Publications
The following list of California Water Science Center publications includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.
Filter Total Items: 1867
Comparison of ground-water flow model particle-tracking results and isotopic data in the Mojave River ground-water basin, southern California, USA Comparison of ground-water flow model particle-tracking results and isotopic data in the Mojave River ground-water basin, southern California, USA
Flow-path and time-of-travel results for the Mojave River ground-water basin, southern California, calculated using the ground-water flow model MODFLOW and particle-tracking model MODPATH were similar to flow path and time-of-travel interpretations derived from delta-deuterium and carbon-14 data. Model and isotopic data both show short flow paths and young ground-water ages throughout...
Authors
John A. Izbicki, Christina L. Stamos, Tracy Nishikawa, Peter Martin
A review of models and micrometeorological methods used to estimate wetland evapotranspiration A review of models and micrometeorological methods used to estimate wetland evapotranspiration
Within the past decade or so, the accuracy of evapotranspiration (ET) estimates has improved due to new and increasingly sophisticated methods. Yet despite a plethora of choices concerning methods, estimation of wetland ET remains insufficiently characterized due to the complexity of surface characteristics and the diversity of wetland types. In this review, we present models and
Authors
J.Z. Drexler, R.L. Snyder, D. Spano, U.K.T. Paw
Reproductive status of western mosquitofish inhabiting selenium- contaminated waters in the Grassland Water District, Merced County, California Reproductive status of western mosquitofish inhabiting selenium- contaminated waters in the Grassland Water District, Merced County, California
This study was implemented to determine if western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) populations in the Grassland Water District suffer from impaired reproduction because of seleniferous inflows of agricultural drainwater from the Grassland Bypass Project. During June to July 2001, laboratory trials with pregnant female fish collected from two seleniferous treatment sites exposed to...
Authors
M. K. Saiki, B.A. Martin, T.W. May
Estimating accumulation rates and physical properties of sediment behind a dam: Englebright Lake, Yuba River, northern California Estimating accumulation rates and physical properties of sediment behind a dam: Englebright Lake, Yuba River, northern California
Studies of reservoir sedimentation are vital to understanding scientific and management issues related to watershed sediment budgets, depositional processes, reservoir operations, and dam decommissioning. Here we quantify the mass, organic content, and grain-size distribution of a reservoir deposit in northern California by two methods of extrapolating measurements of sediment physical...
Authors
Noah P. Snyder, David M. Rubin, Charles N. Alpers, Jonathan R. Childs, Jennifer A. Curtis, Lorraine E. Flint, Scott Wright
A project summary: Water and energy budget assessment for a non-tidal wetland in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta A project summary: Water and energy budget assessment for a non-tidal wetland in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta
The methods used to obtain universal cover coefficient (Kc) values for a non-tidal restored wetland in the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta, US, during the summer of the year 2002 and to investigate possible differences during changing wind patterns are described. A micrometeorological tower over the wetland was established to quantify actual evapotranspiration (ETa) rates and surface...
Authors
Frank E. Anderson, R.L. Snyder, U.K.T. Paw, Judith Z. Drexler
Potential exposure of larval and juvenile delta smelt to dissolved pesticides in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California Potential exposure of larval and juvenile delta smelt to dissolved pesticides in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California
The San Francisco Estuary is critical habitat for delta smelt Hypomesus transpacificus, a fish whose abundance has declined greatly since 1983 and is now listed as threatened. In addition, the estuary receives drainage from the Central Valley, an urban and agricultural region with intense and diverse pesticide usage. One possible factor of the delta smelt population decline is pesticide...
Authors
K.M. Kuivila, G.E. Moon
Assessing the risk of Loveland Dam operations to the arroyo toad (Bufo californicus) in the Sweetwater River Channel, San Diego County, California Assessing the risk of Loveland Dam operations to the arroyo toad (Bufo californicus) in the Sweetwater River Channel, San Diego County, California
No abstract available.
Authors
M. C. Madden-Smith, A.J. Atkinson, Robert N. Fisher, W.R. Danskin, Gregory O. Mendez
Changes in streamflow timing in the western United States during recent decades Changes in streamflow timing in the western United States during recent decades
No abstract available.
Authors
Michael D. Dettinger
Chromium geochemistry of serpentinous sediment in the Willow core, Santa Clara County, California Chromium geochemistry of serpentinous sediment in the Willow core, Santa Clara County, California
A preliminary investigation of Cr geochemistry in serpentinous sediment completed for a multiple-aquifer ground-water monitoring well (Willow core of Santa Clara County, CA) determined sediment at depths >225 meters contains Cr concentrations ranging from 195 to 1155 mg/kg. Serpentinous sediment from this site is a potential source of non-anthropogenic Cr contamination. Chromium-bearing...
Authors
Christopher J. Oze, Matthew J. LaForce, Carl M. Wentworth, Randall T. Hanson, Dennis K. Bird, Robert G. Coleman
A micrometeorological investigation of a restored California wetland ecosystem A micrometeorological investigation of a restored California wetland ecosystem
No abstract available.
Authors
Frank Anderson, Richard L. Snyder, Robin L. Miller, Judith Z. Drexler
Channel response to tectonic forcing: field analysis of stream morphology and hydrology in the Mendocino triple junction region, northern California Channel response to tectonic forcing: field analysis of stream morphology and hydrology in the Mendocino triple junction region, northern California
An empirical calibration of the shear stress model for bedrock incision is presented, using field and hydrologic data from a series of small, coastal drainage basins near the Mendocino triple junction in northern California. Previous work comparing basins from the high uplift zone (HUZ, uplift rates around 4 mm/year) to ones in the low uplift zone (LUZ, ∼0.5 mm/year) indicates that the...
Authors
Noah P. Snyder, Kelin X. Whipple, Gregory E. Tucker, D.J. Merritts
Comparison of salinity and temperature at continuous monitoring stations and nearby monthly measurement sites in San Francisco Bay Comparison of salinity and temperature at continuous monitoring stations and nearby monthly measurement sites in San Francisco Bay
Salinity and temperature are crucial state variables affecting estuarine habitat an d, thus, are measured by various San Francisco Estuary programs. This article presents a comparison of salinity and temperature data collected at seven continuo us monitoring stations throughout San Francisco Bay (Figure 1) with data collected monthly by the US Geological Survey (USGS) research vessel (...
Authors
L.G. Bergfeld, D. H. Schoellhamer