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Geology topics

Richard H. Fuller

Publications and source records attributed to Richard H. Fuller.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1983

Hydrology of the Ferron Sandstone aquifer and effects of proposed surface-coal mining in Castle Valley, Utah, with a section on stratigraphy and a section on leaching of overburden

Coal in the Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale of Cretaceous age has traditionally been mined by underground techniques in the Emery Coal Field in the southern end of Castle Valley in east-central Utah. However, approximately 99 million tons are recoverable by surface mining. Ground water in the Ferron is the sole source of supply for the town of Emery, but the aquifer is essentially untapped outside the Emery area. The Ferron Sandstone Member crops out along the eastern edge of Castle Valley and generally dips 2 ? to 10 ? to the northwest. Sandstones in the Ferron are enclosed between relatively impermeable shale in the Tununk and Blue Gate Members of the Mancos Shale. Along the outcrop, the Ferron ranges in thickness from about 80 feet in the northern part of Castle Valley to 850 feet in the southern part. The Ferron also generally thickens in the subsurface downdip from the outcrop. Records from wells and test holes indicate that the full thickness of the Ferron is saturated with water in most areas downdip from the outcrop area. Tests in the Emery area indicate that transmissivity of the Ferron sandstone aquifer ranges from about 200 to 700 feet squared per day where the Ferron is fully saturated. Aquifer transmissivity is greatest near the Paradise Valley-Joes Valley fault system where permeability has been increased by fracturing. Storage coefficient ranges from about 10 .6 to 10 -3 where the Ferron sandstone aquifer is confined and probably averages 5 x 10 -2 where it is unconfined.

Utah↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of the coal-resource areas in the upper drainages of Huntington and Cottonwood creeks, central Utah

The hydrology of coal-resource areas in the upper drainages of Huntington and Cottonwood Creeks in central Utah was studied in order to better define the hydrologic system, to identify the hydrologic effects of underground coal mining, and to devise methods to detect the effects. Discharge records from gaging stations in this mountainous area indicated that there are large differences in the annual discharge of streams per unit area of drainage. These differences are attributed to differences in precipitation, differences in evaporation and sublimation of the snowpack, and to subsurface movement of water out of some basins. Surface waters sampled during 1977-79 were of good chemical quality; dissolved-solids concentrations rarely exceeded 500 milligrams per liter. The Star Point Sandstone and the lower coal-bearing part of the Blackhawk Formation, both of Cretaceous age, are saturated in some areas, and the aquifer yields water to underground coal mines. Most of the larger discharging springs in the study area issue from the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer where faulted. Ground water also occurs in several water-bearing zones above the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer. It is not known whether the water in these overlying units is part of a continuous zone of saturation or whether unsaturated zones occur between units and some water is perched. Dissolved-solids concentrations in water from about 140 springs ranged from 50 to 750 milligrams per liter. The chemical characteristics of water from the water-bearing zones of different formations usually were very similar. Dewatering of underground coal mines was the largest manmade discharge from the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer in the study area during 1979. The dewatering of mines has decreased the amount of water in storage in the aquifer, but water-level data were not available to define the extent of the depletion. Other possible impacts due to mine dewatering include the diminution of spring flows and increases in ground-water recharge, both of which are more likely to occur where rocks have been fractured due to subsidence above mines. Also, the flows of streams that receive water discharged from mines probably have increased accordingly. The discharge of mine water into streams causes some degradation in surface-water quality, but the quality of ground water is probably not adversely affected by mining. Some environmental changes associated with underground mining are difficult to detect without data collected over a long period. With respect to the ground-water system, the year-to-year similarity of spring-discharge recession curves may provide a method to detect some of these changes. Changes in the benthic-invertebrate population may help detect pollution of surface waters. Comprehensive studies of the ground-water system are needed in conjunction with hydrologic monitoring in order to fully assess the hydrologic impacts of the underground coal mining.

Utah↗
USGS1981

Selected biological characteristics of streams in the southeastern Uinta Basin, Utah and Colorado

Biological sampling was carried out during 1976-78 in five streams in the southeastern Uinta Basin, Utah and Colorado, in order to provide baseline water-quality data for an area of potential oil-shale development. The biological activity in the streams sampled generally is limited by physical factors more so than by chemical constituents and plant nutrients. Characteristics of streamflow, such as high turbidity, fluctuating water levels, and moderate to high salinity, limit production of flora and fauna biomass. Samples were collected for the determination of bacterial and periphyton concentrations and benthic-invertebrate communities. Bacterial concentrations were generally small, with some fecal contamination, primarily from livestock and wildlife. Members of the order Chlorophyta (green algae) were the major periphytic algae present in three of the streams sampled. Bitter Creek was dominated by members of the order Cyanphyta (blue-green algae), and pennate diatoms were the predominant algae in Willow Creek. The benthic-invertebrate communities generally reflect a nonpolluted environment. Shannon-Weiner diversity indices ranged from 1.14 to 3.08.

Colorado, Utah↗
USGS1978

An evaluation of problems arising from acid mine drainage in the vicinity of Shasta Lake, Shasta County, California

Streams draining the mined areas of massive sulfide ore deposits in the Shasta Mining Districts of northern California are generally acidic and contain large concentrations of dissolved metals, including iron, copper, and zinc. The streams, including Flat, Little Backbone, Spring, West Squaw, Horse, and Zinc Creeks, discharge into Shasta Reservoir and the Sacramento River and have caused numerous fish kills. The sources of pollution are discharge from underground mines, streams that flow into open pits, and streams that flow through pyritic mine dumps where the oxidation of pyrite and other sulfide minerals results in the production of acid and the mobilization of metals. Suggested methods of treatment include the use of air and hydraulic seals in the mines, lime neutralization of mine effluent, channeling of runoff and mine effluent away from mine and tailing areas, and the grading and sealing of mine dumps. A comprehensive preabatement and postabatement program is recommended to evaluate the effects of any treatment method used. (Woodard-USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1975

Selected water-quality data from Fallen Leaf Lake, El Dorado County, California, June through October 1974

In 1974 the U.S. Geological Survey entered into a cooperative agreement with the California Department of Water Resources to study the limnology of Fallen Leaf Lake and adjacent streams. The lake is in California, near the crest of the Sierra Nevada about 23 miles southwest of Reno, Nevada (fig. 1). The study was undertaken to help develop a better understanding of selected characteristics of a high-altitude dilute-solution lake-stream system and the effect of man on the system. Fallen Leaf Lake and the adjacent streams were chosen for the study because the lake represents an alpine system in a basin that has had limited development for a number of years. Recently, local and state groups have become extremely interested in the effects of man's activities on the condition of the lake. The study was designed to: 1. Provide data on selected physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of Fallen Leaf Lake and adjacent streams, 2. Determine whether the magnitude and changes in magnitude of a number of physical, chemical, and biological variables are affected by natural or cultural processes, 3. Characterize a high-altitude, dilute-solution aquatic ecosystem, 4. Compare and contrast the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of Fallen Leaf Lake and adjacent streams with other lakes in the area.

California↗
USGS1975

Problems related to water quality and algal control in Lopez Reservoir, San Luis Obispo County, California

Lopez Reservoir is a multipurpose impoundment that was filled during a 30-week period following a series of intense storms during the winter 1968-69. The reservoir is used for flood control, water supply, and recreation, including swimming, fishing, and boating. At full pool Lopez Reservoir has a surface area of 974 acres (394 square hectometres), a maximum depth of 145 feet (44.2 metres), and a shoreline of 22 miles (35.4 kilometres). Nuisance algal blooms have been a frequent occurrence in the reservoir since the first summer after filling (1969). The dominant bloom species was the blue-green alga Anabaena unispora. Cospecies were the diatoms Stephanodiscus astraea and Cyclotella operculata and the green algae Pediastrum duplex and Sphaerocystis schroeteri . During a bloom of A. unispora in May 1972, the total cell count at the lake surface was almost 100,000 cells per millilitre of water. Lopez Reservoir is thermally stratified from April until November. Dissolved-oxygen stratification closely parallels the thermal stratification. Anoxic conditions begin to develop in mid-May, and by early July all water below a depth of 40 feet (12 metres) is oxygen deficient. The application of copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ) to reduce algal production has met with little success. Possible application rates and methods of determining application rates based upon water chemistry are presented.

California↗