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Publications

Publications are the cornerstone of the Pennsylvania Water Science Center’s dissemination of scientific data and conclusions. 

Filter Total Items: 939

Low-flow statistics of selected streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Low-flow statistics for many streams in Chester County, Pa., were determined on the basis of data from 14 continuous-record streamflow stations in Chester County and data from 1 station in Maryland and 1 station in Delaware. The stations in Maryland and Delaware are on streams that drain large areas within Chester County. Streamflow data through the 1994 water year were used in the analyses. The l
Authors
Curtis L. Schreffler

Relation of algal biomass to characteristics of selected streams in the Lower Susquehanna River basin

Seven small tributary streams with drainage areas ranging from 12.6 to 71.9 square miles, representative of both limestone and freestone settings, in the Lower Susquehanna River Basin were sampled for algae, nutrients, water quality, habitat, land use, hydrology, fish, and invertebrates. Nutrients, site characteristics, and selected characteristics of the invertebrate and fish communities known to
Authors
Robin A. Brightbill, Michael D. Bilger

Yields and trends of nutrients and total suspended solids in nontidal areas of the Chesapeake Bay basin, 1985-96

Excessive concentrations of nutrients and suspended solids in water adversely affect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. High levels of nutrients in the Bay result in algal blooms and suspended solids reduce water clarity, both of which decrease the amount of light reaching submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The die off and decomposition of algae and SAV deplete oxygen supplies in the water. Low
Authors
Michael J. Langland

A snapshot evaluation of stream environmental quality in the Little Conestoga Creek basin, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Many Lancaster County residents are interested in stream monitoring and habitat restoration to maintain or improve stream water quality and to keep contaminants from reaching ground water used to supply drinking water. To promote resident involvement and environmental stewardship, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (ACB) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) designed this “snapshot” study of wate
Authors
Connie A. Loper, Ryan C. Davis

Ground-water discharge and base-flow nitrate loads of nontidal streams, and their relation to a hydrogeomorphic classification of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, middle Atlantic Coast

Existing data on base-flow and groundwater nitrate loads were compiled and analyzed to assess the significance of groundwater discharge as a source of the nitrate load to nontidal streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These estimates were then related to hydrogeomorphic settings based on lithology and physiographic province to provide insight on the areal distribution of ground-water discharge.
Authors
L. Joseph Bachman, Bruce D. Lindsey, John W. Brakebill, David S. Powars

Results of borehole geophysical logging and hydraulic tests conducted in Area D supply wells, former U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, Warminster, Pennsylvania

Borehole geophysical logging, aquifer tests, and aquifer-isolation (packer) tests were conducted in four supply wells at the former U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) in Warminster, PA, to identify the depth and yield of water-bearing zones, occurrence of borehole flow, and effect of pumping on nearby wells. The study was conducted as part of an ongoing evaluation of ground-water contamination a
Authors
Ronald A. Sloto, Kevin E. Grazul

Evaluation of hydrologic data collected at the North Penn Area 12 Superfund Site, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

The North Penn Area 12 Superfund Site is underlain by the Lockatong Formation, which consists of interbedded gray to black siltstone and shale. The beds of the Lockatong Formation strike northeast and dip about 10d to 20d to the northwest in the vicinity of the site. Ground water moves through fractures that are nearly vertical and horizontal in the shale and siltstone. Permeability and storage ar
Authors
Lisa A. Senior, Kevin E. Grazul, Charles R. Wood

Geohydrology and distribution of volatile organic compounds in ground water in the Casey Village area, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Casey Village and the adjoining part of the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) are underlain by the Late Triassic-age Stockton Formation, which consists of a dipping series of siltstones and sandstones.The direction of vertical ground-water gradients in the Stockton Formation varies among well locations and sometimes with time. Vertical gradients can be substantial; the difference in water level
Authors
Ronald A. Sloto, Randall W. Conger, Kevin E. Grazul

Fish communities and their relation to physical and chemical characteristics of streams from selected environmental settings in the Lower Susquehanna River basin, 1993-95

Studies of fish-community composition were conducted annually in selected reaches (from 100 to 303 meters in length) on seven streams from June 1993 to June 1995 within the Lower Susquehanna River Basin. In 1994, additional reaches were selected on three of the streams, resulting in a total of 28 samples. The study reaches were selected on the basis of type of bedrock and land use/land cover; the
Authors
Michael D. Bilger, Robin A. Brightbill

Review of Aquifer Test Results for the Lansdale Area, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1980–95

Aquifer and aquifer-isolation test results in and around North Penn Area 6 Superfund site, Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania are reviewed to provide estimated aquifer properties for use in a numerical model of ground-water flow. This review was made to support of remedial action investigations by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Region III, Philadelphia. The data reviewed are
Authors
Daniel J. Goode, Lisa A. Senior

Radon in the ground water of Chester County, Pennsylvania

IntroductionA study of the occurrence and distribution of dissolved radon in the ground water of Chester County was undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Chester County Water Resources Authority and the Chester County Health Depart-ment. The results of this study are published in a technical report by Senior (1998). This fact sheet summarizes the key findings pre-s
Authors
Ronald A. Sloto, Lisa A. Senior

Evaluation of geophysical logs and video surveys in boreholes adjacent to the Berkley Products Superfund Site, West Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Between February 1998 and April 1998, geophysical logs were collected in nine boreholes adjacent to the Berkley Products Superfund Site, West Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pa. Video surveys were conducted on four of the nine boreholes. The boreholes range in depth from 320 to 508 feet below land surface, are completed open holes, have ambient vertical flow of water, and penetrate a series o
Authors
Dennis J. Low, Randall W. Conger