Publications
This list of Water Resources Mission Area publications includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists. A searchable database of all USGS publications can be accessed at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 19021
Specific conductance as a tracer of preferential flow in a subsurface-drained field Specific conductance as a tracer of preferential flow in a subsurface-drained field
Specific conductance (SC), soil volumetric water content (VWC), and discharge were monitored on a subsurface agricultural drain for a 2-yr period (2007–2008) to differentiate preferential flow paths from matrix flow paths. A major observation from the 2-yr period was the fast SC decrease after relatively small rainfall events, often
Authors
Erik A. Smith, Paul D. Capel
Surface-water quality in the Lycoming Creek watershed, north-central Pennsylvania, August 1–3, 2011 Surface-water quality in the Lycoming Creek watershed, north-central Pennsylvania, August 1–3, 2011
This report presents the methodology and results for a study of surface-water quality of the Lycoming Creek watershed in north-central Pennsylvania during August 1–3, 2011. The study was done in cooperation with the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Samples of stream water were collected from 31 sites in an area of...
Authors
Dennis W. Risser, Matthew D. Conlon
A method to quantify and value floodplain sediment and nutrient retention ecosystem services A method to quantify and value floodplain sediment and nutrient retention ecosystem services
Floodplains provide critical ecosystem services to local and downstream communities by retaining floodwaters, sediments, and nutrients. The dynamic nature of floodplains is such that these areas can both accumulate sediment and nutrients through deposition, and export material downstream through erosion. Therefore, estimating floodplain sediment and nutrient retention should consider the...
Authors
Kristina G. Hopkins, Gregory E. Noe, Fabiano Franco, Emily Pindilli, Stephanie E. Gordon, Marina J. Metes, Peter R. Claggett, Allen C. Gellis, Cliff R. Hupp, Dianna M. Hogan
Preliminary synthesis and assessment of environmental flows in the middle Verde River watershed, Arizona Preliminary synthesis and assessment of environmental flows in the middle Verde River watershed, Arizona
A 3-year study was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of the available modeling tools for characterizing environmental flows in the middle Verde River watershed of central Arizona, describe riparian vegetation throughout the watershed, and estimate sediment mobilization in the river. Existing data on fish and macroinvertebrates were analyzed in relation to basin characteristics, flow...
Authors
Nicholas V. Paretti, Anne M. D. Brasher, Susanna L. Pearlstein, Dena M. Skow, Bruce Gungle, Bradley D. Garner
Testing a two-scale focused conservation strategy for reducing phosphorus and sediment loads from agricultural watersheds Testing a two-scale focused conservation strategy for reducing phosphorus and sediment loads from agricultural watersheds
This study tested a focused strategy for reducing phosphorus (P) and sediment loads in agricultural streams. The strategy involved selecting small watersheds identified as likely to respond relatively quickly, and then focusing conservation practices on high-contributing fields within those watersheds. Two 5,000 ha (12,360 ac) watersheds in the Driftless Area of south central Wisconsin...
Authors
Rebecca B. Carvin, Laura W. Good, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Curt Diehl, Katherine Songer, Kimberly J. Meyer, John C. Panuska, Steve Richter, Kyle Whalley
Long-term changes in soil and stream chemistry across an acid deposition gradient in the northeastern United States Long-term changes in soil and stream chemistry across an acid deposition gradient in the northeastern United States
Declines in acidic deposition across Europe and North America have led to decreases in surface water acidity and signs of chemical recovery of soils from acidification. To better understand the link between recovery of soils and surface waters, chemical trends in precipitation, soils, and streamwater were investigated in three watersheds representing a depositional gradient from high to...
Authors
Jason Siemion, Michael McHale, Gregory B. Lawrence, Douglas A. Burns, Michael R. Antidormi
Estimates of long-term mean-annual nutrient loads considered for use in SPARROW models of the Midcontinental region of Canada and the United States, 2002 base year Estimates of long-term mean-annual nutrient loads considered for use in SPARROW models of the Midcontinental region of Canada and the United States, 2002 base year
Streamflow and nutrient concentration data needed to compute nitrogen and phosphorus loads were compiled from Federal, State, Provincial, and local agency databases and also from selected university databases. The nitrogen and phosphorus loads are necessary inputs to Spatially Referenced Regressions on Watershed Attributes (SPARROW) models. SPARROW models are a way to estimate the...
Authors
David A. Saad, Glenn A. Benoy, Dale M. Robertson
Hydraulic, water-quality, and temperature performance of three types of permeable pavement under high sediment loading conditions Hydraulic, water-quality, and temperature performance of three types of permeable pavement under high sediment loading conditions
Three permeable pavement surfaces - asphalt (PA), concrete (PC), and interlocking pavers (PIP) - were evaluated side-by-side to measure changes to the infiltrative capacity and water quality of stormwater runoff originating from a conventional asphalt parking lot in Madison, Wisconsin. During the 24-month monitoring period (2014-16), all three permeable pavements resulted in...
Authors
William R. Selbig, Nicolas Buer
Groundwater-quality data from the eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, Jerome and Gooding Counties, south-central Idaho, 2017 Groundwater-quality data from the eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, Jerome and Gooding Counties, south-central Idaho, 2017
Groundwater-quality samples and water-level data were collected from 36 wells in the Jerome/Gooding County area of the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer during June 2017. The wells included 30 wells sampled for the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment project, plus an additional 6 wells were selected to increase spatial distribution. The data provide water managers...
Authors
Kenneth D. Skinner
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2016 annual report U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2016 annual report
This is the ninth annual report highlighting U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science and decision-support activities conducted for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI). The activities address specific management needs identified by WLCI partner agencies. In fiscal year (FY) 2016, there were 26 active USGS WLCI science-based projects. Of these 26 projects, one project was...
Authors
Zachary H. Bowen, Ellen Aikens, Cameron L. Aldridge, Patrick J. Anderson, Timothy J. Assal, Anna D. Chalfoun, Geneva W. Chong, Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Steven L. Garman, Steve Germaine, Collin G. Homer, Aaron N. Johnston, Matthew J. Kauffman, Daniel J. Manier, Cynthia P. Melcher, Kirk A. Miller, Annika W. Walters, Jerrod D. Wheeler, Daniel J. Wieferich, Anna B. Wilson, Teal B. Wyckoff, Linda Zeigenfuss
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis, and Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Species Management Research Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Methods for peak-flow frequency analysis and reporting for streamgages in or near Montana based on data through water year 2015 Methods for peak-flow frequency analysis and reporting for streamgages in or near Montana based on data through water year 2015
This report documents the methods for peak-flow frequency (hereinafter “frequency”) analysis and reporting for streamgages in and near Montana following implementation of the Bulletin 17C guidelines. The methods are used to provide estimates of peak-flow quantiles for 50-, 42.9-, 20-, 10-, 4-, 2-, 1-, 0.5-, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probabilities for selected streamgages operated...
Authors
Steven K. Sando, Peter M. McCarthy
Compilation and analysis of multiple groundwater-quality datasets for Idaho Compilation and analysis of multiple groundwater-quality datasets for Idaho
Groundwater is an important source of drinking and irrigation water throughout Idaho, and groundwater quality is monitored by various Federal, State, and local agencies. The historical, multi-agency records of groundwater quality include a valuable dataset that has yet to be compiled or analyzed on a statewide level. The purpose of this study is to combine groundwater-quality data from...
Authors
Stephen A. Hundt, Candice B. Hopkins