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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

BRIDGES: Evolution of basic and applied linkages in benthic science BRIDGES: Evolution of basic and applied linkages in benthic science

Growing awareness of environmental degradation resulted in stricter environmental regulations and laws for aquatic ecosystems. These regulations were followed by an increase in applied research and monitoring beginning in the early 1970s. The number of applied scientists who were members of the North American Benthological Society grew at a commensurate rate. The editors of J-NABS...
Authors
Nicholas G. Aumen, Martin E. Gurtz, Michael T. Barbour, Ashley Moerke

Grid-size dependence of Cauchy boundary conditions used to simulate stream-aquifer interactions Grid-size dependence of Cauchy boundary conditions used to simulate stream-aquifer interactions

This work examines the simulation of stream–aquifer interactions as grids are refined vertically and horizontally and suggests that traditional methods for calculating conductance can produce inappropriate values when the grid size is changed. Instead, different grid resolutions require different estimated values. Grid refinement strategies considered include global refinement of the...
Authors
S. Mehl, M. C. Hill

Quantifying data worth toward reducing predictive uncertainty Quantifying data worth toward reducing predictive uncertainty

The present study demonstrates a methodology for optimization of environmental data acquisition. Based on the premise that the worth of data increases in proportion to its ability to reduce the uncertainty of key model predictions, the methodology can be used to compare the worth of different data types, gathered at different locations within study areas of arbitrary complexity. The...
Authors
A.M. Dausman, J. Doherty, C.D. Langevin, M.C. Sukop

Determining sources of dissolved organic carbon and disinfection byproduct precursors to the McKenzie River, Oregon Determining sources of dissolved organic carbon and disinfection byproduct precursors to the McKenzie River, Oregon

This study was conducted to determine the main sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors to the McKenzie River, Oregon (USA). Water samples collected from the mainstem, tributaries, and reservoir outflows were analyzed for DOC concentration and DBP formation potentials (trihalomethanes [THMFPs] and haloacetic acids [HAAFPs]). In addition...
Authors
Tamara E.C. Kraus, Chauncey W. Anderson, Karl Morgenstern, Bryan D. Downing, Brian A. Pellerin, Brian A. Bergamaschi

Summary of groundwater-recharge estimates for Pennsylvania Summary of groundwater-recharge estimates for Pennsylvania

Groundwater recharge is water that infiltrates through the subsurface to the zone of saturation beneath the water table. Because recharge is a difficult parameter to quantify, it is typically estimated from measurements of other parameters like streamflow and precipitation. This report provides a general overview of processes affecting recharge in Pennsylvania and presents estimates of...
Authors
Stuart O. Reese, Dennis W. Risser

Influence of organic carbon loading, sediment associated metal oxide content and sediment grain size distributions upon Cryptosporidium parvum removal during riverbank filtration operations, Sonoma County, CA Influence of organic carbon loading, sediment associated metal oxide content and sediment grain size distributions upon Cryptosporidium parvum removal during riverbank filtration operations, Sonoma County, CA

This study assessed the efficacy for removing Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts of poorly sorted, Fe- and Al-rich, subsurface sediments collected from 0.9 to 4.9 and 1.7–13.9 m below land surface at an operating riverbank filtration (RBF) site (Russian River, Sonoma County, CA). Both formaldehyde-killed oocysts and oocyst-sized (3 μm) microspheres were employed in sediment-packed flow...
Authors
D.W. Metge, R.W. Harvey, G. R. Aiken, R. Anders, G. Lincoln, James Jasperse

Fluvial sediment in the environment: a national challenge Fluvial sediment in the environment: a national challenge

Sediment and sediment-associated constituents can contribute substantially to water-quality impairment. In the past, sediment was viewed mainly as an engineering problem that affected reservoir storage capacity, shipping channel maintenance, and bridge scour, as well as the loss of agricultural soil. Sediment is now recognized as a major cause of aquatic system degradation in many rivers...
Authors
Matthew C. Larsen, Allen C. Gellis, G. Douglas Glysson, John R. Gray, Arthur J. Horowitz

Development of a national, dynamic reservoir-sedimentation database Development of a national, dynamic reservoir-sedimentation database

The importance of dependable, long-term water supplies, coupled with the need to quantify rates of capacity loss of the Nation’s re servoirs due to sediment deposition, were the most compelling reasons for developing the REServoir- SEDimentation survey information (RESSED) database and website. Created under the auspices of the Advisory Committee on Water Information’s Subcommittee on...
Authors
J. R. Gray, J.M. Bernard, D. W. Stewart, E.J. McFaul, K.W. Laurent, G. E. Schwarz, J.T. Stinson, M.M. Jonas, T. J. Randle, J.W. Webb

Testing mixing models of old and young groundwater in a tropical lowland rain forest with environmental tracers Testing mixing models of old and young groundwater in a tropical lowland rain forest with environmental tracers

We tested three models of mixing between old interbasin groundwater flow (IGF) and young, locally derived groundwater in a lowland rain forest in Costa Rica using a large suite of environmental tracers. We focus on the young fraction of water using the transient tracers CFC‐11, CFC‐12, CFC‐113, SF6, 3H, and bomb 14C. We measured 3He, but 3H/3He dating is generally problematic due to the...
Authors
D. Kip Solomon, David P. Genereux, Niel Plummer, Eurybiades Busenberg

Groundwater sustainability strategies Groundwater sustainability strategies

Groundwater extraction has facilitated significant social development and economic growth, enhanced food security and alleviated drought in many farming regions. But groundwater development has also depressed water tables, degraded ecosystems and led to the deterioration of groundwater quality, as well as to conflict among water users. The effects are not evenly spread. In some areas of...
Authors
Tom Gleeson, Jonathan VanderSteen, Marios A. Sophocleous, Makoto Taniguchi, William M. Alley, Diana M. Allen, Yangxiao Zhou

Chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn in stormwater, roadway dust and stormwater pond sediments Chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn in stormwater, roadway dust and stormwater pond sediments

This study evaluated the chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn from source to deposition in a stormwater system. Cu and Zn concentrations and chemical fractionation were determined for roadway dust, roadway runoff and pond sediments. Stormwater Cu and Zn concentrations were used to generate cumulative frequency distributions to characterize potential exposure to pond-dwelling organisms...
Authors
Kimberly M. Camponelli, Steven M. Lev, Joel W. Snodgrass, Edward R. Landa, Ryan E. Casey
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