Modeling the Effects of Mortality on Sea Otter Populations
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey
2010, Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5096
Conservation and management of sea otters can benefit from managing the magnitude and sex composition of human related mortality, including harvesting within sustainable levels. Using age and sex-specific reproduction and survival rates from field studies, we created matrix population models representing sea otter populations with growth rates of 1.005, 1.072,...
Karst map of Puerto Rico
2010, Open-File Report 2010-1104
This map is a digital compilation, combining the mapping of earlier geologists. Their work, cited on the map, contains more detailed descriptions of karst areas and landforms in Puerto Rico. This map is the basis for the Puerto Rico part of a new national karst map currently being compiled by...
Upper thermal tolerances of early life stages of freshwater mussels
Tamara J. Pandolfo, W. Gregory Cope, Consuelo Arellano, Robert B. Bringolf, M. Christopher Barnhart, E Hammer
2010, Journal of the North American Benthological Society (29) 959-969
Freshwater mussels (order Unioniformes) fulfill an essential role in benthic aquatic communities, but also are among the most sensitive and rapidly declining faunal groups in North America. Rising water temperatures, caused by global climate change, industrial discharges, drought, or land development, could further challenge imperiled unionid communities. The aim of...
The effects of road crossings on prairie stream habitat and function
Wesley W. Bouska, Timothy Keane, Craig P. Paukert
2010, Journal of Freshwater Ecology (25) 499-506
Improperly designed stream crossing structures may alter the form and function of stream ecosystems and habitat and prohibit the movement of aquatic organisms. Stream sections adjoining five concrete box culverts, five low-water crossings (concrete slabs vented by one or multiple culverts), and two large, single corrugated culvert vehicle crossings in...
Nitrate Loads and Concentrations in Surface-Water Base Flow and Shallow Groundwater for Selected Basins in the United States, Water Years 1990-2006
Norman E. Spahr, Neil M. Dubrovsky, JoAnn M. Gronberg, O. Lehn Franke, David M. Wolock
2010, Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5098
Hydrograph separation was used to determine the base-flow component of streamflow for 148 sites sampled as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment program. Sites in the Southwest and the Northwest tend to have base-flow index values greater than 0.5. Sites in the Midwest and the eastern portion of the Southern...
A preliminary evaluation of Trinity river sediment and nutrient loads into Galveston Bay, Texas, during two periods of high flow
Michael T. Lee
2010, Conference Paper
Suspend-sediment and water-quality data were measured during two periods of high flow, one during April 20-23, 2009 and a second during September 22-November 3, 2009. On the basis of streamflow and continuous and discrete water-quality measurements, the two periods of high flow had different flood and nutrient loading characteristics. Some...
An automated and universal method for measuring mean grain size from a digital image of sediment
Daniel D. Buscombe, David M. Rubin, Jonathan A. Warrick
2010, Conference Paper, Proceedings of the Joint Federal Interagency Conference 2010 : Hydrology and sedimentation for a changing future : existing and emerging issues
Existing methods for estimating mean grain size of sediment in an image require either complicated sequences of image processing (filtering, edge detection, segmentation, etc.) or statistical procedures involving calibration. We present a new approach which uses Fourier methods to calculate grain size directly from the image without requiring calibration. Based...
Analyzing turbidity, suspended-sediment concentration, and particle-size distribution resulting from a debris flow on Mount Jefferson, Oregon, November 2006
Mark A. Uhrich
2010, Conference Paper, Proceedings of the Joint Federal Interagency Conference 2010: Hydrology and sedimentation for a changing future: Existing and emerging issues
A debris flow and sediment torrent occurred on the flanks of Mt Jefferson in Oregon on November 6, 2006, inundating 150 acres of forest. The massive debris flow was triggered by a rock and snow avalanche from the Milk Creek glaciers and snowfields during the early onset of an intense...
Evaluating the effect of Tikhonov regularization schemes on predictions in a variable-density groundwater model
Jeremy T. White, Christian D. Langevin, Joseph D. Hughes
2010, Conference Paper, SWIM21 – 21st Salt Water Intrusion Meeting Proceedings Book
Calibration of highly‐parameterized numerical models typically requires explicit Tikhonovtype regularization to stabilize the inversion process. This regularization can take the form of a preferred parameter values scheme or preferred relations between parameters, such as the preferred equality scheme. The resulting parameter distributions calibrate the model to a user‐defined acceptable level...
Use of time series and harmonic constituents of tidal propagation to enhance estimation of coastal aquifer heterogeneity
Joseph D. Hughes, Jeremy T. White, Christian D. Langevin
2010, Conference Paper, SWIM21 – 21st Salt Water Intrusion Meeting Proceedings Book
A synthetic two‐dimensional model of a horizontally and vertically heterogeneous confined coastal aquifer system, based on the Upper Floridan aquifer in south Florida, USA, subjected to constant recharge and a complex tidal signal was used to generate 15‐minute water‐level data at select locations over a 7‐day simulation period. “Observed” water‐level...
Groundwater Levels for Selected Wells in the Chehalis River Basin, Washington
E.T. Fasser, R. J. Julich
2010, Data Series 512
Groundwater levels for selected wells in the Chehalis River basin, Washington, are presented on an interactive web-based map to document the spatial distribution of groundwater levels in the study area during late summer 2009. Groundwater level data and well information were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey using standard techniques....
Visualizing NetCDF Files by Using the EverVIEW Data Viewer
Craig Conzelmann, Stephanie S. Romañach
2010, Fact Sheet 2010-3046
Over the past few years, modelers in South Florida have started using Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) as the standard data container format for storing hydrologic and ecologic modeling inputs and outputs. With its origins in the meteorological discipline, NetCDF was created by the Unidata Program Center at the University...
Geochemical Results of Lysimeter Sampling at the Manning Canyon Repository in the Mercur Mining District, Utah
John Earle, LaDonna Choate
2010, Data Series 513
This report presents chemical characteristics of transient unsaturated-zone water collected by lysimeter from the Manning Canyon repository site in Utah. Data collected by U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management scientists under an intragovernmental order comprise the existing body of hydrochemical information on unsaturated-zone...
The role of mosses in ecosystem succession and function in Alaska’s boreal forest
Merritt R. Turetsky, Michelle Mack, Teresa N. Hollingsworth, Jennifer W. Harden
2010, Canadian Journal of Forest Research (40) 1237-1264
Shifts in moss communities may affect the resilience of boreal ecosystems to a changing climate because of the role of moss species in regulating soil climate and biogeochemical cycling. Here, we use long-term data analysis and literature synthesis to examine the role of moss in ecosystem succession, productivity, and decomposition....
Topographic Science
Sandra K. Poppenga, Gayla Evans, Dean Gesch, Jason M. Stoker, Vivian R. Queija, Bruce Worstell, Dean J. Tyler, Jeff Danielson, Norman Bliss, Susan Greenlee
2010, Fact Sheet 2010-3049
The mission of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Topographic Science is to establish partnerships and conduct research and applications that facilitate the development and use of integrated national and global topographic datasets. Topographic Science includes a wide range of research and applications that result...
A comparison of Martian north and south polar cold spots and the long‐term effects of the 2001 global dust storm
C. Cornwall, Timothy N. Titus
2010, Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets (115)
In the 1970s, Viking and Mariner observed areas in the polar regions of Mars with winter brightness temperatures below the expected kinetic temperatures for CO2 ice sublimation. These areas have since been termed “cold spots” and have been identified as surface deposits of CO2 atmospheric condensates and, occasionally, active CO2 storms. Three Mars...
Effects of upstream dams versus groundwater pumping on stream temperature under varying climate conditions
John C. Risley, Jim Constantz, Hedeff I. Essaid, Stewart A. Rounds
2010, Water Resources Research (46)
The relative impact of a large upstream dam versus in‐reach groundwater pumping on stream temperatures was analyzed for humid, semiarid, and arid conditions with long dry seasons to represent typical climate regions where large dams are present, such as the western United States or eastern Australia. Stream temperatures were simulated...
Flood-frequency estimates for streams on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, State of Hawaii
Delwyn S. Oki, Sarah N. Rosa, Chiu W. Yeung
2010, Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5035
This study provides an updated analysis of the magnitude and frequency of peak stream discharges in Hawai`i. Annual peak-discharge data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey during and before water year 2008 (ending September 30, 2008) at stream-gaging stations were analyzed. The existing generalized-skew value for the State of Hawai`i...
Geological Impacts and Sedimentary Record of the February 27, 2010, Chile Tsunami-La Trinchera to Concepcion
Robert A. Morton, Mark L. Buckley, Guy Gelfenbaum, Bruce M. Richmond, Adriano Cecioni, Osvaldo Artal, Constanza Hoffmann, Felipe Perez
2010, Open-File Report 2010-1116
The February 27, 2010, Chilean tsunami substantially altered the coastal landscape and left a permanent depositional record that may be preserved at many locales along the central coast of Chile. From April 24 to May 2, 2010, a team of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Chilean scientists examined the geological...
Land-Use Analysis and Simulated Effects of Land-Use Change and Aggregate Mining on Groundwater Flow in the South Platte River Valley, Brighton to Fort Lupton, Colorado
L. R. Arnold, C.S. Mladinich, W. H. Langer, J.S. Daniels
2010, Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5019
Land use in the South Platte River valley between the cities of Brighton and Fort Lupton, Colo., is undergoing change as urban areas expand, and the extent of aggregate mining in the Brighton-Fort Lupton area is increasing as the demand for aggregate grows in response to urban development. To improve...
Integrated Multibeam and LIDAR Bathymetry Data Offshore of New London and Niantic, Connecticut
L. J. Poppe, W. W. Danforth, K. Y. McMullen, Castle E. Parker, P.G. Lewit, E. F. Doran
2010, Open-File Report 2009-1231
Nearshore areas within Long Island Sound are of great interest to the Connecticut and New York research and resource management communities because of their ecological, recreational, and commercial importance. Although advances in multibeam echosounder technology permit the construction of high-resolution representations of sea-floor topography in deeper waters, limitations inherent in...
Indicators of streamflow alteration, habitat fragmentation, impervious cover, and water quality for Massachusetts stream basins
Peter K. Weiskel, Sara L. Brandt, Leslie A. DeSimone, Lance J. Ostiguy, Stacey A. Archfield
2010, Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5272
Massachusetts streams and stream basins have been subjected to a wide variety of human alterations since colonial times. These alterations include water withdrawals, treated wastewater discharges, construction of onsite septic systems and dams, forest clearing, and urbanization—all of which have the potential to affect streamflow regimes, water quality, and habitat...
Estimated minimum discharge rates of the Deepwater Horizon spill— Interim report to the flow rate technical group from the Mass Balance Team
Victor F. Labson, Roger N. Clark, Gregg A. Swayze, Todd M. Hoefen, Raymond F. Kokaly, K. Eric Livo, Michael H. Powers, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Gregory P. Meeker
2010, Open-File Report 2010-1132
All of the calculations and results in this report are preliminary and intended for the purpose, and only for the purpose, of aiding the incident team in assessing the extent of the spilled oil for ongoing response efforts. Other applications of this report are not authorized and are not considered...
Partition coefficients of organic contaminants with carbohydrates
Hsu-Wen Hung, Tsair-Fuh Lin, Cary T. Chiou
2010, Environmental Science and Technology (44) 5430-5436
In view of the current lack of reliable partition coefficients for organic compounds with carbohydrates (Kch), carefully measured values with cellulose and starch, the two major forms of carbohydrates, are provided for a wide range of compounds: short-chain chlorinated hydrocarbons, halogenated benzenes, alkyl benzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls,...
Assessment of undiscovered natural gas resources of the Arkoma Basin province and geologically related areas
David W. Houseknecht, James L. Coleman Jr., Robert C. Milici, Christopher P. Garrity, William A. Rouse, Bryant R. Fulk, Stanley T. Paxton, Marvin M. Abbott, John L. Mars, Troy A. Cook, Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Richard M. Pollastro, Geoffrey S. Ellis
2010, Fact Sheet 2010-3043
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean volumes of 38 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of undiscovered natural gas, 159 million barrels of natural gas liquid (MMBNGL), and no oil in accumulations of 0.5 million barrels (MMBO) or larger in the Arkoma Basin Province and related areas....
