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Publications

Publications are the cornerstone of the Pennsylvania Water Science Center’s dissemination of scientific data and conclusions. 

Filter Total Items: 937

Temperature of ground water at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1979- 1981

Anthropogenic heat production has undoubtedly caused increased ground-water temperatures in many parts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as shown by temperatures of 98 samples and logs of 40 wells measured during 1979-81. Most sample temperatures were higher than 12.6 degrees Celsius (the local mean annual air temperature), and many logs depict cooling trends with depth (anomalous gradients). Heating
Authors
Gary N. Paulachok

Estimating iron and aluminum content of acid mine discharge from a north-central Pennsylvania coal field by use of acidity titration curves

Determination of acidity provides a value that denotes the quantitative capacity of the sample water to neutralize a strong base to a particular pH. However, much additional information can be obtained from this determination if a titration curve is constructed from recorded data of titrant increments and their corresponding pH values. The curve can be used to identify buffer capabilities, the aci
Authors
A.N. Ott

Areal and temporal variability of selected water-quality characteristics in two hydrologic-benchmark basins in the northeastern United States

Two U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrologic Benchmark stations--Young Womans Creek near Renovo, Pennsylvania and Esopus Creek at Shandaken, New York--were studied to (1) define, both areally and temporally, variations of stream acidity and other water quality characteristics within the basins; (2) evaluate how well the data collected at the Benchmark station represent the water quality conditio
Authors
R. A. Hainly, J.R. Ritter

Results of a preimpoundment water-quality study of Swatara Creek, Pennsylvania

The water quality of Swatara Creek prior to impoundment by the proposed Swatara Creek Reservoir in south-central Pennsylvania was studied from July 1981 through October 1982. The report, done in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (PaDER), Bureau of State Parks, presents information on existing water-quality conditions. A discussion of possible water-quality con
Authors
David K. Fishel, J.E. Richardson

Occurrence of nitrate and herbicides in ground water in the upper Conestoga River basin, Pennsylvania : water-quality study of the Conestoga River headwaters, Pennsylvania

Nitrate-nitrogen and herbicide ground-water data is being collected by the u.s. Geological Survey as part of the nationwide Rural Clean Water Program designed to determine the effects of agricultural-management practices on water quality. Data collected from September 1982 to October 1983 · in the 188-square mile intensively farmed upper Conestoga River basin indicates high nitrate and detectable
Authors
David K. Fishel, Patricia L. Lietman

Statistical analyses of flood frequency, low-flow frequency, and flow duration of streams in the Philadelphia Area, Pennsylvania

Flood frequency, low-flow frequency, and flow-duration characteristics were computed for 26 stream-gaging stations in and near Philadelphia. Data were obtained from 21 continuous-recording stations and five stations that were initially continuous-recording stations, but which were subsequently converted to crest-stage stations. The annual peak flows were fitted to the three-parameter log-Pearson T
Authors
Andrew Voytik

Temporal changes in sulfate, chloride, and sodium concentrations in four eastern Pennsylvania streams

Trend analyses of 20 years or more of chemical quality and streamflow data for four streams in eastern Pennsylvania indicate that sulfate has decreased significantly in three of the four basins studied, while sodium and chloride have generally increased. The majority of chemical quality changes occurred in the late 1950 's and early 1960 's coincident with significant cultural changes. It is belie
Authors
J. L. Barker

National water summary 1985: Hydrologic events and surface-water resources

The surface-water resources of the United States, the focal point for this National Water Summary, are extensively developed and managed to provide water supplies, hydroelectric power, navigation, recreational opportunities, and sufficient instream flows to maintain fish and wildlife habitats and adequate water quality. Surface water represents 77 percent of the Nation's total freshwater withdrawa

Techniques for estimating streamflow characteristics in the Eastern and Interior coal provinces of the United States

Techniques are presented for estimating various streamflow characteristics, such as peak flows, mean monthly and annual flows, flow durations, and flow volumes, at ungaged sites on unregulated streams in the Eastern Coal region. Streamflow data and basin characteristics for 629 gaging stations were used to develop multiple-linear-regression equations. Separate equations were developed for the East
Authors
Kim L. Wetzel, J.M. Bettandorff

Ground-water recharge and its effects on nitrate concentration beneath a manured field site in Pennsylvania

Ground-water recharge to a shallow, unconfined, fractured dolomite aquifer underlying agricultural land in Lancaster County, Pennyslvania occurs by two mechanisms. Direct recharge occurs through pathways such as near-surface bedrock fractures and sinkholes, and affects dissolved nitrate concentration of ground water within two to three days; its effects last only about one week. Gradual recharge o
Authors
J. M. Gerhart