Karen R Ryberg, Ph.D.
Biography
Expertise/Projects/Research Interests
- Statistical analysis of hydrologic data, including parametric and nonparametric trend analysis and cluster analysis
- Concentration trend analysis for pesticides in surface water
- Research related to the impact of climate variability on surface water
- Data mining including automated data retrieval and analysis, outlier detection, and data cleaning
- Graphical presentation of scientific data
- R - Open Source Statistical Software
- waterData package - Retrieval, analysis, and anomaly calculation of daily hydrologic time series data
- seawaveQ package - A model and utilities for analyzing trends in chemical concentrations in streams with a seasonal wave (seawave) and adjustment for streamflow (Q) and other ancillary variables
- Course Coordinator and member of team teaching Statistical Methods for Environmental Data Analysis class at the USGS National Training Center
- Associate Editor, Hydrological Sciences Journal
Education
- Doctorate of Philosophy, Environmental and Conservation Sciences - Environmental Science Track, 2015
North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota- Dissertation: The impact of climate variability on streamflow and water quality in the North Central United States
- Dissertation: The impact of climate variability on streamflow and water quality in the North Central United States
- Graduate Certificate, Data Mining and Applications, 2008
Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Master of Science, Statistics, 2006
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado- Masters Project: Water-quality trend analysis for the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota, January 1965 through September 2003
- Masters Project: Water-quality trend analysis for the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota, January 1965 through September 2003
- Associate of Applied Science, Computer Support Specialist, 2003
Bismarck State College, Bismarck, North Dakota
- Certificate, Management, 1996
University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota
- Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, 1995
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
Publications
Ryberg, K.R., Hodgkins, G.A., and Dudley, R.W., 2019, Change points in annual peak streamflows—Method comparisons and historical change points in the United States: Journal of Hydrology, 124307, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124307.
Ryberg, K.R., Blomquist, J.D., Sprague, L.A., Sekellick, A.J., and Keisman, J., 2018, Modeling drivers of phosphorus loads in Chesapeake Bay tributaries and inferences about long-term change: Science of The Total Environment, v. 616-617, p. 1423–1430, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.173.
Dudley, R.W., Archfield, S.A., Hodgkins, G.A., Renard, B., and Ryberg, K.R., 2018, Basin characteristics and peak-streamflow trends and change-points for 2,683 USGS streamgages in the conterminous U.S.: U.S. Geological Survey data release, DOI: 10.5066/P9AEGXY0.
Ryberg, K.R., Hodgkins, G.A., Dudley, R., 2018, Flood-frequency analysis in a changing world: 2018 Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference Program and Abstracts, April 19, 2018, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, S. Dak., p. 15.
Farmer, W.H., Murphy, J.C., Riskin, M.L., Ryberg, K.R., and Zuellig, R.E., 2017, Daily streamflow datasets used to analyze trends in streamflow at sites also analyzed for trends in water quality and ecological condition in the Nation's rivers and streams: U.S. Geological Survey data release, DOI: 10.5066/F7D798JN.
Oelsner, G.P., Sprague, L.A., Murphy, J.C., Zuellig, R.E., Johnson, H.M., Ryberg, K.R., Falcone, J.A., Stets, E.G., Vecchia, A.V., Riskin, M.L., De Cicco, L.A., Mills, T.J., and Farmer, W.H., 2017, Water-quality trends in the Nation’s rivers and streams, 1972–2012—Data preparation, statistical methods, and trend results: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5006, 136 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175006.
Ryberg, K.R., 2017, Flood-frequency analysis in a changing world: Program and Abstracts, 2017 Western South Dakota Hydrology Meeting, April 6, 2017, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, S. Dak., p. 32.
Ryberg, K.R., 2017, Structural equation model for total phosphorus loads in the Red River of the North Basin: Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 46, no. 5, p. 1072-1080, https://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq2017.04.0131.
Ryberg, K.R., Goree, B.B., Williams-Sether, Tara, and Mason, R.R., Jr., 2017, The U.S. Geological Survey peak-flow file data verification project, 2008–16: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5119, 61 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175119.
Ryberg, K.R., Murphy, J.C., Falcone, J.A., Riskin, M.L., Wieben, C.M., and Vecchia, A.V., 2017, Pesticide concentration and streamflow datasets used to evaluate pesticide trends in the Nation’s rivers and streams, 1992–2012: U.S. Geological Survey data release, DOI: 10.5066/F7BC3WPC.
Ryberg, K.R., Sekellick, A.J., and Falcone, J.A., 2017, Ancillary data related to nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay—Data supporting structural equation modeling of nutrient loads: U.S. Geological Survey data release, DOI: 10.5066/F7NG4NQ4.
Williams-Sether, Tara, Ryberg, K.R., and Goree, B.B., 2017, Data documenting the U.S. Geological Survey peak-flow file data verification project, 2008-16: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7GH9G3P.
Kolars, K.A., Vecchia, A.V., and Ryberg, K.R., 2016, Stochastic model for simulating Souris River Basin precipitation, evapotranspiration, and streamflow for 2014–2050: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5185, 55 p., DOI: 10.3133/sir20155185.
Nustad, R.A., Kolars, K.A., Vecchia, A.V., and Ryberg, K.R., 2016, 2011 Souris River flood—Will it happen again?: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2016–3073, 4 p., DOI: 10.3133/fs20163073.
Ryberg, K.R., Akyüz, F.A., Wiche, G.J., and Lin, W., 2016, Changes in seasonality and timing of peak streamflow in snow and semi-arid climates of the north central United States, 1910–2012: Hydrologic Processes, v. 30, p. 1208–1218, DOI: 10.1002/hyp.10693.
Ryberg, K.R., and Blomquist, J., May 5, 2016, Assessing the causes of changes in nutrient loading from major tributaries of Chesapeake Bay: Abstracts of the 10th National Monitoring Conference, May 2–6, 2016, Tampa, Florida, p. 61, http://acwi.gov/monitoring/conference/2016/2016-nmc-abstracts.pdf.
Ryberg, K.R., Falcone, J.A., and Kolars, K.A., 2016, Total phosphorus load and ancillary data related to sources of total phosphorus in the Red River of the North Basin—Data supporting structural equation modeling of total phosphorus loads: U.S. Geological Survey data release, DOI: 10.5066/F79G5JWD.
Ryberg, K.R., Hirsch, R.M., Helsel, D., Gilroy, E., and Archfield, S.A., May 4, 2016, Statistical methods in water resources—New edition, new methods, now using R: Abstracts of the 10th National Monitoring Conference, May 2–6, 2016, Tampa, Florida, p. 29, http://acwi.gov/monitoring/conference/2016/2016-nmc-abstracts.pdf.
Ryberg, K.R., Vecchia, A.V., Akyüz, F.A., Lin, W., 2016, Tree-ring based estimates of long-term seasonal precipitation in the Souris River Region of Saskatchewan, North Dakota, and Manitoba: Canadian Water Resources Journal / Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques, v. 41, no. 3, p. 412–428, DOI: 10.1080/07011784.2016.1164627.
Ryberg, K.R., 2016, R vs. Python in Earth Sciences: Earth Science Women's Network newsletter, no. 11, Winter 2015-16, p. 8-9. [Link]
Ryberg, K.R, 2015, The impact of climate variability on streamflow and water quality in the North Central United States: Fargo, North Dakota State University, Ph.D. dissertation, 277 p.
Ryberg, K.R., Akyüz, F.A., and Lin, W., 2015, Changes in total phosphorus concentration in the Red River of the North Basin, 1970–2012: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ASABE/CSBE North Central Intersectional Meeting, Fargo, N. Dak., April 10–11, 2015, paper number RRV15-054, 9 p., DOI: 10.13031/rrv2015054.
Ryberg, K.R., Akyüz, F.A., Wiche, G.J., and Lin, W., April 15, 2015, Changes in seasonality and timing of peak streamflow in the north-central United States, 1910–2012: Program and Abstracts, Western South Dakota Hydrology Meeting, April 15–16, 2015, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, S. Dak., p. 16.
Ryberg, K.R., Gilliom, R.J., 2015, Trends in pesticide concentrations and use for major rivers of the United States: Science of the Total Environment, v. 538, p. 431–444, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.095.
Ryberg, K.R., Lin, W., Vecchia, A.V., 2014, Impact of climate variability on runoff in the north-central United States: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, v. 19, no. 1, p. 148–158, DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000775.
Ryberg, K.R., Vecchia, A.V., Gilliom, R.J., Martin, J.D., 2014, Pesticide trends in major rivers of the United States, 1992–2010: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014–5135 63 p., DOI: 10.3133/sir20145135.
Stone, W.W., Gilliom, R.J., and Ryberg, K.R., 2014, Pesticides in U.S. streams and rivers—occurrence and trends during 1992–2011: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 48, no. 19, p. 11025–11030, DOI: 10.1021/es5025367.
Ryberg, K.R., and Vecchia, A.V., 2013, seawaveQ—an R package providing a model and utilities for analyzing trends in chemical concentrations in streams with a seasonal wave (seawave) and adjustment for streamflow (Q) and other ancillary variables: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1255, 13 p., DOI: 10.3133/ofr20131255.
Peterson, T.C., Heim, R., Hirsch, R.M., Kaiser, D., Brooks, H., Diffenbaugh, N.S., Dole, R., Giovannettone, J., Guiguis, K., Karl, T.R., Katz, R.W., Kunkel, K., Lettenmaier, D., McCabe, G.J., Paciorek, C.J., Ryberg, K.R., Schubert, S., Silva, V.B.S., Stewart, B., Vecchia, A.V., Villarini, G., Vose, R.S., Walsh, J., Wolock, D., Wolter, K., Woodhouse, C.A., Wehner, M., and Wuebbles, D., 2013, Monitoring and understanding changes in heatwaves, coldwaves, floods and droughts in the United States—State of knowledge: Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, v. 94, no. 6, 821–834, DOI: 10.1175/BAMS-D-12-00066.1.
Ryberg, K.R., and Vecchia, A.V., 2012, waterData—An R package for retrieval, analysis, and anomaly calculation of daily hydrologic time series data, version 1.0: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012–1168, 8 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1168/.
Hirsch, R.M., and Ryberg, K.R., 2012, Has the magnitude of floods across the USA changed with global CO2 levels? Hydrological Sciences Journal, v. 57, no. 1, p. 1–9, DOI: 10.1080/02626667.2011.621895.
Ryberg, K.R., Hirsch, R.M., and Wiche, G.J., June 29, 2011, Trends in flood magnitude in the United States, with emphasis on the Red River of the North Basin: Proceedings of the 64th Canadian Water Resources Association National Conference, June 27–30, 2011, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, p. 92.
Wiche, G.J., Ryberg, K.R., Vecchia, A.V., June 29, 2011, Implications of increased risk of extreme flooding in the northern Great Plains since 1993, with emphasis on the Red River of the North: Proceedings of the 64th Canadian Water Resources Association National Conference, June 27–30, 2011, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, p. 91.
Ryberg, K.R., Vecchia, A.V., Martin, J.D., and Gilliom, R.J., 2010, Trends in pesticide concentrations in urban streams in the United States, 1992–2008: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5139, 42 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5139/.
Ryberg, K.R., Emerson, D.G., and Macek-Rowland, K.M., 2009, Solid precipitation measurement intercomparison in Bismarck, North Dakota, from 1988 through 1997: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5180, 24 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5180/.
Ryberg, K.R., and Hiemenz, G., 2009, Summary and analysis of water-quality data for the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, east-central North Dakota, 1987–2004: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5017, 92 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5017/.
Ryberg, K.R., 2008, PFReports: A program for systematic checking of annual peaks in NWISWeb, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008–1284, 18 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1284/.
Ryberg, K.R., Macek-Rowland, K.M., Wiche, G.J., and Klapprodt, L.A., 2007, 10th Anniversary of the 1997 Red River flood: U.S. Geological Survey General Information Publication 49, http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2007/49/.
Ryberg, K.R., Macek-Rowland, K.M., Banse, T.A., and Wiche, G.J., 2007, A history of flooding in the Red River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey General Information Publication 55, http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2007/55/.
Ryberg, K.R., 2007, Summary and trend analysis of water-quality data for the Oakes Test Area, southeastern North Dakota, 1984–2004: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5056, 118 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5056/.
Ryberg, K.R., 2007, Continuous water-quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate constituent concentrations and loads in the Sheyenne River, North Dakota, 1980–2006: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5153, 22 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5153/.
Ryberg, K.R., and Vecchia, A.V., 2006, Water-quality trend analysis and sampling design for the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota, January 1965 through September 2003: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5238, 64 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5238/.
Ryberg, K.R., 2006, Continuous water-quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate constituent concentrations and loads in the Red River of the North, Fargo, North Dakota, 2003–05: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5241, 35 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5241/.
Ryberg, K.R., 2006, Cluster analysis of water-quality data for Lake Sakakawea, Audubon Lake, and McClusky Canal, central North Dakota, 1990–2003: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5202, 38 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5202/.
Ryberg, K.R., Damschen, W.C., and Vecchia, A.V., 2005, Graphical user interface for accessing water-quality data for the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005–1419, 15 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1419/.
Macek-Rowland, K.M., Arntson, A.D., Ryberg, K.R., Dahl, A. L., Lieb, A., 2004, Water-use data for the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, 1979–2001: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2004–1308, 260 p., http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/ofr2004-1308/.
Science and Products
Ancillary Data Related to Nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay—Data Supporting Structural Equation Modeling of Nutrient Loads
This data release provides ancillary data that describe potential nutrient sources and processes for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) annual loads for 84 water-quality sites within the Chesapeake Bay.
Daily streamflow datasets used to analyze trends in streamflow at sites also analyzed for trends in water quality and ecological condition in the Nation's rivers and streams (input)
In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a study of more than 50 major river basins across the Nation as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project of the National Water-Quality Program. One of the major goals of the NAWQA project is to determine how water-quality conditions change over time. To support that goal, long-term consistent and comparable monitoring has...
Daily streamflow datasets used to analyze trends in streamflow at sites also analyzed for trends in water quality and ecological condition in the Nation's rivers and streams (output)
In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a study of more than 50 major river basins across the Nation as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project of the National Water-Quality Program. One of the major goals of the NAWQA project is to determine how water-quality conditions change over time. To support that goal, long-term consistent and comparable monitoring has...
Pesticide concentration and streamflow datasets used to evaluate pesticide trends in the Nation’s rivers and streams, 1992-2012 (input)
In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a study of more than 50 major river basins across the Nation as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project of the National Water-Quality Program. One of the major goals of the NAWQA project is to determine how water-quality conditions change over time. To support that goal, long-term consistent and comparable monitoring has...
Pesticide concentration and streamflow datasets used to evaluate pesticide trends in the Nation’s rivers and streams, 1992-2012 (output)
In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a study of more than 50 major river basins across the Nation as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project of the National Water-Quality Program. One of the major goals of the NAWQA project is to determine how water-quality conditions change over time. To support that goal, long-term consistent and comparable monitoring has...
Modeling drivers of phosphorus loads in Chesapeake Bay tributaries and inferences about long-term change
Causal attribution of changes in water quality often consists of correlation, qualitative reasoning, listing references to the work of others, or speculation. To better support statements of attribution for water-quality trends, structural equation modeling was used to model the causal factors of total phosphorus loads in the Chesapeake Bay...
Ryberg, Karen R.; Blomquist, Joel D.; Sprague, Lori A.; Sekellick, Andrew J.; Keisman, Jennifer L.D.
The U.S. Geological Survey Peak-Flow File Data Verification Project, 2008–16
Annual peak streamflow (peak flow) at a streamgage is defined as the maximum instantaneous flow in a water year. A water year begins on October 1 and continues through September 30 of the following year; for example, water year 2015 extends from October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015. The accuracy, characterization, and completeness of the...
Ryberg, Karen R.; Goree, Burl B.; Williams-Sether, Tara; Mason,, Robert R. Structural equation model of total phosphorus loads in the Red River of the North Basin, USA and Canada
Attribution of the causes of trends in nutrient loading is often limited to correlation, qualitative reasoning, or references to the work of others. This paper represents efforts to improve causal attribution of water-quality changes. The Red River of the North basin provides a regional test case because of international interest in the reduction...
Ryberg, Karen R.
Water-quality trends in the nation’s rivers and streams, 1972–2012—Data preparation, statistical methods, and trend results
Since passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, Federal, State, and local governments have invested billions of dollars to reduce pollution entering rivers and streams. To understand the return on these investments and to effectively manage and protect the Nation’s water resources in the future, we need to know how and why water quality has been...
Oelsner, Gretchen P.; Sprague, Lori A.; Murphy, Jennifer C.; Zuellig, Robert E.; Johnson, Henry M.; Ryberg, Karen R.; Falcone, James A.; Stets, Edward G.; Vecchia, Aldo V.; Riskin, Melissa L.; De Cicco, Laura A.; Mills, Taylor J.; Farmer, William H.
2011 Souris River flood—Will it happen again?
The Souris River Basin is a 61,000 square kilometer basin in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the state of North Dakota. Record setting rains in May and June of 2011 led to record flooding with peak annual streamflow values (762 cubic meters per second [m3/s]) more than twice that of any previously recorded peak streamflow and more...
Nustad, Rochelle A.; Kolars, Kelsey A.; Vecchia, Aldo V.; Ryberg, Karen R. Tree-ring-based estimates of long-term seasonal precipitation in the Souris River Region of Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Manitoba
Historically unprecedented flooding occurred in the Souris River Basin of Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Manitoba in 2011, during a longer term period of wet conditions in the basin. In order to develop a model of future flows, there is a need to evaluate effects of past multidecadal climate variability and/or possible climate change on...
Ryberg, Karen R.; Vecchia, Aldo V.; Akyüz, F. Adnan; Lin, Wei
Stochastic model for simulating Souris River Basin precipitation, evapotranspiration, and natural streamflow
The Souris River Basin is a 61,000-square-kilometer basin in the Provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the State of North Dakota. In May and June of 2011, record-setting rains were seen in the headwater areas of the basin. Emergency spillways of major reservoirs were discharging at full or nearly full capacity, and extensive flooding was seen...
Kolars, Kelsey A.; Vecchia, Aldo V.; Ryberg, Karen R. Changes in seasonality and timing of peak streamflow in snow and semi-arid climates of the north-central United States, 1910–2012
Changes in the seasonality and timing of annual peak streamflow in the north-central USA are likely because of changes in precipitation and temperature regimes. A source of long-term information about flood events across the study area is the U.S. Geological Survey peak streamflow database. However, one challenge of answering climate-related...
Ryberg, Karen R.; Akyüz, F. Adnan; Wiche, Gregg J.; Lin, Wei Trends in pesticide concentrations and use for major rivers of the United States
Trends in pesticide concentrations in 38 major rivers of the United States were evaluated in relation to use trends for 11 commonly occurring pesticide compounds. Pesticides monitored in water were analyzed for trends in concentration in three overlapping periods, 1992–2001, 1997–2006, and 2001–2010 to facilitate comparisons...
Ryberg, Karen R.; Gilliom, Robert J. Changes in total phosphorus concentration in the Red River of the North Basin, 1970-2012
The Red River of the North drains much of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota and flows north into Manitoba, Canada, ultimately into Lake Winnipeg; therefore, water quality is an International concern. With increased runoff in the past few decades, phosphorus flux (the amount of phosphorus transported by the river) has increased. This...
Ryberg, Karen R.; Akyüz, F. Adnan; Lin, Wei Pesticides in U.S. streams and rivers: occurrence and trends during 1992-2011
During the 20 years from 1992 to 2011, pesticides were found at concentrations that exceeded aquatic-life benchmarks in many rivers and streams that drain agricultural, urban, and mixed-land use watersheds. Overall, the proportions of assessed streams with one or more pesticides that exceeded an aquatic-life benchmark were very similar between the...
Stone, Wesley W.; Gilliom, Robert J.; Ryberg, Karen R.
Pesticide trends in major rivers of the United States, 1992-2010
This report is part of a series of pesticide trend assessments led by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. This assessment focuses on major rivers of various sizes throughout the United States that have large watersheds with a range of land uses, changes in pesticide use, changes in management practices, and...
Ryberg, Karen R.; Vecchia, Aldo V.; Gilliom, Robert J.; Martin, Jeffrey D.
Interview at 2018 South Dakota Hydrology Conference
USGS scientist Karen Ryberg was interviewed during the conference about drought
conditions in the Dakotas.
The James River
James River by Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge. The picture was taken from the scenic view site to the North and above headquarters.
Mud Lake Channel Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
Mud Lake Channel from Arrowwood Lake to Jim Lake, looking toward Arrowwood Lake. Photograph taken from 11th Street SE between Edmunds, North Dakota, and State Highway 9. The downstream Jamestown Reservoir was filled in 1965 and backed water onto the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, preventing ideal management in most years. Artificial water features subsequently
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Jim Lake Drawdown Channel Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
Jim Lake drawdown channel looking north. Photograph taken from 17th Street SE between Pingree, North Dakota, and State Highway 20. The downstream Jamestown Reservoir was filled in 1965 and backed water onto the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, preventing ideal management in most years. Artificial water features subsequently constructed on the refuge allow managers to
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Jim Lake Drawdown Channel Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
Jim Lake drawdown channel, looking south. Photograph from Humpback Road. The downstream Jamestown Reservoir was filled in 1965 and backed water onto the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, preventing ideal management in most years. Artificial water features subsequently constructed on the refuge allow managers to manipulate water levels to better manage habitat for
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First-of-its-kind Interactive Map Brings Together 40 Years of Water-Quality Data
USGS provides a long-term look at changes in the quality of our nation’s rivers and streams
Exhibit Fusing Art and Science Coming to Bismarck
Earth as Art, a U.S. Geological Survey traveling exhibit that merges art with dramatic Landsat imagery of the earth’s surface, is coming to Bismarck for the month of April. This display is free and open to the public.
The Scientific Story of the Souris: Could the 2011 Flood Happen Again?
Modeling the Mouse: Future Flood Risk for the Souris River
The Souris, or Mouse, River Basin is currently in a wet climate period and will be at high flood risk for some time, according to a scientific model published today by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Trends in River Pesticide Levels Echo Pesticide Use
Trends in pesticide concentrations in 38 major rivers in the U.S. during 1992-2010 reflect large-scale trends in pesticide use and regulatory changes, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Local Scientist Receives Prestigious Mentoring Award
Aldo V. (Skip) Vecchia, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist, will be awarded the 2015 Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award for his outstanding efforts mentoring junior staff.
20-Year Study Shows Levels of Pesticides Still a Concern for Aquatic Life in U.S. Rivers and Streams
Levels of pesticides continue to be a concern for aquatic life in many of the Nation’s rivers and streams in agricultural and urban areas, according to a new USGS study spanning two decades (1992-2011). Pesticide levels seldom exceeded human health benchmarks.
Have Floods Changed with Increasing CO2 Levels?
Only one of four large regions of the United States showed a significant relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and the size of floods over the last 100 years. This was in the southwestern region, where floods have become smaller as CO2 has increased.
New Website Chronicles Lewis and Clark's Expedition through North Dakota
The website offers a picture of the Missouri River and its tributaries from 1804 to 1806 via excerpts from the journals of Lewis and Clark. The current river system also is highlighted through a compilation of aerial photographs, USGS data, and USGS publications.