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Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

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At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
USGS1997

Spatial and temporal variability in nutrient concentrations in surface waters of the Chattahoochee River basin near Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Nutrient concentrations from the early 1970s through 1995 were evaluated at several sites along the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries near Atlanta, to determine general patterns and processes controlling nutrient concentrations in the river. A spatial analysis was conducted on data collected in 1994 and 1995 from an intensive nutrient study of the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. The 1994-1995 data show step increases in ammonium (NH4-N), nitrite plus nitrate (NO2 + NO3-N), and total-phosphorus (Tot-P) concentrations in the river. The step increases occur downstream of two wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) and Peachtree Creek, a small tributary inflow with degraded water quality draining a predominantly urban and industrial area. Median NO2 + NO3-N and Tot-P concentrations in the mainstem increase downstream of these inputs from 0.5 to 1 mg 1-1 and from 0.04 to 0.13 mg 1-1, respectively. NH4-N concentrations were typically low with 95% of the 2575 observations less than 0.2 mg 1-1 throughout the river system, except some high values (>1 mg 1-1) in some tributaries, particularly near the central part of Atlanta. High NH4-N concentrations are attributed to sewage discharge as they also are associated with high biological oxygen demand and faecal coliform bacteria concentrations. Nutrient concentrations vary temporally. An assessment of four sites, two mainstem and two tributaries, from 1970 to 1995 indicates a progressive increase and variability in NO2 + NO3-N concentrations during the period. The progressive increase in NO2 + NO3-N concentrations and their variability is similar to that reported for surface waters throughout the world and for which increased fertilizer usage has been attributed. Tot-P concentrations increase at mainstem sites through the middle to late 1980s and decrease markedly thereafter, due to improvements to WWTFs and a 1990 phosphate detergent ban. NH4-N concentrations, although less pronounced than Tot-P, display a similar decrease from the late 1980s to 1995 at the four sites. Tot-P concentration variability has increased at the tributary sites since 1993, although recent concentrations, on average, are the lowest since 1970 at each of the four sites.

IAHS-AISH Publication↗
USGS2023

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Restoration topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are substantial management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing the economies of western communities. Impacts to sagebrush ecosystem processes over large areas due to the annual grass-wildfire cycle necessitated the development of a coordinated, science-based strategy for improving efforts to achieve long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of sagebrush rangelands, which was framed in 2015 under the Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy (IRFMS). Central to this effort was the development of an Actionable Science Plan (Plan) that identified 37 priority science needs (Needs) for informing the actions proposed under the 5 topics (Fire, Invasives, Restoration, Sagebrush and Sage-Grouse, Climate and Weather) that were part of the collective focus of the IRFMS. Notable keys to this effort were identification of the Needs co-produced by managers and researchers, and a focus on resulting science being “actionable.” Substantial investments aimed at fulfilling the Needs identified in the Plan have been made since its release in 2016. While the state of the science has advanced considerably, the extent to which knowledge gaps remain relative to identified Needs is relatively unknown. Moreover, new Needs have likely emerged since the original strategy as results from actionable science reveal new questions, and possible (yet untested) solutions. A quantifiable assessment of the progress made on the original science Needs can identify unresolved gaps and new information that can help inform prioritization of future research efforts. This report details a systematic literature review that evaluated how well peer-reviewed journal articles and formal technical reports published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, addressed 10 needs (hereinafter “Needs”) identified under the Restoration topic in the Plan. The topic outlined research Needs for improving restoration success in degraded sagebrush rangelands. We established the level of progress towards addressing each Need following a standardized set of criteria, and developed summaries detailing how research objectives nested within Needs identified in the Plan (“Next Steps”) were either addressed well, partially addressed or remain outstanding (that is, addressed poorly) in the literature through 2020. Our searches resulted in the inclusion of 371 science products that at least partially addressed a Need identified in the Restoration topic. The Needs that were well and partially addressed included: the development of methods to improve seeding success of native plants after fire; evaluation of short- and long-term plant responses relative to biotic and abiotic factors following restoration treatments; assessments of long-term effects on ecosystem processes following conifer removal treatments and development of decision support tools to aid in conifer management; determination of the costs of restoration treatments relative to the benefits to sage-grouse occupancy, survival, and populations; and assessments of the factors which contribute to soil degradation and development of soil enhancement methods that enhance seed germination and seedling survival while resisting nonnative plants. Needs that were not addressed well included: the development of methods for the rapid recovery of sagebrush and native herbaceous plants following wildfire and determination of whether treatments benefit sage-grouse and mitigate impacts from fires; determination of thresholds for successful restoration across a range of environmental conditions and development of decision support tools to assist with restoration effectiveness monitoring; and development and evaluation of the utility of seed transfer zones. The information provided in this assessment will assist updating the Plan along with other science strategies.

western United States↗
USGS1987

Summary of water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado: Fiscal year 1987

The annual summary of water-resources activities in Colorado is presented for fiscal year 1987. The report includes an introduction of these activities and names of the management personnel to whom information requests may be addressed; a summary of the U.S. Geological Survey mission and of the Water Resources Division mission; and a discussion of the water resources in Colorado in fiscal year 1987, including data collection on surface water and groundwater. All current Colorado hydrologic investigations are listed - their problems, objectives, approaches, progress, and plans for fiscal year 1987. A list of current cooperators for fiscal year 1987 and a list of reports published or released during fiscal year 1987 also are given.

Colorado↗
USGS1989

Summary of water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado– Fiscal year 1989

The biennial summary of water resources activities in Colorado is presented for fiscal year 1989. The report includes an introduction of these activities and names of the management personnel to whom information requests may be addressed, a summary of the U.S. Geological Survey mission and of the Water Resources Division mission, and a discussion of the water resources in Colorado in fiscal year 1989, including data collection on surface water and groundwater. All current Colorado hydrologic investigations are listed--their problems, objectives, approaches, progress, and plans for fiscal year 1989. A list of current cooperators, for fiscal year 1989 and a list of reports published or released during fiscal years 1987, 1988, and 1989 also are given. (USGS)

Colorado↗
USGS1959

Paleozoic and mesozoic fossils in a thick stratigraphic section in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California

A thick section of metamorphosed Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks is exposed in two roof pend- ants, one each in the Mount Morrison and Devils Postpile quadrangles in the eastern Sierra Nevada near Mammoth Lakes, Cali- fornia (Fig. 1). In the course of geologic mapping in these quadrangles by the U. S. Geo- logical Survey in co-operation with the California Division of Mines, fossils of Ordovician, Pennsylvanian, Permian(P), and Early Jurassic ages were collected from weakly metamorphosed parts of the pendants. Detailed map- ping in the Mount Morrison quadrangle has been completed by Rinehart and Ross, and a report on this area is in preparation. Similar mapping in the Devils Postpile quadrangle by Rinehart and Huber is in progress. In the part of the Devils Postpile quadrangle not yet covered in the present study, the contacts shown on the map (Fig. 1) are after Erwin (1934). Because diagnostic fossils are extremely rare in the metamorphic rocks of the Sierra Nevada, these fossils are considered important enough to merit this short note prior to completion of the detailed mapping in the Devils Postpile quadrangle and the publication of more comprehensive reports on the two quadrangles

California↗
USGS1983

Notes on sedimentation activities calendar year 1982

This report is a digest of information furnished by those Federal agencies conducting sedimentation investigations. It includes descriptions of work in progress or planned, important findings, new methods, new publications, laboratory and other research activities, and other pertinent information. The material has been organized by major drainage regions in the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and foreign. There is also a section on Research and Other Activities.

Report↗
USGS2021

Total phosphorus loadings for the Cedar River at Palo, Iowa, 2009–20

In support of nutrient reduction efforts, total phosphorus loads and yields were computed using turbidity-surrogate and LOAD ESTimator (LOADEST) models for the Cedar River at Palo, Iowa, for January 1, 2009, to December 15, 2020. Sample data were used to create a total phosphorus concentration turbidity-surrogate model. Total phosphorus loads also were computed from two streamflow-based LOADEST load models for the periods 2009–20 and 2016–20. The 2009–20 model was used for comparison with previously published loads at this site. The 2016–20 LOADEST model was used with the turbidity-surrogate model before sensor deployment and during periods of missing sensor data to obtain a more complete annual total phosphorus load. This report presents computed loads and methods needed to compute site-specific loads accurately and track annual progress toward nutrient reduction goals within the State. A comparison of loads from Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season; LOADEST; and surrogate models indicated substantial differences at this site among these methods. Changes in both monitoring approaches (high-frequency sensor and surrogate data) and changes in load-calculation methods present potential challenges in assessing trends, such as assessment of load reduction. Annual total phosphorus loads for the Cedar River at Palo, Iowa, ranged from 1,370 to 2,360 U.S. short tons per year for 2018–20, based on the turbidity-surrogate model with gaps in sensor data filled with the 2016–20 LOADEST model. Annual total phosphorus yields for the Cedar River ranged from 0.67 to 1.16 pounds per acre per year for 2018–20. Although this load estimate is lower than previous estimates for the benchmark period of 2006–10, when normalized by streamflow, nearly all the apparent reduction can be attributed to differences in the load-calculation methods.

Palo↗
USGS2023

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment— Climate and weather topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush ( Artemisia spp.) rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western U.S. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing the economies of western communities. Impacts to sagebrush ecosystem processes over large areas due to the annual grass-wildfire cycle necessitated the development of a coordinated, science-based strategy for improving efforts to achieve long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of sagebrush rangelands, which was framed in 2015 under the Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy (IRFMS). Central to this effort was the development of an Actionable Science Plan (Plan) that identified 37 priority science needs (hereinafter, “Needs”) for informing the actions proposed under the five topics (Fire, Invasives, Restoration, Sagebrush and Sage-Grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ), Climate and Weather) that were part of the collective focus of the IRFMS. Notable keys to this effort were identification of the Needs co-produced by managers and researchers, and a focus on resulting science being “actionable.” Substantial investments aimed at fulfilling the Needs identified in the Plan have been made since its release in 2016. While the state of the science has advanced considerably, the extent to which knowledge gaps remain relative to identified Needs is relatively unknown. Moreover, new Needs have likely emerged since the original strategy as results from actionable science reveal new questions and possible (yet untested) solutions. A quantifiable assessment of the progress made on the original science Needs can identify unresolved gaps and new information that can help inform prioritization of future research efforts. This report details a systematic literature review that evaluated how well peer-reviewed journal articles and formal technical reports published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, addressed four Needs identified under the Climate and Weather topic in the Plan. The topic outlined research Needs broadly focused on understanding the potential effects of climate change on vegetative resilience to inform restoration of sagebrush rangelands. We established the level of progress towards addressing each Need following a standardized set of criteria, and developed summaries detailing how research objectives nested within Needs identified in the Plan (hereinafter, “Next Steps”) were either addressed well, partially addressed or remain outstanding (that is, addressed poorly) in the literature through 2020. Our searches resulted in the inclusion of 92 science products that at least partially addressed a Need identified in the Climate and Weather topic. The Needs that were well and partially addressed included: studies of the complex set of climatic relationships that influence sagebrush rangeland restoration and seeding success; the identification of seed collection areas across the range of environmental variability inhabited by target restoration species; and develop predictive models to assess targeted restoration species’ responses to mid-century climatic conditions. The Need addressed poorly was the identification of native plant species, genotypes and ecotypes, and seed mixes that may be resilient to a changing climate. The information provided in this assessment will assist updating the Plan, and can inform updates of other relevant science planning documents as needed.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2023

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Invasives topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing the economies of western communities. Impacts to sagebrush ecosystem processes over large areas due to the annual grass-wildfire cycle necessitated the development of a coordinated, science-based strategy for improving efforts to achieve long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of sagebrush rangelands, which was framed in 2015 under the Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy (IRFMS). Central to this effort was the development of an Actionable Science Plan (Plan) that identified 37 priority science needs (Needs) for informing the actions proposed under the 5 topics (Fire, Invasives, Restoration, Sagebrush and Sage-Grouse, Climate and Weather) that were part of the collective focus of the IRFMS. Notable keys to this effort were identification of the Needs co-produced by managers and researchers, and a focus on resulting science being “actionable.” Substantial investments aimed at fulfilling the Needs identified in the Plan have been made since its release in 2016. While the state of the science has advanced considerably, the extent to which knowledge gaps remain relative to identified Needs is relatively unknown. Moreover, new Needs have likely emerged since the original strategy as results from actionable science reveal new questions and possible (yet untested) solutions. A quantifiable assessment of the progress made on the original science Needs can identify unresolved gaps and new information that can help inform prioritization of future research efforts. This report details a systematic literature review that evaluated how well peer-reviewed journal articles and formal technical reports published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, addressed six needs (hereinafter “Needs”) identified under the Invasives topic in the Plan. The topic outlined research Needs related to the control of invasive plant species in sagebrush rangelands, with a special emphasis on invasive annual grasses. We established the level of progress towards addressing each Need following a standardized set of criteria, and developed summaries detailing how research objectives nested within Needs identified in the Plan (“Next Steps”) were either addressed well, partially addressed, or remain outstanding (that is, addressed poorly) in the literature through 2020. Our searches resulted in the inclusion of 198 science products that at least partially addressed a Need identified in the Invasives topic. The Needs that were well and partially addressed included: studies of natural and anthropogenic factors influencing the distribution and spread; methods of preventing, eradicating and controlling invasive plant species; development of mapping techniques that provide regularly updated annual grass and fine fuel projections; and assessment of the efficacy of potential cheatgrass biocontrol agents. Needs that were addressed poorly included (1) investigations of livestock grazing as a tool for managing invasive plants and (2) investigations of cheatgrass die-offs and identification and subsequent study of potential biocontrol agents associated with those die-offs. The information provided in this assessment will assist updating the Plan along with other science strategies.

western United States↗
USGS1982

Notes on sedimentation activities calendar year 1981

This report is a digest of information furnished by those Federal agencies conducting sedimentation investigations. It includes descriptions of work in progress or planned, important findings, new methods, new publications, laboratory and other research activities, and other pertinent information. The material has been organized by major drainage regions in the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and foreign. There is also a section on Research and Other Activities.

Report↗
USGS1984

Notes on sedimentation activities calendar year 1983

This report is a digest of information furnished by those Federal agencies conducting sedimentation investigations. It includes descriptions of work in progress or planned, important findings, new methods, new publications, laboratory and other research activities, and other pertinent information. The material has been organized by major drainage regions in the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and foreign. There is also a section on Research and Other Activities.

Report↗
USGS1994

Water-resources activities in New England, fiscal year 1993

The U.S. Geological Survey has 82 active or complete-except-report projects of hydrologic investigations ongoing within the New England Program Area. Of this total, 23 are data projects. Data projects contain statistics and data on the conditions of surface water, ground water, water quality and (or) water use for the study area. There currently are six data projects in Connecticut, five in Maine, four in Massachusetts, four in Rhode Island, and four in New Hampshire and Vermont. The remaining 59 of these projects are interpretive projects. Interpretive projects include research, aerial appraisal, and other hydrologic studies and include projects as diverse as (1) determining the direction of ground-water flow at a toxic site, (2) predicting the effect of acid rain on water quality of a reservoir, and (3) estimating yields of aquifers on Cape Cod. Of the interpretive projects, 26 are in Massachusetts, 17 in Connecticut, 17 are in New Hampshire and Vermont, 6 are in Maine, and 3 in Rhode Island. The report is compiled from project descriptions for fiscal year 1993. It briefly describes the water-resources activities and projects that were active in each District of the USGS, Water Resources Division, New England Program Area of September 30, 1993. Cooperator or funding source, problem statements, objectives, approaches, progress, and plans for next year are described for each project. The project area is located on a map of the appropriate State(s). The report contains a bibliography, by District and by author, of reports completed since 1977.

Open-File Report↗