jlavista@usgs.gov

Starting on or around January 4 and lasting two to three weeks, a helicopter towing a large hoop from a cable will begin making low-level flights over northeast Wisconsin between Calumet and Door counties.

The low-flying helicopter will collect and record geophysical measurements as part of a U.S. Geological Survey project to improve below-ground geologic maps. Scientists will use data collected during the survey to map shallow bedrock and glacial sediments in parts of Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Manitowoc, Calumet, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac counties. The maps will help the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources develop new water-quality and land-use standards.

A low-flying helicopter towing a geophysical device collects scientific data on groundwater and geology.

The helicopter will fly in a grid pattern relatively low to the ground, hundreds of feet above the surface. A sensor that resembles a large hula-hoop will be towed beneath the helicopter to measure tiny electromagnetic signals that can be used to map features below Earth’s surface. Survey flight lines will be separated by a half mile, so the helicopter system will only be visible from any particular location for a short period of time.

The USGS is contracting with SkyTEM ApS, a specialty airborne geophysical company, to conduct the survey. The helicopter will be operated by experienced pilots from Sinton Helicopters who are specially trained for the low-level flying required for geophysical surveys. The company works with the FAA to ensure flights are safe and in accordance with U.S. law.

The USGS-led study is being conducted in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin State Geological and Natural History Survey

This map shows the airborne geophysical survey area in northeast Wisconsin. Surveys will be conducted along a grid of lines within the green shaded area. Flights will not occur directly over populated areas. Planned flight lines and survey progress can be found online. (USGS map)

(Public domain.)

 

Original Article

USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region

USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region

https://www.usgs.gov/news/low-flying-helicopter-will-survey-northeast-wisconsin-geologic-study

jlavista@usgs.gov

Note to Editors: In the public interest and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the USGS is announcing this low-level airborne project. Your assistance in informing the local communities is appreciated.

Original Article

Region 3: Great Lakes

Region 3: Great Lakes

http://www.usgs.gov/news/state-news-release/low-flying-helicopter-will-survey-northeast-wisconsin-geologic-study

jlavista@usgs.gov

The new USGS National Water Dashboard, or NWD, provides critical information to decision-makers, emergency managers and the public during flood events, informing decisions that can help protect lives and property.

“The National Water Dashboard is a much-needed advancement that will help keep communities across the country safe during extreme weather conditions,” said Tim Petty, Ph.D., Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, from an agricultural round table with the Water Subcabinet in Janesville, Wisconsin. “The development of a comprehensive tool that can provide real-time, critical information on mobile devices is great news for areas in our country that are prone to flooding or drought. In addition to giving the public key information on what’s happening in their communities, it will also help improve the response of federal, state and local agencies during storms, floods and drought conditions.”

“Our vision is the National Water Dashboard will be a one-stop resource for all available USGS water data used by the public to make decisions that can preserve life and property,” said Jim Reilly, Ph.D., director of the USGS. “The USGS will continue to build out this tool incorporating future advances in water information so the public will have the latest and best information on hazards and resources.”

Information from the NWD will help inform forecasting, response and recovery efforts for agencies such as the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other federal, state and local agencies. The tool can be used by forecasters and local emergency managers as they issue flood- and evacuation warnings, verify safe evacuation routes and coordinate emergency response efforts. The NWD can assist the USACE as they manage water supplies in river basins and operate flood-control reservoirs. During a drought, the tool can help state resource managers identify areas where water supplies are at risk.

“The National Water Dashboard is an exceptional tool for staying up to date on real-time USGS water information coupled with forecasts and warnings from NOAA’s National Weather Service,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator. “Giving individuals access to water information whether it be a flood or drought, on their mobile device, will help protect lives and property."

The NWD presents real-time stream, lake and reservoir, precipitation and groundwater data from more than 13,500 USGS observation stations across the country. This information is shown along with NOAA weather data such as radar, watches and warnings, past precipitation totals, precipitation forecasts and drought conditions from other open water-data sources. The NWD also links to the USGS WaterAlert system, which sends out instant, customized updates about water conditions.

"The National Water Dashboard builds on the USGS Texas Water Dashboard that was created in 2016," said Don Cline, Ph.D, USGS Associate Director for Water Resources. "Expanding this tool nationwide will increase the ease and ability for the public to have access to USGS real-time water data at all times to help make informed decisions regarding the safety of their families and homes."

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers values the continued partnership and active engagement within our Federal family,” said Chandra S Pathak, Policy Advisor and Senior Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Construction Division. “The new USGS National Water Dashboard is well suited to support the ever-evolving needs for increased hazard risk awareness and mitigation actions toward preparedness and response."
 

Take the National Water Dashboard Map for a Spin

Can you see the effects of Hurricane Zeta on local streams?

Here’s how you can search:
This image shows Hurricane Zeta’s landfall on the Gulf coast. Flow conditions can be explored by clicking on the option in the Layers menu, along with other dataset choices such as weather radar and GOES satellite data. Blue circles show where streamgage water levels are rising, while orange/red dots show sites where levels are receding. Clicking on the legend button will bring up information about the symbols used in the map.

What were rainfall totals when Hurricane Zeta made landfall?

Users can click on the rain layers to get real-time USGS information on precipitation totals. The purple diamonds shown on the map illustrate moderate to heavy rainfall on the Gulf coast. Here users can also view NWS radar information that shows anticipated weather to come.

Can you find information about hurricane warnings along the Gulf Coast?

In addition to current conditions provided by USGS observation stations, the NWD allows you to connect with valuable forecast information from the National Weather Service. The red shaded areas display current hurricane watches, while the orange areas are warnings. Find and click on a blue circle. Doing so will provide the latest information about a streamgage site that is above normal flow status. If flooding is above NWS flood stage, the circle will have a magenta halo around it (no sites are experiencing NWS flood stage on the shown map).

 

Can you find areas that are experiencing no-flow or drought conditions? 

The NWD allows users to monitor a wide variety of natural hazards, including real-time fire warnings from the National Weather Service.

The Drought Monitor is a useful index to understand the impact of drought conditions on streamflow statewide or within individual basins. This image from October 27, 2020, shows areas in the Western and Northeast U.S. that are experiencing lower flows and significant drought conditions. The dark red boxes along the West Coast are the current fire warnings posted from the National Weather Service that are a result of the ongoing extreme drought conditions. The red colored dots represent the low streamflow conditions at USGS gauges.

 

What are conditions like for rafting the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon right now? 
Here’s how you might find out:

In addition to its value in protecting life and property and in managing water use, the NWD can provide adjunct benefits to the American public, such as recreational planning. The Colorado River is a popular recreation destination for white-water rafting. The NWD is a useful application to explore local streamflow conditions before heading out on your next float trip. Just click directly on a specific site to get the latest information. In this example, the streamflow at 09402500 Colorado River near Grand Canyon, Arizona, is shown to be 11,900 cubic feet per second. You can see its flow rate is considered above normal for this day of the year by the light-blue color of the station. From this view, users can also see streamflow values of other local waterways at a glance.
 

What’s Your Source?

The NWD uses real-time data from the USGS National Water Information System. NWIS is the world's largest authoritative enterprise water information system, which is foundational to advancing USGS science priorities and meeting the needs of stakeholders. Data in NWIS have been collected from more than 1.9 million sites through time, with some real-time stations in operation for more than 100 years. Visit the USGS NWIS website to learn more.

Original Article

USGS News: Upper Midwest Water Science Center

USGS News: Upper Midwest Water Science Center

https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-unveils-mobile-flood-tool-nation

jlavista@usgs.gov

The U.S. Geological Survey announced Friday the completion of a new mobile tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather and flood forecasts all in one place on a computer, smartphone or other mobile device. 

Original Article

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

http://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/usgs-unveils-mobile-flood-tool-nation

jlavista@usgs.gov

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration assessment of severe weather and climate event costs found that, on average, droughts and floods cost about $9.5 billion and $4.3 billion per event, respectively.

On April 10, USGS hydrographer Josh Sundberg measures Red River water flowing over the road in East Grand Forks, Minnesota as flood protection walls prevent further flooding.
(Credit: Peter Goettsch, USGS. Public domain.)

Taking the Pulse on the Nation’s Water

The USGS nationwide streamgage network provides emergency managers with real-time information to monitor floodwaters across the nation. The data collected by about 11,300 gages across the country provide vital information to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal, state and local agencies, enabling them to make river forecasts, operate flood control structures and make important emergency management decisions.

Keeping Communities Safe

USGS science information helps safeguard communities during water-related severe weather or climate events. USGS science and data help to minimize the loss of life and property due to hazards by supporting flood forecasting, informing drought and post-fire conditions, and monitoring floods, debris flows and storm surge during hurricanes and other low-pressure systems and tsunamis. During flood events, USGS crews are deployed into the field to verify flood data and collect additional measurements needed by partners.

Coming Soon – A New Map (or App) for Flood Preparedness

When water levels are rising, it can be hard to quickly get all the information you need about your area, especially when you’re not in front of a computer. In the coming weeks, the USGS will be releasing a new cutting-edge map that will provide critical current water information and NWS forecast information at your fingertips on a desktop, smartphone or other mobile device.
 

Now you don’t have to search multiple sources when you want the latest information on floods and droughts, or when you’re just deciding your next recreation destination. The upcoming USGS National Water Dashboard presents real-time stream, lake and reservoir, precipitation and groundwater data for more than 13,500 USGS real-time observation stations across the country. This information is shown along with weather data such as radar, watches and warnings, past precipitation totals, precipitation forecasts and drought conditions from other sources. The NWD will also link to the USGS WaterAlert system, which sends out instant, customized updates about water conditions.

Deploying Equipment Before a Flood

If flooding is expected due to a hurricane or tropical storm, USGS field crews will deploy to the storm’s projected path along the coast to install special water-level measuring instruments called storm-tide sensors. These sensors record data that track storm tides and coastal flooding. This information helps USGS and NOAA scientists improve forecast models. It also helps relief efforts by FEMA and other federal, state and local agencies by pinpointing the areas hardest hit by storm-tide flooding.

Storm-tide sensor information can also help engineers design structures to better withstand floods and assess how well dunes and wetlands reduce storm damage. It can help inform land-use practices and building codes, which can lead to more resilient coastal communities.

USGS crews may also install rapid-deployment gages at locations that are not monitored year-round like permanent streamgages but are at risk of flooding due to an approaching storm. These RDGs provide real-time information on water levels, precipitation, wind speed, humidity and barometric pressure to assist emergency managers tracking floodwaters. RDGs can be quickly installed at critical locations to augment the USGS streamgage network.

You can track storm-tide sensor and RDG deployments and view past storms on the USGS Flood Event Viewer and see USGS streamgage readings in real time on both the viewer and the USGS National Water Information System.

USGS scientists measures a high-water mark. Credit: USGS, public domain.

How High Did the Water Reach?

After the floodwaters subside, the USGS starts the extensive effort of finding high-water marks. During a flood event, rising waters are loaded with floating debris, seeds and dirt that can stick to buildings, trees or other structures. Once floodwaters recede from their highest peak, the line of debris left behind is a high-water mark and it can indicate to scientists the highest point the flood reached. But, these marks are fragile and easily destroyed – both by people cleaning up and by natural weathering – so collecting them is a time-sensitive effort.

After most major floods, the USGS partners with FEMA, USACE, NWS and other agencies to identify high-water marks throughout the affected areas. Depending on where these high-water marks are located, they can be used for a variety of purposes, like improving computer models used for predicting the severity of future floods.

One of the most important uses of high-water-mark data is so FEMA can revise their flood hazard maps. These maps help identify areas that are likely to experience high water in the event of a flood that has a 1% chance of happening in any given year. These floods, often referred to as 100-year floods, are the most common severe inundation events and serve as the foundation for flood management planning.

Another significant use for these high-water marks is the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping effort. These maps are developed using models that incorporate high-water marks, streamgage and storm surge information. The maps can be used by resource managers to assist in updating building codes, verifying safe evacuation routes, bridge design, environmental assessments and other community planning efforts.

Drought ruined soybean crop in Sumter County, Georgia by Alan Cressler. Credit: USGS, Public domain.

A Flood of Information – Even During Drought

Agricultural crops can wither in a flash when the days turn hot, the air dries, the rain stops and moisture evaporates quickly from the soil. The early warning Quick Drought Response Index, or QuickDRI, can help alert managers and others as drought conditions occur. QuickDRI serves as a weekly drought alarm, providing an indicator of emerging or rapidly changing drought conditions.

Like its companion Vegetation Drought Response Index, or VegDRI, which portrays drought’s effect on vegetation conditions, QuickDRI relies on a number of remotely-sensed indicators. Decades of satellite data housed at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science, or EROS, Center provide a resource for assessing abnormal vegetation and climate conditions over a longer historical period.

However, VegDRI is a seasonal drought indicator. For faster-moving droughts, QuickDRI was developed to detect drought’s effects much more quickly.

Looking Towards the Future

As the Atlantic Coast prepares for upcoming storms and the West experiences drought, the USGS will continue to provide data to help resource managers plan for the future.

Stay up-to-date on water conditions in your local area by visiting the USGS WaterWatch website. You can also sign up for high-water alerts through USGS WaterAlert.

Flood and Drought Resources

For more information please visit these websites:

USGS Flood Information—Information about current and past flooding

USGS WaterAlert – Sends email or text messages from the USGS streamgage of your choice

USGS WaterWatch— Provides current USGS water data for the nation

Monitoring Vegetation Drought Stress – Provides resources for drought response index

 

Original Article

USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region

USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region

https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-science-keep-us-safe-floods-and-drought

jlavista@usgs.gov

The scarcity or overabundance of water presents some of the most dangerous, damaging and costly threats to human life, ecosystems and property in the form of drought, floods and debris flows. 

Original Article

Region 3: Great Lakes

Region 3: Great Lakes

http://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/usgs-science-keep-us-safe-floods-and-drought

jlavista@usgs.gov

What the USGS is Doing

Crews are in the field to keep the USGS’s streamgage network of about 11,300 instruments working properly, perform on-site measurements of flooded rivers, and measure high-water marks as flood waters recede.

In the coming days and weeks, USGS crews will continue to monitor streamgages, make flood measurements in the field to determine how much water is flowing, and provide other data used for flood forecasting and flood-control reservoir management.

Flood Information is Critical to Public Safety

The data from the USGS’s nationwide streamgage network provides vital information to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service, and other federal, state and local agencies, enabling them to make river forecasts, operate flood control structures, and make important emergency management decisions. Frequent measurements are needed during flooding to document possible changes in the stream’s channel, which could affect the river level.

Responding during COVID-19

The response to spring flooding is complicated this year by COVID-19. The USGS is working to provide flood information that is critical to the public safety while also keeping employee safety and well-being a priority.

"Our field crews are working long days to help provide critical streamflow information for flood forecasting," said USGS National Flood Hazard Coordinator Karl Winters. "Despite the challenges associated with COVID-19, our field crews have made nearly 800 streamflow measurements per week over the last six weeks." 

USGS water science centers are thoroughly evaluating needs for streamflow measurements and prioritizing streamgages most useful to flood forecasting and management.

Field crew partners are traveling to streamgage sites in separate vehicles, often with single-person crews, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and practicing social distancing. Overnight trips are limited, so crews are often working longer days to make round-trip visits to sites. Crews are also leveraging the many tools made available to work from home and remotely meet with others when possible.

Despite the recent challenges, USGS crews made more than 20,000 streamflow measurements nationwide between January 1 and April 20, 2020.

Looking Towards the Future

As some states hit by severe weather begin to return to normal, others are preparing for what’s to come or dealing with continued flooding and the dangers that come with it. As snowpack is expected to continue to melt across the West and hurricane season begins on June 1, the USGS will continue to monitor stream conditions and use data collected to prepare for current and future flood events.

For up-to-date info on conditions in your area visit the USGS WaterWatch website. Sign up for high-water alerts at the USGS WaterAlert website.

fullscreen

 

Original Article

USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region

USGS News: Region 3: Great Lakes Region

https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-responds-spring-flooding

jlavista@usgs.gov

U.S. Geological Survey field crews are measuring flooding across the country as spring weather is in full swing. Warming temperatures, increased precipitation and snowmelt have caused moderate to major flooding in the upper Midwest, East Coast, Central Plains and the Southeast portions of the country.

Original Article

Region 3: Great Lakes

Region 3: Great Lakes

http://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/usgs-responds-spring-flooding

jlavista@usgs.gov

The Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system ranks ninth in the nation as a source of groundwater for public supply, providing 631 million gallons per day for this use. The aquifer underlies an area with a population of about 26 million people in parts of seven states and includes the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.

USGS scientists tested for hundreds of water-quality constituents and characteristics in samples of untreated groundwater from 60 public-supply wells throughout the aquifer. Results were compared to human-health benchmarks.

Results show one or more inorganic constituents present at high concentrations, meaning at levels exceeding human-health benchmarks, in groundwater in about 50 percent of the study area. Manmade organic constituents, which include pesticides and volatile organic compounds, were not detected at high concentrations.

Many inorganic constituents, including trace elements and radioactive constituents, occur naturally in groundwater, although concentrations can be affected by human activities. Radioactive constituents were present at high levels in groundwater in about 45 percent of the study area. Most of the radioactivity in groundwater comes from the decay of isotopes of uranium and thorium that are naturally present in minerals found in aquifers. Other inorganic constituents, notably strontium, arsenic and fluoride, were detected at high levels in groundwater in about 12 percent of the study area.

“Nuisance” constituents—those that can affect water’s taste, color or odor—were present at high levels, meaning they exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s non-mandatory benchmarks, in 63 percent of the study area. Total dissolved solids, a measure of the salinity of groundwater, occurred at high levels in groundwater in 40 percent of the study area.

 

Groundwater provides nearly half of the nation’s drinking water. To help protect this vital resource, the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment, or NAWQA, Project of the National Water Quality Program assesses groundwater quality in aquifers that are important sources of drinking water.

Over the last two decades, USGS scientists have assessed water quality in untreated water from 6,600 wells in extensive regional aquifers that supply most of the groundwater pumped for the nation’s drinking water, irrigation and other uses. This comprehensive sampling, along with detailed information on geology, hydrology, geochemistry and chemical and water use, can be used to explain how and why aquifer vulnerability to contamination varies across the nation.

Between 2013 and 2023, NAWQA will continue to assess the quality of the nation’s groundwater by sampling about 2,300 shallow wells and 1,400 deep public-supply wells for a broad range of water-quality constituents. USGS-led national- and regional-scale modeling will provide a three-dimensional perspective of the quality of the nation’s groundwater. In conjunction, the data and modeling can be used to inform management decisions. More information on USGS regional aquifer assessments can be found in a previous USGS Featured Story. 

To learn more, visit these websites:
USGS National Summary Circular, Quality of the Nation's Groundwater Quality, 1991-2010
Regional reports on principal aquifers of the U.S.
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project
USGS Groundwater Information
WaterSMART

Original Article

USGS.gov

USGS.gov

https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-midwest-cambrian-ordovician-aquifer-system

jlavista@usgs.gov

A regional assessment of untreated groundwater in the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system, which includes parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Indiana, is now available from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Original Article

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

http://www.usgs.gov/news/technical-announcement/groundwater-quality-midwest-cambrian-ordovician-aquifer-system

jlavista@usgs.gov

This information is critical in helping resource managers mitigate effects of an Asian carp invasion. Great Lakes fisheries generate economic activity of approximately $7 billion annually in the United States alone. Due to the introduction or invasion of many non-native species, Lake Michigan’s ecosystem has already undergone broad and rapid change in fish and other aquatic life. If bighead and silver carp were to populate Lake Michigan, they have the potential to adversely affect the ecosystem and fishing industry.

Scientists used predictive models to simulate fish growth and food consumption to determine the suitability of the Great Lakes to Asian carp invasions. USGS scientists used satellite imagery of Lake Michigan showing near-surface algae to determine how much food would be available for Asian carp. Green algae and blue-green algae, specifically floating algal blooms that can be seen on the surface, are a preferred food source for Asian carp. The water temperatures and algal concentrations detected in Lake Michigan from 2009-2011 show that the bighead and silver carp populations could not only live in this environment, but continue to grow.

 “Most areas of the lake had insufficient algal food for bighead and silver carp, but the model indicates that nearshore areas and embayments had plenty of algal food to support survival and growth,” said Karl Anderson, USGS scientist and lead author of the study.

These findings imply that if bighead and silver carp were to invade Lake Michigan, they might not spread randomly across the lake; rather follow coastlines where sufficient algal food exists. Coastal areas are particularly important not only for fisheries and biological reasons, but also because human activity is more common near shore than in the vast open areas of Lake Michigan. Silver carp often react to boats by jumping; this activity is a nuisance because silver carp often jump into boats, harming people and property. Concentration of silver carp near the coastline would enhance the propensity of such nuisance interactions with boaters. 

Food availability and water temperature are the greatest sources of uncertainty for predicting fish growth potential. Water temperature is a key factor in determining how much bighead and silver carps need to eat. Models developed by USGS scientists helped determine how much algae carps need to eat to survive.

Silver carp are known for their leaping ability, especially when excited by boats. 

Original Article

USGS.gov

USGS.gov

https://www.usgs.gov/news/asian-carp-would-have-adequate-food-survive-lake-michigan

jlavista@usgs.gov

If invasive bighead carp and silver carp spread into Lake Michigan, there would be enough food available for these particular species of Asian carp to survive, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Original Article

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

http://www.usgs.gov/news/state-news-release/asian-carp-would-have-adequate-food-survive-lake-michigan

jlavista@usgs.gov

Results of the study indicate the potential for small fish to be transported through the electric dispersal barrier, which was built to keep invasive species such as Asian carp from passing between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes Basins. However, there is no evidence to date that Asian carp have crossed the Electric Dispersal Barrier System in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

USGS and FWS scientists study the interaction of moving barges and small fish on the Illinois Waterway. Public domain

The study was conducted in 2015 to examine the potential for upstream transport of invasive Asian carp. Barges, which are flat-bottomed boats that carry freight, regularly move from locations where Asian carp are abundant to areas where Asian carp are not yet established. Once trapped, fish may be transported upstream over long distances, upwards of nine miles, and through navigational locks and the Electric Dispersal Barrier system on the Illinois Waterway. The new report is published online in the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

“This study is a great example of how federal agencies, state partners and industry are working together using the most advanced technology available to identify potential risks and find solutions to the difficult problems presented by Asian carp in the Illinois Waterway,” said Jeremiah Davis, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and senior author of the study.

Results show that as a barge tow moves upstream, the three feet of water surrounding the barge and the water included in the gap between barges is also dragged upstream. The speed of the water surrounding the barge can be fast enough to overcome the swimming ability of small fish, allowing fish to be drawn into and trapped in the gap between barges. To assess the number of fish that move upstream with a barge tow scientists marked free-swimming fish and released them in front of the barge or in the gap between barges. Scientists later recaptured the fish upstream using nets cast in the gap space. The study used golden shiners, a fish native to the Illinois Waterway and similar in size and swimming ability to small Asian carp.

 “Measuring the flow around a barge as it travels allows us to better understand the forces these fish are subject to as a barge passes by,” said Ryan Jackson, a USGS hydrologist and co-author of the study. “These results will be used by resource managers in designing potential mitigation efforts to prevent upstream transport of invasive species.” 

The FWS and the USGS plan to continue investigating barge tow operations to reduce the likelihood of trapping and transporting fish in the gap between barges. Future studies will also test the trapping of small fish in parts of the Illinois Waterway with abundant Asian carp populations.

USGS scientist monitors the measurement of flow around the barge. Public domain USGS scientist monitors the measurement of flow around the barge. Public domain

Original Article

USGS.gov

USGS.gov

https://www.usgs.gov/news/moving-barges-have-potential-transport-invasive-fish

jlavista@usgs.gov

Drought periods followed by rainfall caused nitrate levels to increase to the highest ever measured in some Midwest streams during a 2013 study, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report published today in the Journal of Environmental Quality.

Nitrate, a form of nitrogen, is a common pollutant in U.S. streams and groundwater. Excessive concentrations in streams and lakes can adversely affect biological communities and spur algal growth, which can lead to harmful algal blooms and deplete oxygen in the water causing hypoxia, or "dead zones." 

A small stream flows through corn fields in northern Indiana. Public domain

The USGS and the Environmental Protection Agency collaborated in 2013 to sample 100 small streams across parts of 11 states in the Midwest. Scientists tested for a broad range of water-quality and habitat characteristics and assessed organisms living in the stream, including algae, invertebrates and fish. The study did not look at treated drinking water. The nitrate analysis included comparing 2013 findings to 20 years of nitrate results from multiple state and federal agencies for more than 1,000 streams across the region.

“The highest nitrate concentrations in 2013 were in streams in Iowa, closely followed by southern Minnesota and central Illinois,” said Peter Van Metre, a USGS hydrologist and the lead author of the study. “Drought conditions in 2012 allowed excess nitrogen to build up in the soils until spring rains in 2013 flushed the nitrate into streams, leading to unusually high levels.”

Researchers also concluded that the most important source of the nitrate was application of nitrogen-rich fertilizer and manure, primarily for corn production.

The EPA maximum contaminant level for nitrate in drinking water, 10 milligrams per liter, was exceeded in 19 percent of the 1,199 samples collected for the study. Although the small streams themselves are not used for drinking water, they contribute to water-supply reservoirs. High nitrogen levels can pose health risks to water users and can prompt drinking-water municipalities with the technology available to activate costly nitrate removal processes.

Mean 2013 nitrate concentration at the 100 Midwest Stream Quality Assessment sites. Red circle with bold black outline indicates that the nitrate concentration in one or more samples exceeded 20 mg L–1 (spl >20 mg L–1), which is twice the maximum contaminant level of 10 mg L–1.

Large amounts of nitrate can be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen sources in the Mississippi River basin, which includes the Midwest, have been linked to Gulf of Mexico hypoxia. An earlier USGS study reported that the total amount of nitrogen in the Mississippi River in late spring 2013 was much higher than normal, coinciding with the high nitrate levels measured in the small Midwest streams.

This study is the first of several regional stream-quality assessments by the USGS. Findings will provide the public and policy-makers with information regarding which human and natural factors are the most critical in affecting stream quality. Regions studied include the Southeast (2014) and the Pacific Northwest (2015), the Northeast (2016), and planning is underway for studies in California (2017). 

Support for this work was provided by the USGS National Water Quality Assessment Project (NAWQA).

 

 

A corn farm in northeast Iowa. Public domain Cows feed on a farm in southern Wisconsin. Public domain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An irrigation system waters crops in southern Wisconsin. Public domain

Original Article

USGS.gov

USGS.gov

https://www.usgs.gov/news/rainfall-following-drought-linked-historic-nitrate-levels-some-midwest-streams-2013

jlavista@usgs.gov