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At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
USGS1980

Use of geophysical logs to estimate water-quality trends in carbonate aquifers

The water quality in carbonate aquifers can be determined by analysis of resistivity and porosity logs. When supporting data from water analyses are available, the value of the cementation exponent m can be determined more precisely. Data for this study were taken from logs of oil-test wells, Amstrat sample studies, drill-stem tests and water test wells in parts of Montana, North and South Dakota, and Wyoming. The preferred resistivity curves for apparent water resistivity (Rwa) analyses are the deeply focused laterolog and the induction log. The standard electric log can be used if the drilling mud is not saturated with salt. The preferred porosity logs are the sonic, sidewall neutron, compensated neutron, and the density logs. Older, uncalibrated neutron curves can be empirically calibrated in some instances, however, resulting porosities are frequently anomalous when compared to those determined from core or modern logs. When apparent water resistivity is determined for many wells, the data can be plotted and contoured to outline areas of recharge, direction of probable ground-water movement, and location and salinity of brine areas. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS2001

Water source to four U.S. wetlands: Implications for wetland management

Results of long-term field studies of wetlands in four different hydrogeologic and climatic settings in the United States indicate that each has considerably different sources of water, which affects their response to climate variability and land-use practices. A fen wetland in New Hampshire is supplied almost entirely by ground water that originates as seepage from Mirror Lake; therefore, stream discharge from the fen closely follows the pattern of Mirror Lake stage fluctuations. A fen wetland in northern Minnesota is supplied largely by discharge from a regional ground-water flow system that has its recharge area 1 to 2 km to the east. Because of the size of this wetland's ground-water watershed, stream discharge from the fen has little variability. A prairie-pothole wetland in North Dakota receives more than 90 percent of its water from precipitation and loses more than 90 percent of its water to evapotranspiration, resulting in highly variable seasonal and annual water levels. A wetland in the sandhills of Nebraska lies in a regional ground-water flow field that extends for tens of kilometers and that contains numerous lakes and wetlands. The wetland receives water that moves through the ground-water system from the upgradient lakes and from ground water in local flow systems that are recharged between the lakes. The difference in sources of water to these wetlands implies that they would require different techniques to protect their water supply and water quality.

Wetlands↗
USGS1972

Geochemistry of selected areas in the southern Black Hills, Fall River County, South Dakota

Geologic and radiometric studies and chemical analyses of soils, rocks, and water were made north of an area between Edgemont and Hot Springs, South Dakota. The soil is shallow, poorly developed, and not present in some areas. The median pH of the soil from three areas ranges from 6.7 to 7.0. Rocks are more alkaline and have a median pH from several areas of 7.3 to 8.9 and some mineralized rocks have a pH of 9.4. The pH of shallow perched high-radon bearing waters varies from 3.5 to 6.8 as contrasted to deeply originating low-radon bearing thermal waters with very small ranges of from 6.9 to 7.0. Sediments are oxidized down to the perched water table, a depth of more than 50 feet below the surface of the ground. The uranium deposits are mostly in this zone of oxidation and are characterized by the minerals carnotite and tyuyamunite. In the oxidized zone sandstones are most commonly colored a very pale orange in contrast to the underlying yellowish gray colored sandstones. Mudstones, in the oxidized zone, are most commonly colored a grayish orange in contrast to the underlying olive gray colored mudstones. The characteristic mineral in the oxidized zone is hematite, and below, pyrite. Sediments in the oxidized zone contain not only less iron and uranium than do the underlying sediments but also the joints and contacts between strata in this oxidized zone contain relative large amounts of arsenic, barium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, vanadium, and zinc. No pattern was apparent in the size and position of mineralized zones with respect to ground water levels: Highly uraniferous beds occurred above, at, and below the uppermost perched water levels. Gamma ray logs were made of 43 drill holes that totalled about 4,300 feet. The number and intensity of radioactivity peaks was a function of increasing grain size in the sediments. About 60 percent of the gamma ray radioactivity peaks occurred within beds rather than at their contacts. Contacts between coarser-grained beds contained a higher incidence of radioactivity peaks than contacts between finer-grained beds. Between beds of dissimilar lithology such as between mudstones and sandstones or very fine-grained sandstones and medium-grained sandstones, the coarser the bed at the contact in relation to the other bed at the contact the greater the chance for a radioactivity peak. An apparently impermeable bed above or below a contact seemed to have little influence on the number and magnitude of radioactivity peaks. Over 70 percent of the radioactivity peaks occurred, not as isolated peaks, but in groups containing from two to ten peaks. Most of these groups were in sandstones rather than in mudstones. The average vertical range of each group of radioactivity peaks is 15 feet, and for isolated peaks, one foot. Radiometric anomalies apparently are not detected by hand-carried scintillometers unless there is a subsurface anomaly greater than about 1,000 counts per second within a few feet of the surface of the ground. Larger radioactivity anomalies occurred in the higher sloping areas. The chances for uranium anomalies in soil were best where the soil was underlain by an uraniferous coarse non-calcareous sandstone which was intersected by joint or faults.

South Dakota↗
USGS2014

Conceptual model of the uppermost principal aquifer systems in the Williston and Powder River structural basins, United States and Canada

The three uppermost principal aquifer systems of the Northern Great Plains—the glacial, lower Tertiary, and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems—are described in this report and provide water for irrigation, mining, public and domestic supply, livestock, and industrial uses. These aquifer systems primarily are present in two nationally important fossil-fuelproducing areas: the Williston and Powder River structural basins in the United States and Canada. The glacial aquifer system is contained within glacial deposits that overlie the lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems in the northeastern part of the Williston structural basin. Productive sand and gravel aquifers exist within this aquifer system. The Upper Cretaceous aquifer system is contained within bedrock lithostratigraphic units as deep as 2,850 and 8,500 feet below land surface in the Williston and Powder River structural basins, respectively. Petroleum extraction from much deeper formations, such as the Bakken Formation, is rapidly increasing because of recently improved hydraulic fracturing methods that require large volumes of relatively freshwater from shallow aquifers or surface water. Extraction of coalbed natural gas from within the lower Tertiary aquifer system requires removal of large volumes of groundwater to allow degasification. Recognizing the importance of understanding water resources in these energy-rich basins, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Groundwater Resources Program ( http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/gwrp/ ) began a groundwater study of the Williston and Powder River structural basins in 2011 to quantify this groundwater resource, the results of which are described in this report. The overall objective of this study was to characterize, quantify, and provide an improved conceptual understanding of the three uppermost and principal aquifer systems in energy-resource areas of the Northern Great Plains to assist in groundwater-resource management for multiple uses. The study area includes parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming in the United States and Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. The glacial aquifer system is contained within glacial drift consisting primarily of till, with smaller amounts of glacial outwash sand and gravel deposits. The lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems are contained within several formations of the Tertiary and Cretaceous geologic systems, which are hydraulically separated from underlying aquifers by a basal confining unit. The lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems each were divided into three hydrogeologic units that correspond to one or more lithostratigraphic units. The period prior to 1960 is defined as the predevelopment period when little groundwater was extracted. From 1960 through 1990, numerous flowing wells were installed near the Yellowstone, Little Missouri and Knife Rivers, resulting in local groundwater declines. Recently developed technologies for the extraction of petroleum resources, which largely have been applied in the study area since about 2005, require millions of gallons of water for construction of each well, with additional water needed for long-term operation; therefore, the potential for an increase in groundwater extraction is high. In this study, groundwater recharge and discharge components were estimated for the period 1981–2005. Groundwater recharge primarily occurs from infiltration of rainfall and snowmelt (precipitation recharge) and infiltration of streams into the ground (stream infiltration). Total estimated recharge to the Williston and Powder River control volumes is 4,560 and 1,500 cubic feet per second, respectively. Estimated precipitation recharge is 26 and 15 percent of total recharge for the Williston and Powder River control volumes, respectively. Estimated stream infiltration is 71 and 80 percent of total recharge for the Williston and Powder River control volumes, respectively. Groundwater discharge primarily is to streams and springs and is estimated to be about 97 and 92 percent of total discharge for the Williston and Powder River control volumes, respectively. Most of the remaining discharge results from pumped and flowing wells. Groundwater flow in the Williston structural basin generally is from the west and southwest toward the east, where discharge to streams occurs. Locally, in the uppermost hydrogeologic units, groundwater generally is unconfined and flows from topographically high to low areas, where discharge to streams occurs. Groundwater flow in the Powder River structural basin generally is toward the north, with local variations, particularly in the upper Fort Union aquifer, where flow is toward streams.

Manitoba;Montana;North Dakota;Saskatchewan;South D↗
USGS1983

Water resources of the Rattlesnake Butte area, a site of potential lignite mining in west-central North Dakota

In much of western North Dakota, minable lignite beds and associated sand beds are valuable local aquifers. Strip mining disrupts the aquifers and could significantly impact the local hydrology, imposing hardships on local residents. This comprehensive water-resources study of a 147-square-mile coal area in west-central North Dakota was done to facilitate sound management decisions regarding the suitability of the site for mining. Two strippable lignite beds, identified as the D and E beds, in the lower 250 to 300 feet of the Sentinel Butte Member of the Fort Union Formation underlie much of two small stream basins. The lignites and two closely associated sand deposits are the only consistently occurring aquifers within several hundred feet of the land surface. The D lignite bed underlies nearly the entire study area, but is not water bearing where it is structurally uplifted beneath upland areas. It is, for the most part, marginally confined. The E lignite bed overlies the D bed and is extensively eroded along North Creek in the southern part of the study area. The E bed is either unsaturated or unconfined in most of its area of occurrence. Direction of ground-water flow in both lignite aquifers is largely controlled by topography. Interconnected sand beds deposited as channel fill in braided streams form aquifers between the E and D beds (E-D aquifer) and below the D bed (D-HT aquifer). Both aquifers underlie the central part of the study area and each consists of as much as 100 feet of predominantly fine to medium silty unconsolidated sand. Maximum depth to the top of the aquifers was 200 feet for the E-D aquifer and 320 feet for the D-HT aquifer. The E-D aquifer, where near land surface, is unconfined, whereas the D-HT aquifer is entirely confined. Direction of ground-water flow in the D-HT aquifer is not influenced by the local topography as in the three overlying aquifers. Aquifers also occur at much greater depth beneath the study area in strata of Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary age. The Fox Hills and Tongue River aquifers are most commonly utilized and lie at depths of about 1,700 and 750 feet, respectively. Water in all aquifers beneath the study area is a sodium bicarbonate or sodium sulfate type. Mean dissolved solids in the four aquifers in the Sentinel Butte Member ranged from 1,290 to 1,970 milligrams per liter- Most of the samples were soft water, had low dissolved iron concentration, and were slightly to moderately colored (tan to brown) by dissolved organics. Several samples from the four aquifers had a perceptible hydrogen sulfide odor. North Creek and an unnamed tributary of the Green River drain most of the study area. North Creek flows intermittently during most years, while the Green River tributary flows perennially and has base flow of about 0.2 cubic foot per second. North Creek has predominately a sodium sulfate type water and the Green River tributary has a sodium bicarbonate-sulfate type water. At high flows, the dissolved solids generally are less than 1,000 milligrams per liter, and the water contains greater percentages of calcium and magnesium than at low flow. The impacts of strip mining on the shallow ground-water flow system would be very localized due to the already low water levels and the segmented nature of the flow system. Similarly, water-quality impacts on the ground-water system would be localized. Natural geochemical processes are effective in limiting the severity and lateral spread of chemically enriched waters. Streamflow magnitudes should not be significantly affected by mining activities. Stream quality impacts should be readily manageable by ordinary routing, impoundment, and treatment techniques.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS2008

A characterization of non-biotic environmental features of prairies hosting the Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae, Hesperiidae) across its remaining U.S. range

Within the United States, the Dakota Skipper now occurs only in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In these states it has been associated with margins of glacial lakes and calcareous mesic prairies that host warm-season native grasses. Preliminary geographic information system (GIS) analysis in North Dakota has indicated a close congruency between historic distribution of the Dakota Skipper and that of specific near-shore glacial lake features and related soil associations. This study analyzed humidity-related non-biotic microhabitat characteristics within three remaining occupied Dakota Skipper sites in each state during the larval growth period in 2000. Measured parameters included topographic relief, soil compaction, soil pH, moisture, and temperature at various depths, soil bulk density, soil texture, and temperature and humidity within the larval nest zone. Results of these efforts reveal two distinctive habitat substrates, one of relatively low surface relief with dense but relatively less compact soils, and another of relatively high relief with less dense but more compact soils. In the low-relief habitat, grazing appears to compact soils unfavorably in otherwise similar prairies in the more xeric western portion of the range, potentially by affecting ground-water buffering of larval nest zone humidity.

Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society↗
USGS1980

Hydrologic setting of wetlands in the Cottonwood Lake area, Stutsman County, North Dakota

Because of growing interest in the role of lakes and wetlands in the hydrology of the prairie environment, a group of wetlands in the Cottonwood Lake area, Stutsman County, are being instrumented for long-term hydrologic studies. The study site is on a regional topographic high near the eastern edge of the Missouri Coteau and is underlain by more than 400 feet of glacial drift, largely clayey, silty till. Long-term climatic data indicate the study area is in a water deficient area mean annual evaporation exceeds mean annual precipitation by about 18 inches. Different methods are being used for comparison of measurements and estimates of each hydrologic component interacting with the lakes and wetlands. For example, for 3 months during 1979, estimates of precipitation for the study site using data collected at National Weather Service stations differed from that measured by a recording gage at the study site by several tenths of an inch for 14-day totals and differed by more than 0.5 inch for individual storms. Numerical-simulation analysis of regional ground-water flow systems show the study site is situated in a regional recharge area, but local groundwater flow systems can discharge to lakes and wetlands within the recharge area. Instrumentation at the study site shows a complex interrelationship of wetlands and ground water. Based on data for 1979 only, some wetlands appear to recharge ground water, some wetlands are flow-through types where ground water enters one side and surface water seeps into the ground on the other side, and some wetlands are discharge points for ground water. Further, these interrelationships vary throughout the year.

North Dakota↗
USGS1999

Environmental setting of the Yellowstone River basin, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming

Natural and anthropogenic factors influence water-quality conditions in the Yellowstone River Basin. Physiography parallels the structural geologic setting that is generally composed of several uplifts and structural basins. Contrasts in climate and vegetation reflect topographic controls and the midcontinental location of the study unit. Surface-water hydrology reflects water surpluses in mountainous areas that are dominated by snowmelt runoff, and arid to semiarid conditions in the plains that are dissected by typically irrigated valleys in the remainder of the study unit. Principal shallow aquifers are Tertiary sandstones and unconsolidated Quaternary deposits. Human population, though sparsely distributed in general, is growing most rapidly in a few urban centers and resort areas, mostly in the northwestern part of the basin. Land use is areally dominated by grazing in the basins and plains and economically dominated by mineral-extraction activities. Forests are the dominant land cover in mountainous areas. Cropland is a major land use in principal stream valleys. Water use is dominated by irrigated agriculture overall, but mining and public-supply facilities are major users of ground water. Coal and hydrocarbon production and reserves distinguish the Yellowstone River Basin as a principal energy-minerals resources region. Current metallic ore production or reserves are nationally significant for platinum-group elements and chromium. The study unit was subdivided as an initial environmental stratification for use in designing the National Water-Quality Assessment Program investigation that began in 1997. Ecoregions, geologic groups, mineral-resource areas, and general land-cover and land-use categories were used in combination to define 18 environmental settings in the Yellowstone River Basin. It is expected that these different settings will be reflected in differing water-quality or aquatic-ecological characteristics.

Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming↗
USGS1992

Movement of water in seasonally frozen soil, southeastern North Dakota, 1985-87

A study of seasonally frozen soil was conducted from October 1985 through April 1986 and from October 1986 through April 1987. Three runoff plots were established. On October 30, 1985, 86 mm (millimeters) of water was applied to plot 1, and 43 mm of water was applied to plot 3. No water was applied to plot 2. The winter of 1985-86 had colder-than-normal air temperatures and greater-thannormal precipitation. Some freezing-induced redistribution was measured within the soil profile at some sites. No measurable upward movement of water from the water table to the freezing front was detected in any of the plots. Snowmelt runoff occurred on March 21 and 22. Plot 1 had 14.2 mm of runoff, plot 2 had less than 0.1 mm of runoff, and plot 3 had 9.0 mm of runoff. Infiltration was determined as the difference between soil water content on March 3 and on March 24. Infiltration was 64.8 mm for plot 1, 43.0 mm for plot 2, and 34.8 mm for plot 3. The ground-water level started to rise rapidly 2 days after the start of the major snowmelt. Recharge computed from the change in ground-water levels for March 24-27 was 13.2 mm. The mean change in soil water content for March 24-27 indicates a loss (recharge) of 5.1 mm for plot 1, a loss of 1.9 mm for plot 2, and a gain of 4.4 mm for plot 3. The difference between recharge computed from the change in ground-water levels and recharge computed from the change in soil water content indicates that some of the recharge is from a location other than the plots. The winter of 1986-87 had warmer-than-normal air temperatures and less-than-normal precipitation. Because water was entering and leaving the soil profile during the mild winter, changes in soil water content caused by freezing-induced redistribution, infiltration, or evaporation could not be quantified. On February 26, rainfall runoff occurred from snow-free frozen soil on plots 2 and 3. Snowmelt runoff occurred on all three plots on March 4 and only on plot 3 on March 5. Between February 9 and March 5, infiltration was 50.1 mm for plot 1, 25.4 mm for plot 2, and 49.6 mm for plot 3. The ground-water level rose very rapidly for a few days at the beginning of March. This rise corresponded to the snowmelt runoff on March 4 and 5. The ground-water level then stabilized until March 18 when it again started to rise rapidly. This rise continued throughout the month. Recharge computed from the change in groundwater levels for March 5-11 was 5.9 mm, recharge for March 11-26 was 50.4 mm, and recharge for March 26 through April 1 was 18.7 mm.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS2011

Carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry of a Prairie Pothole Wetland, Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA

The concentration and form of dissolved organic C (DOC) and N species (NH 4 + and NO 3 - ) were investigated as part of a larger hydrogeochemical study of the Cottonwood Lake Study Area within the Prairie Potholes region. Groundwater, pore water and surface wetland water data were used to help characterize the relationships between surface and groundwater with respect to nutrient dynamics. Photosynthesis and subsequent decomposition of vegetation in these hydrologically dynamic wetlands generates a large amount of dissolved C and N, although the subsurface till, derived in part from organic matter rich Pierre Shale, is a likely secondary source of nutrients in deeper groundwater. While surface water DOC concentrations ranged from 2.2 to 4.6 mM, groundwater values were 0.15 mM to 3.7 mM. Greater specific UV absorbance (SUVA 254 ) in the wetland water column and in soil pore waters relative to groundwater indicate more reactive DOC in the surface to near-surface waters. Circumneutral wetlands had greater SUVA254, possibly because of variations in vegetation communities. The dominant inorganic nitrogen species was NH 4 + in both wetland water and most ground water samples. The exceptions were 3 wells with NO 3 - ranging from 38 to 115 μM. Shallow groundwater wells (Well 28 and Well 13S) with greater connection to wetland surface water had greater NH 4 + concentrations (1.1 mM and 120 μM) than other well samples (3–90 μM). Pore water nutrient chemistry was more similar to surface water than ground water. Nitrogen results suggest reducing conditions in both groundwater and surface water, possibly due to the microbial uptake of O 2 by decaying vegetation in the wetland water column, labile organic C available in shallow groundwater, or the oxidation of pyrite associated with the subsurface.

North Dakota↗
USGS1975

Plan of study of the hydrology of the Madison Limestone and associated rocks in Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming

A major part of the United States ' coal reserves is in the Fort Union coal region of the Northern Great Plains. Large-scale development of these reserves would place a heavy demand on the area 's limited water resources. Surface water is poorly distributed in time and space. Its use for coal development in parts of the area would require storage reservoirs and distribution systems, whereas in the rest of the area surface water is fully appropriated and its use would deprive present users of their supply. Preliminary studies by the U.S. Geological Survey and State agencies in Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota indicate that the Madison Limestone and associated rocks might provide a significant percentage of the total water requirements for coal development. This report briefly summarized the present knowledge of the geohydrology of the Madison and associated rocks, identifies the need for additional data, and outlines a 5-year plan for a comprehensive study of the hydrology of these rocks. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS2008

U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 27-29, 2008

*INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS* Karst aquifer systems are present throughout parts of the United States and some of its territories. The complex depositional environments that form carbonate rocks combined with post-depositional tectonic events and the diverse climatic regimes under which these rocks were formed result in unique hydrologic systems. The dissolution of calcium carbonate and the subsequent development of distinct and beautiful landscapes, caverns, and springs have resulted in some karst areas of the United States being designated as national or state parks and commercial caverns. Karst aquifers and landscapes that form in tropical areas, such as the north coast of Puerto Rico, differ greatly from karst areas in more arid climates, such as central Texas or western South Dakota. Many of these public and private lands contain unique flora and fauna associated with the hydrologic systems in these karst areas. As a result, multiple Federal, State, and local agencies have an interest in the study of karst terrains. Carbonate sediments and rocks (limestone and dolomite) are composed of greater than 50 percent carbonate minerals and the predominant carbonate mineral is calcium carbonate or limestone (CaCO3). Unlike terrigenous clastic sedimentation, the depositional processes that produce carbonate rocks are complex, involving both biological and physical processes. These depositional processes impact greatly the development of permeability of the sediments. Carbonate minerals readily dissolve or precipitate depending on the chemistry of the water flowing through the rock, thus the study of both marine and meteoric diagenesis of carbonate sediments is multidisciplinary. Even with a better understanding of the depositional environment and subsequent diagenesis, the dual porosity nature of karst aquifers presents challenges to scientists attempting to study ground-water flow and contaminant transport. Many of the major springs and aquifers in the United States are developed in carbonate rocks and karst areas. These aquifers and the springs that discharge from them, serve as major water-supply sources and as unique biological habitats. Commonly, there is competition for the water resources of karst aquifers, and urban development in karst areas can impact the ecosystem and water quality of these aquifers. The concept for developing a Karst Interest Group evolved from the November 1999 National Ground-Water Meeting of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Resources Division. As a result, the Karst Interest Group was formed in 2000. The Karst Interest Group is a loose-knit grass-roots organization of USGS employees devoted to fostering better communication among scientists working on, or interested in, karst hydrology studies. The mission of the Karst Interest Group is to encourage and support interdisciplinary collaboration and technology transfer among USGS scientists working in karst areas. Additionally, the Karst Interest Group encourages cooperative studies between the different disciplines of the USGS and other Department of Interior agencies and university researchers or research institutes. The first Karst Interest Group workshop was held in St. Petersburg, Florida, February 13-16, 2001, in the vicinity of karst features of the Floridan aquifer system. The proceedings of that first meeting, Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4011 are available online at: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/karst/ The second Karst Interest Group workshop was held August 20-22, 2002, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in close proximity to the carbonate aquifers of the northern Shenandoah Valley. The proceedings of the second workshop were published in Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4174, which is available online at the previously mentioned website. The third workshop of the Karst Interest Group was held September, 12-15, 2005, in Rapid City, South Dakota, which is in close proximity to karst features

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS1982

Natural groundwater recharge in an upland area of central North Dakota, U.S.A.

The magnitude of groundwater recharge to coal aquifers in a 150-km 2 area in west-central North Dakota was determined using three separate approaches: (1) the net water level rise in water-table wells; (2) calculations of the fluid flux between nested piezometers, using the Darcy equation and measured values of hydraulic conductivity and vertical gradients; and (3) evaluation of the inputs to and outputs from the coal aquifer, using a steady-state control volume approach in which the aquifer was divided into semi-rectangular cells bounded by equipotential lines and flow lines. Measurements of potential gradients and hydraulic conductivity permitted indirect determination of all components of flow into and out of the cell except the recharge input, which was determined by difference. All methods yielded consistent results on the order of 0.04-0.01 m yr. −1 These values, which represent 2–9% of the annual precipitation, are consistent with results of other studies on recharge throughout the prairies of North America. Evaluation of site hydrology and stable-isotope data indicates that recharge is restricted in both time and place. Most recharge occurs in late spring and in the fall following heavy rainfall events. During these seasons the ground is not frozen and vegetation is not transpiring large amounts of water. Some recharge may occur during very heavy localized summer storms, but it is not considered volumetrically significant. Major permanent depressions on the site are a source of significant recharge. In addition, the extensive area of ephemeral standing water bodies that result from snowmelt can produce significant amounts of infiltration over the entire site.

central North Dakota↗
USGS1987

Hydrology of area 46, Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain coal provinces, North Dakota

This report is one of a series that describes the hydrology of coal provinces nationwide. The Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Coal Provinces are divided into 20 separate reporting areas which are numbered 43 to 62. This report provides general hydrologic information for Area 46 using a brief text with accompanying maps, charts, or graphs. This information may be used to describe the hydrology of the general area of any existing or proposed mine. Some of the more obvious hydrologic problems of coal development that will need to be addressed before development are disruption of aquifers and potential contamination of streams, aquifers, and the atmosphere. Area 46 is in northwestern North Dakota and is composed of parts or all of 14 hydrologic units based on surface-water drainage basins. The area is drained by the Missouri and Souris Rivers. Lignite-bearing rocks of late Paleocene age underlie nearly all of Area 46. The thickest and most continuous lignite beds occur in the Sentinel Butte and Tongue River Members of the Fort Union Formation. Alluvial deposits and a veneer of glacial drift of late Pleistocene age overlie the lignite-bearing rocks. The climate of the area is semiarid. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 13.9 to 17.8 inches. Mean annual temperatures range from 37.7°F at Bowbells to 40.9°F at Williston. Mean monthly temperatures at Williston range from 8.3°F to 70°F. The growing season is about 125 days. A fairly comprehensive data base for streamflow and water quality in streams is available for Area 46. Many of the small-stream monitoring sites have been operated during the last few years to provide a data base before coal development. With the exception of the Missouri River, which is controlled by several dams, both the quantity and quality of water varies greatly in all streams. A ground-water observation network for water levels and water quality has been established through county ground-water resource investigations and other ground-water studies and provides an adequate data base. Three activities within the U.S. Geological Survey identify and provide access to hydrologic data. These are the National Water-Data Exchange (NAWDEX), the National Water-Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE), and the Office of Water-Data Coordination (OWDC).

Open-File Report↗
USGS1951

Missouri River basin floods of April-May 1950 in North and South Dakota

In area coverage and magnitude of peak discharge the floods of April-May 1950 in the Missouri River Basin in North and South Dakota were unprecedented in the area. These floods were characterized by an extremely late spring breakup of ice, by great flood peaks resulting from snow melt, and by two separate floods in the James River Valley in less than a month. The primary cause of the floods was the rapid melting of the season's great accumulation of snow, one of the deepest on record. In the period between the normal spring breakup time and the actual breakup of river ice, considerably more snow accumulated. Some of this was melted by a few warm days and the melt was stored as water behind snow barriers in upland watercourses. A sudden increase in temperature beginning April 13 and lasting until most of the snow had been converted into runoff resulted in rapid rise of flood waters. Tributary flood waters made the Missouri River from Mobridge to Yankton, S. Dak., rise to near the maximum recorded discharge. At Sioux City, Iowa, the 1950 flood peak-discharge exceeded any previously recorded by the Geological Survey. The center of the flooded area west of the Missouri River lay in the Cannonball River Basin which had the greatest water content of snow on the ground just before the ice broke up Floods north and south of this area were relatively less intense. Scattered records of the Cannonball River and a study of newspaper accounts and other information show that the flood of 1950 was greatest since the area was settled. Flooding of the James River at Jamestown was the greatest since 1897, and the floods of April and May 1950 were of nearly the same stage. Itemized flood damages were made by Federal and State agencies, and relief was sent to the area by the Department of the Army and the American National Red Cross. Data include records of stage and discharge at 54 gaging stations for the period of flood, a summary of peak discharges and comparative data for past and present maxima, a table of crest stages, and weather associated with the 1950 flood.

North Dakota, South Dakota↗
USGS1953

Floods of 1950 in the upper Mississippi River and Lake Superior basins in Minnesota

In areal coverage and magnitude of peak discharge the floods of April-May 1950 in the Missouri River Basin in North and South Dakota were unprecedented in the area. These floods were characterized by an extremely late spring breakup of ice, by great flood peaks resulting from snow melt, and by two separate floods in the James River Valley in less than a month. The primary cause of the floods was the rapid melting of the season's great accumulation of snow, one of the deepest on record. In the period between the normal spring breakup time and the actual breakup of river ice, considerably more snow accumulated. Some of this was melted by a few .warm days and the melt was stored as water behind snow barriers in upland watercourses. A sudden increase in temperature beginning April 13 and lasting until most of the snow had been converted into runoff resulted in rapid rise of flood waters. Tributary flood waters made the Missouri River from Mobridge to Yankton, S. Oak., rise to near the maximum recorded discharge. At Sioux City, Iowa, the 1950 flood peak-discharge exceeded any previously recorded by the Geological Survey. The center of the flooded area west of the Missouri River lay m the Cannonball River Basin which had the greatest water content of snow on the ground just before the ice broke up Floods north and south of this area were relatively less intense. Scattered records of the Cannonball River and a study of newspaper accounts and other information show that the flood of 1950 was greatest since the area was settled. Flooding of the James River at Jamestown was the greatest since 1897, and the floods of April and May 1950 were of nearly the same stage. Itemized flood damages were made by Federal and State agencies, and relief was sent to the area by the Department of the Army and the American National Red Cross. Data include records of stage and discharge at 54 gaging stations for the period of flood, a summary of peak discharges and comparative data for past and present maxima, a table of crest stages, and weather associated with the 1950 flood.

Water Supply Paper↗
USGS1994

Nutrients, suspended sediment, and pesticides in waters of the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1970-90

Available data on nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), suspended sediment, and pesticides in the Red River of the North Basin, a study unit under the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, are reviewed. These data were collected by several agencies during 1970-90. Nutrient concentrations in surface water are higher downgradient from agricultural and urban areas than in other areas, but generally do not exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The 10 milligram per liter (mg/L) drinking water MCL for nitrate (as nitrogen) was rarely exceeded. Some of the largest nutrient inputs to the surface-water system appear to come from the Fargo-Moorhead area. The highest nitrogen concentrations usually were found in the Red River of the North. Nitrogen composition was mostly organic nitrogen with some nitrate. Ammonia nitrogen was negligible except during mid-winter, when concentrations could exceed 1.0 mg/L. Streams draining the corn-dominated cropland in the southern part of the basin had relatively high nitrogen concentrations compared to parts of the basin where small-grain crops, forests, and wetlands predominate. The Pembina River in the northern part of the basin had a large range in nitrogen concentrations that often exceeded those in the Red River of the North. The highest phosphorus concentrations generally were found in of the Red River of the North, although tributary streams occasionally had peak concentrations that exceeded those in the Red River of the North. Median nitrate concentrations in ground water were less than 1.0 mg/L as nitrogen in all counties in the basin except in Otter Tail and Decker Counties in Minnesota. Half of the wells in Otter Tail County had nitrate-nitrogen concentrations exceeding 2.8 mg/L. Shallow, surficial aquifers tended to have the highest nitrate concentrations. Median suspended-sediment concentrations were less than 100 mg/L except in the Red River of the North near the Canadian border at Emerson, Manitoba and the Pembina River. The Pembina River occasionally had high suspended sediment concentrations; about 10 percent of the samples exceeded 2,000 mg/L. For both surface and ground water, available pesticide data were limited in spatial and temporal coverage. The majority of pesticide analyses for the Red River of the North Basin show no concentrations above laboratory reporting limits. Reported concentrations usually were below USEPA MCLs. Only a few analyses of pesticides in ground water had concentrations above laboratory reporting limits. Wells that had reportable levels are mainly in the southern and southeastern part of the basin, where atrazine was the most commonly detected pesticide. A relatively large fraction of stream samples had detectable quantities of 2,4-D, a- and y-HCH, and atrazine. These samples covered time spans of as much as 15 years and were from sites downstream from large drainage basins; however, concentrations were well below US EPA MCLs. One county-level study showed higher 2,4-D concentrations at upstream sites than at the outlet from a small basin. This indicates that downstream sites may fail to show impaired water-quality and the fate of pesticides used in the basin. Following the 1972 ban on DDT, concentrations of DDT in fish samples from the Red River of the North quickly decreased. Fish concentrations of DDE and DDD decreased more slowly. Low levels of DDE and DDD were detected in fish 14 years after the DDT ban.

Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota↗
USGS1987

Use of no-till winter wheat by nesting ducks in North Dakota

Nesting of dabbling ducks (Anatinae) was studied in fields of no-till winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the prairie pothole region of North Dakota during 1984 and 1985. Total area of 59 fields searched in 1984 was 1,135 ha and total area of 70 fields searched in 1985 was 1,175 ha. Field sizes ranged from 3 ha to 110 ha. Nests of five duck species were found: blue-winged teal (Anas discors), 55 nests; northern pintail (A. acuta), 44; mallard (A. platyrhynchos), 29; gadwall (A. strepera), 15; and northern shoveler (A. clypeata), 8. The average number of nests found was 8/100 ha in 1984 and 6/100 ha in 1985. Nest success for all species averaged 26% in 1984 and 29% in 1985. Predation by mammals was the principal cause of nest destruction. No egg or hen mortality could be attributed to pesticide use. Only 6 of 151 nests (4%) were abandoned during the two years. We also found 29 nests of seven other ground-nesting bird species. The trend toward increased planting of no-till winter wheat in the prairie pothole region should benefit production of ducks and other ground-nesting birds.

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation↗