Publications
Browse more than 160,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS. Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.
Mission Area Publications
Mission Area Publications
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Long-term monotonic trends in water budget components in the contiguous United States: Insights from two hydrologic models Long-term monotonic trends in water budget components in the contiguous United States: Insights from two hydrologic models
Characterizing changes to water availability for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and other uses is essential to support water management. To better quantify these changes, the U.S. Geological Survey and National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research produced two hydrologic models simulating water budget components from 1980 to 2021 over the contiguous United...
Authors
Phillip J. Goodling, Sydney Foks, Jessica Ayers
Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) at the Hansen Dam Basin, Los Angeles County, California—2025 data summary Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) at the Hansen Dam Basin, Los Angeles County, California—2025 data summary
Executive Summary We surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) along Big Tujunga Creek in the Hansen Dam Basin in Los Angeles County, California, in 2025. Four vireo surveys were completed between April 17 and July 2, 2025, and three flycatcher surveys were completed between May 20 and July...
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Barbara E. Kus
Deep groundwater total dissolved solids mapping in the Dakota Group, Williston Basin, USA Deep groundwater total dissolved solids mapping in the Dakota Group, Williston Basin, USA
Growing concern about the quantity of available freshwater around the world has led to interest in surveying groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS) below water well depths. Deep TDS has not been systematically mapped, and there is much to learn about the distribution and controls on deeper groundwater. In sedimentary basins across the United States, groundwater resources often overlie
Authors
Michael J. Stephens, Bennett Eugene Hoogenboom, Lyndsay B. Ball, Will Chang
Sampling and analysis plan for the water-quality monitoring program in Lake Koocanusa and upper Kootenai River, Montana, water years 2022–23 Sampling and analysis plan for the water-quality monitoring program in Lake Koocanusa and upper Kootenai River, Montana, water years 2022–23
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, collected water-quality samples and environmental data in Lake Koocanusa (also known as “Koocanusa Reservoir”), the Kootenai River, and the Tobacco River during water years 2022–23. The transboundary Lake Koocanusa is in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, and northwestern Montana, United States...
Authors
Lindsey R. King, Sara L. Caldwell Eldridge, Melissa A. Schaar, Travis S. Schmidt, Thomas Chapin, Ashley M. Bussell
Methods for estimating daily upstream location of the freshwater-saltwater interface along the Maurice and Cohansey Rivers, New Jersey Methods for estimating daily upstream location of the freshwater-saltwater interface along the Maurice and Cohansey Rivers, New Jersey
The Delaware River basin (DRB) provides drinking water to 15 million people in the surrounding area. Water is frequently withdrawn from the freshwater reaches of streams, above head of tide, in the DRB for use as public drinking water. During extended periods of low flow, saltwater can move upstream, which can threaten drinking-water supplies in the basin. Due to spatial patterns in...
Authors
Jennifer L. Closson, Thomas P. Suro, Lukasz M. Niemoczynski
Thickness and other characteristics of overbank sediment deposited during an extreme flood in May 1978 along the Powder River, Montana Thickness and other characteristics of overbank sediment deposited during an extreme flood in May 1978 along the Powder River, Montana
An extreme flood on the Powder River in southeastern Montana in May 1978 inundated its valley and deposited sediment on the floodplains and terraces at multiple heights. The recurrence interval for this flood was less than 1 percent in the reach between Moorhead and Broadus, Montana. Peak discharges at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgages at Moorhead and Broadus were 779 and 711 cubic...
Authors
John A. Moody, Robert H. Meade
Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County
The Arizona Toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) has been petitioned for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is under evaluation for inclusion as a Covered Species under the Clark County Multi Species Habitat Conservation Plan Amendment (Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning and USFWS, 2001; USFWS, 2015b). Although the species is locally abundant in some parts...
Authors
Kenzi M Stemp, Blake Hossack
Field evaluation of the Automated Barge Clearing Deterrent (ABCD): Hydrodynamic, navigation, and fish response effects Field evaluation of the Automated Barge Clearing Deterrent (ABCD): Hydrodynamic, navigation, and fish response effects
The escape and subsequent spread of invasive carp (notably, bighead carp [Hypophthalmichthys nobilis] and silver carp [H. molitrix]) from aquaculture ponds and sewage lagoons into the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers poses a significant risk to further spread of these fish into the Great Lakes. Prior research demonstrated that commercial tows can transport juvenile invasive carp through...
Authors
S. Jarrell Smith, Jessica Z. LeRoy, Charles Wainwright, Michael Glubzinski
Geochemical disequilibrium at the brittle-ductile transition Geochemical disequilibrium at the brittle-ductile transition
We investigate the microtextural, microchemical, and isotopic effects of late-stage ductile deformation in quartzite mylonites and kyanite–muscovite–quartz veins from the Raft River shear zone (Utah). Quartz microstructures record pervasive disequilibrium, expressed by unannealed features including undulatory extinction, deformation lamellae, and poorly defined fabrics, typical of waning
Authors
Raphael Gottardi, Ryan J. McAleer, Gabriele Casale, Martin Wong
Tsunami hazards posed by sublacustrine landslides in Lake Quinault, Washington State Tsunami hazards posed by sublacustrine landslides in Lake Quinault, Washington State
No abstract available.
Authors
SeanPaul La Selle, Finn Løvholt, Steven Gibbons
Low streamflows in Massachusetts: Variability over space and time and relations with climatic and basin variables Low streamflows in Massachusetts: Variability over space and time and relations with climatic and basin variables
Streamflows in Massachusetts have set record lows in recent years despite generally wetter conditions than during the drought of the 1960s, and the reasons for this are not known. To analyse potential drivers of low streamflows in Massachusetts, six low-flow metrics were computed at 107 streamgages. These metrics represent low-flow magnitude, magnitude normalized to median flows, and...
Authors
Catherine A. Chamberlin, Glenn Hodgkins
Identifying overwintering habitat of silver and bighead carp in the lower Mississippi River: Implications for harvesting and population reduction Identifying overwintering habitat of silver and bighead carp in the lower Mississippi River: Implications for harvesting and population reduction
A total of 41 sites along a 58 mi reach of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) were surveyed during winter 2022 for invasive carp aggregation.* Sites consisting of scallops closest to the dike-vegetated bank interface with deeper, slow-moving water and consistent access back to the main channel were preferred. Carp avoided strong currents, and there was no trend in depth selection other...
Authors
K. Jack Killgore, David Ruppel, Faucheux. Nick, W. Todd Slack, Amanda J.M. Oliver, Josey Lee Ridgway, Jesse Robert Fischer, Robin D. Calfee