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Laura N Gurley

Intro:

Laura Gurley is a Hydrologist at the South Atlantic Water Science Center studying water quality and availabilty. 

Science and Products

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Streambank erosion along Crabtree Creek in Raleigh, NC

Raleigh Bank Erosion Project

The City of Raleigh partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assist in assessing streambank erosion hotspots along the City of Raleigh’s stream network to support the City’s efforts of prioritizing future stream mitigation projects. Streambank erosion potential will be assessed using remotely sensed light detection and ranging (lidar) data, field assessments of streambank conditions...
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
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Raleigh Bank Erosion Project

The City of Raleigh partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assist in assessing streambank erosion hotspots along the City of Raleigh’s stream network to support the City’s efforts of prioritizing future stream mitigation projects. Streambank erosion potential will be assessed using remotely sensed light detection and ranging (lidar) data, field assessments of streambank conditions...
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Map of North Carolina River Basins

SPARROW Modeling for North Carolina Watersheds

In North Carolina, excessive nutrient and sediment loadings have contributed to the degradation of surface-water quality across the state as a result of agricultural activities and population growth increases. To further understand the influences of human activities and natural processes on surface-water quality, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed the SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced...
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
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SPARROW Modeling for North Carolina Watersheds

In North Carolina, excessive nutrient and sediment loadings have contributed to the degradation of surface-water quality across the state as a result of agricultural activities and population growth increases. To further understand the influences of human activities and natural processes on surface-water quality, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed the SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced...
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USGS

Geospatial (GIS) and Map Resources for the South Atlantic Region

Map and Geographical Information System (GIS) resources
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
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Geospatial (GIS) and Map Resources for the South Atlantic Region

Map and Geographical Information System (GIS) resources
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Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models for the Cape Fear River Basin used to simulate future streamflow and irrigation demand based on climate and urban growth projections

As part of the Coastal Carolinas Focus Area Study of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Census Program, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to develop models for the Cape Fear River Basin, North Carolina, to simulate future streamflow and irrigation demand based on land use, climate, and water demand projections. SWAT is a basin-scale, process-based watershed model with the c
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models for the Pee Dee River Basin used to simulate future streamflow and irrigation demand based on climate and urban growth projections

As part of the Coastal Carolinas Focus Area Study of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Census Program, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to develop models for the Pee Dee River Basin, North Carolina and South Carolina, to simulate future streamflow and irrigation demand based on land use, climate, and water demand projections. SWAT is a basin-scale, process-based watershed
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Lidar-derived rasters of point density, elevation, and geomorphological features for 2013, 2015, and 2022 for the Greater Raleigh Area, North Carolina

As part of a collaborative study with the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, the U.S. Geological Survey developed a suite of high-resolution lidar-derived raster datasets for the Greater Raleigh Area, North Carolina, using repeat lidar data from the years 2013, 2015, and 2022. These datasets include raster representations of digital elevation models (DEMs), DEM of difference, the ten most common geo
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Datasets for Rapid Assessment of Streambank Erosion Potential for Selected Streams throughout the Greater Raleigh Area, North Carolina, 2022

As part of a collaborative study with the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, the U.S. Geological Survey is assessing streambank erosion potential in selected stream reaches throughout the Greater Raleigh metropolitan area. Rapid field measurement techniques were used to assess streambank stability at 124 stream segments between January and March 2022. Field data were collected using the Bank Erosion
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

SPARROW Model Simulated Nutrient and Suspended Sediment Loads in Streams when All Forests are Urbanized Across the Southeastern United States

The U.S. Geological Survey's SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) for the Southeastern United States was used to simulate changes in total nitrogen, total phosphorus and suspended sediment load in streams under two scenarios: (1) where all forests are urbanized and (2) where all forests are urbanized and runoff is adjusted based on a non-forested landscape. This data r
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Groundwater Well Yield in Wake County, North Carolina

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Wake County Environmental Services, initiated a comprehensive groundwater resource investigation to better understand the quantity and quality of groundwater in Wake County, North Carolina. In 2020, as part of the investigation, groundwater records were compiled electronically from 7,689 wells in and within five miles of Wake County and groundwater y
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Land Cover Basin Characteristics Rasters for South Carolina StreamStats 2021

In cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the U.S. Geological Survey calculated four land cover basin characteristics rasters as part of preparing the South Carolina StreamStats 2021 application. These datasets are raster representations of impervious surface, developed, forested, and storage land cover attributes within the South Carolina StreamStats 2021 study area, an
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

SPARROW model dataset for total suspended solids in North Carolina, including simulated stream loads

To better understand the influence of human activities and natural processes on surface-water quality, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed the SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes) (Schwarz and others, 2006; Alexander and others, 2008) model. The framework is used to relate water-quality monitoring data to sources and watershed characteristics that affect the f
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Associated data for Water- and Sediment-Quality in the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 201214

This data release contains environmental and quality control results for chemical, biological, and physical sampling of water and bed sediment from Albemarle Sound and associated tributaries between 2012 and 2014 referenced in USGS OFR 2016-1171. Appendix 1 contains all quality control results to characterize the bias and variability of sampling, handling, and analysis of water, phytoplankton, and
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South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Simulation of future streamflow and irrigation demand based on climate and urban growth projections in the Cape Fear and Pee Dee River Basins, North Carolina and South Carolina, 2055–65

Water resources in the coastal region of North Carolina and South Carolina (Coastal Carolinas) are currently under stress from competing ecological and societal needs. Projected changes in climate and population are expected to place even more stress on water resources in the region. The Coastal Carolinas Focus Area Study was initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey Water Availability and Use Scien
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Laura N. Gurley, Ana María García, Cassandra A. Pfeifle, Georgina M. Sanchez
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Assessment of well yield, dominant fractures, and groundwater recharge in Wake County, North Carolina

A cooperative study led by the U.S. Geological Survey and Wake County Environmental Services was initiated to characterize the fractured-rock aquifer system and assess the sustainability of groundwater resources in and around Wake County. This report contributes to the development of a comprehensive groundwater budget for the study area, thereby helping to enable resource managers to make sound an
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Dominick J. Antolino, Laura N. Gurley
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Five hydrologic and landscape databases for selected National Wildlife Refuges in the Southeastern United States

This report serves as metadata and a user guide for five out of six hydrologic and landscape databases developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to describe data-collection, data-reduction, and data-analysis methods used to construct the databases and provides statistical and graphical descriptions of the databases. Six hydrologic and landscap
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Gary R. Buell, Laura N. Gurley, Daniel L. Calhoun, Alexandria M. Hunt
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water quality and bed sediment quality in the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 2012–14

The Albemarle Sound region was selected in 2012 as one of two demonstration sites in the Nation to test and improve the design of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council’s National Monitoring Network (NMN) for U.S. Coastal Waters and Tributaries. The goal of the NMN for U.S. Coastal Waters and Tributaries is to provide information about the health of our oceans, coastal ecosystems, and inlan
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Michelle C. Moorman, Sharon A. Fitzgerald, Laura N. Gurley, Ahmed Rhoni-Aref, Keith A. Loftin
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Effect of land-applied biosolids on surface-water nutrient yields and groundwater quality in Orange County, North Carolina

Land application of municipal wastewater biosolids is the most common method of biosolids management used in North Carolina and the United States. Biosolids have characteristics that may be beneficial to soil and plants. Land application can take advantage of these beneficial qualities, whereas disposal in landfills or incineration poses no beneficial use of the waste. Some independent studies and
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Chad R. Wagner, Sharon A. Fitzgerald, Kristen Bukowski McSwain, Stephen L. Harden, Laura N. Gurley, Shane W. Rogers
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Baseline well inventory and groundwater-quality data from a potential shale gas resource area in parts of Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina, October 2011-August 2012

Records were obtained for 305 wells and 1 spring in northwestern Lee and southeastern Chatham counties, North Carolina. Well depths ranged from 26 to 720 feet and yields ranged from 0.25 to 100 gallons per minute. A subset of 56 wells and 1 spring were sampled for baseline groundwaterquality constituents including the following: major ions; dissolved metals; nutrients; dissolved gases (including m
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Melinda J. Chapman, Laura N. Gurley, Sharon A. Fitzgerald
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Hydrogeology, hydraulic characteristics, and water-quality conditions in the surficial, Castle Hayne and Peedee aquifers of the greater New Hanover County area, North Carolina, 2012-13

A major issue facing the greater New Hanover County, North Carolina, area is the increased demand for drinking water resources as a result of rapid growth. The principal sources of freshwater supply in the greater New Hanover County area are withdrawals of surface water from the Cape Fear River and groundwater from the underlying Castle Hayne and Peedee aquifers. Industrial, mining, irrigation, an
Authors
Kristen Bukowski McSwain, Laura N. Gurley, Dominick J. Antolino
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Science and Products