February 2014

Introduction to the U.S. Geological Survey and USGS-GCD Cooperative Studies

By Johnathan R. Bumgarner

Outline

• Introduction to the USGS• Groundwater studies roadmap• USGS/GCD cooperative program

– Existing– Potential

Introduction to USGS• Dept. of Interior• Founded in 1879• Six Science Themes

– Ecosystems– Energy, Minerals and Environmental Health– Core Science Systems– Climate and Land-Use Change– Natural Hazards– Water Resources

• Interdisciplinary scientific monitoring, assessment, and research

• Employees in every state

• Federal Agency

• Scientific Mission

• Non-Regulatory

USGS Mission – Water Resources• To provide hydrologic information and understanding

needed by others to achieve the best use and management of the Nation’s water resources.

• USGS accomplishes this mission in cooperation with State, Local, and Other Federal Agencies.

Texas Water Science Center (TWSC)

Staffing LevelAustin 68San Antonio 29Houston 23 Fort Worth 20San Angelo 14Wichita Falls 7Corpus Christi 1 Lubbock 3

Federal Occupational SeriesHydrologists – Geologists – Geographers – Hydrologic TechniciansBiologists – Hydraulic Engineers – Chemical Engineers – ChemistsGeophysicists – Physical Scientists

Core CapabilitiesAnalytical Techniques

• Watershed modeling • Flood and low-flow frequency analysis • Sediment and chemical load

determination • Aquatic testing • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) • Acoustic Doppler velocity measurements • Ground-water age dating • Surface and borehole geophysics • Evapotranspiration analysis • Ground-water recharge modeling • Solute-transport modeling • Geochemical modeling • Ground-water flow modeling • Geodatabase development• Flood inundation modeling

Data Collection• Real time streamflow data • Continuous groundwater level

data • Water-quality data • Storm Surge data collection• Stream-sediment transport data • Meteorological data • Data Archival• Web services

Surface Water Gaging Network

527 – Real-time Stream Gage Sites127 – Real-time Lake Sites

Water Quality Activities

• Stream and reservoir data collection• Real-time water quality monitoring• Chemical/microbial source tracking• Total maximum daily load (TMDL)

studies• Biological indicator analyses• Sediment coring /Age dating• Trend analysis• Historical database/archival

Groundwater Data Collection

Periodic and continuous water level monitoring

Part per billion water quality sampling protocols

Groundwater studies and investigations are expanding statewide

Geophysical Capabilities• TWSC Capabilities

– TDEM – Time-Domain Electro-magnetics – FDEM – Frequency-Domain Electro-magnetics– DC – Direct-Current Resistivity– CC – Capacitively Coupled Resistivity– MRS – Magnetic Resonance Soundings– Borehole Geophysics

• USGS –Denver Capabilities– HEM – Helicopter Electro-magnetics (FDEM and

TDEM)– CSAMT – Controlled Source Audio

Magnetotellurics– GPR – Ground Penetrating Radar– Seismic Refraction and Reflection– Micro gravity station– Magnetics– IP – Induced Polarization– SP – Spontaneous Potential

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Data and Spatial Studies (DSS)

Technical Capabilities• Spatial Data Production• Administration and management• Analysis and modeling• Visualization• Land use / land cover mapping• Watershed delineation and characterization • Web mapping capabilities• Custom tool development

Leveraging National Expertise

• National Laboratories• Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF)• National Research Program (NRP)• Publishing Network• Discipline Office Reviews

– Groundwater– Surface Water– Water Quality– Publication– Safety

Groundwater Studies Roadmap

• Data compilation and management• Data gap analysis• Data collection• Data analysis• Conceptual model development• Groundwater-flow modeling

USGS/GCD Cooperative Program: Existing• Middle Pecos GCD (MPGCD)• Llano Estacado UWCD (LEUWCD)• Sandy Land UWCD (SLUWCD)• Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD)• Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD)• Lone Star GCD (LSGCD)• Brazoria County GCD (BCGCD)• Trinity Glen Rose GCD (TGRBCD)• Clearwater GCD (CGCD)• North Plains GCD (NPGCD)• Panhandle GCD (PGCD)• South Plains UWCD (SPUWCD)• Wintergarden GCD (WGCD)• Central Texas GCD (CTGCD)• Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA)

PGCD• Roadmap elements: Data compilation and

management

• Geodatabase and data-entry software development

• Status: Complete

WGCD

• Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, and gap analysis

• Completed a well inventory and developed a geodatabase for data management. Currently compiling existing hydrogeologic data and completing a field reconnaissance of some inventoried wells.

• Status: Ongoing

SPUWCD, LEUWCD, MPGCD

• Roadmap elements: Data collection and analysis

• Borehole geophysical log data are being collected and used to assess well construction, geologic properties, stratigraphic unit depth and thickness, water quality of wellbore fluid, and hydraulic properties such as ambient flow direction and porosity

• Status: Complete

LSGCD

• Roadmap elements: Data collection and analysis

• Provide an initial geochemical baseline to characterize water quality of groundwater obtained from multiple public supply wells screened in the Catahoula Sandstone aquifer

• Using geochemical data collection and analytical techniques to quantify recharge rates

• Status: Ongoing

HGSD, FBSD, LSGCD, BCGCD

• Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, gap analysis, collection, analysis

• Collection and analysis of water-level altitudes and changes and compaction data in the aquifer system to assess the rate and magnitude of subsidence and the relation of subsidence to groundwater management activities

• Status: Ongoing

LEUWCD, SLUWCD

• Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, gap analysis, collection, analysis; and conceptual model development

• Develop conceptual models of the Ogallala and Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) aquifers

• Assess if declines in the saturated thickness increase the potential for groundwater-quality degradation

• Status: Ongoing

MPGCD

• Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, gap analysis, collection, analysis; conceptual model development, and groundwater-flow modeling

• Multi-phase study to evaluate the potential effects of changes in groundwater withdrawals and/or distribution

• Status: Complete

USGS/GCD Cooperative Program: Potential

• Brackish water resources• Surface water data collection

– Spring flows– Recharge studies

• Groundwater modeling• Groundwater/surface-water interaction

Thank You

Bob JosephDirector

Texas Water Science Center512.927.3502

rljoseph@usgs.gov

John Bumgarner, P.G.Chief, Hydrologic Studies

South Texas Program Office210.691.9219

jbumgarner@usgs.gov

Greg StantonDeputy Director of StudiesTexas Water Science Center

512.927.3558gstanton@usgs.gov

George OzunaSenior Program Manager

Texas Water Science Center210.691.9225

gbozuna@usgs.gov