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At least 937 records · Page 52Linked to original sources
USGS1976

Economic worth of hydrologic data in project design: An application to regional energy development

The linkage between the benefits to a regional economy from a water-dependent industry and the statistical uncertainty of the water supply that is needed in the production process is analyzed using a Bayesian scheme of expected-expected benefits of hydrologic data. In this analysis, expected benefits are calculated using anticipated streamflow data and these benefits are averaged over all possible data values. The increase in these average expected benefits is subsequently compared to the costs of obtaining the data and benefits foregone by delaying the project to collect the data. Thus, the value of collecting the data may be determined. A Leontief type production function is assumed for an oil shale retorting plant. The economic impact of hydrologic uncertainty is investigated by examining potential changes in plant output along with changes in regional incomes which are calculated by means of a regional input-output model. Alternatives for reducing the uncertainty included establishing water discharge measuring stations, transferring streamflow information from one site to another via regionalization, and a combination of both. Given a specific alternative, the optimum time period for data collection was found. Regionalization considered statistical properties of network designs based on simulated regression analysis.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1978

Hydrologic data for North Creek, Trinity River basin, Texas, 1976

The U.S. Soil Conservation Service is actively engaged in the installation of flood- and soil-erosion reducing structures in Texas under the authority of "The Flood Control Act of 1936 and 1944" and Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act" (Public Law 566), as amended. The Soil Conservation Service has found that approximately 3,500 floodwater-retarding structures would be physically and economically feasible in Texas. As of September 30, 1976, 1,673 (corrected figure) of these structures had been built. This watershed-development program will have varying but important effects on surface- and ground-water resources of river basins, especially where a large number of the floodwater-retarding structures are built. Basic hydrologic data under natural and developed conditions are needed to appraise the effects of the structures on the yield and mode of occurrence of runoff. During the period 1951-62, the U.S. Geological Survey began hydrologic investigations in 12 small watersheds (fig. 1). As of Sept. 30, 1976, data collection in ten of these study areas has been completed and is now in progress in the remaining two. These studies are being made in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board, the Soil Conservation Service, the San Antonio River Authority, the city of Dallas, and the Tarrant County Control and Improvement District No. 1. The 12 study areas were chosen to sample watersheds having different rainfall, topography, geology, and soils. In five of the study areas (North, Little Elm, Mukewater, Little Pond-North Elm, and Pin Oak Creeks), streamflow and rainfall records were collected prior to construction of the floodwater-retarding structures, thus affording the opportunity for analyses of the conditions "before and after" development. A summary of the development of the floodwater-retarding structures in each study area as of Sept. 30, 1976, is shown in table 1.

Texas↗
USGS1976

Hydrologic data for urban studies in the San Antonio, Texas metropolitan area, 1976

Hydrologic investigations of urban watersheds in Texas were begun by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1954. These studies are now in progress in Austin, Dallas, Dallas County, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. The Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Water Resources, expanded the existing streamflow network in the San Antonio metropolitan area in May 1968 to begin urban hydrology studies in this area. In September 1968, the program was further expanded to include the collection of water-quality data.

Texas↗
USGS1978

Summary of U.S. Geological Survey investigations and hydrologic conditions in the Southwest Florida Water Management District for 1977

This report summarizes the activities of the Southwest Florida Subdistrict of the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division for fiscal year 1977. The organization and mission of the subdistrict office are described. The cooperative program for fiscal year 1977 included 41 interpretive investigations. Abstracts of twenty reports released by the subdistrict during 1977 and an extensive bibliography of reports released from 1933 to 1977 are included. The hydrologic setting of southwest Florida is outlined followed by discussions of surface-water, ground-water, and quality-of-water conditions. Hydrologic conditions in southwest Florida in 1977 are shown by the presentation of hydrographs from selected surface-water, ground-water, and lake-stage data collection sites.

Florida↗
USGS1978

Hydrologic data for water-table aquifers in the Boulder-Fort Collins-Greeley area, Front Range urban corridor, Colorado

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey 's investigations of the hydrology and geology in the Front Range Urban Corridor of Colorado, hydrologic data relating to water-table aquifers were compiled during 1976-77. These data consisting of records of 446 wells and chemical analyses of water from 208 wells in the Boulder--Fort Collins--Greeley area, are presented in tabular form. The well-data tables contain records that were collected during 1976-77. The chemical analysis tables contain records that were collected during 1956-77. State and local officials in the Boulder--Fort Collins--Greeley area may find these data useful in planning for residential, commercial, and industrial development. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1978

Hydrologic data for water-table aquifers in the Colorado Springs-Castle Rock area, Front Range Urban Corridor, Colorado

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey 's investigations of the hydrology and geology in the Front Range Urban Corridor of Colorado, hydrologic data for water-table aquifers in the Colorado Springs--Castle Rock area were collected and compiled during 1976-77. These data, consisting of records for 157 wells and 47 springs and chemical analyses of water for 135 of the wells and all 47 springs, are presented in tabular form. The tables contain data that were collected during the investigation , data compiled from reports published by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and unpublished data from the files of the U.S. Geological Survey. State and local officials in the Colorado Springs--Castle Rock area may find these data useful in planning for residential, commercials, and industrial development. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1979

Summary of U.S. Geological Survey investigations and hydrologic conditions in the Southwest Florida Water Management District for 1978

This report summarizes water-resources investigations in the Southwest Florida Water Management District performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, for fiscal year 1978. The investigations are part of the Federal program of appraising the nation 's water resources. The cooperative program for fiscal year 1978 included 37 interpretive investigations. Abstracts of 30 reports released during 1978 and a bibliography of reports released since 1933 are included. The hydrologic setting of southwest Florida and discussions of surface-water, ground-water, and quality-of-water conditions are given. Hydrologic conditions in southwest Florida are described and illustrated by hydrographs of selected surface-water, ground-water and lake-stage data collection sites. In addition, summaries of water-use data and data on the regional observation monitor-well program are provided. (Kosco-USGS)

Florida↗
USGS1979

Summary of hydrologic data for Tampa Bypass Canal System, July 1974 to September 1976

The Tampa Bypass Canal is part of a flood-control project east of the city of Tampa under construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It will divert floodwater from the Hillsborough River at points upstream from Tampa through a canal system to McKay Bay. The U.S. Geological Survey began a hydrologic data program in 1974 to provide data needed to identify existing hydrologic conditions and to evaluate the effects of canal construction. A network of surface-water and ground-water sites was designed to monitor changes in nutrients, trace metals, major inorganic constituents, pesticides, and benthic invertebrates along the canal system; to monitor changes in trace elements, common constituents, nitrates, specific conductance, and chlorides in the Floridan aquifer; and to monitor changes in the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer. In 1974-75, the monitoring program consisted of drilling 12 monitor wells and initiation of the surface-water sampling program. In 1976, the program consisted of drilling five additional wells, continuation of the surface-water sampling, initiation of ground-water sampling program, and monitoring of discharge from springs. Water-quality data for nine surface-water sites in the basin were collected at each of the control structure sites, in the tidal portion of the canal, and at each of the major tributaries to the canal system. Fifteen ground-water sites were sampled annually to provide information on ground-water quality. Ten wells were sampled semiannually for dissolved chloride concentrations to provide information on the freshwater-saltwater interface. Ground-water levels were collected at 34 wells in the areas adjacent to the canal to monitor changes in the potentiometric surface in the Floridan aquifer. Discharge measurements from springs along the canal system were made in 1969-73 and 1976 to provide data on the quantity of ground water entering the canal. A daily discharge station was operated at structure S-160 to determine quantity of water flowing from the canal system into the bay.

Florida↗
USGS1979

Hydrologic data from selected wells in the Helena Valley, Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Hydrologic data were collected during 1978-79 to aid in evaluating the hydrologic conditions in shallow aquifers beneath the Helena Valley, Montana. The locations of 52 shallow test wells augered during the study are shown on a map at a scale of 1:48,000. Periodic water-level measurements and water-quality analyses for the test holes are listed in tables. Water temperature, specific conductance, and nitrate concentration are given for water samples collected from 98 domestic wells, and chemical analyses are included for 11 domestic and irrigation wells. In addition, water-level drawdown and recovery data are plotted on graphs for five pumped wells and three observation wells. (Kosco-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1979

Hydrologic data for water-table aquifers in the greater Denver area, Front Range Urban Corridor, Colorado

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey 's investigations of the hydrology and geology in the Front Range Urban Corridor of Colorado, hydrologic data for water-table aquifers in the greater Denver area were collected and compiled during 1976-77. These data, consisting of records for 325 wells and 11 springs and chemical analyses of water for 272 of the wells and all 11 springs, are presented in tabular form. The tables contain data that were collected during the investigation, data compiled from reports published by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Geological Survey, and unpublished data from the files of the U.S. Geological Survey. State and local officials in the greater Denver area may find these data useful in planning for residential, commercial, and industrial development. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1979

Hydrologic data for urban studies in the Fort Worth, Texas, metropolitan area, 1977

Hydrologic investigations of urban areas in Texas were begun by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1954. These investigations are now in progress in several major metropolitan areas including Austin, Dallas, Dallas County, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. In October 1968, the Geological Survey, in cooperation with the city of Fort Worth, began a program of hydrologic investigations on several small streams in Fort Worth. The investigations are designed to evaluate factors affecting floods on small streams in the metropolitan area. Studies of additional streams were added to the program in October 1969. In October 1976, a reduction in the scope of data collection was made, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, assumed financing of the data collection.

Texas↗
USGS1980

Hydrologic budget for Eagle Lake near Willmar, Minnesota

Eagle Lake occupies 890 acres of a 9,000-acre watershed in central Minnesota. Because of its proximity to Willmar, many homes and summer cabins have been built around the lake. Presently (1978), the shore is more than 90 percent developed. One effect of this development is accelerated eutrophication, most commonly shown by algae blooms. An annual hydrologic budget for Eagle Lake was prepared for the 1978 water year in support of a nutrient study prepared by the University of Minnesota at Morris. Results show that the amount of water that flowed through Eagle Lake in the 1978 water year was 6,670 acre-feet. Inflow to the lake was 45 percent surface water, 22 percent ground water, and 33 percent precipitation. Outflow was 73 prcent surface water, 25 percent evaporation, and slightly greater than 2 percent net change in lake storage. Estimates for the ground-water component were derived both as a residual in the hydrologic-budget equation and by flow-net analyses. The residual value of 1,450 acre-feet compared favorably with the flow-net value of 1,400 acre-feet.

Minnesota↗
USGS1980

Hydrologic data for urban studies in the Austin, Texas metropolitan area, 1978

Hydrologic investigations of urban watersheds in Texas were begun by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1954. Studies are now in progress in Austin, Dallas, Dallas County, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. The Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Water Resources, began hydrologic studies in the Austin urban area in 1954. In cooperation with the city of Austin, the program was expanded in 1975 to include additional streamflow and rainfall gaging stations and the collection of water-quality data. In 1978, the program was expanded to include a ground-water resources study of the South Austin metropolitan area in the Balcones Fault Zone.

Texas↗
USGS1980

Hydrology and water quality of the copper-nickel study region, northeastern Minnesota

Data were collected on the hydrology of the Copper-Nickel study region to identify the location and nature of groundwater resources, determine the flow characteristics and general quality of the major streams, and determine the potential effects of mining copper and nickel on the hydrologic stream. Groundwater generally occurs in local flow systems within surficial deposits and in fractures in the upper few hundred feet of bedrock. Yields commonly range from 1 to 5 gallons per minute from wells in surficial materials and bedrock, but can be as much as 1,000 gallons per minute from wells in the sand and gravel aquifer underlying the Embarrass River valley. Groundwater generally is calcium-magnesium bicarbonate types. Over a mineralized zone, groundwater has concentrations of copper and nickel greater than 5 micrograms per liter. The average annual runoff from streams in the study area is about 10 inches. About 60% of the annual runoff occurs during snowmelt in spring. Flood peaks are reduced in streams that have surface storage available in on-channel lakes and wetlands. Specific conductance in streams can exceed 250 micromhos per centimeter at 25 Celsius where mine dewatering supplements natural discharge. Estimated groundwater discharge to projected copper-nickel mines ranges from less than 25 to about 2,000 gallons per minute. The introduction of trace metals from future mining activities to the groundwater system can be reduced if tailings basins and stockpiles are located on material which has low permeability, such as till, peat, or bedrock. (USGS)

Minnesota↗
USGS1981

Hydrologic and morphologic changes in channels of the Platte River basin: A historical perspective

The channels of the Platte River and its major tributaries, the South Platte and North Platte Rivers in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska, have undergone major changes in hydrologic regime and morphology since 1860. These changes are attributed here to agricultural, municipal, and industrial water use. Although water-resource development varied temporally throughout the basin, the history of development along the Platte River and tributaries followed four stages: (1) Construction of small, crude ditches to irrigate flood plains; (2) construction of larger canals to irrigate bench lands; (3) construction of reservoirs to store snowmelt runoff; and (4) accelerated development of ground-water resources. Despite differences in rates of development, diversion and storage of water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial use have changed streamflow patterns throughout the basin. At some stations, significant changes in flood peaks, annual mean discharges, and shapes of flow-duration curves have been recorded. Changes in streamflow patterns are manifested by changes in appearance of channels of the Platte River. Prior to water development in the 19th century, the Platte was a wide (-2 kilometers), shallow (1.8 to 2.4 meters) river characterized by bankfull spring flows and low summer flows. Although timber generally was scarce in the valley, the Platte channels contained hundreds of small, timbered islands. Since development, the channels have changed radically. Comparing surveyor's maps (General Land Office), drawn during the 1860's, with six sets of aerial photographs, taken between 1938 and 1979, for six 5-kilometer reaches of the river shows that the channels have narrowed considerably above the confluence with the Loup River. The width of the channels in 1979 ranged from 8 to 50 percent of the channel width in 1860. Below the confluence with the Loup River, the width of the river in 1979 was about 92 percent of the channel width in 1860. Above the confluence with the Loup River, width reduction has occurred by progressive encroachment of vegetation and consequent vertical and horizontal accretion on sand bars in the channel. Vegetative encroachment on sand bars has occurred because (1) the present hydrologic regime provides more favorable conditions for germination and growth on sand bars, and (2) since development of the basin, flood peaks are no longer capable of scouring vegetation from the sand bars. Overbank flows evidently have become more common, probably because channel narrowing and vegetative encroachment have increased the hydraulic roughness of the channels. Moreover, the magnitude of low flows has increased and the days of no flows has decreased giving the channels a more perennial character.

Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming↗
USGS1981

Effects of placer mining on hydrologic systems in Alaska; status of knowledge

The report briefly summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding placer mining in Alaska. A review of literature indicates that nearly all of the significant information on the effects of placer mining on the hydrologic system in Alaska is referenced in available reports. The addition of sediment, as well as other indirect changes this generates, appears to be the primary impact of placer mining on Alaskan streams. Other potential water-quality effects that should be considered are: increases in organic loading in the stream system; increases in minor element content; potential for acid drainage; and impacts on fish and other aquatic biota. Existing information is adequate to define parameters that may be affected by placer mining but inadequate to quantify changes resulting from an individual mining operation or to allow the prediction of the magnitude or duration of the impact. Additional studies that would improve the knowledge of the effects of placer mining include: short-term assessments, using available photographic information and existing hydrologic records, to document historical changes and active placer mining features; short-term studies using emperical sediment-transport formulas to estimate the effects of placer mine activities; and river quality assessments of selected basins affected by placer mining. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of area 4, Eastern Coal Province, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia

Area 4 (one of the 24 hydrologic areas defining the Eastern Coal Province) is located at the northern end of the Eastern Coal Province in eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania. It is part of the upper Ohio River basin, which includes the Beaver, Mahoning, and Shenango Rivers. The area is underlain by rocks of the Pottsville, Allegheny, Conemaugh, Monongahela Groups (or Formations) and Dunkard Group. Area 4 has a temperate climate with an annual average rainfall of 38 to 42 inches, most of its area is covered by forest. The soils have a high erosion potential where the vegetation cover is removed. In response to Public Law 95-87, 132 sites were added to the existing surface-water data-collection network in area 4. At these added sites, collected data includes discharge, water quality, sediment, and biology. The data are available from computer storage through the National Water Data Exchange (NAWDEX) or the published annual Water Resources Data reports for Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Hydrologic problems related to mining are: (1) Erosion and increased sedimentation, and (2) degradation of water quality. Erosion and sedimentation are associated chiefly with surface mining. Sediment yields increase drastically when vegetation is removed from the highly erosive soils. Degradation of water quality can be caused by acid-mine drainage from underground and surface mining. More than half the acid-mine drainage effluent in area 4 comes from underground mines. The rest seeps from abandoned surface mines. Usually in reclaimed surface mines the overburden is replaced in such a short time after the coal is taken out that oxidation of acid-forming minerals, commonly pyrite or marcasite, is not complete or is neutralized by the buffering action of calcareous minerals in the soils. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Background hydrologic information in potential lignite mining areas in Mississippi, August 1980

The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with Mississippi Bureau of Geology is conducting a hydrologic data-collection program in the potential lignite-producing areas in Mississippi. During the week of August 25-28, 1980, hydrologic data on channel characteristics were collected at 15 sites on small streams draining potential lignite mining areas in east-central Mississippi. Streamflow measurements were made and water-quality samples were collected at 11 of the 15 sites. Main channel widths at the 15 sampling sites in east-central Mississippi ranged from 126 feet on Sucarnoochee Creek to 15 feet on Houston Creek. Maximum water depth ranged from 7 feet on Pawticfaw Creek and Tallahatta Creek to one-half foot on Okatibbee Creek. The maximum stream discharge measured was 56 cubic feet per second on Pawticfaw Creek. Four sites had no discharge. Specific conductance at sampling sites ranged from 115 micromhos on Ponta Creek to 26 micromhos on Sucarnoochee Creek. The dissolved-oxygen concentration was 5.7 milligrams per liter or higher at all sites. The concentration of suspended sediment was not greater than 38 milligrams per liter at any site. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfate were less than 10 milligrams per liter in all samples, but were highest at site 10 on Ponta Creek. Bottom-material samples commonly contained iron, manganese, and zinc.

Mississippi↗