Publications

In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began to implement a full-scale National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. The long-term goals of the NAWQA program are to describe the status and trends in the quality of a large, representative part of the Nation's surface- and ground-water resources, and to provide a sound scientific understanding of the primary natural and human factors affect

The Instrumentation that was used to collect data for an investigation of the heat and water transfer through soils during freezing and thawing is described. The study area is 11.3 kilometers southeast of Oakes, N.Dak. Three runoff plots were established. Snow depth, runoff, sou water content, and soil temperature data were collected for each runoff plot. Precipitation, snow density, air temperatu

No abstract available.

The existence of lakes and wetlands depends on the specific geologic setting that favors the ponding of water, and on the hydrologic processes that allow the body of water to persist at a given site. Lakes can occur only in topographic depressions, but wetlands occur in depressions, on flat areas, on slopes, and even on drainage divides. Lakes and wetlands have some common characteristics, but the

Difficulties involved in obtaining accurate measurements of solid precipitation (snowfall) have been recognized for many years. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the accuracy and performance of precipitation gages. These studies show that the type of collection method used can significantly affect the quantity of precipitation measured. Although the types of collection methods evaluated

Operation of the Garrison Diversion Unit in North Dakota may have various effects on the quantity and quality of streamflow in the Sheyenne River and the Red River of the North. To model the effects that the Garrison Diverson Unit could have on water quantity, monthly gaged and estimated streamflow data and estimated unregulated streamflow data were compiled to develop a complete monthly streamflo

Operation of the proposed Garrison Diversion Unit will supply water from the Missouri River in North Dakota to the upstream part of the James River basin. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation initiated a monitoring program in 1984 to aid in determining whether the potential impacts resulting from Garrison Diversion Unit operation will be compatible with the operational objectives of the three national w

No abstract available. 

Water use in the United States, as measured by freshwater withdrawals in 1985, averaged 338,000 Mgal/d (million gallons per day), which is enough water to cover the 48 conterminous States to a depth of about 2.4 inches. Only 92,300 Mgal/d, or 27.3 percent of the water withdrawn, was consumptive use and thus lost to immediate further use; the remainder of the withdrawals (72.7 percent) was return f

Historic stream flow data were compiled and record extension techniques were used, when necessary, to develop a monthly stream flow record for 1953-82 at streamflow-gaging stations on the James River in North Dakota and South Dakota. The record extension techniques included both Maintenance of Variance Extension Type 1 and Ordinary Least Squares. In addition to the historic stream flow record, syn

This report documents results of a cost-effectiveness study of the stream-gaging program In North Dakota. It is part of a nationwide evaluation of the stream-gaging program of the U.S. Geological Survey.One phase of evaluating cost effectiveness is to identify less costly alternative methods of simulating streamflow records. Statistical or hydro logic flow-routing methods were used as alternative

As part of an artificial-recharge feasibility study, water from the James River was introduced into the Oakes aquifer of southeastern North Dakota by infiltration through a recharge basin. Chemical composition of water in the recharge basin and ground water from two separate flow paths beneath the basin was determined from samples taken during two artificial-recharge tests.Changes between recharge