USGS Science⌕ Search

SEARCH · USGS Science

Results for “Cooperative Report”

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 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources
USGS2007

Determination of total mercury in fillets of sport fishes collected from Folsom Reservoir, California, 2006

This report presents the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, done in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to determine mercury concentrations in selected sport fishes from Folsom Reservoir in California. Fillets were collected from each fish sample, and after homogenization and lyophilization of fish fillets, mercury concentrations were determined with a direct mercury analyzer utilizing the process of thermal combustion-gold amalgamation atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mercury concentrations in fillets ranged from 0.031 to 0.20 micrograms per gram wet weight in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) samples and 0.071 to 0.16 micrograms per gram wet weight in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) samples. Mercury concentration was 0.98 microgram per gram wet weight in a single spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) sample, which was the only one in the sample set which exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's fish consumption advisory of 0.30 microgram per gram wet weight.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1971

Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Park Valley area, Box Elder County, Utah

This report is the eighth in a series prepared by the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, that describes the water resources of the western basins of Utah. (See fig. 1.) Its purpose is to present available hydrologic data on the Park Valley area, to provide an evaluation of the potential water-resource development of the area, and to identify needed studies that would improve understanding of the area's water supply.

Utah↗
USGS2007

Determination of total mercury in whole-body fish and fish muscle plugs collected from the South Fork of the Humboldt River, Nevada, September 2005

This report presents the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, done in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to determine mercury concentrations in whole-body fish and fish muscle plugs from the South Fork of the Humboldt River near Elko in the Te-Moak Indian Reservation. A single muscle plug was collected from beneath the dorsal fin area in each of the three whole-body fish samples. After homogenization and lyophilization of the muscle plugs and whole-body fish samples, mercury concentrations were determined with a direct mercury analyzer utilizing the process of thermal combustion-gold amalgamation atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mercury concentrations in whole-body fish ranged from 0.048 to 0.061 microgram per gram wet weight, and 0.061 to 0.082 microgram per gram wet weight in muscle plugs. All sample mercury concentrations were well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's fish consumption advisory of 0.30 microgram per gram wet weight.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1975

The Miocene aquifer system in Mississippi

A large amount of information is available on the aquifers of Mississippi. Reports resulting from various areal studies have described the ground-water resources of the areas concerned, but no reports dealing specifically with the statewide occurrence of individual aquifer systems have been prepared previously. A series of "aquifer atlases" was deemed the most effective way to point out the character, the potential, and the extent of development of the aquifers and thereby provide water managers with data needed for efficient utilization of available resources. This report on the Miocene aquifer system is the first in the series. Information on the aquifers was obtained in the cooperative programs of the U.S. Geological Survey with the Mississippi Board of Water Commissioners and other State and Federal agencies.

Mississippi↗
USGS2000

Delineation of groundwater recharge areas, western Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The unconfined sand-and-gravel aquifer in western Cape Cod, Massachusetts, which is the sole source of water supply for the communities in the area, is recharged primarily from precipitation. The rate of recharge from precipitation is estimated to be about 26 inches per year (in/yr), or about 60 percent of the precipitation rate. This recharge rate yields a flow through the aquifer of about 180 million gallons per day (Mgal/d). Groundwater flows radially outward from the top of the water-table mound in the north-central part of the flow system toward the coast, as indicated by the water-table contours on the large map on this sheet. Recharge that reaches the water table near the top of the mound travels deeper through the aquifer than recharge that reaches the water table closer to the coast. All recharge to the aquifer ultimately discharges to pumping wells, streams, or coastal areas; however, some of this recharge may flow first through kettle ponds before eventually reaching these discharge points. Continued land development and population growth on western Cape Cod, and activities related to the operation of the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR), have created concerns regarding the supply of potable water in western Cape Cod and the quality and quantity of water discharging to ponds, streams, and coastal areas. Recent investigations estimated the future demand for drinking water in western Cape Cod, as well as the areas that contribute water to existing and proposed public-supply wells. Determining the source of freshwater that discharges to ponds, streams, and coastal areas is of critical importance in the protection of these natural resources for the communities of western Cape Cod. The purpose of this report is to illustrate concepts of ground-water recharge areas under average pumping and recharge conditions. This report presents results of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE), to delineate the areas that contribute recharge to public-supply wells, ponds, streams, and coastal areas on western Cape Cod for average annual pumping and recharge rates for the period of 1994–1996. The time period of 1994–1996 was selected for this analysis because it represents the average stress conditions prior to large-scale pumping, treatment, and reinjection of water from the MMR Installation Restoration Program's ground-water remediation systems. The pumping and reinjection of large amounts of water from these remediation systems would complicate greatly the delineation of ground-water recharge areas and therefore is beyond the scope of this analysis. The Chemical Spill-4 plume-containment system, however, is included in the simulation since it has been operating since 1993 and has been pumping, treating, and reinjecting only about 0.2 Mgal/d of water. Since 1996, however, AFCEE has constructed remediation systems for seven additional contaminant plumes that are not included in this analysis. Currently (1999), these systems are pumping, treating, and reinjecting about 9.7 Mgal/d. By 2002, when all of these systems, including those being designed, are expected to be operating, it is estimated that they will be pumping, treating, and reinjecting as much as 15.6 Mgal/d of water in the western Cape Cod aquifer. For additional information on the hydrology and geology of western Cape Cod, the reader is referred to the following reports: LeBlanc and others (1986), Barlow and Hess (1993), Masterson and others (1997a), Masterson and others (1997b), Masterson and others (1998), Ogden Environmental and Energy Services, Inc. (1998) and Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (1999).

Massachusetts↗
USGS1971

Water resources of Salt Lake County, Utah

This report is the eighth in a series prepared by the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, that describes the water resources of the western basins of Utah. (See fig. 1.) Its purpose is to present available hydrologic data on the Park Valley area, to provide an evaluation of the potential water-resource development of the area, and to identify needed studies that would improve understanding of the area's water supply.

Utah↗
USGS2004

Regional ground-water-flow models of surficial sand and gravel aquifers along the Mississippi River between Brainerd and St. Cloud, central Minnesota

This report documents regional ground-waterflow models constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to satisfy the requirements of their Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP). Steady-state single-layer ground-water-flow models were constructed with the computer program MODFLOW to simulate flow in surficial sand and gravel aquifers along the Mississippi River between Brainerd and St. Cloud in central Minnesota. The hydrogeologic data that were used to construct the models were compiled from available sources. Calibrated values of horizontal hydraulic conductivity and areal recharge for the aquifer in a northern model area were 70 m/d and 3.0x10-4 m/d, respectively. This model was sensitive to net areal recharge, vertical hydraulic conductivity of perennial streambed sediments, and horizontal hydraulic conductivity. The major source of net inflow to the model was from edge boundary cells. The major source of net outflow was ground-water discharge to perennial and ephemeral streams. Calibrated values of horizontal hydraulic conductivity and areal recharge for the aquifer in a southern model area were 70 m/d and 6.0x10-4 m/d, respectively. This model was sensitive mostly to horizontal hydraulic conductivity. Net areal recharge and ground-water discharge to perennial streams were the major sources of net inflow and outflow, respectively.

Minnesota↗
USGS1950

Geologic interpretation of seismic data, relocation of Route 2, Stations 138-155 in Lancaster, Mass.

The proposed relocation of the Concord-Westminster Highway, Route 2, in Lancaster, Mass., requires a long, deep cut between stations 138 and 155. A preliminary seismic survey was made of the site in October 1949. At that time five transverses were made along the base-line, and three transverse to it. This work showed an anomalous situation in the vicinity of shot point E. In order to obtain the required additional data to resolve these anomalies, four more seismic transverses were made in November 1949. Two of these were run along the base-line between station 138+52 and station 145+12 in such a way as to yield, in conjugation with the preliminary survey, depth data of a 660-foot transverse. One of the primary functions of this long line was to obtain a reliable bedrock velocity. The other two transverses were transverse to the long transverse. This report comprises all of the seismic and geologic work performed at this site. The work was done as a part of a cooperative program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works and the United States Geological Survey.

Massachusetts↗
USGS2026

Black abalone surveys at Naval Base Ventura County, San Nicolas Island, California—2023 annual report

The U.S. Geological Survey monitors a suite of intertidal black abalone ( Haliotis cracherodii ) sites at San Nicolas Island, California, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, which owns the island. The nine rocky intertidal sites were established in 1980 to study the potential effect of translocated sea otters on the intertidal black abalone population at the island. The sites were monitored from 1981 to 1997, typically annually or biennially. Monitoring resumed in 2001 and has been completed annually thereafter. Since 2018, the work has been carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center. The study sites became particularly important, from a management perspective, after a virulent disease decimated black abalone populations throughout southern California beginning in the mid-1980s. The disease, withering syndrome ( Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis ), was first observed on San Nicolas Island in 1992 and over the next few years, withering syndrome reduced the black abalone population on San Nicolas Island by more than 99 percent. In 2009, the black abalone subsequently was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The subject of this report is the 2023 survey of the sites and the status of the measured population in comparison to long-term patterns (based on data collected since 1981) at San Nicolas Island. Between the years 2000 and 2023, the total monitored black abalone population at the island has grown from roughly 200 to more than 2,500 abalone following disease-related decline. Since it was first consistently measured in 2005, the average distance between adjacent black abalone has decreased substantially from approximately 50 centimeters to less than 15 centimeters, indicating that abalone are sufficiently close together at several of the sites to reproduce successfully. The total abalone count in 2023 was 2,570, which was 19.2 percent higher than in 2022 and the highest count since 1993. All nine sites had higher counts in 2023 than in the previous year. Over 25 percent of the black abalone counted in 2023 were classified as recruits, defined as having a shell length of 3 centimeters or less.

California↗
USGS2025

Black abalone surveys at Naval Base Ventura County, San Nicolas Island, California—2022 annual report

The U.S. Geological Survey monitors a suite of intertidal black abalone ( Haliotis cracherodii ) sites at San Nicolas Island, California, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, which owns the island. The nine rocky intertidal sites were established in 1980 to study the potential effect of translocated southern sea otters ( Enhydra lutris nereis ) on the intertidal black abalone population at San Nicolas Island. The sites were monitored, typically annually or biennially, from 1981 to 1997. Monitoring resumed in 2001 and has been completed annually thereafter. Since 2018, the monitoring has been carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center. The study sites became particularly important from a management perspective after a virulent disease decimated black abalone populations throughout southern California beginning in the mid-1980s. The disease, withering syndrome, was first observed on San Nicolas Island in 1992, and during the next few years, withering syndrome reduced the black abalone population on San Nicolas Island by more than 99 percent. The black abalone was subsequently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2009. The subject of this report is the 2022 survey of the sites and the status of the measured population of black abalone in comparison to long-term patterns (based on data collected since 1981) at San Nicolas Island. Between the years 2000 and 2022, the total monitored black abalone population on the island has grown from roughly 200 to more than 2,000, approximately a ten-fold increase following the disease-related decline. Since it was first consistently measured in 2005, the distance between adjacent black abalone has decreased substantially from approximately 50 centimeters to less than 15 centimeters, indicating that black abalone are sufficiently close together at several of the sites to reproduce successfully. The total black abalone count in 2022 was 2,156, which was 7.9 percent lower than the total count in 2020 but 6.6 percent higher than in 2021. There were increases and decreases among the sites and transects within each site in 2022, but six of the nine sites had higher counts than in the previous year. The 2022 count is one of the highest since 1993, second only to the 2020 count. In 2022, the annual recruitment rate, defined as the percentage of measured black abalone with a shell length of 3 centimeters or less, was the second highest recorded, only slightly less than in 2017.

California↗
USGS2003

Water-quality trend analysis and sampling design for streams in North Dakota, 1971-2000

This report presents the results of a study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Health, to analyze historical water-quality trends in selected dissolved major ions, nutrients, and dissolved trace metals for 10 streams in southwestern and eastern North Dakota and to develop an efficient sampling design to monitor future water-quality trends. A time-series model for daily streamflow and constituent concentration was used to identify significant concentration trends, separate natural hydroclimatic variability in concentration from variability that could have resulted from anthropogenic causes, and evaluate various sampling designs to monitor future water-quality trends. The interannual variability in concentration as a result of variability in streamflow, referred to as the annual concentration anomaly, generally was high for all constituents and streams used in the trend analysis and was particularly sensitive to the severe drought that occurred in the late 1980's and the very wet period that began in 1993 and has persisted to the present (2002). Although climatic conditions were similar across North Dakota during the trend-analysis period (1971-2000), significant differences occurred in the annual concentration anomalies from constituent to constituent and location to location, especially during the drought and the wet period. Numerous trends were detected in the historical constituent concentrations after the annual concentration anomalies were removed. The trends within each of the constituent groups (major ions, nutrients, and trace metals) showed general agreement among the streams. For most locations, the largest dissolved major-ion concentrations occurred during the late 1970's and concentrations in the mid- to late 1990's were smaller than concentrations during the late 1970's. However, the largest concentrations for three of the Missouri River tributaries and one of the Red River of the North tributaries occurred during the mid- to late 1990's. Concentration trends for total ammonia plus organic nitrogen showed close agreement among the streams for which that constituent was evaluated. The largest concentrations occurred during the early 1980's, and the smallest concentrations occurred during the early 1990's. Nutrient data were not available for the early 1970's or late 1990's. Although a detailed analysis of the causes of the trends was beyond the scope of this report, a preliminary analysis of cropland, livestock-inventory, and oil-production data for 1971-2000 indicated the concentration trends may be related to the livestock-inventory and oil-production activities in the basins. Dissolved iron and manganese concentrations for the southwestern North Dakota streams generally remained stable during 1971-2000. However, many of the recorded concentrations for those streams were less than the detection limit, and trends that were masked by censoring may have occurred. Several significant trends were detected in dissolved iron and manganese concentrations for the eastern North Dakota streams. Concentrations for those streams either remained stable or increased during most of the 1970's and then decreased rapidly for about 2 years beginning in the late 1970's. The concentrations were relatively stable from the early 1980's to 2000 except at two locations where dissolved iron concentrations increased during the early 1990's. The most efficient overall sampling designs for the detection of annual trends (that is, trends that occur uniformly during the entire year) consisted of balanced designs in which the sampling dates and the number of samples collected remained fixed from year to year and in which the samples were collected throughout the year rather than in a short timespan. The best overall design for the detection of annual trends consisted of three samples per year, with samples collected near the beginning of December, April, and August. That design had acceptable sensitivity for the detection of trends in most constituents at all locations. Little improvement in sensitivity was achieved by collecting more than three samples per year. The sampling designs that were first evaluated for annual trends also were evaluated with regard to their sensitivity to detect seasonal trends that occurred during three seasons--April through August, August through December, and December through April. Design results indicated that an average of one extra sample per station per year resulted in an efficient design for detecting seasonal trends. However, allocation of the extra samples varied depending on the station, month, and constituent group (major ions, nutrients, and trace metals).

North Dakota↗
USGS1996

Elk response to the La Mesa fire and current status in the Jemez Mountains

Faunal remains in local archeological sites and historic information suggest that elk populations in the Jemez Mountains were low from ca. 1200 A.D. through ca. 1900 A.D., when they were extirpated from this region. Elk were reintroduced to the Jemez country in 1948 and 1964- 1965, and their population apparently grew exponentially, reaching 1000 animals in the 1970's and about 7000 by 1991. Elk populations in Bandelier National Monument and adjoining areas increased rapidly after the 1977 La Mesa Fire. Winter use by elk in the La Mesa Fire area, centered on Bandelier, grew from about 100 animals in .1978 to around 1500 elk by 1992. The dramatic increase in the Bandelier elk herd (an annual growth rate of 21.3% and a 3.6 year population doubling time) was due in part to the creation of about 6000 hectares of grassy winter range in and around the park by the La Mesa Fire. Some of this local population increase reflects concentration of elk into this favorable wintering habitat from surrounding portions of the Jemez Mountains. Existing data are inadequate to determine whether elk populations are still growing rapidly in the Jemez Mountains. While annual aerial surveys since 1990 in Bandelier reveal no clear population trend, a variety of observations demonstrate increasing elk use of lower elevation areas. Negative resource impacts from today's high elk populations are beginning to be widely noted across the Jemez Mountains, especially in high-use portions of the Bandelier National Monument area. Affected resources range from plant communities to soils and even archeological sites. Given the large uncertainties associated with the current data on elk populations, care should be taken to avoid further population increases until the resource impacts of this new phenomenon (large numbers of elk) can be identified, desirable population levels identified (based to a significant degree upon ecological information and resource carrying capacities, as well as social considerations), and appropriate cooperative management strategies implemented.

General Technical Report↗
USGS1995

Broadband seismology and small regional seismic networks

In the winter of 1811-12, three of the largest historic earthquakes in the United States occurred near New Madrid, Missouri. Seismicity continues to the present day throughout a tightly clustered pattern of epicenters centered on the bootheel of Missouri, including parts of northeastern Arkansas, northwestern Tennessee, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois. In 1990, the New Madrid seismic zone/Central United States became the first seismically active region east of the Rocky Mountains to be designated a priority research area within the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). This Professional Paper is a collection of papers, some published separately, presenting results of the newly intensified research program in this area. Major components of this research program include tectonic framework studies, seismicity and deformation monitoring and modeling, improved seismic hazard and risk assessments, and cooperative hazard mitigation studies.

Professional Paper↗