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Hydrology of area 14, Eastern Coal Province, Kentucky

The general hydrology of Area 14, Eastern Coal Province, in Kentucky, is described. The area includes 4,423 square miles in the Kentucky, Licking, and Red River basins. Coal-bearing rocks of Pennsylvanian age underlie most of the area. Coal production in 1978 was about 38 million tons, 65% of which was from surface mining. The drainage from the mined areas contains large amounts of dissolved solids. Sulfate, manganese, and iron concentrations in most of the area streams exceed background levels, with the higher concentrations in streams draining the headwaters of the North and Middle Forks of the Kentucky River. The pH of most of the streams is near neutral acid-mine drainage being partially neutralized close to its source. Ground waters in the upper 300 feet of the aquifers are generally suitable for most purposes, although dissolved iron is generally high. Below 300 feet, the water is saline. Yields to wells range from 1 to 325 gallons per minute. A network of 66 surface quantity and quality of water stations was implemented in 1979 in response to the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977. An intensive study of the ground water resources of the area is also in progress. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Preliminary geologic map of the Lunenburg and Fort Mitchell 7.5' quadrangles, Virginia

The Lunenburg and Fort Mitchell 7.5' quadrangles have been mapped as part of the Geology of the South-Central Virginia Piedmont Project, a regional geologic mapping project of the U.S. Geological Survey. The two quadrangles include parts of Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Charlotte counties, and are located in the east-central part of the South Boston 30'x60' quadrangle (Figure 1). A preliminary geologic map of this quadrangle has been published (Norton and others, 1993), and a reconnaissance map by Laney (1917) includes the western Fort Mitchell quadrangle. Aeromagnetic and aeroradioactivity maps that include the field area have been published by the U.S. Geological Survey (1978a, 1978b). The Lunenburg and Fort Mitchell quadrangles are adjacent to the north and northwest, respectively, to the previously mapped Wightman 7.5' quadrangle (Burton, 1993; Figure 1). With respect to geologic provinces, the Lunenburg and Fort Mitchell quadrangles are located within the Carolina slate belt of the Carolina Terrane (Figure 1) and have not been previously mapped in detail. The Carolina slate belt in this area consists of volcanic and sedimentary rocks and associated intrusive igneous rocks that possess a regional slatey cleavage and have been subjected to lower greenschistfacies metamorphism. An earlier, pre-cleavage deformation and low-grade metamorphism may have occurred in the Late Proterozoic (Glover and Sinha, 1973). The rocks are locally poorly dated but probably are Late Proterozoic and Early Cambrian in age (Butler and Secor, 1991, and references therein). The Carolina slate belt may represent a subduction-related volcanic arc (Butler and Secor, 1991), or riftedarc complex (Feiss and others, 1993). Geochemical analysis and radioisotopic dating (U-Pb and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar) of slate belt rocks in the South Boston 30 x 60' quadrangle by the U.S.G.S. are in progress.

Virginia↗

Analyses of natural gases from Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf

This report contains analyses and related source data for natural gas samples from 32 fields in the Gulf of Mexico OCS (Outer Continental Shelf). The interpretation of this data, along with analyses from other fields in Texas, is still in progress.

Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf↗

U.S. Geological Survey middle Rio Grande basin study; proceedings of the third annual workshop, Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 24-25, 1999

Approximately 40 percent (about 600,000 people) of the total population of New Mexico lives within the Middle Rio Grande Basin, which includes the City of Albuquerque. Ongoing analyses of the central portion of the Middle Rio Grande Basin by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the City of Albuquerque and other agencies have shown that ground water in the basin is not as readily accessible as earlier studies indicated. A more complete characterization of the ground-water resources of the entire Middle Rio Grande Basin is hampered by a scarcity of data in the northern and southern areas of the basin. The USGS Middle Rio Grande Basin study is a 5-year effort by the USGS and other agencies to improve the understanding of the hydrology, geology, and land-surface characteristics of the Middle Rio Grande Basin. The primary objective of this study is to improve the understanding of the water resources of the basin. Of particular interest is to determine the extent of hydrologic connection between the Rio Grande and the Santa Fe Group aquifer. Additionally, ground-water quality affects the availability of water supplies in the basin. Improving the existing USGS-constructed ground-water flow model of the Middle Rio Grande Basin will integrate all the various tasks that improve our knowledge of the various components of the Middle Rio Grande water budget. Part of this improvement will be accompanied by extended knowledge of the aquifer system beyond the Albuquerque area into the northern and southern reaches of the basin. Other improvements will be based on understanding gained through process-oriented research and improved geologic characterization of the deposits. The USGS and cooperating agencies will study the hydrology, geology, and land-surface characteristics of the basin to provide the scientific information needed for water-resources management and for managers to plan for water supplies needed for a growing population. To facilitate exchange of information among the scientists working on the Middle Rio Grande Basin study, yearly technical meetings have been held for each of the first 3 years of the anticipated 5-year study. These meetings provide an opportunity to present research results and plan new field efforts. This report documents the results of research presented at the third annual technical workshop held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 24-25, 1999. The report is organized into this introduction and five chapters that focus on Middle Rio Grande Basin study investigations in progress in the Middle Rio Grande Basin. The first chapter describes geographic data and analysis efforts in the basin. The second chapter details work being done on the hydrogeologic and geologic framework of the basin. The third chapter describes studies on ground-water recharge in the basin. The fourth chapter provides details on the research on the ground-water flow system in the basin, including modeling efforts. The fifth chapter is devoted to an overview of New Mexico District Cooperative Program studies in the basin. The information in this report presents preliminary results of an evolving study. As the study progresses and individual projects publish their results in more detail, the USGS hopes to expand the scientific basis needed for management decisions regarding the Middle Rio Grande Basin.

Open-File Report↗

The worldwide search for petroleum offshore; a status report for the quarter century, 1947-72

At the end of 1972, offshore petroleum exploration was in progress on the submerged continental margins of 80 countries. Some 780 oil and gas fields had been discovered. Estimated worldwide volume of oil discovered offshore as of January 1, 1973, is 172.8 billion barrels of oil, or about 26 percent of the world total, and 168.4 trillion ft3 of natural gas. Present reserves of oil are 135.5 billion barrels, of which 70 percent is in the Persian Gulf. Some 90 percent of the oil discovered offshore has been found in 60 giant fields having reserves of 500 million or more barrels each.

Circular↗

Underground-water investigation in Utah: A part of Chapter 5 in Twenty-third biennial report of the State Engineer to the governor of Utah: 1940-1942

Systematic underground-water investigations have been in progress in the State of Utah since 1935 by the Federal Geological Survey in cooperation with the state engineer. The general plan and outline of these investigations, together with a summary of results accomplished to June 30, 1940, are given in the Twentieth, Twenty-first, and Twenty-second biennial reports of the state engineer to the governor of Utah. The investigations include two important phases: (1) A determination of the fluctuations of water levels and artesian pressures in most of the underground-water areas in the state, based on periodic measurements with steel tapes and on charts of automatic water-state recorders and pressure recorders, and (2) detailed investigations of individual underground-water areas to determine the source, movement, disposal, quantity, and quality of underground water, and to show the relation of present development to the maximum economic development of those areas. The aim of the investigation is to determine and make available factual data as to underground-water conditions in the different areas of the state so that they may serve to guide the state engineer in an equitable adjudication of underground-water resources.

Utah↗

Water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, fiscal year 1986

All U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic investigations in the New Mexico District in progress during fiscal year 1986 are summarized. The summaries include sections on the problem addressed, the objective and approach of the investigation, progress of the investigation and plans for 1986 fiscal year, and reports published as a result of the investigation. Water conditions in New Mexico during the 1985 water year are briefly described. Reports released during 1985 are listed. The New Mexico District office organization, cooperating agencies, and types of funding for the District operation are also summarized. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

User's guide to revised method-of-characteristics solute-transport model (MOC--version 31)

The U.S. Geological Survey computer model to simulate two-dimensional solute transport and dispersion in ground water (Konikow and Bredehoeft, 1978; Goode and Konikow, 1989) has been modified to improve management of input and output data and to provide progressive run-time information. All opening and closing of files are now done automatically by the program. Names of input data files are entered either interactively or using a batch-mode script file. Names of output files, created automatically by the program, are based on the name of the input file. In the interactive mode, messages are written to the screen during execution to allow the user to monitor the status and progress of the simulation and to anticipate total running time. Information reported and updated during a simulation include the current pumping period and time step, number of particle moves, and percentage completion of the current time step. The batch mode enables a user to run a series of simulations consecutively, without additional control. A report of the model's activity in the batch mode is written to a separate output file, allowing later review. The user has several options for creating separate output files for different types of data. The formats are compatible with many commercially available applications, which facilitates graphical postprocessing of model results. Geohydrology and Evaluation of Stream-Aquifer Relations in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Southeastern Alabama, Northwestern Florida, and Southwestern Georgia By Lynn J. Torak, Gary S. Davis, George A. Strain, and Jennifer G. Herndon Abstract The lower Apalachieola-Chattahoochec-Flint River Basin is underlain by Coastal Plain sediments of pre-Cretaceous to Quaternary age consisting of alternating units of sand, clay, sandstone, dolomite, and limestone that gradually thicken and dip gently to the southeast. The stream-aquifer system consism of carbonate (limestone and dolomite) and elastic sediments, which define the Upper Floridan aquifer and Intermediate system, in hydraulic connection with the principal rivers of the basin and other surface-water features, natural and man made. Separate digital models of the Upper Flori-dan aquifer and Intermediate system were constructed by using the U.S. Geological Survey's MODular Finite-Element model of two dimensional ground-water flow, based on concep- tualizations of the stream-aquifer system, and calibrated to drought conditions of October 1986. Sensitivity analyses performed on the models indicated that aquifer hydraulic conductivity, lateral and vertical boundary flows, and pumpage have a strong influence on groundwater levels. Simulated pumpage increases in the Upper Floridan aquifer, primarily in the Dougherty Plain physiographic district of Georgia,. caused significant reductions in aquifer discharge to streams that eventually flow to Lake Seminole and the Apalachicola River and Bay. Simulated pumpage increases greater than 3 times the October 1986 rates caused drying ofsome stream reaches and parts of the Upper Floridan aquifer in Georgia. Water budgets prepared from simulation results indicate that ground- water discharge to streams and recharge by horizontal and vertical flow are the principal mechanisms for moving water through the flow system. The potential for changes in ground-water quality is high in areas where chemical constituents can be mobilized by these mechanisms. Less than 2 percent of ground-water discharge to streams comes from the Intermediate system; thus, it plays a minor role in the hydrodynamics of the stream- aquifer system.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Permafrost and ground-water conditions in the Glennallen area, Alaska

This report is an outgrowth of permafrost and geologic field studies now in progress in the southeastern Copper River basin, Alaska and is in response to inquiries for information on permafrost and ground-water conditions. Various private and governmental groups have encountered severe differential settlement of building foundations on permafrost, and consequent maintenance problems. Settlement and expansion of communities in the area also have been retarded by the apparent lack of a ready and large source of potable water. The information below is presented to make available data on permafrost and ground-water conditions for the benefit of those undertaking construction projects in the area.

Alaska↗

Temperature data from exploratory boreholes at the Supplemental Test Site, central Nevada - interim report

In cooperation with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, the U.S. Geological Survey is making precise temperature measurements in exploratory boreholes at the Supplemental Test Site, central Nevada. Together with thermal properties measurements made on the core, and additional temperature measurements in progress these data will he used to estimate geothermal flu: from the area. The purpose of this interim report is to make our preliminary temperature measurements available to other interested groups. The locations of the sites are shown on figure 1, and data pertinent to the state of disequilibrium at the time of measurement are tabulated in table 1. In the geothermal profiles (figs. 2 through 13) the temperature is given in decrees centigrade and the depth (Z) in meters.

Nevada↗

Southwest Washington coastal erosion workshop report 2000

This report is a compilation of abstracts that correspond to oral presentations and posters presented at the fifth principal investigators workshop of the Southwest Washington Coastal Erosion Study. The workshop was held November 15 - 17, 2000 at the Department of Ecology headquarters building in Olympia, WA. For the fourth consecutive year in November, the workshop convened the entire multi-disciplinary group of scientists and engineers working on the Study or on related projects within the Columbia River littoral cell (CRLC) (Figures 1 and 2). The workshop participants are listed in the List of Attendees section towards the end of this report. The purpose of this workshop was to bring all Study investigators and associated engineers and scientists together to discuss recent work, ongoing tasks, and future research plans in the CRLC. Investigators were asked to present recent data, preliminary interpretations, and research results to invoke discussion and correlation with parallel scientific efforts. The abstracts compiled in this report represent a wealth of information on the CRLC, but because much of the work is in progress, the reader is advised that the information provided herein is preliminary and subject to change.

Oregon;Washington↗

Tritium/3He measurements in young groundwater: Progress in applications to complex hydrogeological systems

Tritium/3He dating has been applied to many problems in groundwater hydrology including, for example, determination of circulation patterns, mean residence times, recharge rates, or bank infiltration. Here, we discuss recent progress in the application of the tritium/3He dating method to sites with complex hydrogeological settings. Specifically, we report on tritium/3He dating at sites with (a) river infiltration into the basaltic fractured rock aquifer of the Eastern Snake River Plain, and (b) river infiltration through sinkholes into the karstic limestone Upper Floridian aquifer near Valdosta, Georgia.Tritium/3He dating has been applied to many problems in groundwater hydrology including, for example, determination of circulation patterns, mean residence times, recharge rates, or bank infiltration. Here, we discuss recent progress in the application of the tritium/3He dating method to sites with complex hydrogeological settings. Specifically, we report on tritium/3He dating at sites with (a) river infiltration into the basaltic fractured rock aquifer of the Eastern Snake River Plain, and (b) river infiltration through sinkholes into the karstic limestone Upper Floridian aquifer near Valdosta, Georgia.

Conference Paper↗

Geological Survey research 1981

This U.S. Geological Survey activities report includes a summary of 1981 fiscal year scientific and economic results accompanied by a list of geologic, hydrologic, and cartographic investigations in progress. The summary of results includes: (1) Mineral, (2) Water resources, (3) Engineering geology and hydrology, (4) Regional geology, (5) Principles and processes, (6) Laboratory and field methods, (7) Topographic surveys and mapping, (8) Management of resources on public lands, (9) Land information and analysis, and (10) Investigations in other countries. Also included are lists of investigations in progress.

Professional Paper↗

Reporting the limits of detection and quantification for environmental DNA assays

Background Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is increasingly being used to detect the presence and relative abundance of rare species, especially invasive or imperiled aquatic species. The rapid progress in the eDNA field has resulted in numerous studies impacting conservation and management actions. However, standardization of eDNA methods and reporting across the field is yet to be fully established, with one area being the calculation and interpretation of assay limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). Aims Here, we propose establishing consistent methods for determining and reporting of LOD and LOQ for single‐species quantitative PCR (qPCR) eDNA studies. Materials & Methods/ Results We utilize datasets from multiple cooperating laboratories to demonstrate both a discrete threshold approach and a curve‐fitting modeling approach for determining LODs and LOQs for eDNA qPCR assays. We also provide details of an R script developed and applied for the modeling method. Discussion/Conclusions Ultimately, standardization of how LOD and LOQ are determined, interpreted, and reported for eDNA assays will allow for more informed interpretation of assay results, more meaningful interlaboratory comparisons of experiments, and enhanced capacity for assessing the relative technical quality and performance of different eDNA qPCR assays.

Environmental DNA↗

Wildfire and invasive species in the west: challenges that hinder current and future management and protection of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem: a Gap Report

The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to satisfy the 45-day report requirement identified in Cooperative Agreement (F13AC00353) between WAFWA and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) submit this “Gap Report”. This report summarizes the policy, fiscal and science challenges that land managers encounter related to the control and reduction of the invasive plant/fire complex, especially as it relates to the threaten or endangered species listing status of the Greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ). While this Gap Report identifies 22 technical, policy, planning and funding gaps, it should be considered a “work in-progress”. To address this effort a Wildfire/Invasive Initiative Work Group (WG) was formed. The WG consist of nationally recognized experts in fire ecology, Sage-grouse ecology and management, range management and plant ecology. The WG developed this Gap Report and will be developing the final report for this Cooperative Agreement. Thus, as the WG evaluates the wildfire/invasive issue and makes recommendation to address scientific and management shortcomings, additional gaps will be identified and included in the final report. Within this report, the WG has suggested the top 5 gaps. However, the actual priority of what should be addressed first will depend on the significance and sequence of the limiting factor, available funding, current work, roles and responsibilities of the specific agencies, etc. The WG will continue to meet on a regular basis to further develop and expand this list of gaps. Additionally, the WG will offer specific options to address the identified gaps. However, the WG recommends that the FWS, possibly through the State/Federal (Western Governors Association) Sage Grouse Task Force or the National Sage-grouse Executive Oversight Committee, establish a Subcommittee to specifically review this Gap Report and develop a multi-agency approach on how to address each gap. The WG will continue to endeavor to establish a priority list and identify the “low hanging fruit” that can be addressed in the short-term to affect the listing decision. Additionally, the WG will propose a longer-term strategy. However, to successfully establish such a strategy it will take buy-in and commitment at the highest levels in federal and state governments. In an effort to provide managers an opportunity to address the most important issues this coming fiscal year, we offer the following top 5 gaps. Beyond these top 5, the WG has identified 17 additional gaps that should be evaluated by both federal and state agencies as a means to help better manage the wildfire/invasive threat in the west.

Report↗