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Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

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At least 1,225 records · Page 68Linked to original sources
USGS1985

Quality of the Arkansas River and irrigation-return flows in the lower Arkansas River Valley, Colorado

Irrigation-return flows in the lower Arkansas River valley of Colorado were investigated using one-time data at 59 sites, monthly data at 4 sites, and intensive data in a small irrigated area. Specific conductance of return flows increased downstream, paralleling specific conductance of irrigation water. During July 1977, Arkansas River streamflow below Manzanola was mostly irrigation-return flow. A similar situation existed during periods of little precipitation in the early and late irrigation seasons during 1974 to 1978. Irrigation-return flows had a large effect on Arkansas River water quality during these times. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS2008

Design and Operation of a Borehole Straddle Packer for Ground-Water Sampling and Hydraulic Testing of Discrete Intervals at U.S. Air Force Plant 6, Marietta, Georgia

A borehole straddle packer was developed and tested by the U.S. Geological Survey to characterize the vertical distribution of contaminants, head, and hydraulic properties in open-borehole wells as part of an ongoing investigation of ground-water contamination at U.S. Air Force Plant 6 (AFP6) in Marietta, Georgia. To better understand contaminant fate and transport in a crystalline bedrock setting and to support remedial activities at AFP6, numerous wells have been constructed that include long open-hole intervals in the crystalline bedrock. These wells can include several discontinuities that produce water, which may contain contaminants. Because of the complexity of ground-water flow and contaminant movement in the crystalline bedrock, it is important to characterize the hydraulic and water-quality characteristics of discrete intervals in these wells. The straddle packer facilitates ground-water sampling and hydraulic testing of discrete intervals, and delivery of fluids including tracer suites and remedial agents into these discontinuities. The straddle packer consists of two inflatable packers, a dual-pump system, a pressure-sensing system, and an aqueous injection system. Tests were conducted to assess the accuracy of the pressure-sensing systems, and water samples were collected for analysis of volatile organic compound (VOCs) concentrations. Pressure-transducer readings matched computed water-column height, with a coefficient of determination of greater than 0.99. The straddle packer incorporates both an air-driven piston pump and a variable-frequency, electronic, submersible pump. Only slight differences were observed between VOC concentrations in samples collected using the two different types of sampling pumps during two sampling events in July and August 2005. A test conducted to assess the effect of stagnation on VOC concentrations in water trapped in the system's pump-tubing reel showed that concentrations were not affected. A comparison was conducted to assess differences between three water-sampling methods - collecting samples from the well by pumping a packer-isolated zone using a submersible pump, by using a grab sampler, and by using a passive diffusion sampler. Concentrations of tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene and 1,2-dichloropropane were greatest for samples collected using the submersible pump in the packed-isolated interval, suggesting that the straddle packer yielded the least dilute sample.

Georgia↗
USGS1965

Variations in chemical character of water in the Englishtown Formation, New Jersey

This investigation describes the variations in the chemical character of the water in the Englishtown Formation of Late Cretaceous age in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of New Jersey, and demonstrates the application of the concept of hydrochemical mapping to the study and evaluation of water-bearing materials. The chemistry of ground water is responsive to the physical environment and lends support to available geologic and hydrologic data. A study of the ground-water chemistry may even suggest concepts for which additional geologic or hydrologic data may not be obtainable by conventional methods of study. Hydrochemical mapping is particularly important in evaluating an aquifer satisfactorily, but it could be equally useful in regional geologic studies concerned with continuity of units or mineralogic differences and similarities.

New Jersey↗
USGS2025

Hydrogeology, water budget, and simulated groundwater availability in the Salt Fork Arkansas River and Chikaskia River alluvial aquifers, northern Oklahoma, 1980–2020

The 1973 Oklahoma Groundwater Law (Oklahoma Statute §82–1020.5) requires that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board conduct hydrologic investigations of the State’s aquifers to determine the maximum annual yield for each groundwater basin. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, conducted an updated hydrologic investigation of the Salt Fork Arkansas River and Chikaskia River alluvial aquifers in northern Oklahoma for the study period spanning 1980–2020 and evaluated the simulated effects of potential groundwater withdrawals on groundwater flow and availability in the Salt Fork Arkansas River alluvial aquifer. A hydrogeologic framework and conceptual model were developed to guide the development of a numerical model. Three groundwater-availability scenarios were evaluated by using the calibrated numerical model, which was focused on the Salt Fork Arkansas River alluvial aquifer. These scenarios were used to (1) estimate equal-proportionate-share groundwater withdrawal rates, (2) quantify the potential effects of projected well withdrawals on groundwater storage over a 50-year period, and (3) simulate the potential effects of a hypothetical 10-year drought. The 20-, 40-, and 50-year equal-proportionate-share groundwater withdrawal rates for the Salt Fork Arkansas River alluvial aquifer under normal recharge conditions were about 0.63, 0.58, and 0.57 acre-foot per acre per year, respectively. Projected 50-year groundwater withdrawal scenarios were used to simulate the effects of modified well withdrawal rates. Because well withdrawals were less than 2 percent of the calibrated numerical-model water budget, changes to the well groundwater withdrawal rates had little effect on simulated Salt Fork Arkansas River base flows and groundwater storage in the Salt Fork Arkansas River alluvial aquifer. A hypothetical 10-year drought scenario was used to simulate the potential effects of a prolonged period of reduced recharge on groundwater storage. Groundwater storage at the end of the hypothetical drought period was 14.5 percent less than the groundwater storage of the calibrated numerical model without the simulated drought.

Oklahoma↗
USGS1987

Hydrogeologic controls of surface-water chemistry in the Adirondack region of New York State

Relationships between surface-water discharge, water chemistry, and watershed geology were investigated to evaluate factors affecting the sensitivity of drainage waters in the Adirondack region of New York to acidification by atmospheric deposition. Instantaneous discharge per unit area was derived from relationships between flow and staff-gage readings at 10 drainage basins throughout the region. The average chemical composition of the waters was assessed from monthly samples collected from July 1982 through July 1984. The ratio of flow at the 50-percent exceedence level to the flow at the 95-percent exceedence level of flow duration was negatively correlated with mean values of alkalinity or acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC), sum of basic cations (SBC), and dissolved silica, for basins containing predominantly aluminosilicate minerals and little or no carbonate-bearing minerals. Low ratios are indicative of systems in which flow is predominately derived from surface- and ground-water storage, whereas high ratios are characteristic of watersheds with variable flow that is largely derived from surface runoff. In an evaluation of two representative surface-water sites, concentrations of ANC, SBC, and dissolved silica, derived primarily from soil mineral weathering reactions. decreased with increasing flow. Furthermore, the ANC was highest at low flow when the percentage of streamflow derived from ground water was maximum. As flow increased, the ANC decreased because the contribution of dilute surface runoff and lateral flow through the shallow acidic soil horizons to total flow increased. Basins having relatively high ground-water contributions to total flow, in general, have large deposits of thick till or stratified drift. A major factor controlling the sensitivity of these streams and lakes to acidification is the relative contribution of ground water to total discharge. ?? 1987 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers.

Biogeochemistry↗
USGS2005

Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Ground Water, Norman, Oklahoma, 2004, and Remediation Options for Produced Water

In 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviewed the arsenic drinking water standard for public water supplies. Considering the available research and statistics on the health effects of arsenic ingestion, the EPA reduced the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for public drinking water from 50 micrograms per liter (?g/L) to 10 ?g/L (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2001a). As a result of the more stringent standard, the EPA estimates that about 3,000 public water providers across the United States must take action to meet the new standard before it becomes effective on January 23, 2006 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2001b). The City of Norman (City) is one of several Oklahoma municipalities affected by the new arsenic standard. About 20 percent of Norman?s water is supplied by wells completed in the Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) aquifer; the rest is supplied by Lake Thunderbird (fig. 1) or purchased from Oklahoma City. The Norman well field is composed of 24 active wells, and water produced from about half of the wells will not be in compliance with the new MCL (figs. 2 and 3). Chemical treatment of water with elevated arsenic is possible, but it is generally cost prohibitive. Another costly solution is simply to abandon the high-arsenic wells and replace them with new wells in low-arsenic areas. In the next phase of well construction beginning in 2005, the City plans to construct as many as 30 new wells in northeast Norman (Bryan Mitchell, City of Norman, oral commun., 2005). The new wells will replace production lost to the new arsenic standard and add new production to keep pace with rapidly growing consumer demand. Well modification to exclude arsenic-bearing water from existing wells is a more cost-effective solution, but it requires a great deal of knowledge about local aquifer properties and individual well dynamics to decide which wells are good candidates for modification. With the goal of determining if well modification can be used to bring some of Norman?s high-arsenic wells into compliance with the new arsenic standard, the EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) initiated a three-year research project in 2003 with participation from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Oklahoma State University, and the City of Norman. The primary objectives of the project are to: (1) determine where naturally occurring arsenic is entering wells by collecting water samples at different depths, (2) investigate the utility of new methods for collecting water-quality data in a pumping well, (3) better understand the stratigraphy and composition of aquifer rocks, (4) assess 10 wells for the possibility of arsenic remediation by well modification, and (5) evaluate the effectiveness of well modification in bringing marginal wells into compliance with the new arsenic MCL. The purpose of this report is to describe the occurrence of arsenic in ground water near Norman, Oklahoma, and available options for reducing arsenic concentrations in produced ground water.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2002

Mapped minerals at Questa, New Mexico, using airborne visible-infrared imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS) data – Preliminary report for: First quarterly report of the U.S. Geological Survey investigation of baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality in the Red River Valley Basin, New Mexico, November 13, 2001

This preliminary study for the First Quarterly Report has spectrally mapped hydrothermally altered minerals useful in assisting in assessment of water quality of the Red River. Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data was analyzed to characterize mined and unmined ground at Questa, New Mexico. AVIRIS data covers the Red River drainage north of the river, from between the town of Questa on the west, to east of the town of Red River. The data was calibrated and analyzed using U.S. Geological Survey custom software and spectral mineral library. AVIRIS data was tested for spectral features that matched similar features in the spectral mineral library. Goodness-of-fit and band-depth were calculated for each comparison of spectral features and used to identify surface mineralogy. Mineral distribution, mineral associations, and AVIRIS pixel spectra were examined. Mineral maps show the distribution of iron hydroxides, iron sulfates, clays, micas, carbonates, and other minerals. Initial results show a system of alteration suites that overprint each other. Quartz-sericite-pyrite (QSP) alteration grading out to propylitic alteration (epidote and calcite) was identified at the Questa Mine (molybdenum porphyry) and a similar alteration pattern was mapped at the landslide ("scar") areas. Supergene weathering overprints the altered rock, as shown by jarosite, kaolinite, and gypsum. In the spectral analysis, hydrothermally altered ground appears to be more extensive at the unmined Goat Hill Gulch and the mined ground, than the ?scars? to the east. Though the "scars" have similar overall altered mineral suites, there are differences between the "scars" in sericite, kaolinite, jarosite, gypsum, and calcite abundance. Fieldwork has verified the results at the central unmined "scar" areas.

New Mexico↗
USGS1974

Geothermal investigations in Idaho, Part 2, An evaluation of thermal water in the Bruneau-Grand View area, southwest Idaho, with a section on a reconnaissance audio-magnetotelluric survey

The Bruneau-Grand View area occupies about 1,100 square miles in southwest Idaho and is on the southern flank of the large depression (possibly a graben) in which lies the western Snake River Plain. The igneous and sedimentary rocks in the area range in age from Late Cretaceous to Holocene. They are transected by a prominent system of northwest-trending faults. For discussion purposes, the aquifers in the area have been separated into two broad units: (1) the volcanic-rock aquifers, and (2) the overlying sedimentary-rock aquifers. The Idavada Volcanics or underlying rock units probably constitute the reservoir that contains thermal water. An audio-magnetotelluric survey indicates that a large conductive zone having apparent resistivities approaching 2 ohm-metres underlies a part of the area at a relatively shallow depth. Chemical analysis of 94 water samples collected in 1973 show that the thermal waters in the area are of a sodium bicarbonate type. Although dissolved-solids concentrations of water ranged from 181 to 1,100 milligrams per litre (mg/l) in the volcanic-rock aquifers, they were generally less than 500 mg/l. Measured chloride concentrations of water in the volcanic-rock aquifers were less than 20 mg/l. Temperatures of water from wells and springs ranged from 9.5 to 83.0 degrees C. Temperatures of water from the volcanic-rock aquifers ranged from 40.0 to 83.0 degrees C, whereas temperatures of water from the sedimentary-rock aquifers seldom exceeded 35 degrees C. Aquifer temperatures at depth, as estimated by silica and sodium-potassium-calcium geochemical thermometers, probably do not exceed 150 degrees C. However, a mixed-water geochemical thermometer indicates that temperatures at depth may exceed 180 degrees C. The gas in water from the volcanic-rock aquifers is composed chiefly of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen. Methane gas (probably derived from organic material) was also found in some water from the sedimentary-rock aquifers. The thermal waters in the area are believed to be heated by deep circulation in a zone of high geothermal gradient resulting from thinning of the earth?s crust.

Idaho↗
USGS1992

Acid rain and its effects on streamwater quality on Catoctin Mountain, Maryland

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the Nation's largest water-science and water-information agency. The mission of the Water Resources Division of the USGS is to provide the hydrologic information and understanding needed for the best management of the Nation's water resources. To fulfill this mission, the USGS conducts water-quality and other types of investigations of the Nation's surface- and ground-water resources.

Maryland↗
USGS1992

Geology and Stream Infiltration of North Halawa Valley, Oahu, Hawaii

A geohydrologic investigation of North Halawa Valley, Oahu, Hawaii, and its stream was undertaken in response to concern that runoff from the H-3 highway draining into the stream might seep into the ground and seriously contaminate potable water pumped at a nearby skimming well. North Halawa Stream flows over highly weathered alluvium or highly weathered basaltic basement for almost its entire course. Measurements of discharge at selected points along the stream indicate that infiltration occurs along some reaches. The infiltration of water from North Halawa Stream varies with season and stage. Water lost by the stream probably passes into and out of a perched aquifer in the alluvium of North Halawa Valley. Some of the water could pass from the alluvium to the basal aquifer from which the skimming well draws its water.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1929

Geology and ground-water resources of North Dakota, with a discussion of the chemical character of the water

Water is the most valuable of the mineral resources. The study of ground waters is therefore clearly within the field of economic geology and constitutes an important part of the work of the geological surveys, both State and national, as defined by law. In the spring of 1911 the investigation of the ground waters of North Dakota was begun by the North Dakota Geological Survey, and the work was assigned to the author of this paper. During each of the three summers 1911, 1912, and 1913 several weeks were devoted by the author to the field work of a general survey. A report on the ground waters of the State was then prepared by him and was transmitted by the director of the North Dakota Geological Survey to the State printing commission for publication. However, owing to lack of available funds the report was not published. A portion of the summer of 1914 was given to a study of artesian conditions in the Souris River Basin. Since that time considerable work has been done in connection with detailed surveys made for a number of cities and villages in an effort to obtain the best available supply of water for public use. During the summer of 1920 arrangements were made by the United States Geological Survey with the North Dakota Geological Survey whereby the author completed the work as fully as possible by correspondence and brought the report up to date. In the spring of 1921 samples of water from 196 sources were collected by the author and J. H. Buchanan and were sent to the United States Geological Survey for analysis. Most of these samples were analyzed by H. B. Riffenburg, who has used the analyses for a description of the chemical character of ground waters in the State. In addition to the analyses of samples collected in connection with the preparation of this report, over 700 partial analyses from different sources were examined. These analyses are not given in this paper, because the location of many of the wells was not stated definitely, and most of the analyses were incomplete. They were useful, however, in confirming the conclusions based on the analyses that are printed, particularly for counties where only a few samples were collected for this report.

North Dakota↗
USGS2020

An experimental investigation of interaction between andesite and hyperacidic volcanic lake water

Alteration in magmatic-hydrothermal systems leads to distinct changes in rock texture and mineralogy, and a strong redistribution of elements between fluid and rock. Here, we experimentally interacted andesite scoria with hyperacidic, high-sulfidation style fluids from Kawah Ijen volcano (Indonesia) at 25 and 100˚C, seeking to reproduce the textures observed in natural samples from this volcano, and to understand the element fluxes that accompany alteration. The susceptibility to alteration in the experiments is Cu-Fe-sulphide > calcic plagioclase > pyroxene > titano-magnetite > sodic plagioclase, with complete preservation of glass. Silicate minerals alter to opaline silica, and gypsum, barite and a Zr-phase precipitate. The selective alteration of the phenocryst minerals results in a preferential release of compatible elements, as the glass is the main incompatible element host. The experiments reproduce the alteration textures of the natural samples, including the preservation of glass, but the predicted compatible over incompatible element enrichment in the alteration element flux is not observed in the natural setting. This suggests that alteration at Kawah Ijen is dominated by lithologies that lack abundant glass, in particular lava flows where the glass has devitrified, despite these lava flows having a lower surface area compared to scoria.

Kawah Ijen↗
USGS2013

Investigating the potential impact of efflorescent mineral crusts on water quality: complementing analytical techniques with geochemical modelling

Efflorescent crusts are a common feature forming on the surface of gold mining sites and tailings storage facilities during the dry season. Their dissolution at the start of the wet sea- son releases an acidic pulse of water rich in metal pollutants. The composition of the crusts is indicative of the water from which they precipitated. This study aimed at assessing the crust formation and dissolution processes that result in episodic changes in receiving water quality. The approach involved characterising the composition of the crusts by analytical techniques (powder X-ray di2raction (PXRD)) and establishing compositional discrepancies by modelling the formation and dissolution processes.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1990

Effects of storm-water runoff on local ground-water quality, Clarksville, Tennessee

Storm-related water-quality data were collected at a drainage-well site and at a spring site in Clarksville, Tennessee, to define the effects of storm-water runoff on the quality of ground water in the area. A dye-trace test verified the direct hydraulic connection between the drainage well and Mobley Spring. Samples of storm run off and spring flow were collected at these sites for nine storms during the period February to October 1988. Water samples were collected also from Mobley Spring and two other springs and two observation wells in the area during dry-weather conditions to assess the general quality of ground water in an urban karst terrain. Evaluation of the effect of storm-water runoff on the quality of local ground water is complicated by the presence of other sources of contaminants in the area Concentrations and load for most major constituents were much smaller in storm-water runoff at the drainage well than in the discharge of Mobley Spring, indicating that much of the chemical constituent load discharged from the spring comes from sources other than the drainage well. However, for some of the minor constituents associated with roadway runoff (arsenic, copper, lead, organic carbon, and oil and grease), the drainage well contributed relatively large amounts of these constituents to local ground water during storms. The close correlation between concentrations of total organic carbon and concentrations of most trace metals at the drainage-well and Mobley Spring sites indicates that these constituents are transported together. Many trace metals were flushed early during each runoff event. Mean storm loads for copper, lead, zinc, and four nutrient species (total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, and orthophosphorus) in storm-water runoff at the drainage-well site were lower than mean storm load predicted from an existing regression model. The overprediction by the model may be a result of the small size of the drainage area relative to the range of drainage areas used in the development of the models, or to the below-normal amounts of rainfall during the period of sampling for this investigation. Loads& in storm-water runoff for 22 constituents were extrapolated from sampled storms to total loads for the period February to October 1988. Calculated loads for trace metals for the period ranged from 0.030pound.s for cadmium to 12pound.s for strontium. Loads of the primary nutrients ranged from 0.97pounds for nitrite as nitrogen to 34pounds of organic nitrogen. Storm-water quality at the drainage-well and Mobley Spring sites was compared to background water quality of the local aquifer; as characterized by dry-weather samples from three springs and two observation wells in the Clarksville area. Concentrations of total-recoverable cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and nickel were higher in many stormwater samples from both the drainage-well and Mobley Spring sites than in samples from any other site. In addition, concentrations of total organic carbon, methylene blue active substances, and total-recoverable oil and grease were generally higher in storm-water samples from the drainage-well site than in any ground-water sample. Densities of fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus bacteria and concentrations of total recoverable iron, manganese, and methylene blue active substances in storm samples from the drainage-well site exceeded the maximum contaminant levels listed in Tennessee’s drinking-water standards (1988) by as much as 2,500 and 5,500 colonies per 100 milliliters, and 2.7, 0.29, and 0.05 milligrams per liter, respectively. Densities of fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus bacteria and concentrations of total-recoverable iron, manganese, and lead in storm samples from Mobley Spring exceeded the maximum contaminant levels by as much as 500 and 4,500 colonies per 100 milliliters, and 18.7,0.65, and 0.02 milligrams per liter, respectively. For iron, manganese, and bacteria, these undesirable levels are not necessarily attributable to storm-water recharge, because concentrations of these constituents also exceeded drinking-water standards in one or more of the dry-weather samples from selected springs and observation wells in the area.

Tennessee↗
USGS1964

Selected hydrologic data, upper Sevier River basin, Utah

This report is intended to serve two purposes: (1) to make available to the public basic ground-water data useful in planning and studying development of water resources, and (2) to supplement an interpretive report that will be published later. Records were collected during 1961-63 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah State Engineer as a part of the investigation of ground-water conditions in the upper Sevier River basin, in parts of Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, and Sevier Counties, Utah. The interpretive material will be published in a companion report by Carl H. Carpenter, Gerald B. Robinson, Jr., and Louis J. Bjorklund. This report is most useful in predicting conditions likely to be found in areas that are being considered as well sites. The person considering the new well can spot the proposed site on plate 1 and examine the records of nearby wells and springs as shown in the tables. From table 1 he can find information on wells, including depth, diameter, water level, yield, drawdown, use of water, temperature of water, and depth of perforations. Table 2 gives information on springs such as yield, use of water, temperature, and improvements. From tables 1 and 2 he can note the type of material that yields water in the vicinity. Table 3 shows the historic fluctuations and trends of water levels. Table 4 shows the type of material penetrated by wells. From table 5 he can note the chemical quality of water from wells and springs, and from table 6, the chemical quality of surface water. If the reader decides from his examination that conditions are favorable, he can place an application to drill a well with the State Engineer. If the State Engineer believes unappropriated water is available, the application may be approved after minimum statutory requirements have been satisfied. The report is also useful when planning large-scale developments of water supply. This and other uses of the report will be helped by use of the interpretive report upon its release.

Utah↗