New England WSC Data Releases and Publications - 2020
List of data releases and publications from the New England Water Science Center released in 2020.
Related Content
Survey of first-floor elevations of buildings in the Lake Champlain floodplain, Vermont, 2020
In August 2020, the U.S. Geologic Survey acquired high-precision survey data of first-floor doorway threshold elevations at buildings in the Lake Champlain floodplain in Vermont. For a representative sample of buildings within the 106 feet (National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929) stage boundary of the regional flood-inundation map (Flynn and Hayes, 2019), 153 buildings, or nearl
Results of peak-flow frequency analysis and regionalization for selected streamgages in or near Maine, based on data through water year 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed a report documenting methods for peak-flow frequency analysis following implementation of the Bulletin 17C guidelines (https://doi.org/10.3133/tm4B5). The methods provide estimates of peak-flow quantiles for 50-, 20-, 10-, 4-, 2-, 1-, 0.5-, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probabilities (AEPs) for...
Flood frequency and source data used in the regional regression analysis of annual peak flows in Connecticut (2020)
Current estimates of the magnitude and frequency of floods at gaged and ungaged stream sites are critical for assessing flood risk, delineating flood zones, designing hydraulic structures, and managing flood plains. The Connecticut Department of Transportation collaborated with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in a study to improve the flood-frequency estimates in Connecticut and develop r
Worksheet for computing annual exceedance probability flood discharges and prediction intervals at stream sites in Connecticut
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Connecticut Department of Transportation, completed a study to improve flood-frequency estimates in Connecticut. This companion data release is a Microsoft Excel workbook for: (1) computing flood discharges for the 50- to 0.2-percent annual exceedance probabilities from peak-flow regression equations, and (2) computing add
Microplastics data collected from streams in the northeastern United States, 2017-2018
These data were collected to characterize the quantity and quality of microplastic particles found in 17 streams in the northeastern United States, from New York to Virginia. USGS staff who represent the Urban Landscapes Capabilities Team (ULCT) within the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region designed the study and collected the water samples on which the data are based. Data were collected
Basin characteristics and point locations of road crossings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for highway-runoff mitigation analyses using the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model
This data release documents the location of intersections between roads and streams, referred to as road crossings, and associated basin characteristics to support highway-runoff mitigation analyses using the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM, Granato, 2013) in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The data set of road crossings was generated from the
Soil Frost at Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont
Soil frost measurements have been made at Sleepers River Research Watershed starting in 1983. Measurements were made by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory from 1983 to 1993, followed by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993 to the present. Measurements started at 5 sites and has increased to 10 sites. Sites range in elevation from 225 to 670 meters and...
Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) Passive Seismic at the Callahan Mine Superfund Site in Brooksville, Maine: October 2016 to July 2018
The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method is a passive seismic technique that uses a three-component seismometer to measure the vertical and horizontal components of ambient seismic noise. Seismic noise in the range of ~0.1 to 1 Hertz (Hz) is caused by ocean waves, large regional storms, and tectonic sources. A resonance frequency (f0) is induced in the unconsolida
Water-Based Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Surveys at the Callahan Mine Superfund Site in Brooksville, Maine: October 2016 to May 2017
In October 2016 and May 2017 frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) methods were used to image the electrical conductivity of the shallow subsurface. Electrical conductivity can be caused by changes in the soil, overburden, saturation, and water quality. Two multi-frequency tools were used at the site. One of the tools has a 1.6-meter (m) long antenna that was used in the verti
Borehole, Surface, and Water-Borne Geophysical Surveys at the Callahan Mine Superfund Site in Brooksville, Maine: October 2016 to July 2018
From October 2016 to July 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maine Department of Transportation, collected surface, marine and borehole geophysical surveys to characterize the subsurface materials on land and under the water at a former mine facility in Brooksville, Maine. Three water-based geophysical methods were used to evaluate
Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) Surveys at the Callahan Mine Superfund Site in Brooksville, Maine: May 2017
On May 10, 2017 an electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profile was collected on the land along the gravel path between the water and the slime impoundment associated with the former mine activities. A total of 56 electrodes, spaced 1 m apart, extended along the base of the slope. Electrode 1 was near monitoring well MW-701 and electrode 56 was near MW-702. In the ERT measurement c
Continuous Resistivity Profiling (CRP) at Callahan Mine Site: May 2017 to July 2018
In May 2017 and July 2018, continuous resistivity profiling (CRP) surveys were collected in Goose Pond at the Callahan Mine site. CRP methods were used to characterize the resistivity of the water column and subbottom layers. For this investigation, 11 electrodes spaced 10 m apart and mounted in a streamer were towed behind the boat. The first two electrodes, closest to the boat, we
2020 drought in New England
Below average and infrequent rainfall from May through September 2020 led to an extreme hydrologic drought across much of New England, with some areas experiencing a flash drought, reflecting its quick onset. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded record-low streamflow and groundwater levels throughout the region. In September, the U.S....
Lombard, Pamela J.; Barclay, Janet R.; McCarthy, Dee-Ann E.
Simulation of groundwater flow in the regional aquifer system on Long Island, New York, for pumping and recharge conditions in 2005–15
A three-dimensional groundwater-flow model was developed for the aquifer system of Long Island, New York, to evaluate (1) responses of the hydrologic system to changes in natural and anthropogenic hydraulic stresses, (2) the subsurface distribution of groundwater age, and (3) the regional-scale distribution of groundwater travel times and the...
Walter, Donald A.; Masterson, John P.; Finkelstein, Jason S.; Monti, Jr., Jack; Misut, Paul E.; Fienen, Michael N.
Considerations for incorporating quality control into water quality sampling strategies for the U.S. Geological Survey
This report describes considerations for incorporating routine quality-assessment and quality-control evaluations into U.S. Geological Survey discrete water-sampling programs and projects. U.S. Geological Survey water-data science in 2020 is characterized by robustness, external reproducibility, collaborative large-volume data analysis, and...
Medalie, Laura
Quality of data from the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network for water years 2013–17
Water samples from 122 sites in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Network were collected in 2013–17 to document ambient water-quality conditions in surface water of the United States and to determine status and trends of loads and concentrations for nutrients, contaminants, and sediment to estuaries and streams. Quality-control (QC...
Medalie, Laura; Bexfield, Laura M.
Meeting the challenge: U.S. Geological Survey North Atlantic and Appalachian Region fiscal year 2020 in review
The utilization, preservation, and conservation of the Nation’s resources requires well-informed management decisions. The North Atlantic and Appalachian Region (NAAR) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supports science-based decision making for Federal, State, and local policymakers to meet the challenges of today and into the future. The...
Estimating flood magnitude and frequency on gaged and ungaged streams in Maine
Accurate estimates of flood frequency and magnitude on rivers and streams in Maine are a key component of effective flood risk management, flood mitigation, and flood recovery programs for the State. Flood-frequency estimates are published here for 148 streamgages in and adjacent to Maine. Equations are provided for users to compute flood-...
Lombard, Pamela J.; Hodgkins, Glenn A.
Estimating flood magnitude and frequency on streams and rivers in Connecticut, based on data through water year 2015
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, updated flood-frequency estimates with 50-, 20-, 10-, 4-, 2-, 1-, 0.5-, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probabilities (2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 200-, and 500-year recurrence intervals, respectively) for 141 streamgages in Connecticut and 11...
Ahearn, Elizabeth A.; Hodgkins, Glenn A.
Distribution of selected hydrogeologic characteristics of the upper glacial and Magothy aquifers, Long Island, New York
The Pleistocene- and Cretaceous-age sediments underlying Long Island, New York, compose an important sole-source aquifer system that is nearly 2,000 feet thick in some areas. Sediment characteristics of importance for water supply include water-transmitting properties—horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity—and the distribution of lignite,...
Walter, Donald A.; Finkelstein, Jason S.
Improved prediction of management-relevant groundwater discharge characteristics throughout river networks
Groundwater discharge zones connect aquifers to surface water, generating baseflow and serving as ecosystem control points across aquatic ecosystems. The influence of groundwater discharge on surface flow connectivity, fate and transport of contaminants and nutrients, and thermal habitat depends strongly on hydrologic characteristics such as the...
Barclay, Janet R.; Starn, J. Jeffrey; Briggs, Martin A.; Helton, Ashley The collection and analysis of Bay of Fundy sediment under contract between the association of US delegates to the Gulf of Maine Council on the marine environment and eastern Charlotte waterways for contaminant monitoring and analysis
This report presents data obtained through the EcoSystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) which was established in 2006 to improve understanding and to inform researchers, managers, and citizens about the status and trends of ecosystem health in the Gulf of Maine (http://www.gulfofmaine.org/2/esip-homepage/). In its efforts to compile information on...
Latimer, James S; Page, David; Elskus, Adria; LeBlanc, Lawrence A; Harding, Gareth; Wells, Peter G
Total water level data from the January and March 2018 nor’easters for coastal areas of New England
During winter 2017–18 coastal areas of New England were impacted by the January 4, and March 2–4, 2018, nor’easters. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under an interagency agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), collected total water level data (the combination of tide, storm surge, wave runup and setup, and freshwater...
Bent, Gardner C.; Taylor, Nicholas J. Pesticides and their degradates in groundwater reflect past use and current management strategies, Long Island, New York, USA
Long Island, New York, has a mix of urban/suburban to agricultural/horticultural land use and nearly 3 million residents that rely on a sole-source aquifer for drinking water. The analysis of shallow groundwater (<40 m below land surface) collected from 54 monitoring wells across Long Island detected 53 pesticides or pesticide degradates....
Fisher, Irene; Phillips, Patrick J.; Bayraktar, Banu; Chen, Shirley; McCarthy, Brendan A.; Sandstrom, Mark W.