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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
USGS1992

Water resources of Massachusetts

This report describes the water resources of Massachusetts. It contains sections describing the location, use, quality, and management of water resources in Massachusetts, followed by a summary of the surface water and ground-water resources of all 27 river basins designated by the State for planning purposes. The data for each basin include information about selected continuous record streamflow-gaging stations, the distribution and size of major lakes and streams, and the character of the principal aquifers. Each basin summary is accompanied by a map that shows basin and political boundaries, hydrography, locations of continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, and aquifer areas. The aquifer areas were derived from the Hydrologic Investigations Atlases and generally show areas that are likely to yield 100 gallons per minute or more to individual wells. The report was compiled from many reports, including 30 U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlases that inventory water resources of the State.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1996

Status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia; summary of hydrologic and climatic data, January 1994 through March 1996

This report describes the status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Data presented are from January 1994 through March 1996, with a focus on data from January through March 1996 (first quarter of 1996). A complete database of ground-water withdrawals and chloride-concentration records since 1985 is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey. Cumulative rainfall for January through March 1996 was about 30 inches, which is 9 percent less than the mean cumulative rainfall of about 33 inches for January through March. The period January through February is the end of the annual wet season, while March marks the start of the annual dry season. Ground-water withdrawal during January through March 1996 averaged 970,300 gallons per day. Withdrawal for the same 3 months in 1995 averaged 894,600 gallons per day. With- drawal patterns during the first quarter of 1996 did not change significantly since 1991, with the Cantonment and Air Operations areas supplying about 99 percent of total islandwide pumpage. At the end of March 1996, the chloride concentration of water from the elevated tanks at Cantonment and Air Operations were 47 and 80 milligrams per liter, respectively. The chloride data from all five production areas showed no significant upward or downward trends throughout the first quarter of 1996. Potable levels of chloride concentrations have been maintained by adjusting individual pumping rates, and also because of the absence of long-term droughts. Chloride concentration of ground water in monitoring wells at Cantonment and Air Operations also showed no significant trends throughout the first quarter of 1996. Chloride concentrations have been about the same since the last quarter of 1995. A fuel-pipeline leak at Air Operations in May 1991 decreased total islandwide withdrawals by 15 percent. This lost pumping capacity is being offset by increased pumpage at Cantonment. Six wells do not contribute to the water supply because they are being used to hydraulically divert fuel migration away from water-supply wells by a program of ground-water withdrawal and injection.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1996

Status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia; summary of hydrologic and climatic data, January 1994 through June 1996

This report describes the status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Data presented are from January 1994 through June 1996, with a focus on data from April through June 1996 (second quarter of 1996). A complete database of ground-water withdrawals and chloride-concentration records since 1985 is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey. Cumulative rainfall for April through June 1996 was 22.64 inches, which is 12 percent more than the mean cumulative rainfall of 20.21 inches for April through June. The period April through June is part of the annual dry season. Ground-water withdrawal during April through June 1996 averaged 1,048,000 gallons per day. Withdrawal for the same 3 months in 1995 averaged 833,700 gallons per day. Withdrawal patterns during the second quarter of 1996 did not change significantly since 1991, with the Cantonment and Air Operations areas supplying about 99 percent of total islandwide pumpage. At the end of June 1996, the chloride concentration of water from the elevated tanks at Cantonment and Air Operations were 52 and 80 milligrams per liter, respectively. The chloride data from all five production areas showed no significant upward or downward trends throughout the second quarter of 1996. Potable levels of chloride concentrations have been maintained by adjusting individual pumping rates, and also because of the absence of long-term droughts. Chloride concentration of ground water in monitoring wells at Cantonment and Air Operations also showed no significant trends throughout the second quarter of 1996. Chloride concentrations have been about the same since the last quarter of 1995. A fuel-pipeline leak at Air Operations in May 1991 decreased total islandwide withdrawals by 15 percent. This lost pumping capacity is being offset by increased pumpage at Cantonment. Six wells do not contribute to the water supply because they are being used to hydraulically divert fuel migration away from water-supply wells by a program of ground-water withdrawal and injection.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1995

Status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia; summary of hydrologic and climatic data through September 1993

This report contains hydrologic and climatic data that describe the status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Data are presented through September 1993, one month into the annual wet season. At the end of September 1993, the chloride concentration of the composite water supply was 66 milligrams per liter, well below the 250 milligrams per liter secondary drinking water standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most of the production wells appeared to be operating at levels consistent with past operations. Several wells at Air Operations remain out of service while they are being used to hydraulically divert the nearby fuel spill. Rainfall thus far in 1993 is 8 percent below the mean annual rainfall of 106 inches. This follows a year when rainfall was 12 percent below the mean annual rainfall. Withdrawal has averaged 856,000 gallons per day during 1993, a decrease from the 1992 average of 936,000 gallons per day. The chloride concentration of pumped water rose during the current quarter (July through September 1993) in most areas, coincident with the annual dry season (March through August). This continues a general trend of increasing chloride concentration that has persisted for more than a year, beginning in the 1992 dry season. Chloride concentration rose progressively during the current quarter in monitoring wells at Cantonment and Air Operations. Chloride concentrations in the deeper monitoring wells have generally been increasing since 1992. A fuel spill at Air Operations caused the shutdown of ten wells in May 1991. Four of the wells have resumed pumping to the water supply, but water from the remaining six wells is being used to hydraulically contain and divert fuel migration.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1994

Water resources activities in Kentucky, 1993-94

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the principal Federal water-resources data collection and investigation agency. Through the Water Resources Division District Office in Kentucky, the USGS investigates the occurrence, distribution, quantity, movement, and chemical and biological quality of surface and ground water in the State. The mission of this program is to collect, interpret, and publish information on water resources. Almost all research and data collection is a cooperative effort in which planning and financial support are shared by State and local agencies and governments. Other activities are funded by other Federal agencies or by direct Congressional appropriation. This report is intended to inform the public and cooperating agencies, vitally interested in the water resources of Kentucky, as to the current status of the Distfict's data collection and investigation program. Included in the report are summaries of water-resources activities in Kentucky conducted by the USGS. Also included is a description of the USGS mission and program, District organization, funding sources and cooperating agencies, and a list of USGS publications relevant to the water resources of the State.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2007

Assessment of Historical Water-Quality Data for National Park Units in the Rocky Mountain Network, Colorado and Montana, through 2004

This report summarizes historical water-quality data for six National Park units that compose the Rocky Mountain Network. The park units in Colorado are Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and Rocky Mountain National Park; and in Montana, they are Glacier National Park, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. This study was conducted in cooperation with the Inventory and Monitoring Program of the National Park Service to aid in the design of an effective and efficient water-quality monitoring plan for each park. Data were retrieved from a number of sources for the period of record through 2004 and compiled into a relational database. Descriptions of the environmental setting of each park and an overview of the park's water resources are presented. Statistical summaries of water-quality constituents are presented and compared to aquatic-life and drinking-water standards. Spatial, seasonal, and temporal patterns in constituent concentrations also are described and suggestions for future water-quality monitoring are provided.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS1976

Summary of geology and ground-water resources of Passaic County, New Jersey

Ground water in Passaic County occurs in intergranular openings of unconsolidated stratified deposits of Quaternary age and in joints and fractures in consolidated rocks of Precambrian, Paleozoic, and Triassic age. The Brunswick Formation of Triassic age is the most important aquifer in the southeastern one-third of Passaic County. Reported yields of public supply and industrial wells range from 50 to 510 gallons per minute (3 to 32 litres per second) and the median yield is 130 gallons per minute (8 litres per second). Most of these wells are 200 to 400 feet (61 to 122 metres) deep. The median yield of all public supply and industrial wells over 300 feet (91 metres) deep and 8 inches (203 millimetres) or larger in diameter is 230 gallons per minute (15 litres per second). Crystalline rocks of Precambrian age are the major source of ground water for domestic use in the northwestern two-thirds of Passaic County. Reported well yields range from 1 to 200 gallons per minute (.06 to 13 litres per second). The median reported yield of domestic wells is 5 gallons per minute (.31 litres per second) and that of public supply wells is 30 gallons per minute (2 litres per second). Other consolidated rocks--rocks of Paleozoic age and the Watchung Basalt of Traissic age--are utilized primarily for domestic water supplies in Passaic County. Reported yields of wells tapping the Paleozoic rocks range from less than 1 to 35 gallons per minute (.06 to 2 litres per second) and the median yield is 10 gallons per minute (.63 litres per second). Reported yields of domestic wells tapping the Watchung Basalt range from less than 1 to 40 gallons per minute (.06 to 3 litres per second) and the median yield is 12 gallons per minute (.76 litres per second). However, reported yields of nine industrial and commercial wells range from 50 to 180 gallons per minute (3 to 11 litres per second). Unconsolidated stratified deposits of Quaternary age are locally an important source of ground water for public supply and industrial use in parts of Passaic County. These deposits have not been extensively explored but are potentially an important source of ground water for future development. Reported yields of wells tapping the stratified deposits range from 4 to 920 gallons per minute (.25 to 58 litres per second). The median reported yield of domestic wells is 16 gallons per minute (1 litre per second) and that of public supply and industrial wells is 130 gallons per minute (8 litres per second. Depths of wells depend upon the thickness of the deposits. Reported depths range from 22 to 170 feet (7 to 52 metres). The quality of ground water in Passaic County varies from one aquifer to another. Water from the Precambrian rocks is soft to moderately hard (34 to 104 milligrams per litre) and is low in dissolved solids (66 to 159 milligrams per litre). Water from the Brunswick Formation is moderately hard to very hard (89 to 540 milligrams per litre). The dissolved solids content ranges from 129 to 563 milligrams per litre). The occurrence of more highly mineralized water at depth in the Brunswick Formation is indicated by an analysis, made in 1885, of 16,000 milligrams per litre of dissolved solids at a depth of 2,050 feet (625 metres) in a well in Paterson. Water from two wells tapping the Quaternary deposits is moderately hard (65 and 83 milligrams per litre) and has dissolved solids contents of 122 and 133 milligrams per litre). Water use from both surface and ground-water supplies in Passaic County averaged about 106 million gallons per day (4.6 cubic metres per second) in 1965. Ground water probably accounts for 5 to 10 percent of this total. Ground-water pumpage by the major public supply companies in the county has increased from 2.1 million gallons per day (.09 cubic metres per second) in 1951 to 4.39 million gallons per day (.19 cubic metres per second) in 1968. About 80 percent of the 4.39 million gallons per day (.19 cubic metres per second) was from wells tapping the Brunswick Formation in the southern part of the county.

New Jersey↗
USGS1954

Summary of geology and ground-water resources of the Eastern Shore peninsula, Virginia: a preliminary report

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Virginia Division of Geology (Virginia Division of Mineral Resources), conducted an investigation of the geology and ground-water resources of the Coastal Plain of Virginia. This report summarizes preliminary findings from exploratory test drilling done to ascertain whether there are any satisfactory water-bearing zones deeper than those in general use.

Virginia↗
USGS1995

Status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia; summary of hydrologic and climatic data, January 1992 through September 1994

This report contains hydrologic and climatic data that describe the status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Data are presented from January 1992 through September 1994. This report concentrates on data from July through September 1994, and references historic data from 1992 through June 1994. Total rainfall for the first nine months of 1994 was about 77 inches which is 72 percent of the mean annual rainfall of 106 inches. In comparison, total rainfall for the first nine months of 1992 and 1993 was 67 inches and 69 inches, respectively. Annual rainfall totals in 1992 and 1993 were 93 inches and 95 inches, respectively. Ground-water withdrawal during July through September 1994 has averaged 919,400 gallons per day, while annual withdrawals in 1992 and 1993 averaged 935,900 gallons per day and 953,800 gallons per day, respectively. At the end of September 1994, the chloride concentration of the composite water supply was 56 milligrams per liter, well below the 250 milligrams per liter secondary drinking-water standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chloride concentrations of the composite water supply from July through September 1994 ranged between 51 and 78 milligrams per liter. Chloride concentration of ground water in monitoring wells at Cantonment and Air Operations increased in July and August, but have leveled off or decreased in September. There has been a general trend of increasing chloride concentrations in the deeper monitoring wells since the 1992 dry season, which began in March 1992. A fuel leak at Air Operations caused the shutdown of ten wells in May 1991. Four of the wells resumed pumping for water-supply purposes in April 1992. The remaining six wells are being used to hydraulically contain and divert fuel migration by recirculating 150,000 gallons of water each day.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1995

Status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia; summary of hydrologic and climatic data, January 1992 through December 1994

This report contains hydrologic and climatic data that describe the status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Data presented are from January 1992 through December 1994. This report concentrates on data from October through December 1994, and references previous data from 1992 through 1994. Cumulative rainfall for October through December 1994 was 55 inches which is higher than the mean cumulative rainfall of about 31 inches for the same 3 months. Total rainfall for 1994 was 131 inches which is 24 percent higher than the mean annual rainfall of 106 inches. In com- parison, total rainfall in 1992 and 1993 were 93 inches and 95 inches, respectively. Ground-water withdrawal during October through December 1994 averaged 903,000 gallons per day, while the annual withdrawal in 1994 was 942,700 gallons per day. Annual withdrawals in 1992 and 1993 averaged 935,900 gallons per day and 953,800 gallons per day, respectively. At the end of December 1994, the chloride concentration of the composite water supply was 28 milligrams per liter, well below the 250 milligrams per liter secondary drinking-water standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chloride concentrations of the composite water supply from October through December 1994 ranged between 28 and 86 milligrams per liter. Chloride concentration of ground water in monitoring wells at Cantonment and Air Operations decreased in November and December, and seems to have leveled off by the end of the year. Although chloride concen- trations have decreased during the fourth quarter of 1994, there has been a general trend of increasing chloride concentrations in the deeper monitoring wells since the 1992 dry season, which began in March 1992. A fuel leak at Air Operations caused the shutdown of ten wells in May 1991. Four of the wells resumed pumping for water-supply purposes in April 1992. The remaining six wells are being used to hydraulically contain and divert fuel migration by recirculating 150,000 gallons of water each day.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1996

Status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia; summary of hydrologic and climatic data, January 1993 through September 1995

This report contains hydrologic and climatic data that describe the status of ground-water resources at U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. Data presented are from January 1993 through September 1995, although the report focuses on hydrologic events from July through September 1995. Cumulative rainfall for July through September 1995 was about 15 inches which is 32 percent less than the mean cumulative rainfall of about 22 inches for July through September. July and August are within the annual dry season, while September is the start of the annual wet season. Mean cumulative rainfall is calculated for the fixed base period 1951-90. Ground-water withdrawal during July through September 1995 averaged 888,500 gallons per day. Withdrawal for the same 3 months in 1994 averaged 919,400 gallons per day. Patterns of withdrawal during the third quarter of 1995 did not change significantly since 1993 at all five ground-water production areas. At the end of September 1995, the chloride concentration of the composite water supply was 51 milligrams per liter, well below the 250 milligrams per liter secondary drinking-water standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chloride concentrations of the composite water supply from July through September 1995 ranged between 42 and 68 milligrams per liter. Chloride concentration of ground water in monitoring wells at Cantonment and Air Operations continued to increase since April 1995, with water from the deepest monitoring wells increasing in chloride concentration by as much as 2,000 milligrams per liter. A fuel leak at Air Operations caused the shutdown of ten wells in May 1991. Four of the wells resumed pumping for water-supply purposes in April 1992. The remaining six wells are being used to hydraulically divert fuel migration away from water-supply wells by recirculating about 150,000 gallons of water each day.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1994

Water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Minnesota, 1993 water year

Water-resources activities of the Minnesota District, Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey are a continued response to the need for information on the quantity and quality of water resources. U.S. Geological Survey water-resource activities in Minnesota are done in cooperation with State, local, and other Federal agencies. Some activities are short in duration (1-5 years), while others are continuous. This report is a summary of water-resource activities in the Minnesota District for the 1993 water year. A list of reports published during the 1993 water year and additional sources of U.S. Geological Survey publications also are included.

Minnesota↗
USGS1988

Water resources of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, northern Wisconsin

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore consists of 21 islands, part of the Bayfield Peninsula, and the adjacent waters of Lake Superior. Selected water resources of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore were assessed to aid the National Park Service in developing and managing the Lakeshore and to provide a data base against which future changes can be compared. This summary of water-resources data, collected by the U.S. Geological Survey during 1979-84, provides a qualitative description of selected hydrologic components of the Lakeshore. Streamflow in the Lakeshore area is characterized by typical seasonal fluctuations. Flow in Sand River at State Highway 13 ranged from 3.9 to 1,630 cubic feet per second. The recurrence interval of the maximum observed discharge was about 4 years. The minimum observed 7-day low flow was 3.86 cubic feet per second. The greatest concentrations of most chemical constituents in Bayfield Peninsula streams occurred during base flow. Annual sediment loads in Sand River at State Highway 13 ranged from 977 tons in 1980 water year to 24,600 tons in 1984 water year.The average annual sediment load transported by Bayfield Peninsula streams to the National Lakeshore area of Lake Superior is estimated to be 44,000 tons. Annual phosphorus loads ranged from 1,400 pounds in 1980 water year to 11,100 pounds in 1984 water year. The average annual phosphorus load transported by Bayfield Peninsula streams to the National Lakeshore area of Lake Superior is estimated to be 21,500 pounds. Few island streams flow perennially, but Oak Island streams generally yield more base-flow runoff than Stockton Island streams. The base flow of Oak Island streams is dominated by ground-water discharge, whereas Stockton Island stream base flow is sustained by seepage from wetlands and beaver ponds. There are two major lagoons in the Lakeshore, the Outer Island Lagoon's area is 53 acres and its maximum depth is 7 feet. Dominant inflow to the lagoon is from precipitation on its surface and seepage from an adjacent bog. Outflow during open-water periods is dominated by evaporation. Ground-water seepage from the lagoon toward Lake Superior occurs yearround. The lagoon's water is acidic and has low specific conductance and generally small concentrations of most chemical constituents. The Michigan Island Lagoon is about 4 acres in area and its maximum depth is 6.5 feet. The most significant sources of inflow appear to be precipitation and wave washover from Lake Superior. Water from four deep-water monitoring sites in Lake Superior revealed concentrations of total phosphorus, organic carbon, and recoverable mercury ranging from <0.01 to 0.02 milligrams per liter, 1.1 to 5.3 milligrams per liter and <0.1 to 0.1 micrograms per liter, respectively. Neither pesticide residues nor fecal coliform bacteria were detected in the water column. Total phosphorus concentrations in bottom sediment ranged from 50 to 470 milligrams per kilogram and were related directly to the percentage of fine-grained (< 0.0625 millimeters) sediment particles. Traces of only two pesticide residues- DDE and DDT were detected in sediment. The most abundant benthic macroinvertebrate was Pontoporeia affinis, which was found in densities of from 960 to 2,100 organisms per square meter. No adverse affects resulting from visitor use were detected in the shallow-water, heavy-use areas in Presque Isle Bay off Stockton Island or in the waters between Rocky and South Twin Islands. Phosphorus and organic-carbon concentrations were similar to those observed in the deep-water area; mercury was not detected in water from either area. Ground-water use in the National Lakeshore is primarily for consumption by Lakeshore visitors and employees. Of 14 wells constructed from 1979-84, 4 were finished in glacial sand and gravel, and 10 were finished in sandstone. Specific capacities ranged from 0.63 to 50 gallon per minute per foot. Average concentrations of dissolved solids are moderate and concentrations of heavy metals did not exceed Wisconsin's primary health standard.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1981

Assessment of impacts of proposed coal-resource and related economic development on water resources, Yampa River basin, Colorado and Wyoming: A summary

Expanded mining and use of coal resources in the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States will have substantial impacts on water resources, environmental amenities, and social and economic conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey has completed a 3-year assessment of the Yampa River basin, Colorado and Wyoming, where increased coal-resource development has begun to affect the environment and quality of life. Economic projections of the overall effects of coal-resource development were used to estimate water use and the types and amounts of waste residuals that need to be assimilated into the environment. Based in part upon these projections, several physical-based models and other semiquantitative assessment methods were used to determine possible effects upon the basin's water resources. Depending on the magnitude of mining and use of coal resources in the basin, an estimated 0.7 to 2.7 million tons (0.6 to 2.4 million metric tons) of waste residuals may be discharged annually into the environment by coal-resource development and associated economic activities. If the assumed development of coal resources in the basin occurs, annual consumptive use of water, which was approximately 142,000 acre-feet (175 million cubic meters) during 1975, may almost double by 1990. In a related analysis of alternative cooling systems for coal-conversion facilities, four to five times as much water may be used consumptively in a wet-tower, cooling-pond recycling system as in once-through cooling. An equivalent amount of coal transported by slurry pipeline would require about one-third the water used consumptively by once-through cooling for in-basin conversion. Current conditions and a variety of possible changes in the water resources of the basin resulting from coal-resource development were assessed. Basin population may increase by as much as threefold between 1975 and 1990. Volumes of wastes requiring treatment will increase accordingly. Potential problems associated with ammonia-nitrogen concentrations in the Yampa River downstream from Steamboat Springs were evaluated using a waste-load assimilative-capacity model. Changes in sediment loads carried by streams due to increased coal mining and construction of roads and buildings may be apparent only locally; projected increases in sediment loads relative to historic loads from the basin are estimated to be 2 to 7 percent. Solid-waste residuals generated by coal-conversion processes and disposed of into old mine pits may cause widely dispersed ground-water contamination, based on simulation-modeling results. Projected increases in year-round water use will probably result in the construction of several proposed reservoirs. Current seasonal patterns of streamflow and of dissolvedsolids concentrations in streamflow will be altered appreciably by these reservoirs. Decreases in time-weighted mean-annual dissolved-solids concentrations of as much as 34 percent are anticipated, based upon model simulations of several configurations of proposed reservoirs. Detailed statistical analyses of water-quality conditions in the Yampa River basin were made. Regionalized maximum waterquality concentrations were estimated for possible comparison with future conditions. Using Landsat imagery and aerial photographs, potential remote-sensing applications were evaluated to monitor land-use changes and to assess both snow cover and turbidity levels in streams. The technical information provided by the several studies of the Yampa River basin assessment should be useful to regional planners and resource managers in evaluating the possible impacts of development on the basin's water resources.

Colorado, Wyoming↗
USGS2000

Water-resources-related information for the St. Croix Reservation and vicinity, Wisconsin

The St. Croix Chippewa Tribe is interested in documenting water-quality conditions in lakes and streams adjacent to their Reservation lands in northwestern Wisconsin and developing management plans to protect these water resources. This report provides the Tribe with a retrospective summary and analysis of available water-resources-related information for their Reservation and vicinity. The study area is divided into four main watersheds: Big Round Lake, Clam River at Clam Lake Outlet, Yellow River at Danbury, and Loon Creek at Danbury. The Clam River Watershed includes the subwatersheds of Bashaw and Sand Lakes. The Yellow River Watershed includes the subwatersheds of Big Sand and Gaslyn Lakes. In all, 41 surface-water studies or reports that include information relevant to the study area were identified. Most of the surface-water studies were regional or statewide summaries. Fifteen of these studies include lake information and 36 include stream information. Twenty-eight of the studies include water-quality data and 16 include information describing aquatic biology. Water- and sediment-quality data were obtained for 80 lakes and 23 streams in the study area. Lake information includes data for 101 water-quality characteristics from nearly 4,300 water and sediment analyses of samples collected between 1972 and 1998. Stream information summarized in this report includes data for 135 water-quality characteristics and nearly 4,500 water and sediment analyses of samples collected at 23 sites between 1964 and 1999. A total of 41 ground-water studies or reports that include information relevant to the study area were identified. Most of the ground-water studies were regional or statewide summaries. Of the 41 studies, 33 include water-quality information, 9 include information regarding water use, and 23 provide descriptions of geology and aquifer characteristics relevant to the study area. Water-quality information for 773 wells was compiled. Most of the sampled wells were used for drinking water, and most of the drinking-water wells represent domestic supplies. Water-quality data summarized in this report represent 270 characteristics and more than 10,300 analyses of samples collected from drinking-water wells between 1911 and 1999; however, most of the water-quality data were collected after about 1990.

Wisconsin↗
USGS2014

Groundwater and surface-water resources in the Bureau of Land Management Moab Master Leasing Plan area and adjacent areas, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah, and Mesa and Montrose Counties, Colorado

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Canyon Country District Office is preparing a leasing plan known as the Moab Master Leasing Plan (Moab MLP) for oil, gas, and potash mineral rights in an area encompassing 946,469 acres in southeastern Utah. The BLM has identified water resources as being potentially affected by oil, gas, and potash development and has requested that the U.S. Geological Survey prepare a summary of existing water-resources information for the Moab MLP area. This report includes a summary and synthesis of previous and ongoing investigations conducted in the Moab MLP and adjacent areas in Utah and Colorado from the early 1930s through the late 2000s. Eight principal aquifers and six confining units were identified within the study area. Permeability is a function of both the primary permeability from interstitial pore connectivity and secondary permeability created by karst features or faults and fractures. Vertical hydraulic connection generally is restricted to strongly folded and fractured zones, which are concentrated along steeply dipping monoclines and in narrow regions encompassing igneous and salt intrusive masses. Several studies have identified both an upper and lower aquifer system separated by the Pennsylvanian age Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation evaporite, which is considered a confining unit and is present throughout large parts of the study area. Surface-water resources of the study area are dominated by the Colorado River. Several perennial and ephemeral or intermittent tributaries join the Colorado River as it flows from northeast to southwest across the study area. An annual spring snowmelt and runoff event dominates the hydrology of streams draining mountainous parts of the study area, and most perennial streams in the study area are snowmelt-dominated. A bimodal distribution is observed in hydrographs from some sites with a late-spring snowmelt-runoff peak followed by smaller peaks of shorter duration during the late summer. The large regional streams (Colorado, Green, and Dolores Rivers) integrate the regional hydrologic partitioning of a very large contributing area and, therefore, the hydrographs for these streams are much more smooth and consistent. Several streams throughout the study area are considered impaired and do not meet the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency for specific designated-use classifications. Limited data are available to quantitatively estimate the large-scale regional groundwater budget for the study area. Previous studies have estimated groundwater budgets for areas in and adjacent to the current study area, namely Moab-Spanish Valley and parts of the Paradox Basin. Most groundwater recharge to the study area originates as infiltration of precipitation from upland areas and is further enhanced in areas covered with sandy soils or in areas where the bedrock is highly fractured. Additional groundwater recharge occurs as seepage from streams and irrigation water, and as subsurface inflow, both vertically between aquifers and as lateral movement into the study area. Groundwater discharge occurs as seepage to streams, evapotranspiration, to springs and seeps, well withdrawals; and as subsurface outflow, both vertically between aquifers and as lateral movement out of the study area across its defined boundaries. Groundwater use in the study area was determined using data from the Utah Division of Water Rights. Most wells in the study area are categorized as having multiple uses. Mean specific-conductance values for groundwater from wells and springs in the study area range from 101 to 220,000 microsiemens per centimeter at 25° C (μS/cm); most of the wells or springs have mean specific-conductance values of less than or equal to 1,000 μS/cm. Previously reported total dissolved-solids concentrations, specific conductances, and other groundwater-quality data for each of the principal aquifers indicate relative freshwater throughout the study area, except within the lower aquifer system and areas in contact with the Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation evaporites. There is limited information on the resource availability of brines and saline groundwater in the study area. Total dissolved-solids concentrations typically are high (greater than 35,000 milligrams per liter) in groundwater from, or in contact with, the Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation. Total dissolved-solids concentrations also are high in groundwater samples collected from the lower aquifer system. Because the Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation is considered a barrier to vertical groundwater flow, most of the brine and saline groundwater resources are restricted to the lower aquifer system.

Colorado, Utah↗
USGS1988

Activities of the Water Resources Division, California District, in the 1987 fiscal year

The mission of the Water Resources Division is to provide the hydrologic information and understanding needed for the optimum utilization and management of the Nation 's water resources for the overall benefit of the people of the United States. Several of the most relevant and visible studies being conducted by the California District deal with selenium toxicity in the western San Joaquin Valley; groundwater export from the Owens Valley, coupled with vegetation survivability studies; hydrodynamics variability in San Francisco Bay; reclaimed water use; seawater intrusion in the Santa Barbara area; and involvement in the water-quality standard/water-rights hearing for the San Francisco Bay/Delta. Thirty-nine project summaries are provided. Water Resources Division basic mission and program, California District organization and funding, and 1987 water conditions are also summarized. (Lantz-PTT)

Open-File Report↗