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USGS1988

Streamflow characteristics of the Missouri River basin, Wyoming, through 1984

Streamflow characteristics as of 1984 for the Missouri River Basin, Wyoming, based on data from 204 streamflow-gaging stations are summarized. The streamflow characteristics reported include mean monthly and mean annual streamflow; duration of daily mean flow; and magnitude and probability of instantaneous peak flow, annual low flow, and annual high flow. Recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 20, or 50, and 100 yr are determined for the peak-flow, low-flow, and high-flow characteristics. Annual low-flow and high-flow characteristics are also listed for various numbers of consecutive days. A station description, tables of streamflow characteristics, and graphs of mean monthly streamflow and duration of daily mean streamflow are presented for each station. Streamflow characteristics for periods before and after dam construction or transbasin diversion are presented for six stations. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS2002

Standard errors of annual discharge and change in reservoir content data from selected stations in the lower Colorado River streamflow-gaging station network, 1995-99

The Bureau of Reclamation is currently (1995–2001) testing the Lower Colorado River Accounting System as a method to estimate the consumptive use of Colorado River water by diverters from Hoover Dam to Mexico. Consumptive use is estimated in the Lower Colorado River Accounting System method, in part, on the basis of the annual discharge or annual change in reservoir contents, as well as the variance of estimate of the annual discharge or the annual change in reservoir contents at several surface-water gaging stations in the lower Colorado River stream-gaging network. The standard error and the variance of estimate were determined for the annual discharge at 14 streamflow-gaging stations and for the annual change in content at 2 reservoir-content gaging stations used in the Lower Colorado River Accounting System for calendar years 1995–99. The standard error of the annual discharge was determined by using modifications to an existing method that assumes that the uncertainty in the discharge-rating shift is the main source of uncertainty in computed discharges and that the discharge-rating shift behaves as a first-order Markovian process. The method uses Kalman filtering of a first-order Markovian process as a statistical analogy to computing streamflow with a shifted discharge rating. Temporally unbiased residuals from a discharge rating are used as a surrogate for the actual shifts used to compute discharge. The standard error of the annual discharge is determined by using Kalman-filter theory and estimates of four parameters: (1) the measurement variance of the discharge measurements used to determine the discharge-rating shift, (2) the process variance of the discharge-rating residuals, (3) the serial correlation of the discharge-rating residuals, and (4) the frequency of the discharge measurements. The existing methodology was improved by estimating the measurement variance from a semivariogram of the discharge-rating residuals, rather than on the basis of empirically derived error estimates for discharge measurements. The process variance and serial correlation of the discharge-rating residuals are estimated from the semivariogram, rather than a variogram, of the discharge-rating residuals. The empirically derived estimates are based on characteristics of the discharge measurements such as number of depth and velocity observation sections, type of current meter, and bed material composition and stability. Measurement variance determined from the semivariograms was site specific and is therefore considered a better estimate than measurement variance determined from the empirically-derived estimates. The method of estimating the standard error of the annual discharge requires the assumption of unbiased discharge-rating residuals, and for this reason, the standard errors presented in this report only represent the random error in the annual discharge data. Estimates of the standard error of the annual change in reservoir content were determined on the basis of the reservoir-surface area and the standard error of reservoir-stage readings. The standard error of the annual discharge, as a percentage, ranged from 0.11 percent for the All- American Canal near Imperial Dam in 1998 to 12.3 percent for the Colorado River below Imperial Dam in 1996. The standard error of the annual discharge was less than 2 percent for all 5 years for 11 of the 14 streamflow-gaging stations. In terms of flow volume, the standard error of the annual discharge ranged from 97 acre-feet for the Mittry Lake Diversions in 1995 to 77,000 acre-feet for the Colorado River at the northerly international boundary with Mexico in 1998. In general, the standard error of the annual discharge, as a percentage, was smallest at streamflow-gaging stations on the main stem of the Colorado River; however, the standard error of the annual discharge in acre-feet was largest at these stations because of the large annual discharge on the main stem. The standard error of the annual change in content for the two reservoirs ranged from 1,590 acre-feet for Lake Havasu in 1996 to 2,790 acre-feet for Lake Mohave in 1995. The variance of estimate of the annual discharge for a streamflow-gaging station can be reduced by making additional discharge measurements; either by increasing the number of discharge measurements made per site visit, or by increasing the frequency of site visits. Measurement error can be reduced by using the average shift for two or more discharge measurements made during a site visit. For a streamflow-gaging station where measurement error is much greater than process error and the serial correlation of the discharge-rating residuals is high, an improved gaging strategy would involve making multiple discharge measurements per site visit. In contrast, for a streamflow-gaging station where process error is much greater than measurement error and the serial correlation of discharge-rating residuals is low, the gaging strategy would consist of several single discharge-measurement site visits. For a given operating cost or for a given variance of estimate of the annual discharge at a streamflow-gaging station, the optimal site-visit and discharge-measurement strategy can be determined, providing that the travel costs as well as the measurement variance, process variance, and serial correlation of discharge-rating residuals are known.

Arizona;California↗

USGS2017

Watershed Data Management (WDM) database for West Branch DuPage River streamflow simulation, DuPage County, Illinois, January 1, 2007, through September 30, 2013

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the DuPage County Stormwater Management Department, maintains a database of hourly meteorological and hydrologic data for use in a near real-time streamflow simulation system. This system is used in the management and operation of reservoirs and other flood-control structures in the West Branch DuPage River watershed in DuPage County, Illinois. The majority of the precipitation data are collected from a tipping-bucket rain-gage network located in and near DuPage County. The other meteorological data (air temperature, dewpoint temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation) are collected at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Ill. Potential evapotranspiration is computed from the meteorological data using the computer program LXPET (Lamoreux Potential Evapotranspiration). The hydrologic data (water-surface elevation [stage] and discharge) are collected at U.S.Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in and around DuPage County. These data are stored in a Watershed Data Management (WDM) database. This report describes a version of the WDM database that is quality-assured and quality-controlled annually to ensure datasets are complete and accurate. This database is named WBDR13.WDM. It contains data from January 1, 2007, through September 30, 2013. Each precipitation dataset may have time periods of inaccurate data. This report describes the methods used to estimate the data for the periods of missing, erroneous, or snowfall-affected data and thereby improve the accuracy of these data. The other meteorological datasets are described in detail in Over and others (2010), and the hydrologic datasets in the database are fully described in the online USGS annual water data reports for Illinois (U.S. Geological Survey, 2016) and, therefore, are described in less detail than the precipitation datasets in this report.

Illinois↗

USGS2012

Surface Mass Balance of the Columbia Glacier, Alaska, 1978 and 2010 Balance Years

Although Columbia Glacier is one of the largest sources of glacier mass loss in Alaska, surface mass balance measurements are sparse, with only a single data set available from 1978. The dearth of surface mass-balance data prohibits partitioning of the total mass losses between dynamics and surface forcing; however, the accurate inclusion of calving glaciers into predictive models requires both dynamic and climatic forcing of total mass balance. During 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey collected surface balance data at several locations distributed over the surface of Columbia Glacier to estimate the glacier-wide annual balance for balance year 2010 using the 2007 area-altitude distribution. This report also summarizes data collected in 1978, calculates the 1978 annual surface balance, and uses these observations to constrain the 2010 values, particularly the shape of the balance profile. Both years exhibit balances indicative of near-equilibrium surface mass-balance conditions, and demonstrate the importance of dynamic processes during the rapid retreat.

Alaska↗

USGS2013

Total nutrient and sediment loads, trends, yields, and nontidal water-quality indicators for selected nontidal stations, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, 1985–2011

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partners, routinely reports long-term concentration trends and monthly and annual constituent loads for stream water-quality monitoring stations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This report documents flow-adjusted trends in sediment and total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations for 31 stations in the years 1985–2011 and for 32 stations in the years 2002–2011. Sediment and total nitrogen and phosphorus yields for 65 stations are presented for the years 2006–2011. A combined nontidal water-quality indicator (based on both trends and yields) indicates there are more stations classified as “improving water-quality trend and a low yield” than “degrading water-quality trend and a high yield” for total nitrogen. The same type of 2-way classification for total phosphorus and sediment results in equal numbers of stations in each indicator class.

Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, West V↗

USGS2015

Estimated annual agricultural pesticide use for counties of the conterminous United States, 2008-12

Annual county-level pesticide use was estimated for 423 herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides applied to agricultural crops grown in the conterminous United States during 2008–12. For all States except California, pesticide-use data were compiled from proprietary surveys of farm operations located within U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Reporting Districts (CRDs). Surveyed pesticide-use data were used in conjunction with county annual harvested-crop acres reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2007 and 2012 Censuses of Agriculture and the 2008–11 County Agricultural Production Survey to calculate use rates per harvested-crop acre, or an “estimated pesticide use” (EPest) rate, for each crop by year. County-use estimates were then calculated by multiplying EPest rates by harvested-crop acres for each pesticide crop combination. Use estimates for California were obtained from annual Department of Pesticide Regulation-Pesticide Use Reports. Proprietary surveyed pesticide-use data were not available for all CRDs and years. When pesticide-survey data were unavailable for a CRD in a particular year, EPest extrapolated rates were calculated from adjoining or nearby CRDs to ensure that pesticide use was estimated for all counties where harvested-crop acres were reported. Two estimation methods were used—EPest-low and EPest high—and differed in how they treated situations when a CRD was surveyed and pesticide use was not reported for a particular pesticide-by-crop combination. California pesticide-use estimates were not extrapolated; therefore, EPest-low and EPest-high are the same for counties in California. This data series is a continuation of the 1992–2009 pesticide-use estimates reported by Stone (2013). It is an update of estimates for 2008–9 (Stone, 2013), as well as an update of the 2010–11 preliminary estimates reported by Baker and Stone (2013). EPest values from these compilations (1992–2012) are suitable for making national, regional, and watershed assessments of annual pesticide use. County-level estimates are provided to make it easier to compile watershed assessments; however, users should be aware there is a greater degree of uncertainty in individual county-level estimates when compared to CRD or State-level estimates. This report provides EPest-low and EPest-high annual agricultural pesticide use for counties of the conterminous United States for 423 compounds during 2008–12 in tab-delimited files organized by compound, year, State Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, county FIPS code, and amount in kilograms (kg). EPest-high county pesticide-use estimates were divided into tables 1 through 7 by pesticide name: Table 1: 2, 4-D through Chlorantraniliprole Table 2: Chlorethoxyfos through Diflufenzopyr Table 3: Dimethenamid through Gibberellic acid Table 4: Glufosinate through Metiram Table 5: Metolachlor through Propazine Table 6: Propiconazole through Triasulfuron Table 7: Tribenuron methyl through Zoxamide EPest-low county pesticide-use estimates were divided into tables 8 through 14 by pesticide name: Table 8: 2, 4-D through Chlorantraniliprole Table 9: Chlorethoxyfos through Diflufenzopyr Table 10: Dimethenamid through Gibberellic acid Table 11: Glufosinate through Metiram Table 12: Metolachlor through Propazine Table 13: Propiconazole through Triasulfuron Table 14: Tribenuron methyl through Zoxamide

Data Series↗

USGS1982

Population ecology of the mallard: VII. Distribution and derivation of the harvest

This is the seventh in a series of comprehensive reports on population ecology of the mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) in North America. Banding records for 1961-1975 were used, together with information from previous reports in this series, to estimate annual and average preseason age and sex structure of the mallard population and patterns of harvest distribution and derivation. Age ratios in the pre-season population averaged 0.98 immatures per adult and ranged from 0.75 to 1.44. The adult male per female ration averaged 1.42. The young male per female ratio average 1.01. Geographic and annual differences in recovery distributions were associated with age, sex, and years after banding. Such variation might indicate that survival or band recovery rates, or both, change as a function of number of years after banding, and that estimates of these rates might thus be affected. Distribution of the mallard harvest from 16 major breeding ground reference areas to States, Provinces, and flyways is tabulated and illustrated. Seasonal (weekly) breeding ground derivation of the harvest within States and Provinces from the 16 reference areas also is tabulated. Harvest distributions, derivation, and similarity of derivation between harvest areas are summarily illustrated with maps. Derivation of harvest appears to be consistent throughout the hunting season in the middle and south central United States, encompassing States in both the Central and Mississippi flyways. However, weekly derivation patterns for most northern States suggest that early dates of hunting result in relatively greater harvest of locally derived mallard, in contrast to birds from more northern breeding areas.

Resource Publication↗

USGS1980

Ground-water data for Georgia, 1979

This report continues a publication format that annually presents both water-level and water-quality data. In this format the information is presented in two-page units: the left page presents a text which summarizes the information for an area or subject and the right page consists of one or more illustrations. Daily mean water-level fluctuations and trends are shown in hydrographs for the previous year and fluctuations of the monthly mean water level for the previous 10 years in selected observation wells in Georgia. The selected wells best illustrate the effects of changes in recharge and discharge in the various ground-water reservoirs in the State A short narrative explains fluctuations and trends in each hydrograph. Monitoring ground-water levels is essential to the understanding of storage changes and other changes in a ground-water reservoir or aquifer. Fluctuations and long-term trends in water levels occur as a result of recharge to and discharge from the reservoir. Varying rates of recharge occur chiefly as a result of varying rates of precipitation, evapotranspiration, and surface-water infiltration into the ground-water reservoir. Discharge occurs as natural flow from the aquifer to streams and springs, direct ground-water evapotranspiration, and as manmade withdrawal from wells. Ground-water levels have been monitored in Georgia for at least a hundred years. Most of the data gathered were used in area 1 reconnaissance studies, and published, usually as tables, with a few graphs of water-level trends. These data had limited value, especially considering the time lag between data collection and publication. With the advent of continuously monitoring recorders and computer processing of data, this information can now be presented to the user in an understandable and timely manner.

Georgia↗

USGS2026

Distribution, abundance, breeding activities, and habitat use of the Least Bell's Vireo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2020–24 summary report

Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to provide the Marine Corps with a summary of abundance, breeding activity, demography, and habitat use of endangered Least Bell’s Vireos ( Vireo bellii pusillus ) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California (MCBCP or Base). The report presents results of vireo surveys and monitoring in 2024 and summarizes a subset of data collected from 2020 through 2024. Surveys for the Least Bell's Vireo were completed at MCBCP between April 4 and July 9, 2024. Core survey areas and a subset of non-core areas in drainages containing riparian habitat suitable for vireos were surveyed two to four times. We detected 542 territorial male vireos and 17 transient vireos in core survey areas. An additional 102 territorial male vireos and 2 transients were detected in non-core survey areas. Transient vireos were detected on 5 of the 10 drainages/sites surveyed (core and non-core areas). In core survey areas, 87 percent of vireo territories were on the four most populated drainages, with the Santa Margarita River containing 67 percent of all territories in core areas surveyed on Base. In core areas, 77 percent of male vireos were confirmed as paired; 76 percent of male vireos in non-core areas were confirmed as paired. The number of documented Least Bell’s Vireo territories in core survey areas on MCBCP decreased 3 percent from 2023. In five core survey area drainages, the number of territories increased by at least two, and in two core survey area drainages, the Santa Margarita River and Las Flores Creek, the number of vireo territories decreased by at least nine between 2023 and 2024. The number of vireo territories at Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton did not change from 2023 to 2024. The proportion of surveys during which Brown-headed Cowbirds ( Molothrus ater ) were detected decreased to 0.03 from a peak of 0.45 in 2022. Cowbirds were detected in April and June in 2024. Most core-area vireos (58 percent, including transients) used mixed willow ( Salix spp.) riparian habitat. An additional 9 percent of birds occupied willow habitat co-dominated by Western sycamores ( Platanus racemosa ). Riparian scrub dominated by mule fat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), sandbar willow ( S. exigua ), or blue elderberry ( Sambucus mexicana ) was used by 33 percent of vireos. Habitat dominated by non-native vegetation was used by 1 percent of vireos. Since 2020, the number of vireos detected in each of the non-core survey groups was greater than expected, based on the change in vireo numbers in core survey areas. Although, the number of vireo territories on Base decreased from 2020–24, from approximately 1,224 to approximately 960, the trend in vireo territory numbers on Base since 2005 has been positive. In 2019, MCBCP began operating an artificial seep along the Santa Margarita River; then, in 2021, two additional artificial seeps became operational. The artificial seeps pumped water to the surface during daylight hours starting in mid-April and ending in August each year and were designed to increase the amount of surface water to enhance Southwestern Willow Flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus ) breeding habitat. Although this enhancement was designed to benefit flycatchers, few flycatchers have inhabited MCBCP, including the seep areas, within the past several years; therefore, vireos were selected as a surrogate species to determine effects of the habitat enhancement. This report presents the fifth year of annual monitoring and analyses summarizing all 5 years of vireo and vegetation response to the artificial seeps. In 2020, we established four study sites along the Santa Margarita River, two surrounding and extending downstream from existing and proposed seep pumps at the Old Treatment Ponds and along Pump Road and two Reference sites in similar habitat downstream from the Seep sites. Seep pumps began operating at the Old Treatment Ponds in 2020 and along Pump Road in 2021. In 2023, seep pumps at the Pump Road Seep site did not function, and we recategorized that study site as Intermediate. We sampled vegetation at Seep, Intermediate, and Reference sites to determine the effects of surface-water enhancement by seep pumps. In 2024, vegetation cover was highest near the ground and decreased with increasing height. Woody vegetation made up most of the cover at all height categories. We determined that Seep and Intermediate sites differed from each other in addition to differing from Reference sites, which likely is, in part, because seep-pump operation at the Intermediate site was inconsistent compared to the Seep site. Soil saturation in 2024 was high at the Intermediate site and was associated with high native herbaceous cover and low non-native herbaceous cover. Sites differed, with the Intermediate site having more upper canopy cover in general, the Seep site having more low woody cover, and the Reference sites having more mid-canopy non-native vegetation cover. Soil saturation significantly increased from 2020 through 2024 at the Seep site and was significantly higher at Seep and Intermediate sites than at their paired Reference sites in all years. Soil saturation likely was increased by the supplemental surface water at the Seep site. However, soil saturation at the Intermediate site was not clearly associated with seep pumps but likely affected by soil saturation at the site before seep-pump installation and flooding from high precipitation. Canopy height increased at the Intermediate site from 2020 through 2024 and increased with increasing soil saturation at the Intermediate and Reference sites. The canopy at the Seep site was shorter than at the Intermediate and Reference sites and decreased from 2020 through 2024 because tall trees were damaged and killed by shothole borer beetles ( Euwallacea spp.). We used Redundancy Analysis to discover associations among vegetation types, plant species, and other environmental variables (soil saturation, site, precipitation, and seep operation, defined as the site and year seep pumps were operating). These associations explained less than 15 percent of the variability in the vegetation, with the remaining 85 percent of variation unexplained. Generally, as soil saturation increased, understory vegetation increased and non-native cover decreased in the mid-and upper canopy. Non-native herbaceous plant species decreased in wetter soil. The Seep site was characterized by more understory and less canopy, contrasting with the Intermediate site, which was characterized by less understory and more higher canopy cover. The addition of surface water via seep pumps or precipitation was associated with more vegetation near the ground. Higher early winter precipitation was associated with taller canopy and more woody vegetation in the upper canopy. We also created a Redundancy Analysis model isolating the components of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher habitat, as identified by Howell and others (2018). In this model, increased soil saturation resulted in increased cover of stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ) and black willow ( Salix gooddingii ) below 3 meters (m), total cover 3–6 m, and black willow above 6 m. Cover of poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ) and stinging nettle below 3 m was higher at the Seep site and lower at the Intermediate site. Vireo territory density among the Seep, Intermediate, and Reference sites was similar before the seep pumps were installed. However, vireo territory density at Seep and Intermediate sites combined was significantly higher than at Reference sites after the seep pumps were installed. We banded and resighted color banded vireos as part of a long-term evaluation of vireo survival, site fidelity, between-year movement, and the effect of surface-water enhancement on vireo return rate and between-year movement. We banded 164 Least Bell's Vireo nestlings during the 2024 season. In 2024, we resighted 31 Least Bell's Vireos on Base that had been banded before the 2024 breeding season, and we were able to identify 25 of them. Of the 25 that we could identify, 24 were banded on Base and 1 was originally banded on the San Luis Rey River. Adult birds of known age ranged from 1 to 9 years old. Base-wide survival of vireos was affected by sex, age, and year. Males had significantly higher annual survival than females (60 percent versus 47 percent, respectively). Adults had higher annual survival than first-year vireos (61 percent versus 11 percent, respectively). The return rate of adult vireos to Seep, Intermediate, or Reference sites was not affected by the original banding site (Seep versus Intermediate versus Reference). Most returning adult vireos, predominantly males, showed strong between-year site fidelity. Of the adults present in 2023, 92 percent (all males) returned in 2024 to within 100 m of their previous territory. The average between-year movement for returning adult vireos was 0.4±0.03 kilometers (km). The average movement of first-year vireos detected in 2024 that fledged from a known nest on MCBCP in 2023 was 2.4±3.1 km. We monitored 47 Least Bell's Vireo pairs to evaluate the effects of surface-water enhancement on nest success and breeding productivity. Breeding productivity in 2024 was similar among Seep, Intermediate, and Reference sites (2.8, 3.0, and 3.0 young fledged per pair, respectively), and the percentage of pairs that fledged at least one young was not significantly different among sites (83, 91, and 96 percent, respectively). According to the best model, daily nest survival from 2020–24 was not related to site. Other measures of breeding productivity were also similar among Seep, Intermediate, and Reference site pairs. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of vireo fledglings produced per pair increased with increasing native herbaceous cover under 3 m and decreasing cover of all herbaceous vegetation under 5 m and was not affected by precipitation, site, or seep operation. The number of vireo fledglings produced per egg was lower at the Seep and Intermediate sites than at the Reference sites and increased with decreasing late winter precipitation, cover of poison hemlock, black mustard, non-native vegetation above 2 m, and all vegetation over 2 m. Vireo pairs at Seep and Intermediate sites were less likely to fledge young than vireo pairs at Reference sites. All vireo pairs were more likely to fledge young with less cover of poison hemlock and more cover of poison oak. From 2020 through 2024, vireos placed their nests in 24 plant species. The most used plants in all years were willows, mostly red ( S. laevigata ), or arroyo ( S. lasiolepis ). The fate of a vireo nest (whether it successfully fledged young or not) was not affected by placement in native or non-native vegetation, by site, or by year, but nests were more likely to be successful if they were placed in woody plants than in herbaceous plants. Successful nests were placed higher in the host plant and farther from the outer edge of the nest clump than unsuccessful nests.

California↗

USGS2002

Streamflow characteristics for selected stations in and near the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, southwestern Colorado

The U.S Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, began a study in 2000 to develop selected streamflow characteristics for 60 streamflow-gaging stations in and near the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The study area is located in southwestern Colorado within the Gunnison River, Dolores River, and Plateau Creek Basins, which are tributaries of the Colorado River. In addition to presenting the compiled daily, monthly, and annual discharge data for the 60 stations, the report presents tabular and graphical results for the following computed streamflow characteristics: (1) Instantaneous peak-flow frequency; (2) flow duration for daily mean discharges on an annual (water year) basis and on a monthly basis, and flow duration for the annual and monthly mean discharges; (3) low-flow and high-flow frequency of daily mean discharges for periods of 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 183 consecutive days; and (4) annual and monthly mean and median discharges for each year and month of record, and frequency of the annual and monthly mean and median discharges. All discharge data and results from the streamflow-characteristics analyses are presented in Microsoft Excel workbooks on the enclosed CD-ROM.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2019

Potential threats facing a globally important population of the magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens

Tracking of seabirds has been used to identify foraging hotspots, migratory routes and to assess at-sea threats facing populations. One such threat is the potential negative interaction between seabirds and fisheries through incidental by-catch. In 2012, 60 magnificent frigatebirds Fregata magnificens were found dead, entangled in fishing line, at the globally important breeding site in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). To assess the potential relationship between foraging behaviour and fishing activity, data loggers were deployed on breeding magnificent frigatebirds to record foraging movements. In addition, a survey of local fishers was conducted to assess the scale of incidental by-catch. We recorded 28 complete foraging trips from GPS and GPS-GSM loggers, and 1758 PTT locations. Birds travelled up to 3.3–1067 km from their breeding colony and entered the waters of 10 neighbouring territories. A high percentage of fishers (93% n = 28) reported catching at least one seabird annually, of which the most common were magnificent frigatebirds and brown boobies Sula leucogaster . There are estimated to be at least 1112 vessels in the recreational and artisanal fishing fleets of BVI and its neighbouring islands. Thus, this substantial fishery may have potentially profound effects on seabird populations in the region.

Tropical Zoology↗

USGS2023

Alaska terrestrial and marine climate trends, 1957–2021

Some of the largest climatic changes in the Arctic have been observed in Alaska and the surrounding marginal seas. Near-surface air temperature (T2m), precipitation ( P ), snowfall, and sea ice changes have been previously documented, often in disparate studies. Here, we provide an updated, long-term trend analysis (1957–2021; n = 65 years) of such parameters in ERA5, NOAA U.S. Climate Gridded Dataset (NClimGrid), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Alaska climate division, and composite sea ice products preceding the upcoming Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) and other near-future climate reports. In the past half century, annual T2m has broadly increased across Alaska, and during winter, spring, and autumn on the North Slope and North Panhandle (T2m > 0.50°C decade −1 ). Precipitation has also increased across climate divisions and appears strongly interrelated with temperature–sea ice feedbacks on the North Slope, specifically with increased (decreased) open water (sea ice extent). Snowfall equivalent (SFE) has decreased in autumn and spring, perhaps aligned with a regime transition of snow to rain, while winter SFE has broadly increased across the state. Sea ice decline and melt-season lengthening also have a pronounced signal around Alaska, with the largest trends in these parameters found in the Beaufort Sea. Alaska’s climatic changes are also placed in context against regional and contiguous U.S. air temperature trends and show ∼50% greater warming in Alaska relative to the lower-48 states. Alaska T2m increases also exceed those of any contiguous U.S. subregion, positioning Alaska at the forefront of U.S. climate warming.

Alaska↗

USGS1994

Geologic studies in Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1993

This collection of 19 papers continues the annual series of U.S. Geological Survey reports on geologic investigations in Alaska. Contributions include 14 Articles and 5 shorter Geologic Notes that report results from all corners of the State. USGS activities in Alaska cover a broad spectrum of earth science topics, including the environment, hazards, resources, and geologic framework studies. Three articles focus on the environmental geochemistry of parts of south-central, west-central, and southwestern Alaska. An article on methane released from permafrost near Fairbanks and a note on paleowind direction indicators on the Arctic coastal plain contribute to ongoing climate and paleoclimate investigations. Landslide hazards in the Talkeetna Mountains and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park are discussed in two notes. Possible active fault traces near Alaska's main population center are described in an article on the Castle Mountain fault. An article on Aniakchak volcano presents evidence for a previously unrecognized catastrophic flooding event. Resources and resource assessment on gold, base metals, and coal are discussed in several articles and a note. Geologic framework studies cover tectonics, paleontology, stratigraphy, and metamorphic petrology. One contribution involves field methods; it evaluates the relative accuracy of global positioning systems and topographic map-based methods for deriving location data for field stations. Two bibliographies at the end of the volume list reports about Alaska in USGS publications released in 1993 and reports about Alaska by USGS authors in non-USGS publications in 1993.

Alaska↗

USGS2025

Assessment of active sand volumes at Rockaway Beach and Fire Island in New York and Seven Mile Island in New Jersey

Between 2018 and 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey assessed shoreface sediment availability at three Atlantic Coast barrier island study sites in support of a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation project entitled, “Monitoring Hurricane Sandy Beach and Marsh Resilience in New York and New Jersey.” The three study sites are Seven Mile Island, New Jersey, Rockaway Beach peninsula, New York, and Fire Island, N.Y. Previously interpreted geologic boundaries from shoreface geophysical surveys and data from repeat bathymetric surveys at each of the study sites were integrated to quantify the active sediment volume, or the volume of sediment that could contribute to beach and shoreline behavior over annual to decadal time scales. This report describes the methods used to calculate these volumes and the variability of active sediment volume for each survey at the three study sites. Our data show that when shoreface volumes account for varying alongshore extent of each study site, Seven Mile Island and Rockaway Beach peninsula have about 1.5 times the active sediment volume measured at Fire Island.

New York, New Jersey↗

USGS2012

Biodegradation of chloroethene compounds in groundwater at Operable Unit 1, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Keyport, Washington, 1999-2010

The U.S. Geological Survey evaluated the biodegradation of chloroethene compounds in groundwater beneath the former landfill at Operable Unit 1 (OU 1) of the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Division Keyport. The predominant contaminants in groundwater are the chloroethene compounds trichloroethene, cis -1,2-dichloroethene, and vinyl chloride. The remedy selected for groundwater contamination at OU 1 includes phytoremediation and natural attenuation. In 1999, the U.S. Navy planted two hybrid poplar plantations, referred to as the northern and southern plantations, over the most contaminated parts of the landfill. The U.S. Navy monitors tree health, groundwater levels, and contaminant concentrations to assess the effectiveness of phytoremediation. The U.S. Geological Survey began a cooperative effort with the U.S. Navy in 1995 to monitor the effectiveness of natural attenuation processes for removing and controlling the migration of chloroethenes and chloroethanes. Field and laboratory studies from 1996 through 2000 demonstrated that biodegradation of chloroethenes and chloroethanes in shallow groundwater at OU 1 was substantial. The U.S. Geological Survey monitored geochemical and contaminant concentrations in groundwater annually from 2001 through 2010. This report presents groundwater geochemical and contaminant data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey during June 2010 and evaluates evidence for continued biodegradation of chloroethenes in groundwater. Geochemical and contaminant concentration data through 2010 indicate that biodegradation of chloroethenes in groundwater continued beneath the landfill at OU 1. Contaminant concentrations in groundwater decreased beneath most of the 9-acre landfill between 1999 and 2010. The evidence indicating that biodegradation was a primary cause for the decreased concentrations included decreasing ratios of more highly chlorinated compounds to less chlorinated compounds over time, and widespread detections of non-chlorinated biodegradation end-products ethane and ethene. No widespread changes in groundwater reduction-oxidation (redox) conditions were observed that could result in either more or less efficient biodegradation. Even with continued biodegradation, dissolved-phase contaminant concentrations in the tens of milligrams per liter have persisted beneath part of the 0.7-acre southern plantation. The magnitude and persistence of those concentrations indicate that non-aqueous phase liquid chloroethenes likely are present beneath the southern plantation and are not substantially affected by biodegradation. During 2010, chloroethenes continued to be measured in shallow groundwater samples from the southern part of the adjacent marsh, although at the lowest concentrations ever measured. Flux calculations based on 2010 data indicate that 95 percent of dissolved-phase chloroethenes in the upper aquifer beneath the southern landfill were degraded before discharging to surface water. Overall, biodegradation of chloroethenes in groundwater throughout OU 1 continued through 2010, and it prevented most of the mass of dissolved-phase chloroethenes in the upper aquifer beneath the landfill from discharging to surface water.

Washington↗

USGS1987

Water resources data, Texas, water year 1986, Volume 1: Arkansas River basin, Red River basin, Sabine River basin, Neches River basin, Trinity River basin, and intervening and adjacent coastal basins

The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Federal, State, and City agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Texas each water year. Such data, accumulated during many water years, constitute a valuable data base for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the State. To make these data readily available to interested parties outside the Geological Survey, the data are published annually in three volumes of this report series entitled "Water Resources Data - Texas." This report series includes records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams and canals; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs. Volume 1 contains records for water discharge at 139 gaging stations; stage only at 5 gaging station; stage and contents at 40 lakes and reservoirs; and water quality at 72 gaging stations. Also included are data for 13 partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at 2 miscellaneous sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program. The data in this report represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating City, State, and Federal agencies in Texas.

Texas↗

USGS1987

Water resources data, Texas, water year 1986. Volume 2: San Jacinto River basin, Brazos River basin, San Bernard River basin, and intervening coastal basins

The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Federal, State, and City agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Texas each water year. Such data, accumulated during many water years, constitute a valuable data base for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the State. To make these data readily available to interested parties outside the Geological Survey, the data are published annually in three volumes of this report series entitled "Water Resources Data - Texas." This report series includes records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams and canals; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs. Volume 2 contains records for water discharge at 112 gaging stations; stage only at 9 gaging station; stage and contents at 24 lakes and reservoirs; and water quality at 72 gaging stations. Also included are data for 39 partial-record stations. The data in this report represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Texas.

Texas↗

USGS1992

Water resources data, Texas, water year 1991; Volume 2. San Jacinto River basin, Brazos River basin, San Bernard River basin, and intervening coastal basins

Texas↗