Federal-State Cooperative Water Resources Program; ground-water activities
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This is the second in a series of interpretive reports on subsurface outflow from the ground-water basins of San Bernardino County, Calif., prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the San Bernardino County Flood Control District. One principal purpose of the study was to estimate the ground-water outflow from the Bunker Hill basin to the Rialto-Colton basin across the San Jacinto fault, which, except locally, forms a nearly impermeable boundary between the two basins. In addition, the report deals qualitatively with the geology, the fault barriers that divide the area into several ground-water basins, the physical nature and degree of imperviousness of the barriers, the occurrence and movement of ground water and fluctuations of water level in the basins, and the chemical quality of surface and ground waters in the San Bernardino area. The report includes a geologic map and sections, water-level-contour maps and profiles, and hydrographs of selected well. The Santa Ana River, the principal stream, flows generally westward across the area. Channels of the river and its tributaries overlie a large irregular structural depression filled with alluvial deposits ranging in age from late Tertiary to Recent and forming a valley bounded on the north by the San Gabriel Mountains, on the east by the San Bernardino Mountains, and on the south by an irregular group of hills. Large alluvial fans underlie most of the area, but its landforms also include alluvial benches and terraces near the mountains, stream channels, and elongate hills, ridges, and scarps along the trace of the San Jacinto fault, which strikes northwestward across the valley about in the center of the area. This fault and others divide the area into ground-water basins, which include the Bunker Hill, Rialto-Colton, upper and lower Lytle and Chino basins. The water-bearing deposits include the following units: the younger alluvium. of Recent age, which occupies principally the backfilled channels beneath the Santa Ana River and its tributaries and through which ground water moves from Bunker Hill basin to Rialto-Colton basin; the older alluvium, of Pleistocene age, which is the principal water-bearing unit of the area and yields water to more than a thousand wells; and continental deposits of Tertiary to Quaternary age, which crop out along the southern margin of the area and locally along the San Gabriel Mountains on the north. The younger alluvium attains a maximum thickness of about 125 feet beneath the Santa Ana River south of San Bernardino. Locally in the Bunker Hill basin it is composed of two members, an upper member of relatively impermeable clay and a lower member of highly permeable material in which water is confined by the upper member. The older alluvium locally has a known thickness greater than 700 feet; elsewhere in the San Bernardino Valley it may exceed 1,400 feet. Locally, where ground water is confined in Bunker Hill basin, the older alluvium is divided into three permeable water-bearing zones separated from each other and from the younger alluvium above by less permeable zones. In parts of Chino and Rialto-Colton basins the alluvium consists of a coarse-grained facies along a former course of a major stream that is interfingered with and overlain by relatively fine-grained deposits. The permeability of the younger alluvium in the area beneath the Santa Ana River downstream from the San Jacinto fault was determined from tests to be about 2,700 gallons per day per square foot. The permeability of the coarse water-yielding materials of the older alluvium several miles downstream was estimated from tests to be about the same magnitude. Rocks that yield practically no water include continental rocks of Tertiary age, which are not exposed in the area but are tapped by wells in Rialto-Colton basin, and crystalline and metamorphic rocks of pre-Tertiary age that form the bedrock of the area.
Water resources data for the 1985 water year for Maine consist of records of stage,discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs;and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report contains discharge records for 48 gaging stations; stage only for 2 gaging stations; contents for 17 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 11 gaging stations and 6 ground-waterwells; and water-levels for 17 ground-water wells. Additional water data were collectedat other sites, not part of the systematic data collection program, and are publishedas miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies.
Water-resources data for the 1992 water year for Georgia consists of records of stage, discharge, and quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; ground-water levels; and precipitation quality. This report contains discharge records of 114 gaging stations; stage for 27 gaging stations; stage and contents for 18 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 143 continuing-record stations; peak stage and discharge only for 101 crest-stage partial-record stations and 7 miscellaneous sites; water levels of 25 observation wells, and water quality for 1 precipitation-quality site. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Georgia.
Water resources data for the 1994 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1, includes records from the Delaware River Basin. Specifically, Volume 1 contains (1) discharge records for 81 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations and 27 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lakes and reservoirs; and (3) water-quality records for 25 gaging stations and 52 ungaged streamsites; and (4) water-level records for 17 observation wells. The location of these sites is shown in figures 6-9. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.
This report presents hydrographs of water levels in 578 observation wells in the statewide monitoring network during 1944-93. The monitoring network is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, Bureau of Reclamation, and other Federal and State agencies.
In December 1980, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), conducted a seismic survey of the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Alton, Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri (fig. 1). Seismic lines were run from the mouth of the Missouri River up the Mississippi River to a point approximately seven miles upriver from Lock and Dam No. 26 at Alton, Illinois (fig. 2a,b). Additional lines were run upriver from Lock and Dam No. 25 between the dam and River Mile 244, but these data are not reported because of mechanical problems with the larger sound-source equipment and inexact navigational control. The objective of the cooperative study was to utilize marine common-depth-point (CDP), digital, and multichannel techniques to locate a monoclinal flexure of the Cap au Gres Fault that earlier had been interpreted from land seismic data to be in the vicinity of Lock and Dam No 26 (Shannon and Wilson, 1980). A second objective was to demonstrate that the marine seismic system could be used for making relatively deep penetration seismic-reflection surveys on shallow (less than 10-m water depth) inland waterways that have organic sediment floors.
Water resources data for the 1990 water year for Indian consist of records of discharge, stage, and water quality of streams and wells; reservoir stage and contents; and water levels in lakes and wells. This report contains records of discharge for 181 stream-gaging stations, stage for 7 stream stations, stage and contents for 1 reservoir, water quality for 3 streams and 5 observation wells, and water levels for 80 lakes and 95 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are shown as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the national Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in Indiana in cooperation with State and Federal agencies.
The Ogallala aquifer is the primary source of water for agricultural and municipal purposes in the Texas Panhandle. Because most of the groundwater in the Texas Panhandle is withdrawn from the Ogallala aquifer, information on the quality of groundwater in the Ogallala aquifer in this part of Texas is useful for resource characterization. During 2012–13, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District (NPGCD), collected and analyzed water-quality samples from 30 groundwater monitoring wells in the Texas Panhandle. The results of the initial 2012–13 synoptic sampling were published in 2014 to help provide an initial characterization of the spatial and temporal variability of water quality in the NPGCD management area. This report documents the results of a followup synoptic sampling completed between March 2019 and July 2020 by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the NPGCD, to further characterize the spatial and temporal characteristics of groundwater in the NPGCD management area; measurements of the depth to water, in feet below land surface, and water-quality samples were obtained from the same 30 monitoring wells that were sampled during 2012–13. The water-quality samples were analyzed for major ions, nutrients, trace elements, and selected organic compounds. Results from the 2019–20 synoptic sampling were compared to drinking-water standards and to the results from the 2012–13 synoptic sampling. Between the 2012–13 and 2019–20 sampling periods, the depth to water increased in 28 of the 30 wells, with a median difference of 18.17 feet. Results from major ion analyses indicate that most of the groundwater samples collected during 2019–20 were classified as magnesium-bicarbonate type, the same water type indicated for most samples during 2012–13. Dissolved-solids concentrations for the wells sampled during 2019–20 ranged from 260 to 774 milligrams per liter (mg/L) with a median dissolved-solids concentration of 316 mg/L, which was slightly higher than the median dissolved-solids concentration of 311 mg/L for the 2012–13 sampling period. Of the four nutrients analyzed, nitrate was the dominant nitrogen species, with a median nitrate concentration of 2.25 mg/L for the 2019–20 sampling period, which was a slight increase relative to the median nitrate concentration of 2.05 mg/L for the 2012–13 sampling period. Accounting for variability in analyses, median major ion concentrations and median concentrations for nutrient species were similar during the 2012–13 and 2019–20 sampling periods. None of the trace element concentrations exceeded any maximum contaminant level or secondary drinking-water standards. Median concentrations of trace elements from the 2012–13 sampling period were compared to those from the 2019–20 sampling period for constituents in cases where at least 50 percent of concentrations measured in the samples were detected at concentrations greater than the highest applicable laboratory reporting level, and variability in analyses was accounted for. Comparison results indicated that that median concentrations of two trace elements (lithium and uranium) increased, whereas median concentrations for two of the other trace elements measured (barium and molybdenum) decreased. Atrazine and deethylatrazine were the only organic compounds detected; both were detected in four of the six samples collected from different wells and analyzed for organic compounds. Concentrations of atrazine and deethylatrazine detections were all less than 0.05 micrograms per liter.
This report has been prepared at the request of the Kansas Water Resources Board under provisions of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey dated July 1, 1966, for water-resources investigations. The Kansas Water Resources Board has been advised of a recent serious degradation of the low-water channel of the lower Kansas River below Bonner Springs and has requested information on the following: (1) magnitude of change in regimen of the stream, (2) causes for the change including sand removal, change in sediment load, or change in the regimen of the Missouri River downstream, and (3) future change. The requested information, presented herein, is based on the streamflow, stage, and sediment data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey; stage, sediment, and profile data collected by the U.S. Corps of Engineers; and sand removal data provided by the State of Kansas. -Photographs of the reach are shown in plates 1 and 2, and locations of the various features are shown in figure 1.
Urban areas commonly rely on ground water for at least part of the municipal water supply, and as population increases, urban areas expand and require larger volumes of water. However, the expansion of an urban area can reduce ground-water availability. This may occur through processes of depletion (withdrawal of most of the available ground water), degradation (chemicals used in the urban area seep into the ground and contaminate the ground water), and preemption (cost or restrictions on pumping ground water from under extensively urbanized areas may be prohibitive). Thus, a vital natural resource needed to support the growth of an urban area and its infrastructure can become less available because of growth itself. The diminished availability of natural resources caused by expansion of urban areas is not unique to water resources. For example, large volumes of aggregate (sand and gravel) are used in concrete and asphalt to build and maintain the infrastructure (buildings, roads, airports, and so forth) of an urban area. Yet, mining of aggregate commonly is preempted by urban expansion; for example, it cannot be mined from under a subdivision. Energy resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas likewise are critical to the growth and vitality of an urban area but may become less available as an urban area expands and preempts mining and drilling. In 1996, the U.S. Geological Survey began work on a national initiative designed to provide information on the availability of those natural resources (water, minerals, energy, and biota) that are critical to maintaining the Nation's infrastructure or that may become less available because of urban expansion. The initiative began with a 3-year demonstration project to develop procedures for assessing resources and methods for interpreting and publishing information in digital and traditional paper formats. The Front Range urban corridor of Colorado was chosen as the demonstration area (fig. 1), and the project was titled the Front Range Infrastructure Resources Project (FRIRP). This report and those of Robson (1996), Robson and others (1998), and Robson and others (2000a, 2000b, 2000c) are the results of FRIRP water-resources investigations; reports pertaining to geology, minerals, energy, biota, and cartography of the FRIRP are published separately. The water resources studies of the FRIRP were undertaken in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources. and the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Urban areas commonly rely on ground water for at least part of the municipal water supply, and as population increases, urban areas expand and require larger volumes of water. However, the expansion of an urban area can reduce ground-water availability. This may occur through processes of depletion (withdrawal of most of the available ground water), degradation (chemicals used in the urban area seep into the ground and contaminate the ground water), and preemption (cost or restrictions on pumping ground water from under extensively urbanized areas may be prohibitive). Thus, a vital natural resource needed to support the growth of an urban area and its infrastructure can become less available because of growth itself. The diminished availability of natural resources caused by expansion of urban areas is not unique to water resources. For example, large volumes of aggregate (sand and gravel) are used in concrete and asphalt to build and maintain the infrastructure (buildings, roads, airports, and so forth) of an urban area. Yet, mining of aggregate commonly is preempted by urban expansion; for example, it cannot be mined from under a subdivision. Energy resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas likewise are critical to the growth and existence of an urban area but may become less available as an urban area expands and preempts mining and drilling. In 1996, the U.S. Geological Survey began work on a national initiative designed to provide information on the availability of those natural resources (water, minerals, energy, and biota) that are critical to maintaining the Nation's infrastructure or that may become less available because of urban expansion. The initiative began with a 3-year demonstration project to develop procedures for assessing resources and methods for interpreting and publishing information in digital and traditional paper formats. The Front Range urban corridor of Colorado was chosen as the demonstration area (fig. 1), and the project was titled the Front Range Infrastructure Resources Project (FRIRP). This report and those of Robson (1996), Robson and others (1998), and Robson and others (2000a, 2000b, 2000c) are the results of FRIRP water-resources investigations; reports pertaining to geology, minerals, energy, biota, and cartography of the FRIRP are published separately. The water resources studies of the FRIRP were undertaken in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Water-resources data for the 2002 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1 contains (1) discharge records for 80 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 8 partial-record stations, 19 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites, and 39 low-flow miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 13 lake and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 38 gaging stations and 14 ungaged streamsites; (4) water-quality records for 47 special-study station; (5) water-level records for 63 network observation wells; (6) water-quality analyses of ground water from 55 ground-water wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.
Water-resources data for the 2002 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2 contains (1) discharge records for 82 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 13 partial-record stations, 24 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites, and 33 low-flow miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lake and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 33 gaging stations and 104 ungaged streamsites; (4) water-level records for 38 network observation wells; (5) water-quality analyses at 32 special study ground-water wells; and (6) miscellaneous water-level measurements at 31 special study ground-water wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.
Water resources data for the 2005 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2 contains (1) discharge records for 89 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 13 partial-record stations, 23 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents for 12 lakes and reservoirs, and water-quality records for 12 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 33 gaging stations and 68 ungaged streamsites; (4) water-level records for 40 network observation wells; and (5) water-quality analyses at 35 special study ground-water wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.
This report presents selected basic data from a study of the ground-water resources of Cache Valley, Utah and Idaho. The study was made during 1967-69 by the u.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, and with the assistance of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Incorporated in this report are data collected by the Geological Survey and by other organizations since 1935. This report is intended to make the data conveniently available and to supplement an interpretive report which will be published separately.