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Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

The Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC) conducts integrated research to fulfill the Department of the Interior's responsibilities to the Nation's natural resources. Located on 600 acres along the James River Valley near Jamestown, North Dakota, the NPWRC develops and disseminates scientific information needed to understand, conserve, and wisely manage the Nation's biological resources. Research emphasis is primarily on midcontinental plant and animal species and ecosystems of the United States. During the center's 40-year history, its scientists have earned an international reputation for leadership and expertise on the biology of waterfowl and grassland birds, wetland ecology and classification, mammalian behavior and ecology, grassland ecosystems, and application of statistics and geographic information systems. To address current science challenges, NPWRC scientists collaborate with researchers from other U.S. Geological Survey centers and disciplines (Biology, Geography, Geology, and Water) and with biologists and managers in the Department of the Interior (DOI), other Federal agencies, State agencies, universities, and nongovernmental organizations. Expanding upon its scientific expertise and leadership, the NPWRC is moving in new directions, including invasive plant species, restoration of native habitats, carbon sequestration and marketing, and ungulate management on DOI lands.

Fact Sheet

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units - A model partnership program

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program is a unique model of cooperative partnership among the USGS, other U.S. Department of the Interior and Federal agencies, universities, State fish and wildlife agencies, and the Wildlife Management Institute. These partnerships are maintained as one of the USGS’s strongest links to Federal and State land and natural resource management agencies. Established in 1935 to meet the need for trained professionals in the growing field of wildlife management, the program currently consists of 40 Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units located on university campuses in 38 States and supports 119 research scientist positions when fully funded. The threefold mission of the CRU program is to (1) conduct scientific research for the management of fish, wildlife, and other natural resources; (2) provide technical assistance to natural resource managers in the application of scientific information to natural resource policy and management; and (3) train future natural resource professionals.

Fact Sheet

The U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Research Act Program—Meeting local, State, and national needs for water resources science and training

Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a broad research portfolio that addresses water resource issues that are critical to our Nation’s prosperity and quality of life. Socioeconomics, geopolitical stressors, population growth, climate variability, and other factors provide challenges for the management of water resources. Working collaboratively with partners, the USGS observes and monitors water and water-related parameters, provides assessments, conducts targeted research, and delivers information to users. Residing within the USGS Water Resources Mission Area, the Water Resources Research Act (WRRA) Program is a Federal-State partnership that uses a matching grant program to plan, facilitate, and coordinate water resources research, training, and information transfer to help meet the Nation’s water science needs.

Fact Sheet

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2016 year in review postcard

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2016 Year in Review postcard This postcard provides details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) Program—2016 Year in Review, Circular 1424. This Circular provides information relating to fish and wildlife science, students, staffing, vacancies, research funding, outreach and training, science themes, background on the CRU program, accolades, and professional services. Snapshots of Unit projects with information on how results have been or are being applied by cooperators are included. This is the essence of what we do: science that matters. Throughout the year, keep up with our research projects at www.coopunits.org .

General Information Product

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2017 year in review postcard

This postcard provides details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2017 Year in Review, U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1438, now available at https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1438 . In this report, you will find details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) Program relating to its background, fish and wildlife science, students, staffing, vacancies, research funding, outreach and training, science themes, accolades, and professional services. You will see snapshots of CRU projects with information on how results have been or are being applied by cooperators. This is the essence of what we do: science that matters. Throughout the year, keep up with CRU research projects at http://www.coopunits.org .

General Information Product

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2018 year in review postcard

This postcard provides details about the "Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2018 Year in Review," U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1452, now available at https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1452 . In this report, you will find details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program relating to its background, fish and wildlife science, students, staffing, vacancies, research funding, outreach and training, science themes, accolades, and professional services. You will see snapshots of CRU projects with information on how results have been or are being applied by cooperators. This is the essence of what we do: science that matters. Throughout the year, keep up with CRU research projects at http://www.coopunits.org .

General Information Product

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2019 year in review postcard

Acting Chief’s Message Dear friends, I invite you to take a look at U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1463, “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2019 Year in Review,” now available at https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1463 . In this report, you will find details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program concerning fish and wildlife science, students, staffing, vacancies, research funding, outreach and training, awards, accolades, and professional services. You will also see examples of unit projects with information on how results have been or are being applied by our cooperators. Throughout the year, keep up with our research projects at https://www1.usgs.gov/coopunits/Headquarters/ . Regards, John D. Thompson

General Information Product

Synthesis of rainfall and runoff data used for Texas Department of Transportation Research Projects 0-4193 and 0-4194

In the early 2000s, the Texas Department of Transportation funded several research projects to examine the unit hydrograph and rainfall hyetograph techniques for hydrologic design in Texas for the estimation of design flows for stormwater drainage systems. A research consortium comprised of Lamar University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), was chosen to examine the unit hydrograph and rainfall hyetograph techniques. Rainfall and runoff data collected by the USGS at 91 streamflow-gaging stations in Texas formed a basis for the research. These data were collected as part of USGS small-watershed projects and urban watershed studies that began in the late 1950s and continued through most of the 1970s; a few gages were in operation in the mid-1980s. Selected hydrologic events from these studies were available in the form of over 220 printed reports, which offered the best aggregation of hydrologic data for the research objectives. Digital versions of the data did not exist. Therefore, significant effort was undertaken by the consortium to manually enter the data into a digital database from the printed record. The rainfall and runoff data for over 1,650 storms were entered. To enhance data integrity, considerable quality-control and quality-assurance efforts were conducted as the database was assembled and after assembly to enhance data integrity. This report documents the database and informs interested parties on its usage.

Texas

Stratton Sagebrush Hydrology Study Area: An annotated bibliography of research conducted 1968-1990

This annotated bibliography provides an overview of research projects conducted on the Stratton Sagebrush Hydrology Study Area (Stratton) since its designation as such in 1967. Sources include the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station records storage room, Laramie, Wyoming, the USGS and USFS online reference libraries, and scientific journal databases at the University of Wyoming and Colorado State University. This annotated bibliography summarizes publications from research conducted at Stratton during the prime of its tenure as a research lab from 1968 to 1990. In addition, an appendix is included that catalogues all data on file at the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station in Laramie, Wyoming. Each file folder was searched and its contents recorded here for the researcher seeking original data sets, charts, photographs and records.

Open-File Report

Well construction information, lithologic logs, water level data, and overview of research in Handcart Gulch, Colorado: An alpine watershed affected by metalliferous hydrothermal alteration

Integrated, multidisciplinary studies of the Handcart Gulch alpine watershed provide a unique opportunity to study and characterize the geology and hydrology of an alpine watershed along the Continental Divide. The study area arose out of the donation of four abandoned, deep mineral exploration boreholes to the U.S. Geological Survey for research purposes by Mineral Systems Inc. These holes were supplemented with nine additional shallow holes drilled by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Handcart Gulch trunk stream. All of the holes were converted into observation wells, and a variety of data and samples were measured and collected from each. This open-file report contains: (1) An overview of the research conducted to date in Handcart Gulch; (2) well location, construction, lithologic log, and water level data from the research boreholes; and (3) a brief synopsis of preliminary results. The primary purpose of this report is to provide a research overview as well as raw data from the boreholes. Interpretation of the data will be reported in future publications. The drill hole data were tabulated into a spreadsheet included with this digital open-file report.

Colorado

7th U.S. / Japan Natural Resources (UJNR) Panel on Earthquake Research: Abstract volume and technical program

The U.S. / Japan Natural Resources (UJNR) Panel on Earthquake Research promotes advanced study toward a more fundamental understanding of the earthquake process and hazard estimation. The Panel promotes basic and applied research to improve our understanding of the causes and effects of earthquakes and to facilitate the transmission of research results to those who implement hazard reduction measures on both sides of the Pacific and around the world. Meetings are held every other year, and alternate between countries with short presentation on current research and local field trips being the highlights. The 5th Joint Panel meeting was held at Asilomar, California in October, 2004. The technical sessions featured reports on the September 28, 2004 Parkfield, California earthquake, progress on earthquake early warning and rapid post-event assessment technology, probabilistic earthquake forecasting and the newly discovered phenomenon of nonvolcanic tremor. The Panel visited the epicentral region of the M 6.0 Parkfield earthquake and viewed the surface ruptures along the San Andreas Fault. They also visited the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD), which had just completed the first phase of drilling into the fault. The 6th Joint Panel meeting was held in Tokushima, Japan in November, 2006. The meeting included very productive exchanges of information on approaches to systematic observation of earthquake processes. Sixty eight technical papers were presented during the meeting on a wide range of subjects, including interplate earthquakes in subduction zones, slow slip and nonvolcanic tremor, crustal deformation, recent earthquake activity and hazard mapping. Through our discussion, we reaffirmed the benefits of working together to achieve our common goal of reducing earthquake hazard, continued cooperation on issues involving densification of observation networks and the open exchange of data among scientific communities. We also reaffirmed the importance of making information public in a timely manner. The Panel visited sites along the east coast of Shikoku that were inundated by the tsunami caused by the 1946 Nankai earthquake where they heard from survivors of the disaster and saw new tsunami shelters and barriers. They also visited the Median Tectonic Line, a major onshore strike-slip fault on Shikoku. The 7th Joint Panel meeting was held in Seattle, Wash., U.S.A. from October 27-30, 2008.

Open-File Report

Developing research tools for demographic study of Rhynchophanes mccownii (thick-billed longspurs)

Like numerous other North American grassland bird species, Rhynchophanes mccownii (thick-billed longspur) has experienced severe population declines in the last 50 years. Little is known about population-limiting factors, and knowledge gaps limit conservation efforts on the species; however, before research studies aimed at improving conservation and management actions can be developed, other research must resolve notable knowledge gaps that exist in field techniques for efficient and effective large-scale demographic studies. We examined several techniques for the capture, marking (metal, color bands, and transmitters), and reencountering (resights and telemetry) of thick-billed longspurs in croplands and prairies in Valley County, Montana, during the 2022 and 2023 breeding seasons. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining within- and between-season resights of individual thick-billed longspurs using optical equipment and cameras, transmitter receivers, and the Motus automatic receiving station network. This report includes observations and insights that may aid researchers embarking on future demographic studies of thick-billed longspurs, as well as other grassland birds that provide similar research challenges.

Open-File Report

United States Geological Survey uranium and thorium resource assessment and exploration research program, fiscal year 1979

After expansion of the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) uranium-thorium program in FY (fiscal year) 1975, new directions of research could be pursued, particularly in sedimentology or genetic stratigraphy, geochemistry-mineralogy, and geophysics. In a relatively short time, many of the new research projects have developed critical information on uranium habitats and improved methods of exploration. In FY 1979 a budget increase of approximately 20 percent is programmed, for a funding base of $6,600,000. The increase is scheduled for research grants and contracts outside the USGS in order to extend the basic program without additional personnel. This outside research will be designed not only to increase basic information on uranium occurrence but also to aid the USGS in its evaluation of uranium favorability in key resource areas for the NURE (National Uranium Resource Evaluation) program of DOE (U.S. Department of Energy).

Open-File Report

Earthquake and seismicity research using SCARLET and CEDAR

During the second period of Contract #14-08-0001-1833 (Earthquake and Seismicity Research using SCARLET and CEDAR), we continued and completed research in three main areas: 1) Multimode analysis of Rayleigh type Lg in Southern California. This research is currently being complemented by a similar study in Central California along the West side of the Sierra Nevada, using CalNet stations. 2) A theoretical study of dispersion and attenuation of elastic waves due to multiple scattering from inhomogeneities. This is essentially a first step toward an interpretative model of high frequency apparent attenuation properties in the crust in Southern California. 3) An analysis of anisotropic P n velocities near the big bend of the San Andreas fault, which provides some constraints on the nature of the plate boundary between Pacific and North America below the crust. Other projects are being pursued, which include: 1) the statistical analysis of S wave routine picks on CEDAR to constrain estimates of the Poisson ratio in the crust, 2) an effort to use P/SV amplitude ratio to constrain focal mechanism for local events, and 3) a study of frequency content of signals from foreshocks and aftershocks of the October 15, 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake. Preliminary findings along these lines will be reported at the Fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union. This research is continuing under Contract #14-08-0001-19270, together with continued efforts to characterize historical and recent seismicity in California. We confine the following report to projects already completed or nearing completion.

California

Proceedings of Conference on Status of Geologic Research and Mapping, Death Valley National Park

Welcome to this conference on the “Status of Geologic Research and Mapping in Death Valley National Park.” We organized this conference in an effort to foster communication and increase awareness among parties conducting geologic research in and around the park. Additionally, we hope to assess the status of geologic mapping efforts within the park boundaries in an effort to provide a framework for future discussions regarding the impact and merits of the development of a park-wide geologic map. The topics presented at this meeting reflect the breadth of recent and ongoing geologic research in and near Death Valley National Park. Sessions include (1) regional structure, tectonics, and bedrock geology; (2) Neogene basin stratigraphy, geophysics, and hydrology; (3) posters on mapping in the Death Valley region and topical ones on Death Valley National Park; (4) imagery, Quaternary stratigraphy and geomorphology, and Quaternary geochronology; and (5) paleoclimate and active tectonics. On a one-day field trip to Death Valley, we will visit areas of “type locality” status as well as areas of new research.

Open-File Report

Geological Survey research 1972

This collection of 30 short papers is the third published chapter of "Geological Survey Research 1972." The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by members of the Geologic and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done in fiscal year 1972, together with lists of investigations in progress, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices. "Geological Survey Research 1972" is the thirteenth and last volume of the annual series Geological Survey Research. The short-papers chapters (B, C, and D) will be replaced in 197 3 by the "Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey," and the summary chapter (A) will be published as a separate professional paper. The twelve volumes already published are listed below, with their series designations.

Professional Paper

Hydrogeologic Setting, Ground-Water Flow, and Ground-Water Quality at the Langtree Peninsula Research Station, Iredell County, North Carolina, 2000-2005

A 6-year intensive field study (2000-2005) of a complex, regolith-fractured bedrock ground-water system was conducted at the Langtree Peninsula research station on the Davidson College Lake Campus in Iredell County, North Carolina. This research station was constructed as part of the Piedmont and Mountains Resource Evaluation Program, a cooperative study being conducted by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey. Results of the study characterize the distinction and interaction of a two-component ground-water system in a quartz diorite rock type. The Langtree Peninsula research station includes 17 monitoring wells and 12 piezometers, including 2 well transects along high to low topographic settings, drilled into separate parts of the ground-water-flow system. The location of the research station is representative of a metaigneous intermediate (composition) regional hydrogeologic unit. The primary rock type is mafic quartz diorite that has steeply dipping foliation. Primary and secondary foliations are present in the quartz diorite at the site, and both have an average strike of about N. 12 degree E. and dip about 60 degree in opposite directions to the southeast (primary) and the northwest (secondary). This rock is cut by granitic dikes (intrusions) ranging in thickness from 2 to 50 feet and having an average strike of N. 20 degree W. and an average dip of 66 degree to the southwest. Depth to consolidated bedrock is considered moderate to deep, ranging from about 24 to 76 feet below land surface. The transition zone was delineated and described in each corehole near the well clusters but had a highly variable thickness ranging from about 1 to 20 feet. Thickness of the regolith (23 to 68 feet) and the transition zone do not appear to be related to topographic setting. Delineated bedrock fractures are dominantly low angle (possibly stress relief), which were observed to be open to partially open at depths of as much as 479 feet below land surface. Well yields ranged from about 3 to 50 gallons per minute. The connection of fracture zones at depth was demonstrated in three bedrock wells during a 48-hour aquifer test, and drawdown curves were similar for all three wells. General findings of this study help characterize ground-water flow in the Piedmont and Mountains ground-water systems. Ground-water flow generally is from high to low topographic settings. Ground-water flow discharges toward a surface-water boundary (Lake Norman), and vertical hydraulic gradients generally are downward in recharge areas and upward in discharge areas. Dominant water types are calcium-bicarbonate and are similar in all three zones (regolith, transition zone, and bedrock) of the ground-water system. Results of continuous ground-water-quality monitoring indicate that ground-water recharge may occur seasonally over a period of several months or after heavy rainfall periods over a shorter period of a few to several weeks.

North Carolina

U.S. Geological Survey Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science research to rehabilitate native prey fish of the Lake Ontario fish community—Coregonine fishes

Restoration of native coregonines to Lake Ontario of the Laurentian Great Lakes will improve the diversity of forage for salmonid predators and ecological function in the lake, but efficacy of experimental releases for native species restoration must be evaluated. The Coregonine Research Program at the U.S. Geological Survey Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science encompassed a diverse array of research, with an emphasis on improved culture methods and field assessments of experimentally released juvenile coregonines. This research was carried out to support the Fish Community Objectives of the Lake Ontario Committee, is funded largely by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and was done in collaboration with other laboratories and agencies, particularly, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry; and other U.S. Geological Survey laboratories. The Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science and partners have developed new and innovative hatchery techniques to raise cisco and bloater to life stages suitable for survival in Lake Ontario; assessed adult bloater survival in Lake Ontario; and evaluated survival, return rate, and reproduction of adult cisco in historic spawning locations in Lake Ontario embayments. Successes, challenges, and research needs are discussed.

Lake Ontario