Streamflow, Groundwater, and Lakes

Borehole flowmeters with the capability to measure groundwater velocity and direction of flow are tested and applied to various hydrogeologic settings.

Water-well drillers’ records are used to create maps and grids of hydrogeologic properties for the glaciated United States.

Historically, streams with drainage areas less than 100 square miles have not been adequately represented in regional peak flow analysis. To help fill this data gap, crest-stage gages were installed in 2001 at 18 sites throughout Ohio in order to augment the peak flow record for small streams (less than 100 square miles). After enough peak flow data have been collected at these sites, an updated...

The Lake Erie and Lake Saint Clair (LERI) Basins in Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania comprise one of more than 50 study units that are part of the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. The long-term goals of the NAWQA program are to describe the water-quality status and trends in a large representative part of the Nation's surface-water and groundwater...

Residents of Geauga County rely almost exclusively on groundwater as their source of drinking water. County planners are concerned that steady population growth and associated increased withdrawals of groundwater may cause a decline in groundwater levels. Declining groundwater levels indicate a decrease in the amount of groundwater that is available for human use and to maintain streamflow during...

The City of Columbus operates 5 high-capacity collector wells to extract groundwater for drinking-water supply. To assist the City, the USGS monitors water levels in 5 observation wells and operates a water-quality monitor on the Scioto River where specific conductance, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity are measured on an hourly basis. In addition, groundwater-level synoptic...

The USGS Indiana Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, have developed a quality assured volunteer groundwater data collection system to enhance the existing groundwater-level network for the state and provide usable data to the public. Individuals interested in providing data to the Indiana Volunteer groundwater monitoring network can find more...

Do you recall the drought of 2012? Precipitation deficits during July 2012 were widespread. Morse Reservoir was a prominent sight that was highly visible in the news. Photos showed million dollar mansions with boats stranded on the lakebed. This drought took many by surprise, however, there were hydrologic signs during 2011. Events like this (and California) have brought some welcome attention to...

Discrete groundwater measurements are made at 159 wells located in Lake, Hamilton, and St. Joseph Counties.

Hydrogeologic reconnaissance, well inventory, and site-specific aquifer test data are needed in order for managersto assess whether use of stormwater injection wells is technically or economically feasible for Class V undergroundinjection, file necessary permit applications, and begin the process of developing the necessary engineering designspecifications. Sanitation District No 1 requested that...

Scientists will be collecting field water-quality parameters and samples for laboratory analysis of nutrients, silica, and suspended sediment at the USGS Ohio River at Ironton, OH gaging station and the Green River at Spottsville, KY gaging station on a monthly basis. Stable isotope water samples also will be collected at the Green River site. The Ohio River at Ironton, OH site will serve, along...

What is the groundwater contribution to nitrates in surface water? That's the question we are trying to answer by looking at surface-water and groundwater interaction and the role each play in the movement of nitrates. We have added additional monitoring equipment to the USGS super gage Kankakee River at Davis, IN, which will allow us to calculate the nitrate load in groundwater using flow...