Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 28
Hydrogeology and model-simulated groundwater availability in the Salt Fork Red River aquifer, southwestern Oklahoma, 1980–2015
The 1973 Oklahoma Water Law (82 OK Stat § 82-1020.5) requires that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) conduct hydrologic investigations of the State’s groundwater basins to support a determination of the maximum annual yield for each groundwater basin (hereinafter referred to as an “aquifer”). The maximum annual yield allocated per acre of land is known as the equal-proportionate-share (EPS
Hydrogeology and simulated groundwater flow and availability in the North Fork Red River aquifer, southwest Oklahoma, 1980–2013
On September 8, 1981, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board established regulatory limits on the maximum annual yield of groundwater (343,042 acre-feet per year) and equal-proportionate-share (EPS) pumping rate (1.0 acre-foot per acre per year) for the North Fork Red River aquifer. The maximum annual yield and EPS were based on a hydrologic investigation that used a numerical groundwater-flow model t
Bathymetric surveys of the Neosho River, Spring River, and Elk River, northeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Missouri, 2016–17
In February 2017, the Grand River Dam Authority filed to relicense the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The predominant feature of the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project is Pensacola Dam, which impounds Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees (locally called Grand Lake) in northeastern Oklahoma. Identification of information gaps and assessment of project effects on
Hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow and analysis of projected water use for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer, western and central Oklahoma
This report describes a study of the hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer in western and central Oklahoma conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The report (1) quantifies the groundwater resources of the Canadian River alluvial aquifer by developing a conceptual model, (2) summarizes the gen
Summary of U.S. Geological Survey studies conducted in cooperation with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, central Oklahoma, 2011–14
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted hydrologic studies and published three U.S. Geological Survey scientific investigations reports in cooperation with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation from 2011 to 2014 to characterize the quality and quantity of water resources. The study areas of those reports consisted of approximately 960 square miles in parts of three counties in central Oklahoma. This study ar
Methods for estimating the magnitude and frequency of peak streamflows at ungaged sites in and near the Oklahoma Panhandle
This report presents the results of a cooperative study by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to estimate the magnitude and frequency of peak streamflows from regional regression equations for ungaged stream sites in and near the Oklahoma Panhandle. These methods relate basin characteristics (physiographic and climatic attributes) to selected peak streamflow f
Dam-breach analysis and flood-inundation mapping for selected dams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and near Atoka, Oklahoma
Dams provide beneficial functions such as flood control, recreation, and storage of water supplies, but they also entail risk; dam breaches and resultant floods can cause substantial property damage and loss of life. The State of Oklahoma requires each owner of a high-hazard dam, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines as dams for which failure or improper operation probably will cau
Description of landscape features, summary of existing hydrologic data, and identification of data gaps for the Osage Nation, northeastern Oklahoma, 1890-2012
The Osage Nation of northeastern Oklahoma, conterminous with Osage County, is characterized by gently rolling uplands and incised stream valleys that have downcut into underlying sedimentary rock units of Pennsylvanian through Permian age. Cattle ranching and petroleum and natural-gas extraction are the principal land uses in this rural area. Freshwater resources in the Osage Nation include water
Evaluation of groundwater and surface-water interactions in the Caddo Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, Caddo County, Oklahoma, 2010-13
Streamflows, springs, and wetlands are important natural and cultural resources to the Caddo Nation. Consequently, the Caddo Nation is concerned about the vulnerability of the Rush Springs aquifer to overdrafting and whether the aquifer will continue to be a viable source of water to tribal members and other local residents in the future. Interest in the long-term viability of local water resource
Hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow in the Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) Aquifer, Oklahoma, 1987 to 2009, and simulation of available water in storage, 2010–2059
The Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) aquifer underlies about 3,000 square miles of central Oklahoma. The study area for this investigation was the extent of the Central Oklahoma aquifer. Water from the Central Oklahoma aquifer is used for public, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and domestic supply. With the exception of Oklahoma City, all of the major communities in central Oklahoma rely
Hydrogeology, distribution, and volume of saline groundwater in the southern midcontinent and adjacent areas of the United States
The hydrogeology, distribution, and volume of saline water in 22 aquifers in the southern midcontinent of the United States were evaluated to provide information about saline groundwater resources that may be used to reduce dependency on freshwater resources. Those aquifers underlie six States in the southern midcontinent—Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas—and adjacent area
Estimation of volume and mass and of changes in volume and mass of selected chat piles in the Picher mining district, Ottawa County, Oklahoma, 2005-10
From the 1890s through the 1970s the Picher mining district in northeastern Ottawa County, Oklahoma, was the site of mining and processing of lead and zinc ore. When mining ceased in about 1979, as much as 165–300 million tons of mine tailings, locally referred to as “chat,” remained in the Picher mining district. Since 1979, some chat piles have been mined for aggregate materials and have decreas
Flood Database for Oklahoma
A web-mapping application for historical flood information organization and access.
Shawnee Twin Lakes Bathymetry
Shawnee Reservoir (locally known as Shawnee Twin Lakes) is a man-made reservoir on South Deer Creek with a drainage area of 32.7 square miles in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Shawnee, has operated a real-time stage (water-surface elevation) gage (USGS station 07241600) at Shawnee Reservoir since 2006. The purposes of the...
Groundwater Modeling at the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
The Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center performs computer simulations using MODFLOW to simulate groundwater/surface-water interaction, quantify groundwater resources, and evaluate the effects of withdrawals on future groundwater supplies for aquifers in Oklahoma and Texas.
North Fork Red River Aquifer Study
In 2012 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the OWRB, began an update of the hydrologic investigation and development of a groundwater-flow model for the North Fork Red River alluvial aquifer in Beckham, Greer, Jackson, and Kiowa Counties.
Salt Fork Red River Alluvial Aquifer Study
The objectives of this project are to describe the hydrogeology of the Salt Fork Red River alluvial aquifer and to produce numerical groundwater-flow models that can be used to simulate the transient groundwater-flow system. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) will use the outcomes from this project to determine the MAY and effects of future water extraction and drought. The geographic scope...
Subject-Area Specialists
Please feel free to contact any of our subject-area specialists. Center Director/Surface-water specialist - Jason LewisData Chief - VacantStudies Chief - Matthew VaronkaGeographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist - S. Jerrod SmithGroundwater specialist - Shana MashburnWater-quality specialist - Stephanie BuckWater-use specialist - Carol Becker
Oklahoma DroughtWatch
The U.S. Geological Survey Oklahoma Water Science Center continuously monitors the status of surface water in the State's principal rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers. Selected index stations with long-term continuous record spanning many drought periods are used to compare existing streamflows, reservoir storage, and ground-water levels with normal and extreme recorded values. These comparisons...
Oklahoma StreamStats
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) periodically publishes streamflow statistics, such as flood-frequency, flow-duration, and mean annual streamflow statistics, for gaged sites with long-term record. Regionalized regression methods recently have been developed for estimating many of these streamflow statistics at ungaged sites as a function of measured physical and climatic drainage basin...
Aquifer Characteristics of Selected Aquifers in Oklahoma
Digital geospatial data sets of aquifer characteristics have been produced from existing, published paper reports for major aquifers in Oklahoma. The aquifer characteristics compiled include hydraulic conductivity, recharge, water-level elevation, and aquifer boundaries.The individual aquifer characteristic data sets are designed especially for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for...
Data release for mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for Oklahoma, 1940-2007
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, produced this data release that includes vector and raster geographic information systems layers used in the analysis and publication of a mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for 1940-2007 for Oklahoma. The data release covers all 69 8-digit hydrologic units with at least 1 square mile of ar
Data Release of Basin Characteristics, Generalized Skew Map, and Peak-Streamflow Frequency Estimates in Oklahoma, 2017 (ver. 1.1, September 2020)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, updated basin-characteristic data for Oklahoma streams with drainage areas of less than 2,510 square miles. Basin characteristics were updated or created for 248 streamgages. The previously published Oklahoma generalized skew map, a necessary element in the developm
Bathymetric Surveys of the Neosho River, Spring River, and Elk River, northeast Oklahoma and southwest Missouri, 201617
In February 2017, the Grand River Dam Authority filed to relicense the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The predominant feature of the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project is Pensacola Dam, which impounds Grand Lake O the Cherokees (locally called Grand Lake) in northeastern Oklahoma. Identification of information gaps and assessment of project effects on s
Bathymetry and capacity of Shawnee Reservoir, Oklahoma, 2016
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Shawnee, performed a detailed bathymetric survey of Shawnee Reservoir in 2016. Shawnee Reservoir (locally known as Shawnee Twin Lakes) is a manmade reservoir on South Deer Creek in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The reservoir consists of two lakes connected by an equilibrium channel. The southern lake (Shawnee City Lake Number 1) w
Mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for Oklahoma, 1940–2007
Hydrologic records used to create previously published maps depicting mean annual runoff are biased to a relatively dry period in Oklahoma history that was dominated by droughts. Therefore, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, developed an updated mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for Oklahoma and parts of adjacent States. The updat
Bathymetry and capacity of Shawnee Reservoir, Oklahoma, 2016
Shawnee Reservoir (locally known as Shawnee Twin Lakes) is a man-made reservoir on South Deer Creek with a drainage area of 32.7 square miles in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The reservoir consists of two lakes connected by an equilibrium channel. The southern lake (Shawnee City Lake Number 1) was impounded in 1935, and the northern lake (Shawnee City Lake Number 2) was impounded in 1960. Shawnee
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 28
Hydrogeology and model-simulated groundwater availability in the Salt Fork Red River aquifer, southwestern Oklahoma, 1980–2015
The 1973 Oklahoma Water Law (82 OK Stat § 82-1020.5) requires that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) conduct hydrologic investigations of the State’s groundwater basins to support a determination of the maximum annual yield for each groundwater basin (hereinafter referred to as an “aquifer”). The maximum annual yield allocated per acre of land is known as the equal-proportionate-share (EPSHydrogeology and simulated groundwater flow and availability in the North Fork Red River aquifer, southwest Oklahoma, 1980–2013
On September 8, 1981, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board established regulatory limits on the maximum annual yield of groundwater (343,042 acre-feet per year) and equal-proportionate-share (EPS) pumping rate (1.0 acre-foot per acre per year) for the North Fork Red River aquifer. The maximum annual yield and EPS were based on a hydrologic investigation that used a numerical groundwater-flow model tBathymetric surveys of the Neosho River, Spring River, and Elk River, northeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Missouri, 2016–17
In February 2017, the Grand River Dam Authority filed to relicense the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The predominant feature of the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project is Pensacola Dam, which impounds Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees (locally called Grand Lake) in northeastern Oklahoma. Identification of information gaps and assessment of project effects onHydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow and analysis of projected water use for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer, western and central Oklahoma
This report describes a study of the hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer in western and central Oklahoma conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The report (1) quantifies the groundwater resources of the Canadian River alluvial aquifer by developing a conceptual model, (2) summarizes the genSummary of U.S. Geological Survey studies conducted in cooperation with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, central Oklahoma, 2011–14
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted hydrologic studies and published three U.S. Geological Survey scientific investigations reports in cooperation with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation from 2011 to 2014 to characterize the quality and quantity of water resources. The study areas of those reports consisted of approximately 960 square miles in parts of three counties in central Oklahoma. This study arMethods for estimating the magnitude and frequency of peak streamflows at ungaged sites in and near the Oklahoma Panhandle
This report presents the results of a cooperative study by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to estimate the magnitude and frequency of peak streamflows from regional regression equations for ungaged stream sites in and near the Oklahoma Panhandle. These methods relate basin characteristics (physiographic and climatic attributes) to selected peak streamflow fDam-breach analysis and flood-inundation mapping for selected dams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and near Atoka, Oklahoma
Dams provide beneficial functions such as flood control, recreation, and storage of water supplies, but they also entail risk; dam breaches and resultant floods can cause substantial property damage and loss of life. The State of Oklahoma requires each owner of a high-hazard dam, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines as dams for which failure or improper operation probably will cauDescription of landscape features, summary of existing hydrologic data, and identification of data gaps for the Osage Nation, northeastern Oklahoma, 1890-2012
The Osage Nation of northeastern Oklahoma, conterminous with Osage County, is characterized by gently rolling uplands and incised stream valleys that have downcut into underlying sedimentary rock units of Pennsylvanian through Permian age. Cattle ranching and petroleum and natural-gas extraction are the principal land uses in this rural area. Freshwater resources in the Osage Nation include waterEvaluation of groundwater and surface-water interactions in the Caddo Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, Caddo County, Oklahoma, 2010-13
Streamflows, springs, and wetlands are important natural and cultural resources to the Caddo Nation. Consequently, the Caddo Nation is concerned about the vulnerability of the Rush Springs aquifer to overdrafting and whether the aquifer will continue to be a viable source of water to tribal members and other local residents in the future. Interest in the long-term viability of local water resourceHydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow in the Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) Aquifer, Oklahoma, 1987 to 2009, and simulation of available water in storage, 2010–2059
The Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) aquifer underlies about 3,000 square miles of central Oklahoma. The study area for this investigation was the extent of the Central Oklahoma aquifer. Water from the Central Oklahoma aquifer is used for public, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and domestic supply. With the exception of Oklahoma City, all of the major communities in central Oklahoma relyHydrogeology, distribution, and volume of saline groundwater in the southern midcontinent and adjacent areas of the United States
The hydrogeology, distribution, and volume of saline water in 22 aquifers in the southern midcontinent of the United States were evaluated to provide information about saline groundwater resources that may be used to reduce dependency on freshwater resources. Those aquifers underlie six States in the southern midcontinent—Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas—and adjacent areaEstimation of volume and mass and of changes in volume and mass of selected chat piles in the Picher mining district, Ottawa County, Oklahoma, 2005-10
From the 1890s through the 1970s the Picher mining district in northeastern Ottawa County, Oklahoma, was the site of mining and processing of lead and zinc ore. When mining ceased in about 1979, as much as 165–300 million tons of mine tailings, locally referred to as “chat,” remained in the Picher mining district. Since 1979, some chat piles have been mined for aggregate materials and have decreas - Science
Flood Database for Oklahoma
A web-mapping application for historical flood information organization and access.Shawnee Twin Lakes Bathymetry
Shawnee Reservoir (locally known as Shawnee Twin Lakes) is a man-made reservoir on South Deer Creek with a drainage area of 32.7 square miles in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Shawnee, has operated a real-time stage (water-surface elevation) gage (USGS station 07241600) at Shawnee Reservoir since 2006. The purposes of the...Groundwater Modeling at the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
The Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center performs computer simulations using MODFLOW to simulate groundwater/surface-water interaction, quantify groundwater resources, and evaluate the effects of withdrawals on future groundwater supplies for aquifers in Oklahoma and Texas.North Fork Red River Aquifer Study
In 2012 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the OWRB, began an update of the hydrologic investigation and development of a groundwater-flow model for the North Fork Red River alluvial aquifer in Beckham, Greer, Jackson, and Kiowa Counties.Salt Fork Red River Alluvial Aquifer Study
The objectives of this project are to describe the hydrogeology of the Salt Fork Red River alluvial aquifer and to produce numerical groundwater-flow models that can be used to simulate the transient groundwater-flow system. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) will use the outcomes from this project to determine the MAY and effects of future water extraction and drought. The geographic scope...Subject-Area Specialists
Please feel free to contact any of our subject-area specialists. Center Director/Surface-water specialist - Jason LewisData Chief - VacantStudies Chief - Matthew VaronkaGeographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist - S. Jerrod SmithGroundwater specialist - Shana MashburnWater-quality specialist - Stephanie BuckWater-use specialist - Carol BeckerOklahoma DroughtWatch
The U.S. Geological Survey Oklahoma Water Science Center continuously monitors the status of surface water in the State's principal rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers. Selected index stations with long-term continuous record spanning many drought periods are used to compare existing streamflows, reservoir storage, and ground-water levels with normal and extreme recorded values. These comparisons...Oklahoma StreamStats
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) periodically publishes streamflow statistics, such as flood-frequency, flow-duration, and mean annual streamflow statistics, for gaged sites with long-term record. Regionalized regression methods recently have been developed for estimating many of these streamflow statistics at ungaged sites as a function of measured physical and climatic drainage basin...Aquifer Characteristics of Selected Aquifers in Oklahoma
Digital geospatial data sets of aquifer characteristics have been produced from existing, published paper reports for major aquifers in Oklahoma. The aquifer characteristics compiled include hydraulic conductivity, recharge, water-level elevation, and aquifer boundaries.The individual aquifer characteristic data sets are designed especially for use with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for... - Data
Data release for mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for Oklahoma, 1940-2007
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, produced this data release that includes vector and raster geographic information systems layers used in the analysis and publication of a mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for 1940-2007 for Oklahoma. The data release covers all 69 8-digit hydrologic units with at least 1 square mile of arData Release of Basin Characteristics, Generalized Skew Map, and Peak-Streamflow Frequency Estimates in Oklahoma, 2017 (ver. 1.1, September 2020)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, updated basin-characteristic data for Oklahoma streams with drainage areas of less than 2,510 square miles. Basin characteristics were updated or created for 248 streamgages. The previously published Oklahoma generalized skew map, a necessary element in the developmBathymetric Surveys of the Neosho River, Spring River, and Elk River, northeast Oklahoma and southwest Missouri, 201617
In February 2017, the Grand River Dam Authority filed to relicense the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The predominant feature of the Pensacola Hydroelectric Project is Pensacola Dam, which impounds Grand Lake O the Cherokees (locally called Grand Lake) in northeastern Oklahoma. Identification of information gaps and assessment of project effects on sBathymetry and capacity of Shawnee Reservoir, Oklahoma, 2016
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Shawnee, performed a detailed bathymetric survey of Shawnee Reservoir in 2016. Shawnee Reservoir (locally known as Shawnee Twin Lakes) is a manmade reservoir on South Deer Creek in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The reservoir consists of two lakes connected by an equilibrium channel. The southern lake (Shawnee City Lake Number 1) w - Maps
Mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for Oklahoma, 1940–2007
Hydrologic records used to create previously published maps depicting mean annual runoff are biased to a relatively dry period in Oklahoma history that was dominated by droughts. Therefore, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, developed an updated mean annual runoff and annual runoff variability map for Oklahoma and parts of adjacent States. The updatBathymetry and capacity of Shawnee Reservoir, Oklahoma, 2016
Shawnee Reservoir (locally known as Shawnee Twin Lakes) is a man-made reservoir on South Deer Creek with a drainage area of 32.7 square miles in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The reservoir consists of two lakes connected by an equilibrium channel. The southern lake (Shawnee City Lake Number 1) was impounded in 1935, and the northern lake (Shawnee City Lake Number 2) was impounded in 1960. Shawnee - Multimedia