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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
USGS1955

Water-power resources in upper Carson River basin, California - Nevada

West Fork Carson River offers the best opportunity for power development in the Carson River basin. The Hope Valley reservoir site could be developed to provide adequate storage regulation and concentration of fall would permit utilization of 1,400 feet of head in 51h miles below the clam site, or 1,900 feet of head in about 972 miles below the dam site; however, the average annual runoff susceptible of development is only about 70,000 acre-feet which limits the power that could be developed continuously in an average year with regulation to about 8,700 kilowatts utilizing 1,400 feet of head, or 12,000 kilowatts utilizing 1,900 feet of head. The method and degree of development will be determined to large extent by the method devised to supplement regulated flows from the Hope Valley reservoir to supply the water already appropriated for irrigation. If the Hope Valley site and the Watasheamu site on East Fork Carson River were developed coordinately water could be transferred to the West Fork for distribution through canals leading from that stream thus satisfying the deficiency due to regulation at Hope Valley and release of stored water on a power schedule. This would permit utilization of the entire 1,900 feet of fall. Independent development of the West Fork for optimum power production would require re-regulation of releases from Hope Valley reservoir and storage of a considerable part of the fall and winter flow for use during the irrigation season. Adequate storage capacity is apparently not available on the West Fork below Hope Valley; but offstream storage may be available in Diamond Valley which could be utilized by diversion from the West Fork near Woodfords. This would limit the utilization of the stream for power purposes to the development of the 1,400 feet of head between the Hope Valley dam site and Wood fords. In a year of average discharge East Fork Carson River and three of its principal tributaries could be developed to produce about 13,500 kilowatts of firm power upstream of the Watasheamu site, which has been proposed as the location of a storage reservoir, the principal use of which would be for irrigation and flood control purposes. Substantial storage regulation would be required because of the seasonal variation in flow; and while sufficient storage capacity is available for such regulation, its value for power development is limited because of the lack of concentration of fall below the storage sites where head could be economically developed. The Watasheamu reservoir with a powerplant near the Horseshoe: Bend site could be operated to develop about 5,400 kilowatts of continuous power in a year of average discharge; however, priority to use of water for irrigation purposes would undoubtedly require operation of the Watasheamu reservoir on a schedule unfavorable to the production of firm power. It is estimated that 47 million kilowatt-hours represents the maximum generation capability of a plant at the Horseshoe Bend site in year of average discharge and a large proportion of this amount would be generated during the period of peak irrigation demand and would be seasonal in nature. Installation of about 7,000 kilowatts of capacity in a plant at the Horseshoe Bend site appears feasible. Annual energy generation would probably be less than the maximum represented by streamflow, depending on the magnitude of releases from the Watasheamu reservoir for irrigation and the demand for seasonal power. It is judged, from a general consideration of the probable cost of the required Structures in relation to the benefits which would accrue from the power that could be produced, that development of East and West Forks Carson River for power purposes only would not be feasible.

California, Nevada↗
USGS2015

Sediment transport and evaluation of sediment surrogate ratings in the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Water Years 2011–14

The Kootenai River white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) and other native fish species are culturally important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, but their habitat and recruitment have been affected by anthropogenic changes to the river. Although the interconnections among anthropogenic changes and their impacts on fish are complex, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, in cooperation with other agencies, has been trying to understand and promote native fish recruitment through the development and implementation of the Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Program. As part of this effort, the U.S. Geological Survey collected sediment and streamflow information and evaluated use of acoustic backscatter as a sediment surrogate for estimating continuous suspended-sediment concentration at three sites in the Kootenai River white sturgeon critical habitat during water years 2011–14. During the study, total suspended-sediment and fines concentrations were driven primarily by contributions from tributaries flowing into the Kootenai River between Libby Dam and the study area and were highest during rain-on-snow events in those tributary watersheds. On average, the relative percentage of suspended-sediment concentration in equal-width-increment samples collected in water years 2011–14 composed of fines less than 0.0625 mm (called washload) was 73, 71, and 70 percent at the Below Moyie, Crossport, and Tribal Hatchery sites, respectively. Suspended sand transport often increased with high streamflows, typically but not always associated with releases from Libby Dam. Bedload measured at the Crossport site was about 5 percent, on average, of the total sediment load measured in samples collected in water years 2011–13 and was positively correlated with suspended-sediment load. Comparisons with regional regression and envelope lines for suspended-sediment and bedload transport in relation to unregulated drainage area (drainage area downstream of Libby Dam) show that sediment transport was substantially less in the Kootenai River than in selected, minimally regulated Rocky Mountain rivers. Acoustic surrogate ratings were developed between backscatter data collected using acoustic Doppler velocity meters (ADVMs) and results of suspended-sediment samples. Ratings were successfully fit to various sediment size classes (total, fines, and sands) using ADVMs of different frequencies (1.5 and 3 megahertz). Surrogate ratings also were developed using variations of streamflow and seasonal explanatory variables. The streamflow surrogate ratings produced average annual sediment load estimates that were 8–32 percent higher, depending on site and sediment type, than estimates produced using the acoustic surrogate ratings. The streamflow surrogate ratings tended to overestimate suspended-sediment concentrations and loads during periods of elevated releases from Libby Dam as well as on the falling limb of the streamflow hydrograph. Estimates from the acoustic surrogate ratings more closely matched suspended-sediment sample results than did estimates from the streamflow surrogate ratings during these periods as well as for rating validation samples collected in water year 2014. Acoustic surrogate technologies are an effective means to obtain continuous, accurate estimates of suspended-sediment concentrations and loads for general monitoring and sediment-transport modeling. In the Kootenai River, continued operation of the acoustic surrogate sites and use of the acoustic surrogate ratings to calculate continuous suspended-sediment concentrations and loads will allow for tracking changes in sediment transport over time.

Idaho↗
USGS2012

Comparison of index velocity measurements made with a horizontal acoustic Doppler current profiler

The State of Illinois' annual withdrawal from Lake Michigan is limited by a U.S. Supreme Court decree, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for monitoring flows in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) near Lemont, Illinois as a part of the Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District. Every 5 years, a technical review committee consisting of practicing engineers and academics is convened to review the U.S. Geological Survey's streamgage practices in the CSSC near Lemont, Illinois. The sixth technical review committee raised a number of questions concerning the flows and streamgage practices in the CSSC near Lemont and this report provides answers to many of those questions. In addition, it is the purpose of this report to examine the index velocity meters in use at Lemont and determine whether the acoustic velocity meter (AVM), which is now the primary index velocity meter, can be replaced by the horizontal acoustic Doppler current profiler (H-ADCP), which is currently the backup meter. Application of the AVM and H-ADCP to index velocity measurements in the CSSC near Lemont, Illinois, has produced good ratings to date. The site is well suited to index velocity measurements in spite of the large range of velocities and highly unsteady flows at the site. Flow variability arises from a range of sources: operation of the waterway through control structures, lockage-generated disturbances, commercial and recreational traffic, industrial withdrawals and discharges, natural inflows, seiches, and storm events. The influences of these factors on the index velocity measurements at Lemont is examined in detail in this report. Results of detailed data comparisons and flow analyses show that use of bank-mounted instrumentation such as the AVM and H-ADCP appears to be the best option for index velocity measurement in the CSSC near Lemont. Comparison of the rating curves for the AVM and H-ADCP demonstrates that the H-ADCP is a suitable replacement for the AVM as the primary index velocity meter in the CSSC near Lemont. A key component to Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting is the USGS gaging station on the CSSC near Lemont, Illinois. The importance of this gaging station in monitoring withdrawals from Lake Michigan has made it one of the most highly scrutinized gaging stations in the country. Any changes in streamgaging practices at this gaging station requires detailed analysis to ensure the change will not adversely affect the ability of the USGS to accurately monitor flows. This report provides a detailed analysis of the flow structure and index velocity measurements in the CSSC near Lemont, Illinois, to ensure that decisions regarding the future of this streamgage are made with the best possible understanding of the site and the characteristics of the flow.

Illinois↗
USGS2018

Mercury on a landscape scale—Balancing regional export with wildlife health

The Cosumnes River watershed requires a 57–64 percent reduction in loads to meet the new Delta methylmercury (MeHg) total maximum daily load allocation, established by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Because there are no large point sources of MeHg in the watershed, the focus of MeHg load reductions will fall upon non-point sources, particularly the expansive wetlands considered to be a primary source of MeHg in the region. Few management practices have been implemented and tested in order to meet load reductions in managed wetlands, but recent efforts have shown promise. This project examines a treatment approach to reduce MeHg loads to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta by creating open-water deep cells with a small footprint at the downstream end of wetlands to promote net demethylation of MeHg and to minimize MeHg and Hg loads exiting wetlands at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Specifically, the deep cells were were located immediately up gradient of the wetland’s outflow weir and were deep enough (75–91 centimeter depth) to be vegetation-free. The topographic and hydrologic structure of each treatment wetland was modified to include open-water deep cells so that the removal of aqueous MeHg might be enhanced through (1) particle settling, (2) photo-degradation, and (3) benthic microbial demethylation. These deep cells were, therefore, expected to clean MeHg from surface water prior to its discharge to the Cosumnes River and the downstream Delta. Our goal was to test whether the implementation of the deep cells within wetlands would minimize MeHg and total Hg export. Further, we sought to test whether continuous flow-through hydrology, would lower MeHg concentrations in resident biota, compared to traditional wetland management operations. The dominant practice in seasonal wetlands management is the “fill-and-maintain” approach, in which wetlands are filled with water and the water levels maintained without substantial draining until drawdown. Our approach was to create and characterize replicate treatment wetland complexes, in conjunction with monitoring of hydrologic, biologic, and chemical indicators of MeHg exposure for two full annual cycles within winter-spring flooded seasonal wetlands. In addition to the creation of deep cells within treatment wetlands, hydrology was manipulated so that there was a constant flow-through of water, while the control wetlands utilized the fill-and-maintain approach. Specifically, the treatment wetlands were maintained in a flow-through manner, while the control wetlands were maintained in a fill-and-maintain manner from September through May, to test the hypothesis that the flow of water through the seasonal wetland can lower fish bioaccumulation through dilution of MeHg-concentrated water within the wetland by constant inflows of water into the wetland. The major tasks of this study included: (1) field design and implementation, (2) water and wetland management, (3) hydrologic monitoring and water quality sampling, (4) MeHg export and load estimates, (5) caged fish experiments for examining MeHg bioaccumulation, (6) site and process characterization to improve understanding and transferability of results, (7) adaptive management, transferability, and outreach, and (8) reporting of results and conclusions. This report summarizes the key findings of this study, which focuses on MeHg load estimates from control and treatment wetlands, quantification of three MeHg removal mechanisms (particulate settling, benthic demethylation, and photo-demethylation) in the deep cells within the treatment wetlands, and MeHg bioaccumulation in wetland fishes. Key findings include: Over two years of study, mean whole-water MeHg load decreased 37 percent in deep cells, when comparing inlet of check weir flows to outlet. Of the 37 percent MeHg load removed within the deep cell, photodegradation accounted for 7 percent and particle flux to the benthos accounted for 24 percent of the mass removed, with the remaining 6 percent apparent MeHg loss unexplained. Benthic MeHg degradation did not appear to be a major MeHg removal process in the deep cells, as changes in the ambient MeHg pool over 7-day bottle incubations showed that the surface sediment exhibited net MeHg production in the majority (87 percent) of incubation experiments. In only 13 percent of the incubations (3 out of 24) was net MeHg degradation observed. Estimates of benthic diffusive flux of MeHg across the sediment/water interface were small relative to particulate flux and variable (positive or negative), suggesting this is likely a minor term in the overall MeHg budget within the deep cells. Although the deep cells served as net MeHg sink overall, MeHg export from the flow-through treatment wetlands (shallow and deep combined) exceeded export from the fill-and-maintain managed control wetlands, because of the differences in hydrologic management between the two wetland types. Shallow wetlands under flow-through conditions generated a net export of MeHg. Most of the annual MeHg export from the treatment wetlands occurred within the first 3 months of flood up (September to November), shortly after hydrologic management began. Despite the effectiveness of the deep cell in lowering MeHg export concentrations, total mercury (THg) concentration did not decrease in biosentinel fish ( Gambusia affinis , Mosquitofish) between the deep cell inlet and outlet. Mosquitofish THg concentrations were higher in treatment wetlands than in control wetlands during the first year of study, likely because of an associated increase in MeHg availability immediately following wetland construction activities. Mosquitofish THg concentrations declined in the treatment wetlands during the second year of study, and fish THg concentrations in treatment wetlands were no different from those in the control. Similarly, the increased hydrologic flow rates in the treatment wetlands did not lower fish THg concentrations nor aqueous MeHg concentrations in the shallow cells, suggesting that MeHg flux from the sediment to water column exceeded the flow-through flushing rate in the shallow portion of the treatment wetlands. Reductions in MeHg concentrations of surface water and fish may require higher flow rates than used in the study to achieve the region’s regulatory goals. However, the flow rates necessary may not be feasible for these managed wetlands because of limited water supply and the associated costs for water and pumping. The use of deep cells in seasonal wetlands were effective in lowering MeHg exports under continuous water flow-through hydrology. However, fill-and-maintain hydrology had lower exports overall, because of a single major drainage event at the end of the flood season. Future studies focused on limiting MeHg export should consider combining deep cells with the fill-and-maintain or fill-and-trickle hydrologic management approach.

California↗
USGS2013

Accuracy of the Missouri River Least Tern and Piping Plover Monitoring Program: considerations for the future

The upper Missouri River system provides nesting and foraging habitat for federally endangered least terns (Sternula antillarum; hereafter “terns”) and threatened piping plovers (Charadrius melodus; hereafter “plovers”). These species are the subject of substantial management interest on the Missouri River for several reasons. First, ecosystem recovery is a goal for management agencies that seek to maintain or restore natural functions and native biological communities for the Missouri River system. Terns and plovers are recognized as important ecosystem components that are linked with the river’s ecological functions. Second, although both species breed beyond the Missouri River system, the Missouri River is one of the principal breeding areas in the Northern Great Plains; thus, the river system is a focal area for recovery actions targeted at regional population goals. Third, a Biological Opinion for Missouri River operations established annual productivity goals for terns and plovers, and the recovery plan for each species established annual population goals. Meeting these goals is a key motivation in management decision making and implementation with regard to both species. A myriad of conservation and management interests necessitate understanding numbers, distribution, and productivity of terns and plovers on the Missouri River system. To this end, a Tern and Plover Monitoring Program (TPMP) was implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (hereafter “Corps”) in 1986, and has since provided annual estimates of tern and plover numbers and productivity for five Missouri River reservoirs and four river reaches (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1993). The TPMP has served as the primary source of information about the status of terns and plovers on the Missouri River, and TPMP data have been used for a wide variety of purposes. In 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC) was tasked by the Corps to evaluate the accuracy of the TPMP and provide guidance on revising the program to assess tern and plover numbers and reproductive success. Accordingly, NPWRC studied terns and plovers on two river reaches and one reservoir (hereafter “the evaluation”), and used the results of those studies to help understand properties and potential limitations of TPMP data and to provide guidance for TPMP revisions. The purpose of this report is to present an overview and evaluation of the TPMP data, the results of our intensive monitoring, and propose an alternative idea that provides a framework for making decisions about how to monitor terns and plovers.

Montana;Nebraska;North Dakota;South Dakota↗
USGS2006

Evaporation from Lake Mead, Arizona and Nevada, 1997-99

Lake Mead is one of a series of large Colorado River reservoirs operated and maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation. The Colorado River system of reservoirs and diversions is an important source of water for millions of people in seven Western States and Mexico. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, conducted a study from 1997 to 1999 to estimate evaporation from Lake Mead. For this study, micrometeorological and hydrologic data were collected continually from instrumented platforms deployed at four locations on the lake, open-water areas of Boulder Basin, Virgin Basin, and Overton Arm and a protected cove in Boulder Basin. Data collected at the platforms were used to estimate Lake Mead evaporation by solving an energy-budget equation. The average annual evaporation rate at open-water stations from January 1998 to December 1999 was 7.5 feet. Because the spatial variation of monthly and annual evaporation rates was minimal for the open-water stations, a single open-water station in Boulder Basin would provide data that are adequate to estimate evaporation from Lake Mead.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS1979

Summary appraisals of the nation's ground-water resources – Lower Colorado region

This report summarizes ground-water availability in the lower Colorado region and discusses the potential for greater ground-water development and increased efficiency of water use. The climate in the most highly developed southwestern part of the region is warm and dry and that in the northeastern part is cool and moist to dry. Although the regional average annual precipitation is only about 14 inches and most streambeds are dry during most of the year, about 1.5 billion acre-feet of ground water of moderate to good chemical quality is stored in aquifers of the region. Much of the water use is founded on pumped withdrawal of ground water. However, in most of the southwestern part of the region pumpage and consumptive use are in excess of replenishment, resulting in declining water levels. In the southwestern part of the region, water levels generally are from 200-500 feet below land surface and in large areas are less than 200 feet. Large-diameter water wells in this part of the region commonly produce 500-1 ,500 gallons per minute of water. In the northeastern part of the region, water levels generally are more than 500 feet below land surface, but in some large areas water levels are from 200-500 feet, and locally are less than 200 feet below the surface. In the northeastern part of the region, water wells generally have lower yields than those to the southwest. The yields range from a few to 2,000 gallons per minute, but most wells yield from 10 to less than 500 gallons per minute. In the southwestern part of the region about 1 billion acre-feet of ground water is recoverable from storage from the water table to a depth of 700 feet below the land surface. In the northeast about 150 million acre-feet can be recovered by dewatering a 100-foot-thick section of a typical aquifer (16 million-acre area). The estimated current annual rate of ground-water depletion, occurring almost entirely in the southwestern part of the region, is 2.4-3.2 million acre-feet per year. Almost 6 million acre-feet is pumped each year-about 90 percent for agriculture, 6 percent for public supply, and 3 percent for industrial use. The percentage of use for public supply and industry is increasing each year. The potential for greater development of ground water in the southwestern part of the region is constrained by land subsidence, earth cracks, increasing costs of pumping and transportation, and moderate to poor chemical quality of water. More ground water can be developed in the northeastern part of the region, where the major constraint is pumping cost owing to low to moderate well yields and depth to water. Some benefits can be realized everywhere in the region through changes in current use and greater efficiencies of use. Additional supplies may be made available by capture of natural evapotranspiration. Increasing the efficiency of use is possible hydrologically but, in the near term, is more expensive than increasing groundwater development. Decrease of irrigation, change to water-saving methods of irrigation, use of saline water, decrease of per capita public- supply use, and more reuse of water in almost every type of use could help extend the supply and thereby reduce the current rate of ground-water depletion. Financial problems have not yet caused an overall decrease in pumpage, but, locally, operating costs or partial dewatering of the aquifer has eliminated or decreased withdrawal. Current water laws in all States of the region, except Arizona, control or allocate the use of ground water.

Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah↗
USGS2024

Neotropical migratory bird monitoring study at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2021 annual data summary

Executive Summary Two Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) stations were operated at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP), California, in 2021: one at De Luz Creek and one at the Santa Margarita River. The stations were established to provide data on Neotropical migratory birds at MCBCP to support the dual missions of environmental stewardship and military readiness. A total of 1,227 individual birds were captured in 2021 between the two stations: 395 at De Luz and 832 at Santa Margarita (both 15 banding days). Of these 1,227 individuals captured, 955 were newly banded (273 at De Luz and 682 at Santa Margarita), 150 were recaptures banded before 2021 (28 at De Luz and 122 at Santa Margarita, excluding recaptures released before reading band number [1 at De Luz and 3 at Santa Margarita]), and 118 were unbanded (93 at De Luz and 25 at Santa Margarita). Return rate in 2021 was much lower than the annual mean at De Luz (1995–2019) and similar to the annual mean at the Santa Margarita station (1998–2020). The sex ratio of known-sex adult birds was skewed toward males at both stations in 2021. Species richness was similar at De Luz from 2019 to 2021, increased at Santa Margarita from 2020 to 2021 and was above annual means at both sites (1995–2019 and 1998–2020, respectively). The most abundant species at De Luz were Wrentit ( Chamaea fasciata ) and Allen’s Hummingbird ( Selasphorus sasin ). Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodia ) and Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas ) were most abundant at Santa Margarita. Since 2002, we have examined the population trends of 12 species at De Luz and 13 species at Santa Margarita for which numbers of known-age individuals were adequate for statistical analysis. We estimated population size and calculated indices of productivity and survival for a subset of these species with sufficient captures and recaptures for valid parameter estimation—four at De Luz and six at Santa Margarita. We determined that in 2021, abundance of 42 percent (5 of 12) of focal species at De Luz and 38 percent (5 of 13) of focal species at Santa Margarita was below the annual mean abundance. Of the focal species below mean abundance, 40 percent (2 of 5) at De Luz and 60 percent (3 of 5) at Santa Margarita were migrant populations. Of the focal species, 25 (3 of 12) percent at De Luz and 31 percent (4 of 13) at Santa Margarita had declining population trends during the span of station operation. With few exceptions, these declines appeared to be associated with conditions on the breeding grounds. Annual productivity (calculated as the ratio of juveniles to adults among individual captures) was zero for all focal species at De Luz in 2021. At Santa Margarita, productivity increased from year 2020 to 2021 for Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and Yellow Warbler ( Setophaga petechia ) and declined from year 2020 to 2021 for Least Bell’s Vireo ( Vireo bellii pusillus ), but productivity was above the 1998–2020 mean for all four species, whereas productivity was maintained for Orange-crowned Warbler ( Leiothlypis celata ) and Yellow-breasted Chat ( Icteria virens ). Winter precipitation affected productivity of Black-headed Grosbeak ( Pheucticus melanocephalus ), Common Yellowthroat, and Song Sparrow at De Luz and affected productivity of Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned Warbler, Song Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Yellow Warbler at Santa Margarita. We calculated the mean annual adult survival for 1998–2020 at Santa Margarita, excluding years when the station was not operated. Survival could not be calculated for De Luz in 2021 because the station was not operated in 2020. Model-averaged annual adult survival ranged from 42 to 66 percent for residents and from 30 to 66 percent for migrants at Santa Margarita. Survival of Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and possibly Yellow Warbler was found to be affected by winter precipitation. Sex was a significant predictor of survival for Common Yellowthroat, Least Bell’s Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat at Santa Margarita, where females were found to have lower survival than males. At Santa Margarita, multiple regression analyses examining adult survival and productivity as predictors of future population size indicated that resident Song Sparrow and migrant Yellow Warbler populations were affected by population size from the previous year, migrant Yellow-breasted Chat populations were affected by productivity from the previous year, and migrant Orange-Crowned Warbler populations were affected by survival from the previous year. Updated previous-year population size predictions could not be calculated for De Luz because the station was not operated in 2020.

California↗
USGS1978

Evaluation and design of a streamflow-data network in Washington

A method of evaluating the transferability of streamflow information by regional regression analysis was applied in Washington to several streamflow variables. The annual mean and annual standard deviation were chosen to represent the development potential of the water resource, while the mean, standard deviation, and the 50-year recurrence interval of the annual flood series were chosen to represent flood potential. Low-flow characteristics were not used because of the inability to model them by regression analysis. Ephemeral streams in the vicinity of the Columbia Plateau were ignored for the same reason. The results of the study indicate that the standard errors of estimate of the regression relations were good approximations of the medians of the Bayesian distributions of estimates of inaccuracy and that for the streamflow variables used in the study, little if any improvement can be expected in the regression relations by the collection of additional streamflow data. Improved transferability of streamflow information for these variables has a prerequisite of more accurate information-transfer models. It is therefore recommended that the future streamflow-data network contain only those streamflow stations needed to provide data for (1) the design or operation of water-resources projects, (2) the investigation and study of water resources, and (3) monitoring long-term trends in streamflow.

Washington↗
USGS1973

Ground-water hydrology of northern Napa Valley, California

The alluvium of northern Napa Valley is the principal aquifer of the area and is capable of yielding as much as 3,000 gallons per minute to wells. Generally the larger-yielding wells are along the Napa River where the alluvium is thickest and most permeable. Recharge to the alluvium is chiefly by percolation from streams and infiltration of precipitation. Discharge is chiefly flow to the Napa River, evapotranspiration, and pumpage from wells. Both recharge to, and discharge from, the alluvial aquifer are sensitively influenced by rainfall. About 190,000 acre-feet of water is presently (1972) stored in the alluvium of northern Napa Valley. Future annual water use in the project area will probably vary between 12,000 and 35,000 acre-feet and, for most purposes, can be supplied by the alluvial aquifer even during extended periods of limited rainfall. Generally low transmissivities in the alluvium, however, limit the opportunity for obtaining sustained, large yields from wells in much of the valley and require that large-scale development and operation of wells in much of the area be planned and synchronized. Sustained drought conditions in the Napa Valley accompanied by expected increases in the use of ground water will probably cause significant reductions in the base flow of the Napa River and cause many shallow wells in the area to dry up. Sodium chloride ground water occurs near Calistoga and in the vicinity of Oakville and in some places is not suitable for irrigation. Model studies indicate that limited migration of sodium chloride water into intensively pumped parts of the aquifer probably will not be a serious problem.

California↗
USGS1980

Situation report: Heavy DDT contamination at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

A DDT manufacturing plant that operated on the Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama discharged DDT-Iaden effluent from 1947 to 1970 into a creek on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Seven to 9 years after the plant closed, high DDT, DDE, and DDD levels were reported in soils, river sediments, and fish in the area. Eleven of 27 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) collected on the Refuge during February 1979 had carcass DDE residues that exceeded levels associated with eggshell thinning. DDE residues in a smaller number of mallards exceeded levels associated with egg breakage, poor hatchability, and abnormal hehavior and poor survival of offspring. Several avian species have disappeared from the Refuge since 1950, probably due to both industrial discharges of DDT from the plant and insecticidal use of DDT in the area. The contamination still presents a threat to herons, waterfowl, and raptors including occasional wintering or migrant eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and probably many other avian species. A maternity colony of endangered gray bats (Myotis grisescens) is also threatened by this contamination.

Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southe↗
USGS2023

Trends in environmental, anthropogenic, and water-quality characteristics in the upper White River Basin, Indiana

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, undertook a study to update and extend results from a previous study (Koltun, 2019, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20195119 ), using data from 3 additional years and newer estimation methods. Koltun (2019) assessed trends in streamflow, precipitation, and estimated annual mean concentrations and flux of nitrate plus nitrite, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids (TSS) for USGS streamflow gages on the upper White River at Muncie, near Nora, and near Centerton, Indiana. Annual mean and maximum daily streamflows had statistically significant upward trends at all study gages between water years 1978 and 2020. An abrupt increase in streamflow occurred around water year 2001. Annual total precipitation at the Indianapolis International Airport increased between calendar years 1932 and 2020 at an average rate of 0.089 inches per year. The current study assessed the magnitude, direction, and likelihood of change in flow-normalized concentrations and flux of TSS, total phosphorus, nitrate plus nitrite, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen between water years 1997 and 2019. With two exceptions, concentration and flux changes that were statistically significant in Koltun (2019, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20195119 ), which reported changes between water years 1997 and 2017, still have the same statistically significant change directions. The reliability of the current trend result for TSS is uncertain because of a large gap in the TSS record for the Centerton gage. For each constituent, spatial patterns were examined in the sampled distribution of nutrient and TSS concentration data from 20 mainstem, tributary, and distributary locations in the upper White River Basin. The largest median concentrations of TSS, total phosphorus, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen were associated with mainstem upper White River sites downstream from Indianapolis. The median total phosphorus and total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations were elevated relative to bracketing upstream/downstream mainstem sites at the upper White River site immediately downstream from Muncie. Data on several anthropogenic factors that could influence the concentrations and fluxes of nutrients and TSS were gathered and analyzed to better understand the factors’ spatial and temporal variations. Those anthropogenic factors included population, land cover, cropping and operational tillage practices, fertilizer application, and upgrades to wastewater treatment systems and delivery processes.

Indiana↗
USGS2009

Hydrologic characterization for Spring Creek and hydrologic budget and model scenarios for Sheridan Lake, South Dakota, 1962-2007

The U.S. Geological Survey cooperated with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to characterize hydrologic information relevant to management of water resources associated with Sheridan Lake, which is formed by a dam on Spring Creek. This effort consisted primarily of characterization of hydrologic data for a base period of 1962 through 2006, development of a hydrologic budget for Sheridan Lake for this timeframe, and development of an associated model for simulation of storage deficits and drawdown in Sheridan Lake for hypothetical release scenarios from the lake. Historically, the dam has been operated primarily as a 'pass-through' system, in which unregulated outflows pass over the spillway; however, the dam recently was retrofitted with an improved control valve system that would allow controlled releases of about 7 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) or less from a fixed depth of about 60 feet (ft). Development of a hydrologic budget for Sheridan Lake involved compilation, estimation, and characterization of data sets for streamflow, precipitation, and evaporation. The most critical data need was for extrapolation of available short-term streamflow records for Spring Creek to be used as the long-term inflow to Sheridan Lake. Available short-term records for water years (WY) 1991-2004 for a gaging station upstream from Sheridan Lake were extrapolated to WY 1962-2006 on the basis of correlations with streamflow records for a downstream station and for stations located along two adjacent streams. Comparisons of data for the two streamflow-gaging stations along Spring Creek indicated that tributary inflow is approximately proportional to the intervening drainage area, which was used as a means of estimating tributary inflow for the hydrologic budget. Analysis of evaporation data shows that sustained daily rates may exceed maximum monthly rates by a factor of about two. A long-term (1962-2006) hydrologic budget was developed for computation of reservoir outflow from Sheridan Lake for the historical pass-through operating system. Two inflow components (stream inflow and precipitation) and one outflow component (evaporation) were considered. The hydrologic budget uses monthly time steps within a computational year that includes two 6-month periods - May through October, for which evaporation is accounted for, and November through April, when evaporation is considered negligible. Results indicate that monthly evaporation rates can substantially exceed inflow during low-flow periods, and potential exists for outflows to begin approaching zero-flow conditions substantially prior to the onset of zero-inflow conditions, especially when daily inflow and evaporation are considered. Results also indicate that September may be the month for greatest potential benefit for enhancing fish habitat and other ecosystem values in downstream reaches of Spring Creek with managed releases of cool water. Computed monthly outflows from Sheridan Lake for September are less than 1.0 ft3/s for 8 of the 44 years (18 percent) and are less than 2.0 ft3/s for 14 of the 44 years (32 percent). Conversely, none of the computed outflows for May are less than 2.0 ft3/s. A short-term (July through September 2007) data set was used to calculate daily evaporation from Sheridan Lake and to evaluate the applicability of published pan coefficients. Computed values of pan coefficients of approximately 1.0 and 1.1 for two low-flow periods are larger than the mean annual pan coefficient of 0.74 for the area that is reported in the literature; however, the computed values are consistent with pan coefficients reported elsewhere for similar late summer and early fall periods. Thus, these results supported the use of variable monthly pan coefficients for the long-term hydrologic budget. A hydrologic model was developed using the primary components of the hydrologic budget and was used to simulate monthly storage deficits and drawdown for Sheridan Lake using hypothetical

South Dakota↗
USGS2009

Watershed Models for Decision Support for Inflows to Potholes Reservoir, Washington

A set of watershed models for four basins (Crab Creek, Rocky Ford Creek, Rocky Coulee, and Lind Coulee), draining into Potholes Reservoir in east-central Washington, was developed as part of a decision support system to aid the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, in managing water resources in east-central Washington State. The project is part of the U.S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Reclamation collaborative Watershed and River Systems Management Program. A conceptual model of hydrology is outlined for the study area that highlights the significant processes that are important to accurately simulate discharge under a wide range of conditions. The conceptual model identified the following factors as significant for accurate discharge simulations: (1) influence of frozen ground on peak discharge, (2) evaporation and ground-water flow as major pathways in the system, (3) channel losses, and (4) influence of irrigation practices on reducing or increasing discharge. The Modular Modeling System was used to create a watershed model for the four study basins by combining standard Precipitation Runoff Modeling System modules with modified modules from a previous study and newly modified modules. The model proved unreliable in simulating peak-flow discharge because the index used to track frozen ground conditions was not reliable. Mean monthly and mean annual discharges were more reliable when simulated. Data from seven USGS streamflow-gaging stations were used to compare with simulated discharge for model calibration and evaluation. Mean annual differences between simulated and observed discharge varied from 1.2 to 13.8 percent for all stations used in the comparisons except one station on a regional ground-water discharge stream. Two thirds of the mean monthly percent differences between the simulated mean and the observed mean discharge for these six stations were between -20 and 240 percent, or in absolute terms, between -0.8 and 11 cubic feet per second. A graphical user interface was developed for the user to easily run the model, make runoff forecasts, and evaluate the results. The models; however, are not reliable for managing short-term operations because of their demonstrated inability to match individual storm peaks and individual monthly discharge values. Short-term forecasting may be improved with real-time monitoring of the extent of frozen ground and the snow-water equivalent in the basin. Despite the models unreliability for short-term runoff forecasts, they are useful in providing long-term, time-series discharge data where no observed data exist.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2015

Hydrologic effects of potential changes in climate, water use, and land cover in the Upper Scioto River Basin, Ohio

This report presents the results of a study to provide information on the hydrologic effects of potential 21st-century changes in climate, water use, and land cover in the Upper Scioto River Basin, Ohio (from Circleville, Ohio, to the headwaters). A precipitation-runoff model, calibrated on the basis of historical climate and streamflow data, was used to simulate the effects of climate change on streamflows and reservoir water levels at several locations in the basin. Two levels of simulations were done. The first level of simulation (level 1) accounted only for anticipated 21st-century changes in climate and operations of three City of Columbus upground reservoirs located in northwest Delaware County, Ohio. The second level of simulation (level 2) accounted for development-driven changes in land cover and water use in addition to changes in climate and reservoir operations. A statistical change-factor approach was used to construct future climate time series that were used in the precipitation-runoff model to compute time series of future streamflows and reservoir water levels. Monthly change factors were computed by determining differences or fractional changes between baseline historical climate time series and future climate time series consisting of outputs from selected global climate models that were included in the World Climate Research Programme’s Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3). Eight sets of change factors were determined on the basis of outputs from four global climate models, each of which was run under two greenhouse-gas scenarios (the “A1b” and “A2” scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 4th assessment). The 4 global climate models whose data were used in this study were selected to represent a wide range of potential climate outcomes as compared to the entire range of potential climate outcomes associated with the 16 global climate models represented in the CMIP3 multimodel dataset. Future land-cover and water-use data were estimated for use in the level-2 precipitation-runoff simulations to account for development-driven changes in land cover and water use. Future land-cover characteristics were estimated for selected future years based on population projections and zoning plans for communities in the basin. Future water-use data for major water suppliers and wastewater-treatment facilities were estimated from current per capita water use, population projections for 2035, and population projections for 2090 assuming full build-out. A statistical change-factor-based approach was used to estimate future water-use characteristics by major water suppliers and wastewater-treatment facilities on the basis of reference-period historical water uses. Annual change factors that were determined for future years other than 2035 and 2090 (when the change factors could be explicitly computed) were estimated by interpolating or extrapolating linearly in time. Water uses by entities other than major water suppliers and wastewater-treatment facilities were assumed to remain unchanged because of uncertainty about if and (or) how they might change. Results from the level-1 simulations were analyzed primarily to facilitate evaluation of climate-driven temporal changes in annual, seasonal, and monthly streamflow and water-level characteristics, as well as in maximum and minimum 7-, 30-, and 180-day average streamflow and reservoir water levels. Results from the level-2 simulations were analyzed to help evaluate and contrast (relative to level-1 results) the effects of the added development-related factors on maximums and minimum 7-, 30-, and 180-day average streamflows and reservoir water levels and duration characteristics of 7- and 30-day average streamflows and reservoir water levels. Results for 12 stream locations and 5 reservoirs in the Upper Scioto River Basin are presented primarily as a series of plots. Although it is beyond the scope of this study to address results in detail for each model-output location, selected results are discussed to illustrate potential uses and interpretations of the graph products provided in this report. In addition, general trends and patterns in streamflow and water-level characteristics are identified where possible.

Ohio↗
USGS2006

Measurements of wind, aeolian sand transport, and precipitation in the Colorado River corridor, Grand Canyon, Arizona: January 2005 to January 2006

This report presents measurements of aeolian sediment-transport rates, wind speed and direction, and precipitation records from six locations that contain aeolian deposits in the Colorado River corridor through Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Aeolian deposits, many of which contain and preserve archaeological material, are an important part of the Grand Canyon ecosystem. This report contains data collected between January 2005 and January 2006, and is the second in a series; the first contained data that were collected between November 2003 and December 2004 (Draut and Rubin, 2005; http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1309/ ). Analysis of data collected in 2005 shows great spatial and seasonal variation in wind and precipitation patterns. Total annual rainfall can vary by more than a factor of two over distances ~ 10 km. Western Grand Canyon received substantially more precipitation than the eastern canyon during the abnormally wet winter of 2005. Great spatial variability in precipitation indicates that future sedimentary and geomorphic studies would benefit substantially from continued or expanded data collection at multiple locations along the river corridor, because rainfall records collected by NPS at Phantom Ranch (near river-mile 88) cannot be assumed to apply to other areas of the canyon. Wind velocities and sand transport in 2005 were greatest during May and June, with maximum winds locally as high as ~25 m s -1 , and transport rates locally >100 g cm -1 d -1 . This represents a later peak in seasonal aeolian sand transport compared to the previous year, in which transport rates were greatest in April and May 2004. Dominant wind direction varies with location, but during the spring windy season the greatest transport potential was directed upstream in Marble Canyon (eastern Grand Canyon). At all locations, rates of sand transport during the spring windy season were 5–15 times higher than at other times of year. This information has been used to evaluate the potential for aeolian reworking of new fluvial sand deposits, and restoration of higher-elevation aeolian deposits, following the 60-hour controlled flood release from Glen Canyon Dam in November 2004. Substantial deposition of new sand occurred at all study sites during this high-flow experiment, but most of the new sediment was eroded by high flow fluctuations between January and March 2005. Comparison of aeolian sand transport in the spring windy seasons of the preand post-flood years indicates that, where some of the flood-deposited sand remained by spring, aeolian sand transport was significantly higher than during the pre-flood spring. Gully incision in an aeolian dune field was observed to be partially ameliorated by deposition of wind-blown sand derived from a nearby 2004 flood deposit. These results imply that sediment-rich controlled floods can renew sand deposition in aeolian dune fields above the flood-stage elevation. The potential for restoration of archaeological sites in aeolian deposits can be maximized by using dam operations that maximize the open sand area on fluvial sandbars during spring, when aeolian sediment transport is greatest.

Arizona↗
USGS1972

An inventory of suspended sediment stations and type of data analysis for Pennsylvania streams, 1947-1970

Data concerning suspended sediment concentrations and loads, frequency of occurrence of suspended sediment concentrations, and long-term trends of annual suspended sediment loads are important tools for today's environmental manager. These data are required background for those concerned with establishing and enforcing erosion and sedimentation control regulations and sediment concentration or turbidity standards for water-quality criteria, or those concerned with designing for adequate long-term water storage in reservoirs (sediment load), for efficient municipal and industrial plant operation (sediment concentration frequency), etc. This is a compilation of the location, period of record, sampling frequency and type of data synthesis for suspended sediment carried by Pennsylvania streams. Figures 1 and 2 show the approximate locations of sediment sampling stations in Pennsylvania. All of the sediment data listed were collected by the U. S. Geological Survey mainly in cooperation with the following Federal, State, and local agencies. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Bureau of Engineering and Construction Soil and Water Conservation Commission Pennsylvania Department of Transportation City of Philadelphia Brandywine Valley Association Delaware Geological Survey Conestoga Valley Association Lehigh County Soil and Water Conservation District Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1977

Index of published surface-water quality data for Oklahoma 1946-1975

Surface-water-quality data for Oklahoma have been published by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with various State agencies on an annual basis since 1949. The published data represents 2,733 station-years of data from 527 stations, ranging from one sample from a station once during the thirty--year period to a continuously operating daily station were more than one hundred samples were collected in a year. The last comprehensive index was published in 1963; since that time various unpublished indexes have been in use, none of which were complete. Most of the water-quality data collected and published prior to 1970 was for the common inorganic constituents such as, calcium, magnesium, sodium, alkalinity, chloride and sulfate. Since 1970 other types of data such as the minor or trace metals, organic compounds including pesticides, nutrients, oxygen resources, and biologic information have been collected and published with ever increasing frequency. This index was designed to provide the data user a means of rapid search for stations by downstream order (Table 2), county (Table 4), and alphabetically by stream or station name (Table 1). Table 1 also provides a breakdown of the data into 10 broad water-quality categories.

Open-File Report↗