Groundwater-level elevations in the Denver Basin bedrock aquifers and Upper Black Squirrel Creek alluvial aquifer, El Paso County, Colorado, 2021–24
Zachary D. Kisfalusi, Erin K. Hennessy, Jackson B. Sharp
2025, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5123
El Paso County is the second-most populous county in Colorado and is projected to grow another 15 percent by 2030. Within El Paso County is the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Designated Groundwater Basin (Black Squirrel Basin), an area where surface water is scarce and water users rely primarily on groundwater...
Review of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Ballard Locks model, Seattle, Washington, 2014–20
Annett B. Sullivan, Anya C. Leach
2025, Open-File Report 2024-1078
Executive SummaryThe Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal connect freshwater Lake Washington and saline Shilshole Bay of Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington. The locks and canal allow for ships to traverse this reach. Anadromous salmonids also migrate through, transitioning between saline and freshwater environments, and making...
Thicknesses of lava flows in satellite images: Comparison of layered mare units with terrestrial analogs
M. Elise Rumpf, Heidi Needham, Sarah A. Fagents
2025, Icarus (350)
Recent advances in satellite imaging technology have greatly improved our observations of planetary surfaces. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) records images with resolutions on average of 0.5 m per pixel, resolving meter scale features on the surface of the Moon. NAC images have revealed layered deposits, interpreted to...
Simulating present and future groundwater/surface-water interactions and stream temperatures in Beaver Creek, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Andrew T. Leaf, Megan J. Haserodt, Benjamin E. Meyer, Stephen, M. Westenbroek, Joshua C. Koch
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5126
In many places, coldwater ecosystems are facing increasing pressure from anthropogenic warming. This study examined stream temperatures and the water balance in the Beaver Creek watershed on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska—an area that is experiencing rapid warming. Low-gradient streams near the Kenai coast provide important spawning and rearing...
Hydrologic investigations and a preliminary conceptual model of the groundwater system at North Penn Area 1 Superfund Site, Souderton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Lisa A. Senior, Dennis W. Risser, Daniel J. Goode, Philip H. Bird
2024, Open-File Report 2024-1080
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted hydrogeologic investigations, reviewed existing data, and developed a preliminary conceptual model of the groundwater system as part of technical support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the North Penn Area 1 Superfund Site (hereafter, the NP1 Site) located within the Borough of...
Iodine-129 in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at and near the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, 2021–22
Kerri C. Treinen, Allison R. Trcka, Nick Krohe, Genene Lehotsky
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5124
Between the 1950s and 1980s, wastewater generated at the Idaho National Laboratory contained Iodine-129 (129I); this wastewater was discharged directly into the eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) aquifer through a deep disposal well, unlined infiltration ponds, or leaked from distribution systems below industrial facilities. During 2021–22, the U.S. Geological Survey,...
Evidence of nitrate attenuation in intertidal and subtidal groundwater in a subterranean estuary at a Cape Cod embayment, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, 2015–16
Thomas G. Huntington, Kevin D. Kroeger, Timothy D. McCobb, J.K. Bohlke, John A. Colman, Thomas W. Brooks, Beata Syzmczycha
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5100
Nitrogen dynamics in intertidal and nearshore subtidal groundwater (subterranean estuary) adjacent to the Seacoast Shores peninsula, Falmouth, Massachusetts, were investigated during 2015–16 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The peninsula is a densely populated residential area with septic systems and cesspools that are substantial sources of nitrogen to groundwater. The study...
Streamflow characteristics and trends in New Jersey, water years 1903–2017
Amy R. McHugh, Thomas P. Suro, Samantha L. Sullivan, Brianna Williams
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5099
As New Jersey’s population density remains high, so does its requirements for water management. Understanding the streamflow conditions throughout the state and how they may have changed over time is an important part of managing the water resources within the state. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has many...
Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, 2024
Matthew T. Whitehead, Chad J. Ostheimer
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5115
Digital flood-inundation maps for a nearly 6-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. The maps depict estimates of the extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water...
A metapopulation strategy to support long term conservation of genetic diversity in Department of the Interior bison
Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Lee C. Jones, Blake McCann, Shawna J Zimmerman, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, Paul Santavy, Brendan J Moynahan
2024, Science Report NPS/SR—2024/229
Once numbering in the tens of millions, plains bison (Bison bison bison) were nearly driven to extinction with only a few hundred individuals remaining by the late 19th century. Plains bison have since recovered to approximately 20,000 animals managed in conservation herds throughout North America, yet substantial challenges to their...
Global survey of paleo-bedforms on Mars
Matthew Chojnacki, Lori K. Fenton, Lauren A. Edgar, Mackenzie D. Day, Christopher S. Edwards, Aaron R Weintraub, Amber L. Gullikson, Matt Telfer
2024, Geomorphology (466)
Sedimentary processes on Mars have contributed to a plethora of landforms, both ancient and modern. Many of these are aeolian- or fluvial-formed constructs that meet the morphologic criteria for dunes and ripples but are clearly lithified and part of the rock record. This study conducted a survey of Mars using...
Outmigration behavior and survival of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in response to deep drawdown of the Lookout Point Project, Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon
Dalton J. Hance, Tobias J. Kock, Jake R. Kelley, Amy C. Hansen, Russell W. Perry, Scott D Fielding
2024, Open-File Report 2024-1069
An acoustic telemetry study was conducted during August 2023–February 2024 to evaluate outmigration behavior and survival of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon, during an experimental operation that was designed to facilitate downstream passage through two reservoirs and two dams. The experimental operation consisted...
Mapping karst groundwater flow paths and delineating recharge areas for springs in the Little Sequatchie and Pryor Cove watersheds, Tennessee
Benjamin V. Miller
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5089
The Little Sequatchie River and Pryor Cove Branch, in southern Tennessee, drain the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau to the Sequatchie River near the southern end of the Sequatchie Valley. The Little Sequatchie River is the largest tributary to the Sequatchie River by drainage area, covering over 120 square...
Hydrodynamic model of the Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona
Scott A. Wright, Matthew A. Kaplinski, Paul E. Grams
2024, Data Report 1197
The U.S. Geological Survey constructed a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model that was applied to a 15.8-mile tailwater reach of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon that begins 0.25 mile downstream from Glen Canyon Dam and extends to Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona. The model used the Flow...
High-Flow Experimental Outcomes to Inform Everglades Restoration, 2010–22
Judson W. Harvey, Jay Choi, Laurel Larsen, Katherine Skalak, Morgan Maglio, Katherine Quion, Tzu-Yao Lin, Allison Swartz, Jesus Gomez-Velez, Noah Schmadel
2024, Open-File Report 2024-1063
The Decompartmentalization Physical Model (DPM) was an experimental facility in the central Everglades operated between 2010 and 2022 to release high flows through a levee-enclosed area of degraded ridge and slough wetland that had been isolated from flow for sixty years. The purpose of DPM experimental program was to make...
Peak streamflow trends in South Dakota and their relation to changes in climate, water years 1921–2020
Nancy A. Barth, Steven K. Sando
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2023-5064-I
Peak-flow (flood) frequency analysis is essential to water-resources management applications, including the design of critical infrastructure such as bridges and culverts, and floodplain mapping. Federal guidelines for performing peak-flow flood frequency analyses are presented in a U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods Report known as Bulletin 17C. A basic assumption...
Real-time pier scour monitoring and observations at three scour-critical sites in Idaho, water years 2020–22
Ryan L. Fosness, Paul V. Schauer
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5095
To observe real-time pier scour at three scour-critical sites in Idaho, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Idaho Transportation Department, installed and operated fixed real-time (15-minute interval) bed elevation scour sonar sensors at three bridge locations associated with U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gaging stations for water years 2020 through...
Environmental Flows for Riverine EcoSystem Habitats (E-FRESH) decision support tool user guide
Tyler Wible, Christopher Holmquist-Johnson, Heidi Klingel, Ryan R. Morrison, David Merritt, Matthew Korsa
2024, Report
The E-FRESH decision support tool is intended to facilitate assessment and comparison of different flow management scenarios on available habitat for various aquatic, riparian, and invertebrate species of interest. This tool also allows users to conduct a variety of analyses ranging from large-scale data processing and export to detailed and...
Geomorphic map of the Umatilla River corridor, Oregon
Ian P. Yuh, Ralph A. Haugerud, Jim E. O'Connor, Scott J. O’Daniel
2024, Scientific Investigations Map 3527
This map portrays the distribution of landforms along the Umatilla River in northeastern Oregon and covers a corridor 127 kilometers long from the confluence of the Umatilla River with the Columbia River upstream to Meacham Creek. The map encompasses the valley bottom and extends about 1 kilometer up the adjoining...
Sand supply to San Francisco Bay from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers of the Central Valley, California
Mathieu D. Marineau, David Hart, Christopher P. Ely, Lester McKee
2024, Open-File Report 2024-1055
Sediment from the Central Valley via the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) and Suisun Bay is a primary source of sand to San Francisco Bay, California. Sand is mined from San Francisco Bay for commercial purposes, such as for use in concrete for construction. To better understand the supply of sand...
Use of continuous water-quality time-series data to compute total phosphorus concentrations and loads for the Missouri River at St. Joseph and Hermann, Missouri, 2007–22
Kendra M. Markland
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5097
In support of Missouri’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, which was created to reduce the nutrient contamination of Missouri’s waterways from point and nonpoint sources, total phosphorus concentrations and loads were computed for the Missouri River at St. Joseph, Missouri, streamgage (U.S. Geological Survey station 06818000) and the Missouri River at...
Use of a numerical groundwater-flow model and projected climate scenarios to simulate the effects of future climate conditions on base flow for reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir storage, western Oklahoma
Laura G. Labriola, John H. Ellis, Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, Pierre-Emmanuel Kirstetter, Yang Hong
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5082
To better understand the relation between climate variability and future groundwater resources in reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir in western Oklahoma, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, used a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model and climate-model data to investigate...
Assessment of the sensitivity of Percina caprodes (logperch) to the pesticide 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol
Courtney A. Kirkeeng, James A. Luoma, Nicholas Schloesser, Justin R. Schueller, Cheryl Kaye
2024, Open-File Report 2024-1064
A continuous-flow streamside toxicity test was completed to evaluate the risk posed by the use of 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol (TFM), used to control Petromyzon marinus (sea lamprey), to Percina caprodes (logperch). Logperch are a host fish to the parasitic glochidia life stage of the federally endangered Epioblasma triquetra (snuffbox mussel). Streams with...
Temporal, spatial, and chemical evolution of Quaternary high-silica rhyolites in the Mineral Mountains, Utah
Tiffany A. Rivera, Brian R. Jicha, Stefan Kirby, Hannah B. Peacock
2024, Professional Paper 1890-K
The Mineral Mountains in southwestern Utah are a structurally controlled core complex at the confluence of the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range physiographic provinces. Aside from hosting Utah’s largest batholith, the Mineral Mountains host some of the State’s youngest high-silica rhyolites, which have been linked to a magma...
Introduction to recommended capabilities and instrumentation for volcano monitoring in the United States
Ashton F. Flinders, Jacob B. Lowenstern, Michelle L. Coombs, Michael P. Poland
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5062-A
IntroductionThe National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS) was authorized and partially funded by the U.S. Government in 2019. In response, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program asked its scientists to reflect on and summarize their views of best practices for volcano monitoring. The goal was to review and...