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Water Quality Monitoring

The USGS California Water Science Center maintains a network of continuous water-quality monitors across the state which provide near-real-time water-quality data. Continuous water-quality monitors are typically installed at or near existing USGS stream gages or wells. Parameters that are monitored at continuous water-quality sites include water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate, chlorophyll, cyanobacteria, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, and pH.

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Modeling in support of development of biocriteria for wadeable California streams and rivers

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) of California has initiated a process to develop biological objectives for wadeable freshwater streams and rivers for the entire state.
Modeling in support of development of biocriteria for wadeable California streams and rivers

Modeling in support of development of biocriteria for wadeable California streams and rivers

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) of California has initiated a process to develop biological objectives for wadeable freshwater streams and rivers for the entire state.
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San Antonio Creek Water Availability

Located in Santa Barbara County, California, the San Antonio Creek Groundwater Basin is a rural agricultural area that is reliant on local water supplies, predominantly groundwater. Because of the growth of irrigated agriculture in the area, water demands have increased significantly, taxing local groundwater supplies. Groundwater resources are also used to supply local inhabitants, as well as...
San Antonio Creek Water Availability

San Antonio Creek Water Availability

Located in Santa Barbara County, California, the San Antonio Creek Groundwater Basin is a rural agricultural area that is reliant on local water supplies, predominantly groundwater. Because of the growth of irrigated agriculture in the area, water demands have increased significantly, taxing local groundwater supplies. Groundwater resources are also used to supply local inhabitants, as well as...
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Sources of Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Nutrients to Malibu Lagoon and Near-Shore Ocean Water, Malibu, California

Malibu Lagoon and near-shore ocean water in Malibu, Calif. have concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) that occasionally exceed public health standards for recreational water.
Sources of Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Nutrients to Malibu Lagoon and Near-Shore Ocean Water, Malibu, California

Sources of Fecal Indicator Bacteria and Nutrients to Malibu Lagoon and Near-Shore Ocean Water, Malibu, California

Malibu Lagoon and near-shore ocean water in Malibu, Calif. have concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) that occasionally exceed public health standards for recreational water.
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Exploring: Reservoir Capacity And Sedimentation Of The Fena Valley Reservoir Guam

The Fena Valley Reservoir, located in southern Guam, is the primary source of water for the United States Naval Base Guam and nearby village residents. At full capacity, the reservoir surface area extends approximately 0.30 mi 2, and drains a watershed area of about 5.88 mi 2. After reservoir construction, periodic bathymetric surveys, coupled with sedimentation models, can be used to produce...
Exploring: Reservoir Capacity And Sedimentation Of The Fena Valley Reservoir Guam

Exploring: Reservoir Capacity And Sedimentation Of The Fena Valley Reservoir Guam

The Fena Valley Reservoir, located in southern Guam, is the primary source of water for the United States Naval Base Guam and nearby village residents. At full capacity, the reservoir surface area extends approximately 0.30 mi 2, and drains a watershed area of about 5.88 mi 2. After reservoir construction, periodic bathymetric surveys, coupled with sedimentation models, can be used to produce...
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Pyrethroids

Pyrethroid insecticide use in California has been increasing in recent years. Pyrethroids are used in both agricultural and urban areas. They are of environmental concern because of their high toxicity to fish and invertebrates.
Pyrethroids

Pyrethroids

Pyrethroid insecticide use in California has been increasing in recent years. Pyrethroids are used in both agricultural and urban areas. They are of environmental concern because of their high toxicity to fish and invertebrates.
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Sedimentation in the Lower Laguna-Mark West Drainage

The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and the San Francisco District office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CORPS) have identified issues associated with sedimentation in the lower Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek in Sonoma County. Human activities in the watershed over the last 200 years have accelerated erosion and sediment delivery to the Laguna reducing the water storage capacity...
Sedimentation in the Lower Laguna-Mark West Drainage

Sedimentation in the Lower Laguna-Mark West Drainage

The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and the San Francisco District office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CORPS) have identified issues associated with sedimentation in the lower Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek in Sonoma County. Human activities in the watershed over the last 200 years have accelerated erosion and sediment delivery to the Laguna reducing the water storage capacity...
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Methylmercury and Low Dissolved Oxygen Events in Suisun Marsh

The primary purpose of the USGS portion of this proposed study is to evaluate if spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods are useful for identifying organic sources of oxygen demand by analyzing water-quality samples (DO, BOD, Chl, SSC, Salinity, THg, MeHg) collected by other agencies and project participants. Sources to be evaluated include algal production, vegetation, soils, and...
Methylmercury and Low Dissolved Oxygen Events in Suisun Marsh

Methylmercury and Low Dissolved Oxygen Events in Suisun Marsh

The primary purpose of the USGS portion of this proposed study is to evaluate if spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods are useful for identifying organic sources of oxygen demand by analyzing water-quality samples (DO, BOD, Chl, SSC, Salinity, THg, MeHg) collected by other agencies and project participants. Sources to be evaluated include algal production, vegetation, soils, and...
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Assessment of environmental impacts of mercury treatability test using suction dredging, South Yuba River

The goals of the BLM suction dredging treatability study are to (1) assess the effectiveness of suction dredging in removing mercury from the environment and (2) assess potential impacts of suction dredging with regard to discharging mercury-contaminated suspended sediment to the aquatic environment.
Assessment of environmental impacts of mercury treatability test using suction dredging, South Yuba River

Assessment of environmental impacts of mercury treatability test using suction dredging, South Yuba River

The goals of the BLM suction dredging treatability study are to (1) assess the effectiveness of suction dredging in removing mercury from the environment and (2) assess potential impacts of suction dredging with regard to discharging mercury-contaminated suspended sediment to the aquatic environment.
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Ecosystem Engineers: Impacts of Invasive Aquatic Vegetation on the Delta’s Critical Ecosystems

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) is home to a diverse community of plants and animals and is the hub of California’s freshwater delivery system. The Delta supplies water for over 25 million Californians and supports millions of acres of farming, commercial and sport fishing, shipping and ports, and recreational boating.
Ecosystem Engineers: Impacts of Invasive Aquatic Vegetation on the Delta’s Critical Ecosystems

Ecosystem Engineers: Impacts of Invasive Aquatic Vegetation on the Delta’s Critical Ecosystems

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) is home to a diverse community of plants and animals and is the hub of California’s freshwater delivery system. The Delta supplies water for over 25 million Californians and supports millions of acres of farming, commercial and sport fishing, shipping and ports, and recreational boating.
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Mercury and Dissolved Organic Matter in Delta Wetlands

Between 1860 and 1914, hydraulic mining activities sent more than 800,000,000 cubic yards of mercury-laden sediment into the Delta altering the landscape, water flows, and contributing to the leveeing and reclamation of the Delta's marshes. Transport of mercury from historic mining areas continues today. The sedimentary supply of mercury to the Delta and in Delta sediments (cinnabar, metacinnabar...
Mercury and Dissolved Organic Matter in Delta Wetlands

Mercury and Dissolved Organic Matter in Delta Wetlands

Between 1860 and 1914, hydraulic mining activities sent more than 800,000,000 cubic yards of mercury-laden sediment into the Delta altering the landscape, water flows, and contributing to the leveeing and reclamation of the Delta's marshes. Transport of mercury from historic mining areas continues today. The sedimentary supply of mercury to the Delta and in Delta sediments (cinnabar, metacinnabar...
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Sources of Disinfection Byproduct-forming Material in the State Water Project

Water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta contains high concentrations of disinfection byproduct-forming (DBP-forming) materials when treated for potable use. DBPs form when dissolved organic compounds (DOC) in water react with disinfectants such as chlorine and ozone during the water-treatment process. The amount of DBPs that form is a function of the amount and source of the DOC, both of which...
Sources of Disinfection Byproduct-forming Material in the State Water Project

Sources of Disinfection Byproduct-forming Material in the State Water Project

Water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta contains high concentrations of disinfection byproduct-forming (DBP-forming) materials when treated for potable use. DBPs form when dissolved organic compounds (DOC) in water react with disinfectants such as chlorine and ozone during the water-treatment process. The amount of DBPs that form is a function of the amount and source of the DOC, both of which...
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Geohydrologic Study of the Central and West Coast Basins of Los Angeles County

Using the new information, along with the recently acquired seismic reflection data, USGS scientists and co-workers have been able to develop a much more detailed understanding of the stratigraphy and structure of the Central and West Coast Basins.
Geohydrologic Study of the Central and West Coast Basins of Los Angeles County

Geohydrologic Study of the Central and West Coast Basins of Los Angeles County

Using the new information, along with the recently acquired seismic reflection data, USGS scientists and co-workers have been able to develop a much more detailed understanding of the stratigraphy and structure of the Central and West Coast Basins.
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