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Water-resources data for the United States: Water year 2008

Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. These archival products supplement direct access to current and historical water data provided by NWISWeb. Beginning with Water Year 2006, annual water data reports are available as individual electronic Site Data Sheets for the entire Nation for retrieval, download, and localized printing on demand. National distribution includes tabular and map interfaces for search, query, display and download of data. From 1962 until 2005, reports were published by State as paper documents, although most reports since the mid-1990s are also available in electronic form through this web page. Reports prior to 1962 were published in occasional USGS Water-Supply Papers and other reports.

Water Data Report↗

Water-resources data for the United States: Water year 2009

Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. These archival products supplement direct access to current and historical water data provided by NWISWeb. Beginning with Water Year 2006, annual water data reports are available as individual electronic Site Data Sheets for the entire Nation for retrieval, download, and localized printing on demand. National distribution includes tabular and map interfaces for search, query, display and download of data. From 1962 until 2005, reports were published by State as paper documents, although most reports since the mid-1990s are also available in electronic form through this web page. Reports prior to 1962 were published in occasional USGS Water-Supply Papers and other reports.

Water Data Report↗

Water-resources data for the United States: Water year 2010

Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. These archival products supplement direct access to current and historical water data provided by NWISWeb. Beginning with Water Year 2006, annual water data reports are available as individual electronic Site Data Sheets for the entire Nation for retrieval, download, and localized printing on demand. National distribution includes tabular and map interfaces for search, query, display and download of data. From 1962 until 2005, reports were published by State as paper documents, although most reports since the mid-1990s are also available in electronic form through this web page. Reports prior to 1962 were published in occasional USGS Water-Supply Papers and other reports.

Water Data Report↗

Water-resources data for the United States: Water year 2011

Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. These archival products supplement direct access to current and historical water data provided by NWISWeb. Beginning with Water Year 2006, annual water data reports are available as individual electronic Site Data Sheets for the entire Nation for retrieval, download, and localized printing on demand. National distribution includes tabular and map interfaces for search, query, display and download of data. From 1962 until 2005, reports were published by State as paper documents, although most reports since the mid-1990s are also available in electronic form through this web page. Reports prior to 1962 were published in occasional USGS Water-Supply Papers and other reports.

Water Data Report↗

Water-resources data for the United States: water year 2012

Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. These archival products supplement direct access to current and historical water data provided by NWISWeb. Beginning with Water Year 2006, annual water data reports are available as individual electronic Site Data Sheets for the entire Nation for retrieval, download, and localized printing on demand. National distribution includes tabular and map interfaces for search, query, display and download of data. From 1962 until 2005, reports were published by State as paper documents, although most reports since the mid-1990s are also available in electronic form through this web page. Reports prior to 1962 were published in occasional USGS Water-Supply Papers and other reports.

Water Data Report↗

Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Blue Creek Valley area, Box Elder County, Utah

This report is the tenth in a series of reports prepared by the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, that describe the water resources of selected areas in northwestern Utah. The purpose of this report is to present available hydrologic data for the Blue Creek Valley area and to provide a quantitative evaluation of the potential water-resources development of the area.

Utah↗

Coal resources for part of the Wilcox group (Paleocene through Eocene), central Texas

The Wilcox Group of central Texas contains shallow (less than 500 ft) coal deposits that are mined for use in mine-mouth electric power generating plants. These coal deposits range in apparent rank from lignite to sub-bituminous (Pierce et al., 2011) and are similar in rank and composition to shallow coal deposits in the northeast and south Texas areas (Figure 1). The coal zones and associated strata in the central Texas assessment area generally dip to the southeast toward the Gulf of Mexico coastline and basin center. The central Texas resource assessment area includes parts of eight counties (Figure 2). The assessment area was selected to encompass current mining areas and areas with available subsurface stratigraphic data. The assessment area is roughly 160 miles long and 5 to 25 miles wide and generally follows the outcrop of the Paleocene to Eocene Wilcox Group in central Texas (Figures 1, 2). Approximately 1800 subsurface stratigraphic records from rotary and core drill holes were used to assess the resources of the central Texas assessment area. Of the 1800 drill holes, only 167 are public data points and are primarily located in the areas that have been permitted for surface mining (Figure 2; Appendix 1). The remaining 1632 drill holes, which are distributed throughout the assessment area, were provided to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on a confidential basis by various coal companies for use in regional studies.

Texas↗

Water resources inventory of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, southeastern Arizona

The Las Cienegas National Conservation Area was established by the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Establishment Act of 1999 (Public Law 106–538) and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Located in southeastern Arizona, the conservation area contains more than 45,000 acres of rolling grassland, wetlands, and woodlands surrounded by isolated mountain ranges that are part of the Madrean archipelago. This report describes the surface-water and groundwater resources within, and hydrologically connected to, the conservation area. Two primary aquifers have been identified within the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area: a Quaternary alluvial aquifer and a Miocene to Pliocene basin-fill aquifer. The Quaternary alluvial aquifer consists of Quaternary saturated stream alluvium along Cienega Creek and its major tributaries. This aquifer provides the water necessary for base flow in the perennial stream reaches that support aquatic life and for wetland and riparian habitat along the stream courses. Wells and piezometers completed in the Quaternary alluvial aquifer show both seasonal and daily water-level fluctuation patterns, as well as responses to flood flows in Cienega Creek. The basin-fill aquifer, in contrast, consists chiefly of Miocene to Pliocene alluvium within a sedimentary basin that is at least 4,800 feet deep. This aquifer is developed for anthropogenic uses more often than the Quaternary alluvial aquifer is developed. Generally, water levels in wells completed in the basin-fill aquifer have gradually declined a few feet between 2011, when measurements began, and 2022, when this report was written. Most water-chemistry samples available from the basin-fill aquifer had either a sodium-bicarbonate or calcium-bicarbonate water type. Previous research has shown that most recharge to the basin-fill aquifer likely comes from mountain-front and mountain-block recharge. Research further shows that this aquifer likely provides most of the recharge to the Quaternary alluvial aquifer. Because no production wells completed in bedrock exist within the conservation area, little is known about the hydraulic properties of the bedrock therein, but usable quantities of water can likely be produced from places where the bedrock has highly developed joint or fracture systems. During 2006–2021, the average combined length of measured perennial stream reaches within the main part of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area was 6.35 miles. The average annual base flow of Cienega Creek during 2002–2021, estimated with the Standard Base-Flow Index method using data from a streamgage within the conservation area, was 0.62 cubic feet per second. Monthly mean streamflow measured at this streamgage for the same period ranged from a low of 0.29 cubic feet per second (in June) to a high of 9.8 cubic feet per second (in July). The July average is heavily influenced by a flood that occurred in July 2021; the median July streamflow for 2002–2021 is just 0.84 cubic feet per second. Periods with no daily flow are not uncommon at this gage during late May and June.

Arizona↗

Water resources of Ponape, Caroline Islands

Ponape is the third largest island in the western Pacific, with a land area of 129 square miles. The island is volcanic, nearly circular in shape, and covered with lush tropical vegetation. The mountainous interior has the highest peaks in the western Pacific. Annual rainfall at Kolonia and other coastal areas is 191 inches. Inland at higher elevations, the rainfall is considerably higher. The upper Nanpil River basin averages about 340 inches annually. Runoff-to-rainfall ratios for Ponapean streams show that about two thirds of the rain falling on the island runs off. Flow-duration curves show the similarity of the geology, vegetation, and rainfall of the drainage basins and indicate little ground-water contribution to surface runoff. Surface-water quality is excellent as shown by 53 chemical anlyses of water from 19 streams. Water of the Nanpil River, the source of water for the central water system, is especially low in dissolved elements and solids. This report summarizes in one volume all the hydrologic data collected and provides analyses that may be used by planning and public works officials as a basis for making decisions on the development and management of their water resources. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Monitoring recreation on federally managed lands and waters—Aspects of visitor use

Federally managed public lands and waters receive about 1 billion recreational visits each year. Data on these visitors can aid in guiding policy decisions, managing resources effectively, and communicating the economic contributions of lands and waters. This report explores the methods used by agencies to collect data on aspects of recreational visitor use to Federal lands and waters (apart from visitation numbers, which are the focus of a companion publication). Aspects of recreational visitor use include visitor demographics, recreational activity participation, visitor satisfaction, visitor attitudes and experiences, trip characteristics, and economic contributions. We review practices used to understand aspects of visitor use across seven Federal agencies, revealing similarities such as the use of visitor intercept surveys and coverage of similar topic area, and differences in how survey programs are operationalized and how specific questions on visitor surveys are worded. We also evaluate emerging technologies, such as geolocated social media and mobile device location data, for their potential to aid in understanding aspects of visitor use. This report concludes with potential opportunities to enhance data collection and coordination, ensuring cost-effective data collection and informed decision-making.

SocArXiv↗

Monitoring recreation on federally managed lands and waters—Aspects of visitor use

Federally managed public lands and waters receive around 1 billion recreational visits each year. Data on these visitors can aid in guiding policy decisions, managing resources effectively, and communicating the economic contributions of lands and waters. This report explores the methods used by agencies to collect data on aspects of recreational visitor use to Federal lands and waters (apart from visitation numbers, which are the focus of a companion publication). Aspects of recreational visitor use include visitor demographics, recreational activity participation, visitor satisfaction, visitor attitudes and experiences, trip characteristics, and economic contributions. We review practices used to understand aspects of visitor use across seven Federal agencies, revealing similarities such as the use of visitor intercept surveys and coverage of similar topic areas, and differences in how survey programs are operationalized and how specific questions on visitor surveys are worded. We also evaluate emerging technologies, such as geolocated social media and mobile device location data, for their potential to aid in understanding aspects of visitor use. This report concludes with potential opportunities to enhance data collection and coordination, ensuring cost-effective data collection and informed decision making.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

Ground-water contamination and legal controls in Michigan

The great importance of the fresh ground-water resources of Michigan is evident because 90 percent of the rural and about 70 percent of the total population of the State exclusive of the Detroit metropolitan area are supplied from underground sources. The water-supply and public-health problems that have been caused by some cases of ground-water contamination in the State illustrate the necessity of protecting this vital resource. Manmade and natural contaminants, including many types of chemical and organic matter, have entered many of the numerous aquifers of the State. Aquifers have been contaminated by waste-laden liquids percolating from the surface or from the zone of aeration and by direct injection to the aquifer itself. Industrial and domestic wastes, septic tanks, leaking sewers, flood waters or other poor quality surface waters, mine waters, solids stored or spread at the surface, and even airborne wastes all have been sources of ground-water contamination in Michigan. In addition, naturally occurring saline waters have been induced into other aquifers by overpumping or unrestricted flow from artesian wells, possibly by dewatering operations, and by the deepening of surface stream channels. Vertical migration of saline waters through open holes from formations underlying various important aquifers also has spoiled some of the fresh ground waters in the State. In spite of the contamination that has occurred, however, the total amount of ground water that has been spoiled is only a small part of the total resource. Neither is the contamination so widespread as that of the surface streams of Michigan. Overall legal authority to control most types of ground-water contamination in the State has been assigned by the Michigan Legislature to the Water Resources Commission, although the Department of Conservation and the Health Department also exercise important water-pollution control functions. The Michigan Supreme Court, in an important case upholding the power of the Water Resources Commission to control pollution of ground water, in effect has introduced the doctrine of reasonable use into the law of the State. Excluding controls administered by the Department of Conservation on activities of the oil and gas industry, however, legal controls have not been used abate intrusion of natural saline waters into fresh-water aquifers in response to pumping and other manmade changes in the hydrologic regimen.

Michigan↗

Computation of continuous records of streamflow

Records of continuous streamflow, published in the U.S. Geological Survey annual Water Data Reports for the States and territories, are computed from field data, mainly discharge measurements and recorder charts or tapes. This manual describes the computation procedures used and some details of related field operations. It was compiled mostly from unpublished Water Resource Division district manuals edited and supplemented to emphasize digital-recorder and associated computer use. Methods used primarily for graphic-recorder gaging stations and non-recording gages are also included. Reference is made to other publications for some of the more specialized or unusually complex procedures.

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations↗

Publications of the Volcano Hazards Program 1997

The Volcano Hazards Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is part of the Geologic Hazards Assessments subactivity as funded by Congressional appropriation. Investigations are carried out in the Geologic and Water Resources Divisions of the USGS and with cooperators at the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, University of Utah, and University of Washington Geophysics Program. This report lists publications from all these institutions. This report contains only published papers and maps; numerous abstracts produced for presentations at scientific meetings have not been included. Publications are included based on date of publication with no attempt to assign them to Fiscal Year.

Open-File Report↗

Chapter 7. The GIS project for the geologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas in the Cotton Valley group and Travis Peak and Hosston formations, East Texas basin and Louisiana-Mississippi salt basins provinces

A geographic information system (GIS) focusing on the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Cotton Valley Group and the Lower Cretaceous Travis Peak and Hosston Formations in the northern Gulf Coast region was developed as a visual-analysis tool for the U.S. Geological Survey's 2002 assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and natural gas resources in the East Texas Basin and Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins Provinces. The Central Energy Resources Team of the U.S. Geological Survey has also developed an Internet Map Service to deliver the GIS data to the public. This mapping tool utilizes information from a database about the oil and natural gas endowment of the United States-including physical locations of geologic and geographic data-and converts the data into visual layers. Portrayal and analysis of geologic features on an interactive map provide an excellent tool for understanding domestic oil and gas resources for strategic planning, formulating economic and energy policies, evaluating lands under the purview of the Federal Government, and developing sound environmental policies. Assessment results can be viewed and analyzed or downloaded from the internet web site, http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/oilgas/noga/ .

Alabama, Arkansas. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mi↗

Carnotite resources of the upper group area, San Miguel County, Colorado

The Upper group area, which consists of 10 Government claims and adjoining public land, is 2 miles southeast of Slick Rock, San Miguel County, Colo., in unsurveyed secs. 5 and 6, T. 43 N., R. 18 W., New Mexico principal meridian. The area is equidistant from mills at Monticello, Utah, and Naturita, Colo. Both mills are reached by about 45 miles of all-weather roads. About 2,700 tons of carnotite ore was produced from the area between 1921 and 1943 (tons used in this report are short tons). This ore had an estimated average grade of 0.25 percent U30g and 1.7 percent V205. The ore deposits are in the top sandstone stratum of the Salt Wash sandstone member of the Tipper Jurassic Morrison formation. The principal ore-bearing minerals, which mainly impregnate the sandstone, consist of uranium-bearing carnotite and a micaceous vanadium-bearing mineral called “roscoelite." The deposits are mostly in small podlike masses called "rolls." The size of the rolls ranges from less than 50 to more than 1,500 tons each. The long axes of the rolls have a dominant northeasterly to easterly trend. Exploration by the Geological Survey was done on behalf of the Atomic Energy Commission to test unexplored ground for new deposits of carnotite ore and to gain a better appraisal of the reserves in the area. From 1948 to 1950, 186 diamond-drill holes were completed for a total of 14,577 feet. The areas of favorable sandstone were found and defined by holes drilled 300 to 500 feet apart. Altered mudstone, carbonaceous material in the sandstone, and color of the sandstone were used to determine the favorability of the sandstone. Within areas containing favorable sandstone holes were drilled on 100- to 150-foot centers to find deposits. Where deposits were found more than 20 feet below the surface, they were roughly outlined by holes drilled on 50- to 75- foot centers. Deposits discovered within 20 feet of the surface were not outlined. Reserves in deposits found by the drilling are classed as indicated and inferred, whereas those reserves that are predicted solely on geologic evidence are classed as potential. Indicated reserves computed at the highest thickness and grade cut-offs (1 foot or more thick and 0.10 percent U3O8 or .10 percent V205) total 5,000 tons, averaging 0.19 percent U308 and 1.6 percent V205. Inferred reserves computed at the same cut-offs total 3,500 tons, averaging .22 percent U308 and 1.7 percent V205. Both the indicated and inferred reserves, as well as the pounds of contained U3O8and V205, are summarized in table 1. Potential reserves are predicted to total about 1,500 tons, averaging about 0.20 percent U3O8 and 1.6 percent V205. Most of the potential reserves are expected to be in small scattered deposits within 20 feet of the surface. No additional diamond drilling by the Geological Survey is planned in the Upper group area. Several specific localities, principally in the central part of the area, are recommended for further exploration by jackhammer and wagon drilling by lessees and operators.

Colorado↗

Permafrost characterization and feature identification using public domain airborne electromagnetic data, interior Alaska

The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data are an excellent resource for permafrost characterization. AEM data can be used for pingo identification, estimating permafrost thickness, estimating surface talik thickness, evaluating permafrost health (temperature), talik identification and more. Data examples are shown from discontinuous permafrost areas just north of Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. Interpretations are made from 2D and 3D resistivity models created from 1D inversions of the Goldstream Valley AEM survey data (Emond, 2018a).

Alaska↗

Progress toward a National Water Census

Increasing demand and competition for limited regional water resources make it difficult to ensure adequate water availability for both human and ecological needs now and into the future. Recognizing the need to improve the tools and information that are available to effectively evaluate water-resource availability, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) identified a National Water Census (NWC) as one of its six core science directions for the decade 2007–17. In 2009, the SECURE Water Act (Public Law 111–11) authorized the USGS to develop a national water availability and use assessment program that would update the most recent national assessment of the status of water resources in the United States as well as develop the science to improve forecasts of water availability and quality for future needs. By evaluating large-scale effects of changes in land use and land cover, water use, and climate on occurrence and distribution of water, water quality, and human and aquatic-ecosystem health, the NWC will also help to inform a broader initiative by the Department of the Interior, WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow), which provides multiagency funding to pursue a sustainable water supply for the Nation as directed under the SECURE Water Act. Through the NWC, the USGS actively engages Federal, regional, and local stakeholders to identify research priorities and leverages current studies and program activities to provide information that is relevant at both the national and regional scales.

Fact Sheet↗