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At least 1,621 records · Page 90Linked to original sources
USGS1987

NONHOMOGENEOUS TERMS IN THE UNSTEADY FLOW EQUATIONS: MODELING ASPECTS.

A study is in progress to identify the relative significance, effects, and benefits attributable to the use of one-dimensional, unsteady, open-channel, flow-simulation models employing a variety of nonhomogeneous terms in their equation formulations. Nonhomogeneous terms being analyzed include those representing bed slope, frictional resistance, nonprismatic channel geometry, lateral flow, and (surface) wind stress. After an initial theoretical discussion, the results of a set of numerical experiments are presented that demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships and intercomparisons achieved by neglect or improper treatment of important nonhomogeneous terms. Preliminary results of this study are discussed and presented in this paper, both in the form of qualitative considerations and quantitative tabular findings. These results are expected to yield a definitive set of guidelines and suggestions useful to model engineers.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Simulated water-quality changes in detention basins

A study has begun to simulate movement of stormflow through detention basins at four locations in the Irondequoit Creek watershed and determine the effect on peak flow and water quality. Two types of basins were simulated for each site - a temporary-storage basin, which impounds water during high flows, and a maximum-storage basin, which maintains a permanent pool of water. This paper describes the simulated stormflow attenuation and suspended-sediment removal by both types of basins at the four sites. It also examines the effect of particle-size distribution on sediment removal in both types of basins; the relation of suspended-sediment loads to adsorbed phosphorus, lead, and zinc loads; and the effect that these basins could have on the transport of suspended constituents to Irondequoit Bay, to which Irondequoit Creek is the only large tributary.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Structural marsh management research priorities

The paper presents a prioritized list of research issues related to structural marsh management developed by a multidisciplinary panel of regulatory agency representatives, landowners, and scientists. More than 75 issues were identified concerning landscape changes, influence on ecological processes (i.e., hydrologic, biologic, and edaphic factors), habitat quality, cumulative impacts, and management approach. These issues were prioritized and organized around six basic questions regulatory personnel must try to answer for each marsh management plan application. The six questions deal with the influence of marsh management on, in order of most immediate need, marsh loss and health, fisheries, wildlife, habitat change, water quality, and cumulative effects.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Some significant records from instrumented structures in California - USGS program

The main objective in seismic instrumentation of structures is to facilitate response studies that lead to improved understanding of the dynamic behavior and the potential for damage to structures under seismic loading. The purpose of this paper is: (1) to review the status of the programs for strong-motion instrumentation of structures in the United States and discuss various procedures and instrumentation schemes designed to best acquire response data from buildings and (2) to discuss preliminary results derived from recorded response data obtained from a well-instrumented structure during the recent Whittier Narrows earthquake of October 1, 1987 (M3 = 5.6).

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Statistical frequency analysis of flood records

The U.S. Geological Survey, like other Federal agencies, uses Hydrology Subcommittee Bulletin 17 for guidance in statistical frequency analysis of flood records. This paper describes the formal statistical and computational aspects of the Bulletin 17 methodology. The methodology includes provisions for dealing with high and low out-liers, historic peaks, and other anomalous flood data. If these options are inadequate, alternative procedures may be used if properly documented.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1986

Recent developments in the U. S. Geological Survey's Landsat image mapping program

At the 1984 ASPRS-ACSM Convention in Washington, D. C. a paper on 'The Emerging U. S. Geological Survey Image Mapping Program' was presented that discussed recent satellite image mapping advancements and published products. Since then Landsat image mapping has become an integral part of the National Mapping Program. The Survey currently produces about 20 Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) image map products annually at 1:250,000 and 1:100,000 scales, respectively. These Landsat image maps provide users with a regional or synoptic view of an area. The resultant geographical presentation of the terrain and cultural features will help planners and managers make better decisions regarding the use of our national resources.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1986

Repetitive digital NOAA-AVHRR data for Alaskan engineering and scientific applications

Selected digitally enhanced NOAA - Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) images taken by the NOAA 6, 7, 8 and 9 Polar Orbiting Satellites demonstrate the capability and application of repetitive low-resolution satellite data to Alaska's engineering and science community. Selected cloud-free visible and thermal infrared images are enhanced to depict distinct oceanographic and geologic processes along Alaska's west coast and adjacent seas. Included are the advance of the Bering Sea ice field, transport of Yukon River sediment into Norton Sound, and monitoring of plume trajectories from the Mount Augustine volcanic eruptions. Presented illustrations are representative of the 94 scenes in a cooperative USGS EROS/NOAA Alaskan AVHRR Digital Archive. This paper will discuss the cooperative efforts in establishing the first year data set and identifying Alaskan applications.

Alaska↗
USGS1990

Urban hydrology in the desert, Antelope Valley, California

A study of urban hydrology in Antelope Valley includes data collection, analysis of rainfall and runoff frequencies, and comparison of results from various rainfall-runoff models. This paper discusses only parts of the project that include data collection and frequency analyses.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1990

Computational open-channel hydraulics for movable-bed problems

As a major branch of computational hydraulics, notable advances have been made in numerical modeling of unsteady open-channel flow since the beginning of the computer age. According to the broader definition and scope of 'computational hydraulics,' the basic concepts and technology of modeling unsteady open-channel flow have been systematically studied previously. As a natural extension, computational open-channel hydraulics for movable-bed problems are addressed in this paper. The introduction of the multimode method of characteristics (MMOC) has made the modeling of this class of unsteady flows both practical and effective. New modeling techniques are developed, thereby shedding light on several aspects of computational hydraulics. Some special features of movable-bed channel-flow simulation are discussed here in the same order as given by the author in the fixed-bed case.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1990

Relative efficiency of four parameter-estimation methods in steady-state and transient ground-water flow models

Parameters in numerical ground-water flow models have been successfully estimated using nonlinear-optimization methods such as the modified Gauss-Newton (GN) method and conjugate-direction methods. This paper investigates the relative efficiency of GN and three conjugate-direction parameter-estimation methods on two-dimensional, steady-state and transient ground-water flow test cases. The steady-state test cases are included to compare the performance of the algorithm with published examples. The three conjugate-direction methods are the Fletcher-Reeves (FR) and quasi-Newton (QN) regression methods, and combination Fletcher-Reeves quasi-Newton (FR-QN). All three are combined with Newton's method of calculating step size. The numerical ground-water flow model is described by McDonald and Harbaugh.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Criteria for a sediment data set

The transport of sediment through a hydrologic system or basin is an extremely complex phenomenon. Many factors affect this movement. Criteria are established for an 'ultimate' or complete sediment data set, and guidelines are given for the collection of alluvial data. The paper describes what parameters need to be measured and stored to obtain a complete sediment and hydraulic data set that could be used to compute sediment transport using any prominently known sediment-transport equation. The criteria address only the collection of data for noncohesive sediment.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Changes along a seawall and natural beaches: Fourchon, LA

This paper compares shoreline and beach morphology changes and responses to storms from 1985 to 1988 along sections of a rapidly eroding coast at the Bayou Lafourche headland, Louisiana. A beach consisting of a cement-filled bag seawall and nourishment was compared with natural beaches to the west and east of the project. Local patterns of beach response could be attributed to several recent processes and historical conditions. Hurricane Gilbert, which made landfall in Mexico, caused about 70% of the sediment loss on both the artificially-stablized and the natural shorelines over this three-year period.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1989

Survey of three-dimensional numerical estuarine models

This paper surveys the existing 3-D estuarine hydrodynamic and solute transport models by a review of the commonly used assumptions and approximations, and by an examination of the methods of solution. The model formulations, methods of solution, and known applications are surveyed and summarized in tables. In conclusion, the authors present their modeling philosophy and suggest future research needs.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1991

Data standardization. The key to effective management

Effective management of the nation's water resources is dependent upon accurate and consistent hydrologic information. Before the emergence of environmental concerns in the 1960's, most hydrologic information was collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and other Federal agencies that used fairly consistent methods and equipment. In the past quarter century, however, increased environmental awareness has resulted in an expansion of hydrologic data collection not only by Federal agencies, but also by state and municipal governments, university investigators, and private consulting firms. The acceptance and use of standard methods of collecting and processing hydrologic data would contribute to cost savings and to greater credibility of flow information vital to responsible assessment and management of the nation's water resources. This paper traces the evolution of the requirements and uses of open-channel flow information in the U.S., and the sequence of efforts to standardize the methods used to obtain this information in the future. The variable nature of naturally flowing rivers results in continually changing hydraulic properties of their channels. Those persons responsible for measurement of water flowing in open channels (streamflow) must use a large amount of judgement in the selection of appropriate equipment and technique to obtain accurate flow information. Standardization of the methods used in the measurement of streamflow is essential to assure consistency of data, but must also allow considerable latitude for individual judgement to meet constantly changing field conditions.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1992

Computer simulation of dry layered granular flow down an incline composed of grains

Experiments show that gravity-driven dry granular flows are essentially layered for smooth spheres. This paper describes layer-to-layer interaction in the flow. Assuming two-dimensional flow and neglecting the interaction of grains within the same layer, one may idealize the problem as an elastic sphere under external forces moving down an incline within a layer of identical spheres placed equally apart. The moving sphere is thus subjected to the total gravitational force which includes the weight of a specified number of layers of spheres above it and its own weight. With such a mechanical approach, estimates can be made for the magnitudes of collisional and non-collisional stresses.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1991

Is April to July runoff really decreasing in the Western United States?

Global warming has been the topic of a great deal of heated discussion and debate in recent years, both in the lay press and in scientific journals. The debate is about whether we are beginning to detect signs of a buildup of greenhouse gases on a global scale. A major part of the debate concerns the possible effects on climate and on the future availability of water resources. The ongoing drought in California has added impetus to the debate, serving notice of the serious consequences of any prolonged decrease in the availability of adequate water supplies. This paper has three primary objectives: (1) To evaluate the ramifications of using fractional runoff rather than total runoff to define trends in runoff; (2) to analyze additional streamflow data for the presence and extent of trends in annual and seasonal runoff volume for the conterminous Western United States; and (3) to examine the influence of the current California drought on indicators of trend.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1991

Assessing the effects of microbial metabolism and metabolities on reservoir pore structure

The effect of microbial treatment on pore structure of sandstone and carbonatereservoirs was determined. Understanding how different bacterial strains and their metabolic bioproducts affect reservoir pore structure will permit the prudent application of microorganisms for enhanced oil recovery. The microbial strains tested included Clostridium acetobutylicum, a polymer-producing Bacillus strain, and an unidentified halophilic anaerobe that mainly produced acids and gases. Electrical conductivity, absolute permeability, porosity and centrifuge capillary pressure were used to examine rock pore structures. Modifications of the pore structure observed in the laboratory cores included pore enlargement due to acid dissolution of carbonates and poare throat reduction due to biomass plugging. This paper shows that careful selection of microbes based on proper understanding of the reservoir petrophysical characteristics is necessary for applications of microbially enhanced oil recovery. These methods and results can be useful to field operators and laboratory researchers involved in design and screening of reservoirs for MEOR. The methods are also applicable in evaluation of formation damage caused by drilling, injection or completion fluids or stimulation caused by acids.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1991

Use of electronic microprocessor-based instrumentation by the U.S. geological survey for hydrologic data collection

The U.S. Geological Survey is acquiring a new generation of field computers and communications software to support hydrologic data-collection at field locations. The new computer hardware and software mark the beginning of the Survey's transition from the use of electromechanical devices and paper tapes to electronic microprocessor-based instrumentation. Software is being developed for these microprocessors to facilitate the collection, conversion, and entry of data into the Survey's National Water Information System. The new automated data-collection process features several microprocessor-controlled sensors connected to a serial digital multidrop line operated by an electronic data recorder. Data are acquired from the sensors in response to instructions programmed into the data recorder by the user through small portable lap-top or hand-held computers. The portable computers, called personal field computers, also are used to extract data from the electronic recorders for transport by courier to the office computers. The Survey's alternative to manual or courier retrieval is the use of microprocessor-based remote telemetry stations. Plans have been developed to enhance the Survey's use of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite telemetry by replacing the present network of direct-readout ground stations with less expensive units. Plans also provide for computer software that will support other forms of telemetry such as telephone or land-based radio.

Conference Paper↗