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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 1,747 records · Page 97Linked to original sources
USGS1998

Hydrogeology and sources of recharge to the Buffalo and Wahpeton aquifers in the southern part of the Red River of the North drainage basin, west-central Minnesota and southeastern North Dakota

Declining hydraulic heads in the Buffalo and Wahpeton aquifers are of concern to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and local water managers because of limited groundwater resources in the southern part of the Red River of the North drainage basin. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Moorhead Public Service, investigated the hydrogeology of and sources of recharge to the Buffalo and Wahpeton aquifers. The Buffalo aquifer is a complex, heterogeneous outwash deposit composed of medium to coarse sand and gravel. Part of the Buffalo aquifer is unconfined and part is confined. The direction of ground water flow in the Buffalo aquifer is from east to west. Water-level declines in observation wells near the Moorhead Public Service North Well Field extend beyond the eastern and western boundaries of the Buffalo aquifer. Transmissivity and storativity calculated from the drawdown part of an aquifer test ranged from 20,870 to 23,852 feet squared per day and from 3.0 x 10 -5 to 3.2 x 10 -2 , respectively. Transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity values of 29,090 and 28,450 feet squared per day and 272 and 266 feet per day were calculated from the recovery-phase data. Potential recharge from the Buffalo River and its tributaries to the Buffalo aquifer ranged from 5 to 14 cubic feet per second. Recharge from precipitation where the Buffalo aquifer is unconfined was about 1.49 x 10 5 cubic feet per day. Recharge per unit length of the Buffalo aquifer during an aquifer test near the Moorhead Public Service North Well Field ranged from 3.9 x 10 -4 to 2.0 x 10 -2 cubic feet per day. The Wahpeton Shallow Sand, the Wahpeton Sand Plain, and the Wahpeton Buried Valley aquifers comprise the Wahpeton aquifers in order of increasing depth. All the aquifers are composed of fine- to coarse-grained sand mixed with gravel. Confining units are interleaved with the Wahpeton aquifers. Ground-water-flow directions in the Wahpeton aquifers were changed by ground-water development. Before development, ground water flowed from the Wahpeton Buried Valley aquifer upward to the Wahpeton Sand Plain aquifer and the Wahpeton Shallow Sand aquifer. After development, ground water flowed from the Wahpeton Shallow Sand aquifer to the Wahpeton Sand Plain and the Wahpeton Buried Valley aquifers. The potential sources of recharge to the Wahpeton aquifers investigated were the Red River of the North, and adjacent hydro geologic units. The volume of ground water pumped from the Wahpeton aquifers provides an estimate of the upper limit for the volume of recharge to the aquifer. Based on pumpage from all of the Wapheton aquifers from 1990 to 1993, the upper limit is about 580 million gallons per year (2.4 x 10 5 cubic feet per day).

Minnesota, North Dakota↗
USGS1966

Geological Survey research 1966, Chapter B

This collection of 43 short papers is the first published chapter of 'Geological Survey Research 1966.' The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by members of the Conservation, Geologic, Topographic, and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done during fiscal year 1966, together with lists of investigations in progress, reports published, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices. 'Geological Survey Research 1966' is the seventh volume of the annual series Geological Survey Research. The six volumes already published are listed below, with their series designations. Geological Survey Research 1960-Prof. Paper 400 Geological Survey Research 1961-Prof. Paper 424 Geological Survey Research 1962-Prof. Paper 450 Geological Survey Research 1963-Prof. Paper 475 Geological Survey Research 1964-Prof. Paper 501 Geological Survey Research 1965-Prof. Paper 525

Professional Paper↗
USGS1968

Geological Survey research 1968, Chapter B

This collection of 44 short papers is the first published chapter of "Geological Survey Research 1968." The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by 1ne1nbers of the Geologic, Topographic, and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done during fiscal year 1968, together with lists of investigations in progress, reports published, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1969

Geological Survey research 1969, Chapter B

This collection of 40 short papers is the first published chapter of "Geological Survey Research 1969." The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by members of the Conservation, Geologic, and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done during fiscal year 1969, together with lists of investigations in progress, reports published, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1969

Geological Survey research 1969, Chapter C

This collection of 38 short papers is the second published chapter of "Geological Survey Research 1969." The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by members of the Geologic, Topographic, and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done during fiscal year 1969, together with lists of investigations in progress, reports published, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1969

Geological Survey research 1969, Chapter D

This collection of 45 short papers is the third published chapter of "Geological Survey Research 1969." The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by members of the Geologic, Topographic, and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done during fiscal year 1969, together with lists of investigations in progress, reports published, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1970

Geological Survey research 1970, Chapter B

This collection of 46 short papers is the first published chapter of "Geological Survey Research 1970." The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by members of the Geologic and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done in fiscal year 1970, together with lists of investigations in progress, reports published, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices. "Geological Survey Research 1970" is the eleventh volume of the annual series Geological Survey Research.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1970

Geological Survey research 1970, Chapter C

This collection of 42 short papers is the second published chapter of "Geological Survey Research 1970." The papers report on scientific and economic results of current work by 1nembers of the Conservation, Geologic, Topographic, and Water Resources Divisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter A, to be published later in the year, will present a summary of significant results of work done in fiscal year 1970, together with lists of investigations in progress, reports published, cooperating agencies, and Geological Survey offices. "Geological Survey Research 1970" is the eleventh volume of the annual series Geological Survey Research. The ten volumes already published are listed below, with their series designations.

Professional Paper↗
USGS2004

Two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulation of surface-water flow and transport to Florida Bay through the Southern Inland and Coastal Systems (SICS)

Successful restoration of the southern Florida ecosystem requires extensive knowledge of the physical characteristics and hydrologic processes controlling water flow and transport of constituents through extremely low-gradient freshwater marshes, shallow mangrove-fringed coastal creeks and tidal embayments, and near-shore marine waters. A sound, physically based numerical model can provide simulations of the differing hydrologic conditions that might result from various ecosystem restoration scenarios. Because hydrology and ecology are closely linked in southern Florida, hydrologic model results also can be used by ecologists to evaluate the degree of ecosystem restoration that could be achieved for various hydrologic conditions. A robust proven model, SWIFT2D, (Surface-Water Integrated Flow and Transport in Two Dimensions), was modified to simulate Southern Inland and Coastal Systems (SICS) hydrodynamics and transport conditions. Modifications include improvements to evapotranspiration and rainfall calculation and to the algorithms that describe flow through coastal creeks. Techniques used in this model should be applicable to other similar low-gradient marsh settings in southern Florida and elsewhere. Numerous investigations were conducted within the SICS area of southeastern Everglades National Park and northeastern Florida Bay to provide data and parameter values for model development and testing. The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service supported investigations for quantification of evapotranspiration, vegetative resistance to flow, wind-induced flow, land elevations, vegetation classifications, salinity conditions, exchange of ground and surface waters, and flow and transport in coastal creeks and embayments. The good agreement that was achieved between measured and simulated water levels, flows, and salinities through minimal adjustment of empirical coefficients indicates that hydrologic processes within the SICS area are represented properly in the SWIFT2D model, and that the spatial and temporal resolution of these processes in the model is adequate. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the effect of changes in boundary conditions and parameter values on simulation results, which aided in identifying areas of greatest uncertainty in the model. The parameter having the most uncertainty (most in need of further field study) was the flow coefficient for coastal creeks. Smaller uncertainties existed for wetlands frictional resistance and wind. Evapotranspiration and boundary inflows indicated the least uncertainty as determined by varying parameters used in their formulation and definition. Model results indicated that wind was important in reversing coastal creek flows. At Trout Creek (the major tributary connecting Taylor Slough wetlands with Florida Bay), flow in the landward direction was not simulated properly unless wind forcing was included in the simulation. Simulations also provided insight into the major influence that wind has on salinity mixing along the coast, the varying distribution of wetland flows at differing water levels, and the importance of topography in controlling flows to the coast. Slight topographic variations were shown to highly influence the routing of water. A multiple regression analysis was performed to relate inflows at the northern boundary of Taylor Slough bridge to a major pump station (S-332) north of the SICS model area. This analysis allows Taylor Slough bridge boundary conditions to be defined for the model from operating scenarios at S-332, which should facilitate use of the SICS model as an operational tool.

Florida↗
USGS1915

Stream-gaging stations and publications relating to water sources, 1885-1913; Part IX: Colorado River basin

Investigation of water resources by the United States Geological Survey has consisted in large part of measurements of the volume of flow of streams and studies of the conditions affecting that flow, but it has comprised also investigation of such closely allied subjects as irrigation, water storage, water powers, underground waters, and quality of waters. Most of the results of these investigations have been published in the series of water-supply papers, but some have appeared in the monographs, bulletins, professional papers, and annual reports.

Colorado River basin↗
USGS1915

Stream-gaging stations and publications relating to water sources, 1885-1913; Part X: The Great Basin

Investigation of water resources by the United States Geological Survey has consisted in large part of measurements of the volume of fl.ow of streams and studies of the conditions affecting that flow, but it has comprised also investigation of such closely allied subjects as irrigation, water storage, water powers, underground waters, and quality of waters. Most of the results of these investigations have been published in the series of water-supply papers, but some have appeared in the bulletins, professional papers, and annual reports.

Great Basin↗
USGS1999

Reconnaissance geologic map of the Duncan Canal-Zarembo Island area, southeastern Alaska

The geologic map of the Duncan Canal-Zarembo Island area is the result of a multidisciplinary investigation of an area where an airborne geophysical survey was flown in the spring of 1997. The area was chosen for the geophysical survey because of its high mineral potential, a conclusion of the Petersburg Mineral Resource Assessment Project, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1978 to 1982. The City of Wrangell, in southeastern Alaska, the Bureau of Land Management, and the State of Alaska provided funding for the airborne geophysical survey. The geophysical data from the airborne survey were released in September 1997. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted field investigations in the spring and fall of 1998 to identify and understand the sources of the geophysical anomalies from the airborne survey. This geologic map updates the geologic maps of the same area published by David A. Brew at 1:63,360 (Brew, 1997a-m; Brew and Koch, 1997). This update is based on 3 weeks of field work, new fossil collections, and the geophysical maps released by the State of Alaska ( DGGS, Staff, and others, 1997a-o). Geologic data from outcrops, fossil ages, radiometric ages, and geochemical signatures were used to identify lithostratigraphic units. Where exposure is poor, geophysical characteristics were used to help control the boundaries of these units. No unit boundaries were drawn based on geophysics alone. The 7200 Hertz resistivity maps (DGGS, Staff, and others, 1997k-o) were particularly helpful for controlling unit boundaries, because different stratigraphic units have distinctive characteristic conductive signatures (Karl and others, 1998). Increased knowledge of unit ages, unit structure, and unit distribution, led to improved understanding of the nature of unit contacts. Northwest- to southwest-directed thrust faults, particularly on Kupreanof Island, are new discovery. Truncated faults and map patterns suggest there were at least 2 generations of thrusting, and that the thrust faults have been folded. Subsequent right-lateral strike-slip NW-SE faults, have offset thrust faults, and these in turn are offset by N-S right-lateral strike-slip faults. Our fieldwork raised as many questions as it answered, and we see this map as a progress report at a reconnaissance level. The main contributions of this map are 1) the greater distribution of Triassic rocks, 2) increased fossil age information, and 3) the identification of thrust faults within and between units.

Alaska↗
USGS2008

Great Basin paleontological database

The U.S. Geological Survey has constructed a paleontological database for the Great Basin physiographic province that can be served over the World Wide Web for data entry, queries, displays, and retrievals. It is similar to the web-database solution that we constructed for Alaskan paleontological data (www.alaskafossil.org). The first phase of this effort was to compile a paleontological bibliography for Nevada and portions of adjacent states in the Great Basin that has recently been completed. In addition, we are also compiling paleontological reports (Known as E&R reports) of the U.S. Geological Survey, which are another extensive source of l,egacy data for this region. Initial population of the database benefited from a recently published conodont data set and is otherwise focused on Devonian and Mississippian localities because strata of this age host important sedimentary exhalative (sedex) Au, Zn, and barite resources and enormons Carlin-type An deposits. In addition, these strata are the most important petroleum source rocks in the region, and record the transition from extension to contraction associated with the Antler orogeny, the Alamo meteorite impact, and biotic crises associated with global oceanic anoxic events. The finished product will provide an invaluable tool for future geologic mapping, paleontological research, and mineral resource investigations in the Great Basin, making paleontological data acquired over nearly the past 150 yr readily available over the World Wide Web. A description of the structure of the database and the web interface developed for this effort are provided herein. This database is being used ws a model for a National Paleontological Database (which we am currently developing for the U.S. Geological Survey) as well as for other paleontological databases now being developed in other parts of the globe. ?? 2008 Geological Society of America.

Geosphere↗
USGS1985

Geochemical map of the Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area, Eddy County, New Mexico

During 1982, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted field investigations to evaluate the mineral resource potential of the Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area. Field studies included geologic mapping, geochemical sampling, and a survey of known mines, prospects, and mineralized zones. This map presents the results of a geochemical survey of the area by the Geological Survey and complements the mineral resource assessment of the area by Hayes and others (1983). The Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area encompasses approximately 21,300 acres along Guadalupe Ridge in the southern end of the Guadalupe Mountains about 35 miles southwest of Carlsbad, N. Mex. (fig. 1). The area trends northeasterly, is bounded on the south by the Texas State line and the northern boundary of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The study area is bounded on the northeast by Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The area comprises several narrow, gently sloping mesas bounded by deeply incised canyons. Elevations range from 7,413 feet on Camp Wilderness Ridge to approximately 4,875 feet at Franks Spring. A rough jeep road along the northwest boundary of the study area can be reached by U.S. Forest Service roads from the northwest. The southeastern part of the study area can be approached via unimproved ranch roads leading off U.S. Highway 62-180.

New Mexico↗
USGS2008

A reference data set of hillslope rainfall-runoff response, Panola Mountain Research Watershed, United States

Although many hillslope hydrologic investigations have been conducted in different climate, topographic, and geologic settings, subsurface stormflow remains a poorly characterized runoff process. Few, if any, of the existing data sets from these hillslope investigations are available for use by the scientific community for model development and validation or conceptualization of subsurface stormflow. We present a high-resolution spatial and temporal rainfall-runoff data set generated from the Panola Mountain Research Watershed trenched experimental hillslope. The data set includes surface and subsurface (bedrock surface) topographic information and time series of lateral subsurface flow at the trench, rainfall, and subsurface moisture content (distributed soil moisture content and groundwater levels) from January to June 2002. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS1996

A history of the Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey; Volume VI, May 1, 1957 to June 30, 1966; the years of change

Luna B. Leopold became chief of the Water Resources Division in May 1957 and stepped down in January 1966 to resume his research'in geomorphology. Ernest L. Hendricks succeeded'Leopold as chief of the Division in May 1966. The dates May 1, 1957, and June 30,1966, bracket a period of profound change in the organization and programs and in the philosophy of operations of the Water Resource Division and indeed in the entire field of investigational hydrology both within and outside the Geological Survey. Leopold brought into his new position a conviction that water on and beneath the Earth's surface and the quality of both were interdependent parts of one water-resources system and that the organization and operation of WRD must change to reflect that oneness. He was also convinced that the research program of the Division was inadequate in scope, staff, and funding to meet the operational needs of the Division and the needs of the community of water-resources planners, developers, and administrators in the near and distant future. Leopold's vision of a Water Resources Division properly staffed to meet current and future technical challenges included the imposition of rigorous selection standards on new professional recruits and the development of specialized training in-house and at university undergraduate and graduate levels. The period of Leopold's administrative and technical leadership of the WRD was indeed the "Years of Change."

Report↗
USGS2017

Elemental, isotopic, and geochronological variability in Mogollon-Datil volcanic province archaeological obsidian, southwestern USA: Solving issues of intersource discrimination

Solving issues of intersource discrimination in archaeological obsidian is a recurring problem in geoarchaeological investigation, particularly since the number of known sources of archaeological obsidian worldwide has grown nearly exponentially in the last few decades, and the complexity of archaeological questions asked has grown equally so. These two parallel aspects of archaeological investigation have required more exacting understanding of the geological relationship between sources and the more accurate analysis of these sources of archaeological obsidian. This is particularly the case in the North American Southwest where the frequency of archaeological investigation is some of the highest in the world, and the theory and method used to interpret that record has become increasingly nuanced. Here, we attempt to unravel the elemental similarity of archaeological obsidian in the Mogollon-Datil volcanic province of southwestern New Mexico where some of the most important and extensively distributed sources are located and the elemental similarity between the sources is great even though the distance between the sources is large. Uniting elemental, isotopic, and geochronological analyses as an intensive pilot study, we unpack this complexity to provide greater understanding of these important sources of archaeological obsidian.

New Mexico↗
USGS1906

Geology and underground waters of the Arkansas Valley in eastern Colorado

In the valley of Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado there is an area of considerable extent in which artesian flows are available. During the last ten years numerous wells have been sunk to develop this important resource and, in most cases in the lower lands, abundant water supplies have been obtained. The principal water-bearing bed is the "Dakota" formation, which consists of two sheets of porous sandstone separated by a small body of clay and overlain in the greater portion of the area by a mass of impervious shales. The sandstones receive their waters from, rainfall and from the sinking of streams along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and on some of the higher slopes south of the Arkansas Valley. In the passage of this sandstone underground, the waters which it contains are held down by the overlying shales, but, as some of the sandstone outcrops are at relatively low levels to the east only a moderate head or pressure is sustained. On account of this low head, artesian flows are available only in the lower lands, and one of the principal objects of this investigation has been the determination of the area in which flows are to be expected. The "Dakota" sandstone and associated formations do not lie level, or even slope regularly to the east, but are flexed into low arches and shallow troughs of considerable complexity of configuration. Accordingly, in investigating this source of water supply, it has been necessary to ascertain the structure and distribution of the various formations in order to indicate the variations in depth to the water-bearing stratum. The principal results of these investigations are set forth: (1) In the geologic map (Pl. VI), which shows the distribution of the formations on the surface; (2) in the map, Pl. XXV, which shows the depth to the water-bearing horizon, the area in which flows are expected, the head of the underground waters, and other features, and (3) in the cross sections (Pls. VII and XXIII), which show the principal underground features. The investigation has been in progress for several years and is an extension of the preliminary examination of the region by G. K. Gilbert in 1894 and 1895. For the western portion of the area the maps and texts of the Pueblo, Elmoro, Walsenburg, Spanish Peaks, and Pikes Peak folios have been utilized as far as practicable. For the central and eastern portions the larger features of the geology have been specially mapped, and considerable detailed mapping has been done in the region south and southeast of Canyon and Colorado Springs. In the field work I have been assisted by Mr. C. A. Fisher, who has examined in detail the Nepesta quadrangle and contributed numerous other data. Dr. W. S. Tangier Smith and Messrs. C. E. Sicbenthal and W. T. Lee have made observations in certain areas. Much valuable information respecting wells has been furnished by Mr. William Archer, of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, and Mr. C. H. McVay, well driller at Rocky Ford.

Colorado↗