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: 19055
Stream mercury export in response to contemporary timber harvesting methods (Pacific Coastal Mountains, Oregon, USA) Stream mercury export in response to contemporary timber harvesting methods (Pacific Coastal Mountains, Oregon, USA)
Land-use activities can alter hydrological and biogeochemical processes that can affect the fate, transformation, and transport of mercury (Hg). Previous studies in boreal forests have shown that forestry operations can have profound, but variable effects on Hg export and methylmercury (MeHg) formation. The Pacific Northwest is an important timber producing region that receives large...
Authors
Chris S. Eckley, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Michael T. Tate, Brandon M Kowalski, Robert Danehy, Sherri L Johnson, David P. Krabbenhoft
Direct and indirect effects of tides on ecosystem-scale CO2 exchange in a brackish tidal marsh in Northern California Direct and indirect effects of tides on ecosystem-scale CO2 exchange in a brackish tidal marsh in Northern California
We investigated the direct and indirect influence of tides on net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a temperate brackish tidal marsh. NEE displayed a tidally driven pattern with obvious characteristics at the multiday scale, with greater net CO2uptake during spring tides than neap tides. Based on the relative mutual information between NEE and biophysical variables...
Authors
Sara Knox, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Frank Anderson, Cove Sturtevant, Brian A. Bergamaschi
Simulated hydrologic response to climate change during the 21st century in New Hampshire Simulated hydrologic response to climate change during the 21st century in New Hampshire
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Department of Health and Human Services, has developed a hydrologic model to assess the effects of short- and long-term climate change on hydrology in New Hampshire. This report documents the model and datasets developed by using the model to predict how climate change will...
Authors
David M. Bjerklie, Luke P. Sturtevant
VS2DRTI: Simulating heat and reactive solute transport in variably saturated porous media VS2DRTI: Simulating heat and reactive solute transport in variably saturated porous media
Variably saturated groundwater flow, heat transport, and solute transport are important processes in environmental phenomena, such as the natural evolution of water chemistry of aquifers and streams, the storage of radioactive waste in a geologic repository, the contamination of water resources from acid-rock drainage, and the geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide. Up to now, our...
Authors
Richard W. Healy, Sosina S. Haile, David L. Parkhurst, Scott R. Charlton
Characterizing drought in California: new drought indices and scenario-testing in support of resource management Characterizing drought in California: new drought indices and scenario-testing in support of resource management
Introduction California’s recent drought (2012–2016) has implications throughout the state for natural resource management and adaptation planning and has generated many discussions about drought characterization and recovery. This study characterizes drought conditions with two indices describing deficits in natural water supply and increases in landscape stress developed on the basis...
Authors
Lorraine E. Flint, Alan L. Flint, John Mendoza, Julie Kalansky, F. M. Ralph
Hydrogeologic framework and groundwater conditions of the Ararat Basin in Armenia Hydrogeologic framework and groundwater conditions of the Ararat Basin in Armenia
Armenia is a landlocked country located in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe. It shares borders with the countries of Georgia on the north, Azerbaijan on the east, Iran on the south, and Turkey and Azerbaijan on the west. The Ararat Basin is a transboundary basin in Armenia and Turkey. The Ararat Basin (or Ararat Valley) is an intermountain depression that contains...
Authors
Joshua F. Valder, Janet M. Carter, Colton J. Medler, Ryan F. Thompson, Mark T. Anderson
Use of flow cytometry and stable isotope analysis to determine phytoplankton uptake of wastewater derived ammonium in a nutrient-rich river Use of flow cytometry and stable isotope analysis to determine phytoplankton uptake of wastewater derived ammonium in a nutrient-rich river
Anthropogenic alteration of the form and concentration of nitrogen (N) in aquatic ecosystems is widespread. Understanding availability and uptake of different N sources at the base of aquatic food webs is critical to establishment of effective nutrient management programs. Stable isotopes of N (14N, 15N) are often used to trace the sources of N fueling aquatic primary production, but...
Authors
Calla M. Schmidt, Tamara E. C. Kraus, Megan B. Young, Carol Kendall
Size, age, renewal, and discharge of groundwater carbon Size, age, renewal, and discharge of groundwater carbon
Groundwater carbon (C) supply to lakes and streams is important to understanding the role of inland waters in global and regional cycles and in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. We provide new estimates of the size and discharge of the groundwater C pool using data from a broad survey of groundwater C, information on the depth distribution of groundwater, and data on groundwater age...
Authors
John A. Downing, Robert G. Striegl
Processing of next generation weather radar-multisensor precipitation estimates and quantitative precipitation forecast data for the DuPage County streamflow simulation system Processing of next generation weather radar-multisensor precipitation estimates and quantitative precipitation forecast data for the DuPage County streamflow simulation system
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with DuPage County Stormwater Management Department, is testing a near real-time streamflow simulation system that assists in the management and operation of reservoirs and other flood-control structures in the Salt Creek and West Branch DuPage River drainage basins in DuPage County, Illinois. As part of this effort, the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Maitreyee Bera, Terry W. Ortel
Nutrient and metal loads estimated by using discrete, automated, and continuous water-quality monitoring techniques for the Blackstone River at the Massachusetts-Rhode Island State line, water years 2013–14 Nutrient and metal loads estimated by using discrete, automated, and continuous water-quality monitoring techniques for the Blackstone River at the Massachusetts-Rhode Island State line, water years 2013–14
Flow-proportional composite water samples were collected in water years 2013 and 2014 by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, from the Blackstone River at Millville, Massachusetts (U.S. Geological Survey station 01111230), about 0.5 mile from the border with Rhode Island. Samples were collected in order to better...
Authors
Jason R. Sorenson, Gregory E. Granato, Kirk P. Smith
A conceptual framework for effectively anticipating water-quality changes resulting from changes in agricultural activities A conceptual framework for effectively anticipating water-quality changes resulting from changes in agricultural activities
Agricultural activities can affect water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems; many water-quality issues originate with the movement of water, agricultural chemicals, and eroded soil from agricultural areas to streams and groundwater. Most agricultural activities are designed to sustain or increase crop production, while some are designed to protect soil and water resources...
Authors
Paul D. Capel, David M. Wolock, Richard H. Coupe, Jason L. Roth
PDEPTH—A computer program for the geophysical interpretation of magnetic and gravity profiles through Fourier filtering, source-depth analysis, and forward modeling PDEPTH—A computer program for the geophysical interpretation of magnetic and gravity profiles through Fourier filtering, source-depth analysis, and forward modeling
PDEPTH is an interactive, graphical computer program used to construct interpreted geological source models for observed potential-field geophysical profile data. The current version of PDEPTH has been adapted to the Windows platform from an earlier DOS-based version. The input total-field magnetic anomaly and vertical gravity anomaly profiles can be filtered to produce derivative...
Authors
Jeffrey D. Phillips