Assessment of hydrogeologic terrains, well-construction characteristics, groundwater hydraulics, and water-quality and microbial data for determination of surface-water-influenced groundwater supplies in West Virginia <p> <p> Prepared in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau of Public Health, Office of Environmental Health Services <p>

Long Valley Caldera Lake and reincision of Owens River Gorge

Hydrology and water quality in 13 watersheds in Gwinnett County, Georgia, 2001–15 <p> <p> Prepared in cooperation with the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources <p>

Statistical Methods in Water Resources

Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 1

The Volcano Hazards Program: <p> <p> Strategic Science Plan for 2022 - 2026 <p> <p> Introduction <p> <p> The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program (VHP) Strategic Science Plan identifies concrete and realistic goals that advance the VHP’s scientific and operational mission, prioritizes them according to their immediate importance and likelihood of success, and recommends how the VHP can best achieve them, either independently or in collaboration with academic, government, and other partners. The plan addresses goals that share three distinguishing characteristics: innovation, importance, and feasibility over a five-year time scale. Although not stressed here, the important day-to-day operations, which have made the VHP (also referred to as “program”) so successful and effective since its inception, will continue. The new and innovative work proposed below supplements—rather than supplants—the VHP’s existing efforts, which remain essential for fulfilling its primary mission. Pursuing the following major strategic goals will enhance program operations over the next five years: <p>

<p> U.S. Geological Survey Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan, 2021–26 <p> <p> First posted February 23, 2021 <p> <p> For additional information, contact: Wildland Fire Science Program U.S Geological Survey 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20192 <p> Contact Pubs Warehouse: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/contact <p> <p> Abstract <p> <p> The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan defines critical, core fire science capabilities for understanding fire-related and fire-responsive earth system processes and patterns, and informing management decision making. Developed by USGS fire scientists and executive leadership, and informed by conversations with external stakeholders, the Strategic Plan is aligned with the needs of the fire science stakeholder community–fire, land, natural resource, and emergency managers from Federal, State, Tribal, and community organizations, as well as members of the scientific community. The Strategic Plan is composed of four integrated priorities, each with associated goals and specific strategies for accomplishing the goals: Priority 1: Produce state-of-the-art, actionable fire science; Priority 2: Engage stakeholders in science production and science delivery; Priority 3: Effectively communicate USGS fire science capacity, products, and information to a broad audience; and Priority 4: Enhance USGS organizational structure and advance support for fire science. The priorities of this Strategic Plan define the USGS’s commitment to producing and delivering cutting edge fire science, information, and decision-support tools in support of national, regional, and local priorities and stakeholder needs. <p>

Virginia Bridge Scour Pilot Study—Hydrological Tools <p> <p> Prepared in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation <p> <p> First posted October 18, 2022 <p> For additional information, contact: <p> Director, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center <p> https://www.usgs.gov/centers/virginia-and-west-virginia-water-science-ce nter <p> U.S. Geological Survey <p> 1730 East Parham Road <p> Richmond, Virginia 23228 <p> <p> Abstract <p> Hydrologic and geophysical components interact to produce streambed scour. This study investigates methods for improving the utility of estimates of hydrologic flow in streams and rivers used when evaluating potential pier scour over the design-life of highway bridges in Virginia. Recent studies of streambed composition identify potential bridge design cost savings when attributes of cohesive soil and weathered rock unique to certain streambeds are considered within the bridge planning design. To achieve potential cost savings, however, attributes and effects of scour forces caused by water movement across the streambed surface must be accurately described and estimated. <p> <p> This study explores the potential for improving estimates of the hydrologic component, namely hydrologic flow, afforded by empirically based deterministic, probabilistic, and statistical modeling of flows using streamgage data from 10 selected sites in Virginia. Methods are described and tools are provided that may assist with estimating hydrological components of flow duration and potential cumulative stream power for bridge designs in specific settings, and calculation of comprehensive projections of anticipated individual bridge pier scour rates. Examples of hydrologic properties needed to determine the rates of streambed scour are described for sites spanning a range of basin sizes and locations in Virginia. Deterministic, probabilistic, and statistical modeling methods are demonstrated for estimating hydrological components of streambed scour over a bridge design lifespan. Eight tools provide examples of streamflow analysis using daily and instantaneous streamflow data collected at 10 study sites in Virginia. Tool 1 provides a generalized system dynamics model of streamflow and sediment motion that may be used to estimate hydrologic flow over time. Tool 2 illustrates at-a-station hydraulic geometry using methods pioneered by Leopold and others. Tool 3 provides a system dynamics model developed to test the use of Monte-Carlo sampling of instantaneous streamflow measurements to augment and increase precision of site-specific period-of-record daily-flow values useful for driving stream-power and streambed scour estimates. Tool 4 integrates deterministic modeling, maximum likelihood logistic regression, and Monte-Carlo sampling to identify probable hydrologic flows. Tool 5 provides instantaneous flow hydrologic envelope profiles, using measured instantaneous flow data integrated with measured daily-flow value data. Tool 6 provides precise estimates of hydrologic flow over entire data time-series suitable for driving scour simulation models. Tool 7 provides a threshold of flow and probability of time-under-load interactive calculator that allows selection of a desired bridge design lifespan, ranging from 1 to 250 years, and identification of a flow interval of interest. Tool 8 provides a flow-random sampling interactive tool, developed to facilitate easy access to large datasets of randomly sampled flow data measurements from unique locations for purposes of computing and testing future models of bridge pier scour. <p>

Identifying and preserving high-water mark data <p> <p> Techniques and Methods 3-A24 <p> <p> By: Todd A. Koenig, Jennifer L. Bruce, Jim O'Connor, Benton D. McGee, Robert R. Holmes Jr., Ryan Hollins, Brandon T. Forbes, Michael S. Kohn, Mathew Schellekens, Zachary W. Martin, and Marie C. Peppler <p> <p> https://doi.org/10.3133/tm3A24 <p> <p> First posted March 8, 2016 <p> For additional information, contact: Chief, Office of Surface Water <p> U.S. Geological Survey <p> 415 National Center <p> 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive <p> Reston, VA 20192 <p> http://water.usgs.gov/osw/ <p> <p> Abstract <p> <p> High-water marks provide valuable data for understanding recent and historical flood events. The proper collection and recording of high-water mark data from perishable and preserved evidence informs flood assessments, research, and water resource management. Given the high cost of flooding in developed areas, experienced hydrographers, using the best available techniques, can contribute high-quality data toward efforts such as public education of flood risk, flood inundation mapping, flood frequency computations, indirect streamflow measurement, and hazard assessments. <p> <p> This manual presents guidance for skilled high-water mark identification, including marks left behind in natural and man-made environments by tranquil and rapid flowing water. This manual also presents pitfalls and challenges associated with various types of flood evidence that help hydrographers identify the best high-water marks and assess the uncertainty associated with a given mark. Proficient high-water mark data collection contributes to better understanding of the flooding process and reduces risk through greater ability to estimate flood probability. <p> <p> The U.S. Geological Survey, operating the Nation’s premier water data collection network, encourages readers of this manual to familiarize themselves with the art and science of high-water mark collection. The U.S. Geological survey maintains a national database at http://water.usgs.gov/floods/FEV/ that includes high-water mark information for many flood events, and local U.S. Geological Survey Water Science Centers can provide information to interested readers about participation in data collection and flood documentation efforts as volunteers or observers. <p>

StreamStats—A Quarter Century of Delivering Web-Based Geospatial and Hydrologic Information to the Public, and Lessons Learned <p> <p> Circular 1514 <p> <p> By: Kernell G. Ries III, Peter A. Steeves, and Peter M. McCarthy <p> https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1514 <p>