sources that had not been previously used. The data in table 1 represent best estimates of the location of the epicenter, magnitude, and intensity of each earthquake on the basis of historical and current information. Some of the aftershocks from large earthquakes are listed, but not all, especially for earthquakes that occurred before seismic instruments were universally used. The latitude and longitude coordinates of each epicenter were rounded to the nearest tenth of a degree and sorted so that all identical locations were grouped and counted. These locations are represented on the map by a triangle. The number of earthquakes at each location is shown on the map by the arabic number to the right of the triangle. A Roman numeral to the left of a triangle is the maximum Modified Mercalli intensity (Wood and Neumann, 1931) of a11 earthquakes at that geographic location. The absence of an intensity value indicates that no intensities have been assigned to earthquakes at that location. The year shown below each triangle is the latest year for which the maximum intensity was recorded.

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