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John K. Lovelace

Publications and source records attributed to John K. Lovelace.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS2009

Methods for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Aquaculture in the United States, 2005

Aquaculture water use is associated with raising organisms that live in water - such as finfish and shellfish - for food, restoration, conservation, or sport. Aquaculture production occurs under controlled feeding, sanitation, and harvesting procedures primarily in ponds, flow-through raceways, and, to a lesser extent, cages, net pens, and tanks. Aquaculture ponds, raceways, and tanks usually require the withdrawal or diversion of water from a ground or surface source. Most water withdrawn or diverted for aquaculture production is used to maintain pond levels and/or water quality. Water typically is added for maintenance of levels, oxygenation, temperature control, and flushing of wastes. This report documents methods used to estimate withdrawals of fresh ground water and surface water for aqua-culture in 2005 for each county and county-equivalent in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands by using aquaculture statistics and estimated water-use coefficients and water-replacement rates. County-level data for commercial and noncommercial operations compiled for the 2005 Census of Aquaculture were obtained from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Withdrawals of water used at commercial and noncommercial operations for aquaculture ponds, raceways, tanks, egg incubators, and pens and cages for alligators were estimated and totaled by ground-water or surface-water source for each county and county equivalent. Use of the methods described in this report, when measured or reported data are unavailable, could result in more consistent water-withdrawal estimates for aquaculture that can be used by water managers and planners to determine water needs and trends across the United States. The results of this study were distributed to U.S. Geological Survey water-use personnel in each State during 2007. Water-use personnel are required to submit estimated withdrawals for all categories of use in their State to the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Use Information Program for inclusion in a national report describing water use in the United States during 2005. Water-use personnel had the option of submitting the estimates determined by using the methods described in this report, a modified version of these estimates, their own set of estimates, or reported data for the aquaculture category. Estimated withdrawals resulting from the method described in this report are not presented herein to avoid potential inconsistencies with estimated withdrawals for aquaculture that will be presented in the national report, as different methods used by water-use personnel may result in different withdrawal estimates. Estimated withdrawals also are not presented to avoid potential disclosure of confidential information for individual aquaculture operations.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2009

Methods for Estimating Water Withdrawals for Mining in the United States, 2005

The mining water-use category includes groundwater and surface water that is withdrawn and used for nonfuels and fuels mining. Nonfuels mining includes the extraction of ores, stone, sand, and gravel. Fuels mining includes the extraction of coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Water is used for mineral extraction, quarrying, milling, and other operations directly associated with mining activities. For petroleum and natural gas extraction, water often is injected for secondary oil or gas recovery. Estimates of water withdrawals for mining are needed for water planning and management. This report documents methods used to estimate withdrawals of fresh and saline groundwater and surface water for mining during 2005 for each county and county equivalent in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Fresh and saline groundwater and surface-water withdrawals during 2005 for nonfuels- and coal-mining operations in each county or county equivalent in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were estimated. Fresh and saline groundwater withdrawals for oil and gas operations in counties of six states also were estimated. Water withdrawals for nonfuels and coal mining were estimated by using mine-production data and water-use coefficients. Production data for nonfuels mining included the mine location and weight (in metric tons) of crude ore, rock, or mineral produced at each mine in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands during 2004. Production data for coal mining included the weight, in metric tons, of coal produced in each county or county equivalent during 2004. Water-use coefficients for mined commodities were compiled from various sources including published reports and written communications from U.S. Geological Survey National Water-use Information Program (NWUIP) personnel in several states. Water withdrawals for oil and gas extraction were estimated for six States including California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming, by using data from State agencies that regulate oil and gas extraction. Total water withdrawals for mining in a county were estimated by summing estimated water withdrawals for nonfuels mining, coal mining, and oil and gas extraction. The results of this study were distributed to NWUIP personnel in each State during 2007. NWUIP personnel were required to submit estimated withdrawals for numerous categories of use in their States to a national compilation team for inclusion in a national report describing water use in the United States during 2005. NWUIP personnel had the option of submitting the estimates determined by using the methods described in this report, a modified version of these estimates, or their own set of estimates or reported data. Estimated withdrawals resulting from the methods described in this report may not be included in the national report; therefore the estimates are not presented herein in order to avoid potential inconsistencies with the national report. Water-use coefficients for specific minerals also are not presented to avoid potential disclosure of confidential production data provided by mining operations to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2007

Effects of Hurricane Katrina’s storm surge on the quality of shallow aquifers near the northern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain, southeastern Louisiana

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sampled 13 wells on the northern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain to determine the effect of Hurricane Katrina-induced storm surge water on the shallow groundwater resources. Surge water entering damaged wells did not contaminate the entire aquifer; however, contamination did occur locally at well sites. Because the storm surge from Katrina lasted only a few hours, surge water entering the aquifer will probably have only a short-term effect.

Louisiana↗
USGS2007

Characterization of flood sediments from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and potential implications for human health and the environment

The flooding in the greater New Orleans, La., area that resulted from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August and September 2005 left behind accumulations of sediments up to many centimeters thick on streets, lawns, parking lots, and other flat surfaces (fig. 1). During the flood dewatering and subsequent cleanup, there were concerns that these sediments might contain pathogens and chemical contaminants that would pose a health risk to emergency responders, cleanup workers, and local residents who came into contact with the wet sediments or inhaled dusts generated from dried sediments. In response to these concerns, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists and colleagues characterized the potential environmental and health hazards of hurricane flood sediments from the greater New Orleans and Slidell, La., area.

Louisiana↗
USGS2007

Chloride Concentrations in Ground Water in East and West Baton Rouge Parishes, Louisiana, 2004-05

Increasing chloride concentrations are a threat to fresh ground-water sources in East Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge Parishes, Louisiana. Large withdrawals at Baton Rouge have lowered water levels and altered flow patterns in most of the 10 aquifers that underlie the area. Prior to development, freshwater flowed southward to the Baton Rouge fault, an east-west trending growth fault that extends through Baton Rouge and across southeastern Louisiana. Aquifers south of the fault generally contain saltwater. Ground-water withdrawals north of the fault have created gradients favorable for the movement of saltwater from south of the fault into freshwater areas north of the fault. Water samples were collected from 152 wells during 2004-05 to document chloride concentrations in aquifers underlying East and West Baton Rouge Parishes. The background concentration for chloride in fresh ground water in the Baton Rouge area north of the Baton Rouge fault is generally less than 10 milligrams per liter. Chloride concentrations exceeded 10 milligrams per liter in one or more samples from wells north of the fault screened in the '600-foot', '1,000-foot', '1,200-foot', '1,500-foot', '1,700-foot', '2,000-foot', '2,400-foot', and '2,800-foot' sands. Comparison of the 2004-05 data with historical data indicated that chloride concentrations are increasing at wells in the '600-foot', '1,000-foot', '1,200-foot', '1,500-foot', '2,000-foot', '2,400-foot', and '2,800-foot' sands north of the Baton Rouge fault.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2007

Effects of Hardened Low-Water Crossings on Periphyton and Water Quality in Selected Streams at the Fort Polk Military Reservation, Louisiana, 1998-99 and 2003-04

In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), at the request of the U.S. Army Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, began a follow-up study to determine whether installation and modification of hardened low-water crossings had short-term (less than 1 year) or long-term (greater than 1 year) effects on periphyton or water quality in five streams at the Fort Polk Military Reservation, Louisiana. Periphyton data were statistically analyzed for possible differences between samples collected at upstream and downstream sites and before and after low-water crossings were modified on three streams, Big Brushy Creek, Tributary to East Fork of Sixmile Creek, and Tributary to Birds Creek, during 2003?04. Periphyton data also were analyzed for possible differences between samples collected at upstream and downstream sites on two streams, Tributary to Big Brushy Creek and Little Brushy Creek, during 1998?99 and 2003. Variations in periphyton communities could not be conclusively attributed to the modifications. Most of the significant changes in percent frequency of occurrence and average cell density of the 10 most frequently occurring periphyton taxa were increases at downstream sites after the hardened low-water crossing installations or modifications. However, these changes in the periphyton community are not necessarily deleterious to the community structure. Water-quality data collected from upstream and downstream sites on the five streams during 2003?04 were analyzed for possible differences caused by the hardened crossings. Generally, average water-quality values and concentrations were similar at upstream and downstream sites. When average water-quality values or concentrations changed significantly, they almost always changed significantly at both the upstream and downstream sites. It is probable that observed variations in water quality at both upstream and downstream sites are related to differences in rainfall and streamflow during the sample collection periods rather than an effect of the hardened low-water crossing installations or modifications, but additional study is needed.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2006

USGS environmental characterization of flood sediments left in the New Orleans area after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 2005 — Progress Report

Introduction: The flooding in the greater New Orleans area that resulted from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in September, 2005, left behind accumulations of sediments up to many centimeters thick on streets, lawns, parking lots, and other flat surfaces. These flood sediment deposits have been the focus of extensive study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) due to concerns that the sediments may contain elevated levels of heavy metals, organic contaminants, and microbes. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is characterizing a limited number of flood sediment samples that were collected on September 15-16 and October 6-7, 2005, from the greater New Orleans area by personnel from the USGS Louisiana Water Science Center in Baton Rouge. Small samples (< 3 pints each) of wet to dry flood sediment were collected from 11 localities around downtown New Orleans on September 15, 2005, and two large samples (40 pints each) of wet flood sediment were collected from the Chalmette area on September 16. Twelve additional samples (8-10 pints each) were collected from New Orleans, Slidell, Rigolets, and Violet on October 6 and 7. The USGS characterization studies of these flood sediments are designed to produce data and interpretations regarding how the sediments and any contained contaminants may respond to environmental processes. This information will be of use to cleanup managers and DoI/USGS scientists assessing environmental impacts of the hurricanes and subsequent cleanup activities.

Louisiana↗
USGS2004

Withdrawals, water levels, and specific conductance in the Chicot aquifer system in southwestern Louisiana, 2000-03

The Chicot aquifer system is the principal source of fresh ground-water supplies in southwestern Louisiana. Much of the area is rural and rice cultivation is the primary agricultural activity. About 540 million gallons per day were withdrawn from the aquifer system in southwestern Louisiana in 2000. Potentiometric-surface maps of the aquifer system were created for June 2002 and January 2003 to determine where water-level declines occur due to seasonal ground-water withdrawals. During June 2002, water levels in the aquifer system were more than 40 feet below the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) in parts of Acadia, Calcasieu, Evangeline, and Jefferson Davis Parishes, in an area that generally coincides with rice-farming areas. During January 2003, water levels were more than 30 feet below NGVD 29 in these areas. From June 2002 to January 2003, water levels generally recovered between 5 and 20 feet in the Chicot aquifer system in most of Acadia and Jefferson Davis Parishes, southeastern Calcasieu Parish, and southern Evangeline Parish, in an area that generally coincides with rice-farming areas. These water-level changes are representative of the areal extent and magnitude of typical seasonal water-level fluctuations that occur in the aquifer system in response to seasonal ground-water withdrawals for rice irrigation. The presence of saltwater has been documented in the Chicot aquifer system beneath coastal parishes and in some areas where the aquifer system merges with the stratigraphically adjacent Atchafalaya aquifer. Data collected during the period 1943 to 2003 from 1,355 wells screened in the massive, upper, and "200-foot" sands of the Chicot aquifer system and the Atchafalaya aquifer were used to delineate areas having similar specific conductance values and determine areas where wells are affected by saltwater. Near the outcrop area, specific conductance values in the Chicot aquifer system generally are less than 150 µS/cm (microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius). Specific conductance values increase south and east of the outcrop area. Specific conductance values generally range from 151 to 500 µS/cm in rice-farming areas of northwestern Acadia Parish, southeastern Allen Parish, western Evangeline Parish, and northern and central Jefferson Davis Parish. Specific conductance values generally range from 501 to 1,000 µS/cm in most of the remaining rice-farming areas. Specific conductance values often exceed 1,000 µS/cm in an area along the border between Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parishes near Iowa, Louisiana, parts of northeastern Cameron Parish, an area of northwestern and central St. Landry Parish; parts of Vermilion Parish, and several areas along the eastern boundary of the study area where the Chicot aquifer system merges with the Atchafalaya aquifer. The maximum specific conductance value, 12,100 µS/cm, is from a well in Cameron Parish. During 2000-03, specific conductance was measured in 521 water samples from 166 wells screened in the Chicot aquifer system or the Atchafalaya aquifer. Specific conductance values exceeded 1,000 µS/cm in water samples from wells in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parishes. Specific conductance values exceeded 2,000 µS/cm in only two wells—an irrigation well located about 2 miles south of Iowa and a USGS observation well used to monitor saltwater encroachment in east-central Vermilion Parish. Specific conductance values increased steadily at one well, from 1,090 µS/cm in April 2000 to 2,860 µS/cm in April 2003. Nearby wells did not show similar increases. Specific conductance was measured hourly during pumping at two irrigation wells between 2000 and 2003. Specific conductance values were greater than 1,000 µS/cm in both wells, indicating the presence of saltwater near the wells. Specific conductance values generally fluctuated about 150 µS/cm at both wells, but no long-term trends in the specific conductance were evident in either well.

Louisiana↗
USGS2002

Water withdrawals and trends in ground-water levels and stream discharge in Louisiana

In 2000, approximately 10,400 mgal/ d (million gallons per day) of water was withdrawn from ground - and surface- water sources in Louisiana , an increase of 10 percent from 1990. In 2000, about 16 percent (1,600 Mgal/ d ) of the water withdrawn was ground water . Approximately 93 percent of the ground water withdrawn was from four aquifers or aquifer systems: the Chicot aquifer system (49 percent), the Mississippi River alluvial aquifer (22 percent), the Sparta aquifer (4 percent), and the Southern Hills aquifer system (18 percent). Three of these, the Chicot aquifer system, the Sparta aquifer, and the Southern Hills aquifer system, contain areas where declines in ground - water levels from 1990-2000 are 1 ft/yr (foot per year) or greater. The Chicot aquifer system in southwestern Louisiana is the most heavily pumped aquifer or aquifer system in the State. By 2000, water levels in areas of Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Acadia Parishes had declined to 50 feet or more below sea level. Water levels in areas of largest withdrawals declined as much as 1.7 ft/yr during the period 1990-2000. The Sparta aquifer in north-central Louisiana is the fourth most heavily pumped aquifer in the State. Approximately 68.2 Mgal/d was withdrawn in 2000. Water levels in the aquifer declined to more than 200 feet below sea level in the Monroe area by 1997. During 1990-2000, water level declines ranged from 0.1 to 5.2 ft/yr at monitor wells screened in the aquifer. The Southern Hills aquifer system of southeastern Louisiana is composed of numerous freshwater aquifers. This aquifer system is the third most heavily pumped aquifer or aquifer system in the State (291 Mgal/d in 2000). By the 1970's saltwater encroachment had been documented in major aquifers in the Baton Rouge area. Water levels in deep aquifers having largest withdrawals declined about 0.2 to 3.5 ft/yr or more during the period 1990-2000. In 2000, about 84 percent (8,700 Mgal/d) of the water withdrawn in Louisiana was surface water. Stream discharge data were analyzed for 59 continuous discharge stations. Eleven stations on nine streams had decreasing mean annual discharge during the period 1990-2000.

Louisiana↗
USGS1998

Simulated response to pumping stress in the Sparta aquifer of southeastern Arkansas and north-central Louisiana, 1998-2027

The Sparta aquifer in southeastern Arkansas and north-central Louisiana is a major water resource for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses. In recent years, the demand for water in some areas has resulted in withdrawals from the Sparta that significantly exceed recharge to the aquifer. Considerable drawdown has occurred in the potentiometric surface, and water users and managers alike have begun to question the ability of the aquifer to supply water for the long term. Large cones of depression are centered beneath the Grand Prairie area and the cities of Pine Bluff and El Dorado in Arkansas, and Monroe in Louisiana. Water levels in the aquifer have declined at rates greater than 1 foot per year for more than a decade in much of southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana and are now below the top of the formation in parts of Union and Columbia Counties, Arkansas, and in several areas of Louisiana. Problems related to over draft in the Sparta could result in increased drilling and pumping costs, loss of yield, salt-water intrusion, and decrease in water quality in areas of large drawdown. The effects of current ground-water withdrawals and potential future withdrawals on water availability are major concerns of water managers and users as well as the general public in the two States. The Sparta model-a regional scale, digital ground-water flow model-was first calibrated in the mid-1980's. The model was updated and reverified using 1995-97 data. Visual inspection of the observed (1996-97) and simulated potentiometric surfaces, statistical analysis of the error for the original calibration and current reverification, and comparison of observed versus simulated hydro graphs indicates that the model is simulating conditions in the aquifer within acceptable error, and the quality of current (1998) model results is similar to the original model calibration results. When stressed with current withdrawal volumes and distributions, the model is able to simulate currently observed heads effectively as heads were simulated in the original calibration period. Five pumping scenarios were simulated over a 30-year period based on (1) current pumping rates, (2) current rates of change in pumping, (3) decreased pumping in selected areas, (4) increased pumping in selected areas, and (5) redistribution and increase of pumping in selected areas. Model results show that although continued pumping at current rates will result in relatively minor declines in water levels (scenario 1 above), continued pumping at currently observed rates of change will result in drastic declines across large areas of focused withdrawals (scenario 2). Under the first scenario-in which current pumping rates are input to the model for the 30-year simulation period-water levels in the middle of the cones of depression centered on El Dorado and Monroe decrease less than 10 feet. In the second scenario-in which the current rate of change in pumpage is applied to the model-substantial declines occur in the proximity of most major pumpage centers. During the 1998-2027 model period, predicted water levels decline from 307 feet below sea level to 438 feet below sea level near El Dorado, from 58 feet below sea level to 277 feet below sea level near Pine Bluff, but only by about 25 feet-from 202 feet below sea level to 225 feet below sea level near Monroe. In the third scenario-in which minimum predicted water use figures supplied by selected facilities in Arkansas and decreased pumping estimates for Louisiana are applied to the model-simulated water levels are substantially higher at cones of depression around the major pumping centers of Monroe and El Dorado as compared to initial (1997) values. During the 1998-2027 model period, predicted water levels near Monroe increase from 202 feet below sea level to 133 feet below sea level; water levels near El Dorado increase from 307 feet below sea level to 123 feet below sea level. For the fourth scenario-in which maxi mum pr

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗