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At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
USGS2022

Quantifying the effects of tides, river flow, and barriers on movements of Chinook Salmon smolts at junctions in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta using multistate models

Successful migration of Chinook Salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) smolts seaward in the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta (hereafter, Delta) requires navigating a network of numerous branching channels. Within the Delta, several key junctions route smolts either towards more direct paths to the ocean or towards the interior Delta, an area associated with decreased survival. Movements within these junctions that determine route choice can be influenced by numerous behavioral and environmental factors, including the complex interplay between tidal and riverine hydraulics. Here, we apply continuous time multistate Markov models to examine the influence of tidal and riverine hydraulics, behavioral factors, and management actions on smolt movements. These models incorporate more information from acoustic telemetry data compared with previous approaches to modeling smolt movements in the Delta. By decomposing modeled flows into tidal and net flow signals we elucidate how each component influences movements into and out of distributary channels. Increasing net flows generally increased movement rates, while flood tides decreased seaward movement rates. Similarly, ebb tides increased downstream movements as fish go with the flow. We found less support for diel movement behaviors compared to flow metrics. Additionally, we quantify the effects of a large management action, the placement of a physical barrier, which was effective at decreasing entrainment into the interior Delta. Together, these results help inform management of Chinook Salmon and increase our understanding of the major factors driving smolt movements within these key junctions.

California↗
USGS2011

Evaluating the potential for remote bathymetric mapping of a turbid, sand-bed river: 2. application to hyperspectral image data from the Platte River

This study examined the possibility of mapping depth from optical image data in turbid, sediment-laden channels. Analysis of hyperspectral images from the Platte River indicated that depth retrieval in these environments is feasible, but might not be highly accurate. Four methods of calibrating image-derived depth estimates were evaluated. The first involved extracting image spectra at survey point locations throughout the reach. These paired observations of depth and reflectance were subjected to optimal band ratio analysis (OBRA) to relate ( R 2 = 0.596) a spectrally based quantity to flow depth. Two other methods were based on OBRA of data from individual cross sections. A fourth strategy used ground-based reflectance measurements to derive an OBRA relation ( R 2 = 0.944) that was then applied to the image. Depth retrieval accuracy was assessed by visually inspecting cross sections and calculating various error metrics. Calibration via field spectroscopy resulted in a shallow bias but provided relative accuracies similar to image-based methods. Reach-aggregated OBRA was marginally superior to calibrations based on individual cross sections, and depth retrieval accuracy varied considerably along each reach. Errors were lower and observed versus predicted regression R 2 values higher for a relatively simple, deeper site than a shallower, braided reach; errors were 1/3 and 1/2 the mean depth for the two reaches. Bathymetric maps were coherent and hydraulically reasonable, however, and might be more reliable than implied by numerical metrics. As an example application, linear discriminant analysis was used to produce a series of depth threshold maps for characterizing shallow-water habitat for roosting cranes.

Platte River↗
USGS2007

River and riparian restoration in the southwest: Results of the National River Restoration Science Synthesis project

Restoration activity has exponentially increased across the Southwest since 1990. Over 37,000 records were compiled into the National River Restoration Science Synthesis (NRRSS) database to summarize restoration trends and assess project effectiveness. We analyzed data from 576 restoration projects in the Southwest (NRRSS-SW). More than 50% of projects were less than or equal to 3 km in length. The most common restoration project intent categories were riparian management, water quality management, in-stream habitat improvement, and flow modification. Common project activities were well matched to goals. Conservative estimates of total restoration costs exceeded $500 million. Most restoration dollars have been allocated to flow modification and water quality management. Monitoring was linked to 28% of projects across the Southwest, as opposed to just 10% nationwide. Mean costs were statistically similar whether or not projects were monitored. Results from 48 telephone interviews provided validation of NRRSS-SW database analyses but showed that project costs are often underreported within existing datasets. The majority of interviewees considered their projects to be successful, most often based upon observed improvements to biota or positive public reaction rather than evaluation of field data. The efficacy of restoration is difficult to ascertain given the dearth of information contained within most datasets. There is a great need for regional entities that not only track information on project implementation but also maintain and analyze monitoring data associated with restoration. Agencies that fund or regulate restoration should reward projects that emphasize monitoring and evaluation as much as project implementation. ?? 2007 Society for Ecological Restoration International.

Restoration Ecology↗
USGS2021

Reconstruction of an extreme flood hydrograph and morphodynamics of a meander bend in a high-peak discharge variability river (Powder River, USA)

Understanding of morphodynamic processes associated with large-scale floods has recently improved following significant advances of modern technologies. Nevertheless, a clear link between flood discharge and in-channel sedimentation processes remains to be resolved. The hydrological and geomorphological data available for the meandering Powder River (Montana, USA) since 1977 makes it a perfect laboratory to investigate connections between flood discharge and point-bar sedimentation processes. This study focuses on a point-bar that accreted laterally ca 70 m during a 50-year recurrence flood, which lasted about 14 days in May 1978. In September 2018, a trench ca 2 m deep and 70 m long was excavated through the axial point-bar deposits, and the 1978 flood deposits were delineated based on georeferenced pre-flood and post-flood cross-section surveys. Sedimentological data show that point-bar deposits accumulated at the early and late flood stages, when the flow was confined to the channel, and have similarities with classical facies models in terms of palaeocurrent patterns and vertical grain-size trend. However, during high-stage flood conditions, when the flow overtopped the bar, cross-cutting of the bar and armouring were typical processes. Integration of sedimentological and palaeo-hydrological data highlight that the relation between channel cross-sectional area and flood discharge play a key role in preserving bar deposits. The integrated approach adopted here provides a basis for advancing palaeoflood hydrology beyond the stage of estimating peak discharges to the next stage of estimating palaeoflood hydrographs.

Montana↗
USGS2019

Geomorphic change and biogeomorphic feedbacks in a dryland river: The Little Colorado River, Arizona, USA

The Little Colorado River in Arizona, U.S.A. has undergone substantial geomorphic change since the early 1900s. We analyzed hydrologic and geomorphic data at different spatial and temporal scales to determine the type, magnitude, and rate of geomorphic change that has occurred since the early 20th century. Since the 1920s, there have been 4 alternating periods of high and low total-annual flow. Peak-flow magnitude, however, has progressively declined. In some reaches, the channel has narrowed between 72 and 88% since the 1930s. Increases in sinuosity in wide alluvial valleys have resulted in reductions in channel slope by ~21 to 32%; channel bed aggradation up to 1.4 m has also occurred in some reaches. Newly developed floodplains have been colonized by dense stands of vegetation that appear to have stabilized these surfaces. Large, long duration floods may cause some channel widening, and meander migration, however, these floods are infrequent, and narrowing resumes shortly thereafter. Channel narrowing, increases in sinuosity, decreases in slope, and increases in vegetative roughness appear to have caused biogeomorphic feedbacks, thereby exacerbating sediment deposition, and disrupting flood conveyance. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the travel time of floods up to ~100% compared to floods of the 1940s and 1950s, and this has likely led to increased flood attenuation, contributing to decreases in peak-flow magnitude. The progressive increase in water development in parts of the basin has also likely played some role in the progressive declines in peak flow over the duration of the study.

Arizona↗
USGS1974

Quality of water in the Red River alluvial aquifer, Shreveport, to the mouth of the Black River, Louisiana

Chemical analyses of water samples from 296 wells in the Red River alluvial aquifer indicate that the ground water in the valley is generally hard (more than 120 milligrams per liter) and has a high iron concentration (greater than 6,000 micrograms per liter). The predominant ions found in the water were calcium and bicarbonate. However, in places in the vicinity of Natchitoches, saline water, probably from underlying formations, has infiltrated the aquifer and sodium and chloride are the principal constituents.

Louisiana↗
USGS1976

Annual report to the Pecos River Commission on investigations being made in New Mexico and Texas by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the Pecos River Commission: calendar year 1976

This report describes investigations in New Mexico and Texas made by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Pecos River Commission during the 1976 calendar year and provides a summary of costs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976.

New Mexico;Texas↗
USGS2007

Burial history, thermal maturity, and oil and gas generation history of petroleum systems in the Wind River Basin Province, central Wyoming: Chapter 6 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas resources in the Wind River Basin Province, Wyoming

Burial history, thermal maturity, and timing of oil and gas generation were modeled for eight key source rock units at nine well locations throughout the Wind River Basin Province. Petroleum source rocks include the Permian Phosphoria Formation, the Cretaceous Mowry Shale, Cody Shale, and Mesaverde, Meeteetse, and Lance Formations, and the Tertiary (Paleocene) Fort Union Formation, including the Waltman Shale Member. Within the province boundary, the Phosphoria is thin and only locally rich in organic carbon. Phosphoria oil produced from reservoirs in the province is thought to have migrated from the Wyoming and Idaho thrust belt. Locations (wells) selected for burial history reconstructions include three in the deepest parts of the province (Adams OAB-17, Bighorn 1-5, and Coastal Owl Creek); three at intermediate depths (Hells Half Acre, Shell 33X-10, and West Poison Spider); and three at relatively shallow locations (Young Ranch, Amoco Unit 100, and Conoco-Coal Bank). The thermal maturity of source rocks is greatest in the deep northern and central parts of the province and decreases to the south and east toward the basin margins. The results of the modeling indicate that, in the deepest areas, (1) peak petroleum generation from Cretaceous rocks occurred from Late Cretaceous through middle Eocene time, and (2) onset of oil generation from the Waltman Shale Member occurred from late Eocene to early Miocene time. Based on modeling results, gas generation from the cracking of Phosphoria oil reservoired in the Park City Formation reached a peak in the late Paleocene/early Eocene (58 to 55 Ma) only in the deepest parts of the province. The Mowry Shale and Cody Shale (in the eastern half of the basin) contain a mix of Type-II and Type-III kerogens. Oil generation from predominantly Type-II source rocks of these units in the deepest parts of the province reached peak rates during the latest Cretaceous to early Eocene (65 to 55 Ma). Only in these areas of the basin did these units reach peak gas generation from the cracking of oil, which occurred in the early to middle Eocene (55 to 42 Ma). Gas-prone source rocks of the Mowry and Cody Shales (predominantly Type-III kerogen), and the Mesaverde, Meeteetse, Lance, and Fort Union Formations (Type –III kerogen) reached peak gas generation in the latest Cretaceous to late Eocene (67 to 38 Ma) in the deepest parts of the province. Gas generation from the Mesaverde source rocks started at all of the modeled locations but reached peak generation at only the deepest locations and at the Hells Half Acre location in the middle Paleocene to early Eocene (59 to 48 Ma). Also at the deepest locations, peak gas generation occurred from the late Paleocene to the early Eocene (57 to 49 Ma) for the Meeteetse Formation, and during the Eocene for the Lance Formation (55 to 48 Ma) and the Fort Union Formation (44 to 38 Ma). The Waltman Shale Member of the Fort Union Formation contains Type-II kerogen. The base of the Waltman reached a level of thermal maturity to generate oil only at the deep-basin locations (Adams OAB-17 and Bighorn 1-5 locations) in the middle Eocene to early Miocene (36 to 20 Ma).

Wyoming↗
USGS2007

Distribution of fluids and pressures in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming: Chapter 7 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas resources in the Wind River Basin Province, Wyoming

To examine the state of hydrocarbons and water in the Wind River Basin of Wyoming, the following data types are compiled and presented at the basin scale: fluid type, pressure, and temperature from drillstem tests; watersalinity and cumulative hydrocarbon production from oil and gas wells; vitrinite reflectance data; and sonic well logs. The spatial distribution of produced fluids shows the nearly ubiquitous presence of mobile water, even in highly productive gas-charged formations. Sonic logs record a basin wide velocity decrease in the Lower Cretaceous Thermopolis Shale through the Upper Cretaceous Cody Shale that is attributed to a combination of paleo-overpressuring and present-day overpressuring. Pressure-elevation plots and mud weights reveal the presence of two large pressure compartments in the Madden area, one above the Waltman Shale Member of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation and the other below it. Temperature data reveal hot and cold spots around structures in the marginal parts of the basin where the Waltman Shale Member of the Fort Union Formation is absent. The highest temperature gradients are in the upper pressure compartment in the Madden area. Vitrinite reflectance data record little change with increasing depth throughout much of the geologic section in shallow parts of the basin and a steady increase of log (R o ) with depth in the deep parts of the basin. The varied distribution of fluids, pressure, and temperature reflect the complex history of subsidence, thrusting, hydrocarbon generation, water migration, and uplift in and marginal to this large, asymmetric intermontane basin.

Wyoming↗
USGS2023

River water quality in the Delaware River Basin—Concentrations and trends through 2018

Introduction The Delaware River Basin provides drinking water to 13.3 million people and supports endangered species, provides recreational opportunities, and is an essential resource to regional industries. The efforts of Federal and State governments have substantially improved overall water quality in the basin, which had been severely degraded prior to the mid-20th century. Recent trend analyses of water-quality data reveal negative and positive changes: increasing rates of salinization and improvements in nutrient conditions.

Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania↗
USGS1972

Flood of June 1972: Canisteo River, Tuscarora Creek, and Tioga River near Addison, New York

In June 1972, tropical storm Agnes caused sever flooding in Pennsylvania and southern New York. The flood, on many major streams were the highest known since the river valleys were settled. Maximum discharges were as much as twice the discharge of a 50-year flood. In southern New York, large areas in Corning, Elmire, Wellsville, Salamanca, and in many smaller communities were inundated to depths of several feet. Levels of all of the Finger Lakes were higher than any previously recorded, and extensive flooding of lakeside properties resulted. The extent of flooding shown on the map was delineated by the U.S. Geological Survey from earlier photography and limited field survey. The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the State of New York and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

New York↗
USGS1982

Report of the annual yield of the Arkansas River basin for the Arkansas River Basin Compact, Arkansas-Oklahoma, 1981 water year

The computed annual yield and deficiency of the subbasins as defined in the Arkansas River Compact, Arkansas-Oklahoma, 1980, are presented. Actual runoff from the subbasins and depletion caused by major reservoirs in the compact area are also given. Monthly, maximum, minimum, and mean discharges are shown for the 14 streamflow stations used in computing annual yield. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1983

Hydrology of Area 1, eastern coal province, Pennsylvania [West Branch Susquehanna River, Sinnemahoning Creek, Upper Juniata River, Clearfield Creek]

Provisions of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 recognized a nationwide need for hydrologic information in mined and potentially mined areas. This report is designed to be useful to mine owners, operators, regulatory authorities, citizens groups, and others by presenting information on existing hydrologic conditions and by identifying additional sources of hydrologic information. General hydrologic information is presented in a brief text accompanied by a map, chart, graph, or other illustration for each of a series of water resources-related topics. The summation of the topical discussions provides a description of the hydrology of the area. The Eastern Coal Province has been divided into 24 hydrologic study areas which are shown on the cover of this report. The divisions are based on hydrologic factors, location, and size. Hydrologic units (surface drainage basins) or parts of units are combined to form each study area. Area 1 covers 7,400 square miles of the Eastern Coal Province in part or all of 18 counties in west-central Pennsylvania. The major streams in the area are the West Branch Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers. Area 1 counties produced more than 20,000,000 tons of coal during 1979. About 66,000 acres of disturbed coal land in Area 1 counties are in need of reclamation. Streamflow data have been collected at 146 locations in the area, and water-quality data have been collected at 123 locations. Interpretations of water quality in this report are generally based on a series of four water-quality samples collected at each of 113 locations during the 1979-80 water years. Water-quality data collected at these sites included: specific conductance; dissolved solids; pH; acidity; alkalinty; total and dissolved iron; total and dissolved manganese; sulfate; and bed-material iron, manganese, coal, and organic carbon. Most sites had benthic invertebrate populations sampled and analyses of bed-material constituents. A smaller set of sites was sampled for common constituents and minor elements. Streams in Clearfield and Cambria Counties, the two leading coal producers in the area, had median specific conductances and dissolved-solids concentrations three to five times greater than those from other area counties. Clearfield County streams had the lowest median stream pH in the area. Most streams sampled in the area had acidity in excess of alkalinity. Streams in the three major coal producing counties in the area had median total-iron concentrations two to three times higher than those for other area counties, and the same general pattern was found for total manganese. The median sulfate concentration of a county's streams showed a close positive correlation with the amount of coal mined in the county. Iron and coal concentrations in bed material were higher in coal-producing counties, but manganese concentrations in bed material were not higher. Twenty-eight streams did not have a benthic biological community as defined by the Office of Surface Mining. Three-fourths of the sites with no biological community had levels of pH, acidity, iron, manganese, and sulfate indicative of acid mine drainage. Statistics on low flow, mean flow, peak flow, and flow-duration can be computed from gaging station records for gaged streams. The same statistics can be estimated for ungaged streams through the use of regression or graphical techniques. This information may be useful in preparing and evaluating mine-permit applications. Aquifers in the area receive most recharge from precipitation on outcrop areas. Highest ground-water levels generally occur in spring, decline during the summer, and begin to rise again during the fall. Water levels in valleys generally show less fluctuation than on hills. Median well yields in the area range from 5 to 50 gallons per minute. Ground-water supplies are obtained from more than 40 formations. Ground-water quality is generally suitable for most uses.

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1995

Dissolved pesticide data for the San Joaquin River at Vernalis and the Sacramento River at Sacramento, California, 1991-94

Water samples were collected from sites on the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers, California and were analyzed for dissolved organic pesticides. This data collection and analysis are a part of an ongoing project by the U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Contaminants Hydrology program to determine the fate and transport of organic pesticides that enter the San Francisco Bay Estuary. Concentrations of selected pesticides were measured in filtered water samples using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry at the U.S. Geological Survey organic chemistry laboratory in Sacramento.

California↗
USGS1997

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1996. Volume 3. Ohio River and St. Lawrence River basins

Water resources data for the 1996 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 3, includes records from the Ohio and St. Lawrence River Basins. Specifically, it contains: (1) discharge records for 66 continuous record streamflow-gaging stations and 10 partial-record and miscellaneous streamflow stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 3 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 2 streamflow gaging stations and 18 partial-record stations; and (4) water-level records for 15 network observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellanious measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in Volume 1 and 2, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, Municipal, Local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1997

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1997. Volume 3. Ohio River and St. Lawrence River basins

Water resources data for the 1997 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 3, includes records from the Ohio and St. Lawrence River Basins. Specifically, it contains: (1) discharge records for 63 continuous record streamflow-gaging stations and 18 partial-record and miscellaneous streamflow stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 11 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 10 streamflow-gaging stations and 18 partial-record stations; and (4) water-level records for 15 network observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in Volume 1 and 2, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, Municipal, Local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1999

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1998. Volume 3. Ohio River and St. Lawrence River basins

Water resources data for the 1998 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 3, includes records from the Ohio and St. Lawrence River Basins. Specifically, it contains: (1) discharge records for 62 continuous record streamflow-gaging stations and 18 partial-record and miscellaneous streamflow stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 11 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 10 streamflow-gaging stations; and (4) water-level records for 15 network observations wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in Volume 1 and 2, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, Municipal, Local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1979

Forest and flooding with special reference to the White River and Ouachita River basins, Arkansas

The observed response of trees to hydrologic stress and distribution of trees in relation to habitat indicate that flooding, ground-water level, soil moisture, soil factors, and drainage characteristics exert a strong influence on bottomland forest species distribution. The dominant hydrologic factor influencing the distribution of bottomland tree species is flooding. Individual tree species are distributed as a function of frequency and duration of flooding. In the lower White and Ouachita River basins, the flood plains consist of a series of terraces, progressively higher terraces having less frequent flooding and less duration of flooding, and a significantly different composition of forest tree species. The sites studied can be divided into four basic groups and several subgroups on the basis of flood characteristics. On Group I (water hickory-overcup oak) sites, flooded near annually 32 to 40 percent of the time, the dominant species are water hickory and overcup oak. On Group II (nuttall oak) sites, flooded near annually 10 to 21 percent of the time, a more varied flora exists including nuttall oak, willow oak, sweetgum, southern hackberry, and American elm. The third group (Group III or shagbark hickory-southern red oak) of sites is flooded at intervals from 2 to 12 years. This group includes southern red oak, shagbark hickory, and black gum. The presence of blackjack oak in addition to Group III species marks Group IV (not flooded in historic time). (Kosco-USGS)

Arkansas↗