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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Water-quality comparison of the Gulf Coast aquifer system and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in Texas from National Water-Quality Assessment Project Principal Aquifer Surveys, 2013 and 2015 Water-quality comparison of the Gulf Coast aquifer system and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in Texas from National Water-Quality Assessment Project Principal Aquifer Surveys, 2013 and 2015
The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project assessed the quality of groundwater in aquifers that are important sources of drinking water in the United States. One major aquifer in Texas that was assessed by NAWQA in 2013 is the coastal lowlands aquifer system, which is often referred to in Texas as the “Gulf Coast aquifer system.” The coastal lowlands...
Authors
Patricia B. Ging
Have humans influenced volcanic activity on the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano? A publication review Have humans influenced volcanic activity on the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano? A publication review
Since the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, the topic of whether commercial developments not only caused the eruption to occur in the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ), but also caused its high eruption rate has been a subject of public discussion. We review Kīlauea Volcano publications from the past several decades and show that the eruptive behavior of the volcano has varied and that the...
Authors
James P. Kauahikaua, Frank A. Trusdell
Preliminary analyses of volcanic hazards at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, 2017–2018 Preliminary analyses of volcanic hazards at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, 2017–2018
From 2017 to 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) responded to ongoing and changing eruptions at Kīlauea Volcano as part of its mission to monitor volcanic processes, issue warnings of dangerous activity, and assess volcanic hazards. To formalize short-term hazards assessments—and, in some cases, issue prognoses for future activity—and make results
Authors
Christina A. Neal, Kyle R. Anderson
Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of selected streams in Stark County, Ohio Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of selected streams in Stark County, Ohio
To update and expand a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Study, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, and the Stark County Commissioners began a cooperative study. The study consisted of hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for selected reaches of 14 streams in Stark County, Ohio: Broad-Monter Creek, Chatham Ditch, East...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Matthew T. Whitehead
Modeling a 2- and 4-foot drawdown in the Link River to Keno Dam reach of the upper Klamath River, south-central Oregon Modeling a 2- and 4-foot drawdown in the Link River to Keno Dam reach of the upper Klamath River, south-central Oregon
Executive Summary The most upstream, pooled reach of the Klamath River in south-central Oregon, from Link River mouth to Keno Dam (Link-Keno), has a water-surface elevation that remains relatively constant throughout the year. Two model scenarios, using an existing two-dimensional hydrodynamic and water-quality model (CE-QUAL-W2), were constructed to examine the effects of lowering the...
Authors
Annett B. Sullivan, Stewart A. Rounds
Preparing for geophysical science on the surface of the moon enabled by Artemis Preparing for geophysical science on the surface of the moon enabled by Artemis
Geophysical methods have been extremely successful in identifying resources on Earth as they provide a means of characterizing and mapping the sub-surface using data gathered on and above the target structures. Geophysics on the Moon will be an important tool for identifying key targets for geological prospecting, scientific sampling, assessing hazards and risks to crew and...
Authors
Nicholas Schmerr, Jacob A. Richardson, R. Ghent, Matt Seigler, Molly Wasser, Patrick Wheeley, D. Buczkowski, Lynne Carter, Chuck Connor, Laura Connor, Jacob E. Bleacher, M. Fouch, D. Baker, T. Hurford, L. Jozwiak, Sarah Kruse, V. Lekic, A. Naids, Ryan Porter, L. Montesi, Derek Richardson, M. Elise Rumpf, J. Sunshine, Norbert Schorghofer, S. Goossens, Nicole Whelley, D. Wyrick, W. Zhu, Ernie Bell, J. DeMartini, D. Coan, D. Akin, Barbara Cohen, E. Mazarico, Clive Neal, M. Panning, Noah Petro, B. Strauss, Renee Weber, T. Glotch, A. Hendrix, A. Parker, Sarah Wright
U.S. Geological Survey science in support of the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) U.S. Geological Survey science in support of the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
Bats make up one-fifth of all mammalian species worldwide and are found on every continent except Antarctica. They contribute to overall ecosystem health by suppressing pest insects and pollinating plants and spreading seeds. Eight North American bat species are listed as federally endangered or threatened, and more than one-half are of current conservation concern in the United States...
Authors
Brian E. Reichert, Suzanna C. Soileau
Assessment of soil and water resources in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico Assessment of soil and water resources in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico
The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (Monument) in southern New Mexico was established in 2014. Given anticipated future demands in the Monument for recreation, livestock grazing, and maintenance of rights-of-way (for example, pipelines and powerlines), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) needs a better understanding of the current soil and water resources and how...
Authors
Johanna M. Blake, Aurelia C. Mitchell, Zachary M. Shephard, Grady Ball, Shaleene Chavarria, Kyle R. Douglas-Mankin
Final project memorandum: Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Project Final project memorandum: Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Project
Low-lying public lands along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast are vulnerable to sea-level rise. Coastal planners and resource managers in the region have requested customized information that can be used to concisely communicate local sea-level rise scenarios and identify potential impacts to the missions of management agencies. In this project, researchers worked with the Northern Gulf...
Authors
Michael Osland, Renee C. Collini
Local sea level rise information sheets for Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Local sea level rise information sheets for Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida
Two Pagers for Federally Managed Lands The Northern Gulf of Mexico Sentinel Site Cooperative partnered with individuals at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Wetland and Aquatic Research Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to produce customized two-pager information sheets for federal coastal refuges, parks, and reserves across the northern Gulf of Mexico (i.e., sea-level rise...
Authors
Bogdan Chivoiu, Michael J. Osland, Renee C. Collini, Sara Martin, John M. Tirpak, Benjamin Wilson
Multiple-well monitoring site adjacent to the Lost Hills oil field, Kern County, California Multiple-well monitoring site adjacent to the Lost Hills oil field, Kern County, California
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board, is evaluating several questions about oil and gas development and groundwater resources in California, including (1) the location of groundwater resources; (2) the proximity of oil and gas operations and groundwater and the geologic materials between them; (3) the location of...
Authors
Rhett R. Everett, Adam Kjos, Anthony A. Brown, Janice M. Gillespie, Peter B. McMahon
Stormwater quality of infrastructure elements in Rapid City, South Dakota, 2016–18 Stormwater quality of infrastructure elements in Rapid City, South Dakota, 2016–18
As runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building roofs), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment, and other contaminants that can adversely affect water quality if the runoff discharge remains untreated. Pathogens, commonly measured using fecal indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli, enterococci, or fecal coliform, are the most...
Authors
Galen K. Hoogestraat