Publications

Steiner Branch basin in southwestern Wisconsin has rugged mature topography. Corn is planted in 30 percent of the basin on slopes ranging from 0 to 20 percent. Although contour stripcropping is a recommended practice for these easily eroded soil slopes, few conservation practices are followed to reduce soil losses. Because the stream drains into a manmade lake used for recreation, its water qualit

This report presents the results of biologic investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during a study of hydrology and water quality in a small drainage basin in the "Driftless Area" of southwest Wisconsin. The investigation included aquatic macrophytes, periphytic and planktonic algae, benthic invertebrates, and trout population dynamics during

The primary effects of a floodwater-retarding structure (FRS) on the streamflow of Trout Creek, Wisconsin, are attenuation of flood peaks and extension of the time base of flood hydrographs. Reduction of flood peaks ranged from 58 to 91 percent during the study period from 1975 to 1979. There is an inverse relation between sediment concentration and outflow from the FRS during floods. As water wen

This inventory of reports and data concerning the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers in the Twin Cities metropolitan area was compiled from November 1981 through January 1982 for a planned river-quality assessment to be conducted cooperatively by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission. There are 260 annotated citations: 176 citations of reports; 8 citations of compu

An intensive study of nonpoint-source runoff was conducted in the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Minnesota during 1980. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships between land use, watershed characteristics, and the quantity, quality, and timing of runoff. Discharge and water-quality data were collected at 19 sites located in 6 rural and 4 urban watersheds. Basin characteristics

Tapping the surficial sand-plain aquifers in west-central Minnesota has raised the possibility for degradation of water quality. The sand-plain areas are generally overlain by sandy soils that permit rapid infiltration of precipitation and, possibly, of surface contaminants. One hundred twenty-five wells were sampled in Hubbard, Morrison, Otter Tail, and Wadena Counties during 1979-81 to establish

The Pelican River sand-plain area includes approximately 200 square miles of outwash deposits in parts of Decker, Otter Tail, and Clay Counties in west-central Minnesota. Saturated thickness of the outwash is as much as 140 feet and yields of properly constructed wells locally may exceed 1,200 gallons per minute. Recharge to the outwash from snowmelt and rain ranged from 3.2 to 6.1 inches during 1

This report summarizes data on water levels in 124 observation wells and provides information on well locations, depths, altitudes, and aquifers that they tap. Tabulated data include extremes of water levels for 1981 and for the period of record; pumpage of most major groundwater users in the State; and quality data on selected wells. The city of Lansing was the largest reported user of ground-wat

Low-flow characteristics of streams in the Lake Michigan basin are presented. Included are estimates of low-flow frequency at 30 gaging stations, flow duration at 13 gaging stations, and selected low-flow frequency characteristics at 22 low-flow partial-record stations and 123 miscellaneous sites. Equations are provided to estimate low-flow characteristics at sites where one base-flow discharge me

Surface water arid;ground water from an area underlain by coal- bearing rocks in the vicinity of St. Charles Michigan, were analyzed to determine the quality characteristics of these water resources and to assess the relation between the two. Data for 15 constituents, including boron, phenol, lithium, strontium and manganese, were in such high concentrations that they could be used to differentiat

An investigation of flood flows from small drainage basins in Minnesota is being made to aid in the design of bridges, culverts and other highway drainage structures. Results of the investigation provide peak-flow data on streams generally with drainage areas less than 200 square miles, placing particular emphasis on those with drainage areas lees than 10 square miles. Basin parameters being inves

Three test holes drilled at Windigo in Isle Royale National Park in 1981 indicate that the ophitic basaltic lava flows underlying the area contain little water and cannot be considered a source for public water supply. The holes were 135, 175, and 71 feet deep. One hole yielded about 1 gallon of water perminute; the other two yielded less. Glacial deposits seem to offer the best opportunity for de