Geology topics
Research about South Dakota
Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including South Dakota.
Magnitude and frequency of floods from selected drainage basins in South Dakota
The 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year floods are determined for gaged sites on 120 selected, small drainage basins in South Dakota. These estimates are from the frequency curves defined from the streamflow records. Short-term records for 66 sites were extended on the basis of long-term climatic records and a rainfall-runoff model. These frequency curves may provide the best estimates of floods at these gaged sites. Analyses of flood-frequency information from these gaged sites have been the basis for techniques (published previously) used in estimating flood magnitude and frequency at ungaged sites in South Dakota. This report supplements flood-frequency information published earlier. It presents: Annual peak discharges colected during a 25-year period at 124 crest-stage partial-record stations; maximum observed and unit discharges determined for 124 crest-stage and 120 continuous-record gaging stations; updated flood-frequency curves for 120 crest-stage gages; a documentation of analytical procedures used; and a summary of the small-streams flood-peak data collection program in the State from 1955 to 1981. Maximum flood peaks determined at 244 partial- and continuous-record gaging stations and at 52 miscellaneous sites are compared with regional flood relationships.
Survival of duck plague virus in water from Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota
An isolant of duck plague herpesvirus from the Lake Andes Refuge outbreak was seeded in raw and filter-decontaminated water from two locations on the refuge, held at 4 C, and assayed for infectivity intermittently over a period of 2 mo. From an initial level of about 10 5 PFU per ml, infectivity in the filtered samples uniformly dropped to about 10 4 PFU per ml. Infectivity in the raw samples declined much more rapidly; infectious virus remaining at the end of 2 mo (ca. 10 1 PFU per ml) was only about 0.01% of that originally seeded.
The EROS Data Center
The Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Program of the U.S. Department of the Interior, administered by the Geological Survey, was established in 1966 to apply remote-sensing techniques to the inventory, monitoring, and management of natural resources. To meet its primary objective, the EROS Program includes research and training in the interpretation and application of remotely sensed data and provides remotely sensed data at nominal cost to scientists, resource planners, managers, and the public.
Seismicity map of the state of South Dakota
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.
Water-level records for the Big Sioux aquifer, Minnehaha County, South Dakota
This report contains a tabulation of water levels in wells tapping the Big Sioux aquifer in Minnehaha County, S. Dak. Included is a compilation of all water levels in 43 wells measured by the U.S. Geological Survey and State agencies during the period 1957-80. The data are presented in tabular and graphic form.
Water levels in bedrock aquifers in South Dakota
This report on water levels in bedrock aquifers in South Dakota is the result of a continuing investigation begun in 1959 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Water and Natural Resources. The purpose of the investigation is to collect data on the artesian water supply in the bedrock aquifers and to present these data in data reports that will aid in planning the use and conservation of water from these aquifers in South Dakota. The locations of wells were data have been collected are included.
Records of water levels in unconsolidated deposits in eastern South Dakota
This report, prepared in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Water and Natural Resources and the South Dakota Geological Survey, contains a tabulation of water levels measured by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and State agencies. Wells owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) were measured as part of the Oahe Irrigation Project. Wells owned by the South Dakota Department of Water and Natural Resources, Water Rights Division (SDWR) were measured as part of a special program to monitor water levels in aquifers after a county study was completed, and contains measurements made by both USGS and by the SDWR. Water-level measurements that were made by the USGS were made with a weighted steel tape and are reported to the nearest .01 foot. Measurements made by SDWR were made with a cloth tape and popper and are reported to the nearest 0.1 foot. Measurements that are reported each fifth day were taken from a recorder chart and are the water levels at noon on that day. Data from digital recorders are reported daily and are the water levels at noon. All water-level data are given in feet below land surface datum. For readers who may prefer to use metric units rather than inch-pound units, the term feet may be converted to meters by multiplying by 0.3048. The data in this report are presented alphabetically by county and within counties by ascending local well number. Information about each well is contained in table 1 preceeding the water-level measurements (table 2). The short name or number above the altitude in table 2 is used as an easy office reference or in the case of wells owned by SDWR, it is their well identification number.
High duck nesting success in a predator-reduced environment
Duck nesting and production were studied during 1969-74 on a 51-ha field of undisturbed grass-legume cover and a surrounding 8.13-km 2 area in north-central South Dakota. The principal mammalian predators of ducks were reduced within a 259-km 2 zone from May 1969 through August 1971. Dabbling duck nest densities, hatching success, and breeding populations attained high levels. Seven duck species produced 1,062 nests on the 51-ha field during 6 years, 864 (81%) hatched, 146 (14%) were destroyed, and 52 (5%) had other fates. During 1970-72, when predator reduction was most effective, the hatching success for 756 nests was 94%. The number of mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) nests increased from 37 (0.7/ha) in 1969 to 181 (3.5/ha) in 1972. Mallard pairs increased from 2.8/km 2 to 16.8/km 2 on the 8.13-km 2 area during the same period. A minimum of 7,250 ducklings hatched on the 51-ha field during the 6 years, including 2,342 ducklings in 1972. Exceptionally high duck nesting densities and hatching rates occurred when predators were controlled.
Small-format cameras and fine-grain film used for waterfowl population studies
No abstract available.
Introduction to the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The EROS Data Center is a part of the Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Office of the Department of the Interior and is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey. It is the national clearinghouse for the processing and dissemination of spacecraft- and aircraft-acquired images and photographs and electronic data on the Earth's resources. The Center also trains and assists users in the application of such data.
EROS: A space program for Earth resources
Within the technology of the space age lies a key to increased knowledge about the resources and environment of the Earth. This key is remote sensing detecting the nature of an object without actually touching it. Although the photographic camera is the most familiar remote-sensing device, other instrument systems, such as scanning radiometers and radar, also can produce photographs and images. On the basis of the potential of this technology, and in response to the critical need for greater knowledge of the Earth and its resources, the Department of the Interior established the Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Program to gather and use remotely sensed data collected by satellite and aircraft of natural and manmade features on the Earth's surface.
Geologic map of the Medicine Mountain quadrangle, Pennington County, South Dakota
No abstract available.
Appraisal of the water resources of the Big Sioux aquifer, Brookings, Deuel, and Hamlin counties, South Dakota
The Big Sioux aquifer in Brookings, Deuel, and Hamlin Counties, South Dakota, has been extensively developed and in some areas discharge, principally by wells, from the aquifer may be exceeding recharge to the aquifer. A finite-difference method digital model was used to simulate steady-state conditions of the Big Sioux aquifer. Average annual water levels in the Big Sioux aquifer and base flow discharge of the Big Sioux River near Brookings for 1970 through 1976 were used in the model. The model-computed water levels were within a few feet of the actual annual average water levels and the computed annual average base flow was 66 cubic feet per second compared to the actual base flow of 58 cubic feet per second. The computer model was used to model transient conditions by simulating water levels and base flow from April through August 1976 and comparing the results with actual data. Evapotranspiration and pumpage changes were made for each month. There was no recharge from precipitation during the test period. Several different computer simulations were made using different estimates of hydrologic parameters and conditions. Specific yield was increased from 10 to 15 percent which resulted in a much greater base flow for each month. Effective depth of evapotranspiration was changed from 5 to 10 feet which resulted in a very large decrease in base flow. A computer simulation made without irrigation pumpage resulted in an increase in the base flow from 0.66 to 9 cubic feet per second for August 1976 in the Big Sioux River near Brookings. The actual base flow for August 1976 was .01 cubic foot per second. A water budget showed 22.2 inches of precipitation (average annual), 0.65 inch of surface runoff, 1.06 inches of ground-water outflow (base flow to river, 1970-76), and 20.49 inches of evapotranspiration. The water from the Big Sioux aquifer is a calcium bicarbonate type and specific conductance ranged from 407 to 1,790 micromhos per centimeter at 25°C. The water is generally very hard, having a mean of 454 milligrams per liter of hardness. A model simulation using all the pumpage that would be allowed by irrigation permits approved as of February 1979 simulated the withdrawal of 43,900 acre-feet of water for about 4 months during which time there was no recharge from precipitation. If there had been no pumping for that period, evapotranspiration would have been 7,800 acre-feet more than occurred under pumping conditions and discharge to streams would have increased by 3,600 acre-feet.
Techniques for estimating flood peaks, volumes and hydrographs on small streams in South Dakota
Procedures are defined for estimating the magnitude and frequency of future flood peaks and flood volumes and for estimating the expected hydrograph shape of rainfall-induced runoff of small streams in South Dakota. The procedures are applicable to flood flows that are not significantly affected by artificial storage or other manmade activities. For 115 gaged sites within the State, the estimates are from the frequency curves defined from the gaging records. Flood-frequency estimates are made for ungaged sites by using regression relations that require evaluation of the size, main channel slope, and a soil-infiltration index for the drainage basin. Regression relations are considered applicable for estimating flood peaks at sites on basins draining 0.05 to 100 square miles and for estimating flood volumes at sites on basins draining from 0.05 to 15 square miles. Limitations on use of the regression relations and the reliability of regression estimates are discussed. A method is indicated for using the estimating procedure and embankment ponding to design smaller highway culverts. The procedures were developed from analysis of flood records of 123 gaged sites in South Dakota and adjacent States. For 66 sites, short-term records were extended on the basis of long-term climatic records and a rainfall-runoff model. Linear least-squares regression analyses were used with logarithmic transformation of variables to relate flood magnitudes as dependent variables to indexes describing the drainage basins as independent variables. A dimensionless hydrograph shape was found appropriate for rainfall-runoff hydrographs in South Dakota.