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Project descriptions and lists of hydrologic-data stations are presented to show the status of the U.S. Geological Survey water-resources studies in South Dakota. (USGS)
A nonlinear, least-squares regression technique for the estimation of ground-water flow model parameters was applied to the regional aquifer underlying the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho. The computer program simulates two-dimensional, steady-state ground-water flow. Hydrologic data for the 1980 water year were used to calculate recharge rates, boundary fluxes, and spring discharges. Groundwater use was estimated from irrigated land maps and crop consumptive-use figures. These estimates of ground-water withdrawal, recharge rates, and boundary flux, along with leakance, were used as known values in the model calibration of transmissivity. Leakance values were adjusted between regression solutions by comparing model-calculated to measured spring discharges. In other simulations, recharge and leakance also were calibrated as prior information regression parameters, which limits the variation of these parameters using a normalized standard error of estimate. Results from a best-fit model indicate a wide areal range in transmissivity from about 0.05 to 44 feet squared per second and in leakance from about 2.2 x 10 -9 to 6.0 x 10 -8 feet per second per foot. Along with parameter values, model statistics also were calculated, including the coefficient of correlation between computed and observed head (0.996), standard error of the estimates of head (40 feet), and parameter coefficients of variation (about 10-40 per-cent). Additional boundary flux was added in some areas during calibration to achieve proper fit to ground-water flow directions. Model fit improved significantly when areas that violated model assumptions were removed. Model fit also improved when y-direction (northwest-southeast) transmissivity values were larger than x-direction (northeast-southwest) transmissivity values. The model was most sensitive to changes in recharge, and in some areas, to changes in transmissivity, particularly near the spring discharge area from Milner to King Hill.
This report is one in a series resulting from the U.S. Geological Survey's Snake River Plain RASA (Regional Aquifer System Analysis) study that was initiated in October 1979. As stated by Lindholm (1981), the purpose of the study was to (1) refine knowledge of the regional ground-water flow system, (2) determine effects of conjunctive use of ground and surface water, and (3) describe water chemistry. The purpose of this report is to summarize knowledge concerning the geohydrologic framework of the Snake River Plain. Definition of the framework is based on preexisting geologic and hydrologic data and new date collected during this study.
Hydrologic data were collected at 15 stream sites draining potential lignite areas in Calhoun, Montgomery, and Webster Counties during a period of low streamflow. The total dissolved solids ranged from 25 to 14.9 mg/L and most major ion concentrations were less and suspended sediment concentrations were less than 30 mg/L. The pH ranged from 6.7 to 8.1 units. Aluminum concentrations ranged from less than 100 to 500 micrograms per liter. Chromium and zinc concentrations ranged from 1 to 10 micrograms per gram and mercury concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 micrograms per gram in bottom material. (USGS)
Limestone County, located in east-central Texas, has small to plentiful ground-water supplies available, depending upon the location within the county. The Wilcox Group in the eastern part of the county has adequate supplies to meet the expected water demands in the foreseeable future. The thicker zones of the Wilcox Group can supply yields in excess of 500 gallons per minute. The Midway Group can supply yields in excess of 100 gallons per minute from the Tehuacana Member of the Kincaid Formation. This represents the largest well yields from the Midway Group in Texas. The Midway Group elsewhere in the State is mostly a poor water producer and is not considered an aquifer. The Taylor Marl and Navarro Group furnish only small quantities of ground water to wells in the western part of the county where these units crop out. The Hosston and Travis Peak Formations are present at depths in excess of 2,000 feet. These formations, which contain slightly saline water in the western part of the county, could be expected to produce water with a temperature of about 150°F that might be used for heating purposes. About 0.9 million gallons per day of ground water was used for all purposes in 1980. This use has declined since 1955 but is expected to increase as additional public-supply and industrial wells are being developed. The Wilcox Group is capable of annually yielding at least 14,000 acre-feet or 11.6 million gallons per day of water to wells on a long-term basis. Generally, the ground water is of acceptable quality for most uses. Relatively high dissolved-solids and iron concentrations are the major water-quality problems. Water-quality problems that may be the result of man's activities are limited to a small oilfield area near Mexia. Lignite mining from the Wilcox Group is expected to take place in the foreseeable future. The collection of additional hydrologic data on the Wilcox would be desirable before, during, and after mining.
The U.S. Geologic Survey conducts water-resources investigations and hydrologic data collection in all states to provide the data and understanding needed for optimum use and management of the nation 's surface water and groundwater. This is achieved through jointly funded programs with state, county, municipal, and other Federal agencies. The Geological Survey conducted 37 water resources investigations in New York during 1985-86, several of which are continuous. This report describes each project in terms of problems, objectives, progress to date, and future plans and gives the period of funding, project chief, principal coordinating agency, field location, and completed reports. It also lists all reports resulting from the Survey 's water resources studies in New York during 1982-86. (USGS)
Water resources programs conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in the state of North Carolina during 1985 and proposed programs for 1986 are described. This is the first in a series of biennial progress reports on Survey activities in the state. Activities such as gathering, interpreting and publishing hydrologic data and scientific information in support of state and local water resources planning, management, and regulatory programs are presented. The water resources programs described are funded through cooperative agreements with state and local agencies and through special agreements with other federal agencies. Cooperative programs are reviewed annually to insure that state, local and national priorities are being met. Groundwater withdrawals are estimated to have produced water level declines of 150 ft and more for large areas of the northeast and central Coastal Plain. Future demands for water quality and quantity are discussed.
Hydrologic data were collected at White Sands Missile Range, NM, in 1985. The total groundwater withdrawal in 1985 was 676,433 ,800 gallons. The 11 supply wells in the Post Headquarters well field produced 642,056,000 gallons, or about 95 percent of the total. The six Range area supply wells produced 34,377,800 gallons. The total groundwater withdrawal was 8,841,200 gallons less in 1985 than 1984. Water samples from six Post Headquarters supply wells were collected for major chemical analysis. Water samples from 19 other wells were collected for pH and specific-conductance analysis. Depth-to-water measurements in the Post Headquarters supply wells showed seasonal fluctuations as well as continued long-term declines. (USGS)
Information on major new water wells in Chambers, Liberty, and Montgomery Counties was compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1980 through 1984. This report presents the results of the hydrologic data collection on new largecapacity and other selected wells, including well location and completion data, drillers' logs of the strata penetrated, water levels, and chemical quality of the produced water. These water-well data are supplementary to similar data on older wells in these counties and descriptive evaluations of the ground-water resources which have been published previously.
Water-resources activities in Texas include collecting of hydrologic data, performing interpretive studies, and conducting research. This report describes the activities of the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Texas for fiscal years (October to September) 1985 to 1986.
Hydrologic data collection activities by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska are described. Seventeen projects were active in 1987. Each description includes information on period of project, project chief, funding sources, location, purpose, current status, and published or planned reports. The compilation also contains a bibliography of reports published by the Alaska District from 1984 through 1986. (USGS)
Heavy precipitation associated with a large storm system resulted in major flooding in several areas of south-central Alaska during October 10-12, 1986. Flooding was particularly severe in the Seward area of the Kenai Peninsula and in tributaries to Susitna River from Telkeetna downstream. Flood damage has been estimated at $20 million and the region was declared a Federal disaster area. The report includes a brief discussion of meteorological conditions that caused the unusual amounts of precipitation, a summary of flood stages and discharges, a comparison to prior floods, flood-frequency estimates, a brief description of flood areas, and hydrologic data for each area.
The two types of water-resources activities of the Wyoming District are collection of hydrologic data and water-resources-appraisal projects. Much of the work is done in cooperation with other agencies; during fiscal year 1986 and 1987 cooperators included eight State agencies, two counties, one municipality and seven Federal agencies. This report serves both as a biennial progress report to the cooperating agencies and the general public, and as one means of coordination of water-resources activities with other agencies. Lists and location maps are included for 162 streamflow stations, 15 reservoirs stations, 107 surface-water-quality stations, 24 sediment stations, and 89 groundwater observation wells, all of which were in operation at the beginning of water year 1987. During fiscal years 1985 and 1986, 12 streamflow stations, 39 surface-water-quality stations, six sediment stations, and five groundwater-observation wells were discontinued. Descriptions, location maps, and progress statements are given for four data-collection projects and 23 water-resources-appraisal projects that were active (funded) during fiscal year 1986 and (or) fiscal year 1987. Also included are a list of nine projects for which funding ended prior to 1986 and that are completed except for the final report(s), and a list of four new projects that will be funded during fiscal year 1987. The final section of the report is a bibliographic listing of reports about the water resources of Wyoming, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey authors. (USGS)
There are two types of water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Wyoming: collection of hydrologic data, and water-resources-appraisal projects. During Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989, the work was done in cooperation with 10 State agencies, 5 counties, 3 cities, 2 towns, 1 irrigation district, 2 Indian Tribes, and 8 Federal agencies. Lists and location maps are included for 180 streamflow stations, 16 reservoir stations, 120 surface-water-quality stations, 15 sediment stations, 88 groundwater-level observation wells, and 73 groundwater quality sites, which were in operation during Fiscal Year 1988 and (or) Fiscal Year 1989. During Fiscal Years 1987 and 1988, 17 streamflow stations, 13 surface-water-quality stations, 14 sediment stations, and 7 groundwater level observation wells were discontinued. During Fiscal year 1988 and through the first quarter of Fiscal Year 1989, 21 streamflow stations, 15 surface-water-quality stations, and 3 sediment stations were established or reactivated. Descriptions, location maps, and progress statements are given for 4 data collection projects and 27 water resources-appraisal projects that were active during Fiscal Year 1988 and (or) Fiscal Year 1989. Eleven projects were completed during Fiscal Year 1988 or 1989 and 10 projects that were completed except for the project reports. Also included is a bibliography of reports by U.S. Geological Survey authors about the water resources of Wyoming. (USGS)
Hydrologic data were collected at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico in 1986 and 1987. The total groundwater withdrawal in 1986 was 565,462,500 gal and in 1987 it was 620,492,000 gal. The total groundwater withdrawal was 110,971,300 gal less in 1986 than in 1985, but 55,029,500 gal more in 1987 than in 1986. Water samples from five Post Headquarters water supply wells were collected for chemical analysis in 1986. In 1987, water samples were collected from four test wells in the Post Headquarters area for analysis of selected volatile organic compounds. Twenty-eight water samples from wells were collected for analysis of specific conductance in 1986 and 1987. (USGS)
For more than 80 years, the Federal-State Cooperative Program in North Carolina has been an effective partnership that provides timely water information for all levels of government. The cooperative program has raised awareness of State and local water problems and issues and has enhanced transfer and exchange of scientific information. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts statewide water-resources investigations in North Carolina that include hydrologic data collection, applied research studies, and other interpretive studies. These programs are funded through cooperative agreements with the North Carolina Departments of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources; Human Resources; and Transportation, as well as more than a dozen city and county governmental agencies. The USGS also conducts special studies and data-collection programs for Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that contribute to North Carolina's water information data base. Highlights of selected programs are presented to show the scope of USGS activities in North Carolina and their usefulness in addressing water-resource problems. The reviewed programs include the statewide data-collection program, estuarine studies, the National Water-Quality Assessment program, military installation restoration program, and groundwater flow model-development program in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont provinces.
Twenty-five funded projects were conducted by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho District, during fiscal years 1989-90. These projects were done in cooperation with 13 State and local agencies, 11 other Federal agencies, and 1 International Commission. State and local cooperative funding amounted to about $1.1 million in fiscal year 1989 and $1 million in fiscal year 1990; Federal funding amounted to about $3.6 million in fiscal year 1989 and about $4.4 million in fiscal year 1990. In conducting its fiscal year 1989-90 activities, the Idaho District employed a total of 83 employees. Projects other than continuing programs for collection of hydrologic data included establishment of statewide surface-water and groundwater-quality monitoring networks; study of effects of irrigation drainage; development of a hydraulic model to determine water-surface elevations for decreased discharges of the Snake River at Swan Falls Dam; evaluation of subsurface waste disposal; delineation of agricultural areas of the State with high concentrations of dissolved nitrogen; evaluation of water use and its effect on groundwater levels and thermal waters in specific areas of the State; and determination of the cause or causes of rapidly decreasing hot-spring discharges along Hot Creek. (USGS)
This bibliography contains a complete listing of reports prepared by personnel of the U.S. Geological Survey from 1886 through December 31, 1993, that discuss the water resources of Utah. The reports were prepared primarily by personnel of the Water Resources Division, Utah District, in cooperation with State, other Federal, and local agencies. Several reports were prepared as a part of studies directly funded by the U.S. Geological Survey, and several were prepared by contractors for the U.S. Geological Survey. The bibliography is divided into three major parts: (1) publications of the U.S. Geological Survey; (2) publications prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with and published by agencies of the State of Utah; and (3) reports printed in other publications reports prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey but published by other agencies or by professional organizations. Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey still in print may be purchased from the U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section, Box 25286, MS 517, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225. Publications that are out of print at the time of this compilation are marked with an asterisk (*). Except for water-supply papers, most publications that are out of print and unavailable for purchase may be examined at the U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science Information Center, 2222 West 2300 South, 2nd Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119. Reports published by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Divisions of Water Rights and Water Resources, are available on request from these agencies or from the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Room 1016 Administration Building, 1745 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104. Water-Resources Bulletins of the Utah Geological Survey may be purchased from that agency at 2363 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109-1491. Inquiries as to the availability of reports listed as "reports printed in other publications" must be addressed to the professional organization or agency that published them. Most of these reports are available in larger libraries, such as the library of the University of Utah. Most open-file reports are available for inspection at the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Room 1016 Administration Building, 1745 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104. A small number of the open-file reports that have been duplicated as Utah basic- (or hydrologic-) data reports are free on request. An index is included in this bibliography for ease of reference. Water-supply papers on the quantity and quality of ground and surface water in Utah that were published in a series are not listed separately in the index but are presented in tables 1 to 4.