Thomas J Mack, PG
Tom Mack is a Scientist Emeritus with the USGS International Programs.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 38
Preserving and increasing water resources—Natural infrastructure in dryland streams in Baja California Sur, Mexico Preserving and increasing water resources—Natural infrastructure in dryland streams in Baja California Sur, Mexico
The Los Planes watershed of Baja California Sur, Mexico, and its underlying aquifer are experiencing groundwater decline owing to low average annual rainfall (28.1 centimeters per year) and rising water demand from population growth and agricultural activities. This decline in water availability can lead to desertification—a process that changes arable land to desert by degrading soil...
Authors
Alma Lizette Anides Morales, Laura M. Norman, Thomas J. Mack
Virtual training prepared for the former Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water—Streamgaging, fluvial sediment sampling, bathymetry, and streamflow and sediment modeling Virtual training prepared for the former Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water—Streamgaging, fluvial sediment sampling, bathymetry, and streamflow and sediment modeling
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created a virtual training series for the Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW), now known as the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority (NWARA), to provide critical hydrological training as an alternative to an in-person training. The USGS was scheduled to provide in-person surface-water training for NWARA during 2020; however, travel was...
Authors
Joel T. Groten, Joshua F. Valder, Brenda K. Densmore, Logan W. Neal, Justin Krahulik, Thomas J. Mack
Hydrogeologic framework and simulation of predevelopment groundwater flow, eastern Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates Hydrogeologic framework and simulation of predevelopment groundwater flow, eastern Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Groundwater in eastern Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is an important resource that is widely used for irrigation and domestic supplies in rural areas. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi cooperated on an investigation to integrate existing hydrogeologic information and to answer questions about regional groundwater resources in Abu Dhabi by developing...
Authors
Jack R. Eggleston, Thomas J. Mack, Jeffrey L. Imes, Wade Kress, Dennis W. Woodward, Daniel J. Bright
Passive seismic survey of sediment thickness, Dasht-e-Nawar basin, eastern Afghanistan Passive seismic survey of sediment thickness, Dasht-e-Nawar basin, eastern Afghanistan
Exploration of water resources is needed for public supply, extraction of mineral resources, and economic development in Afghanistan. Remotely-sensed data are useful for identifying the general nature of surface sediments, however, “boots on the ground” geophysical surveys or drilling programs are needed to quantify the thickness of sediments or aquifers. The nature of such...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack
Preliminary-assessment and upgrade of a groundwater flow model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire Preliminary-assessment and upgrade of a groundwater flow model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire
In 2003 and 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated the availability of groundwater resources in a 160-square mile area of coastal New Hampshire (Figure 1) using a regional groundwater flow model (Mack, 2009). At that time, population growth and increasing water demand prompted concern for the sustainability of the region’s groundwater resources in a fractured-crystalline bedrock...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack
Groundwater level trends and drivers in two northern New England glacial aquifers Groundwater level trends and drivers in two northern New England glacial aquifers
We evaluated long-term trends and predictors of groundwater levels by month from two well-studied northern New England forested headwater glacial aquifers: Sleepers River, Vermont, 44 wells, 1992-2013; and Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire, 15 wells, 1979-2004. Based on Kendall Tau tests with Sen slope determination, a surprising number of well-month combinations had negative trends...
Authors
James B. Shanley, Ann T. Chalmers, Thomas J. Mack, Thor E. Smith, Philip T. Harte
Use of historic Persian water system data in groundwater models: Examples from Afghanistan and Emirates Use of historic Persian water system data in groundwater models: Examples from Afghanistan and Emirates
Obtaining calibration data for models depicting conditions during pre-development periods can be challenging as such periods are characteristically data poor. This study presents two examples where simulation of historic water conveyance structures were used to help characterize historic, or pre-modern, conditions in calibration of groundwater flow models. Persian water conveyance...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Jack R. Eggleston
Sustainability of water-supply at military installations, Kabul Basin, Afghanistan Sustainability of water-supply at military installations, Kabul Basin, Afghanistan
The Kabul Basin, including the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, is host to several military installations of Afghanistan, the United States, and other nations that depend on groundwater resources for water supply. These installations are within or close to the city of Kabul. Groundwater also is the potable supply for the approximately four million residents of Kabul. The sustainability of...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Michael P. Chornack, Ingrid M. Verstraeten
Lineament analysis of mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan Lineament analysis of mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan
During a preliminary mineral resource assessment of Afghanistan (Peters and others, 2007), 24 mineralized areas of interest (AOIs) were highlighted as the focus for future economic development throughout various parts of the country. In addition to located mineral resources of value, development of a viable mining industry in Afghanistan will require the location of suitable groundwater...
Authors
Bernard E. Hubbard, Thomas J. Mack, Allyson L. Thompson
Summaries of important areas for mineral investment and production opportunities of nonfuel minerals in Afghanistan Summaries of important areas for mineral investment and production opportunities of nonfuel minerals in Afghanistan
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) entered into an agreement with the Afghanistan Geological Survey to study and assess the fuel and nonfuel mineral resources of Afghanistan from October 2009 to September 2011 so that these resources could be economically extracted to expand the economy of...
Authors
Stephen G. Peters, Trude King, Thomas J. Mack, Michael P. Chornack
Technique for estimation of streamflow statistics in mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan Technique for estimation of streamflow statistics in mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan
A technique for estimating streamflow statistics at ungaged stream sites in areas of mineral interest in Afghanistan using drainage-area-ratio relations of historical streamflow data was developed and is documented in this report. The technique can be used to estimate the following streamflow statistics at ungaged sites: (1) 7-day low flow with a 10-year recurrence interval, (2) 7-day...
Authors
Scott A. Olson, Thomas J. Mack
Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire
Three bedrock water-supply systems in New Hampshire were studied, using borehole geophysics and flow-weighted sampling techniques, to determine the sources and distribution of natural contaminants in water entering the boreholes and to assess whether borehole modifications might be used to reduce contaminant levels. Well water in more than 100 community water-supply systems in New...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Marcel Belaval, James R. Degnan, Stephen J. Roy, Joseph D. Ayotte
Research in the Los Planes Watershed – Water Cycle Augmentation
The USGS is working with partners to understand the impacts of installing structures made from rock, sandbags and wood in channels at a dryland ranch in southern Baja California. Hydrogeological instrumentation, recording observations, modeling hydrogeological scenarios, and an interdisciplinary scientific study of the watershed interactions between water, ecological systems, and human activities...
Ground-Penetrating Radar for Depth to Bedrock in Select Watersheds near Los Planes in Southern Baja California Sur, Mexico Ground-Penetrating Radar for Depth to Bedrock in Select Watersheds near Los Planes in Southern Baja California Sur, Mexico
During December 2022 and April 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with U.S. Water Partnership, collected ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data in select small subwatersheds and arroyos within the Los Planes watershed south of La Paz in southern Baja California Sur, Mexico to map the depth to bedrock for use as inputs to a groundwater flow model. This data release contains the...
Paired Watershed and Characteristic Trait Data for the Los Planes Basin Research Ranch Watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release Paired Watershed and Characteristic Trait Data for the Los Planes Basin Research Ranch Watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release
Watershed pairing is an approach used to assess effects of restoration on a landscape by comparing conditions across a treatment watershed and a control watershed, and then quantifying the differences. When the watersheds are statistically paired, the control watershed can serve as a baseline of conditions compared to the treatment watershed. We apply a watershed pairing analysis across...
MODFLOW-NWT Upgrade and Preliminary-Assessment of a Groundwater-Flow Model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire MODFLOW-NWT Upgrade and Preliminary-Assessment of a Groundwater-Flow Model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire
Improvements to an existing regional groundwater-flow model of a 160-square mile area of coastal New Hampshire (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20085222), incorporating MODFLOW-NWT and by more accurately representing stream characteristics, were presented at the MODFLOW and More 2017 conference in an example simulating approximate changes in water use. The groundwater-flow model developed for...
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 38
Preserving and increasing water resources—Natural infrastructure in dryland streams in Baja California Sur, Mexico Preserving and increasing water resources—Natural infrastructure in dryland streams in Baja California Sur, Mexico
The Los Planes watershed of Baja California Sur, Mexico, and its underlying aquifer are experiencing groundwater decline owing to low average annual rainfall (28.1 centimeters per year) and rising water demand from population growth and agricultural activities. This decline in water availability can lead to desertification—a process that changes arable land to desert by degrading soil...
Authors
Alma Lizette Anides Morales, Laura M. Norman, Thomas J. Mack
Virtual training prepared for the former Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water—Streamgaging, fluvial sediment sampling, bathymetry, and streamflow and sediment modeling Virtual training prepared for the former Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water—Streamgaging, fluvial sediment sampling, bathymetry, and streamflow and sediment modeling
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created a virtual training series for the Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW), now known as the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority (NWARA), to provide critical hydrological training as an alternative to an in-person training. The USGS was scheduled to provide in-person surface-water training for NWARA during 2020; however, travel was...
Authors
Joel T. Groten, Joshua F. Valder, Brenda K. Densmore, Logan W. Neal, Justin Krahulik, Thomas J. Mack
Hydrogeologic framework and simulation of predevelopment groundwater flow, eastern Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates Hydrogeologic framework and simulation of predevelopment groundwater flow, eastern Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Groundwater in eastern Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is an important resource that is widely used for irrigation and domestic supplies in rural areas. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi cooperated on an investigation to integrate existing hydrogeologic information and to answer questions about regional groundwater resources in Abu Dhabi by developing...
Authors
Jack R. Eggleston, Thomas J. Mack, Jeffrey L. Imes, Wade Kress, Dennis W. Woodward, Daniel J. Bright
Passive seismic survey of sediment thickness, Dasht-e-Nawar basin, eastern Afghanistan Passive seismic survey of sediment thickness, Dasht-e-Nawar basin, eastern Afghanistan
Exploration of water resources is needed for public supply, extraction of mineral resources, and economic development in Afghanistan. Remotely-sensed data are useful for identifying the general nature of surface sediments, however, “boots on the ground” geophysical surveys or drilling programs are needed to quantify the thickness of sediments or aquifers. The nature of such...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack
Preliminary-assessment and upgrade of a groundwater flow model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire Preliminary-assessment and upgrade of a groundwater flow model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire
In 2003 and 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated the availability of groundwater resources in a 160-square mile area of coastal New Hampshire (Figure 1) using a regional groundwater flow model (Mack, 2009). At that time, population growth and increasing water demand prompted concern for the sustainability of the region’s groundwater resources in a fractured-crystalline bedrock...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack
Groundwater level trends and drivers in two northern New England glacial aquifers Groundwater level trends and drivers in two northern New England glacial aquifers
We evaluated long-term trends and predictors of groundwater levels by month from two well-studied northern New England forested headwater glacial aquifers: Sleepers River, Vermont, 44 wells, 1992-2013; and Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire, 15 wells, 1979-2004. Based on Kendall Tau tests with Sen slope determination, a surprising number of well-month combinations had negative trends...
Authors
James B. Shanley, Ann T. Chalmers, Thomas J. Mack, Thor E. Smith, Philip T. Harte
Use of historic Persian water system data in groundwater models: Examples from Afghanistan and Emirates Use of historic Persian water system data in groundwater models: Examples from Afghanistan and Emirates
Obtaining calibration data for models depicting conditions during pre-development periods can be challenging as such periods are characteristically data poor. This study presents two examples where simulation of historic water conveyance structures were used to help characterize historic, or pre-modern, conditions in calibration of groundwater flow models. Persian water conveyance...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Jack R. Eggleston
Sustainability of water-supply at military installations, Kabul Basin, Afghanistan Sustainability of water-supply at military installations, Kabul Basin, Afghanistan
The Kabul Basin, including the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, is host to several military installations of Afghanistan, the United States, and other nations that depend on groundwater resources for water supply. These installations are within or close to the city of Kabul. Groundwater also is the potable supply for the approximately four million residents of Kabul. The sustainability of...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Michael P. Chornack, Ingrid M. Verstraeten
Lineament analysis of mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan Lineament analysis of mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan
During a preliminary mineral resource assessment of Afghanistan (Peters and others, 2007), 24 mineralized areas of interest (AOIs) were highlighted as the focus for future economic development throughout various parts of the country. In addition to located mineral resources of value, development of a viable mining industry in Afghanistan will require the location of suitable groundwater...
Authors
Bernard E. Hubbard, Thomas J. Mack, Allyson L. Thompson
Summaries of important areas for mineral investment and production opportunities of nonfuel minerals in Afghanistan Summaries of important areas for mineral investment and production opportunities of nonfuel minerals in Afghanistan
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) entered into an agreement with the Afghanistan Geological Survey to study and assess the fuel and nonfuel mineral resources of Afghanistan from October 2009 to September 2011 so that these resources could be economically extracted to expand the economy of...
Authors
Stephen G. Peters, Trude King, Thomas J. Mack, Michael P. Chornack
Technique for estimation of streamflow statistics in mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan Technique for estimation of streamflow statistics in mineral areas of interest in Afghanistan
A technique for estimating streamflow statistics at ungaged stream sites in areas of mineral interest in Afghanistan using drainage-area-ratio relations of historical streamflow data was developed and is documented in this report. The technique can be used to estimate the following streamflow statistics at ungaged sites: (1) 7-day low flow with a 10-year recurrence interval, (2) 7-day...
Authors
Scott A. Olson, Thomas J. Mack
Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire Geophysical and flow-weighted natural-contaminant characterization of three water-supply wells in New Hampshire
Three bedrock water-supply systems in New Hampshire were studied, using borehole geophysics and flow-weighted sampling techniques, to determine the sources and distribution of natural contaminants in water entering the boreholes and to assess whether borehole modifications might be used to reduce contaminant levels. Well water in more than 100 community water-supply systems in New...
Authors
Thomas J. Mack, Marcel Belaval, James R. Degnan, Stephen J. Roy, Joseph D. Ayotte
Research in the Los Planes Watershed – Water Cycle Augmentation
The USGS is working with partners to understand the impacts of installing structures made from rock, sandbags and wood in channels at a dryland ranch in southern Baja California. Hydrogeological instrumentation, recording observations, modeling hydrogeological scenarios, and an interdisciplinary scientific study of the watershed interactions between water, ecological systems, and human activities...
Ground-Penetrating Radar for Depth to Bedrock in Select Watersheds near Los Planes in Southern Baja California Sur, Mexico Ground-Penetrating Radar for Depth to Bedrock in Select Watersheds near Los Planes in Southern Baja California Sur, Mexico
During December 2022 and April 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with U.S. Water Partnership, collected ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data in select small subwatersheds and arroyos within the Los Planes watershed south of La Paz in southern Baja California Sur, Mexico to map the depth to bedrock for use as inputs to a groundwater flow model. This data release contains the...
Paired Watershed and Characteristic Trait Data for the Los Planes Basin Research Ranch Watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release Paired Watershed and Characteristic Trait Data for the Los Planes Basin Research Ranch Watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release
Watershed pairing is an approach used to assess effects of restoration on a landscape by comparing conditions across a treatment watershed and a control watershed, and then quantifying the differences. When the watersheds are statistically paired, the control watershed can serve as a baseline of conditions compared to the treatment watershed. We apply a watershed pairing analysis across...
MODFLOW-NWT Upgrade and Preliminary-Assessment of a Groundwater-Flow Model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire MODFLOW-NWT Upgrade and Preliminary-Assessment of a Groundwater-Flow Model of the Seacoast Bedrock Aquifer, New Hampshire
Improvements to an existing regional groundwater-flow model of a 160-square mile area of coastal New Hampshire (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20085222), incorporating MODFLOW-NWT and by more accurately representing stream characteristics, were presented at the MODFLOW and More 2017 conference in an example simulating approximate changes in water use. The groundwater-flow model developed for...