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: 19023
Long-term variability in Northern Hemisphere snow cover and associations with warmer winters Long-term variability in Northern Hemisphere snow cover and associations with warmer winters
A monthly snow accumulation and melt model is used with gridded monthly temperature and precipitation data for the Northern Hemisphere to generate time series of March snow-covered area (SCA) for the period 1905 through 2002. The time series of estimated SCA for March is verified by comparison with previously published time series of SCA for the Northern Hemisphere. The time series of...
Authors
G.J. McCabe, D.M. Wolock
Origin and extent of fresh paleowaters on the Atlantic continental shelf, USA Origin and extent of fresh paleowaters on the Atlantic continental shelf, USA
While the existence of relatively fresh groundwater sequestered within permeable, porous sediments beneath the Atlantic continental shelf of North and South America has been known for some time, these waters have never been assessed as a potential resource. This fresh water was likely emplaced during Pleistocene sea-level low stands when the shelf was exposed to meteoric recharge and by...
Authors
D. Cohen, M. Person, P. Wang, C.W. Gable, D. Hutchinson, A. Marksamer, Brandon Dugan, H. Kooi, K. Groen, D. Lizarralde, R.L. Evans, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, John W. Lane
Analyzing debris flows with the statistically calibrated empirical model LAHARZ in southeastern Arizona, USA Analyzing debris flows with the statistically calibrated empirical model LAHARZ in southeastern Arizona, USA
Hazard-zone delineation for extreme events is essential for floodplain management near mountain fronts in arid and semiarid regions. On 31 July 2006, unprecedented debris flows occurred in the Santa Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona following extreme multiday precipitation (recurrence interval > 1000 years for 4-day precipitation). Most mobilized sediment contributing to debris...
Authors
Christopher S. Magirl, Peter G. Griffiths, Robert H. Webb
Historical deposition of mercury and selected trace elements to high-elevation National Parks in the Western U.S. inferred from lake-sediment cores Historical deposition of mercury and selected trace elements to high-elevation National Parks in the Western U.S. inferred from lake-sediment cores
Atmospheric deposition of Hg and selected trace elements was reconstructed over the past 150 years using sediment cores collected from nine remote, high-elevation lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Glacier National Park in Montana. Cores were age dated by 210Pb, and sedimentation rates were determined using the constant rate of supply model. Hg concentrations in most...
Authors
M. Alisa Mast, David J. Manthorne, David A. Roth
Variable responses of fish assemblages, habitat, and stability to natural-channel-design restoration in Catskill Mountain streams Variable responses of fish assemblages, habitat, and stability to natural-channel-design restoration in Catskill Mountain streams
Natural-channel-design (NCD) restorations were recently implemented within large segments of five first- and second-order streams in the Catskill Mountains of New York in an attempt to increase channel stability, reduce bed and bank erosion, and sustain water quality. In conjunction with these efforts, 54 fish and habitat surveys were done from 1999 to 2007 at six restored reaches and...
Authors
Barry P. Baldigo, Anne G. Ernst, Dana R. Warren, Sarah J. Miller
Use of induced polarization to characterize the hydrogeologic framework of the zone of surface‐water/groundwater exchange at the Hanford 300 Area, WA Use of induced polarization to characterize the hydrogeologic framework of the zone of surface‐water/groundwater exchange at the Hanford 300 Area, WA
An extensive continuous waterborne electrical imaging (CWEI) survey was conducted along the Columbia River corridor adjacent to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford 300 Area, WA, in order to improve the conceptual model for exchange between surface water and U‐contaminated groundwater. The primary objective was to determine spatial variability in the depth to the Hanford‐Ringold...
Authors
Lee Slater, Dimitrios Ntarlagiannis, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, Kisa Mwakanyamale, John W. Lane, Andy Ward, Roelof J. Versteeg
Historical arroyo formation: documentation of magnitude and timing of historical changes using repeat photography Historical arroyo formation: documentation of magnitude and timing of historical changes using repeat photography
No abstract available.
Authors
Robert H. Webb, Richard Hereford
Natural chlorate in the environment: Application of a new IC-ESI/MS/MS method with a Cl18O3- internal standard Natural chlorate in the environment: Application of a new IC-ESI/MS/MS method with a Cl18O3- internal standard
A new ion chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (IC-ESI/MS/MS) method has been developed for quantification and confirmation of chlorate (ClO3−) in environmental samples. The method involves the electro-chemical generation of isotopically labeled chlorate internal standard (Cl18O3−) using 18O water (H218O). The standard was added to all samples prior to analysis thereby...
Authors
Balaji Rao, Paul B. Hatzinger, J.K. Bohlke, Neil C. Sturchio, Brian J. Andraski, Frank D. Eckardt, W. Andrew Jackson
Brine delineation and monitoring with electrical resistivity tomography and electromagnetic borehole logging at the Fort Knox well field near West Point, Kentucky Brine delineation and monitoring with electrical resistivity tomography and electromagnetic borehole logging at the Fort Knox well field near West Point, Kentucky
The potable water system at Fort Knox is threatened by brine contamination from improperly abandoned natural gas exploration wells. The Fort Knox well field is located near the town of West Point, Kentucky, in the flood plain of the Ohio River. At the site, unconsolidated sediments approximately 30 – 40 m thick, overlie shale and porous limestone. Brine is believed to flow vertically...
Authors
Rory Henderson, Michael D. Unthank, Douglas D. Zettwoch, John W. Lane
Species within the Genus Encyonema Kützing, Including Two New Species Encyonema reimeri sp. nov. and E. nicafei sp. nov. and E. stoermeri nom. nov., stat. nov. Species within the Genus Encyonema Kützing, Including Two New Species Encyonema reimeri sp. nov. and E. nicafei sp. nov. and E. stoermeri nom. nov., stat. nov.
We observed six diatom taxa from North American samples and one taxon from China that are considered within the genus Encyonema Kützing. Two of the taxa are described as new, Encyonema reimeri Spaulding, Pool et Castro sp. nov. and Encyonema nicafei Spaulding sp. nov. A third taxon, Encyonema stoermeri Spaulding, Pool et Castro nom. nov., shat. nov. is assigned a new name and rank. In...
Authors
S. A. Spaulding, J. R. Pool, S. I. Castro, F. Hinz
Computing time-series suspended-sediment concentrations and loads from in-stream turbidity-sensor and streamflow data Computing time-series suspended-sediment concentrations and loads from in-stream turbidity-sensor and streamflow data
Over the last decade, use of a method for computing suspended-sediment concentration and loads using turbidity sensors—primarily nephelometry, but also optical backscatter—has proliferated. Because an in- itu turbidity sensor is capa le of measuring turbidity instantaneously, a turbidity time series can be recorded and related directly to time-varying suspended-sediment concentrations...
Authors
Patrick P. Rasmussen, John R. Gray, G. Doug Glysson, Andrew C. Ziegler
Use of geochemical, isotopic, and age tracer data to develop models of groundwater flow for the purpose of water management, northern High Plains aquifer, USA Use of geochemical, isotopic, and age tracer data to develop models of groundwater flow for the purpose of water management, northern High Plains aquifer, USA
A prolonged drought in the High Plains of Nebraska prompted the use of groundwater for cooling at the largest coal-fired power plant in the State. Prior to the drought, groundwater was used primarily for irrigation and the power plant relied exclusively on surface water stored in a nearby reservoir for cooling. Seepage from the reservoir system during the past ∼75 a has resulted in the...
Authors
Peter B. McMahon, C. P. Carney, E. P. Poeter, Steven M. Peterson