Publications
Impartial scientific information
Interpretive journal articles from Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center scientists.
Interpretive journal articles from Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center scientists.
Publications are crucial for the dissemination of the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center's scientific data and conclusions. View journal articles authored by our Center's scientists here. The full, searchable catalog of USGS publications can be accessed through the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 288
Water-quality and amphibian population data for Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, 2001-2004 Water-quality and amphibian population data for Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, 2001-2004
Data on the chemical composition of water and on amphibian populations were collected at least annually from vernal pool and stream sites in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, from 2001 through 2004. The data were collected as part of long-term monitoring projects of the Northeast Region of the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) of the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Karen C. Rice, Robin E. Jung
Enhancing fecal coliform total maximum daily load models through bacterial source tracking Enhancing fecal coliform total maximum daily load models through bacterial source tracking
Surface water impairment by fecal coliform bacteria is a water quality issue of national scope and importance. In Virginia, more than 400 stream and river segments are on the Commonwealth's 2002 303(d) list because of fecal coliform impairment. Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) will be developed for most of these listed streams and rivers. Information regarding the major fecal coliform...
Authors
K.E. Hyer, D. L. Moyer
Are brook trout streams in Western Virginia and Shenandoah National Park recovering from acidification? Are brook trout streams in Western Virginia and Shenandoah National Park recovering from acidification?
Streamwater composition data obtained through periodic sampling of streams that support brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the mountains of western Virginia were examined for evidence of recovery from acidification during the 1988−2001 period. Measurements of sulfate deposition in precipitation indicate that sulfate deposition in the region declined approximately 40% between 1985 and...
Authors
James R. Webb, Bernard J. Cosby, Frank A. Deviney, James N. Galloway, Suzanne W. Maben, Arthur J. Bulger
Interpretation of concentration‐discharge patterns in acid‐neutralizing capacity during storm flow in three small, forested catchments in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Interpretation of concentration‐discharge patterns in acid‐neutralizing capacity during storm flow in three small, forested catchments in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Episodic concentration‐discharge (c‐Q) plots are a popular tool for interpreting the hydrochemical response of small, forested catchments. Application of the method involves assuming an underlying conceptual model of runoff processes and comparing observed c‐Q looping patterns with those predicted by the model. We analyzed and interpreted c‐Q plots of acid‐neutralizing capacity (ANC) for...
Authors
Karen C. Rice, Jeffrey G. Chanat, George M. Hornberger, James R. Webb
Water resources management plan, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia Water resources management plan, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia
Richmond National Battlefield Park (Richmond NBP) consists of 1,366 acres in 11 geographically separate units that are located primarily east, northeast, and southeast of the city of Richmond, Virginia. This Water Resources Management Plan addresses nine of the units: Beaver Dam Creek, Chickahominy Bluff, Cold Harbor (including the Garthright House), Drewry’s Bluff, Fort Harrison, Gaines...
Authors
Karen C. Rice, Roger M. Moberg, Kristen G. Allen, David Vana-Miller
Reply to comment on “Anthropogenic sources of arsenic and copper to sediments in a suburban lake, northern Virginia" Reply to comment on “Anthropogenic sources of arsenic and copper to sediments in a suburban lake, northern Virginia"
Saxe and Beck (1) raise two groups of questions regarding the mass-balance approach in our paper. (i) Only some of the data and calculations used for the mass balance were provided; the apparent number of samples collected is not sufficient to support a reliable mass balance; measurements were not made on all tributaries.
Authors
Karen C. Rice, Kathryn M. Conko, George M. Hornberger
Conceptual hydrogeologic framework of the shallow aquifer system at Virginia Beach, Virginia Conceptual hydrogeologic framework of the shallow aquifer system at Virginia Beach, Virginia
The hydrogeologic framework of the shallow aquifer system at Virginia Beach was revised to provide a better understanding of the distribution of fresh ground water, its potential use, and its susceptibility to contamination. The revised conceptual framework is based primarily on analyses of continuous cores and downhole geophysical logs collected at 7 sites to depths of approximately 200...
Authors
Barry S. Smith, George E. Harlow
Level I water-quality inventory and monitoring, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia Level I water-quality inventory and monitoring, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a Level I Water-Quality Inventory and Monitoring (WAQIM) data-collection effort for Richmond National Battlefield Park (Richmond NBP) from August 2001 through April 2002. The primary objective of the WAQIM program was to provide the National Park Service (NPS) and Richmond NBP with at least a nominal inventory of its natural resources and to provide...
Authors
Roger M. Moberg, Karen C. Rice
Anthropogenic sources of arsenic and copper to sediments in a suburban lake, Northern Virginia Anthropogenic sources of arsenic and copper to sediments in a suburban lake, Northern Virginia
Mass balances of total arsenic and copper for a suburban lake in densely populated northern Virginia were calculated using data collected during 1998. Mass-balance terms were precipitation; stream inflow, including road runoff; stream outflow; and contributions from leaching of pressure-treated lumber. More mass of arsenic and copper was input to the lake than was output; the 1998 lake...
Authors
Karen C. Rice, Kathryn M. Conko, George M. Hornberger
Consistency of patterns in concentration‐discharge plots Consistency of patterns in concentration‐discharge plots
Concentration‐discharge (c‐Q) plots have been used to infer how flow components such as event water, soil water, and groundwater mix to produce the observed episodic hydrochemical response of small catchments. Because c‐Q plots are based only on observed streamflow and solute concentration, their interpretation requires assumptions about the relative volume, hydrograph timing, and solute
Authors
Jeffrey G. Chanat, Karen C. Rice, George M. Hornberger
Measuring streamflow in Virginia (2002 revision) Measuring streamflow in Virginia (2002 revision)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Department of the Interior, is the Nation's largest Earth-science information agency. Among its many responsibilities, such as map making and providing information on earthquakes and other natural hazards, the USGS provides information on the Nation's water resources. The USGS has collected and analyzed hydrologic (water-related) information for...
Authors
Roger M. Moberg, Karen C. Rice, Eugene D. Powell