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
The last glacial maximum The last glacial maximum
We used 5704 14C, 10Be, and 3He ages that span the interval from 10,000 to 50,000 years ago (10 to 50 ka) to constrain the timing of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in terms of global ice-sheet and mountain-glacier extent. Growth of the ice sheets to their maximum positions occurred between 33.0 and 26.5 ka in response to climate forcing from decreases in northern summer insolation...
Authors
P.U. Clark, A. S. Dyke, J.D. Shakun, A.E. Carlson, J. Clark, B. Wohlfarth, J.X. Mitrovica, S. W. Hostetler, A.M. McCabe
New light on a dark subject: On the use of fluorescence data to deduce redox states of natural organic matter (NOM) New light on a dark subject: On the use of fluorescence data to deduce redox states of natural organic matter (NOM)
This paper reports the use of excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMS), parallel factor statistical analysis (PARAFAC), and oxidation-reduction experiments to examine the effect of redox conditions on PARAFAC model results for aqueous samples rich in natural organic matter. Fifty-four aqueous samples from 11 different geographic locations and two plant extracts were...
Authors
Donald L. Macalady, Katherine Walton-Day
Incorporating uncertainty into the ranking of SPARROW model nutrient yields from Mississippi/Atchafalaya River basin watersheds Incorporating uncertainty into the ranking of SPARROW model nutrient yields from Mississippi/Atchafalaya River basin watersheds
Excessive loads of nutrients transported by tributary rivers have been linked to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Management efforts to reduce the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico and improve the water quality of rivers and streams could benefit from targeting nutrient reductions toward watersheds with the highest nutrient yields delivered to sensitive downstream waters. One challenge is...
Authors
Dale M. Robertson, Gregory E. Schwarz, David A. Saad, Richard B. Alexander
Riparian and Associated Habitat Characteristics Related to Nutrient Concentrations and Biological Responses of Small Streams in Selected Agricultural Areas, United States, 2003-04 Riparian and Associated Habitat Characteristics Related to Nutrient Concentrations and Biological Responses of Small Streams in Selected Agricultural Areas, United States, 2003-04
Physical factors, including both in-stream and riparian habitat characteristics that limit biomass or otherwise regulate aquatic biological condition, have been identified by previous studies. However, linking the ecological significance of nutrient enrichment to habitat or landscape factors that could allow for improved management of streams has proved to be a challenge in many regions...
Authors
Ronald B. Zelt, Mark D. Munn
Urban streams across the USA: Lessons learned from studies in 9 metropolitan areas Urban streams across the USA: Lessons learned from studies in 9 metropolitan areas
Studies of the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems have usually focused on single metropolitan areas. Synthesis of the results of such studies have been useful in developing general conceptual models of the effects of urbanization, but the strength of such generalizations is enhanced by applying consistent study designs and methods to multiple metropolitan areas across large...
Authors
Larry R. Brown, Thomas F. Cuffney, James F. Coles, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Gerard McMahon, Jeffrey Steuer, Amanda H. Bell, Jason T. May
Summary of Hydrologic Conditions in Georgia, 2008 Summary of Hydrologic Conditions in Georgia, 2008
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) Georgia Water Science Center (WSC) maintains a long-term hydrologic monitoring network of more than 290 real-time streamgages, more than 170 groundwater wells, and 10 lake and reservoir monitoring stations. One of the many benefits of data collected from this monitoring network is that analysis of the data provides an overview of the hydrologic...
Authors
Andrew E. Knaak, John K. Joiner, Michael F. Peck
Travel Times, Streamflow Velocities, and Dispersion Rates in the Yellowstone River, Montana Travel Times, Streamflow Velocities, and Dispersion Rates in the Yellowstone River, Montana
The Yellowstone River is a vital natural resource to the residents of southeastern Montana and is a primary source of water for irrigation and recreation and the primary source of municipal water for several cities. The Yellowstone River valley is the primary east-west transportation corridor through southern Montana. This complex of infrastructure makes the Yellowstone River especially...
Authors
Peter McCarthy
Effects of simplifying fracture network representation on inert chemical migration in fracture-controlled aquifers Effects of simplifying fracture network representation on inert chemical migration in fracture-controlled aquifers
[1] While it is widely recognized that highly permeable ‘large‐scale' fractures dominate chemical migration in many fractured aquifers, recent studies suggest that the pervasive ‘small‐scale’ fracturing once considered of less significance can be equally important for characterizing the spatial extent and residence time associated with transport processes. A detailed examination of...
Authors
Tristan Wellman, Allen M. Shapiro, Mary C. Hill
Assigning land use to supply wells for the statistical characterization of regional groundwater quality: Correlating urban land use and VOC occurrence Assigning land use to supply wells for the statistical characterization of regional groundwater quality: Correlating urban land use and VOC occurrence
Many national and regional groundwater studies have correlated land use "near" a well, often using a 500 m radius circle, with water quality. However, the use of a 500 m circle may seem counterintuitive given that contributing areas are expected to extend up-gradient from wells, and not be circular in shape. The objective of this study was to evaluate if a 500 m circle is adequate for...
Authors
T.D. Johnson, K. Belitz
Historic geomorphology of the San Pedro River: archival and physical evidence Historic geomorphology of the San Pedro River: archival and physical evidence
No abstract available.
Authors
R. Hereford, Julio L. Betancourt
Waste-indicator and pharmaceutical compounds in landfill-leachate-affected ground water near Elkhart, Indiana, 2000-2002 Waste-indicator and pharmaceutical compounds in landfill-leachate-affected ground water near Elkhart, Indiana, 2000-2002
Four wells downgradient from a landfill near Elkhart, Indiana were sampled during 2000–2002 to evaluate the presence of waste-indicator and pharmaceutical compounds in landfill-leachate-affected ground water. Compounds detected in leachate-affected ground water included detergent metabolites (p-nonylphenol, nonylphenol monoethoxylate, nonylphenol diethoxylate, and octylphenol...
Authors
P.M. Buszka, D.J. Yeskis, D.W. Kolpin, E. T. Furlong, S.D. Zaugg, M. T. Meyer
Metals and trace elements in giant garter snakes (Thamnophis gigas) from the Sacramento Valley, California, USA Metals and trace elements in giant garter snakes (Thamnophis gigas) from the Sacramento Valley, California, USA
The giant garter snake (GGS; Thamnophis gigas) is a federally listed threatened species endemic to wetlands of the Central Valley of California. Habitat destruction has been the main factor in the decline of GGS populations, but the effects of contaminants on this species are unknown. To contribute to the recovery of these snakes, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began studies of the...
Authors
Glenn D. Wylie, Roger L. Hothem, D.R. Bergen, Lisa L. Martin, Robert J. Taylor, Brianne E. Brussee