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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 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
USGS1987

Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge land cover mapping project user's guide

Title III of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA, 1980) established the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge (YFNWR). Section 304 of the Act requires the Secretary of Interior to "prepare, and from time to time revise, a comprehensive conservation plan" for the refuge. Before developing a plan for the refuge, the Secretary shall "identify and describe--a) the populations and habitats of the fish and wildlife resources of the refuge; b) the special values of the refuge as well as any other archeological, cultural, ecological, geological , historical, palentological, scenic, or wilderness value of the refuge; c) areas within the refuge that are suitable for use as administrative sites or visitor facilities...; d) present the potential requirements for access with respect to the refuge...; and e) significant problems which may adversely affect the populations and habitats of fish and wildlife identified and described..." (ANILCA, 1980). Vegetation, water, and terrain (elevation, slope, and aspect) are the components of habitat and can be used in the determination of the above requirements. The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has the responsibility for collecting the resource information to address the research, management, development and planning requirements identified in Section 304. Because of the brief period provided by the Act for data collection, habitat mapping, and habitat assessment, the USFWS in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Field Office, used digital Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) data and digital terrain data to produce land cover and terrain maps. A computer assisted digital analysis of Landsat MSS data was used because coverage by aerial photographs was incomplete for much of the refuge and because the level of detail obtained from Landsat data was adequate to meet most USFWS research, management and planning needs. Relative cost and time requirements were also factors in the decision to use the digital analysis approach.

Alaska↗
USGS1972

Some rates of geomorphological processes

This brief report summarizes three sets of measurement data on certain processes. The first concerns the rate of movement of soil on hillslopes, especially by mass movement or slow gravitational creep. The results are abstracted from an unpublished manuscript by the junior author who reports on the measurements which Leopold began 10 or more years ago and to which in more recent years Emmett has added new sites and has carried on the annual remeasurement. The results are those from "mass-movement lines", which consist of a series of pins or iron rods, 10 inches (25 cm) long driven vertically into the ground along a straight line-of-sight, secured at each end with stiff iron posts. The Survey consists of setting a theodolite over one of the end bench marks and orienting on the other. The distance of each individual pin from the line of sight is recorded. Resurveys are usually made annually.

Geographia Polonica↗
USGS2007

Terrestrial LIDAR investigation of the December 2003 and January 2007 activations of the Northridge Bluff landslide, Daly City, California

On December 20, 2003 and again on January 1, 2007, landslides occurred along the coastal bluff that forms the west boundary of Daly City, California sending debris as far as 290 meters downhill and 90 meters into the ocean. This area is known for large landslide events where 150-meter tall coastal bluffs extend southward along the west boundary of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties (Fig. 1). The 2003 and 2007 landslide events occurred west of Northridge Drive in Daly City and just south of Avalon Canyon, which bisects the bluffs in this area (Fig. 2). Residential development, utility lines and roads occupy the land immediately east of this location. As part of a comprehensive project to investigate the failure mechanisms of coastal bluff landslides in weakly lithified sediments along the west coast of the United States, members of the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology (CMG) Program performed reconnaissance mapping of these landslide events including collection of high-resolution topographic data using CMG's terrestrial LIDAR laser scanning system. This report provides a brief background on each landslide event and presents topographic datasets collected following each event. Downloadable contour data, images, and FGDC-compliant metadata of the surfaces generated from the LIDAR data are also provided. LIDAR data collection and processing techniques used to generate the datasets are outlined. Geometric and volumetric measurements are also presented along with high-resolution cross-sections through various areas of the slide masses and discussion concerning the slides present (2007) configuration is provided.

California↗
USGS2009

Applications of a broad-spectrum tool for conservation and fisheries analysis: Aquatic gap analysis

Natural resources support all of our social and economic activities, as well as our biological existence. Humans have little control over most of the physical, biological, and sociological conditions dictating the status and capacity of natural resources in any particular area. However, the most rapid and threatening influences on natural resources typically are anthropogenic overuse and degradation. In addition, living natural resources (i.e., organisms) do not respect political boundaries, but are aware of their optimal habitat and environmental conditions. Most organisms have wider spatial ranges than the jurisdictional boundaries of environmental agencies that deal with them; even within those jurisdictions, information is patchy and disconnected. Planning and projecting effects of ecological management are difficult, because many organisms, habitat conditions, and interactions are involved. Conservation and responsible resource use involves wise management and manipulation of the aspects of the environment and biological communities that can be effectively changed. Tools and data sets that provide new insights and analysis capabilities can enhance the ability of resource managers to make wise decisions and plan effective, long-term management strategies. Aquatic gap analysis has been developed to provide those benefits. Gap analysis is more than just the assessment of the match or mis-match (i.e., gaps) between habitats of ecological value and areas with an appropriate level of environmental protection (e.g., refuges, parks, preserves), as the name suggests. Rather, a Gap Analysis project is a process which leads to an organized database of georeferenced information and previously available tools to examine conservation and other ecological issues; it provides a geographic analysis platform that serves as a foundation for aquatic ecological studies. This analytical tool box allows one to conduct assessments of all habitat elements within an area of interest. Aquatic gap analysis naturally focuses on aquatic habitats. The analytical tools are largely based on specification of the species-habitat relations for the system and organism group of interest (Morrison et al. 2003; McKenna et al. 2006; Steen et al. 2006; Sowa et al. 2007). The Great Lakes Regional Aquatic Gap Analysis (GLGap) project focuses primarily on lotic habitat of the U.S. Great Lakes drainage basin and associated states and has been developed to address fish and fisheries issues. These tools are unique because they allow us to address problems at a range of scales from the region to the stream segment and include the ability to predict species specific occurrence or abundance for most of the fish species in the study area. The results and types of questions that can be addressed provide better global understanding of the ecological context within which specific natural resources fit (e.g., neighboring environments and resources, and large and small scale processes). The geographic analysis platform consists of broad and flexible geospatial tools (and associated data) with many potential applications. The objectives of this article are to provide a brief overview of GLGap methods and analysis tools, and demonstrate conservation and planning applications of those data and tools. Although there are many potential applications, we will highlight just three: (1) support for the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV), (2) Aquatic Life classification in Wisconsin, and (3) an educational tool that makes use of Google Earth (use of trade or product names does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government) and Internet accessibility.

Gap Analysis Bulletin↗
USGS1999

Index of hydrologic characteristics and data resources for the Gwynns Falls watershed, Baltimore County and Baltimore City, Maryland

The Gwynns Falls watershed has been selected as the primary study area for the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, as part of the National Science Foundation's Long-Term Ecological Research program. Because the Baltimore Ecosystem Study will be investigating long-term hydrologic changes in the Gwynns Falls watershed, a compilation of existing data resources for the watershed is necessary. This report discusses hydrologic characteristics and presents a compilation of historical data resources for the Gwynns Falls watershed. Tables are presented that list active and discontinued continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, nontidal crest-stage partial-record stations, low-flow partial-record stations, and water-quality partial-record stations operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, Maryland-Delaware-D. C. District, in the Gwynns Falls watershed. Statistics regarding the number of inventoried ground-water wells in or bordering the Gwynns Falls watershed also are presented. A summary of additional data resources for the Gwynns Falls watershed is provided. This includes (1) an inventory of selected U.S. Geological Survey studies and reports that contain historical data or basin characteristics for streams in the watershed, (2) a listing of indirect flood-discharge measurements that have been made at several monitoring stations in the watershed, (3) a brief discussion of channel-stability and bridge-scour data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in the watershed during 1990?95, (4) a listing of climatological data stations in the watershed and in the surrounding regional area, and (5) a listing of other selected reports that include data or information on the Gwynns Falls watershed.

Maryland↗
USGS2006

Applicability of terrestrial LIDAR scanning for scientific studies in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

In November 2004, an experimental high flow release of water from Glen Canyon Dam into the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona was conducted. The goal of the experiment was to evaluate the use of high flow events as a management tool for the preservation and restoration of natural resources in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) located in Flagstaff, Arizona performed oversight of all aspects of scientific data collection including suspended sediment transport studies, biological population variations, effects on archaeological resources, and morphological studies of river sand bars. As part of the experimental high flow studies, the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology (CMG) team was invited to participate to test the effectiveness of utilizing terrestrial LIDAR technology for gathering morphological data on sand bars, biological habitats, and archaeological sites. The CMG is equipped with a terrestrial LIDAR unit and has used the technique in a variety of terrains to gather high-resolution morphological data. A three-member team from CMG participated in the experiment, joining a GCMRC team on a river trip from November 18 to November 21, 2004. This report begins with a brief description of the LIDAR technique and then outlines the data collected, processing required, and results for three study areas located within the Grand Canyon. Specifically, studies were performed at the Mile 30 Sand Bar, at Vaseys Paradise (Mile 32), and at the Mile 66 Palisades Archaeological Site. Conclusions and recommendations for utilizing terrestrial LIDAR for future studies at each of these sites are also included.

Arizona↗
USGS1979

Faults in parts of north-central and western Houston metropolitan area, Texas

Hundreds of residential, commercial, and industrial structures in the Houston metropolitan area have sustained moderate to severe damage owing to their locations on or near active faults. Paved roads have been offset by faults at hundreds of locations, butted pipelines have been distorted by fault movements, and fault-induced gradient changes in drainage lines have raised concern among flood control engineers. Over 150 faults, many of them moving at rates of 0.5 to 2 cm/yr, have been mapped in the Houston area; the number of faults probably far exceeds this figure. This report includes a map of eight faults, in north-central and western Houston, at a scale useful for land-use planning. Seven of the faults, are known, to be active and have caused considerable damage to structures built on or near them. If the eighth fault is active, it may be of concern to new developments on the west side of Houston. A ninth feature shown on the map is regarded only as a possible fault, as an origin by faulting has not been firmly established. Seismic and drill-hold data for some 40 faults, studied in detail by various investigators have verified connections between scarps at the land surface and growth faults in the shallow subsurface. Some scarps, then, are known to be the surface manifestations of faults that have geologically long histories of movement. The degree to which natural geologic processes contribute to current fault movement, however, is unclear, for some of man’s activities may play a role in faulting as well. Evidence that current rates of fault movement far exceed average prehistoric rates and that most offset of the land surface in the Houston area has occurred only within the last 50 years indirectly suggest that fluid withdrawal may be accelerating or reinitiating movement on pre-existing faults. This conclusion, however, is based only on a coincidence in time between increased fault activity and increased rates of withdrawal of water, oil, and gas from subsurface sediments; no cause-and-effect relationship has been demonstrated. An alternative hypothesis is that natural fault movements are characterized by short—term episodicity and that Houston is experiencing the effects of a brief period of accelerated natural fault movement. Available data from monitored faults are insufficient to weigh the relative importance of natural vs. induced fault movements.

Texas↗
USGS2019

Methods for installation, removal, and downloading data from the temperature profiling probe (TROD)

This document provides a brief method overview on the deployment and removal of the temperature profiling probe developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2015 and referred to as SensorRod or temperature rod (TROD). The TROD is suitable for short- to long-term deployments (days to years) for evaluating thermal gradients in soils and sediments beneath surface water. Applications include evaluating exchange between groundwater and surface water, seepage losses in agricultural canals, infiltration on hillslopes, and timing of snowmelt and runoff. The temperature sensors inside the TROD are iButtons and are meant to be replaceable when needed. The housing is water tight and is made of schedule 80 PVC pipe. Sensor intervals are flexible and can be built to specific applications. A joint patent (U.S 10/180,360.) and license agreement between the USGS and Alpha Mach for the TROD design was obtained in 2019, and a paper in Water Resource Research describes the design and testing (Naranjo and Turcotte, 2015).

Open-File Report↗
USGS2017

Final data report for factors controlling DDE dechlorination rates on the Palos Verdes Shelf: A field and laboratory investigation

This data report provides a compilation of information developed over the last 6+ years by a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research team. The overall goal of this work has been to identify the biological, chemical, and physical factors that control rates of reductive dechlorination of DDE and DDMU in sediments of the Palos Verdes Shelf (PVS). More specific questions and objectives are delineated in the Scope of Work (section 12.1., Appendix 1). The study was composed of two parts: 1) field characterization studies, and 2) laboratory microcosm experiments. The goal of the field characterization studies was to define the conditions under which reductive dechlorination of DDE (and DDMU) is occurring in PVS sediments. This involved two separate cruises (2009, 2010) during which sediment cores, bottom water and other real-time field measurements (e.g., conductivity, temperature, depth of the water column) were acquired. The sediment cores were distributed among research team members for detailed chemical (R. Eganhouse, B. Orem, M. Reinhard), microbiological (A. Spormann), and physical (B. Edwards) analysis as well as for laboratory microcosm experiments (M. Reinhard). A team of collaborating USGS scientists generously contributed valuable information pertaining to geochronology (P. Swarzenski), the character of sedimentary geosorbent phases (P. Hackley), mineralogy (D. Webster), and grain-size characteristics (C. Sherwood) of PVS sediment samples. Together, this information will serve as framework for a conceptual model of natural degradation processes in the DDT-contaminated sediments on the PVS. These findings will enable the USEPA to gain a better understanding of the controls on reductive dechlorination and how dechlorination rates vary spatially and temporally. This, in turn, should facilitate decision making concerning the progress of natural attenuation and when monitoring at the site can be terminated. Toward that end, a brief Synthesis Report, summarizing and interpreting the acquired data, is being prepared and will be released in the coming year.

Palos Verdes Shelf↗
USGS1990

Willie takes a field trip; coloring book

This coloring book is an educational tool designed to instruct children on some of the field activities commonly associated with the collection of water resource data. Through the use of line drawings and brief descriptive text, young readers will follow little Willie and his Uncle Bill as they spend a pleasant day in the field measuring streamflow, collecting sediment samples, making groundwater measurements at observation wells, and measuring flow in a pipe. Although this 37-page coloring book is geared to children 5 to 10 years old, people of all ages may find it enjoyable.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2024

The 17 January 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake: A retrospective analysis

The 17 January 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake was a watershed event, with far-reaching societal and scientific impacts. The earthquake, which occurred in the early days of both broadband seismic networks and the Internet, spurred advances in seismic monitoring, real-time systems, and development of data products. Motivated by the 30th anniversary of the earthquake, we present a brief retrospective of the earthquake and its impact, and reconsider both ground motions and the aftershock distribution using modern tools and best-available data. With improvements in instrumentation and analysis methodology, recent earthquakes continue to reveal increasing complexity of ground motions, fault systems, and earthquake ruptures. Even in the absence of data from state-of-the art instrumentation, a retrospective consideration of ground motion data from the Northridge earthquake reveals complexities beyond what could be characterized (and modeled) thirty years ago. Aftershock relocations for both the 1971 Sylmar and 1994 Northridge earthquakes also reveal an updated view of fault complexity. Our study does provide a cautionary tale regarding legacy data sets and research results that are not easily accessible, which can result in discrepancies between catalog data and products from best-available science. We also briefly describe outreach products produced as part of the anniversary commemoration.

California↗
USGS1952

Stratigraphic sections of the Phosphoria formation in Idaho (third Idaho report)

The first of a series of reports giving detailed stratigraphic sections of the Phosphoria formation in the Western phosphate field as measured and described by the Geological Survey will soon be published as Circulars. Because of the needs of industry for many of these data during the 1951 field season, and in view of the unavoidable delays attendant on publication, the tabular data to be included in five of these Circulars have already been placed on open file in simple reproduction form (prepared by Ozalid from photographic negatives) and without explanatory text so that early use could be made of the data. The first four sets of tables, one each for the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah, were released on open file on August 15, 1951, A second Idaho report was released on October 4, 1951. This report includes data of the same character but of samples from different localities and is the third report on samples from Idaho. The tables include name and location of section measured, brief description of geologic setting, acknowledgments for field and analytical work, abstract data on the sections (bed number, rock name, sample number, and thickness), and analytical data on the samples. The analytical data include reports on P 2 O 5 and acid insoluble for all samples and additional analyses, such as Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , and loss on ignition for selected samples. These reports are placed on open file at the offices of the Geological Survey in Washinton, D. C., Spokane, Washington, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Montpelier, Idaho, and at the offices of the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology, Moscow, Idaho, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Butte, Montana, the Wyoming Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Idaho↗
USGS1977

A brief investigation of the surface-water hydrology of Yemen Arab Republic

Yemen, near the southwest tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is a mountainous country bordered by a desert on the east and a coastal plain on the west. Rainfall is low and seasonal; consequently, most streams (wadis) are ephemeral. The natural flow regimens of many of the smaller wadis are modified by terracing for agriculture. The only streamflow data available in Yemen are short records on four large wadis. A brief field investigation and application of reconnaissance techniques are the bases for the largely qualitative description of the hydrology, and for the proposal to collect streamflow data needed for orderly development of the expanding economy. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1951

Stratigraphic sections of the Phosphoria formation in Idaho

The first of a series of reports giving detailed stratigraphic sections of the Phosphoria formation in the Western phosphate field as measured and described by the Geological Survey will be released as Circulars within the next few months. Because of the needs of industry for many of these data during the 1951 field season, and in view of the unavoidable delays attendant on publication, the tabular data to be included in these Circulars are hereby placed on open file in simple reproduction form (prepared by Ozalid from photographic negatives) and without explanatory text so that immediate use may be made of the data. The tables include data on sections in four states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah; and the tables for each of these states are bound together as individual reports. The tables include name and location of section measured, brief description of geologic setting, acknowledgments for field and analytical work, abstract data on the sections (bed number, rock name, sample number, and thickness), and analytical data on the samples. The analytical data include reports on P 2 O 5 and acid insoluble for all samples and additional analyses, such as Al 2 0 3 , Fe 7 0 3 , loss on ignition, F, and V 2 O 5 , for selected samples. Spectrographic analyses for a large number of elements are included samples from selected localities, and special analyses have been made of a few samples. These reports are placed on open file at the offices of the Geological Survey in Washington, D. C., Spokane, Washington, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Montpelier, Idaho, and at the offices of the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology, Moscow, Idaho, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Butte, Montana, and the Wyoming Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Idaho↗
USGS1951

Stratigraphic sections of the Phosphoria formation in Utah

The first of a series of reports giving detailed stratigraphic sections of the Phosphoria formation in the Western phosphate field as measured and described by the Geological Survey will be released as Circulars within the next few months. Because of the needs of industry for many of these data during the 1951 field season, and in view of the unavoidable delays attendant on publication: the tabular data to be included in these Circulars are hereby placed on open file in simple reproduction form (prepared by Ozalid from photographic negatives) and without explanatory text so that immediate use may be made of the data. The tables include data on sections in four states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah; and the tables for each of these states are bound together as individual reports. The tables include name and location of section measured, brief description of geologic setting, acknowledgments for field and analytical work, abstract data on the sections (bed number, rock name, sample number, and thickness), and analytical data or the samples. The analytical data include reports on P 2 O 5 and acid insoluble for all samples and additional analyses, such as Al 2 0 3 , Fe 7 0 3 , loss on ignition, F, and V 2 O 5 , for selected samples. Spectrographic analyses for a large number of elements are included for samples from selected localities, and special analyses have been made of a few samples. These reports are placed on open file at the offices of the Geological Survey in Washington, D. C., Spokane, Washington, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Montpelier, Idaho, and at the offices of the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology, Moscow, Idaho, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Butte, Montana, and the Wyoming Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Utah↗
USGS1984

Statistical summaries of streamflow data in Oregon; Volume 1, eastern Oregon

Statistical summaries of streamflow data at 335 streamgaging sites are presented in this two volume report to aid in appraising the hydrology of river basins in Oregon. Records for 31 gaging stations were compiled into separate periods owing to changes in regulation during the period of data collection. The periods before and after regulation are presented for comparison. A brief station description is given describing the physical and operational features for each gaging station. Following the station description are tables of monthly and annual flow statistics, flood frequency data, low-flow and high-flow frequency data, and flow-duration information. (USGS)

Oregon↗
USGS1940

An evaluation of trout culture

In an evaluation of the efficiency of trout culture, the author presents a detailed analysis of complete loss records from 288 individual lots of trout at twenty-two hatcheries in the western United States. Summarized data are given to show the percentage loss of eggs, fry, and fingerlings by progressive one-half inch size groups. The accumulative percentage loss is also included to indicate the losses, under average hatchery conditions, between the egg stage and each successive size-group. These data cover the individual species of trout commonly reared in hatcheries; summarized data are given also for all species combined. A brief discussion of hatchery losses, natural losses, and the cost of artificial propagation is included.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1981

Quality assurance practices for the chemical and biological analyses of water and fluvial sediments

This chapter contains practices used by the U.S. Geological Survey to assure the quality of analytical data for water, fluvial sediment, and aquatic organisms. These practices are directed primarily toward personnel making water-quality measurements. Some detail specific quality control techniques, others document quality assurance procedures being used by the Central Laboratories System of the U.S. Geological Survey, and still others describe various statistical techniques and give examples of their use in evaluating and assuring the quality of analytical data. The practices are arranged into eight sections: Analytical Methods Development Procedures Standard Quantitative Analysis Techniques Instrumental Techniques Reference Material Laboratory Quality Control Quality Assurance Monitoring Documentation, Summary, and Evaluation of Data Materials Evaluation Each section is preceded by a brief description of the material covered. Similarly within each section, each practice is preceded by a description of its application or scope.

Open-File Report↗