Search Results

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a water-quality study of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. This report documents the water quality during the period 1975-83. The water quality is good for most uses and is a calcium bicarbonate type. Concentrations of most constituents analyzed were less than most sites in...

A 5-year, data-collection and modeling study was conducted on Pheasant Branch basin in and near Middleton, Wisconsin. The objectives of the study were to: (1) describe the streamflow characteristics, sediment transport, and stream-channel morphology in the Pheasant Branch basin; and (2) relate the above factors to changes caused by urbanization...

The Silurian dolomite aquifer in the Lannon-Sussex area of southeastern Wisconsin is overlain by glacial deposits, but is within 8 ft of the land surface over 15% of the study area. The proximity of the dolomite aquifer to the land surface makes it susceptible to contamination from man 's activities....

Water year 1984 was a year of extreme hydrologic conditions. For the third consecutive year, precipitation and resulting runoff were well above long-term averages in most of the Nation and as much as 400 percent above average in the Southwest. National flood damages during the year were the third highest...

The Elk Creek basin in west-central Wisconsin was studied during the 1980 water year to define the water quality in relation to streamflow. Agricultural nonpoint-source discharges were suspected of contributing significantly to degraded water quality. Two water quality and streamflow gaging stations were established--one on Elk Creek near Independence and...

The United States as a Nation possesses abundant water resources and has developed and used those resources extensively. The national renewable supply of water is about 1,400 billion gallons per day (for the conterminous 48 States). Approximately 380 billion gallons per day of freshwater is withdrawn for use by the...

Simulation of the operation of upstream impoundments in the Rock River basin to reduce spring floods showed that such operation would reduce flood peaks by 0.11 foot on the average, and would increase flood peaks some years. The most significant reductions would occur during the average- size floods, whereas little...

This report contains a summary of ground-water-quality data for Wisconsin and an evaluation of the adequacy of these data for assessing the impact of land disposal of wastes on ground-water quality. Chemical analyses used in data summaries were limited to those stored in the USGS computer system (WATSTORE). Information on...

The Onion River in eastern Wisconsin was studied during the 1979 and 1980 water years to define the relationship between water quality and streamflow. Agricultural nonpoint-source discharges in the lower part of the Onion River are suspected of contributing significantly to degradation of water quality. Two streamflow water-quality monitoring stations were...

It is often difficult to obtain discharge ratings at urban gaging stations. This report presents the results of using an automated constant-rate dyedilution technique to measure discharge at two sites in Madison, Wisconsin. The sites selected have well-defined stage-discharge ratings, developed during previous hydrologic studies. One site has a 60-inch...

Drainage areas were determined for more than 7,000 sites in Wisconsin's 11 major river basins, including all named streams draining 5 or more square miles, and all unnamed streams draining 10 or more square miles. Also determined are drainage areas for gaging stations, sewage-treatment plants, dams, major highway crossings, and...

This report summarizes the amounts and distribution of the pumpage of ground water for public supplies from four aquifers in Wisconsin. The data are for 1979 and reflect the pumpage from about 1,100 wells in 485 communities. The distribution and amount of pumpage is estimated to be similar for subsequent...

Low-flow characteristics of streams in the Lake Michigan basin are presented. Included are estimates of low-flow frequency at 30 gaging stations, flow duration at 13 gaging stations, and selected low-flow frequency characteristics at 22 low-flow partial-record stations and 123 miscellaneous sites. Equations are provided to estimate low-flow characteristics at sites...

This report presents the results of biologic investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during a study of hydrology and water quality in a small drainage basin in the "Driftless Area" of southwest Wisconsin. The investigation included aquatic macrophytes, periphytic and planktonic algae, benthic...

The primary effects of a floodwater-retarding structure (FRS) on the streamflow of Trout Creek, Wisconsin, are attenuation of flood peaks and extension of the time base of flood hydrographs. Reduction of flood peaks ranged from 58 to 91 percent during the study period from 1975 to 1979. There is an inverse...

This report summarizes the uses of water in Wisconsin for 1979, except aesthetics, navigation, and recreational use. The greatest single use of water, an instream use, was for hydroelectric power production. About 26 trillion gallons, or 93 percent, was used for this purpose. Of the other 7 percent where water is...

Steiner Branch basin in southwestern Wisconsin has rugged mature topography. Corn is planted in 30 percent of the basin on slopes ranging from 0 to 20 percent. Although contour stripcropping is a recommended practice for these easily eroded soil slopes, few conservation practices are followed to reduce soil losses. Because...

Various changes in the management practices for the Winnebago pool have been proposed. The objectives of the proposed changes are protecting wetlands adjacent to the lakes in the pool and assuring adequate flow in the Fox River downstream from Lake Winnebago. Three proposed operation plans for the Winnebago pool were...

This report provides improved methods for estimating the magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams. Proper design of hydraulic structures and adequate flood-plain management depend on this information. Multiple-regression techniques were used to develop equations for estimating flood frequencies at ungaged sites. The State is divided into five areas and...

This study documents Streamflow, temperature, and water-quality conditions of Bridge Creek at Augusta, Wisconsin, and evaluates the potential effects of a proposed small impoundment on the creek. The effects are of concern to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources because the stream is a Class II trout stream. Average daily Streamflow,...

The Kickapoo River valley in southwestern Wisconsin had a devastating flood ($10 million estimated damages) during July 1-5, 1978. The flash flooding was caused by intense storms on June 30 through July 2. Total rainfall accumulation ranged from 5.8 inches near Ontario to 9.5 inches at La Farge. The resulting...

This report describes low-flow characteristics of streams in the central Wisconsin River basin where streamflow data have been collected and presents equations for estimating low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites. Included are estimates of low-flow frequency at 34 gaging stations, flow duration at 24 gaging stations, and low-flow frequency characteristics at...

This study was made to identify the best predictive equations for a stream's reaeration-rate coefficient. Reaeration-rate information is needed in dissolvedoxygen modeling work, but an actual tracer measurement is not always possible. The propane-area gas-tracer method and predictive equations were compared for determination of stream-reaeration coefficients (K.2) for reaches of two...

A set of daily streamflow-routing models are used to simulate streamflow at 10 sites along the Wisconsin River for water years 1915-76, to determine the effects the reservoir system has on flood discharges. Streamflow is simulated under the following two conditions: (1) No reservoirs are in the system and (2)...

The purpose of this 5-year study is to (1) evaluate the sediment transport, streamflow characteristics, and stream-channel morphology, (2) relate the above to land-use practices; and (3) evaluate the effect that changes in land-use practices will have on Pheasant Branch basin near Middleton, Wis. This report presents findings of sediment...