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Research about Pennsylvania

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Pennsylvania.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
USGS1982

A stormwater management model for the West Branch Brandywine Creek, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Three subbasins in the West Branch Brandywine Creek watershed were modeled by the Dawby, Schaake, and Alley distributed routing rainfall- runoff model. The Honeybrook subbasin could not be calibrated because of nonrepresentative rainfall data. The Coatesville subbasin was calibrated, but not verified; the average standard error of estimate is 34 percent for peak discharge. The Modena subbasin was calibrated and verified. Average error for peak discharge is 38 percent for calibration and 24 percent for verification. Predictive simulations using selected storms were made to determine the effects of projected population and four proposed flood-control structures in the Coatesville and Modena subbasins. Simulation of projected population growth in both subbasins showed that runoff volumes would generally have a greater percentage increase for low-magnitude floods than for high-magnitude floods. Proposed flood-control structure PA-436D had the greatest reduction in peak discharge at West Branch Brandywine Creek at Coatesville when a large quantity of runoff entered the Coatesville subbasin from upstream. WA-2 had the greatest reduction in peak discharge when most of the runoff came from within the Coatesville subbasin. Although WA-2 and PA-430 will control about the same drainage area, WA-2 causes a greater reduction in peak discharge at Coatesville because PA-430 is to be located upstream from Rock Run Reservoir, which provides some flood- water storage. In the Modena subbasin, the simulated effect of proposed flood-control structure PA-428 showed that it would lower the peak discharge of Sucker Run at State Route 82 and either raise or have no effect on peak discharges at West Branch Brandywine Creek at Modena. Most simulations of the effects of proposed flood-control structures in the Coatesville subbasin on peak discharge at Modena showed a reduction in peak discharge.

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USGS1982

Evaluation of the streamflow-data program in Pennsylvania

The stream-gaging program in Pennsylvania is subject to budgetary constraints in the next several years. Elimination of those gaging stations that have no current-purpose use and little utility in providing regional flow-characteristic information is the most effective way to reduce costs. The efficient design of a network of gaging stations for obtaining regional information requires knowledge of the information in the data base and an assessment of the potential for improving the accuracy of data-transfer mechanisms. The analytical technique known as Network Analysis for Regional Information is used to assess acquired streamflow information and to evaluate its transferability within previously determined regions of homogenous streamflow characteristics. Regression equations that relate low-, mean-, and flood-flow characteristics to basin parameters are the data-transfer mechanisms used in the evaluation. This analysis showed that only minor improvements in the regression equations can be expected after 20 additional years of data collection at gages in the 1980 program. Transfer mechanisms with less model error are needed for improved data transferability. A more efficient program can be achieved by discontinuing selected gages in the planning-and-design network. To this end, 11 continuous-record and 25 partial-record gages were selected to be discontinued by April 1, 1980. Additionally, 6 continuous-record and 29 partial-record gages are suggested to be discontinued at the end of the 1985 water year.

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USGS1981

Seismicity map of the state of Pennsylvania

The earthquake data shown on this map and listed in table 1 are a list of earthquakes that were originally used in preparing the Seismic Risk Studies in the United States in the United States (Algermissen, 1969) which have been recompiled and updated through 1977. These data have been reexamined which resulted in some revisions of epicenters and intensities as well as assignment of intensities to earthquakes that previously had none assigned. Intensity values were updated from new and additional data sources that were not available at the time of original compilation. Some epicenters were relocated on the basis of new information. The data shown in table 1 are estimates of the most accurate 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 are incomplete in many instances, especially for ones that occurred before seismic instruments were in universal usage.

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USGS1981

Water resources data for Pennsylvania, water year 1980. Volume 3: Ohio River and St. Lawrence River basins

Water resources data for the 1980 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; elevation and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels of ground-water wells. This volume contains records for water discharge at 82 gaging stations; elevations and contents at 22 lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 28 gaging stations; and water levels as 20 observation wells. Also included are data for 11 crest-stage, 11 low-flow and 322 water-quality partial-record stations. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 4 through 7. 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 1 and 2 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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USGS1980

Work plan for the Schuylkill River basin, Pennsylvania: Assessment of river quality as related to the distribution and transport of trace metals and organic substances

The U.S. Geological Survey is making a river-quality assessment of the Schuylkill River basin in Pennsylvania from October 1978 to March 1981. It is part of a continuing program designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of river-quality studies for basin planning and water-resource management. Study objectives include determining (1) presence of selected trace metals and organic substances in the water and sediments of the Schuylkill River between Berne and Philadelphia; (2) source, distribution, and transport of selected trace metals and organic substances in the river from Berne to Philadelphia; (3) frequency of occurrence of selected trace metals and organic substances in the river at Pottstown and Manayunk; (4) effects of low dams on the distribution and transport of selected trace metals and organic substances in the river between Pottstown and Philadelphia.

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USGS1980

Ground-water quality and data on wells and springs in Pennsylvania: Volume II, Susquehanna and Potomac River basins

Volume II of the Ground-Water Quality and Data on Wells and Springs in Pennsylvania presents ground-water quality and physical data on about 1,400 wells and springs in the Susquehanna and Potomac River basins in Pennsylvania. Locations are shown on site-location maps derived from the hydrologic unit map. Codes showing the geologic age and aquifer are provided. (USGS)

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USGS1980

Effects of strip mining the abandoned deep Anna S Mine on the hydrology of Babb Creek, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

Daylighting (strip mining of coal seams previously deep mined) operations are being conducted on the Anna S Mine, that underlies about 850 acres that are drained by three major discharges. The Hunter Drift drains an underground area of about 400 acres, the Anna S 1 main entry, an area of 330 acres, and Mitchel 2 discharge an area of about 120 acres. As of August 1, 1979, about 55 acres (15%) had been daylighted in the Hunter Drift basin, about 15 acres (5%) in the Anna S main entry basin and about 30 acres (25%) in the Mitchel basin. The acidity of the Mitchel 2 discharge changed the most, from 176 milligrams per liter (as CaCO3) in 1975-76 to 1,190 in 1978-79, an increase of 580%. The acidity of the Hunter Drift discharge increased from 348 milligrams per liter during 1975-76 to 710 milligrams per liter during 1978-79, an increase of 100%. The acidity of Anna S 1 increased about 45%.

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USGS1980

The effects of highway construction on sediment discharge into Blockhouse Creek and Steam Valley Run, Pennsylvania

From October 1972 through September 1977, the effects of highway construction in the 38 square mile Blockhouse Creek basin were studied. Water discharge, suspended-sediment discharge, and stream-temperature data were collected at four stations in the basin. The 5-year period included 1 year before construction, 2 years during construction, and 2 years after construction. The effects of stream relocation and sediment-control methods used in the highway construction were also investigated. During the period of data collection, about 35,500 tons of suspended sediment was transported by Blockhouse Creek and Steam Valley Run. The data indicate that 9,100 tons was introduced to the stream from construction areas. The normal sediment yield for the two basins was determined to be 80 tons per square mile per year. Most of the sediment was transported by the streams during high flows and probably passed through Blockhouse Creek, as little deposition was observed below the construction area. Stream temperature seemed to be relatively unaffected by the stream relocations and diversions. Stream relocation and diversion methods were successful in limiting the amount of sediment discharged by the new channels. Physical sediment-control methods limited sediment discharge during baseflow periods and small storms. Coarse sediments especially were controlled by these methods. The most effective method of sediment control was limiting the amount of time that the construction-area soils were exposed. (USGS)

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