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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
USGS2007

Publications of the Western Earth Surfaces Processes Team 2005

Introduction The Western Earth Surface Processes Team (WESPT) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts geologic mapping, earth-surface process investigations, and related topical earth science studies in the western United States. This work is focused on areas where modern geologic maps and associated earth-science data are needed to address key societal and environmental issues such as ground-water quality, landslides and other potential geologic hazards, and land-use decisions. Areas of primary emphasis in 2005 included southern California, the San Francisco Bay region, the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau region of northern Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest. The team has its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and maintains smaller field offices at several other locations in the western United States. The results of research conducted by the WESPT are released to the public as a variety of databases, maps, text reports, and abstracts, both through the internal publication system of the USGS and in diverse external publications such as scientific journals and books. This report lists publications of the WESPT released in 2005 as well as additional 2002, 2003, and 2004 publications that were not included in the previous lists (USGS Open-File Reports 03-363, 2004- 1267, 2005-1362). Most of the publications listed were authored or coauthored by WESPT staff. The list also includes some publications authored by non-USGS cooperators with the WESPT, as well as some authored by USGS staff outside the WESPT in cooperation with WESPT projects. Several of the publications listed are available on the World Wide Web; for these, URL addresses are provided. Many of these web publications are USGS Open-File reports that contain large digital databases of geologic map and related information. Information on ordering USGS publications can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/, or by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS. The U.S. Geological Survey's web server for geologic information in the western United States is located at http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/. More information is available about the WESPT is available on-line at http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1998

Surficial geology of Shaver Hollow, Shenandoah National Park

At the request of Shenandoah National Park and the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia, the US Geological Survey has completed an examination and map of the surficial deposits in Shaver Hollow. The work was carried out as part of the US Geological Survey - National Park Service cooperative agreement implemented in 1994. Shaver Hollow is a small, well defined drainage basin on the west slope of the Blue Ridge about 6.5 miles south of Thornton Gap and can be reached by trail from mile 37.9 on the Skyline Drive. The hollow is drained by the North Fork of Dry Run, and the watershed within the Shenandoah National park is only 2 square miles in area. The area has been the site of extensive investigations by faculty and students at the University of Virginia and by NPS scientists and investigators studying the interaction of atmosphere chemistry, water composition, and the biota of the hollow (Furman and others, written communication, 1997). Modeling of the chemistry of Dry Run surface water, based on atmospheric, biologic, and geologic data, has been attempted with limited success. Better understanding of the surficial deposits and the interaction of streams and springs with near surface materials is needed before more sophisticated models can be devised. Although the bedrock lithology was mapped at a small scale (1:62,000-scale; Gathright, 1976) no examination of the surficial deposits of the hollow was made. The description of deposits contained herein is based on field observations carried out in September - November, 1996. Also included with this report is a 1/12,000-scale map of the surficial geology of Shaver Hollow (figure 1).

Virginia↗
USGS2015

Dam-breach analysis and flood-inundation mapping for selected dams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and near Atoka, Oklahoma

Dams provide beneficial functions such as flood control, recreation, and storage of water supplies, but they also entail risk; dam breaches and resultant floods can cause substantial property damage and loss of life. The State of Oklahoma requires each owner of a high-hazard dam, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines as dams for which failure or improper operation probably will cause loss of human life, to develop an emergency action plan specific to that dam. Components of an emergency action plan are to simulate a flood resulting from a possible dam breach and map the resulting downstream flood-inundation areas. The resulting flood-inundation maps can provide valuable information to city officials, emergency managers, and local residents for planning an emergency response if a dam breach occurs. This report presents results of a cooperative study by the U.S. Geological Survey and the City of Oklahoma City to model dam-breach scenarios at 11 dams controlled and operated by Oklahoma City, Okla., and to map the potential flood-inundation areas of such dam breaches. To assist the City of Oklahoma City with completion of the emergency action plans for the 11 dams, the U.S. Geological Survey used light detection and ranging (lidar) elevation data (2004), which produced a 2-foot contour elevation map for the flood plains around Oklahoma City. A 5-meter Digital Terrain Map was used to model the flood plain below Atoka Reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma. Digital-elevation models, field survey measurements, hydraulic data, and hydrologic data (U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations North Canadian River below Lake Overholser near Oklahoma City, Okla. [07241000], and North Canadian River at Britton Road at Oklahoma City, Okla. [07241520]), were used as inputs for the one-dimensional dynamic (unsteady-flow) models using Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC–RAS) software. The modeled flood elevations were exported to a geographic information system to produce flood-inundation maps. Water-surface profiles were developed for a 75-percent probable maximum flood dam-breach scenario and a sunny-day dam-breach scenario, as well as for maximum flood-inundation elevations and flood-wave arrival times at selected bridge crossings. Points of interest such as community-services offices, recreational areas, water-treatment plants, and wastewater-treatment plants were identified on the flood-inundation maps.

Oklahoma↗
USGS2014

Estimates of groundwater recharge rates and sources in the East Mountain area, Eastern Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 2005-12

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bernalillo County Public Works Division, has conducted a monitoring program in the East Mountain area of eastern Bernalillo County, New Mexico, since 2000 to better define the hydrogeologic characteristics of the East Mountain area and to provide scientific information that will assist in the sustainable management of water resources. This report presents estimates of groundwater recharge to the aquifers that supply water to a network of springs that discharged within the East Mountain area of eastern Bernalillo County during 2005–12. Chloride concentration, the mass ratio of chloride to bromide, and the stable isotope ratios of hydrogen and oxygen were used to estimate annual groundwater recharge rates and to identify the sources and timing of recharge to the aquifers in the East Mountain area. Groundwater recharge rates were estimated by using a chloride mass-balance (CMB) method applied to data from selected springs located in the study area. Eleven springs and four downgradient monitoring wells were sampled for this study. On the basis of chloride concentrations and the mass ratio of chloride to bromide, eight of the eleven sampled springs are considered representative of dilute groundwater recharged by meteoric water in the Sandia Mountains. Eight of the eleven springs sampled as part of this investigation are considered representative of dilute groundwater not influenced by nonmeteoric chloride sources on the basis of analysis of chloride concentrations and the mass ratio of chloride to bromide. Chloride concentrations at three of the sampled springs were likely affected by nonmeteoric chloride sources. Results of CMB calculations for the eight springs with Cl:Br ratios and chloride concentrations within the range of dilute groundwater (not influenced by nonmeteoric chloride sources) indicated that between about 5.5 and 23 percent of annual precipitation recharges the groundwater system. The variation in estimated recharge rates indicated that the mechanisms for recharge and groundwater movement in the East Mountain area are complex and that factors such as climate variability, the extent and interconnection of structural features such as faults and fractures, and potential solution enhancement of the aquifers all play important roles in the rates and timing of recharge. Stable isotope data from springs and snowpacks sampled in the East Mountain area were compared with local, regional, and global meteoric water lines and were analyzed along with values representing the stable isotope composition of winter precipitation and summer monsoonal rains. Results of the stable isotope analysis from springs in this study suggested that winter precipitation is the primary source of groundwater recharge to the aquifers supplying the springs, but there is a component of more isotopically enriched precipitation being recharged as well, likely from summer monsoonal rains. Specific conductance, groundwater-level hydrographs, snowpack chemistry, and snow-water equivalent data were used to inform the analyses and corroborate the findings of the CMB and stable isotope results.

New Mexico↗
USGS2018

Hydrologic assessment and numerical simulation of groundwater flow, San Juan Mine, San Juan County, New Mexico, 2010–13

Coal combustion byproducts (CCBs), which are composed of fly ash, bottom ash, and flue gas desulfurization material, produced at the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station (SJGS), located in San Juan County, New Mexico, have been buried in former surface-mine pits at the San Juan Mine, also referred to as the San Juan Coal Mine, since operations began in the early 1970s. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Mining and Minerals Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, describes results of a hydrogeologic assessment, including numerical groundwater modeling, to identify the timing of groundwater recovery and potential pathways for groundwater transport of metals that may be leached from stored CCBs and reach hydrologic receptors after operations cease. Data collected for the hydrologic assessment indicate that groundwater in at least one centrally located reclaimed surface-mining pit has already begun to recover. The U.S. Geological Survey numerical modeling package MODFLOW–NWT was used with MODPATH particle-tracking software to identify advective flow paths from CCB storage areas toward potential hydrologic receptors. Results indicate that groundwater at CCB storage areas will recover to the former steady state, or in some locations, groundwater may recover to a new steady state in 6,600 to 10,600 years at variable rates depending on the proximity to a residual cone-of-groundwater depression caused by mine dewatering and regional oil and gas pumping as well as on actual, rather than estimated, groundwater recharge and evapotranspirational losses. Advective particle-track modeling indicates that the number of particles and rates of advective transport will vary depending on hydraulic properties of the mine spoil, particularly hydraulic conductivity and porosity. Modeling results from the most conservative scenario indicate that particles can migrate from CCB repositories to either the Shumway Arroyo alluvium after 1,320 years and from there to the San Juan River alluvium after 1,520 years or from southernmost CCB repositories directly to the San Juan River alluvium after 2,400 years after the cessation of mining.

New Mexico↗
USGS1979

Dynamics of the Continental Crust: suggestions for U.S. Geological Survey research in the 1980's

Crustal dynamics--the study of the movement of mass and energy within, into, and out of the Earth's crust--encompasses most efforts of earth science, either directly or as background and support. A new international program is being formulated to promote cooperative development of the concepts required to solve proliferating problems created by intensifying human use and misuse of the land and its resources. A tentative title suggested by the U.S. Geodynamics Committee for this program for the decade of the 1980's is "Crustal Dynamics: A Framework for Resources." The needs are pressing at both the national and international levels. Many reasons cited for undertaking this international program are akin to the justifications for forming, maintaining, or enlarging governmental geological surveys. Thus, the U.S. Geological Survey has an obligation to participate in the Crustal Dynamics Program to meet its expanding responsibilities to serve the nation effectively. A U.S. Geological Survey workshop was convened near Denver on September 20-23, 1978, to consider appropriate roles that might be played in the Crustal Dynamics decade. Some 60 Survey geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and hydrologists participated. Principal questions addressed were: 1) What are the major earth-science problems that should be investigated during the next decade? 2) What are their implications to society? 3) What competence can be brought to bear on these problems and what further competence and tools need to be developed? 4) What roles are appropriate for the USGS within the broader national and international earth-science communities? This report presents some responses to these questions. Readers may recognize some defects. The report was prepared by several committees and its sections remain uneven despite editing. Insufficient time was available for either lengthy consideration or discussions, and no opportunity was provided for communication with colleagues in other organizations. The report is not a finished proposal for USGS participation in the Crustal Dynamics program, but rather is intended as a basis for further discussion and consideration both within the organization and with colleagues in other institutions and organizations, toward formulation of a viable program.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2011

Response of lake chemistry to atmospheric deposition and climate in selected Class I wilderness areas in the western United States, 1993-2009

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Air Resource Management, conducted a study to evaluate long-term trends in lake-water chemistry for 64 high-elevation lakes in selected Class I wilderness areas in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming during 1993 to 2009. Understanding how and why lake chemistry is changing in mountain areas is essential for effectively managing and protecting high-elevation aquatic ecosystems. Trends in emissions, atmospheric deposition, and climate variables (air temperature and precipitation amount) were evaluated over a similar period of record. A main objective of the study was to determine if changes in atmospheric deposition of contaminants in the Rocky Mountain region have resulted in measurable changes in the chemistry of high-elevation lakes. A second objective was to investigate linkages between lake chemistry and air temperature and precipitation to improve understanding of the sensitivity of mountain lakes to climate variability.

Colorado;Idaho;Utah;Wyoming↗
USGS1974

Summary of activities, U.S. Geological Survey Saudi Arabian project, 1950 to 1974

The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) first began work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1950 under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Finance and National Economy. The basic objective of the work was to investigate the mineral and water resource potential in western Saudi Arabia, but little was known of the region and it therefore was necessary to prepare geographic and geologic maps. Aerial photographs were taken and controlled mosaics produced, some paid for by the USGS but most paid for by the Saudi Arabian government, and reconnaissance geologic mapping was undertaken until the USGS team left Saudi Arabia in 1955. This mapping, in cooperation with mapping of the Arabian American Oil Company, was compiled as a series of scale 1:500,000 geographic and geologic maps in Arabic and English covering all of Saudi Arabia. A total of 42 of these maps were prepared. Three scale 1:2,000,000 geographic and geologic maps in Arabic and English, covering the Arabian Peninsula, also were prepared from this work. All of the maps were printed in the United States and published by the USGS, the last in 1963. Other work done by the USGS between 1950 and 1955 included locating and examining ancient mines, indentifying the Wadi Fatima oolitic iron deposit and other iron deposits in northwest Saudi Arabia, and advising on many water supply problems including those for Riyadh, Qizan, Qunfudhah, Rabigh, Yenbo, Umm Lejh, and Al Wajh. The mapping work and the geologic investigations laid the groundwork for the more detailed studies that followed.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2010

Potentiometric Surface of the Upper Floridan Aquifer, West-central Florida, May 2010

The Floridan aquifer system consists of the Upper and Lower Floridan aquifers separated by the middle confining unit. The middle confining unit and the Lower Floridan aquifer in west-central Florida generally contain highly mineralized water. The water-bearing units containing fresh water are herein referred to as the Upper Floridan aquifer. The Upper Floridan aquifer is the principal source of water in the Southwest Florida Water Management District and is used for major public supply, domestic use, irrigation, and brackish water desalination in coastal communities (Southwest Florida Water Management District, 2000). This map report shows the potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer measured in May 2010. The potentiometric surface is an imaginary surface connecting points of equal altitude to which water will rise in tightly-cased wells that tap a confined aquifer system (Lohman, 1979). This map represents water-level conditions near the end of the dry season, when groundwater levels usually are at an annual low and withdrawals for agricultural use typically are high. The cumulative average rainfall of 55.21 inches for west-central Florida (from June 2009 through May 2010) was 2.55 inches above the historical cumulative average of 52.66 inches (Southwest Florida Water Management District, 2010). Historical cumulative averages are calculated from regional rainfall summary reports (1915 to most recent complete calendar year) and are updated monthly by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, is part of a semi-annual series of Upper Floridan aquifer potentiometric-surface map reports for west-central Florida. Potentiometric-surface maps have been prepared for January 1964, May 1969, May 1971, May 1973, May 1974, and for each May and September since 1975. Water-level data are collected in May and September each year to show the approximate annual low and high water-level conditions, respectively. Most of the water-level data for this map were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey during the period May 17-21, 2010. Supplemental water-level data were collected by other agencies and companies. Most water-level measurements were made during a 5-day period; therefore, measurements do not represent a 'snapshot' of conditions at a specific time, nor do they necessarily coincide with the seasonal low water-level condition.

Scientific Investigations Map↗
USGS2025

Water-resources inventory and assessment at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, prepared a water-resources inventory and assessment for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (KAWW). This compilation includes published and publicly accessible hydrologic data and resource assessments of streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, wetlands, vernal pools, and groundwater in and near KAWW. It also includes reports and datasets summarizing attributes of KAWW’s hydrologic infrastructure, such as stream crossings, dams, wastewater discharge plants, groundwater monitoring wells, and U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations. Descriptions of data and details of current limitations in available datasets are included. Wetland, groundwater, streamflow, and water-quality information are all limited. Hydrography data are available; however, there are limited ground-truth data. Accurate streamlines within KAWW were developed from light detection and ranging (lidar) as a part of this work. Hydrologic infrastructure information is available from multiple sources; however, differences exist among the datasets. Datasets are summarized in appendix 1.

Maine↗
USGS1978

Preliminary stratigraphic cross section showing radioactive zones in the Devonian dark shales in the eastern part of the Appalachian Basin

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is participating in the Eastern Gas Shales Project. The purpose of the DOE project is to increase the production of natural gas from eastern United States shales in petroliferous basins through improved exploration and extraction techniques. The USGS participation includes stratigraphic studies which will contribute to the characterization and appraisal of the natural gas resources of Devonian shale in the Appalachian basin. This cross section differs from others in this series partly because many of the shales in the eastern part of the basin are less radioactive than those farther west and because in this area shales that may be gas-productive are not necessarily highly radioactive and black.

Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylv↗
USGS2005

Hydraulic properties of the Ironton and Galesville sandstones, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, southeastern Minnesota, 2004

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, conducted an aquifer test December 6–22, 2004, to improve definition of the hydraulic properties of the Ironton and Galesville Sandstones beneath the Shakopee Community in southeastern Minnesota. Three wells were used in the aquifer test—a production well and two observation wells, located 3,247 feet northwest of the production well and 3,049 feet southeast of the production well. The production well, completed in the Ironton and Galesville Sandstones, was pumped at about 600 gallons per minute from 10:30 a.m. on December 6, 2004, to 3:26 p.m. on December 9, 2004. Drawdown and recovery water levels were measured in all three wells. Four curve-fitting methods and two graphical methods were used to estimate the transmissivity and storage coefficient of the Ironton and Galesville Sandstones. The four curve-fitting methods were the Theis, Hantush, Hantush-Jacob, and Neumann-Witherspoon methods. These methods were applied to the drawdown and residual recovery curves of the observation wells. The two graphical methods were the Cooper-Jacob method and the Theis recovery method. The Cooper-Jacob method was applied to the drawdown curve of the production well and the drawdown curves of the two observation wells. The Theis recovery method was applied to the residual drawdown curves of the two observation wells. The transmissivity estimated using the six methods ranged from 450 to 650 feet squared per day. The average transmissivity for the six methods was 540 feet squared per day. The storage coefficient estimated using the six methods ranged from 4.2 to 5.7 x 10-5. The average storage coefficient for all six methods was 5.0 x 10-5. The hydraulic conductivity was estimated by dividing the estimated transmissivity by 45 feet. The average hydraulic conductivity for the six methods was 12.1 feet per day.

Minnesota↗
USGS2013

Evaluation of groundwater quality and selected hydrologic conditions in the South Coast aquifer, Santa Isabel area, Puerto Rico, 2008–09

The source of drinking water in the Santa Isabel and Coamo areas of Puerto Rico (Molina and Gómez-Gómez, 2008) is the South Coast aquifer (hereafter referred to as the aquifer), which supplies about 30,700 cubic meters per day (m³/d) to Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) public-supply wells. In addition, approximately 45 wells provide an estimated 33,700 m³/d of groundwater to irrigate crops in the area. In 1967, baseline nitrate concentrations in groundwater throughout most of the aquifer were generally less than 6 milligrams per liter (mg/L) as nitrogen in collected water samples (U.S. Geological Survey, 2012). In 2007, elevated nitrate concentrations were detected in the aquifer, near Santa Isabel and the foothills north of the coastal plain at Santa Isabel as part of a regional groundwater-quality assessment conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during 2007 (Rodríguez and Gómez-Gómez, 2008). The increase in nitrate concentrations has been of concern to local government agencies because of its potential effect on public supply. To address public-supply concerns, the USGS, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER), evaluated groundwater quality in the aquifer near the Santa Isabel area between January 2008 and May 2009. The objectives of the study were to (1) define the groundwater-quality conditions of the aquifer, with emphasis on the distribution of nitrate concentrations; (2) identify potential sources leading to elevated nitrate concentrations; (3) estimate the nitrate loads from major sources identified; and (4) estimate the groundwater withdrawals by principal-use categories in the area. Results of this study will be used by Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Federal agencies in developing strategies that can result in containment of high nitrate groundwater to minimize degradation of fresh groundwater in the aquifer.

Santa Isabel↗
USGS2015

Flood-inundation maps for the Scioto River at La Rue, Ohio

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 3-mile (mi) reach of the Scioto River that extends about 1/2 mi upstream and 1/2 mi downstream of the corporate boundary for La Rue, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Village of La Rue, Marion County Commissioners, Montgomery Township, and Marion County Scioto River Conservancy. The flood-inundation maps show estimates of the areal extent and depth of flooding correspond ing to selected water levels (stages) at the USGS streamgage on the Scioto River at La Rue (station number 03217500). The maps can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science Web site at http://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_ inundation/ . Near-real-time stages at this streamgage can be obtained from the USGS National Water Information System at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/uv/?site_no=03217500 or the National Weather Service (NWS) Advanced Hydro - logic Prediction Service at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/ hydrograph.php?wfo=cle&gage=LARO1 , which also forecasts flood hydrographs at this site.

Ohio↗
USGS1986

Pacific Enewetak Atoll Crater Exploration (PEACE) program, Enewetak Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Part 1: Drilling operations and descriptions of boreholes in vicinity of KOA and OAK craters

From mid-1984 through mid-1985, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) engaged in an investigation of two craters formed from high-yield, near-surface nuclear bursts in the Marshall Islands at Enewetak Atoll (figures 1 and 2). Supported by the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA), this cooperative venture is referred to by the acronym PEACE, derived from its official name, Pacific Enewetak Atoll Crater Exploration Program. The craters studied, KOA and OAK, resulted from 1.4- and 8.9-megaton, near-surface bursts detonated near the northern perimeter of the Enewetak lagoon on May 12 and June 28, 1958, respectively. At that time, Enewetak was administered by the United States Government under the auspices of the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) and formed a part of the Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG). OAK and KOA are among the only high-yield nuclear craters available for studies of cratering processes and crater-related effects.

Enewetak Atoll↗
USGS2019

Sedimentation survey of Lago Guayabal, Villalba, Puerto Rico, December 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, conducted a sedimentation survey of Lago Guayabal in 2017 to determine reservoir infill sedimentation rates, generate a bathymetric map of the bottom elevations of the reservoir, and create a stage-volume relation. The original (1913) capacity of Lago Guayabal was 11.82 million cubic meters, and efforts to increase the storage capacity were made in 1950 by the installation of flashboards. The 2017 survey indicated that storage capacity of Lago Guayabal is 4.98 million cubic meters. The estimated full sediment infill of Lago Guayabal is expected in 77 years, based on the long-term sedimentation rate of 0.065 million cubic meters per year determined for the 1972–2017 period.

Scientific Investigations Map↗
USGS2021

Workflow for using unmanned aircraft systems and traditional geospatial data to delineate agricultural drainage tiles at edge-of-field sites

Managing nutrient and sediment runoff from fields that drain to the Great Lakes is key to mitigating harmful algal blooms. Implementation of best management practices on agricultural land is considered a critical step to improving water quality in these streams, however the effect of these best management practices is difficult to quantify. The purpose of this study was to use a suite of high-resolution imagery acquired with unmanned aircraft systems (including a combination of visible, multispectral, and thermal cameras) to better characterize edge-of-field (EOF) sites in Michigan and Wisconsin that are monitored in cooperation with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This high-resolution imagery (2.5–12-centimeter ground resolution) was used to delineate artificial subsurface drainage (tile-drain) networks and surface water flow paths that indicate contributing areas (that is, all area that drains to a monitored point) at these EOF sites, providing better characterization of each study site. Contributing areas for these sites ranged from 2.86 to 5.07 hectares and, among the sites, tile drains were identified as those that followed soil properties and those that were more densely patterned networks. These surveys also indicated that the contributing area monitored at the EOF sites may cross field boundaries and is not always coincident with the area underlain by subsurface drainage.

Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin↗
USGS1988

Map of bedrock-surface topography in parts of the Paterson and Pompton Plains quadrangles, New Jersey

A seismic-refraction survey was done by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), to define the altitudes of the bedrock surface beneath part of a proposed water diversion tunnel to control periodic heavy flooding along parts of the Passaic and Pompton Rivers in northeastern New Jersey. The altitude of the top of the tunnel is planned to be approximately at sea level. The ACOE would like to have a minimum of 40 ft of bedrock above the top of the tunnel for construction and engineering purposes. The results of the study show that the bedrock ranges in altitude from 40 to 140 ft above sea level, and that there is a northeast trending bedrock valley that overlies the proposed tunnel alignment. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗