USGS Science⌕ Search

SEARCH · USGS Science

Results for “Hydrology”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
USGS2018

Hydrologic characteristics and water quality of headwater streams and wetlands at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Summit area, Blair and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania, 2014–16

The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (ALPO) in Blair and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania, protects historic features of the first railroad portage over the Allegheny Front and the first railroad tunnel in the United States. This report, which was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Park Service, summarizes water resources in the headwaters of the Blair Gap Run and Bradley Run watersheds at the ALPO Summit area during 2014–16. These new baseline data fill an existing gap in knowledge and may be helpful to evaluate potential changes in the hydrologic characteristics of streams and associated wetlands at the Summit area. Results of synoptic water-quality surveys and continuous stage records at two streamgages near the headwaters of Blair Gap Run and Bradley Run indicate that the headwater streams of the ALPO Summit area are perennial but have different water-quality characteristics. The water sampled in the headwaters of Blair Gap Run had pH that ranged from acidic to near neutral, combined with elevated concentrations of dissolved solids, mainly sulfate, chloride, and sodium. These characteristics can be attributed to drainage from legacy coal mines and runoff from nearby roads treated with deicing salt. More than once during the study, the chloride and associated contaminant concentrations in tributaries of Blair Gap Run exceeded chronic thresholds for protection of freshwater aquatic organisms. In contrast, the water quality at tributaries of Bradley Run in the Summit area was characterized by near-neutral pH and relatively low concentrations of dissolved constituents, which met criteria for protection of freshwater aquatic life. By comparison, the deep groundwater discharged as abandoned mine drainage to Sugar Run from the Argyle Stone Bridge Mine, which underlies the Summit area, had acidic pH and elevated concentrations of sulfate and metals, which exceeded chronic and acute thresholds for aquatic life. Data on shallow groundwater levels in piezometers at two wetlands in the Summit area, which were monitored during spring through fall of 2016, indicate downward hydraulic gradients (higher water level in shallow piezometer than in deeper piezometer) and potential for local groundwater recharge during rainfall events, particularly in the summer and fall seasons. The wetlands in the upland area (wetland 3, at altitude 2,370 feet NAVD 88) near the divide between Blair Gap Run and Bradley Run between the Lemon House and Picnic Area, exhibited a consistent downward gradient from spring through fall of 2016. The associated surface seepage at wetland 3 dried up in the summer of 2016. In contrast, the wetlands in the adjoining valley (wetland 6, at altitude 2,198 feet NAVD 88) in the northwestern Summit area exhibited upward hydraulic gradients in the spring and produced continuous seepage. Despite downward gradients during summer and fall, the seepage associated with wetland 6 sustained perennial conditions in the Bradley Run drainage through the summer of 2016. Differences in groundwater altitudes and associated water quality among the surface water, shallow groundwater, and deep groundwater in the Summit area imply that the surface water and shallow groundwater in the Summit area could recharge the groundwater of the underlying coal mines. Seasonally upward and downward vertical gradients in the near-surface soil and bedrock at wetland 6, and unimpaired water quality in the Bradley Run headwaters, are consistent with a perched water table and local hydrology that is influenced by local recharge. Persistent downward gradients and impaired water quality at wetland 3 and the adjacent headwaters seeps and tributaries of Blair Gap Run could be attributed to subsidence and drainage from shallow coalbeds (Upper Freeport, seam E) and associated mine workings in that area; however, the underlying deep coal mine pool (Lower Kittanning, seam B), which is hundreds of feet below the surface, does not appear to affect the hydrologic characteristics of the headwater streams and wetlands in the Summit area.

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1952

Geology and hydrology of dam sites on the island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands Corporation plans to build a series of small earth dams along some of the streams on the island of St. Croix, and field studies involving the selection and hydrology of possible sites was carried on by the Geological Survey during the months of August and September 1951. The island of St. Croix is the largest of the three principal islands of the Virgin. Islands group owned by the United States. It is about 21 miles long and 6 miles wide near the center and has an area of about 84 square miles. The northwestern part of the island contains mountains that reach a maximum altitude of 1,165 feet; the eastern half of the island is submountainous, containing some hills 600 to 800 feet in altitude. A coastal lowland area containing a few east-west trending marl and limestone hills characterizes the southwestern part of the island. The streams in the east half of the island and along the northwest coast are relatively short and are dry during most of the year. The streams draining the mountains from the south cross the coastal lowland in narrow and shallow ditches. The southeastward drainage from the eastern part of the mountainous area is diverted by Salt River and enters the sea on the north coast of the island. In the headwaters of some streams there is a small flow of water during most of the year that disappears below the surface upstream from or near the foot of the mountains. During most of the year the streams are essentially dry, flowing only after periods of heavy rainfall. In the coastal lowland near Bethlehem the average annual rainfall is about 46 inches. The east end of the island is relatively dry and the precipitation is estimated to be approximately 20 inches annually; the northwestern end of the island receives the most rainfall, probably more than 50 inches annually. Records show that from 1861 to 1876 there was deficient rainfall and the accumulated departure below normal was about 56 inches (fig. 2). From 1876 to 1920 there were numerous years of above -normal precipitation and the departure curve rose nearly 100 inches, to more than 40 inches above normal. From 1936 to 1950 there has been a more or less continuous decline in rainfall, amounting to a net deficiency of 72 inches, or from 44 inches above to 28 inches below normal. These changes in rainfall have a direct effect on the volume of stream flow an island. There are two general rock types on the island. The Mount Eagle volcanics and the intruded diorite are hard, dense crystalline rocks; the rock's underlying the coastal lowland and belt of hills between Salt River and Christiansted are sedimentary rocks, such as marl, limestone, sand, gravel, and clay. The permeability of the crystalline rocks and of the gray clay and basal conglomerate of the Jealousy formation is low and they are water bearing in few places. The Kingshill formation is composed of light-gray clay and light-yellow marl and included beds of limestone. In places the limestone contains solutional openings that yield water to wells. The alluvial sand, gravel, and clay that unconformably overlie the Kingshill marl include permeable beds that yield relatively large quantities of water to wells in a few places. It is evident from the small stream flow that by far the greatest part of the 46-inch average annual precipitation on the island is returned to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration. There are no records of stream flaw or ground-water flow from the drainage basins, but it is estimated that in some years the amount of water lost through evaporation and transpiration may be more than 90 percent of the total water available. It is proposed that a program be started and continued to collect and evaluate data on the hydrology of the island. The purpose of the dam-building program is to retain on the land a part of the water that formerly flowed to the sea and was of no beneficial use. Owing to the lack of hydrologic data, the maximum number of dams needed is not known; consequently, practically all possible sites on publicly owned land and sites that would benefit those lands were studied. Thus, 3 sites were selected in the valley near Little Grange that is a source of supply to the public-supply well field of Frederiksted; 19 sites were selected on or near property owned by the Virgin Islands Corporation; and 4 sites were selected along the Salt River above the public-supply well field of Christiansted. During most of the year the water table is at or below the beds of the streams; consequently, if permeable rocks underlie a pond or dam it is possible that there may be leakage from the pond to the water table. In general, leakage from dam sites underlain by crystalline rocks of the fount Eagle volcanics or clay of the Kingshill marl will be negligible, but leakage from sites underlain by limestone in the Kingshill marl or sand and gravel of the alluvium may be great. Potential leakage at each site selected is discussed.

Virgin Islands↗
USGS1963

The hydrologic laboratory

The knowledge of soil and rock testing, including the application of the test or analysis data to field problems, is still in its infancy. By learning more about the basic laws and principles of nature we can more accurately predict hydrologic phenomena of the future, as well as solve more efficiently the hydrologic problems of the present Our reservoir of fundamental facts and basic knowledge has been, and can be even more fully, increased by the analysis and research work of the Hydrologic Laboratory.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1966

Hydrologic inventory of the Lompoc subarea, Santa Ynez River basin, Santa Barbara County, California, 1957-62

Hydrologic data collected during the climatically near-average 6-year period of inventory 1957-62 provide the basis for making estimates of supply to and demand from the Lompoc subarea of the Santa Ynez River basin and changes in the quantity of water stored in the deposits of the basin. The hydrologic inventory presents gains or accretions to the water supply, as inflow, equated with loss by water demands, as outflow. The difference is the ground-water storage change. Items of inflow include precipitation, surface and subsurface inflow, irrigation return, and sewage effluent. Items of outflow include surface and subsurface outflow, evapotranspiration, and water pumped for irrigation and other uses. Ground-water storage changes occurred as depletions of the shallow water body beneath the eastern and central parts of the Lompoc plain and beneath the upland part of the Lompoc subarea to the north and east. The estimated annual depletion of storage averaged 3,000 acre-feet. A near balance between inflow and outflow is indicated by a calculated difference of 5,000 acre-feet of accretion and an observed depletion of ground water in storage of about 3,000 acre-feet. The difference of 8,000 acre-feet between the two values, considering the magnitude of total inflow and outflow--110,000 and 105,000 acre-feet, is not significant. For the period of inventory, more water was discharged from the basin by flow in the Santa Ynez River than by pumping from wells. The near balance between inflow and outflow for a period of near-average climatic conditions, in general, substantiates a previous estimate that perennial pumpage is as much as about 20,000 acre-feet. However, water in storage will be depleted if the progressive change in the ratio of irrigation pumpage to other pumpage continues. Even though the hydrologic balance is maintained, changes in chemical quality of the ground water, due to recycling of irrigation water and inflow of poor-quality connate water from the consolidated rocks, indicate that chemical equilibrium has not been reached. Perennial supply under the 1957-62 conditions of inventory is estimated to be between 24,000 and 26,000 acre-feet.

California↗
USGS1973

Geologic and hydrologic summary of salt domes in Gulf Coast region of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

There are 263 known or suspected onshore salt domes in the Texas-Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama portion of the Gulf Coast geosyncline. The top of the salt in 148 of them is probably deeper than desirable for a waste repository site, and 79 of those that are shallow enough are probably unavailable for a site because of present use by industry for gas storage or production of oil, salt, or sulfur. In this report we have compiled the available geologic and hydrologic background data pertinent to the evaluation of the remaining 36 known or suspected salt domes as potential sites for waste storage. There are three parts to this compilations: 1) summaries of the geology and hydrology of the salt-dome province as a whole; 2) summaries of the physiography, climate, geology, and hydrology of each of the five salt-dome basins that occur within the province; and 3) an appendix of background data for each of the 36 potentially acceptable domes. The distribution of salt domes in the province is genetically related to areas of relative subsidence that formed basins or depocenters within the Gulf Coast geosyncline. In some cases, as in northeast Texas and south Louisiana, the locations of individual domes or groups of domes are related to deep movement of salt along axial trends. The salt domes in the interior salt-dome subprovince are probably more structurally stable than those of the coastal subprovince because salt diapirism is inferred to have ceased around Miocene time in the interior but may still be active in parts of the coastal subprovince. Although the size and shape of many domes is unknown or can only be roughly approximated, each of the five basins in the province appears to contain potentially acceptable domes of adequate size for a repository. We recognize no pattern to the distribution of salt-dome size. Caprock thicknesses vary greatly within each salt-dome basin,and we recognize no pattern to the variations. Among the potentially acceptable domes, the depths to the top of the salt are generally greatest in the Mississippi salt-dome basin, where all tops are more than 1,500 feet deep. Intermediate depths of about 1,000 feet are common in the east Texas-south Louisiana salt-dome basin. Depths to salt tops in the north Louisiana and northeast Texas basins are variable but most are less than 1,000 feet. Available drilling records are generally adequate to determine the number of wells drilled on or in the vicinity of individual domes and also the well locations. The numbers of wells vary widely within each salt-dome basin. More salt domes are currently available for use as repository sites in the interior subprovince than in the coastal subprovince, where the pressure for industrial use of domes is high. In the interior subprovince many of the potentially acceptable domes are located beneath hilly well-drained terrain that is not subject to flooding or other surface-water problems. Although topographic depressions occupied by shallow lakes, swamps, or 'salines' occur over several of the domes, they are generally flanked by topographically high ground where surface facilities could be sited without complications.A few of the potentially acceptable domes are located beneath floodplains where surface facilities might face hazards from flooding. In the coastal subprovince several of the potentially acceptable domes are located in relatively flat poorly drained terrain where surface flooding might constitute a potential hazard. The availability of fresh to slightly saline ground water varies considerably within each salt-dome basin. We have outlined some of the factors that are responsible for the variations and have provided or referred to maps and geohydrologic cross sections that illustrate the general distribution of fresh to slightly saline water. The top of the salt in about half of the known potentially acceptable domes is below the regional base of the fresh to slightly saline ground-water system, but in a few of

Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas↗
USGS1974

Simulated effects of oil-shale development on the hydrology of Piceance basin, Colorado

The Piceance and Yellow Creeks drainage area is about 900 square miles (2,330 square kilometres) and is referred to as the Piceance basin, or simply as the basin. The surface-water and ground-water systems in the Piceance basin are intimately related. The annual volume of runoff from the basin (Piceance and Yellow Creeks) is estimated to be 15,650 acre-feet (19.2 cubic hectometres). About 80 percent of the annual runoff is supplied by ground-water discharge. Runoff from the basin is affected by irrigation diversions and consumptive use by crops, native vegetation, and evporation. Streamflow depletions resulting from irrigation are estimated to be 4,800 acre-feet (5.9 cubic hectometres) per year. In the absence of irrigation, the mean annual runoff from the basin would be 20,450 acre-feet (25.2 cubic hectometres). The period of lowest flow normally occurs during spring and summer when irrigation diversions are greatest. Peak flows from snowmelt and thunderstorms also occur during this period. A regional analysis, using the index-flood method, was made to estimate flood frequencies in the absence of irrigation diversions for the gaging stations Piceance Creek at White River and Yellow Creek near White River. The estimated mean annual floods are 800 cubic feet per second (22.7 cubic metres per second) for Piceance Creek and 390 cubic feet per second (11.0 cubic metres per second) for Yellow Creek. The peak flow observed during the 5 years of record on Piceance Creek at White River was 407 cubic feet per second (11.5 cubic metres per second) or about one-half the estimated mean annual flood. Yellow Creek is only slightly affected by irrigation diversions and the peak flow for the single year of record was 468 cubic feet per second (13.3 cubic metres per second). Irrigation return flows and ground-water discharge affect the quality of surface water in the Piceance basin. The concentration of dissolved solids ranges from less than 500 milligrams per litre in the upper reaches to more than 5,000 milligrams per litre in the lower reaches of Piceance Creek and from about 700 to 3,000 milligrams per litre in Yellow Creek. Water quality decreases in the downstream direction due to ground-water discharge from the Green River and Uinta Formations. The ground-water system in the basin consists of two principal aquifers separated by the Mahogany zone in the Green River Formation. Recharge to the aquifers occurs mainly from snowmelt along the basin margins above 7,000 feet (2,130 metres) altitude. Ground water flows from the basin margins toward the north-central part of the basin where it is discharged in Piceance and Yellow Creek valleys as evapotranspiration and streamflow. Recharge and discharge from the aquifer system are estimated to average 26,100 acre-feet (32.2 cubic hectometres) annually. About 20 percent of the recharge is discharged in Yellow Creek drainage. Estimates of the volume of water in storage in the aquifers range from 2.5 to 25 million acre-feet (3,100 to 31,000 cubic hectometres). Sodium minerals in the aquifer below the Mahogany zone are actively being dissolved by ground water. The Mahogany zone impedes the flow of water between the aquifers and large chemical differences have developed. Water in the upper aquifer generally has less than 2,000 millgrams per litre dissolved solids while that in the lower aquifer exceeds 30,000 milligrams per litre dissolved solids in the northern part of the basin. Digital models were used to simulate the hydrologic system. A watershed model was adapted to the drainage above the gage on Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch to evaluate the possible effects of precipitation changes on the hydrologic system due to the introduction of atmospheric pollutants from oil-shale development or cloud seeding. A 10-percent decrease and 10- and 20-percent increases in the October to May precipitation were examined. It was found that each 10-percent change in precipitation results in a 40-percent change in ground-water recharge. The model study indicates that a 10-percent decrease in October-May precipitation results in a 30-percent decrease in mean annual runoff while 10-and 20-percent increases in precipitation result in 40- and 85 percent increases in mean annual runoff. A digital model of the ground-water system was used to evaluate the effects of mine dewatering on the hydrologic system. Hypothetical mines in oil-shale lease tracts C-a and C-b were considered. Both mines were assumed to be in the Mahogany zone and to be 4 square miles (5.2 square kilometres) in area. Dewatering of the mines was assumed to occur simultaneously for a period of 30 years. For the hypothetical dewatering scheme simulated, the model study indicates that the mine in tract C-a will not produce enough water to meet the demand for processing and disposal of oil shale while the mine in tract C-b will produce water in excess of the demand. The concentration of dissolved solids of the water discharged from the mines may not exceed 5,000 milligrams per litre for the hypothetical dewatering scheme considered. Dewatering the hypothetical mines will only slightly affect groundwater discharge in the Yellow Creek drainage. However, after 30 years of dewatering, the model indicates that ground-water discharge will cease in a 10-mile (16-kilometre) reach of Piceance Creek near tract C-b. The decrease in ground-water discharge in this reach could cause an increase in the concentration of dissolved solids in the downstream reach of Piceance Creek. After 30 years of dewatering, the hydraulic head in the aquifers is decreased in 75 percent of the basin area and about 500,000 acre-feet (620 cubic hectometres) of water are removed from storage in the aquifers. It is concluded that oil-shale development will have significant effects on the surface- and ground-waters systems in the Piceance basin.

Colorado↗
USGS1976

Hydrologic studies of the U.S. Geological Survey related to coal development on Colorado

This report summarizes the hydrologic studies related to coal development being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in the State of Colorado. The objective of the hydrologic data-acquisition program is to collect surface-water quality and quantity data and ground-water level records. These data are needed to define predevelopment conditions and to monitor the effects of construction and operation of coal mines and waste-disposal areas. Data-acquisition activities related to coal development in Colorado have concentrated on the Yampa River basin. A description of the hydrologic data-acquisition activities, including parameters collected and frequency of collection, precedes the summaries of the three interpretive studies currently in progress. Each study summary consists of the project title, definition of the problem being studied, objective of the study, approach of the study, and when known, the schedule for completion of the study and proposed report products resulting from the study. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1979

Potential hydrologic effects of peat mining in the Red Lake Peatlands, north-central Minnesota— A project plan

Peat is being considered for fuel in Minnesota. This study will investigate the potential effects of large-scale surface mining of peat on the hydrology and water quality of Upper Red Lake and the Tamarac River. The major aspects of the study are the characterization of the surface-water and groundwater hydrology and water quality, including the trace-metal content of the peat. Data will be collected to construct two- and three-dimensional digital models to simulate the movement of ground water and its relation to surface water in the peatlands, streams, and lakes. After the model is calibrated with field data, it will be used to evaluate the effect of mining peat on the hydrology and water quality of the Upper Red Lake and Tamarac River.

Minnesota↗
USGS1979

Hydrologic evaluation of the Alton reclamation-study site, Alton coal field, Utah

This investigation was conducted from July 1974 to September 1977 to define general hydrologic conditions at a reclamation-study site in the Alton coal field near Kanab, Utah. The average annual streamflow through the area was less than 600 acre-feet (0.7 cubic hectometer), and the water carried little sediment except during floods which result from intense local storms. Most of the surface water seeps into the ground or is diverted for irrigation downstream from the study area. Ground-water data were insufficient to define the potentiometric surface in most of the area. The water level in each of the three observation wells in the study area is above the coal layer in the immediate area of the well. A larger network of wells is needed to define the potentiometric surface throughout the area and to show its relation to surface water and the location of the coal layers. The short period of this investigation coincided with a drought in southern Utah. Hydrologic data should be collected continuously to establish a hydrologic base before mining begins, and data collection should be continued through the periods of mining and reclamation.

Utah↗
USGS1980

Basic elements of ground-water hydrology with reference to North Carolina

This report was prepared as an aid to developing a better understanding of the groundwater resources of North Carolina. It consists of 46 essays grouped into five parts. The topics covered by these essays range from the most basic aspects of ground-water hydrology to the identification and correction of problems that affect the operation of supply wells. The essays were designed both for self study and for use in workshops on ground-water hydrology and the development and operation of ground-water supplies. From the standpoint of self study, it is assumed that the reader does not have any prior knowledge of geology or ground-water hydrology. Those readers with such knowledge can simply skip those topics with which they are already familar. (USGS)

North Carolina↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of area 18, Eastern Coal Province, Tennessee

The Eastern Coal Province is divided into 24 hydrologic reporting areas. This report describes the hydrology of area 18 which is located in the Cumberland River basin in central Tennessee near the southern end of the Province. Hydrologic information and sources are presented as text, tables, maps, and other illustrations designed to be useful to mine owners, operators, and consulting engineers in implementing permit applications that comply with the environmental requirements of the ' Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. ' Area 18 encompasses parts of three physiographic regions; from east to west the Cumberland Plateau, Highland Rim, and Central Basin. The Plateau is underlain by sandstones and shales, with thin interbedded coal beds, of Pennsylvanian age. The Highland Rim and Central Basin are underlain by limestone and dolomite of Mississippian age. Field and laboratory analyses of chemical and physical water-quality parameters of streamflow samples show no widespread water quality problems. Some streams, however, in the heavily mined areas have concentrations of sulfate, iron, manganese, and sediment above natural levels, and pH values below natural levels. Mine seepage and direct mine drainage were not sampled. Ground water occurs in and moves through fractures in the sandstones and shales and solution openings in the limestones and dolomites. Depth to water is variable, ranging from about 5 to 70 feet below land-surface in the limestones and dolomites, and 15 to 40 feet in the coal-bearing rocks. The quality of ground water is generally good. Locally, in coal-bearing rocks, acidic water and high concentrations of manganese, chloride, and iron have been detected. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

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↗
USGS1982

Potential effects of surface coal mining on the hydrology of the Cook Creek area, Ashland coal field, southeastern Montana

The Cook Creek area of the Ashland coal field contains large reserves of Federally owned coal that have been identified for potential lease sale. A hydrologic study has been conducted in the potential lease area to describe existing hydrologic systems and to assess potential impacts of surface coal mining on local water resources. Hydrogeologic data collected from wells, springs, and drill holes indicate that shallow aquifers exist within the Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation (Paleocene age) and within valley alluvium (Pleistocene and Holocene age). Shallow aquifers within the Tonge River Member include coal beds, clinker, and lenses of sandstone and siltstone. The Knobloch coal bed, a principal shallow aquifer used for livestock watering in the area, averages about 55 feet in thickness and is completely saturated throughout most of its extent. Coarse alluvial deposits are the most productive aquifers and are a major source of stock water in the Cook Creek basin. Surface-water resources are limited to the upstream reach part of Cook Creek, which flows intermittently. The downstream reach part of Cook Creek, plus all other small drainages that originate in the study area, are ephemeral. Mining of the Knoblock and Sawyer coal beds would remove two alluvial springs, one bedrock spring, and two wells, which are all used for watering of livestock. The potentiometric surface within the Knobloch coal aquifer and the alluvial aquifer in the downstream part of the Cook Creek basin would be lowered during mining. Lowered water levels in these aquifers might substantially affect water levels in five wells outside the mine boundary. After mining, the alluvial aquifer downgradient from the mine area might show a long-term degradation in water quality as a result of leaching of soluble salts from overburden materials used to backfill mine pits. Although mining would alter the existing hydrologic systems and remove several springs and shallow wells, alternative ground-water supplies are available that could be developed to replace those lost by mining. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

A plan for hydrologic investigations of in situ, oil-shale retorting near Rock Springs, Wyoming

The recovery of shale oil by the in-situ retort process may cause hydrologic impacts, the most significant being ground-water contamination and possible transport of contaminants into surrounding areas. Although these impacts are site-specific, many of the techniques used to investigate each retort operation commonly will be the same. The U.S. Geological Survey has begun a study of hydrologic impacts in the area of an in-situ retort near Rock Springs, Wyoming, as a means of refining and demonstrating these techniques. Geological investigations include determining the areal extent and thickness of aquifers. Emphasis will be placed on determining lithologic variations from geophysical logging. Hydrologic investigations include mapping of potentiometric surfaces, determining rates of ground-water discharge, and estimating aquifer properties by analytical techniques. Water-quality investigations include monitoring solute migration from the retort site and evaluating sampling techniques by standard statistical procedures. A ground-water-flow and solute-transport model will be developed to predict future movement of the water plume away from the retort. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1983

Hydrology of the Jasper (Miocene) Aquifer in the Southeast Texas coastal plain

The Jasper (Miocene) aquifer is one of several important hydrologic units in the Gulf Coastal Plain. Because the Jasper aquifer underlies shallower aquifers in many areas, regional water withdrawals from the Jasper are not significant; however, it is capable of yielding 3,000 gallons per minute (200 liters per second) or more of water to wells in certain areas. The Jasper is underlain by the Catahoula confining system (restricted) and overlain by the Burkeville confining system. The Evangeline and Chicot aquifers, in turn, overlie the Burkeville and also are prolific water-yielding aquifers. The ground-water hydrology of the Jasper aquifer in an area of about 20,000 square miles (52,000 square kilometers) was simulated by a two-dimensional digital model using a steady-state approach. The model represents hydrologic conditions prior to development by wells, when natural recharge equaled natural discharge. The model's grid pattern of 15 x 24 nodes varies from a dimension of 5 by 10 miles (8 by 16 kilometers) in the outcrop to 10 by 10 miles (16 by 16 kilometers) in the artesian section downdip from the outcrop.

Texas↗
USGS1984

The Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility of the U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Division has improved support to the agencies field offices by the consolidation of all instrumentation support services in a single facility. This facility known as the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) is located at the National Space Technology Laboratory, Mississippi, about 50 miles east of New Orleans, Louisiana. The HIF is responsible for design and development, testing, evaluation, procurement, warehousing, distribution and repair of a variety of specialized hydrologic instrumentation. The centralization has resulted in more efficient and effective support of the Survey 's hydrologic programs. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1984

Hydrologic and climatologic data for the Lehigh area, southeastern Oklahoma, May 1977 to January 1982

Hydrologic and climatologic data were collected in the Lehigh area in southeastern Oklahoma during an investigation of the hydrologic effects of coal strip-mining. The purpose of the study was to assess the probable effects of surface mining for coal and subsequent reclamation on the hydrologic characteristics of the basin. This report presents all the data collected between 1977 and 1982. The data include: (1) greater than four years of daily and selected unit streamflow, daily suspended-sediment discharge, analyses of periodic samples for chemical quality, and daily temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen at the Coal Creek near Lehigh gaging stations; (2) partial record discharge data and analyses of periodic samples for chemical quality and sediment for two tributaries of Coal Creek; (3) climatologic data for four sites; (4) soil moisture at 13 measurements sites; (5) continuous record of the water level in one well; (6) periodic record of water level in a second well; (7) water-level records for 43 wells and springs including on-site measurement of physical parameters; and (8) complete chemical analyses of water samples from eleven wells and one spring.

Oklahoma↗
USGS1987

Hydrologic data for selected streams in the coal area of southeastern Oklahoma, July 1978 to September 1982

Hydrologic data on quantity and quality of surface waters were collected in the coal resource area of southeastern Oklahoma during an investigation of the effects of coal surface mining on the hydrology of the area. The objective of the study was to determine the characteristics of the regional hydrologic system and to detect and document changes in the system that may occur as the result of coal surface mining. This report presents data which were collected at 13 sites in 4 counties between July 1978 and September 1982. The data include: (1) mean daily stream discharge; (2) physical properties, selected field constituents, and concentration of suspended sediment of water samples; (3) concentration of selected common constituents, nutrients, and trace elements of water samples; (4) mean daily specific conductance, pH, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen; and (5) analyses of biological samples.

Open-File Report↗