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: 19054
Use of hydrologic and hydrodynamic modeling for ecosystem restoration Use of hydrologic and hydrodynamic modeling for ecosystem restoration
Planning and implementation of unprecedented projects for restoring the greater Everglades ecosystem are underway and the hydrologic and hydrodynamic modeling of restoration alternatives has become essential for success of restoration efforts. In view of the complex nature of the South Florida water resources system, regional-scale (system-wide) hydrologic models have been developed and...
Authors
J. Obeysekera, L. Kuebler, S. Ahmed, M.-L. Chang, V. Engel, Christian D. Langevin, Eric D. Swain, Y. Wan
Flow structures and sandbar dynamics in a canyon river during a controlled flood, Colorado River, Arizona Flow structures and sandbar dynamics in a canyon river during a controlled flood, Colorado River, Arizona
In canyon rivers, debris fan constrictions create rapids and downstream pools characterized by secondary flow structures that are closely linked to channel morphology. In this paper we describe detailed measurements of the three‐dimensional flow structure and sandbar dynamics of two pools along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon during a controlled flood release from Glen Canyon Dam...
Authors
Scott Wright, M. Kaplinski
Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells Effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements at water-supply wells
The effects of human-induced alteration of groundwater flow patterns on concentrations of naturally-occurring trace elements were examined in five hydrologically distinct aquifer systems in the USA. Although naturally occurring, these trace elements can exceed concentrations that are considered harmful to human health. The results show that pumping-induced hydraulic gradient changes and...
Authors
J. D. Ayotte, Z. Szabo, M. J. Focazio, S. M. Eberts
Inversion of multi-frequency electromagnetic induction data for 3D characterization of hydraulic conductivity Inversion of multi-frequency electromagnetic induction data for 3D characterization of hydraulic conductivity
Electromagnetic induction (EMI) instruments provide rapid, noninvasive, and spatially dense data for characterization of soil and groundwater properties. Data from multi-frequency EMI tools can be inverted to provide quantitative electrical conductivity estimates as a function of depth. In this study, multi-frequency EMI data collected across an abandoned uranium mill site near Naturita...
Authors
Troy R. Brosten, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, Gregory M. Schultz, Gary P. Curtis, John W. Lane
High-resolution three-dimensional imaging and analysis of rock falls in Yosemite valley, California High-resolution three-dimensional imaging and analysis of rock falls in Yosemite valley, California
We present quantitative analyses of recent large rock falls in Yosemite Valley, California, using integrated high-resolution imaging techniques. Rock falls commonly occur from the glacially sculpted granitic walls of Yosemite Valley, modifying this iconic landscape but also posing significant potential hazards and risks. Two large rock falls occurred from the cliff beneath Glacier Point...
Authors
Gregory M. Stock, Gerald W. Bawden, J.K. Green, E. Hanson, G. Downing, Brian D. Collins, Sandra Bond, M. Leslar
A computer program for flow-log analysis of single holes (FLASH) A computer program for flow-log analysis of single holes (FLASH)
A new computer program, FLASH (Flow-Log Analysis of Single Holes), is presented for the analysis of borehole vertical flow logs. The code is based on an analytical solution for steady-state multilayer radial flow to a borehole. The code includes options for (1) discrete fractures and (2) multilayer aquifers. Given vertical flow profiles collected under both ambient and stressed (pumping...
Authors
F. D. Day-Lewis, C. D. Johnson, Frederick L. Paillet, K. J. Halford
Strong climate and tectonic control on plagioclase weathering in granitic terrain Strong climate and tectonic control on plagioclase weathering in granitic terrain
Investigations to understand linkages among climate, erosion and weathering are central to quantifying landscape evolution. We approach these linkages through synthesis of regolith data for granitic terrain compiled with respect to climate, geochemistry, and denudation rates for low sloping upland profiles. Focusing on Na as a proxy for plagioclase weathering, we quantified regolith Na...
Authors
C. Rasmussen, S. Brantley, D.D.B. Richter, Alex E. Blum, J. Dixon, Arthur F. White
Precision of two methods for estimating age from burbot otoliths Precision of two methods for estimating age from burbot otoliths
Lower reproductive success and older age structure are associated with many burbot (Lota lota L.) populations that are declining or of conservation concern. Therefore, reliable methods for estimating the age of burbot are critical for effective assessment and management. In Lake Erie, burbot populations have declined in recent years due to the combined effects of an aging population (...
Authors
W.H. Edwards, M.A. Stapanian, A.T. Stoneman
Seasonal dripwater Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca variations driven by cave ventilation: Implications for and modeling of speleothem paleoclimate records Seasonal dripwater Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca variations driven by cave ventilation: Implications for and modeling of speleothem paleoclimate records
A 4-year study in a central Texas cave quantifies multiple mechanisms that control dripwater composition and how these mechanisms vary at different drip sites. We monitored cave-air compositions, in situ calcite growth, dripwater composition and drip rate every 4–6 weeks. Three groups of drip sites are delineated (Groups 1–3) based on geochemical variations in dripwater composition...
Authors
C.I. Wong, J.L. Banner, MaryLynn Musgrove
A framework for sea level rise vulnerability assessment for southwest U.S. military installations A framework for sea level rise vulnerability assessment for southwest U.S. military installations
We describe an analysis framework to determine military installation vulnerabilities under increases in local mean sea level as projected over the next century. The effort is in response to an increasing recognition of potential climate change ramifications for national security and recommendations that DoD conduct assessments of the impact on U.S. military installations of climate...
Authors
B. Chadwick, Reinhard Flick, J. Helly, Tracy Nishikawa, Fang Wang Pei, W. O'Reilly, R. Guza, Peter Bromirski, A. Young, W. Crampton, B. Wild, I. Canner
Transient changes in shallow groundwater chemistry during the MSU ZERT CO2 injection experiment Transient changes in shallow groundwater chemistry during the MSU ZERT CO2 injection experiment
Food-grade CO2 was injected into a shallow aquifer through a perforated pipe placed horizontally 1–2 m below the water table at the Montana State University Zero Emission Research and Technology (MSU-ZERT) field site at Bozeman, Montana. The possible impact of elevated CO2 levels on groundwater quality was investigated by analyzing 80 water samples taken before, during, and following CO2...
Authors
J. A. Apps, Lingyun Zheng, N. Spycher, J.T. Birkholzer, Yousif K. Kharaka, James J. Thordsen, Evangelos Kakouros, R. Trautz
Factors affecting stream nutrient loads: A synthesis of regional SPARROW model results for the continental United States Factors affecting stream nutrient loads: A synthesis of regional SPARROW model results for the continental United States
We compared the results of 12 recently calibrated regional SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes) models covering most of the continental United States to evaluate the consistency and regional differences in factors affecting stream nutrient loads. The models – 6 for total nitrogen and 6 for total phosphorus – all provide similar levels of prediction accuracy...
Authors
Stephen D. Preston, Richard B. Alexander, Gregory E. Schwarz, Charles G. Crawford