Geology topics

L. B. House

Publications and source records attributed to L. B. House.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1995

Distribution and transport of polychlorinated biphenyls in Little Lake Butte des Morts, Fox River, Wisconsin, April 1987-October 1988

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in the bottom sediment and water column of Little Lake Butte des Morts were studied by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey. The lake is a 8-kilometer-long impoundment of the Fox River between Lake Winnebago and Appleton, Wisconsin. Discharge of PCB's into the lake by paper mills and waste-treatment plants has resulted in their accumulation in the bottom sediment. The accumulation of PCB's in the sediment was estimated to be 1,100 kilograms in October 1987. The concentrations of PCB's in bottom-sediment core samples were as much as 190 micrograms per gram dry sediment. The congener distribution of the PCB's present in the lake most closely resembles that for the Aroclor 1242 PCB's mixture. Thirty-two water samples were collected at the outlet of the lake to determine concentrations of PCB's. Concentrations of PCB's in the water column varied seasonally and ranged from 3.5 to 137 nanograms per liter. Concentrations of PCB's decrease in the winter and increases in the summer months. Concentrations of PCB's in the water column for particulates generally were 2.5 times that of dissolved PCB's. The suspended-solids concentrations ranged from 3 to 44 milligrams per liter. Correlation analysis was used to identify the physical characteristics and water-quality characteristics having the highest degree of association with PCB's concentration in the water column. The highest correlation coefficients (r) for dissolved PCB's concentration were with water temperature (7=0.88) and particulate organic carbon concentration (7=0.72). The highest correlation coefficients for particulate PCB's concentration were with suspended- particulates concentration (r=0.77) and water temperature (n=0.70). Correlation coefficients for total PCB's (the sum of dissolved and particulate PCB's) concentration were similar to those for particulate PCB's concentration. The mass of PCB's transported from the lake in streamflow during 1987-88 was calculated to be 110 kilograms annually. The PCB's transport rate decreased 50 percent from 1987 to 1988, for the period April through September. Transport of PCB's was greatest during April and May of each year. The average flux rate of PCB's into the water column from the bottom sediment in the lake was estimated to be 1.2 milligrams per square meter per day. The PCB's load seems to increase at river discharges greater than 212 cubic meters per second. This increase in PCB's load might be caused by resuspension of PCB's-contaminated bottom-sediment deposits. There was little variation in PCB's load at flows less than 170 cubic meters per second. The bottom sediments are a continuing source of PCB's to Little Lake Butte des Morts and the lower Fox River.

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USGS1993

Concentrations and loads of polychlorinated biphenyls in major tributaries entering Green Bay, Lake Michigan, 1989-90

The U.S. Geological Survey collected water samples from the five major tributaries to Green Bay, Lake Michigan, to determine the load of total polychlorinated biphenyls (RGB's) entering the bay. These samples were collected from January 1989 through early May 1990 from the Escanaba, Menominee, Peshtigo, Oconto, and Fox Rivers. Sampling sites were located near the mouth of each river and also just upstream of De Pere dam on the Fox River. Water samples were collected for analysis of total, dissolved, and particulate concentrations of PCB's at the nanogram-per-liter level. Loads of PCB's entering Green Bay were computed using a total-integration method. The methods used to collect water samples and compute the loads of total PCB's entering the bay are described in this report. Graphs showing total PCB's concentrations and loads are presented for each site, along with the corresponding data tables. These data indicate that the amount of total PCB's entering the bay from the Fox River is greater than from all other major tributaries combined.

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USGS1993

Water quality of an urban wet detention pond in Madison, Wisconsin, 1987-88

A 5,670-sq m wet detention pond was monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey to determine its effect on the water quality of urban runoff. The pond has a drainage area of 0.96-sq km, composed primarily of single-family residential land use. Event-mean concentrations (EMC) were determined from samples collected for sediment, nutrients, and selected metals at the pond's inflow and outflow sites. EMC samples were collected for 64 runoff events during the study period from February 1987 to April 1988. Storm precipitation ranged from 1 to 51 mm during these events. Inflow and outflow EMC and constituent loads were compared to determine the trap efficiency of the pond. Trap efficiency varied considerably among water-quality constituents. In general, the detention pond decreased the EMC of sampled constituents at the outlet compared to the inlet. The median decrease in EMC for suspended solids was 88 percent, 60 percent for total chemical oxygen demand (COD), 43 percent for total phosphorus, 38 percent for total Kjeldahl nitrogen, 65 percent for total nitrite plus nitrate, and 71 percent for total lead. A notable exception to the general decrease in EMC is for chloride. The EMC for chloride was generally higher in outflow from the pond than in the inflow. This is attributed to an unmonitored influx of chloride to the pond during the winter that subsequently was flushed out during monitored runoff events. The total study-period loads of most constituents were less leaving the pond than the loads entering it. This decrease is attributed to the constituents transported on suspended sediment being deposited in the pond. The decrease in total load of suspended solids was 88 percent, 62 percent for total COD, 58 percent for total phosphorus, 46 percent for total Kjeldahl nitrogen, 62 percent for total nitrite plus nitrate, 97 percent for total copper, and 93 percent for total lead. (USGS)

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USGS1993

Simulation of the effects of hypothetical residential development on water levels in Graber Pond, Middleton, Wisconsin

An investigation of the effects of hypothetical residential development in the Graber Pond watershed was done by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the city of Middleton. The investigation entailed evaluation of the existing (1989) water budget and water-level conditions for the pond and the water-level conditions expected to result from the hypothetical development that may occur by the year 2000. A water-budget model was calibrated to closely match water levels observed from July 18-August 31, 1989. Water input to the pond during this period was computed to be about 2.58 feet. Of this, about 25 percent (0.65 foot) was from direct rainfall on the pond surface, about 19 percent (0.50 foot) was from storm runoff, and about 55 percent (1.43 feet) was discharge from a nearby manufacturing plant. Simulation of the hypothetical development conditions in the watershed predicts that the average late-summer pond level may rise about 0.7 foot.

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USGS1990

Data on polychlorinated biphenyls, dieldrin, lead, and cadmium in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan tributaries to Green Bay, July 1987 through April 1988

A reconnaissance study was conducted of 22 streams tributary to Green Bay to determine whether any of the streams contribute toxic substances to the bay. This effort was part of a comprehensive investigation of Green Bay funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled the bottom sediments and water columns of 11 streams tributary to western Green Bay for polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, and cadmium. Four of these streams also were sampled for dieldrin, a pesticide previously used in the watershed. An additional 11 streams tributary to eastern Green Bay were sampled for dieldrin in the bottom sediment and storm runoff. Samples were collected from July 1987 through April 1988. Neither dieldrin nor cadmium was detected in any of the sampled tributaries. Detectable concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls and lead were found at only three sites. Polychorinated biphenyls (0.10 microgram per gram) and lead (10 milligrams per kilogram) were found in the bottom sediment of Duck Creek, a western-shore tributary near the city of Green Bay. Lead (10 milligrams per kilogram) also was found in the bottom sediment of the Suamico River near the mouth, about 5 miles north of Duck Creek. Lead (4 micrograms per liter) was detected in a spring-runoff sample from the Fishdam River, a tributary from upper Michigan.

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USGS1987

Simulation of unsteady flow in the Milwaukee Harbor Estuary at Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This report describes the application and results of an unsteady-flow model for the Milwaukee Harbor Estuary. The model simulates unsteady and upstream flow occurring in the estuary as a result of Lake Michigan Seiche. The discharge computed by the model indicates that upstream flow occurs throughout the estuary during periods of lake seiche. Flow conditions are extremely unsteady and major flow reversals may occur within 1 hr. The simulated discharge indicates that both upstream and downstream flows four times greater than the average daily discharge can occur during the same day. An estimate of 5- or 15-minute average discharge was required during selected runoff events and at various locations in the estuary as part of the Milwaukee Harbor Estuary study. The model provides a method to estimate 5-minute average discharges at selected cross sections in the estuary. The U.S. Geological Survey 's Branch Network Model was used to simulate stage and discharge. A finite difference computation scheme is used to solve the one-dimensional flow equations. Model input requirements include channel geometry data, discharge at the upstream tributaries, and stage data at the estuary mouth. The model was used to simulate the flow during six selected time periods in 1982-84 using a 5- or 15-minute computation interval. (Author 's abstract)

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USGS1984

Evaluation of alternative reservoir-management practices in the Rock River basin, Wisconsin

Simulation of the operation of upstream impoundments in the Rock River basin to reduce spring floods showed that such operation would reduce flood peaks by 0.11 foot on the average, and would increase flood peaks some years. The most significant reductions would occur during the average- size floods, whereas little or no reductions would occur for larger and smaller floods. Modifying the simulation of impoundment operations to reduce larger floods produced only minor reductions in flood peaks for the larger floods, and slightly increased flood peaks for average-size floods. Alternative operating procedures for Indianford Dam which controls Lake Koshkonong were simulated with estimated power generation and the use of flashboards during the summer, neither of which are currently used. The simulation showed that, for most periods without significant runoff, the stage of Lake Koshkonong would tend toward the stage at which power generation was prohibited. It also showed that use of flashboards to raise the minimum lake stage during the summer would not raise the peak stage of the lake measurably if the flashboards were removed when the stage rose above its normal level. Simulation showed that winter drawdown of Lake Koshkonong would not lower spring flood peaks significantly downstream.

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