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Edward J. Pluhowski

Publications and source records attributed to Edward J. Pluhowski.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1975

Dynamics of turbidity plumes in Lake Ontario

Large-turbidity features along the 275-kilometre long south shore of Lake Ontario were analyzed using LANDSAT-1 images. The ESIAC system developed by the Stanford Research Institute, was used to obtain enlargements and false-color renditions of turbidity plumes. After projection on a video screen, individual turbidity features were analyzed, mapped, and photographed. The Niagara River plume, as much as 500 square kilometres in area, is by far, the largest turbidity feature in the lake. Based on image tonal comparisons, turbidity in the Welland Canal is usually higher than that in any other watercourse discharging into the lake throughout the shipping season. Somewhat less turbid water enters the lake from the Port Dalhousie diversion channel and the Genesee River. Relatively clear water resulting from the deposition of suspended matter in numerous upstream lakes is discharged by the Niagara and Oswego rivers. Plume analysis corroborates the presence of a prevailing eastward flowing longshore current along the entire south shore. This current is most persistent at the Oswego River outlet but is quite variable in the Rochester embayment, where rapid shifts in water movement were occasionally detected in LANDSAT images. The position of the spring thermal bar, a zone, of maximum density water corresponding to the 4°C isotherm, was approximately located in images obtained during April 1973. Although eastward moving currents were detected on the inshore side of the thermal bar, westward moving counter currents seem to be dominant along its offshore side. Plumes generated by beach erosion were readily detected in the images. Such areas are identified by light to very light, long, narrow plumes paralleling the coastline. Extensive areas of the south shore are subject to erosion, but the most severely affected beaches are situated between Fifty Mile Pt., Ontario and Thirty Mile Pt., N.Y., along the Rochester embayment, and between Sodus Bay and Nine Mile Pt. Color illustrations of figure accession numbers EDC-010077 to EDC-010106 are available for purchase from the EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57198.

Lake Ontario↗
USGS1972

Hydrologic interpretations based on infrared imagery of Long Island, New York

Six remote-sensing flights over Long Island's north and south shores were made during the period July 13, 1967, to February 25, 1970. Infrared imagery in the 8- to 14-micrometer range was obtained; results varied from poor to excellent in quality. The ability of the RS 7 and Reconofax IV imagers to discern thermal contrasts of as little .as 1 ? to 2?C (Celsius) permitted identification of areas of heavy ground-water discharge. These areas were concentrated primarily along the eroded headlands of the north shore and in the lower reaches of watercourses draining into Great South Bay. Only a few highly localized examples of direct ground-water discharge into the embankments ,along Long Island's south shore were detected in the imagery. Thermal loading emanating from a powerplant near Oceanside is shown to be quickly dissipated in Middle Bay. Specific examples show that infrared imagery may ,also be used to identify circulation patterns, ice cover, changes in stream-temperature regimen, and the location of sewer outfalls. Optimal time for the collection of infrared imagery for hydrologic studies on Long Island is in summer and in winter, when surface-water thermal differences are relatively large.

Water Supply Paper↗
USGS1970

Hydrology of the Upper Malad River basin, southeastern Idaho

The report area comprises 485 square miles in the Basin and Range physiographic province. It includes most of eastern' Oneida County and parts of Franklin, Bannock, and Power Counties of southeastern Idaho. Relief is about 5,000 feet; the floor of the Malad Valley is at an average altitude of about 4,400 feet. Agriculture is, by far, ,the principal economic .activity. In 1960 the population of the upper Malad River basin was about 3,600, of which about 60 percent resided in Malad City, the county seat of Oneida County. The climate is semiarid throughout the Malad Valley and its principal tributary valleys; ,above 6,500 feet the climate is subhumid. Annual precipitation ranges from about 13 inches in the lower Malad Valley to more than 30 inches on the highest peaks of the Bannock and Malad ranges. Owing to ,the normally clear atmospheric conditions, large daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations are common. Topography, distance from the Pacific Ocean, .and the general atmospheric circulation are the principal factors governing the climate of the Malad River basin. The westerlies transport moisture from the P.acific Ocean toward southeastern Idaho. The north-south tren4ing mountains flanking the basin are oriented orthogonally to the moisture flux so that they are very effective in removing precipitable water from the air. A minimum uplift of 6,000 feet is required to transport moisture from the Pacific source region; accordingly, most air masses are desiccated long before they reach the Malad basin. Heaviest precipitation is generally associated with steep pressure gradients in the midtroposphere that are so oriented as to cause a deep landward penetration of moisture from the Pacific Ocean. Annual water yields in the project area range from about 0.8 inch in the, lower Malad Valley to more than 19 inches on the high peaks north and east of Malad City. The mean annual water yield for the entire basin is 4 inches, or about 115,000 acre-feet. Evaporation is greatest in July when about 7 inches is lost from lakes, reservoirs, and waterlogged areas; losses from free-water surfaces may be as much .as 38 inches annually. An extensive ground-water reservoir consisting of sand and gravel interbedded with relatively impermeable beds of silt .and clay underlies much of the Malad Valley. Wells near the center of the valley exceeding 700 feet in depth do not reach bedrock. The Woodruff fault, which transects the constricted lower Malad Valley, is one of the main factors creating artesian conditions south of the latitude of Malad City. Recharge is obtained principally from mountain runoff which flows onto highly permeable alluvial fans surrounding the valley and from streams that flow across the valley floor. On the basis of a water balance analysis, under flow from the project area was estimated to be 28,000 acre-feet annually, surface-water outflow was 51,000 acre-feet, and transbasin imports were about 4,000 acre-feet. The principal tributaries of the Malad River are perennial along their upper and middle reaches and have well-sustained low flows. During the growing season, all surface water entering the Malad Valley is used for irrigation. Spine irrigation is practiced in the principal tributary valleys; however, a shortage of suitable reservoir sites has hampered surface-water development in these areas. The highly porous deposits underlying the Malad Valley tend to attenuate flood peaks. An unusual combination of meteorologic events early in 1962 effectively counteracted the high absorptive capacity of the valley and predisposed the basin to high flood risk. Subsequent rapid snowmelt combined with frozen ground produced the extraordinary flood of February 12, 1962. Calcium and bicarbonate commonly are the most abundant ions in the surface waters of the upper Malad River basin. In August 1967, the dissolved-solids content of streamflow ranged from 200 to 350 milligrams per liter in the middle and upper parts of the basin; however, much greater values were measured in the Malad River between Woddruff and Cherry Creek Lane. With the exception of that reach, the surface water of the project area is suitable for irrigating all but the most sensitive crops. The total water yield is not sufficient to meet all the water needs of the basin. A comprehensive water-management plan is required to ensure optimal use of the water resource.

Idaho↗
USGS1964

Hydrology of the Babylon-Islip area, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York

The report area comprises 270 square miles, and includes most of the Towns of Babylon and Islip, and parts of the Towns of Huntington, Smithtown, and Brookhaven, in southwestern Suffolk County, New York. Almost all the water used in the area is obtained from wells screened in permeable zones of the ground-water reservoir which consists of unconsolidated deposits of gravel, sand, silt, and clay as much as 1,800 feet thick. The ground-water reservoir contains three principal aquifers. From the surface down these are (a) surficial deposits of sand and gravel of Pleistocene age, (b) sands of the Magothy (?) Formation of Cretaceous age, and (c) the Lloyd Sand Member of the Raritan Formation of Cretaceous age. At present only the upper two aquifers are tapped by wells. Natural replenishment of the ground-water reservoir in the area takes place entirely by infiltration of precipitation and averages about 215 mgd (million gallons per day). Average ground-water runoff to streams above tidewater is 114 mgd, and it is estimated that an additional 54 mgd is discharged into tidal reaches of streams. Ground-water evapotranspiration is computed to be about 10 mgd and submarine outflow from the area is estimated to be 18 mgd. The average streamflow of the area above tidewater is 120 mgd. Because of the permeable soils and low relief, direct runoff is only about 5 percent of the average streamflow. Streams are perennial along their middle and lower reaches and exhibit well-sustained low flows. Flooding rarely occurs although continued urbanization may result in minor flooding problems as additional storm sewers are constructed. Water in most of the area is generally of good quality; however, it may be contaminated locally. Some streams and parts of the water-table aquifer contain low concentrations of synthetic detergents and other dissolved constituents from domestic and industrial wastes. Salty water occurs in parts of the water-table aquifer in the area under and bordering Great South Bay and under the barrier beaches. Present information, however, indicates that submarine outflow in the artesian aquifers is sufficient to maintain the fresh water-salt water interface some distance seaward of the barrier beaches. Ground-water withdrawals in 1960 averaged 39 mgd, most of which was returned to the ground through cesspools, leaching beds, and recharge wells; pumpage did not appreciably affect the natural water balance of the groundwater reservoir. If withdrawals continue to be artificially recharged, pumpage can be increased at least fivefold before consumptive losses materially reduce ground-water levels. However, if the area were completely sewered in the future, an adequate supply of ground water for a substantially increased population could not be obtained without (a) reducing the amount of ground water in storage in the reservoir or (b) recharging treated-sewage effluent.

New York↗