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At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Cost effectiveness of the US Geological Survey's stream-gaging programs in New Hampshire and Vermont

Data uses and funding sources were identified for the 73 continuous stream gages currently (1984) being operated. Eight stream gages were identified as having insufficient reason to continue their operation. Parts of New Hampshire and Vermont were identified as needing additional hydrologic data. New gages should be established in these regions as funds become available. Alternative methods for providing hydrologic data at the stream gaging stations currently being operated were found to lack the accuracy that is required for their intended use. The current policy for operation of the stream gages requires a net budget of $297,000/yr. The average standard error of estimation of the streamflow records is 17.9%. This overall level of accuracy could be maintained with a budget of $285,000 if resources were redistributed among gages. Cost-effective analysis indicates that with the present budget, the average standard error could be reduced to 16.6%. A minimum budget of $278,000 is required to operate the present stream gaging program. Below this level, the gages and recorders would not receive the proper service and maintenance. At the minimum budget, the average standard error would be 20.4%. The loss of correlative data is a significant component of the error in streamflow records, especially at lower budgetary levels. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Summary appraisals of the nation's ground-water resources – Missouri basin region

The Missouri Basin Region lies in the north-central part of the United States and southern Canada. It includes parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada; parts of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri, and all of Nebraska in the United States. The region includes about one-sixth of the contiguous United States and requires large water supplies for irrigation, industrial, public, and rural uses. Climate ranges from semiarid to subhumid. Normal annual precipitation increases generally eastward in the downstream direction, but precipitation is not a dependable source of supply. The Missouri River and its tributaries furnish water to many users, but surface water is often inadequate to meet large demands. Numerous surface reservoirs help to regulate streamflow and provide storage, but they also allow an increase in evapotranspiration, which in some areas exceeds normal precipitation. Ground water occurs in aquifers classified as alluvial deposits of sand and gravel, glacial deposits, dune-sand deposits, basin-fill deposits of sand and gravel, sandstone, siltstone, fractured sandy clay, limestone, and dolomite. Ground water can be developed and managed in an orderly manner provided adequate geologic and hydrologic data are available to determine aquifer characteristics and response to pumping and other hydraulic stresses. These data and determinations are essential to design, testing, and implementation of water management plans. Unconsolidated and semiconsolidated aquifers include valley-fill alluvium, areally extensive alluvium, glacial deposits, and basin-fill deposits. The aquifers normally consist of alluvial sand and gravel that contain unconfined ground water that lies near the land surface. Many wells completed in the alluvial aquifers have high yields of good-quality water because most alluvial aquifers are highly transmissive and hydraulically connected to streams. Aquifers in glacial deposits may be difficult to locate and in some areas contain saline water; nevertheless, these aquifers are sources of water supply for many users. Basin-fill aquifers are as much as several thousand feet thick, and many contain large ground-water supplies. Ground-water mining has occurred in semiconsolidated aquifers because of withdrawals from wells. Unconsolidated and semiconsolidated aquifers have potential for conjunctive use with surface water, recycling to reuse available supplies, artificial recharge, and salvage of evapotranspired water. Sandstone aquifers lie near the land surface and in structural basins. Interbasin movement of ground water occurs in the Virgelle (Milk River aquifer), Fox Hills-basal Hell Creek, and Dakota aquifers. Sandstone aquifers are less transmissive than unconsolidated and semiconsolidated aquifers in general. Confined sandstone aquifers are common, and flowing wells are obtained in many areas. However, flowing wells may cause large declines in water levels if uncontrolled. Water quality is variable in sandstone aquifers but is adequate for most needs. Sandstone aquifers have potential for artificial recharge, induced interaquifer leakage, conjunctive use with surface water, and mining of ground water. Limestone and dolomite aquifers are extensive in the region, but in some areas they lie deep below the land surface. The occurrence of ground water in small pores, fractures, or large caverns causes yields from wells to range widely. Large flows through cavern systems in the aquifers are indicated by large springs in some areas. Water quality is extremely variable and must be considered in any water-development plan. Limestone and dolomite aquifers have potential for development of large water supplies in some areas. The development may be aided by induced recharge and interaquifer leakage. Saline ground water occurs throughout the Missouri Basin Region. Dissolved-solids concentration as much as 30,000 milligrams per liter has been measured in aquifers in glacial deposits in Montana. Saline water is common in sandstone aquifers in Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota; maximum reported concentration is 280,000 milligrams per liter in water from the Tensleep Sandstone in Wyoming. Limestone contains saline water in many areas; maximum dissolved-solids concentration is about 350,000 milligrams per liter for the Madison Group in the Williston Basin in North Dakota. Comprehensive water-management planning in the Missouri Basin Region will require periodic or continuing inventory of precipitation, streamflow, surface-water storage, and ground water. Water demands for irrigation, industrial, public supply, and rural use are increasing rapidly. Reliance on ground-water supplies is increasing even though in many areas the ground water is still mostly undeveloped. Optimal use of water supplies will require the establishment of realistic goals and carefully conceived water-management plans, each of which will necessarily be based on an adequate baseline of hydrologic data and knowledge of the highly variable hydrologic systems in the region.

Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Monta↗

Hydrologic maps of Ogallala Aquifer, west-central Kansas, 1979-81

A mathematical technique, called kriging, was programmed for a computer to interpolate hydrologic data based on a network of measured values in west-central Kansas. The computer program generated estimated values at the center of each 1-mile section in the Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1 and facilitated contouring of selected hydrologic data that are needed in the effective management of ground water for irrigation. The kriging technique produced various maps that illustrated hydrologic conditions in the Ogallala aquifer, the principal source of water in west-central Kansas. Maps of the aquifer, which use a 3-year average, included the 1979-81 water-table altitudes, which ranged from about 2,580 to 3,720 feet; the 1979-81 saturated thicknesses, which ranged from about 0 to 250 feet; and the percentage changes in saturated thickness from 1950 to 1979-81, which ranged from about a 40-percent increase to a 100-percent decrease. A map showing errors of estimate also was provided as a measure of reliability for the 1979-81 water-table altitudes. Errors of estimate ranged from 2 to 24 feet. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

High-quality unsaturated zone hydraulic property data for hydrologic applications

In hydrologic studies, especially those using dynamic unsaturated zone moisture modeling, calculations based on property transfer models informed by hydraulic property databases are often used in lieu of measured data from the site of interest. Reliance on database-informed predicted values has become increasingly common with the use of neural networks. High-quality data are needed for databases used in this way and for theoretical and property transfer model development and testing. Hydraulic properties predicted on the basis of existing databases may be adequate in some applications but not others. An obvious problem occurs when the available database has few or no data for samples that are closely related to the medium of interest. The data set presented in this paper includes saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, particle-size distributions, and bulk properties. All samples are minimally disturbed, all measurements were performed using the same state of the art techniques and the environments represented are diverse.

Water Resources Research↗

The US Geological Survey stream-gaging program in west-central Florida

The results of a study of the network of the stream-gaging program in west-central Florida are documented. Selected hydrologic data, including drainage area, period of record, and mean annual flow were compiled for the 57 continuous-record gaging stations which were active in 1985. Additionally, selected hydrologic data for 20 discontinued gaging stations are included. Data uses and funding sources were identified for the stations currently being operated in west-central Florida with a budget of $320,000. All stations have been identified as having valid and needed uses, all stations are properly funded, and no short-term project stations exist within the stream-gaging program. On the basis of the analysis, it was concluded that all stations in the present stream-gaging program should be continued in operation. Future studies also will be required because of changes in demands for streamflow information with subsequent addition and deletion of gaging stations. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Framework for a U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Climate-Response Program in Maine

This report presents a framework for a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic climate-response program designed to provide early warning of changes in the seasonal water cycle of Maine. Climate-related hydrologic changes on Maine's rivers and lakes in the winter and spring during the last century are well documented, and several river and lake variables have been shown to be sensitive to air-temperature changes. Monitoring of relevant hydrologic data would provide important baseline information against which future climate change can be measured. The framework of the hydrologic climate-response program presented here consists of four major parts: (1) identifying homogeneous climate-response regions; (2) identifying hydrologic components and key variables of those components that would be included in a hydrologic climate-response data network - as an example, streamflow has been identified as a primary component, with a key variable of streamflow being winter-spring streamflow timing; the data network would be created by maintaining existing USGS data-collection stations and establishing new ones to fill data gaps; (3) regularly updating historical trends of hydrologic data network variables; and (4) establishing basins for process-based studies. Components proposed for inclusion in the hydrologic climate-response data network have at least one key variable for which substantial historical data are available. The proposed components are streamflow, lake ice, river ice, snowpack, and groundwater. The proposed key variables of each component have extensive historical data at multiple sites and are expected to be responsive to climate change in the next few decades. These variables are also important for human water use and (or) ecosystem function. Maine would be divided into seven climate-response regions that follow major river-basin boundaries (basins subdivided to hydrologic units with 8-digit codes or larger) and have relatively homogeneous climates. Key hydrologic variables within each climate-response region would be analyzed regularly to maintain up-to-date analyses of year-to-year variability, decadal variability, and longer term trends. Finally, one basin in each climate-response region would be identified for process-based hydrologic and ecological studies.

Open-File Report↗

A framework for effective use of hydroclimate models in climate-change adaptation planning for managed habitats with limited hydrologic response data

Climate-change adaptation planning for managed wetlands is challenging under uncertain futures when the impact of historic climate variability on wetland response is unquantified. We assessed vulnerability of Modoc National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) through use of the Basin Characterization Model (BCM) landscape hydrology model, and six global climate models, representing projected wetter and drier conditions. We further developed a conceptual model that provides greater value for water managers by incorporating the BCM outputs into a conceptual framework that links modeled parameters to refuge management outcomes. This framework was used to identify landscape hydrology parameters that reflect refuge sensitivity to changes in (1) climatic water deficit (CWD) and recharge, and (2) the magnitude, timing, and frequency of water inputs. BCM outputs were developed for 1981–2100 to assess changes and forecast the probability of experiencing wet and dry water year types that have historically resulted in challenging conditions for refuge habitat management. We used a Yule’s Q skill score to estimate the probability of modeled discharge that best represents historic water year types. CWD increased in all models across 72.3–100 % of the water supply basin by 2100. Earlier timing in discharge, greater cool season discharge, and lesser irrigation season water supply were predicted by most models. Under the worst-case scenario, moderately dry years increased from 10–20 to 40–60 % by 2100. MNWR could adapt by storing additional water during the cool season for later use and prioritizing irrigation of habitats during dry years.

California↗

Framework for a U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic climate-response program in Maine

It is important to monitor hydrologic systems in the United States that could change dramatically over the short term as a result of climate change. Many ecological effects of climate change can be understood only if hydrologic data networks are in place. Because of its humid, temperate climate and its substantial annual snowpack, Maine’s seasonal water cycle is sensitive to air temperature changes (Hodgkins and others, 2003). Monitoring of relevant hydrologic data would provide important baseline information against which future climate change can be measured. A series of recent investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has documented changes in several components of the water cycle, including earlier snowmelt runoff in Maine during the last 30 to 40 years (Hodgkins and others, 2003), earlier lake- and river-ice breakups (Hodgkins and others, 2002; Hodgkins and others, 2005), and a denser and thinner late-winter snowpack (Hodgkins and Dudley, 2006). Snowmelt runoff timing was measured as the date, each year, by which half of the total winter-spring streamflow passed a streamflow-gaging station. Historical snowmelt runoff timing for the Piscataquis River in central Maine is shown in figure 1 as an example. Results of climate projections input to hydrologic models indicate that hydrologic trends, such as earlier spring snowmelt runoff, are expected to continue into the future (Hayhoe and others, 2007). These trends could affect species at the southern edge of their range in Maine, such as Atlantic salmon and Canada lynx, and may also affect availability of water for human use. This fact sheet describes the framework of a hydrologic climate-response program that would improve understanding of the effects of future climate change in Maine.

Maine↗

Review of the hydrologic data-collection network in the St. Joseph River basin, Indiana

The St. Joseph River Basin data-collection network in the St. Joseph River for streamflow, lake, ground water, and climatic stations was reviewed. The network review included only the 1700 sq mi part of the basin in Indiana. The streamflow network includes 11 continuous-record gaging stations and one partial-record station. Based on areal distribution, lake effect , contributing drainage area, and flow-record ratio, six of these stations can be used to describe regional hydrology. Gaging stations on lakes are used to collect long-term lake-level data on which to base legal lake levels, and to monitor lake-level fluctuations after legal levels are established. More hydrogeologic data are needed for determining the degree to which grouhd water affects lake levels. The current groundwater network comprises 15 observation wells and has four purposes: (1) to determine the interaction between groundwater and lakes; (2) to measure changes in groundwater levels near irrigation wells; (3) to measure water levels in wells at special purpose sites; and (4) to measure long-term changes in water levels in areas not affected by pumping. Seven wells near three lakes have provided sufficient information for correlating water levels in wells and lakes but are not adequate to quantify the effect of groundwater on lake levels. Water levels in five observation wells located in the vicinity of intensive irrigation are not noticeably affected by seasonal withdrawals. The National Weather Sevice operates eight climatic stations in the basin primarily to characterize regional climatic conditions and to aid in flood forecasting. The network meets network-density guidelines established by the World Meterological Organization for collection of precipitation and evaporation data but not guidelines suggested by the National Weather Service for density of precipitation gages in areas of significant convective rainfalls. (Author 's abstract)

Indiana↗

Hydrologic reconnaissance of Hansel Valley and northern Rozel Flat, Box Elder County, Utah

This report is the ninth in a series by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, which describes the water resources of the western basins of Utah (see fig. 1). Its purpose is to present available hydrologic data for Hansel Valley, to provide an evaluation of the potential water-resource development of the valley, and to identify needed studies that would improve understanding of the valley's water supply. Hydrologic data from the northern part of adjacent Rozel Flat were collected to aid in evaluation of southern Hansel Valley, and these data also are included in this report.

Utah↗

Reconnaissance examination of the biology, chemistry, and physical characteristics of selected streams in California and Nevada

This report contains hydrological data from several California and Nevada streams. Emphasis is placed upon water-quality data, but stream discharge at the time of making the water-quality measurements also is given. The purpose of the report is to provide personnel of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management with baseline hydrological data from the selected streams and one well. The streams, the stream sites selected for sampling, and the parameters measured, were chosen in consultation with U.S. Bureau of Land Management personnel.

California, Nevada↗

A water-budget analysis of Medina and Diversion Lakes and the Medina/Diversion Lake system, with estimated recharge to Edwards aquifer, San Antonio area, Texas

In January 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey—in cooperation with the Edwards Aquifer Authority—began a study to refine and, if possible, extend previously derived (1995–96) relations between the stage in Medina Lake and recharge to the Edwards aquifer to include the effects of reservoir stages below 1,018 feet and greater than 1,046 feet above National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. The principal objective of this present (2001–02) study was to estimate ground-water outflow (seepage) from Medina Lake, Diversion Lake, and from the Medina/Diversion Lake system through the calculation of water budgets representing steady-state conditions over as wide a range as possible in the stages of Medina and Diversion Lakes. The water budgets were compiled for selected periods during which time the water-budget components were inferred to be relatively stable and the influence of precipitation, stormwater runoff, and changes in storage were presumably minimal. Water budgets for the Medina/Diversion Lake system were compiled for 127 water-budget periods ranging from 8 to 78 days from daily hydrologic data collected during March 1955–September 1964, October 1995–September 1996, and February 2001–June 2002. Budgets for Medina and Diversion Lakes were compiled for 14 periods ranging from 8 to 23 days from daily hydrologic data collected only during October 1995–September 1996 and April 2001–June 2002. Linear equations were developed to relate the stage in Medina Lake to ground-water outflow from Medina Lake, Diversion Lake, and the Medina/Diversion Lake system. The computed mean rates of outflow from Medina Lake ranged from about 18 to 182 acre-feet per day between stages of 1,019 and 1,064 feet above National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. The computed rates of outflow from Diversion Lake ranged from about -85 to 52 acre-feet per day. The rates of outflow from the entire lake system ranged from about 5 to 178 acre-feet per day between Medina Lake stages of 963 to 1,064 feet. It is assumed that all outflow from the lake system enters the ground-water system as recharge to the Edwards aquifer. During the time that the stage in Medina Lake was greater than about 1,040 feet, Diversion Lake gained more water than it lost to the ground-water system and the rate of ground-water outflow from Medina Lake increased sharply while its stage was between about 1,043 and 1,045 feet. The observed outflow from Diversion Lake during this time decreased sharply to the extent that a net gain resulted—indicating that a substantial amount of the additional outflow from Medina Lake returned to Diversion Lake. When the stage in Medina Lake is at the spillway elevation of 1,064 feet, Diversion Lake appears to gain as much as 40 percent of the concurrent ground-water outflow from Medina Lake. An indication of water moving from the lake system into the ground-water system and back to the surface-water system was observed in the most downstream reach of the Medina River, between Diversion Lake and the Medina River near Riomedina. During conditions of no flow over Diversion Dam, this reach of the Medina River gained from about 32 to 94 acre-feet per day, with the gain increasing with increasing stage in Diversion Lake. The average of the monthly recharge to the Edwards aquifer from the Medina/Diversion Lake system—as estimated by the present study for the October 1995–September 2002 period—is 3,083 acre-feet, or about 56 percent of recharge computed for this period with a previously used (Lowry) method. The present study’s estimates of recharge for months with rising-lake stage conditions are about 44 percent of those computed with the previously used method, compared to about 60 percent for months with steady or falling-stage conditions. For stages greater than 1,045 feet, the present study estimated recharge to be about 52 percent of that computed with the previously used method, compared to about 64 percent at stages below 1,045 feet.

Texas↗

Geohydrology, aqueous geochemistry, and thermal regime of the Soda Lakes and Upsal Hogback geothermal systems, Churchill County, Nevada

A flow-routing model of the upper Schoharie Creek basin, New York, was developed and used to simulate high flows at the inlet of the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir. The flows from Schoharie Creek at Prattsville, the primary source of flow data in the basin, and tributary flows from the six minor basins downstream, are combined and routed along the 9.7 mile reach of the Schoharie Creek between Prattsville and the reservoir inlet. Data from five historic floods were used for model calibration and four for verification. The accuracy of the model as measured by the difference between simulated and observed total flow volumes, is within 14 percent. Results indicate that inflows to the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir can be predicted approximately 2 hours in advance. One of the historical floods was chosen for additional model testing to assess a hypothetical real-time model application. Total flow-volume errors ranged from 30.2 percent to -9.2 percent. Alternative methods of obtaining hydrologic data for model input are presented for use in the event that standard forms of hydrologic data are unavailable. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Suspended- and bedload-sediment transport in the Snake and Clearwater rivers in the vicinity of Lewiston, Idaho, August 1976 through July 1978

Impoundment of water in the Snake River and Clearwater River arms behind Lower Granite Dam (see cover map) began in June 1975. At this time, Lower Granite Reservoir and Lock facilities, constructed by the USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), Walla Walla District, became operational. Construction and operation of this facility necessitated collection of hydrologic data that did not exist prior to construction. The USACE requested the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) to collect hydraulic- and channel-geometry data and describe sediment-transport characteristics, beginning in the spring of 1972. This report summarizes information collected during August 1976 through July 1978 and is the fifth in a series of reports designed to release hydrologic data on a timely basis. Although some of the data were collected during the late summer and fall periods (August through December) of 1976 and 1977, most were collected during the spring runoff periods of 1977 and 1978. Therefore, for convenience, data contained in this report will be referred to as the 1977-78 data. Because this is primarily a basic-data report, no interpretation of the data is provided. This report presents tables of selected data collected and computations compiled since the 1976 report (Seitz, 1976). Most of the tabular data are also presented on graphs. Some of the graphs show plots of data since 1972~ others show plots of only the 1977-78 data. Relatively minor amounts of bedload were transported during the 1977 drought period. Therefore, regular scheduled sampling of the bedload was impractical. Only two bedload samples were collected from the Clearwater River in 1977. The resultant data are included in tables 10, 12, and 14, and figure 6. All bedload data in this report should be considered tentative, pending completion of sampler-calibration studies and possible adjustment of the data to correct for sampler efficiency. An analysis of the middle Snake River streamflow record was made during 1977. The streamflow rating for the Snake River near Anatone, Washington, gage was found to be in error at high stages. The streamflow record for water years 1974 and 1975 was revised and published with 1976 water-year data (Water Resources Data for Idaho, Water Year 1976). The revised Snake River near Anatone streamflow rating was used to recompute the sediment-discharge rating curve (fig. 3). This study program is funded by the USACE through a cooperative agreement with the USGS. All field work, laboratory analysis, and compilation of data are being conducted by the USGS. Data collection is scheduled to terminate at the end of the 1979 runoff season. A reanalysis of all data collected since the start of the program will correct all provisional records since 1972, including the 1974, 1975, and 1976 years for the Snake River near Anatone station.

Idaho↗

Water-quality characteristics of streams in the Treyburn Development area of Falls Lake watershed, North Carolina, 1988-93

Treyburn is a 5,400 acre planned, mixed-use community located in the Falls Lake watershed in the upper Neuse River Basin of North Carolina. From February 1988 through 1993, hydrologic-data were collected at 17 study sites in or near the Treyburn development to compare the effects of varying types of land-use development on the water-quality of streams flowing in or near the development. The collected hydrologic data included measurements of streamflow and concentrations of major dissolved constituents, nutrients, minor elements, and organic compounds. Streamflow in the study basin was approximately 40 percent lower in 1992 and 40 percent higher in 1993 than the long-term annual mean of the long-term discharge records at Flat River in Bahama. Calcium and bicarbonate were the predominant cation and anion at all study sites except one. Mean total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations at sites in the Treyburn development ranged from 0.5 to 0.8 and 0.03 to 0.10 milligrams per liter, respectively. Total aluminum, iron, and manganese were the metals most frequently detected in the 200 organic compunds analyzed. Dichloro- difluoromethane and methylene chloride were detected most often.

North Carolina↗

South Cascade Glacier, Washington; hydrologic and meteorological data, 1957-67

Historic hydrologic and meteorological data are compiled for South Cascade Glacier, Washington, USA, a site selected by the U.S. Geological Survey for long-term study of the response of a glacier to climate change and its effect on water resources. The data consist of stream discharge and meteorological data, including precipitation, air temperature, and instantaneous weather observations, all at various locations in the glacier basin. Data span the years 1957-67 and are presented in tables, with annual time-series graphs shown for most data.

Open-File Report↗

Discussion of “Annual floods and the partial duration flood series”

The writer is interested in finding from this paper a similar idea which he had in mind when engaging in a statistical study of hydrologic data, a part of the Highway Drainage Research Project being carried out in the Department of Civil Engineering, the University of Illinois. However, a complete presentation of the study will be reserved for future publications, and only fragments of thought are discussed here. In treating hydrologic data for the study of their frequency of recurrence, two phases of study are generally met. One is the frequency of recurrence for the observed distributions, and the other is the corresponding frequency of recurrence for the theoretical distributions of best‐fit. The former is usually required for the purpose of plotting observed data, and hence is called the “plotting positions,” a term used by Foster [1934, p. 1217]. The latter is treated by the mathematical theory of probability, and generally serves as a theoretical interpretation of the observed phenomena.

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union↗