Pennsylvania Waters - Fall 2020 - Issue 2
Drought Watch Reduced to 20 Pennsylvania Counties, Drought Warning Continues in 3 Counties
USGS groundwater and surface water monitoring data contributed to the August 21, 2020 drought watch declaration for 16 counties by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP). The last drought watch ended in May 2017.
On November 17, 2020, PaDEP continued drought warnings in 3 counties and reduced the drought watch count to 20 counties, do
Matthew Gyves selected as 2020 USGS Data Person of the Year
Matthew C. Gyves, a Hydrologic Technician in the Pennsylvania Water Science Center's Downingtown Office, received the 2020 "Data Person of the Year" award from the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
USGS Characterizes Baseline Groundwater Quality in Potter County, Pennsylvania
A report on the groundwater quality of Potter County is the latest of seven publications characterizing water quality of aquifers underlying central and northern tier counties. Wells were sampled throughout Potter County with funding support from Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Marcellus Legacy Fund.
Pennsylvania Staff Responds to Hurricane Isaias
USGS fills a knowledge gap for radionuclide occurrence in groundwater
Using recently developed and sensitive laboratory methods, the USGS has documented where the radionuclides lead-210 and polonium-210 occur in principal aquifers of the U.S. used for drinking-water supply, reports a new study.
Streamflow Estimation from Advanced Imaging (LSPIV) in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Water Science Center and the Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) Program are implementing new technologies for streamflow estimation at sites in Pennsylvania where conventional measurement techniques are inadequate.
Framework for Examining Stream Ecosystem Health in Areas of Shale Gas Development—A Multi-Parameter Watershed-Based Case Study in Pennsylvania
In a case study of 25 headwater streams in Pennsylvania, no statistically significant associations were determined between shale gas development and geochemical tracers of produced waters or measures of microbial and macroinvertebrate community composition. Although the results are specific to the region studied, the integrated biological and geochemical framework provides a tool for examining effects of energy development in other watersheds with differing size, land cover, or best management practices.
USGS contributes to assessing sediment removal in streams
A recent article In Science provided an overview of the Big Spring Run restoration project in PA, based on research.
Integrated Water Science Basin selection kicks off new era of water-resource assessments
The USGS has identified 36 major river basins—2 in each of 18 regions of the conterminous U.S.—as finalists for intensive study by new USGS Water Resources Mission Area programs. From the finalists, 10 will be selected to be an Integrated Water Science (IWS) Basin. The ranking process is described in a new article in the journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.
Mercury Bioaccumulation in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Despite the prevalence of mercury contamination in the Chesapeake Bay, large-scale patterns of mercury concentrations, and potential risks to fish, wildlife, and humans across the watershed, are poorly understood.
September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, a time for Americans to review their preparedness plans for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. It’s also historically the peak of hurricane season.
USGS has two openings for recent-graduate water scientists in Pennsylvania - CLOSED
The application period ended on December 30, 2020.
A beautiful morning for an ADCP measurement on the Allegheny River, PA
A beautiful morning for an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler measurement on the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania.