Water Quality

Objectives of the program are to (1) evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of chloride concentrations in the aquifers, (2) evaluate the factors that affect the spatial and temporal distributions of chloride, and (3) assess the potential for upcoming or lateral intrusion of saline water in the aquifers.

Groundwater is a heavily used source of water in the Virginia Coastal Plain. Long term and widespread groundwater withdrawals have resulted in regional water-level declines, and created the potential for saltwater intrusion. Sound management of this vital resource relies on continual improvement of the scientific understanding of the aquifer system.

The objective of the South River Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study is to develop a better understanding of methyl mercury cycling in the South River and calculate mercury loading reductions that would protect fish from high mercury concentrations.

This project: (1) initiates a continuous water-quality monitoring study for the Roanoke River in the area upstream and downstream of the RRFRP project area; (2) provides a mechanism for detecting short- and long-term changes in Roanoke River suspended sediment water quality during and after the RRFRP implementation; and (3) assesses trends in suspended sediment water quality in this section of the...

The primary objective of the USGS monitoring effort will be to identify whether the construction of the Indian Creek pipeline crossings will adversely impact the sediment water quality in Indian Creek. To accomplish this goal, continuous real-time water-quality monitoring will be the primary focus of the effort.

The non-carbonate aquifer system is present over an extensive region of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and is increasingly being relied upon to supply water to local communities. This is an area with an expanding economy and a growing population, and, to meet future water needs, this aquifer is likely to be developed to supplement current withdrawals from both the carbonate aquifer system and...

The objective of this study is to better characterize the aquifer systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and provide relevant hydrogeologic information that can be used to guide the development and management of these water resources in Clarke County.

The objective of this study is to provide concentrations and estimates of loads and trends of suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other selected constituents at the James, Rappahannock, Appomattox, Pamunkey, and Mattaponi Rivers.

The USGS is collaborating with the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) to incorporate the USGS Potomac Watershed and Chesapeake Bay Virginia Watershed models into Phase 5 of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model (CBWM).

The objective of this study is to better characterize the carbonate aquifer system in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and provide relevant hydrogeologic information that can be used to guide the development and management of this important water resource.