Reports
Science Quality and Integrity
The USGS provides unbiased, objective, and impartial scientific information upon which our audiences, including resource managers, planners, and other entities, rely.
The USGS provides unbiased, objective, and impartial scientific information upon which our audiences, including resource managers, planners, and other entities, rely.
Browse more than 82,000 reports authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS and refine search by topic, location, year, and advanced search.
Filter Total Items: 84718
Cottonwoods, water, and people-Integrating analysis of tree rings with observations of elders from the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming Cottonwoods, water, and people-Integrating analysis of tree rings with observations of elders from the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming
We assessed the history of flow and riparian ecosystem change along the Wind River using cottonwood tree-ring data, streamgage records, historical temperature and precipitation data, drought indices, and local observations and Traditional Ecological Knowledge from elders of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming. This assessment identified...
Authors
Shannon M. McNeeley, Jonathan M. Friedman, Tyler A. Beeton, Richard D. Thaxton
Impact of unburned remnant sagebrush versus outplants on post-fire landscape rehabilitation Impact of unburned remnant sagebrush versus outplants on post-fire landscape rehabilitation
Nearly half of the vast sagebrush steppe in the western United states has lost many or nearly all native plant species, largely due to the interaction of invasive species and increased wildfire. Re-establishing sagebrush, a keystone component of these ecosystems, has become a management focus in recent decades using aerial broadcast seeding or limited plantings. One promising avenue for...
Authors
Cara Applestein, Trevor Caughlin, Matthew Germino
Mars orbiter for resources, ices, and environments (MORIE) Mars orbiter for resources, ices, and environments (MORIE)
The MORIE mission concept study examined the science and technical trade space to address high priority questions related to ice reservoirs and environmental transitions. The study team converged on a medium-class SEP-enabled orbiter with seven instruments to unlock the extent and volume of subsurface ice and geologic sequence stratigraphy through time. Observations would include the...
Authors
Wendy M. Calvin, Nathaniel E. Putzig, John W Holt, Ali M Bramson, Colin M. Dundas, Bethany L. Ehlmann, Briony H. N. Horgan, Gareth A Morgan, Scott L. Murchie, G Wesley Patterson, Kimberly D. Seelos, Hanna G Sizemore, Steve Matousek, Ryan Woolley, Carlos Brinoccolo, Valerie Scott, Cassie Stuurman, Kevin Wheeler, Brian Sutin, Marc Lane, Nathan Barba, Ivair Gontijo, Katherine Park, Mariko Burgin, Scott Hensley, Jan Martin, Jean Biancone, David Hinkle, Barbara Insua
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health, Version 5: Bureau of Land Management Technical Reference 1734-6 Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health, Version 5: Bureau of Land Management Technical Reference 1734-6
The Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (IIRH) protocol is designed for assessing ecosystem function on rangelands and woodlands. The protocol was developed by an interagency cadre of technical experts and has been in use by for two decades. The protocol is well accepted and is a valuable tool for communicating rangeland conditions with stakeholders. Technical Reference 1734-6...
Authors
Mike Pellant, Patrick L Shaver, David A. Pyke, Jeffrey E. Herrick, Nika Lepak, Gregg Riegel, Emily Kachergis, Beth A. Newingham, David Toledo, Frank E Busby
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2019 annual report Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2019 annual report
The 2019 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2019, includes a list of 2019 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups. This product allows readers to gain a general understanding of the focus areas of the center’s scientific research and learn...
Authors
Sara Ernst
Use of boosted regression trees to quantify cumulative instream flow resulting from curtailment of irrigation in the Sprague River basin, Oregon Use of boosted regression trees to quantify cumulative instream flow resulting from curtailment of irrigation in the Sprague River basin, Oregon
A boosted regression trees (BRT) approach was used to estimate the amount by which streamflow is increased when irrigation is regulated (curtailed) upstream of a streamgage on the Sprague River in southern-central Oregon. The BRT approach differs from most other approaches that require baseline conditions for comparison, where those baseline conditions are determined from past...
Authors
Tamara M. Wood
Bathymetric surveys of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in central Indiana made with a multibeam echosounder, 2016, and comparison with previous surveys Bathymetric surveys of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in central Indiana made with a multibeam echosounder, 2016, and comparison with previous surveys
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Citizens Energy Group, conducted a bathymetric survey of Morse and Geist Reservoirs in central Indiana in April and May of 2016 with a multibeam echosounder. Both reservoirs serve as water supply, flood control, and recreational resources for the city of Indianapolis and the surrounding communities. Morse and Geist Reservoirs were surveyed...
Authors
Justin A. Boldt, Zachary W. Martin
Water priorities for the Nation—U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Water Availability Assessments Water priorities for the Nation—U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Water Availability Assessments
The United States faces growing challenges to its water supply, infrastructure, and aquatic ecosystems because of population growth, climate change, floods and droughts, and aging water delivery systems. To help address these challenges, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area has established new strategic priorities that capitalize on the operational and...
Authors
Mark P. Miller, Brian R. Clark, Sandra M. Eberts, Patrick M. Lambert, Patricia Toccalino
Grade and tonnage model for tungsten skarn deposits—2020 update Grade and tonnage model for tungsten skarn deposits—2020 update
This report presents an updated grade and tonnage model for tungsten skarn deposits. As a critical component of the U.S. Geological Survey’s three-part form of quantitative mineral resource assessment, robust grade and tonnage models are essential to transforming mineral resource assessments into effective tools for decision makers. Using the best data available at the time of...
Authors
Carlin J. Green, Graham W. Lederer, Heather L. Parks, Michael L. Zientek
Assessment of dissolved-selenium concentrations and loads in the Lower Gunnison River Basin, Colorado, as part of the Selenium Management Program, 2011–17 Assessment of dissolved-selenium concentrations and loads in the Lower Gunnison River Basin, Colorado, as part of the Selenium Management Program, 2011–17
The Gunnison Basin Selenium Management Program implemented a water-quality monitoring network in 2011 to measure concentrations of selenium in the lower Gunnison River Basin in Colorado. Selenium is a trace element that bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains. Selenium is essential for life, but elevated amounts can cause reproductive failure, deformities, and other harmful effects. The...
Authors
Mark F. Henneberg
Flood-frequency estimation for very low annual exceedance probabilities using historical, paleoflood, and regional information with consideration of nonstationarity Flood-frequency estimation for very low annual exceedance probabilities using historical, paleoflood, and regional information with consideration of nonstationarity
Streamflow estimates for floods with an annual exceedance probability of 0.001 or lower are needed to accurately portray risks to critical infrastructure, such as nuclear powerplants and large dams. However, extrapolating flood-frequency curves developed from at-site systematic streamflow records to very low annual exceedance probabilities (less than 0.001) results in large uncertainties...
Authors
Karen R. Ryberg, Kelsey A. Kolars, Julie E. Kiang, Meredith L. Carr
Development of regional skew coefficients for selected flood durations in the Columbia River Basin, northwestern United States and British Columbia, Canada Development of regional skew coefficients for selected flood durations in the Columbia River Basin, northwestern United States and British Columbia, Canada
Flood-frequency (hereinafter frequency) estimates provide information used to design, operate, and maintain hydraulic structures such as bridges and dams. Failures of these structures could cause catastrophic loss of property, life, or both. In addition to frequency estimates that use annual peak streamflow, frequency estimates of flood durations are required to safely and effectively...
Authors
Greg D. Lind, Jonathan R. Lamontagne, Adam J. Stonewall