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J. M. Knott

Publications and source records attributed to J. M. Knott.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Quality assurance plan for the collection and processing of sediment data by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division

The U.S. Geological Survey sediment data quality assurance plan identifies and explains required quality assurance and suggested quality control practices. The approach is to subdivide the process for obtaining sediment data into 3 parts: (1) field, (2) office, and (3) laboratory operations. The report also summarizes recommended goals for each subcategory. The quality assurance and quality control practices are described by stating the minimum acceptable activities that a district should conduct. For example, the plan describes field calibration of thermometers and standards used to calibrate a thermometer. The plan also proposes corrective actions if the quality control procedures identify a problem. The plan describes the formal reports prepared by a district that describe the completeness of sediment data and presents an evaluation of data obtained by the quality assurance program. Also described in the plan are the external (non-district) reviews that are needed to examine district sediment operations for conformity with district quality assurance plans and national quality assurance programs.

Open-File Report

Sediment transport characteristics of selected streams in the Susitna River Basin, Alaska; data for water year 1985 and trends in bedload discharge, 1981-85

The upper reaches of the Susitna River have been considered for development of a large power generation system for south-central Alaska. Sediment and hydraulic data obtained from October 1984 to September 1985 (water year 1985) at selected sites on the Susitna, Chulitna, Talkectna and Yentna Rivers are summarized. Sediment data include measurements of suspended sediment and bedload discharge, and analyses of particle size distribution of suspended sediment, bedload, and bed material; hydraulic data include measurements of channel width, average depth and velocity of water, and water surface slope. Relations between water and sediment discharge are developed for each site. Sediment loads for water year 1985 were estimated for the Yentna , Chulitna, and Talkectna Rivers and for three sites on the Susitna River. About 31 million tons of sediment were transported to the Susitna River at Susitna Station during the year. The Yentna and Chulitna Rivers contributed about 21 million tons of sediment to the Susitna River. (Author 's abstract)

Open-File Report

Sediment data for streams near Mount St. Helens, Washington; Volume 1, 1980 water year

This report presents fluvial sediment data collected primarily in response to the eruption of Mount St. Helens. To monitor the sediment transported by streams in the Mount St. Helens area and the particle-size distributions of the sediment, the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey initially established 18 fluvial sediment stations. In this report, concentrations and discharges of suspended sediment are given for 16 fluvial-sediment stations (5 are in the Toutle River basin) and for 11 miscellaneous sampling sites. Also included are particle-size distributions of suspended sediment and bed material, water discharge, and water temperature for many of the sediment samples. Daily sediment discharges for the period May 18 to September 30 were calculated for Toutle River at Highway 99 near Castle Rock and Cowlitz River at Castel Rock. Over 150 million tons of sediment are estimated to have passed the Toutle River at Highway 99 station on May 18-19, 1980. High concentrations of suspended sediment persisted at several stations throughout the spring and summer of 1980. (USGS)

Open-File Report

Floods of January and February 1980 in California

During January and February 1980, storms caused substantial rises in streamflow throughout much of California. In mid-January flooding occurred in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and in the central coast area. In late January and mid-February, high floodflows in streams in coastal southern California caused much damage and several deaths. The Tijuana River in northern Baja California (Mexico) and southern San Diego County flooded many square miles of lowlands as its flow during two separate flooding episodes exceeded all records. Most reservoirs in San Diego County spilled, several for the first time since their completion. Lake Elsinore, in eastern Riverside County, caused much damage to lakeside property as it filled to an elevation not reached since 1916. The February flooding in southern California was caused by a series of storms separated by short intervals. Some peaks of record were observed, and streamflow throughout the area remained high for a relatively long period. In many streams, the volumes of sustained flow for periods of 7 and 15 consecutive days were the greatest that have occurred during the period of record.

California

Reconnaissance assessment of erosion and sedimentation in the Canada de los Alamos Basin, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, California

An assessment of present erosion and sedimentation conditions in the Canada de Los Alamos basin, Calif., was made to aid in estimating the impact of off-road-vehicle use on the sediment yield of the basin. Evaluations were made by reconnaissance techniques and by comparing the study area with other off-road-vehicle sites in California. Major-storm sediment yields for the basin were estimated, using empirical equations developed for the Transverse Ranges and measurements of gully erosion in a representative off-road vehicle basin. Normal major-storm yields of 73,200 cubic yards would have to be increased to about 98,000 cubic yards to account for the existing level of accelerated erosion caused by off-road vehicles. Long-term sediment yield of the Canada de Los Alamos basin upstream from its confluence with Gorman Creek, under present conditions of off-road-vehicle use, is approximately 420 cubic yards per square mile per year--a rate that is considerably lower than a previous estimate of 1,270 cubic yards per square mile per year for the total catchment area above Pyramid Lake. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report

Interim report on streamflow, sediment discharge, and water quality in the Calabazas Creek Basin, Santa Clara County, California

Streamflow, sediment-discharge, and water-quality data are being collected in the Calabazas Creek basin, Santa Clara County, Calif., to determine annual water and sediment discharge at base-line conditions that are representative of a basin prior to urbanization. Results of the first 3 years of the study (1973-75) are given in this report. Climatic conditions during this period were representative of a very wet year (1973) and 2 years of above-average rainfall (1974 and 1975). Daily water and sediment discharge were monitored at three primary stations, and periodic measurements were made at five secondary stations during selected storms. Most of the total annual sediment discharge at each station was transported during a few days each year. Maximum daily sediment discharge in a given year ranged from 23 to 62 percent of the annual total. Daily water discharge at the gaging station Calabazas Creek at Rainbow Drive, near Cupertino, ranged from no flow to 3.31 cubic meters per second. Streamflow at this location was significantly augmented during low flow by diversion of water from the South Bay Aqueduct. Annual sediment discharge at Calabazas Creek at Rainbow Drive was 4,900 t in 1974 and 9,570 t in 1975. A large quantity of sediment was trapped in a debris basin at Comer Drive upstream from this station during both years. If this sediment had not been trapped, sediment discharge at the station would have been about 35 percent greater in 1974 and 30 percent greater in 1975. Most of the trapped sediment consists of sand and gravel that would probably have been deposited in the Calabazas Creek channel downstream from the station. (Woodard-USGS)

California

Sediment discharge in the Upper Arroyo Grande and Santa Rita Creek basins, San Luis Obispo County, California

Sediment data collected in the upper Arroyo Grande and Santa Rita Creek basins, San Luis Obispo County, California, during the 1968-73 water years were analyzed to determine total sediment discharge at four stations in the basins. Water discharge and total sediment discharge at these stations, representative of the 1943-72 period, were estimated from long-term flow data for nearby gaging stations and water-sediment discharge relations determined for the 1968-73 water years. Most of the total annual sediment discharge at each station occurs during a few days each year. The quantity of sediment transported in a single day often accounts for more than 40 percent of the total annual sediment discharge. Estimated sediment discharge for the upper Arroyo Grande and Santa Rita Creek basins during the 1943-72 water years averaged 53,000 tons and 23,000 tons per year. Long-term sediment deposition in Lopez Reservoir, which is in the southern part of the upper Arroyo Grande basin, was estimated to be 35 acre-feet per year. (Woodard-USGS)

California

Sedimentation in the Middle Fork Eel River Basin, California

The Middle Fork Eel River basin has a drainage area of 753 square miles and is in a mountainous area on the western flank of the coast ranges in northern California. Elevations in the basin range from about 860 feet above mean sea level at the confluence with the Eel River to more than 7,500 feet at several peaks along the eastern divide. The Middle Fork Eel River basin has a drainage area of 753 square miles and is in a mountainous area on the western flank of the coast ranges in northern California. Elevations in the basin range from about 860 feet above mean sea level at the confluence with the Eel River to more than 7,500 feet at several peaks along the eastern divide.

California