Geology topics

Janice R. Ward

Publications and source records attributed to Janice R. Ward.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1981

Preimpoundment water quality in the Tioga River Basin, Pennsylvania and New York

The water quality in the Tioga River basin was studied from September 1973 to September 1978, prior to impoundment by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Results of the investigation will be used in the operation of three reservoirs that were in the final stages of construction in late 1979. Annual suspended-sediment yields for the basin averaged 575 tons per square mile. Mill Creek near Tioga and Cowanesque River upstream from Nelson were the smallest contributors. The suspended-sediment yields for some sites on the Tioga River and Crooked Creek were affected by reservoir construction. Acid-mine drainage in the headwaters of the Tioga River increased the levels of sulfate, trace elements, and specific conductance, and decreased alkalinity and pH. For most of the river's length, nutrient levels are generally low, but high enough to support biological activity. Tioga Lake will be acidic and probably stratify chemically and thermally. High concentrations of heavy metals will accumulate near the bottom of the lake where oxidation of these metals will produce dissolved oxygen levels significantly lower than those near the surface. Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes will be alkaline and thermally stratified. They will probably support a warm-water fishery. The addition of Hammond Lake water to the outflow from Tioga Lake will probably improve the water quality of the Tioga River below Tioga Dam. Releases from the multi-level withdrawal system will allow the water quality of the river to stabilize, and not be subject to the extreme low-flow conditions that have historically damaged aquatic life.

New York, Pennsylvania↗

USGS1979

Nonpoint-source discharges in Pequea Creek Basin, Pennsylvania, 1977

A study of Pequea Creek included measurement of streamflow and collection of water and bottom-material samples during selected base-flow and storm periods from February to December 1977. Samples were analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus species, suspended sediment, organic carbon, and pesticides. Daily mean constituent concentrations and discharges transported from the basin were computed for a gaging station near the mouth. Intermittent constituent mean concentrations and discharges were computed for storms at the six subbasin sites. The objective of this project was to assess the magnitudes and types of nonpoint discharges that affect the water quality of Pequea Creek. The project included the determination of (1) the total discharges of suspended sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus from the basin; (2) intermittent storm and base-flow discharges from six subbasin sites of varying size, geology, and land use; (3) the difference in magnitudes of the discharges during base-flow periods and storms; and (4) which variables most affect the transport of these constituents. The yields measured from the Pequea Creek basin for the period February to December 1977 were among the highest measured in the lower Susquehanna River basin. Some preliminary relations between constituents were examined using linear regression techniques on all of the data for each site. Direct runoff transported the majority of the suspended sediment, total phosphorus, and suspended organic carbon from the basin; the other constituents were transported mainly during base flow. (USGS).

Pennsylvania↗

USGS1976

Preliminary results of preimpoundment water-quality studies in the Tioga River Basin, Pennsylvania and New York

The Tioga River and its major tributaries were sampled monthly from September 1973 to May 1975. Water quality in the Tioga River is degraded by acid-mine drainage entering the stream near Blossburg from both strip- and deep-mined areas. The stream supports few species of aquatic life from Blossburg to its confluence with Crooked Creek. Alkaline water of tributaries Mill Creek, Crooked Creek, and the Cowanesque River counteract the acidity carried downstream from Blossburg, and the water quality of the Tioga River gradually improves, supporting a more diversified population of fish and aquatic life. All of the streams in the Tioga River basin carry nutrients sufficient for algae blooms. Dissolved solids range from very high to moderately high throughout the basin. The Tioga River has high concentrations of sulfate and heavy metals, particularly iron and manganese. Dissolved oxygen was usually above 80 percent saturation and never dropped below 7.0 milligrams per litre throughout the basin. Relationships between selected water-quality parameters have been developed for the sampling stations throughout the basin. Downstream trends were also examined. The relationships will be further refined and implemented in predictive water-quality models as more data are collected.

New York, Pennsylvania↗