Mineral resources of the Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area and the Flynn Lake Wilderness Study Area, Bayfield County, Wisconsin
No abstract available.
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Geology topics
Research about Wisconsin
Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Wisconsin.
Flood of July 1-5, 1978 on the Kickapoo River, southwestern Wisconsin
The Kickapoo River valley in southwestern Wisconsin had a devastating flood ($10 million estimated damages) during July 1-5, 1978. The flash flooding was caused by intense storms on June 30 through July 2. Total rainfall accumulation ranged from 5.8 inches near Ontario to 9.5 inches at La Farge. The resulting flood equaled or exceeded the largest ones recorded since the 1850 's and equaled or exceeded the 100-year flood frequency at the U.S. Geological Survey 's streamflow gages at La Farge and Steuben. Elevation and delineation of the flood are shown on photo mosaics developed from black and white aerial photographs. The 100-mile reach from Wauzeka to Wilton is shown. A summary of the storm conditions causing the flood and an analysis of the rainfall totals, as prepared by the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, are also included. (USGS)
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Techniques for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams
This report provides improved methods for estimating the magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams. Proper design of hydraulic structures and adequate flood-plain management depend on this information. Multiple-regression techniques were used to develop equations for estimating flood frequencies at ungaged sites. The State is divided into five areas and has equations developed for each area. These areas are based on areal factors determined from previous studies and physical basin characteristics. Significant characteristics in the equations are soil permeability, drainage area, slope, storage, forest cover, snowfall, precipitation intensity, and mean annual precipitation. Standard errors of estimate for the regression equations ranged from 23 to 38 percent. Annual flood peaks, basin characteristics, and flood-frequency values are presented in this report. Data from 184 gaging stations were used in the regression analysis, of which 20 had rainfall-runoff data collected. Long-term synthetic peaks were generated from the rainfall-runoff data and were weighted with the observed peak data to improve the flood-frequency distributions. A method to estimate flood-frequency values for regulated streams was developed by discharge-drainage area relationships. Graphs for the major regulated streams are presented in the report.
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An assessment of streamflow, water quality, and the effects of constructing an impoundment on Bridge Creek at Augusta, Wisconsin
This study documents Streamflow, temperature, and water-quality conditions of Bridge Creek at Augusta, Wisconsin, and evaluates the potential effects of a proposed small impoundment on the creek. The effects are of concern to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources because the stream is a Class II trout stream. Average daily Streamflow, from records collected during the 1980 water year, was about 50 cubic feet per second, and flow ranged from 4.5 to 1,010 cubic feet per second. Average summer (1980) water temperature of the creek was 21.0°C, and the average summer dissolved-oxygen concentration was 7.1 milligrams per liter. Water temperature did not exceed 26.0°C, and dissolved oxygen did not fall below 6.0 milligrams per liter at any time during the summer. A computer-simulated average summer temperature below the proposed impoundment was 22.5°C with a surface-level outlet from the reservoir, and 21.9°C with a bottom-draw outlet. Dissolved oxygen exceeded 6.0 milligrams per liter in both cases. Nutrient concentrations in Bridge Creek and comparisons with a similar impoundment at nearby Fall Creek indicate that the proposed impoundment would have nuisance weed growth. The impoundment would have a computed transit time of about 3 days, with a surface-level outlet, or 1 day with a bottom-draw outlet, assuming a normal pool elevation and a summer base flow of 7.5 cubic feet per second. Total storage in the proposed impoundment is estimated to be 48 acre-feet.
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Low-flow characteristics of streams in the central Wisconsin River basin, Wisconsin
This report describes low-flow characteristics of streams in the central Wisconsin River basin where streamflow data have been collected and presents equations for estimating low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites. Included are estimates of low-flow frequency at 34 gaging stations, flow duration at 24 gaging stations, and low-flow frequency characteristics at 18 low-flow partial-record stations and 131 miscellaneous sites. Due to the large variability in low-flow characteristics, the central Wisconsin River basin was divided into four areas of similar geologic and topographic conditions. Separate equations are provided for each area to estimate low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites and at sites where one base-flow discharge measurement is available. The equations were determined from multiple-regression analyses that related the low-flow characteristics at gaging stations and at low-flow partial-record stations to basin characteristics. Drainage area (A), hydraulic conductivity (K), soil-infiltration capacity (l), forest cover (F), base-flow index (Bf), and drift thickness (H) were the most significant characteristics in explaining the variations in low flow at ungaged sites. The standard error of estimate (SE), provided for each equation, ranged from 10 to 140 percent. Equations with the lowest SB's were for the central sand plain area that contains relatively thick sand aquifers. The highest SB's were associated with equations for the area west of the Wisconsin River where thin glacial drift with fairly low permeability overlies crystalline rock. The low-flow characteristics determined for all types of sites in the central sand plain area have the lowest SE's compared to other basins in the State. This is due to the sand deposits which yield a high and uniform base flow.
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Comparison of the propane-area tracer method and predictive equations for determination of stream-reaeration coefficients on two small streams in Wisconsin
This study was made to identify the best predictive equations for a stream's reaeration-rate coefficient. Reaeration-rate information is needed in dissolvedoxygen modeling work, but an actual tracer measurement is not always possible. The propane-area gas-tracer method and predictive equations were compared for determination of stream-reaeration coefficients (K.2) for reaches of two small streams in Wisconsin. The study was made by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The reaeration-rate coefficients actually measured by the propane-area tracer technique were 14.0 per day and 10.5 per day for two reaches of Honey Creek near Monroe, Wisconsin, with 6.98 per day and 0.98 per day measured at separate reaches on Mill Creek near Marshfield, Wisconsin. Of 20 predictive equations evaluated, the top five ranking equations were as follows: Tsivoglou-Neal with 34 percent mean error, Foree with 34.8 percent, Cadwallader with 45.5 percent, Isaacs-Gaudy with 45.8 percent, and Langbein- Durum with 49 percent.
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Hydrologic effects of proposed changes in management practices, Winnebago Pool, Wisconsin
Various changes in the management practices for the Winnebago pool have been proposed. The objectives of the proposed changes are protecting wetlands adjacent to the lakes in the pool and assuring adequate flow in the Fox River downstream from Lake Winnebago. Three proposed operation plans for the Winnebago pool were studied to determine the effects on lake stage and discharge. A digital reservoir model simulated daily lake stage and discharge from the Winnebago pool. Inflow for this simulation was computed from daily discharge, recorded at Rapide Croche Dam, and daily stage, recorded at Oshkosh. This computed inflow is net inflow, combining the effects of streamflow, precipitation, evaporation, and net ground-water inflow. The model was adapted to simulate operation of the Winnebago pool according to each of the proposed plans. Because the important features of each operation plan were expressed in terms of stages to be attained at certain dates, simulated discharge was adjusted daily to keep simulated lake stage close to that specified in the plan. The simulated lake stage for each of the proposed plans exceeded the allowable maximum in some years. However, the simulated stage exceeded the allowable maximum less frequently and for shorter periods than did the observed stage. For the 61 years simulated (water years 1918-78), the simulated 7-day, 10- year low flow ((57,10) at Rapide Croche Dam was 1,000 ft^/s compared with 900 ft^/s for the observed record. The 7-day, 2-year low flow (Qy 2) was 1,500 ft^/s (simulated) versus 1,600 ft3/s (observed). The model predicted that executing the proposed operation plan would result in monthly Q7 JQ for August and September of 1,100 ft-Vs. This is no change for August and a 12-percent increase for September. In addition, the study illustrated that the discharge from the Winnebago pool could be managed to guarantee that the discharge in the Fox River downstream would not fall below a specified discharge up to 1,500 ft^/s. In most years this would have no effect on the stage of the pool. In a few years there would be a conflict between releasing water from the pool to maintain the desired discharge and maintaining water levels above the required minimum stage. The frequency of this possible conflict varies with the level of discharge desired in the Fox River from 1 year in 60 for a discharge of 1,100 ft^/s to about 1 year in 15 for a discharge of 1,500 ft^/s.
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Eustrongylides and pesticide levels in a great blue heron shot in Wisconsin
The parasitic roundworm, Eustrongylides ignotus Jagersk, has been known to cause mortality and morbidity in members of the heron family in the eastern states of North America. To date no previous records exist for this nematode in Wisconsin. Even though eustrongylidiosis was first detected in the District of Columbia in 1926 by Chapin (1926), it was not until 1976 that this parasite was found in the midwest, in central Indiana (Winterfield and Kazacos 1977). The purpose of this report is to document the occurrence of this nematode even further westward in Wisconsin, and to show the debilitating effect it can have on herons.
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Ground-water quality atlas of Wisconsin
This report summarizes data on ground-water quality stored in the U.S. Geological Survey's computer system (WATSTORE). The summary includes water quality data for 2,443 single-aquifer wells, which tap one of the State's three major aquifers (sand and gravel, Silurian dolomite, and sandstone). Data for dissolved solids, hardness, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, and nitrate are summarized by aquifer and by county, and locations of wells for which data are available 1 are shown for each aquifer. Calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate (the principal component of alkalinity) are the major dissolved constituents in Wisconsin's ground water. High iron concentrations and hardness cause ground-water quality problems in much of the State. Statewide ,summaries of trace constituent (selected trace metals; arsenic, boron, and organic carbon) concentrations show that these constituents impair water quality in only a few isolated wells.
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An overview of the National Wildlife Health Laboratory after 6 years
No abstract available.
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The isolation of a herpes virus from captive cranes with an inclusion body disease
A viral agent, identified as a herpesvirus and tentatively called 'inclusion body disease of cranes' (IBDC), was isolated from captive cranes involved in a die-off at the International Crane Foundation near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Preliminary animal susceptibility tests, based on experimental infections, suggested that White Pekin ducklings up to 17 days old and adult coots were susceptible to the IBDC virus whereas 16-day-old White Leghorn chicks and 64-day-old Muscovy ducks were not. No serum antibody to IBDC virus was detected in 95 wild sandhill cranes collected in Wisconsin or Indiana in 1976 and 1977. However, 9 of 11 captive cranes in the affected area at the ICF had antibody to this agent.
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Seismicity map of the State of Wisconsin
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 univeral usage.
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Streamflow model of Wisconsin River for estimating flood frequency and volume
A set of daily streamflow-routing models are used to simulate streamflow at 10 sites along the Wisconsin River for water years 1915-76, to determine the effects the reservoir system has on flood discharges. Streamflow is simulated under the following two conditions: (1) No reservoirs are in the system and (2) all of the present reservoirs are in place and operated with current rules. At Wisconsin Dells, 20 miles upstream from Portage, daily streamflow hydrographs are estimated for the 10-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year floods. These were determined from statistical analysis of the simulated daily streamflows for the condition of all reservoirs in place. The reservoirs have a significant impact on floods. The mean annual flood peak at Wisconsin Dells is lowered about 20% from 43,000 cubic feet per second for the simulated, unregulated condition to 34,000 cubic feet per second for the simulated, regulated condition. The 100-year flood peak at Wisconsin Dells is reduced about 10% (92,000 to 82,000 cubic feet per second) between the simulated, unregulated and simulated, regulated conditions. The 100-year flood peak at Wisconsin Dells, computed from the simulated, regulated streamflow data for the period 1915-76, is 82,000 cubic feet per second, including the effects of all the reservoirs in the river system, as they are currently operated. It also includes the effects of Lakes Du Bay, Petenwell, and Castle Rock which are significant for spring floods but are insignificant for summer or fall floods because they are normally maintained nearly full in the summer and fall and have very little storage for floodwaters. (USGS)
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Low-flow characteristics of streams in the upper Wisconsin River basin, Wisconsin
Low-flow characteristics of streams in the upper Wisconsin River basin are presented. Included are estimates of low-flow frequency at 10 gaging stations, flow duration at 8 gaging stations, and low-flow frequency characteristics at 13 low-flow partial-record stations and 81 miscellaneous sites. Equations are provided to estimate low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites and at sites where one base-flow discharge measurement is available. The equations were determined from multiple-regression analyses that related low-flow characteristics at gaging stations and low-flow partial-record stations to basin characteristics. The standard error of estimate is provided for each method of estimating the annual minimum 7-day mean flow below which the flow will fall on the average of once in 2 years and once in 10 years. The standard error of estimate for the 7-day 10-year low flow ranged from 9% to 113% depending on the type of data available. Standard error provides the user with the expected degree of accuracy for each method. (USGS)
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Low-flow characteristics of streams in the St. Croix River basin, Wisconsin
Low-flow characteristics of streams in the St. Croix River basin , Wisconsin, are presented. Included are estimates of low-flow frequency and flow duration at 7 gaging stations, low-flow frequency characteristics at 23 low-flow partial-record stations and 78 miscellaneous sites, and a list of base-flow discharge measurements at 29 miscellaneous sites. Equations are provided to estimate low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites and at sites where one base-flow discharge measurement is available. The equations were determined from multiple-regression analyses that related low-flow characteristics at gaging stations and low-flow partial-record stations to basin characteristics. The standard error of estimate is provided for each method of estimating the annual minimum 7-day mean flow below which the flow will fall on the average of once in 2 years and once in 10 years. Standard error provides the user with the expected degree of accuracy for each method. (USGS)
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Low-flow characteristics of streams in the Menominee-Oconto-Peshtigo River basin, Wisconsin
Low-flow characteristics of streams in the Menominee-Oconto-Peshtigo River basin, Wisconsin, are presented. Included are estimates of low-flow frequency at 12 gaging stations, flow duration at 10 gaging stations, and low-flow frequency characteristics at 23 low-flow partial-record stations and 137 miscellaneous sites. Equations are provided to estimate low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites and at sites where one base-flow discharge measurement is available. The equations were determined from multiple-regression analyses that related low-flow characteristics at gaging stations and low-flow partial-record stations to basin characteristics. The standard error of estimate is provided for each method of estimating the annual minimum 7-day mean flow below which the flow will fall on the average of once in 2 years and once in 10 years. The standard error of estimate for the 7-day 10-year low flow ranged from 6% to 76% depending on the type of data available. Standard error provides the user with the expected degree of accuracy for each method.
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Comparison of tracer methods and predictive equations for determination of stream-reaeration coefficients on three small streams in Wisconsin
Four modified nonradioactive-tracer methods and 20 predictive equations for determination of stream-reaeration coefficients in three small Wisconsin streams were compared with the radioactive-tracer method developed by Tsivoglou. Of the four modified-tracer techniques, the propane-area technique, which measures the total weight of propane gas passing stream-sampling stations, yielded the least mean absolute difference of 11.0 percent compared with the radioactive-tracer method. The propane peak concentration, ethylene peak concentration, and ethylene total weight methods gave mean absolute differences of 18, 21, and 26 percent, respectively. The top five ranking predictive equations were as follows: Tsivoglou-Neal with 18 percent mean error, Negulescu-Rojanski with 21 percent, Padden-Gloyna with 23 percent, Thackston-Krenkel with 29 percent, and Bansal with 32 percent. (USGS).
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The effects of using ground water to maintain water levels of Cedar Lake, Wisconsin
Cedar Lake, a kettle lake with no surface inlet or outlet, was studied to evaluate the feasibility of maintaining water levels of lakes in the glaciated kettle moraine area of eastern Wisconsin by pumping ground water into them. The general hydrogeology of the area around the lake was defined and the hydrology of the lake was studied in detail. There are two aquifer systems in the Cedar Lake area, and in general, throughout eastern Wisconsin. The shallow aquifer system is composed of unconsolidated glacial drift of Quaternary age and consolidated bedrock of Silurian age. Cedar Lake is located in a local recharge area within this system. The saturated thicknesses of the glacial drift and Silurian dolomite beneath the lake are approximately 100 feet and 500 feet, respectively. This aquifer system is separated from an underlying aquifer system by a layer of shale approximately '200 feet thick that forms an effective barrier to water movement. The deep aquifer system is composed of dolomites and sandstones of Ordovician and Cambrian age whose composite thickness is 600 to 650 feet. A water budget was prepared to quantify the components of the hydrologic system of Cedar Lake. Inflow to the lake averaged approximately ^5 inches per water year for the 2-year period October 197^ through September 1976. Inflow consisted of precipitation on the lake surface (28 inches), groundwater seepage to the lake (2 inches), and overland flow (15 inches) to the lake. Outflow averaged approximately U9 inches per year for the same 2- year period. Outflow consisted of evaporation (31 inches) from the lake surface and ground-water seepage from the lake (18 inches). A volume of water equivalent to that needed to raise the lake level 1*7 inches was pumped from the shallow aquifer system into Cedar Lake between February 1 and September 30, 1977. The water budget for the lake during this period indicated that approximately 90 percent of pumped water was either recycled from the lake to the well or otherwise lost as seepage from the lake. Selected physical and chemical characteristics of the lake water were measured periodically between October 197^ and September 1977- The water temperature ranged between 26°C in August to approximately 2°C in December during each year of the study. The dissolved-oxygen concentration of the water ranged from 13 milligrams per liter at the time ice cover first developed in December to h milligrams per liter at the time ice cover broke up the following April. The total nitrogen concentration of the water varied from 1.0 milligrams per liter during winter to 0.5 milligrams per liter during summer. The total phosphorus concentration of the water was fairly uniform throughout the year, averaging 0.01 milligrams per liter. The phytoplankton population was sampled periodically. The total phytoplankton count was small during winter, generally less than 250 cells per milliliter. These phytoplankton were composed of euglenoids, diatoms, green algae, and blue-green algae. The count increased to 50,000 to 100,000 cells per milliliter during summer. One or two species of blue-green algae dominated during these times. There were no identifiable changes in measured physical and chemical characteristics of lake water during sustained pumping of ground water into the lake, nor were there identifiable changes in the number or makeup of the phytoplankton community. Differences in physical and chemical characteristics of lake water and ground water added to the lake probably were not great enough to cause changes within the lake.
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