Chemical analyses of ground-water samples were evaluated as part of an investigation of lower Tertiary aquifers in the eastern Powder River Basin where coalbed methane is being developed. Ground-water samples were collected from two springs discharging from clinker, eight monitoring wells completed in the Wasatch aquifer, and 13 monitoring or coalbed methane production wells completed in coalbed aquifers. The ground-water samples were analyzed for major ions and environmental isotopes (tritium and stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen) to characterize the composition of waters in these aquifers, to relate these characteristics to geochemical processes, and to evaluate recharge and ground-water flow within and between these aquifers. This investigation was conducted in cooperation with the Wyoming State Engineer's Office and the Bureau of Land Management.
Water quality in the different aquifers was characterized by major-ion composition. Samples collected from the two springs were classified as calcium-sulfate-type and calcium-bicarbonate-type waters. All ground-water samples from the coalbed aquifers were sodium-bicarbonate-type waters as were five of eight samples collected from the overlying Wasatch aquifer.
Potential areal patterns in ionic composition were examined. Ground-water samples collected during this and another investigation suggest that dissolved-solids concentrations in the coalbed aquifers may be lower south of the Belle Fourche River (generally less than 600 milligrams per liter). As ground water in coalbed aquifers flows to the north and northwest away from an inferred source of recharge (clinker in the study area), dissolved-solids concentrations appear to increase.
Variation in ionic composition in the vertical dimension was examined qualitatively and statistically within and between aquifers. A relationship between ionic composition and well depth was noted and corroborates similar observations by earlier investigators in the Powder River Basin in both Wyoming and Montana. This relationship results in two different water-quality zones with different characteristics - a shallow zone, comprising the upper part of the Wasatch aquifer, characterized by mixed cation composition and either sulfate or bicarbonate as the dominant anion; and a deeper zone, comprising the lower (deeper) part of the Wasatch aquifer and the underlying coalbed aquifers, characterized by sodium-bicarbonate-type waters. The zonation appears to be related to geochemical processes described by earlier investigators such as dissolution and precipitation of minerals, ion exchange, sulfate reduction, and mixing of waters. Qualitative and statistically significant differences were observed in sulfate concentrations between the coalbed aquifers and the overlying Wasatch aquifer. Ionic composition suggests that bacterially mediated redox processes such as sulfate reduction were probably the dominant geochemical processes in the anaerobic coalbed aquifers.
Tritium was used to qualitatively estimate the time of ground-water recharge. Tritium concentrations in both springs suggests that both were recharged after 1952 and contain modern water. Tritium was not detected at concentrations suggestive of modern water in any ground-water samples collected from the coalbed aquifers or in six of eight ground-water samples collected from the overlying Wasatch aquifer. Tritium concentrations in the remaining two wells from the Wasatch aquifer suggest a mixture between submodern (recharged before 1952) and modern water, although the low concentrations suggest that ground water in these two wells have very little modern water. The relative absence of modern water in all aquifers in the study area suggests that recharge processes to these aquifers are probably very slow.
Paired d2H (deuterium/hydrogen isotopic ratio) and d18O (oxygen-18/oxygen-16 isotopic ratio) values for samples collected from the springs and all aquifers are close to the Global Meteoric Water Line, a meteoric water line for North American continental precipitation, and an estimated local meteoric water line, suggesting the water in the aquifers is of meteoric origin. The d2H and d18O values suggest that the waters were recharged in a colder climate or temperature, mid-latitudes, and mid-continent. In general, the samples do not form separate groups based on aquifer origin; this suggests either intermixing of the waters in the aquifers or that the different aquifers are subject to similar recharge and/or evolutional paths for the water. However, examination of the differences in the values of d2H and d18O, in combination with major-ion chemistry at three monitoring-well clusters, suggest that changes in the values with depth may represent different timing or sources of recharge to the different aquifers.
The areal distribution of d2H was examined and an apparent break in the d2H along a northwest to southeast trend was observed. In the coalbed aquifers, all but one ground-water sample (collected from the Big George coal bed), show a pattern where the d2H values become more negative towards the center of the Powder River Basin and values greater (less negative) than an arbitrary reference value of -140 ‰ (per mil or parts per thousand) were observed near the outcrop area of the Wyodak-Anderson coal zone. In the overlying Wasatch aquifer, the d2H values became less negative towards the center of the basin. The values more negative than -140 ‰ are near the outcrop area and the values that are less negative than -140 ‰ are closer to the basin center. It is unclear if this pattern is a result of sample size, different recharge mechanisms, geochemical processes, or if the processes producing these differences are independent or unrecognized.
Results of water-quality sampling were compared with selected regulatory and non-regulatory standards as well as commonly-used guidelines for proposed water uses. Dissolved solids was the measure that most frequently exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency public water-supply standards and State of Wyoming domestic-use standards in ground-water samples collected from the Wasatch aquifer and coalbed aquifers. The State of Wyoming agricultural standards (irrigation) for sulfate and dissolved solids were exceeded in some samples collected from the Wasatch aquifer and coalbed aquifers. The State of Wyoming livestock standard for pH was exceeded in some samples collected from the Wasatch aquifer. Water from the Wasatch aquifer ranged from soft to very hard, and water from the coalbed aquifers ranged from moderately hard to very hard. Samples collected from wells completed in both the Wasatch aquifer and coalbed aquifers plotted in a wide range of both sodium- and salinity-hazard classes, but most samples clustered in or near the combined medium-sodium-hazard—high-salinity-hazard classes.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","doi":"10.3133/wri024045","usgsCitation":"Bartos, T.T., and Ogle, K.M., 2002, Water quality and environmental isotopic analyses of ground-water samples collected from the Wasatch and Fort Union Formations in areas of coalbed methane development — Implications to recharge and ground-water flow, eastern Powder River Basin, Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2002-4045, vi, 88 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri024045.","productDescription":"vi, 88 p.","costCenters":[],"links":[{"id":120322,"rank":0,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/thumbnails/wri_2002_4045.jpg"},{"id":392976,"rank":3,"type":{"id":36,"text":"NGMDB Index Page"},"url":"https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_51903.htm"},{"id":3845,"rank":100,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/wri024045","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}}],"country":"United States","state":"Wyoming","otherGeospatial":"eastern Powder River Basin, Wasatch and Fort Union Formations","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"type\": \"Polygon\",\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -105.9686279296875,\n 43.54456658436357\n ],\n [\n -105.1116943359375,\n 43.54456658436357\n ],\n [\n -105.1116943359375,\n 44.49650533109348\n ],\n [\n -105.9686279296875,\n 44.49650533109348\n ],\n [\n -105.9686279296875,\n 43.54456658436357\n ]\n ]\n ]\n }\n }\n ]\n}","noUsgsAuthors":false,"publicationStatus":"PW","scienceBaseUri":"4f4e49b3e4b07f02db5ca0d7","contributors":{"authors":[{"text":"Bartos, Timothy T. 0000-0003-1803-4375 ttbartos@usgs.gov","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1803-4375","contributorId":1826,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Bartos","given":"Timothy","email":"ttbartos@usgs.gov","middleInitial":"T.","affiliations":[{"id":685,"text":"Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center","active":false,"usgs":true}],"preferred":true,"id":230803,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":1},{"text":"Ogle, Kathy Muller","contributorId":8896,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Ogle","given":"Kathy","email":"","middleInitial":"Muller","affiliations":[],"preferred":false,"id":230804,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":2}]}} ,{"id":50695,"text":"ofr02376 - 2002 - SutraPrep, a pre-processor for SUTRA, a model for ground-water flow with solute or energy transport","interactions":[],"lastModifiedDate":"2012-02-02T00:11:17","indexId":"ofr02376","displayToPublicDate":"1994-01-01T00:00:00","publicationYear":"2002","noYear":false,"publicationType":{"id":18,"text":"Report"},"publicationSubtype":{"id":5,"text":"USGS Numbered Series"},"seriesTitle":{"id":330,"text":"Open-File Report","code":"OFR","onlineIssn":"2331-1258","printIssn":"0196-1497","active":true,"publicationSubtype":{"id":5}},"seriesNumber":"2002-376","title":"SutraPrep, a pre-processor for SUTRA, a model for ground-water flow with solute or energy transport","docAbstract":"SutraPrep facilitates the creation of three-dimensional (3D) input datasets for the USGS ground-water flow and transport model SUTRA Version 2D3D.1. It is most useful for applications in which the geometry of the 3D model domain and the spatial distribution of physical properties and boundary conditions is relatively simple. SutraPrep can be used to create a SUTRA main input (?.inp?) file, an initial conditions (?.ics?) file, and a 3D plot of the finite-element mesh in Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) format. Input and output are text-based. The code can be run on any platform that has a standard FORTRAN-90 compiler. Executable code is available for Microsoft Windows.","language":"ENGLISH","doi":"10.3133/ofr02376","usgsCitation":"Provost, A., 2002, SutraPrep, a pre-processor for SUTRA, a model for ground-water flow with solute or energy transport: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2002-376, 43 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr02376.","productDescription":"43 p.","costCenters":[],"links":[{"id":4169,"rank":100,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://water.usgs.gov/nrp/gwsoftware/sutraprep/sutraprep.html","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}},{"id":176452,"rank":0,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/thumbnails/usgs_thumb.jpg"}],"noUsgsAuthors":false,"publicationStatus":"PW","scienceBaseUri":"4f4e4ae0e4b07f02db687f2a","contributors":{"authors":[{"text":"Provost, Alden M.","contributorId":85652,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Provost","given":"Alden M.","affiliations":[],"preferred":false,"id":242097,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":1}]}} ,{"id":44946,"text":"wri024128 - 2002 - Sources of metal loads to the Alamosa River and estimation of seasonal and annual metal loads for the Alamosa River basin, Colorado, 1995-97","interactions":[],"lastModifiedDate":"2022-09-13T20:28:23.401585","indexId":"wri024128","displayToPublicDate":"1994-01-01T00:00:00","publicationYear":"2002","noYear":false,"publicationType":{"id":18,"text":"Report"},"publicationSubtype":{"id":5,"text":"USGS Numbered Series"},"seriesTitle":{"id":342,"text":"Water-Resources Investigations Report","code":"WRI","active":false,"publicationSubtype":{"id":5}},"seriesNumber":"2002-4128","title":"Sources of metal loads to the Alamosa River and estimation of seasonal and annual metal loads for the Alamosa River basin, Colorado, 1995-97","docAbstract":"Metal contamination in the upper Alamosa River Basin has occurred for decades from the Summitville Mine site, from other smaller mines, and from natural, metal-enriched acidic drainage in the basin. In 1995, the need to quantify contamination from various source areas in the basin and to quantify the spatial, seasonal, and annual metal loads in the basin was identified. Data collection occurred from 1995 through 1997 at numerous sites to address data gaps. Metal loads were calculated and the percentages of metal load contributions from tributaries to three risk exposure areas were determined. Additionally, a modified time-interval method was used to estimate seasonal and annual metal loads in the Alamosa River and Wightman Fork. \r\n\r\nSources of dissolved and total-recoverable aluminum, copper, iron, and zinc loads were determined for Exposure Areas 3a, 3b, and 3c. Alum Creek is the predominant contributor of aluminum, copper, iron, and zinc loads to Exposure Area 3a. In general, Wightman Fork was the predominant source of metals to Exposure Area 3b, particularly during the snowmelt and summer-flow periods. During the base-flow period, however, aluminum and iron loads from Exposure Area 3a were the dominant source of these metals to Exposure Area 3b. Jasper and Burnt Creeks generally contributed less than 10 percent of the metal loads to Exposure Area 3b. On a few occasions, however, Jasper and Burnt Creeks contributed a substantial percentage of the loads to the Alamosa River. The metal loads calculated for Exposure Area 3c result from upstream sources; the primary upstream sources are Wightman Fork, Alum Creek, and Iron Creek. Tributaries in Exposure Area 3c did not contribute substantially to the metal load in the Alamosa River. \r\n\r\nIn many instances, the percentage of dissolved and/or total-recoverable metal load contribution from a tributary or the combined percentage of metal load contribution was greater than 100 percent of the metal load at the nearest downstream site on the Alamosa River. These data indicate that metal partitioning and metal deposition from the water column to the streambed may be occurring in Exposure Areas 3a, 3b, and 3c. Metals that are deposited to the streambed probably are resuspended and transported downstream during high streamflow periods such as during snowmelt runoff and rainfall runoff. \r\n\r\nSeasonal and annual dissolved and totalrecoverable aluminum, copper, iron, and zinc loads> for 1995?97 were estimated for Exposure Areas 1, 2, 3a, 3b, and 3c. During 1995?97, many tons of metals were transported annually through each exposure area. Generally, the largest estimated annual totalrecoverable metal mass for most metals was in 1995. The smallest estimated annual total-recoverable metal mass was in 1996, which also had the smallest annual streamflow. In 1995 and 1997, more than 60 percent of the annual total-recoverable metal loads generally was transported through each exposure area during the snowmelt period. A comparison of the estimated storm load at each site to the corresponding annual load indicated that storms contribute less than 2 percent of the annual load at any site and about 5 to 20 percent of the load during the summer-flow period.","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","doi":"10.3133/wri024128","usgsCitation":"Ortiz, R.F., Edelmann, P., Ferguson, S., and Stogner, R., 2002, Sources of metal loads to the Alamosa River and estimation of seasonal and annual metal loads for the Alamosa River basin, Colorado, 1995-97: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2002-4128, v, 50 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri024128.","productDescription":"v, 50 p.","costCenters":[],"links":[{"id":162707,"rank":0,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/thumbnails/usgs_thumb.jpg"},{"id":406642,"rank":3,"type":{"id":36,"text":"NGMDB Index Page"},"url":"https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_52200.htm","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}},{"id":3821,"rank":100,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/wri024128","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}}],"country":"United States","state":"Colorado","otherGeospatial":"Alamosa River basin","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"type\": \"Polygon\",\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -106.6764,\n 37.3542\n ],\n [\n -106.2644,\n 37.3542\n ],\n [\n -106.2644,\n 37.4761\n ],\n [\n -106.6764,\n 37.4761\n ],\n [\n -106.6764,\n 37.3542\n ]\n ]\n ]\n }\n }\n ]\n}","noUsgsAuthors":false,"publicationStatus":"PW","scienceBaseUri":"4f4e4a0ce4b07f02db5fcdd0","contributors":{"authors":[{"text":"Ortiz, Roderick F. rfortiz@usgs.gov","contributorId":1126,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Ortiz","given":"Roderick","email":"rfortiz@usgs.gov","middleInitial":"F.","affiliations":[{"id":191,"text":"Colorado Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"preferred":true,"id":230747,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":1},{"text":"Edelmann, Patrick","contributorId":86305,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Edelmann","given":"Patrick","affiliations":[],"preferred":false,"id":230749,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":2},{"text":"Ferguson, Sheryl","contributorId":86812,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Ferguson","given":"Sheryl","affiliations":[],"preferred":false,"id":230750,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":3},{"text":"Stogner, Robert Sr.","contributorId":31801,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Stogner","given":"Robert","suffix":"Sr.","email":"","affiliations":[],"preferred":false,"id":230748,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":4}]}} ,{"id":44954,"text":"wri024145 - 2002 - Ground-water flow and numerical simulation of recharge from streamflow infiltration near Pine Nut Creek, Douglas County, Nevada","interactions":[],"lastModifiedDate":"2012-02-02T00:10:12","indexId":"wri024145","displayToPublicDate":"1994-01-01T00:00:00","publicationYear":"2002","noYear":false,"publicationType":{"id":18,"text":"Report"},"publicationSubtype":{"id":5,"text":"USGS Numbered Series"},"seriesTitle":{"id":342,"text":"Water-Resources Investigations Report","code":"WRI","active":false,"publicationSubtype":{"id":5}},"seriesNumber":"2002-4145","title":"Ground-water flow and numerical simulation of recharge from streamflow infiltration near Pine Nut Creek, Douglas County, Nevada","docAbstract":"Ground-water flow and recharge from infiltration near Pine Nut Creek, east of Gardnerville, Nevada, were simulated using a single-layer numerical finite-difference model as part of a study made by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Carson Water Subconservancy District. The model was calibrated to 190 water-level measurements made in 27 wells in December 2000, and in 9 wells from August 1999 through April 2001. The purpose of this study was to estimate reasonable limits for the approximate volume of water that may be stored by recharge through infiltration basins, and the rate at which recharged water would dissipate or move towards the valley floor. Measured water levels in the study area show that infiltration from the Allerman Canal and reservoir has created a water-table mound beneath them that decreases the hydraulic gradient east of the canal and increases the gradient west of the canal. North of Pine Nut Creek, the mound causes ground water to flow toward the northern end of the reservoir. South of Pine Nut Creek, relatively high water levels probably are maintained by the mound beneath the Allerman Canal and possibly by greater rates of recharge from the southeast. Water-level declines near Pine Nut Creek from August 1999 through April 2001 probably are caused by dissipation of recharge from infiltration of Pine Nut Creek streamflow in the springs of 1998 and 1999. Using the calibrated model, a simulation of recharge through a hypothetical infiltration basin covering 12.4 acres near Pine Nut Creek applied 700 acre-feet per year of recharge over a six-month period, for a total of 3,500 acre-feet after 5 consecutive years. This recharge requires a diversion rate of about 2 cubic feet per second and an infiltration rate of 0.3 foot per day. The simulations showed that recharge of 3,500 acre-feet caused water levels near the basin to rise over 70 feet, approaching land surface, indicating 3,500 acre-feet is the maximum that may be stored in a 5-year period, given the basin location and surface area used in the simulations. Greater amounts probably could be stored if separate infiltration basins were installed at different locations along the Pine Nut Creek alluvial fan, applying the recharge over a larger area. The water-table mound resulting from recharge extended 7,000 feet north, west, and south of the infiltration basin. After recharge ceased, water levels near the center of the mound declined rapidly to within 20 feet of initial levels after 2 years, and within 10 feet of initial levels after 7 years. The recharge mound dissipates laterally across the modeled area at decreasing rates over time. A water-level rise of 1 foot moved westward towards the valley floor 660 feet from peak conditions after 1 year, and averaged 550 feet, 440 feet, and 330 feet per year for the periods 1-4, 4-7, and 7-10 years, respectively, after recharge ceased. Simulations of subsequent pumping from hypothetical wells near the infiltration basin were made by applying pumping near the basin beginning 1 year after recharge of 3,500 acre-feet ceased. Pumping was applied over a 6-month period for 4 years from one well at 400 acre-feet per year, withdrawing 1,600 acre-feet or 45 percent of that recharged, and from two wells totaling 800 acre-feet per year, withdrawing 3,200 acre-feet or 90 percent of that recharged. Pumping of 1,600 acre-feet caused water-levels near the infiltration basin to decline only slightly below initial levels. Pumping of 3,200 acre-feet caused water-levels near the infiltration basin to decline a maximum of 30 feet below initial levels, with smaller declines extending laterally in all directions for 4,000 feet from the pumping wells. Water-level declines are a result of pumping at a rate sufficient to withdraw the majority of the water recharged through the infiltration basin. Although the declines may affect water levels in nearby domestic wells, the simulations show that water levels recover quickly after","language":"ENGLISH","doi":"10.3133/wri024145","usgsCitation":"Maurer, D.K., 2002, Ground-water flow and numerical simulation of recharge from streamflow infiltration near Pine Nut Creek, Douglas County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2002-4145, v, 37 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) ; 28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri024145.","productDescription":"v, 37 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) ; 28 cm.","costCenters":[],"links":[{"id":3828,"rank":100,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/wri024145/","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}},{"id":162171,"rank":0,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/thumbnails/usgs_thumb.jpg"}],"noUsgsAuthors":false,"publicationStatus":"PW","scienceBaseUri":"4f4e4aafe4b07f02db66ce51","contributors":{"authors":[{"text":"Maurer, Douglas K. dkmaurer@usgs.gov","contributorId":2308,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Maurer","given":"Douglas","email":"dkmaurer@usgs.gov","middleInitial":"K.","affiliations":[],"preferred":true,"id":230763,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":1}]}} ,{"id":45001,"text":"wri024004 - 2002 - Simulation of ground-water flow and delineation of areas contributing recharge to municipal water-supply wells, Muscatine, Iowa","interactions":[],"lastModifiedDate":"2016-02-08T08:42:22","indexId":"wri024004","displayToPublicDate":"1994-01-01T00:00:00","publicationYear":"2002","noYear":false,"publicationType":{"id":18,"text":"Report"},"publicationSubtype":{"id":5,"text":"USGS Numbered Series"},"seriesTitle":{"id":342,"text":"Water-Resources Investigations Report","code":"WRI","active":false,"publicationSubtype":{"id":5}},"seriesNumber":"2002-4004","title":"Simulation of ground-water flow and delineation of areas contributing recharge to municipal water-supply wells, Muscatine, Iowa","docAbstract":"Mississippi River alluvium in the Muscatine, Iowa, area provides large quantities of good quality ground water for municipal, industrial, and agricultural supplies. Three municipal well fields for the City of Muscatine produce a total of about 27 million gallons per day from the alluvium. A previously published steady-state ground-water flow model was modified, and results from the model were used with particle-tracking software to delineate approximate areas contributing recharge to Muscatine Power and Water municipal supply wells and to determine zones of transport within the areas contributing recharge.
\nUnder steady-state conditions and 1998 pumpage, primary sources of inflow to the ground-water flow system are recharge through infiltration of precipitation and upland runoff (53 percent) and Mississippi River leakage (41 percent). The primary components of outflow from the ground-water flow system are pumpage (39.6 percent), flow to drainage ditches in Illinois (32.9 percent), and Muscatine Slough leakage (24.7 percent).
\nSeveral sources of water are present within estimated areas contributing recharge to Muscatine Power and Water municipal well fields including ground water from the alluvial aquifer, Mississippi River water, and recharge originating as runoff from two unnamed creeks in the northern part of the study area. Recharge originating from the Mississippi River accounts for about 46 percent of the total water discharged from the municipal well fields. The average simulated traveltime of particles tracked from recharge to discharge at the municipal well fields was 13.6 years. Particle-tracking results illustrate the influence of nearby industrial supply wells on the shape and size of the area contributing recharge to Muscatine Power and Water wells. Two large embayments into the area contributing recharge to municipal wells are present along the Mississippi River. These areas represent ground water that is unavailable to municipal wells due to withdrawals by industrial supply wells. Recharge originating from the Mississippi River accounts for about 98 percent of the total water discharged from the Muscatine Power and Water Main well field. However, recharge originating from the Mississippi River accounts for less of the total discharge from the Progress Park and Grandview municipal well fields (12 and 34 percent, respectively).
\nThe effects of changing climatic conditions on the size and shape of the 10-year zone of transport to Muscatine Power and Water municipal well fields were simulated by decreasing and increasing recharge from precipitation to the ground-water model to demonstrate the variability inherent in delineating these areas. Locations of potential sources of contamination within the zones of transport also are identified.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","publisherLocation":"Reston, VA","doi":"10.3133/wri024004","collaboration":"Prepared in cooperation with Muscatine Power and Water, Muscatine, Iowa","usgsCitation":"Savoca, M.E., Lucey, K.J., and Lanning, B.D., 2002, Simulation of ground-water flow and delineation of areas contributing recharge to municipal water-supply wells, Muscatine, Iowa: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2002-4004, iv, 26 p.; ill., col. maps; 28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri024004.","productDescription":"iv, 26 p.; ill., col. maps; 28 cm.","onlineOnly":"N","additionalOnlineFiles":"N","costCenters":[{"id":351,"text":"Iowa Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"links":[{"id":316640,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/thumbnails/wri024004.JPG"},{"id":3870,"rank":1,"type":{"id":11,"text":"Document"},"url":"https://ia.water.usgs.gov/pubs/reports/WRIR_02-4004.pdf","linkFileType":{"id":1,"text":"pdf"}}],"country":"United States","state":"Illinois, Iowa","city":"Muscatine","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"type\": \"Polygon\",\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -91.00387573242188,\n 41.40565583808169\n ],\n [\n -91.02516174316406,\n 41.414410512890704\n ],\n [\n -91.03202819824219,\n 41.425738340753924\n ],\n [\n -91.05743408203124,\n 41.41647026492143\n ],\n [\n -91.08283996582031,\n 41.41647026492143\n ],\n [\n -91.10755920410156,\n 41.41647026492143\n ],\n [\n -91.13365173339844,\n 41.41286565600375\n ],\n [\n -91.15562438964844,\n 41.40771586770284\n ],\n [\n -91.17759704589844,\n 41.39432450769634\n ],\n [\n -91.18583679199219,\n 41.37835427979543\n ],\n [\n -91.18240356445311,\n 41.35825713137813\n ],\n [\n -91.17279052734375,\n 41.33815377536824\n ],\n [\n -91.1590576171875,\n 41.315465614346586\n ],\n [\n -91.15287780761719,\n 41.28967402411714\n ],\n [\n -91.14738464355469,\n 41.261291493919856\n ],\n [\n -91.13639831542969,\n 41.231863850073026\n ],\n [\n -91.12129211425781,\n 41.201906328598156\n ],\n [\n -91.09794616699219,\n 41.17606986743615\n ],\n [\n -91.07460021972656,\n 41.156944322795525\n ],\n [\n -91.05331420898438,\n 41.13988169508488\n ],\n [\n -91.03271484375,\n 41.15332534856322\n ],\n [\n -91.01829528808592,\n 41.163664744864754\n ],\n [\n -90.99357604980469,\n 41.16573242840184\n ],\n [\n -90.99700927734375,\n 41.188472641161425\n ],\n [\n -91.00112915039062,\n 41.191572967569584\n ],\n [\n -91.00387573242188,\n 41.225666867899854\n ],\n [\n -90.99906921386719,\n 41.25922682850889\n ],\n [\n -91.00044250488281,\n 41.27677440393049\n ],\n [\n -90.9949493408203,\n 41.29483315820067\n ],\n [\n -90.999755859375,\n 41.30360274975627\n ],\n [\n -91.01074218749999,\n 41.31288691435732\n ],\n [\n -91.01486206054688,\n 41.32629504031827\n ],\n [\n -91.00593566894531,\n 41.33712266671311\n ],\n [\n -91.01211547851562,\n 41.358772520422285\n ],\n [\n -91.01829528808592,\n 41.37217120301802\n ],\n [\n -91.01005554199217,\n 41.39174892980349\n ],\n [\n -91.00387573242188,\n 41.40565583808169\n ]\n ]\n ]\n }\n }\n ]\n}","noUsgsAuthors":false,"publicationStatus":"PW","scienceBaseUri":"4f4e49f8e4b07f02db5f2d40","contributors":{"authors":[{"text":"Savoca, Mark E. mesavoca@usgs.gov","contributorId":1961,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Savoca","given":"Mark","email":"mesavoca@usgs.gov","middleInitial":"E.","affiliations":[{"id":622,"text":"Washington Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"preferred":true,"id":230889,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":1},{"text":"Lucey, Keith J. kjlucey@usgs.gov","contributorId":185,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Lucey","given":"Keith","email":"kjlucey@usgs.gov","middleInitial":"J.","affiliations":[],"preferred":true,"id":230888,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":2},{"text":"Lanning, Brian D.","contributorId":102744,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Lanning","given":"Brian","email":"","middleInitial":"D.","affiliations":[],"preferred":false,"id":230890,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":3}]}} ,{"id":47807,"text":"fs13602 - 2002 - SIMSPAR model simulates the impact of hydrology on the Cape Sable seaside sparrow","interactions":[],"lastModifiedDate":"2025-04-18T15:54:32.324533","indexId":"fs13602","displayToPublicDate":"1994-01-01T00:00:00","publicationYear":"2002","noYear":false,"publicationType":{"id":18,"text":"Report"},"publicationSubtype":{"id":5,"text":"USGS Numbered Series"},"seriesTitle":{"id":313,"text":"Fact Sheet","code":"FS","onlineIssn":"2327-6932","printIssn":"2327-6916","active":true,"publicationSubtype":{"id":5}},"seriesNumber":"136-02","displayTitle":"SIMSPAR Model Simulates the Impact of Hydrology on the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow","title":"SIMSPAR model simulates the impact of hydrology on the Cape Sable seaside sparrow","docAbstract":"SIMSPAR is a spatially-explicit, individual-based model designed as a management and evaluation tool for the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis), an endangered subspecies of seaside sparrow that lives exclusively in the southern Everglades. The model is designed to simulate how changes in hydrology across the nesting area of the sparrow is likely to affect the reproductive success and, therefore, the population viability of the Cape Sable sparrow. SIMSPAR has been developed at the University of Tennessee under the USGS's Across Trophic Level System Simulation (ATLSS) Program.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","publisherLocation":"Reston, VA","doi":"10.3133/fs13602","usgsCitation":"DeAngelis, D.L., Nott, P., and Gross, L.J., 2002, SIMSPAR Model Simulates the Impact of Hydrology on the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2002–136, https://doi.org/10.3133/fs13602.","productDescription":"HTML Document","costCenters":[{"id":27821,"text":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"links":[{"id":120208,"rank":1,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0136/coverthb.jpg"},{"id":4019,"rank":2,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0136/","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}}],"country":"United States","state":"Florida","otherGeospatial":"Everglades","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -81.69665164999732,\n 26.277550353151085\n ],\n [\n -81.69665164999732,\n 25.14159932598055\n ],\n [\n -80.18149074247094,\n 25.14159932598055\n ],\n [\n -80.18149074247094,\n 26.277550353151085\n ],\n [\n -81.69665164999732,\n 26.277550353151085\n ]\n ]\n ],\n \"type\": \"Polygon\"\n }\n }\n ]\n}","contact":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
3321 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
Fishes are essential to the successful functioning of wetland food webs in southern Florida through their roles as prey and predators. Any changes that reduce the population sizes, community composition, or availability of aquatic animals will affect all facets of the ecology of these wetlands. In particular, small and medium-size fishes are important food items for most wading bird species. For this reason, fishes have been recognized by the multi-agency groups responsible for guiding the Everglades restoration process as a key indicator group by which to measure restoration success.
Despite the importance of fish for management, gaps in baseline knowledge remain. Basic demographic information, termed life-history parameters, is needed to make predictions about their resilience under alternative management scenarios. These parameters include growth rate, age at maturation, fecundity and life expectancy. However, basic life-history parameters remain to be characterized, even for abundant fish species. Adding to the challenge, life-history characteristics of important Everglades species are known to be plastic in response to environmental conditions and survivorship and recruitment schedules are certain to be influenced by variation in hydroperiod. We intend to study the effect of hydroperiod on recruitment, size/age structure, growth, and fecundity, which, in turn, determine fish population dynamics.
At present, data on fish reproduction, age and growth, and other life history characteristics are confined to a few species from a limited area of long-hydroperiod marsh in central Shark River Slough. As we continue the analysis and synthesis of data from the long-term fish collections, life-history information will help explain patterns of fluctuations in the time series. Accurate life-history data are also very important in building credible simulation models like ATLSS. Without empirical life-history data from a range of environments, the model will be simplistic and inadequate.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","publisherLocation":"Reston, VA","doi":"10.3133/fs13902","usgsCitation":"Loftus, W.F., 2002, Influence of Hydrology on Life-History Parameters of Common Freshwater Fishes from Southern Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2002–139, https://doi.org/10.3133/fs13902.","productDescription":"HTML Document","costCenters":[{"id":27821,"text":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"links":[{"id":4308,"rank":2,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0139/","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}},{"id":120692,"rank":1,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0139/coverthb.jpg"}],"country":"United States","state":"Florida","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -82.70307239879236,\n 27.588886070825566\n ],\n [\n -82.70307239879236,\n 24.307815477878165\n ],\n [\n -79.7225186427455,\n 24.307815477878165\n ],\n [\n -79.7225186427455,\n 27.588886070825566\n ],\n [\n -82.70307239879236,\n 27.588886070825566\n ]\n ]\n ],\n \"type\": \"Polygon\"\n }\n }\n ]\n}","contact":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
3321 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
ALFISH is a model created under the Across Trophic Level System Simulation (ATLSS) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Its purpose is to describe fish functional groups in freshwater marshes of the greater Everglades area of southern Florida. In particular, it is intended to assess the spatial pattern of fish densities through time across freshwater marshes. This model has the capability of providing a dynamic measure of the spatially explicit food resources available to wading birds. ALFISH simulates two functional groups - large and small fish - where the larger fish can prey on the smaller fish. Both functional groups are size-structured. The marsh landscape is modeled as 500-m x 500-m spatial cells on a grid across southern Florida. The ATLSS High Resolution Hydrology model is used to provide water levels in the spatial cells on 5-day intervals. Fish populations spread across the marsh during flooded conditions and either retreat into refugia (alligator ponds), move to other spatial cells, or die if their cell dries out.
ALFISH has been applied to the evaluation of alternative water regulation scenarios under the Central and South Florida Comprehensive Project Review Study. The objective of this Review Study has been to compare alternative methods for restoring historical ecological conditions in southern Florida. ALFISH has provided information on which hydrological scenarios are most likely to increase fish biomass and its availability to wading bird populations. The model also provides the opportunity for stakeholders with interests in particular subregions of the landscape to contrast the effects of alternative hydrologic plans on the availability of fish biomass in these subregions. As a demographic model, ALFISH also keeps track of the history of the effects of dry, normal, and wet hydrologic conditions on fish population size structure.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","publisherLocation":"Reston, VA","doi":"10.3133/fs13802","usgsCitation":"DeAngelis, D.L., Gross, L.J., Gaff, H., and Salinas, R., 2002, Modeling Fish Population and Biomass on the Everglades Landscape (ALFISH): U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2002–138, https://doi.org/10.3133/fs13802.","productDescription":"HTML Document","costCenters":[{"id":27821,"text":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"links":[{"id":120209,"rank":1,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0138/coverthb.jpg"},{"id":4021,"rank":2,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0138/","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}}],"country":"United States","state":"Florida","otherGeospatial":"Everglades","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -80.35291405682605,\n 26.41134811620782\n ],\n [\n -81.27638804061057,\n 26.41134811620782\n ],\n [\n -81.27638804061057,\n 25.046450291276315\n ],\n [\n -80.35291405682605,\n 25.046450291276315\n ],\n [\n -80.35291405682605,\n 26.41134811620782\n ]\n ]\n ],\n \"type\": \"Polygon\"\n }\n }\n ]\n}","contact":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
3321 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
The Across Trophic Level System Simulation (ATLSS) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey has produced High-Resolution Hydrology and High-Resolution Topography models to provide high-resolution hydrologic data for the Greater Everglades landscape. Such hydrologic data is essential for describing the effect of hydrology on the important wildlife populations that are being modeled by the ATLSS Program. These ATLSS models are used to evaluate the effects of different water regulation plans as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
The need for such high-resolution hydrologic data is great. Although many hydrology data sets exist for South Florida, they either provide data at a spatial scale that is too coarse to apply to models of animal populations, or do not cover a large enough spatial area. For example, the hydrology data generated by the South Florida Water Management Model (SFWMM) provides hydrology data at a 2- x 2-mile resolution. Landscape features important to wildlife habitat, however, almost always require a finer scale of spatial resolution to be represented. With data from the SFWMM, individual model organisms only have information about the differences between 2- x 2-mile cells, a scale that is beyond the perceptual range of most organisms.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","publisherLocation":"Reston, VA","doi":"10.3133/fs13702","usgsCitation":"DeAngelis, D.L., and Duke-Sylvester, S.M., 2002, ATLSS High Resolution Topography and Hydrology Model: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2002–137, https://doi.org/10.3133/fs13702.","productDescription":"HTML Document","costCenters":[{"id":27821,"text":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"links":[{"id":4020,"rank":2,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0137/","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}},{"id":122033,"rank":1,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0137/coverthb.jpg"}],"contact":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
3321 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
Evaluating long-term trends and developing population models requires a large amount of data collected over a number of years at a number of locations. Information on alligator densities, nesting and growth have been collected in south Florida since the 1950s by rangers and researchers in Everglades National Park (ENP) and Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel, University researchers, and private consultants. Many of the most critical data sets (those having the largest amount of data or those from particular areas or years) are not accessible for use in evaluating restoration alternatives or developing models. The data are not available in a centralized, easily accessible, welldocumented database. Further, the size and scope of these data sets are not fully known. Thousands of individual records need to be evaluated, compiled, and entered into an appropriate database. It is critical that these data sets are accessible to establish restoration targets for alligator populations, develop models, and design short and long-term monitoring tools for evaluating restoration success.
Historical data is used to make assessments of populations in relation to restoration and water management practices in the Everglades. Most life history characteristics are difficult to use to assess restoration progress, because decades of data are required. Condition, on the other hand, can be calculated in a relatively simple manner. Condition can be defined as the \"relative fatness of [an animal]....it is a measure of how well that animal is coping with its environment\" (Taylor 1979). This definition is the key to using alligators as indicators of the health of their environment. Other parameters can be used to assess the health of a population (nesting effort, growth rate and survival, and density), but require much more data.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","publisherLocation":"Reston, VA","doi":"10.3133/fs14002","usgsCitation":"Rice, K.G., 2002, Compilation of American Alligator Data Sets in South Florida for Restoration Needs: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2002–140, \nhttps://doi.org/10.3133/fs14002.","productDescription":"HTML Document","costCenters":[{"id":27821,"text":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"links":[{"id":120693,"rank":1,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0140/coverthb.jpg"},{"id":4309,"rank":2,"type":{"id":15,"text":"Index Page"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/0140/","linkFileType":{"id":5,"text":"html"}}],"country":"United States","state":"Florida","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -82.65330433978595,\n 27.54476809821682\n ],\n [\n -82.65330433978595,\n 24.33301074011696\n ],\n [\n -79.92159087877113,\n 24.33301074011696\n ],\n [\n -79.92159087877113,\n 27.54476809821682\n ],\n [\n -82.65330433978595,\n 27.54476809821682\n ]\n ]\n ],\n \"type\": \"Polygon\"\n }\n }\n ]\n}","contact":"Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
3321 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
Giardia and enteric viruses were detected in a reconnaissance study of Madam Creek and Dunloup Creek, two tributaries of the New River Gorge National River, in 2000. Cryptosporidium and pathogenic bacteria were not detected in these tributaries. The two streams were identified in previous studies as consistently having some of the highest indicator-bacteria concentrations among New River Gorge tributaries. This study used the best available commercial methods for identifying and enumerating pathogens. However, these methods were developed for regular monitoring at water-treatment facilities or documenting the causes of disease outbreaks, and provided ambiguous results when used in this occurrence study. The World Health Organization suggests a study design for monitoring recreational waters. Frequent sampling for multiple fecal indicator organisms is the recommended first step. Regression modeling that uses environmental characteristics measurable in real time to predict bacteria concentrations and make operational decisions is recommended for contaminated waters.
","language":"English","publisher":"U.S. Geological Survey","doi":"10.3133/ofr0265","collaboration":"Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service","usgsCitation":"Messinger, T., 2002, Reconnaissance for selected pathogens, and review of pertinent literature, for the New River Gorge National River, West Virginia, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2002-65, iii, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr0265.","productDescription":"iii, 12 p.","costCenters":[],"links":[{"id":431093,"rank":2,"type":{"id":11,"text":"Document"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/0065/report.pdf","linkFileType":{"id":1,"text":"pdf"}},{"id":176258,"rank":1,"type":{"id":24,"text":"Thumbnail"},"url":"https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/0065/report-thumb.jpg"}],"country":"United States","state":"West Virginia","otherGeospatial":"New River Gorge National River","geographicExtents":"{\n \"type\": \"FeatureCollection\",\n \"features\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"Feature\",\n \"properties\": {},\n \"geometry\": {\n \"coordinates\": [\n [\n [\n -81.51583137127089,\n 38.44508354069333\n ],\n [\n -81.51583137127089,\n 37.43269649056171\n ],\n [\n -80.5064201032327,\n 37.43269649056171\n ],\n [\n -80.5064201032327,\n 38.44508354069333\n ],\n [\n -81.51583137127089,\n 38.44508354069333\n ]\n ]\n ],\n \"type\": \"Polygon\"\n }\n }\n ]\n}","noUsgsAuthors":false,"publicationStatus":"PW","scienceBaseUri":"4f4e4a74e4b07f02db6440c8","contributors":{"authors":[{"text":"Messinger, Terence 0000-0003-4084-9298 tmessing@usgs.gov","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4084-9298","contributorId":2717,"corporation":false,"usgs":true,"family":"Messinger","given":"Terence","email":"tmessing@usgs.gov","affiliations":[{"id":642,"text":"West Virginia Water Science Center","active":true,"usgs":true}],"preferred":true,"id":241923,"contributorType":{"id":1,"text":"Authors"},"rank":1}]}} ]}