Unified Interior Regions
Arizona
The Southwest Region includes California, Nevada, and Arizona. The Regional Office, headquartered in Sacramento, provides Center oversight and support, facilitates internal and external collaborations, and works to further USGS strategic science directions.
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Monsoon-Rain Flow in an Ephemeral Channel near Sierra Vista, Arizona
As part of the assessment of the binational San Pedro aquifer, the effects of urbanization on runoff in ephemeral streams was studied. Ephemeral streams are those that flow in response to precipitation. Runoff in tributaries to the San Pedro River is important in understanding the water budget of the river. In addition, in arid watersheds such as the San Pedro, flow in
PubTalk 6/2007 — Adventures in Southwest Geology
Exploring the colorful southern Colorado Plateau in 3-D
By Philip Stoffer, Geologist
Take a colorful tour with the help of 3-D photography through some of the region's highlights:
- A plethora of parklands- Petrified Forest, Chaco Canyon, Wupatki, Grand Canyon
- High desert climate changes, past, present, and
Drilling for mineral resources near Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Drilling for mineral resources near Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Climate change combined with overlapping high-intensity land uses are likely to create conditions detrimental to the recreation economy, wildlife habitat, water availability and other resources in hyper-arid landscapes, or drylands, in the future, according to a paper published in Ecosphere
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Huérfano Butte, Santa Rita Experimental Range, Southern Arizona - 2007
More mesquite were visible, and prickly pear had replaced cholla as the dominant cacti. (Mitchel P. McClaran).
Santa Catalina Highway, near Tucson, Southern Arizona - 2006
Two ranging poles were placed near the positions of two sets of saguaros in order to determine their heights, and hence approximate ages. Most were established in the 1890s, after livestock grazing and the removal of fine fuels had begun in the area. Several small saguaros have become established since the fire; one is to the left of the left-hand ranging pole,
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Flood Measurement on Rillito River (2006)
USGS employees measuring flood flows on Rillito River in Tucson, Arizona.
Flood Measurement Using ADCP (2006)
USGS employees taking flood measurements using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler.
Nonnative tamarisk re-grows following a wildfire
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part because of its ablity to re-sprout.
Nonnative tamarisk re-sprouts after wildfire
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its ability to resprout
Tamarisk plants can make many flowers
Tamarisk plants have been sucessful in southwestern US river- and stream-side habitats, in part because of its ablity to make many flowers and, therefore, seeds.
A single species stand of nonnative tamarisk
Single species stand of nonnative tamarisk on the Lower Colorado River at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, California
USGS Director Chip Groat is available for interviews on Dec. 6-7. Please call the contact, above. Groat will present Science for Ecosystem Restoration on Mon, Dec. 6 from 2:20-2:50pm.
The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey is collaborating with partner agencies to conduct scientific experiments designed to evaluate the effect of a high-flow release from Glen Canyon Dam on the natural resources of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park.
The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey is collaborating with partner agencies to conduct scientific experiments designed to evaluate the effect of a high-flow release from Glen Canyon Dam on the natural resources of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park.
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior has proposed conducting a scientific study on the use of high flows from Glen Canyon Dam to improve Colorado River natural and cultural resources in Grand Canyon National Park.
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior has proposed conducting a scientific study on the use of high flows from Glen Canyon Dam to improve Colorado River natural and cultural resources in Grand Canyon National Park.
A group of federal and university scientists today announced the launch of the Western Mountain Initiative, a 5-year effort funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to better understand ongoing changes in the mountains of the western United States.
Farmlands, wetlands, forests and deserts that composed the American landscape in the early 20th century have frequently been transformed during the past 30 years into mushrooming metropolitan areas as urbanization spreads across the country.
Farmlands, wetlands, forests and deserts that composed the American landscape in the early 20th century have frequently been transformed during the past 30 years into mushrooming metropolitan areas as urbanization spreads across the country.
Wesley Ward has been named Regional Executive for Geology for the Western Region of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The announcement of Ward’s new appointment was made by John D. Buffington, Western Regional Director, effective Aug. 11, 2003.
It’s 6 in the evening on February 12 at a sandy campsite on the banks of the Colorado River in northeastern Arizona. A crew of 18 is assembled 50 river miles downstream of Lees Ferry in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. The sun has disappeared long ago from the steep canyon walls, and nighttime temperatures hang at a cool 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s 6 in the evening on February 12 at a sandy campsite on the banks of the Colorado River in northeastern Arizona. A crew of 18 is assembled 50 river miles downstream of Lees Ferry in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.
Not long ago, conventional wisdom was that you couldn’t predict the climate for more than a few days in advance. Then came the awareness of El Niño and La Niña and the forecast window increased to as much as 6 to 9 months, depending on the region and season.
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Locations
Astrogeology Science Center
Phone: 928-556-7000
Fax: 928-556-7014
Southwest Biological Science Center - Flagstaff, AZ, Headquarters
Phone: 928-556-7094
Fax: 928-556-7092
Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
Western Geographic Science Center - Tucson Project Office
Western Geographic Science Center - Flagstaff Project Office
Arizona Water Science Center, Tucson Office
Phone: (520) 670-6671
Fax: (520) 670-5592
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO)
yvowebteam@usgs.gov
Phone: 360-993-8906
Southwest Biological Science Center - Tucson, AZ, Research Station
Phone: (520) 670-6671
Fax: (520) 670-5592
Arizona Water Science Center, Flagstaff Office
Phone: (928) 556-7136
Fax: (928) 556-7112
Arizona Water Science Center, Tempe Office
Phone: (480) 736-1093
Fax: (480) 736-1356
Arizona Water Science Center, Yuma Office
Phone: (928) 782-6024
Fax: (928) 782-0268