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.
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Developing and implementing an International Macroseismic Scale (IMS) for earthquake engineering, earthquake science, and rapid damage assessment Developing and implementing an International Macroseismic Scale (IMS) for earthquake engineering, earthquake science, and rapid damage assessment
Executive Summary Macroseismic observations and analysis connect our collective seismological past with the present and the present to the future by facilitating hazard estimates and communicating the effects of ground shaking to a wide variety of audiences across the ages. Invaluable ground shaking and building damage information is gained through standardized, systematic approaches for...
Authors
David J. Wald, Tatiana Goded, Ayse Hortascu, Sabine Chandradewi Loos
Streamflow characterization and hydromodification, Indian and Kill Creek Basins, Johnson County, Kansas, 1985–2018 Streamflow characterization and hydromodification, Indian and Kill Creek Basins, Johnson County, Kansas, 1985–2018
Urban stream restoration requires a quantitative understanding of hydromodification to provide a scientific basis for establishing, prioritizing, and monitoring stream quality improvement goals. A study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Johnson County Urban stream restoration benefits from a quantitative understanding of hydromodification to provide a scientific...
Authors
Teresa J. Rasmussen, Kyle E. Juracek, Patrick J. Eslick, Ken Eng, Lee J. Kellenberger
Using local monitoring results to inform the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Watershed Model Using local monitoring results to inform the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Watershed Model
The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Watershed Model (CBWM) has been used as an accounting tool for the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). However, some of the fundamental parameters that underpin the watershed model may not represent local watershed characteristics at all scales. Significant investments have been made by state and local governments, and other local stakeholders...
Authors
Karl Berger, Katherine C. Filippino, Gary W. Shenk, Normand Goulet, Michael Lookenbill, Douglas L. Moyer, Gregory B. Noe, Aaron J. Porter, James Shallenberger, Bryant Thomas, Guido Yactayo
Non-negligible near-term risk of extinction to the eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies—An updated assessment (2006–22) Non-negligible near-term risk of extinction to the eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies—An updated assessment (2006–22)
The eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) started declining as early as the mid-1970s and seemed to stop declining by the early 2000s; the population now (about 2022) persists at a much-reduced abundance. Stochastic variation in abundance, at levels typical of monarch butterflies and other insects, was assessed to determine whether this population is at...
Authors
Wayne E. Thogmartin
Drought prediction and water availability: A report on the 2022 USGS-NIDIS National Listening Session Series Drought prediction and water availability: A report on the 2022 USGS-NIDIS National Listening Session Series
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) conducted a series of four Listening Sessions in 2022 – each with a different application or topical focus – to seek input on priorities and needs related to predicting water availability changes under drought conditions at national and regional scales. This input was gathered to help...
Authors
Marina Skumanich, Erik Smith, Joel Lisonbee, John C. Hammond
Nonsalmonid gas bubble trauma investigations Nonsalmonid gas bubble trauma investigations
From 2020 to 2024, a new spill program was implemented to aid the downstream passage of juvenile salmonids at mainstem dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers. Under this program, the total dissolved gas (TDG) cap was increased to 125% and monitoring of nonsalmonids for gas bubble trauma (GBT) became a requirement. The primary objective of this work and report was to measure the incidence...
Authors
Kenneth Tiffan, Brad D. Liedtke, Scott Louis Benson
Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon research and monitoring Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon research and monitoring
In Chapter 1, we report on development and application of an integrated population model (IPM) for the natural-origin fall Chinook salmon population upstream of Lower Granite Dam. This year’s efforts represent the third update to the model. Initial efforts focused on generating juvenile and adult abundance estimates, with estimates of uncertainty, for informing the life-cycle model and...
Authors
Russell W. Perry, Dalton J. Hance, John Plumb, Kenneth F. Tiffan, Brad Bickford, Scott Louis Benson, Tobyn Rhodes, Steve Brink, Brad Alcorn
Climate-resource scenarios to inform climate change adaptation in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Summary of 2021 climate change scenario planning Climate-resource scenarios to inform climate change adaptation in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Summary of 2021 climate change scenario planning
This report illustrates use of scenario planning as a climate change adaptation tool supporting Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve’s Resource Stewardship Strategy. The primary objective of scenario planning is to help resource managers and scientists make management and planning decisions informed by assessments of critical future uncertainties. This report outlines a process...
Authors
Amber N. Runyon, Gregor W. Schuurman, Brecken C. Robb, Jeremy S. Littell, Mark E. Miller, Joel H. Reynolds
Germination information for common Arizona restoration species Germination information for common Arizona restoration species
Seed-based ecological restoration is an approach used to revegetate damaged and disturbed habitats by spreading seed with the expectation that germination will occur and plants will become established and flourish. Although restoration can enhance the health and productivity of landscapes by reinvigorating ecosystem services both directly and indirectly, successful restoration is...
Authors
Elise S Gornish, Laura Cecilia Shriver, Ri Corwin, Caroline Havrilla, Catherine A. Gehring, Sarah A. Costanzo
Resource stewardship objectives and actions for climate change-sensitive cultural and natural resources in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Outputs from January–February 2022 climate change adaptation strategy development Resource stewardship objectives and actions for climate change-sensitive cultural and natural resources in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Outputs from January–February 2022 climate change adaptation strategy development
This report presents climate change-informed resource stewardship strategies for diverse Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve natural and cultural resources. The strategies were developed in early 2022 by park staff and other subject-matter experts in a scenario-based climate change adaptation planning process. Strategy development was facilitated by National Park Service (NPS)...
Authors
Gregor W. Schuurman, Amber N. Runyon, Brecken C. Robb, Morris Hylton, Jeneva P. Wright
Analysis and review of fishery-dependent data for Hawaiian nearshore noncommercial fisheries Analysis and review of fishery-dependent data for Hawaiian nearshore noncommercial fisheries
Noncommercial, shore-based fisheries provide economic, social, and cultural services to communities throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) routinely conducts surveys to monitor noncommercial fisheries such that estimates of fishing effort and catch by gear type can be generated and used to...
Authors
Lillian Joy Tuttle Raz, Timothy B. Grabowski, Richard Masse
Midwestern Climate Adaptation Science Center science agenda Midwestern Climate Adaptation Science Center science agenda
No abstract available.
Authors
Olivia E. LeDee