Interim report on botanical prospecting for uranium in the Shinarump conglomerate at Deer Flat, White Canyon district, San Juan County, Utah
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Trace Elements Investigations↗
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Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.
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Application of a revised local government annual reporting system for estimation of non-point source reductions in agricultural watersheds
No abstract available.
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Probable hydrologic effects of a hypothetical failure of Mackay Dam on the Big Lost River Valley from Mackay, Idaho to the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory
Mackay Dam is an irrigation reservoir on the Big Lost River, Idaho, approximately 7.2 kilometers northwest of Mackay, Idaho. Consequences of possible rupture of the dam have long concerned the residents of the river valley. The presence of reactors and of a management complex for nuclear wastes on the reservation of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), near the river , give additional cause for concern over the consequences of a rupture of Mackay Dam. The objective of this report is to calculate and route the flood wave resulting from the hypothetical failure of Mackay Dam downstream to the INEL. Both a full and a 50 percent partial breach of this dam are investigated. Two techniques are used to develop the dam-break model. The method of characteristics is used to propagate the shock wave after the dam fails. The linear implicit finite-difference solution is used to route the flood wave after the shock wave has dissipated. The time of travel of the flood wave, duration of flooding, and magnitude of the flood are determined for eight selected sites from Mackay Dam, Idaho, through the INEL diversion. At 4.2 kilometers above the INEL diversion, peak discharges of 1,550.2 and 1,275 cubic meters per second and peak flood elevations of 1,550.3 and 1,550.2 meters were calculated for the full and partial breach, respectively. Flood discharges and flood peaks were not compared for the area downstream of the diversion because of the lack of detailed flood plain geometry. (Kosco-USGS)
Idaho↗
Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for the Tanaga volcanic cluster, Tanaga Island, Alaska
Summary of Volcano Hazards at Tanaga Volcanic Cluster The Tanaga volcanic cluster lies on the northwest part of Tanaga Island, about 100 kilometers west of Adak, Alaska, and 2,025 kilometers southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The cluster consists of three volcanoes-from west to east, they are Sajaka, Tanaga, and Takawangha. All three volcanoes have erupted in the last 1,000 years, producing lava flows and tephra (ash) deposits. A much less frequent, but potentially more hazardous phenomenon, is volcanic edifice collapse into the sea, which likely happens only on a timescale of every few thousands of years, at most. Parts of the volcanic bedrock near Takawangha have been altered by hydrothermal activity and are prone to slope failure, but such events only present a local hazard. Given the volcanic cluster's remote location, the primary hazard from the Tanaga volcanoes is airborne ash that could affect aircraft. In this report, we summarize the major volcanic hazards associated with the Tanaga volcanic cluster.
Alaska↗
Modeling uncertainty in coal resource assessments, with an application to a central area of the Gillette coal field, Wyoming
Standards for the public disclosure of mineral resources and reserves do not require the use of any specific methodology when it comes to estimating the reliability of the resources. Unbeknownst to most intended recipients of resource appraisals, such freedom commonly results in subjective opinions or estimations based on suboptimal approaches, such as use of distance methods. This report presents the results of a study of the third of three coal deposits in which drilling density has been increased one order of magnitude in three stages. Applying geostatistical simulation, the densest dataset was used to check the results obtained by modeling the sparser drillings. We have come up with two summary displays of results based on the same simulations, which individually and combined provide a better assessment of uncertainty than traditional qualitative resource classifications: (a) a display of cell 90 percent confidence interval versus cumulative cell tonnage, and (b) a histogram of total resources. The first graph allows classification of data into any number of bins with dividers to be decided by the assessor on the basis of a discriminating variable that is statistically accepted as a measure of uncertainty, thereby improving the quality and flexibility of the modeling. The second display expands the scope of the modeling by providing a quantitative measure of uncertainty for total tonnage, which is a fundamental concern for stockholders, geologists, and decision makers. Our approach allows us to correctly model uncertainty issues not possible to predict with distance methods, such as (a) different levels of uncertainty for individual beds with the same pattern and density of drill holes, (b) different local degrees of reduction of uncertainty with drilling densification reflecting fluctuation in the complexity of the geology, (c) average reduction in uncertainty at a disproportionately lesser rate than the reduction in area per drill hole, (d) the proportional effect of higher uncertainty in areas of higher tonnages, despite a regular drilling pattern, (e) the possibility of a local increase in uncertainty despite drilling densification to reflect a more complex geology as the deposit is known in more detail, and (f) for exactly the same drilling pattern, tonnage per individual beds with different uncertainty than the aggregated tonnage. These results should be considered realistic improvements over distance methods used for quantitative classification of uncertainty in coal resource, such as U.S. Geological Survey Circular 891. 1 The approach should be a welcome addition to the toolkit of Competent Persons preparing public disclosures according to international mineral codes such as those promoted by the Combined Reserves International Reporting Standards Committee 2 and the Joint Ore Reserve Committee. 3 1 Wood, G.H., Jr., Kehn, T.M., Carter, M.D., and Culbertson, W.C., 1983, Coal resources classification system of the U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 891, 65 p. 2 CRIRSCO (Combined Reserves International Reporting Standards Committee), 2013, International reporting template for the public reporting of exploration results, mineral resources and mineral reserves: Accessed February 2014 at http://www.crirsco.com/crirsco_template_may2013.pdf. 3 JORC (Joint Ore Reserves Committee), 2012, Australasian code for reporting of exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves: Accessed September 2014 at http://www.jorc.org/docs/jorc_code2012.pdf.
Wyoming↗
Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation of selected areas in southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana from the August and September 2017 flood resulting from Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas, on August 25, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane with wind gusts exceeding 150 miles per hour. As Harvey moved inland, the forward motion of the storm slowed down and produced tremendous rainfall amounts over southeastern Texas, with 8-day rainfall amounts exceeding 60 inches in some locations, which is about 15 inches more than average annual amounts of rainfall for eastern Texas and the Texas coast. Historic flooding occurred in Texas as a result of the widespread, heavy rainfall; wind and flood damages were estimated to be $125 billion, and the storm resulted in at least 68 direct fatalities. In the immediate aftermath of the Harvey-related flood event, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency initiated a cooperative study to evaluate the magnitude of the flood, determine the probability of occurrence, and map the extent of the flood in Texas. Seventy-four USGS streamflow-gaging stations in Texas with at least 15 years of record and no large data gaps in the period of record had a 2017 annual peak streamflow related to Harvey ranking in the top five of all annual peaks for each given station. New peaks of record streamflow were recorded at 40 of the 74 USGS streamflow-gaging stations. The number of years of peak streamflow record for the 74 analyzed streamflow-gaging stations ranged from 18 to 105, with a mean number of 55 years. The annual exceedance probability estimates for the analyzed streamflow-gaging stations ranged from less than 0.2 to 14.0 percent. USGS field crews surveyed 2,123 high-water marks to obtain water-surface elevations, in feet above the North American Vertical Datum of 1988. In some locations, several water-surface elevations were averaged to obtain 1 water-surface elevation, resulting in 1,258 water-surface elevations. Some of these high-water marks were used, along with peak-stage data from USGS streamflow-gaging stations, to create 19 inundation maps to document the areal extent of the maximum depth of the flooding. Digital datasets of the inundation area, modeling boundary, water-depth rasters, and final map products are available from the USGS data release associated with this report ( https://doi.org/10.5066/F7VH5N3N ).
Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas↗
Methods to determine streamflow statistics based on data through water year 2021 for selected streamgages in or near Wyoming
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Wyoming Water Development Office, developed streamflow statistics for streamgages in and near Wyoming. Statistics were computed for active (through September 30, 2021) and discontinued USGS streamgages with 10 or more years of daily mean streamflow record. Streamflow at each streamgage was assessed for degree of human alteration owing to dams and diversions before streamflow statistics were computed. Streamflow records from 615 streamgages were used to compute basic, seasonal, and flow-duration statistics; streamflow records from 387 streamgages were used to compute n -day statistics, which are streamflow statistics describing streamflow over a number of days ( n ), and statistics that can be used for regional regression. The streamflow statistics are provided in a USGS data publication that accompanies this report and through the USGS StreamStats web-based application ( https://www.usgs.gov/streamstats ).
Wyoming↗
Peak-, mean-, and low-streamflow regional-regression equations for natural streamflow in central and western Colorado, 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation, developed peak-, mean-, and low-streamflow regional-regression equations for estimating various statistics for natural streamflow in hydrologic regions of central and western Colorado. The peak-streamflow regression equations were developed using data from 418 streamgages, consisting of 15,202 years of record and a mean of approximately 36 years of record per streamgage. The mean- and low-streamflow regional-regression equations were developed using data from 323 streamgages where daily streamflow data were collected year-round. The annual exceedance-probability discharges for each streamgage were computed using the USGS software program PeakFQ. Mean monthly and 7-day minimum and maximum streamflows were computed using the USGS software program SWToolbox. Streamflow-duration values were computed using an R script. The regional-regression equations were determined using data for the period of record for a given streamgage through water year 2019. Geographic information systems datasets were used to develop 55 basin and 42 climatic characteristics, which were evaluated as candidate explanatory variables in the regression analysis. For the peak-streamflow regional-regression equations, the study area was divided into four hydrologic regions based on mean basin elevation, including the Plateau (less than 8,014 feet), Mid-Elevation (8,015 feet to 9,492 feet), Sub-Alpine (9,493 feet to 10,490 feet), and Alpine (greater than 10,490 feet) regions. For the peak-streamflow equations, the selection of basin and climatic characteristics was based on the 1-percent annual exceedance-probability discharge for each hydrologic region. For the mean streamflow, streamflow-duration values, and 7-day minimum and maximum streamflows, the study area was divided into four hydrologic regions based on river basin, including the (1) Colorado-East Slope Headwaters, (2) Green River, (3) Rio Grande, and (4) San Juan-Dolores. For mean streamflows, basin and climatic characteristics were evaluated separately for the annual period and each month for each hydrologic region. Regional regression equations published in this report are available for use in the USGS web-based program StreamStats.
Colorado↗
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-Determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in bottom and suspended sediment by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection
A method applicable for the determination of 19 organochlorine (OC) pesticides, including total toxaphene as a complex mixture, and 3 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures as Aroclor equivalents--Aroclor 1016/1242, 1254, and 1260--in soil, aquatic bottom sediment, and suspended sediment is described. Method performance data are presented. The solvent system is designed to extract simultaneously selected OC pesticides and PCBs from the same sample matrix. The compounds are extracted by conventional Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane, followed by partial isolation using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to remove inorganic sulfur and large naturally present molecules from the sediment extract. The aliquot of extract collected from the GPC for OCs (OC pesticides and PCBs) is split into two sample fractions by alumina/silica combined-column chromatography, followed by Florisil adsorption chromatography to remove interfering compounds in the second fraction. The OC fractions are analyzed by dual capillary-column gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC/ECD). This report is limited to the determination of selected OC pesticides and PCBs by GC/ECD using this method. Interim reporting levels (IRLs) have been set at 0.400 to 3.12 micrograms per kilogram for 18 individual OC pesticides, 200 micrograms per kilogram for toxaphene, and 4.04 to 4.68 micrograms per kilogram for the PCBs, based on a sample size of 25-gram equivalent dry weight. These reporting levels may change following additional determinations of method detection limits.
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Plan of study for the northern Midwest regional aquifer-system analysis
Sedimentary rocks of Cambrian and Ordovician age form a major aquifer system in most of Wisconsin and Iowa, northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southeastern Minnesota, and northern Missouri. Many metropolitan areas depend on the aquifer for all or part of their water supplies. Declines in potentiometric head have been large in the most heavily pumped areas, most notably Chicago, Milwaukee-Waukesha, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Des Moines. A thorough understanding of the aquifer system is needed for sound management decisions. Thus, a 4-year study of the aquifer, beginning in October 1978, is included in the U.S. Geological Survey 's program of Regional Aquifer-System Analysis. The study will evaluate the aquifer 's water-supply potential, describe its water quality, and, through computer models of the ground-water flow system, provide the means to evaluate regional aquifer response to different patterns of ground-water development. This report describes the objectives, work plan, and organization of this study. (Woodard-USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Evaluation of streams in selected communities for the application of limited-detail study methods for flood-insurance studies
The U.S. Geological Survey evaluated 2,349 communities in 1984 for the application of limited-detail flood-insurance study methods, that is, methods with a reduced effort and cost compared to the detailed studies. Limited-detail study methods were found to be appropriate for 1,705 communities, while detailed studies were appropriate for 62 communities and no studies were appropriate for 582 communities. The total length of streams for which limited-detail studies are recommended is 9,327 miles with a corresponding cost of $23,007,000. This results in average estimated costs for conducting limited-detail studies of $2,500 per mile of studied stream length. The purpose of the report is to document the limited-detail study methods and the results of the evaluation. (USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Simulated peak flows and water-surface profiles for Scott Creek near Sylva, North Carolina
Peak flows were simulated for Scott Creek, just upstream from Sylva, in Jackson County, North Carolina, in order to provide Jackson County officials with information that can be used to improve preparation for and response to flash floods along the reach of Scott Creek that flows through Sylva. A U.S. Geological Survey rainfall-runoff model was calibrated using observed rainfall and streamflow data collected from March 1994 through September 1995. Standard errors for calibration were 34 percent for runoff volumes and 21 percent for peak flows. The calibrated model was used to simulate peak flows resulting from syn- thetic rainfall amounts of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 inches in 24-hour periods. For each rainfall amount, peak flows were simulated under low-, moderate-, and high-antecedent soil-moisture conditions, represented by selected 3-month periods of daily rainfall and evaporation record from nearby climatic-data measuring stations. Simulated peak flows ranged from 89 to 10,100 cubic feet per second. Profiles of water-surface elevations for selected observed and simu- lated peak flows were computed for the reach of Scott Creek that flows through Sylva, North Carolina. The profiles were computed using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers HEC-2 Water Surface Profiles computer program and channel cross-section data collected by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The stage-discharge relation for Scott Creek at the simulation site has changed since the collection of the cross-section data. These changes, however, are such that the water-surface profiles presented in this report likely overestimate the true water-surface elevations at the simulation site for a given peak flow
North Carolina↗
Ground-water sampling methods and quality-control data for the Red River of the North basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1993-95
Ground-water-quality samples were collected for the intensive data-collection phase of the Red River of the P Torth Basin study unit, one of 60 study units of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program throughout the United States. The sampling protocols used were designed for the NAWQA Program. The protocols include sampling equipment, cleaning procedures, sample-collection methods, and quality-control plans to monitor the accuracy of the data collected. One of the goals of the NAWQA Program was to collect data using similar methcds to build a nationally consistent water-quality data base. Quality-control data demonstrated that most constituents measured for this study yielded reproducible data, with low to undetectable contamination from the sampling and analytical procedures. Several constituents were occasionally or frequently detected in blank samples at levels similar to low-concentration ground-water-quality samples. For example, iron was detected in 75 percent of the blank samples, with a maximum concentration of 27 [ig/L, indicating that iron contamination may interfere with its determination at low levels in ground waters. Copper, aluminum, and dissolved organic carbon concentrations in blank samples overlap those determined in ground-waterquality samples, thereby precluding quantitative reporting of those constituents. Most pesticide data are reproducible, with minimal bias. Some pesticides had low but consistent recoveries; these data may be useful if spike and surrogate data are carefully considered. Data for some pesticides measured in this study should not be quantitatively reported or used, because they may underestimate the concentrations of those pesticides in ground waters.
Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota↗
Bibliography of Regional Aquifer-System Analysis Program of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1978-96
The Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey was initiated in 1978 and was completed in 1995. The purpose of this program was to define the regional geohydrology and establish a framework of background information on geology, hydrology, and geochemistry of the Nation's important aquifer systems. This information is critically needed to develop an understanding of the Nation's major ground-water flow systems and to support better management of ground-water resources. Twenty-five of the Nation's major aquifer systems were studied under this program. Starting in 1988, the program devoted part of its resources to compilation of a National Ground Water Atlas that presets a comprehensive summary of the Nation's major ground-water resources. The atlas, which is designed in a graphical format supported by descriptive text, serves as a basic reference for the location, geography, geology, and hydrologic characteristics of the major aquifers in the Nation. This bibliography lists 1,105 reports that result from various studies of the program. The list of reports for each study follows a brief description of that study.
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Potentiometric surface of the Cockfield aquifer in southeastern Arkansas and the Wilcox aquifers in southern and northeastern Arkansas, October 1996-July 1997
The Cockfield and Wilcox aquifers are secondary sources of water for local use in southern and northeastern Arkansas, where in 1995 more than 51 million gallons per day of water was withdrawn. During October 1996 to July 1997, water levels in the Cockfield and Wilcox aquifers were measured in 104 wells in Arkansas. The potentiometric surface data reveal spatial trends in both aquifers across the study areas. The regional direction of ground-water flow of the Cockfield aquifer is generally southeastward, away from the outcrop area, except where affected by intense ground-water withdrawals. The potentiometric surface indicates that heavy pumpage has altered or reversed the natural direction of flow in some areas. Flow in these areas is toward centers of pumping within cones of depression. A cone of depression caused by the pumpage near Greenville, Mississippi, extends into Chicot, Desha, and Drew Counties. This cone of depression has altered flow patternArkansas. Long-term hydrographs of six wells, during the period 1971-1996, showed water levels declined at an average rate between 0.5 and 1.0 foot per year at these locations. The regional direction of ground-water flow in the Wilcox aquifers is generally toward the east and south, away from the outcrop except where water levels are affected by intense ground-water withdrawals. The potentiometric surface indicates that heavy pumpage has altered or reversed the natural direction of ground-water flow in some areas. Flow in these areas is toward centers of pumping within cones of depression. Two cones of depression are centered in the vicinity of Paragould and West Memphis, Arkansas, where ground-water withdrawals have altered the natural direction of flow. Long-term hydrographs of seven wells, during the period 1971- 1996, show water-level declines in the Wilcox aquifer in northeastern Arkansas generally were between 0.5 and 1.0 foot per year but were more than 1.0 foot per year in two wells. The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Arkansas Geological Commission has monitored water levels in the Cockfield and Wilcox aquifers since the 1960's. During October 1996 to July 1997, 53 water-level measurements were made in wells completed in the Cockfield aquifer, 13 water-level measurements were made in wells completed in the Wilcox aquifer in southern Arkansas, and 38 water-level measurements were made in wells com- pleted in the Wilcox aquifer in northeastern Arkansas. The purpose of these measurements was to provide information to describe the recent potentiometric surfaces and long-term water-level trends in the Cockfield and Wilcox aquifers. This report presents the results as potentiometric surface maps and as long-term water-level hydrographs.
Arkansas↗
Bathymetric survey and physical and chemical-related properties of Raccourci Lake, Louisiana, July 1998 and April 1999
Raccourci Lake (Old River), an oxbow lake formed from an incomplete cutoff of the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana, is a popular recreational lake used for water-based activities such as water skiing, fishing, boating, and swimming. The nearness of this large oxbow to Baton Rouge and its continued fishing productivity make it one of the most used lakes in southern Louisiana. An understanding of current hydrologic conditions of Raccourci Lake and other lakes and reservoirs in Louisiana is essential to the management and protection of these valuable natural resources. Water quality and quantity are important concerns to those who use these bodies of water for municipal, recreational, agricultural, or industrial purposes. Current and accurate information regarding the physical and chemical-related properties and conditions of freshwater lakes and reservoirs in Louisiana is fundamental to planners and managers for evaluating these resources. In October 1996, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, began a study to conduct a bathymetric survey and determine the physical and chemical-related properties of Raccourci Lake. The purpose of this report is to present the results of the bathymetric survey and the results of vertical profiles of physical and chemical-related properties, including depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), specific conductance, and pH, which were measured at three sites in the lake. Hydrographic surveying software was used for combining differential global positioning system (DGPS) information with digital survey fathometer data to accurately map the bathymetry of the lake. The bathymetric map was produced using geographic information systems (GIS), and lines of equal depth of water were reviewed and edited for accuracy and consistency. On-site physical and chemical-related properties were measured at the three selected locations using a water-quality monitor. This report is one in a series of planned map reports describing current bathymetry and physical and chemical-related properties of lakes and reservoirs in Louisiana.
Louisiana↗
Preliminary report on the Rimini area, Jefferson City quadrangle, Jefferson County and Lewis and Clark County, Montana
No abstract available.
Jefferson County;Lewis And Clark County, Montana↗