Potential Effects of Energy Development on Environmental Resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—Physiography, Climate, Land Use, and Demographics

Scientific Investigations Report 2017-5070-B
Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

The Williston Basin has been a leading domestic oil and gas producing region. As energy demands have increased, so has energy development. A group of 13 Federal agencies and Tribal groups formed the Bakken Federal Executive Group to address common challenges associated with energy development, with a focus on understanding the cumulative environmental challenges attributed to oil and gas development throughout the basin. To better understand the natural resources in the Williston Basin, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, began work to synthesize existing information on science topics that will support management decisions related to energy development. This report is a compilation of information regarding the natural setting, energy development history, demographics, and related investigations related to energy development in the Williston Basin of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Completed and ongoing investigations include the topical areas of unconventional oil and gas assessments, water quality, water availability, air quality, effects on human health, and ecological effects.

Suggested Citation

Vining, K.C., Thamke, J.N., and Post van der Burg, M., 2022, Potential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—Physiography, climate, land use, and demographics: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5070–B, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175070B.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

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Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Physiography of the Williston Basin
  • Climate of the Williston Basin
  • Land Use in the Williston Basin
  • Demographics of the Williston Basin
  • U.S. Geological Survey Investigations Related to Energy Development in the Williston Basin
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Potential effects of energy development on environmental resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—Physiography, climate, land use, and demographics
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2017-5070
Chapter B
DOI 10.3133/sir20175070B
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston VA
Contributing office(s) Dakota Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 32 p.; 5 Data Releases; 1 Dataset
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Potential Effects of Energy Development on Environmental Resources of the Williston Basin in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota
Country United States
State Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota
Other Geospatial Williston Basin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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