Geology topics

Research about New York

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including New York.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

USGS2025

Spatially explicit power analyses to inform occupancy‐based multi‐species wildlife monitoring programmes

1. Current and accurate information on wildlife populations is integral to successful biodiversity management and conservation globally. Nevertheless, many monitoring programs fail in their attempts to accurately monitor populations of interest due to interlinked issues including insufficient sample sizes, inappropriate duration, lack of reproducibility, and lack of clearly stated objectives. These common pitfalls could be avoided through the elicitation of explicit monitoring objectives and the a priori use of simulations to inform minimum sampling design requirements to meet said objectives. 2. Here, we provide a blueprint for using spatially explicit power analyses to inform the design and implementation of multi-species monitoring programs on landscape-scales. As a demonstration, we used spatially explicit simulations to devise a suitable sampling regime to meet clearly specified monitoring objectives in New York State: to use annual occupancy-based monitoring to be able to detect 25% and 50% changes in abundance of populations over five- and ten- year periods for all species of management interest in New York State, USA. We focused our simulation efforts on three challenging focal species (black bear, Ursus americanus, bobcat, Lynx rufus, and American marten, Martes americana) that differ notably in their morphology, life histories, space use, detection probability, habitat suitability, and population sizes/trajectories, and thus provide extremes in the challenges presented when it comes to sampling appropriately to detect changes in abundance. 3. Our simulations demonstrate variable context dependent trade-offs in sampling designs (i.e. number of sites [J] and number of sampling occasions [K]), and identify necessary minimum detection probabilities that must be attained to achieve statistical power to detect changes of varying magnitudes in populations of varying sizes in the three focal species. The simulations also highlight that monitoring population increases is likely beyond the reach of occupancy-based monitoring programs for wide-ranging or locally abundant species. 4. Synthesis and applications : We combine the results from the single-species simulations to produce a multi-species sampling design that meets the specified objectives for all three species. While the case study is centered on developing a multi-species sampling regime for New York State, it provides a reproducible step-by-step framework using established methods for wildlife managers and other practitioners to inform their own context- and objective- specific multi-species occupancy-based monitoring programs.

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USGS2025

Hydrogeology of unconsolidated and bedrock aquifers along the Salmon River, including Malone, Franklin County, New York

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, investigated the hydrogeology of the unconsolidated and bedrock aquifers along the Salmon River corridor in northern Franklin County, New York. The study area covers roughly 147 square miles and includes the village of Malone and parts of the Towns of Malone, Bellmont, Burke, Constable, Westville, Bangor, Duane, and Franklin, New York. Groundwater is the primary source for water supply within the study area. Eighty-three percent of all residents use public water supplied from two production wells that draw water from a thick, highly productive sand-and-gravel aquifer likely receiving induced infiltration from the Salmon River. Twenty-four percent of the 187 verified domestic wells in the study area outside of the production well service area boundary are screened in typically discontinuous deposits of stratified sand and sand and gravel. Seventy-six percent of the wells are completed in bedrock aquifers including the Potsdam Sandstone, metamorphic rocks, Theresa Formation, and unknown bedrock. Characterizing and understanding potential groundwater resources is critical for protecting the quality of the groundwater. The information in this report may be used to guide delineation of groundwater contributing areas, assess potential threats to aquifers from both point and nonpoint sources, respond to contamination from spills or leaks from underground storage facilities or other sources, and to support assessments for future development of municipal water supplies.

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USGS2025

Random forest regression models for estimating low-streamflow statistics at ungaged locations in New York, excluding Long Island

This report is currently being updated with re‑calibrated random‑forest models for StreamStats implementation. The basin‑characteristic inputs were modified to align with StreamStats requirements. Abstract Models to estimate low-streamflow statistics at ungaged locations in New York, excluding Long Island and including hydrologically connected basins from bordering States, were developed for the first time by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A total of 224 basin characteristics were developed for 213 unaltered streamgages (locations where the human effects on streamflow were limited), across the following categories: basin geometry, climate, land cover, soils, surficial geology, and other characteristics. The basins with unaltered streamgages were evaluated for potential redundancy, and streamgages in close proximity and with similar drainage areas were flagged and removed from the testing and cross-validation datasets to prevent data leaking from the training dataset to the testing dataset. Random forest regression models were created by using basin characteristics as predictor variables and by developing a workflow to train, tune, and test the model. Models were developed to estimate the ungaged lowest annual 7-day and 30-day average streamflow that occurs (on average) once every 10 years (7Q10 and 30Q10). The top four basin characteristics used for the 7Q10 and 30Q10 models were drainage area, total stream length, perimeter of the basin, and length of the longest flow path. Results for the 7Q10 and 30Q10 models had coefficients of determination ( R 2 ) of 0.796 and 0.853, respectively. The output model results were bias-corrected for ungaged locations across New York and are available within the interactive StreamStats tool.

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USGS2025

Environmental controls of suppressed fall crop productivity in an agrivoltaic solar array

Globally, agrivoltaics (AV) research has revealed how microclimates created by photovoltaic (PV) panels can be leveraged to promote reciprocal benefits for agricultural land use and PV energy generation. Yet, in regions of the United States where emissions reduction laws are likely to lead to greater PV development on croplands, empirical evaluation of such co-location remain under explored. Furthermore, the most common approach to AV in the United States is one that maximizes energy generation and secondarily accommodates for agricultural management, and the controls of crop production in facilities that employ such an approach are underrepresented in the AV literature. Here, we assessed the agronomic and physiological response of two vegetable crops (radish and radicchio) with different carbon allocation patterns (belowground and aboveground, respectively) in an energy focused AV facility during a fall growing season, in New York, United States. We found that a reduction in total irradiance (−24%) within the AV array decreased total biomass in both crop types (46% and 49%), with significant alterations to root-shoot ratios in radish. Reductions in total biomass were not a result of physiological acclimation, indicating that AV crops had similar photosynthetic capacity as control crops; however, the environmental constraints imposed by energy focused AV design (i.e. reduced irradiance) limited C uptake overall. Our findings highlight the need for novel management approaches (e.g. earlier planting of AV fall crops) to help overcome yield penalties incurred by energy focused AV designs.

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USGS2025

Parasite‐mediated competition limits dominant cervid competitor

Species interactions structure ecological communities through direct and indirect pathways with ecosystem-wide implications. Despite mounting interest in the importance of indirect interactions, empirical evidence remains limited. Here, we demonstrate the critical role of parasite-mediated competition in driving community outcomes in a multi-species system of conservation and management concern. We leveraged 2 years of detection/non-detection data of moose ( Alces alces ) and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and parasite loads in faecal samples within a hierarchical abundance-mediated interaction model to test hypotheses regarding interactions between these cervids and their shared parasites ( Parelaphostrongylus tenuis , Fascioloides magna ). We demonstrate that moose occupancy was limited by parasite-mediated competition, with no evidence of population-level effects of direct competitive interactions between moose and white-tailed deer. Such evidence of the importance of indirect interactions and resulting community outcomes is critical for species conservation and managing range contractions due to increasing pressures from habitat loss, disease and climate change.

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USGS2025

Eradication efforts catalyze rapid evolution in an invasive predatory fish

pecies invasions spur costly and labor-intensive control efforts, yet even local eradication is seldom achieved. When control measures are initially effective, they may drive evolutionary adaptation that prevents full eradication, as has been documented for some chemical and biocontrol approaches. Although the intensity, directionality, and persistence of selection required to increase the frequency of resistant genotypes in complex natural ecosystems remains an open question, theory predicts that high mortality can cause life-history evolution even in the absence of a strong selective agent. Here, we use annually collected ecological and genetic data to show that rapid evolution of introduced smallmouth bass has undermined a 20-y manual suppression effort in a mid-sized lake. Despite nearly doubling annual mortality, our intensive control program produced a larger bass population dominated by young and early-maturing fish. These shifts were accompanied by large allele frequency changes in three genomic regions associated with earlier maturation and increased somatic growth. Our findings bear out the theoretical prediction that high mortality can drive evolutionary adaptation in target species. Controlling species invasions are worldwide practices that typically remove a substantial proportion of a population during each of many successive generations, hence life history adaptation may be commonplace. Such evolutionary responses could be salient in explaining the widespread failure of invasion control efforts. Genetic and phenotypic monitoring to detect cryptic adaptation and preemptive design of invader eradication programs to deliberately disrupt directional selection for resistance could improve invasion control outcomes.

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USGS2025

Evaluation of passive samplers for cyanotoxin detection by immunoassay and chromatographic-mass spectrometry

Harmful algal blooms, particularly cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, threaten aquatic ecosystems, drinking water supplies, and recreational resources. In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, deployed solid phase adsorption toxin tracking (SPATT) samplers in Seneca Lake, Owasco Lake, and Skaneateles Lake to monitor the cyanotoxins microcystins, cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins, and saxitoxins. SPATT samplers can passively adsorb dissolved cyanotoxins over time, providing time-integrated data capable of detecting low concentrations of cyanotoxins that traditional discrete sampling may miss. SPATT samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The effects of ELISA-required preservative on measurements by mass spectrometry methods were also evaluated. SPATT samplers consistently detected microcystins and anatoxins more frequently than concurrent discrete sampling. ELISA results often showed higher cyanotoxin concentrations than LC–MS/MS, likely due to interference from dissolved organic matter and the ability of ELISA to detect a broader range of congeners. The addition of preservative influenced results for some analytes, particularly microcystins, which showed higher concentrations in preserved samples. Limitations in ELISA methods for cylindrospermopsins and saxitoxins were identified, potentially related to cross-reactivity, low sensitivity, or other matrix interferences. This study demonstrates the utility of SPATT samplers in capturing cyanotoxin variability, especially in environments with low cyanotoxin levels or ephemeral blooms. Further research could help improve the reliability of ELISA and other analytical methods in freshwater ecosystems.

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USGS2025

Combining acoustic telemetry and side-scan sonar to estimate abundance of endangered shortnose sturgeon in the Hudson River, New York

For endangered shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), the ability to estimate and monitor population size is critical for tracking species’ recovery. Yet, contemporary abundance estimates have not been completed for many shortnose sturgeon populations, largely owing to the difficulty in using traditional abundance estimators for sturgeons. Here, we estimate the adult shortnose sturgeon population size of the Hudson River, NY by integrating data from two largely passive sampling methods – acoustic telemetry and side-scan sonar – into a Bayesian hierarchical model of abundance. We estimated the adult abundance to be 69,798 individuals (95% CI = 9,207-185,666), making the Hudson River the largest extant shortnose sturgeon population. Despite this, the population remains vulnerable to localized disturbances, as over 40% of the population congregated in a small overwintering habitat that coincides with an area of high anthropogenic activity. Accordingly, recurrent demographic surveys may be beneficial for gaining insight into the relative effects of anthropogenic and naturally stochastic processes shaping shortnose sturgeon demography. Our modeling framework provides a relatively low-cost alternative for future demographic monitoring of species of conservation concern.

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USGS2025

Using high-resolution geospatial imagery and data to document the evolution of the Wilderness Breach that was created by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 at Fire Island National Seashore, New York

The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Civil Applications Center obtained remote sensing data and imagery collected from 1939 through 2023 to monitor changes at Fire Island National Seashore, New York. On October 29, 2012, an inlet was created during Hurricane Sandy on Fire Island that remained open for 10 years. This inlet, named the “Wilderness Breach,” formed at the same location where an inlet had previously existed and remained open from 1763 to 1825. This report documents the morphological changes that occurred at the Wilderness Breach during the 10-year existence of this feature.

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USGS2025

Climate-driven deoxygenation of lakes alters the nutrient-toxin profile of a food fish

Climate change is rapidly altering fisheries supporting aquatic ecosystems. The implications for food security depend not only on harvest biomass but also concentrations of nutrients and toxins in fish. Using brook trout from Adirondack lakes (New York, USA), we tested whether ongoing lake deoxygenation trends will affect fish muscle omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and mercury concentrations. Across space (16 lakes: 1 year) and time (6 years: 1 lake), anoxia decreased selenium and was associated with elevated fish mercury, with no effect on omega-3 content. Because selenium may mitigate some end points of mercury toxicity, highly variable Se:Hg molar ratios (0.70–35.79) in neighboring lakes may have health risk implications. For fish consumers, ongoing lake deoxygenation under climate change could potentially reduce selenium intake while enhancing mercury exposure. Simultaneous alteration of beneficial compounds and toxins by environmental change complicates the development of fish consumption advisories to safeguard public health in a warming world.

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USGS2025

Pluvial and potential compound flooding in a coupled coastal modeling framework: New York City during post-tropical Cyclone Ida (2021)

Many coastal urban areas are prone to extreme pluvial flooding due to limitations in stormwater system capacity, with the additional potential for flooding compounded by storm surge, tides, and waves. Understanding and simulating these processes can improve prediction and flood risk management. Here, we adapt the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport modeling framework (COAWST) to simulate pluvial flooding from post-tropical Cyclone Ida (2021) in the Jamaica Bay watershed of New York City (NYC). We modify the model to capture the volumetric effects of rainfall and parameterize soil infiltration and a stormwater conveyance system as the drainage rate. We generate a spatially continuous flood map of Ida with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 20 cm when compared to high-water marks, useful for understanding Ida's impacts and subsequent mitigation planning. Results show that over 23 km 2 and 4621 buildings were flooded deeper than 0.3 m during Ida. Sensitivity analyses are used to study the broader risk from events like Ida (pluvial flooding) as well as potential compound (pluvial–coastal) flooding. Spatial shifting of the storm track within a typical 12 h forecast uncertainty reveals a worst-case scenario that increases this flooded area to 62 km 2 (5907 buildings). Shifting Ida's rainfall to coincide with high tide increases this flooded area by 1 km 2 , a relatively small change due to the lack of significant storm surge. The application of COAWST to this storm event addresses a broader goal of developing the capability to model compound pluvial–coastal flooding by simultaneously representing coastal storm processes such as rain, tide, waves, erosion, and atmosphere–wave–ocean interactions. The sensitivity analysis results underscore the need for detailed flood risk assessments, showing that Ida, already NYC's worst rain event, could have been even more devastating with slight shifts in the storm track.

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USGS2025

Hydrogeologic framework and considerations for drilling and grouting of closed-loop geothermal bores in the Erie-Ontario Lowlands and Allegheny Plateau of New York State

The hydrogeologic framework at closed-loop geothermal sites in the Erie-Ontario Lowlands and Allegheny Plateau of central and western New York is the result of the complex interaction of bedrock geology, glacial geology, and groundwater hydrology, and the occurrence of petroleum and gas. Considerations for closed-loop geothermal bore installation include the thickness and character of glacial deposits, bedrock solubility and depth to competent rock, karst development, the distribution of highly permeable zones and their hydraulic heads, and the presence of saline water, gas, and oil. The hydrogeology of the Erie-Ontario Lowlands and Allegheny Plateau poses challenges to closed-loop geothermal bore drilling and casing; managing drill cuttings, discharge water, and gas; and grouting. The potential to encounter severe challenges typically increases with bore depth. This report highlights hydrogeologic considerations for closed-loop geothermal bore installation in New York’s Erie-Ontario Lowlands and Allegheny Plateau to help guide the efficient and safe development of geothermal resources in the regions.

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USGS2025

Reconstructing relative abundance indices for Atlantic sturgeon using hierarchical ecological models

Objective The Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus is a wide-ranging, long-lived diadromous fish that is endangered in most of its range. Our objective was to develop and apply long-term, detection-corrected indices of relative abundance for juvenile and adult Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River, New York, United States, to support population monitoring and stock assessment. Methods We used long-term gill-net catches to estimate relative abundances of juvenile and adult Atlantic Sturgeon while accounting for imperfect detection within an N- mixture modeling framework. We validated the model framework using a simulation–estimation framework based on mean parameter estimates from the adult Atlantic Sturgeon relative abundance index. Results Simulation testing indicated that absolute abundance estimates may be biased low due to poor characterization of detection probabilities. However, model estimates of relative abundance tracked simulated abundance trends well. Juvenile relative abundance estimates followed similar trends as raw gill-net catches but were less variable among years when corrected for detection probability. Relative abundance of juveniles increased from 2004 to 2015 prior to declining through 2022, with little evidence for change between the start and end of the survey. Detection-corrected indices for adult sturgeon indicated a consistent increase in relative abundance that was not readily apparent in raw catch indices. Conclusions Detection-corrected catch indices can provide improved characterization of Atlantic Sturgeon relative abundance dynamics over raw gill-net catches through use of N- mixture models. The approach has broad applicability to data types that are commonly collected for understanding population trends in stock assessment. Estimation of absolute abundance and other population demographics germane to management would benefit from alternative or auxiliary data collected through approaches such as side-scan sonar or acoustic telemetry, which are increasingly common for monitoring sturgeon populations.

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USGS2025

Dynamic baseflow storage estimates and the role of topography, geology and evapotranspiration on streamflow recession characteristics in the Neversink Reservoir Watershed, New York

Estimates of dynamic groundwater volumes supplying baseflow to streams are important for water availability projections during extended periods of drought. The primary goals of this study were to provide dynamic storage volume estimates, inferred from streamflow recession analysis, for baseflow regimes within seven gaged catchments within the Neversink Reservoir Watershed (NRW), a critical municipal water source for New York City. Additionally, geomorphological properties, surficial geology and hydro-meteorological processes were quantified and described in relation to time and spatially variable recession behaviour and storage estimates across the NRW. To explore these relationships, we (1) evaluated seasonal trends in streamflow recession behaviour in relation to modelled potential evapotranspiration (PET) and catchment runoff rates, (2) derived empirical streamflow models for cool-season runoff using both linear and nonlinear reservoir assumptions for baseflow and (3) calculated metrics related to the geology and geomorphology of each catchment and compared these metrics to area normalised baseflow dynamic storage estimates. Results show that baseflow recession behaves as a nonlinear reservoir, and applying linear groundwater reservoir assumptions may underestimate the total dynamic storage volumes compared to what would be predicted for a nonlinear reservoir. Increases in PET caused decreases in storage conditions that resulted in increased recession rates and nonlinearity in streamflow recession during the growing season. Additionally, we found that while no single physical catchment characteristic solely predicted catchment storage dynamics, sediment volume and stream gradients were stronger predictors of normalised storage volumes than catchment surface area or surface topography alone. Within the NRW, catchments with the highest sediment volume exhibited the lowest recession rates and higher dynamic storage volumes, while the smallest catchment, mostly devoid of sediment, had the fastest recession rate and lowest dynamic storage volume.

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USGS2025

Analysis of aquifer framework and properties, Alvahs Lane well field, Cutchogue, New York

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Suffolk County Water Authority, evaluated the aquifer transmissivity and storage properties at the Alvahs Lane well field north of the village of Cutchogue, New York. This analysis of aquifer properties provides the Suffolk County Water Authority with hydrogeologic information needed to develop water supplies to meet the increasing water demands of the residents of Suffolk County, New York. An aquifer test was conducted at the Alvahs Lane well field from October 18 through October 21, 2022, when a production well was pumped at 550 gallons per minute for about 24 hours, and groundwater-level drawdown and recovery were measured in two monitoring wells. The three wells are screened in a glaciofluvial aquifer under unconfined (water table) conditions. Drawdown and recovery data were analyzed with an analytical solution for partial penetration and delayed yield in an unconfined aquifer to provide estimates of the glaciofluvial aquifer properties. Inclusion of lateral aquifer boundaries was not necessary for the analysis to result in satisfactory matches with the observed water-level responses. Aquifer transmissivity was estimated at 32,000 feet squared per day. Assuming a saturated aquifer thickness of 120 feet, this result is equivalent to a horizontal hydraulic conductivity value of 270 feet per day. Specific yield was estimated at 0.15 (dimensionless). The estimated properties are consistent with those of a highly transmissive unconfined aquifer.

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USGS2025

Characterization of stream water quality and groundwater levels in the Central Pine Barrens region, Suffolk County, New York, 2017–23

The area locally known as the “Central Pine Barrens” region, located in Suffolk County, New York, contains most of Long Island’s preserved and undeveloped land. This region overlays an aquifer system that provides potable groundwater for residents of Suffolk County. Between 2017 and 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning & Policy Commission and the Town of Brookhaven, monitored groundwater levels and stream water quality in this region. Groundwater levels were measured monthly at five wells and continuously (15-minute intervals) at a sixth well. Water quality was monitored at five locations in the Carmans River and at two locations in the Peconic River, and samples were analyzed for major ions, trace elements, nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. The major ion compositions at the sites were mainly sodium-chloride type waters, and compositions varied the most at the furthest upstream sites in both streams. Concentrations above aquatic-life criteria thresholds also occurred most frequently at the furthest upstream sites. The seasonal patterns of nutrient loads and concentrations varied between the Carmans and Peconic Rivers. Several organic compounds including pharmaceuticals, domestic use products, and pesticides were detected at low concentrations in both streams. Metformin was the most frequently detected pharmaceutical compound, and herbicides were the most frequently detected pesticide class. Water-quality conditions influenced by anthropogenic contributions are a result of current and historical land use, and these contributions include onsite wastewater disposal systems, commercial or domestic fertilizers and pesticides, and urban or industrial contaminants in road runoff. This study characterizes and improves understanding of the current hydrologic conditions in the Central Pine Barrens region and the study findings can help inform the development of plans to manage, protect, and restore water resources.

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USGS2025

Leveraging high-frequency sensor data and U.S. National Water Model output to forecast turbidity in a drinking water supply basin

As high-frequency sensor networks increasingly enhance data-driven models of water quality, process-based models like the U.S. National Water Model (NWM) are generating accessible forecasts of streamflow at increasingly dense scales. There is now an opportunity to combine these products to construct actionable water quality forecasts. To that end, we couple streamflow forecasts from the NWM to a gradient-boosted decision tree algorithm (LightGBM) trained on 5+ years of high-frequency monitoring data to forecast in-stream turbidity levels in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA. Results indicate LightGBM models are capable of relatively skillful predictions, which enable robust forecasts for 1–3 days lead times. LightGBM models offer improvements over a simplified linear model across the entire forecast horizon, and more spatially complex models are more resilient to error at shorter lead times (1–3 days). Moreover, interpretation of model features emphasizes high flows as a driver of turbidity in the region. Results suggest that interpretable, flexible, and efficient machine learning algorithms can produce capable water quality forecasts from streamflow forecasts and expand understanding of process dynamics. The use case illustrated here—to our knowledge the first NWM-based water quality forecast—underscores the potential to employ the NWM to expand national water quality forecasting capacity and can overall serve as a guide for similar efforts in basins across the country.

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USGS2025

Shoreline change of western Long Island, New York, from satellite-derived shorelines

Shoreline measurement techniques using satellite-derived imagery can provide decades of observations of shoreline change. Here we apply these techniques to the western south shore of Long Island, New York, which has three distinct beaches, Rockaway Peninsula, Long Beach, and Jones Beach Island, which are 18, 15, and 24 km in length, respectively. These beaches are recreation areas for millions of regional residents and include several groin fields, sediment dredging and nourishment operations, and a coastal wave climate that includes winter northeasterly storms and summer hurricanes. The shorelines along the western ends of these three beaches have been accreting at ~4 m/yr during the observation record (1984–2022) resulting from net westward longshore drift. The central 10–12 km of the beaches have lower shoreline change rates, and these rates are generally lowest within the groin fields (0.5–1.5 m/yr). Shoreline change observations also provide evidence for westward propagating accretion and erosion sediment waves that have durations of several years. Beach nourishment projects are shown to significantly influence rates of shoreline accretion, and this is commonly followed by significant shoreline retreat during the subsequent years.

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