Design and methods of the California stream quality assessment (CSQA), 2017
Jason T. May, Lisa H. Nowell, James F. Coles, Daniel T. Button, Amanda H. Bell, Sharon L. Qi, Peter C. Van Metre
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1023
During 2017, as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted the California Stream Quality Assessment to investigate the quality of streams in the Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains ecoregion, United States. The goal of the California Stream Quality Assessment study was to assess the...
Science plan for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the San Francisco Bay region, 2019–24
Brad T. Aagaard, Russell W. Graymer, Clifford H. Thurber, Arthur J. Rodgers, Taka’aki Taira, Rufus D. Catchings, Christine A. Goulet, Andreas Plesch
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1019
This five-year science plan outlines short-term and long-term goals for improving three-dimensional seismic velocity models in the greater San Francisco Bay region as well as how to foster a community effort in reaching those goals. The short-term goals focus on improving the current U.S. Geological Survey San Francisco Bay region...
Characterization of water-quality and bed-sediment conditions in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, prior to the Mid-Currituck Bridge construction, 2011–18
Stephen L. Harden, Sharon A. Fitzgerald, Chad R. Wagner, Emilia L. Bristow, Keith A. Loftin, Barry H. Rosen
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1031
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority plans to improve transportation in the Currituck Sound area by constructing a two-lane bridge—the Mid-Currituck Bridge—across Currituck Sound from the mainland to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. The results of the final environmental impact statement for the project indicate potential water-quality and habitat effects for...
Some approaches to accounting for incidental carcass discoveries in non-monitored years using the Evidence of Absence model
Daniel Dalthorp, Paul Rabie, Manuela Huso, Andrew Tredennick
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1027
Executive SummaryWe evaluate three approaches to accounting for incidental carcasses when estimating an upper bound on total mortality (𝑀) as 𝑀∗ using the Evidence of Absence model (EoA; Dalthorp and others, 2017) to assess compliance with an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) (Dalthorp & Huso, 2015) under a monitoring protocol that...
A decision framework to analyze tide-gate options for restoration of the Herring River Estuary, Massachusetts
David R. Smith, Mitchell J. Eaton, Jill J. Gannon, Timothy P. Smith, Eric L. Derleth, Jonathan Katz, Kirk F. Bosma, Elise Leduc
2020, Open-File Report 2019-1115
The collective set of decisions involved with the restoration of degraded wetlands is often more complex than considering only ecological responses and outcomes. Restoration is commonly driven by a complex interaction of social, economic, and ecological factors representing the mandate of resource stewards and the values of stakeholders. The authors...
Groundwater chloride concentrations in domestic wells and proximity to roadways in Vermont, 2011–2018
Joseph P. Levitt, Sille L. Larsen
2020, Open-File Report 2019-1148
The Vermont Department of Health and the U.S. Geological Survey analyzed the concentrations of chloride in groundwater samples collected from 4,319 domestic wells across Vermont between 2011 and 2018. Ninety of these wells were sampled twice and the remaining 4,229 were sampled once. This sample size represents approximately 4 percent...
Defining technology operational readiness for the 3D Elevation Program—A plan for investment, incubation, and adoption
Jason M. Stoker
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1015
The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is an acquisition strategy that uses data from commercial remote sensing technologies to create three-dimensional maps of the United States and U.S. territories. Currently, light detection and ranging and interferometric synthetic aperture radar are the two commercial technologies being used to provide three-dimensional information to...
Ground-motion predictions for California — Comparisons of three prediction equations
Erol Kalkan, Vladimir Graizer
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1028
We systematically evaluate datasets, functional forms, independent parameters of estimation, and resulting ground-motion predictions (as median and aleatory variability) of the Graizer and Kalkan (2015, 2016) (GK15) ground-motion prediction equation (GMPE) with the next generation of attenuation project (NGA-West2) models of Abrahamson and others (2014) (ASK14) and Boore and others...
Evaluation of water temperature effects on adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) behavior in the Yakima River, Washington, 2019
Tobias J. Kock, Scott D. Evans, Amy C. Hansen, Brian K. Ekstrom, Richard Visser, Brian Saluskin, Paul Hoffarth
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1033
A study was conducted in the lower Yakima River, Washington, during June–October 2019 to evaluate water temperature effects on adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) behavior. A total of 60 sockeye salmon adults were tagged with radio transmitters and monitored during the study. Fourteen of the fish were collected and...
Assessment of microscopic pathology in fishes collected at sites impacted by wood tar in Pennsylvania
Heather L. Walsh, Vicki S. Blazer, Patricia M. Mazik, Adam J. Sperry, Diana Pavlick
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1024
In an effort to determine whether fish populations in an area affected by wood tar waste exhibited health effects, fish were collected and analyzed with histopathology. Multiple species, including Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii), Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), White Sucker (Catostumus commersonii), Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus), Common Shiner (Luxilus cornutus), and...
Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2017 Monitoring Report
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1025
Executive SummaryPopulations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir (hereinafter referred to as Clear Lake; fig. 1), California, are experiencing long-term declines in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing because juvenile suckers are not...
Evaluating dewatering approaches to protect larval Pacific lamprey
Theresa L. Liedtke, Lisa K. Weiland, Joseph J. Skalicky, Ann E. Gray
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1026
Executive SummaryLarval Pacific lamprey live for several years burrowed in nearshore sediments where they filter feed on detritus and organic matter. Dewatering of larval habitat can occur as a result of flow-management practices, construction projects, or seasonal closures of irrigation diversions. Effective management of dewatering events requires guidance on approaches...
Geologic map of the Paeroa Fault block and surrounding area, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand
Drew T. Downs, Graham S. Leonard, Colin J. N. Wilson, Julie V Rowland
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1021
The Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand, is the most productive area of explosive silicic volcanism in the world. Faulted early and middle Pleistocene volcanic products are generally concealed beneath voluminous, generally unfaulted, younger volcanic products. An exception is the southeast margin of the TVZ where the two parallel, northeast-trending...
Map depicting susceptibility to landslides triggered by intense rainfall, Puerto Rico
K. Stephen Hughes, William H. Schulz
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1022
Landslides in Puerto Rico range from nuisances to deadly events. Centuries of agricultural and urban modification of the landscape have perturbed many already unstable hillsides on the tropical island. One of the main triggers of mass wasting on the island is the high-intensity rainfall that is associated with tropical atmospheric...
Predicting barrier island habitats and oyster and seagrass habitat suitability for various restoration measures and future conditions for Dauphin Island, Alabama
Nicholas M. Enwright, Hongqing Wang, P. Soupy Dalyander, Elizabeth Godsey, editor(s)
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1003
Barrier islands, such as Dauphin Island, Alabama, provide numerous invaluable ecosystem services including storm damage reduction and erosion control to the mainland, habitat for fish and wildlife, carbon sequestration in marshes, water catchment and purification, recreation, and tourism. These islands are dynamic environments that are gradually shaped by currents, waves,...
Development of a modeling framework for predicting decadal barrier island evolution
Rangley C. Mickey, Joseph W. Long, P. Soupy Dalyander, Robert L. Jenkins III, David M. Thompson, Davina Passeri, Nathaniel G. Plant
2020, Open-File Report 2019-1139
Predicting the decadal evolution of barrier island systems is important for coastal managers who propose restoration or preservation alternatives aimed at increasing the resiliency of the island and its associated habitats or communities. Existing numerical models for simulating morphologic changes typically include either long-term (for example, longshore transport under quiescent...
Application of decadal modeling approach to forecast barrier island evolution, Dauphin Island, Alabama
Rangley C. Mickey, Elizabeth Godsey, P. Soupy Dalyander, Victor Gonzalez, Robert L. Jenkins III, Joseph W. Long, David M. Thompson, Nathaniel G. Plant
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1001
Forecasting barrier island evolution provides coastal managers and stakeholders the ability to assess the resiliency of these important coastal environments that are home to both established communities and existing natural habitats. This study uses an established coupled model framework to assess how Dauphin Island, Alabama, responds to various storm and...
Development of a process-based littoral sediment transport model for Dauphin Island, Alabama
Robert L. Jenkins III, Joseph W. Long, P. Soupy Dalyander, David M. Thompson, Rangley C. Mickey
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1011
Dauphin Island, Alabama, located in the Northern Gulf of Mexico just outside of Mobile Bay, is Alabama’s only barrier island and provides an array of historical, natural, and economic resources. The dynamic island shoreline of Dauphin Island evolved across time scales while constantly acted upon by waves and currents during...
Have humans influenced volcanic activity on the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano? A publication review
James P. Kauahikaua, Frank A. Trusdell
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1017
Since the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, the topic of whether commercial developments not only caused the eruption to occur in the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ), but also caused its high eruption rate has been a subject of public discussion. We review Kīlauea Volcano publications from the past several...
Preliminary analyses of volcanic hazards at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, 2017–2018
Christina A. Neal, Kyle R. Anderson
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1002
From 2017 to 2018, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) responded to ongoing and changing eruptions at Kīlauea Volcano as part of its mission to monitor volcanic processes, issue warnings of dangerous activity, and assess volcanic hazards. To formalize short-term hazards assessments—and, in some cases, issue...
Multiple-well monitoring site adjacent to the Lost Hills oil field, Kern County, California
Rhett R. Everett, Adam Kjos, Anthony A. Brown, Janice M. Gillespie, Peter B. McMahon
2020, Open-File Report 2019-1114
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board, is evaluating several questions about oil and gas development and groundwater resources in California, including (1) the location of groundwater resources; (2) the proximity of oil and gas operations and groundwater and the geologic materials...
Spectral analysis to quantify the response of groundwater levels to precipitation — Northwestern United States
Andrew J. Long, Christopher P. Konrad
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1007
Persistent atmospheric patterns that lead to wet and dry seasons and droughts over periods of months to decades and longer-term climate change over periods of decades to millennia affect groundwater resources. Changes in groundwater storage and the resulting groundwater discharge from most aquifers is relatively slow and steady compared to...
The surface trace tool — Modeling complex planar interactions using ArcGIS
Drew B. Adams, Heather L. Parks
2020, Open-File Report 2019-1136
The surface trace tool comprises a Python script written for ArcGIS that will determine the line of intersection between a planar feature and a surface. Specifically, this tool was designed for geologic applications where geologic planar-feature orientations are reported as strike and dip, and the intersecting surface is the ground....
Groundwater withdrawals and regional flow paths at and near Willow Grove and Warminster, Pennsylvania—Data compilation and preliminary simulations for conditions in 1999, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2017
Daniel J. Goode, Lisa A. Senior
2020, Open-File Report 2019-1137
In 2014, groundwater samples from residential and public supply wells in the vicinity of two former U.S. Navy bases at Willow Grove and Warminster, and an active Air National Guard Station at Horsham, Bucks and Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania, were found to have concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate...
Evaluation of survey methods for colonial waterbirds at Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
Lawrence D. Igl, Alisa J. Bartos, Robert O. Woodward, Paulette Scherr, Marsha A. Sovada
2020, Open-File Report 2020-1008
Estimating the number of breeding pairs in a mixed-species waterbird colony is difficult because colonial waterbirds are vulnerable to human intrusion and their colonies are often in remote areas with limited access. We investigated methods to estimate the number of nests of waterbirds at a large, mixed-species colony at Chase...
