Publications

Annual streamflows from the 21 water-resource regions in the United States and Puerto Rico were calculated for the period 1951-83. The total streamflow discharging to the oceans from the conterminous United States during this period averaged 1,270 billion gallons per day. The outflow from the Lower Mississippi Water-Resource Region (08), which drains 41 percent of the land area of the conterminous

The Minnesota State Legislature passed laws as early as 1937 to regulate use of Minnesota's ground water and surface water through a permit system. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to computerize water-use data reported to the State. The U.S. Geological Survey, through the National Water-Use Information Program, assisted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a water-quality study of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. This report documents the water quality during the period 1975-83. The water quality is good for most uses and is a calcium bicarbonate type. Concentrations of most constituents analyzed were less than most sites in Wisconsin. Constituent loads and yields were alsg lower in the Sceiilc Riverway th

Four small tributaries of the Galena River Madden Branch tributary, Pats Creek, Apple River, and Madden Branch that drain nonpoint agricultural sources and that receive no significant point-source discharges were monitored from October 1980 through September 1982 to determine water quality. Streamflow in the tributaries during the 1981 water year was about 25 percent below normal and, during the 1

Confined-drift aquifers in a 1,380-square-mile area of western Minnesota range in thickness from less than 10 feet to 114 feet. Transmissivities range from less than 1,000 square feet per day to over 16,000 square feet per day and theoretical well yields range from less than 100 gallons per minute to more than 1,800 gallons per minute. Regional ground water flow in the confined-drift aquifers is t

The Silurian dolomite aquifer in the Lannon-Sussex area of southeastern Wisconsin is overlain by glacial deposits, but is within 8 ft of the land surface over 15% of the study area. The proximity of the dolomite aquifer to the land surface makes it susceptible to contamination from man 's activities. Water from the aquifer was analyzed and several characteristics were monitored in a 30-sq-mi area

Continued study of ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, defined the movement and distribution of volatile organic compounds in the glacial sand and gravel aquifer at known sites of contamination, and has defined new plumes at two other sites. The Arrow Street purge system, installed in 1982 to remove contaminants from the Building 43 plume, has lowered concentrations o

Equations for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams with drainage basins containing various amounts of existing or projected urban development were developed by flood-frequency and multiple-regression analyses. Multiple-regression techniques were used to develop equations for estimating flood frequencies at ungaged urban sites. The flood-frequency equations are based o

Suspended-sediment samplers must sample isokinetically (at stream velocity) in order to collect representative water samples of rivers. Each sampler solo by the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project or by the U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility has been adjusted to sample isokinetically and tested in a flume to verify the calibration. The test program for a modified U.S.

Suspended-sediment samples have been collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 115 sites on Minnesota streams since October 1960. Data from 42 sites were sufficient for characterizing sediment concentrations and yields. Average concentrations ranged from 4.4 milligrams per liter on the Baptism River in northeastern Minnesota to 190 milligrams per liter on the Root River in the southeast. Log-li

River-bed scour is a major source of damage to bridge piers and bridge abutments. When scour depth exceeds design limits, the supporting material around the footings is washed away and the structure becomes unstable. Equations for predicting scour-depth show a significant lack of agreement so portable equipment for measuring scour is needed. This report discusses the design of an instrumented, unm

The surface-water resources of the United States, the focal point for this National Water Summary, are extensively developed and managed to provide water supplies, hydroelectric power, navigation, recreational opportunities, and sufficient instream flows to maintain fish and wildlife habitats and adequate water quality. Surface water represents 77 percent of the Nation's total freshwater withdrawa