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At least 1,441 records · Page 80Linked to original sources
USGS1980

Digital model simulation of the hydrologic flow system, with emphasis on ground water in Spokane Valley, Washington and Idaho

A digital-computer model of the hydrologic flow system, with emphasis on ground water, was developed for Spokane Valley, Washington and Idaho. The current rate of ground-water pumping in Spokane Valley has little effect on water levels in the Spokane aquifer, although short-term water-level declines occur locally. The model was used to show the effects of increased ground-water pumpage on aquifer heads and streamflow. A simulated pumping rate twice that of actual 1977 pumping rates of 227 cubic feet per second lowered water levels in the Spokane aquifer less than 3 feet during a 1-year simulation period. This doubling of the ground water pumpage caused a decrease in discharge of the Spokane River, as measured at Spokane, of about 150 cubic feet per second during the summer months and about 50 cubic feet per second during the rest of the year. Leakage from the aquifer to the Little Spokane River was decreased by less than 10 cubic feet per second.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1980

Hydrology of Jumper Creek Canal basin, Sumter County, Florida

In 1960, floods caused extensive damage to agribusiness in Jumper Creek Canal basin. In 1962, a plan was developed for a proposed project to reduce the threat of floods. In 1976, a study of the hydrology of the basin was proposed to help evaluate this plan and to serve as a basis for its modification; the study was conducted from October 1976 through September 1977. Jumper Creek Canal drains a basin of 83 square miles in which the average yearly rainfall is about 53 inches. Average runoff from the upper 40 square miles of the basin is estimated to be about 30 cubic feet per second or 10 inches per year. Evapotranspiration is estimated to be about 37 inches per year. Variation in runoff from Jumper Creek Canal is much less than that from most other basins in west-central Florida because of large storage capacity in the basin both on the surface and in the ground. Limestone in Jumper Creek Canal basin is covered by a veneer of sand and clays which ranges in thickness from 0 to 10 feet. The study indicates that most of the base flow in the canal enters the canal east of the site of the proposed water-control structure number 5 and that the discharge in the canal at State Highway 475 has been about the same relative to rainfall in the basin since 1963 whether the base flow was derived entirely from natural inseepage or partly from mine pumpage. The study shows that implementation of the proposed project will result in (1) a decrease in surface outflow, (2) an increase in subsurface outflow, (3) a rise in the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer near the canal and (4) a tendency to increase evapotranspiration and the magnitude of floods in the basin.

Florida↗
USGS1980

Hydrologic monitoring program in Eldridge-Wilde and East Lake Road well-field areas, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, Florida, 1977 water year

The observation-well network in the vicinity of the two well fields is described in detail. Data obtained from the network from October 1976 through September 1977, as well as rainfall and pumpage records, are presented and discussed. Below-normal rainfall caused the water table and potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer in Eldridge-Wilde well field to recover 2 feet less in September 1977 than in the previous September. Water levels in East Lake Road will field were approximately the same in September of both years. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has established regulatory water-level and water-quality limits in several observation wells. Water levels did not drop below regulatory limits during the year. Water from two deep wells west of Eldridge-Wilde well field exceeded the regulatory limits for chloride concentrations. The position of the 250 milligram per liter chloride line is shown in cross section in the vicinity of Eldridge-Wilde well field in September 1977. Network modifications are proposed that would result in a more comprehensive knowledge of the hydrologic system.

Florida↗
USGS1980

Geologic and hydrologic data from a test-monitor well at Fernandina Beach, Florida

A 2,102-foot observation well was drilled at Fernandina Beach, Florida, to obtain geologic and hydrologic data. Drill cuttings, water samples, and water-level measurements were collected. Geologist's, driller's, and geophysical logs were completed. The well is constructed with 12-inch diameter casing to a depth of 515 feet and 6-inch diameter casing from 515 to 2,000 feet. The remainder is open hole. The uppermost 500 feet of material penetrated by the well consists of sand, clay, limestone, and dolomite. In the remainder of the hole, the material consists of fragmental and granular limestone and massive to finely crystalline dolomite, which comprise the Floridan aquifer in the area. After the well was completed, water levels in the monitored zone, 2,000 to 2,102 feet, were above land surface. During July and August 1979, water levels ranged from about 8 to 13 feet above land surface. Chloride concentrations of water sampled through the drill stem from a depth of 632 to 2,039 feet ranged from 25 to 710 milligrams per liter. Chloride increased markedly below 2,039 feet to a maximum of 7,800 milligrams per liter at 2,094 feet. After completion of the well, chloride was 8,100 milligrams per liter.

Florida↗
USGS1980

Hydrologic setting of Williams Lake, Hubbard County, Minnesota

The hydrology and geology of Williams Lake watershed was studied to evaluate the accuracy of various methods used to determine precipitation and evaporation in lake water-balance studies and to define a lake and ground-water system according to approaches suggested by theoretical modeling studies. Regression analysis between estimated and measured precipitation at the lake showed that the accuracy of regionalization techniques is dependent on the closeness of the data network to the lake. For individual storms, the average-value method was found to be better than either the weighted average or isohyetal methods of determining precipitation, but it was least accurate in estimating 14-day average precipitation. The amount of evaporation calculated by the mass-transfer method ranged from 2 to 7 inches per month from July to October 1978, depending on the method used to determine the mass-transfer coefficient. Test drilling indicated that 30 to 150 feet of sand and gravel overlies till in the Williams Lake watershed. A sand lens about 50 feet thick occurs within the till. The configuration of the water table and vertical-head gradients measured from July to December 1978 indicate that ground water moves into the lake from the south and east and moves from the lake into the ground-water reservoir to the west. Preliminary numerical models indicate that the sand lens within the till is effectively isolated from the flow system interacting with the lake and that both inseepage and outseepage were about 1.4 inches from mid-July to mid-October 1978. When estimated as a residual in a water balance, ground water showed a net outseepage only of 1.47 inches.

Minnesota↗
USGS1980

Summary of hydrologic testing in Tertiary limestone aquifer, Tenneco offshore exploratory well-Atlantic OCS, lease block 427 (Jacksonville NH-17-5)

A summary of hydrologic testing in an offshore oil-test well drilled for Tenneco, Inc. 55 miles east of Fernandina Beach, Florida, is presented. The interval tested (1,050 to 1,070 feet below sea level) is in a calcarenite that is equivalent to the Ocala Limestone (late Eocene) of onshore Florida and South Georgia. At this site the Ocala forms the highly productive Tertiary limestone aquifer system of the southeastern United States. Pressure-head measurements indicate an equivalent freshwater head of 24 to 29 feet above sea level. These pressure-head measurements and an earlier one made in the nearby JOIDES J-1 hole are the only hydraulic head determinations to date in the offshore extensions of any of the aquifers underlying the Atlantic coastal plain. A drill-stem test recovered water samples containing about 7,000 milligrams per liter chloride. However, seawater used in the drilling process apparently contaminated the samples and the formation water is considered slightly fresher. The head and salinity data from the Tenneco well suggest that the sampled interval lies in the transition zone between fresh and seawater in the limestone aquifer. These data, when viewed with similar data from JOIDES J-1, show the transition zone to slope very slightly landward. Heads at both wells are compatible with the onshore flow system as it existed prior to development.

Florida↗
USGS1980

Hydrologic data from upper Grange Hall Creek basin, Northglenn, Adams County, Colorado

Hydrologic data collected during 1977-79 as part of a water-resources investigation of storm runoff in Upper Grange Hall Creek basin, Adams County, Colo., are presented in this report. Data presented in tabular form consist of: (1) Estimated daily precipitation at one site (April through October, 1978 and 1979); (2) mean daily streamflow at two sites (December 1977 through September 1979); (3) instantaneous streamflow at two sites along Grange Hall Creek and corresponding cumulative rainfall at one to three sites for 17 storms (April 1, 1978, to August 26, 1979); (4) concentrations of selected major ions, fecal-coliform bacteria, suspended sediment, nutrients, and trace elements at five sites during dry-weather flow, at three sites during rainfall runoff, and at five sites during snowmelt runoff; and (5) concentrations of pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls at two sites during dry-weather flow and rainfall runoff. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1980

Hydrology of the Chicod Creek basin, North Carolina, prior to channel improvements

Extensive modification and excavation of stream channels in the 6-square mile Chicod Creek basin began in mid-1979 to reduce flooding and improve stream runoff conditions. The effects of channel improvements on this Coastal Pain basin 's hydrology will be determined from data collected prior to, during, and for several years following channel alternations. This report summarizes the findings of data collected prior to these improvements. During the 3-year study period, flow data collected from four stream gaging stations in the basin show that streams are dry approximately 10 percent of the time. Chemical analyses of water samples from the streams and from eight shallow groundwater observation wells indicate that water discharge from the surficial aquifer is the primary source of streamflow during rainless periods. Concentrations of Kjeldahl nitrogen, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus were often 5 to 10 times greater at Chicod Creek sites than those at nearby baseline sites. It is probable that runoff from farming and livestock operations contributes significantly to these elevated concentrations in Chicod Creek. The only pesticides detected in stream water were low levels of DDT and dieldrin, which occurred during storm runoff. A much wider range of pesticides, however, are found associated with streambed materials. The ratio of fecal coliform counts to those of fecal streptococcus indicate that the streams receive fecal wastes from livestock and poultry operations.

North Carolina↗
USGS1980

Hydrologic data for Okaloosa, Walton, and southeastern Santa Rosa counties, Florida

This report presents hydrologic and water-quality data collected within Okaloosa, Walton, and southeastern Santa Rosa Counties in northwest Florida. The data are presented in graphs and tables. Groundwater data include descriptions of wells and test holes, analyses of water quality, water level measurements, hydrographs of water levels and chloride concentrations in wells open to the upper part of the Floridan aquifer, and municipal and federal facilities pumpage. Surface-water data include streamflow measurements, streamflow hydrographs and analyses of water quality at selected stations. Maps of the area show locations of wells and surface-water stations. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Potential hydrologic effects of developing coal and other geo-energy resources of Oregon; a review

Southwestern Oregon has several hundred million tons of good-quality minable coal. Because of the dip of the coal beds, the only economical method of mining would be by underground methods. In addition, minor occurrences of low-quality coal have been noted at more than 20 sites in both western and northeastern Oregon. About 2 million acres are now under lease for petroleum and gas exploration across the State. Natural gas was discovered in northwestern Oregon in 1979, and current production is about 17 million cubic feet per day from five wells. Thirteen Known Geothermal Resource Areas in several parts of the State cover 432,000 acres, and more than 420,000 acres are under lease for geothermal exploration. No hydrologic impacts have been noted from exploration and production of coal or other geoenergy resources in Oregon. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Ground-water hydrology of the Mormon Island Crane Meadows wildlife area near Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska

The Platte River in south-central Nebraska flows generally eastward in a broad, flat valley. The river banks and many areas adjacent to the river support thick stands of cottonwood and willow trees. Brush, grass, pasture land, and cultivated fields occupy most of the remaining area. This is the habitat for many types of wildlife that live in the area or stop over in the area during annual migrations. Both sandhill cranes and whooping cranes are part of the annual migration. There is concern that water-management changes, such as surface-water diversions or ground-water withdrawals for irrigation, may alter the hydrologic environment of the wetland areas and be harmful to the wildlife habitat. In order to determine what affect changes in water management might have on ground-water levels in the wetland areas, detailed data were collected from Crane Meadows Wildlife Area, which is on an island in the Platte River near Grand Island, Nebr. Ground-water levels beneath the island respond to changes in river stage, to recharge from snowmelt and precipitation, and to evapotranspiration by riparian vegetation and from areas where the water table is close to the land surface. The data show that ground-water levels respond rapidly to changes in river stage-usually within 24 hours for distances up to 2,500 feet from the edge of the river. Thus changes in river stage due to changes in surface-water diversions will not have a long-term effect on ground-water levels. Changes in ground-water withdrawals will have the double effect of changing ground-water levels due to changes in drawdown and due to changes in river stage caused by the effects of pumping on river flow. These effects will develop slowly and be long lasting.

Nebraska↗
USGS1981

Simulated hydrologic effects of possible ground-water and surface-water management alternatives in and near the Platte River, south-central Nebraska

Digital computer models were developed and used to simulate the hydrologic effects of hypothetical water-management alternatives on the wetland habitat area near Grand Island, Nebr. Areally distributed recharge to and discharge from the aquifer system adjacent to the Platte River between Overton and Grand Island were computed for four hypothetical water-management alternatives. Using stream-aquifer response functions, the stream depletions resulting from the different alternatives ranged from 53,000 acre-feet per year for increased surface-water irrigation to 177,000 acre-feet per year for increased ground-water pumpage. Current conditions would result in stream depletions of 125,000 acre-feet per year. Using the relationship between discharge and river stage, frequency curves of the stage in the river near the wildlife habitat area were computed using a 50-year sequence of historical streamflow at Overton, minus the stream depletions resulting from various management practices. For the management alternatives previously discussed, differences in the stage-frequency curves were minimal. For comparative purposes, three additional water-management alternatives whose application would change the incoming streamflow at Overton were simulated. Although in these alternatives the amounts of water that were diverted or imported were similar to the amounts in the previous alternatives, their effects on the stage-frequency curves were much more dramatic. (USGS)

Nebraska↗
USGS1982

Comparison of automated satellite systems with conventional systems for hydrologic data collection in west-central Florida

This report provides results of reliability and cost-effective studies of the goes satellite data-collection system used to operate a small hydrologic data network in west-central Florida. The GOES system, in its present state of development, was found to be about as reliable as conventional methods of data collection. Benefits of using the GOES system include some cost and manpower reduction, improved data accuracy, near real-time data availability, and direct computer storage and analysis of data. The GOES system could allow annual manpower reductions of 19 to 23 percent with reduction in cost for some and increase in cost for other single-parameter sites, such as streamflow, rainfall, and ground-water monitoring stations. Manpower reductions of 46 percent or more appear possible for multiple-parameter sites. Implementation of expected improvements in instrumentation and data handling procedures should further reduce costs. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Hydrologic description of Lake Hancock, Polk County, Florida

Available data were evaluated to document hydrologic conditions in the Lake Hancock basin. Bathymetric data indicate that Lake Hancock is very shallow, having a maximum depth of about 3 feet. The lake bottom is covered by a layer of organic material that may be more than 5 feet thick near the center of the lake. Lake Hancock 's stage fluctuates within 0.5 foot of average stage about 40 percent of the time. Lake outflow is through an operable control. There are many days with no outflow in some years. A water-budget analysis of the lake indicates that substantial lake stage declines in 1968 and 1975 followed successive years of deficient precipitation and were primarily the result of a net loss of water from the lake to the ground-water system. During a period in 1971-72 when lake stage remained relatively stable, the ground-water system contributed a significant volume of water to the lake. Water-quality data indicate that Lake Hancock is in a eutrophic state. The eutrophication process appears to have been accelerated through the addition of nutrients from inflow of wastewater effluent from secondary treatment plants.

Florida↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of area 14, Eastern Coal Province, Kentucky

The general hydrology of Area 14, Eastern Coal Province, in Kentucky, is described. The area includes 4,423 square miles in the Kentucky, Licking, and Red River basins. Coal-bearing rocks of Pennsylvanian age underlie most of the area. Coal production in 1978 was about 38 million tons, 65% of which was from surface mining. The drainage from the mined areas contains large amounts of dissolved solids. Sulfate, manganese, and iron concentrations in most of the area streams exceed background levels, with the higher concentrations in streams draining the headwaters of the North and Middle Forks of the Kentucky River. The pH of most of the streams is near neutral acid-mine drainage being partially neutralized close to its source. Ground waters in the upper 300 feet of the aquifers are generally suitable for most purposes, although dissolved iron is generally high. Below 300 feet, the water is saline. Yields to wells range from 1 to 325 gallons per minute. A network of 66 surface quantity and quality of water stations was implemented in 1979 in response to the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977. An intensive study of the ground water resources of the area is also in progress. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Polk County, Florida

Fourteen interconnected lakes in and around the city of Winter Haven, Polk County, Fla., form the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. Levels of the lakes during the spring of 1976 were at a record low stage for the 31 years of record. During 1960-76, rainfall had been below average for all but 2 years, and departure from average rainfall totaled 72.34 inches. Fluctuations in stage of Lake Howard, representative of the chain, and of Lake Otis, the nearest isolated lake that has a reasonably long record of stage , were compared with other hydrologic variables. Analyses of lake stage and rainfall records indicate that deficient rainfall has been the key factor in the decline of lake levels in the area. Manipulation of lake levels, pumpage from the lakes and underlying aquifer, and urbanization of the watershed probably have affected the lakes as well, but records are not available to determine the significance of their effects. The surficial aquifer drains to the lakes. Water level in the underlying Floridan aquifer is everywhere lower than in any of the lakes, thus water moves from the lakes and surficial aquifer through the confining clay layer to the Floridan aquifer.

Florida↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of area 32, Eastern Region, Interior Coal Province, Indiana

Hydrologic and water-quality information from the coal region in parts of 11 counties in southwestern Indiana are summarized. Pennsylvanian and Mississippian bedrock are overlain by drift and till from the Kansan, Illinoian, and Wisconsinan glaciers that covered two-thirds of the area. Most of the coal is mined from Pennsylvanian coal units. As of 1978, more than 1-billion short tons of coal had been mined from the 11 counties. More than 12-billion short tons remained in reserve. During 1978, 17.8-million short tons were mined. Coal mining disturbs less than 1% of the land in the study area. Sixty-two percent of the land use is agricultural, and 29% is forested. More coal is mined in the southern and western parts of the study area than elsewhere. Surface water in these parts had lower pH and alkalinity than water in the north and east parts. Specific conductance and concentrations of sulfate, iron, and manganese in surface water were higher in the south and west than elsewhere. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of area 3, Eastern Coal Province, Pennsylvania

Hydrologic data are presented for area 3 of the Eastern Coal Province, 4,077 square miles of the lower Allegheny River basin in western Pennsylvania. Seventy-three streams were sampled three times during the 1979 and 1980 water years for specific conductance, pH, acidity, alkalinity, dissolved and total iron, dissolved and total manganese, dissolved sulfate, and dissolved solids. Benthic invertebrate populations were determined and botom material samples were analyzed for metals. Sixteen streams had pH, acidity, alkalinity, total iron, total manganese, and dissolved sulfate indicative of acid-mine drainage. These streams were most common in the Redbank and Blacklick Creek basins and in the Conemaugh and lower Kiskiminetas River basins. Benthic invertebrates were not found in 11 of 64 streams sampled. An additional 13 streams had low benthic invertebrate diversity indices. Low diversity indices were most common in the southern part of area 3. Low flow, mean flow, peak flow, and flow duration data are presented for gaging stations in area 3. Techniques for estimating these data for ungaged sites are presented and referenced. The functions of, and access to, the National Water Data Exchange, National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System, and Office of Water Data Coordination are explained. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗