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Documentation and hydrologic analysis of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, October 29–30, 2012

In 2012, a late season tropical depression developed into a tropical storm and later a hurricane. The hurricane, named “Hurricane Sandy,” gained strength to a Category 3 storm on October 25, 2012, and underwent several transitions on its approach to the mid-Atlantic region of the eastern coast of the United States. By October 28, 2012, Hurricane Sandy had strengthened into the largest hurricane ever recorded in the North Atlantic and was tracking parallel to the east coast of United States, heading toward New Jersey. On October 29, 2012, the storm turned west-northwest and made landfall near Atlantic City, N.J. The high winds and wind-driven storm surge caused massive damage along the entire coastline of New Jersey. Millions of people were left without power or communication networks. Many homes were completely destroyed. Sand dunes were eroded, and the barrier island at Mantoloking was breached, connecting the ocean with Barnegat Bay. Several days before the storm made landfall in New Jersey, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) made a decision to deploy a temporary network of storm-tide sensors and barometric pressure sensors from Virginia to Maine to supplement the existing USGS and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) networks of permanent tide monitoring stations. After the storm made landfall, the USGS conducted a sensor data recovery and high-water-mark collection campaign in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Peak storm-tide elevations documented at USGS tide gages, tidal crest-stage gages, temporary storm sensor locations, and high-water-mark sites indicate the area from southern Monmouth County, N.J., north through Raritan Bay, N.J., had the highest peak storm-tide elevations during this storm. The USGS tide gages at Raritan River at South Amboy and Raritan Bay at Keansburg, part of the New Jersey Tide Telemetry System, each recorded peak storm-tide elevations of greater than 13 feet (ft)—more than 5 ft higher than the previously recorded period-of-record maximum. A comparison of peak storm-tide elevations to preliminary FEMA Coastal Flood Insurance Study flood elevations indicated that these areas experienced the highest recurrence intervals along the coast of New Jersey. Analysis showed peak storm-tide elevations exceeded the 100-year FEMA flood elevations in many parts of Middlesex, Union, Essex, Hudson, and Bergen Counties, and peak storm-tide elevations at many locations in Monmouth County exceeded the 500-year recurrence interval. A level 1 HAZUS (HAZards United States) analysis was done for the counties in New Jersey affected by flooding to estimate total building stock losses. The aggregated total building stock losses estimated by HAZUS for New Jersey, on the basis of the final inundation verified by USGS high-water marks, was almost $19 billion. A comparison of Hurricane Sandy with historic coastal storms showed that peak storm-tide elevations associated with Hurricane Sandy exceeded most of the previously documented elevations associated with the storms of December 1992, March 1962, September 1960, and September 1944 at many coastal communities in New Jersey. This scientific investigation report was prepared in cooperation with FEMA to document flood processes and flood damages resulting from this storm and to assist in future flood mitigation actions in New Jersey.

New Jersey

Water-level altitudes 2002 and water-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers and compaction 1973-2001 in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas

This report is one in an annual series of reports that depicts water-level altitudes and water-level changes in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers, and compaction in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers in the Houston-Galveston region. The Houston-Galveston region comprises Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Waller, and Montgomery Counties and adjacent parts of Brazoria, Grimes, Walker, San Jacinto, Liberty, and Chambers Counties. The report was prepared in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District, the City of Houston, and the Fort Bend Subsidence District. For the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, maps show approximate water-level altitudes in 2002, water-level changes from 2001 to 2002, approximate water-level changes from 1977 to 2002, lines of zero water-level change for intervals increasing in 5-year increments beginning with 1977–82, and approximate water-level changes from 1990 to 2002 (in the Fort Bend subregion [Fort Bend County and adjacent areas]) (figs. 1–10). For the Jasper aquifer, maps show approximate water-level altitudes in 2002 and water-level changes from 2001 to 2002 and 2000 to 2002 (figs. 11–13). The report also contains a map showing extensometer (well equipped with compaction monitor) site locations (fig. 14) and graphs showing measured compaction of subsurface material at selected sites from 1973 or later to 2001 (fig. 15). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has published annual reports of water-level altitudes and water-level changes for the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers in the Houston-Galveston region since 1979; and separate annual reports of same for the Fort Bend subregion since 1990. The USGS published its first water-level-altitude map for the Jasper aquifer in the greater Houston area (primarily Montgomery County) in 2001. This year (2002), the altitude and change maps for the three aquifers are in this report.

Texas

Approximate changes in water levels in wells completed in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-93 and 1992-93, and measured compaction, 1973-92, in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas

This report is one in a series of reports that depict water-level changes since 1977 and compaction of subsurface material since 1973. The report was prepared in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District and the City of Houston, and presents maps showing the approximate changes in water levels in wells completed in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-93 and 1992-93 (figs. 1-4), and measured compaction, 1973-92 (figs. 5 and 6), in the Houston-Galveston region. The Houston-Galveston region includes Harris and Galveston Counties and adjacent parts of Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, and Chambers Counties.

Open-File Report

Water-level changes 1977-87, 1987-95, and 1995-2000 in the Chicot and Evangeline Aquifers, Houston-Galveston region, Texas

This report depicts long-term water-level changes in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers in the Houston-Galveston region. The Houston-Galveston region comprises Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Waller, and Montgomery Counties and adjacent parts of Brazoria, Grimes, Walker, San Jacinto, Liberty, and Chambers Counties. The report was prepared in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District and the Fort Bend Subsidence District. For the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, maps show approximate water-level changes for the periods 1977 to 1987 (figs. 1 and 4), 1987 to 1995 (figs. 2 and 5), and 1995 to 2000 (figs. 3 and 6). Nineteen seventy-seven was the first year that water levels in a network of wells were measured and water-levelaltitude maps made for the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers. Nineteen eighty-seven, 1995, and 2000 were years in which land-surface altitudes throughout Harris, Galveston, and Fort Bend Counties were releveled using spirit leveling (1987) and Global Positioning Satellite technology (1995 and 2000); thus the selection of those years for the maps. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has published annual reports of water-level altitudes and water-level changes for the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers in the Houston-Galveston region since 1979 and separate similar annual reports for the Fort Bend subregion since 1990. Beginning with 2002, the separate annual reports were combined into one report.

Texas

Approximate changes in water levels in wells completed in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-92 and 1991-92, and measured compaction, 1973-91, in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas

This report is one in a series of reports that depict water-level changes since 1977 and compaction of subsurface material since 1973. The report was prepared in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District and the City of Houston, and presents maps showing the approximate changes in water-levels in wells completed in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-92 and 1991-92 (figs. 1-4), and measured compations, 1973-91 (figs. 5 and 6), in the Houston-Galveston region. The Houston-Galveston region includes Harris and Galveston Counties and adjacent parts of Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, and Chambers Counties.

Texas

Approximate changes in water levels in wells completed in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-94 and 1993-94, and measured compaction, 1973-93, in the Houston-Galveston region, Texas

This report is one in a series of reports that depict water-level changes since 1977 and compaction of subsurface material since 1973. The report was prepared in cooperation with the City of Houston and the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District, and presents maps showing the approximate changes in water levels in wells completed in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers, 1977-94 and 1993-94 (figs. 1-4), extensometer site locations (fig. 5), and measured compaction, 1973-93 (fig. 6), in the Houston-Galveston region. Water-level change maps were prepared previously by Kasmarek and others (1993). The Houston-galveston region includes Harris and Galveston Counties and adjacent parts of Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, and Chambers Counties.

Texas

Geologic map of Kundelan ore deposits and prospects, Zabul Province, Afghanistan; modified from the 1971 original map compilations of K.I. Litvinenko and others

This map and cross sections are redrafted modified versions of the Geological map of the Kundelan ore deposit area, scale 1:10,000 (graphical supplement no. 18) and the Geological map of the Kundelan deposits, scale 1:2,000 (graphical supplement no. 3) both contained in an unpublished Soviet report by Litvinenko and others (1971) (report no. 0540). The unpublished Soviet report was prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Mines and Industries of the Royal Government of Afghanistan in Kabul during 1971. This redrafted map and cross sections illustrate the geology of the main Kundelan copper-gold skarn deposit, located within the Kundelan copper and gold area of interest (AOI), Zabul Province, Afghanistan. Areas of interest (AOIs) of non-fuel mineral resources within Afghanistan were first described and defined by Peters and others (2007) and later by the work of Peters and others (2011a). The location of the main Kundelan copper-gold skarn deposit (area of this map) and the Kundelan copper and gold AOI is shown on the index map provided on this map sheet. The estimated resources of the Kundelan copper-gold skarn deposit are 21,400 metric tons (t) of copper, 1.6 t of gold, and 133.4 t of molybdenum at an average grade of 1.21 weight percent (wt. %) copper (ranging from 0.66 to 4.03 wt. % copper); 0.9 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold (ranging from 0.3 to 3.1 g/t gold); 0.14 wt. % molybdenum; and as much as 10 g/t silver and 0.03 wt. % bismuth (Peters and others, 2011b). Small past production of gold and base metals is also reported by Douvgal and others (1971) from many prospects within the Kundelan copper and gold AOI. Outside the skarn areas, argillic hydrothermal alteration is present (Abdullah and others, 1977). Most copper and gold prospects in the Kundelan copper and gold AOI are reported to contain commercial-grade ores of copper and (or) gold, and many prospect areas have potential for these commodities to be discovered in commercial volumes. Future initial mine exploration and later development in many of the prospects, and specifically in the Kundelan copper-gold skarn deposit, could result in near-term small- to medium-sized gold mining operations (Peters and others, 2011b). The redrafted map and cross sections reproduce the topology of rock units, contacts, faults, and so forth, of the original Soviet map and cross sections, and they include modifications based on our examination of these documents and our observations made during a brief field visit in August of 2010. We have attempted to translate the original Russian terminology and rock classifications into modern English geologic usage as literally as possible without changing any genetic or process-oriented implications in the original descriptions. We also use the age designations from the original Soviet maps, except for the phase I and II intrusive igneous rocks. Phase I and II igneous rocks are reassigned an Early Cretaceous age (from lower Paleogene) based on a uranium-lead (U-Pb) zircon SHRIMP analysis from quartz diorite, which yielded an age of 104±1 Ma (mega-annum). The information provided in the description of map units is from both the source report by Litvinenko and others (1971) and the original 1:10,000 scale map (graphical supplement no. 18), also from Litvinenko and others (1971). Because of the poor quality of the original map, some map features could not be identified and some features may be misinterpreted. The rock unit colors used on the redrafted maps and cross sections differ from the colors shown on the original Soviet version. Colors were selected according to the color and pattern scheme of the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW) at http://www.ccgm.org. Elevations on the cross sections are derived from the original Soviet topography and may not match the Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) topography used on the redrafted map of this report. Most hydrography derived from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) has not been included on our redrafted version of the map because of a poor fit with alluvial deposits from the unmodified original Soviet map (graphical supplement no. 18; Litvinenko and others, 1971).

Zabul Province

Survival rates and lifetime reproduction of breeding male Cooper’s Hawks in Wisconsin, 1980-2005

There are few published data on annual survival and no reports of lifetime reproduction for breeding Cooper's Hawks ( Accipiter cooperii ). Breeding males ( n = 105) in central and southeastern Wisconsin had an annual mortality rate of 19%, or a survival rate of 81% for birds ≤10 years of age. We did not detect significant differences in mortality rates between urban and rural habitats, nor between the earlier 13 years and later 13 years of this study. Male Cooper's Hawks produced from zero to 32 nestlings during their lifetimes. Body mass or size appeared unrelated to annual survivorship and lifetime reproduction, although lifetime reproduction was correlated strongly with longevity of breeding males. Fifteen of 66 males (23%) produced most (53%) of the nestlings. Our studies occurred in an area where breeding populations may be increasing with some of the highest reported productivity indices and nesting densities for this species. Habitat used for nesting on our Wisconsin study areas may be less important for survivorship and lifetime reproduction than acquisition of a nesting area in which a male will breed throughout his life.

Wisconsin

Ground-water conditions in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, 1969-83, and predicted effects of increased withdrawals from wells

This report was prepared in cooperation with several organizations in the Salt Lake Valley and with the Central Utah Water Conservancy District to present results of a study to determine changes in the ground-water conditions in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, from 1969 to 1983, and to predict the aquifer response to projected withdrawals. The average annual recharge and discharge from the ground-water reservoir in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, during 1969-82 were estimated to be about 352,000 and 353,000 acre-feet per year. Withdrawals from wells increased from 107,000 acre-feet per year during 1964-68 to 117,000 acre-feet per year during 1969-82. The greatest increase in use was for public supply and institutions which increased from 35,000 acre-feet per year during 1964-68 to 46,700 acre-feet per year during 1969-82.

Utah

Water-resources data collected in the Devils Hole area, Ash Meadows, Nevada, 1975-76

The U.S. Geological Survey collected water-level, spring-flow, and power-consumption data in the Devils Hole area in Nevada from July 1975 through June 1976. The work for this sfurth annual data report was done in cooperation with the National Park Service. Continuous recorders were used to monitor water levels in Devils Hole, three observation wells, and the flow from four springs. Also, monthly readings were made on two wells to help define a general trend of ground-water levels. Monthly meter readings of six electrically powered irrigation wells provided a record of power consumption, which in turn, is an index of the amount of water pumped. The purpose of the work is to observe the effects, if any, of ground-water withdrawals from specified irrigtion wells in the Ash Meadows area on (1) the water level in Devils Hole, and (2) the flow of four springs in the area. Fairbanks Spring and Big Spring, which are in the extreme northern and southern parts of Ash Meadows respectively, show little effect of pumping. An increase in the monthly average flow at Fairbanks Spring in September can be attributed to runoff and surficial recharge in the surrounding area caused by a large cloudburst. Jack Rabbit Spring, which is about 1 mile southwest of the major pumping field, is affected strongly by pumping. Jack Rabbit Spring flowed during the winter months but flowed very infrequently during non-winter months. Point of Rocks Spring had a flow pattern similar to Big Spring and Fairbanks Spring. All the springs had a general increase in flow during the Winter months. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report

Ground-water conditions in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, 1969-83, and predicted effects of increased withdrawals from wells

This report was prepared in cooperation with several organizations in the Salt Lake Valley and with the Central Utah Water Conservancy District to present results of a study to determine changes in the ground-water conditions in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, from 1969 to 1983, and to predict the aquifer response to projected withdrawals. The average annual recharge and discharge from the ground-water reservoir in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, during 1969-82 were estimated to be about 352,000 and 353,000 acre-feet per year. Withdrawals from wells increased from 107,000 acre-feet per year during 1964-68 to 117,000 acre-feet per year during 1969-82. The greatest increase in use was for public supply and institutions which increased from 35,000 acre-feet per year during 1964-68 to 46,700 acre-feet per year during 1969-82. From 1969 to 1983 water levels declined from 5 to 15 feet in the southeast part of the valley where pumpage from large public supply wells was greater during 1969-82 than during previous years. From February-March 1969 to February-March 1983 the quantity of ground water in storage in Salt Lake Valley increased by about 33,000 acre-feet. A digital-computer model was calibrated to simulate, in three-dimensions, the ground-water flow in the principal and shallow-unconfined aquifers in Salt Lake Valley. Simulations were made to project the response to continuing withdrawals through 2020. Alternative pumping rates used were (1) the 1982 rate of pumpage and (2) increasing the 1982 rate of pumpage by 65,000 acre-feet. The simulation at the increased rate of pumpage indicated that drawdowns would reach 40-60 feet in the area east of Sandy. About 75 percent of the increased withdrawal was salvaged from water that otherwise would have been discharged to the Jordan River and its tributaries.

Utah

Ground-water resources of the Florida Mesa area, La Plata County, Colorado

Rapid population growth in La Plata County, Colorado, has increased the demand for ground water in the Florida Mesa area. This report was prepared in cooperation with La Plata County to provide needed information about the geology, extent, thickness, and depth of the aquifers in the area; sources of ground-water recharge and discharge; direction of ground-water movement; water-level changes; and water quality in the alluvial and bedrock aquifers. Ground water in the study area is present in bedrock formations and in terrace deposits on Florida Mesa. Porous or fractured sandstone beds that contain bedrock aquifers are present near land surface along the northern margin of the study area and are present at depths less than 3,000 feet throughout the study area. Terrace deposits as much as 200 feet thick and consisting of gravel, sand, silt, and clay are present on Florida Mesa. The terrace deposits and the upper part of the underlying Animas and Nacimiento Formations form the principal aquifer under the mesa. Ground water under the mesa is supplied from precipitation and irrigation water. A small part of the precipitation and irrigation water on the mesa percolates to depth in the soil and recharges the aquifer. Irrigation water is the largest source of this recharge. Water levels in the aquifer can decline because of a reduction in irrigation recharge, or because of an increase in well pumping. Because irrigation recharge is so much larger than pumping, changes in recharge can have a much larger effect on ground-water levels than can changes in pumping. Factors that tend to increase ground-water recharge and thereby increase or maintain ground- water levels include: maintaining large rates of surface-water diversion onto Florida Mesa, reducing surface flow off the mesa, increasing use of ponds and spreading basins to promote infiltration, and irrigating by use of flood irrigation. The general direction of ground-water movement on the mesa is from the northern part of the mesa to the south, southwest, and southeast. Most ground water discharges from the mesa to the Animas and Florida Rivers through seeps and springs along the margin of the mesa. Winter water levels in wells generally are lower than summer water levels because of the lack of irrigation recharge during the fall and winter. Potable water of low dissolved-solids concentration is present in the shallow parts of most aquifers.

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Estimated Withdrawals and Use of Water in Colorado, 2005

The future health and economic welfare of the people and environment of Colorado depend on a continuous supply of fresh water. Detailed, comprehensive information on the use of water from Colorado's diverse surface-water and groundwater resources is important to water managers and planners by providing information they need to quantify current stresses and estimate and plan for future water needs. As part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water Use Information Program (NWUIP), Statewide water withdrawal and water-use data have been collected or estimated and summarized in this report by county and by four-digit hydrologic unit code for the following seven water-use categories: irrigation (crop and golf course), public supply, self-supplied domestic, self-supplied industrial, livestock, mining, and thermoelectric power generation. A summary for instream water use for hydroelectric power generation also is included. This report is published in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. In 2005, an estimated 13,581.22 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) was withdrawn from groundwater and surface-water sources in Colorado for the seven water-use categories. Withdrawals from surface water represented about 11,035 Mgal/d, or 81.3 percent of the total, whereas withdrawals from groundwater sources represented an estimated 2,546 Mgal/d or 18.7 percent of the total. Irrigation (combined crop and golf course) totaled 12,362.49 Mgal/d or 91 percent of the total water withdrawals in the State of Colorado. Crop irrigation accounted for 99.7 percent (12,321.85 Mgal/d) of the irrigation, whereas the 243 turf golf courses in Colorado accounted for 0.3 percent (40.64 Mgal/d) of the total irrigation water withdrawals. Total withdrawals for the other water-use categories were public supply, 864.17 Mgal/d; self-supplied domestic, 34.43 Mgal/d; self-supplied industrial, 142.44 Mgal/d; livestock, 33.06 Mgal/d; mining, 21.42 Mgal/d (includes both fresh and saline water); and thermoelectric, 123.21 Mgal/d. The counties with the largest total withdrawals (greater than 500 Mgal/d) were Mesa, Weld, Rio Grande, Montrose, Gunnison, and Saguache. Counties with the smallest total withdrawals (less than 5 Mgal/d) were Clear Creek, Gilpin, and San Juan. Four-digit hydrologic unit codes with the greatest withdrawals were 1019 (South Platte River Basin), 1301 (Rio Grande Basin), and 1102 (Arkansas River Basin); the high withdrawal rates were driven by crop irrigation withdrawals. Total instream water use for hydroelectric power generation was 5,253.60 Mgal/d. Groundwater withdrawals were estimated for 2004 for the bedrock and overlying alluvial aquifers in the Denver Basin for irrigation, public supply, commercial/industrial, household use only, and domestic/livestock water-use categories. Withdrawals were estimated for input into the USGS Denver Basin model by using the equations in the Senate Bill 96-074 groundwater model. The greatest withdrawals were for public supply. The smallest withdrawals were for household-use-only wells. Douglas County had the greatest groundwater withdrawals (183.98 Mgal/d), whereas Broomfield County had the smallest (3.09 Mgal/d). Of the seven Denver Basin aquifers, the Lower Arapahoe aquifer had the greatest total estimated withdrawals (287.11 Mgal/d), with Douglas County having the greatest public-supply withdrawal of any county (95.29 Mgal/d) from this aquifer. The Upper Dawson aquifer was the least used of the Denver Basin aquifers, based on estimated withdrawals of 17.64 Mgal/d. As part of the Colorado Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI), forecasts of future water demand were made based on information such as population, climate, and then-current (2000) water-use information and did not include the effects of future water conservation. Categories compared between estimates in the SWSI baseline forecasted water demand and the USGS water-use compilation were limited to county population and w

Scientific Investigations Report

Ground-water development in Utah and effects on ground-water levels and chemical quality

Systematic ground-water development began in Utah shortly after settlement by Mormon pioneers in 1847. By 1939, about 230,000 acrefeet per year of ground water was being withdrawn from wells for irrigation, public supply, industrial use, and rural-domestic and stock supply. Withdrawals increased from about 600,000 to 700,000 acre-feet per year during 1963-67 to about 800,000 to 900,000 acre-feet per year during 1989-93, with a peak of 940,000 acre-feet in 1990. Most ground-water withdrawals from wells have been from unconsolidated basin-fill deposits in 13 areas along or near the eastern edge of the Basin and Range Province, which extends from the northern edge of Utah to its southwestern part. The proportions of withdrawals for various uses have changed; in 1964, 72 percent of withdrawals was for irrigation and II percent for public supply, whereas in 1993,64 percent was for irrigation and 21 percent for public supply. Long-term withdrawals from wells have caused declines in water levels in parts of western Utah from the 1940's and 1950's to 1994; the withdrawals apparently have caused local increases in dissolved-solids concentrations in ground water. Water levels have declined as much as 67 feet owing to withdrawals for public supply and industrial use in northwestern Utah, and as much as 88 feet owing to withdrawals for irrigation in southwestern Utah. Declines of this magnitude, however, are confined to local areas of large withdrawals. Withdrawals for irrigation apparently have caused increases in dissolved-solids concentrations in ground water in at least six irrigated areas of western Utah. Minor land subsidence related to compaction of basin-fill deposits caused by water-level declines has been observed locally in southwestern Utah.

Utah