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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: 1856

Organochlorine chemical residues in bluegills and common carp from the irrigated San Joaquin Valley floor, California Organochlorine chemical residues in bluegills and common carp from the irrigated San Joaquin Valley floor, California

Samples of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) collected from the San Joaquin River and two tributaries (Merced River and Salt Slough) in California were analyzed for 21 organochlorine chemical residues by gas chromatography to determine if pesticide contamination was confined to downstream sites exposed to irrigated agriculture, or if nonirrigated upstream...
Authors
Michael K. Saiki, Christopher J. Schmitt

Calculation of solar radiation in mountainous terrain Calculation of solar radiation in mountainous terrain

A study was performed to assess the accuracy of a daily solar radiation model for horizontal or sloping sites in terrain where surrounding ridges and tall trees block both direct beam and diffuse sky short wave radiation. To simulate adequately the major effects of these environments on radiation, the model incorporated (1) standard treatment of solar geometry (after Harris, 1983); (2)...
Authors
Alan L. Flint, S.W. Childs

Determination of the components of stormflow using water chemistry and environmental isotopes, Mattole River basin, California Determination of the components of stormflow using water chemistry and environmental isotopes, Mattole River basin, California

The chemical and isotopic composition of rainfall and stream water was monitored during a storm in the Mattole River basin of northwestern California. About 250 mm of rain fell during 6 days (∼80% within a 42 h period) in late January, 1972, following 24 days of little or no precipitation. River discharge near Petrolia increased from 22 m3 s−1 to a maximum of 1300 m3s−1 while chloride...
Authors
V. C. Kennedy, Cynthia R. Adams, Gary W. Zellweger, Theodore A. Wyerman, R.J. Avanzino

Comparison of four artificial substrates and the Ponar grab for benthic invertebrate collection Comparison of four artificial substrates and the Ponar grab for benthic invertebrate collection

Four different bottom‐placed artificial substrates were compared with the Ponar grab for collecting benthic invertebrates. Artificial substrate samples of organisms were larger and more diverse than those of the grab. Barbeque Basket samplers caught the most taxa and individuals and Beak Trays caught the least. Chironomids and crustaceans were dominant in artificial substrate samples...
Authors
Keith V. Slack, Rodger F. Ferreira, Robert C. Averett

A fan dam for Tulare Lake, California, and implications for the Wisconsin glacial history of the Sierra Nevada A fan dam for Tulare Lake, California, and implications for the Wisconsin glacial history of the Sierra Nevada

Historic fluctuations and late Quaternary deposits of Tulare Lake, in the southern San Joaquin Valley, indicate that maximum lake size has depended chiefly on the height of a frequently overtopped spillway. This dependence gives Tulare Lake a double record of paleoclimate. Climate in the Tulare Lake region has influenced the degree to which the lake fills its basin during dry seasons and...
Authors
B.F. Atwater

Snow chemistry of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains Snow chemistry of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains

This investigation assesses geographic variations in atmospheric deposition in Washington, Oregon, and California using snow cores from the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains, collected from late February to mid-March 1983. A statistical analysis of the analytical and sampling precision was made. The snowpack in the higher Cascades and Sierra Nevada is not strongly influenced by...
Authors
L.B. Laird, Howard E. Taylor, V. C. Kennedy

Embryonic mortality and abnormalities of aquatic birds: Apparent impacts of selenium from irrigation drainwater Embryonic mortality and abnormalities of aquatic birds: Apparent impacts of selenium from irrigation drainwater

Severe reproductive impacts were found in aquatic birds nesting on irrigation drainwater ponds in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Of 347 nests studied to late incubation or to hatching, 40.6% had at least one dead embryo and 19.6% had at least one embryo or chick with an obvious external anomaly. The deformities were often multiple and included missing or abnormal eyes, beaks...
Authors
H. M. Ohlendorf, D. J. Hoffman, M. K. Saiki, Thomas W. Aldrich

Biomass and productivity of three phytoplankton size classes in San Francisco Bay Biomass and productivity of three phytoplankton size classes in San Francisco Bay

The 5-22 mu m size accounted for 40-50% of annual production in each embayment, but production by phytoplanton >22 mu m ranged from 26% in the S reach to 54% of total phytoplankton production in the landward embayment of the N reach. A productivity index is derived that predicts daily productivity for each size class as a function of ambient irradiance and integrated chlorophyll a in the...
Authors
B.E. Cole, J. E. Cloern, A.E. Alpine

The modification of an estuary The modification of an estuary

The San Francisco Bay estuary has been rapidly modified by human activity. Diking and filling of most of its wetlands have eliminated habitats for fish and waterfowl; the introduction of exotic species has transformed the composition of its aquatic communities; reduction of freshwater inflow by more than half has changed the dynamics of its plant and animal communities; and wastes have
Authors
F.H. Nichols, James E. Cloern, Samuel N. Luoma, D. H. Peterson

Ground water in the Long Meadow area and its relation with that in the General Sherman Tree area, Sequoia National Park, California Ground water in the Long Meadow area and its relation with that in the General Sherman Tree area, Sequoia National Park, California

Westward movement of ground water from the Long Meadow area of Sequoia National Park, California, to the General Sherman Tree area is prevented by an eastward hydraulic gradient and low fracture permeability of a granodiorite ridge separating the two areas. Clay beds present in the alluvium in the Long Meadow area would hinder, but not preclude, recharge to the ground-water system...
Authors
J. P. Akers

Isolation and detection of Giardia cysts from water using direct immunofluorescence Isolation and detection of Giardia cysts from water using direct immunofluorescence

A water‐sampling apparatus used for the isolation and detection of Giardiacysts in water has been designed and tested. The sampling apparatus uses one of a variety of pumps or waterline pressure to move water through a filter. Two of the optional pumps are lightweight enough to make the apparatus portable and thus suitable for sampling in remote areas. This technique of sample processing...
Authors
Stephen K. Sorenson, John L. Riggs, Peter D. Dileanis, Thomas J. Suk

Geohydrology and potential for artificial recharge in the western part of the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, California, 1982-83 Geohydrology and potential for artificial recharge in the western part of the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, California, 1982-83

A recent gravity survey indicates that sedimentary deposits in the Deadman Lake area of the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base, California, are as much as 10,500 feet thick. These deposits fill an ancient valley in the bedrock complex. This valley is alined east-west in the Surprise Spring area and north-south in the Deadman Lake area. Water levels in the Ames Dry Lake area of the...
Authors
J. P. Akers
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