U.S. Department of the Interior a U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Geological Survey


Programs in Maine

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

collects, compiles, and disseminates data 

on water, energy, biological resources, and 

mineral resources in the State of Maine. 

The USGS is known for its impartial datacollection and research mission to gather, 

interpret, and present data that enable 

resource planners and others to make 

informed decisions on the basis of objective information. As the Nation's leading 

earth science agency, the USGS works 

cooperatively with local, State, and Federal agencies to address issues related to 

earth resources. Today's earth science 

issues are more pressing than ever, which 

emphasizes the continuing need for 

informed resource development, describing and predicting the fate of toxic contaminants, and understanding the effects of 

human activities on natural resources.

Identification of Potential 

Deposits of Metals

The USGS has evaluated large areas in 

northern New England for deposits of copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, uranium, 

rare-earth elements, and gold. Identifying 

local sources of minerals that contain these 

metals will assist in the economic development of the region. Recent geochemical 

investigations identified belts of rocks that 

are favorable for deposits of copper and 

molybdenum in northern Maine and deposits of tin, tungsten, and uranium in southern 

Maine and Vermont. As a means of addressing environmental concerns about element 

mobility, USGS scientists are establishing 

geochemical data bases to document baseline element abundances for rock types that 

contain copper and molybdenum deposits, 

as well as measurements of the types of fluids involved during element migration.

Mineral-Resource Information

The USGS Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS) is a digital data base of more 

than 110,000 mineral sites in the United 

States and worldwide. The MRDS provides 

up-to-date information on mineral occurrences and related data to support USGS 

research and mineral-resource assessments. It is the principal tool for providing 

mineral-related information to Federal and 

State agencies, industry, and the public. 

The records in this data base are compiled 

from the results of USGS studies and other 

published data. The MRDS contains information that mostly describes occurrences 

of sand and gravel and copper at more than 

230 sites in Maine. 

Bald Eagle and Atlantic Salmon 

Studies 

The USGS Biological Resources Division (formerly the National Biological Service) conducts research and provides 

scientific data for land managers in the 

upper northeastern region of the United 

States. The Patuxent Environmental Science Center’s Migratory Birds field station 

is investigating the implications for bald 

eagles of high mercury levels in fish from 

many lakes in this region; fish is their primary food source. Identifying habitat and 

food-chain impacts, such as localized high 

mercury concentrations, helps management agencies’ efforts to maintain the 

eagle population. The eagle population suffered a drastic decline with the introduction of DDT and has slowly recovered in 

the last two decades.

The Fisheries field station of the Leetown Science Center is helping with 

efforts to restore the Atlantic salmon, 

which has been proposed for inclusion on 

the Endangered Species List as either 

threatened or endangered owing to significant declines in wild populations throughout its range in North Atlantic. Scientists 

at the station are studying habitat needs 

and migratory routes and examining populations of wild Atlantic salmon for the 

presence of unique genetic differences. 

Techniques developed at the field station 

to determine differences in DNA in 

salmon tissues from various populations 

enables managers to identify actual population sizes and provides a sound scientific 

basis for regulatory agencies to determine 

whether the species should be listed. The 

two cooperative research units at the University of Maine conduct studies on fisheries management and water-quality issues 

and wildlife management issues.

Aquifer Studies

Sand and gravel aquifers are the primary 

sources of water capable of meeting the 

water-supply requirements of municipalities and industries in Maine. They also are 

the source of water for many domestic 

wells. Information from detailed aquifer 

mapping and test drilling is required to 

evaluate, manage, and protect these 

ground-water resources effectively.

In 1981, the USGS, in cooperation with 

the Maine Department of Conservation of 

the Maine Geological Survey (MGS), and 

the Maine Department of Environmental 

Protection, began a long-term program to 

evaluate and map Maine's sand and gravel 

aquifers. Objectives of the program include 

identifying the principal aquifers and accurately mapping their boundaries; determining aquifer yield, stratigraphy, depth to 

Index of Subjects

Identification of Potential Deposits of Metals

Mineral-Resource Information

Bald Eagle and Atlantic Salmon Studies

Aquifer Studies

National Water-Quality Assessment Program

Hydrologic Data Collection

Topographic Mapping

Earth Science Information Centers

Nonpoint-Source Contamination From Rural 

Highways

Studies at Superfund Sites

Contaminated Sediments in the Gulf of Maine

“Red Tide” Investigations in the Western

Gulf of Maine

Geologic Mapping

National Earthquake Information Center

Water-Use Information

Earth Science in the Public Service
Figure 1. National Water-Quality Assessment 

Program study area.

water table and bedrock; and characterizing 

regional ground-water chemistry. Reports 

are compiled and released after each summer field season. The field work for this 

study is complete; northwestern Maine was 

not included in this study. 

National Water-Quality 

Assessment Program

In 1991, the USGS began a full-scale 

National Water-Quality Assessment 

(NAWQA) Program. The objectives of this 

Program are to describe the quality of 

large, representative parts of the surfaceand ground-water resources of the United 

States and to identify the primary natural 

and manmade factors that affect the quality 

of these resources. Products of the 

NAWQA Program include information that 

is useful to water-resource policymakers 

and managers at Federal, State, and local 

levels. Data for evaluation of surface- and 

ground-water quality, riverbed sediments, 

and aquatic organisms are being collected 

across the United States in numerous 

NAWQA study units.

The New England Coastal Basins 

NAWQA study unit contains a 22,900-

square-mile drainage area that encompasses central and western Maine, central 

and eastern New Hampshire, eastern Massachusetts, and most of Rhode Island 

(fig. 1). Important drainage basins include 

the Kennebec, the Androscoggin, and the 

Saco River Basins in Maine, the Merrimack and the Saco River Basins in New 

Hampshire, the Merrimack, the Charles, 

the Taunton, and the Blackstone River 

Basins in Massachusetts, and the Blackstone River Basin in Rhode Island.

This study, which begins in 1997, 

assesses some of the important waterquality issues in the region. These issues 

include the following: 

• The presence and distribution of toxic 

substances in rivers and ground 

water;

• The effects of land use, reservoirs, and 

releases of treated wastewater on 

surface-water quality;

• The contribution of upland sources to 

contamination in coastal waters;

• The presence of high concentrations of 

naturally occurring trace elements 

and radon gas in some aquifers;

• The occurrence of synthetic, organicchemical contaminants in surface and 

ground water; and

• The relation of fish and aquatic insect 

communities to upstream land-use 

practices.

A local committee of representatives 

from Federal, State, and local agencies; 

universities; and the private sector works 

closely with the USGS during each 

NAWQA study. The purposes of these 

committees are to exchange information 

on regional and local water-quality issues 

and to assist in designing and planning 

project products to meet the needs of 

water-resource managers and the public in 

the study units.

Hydrologic Data Collection

The USGS statewide program of waterdata collection in Maine monitors the 

amount and quality of water in the State's 

rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and 

aquifers (fig. 2). These data are used by 

water-resources managers and planners for 

flood forecasting; water-resources planning; design and operation of projects for 

water supply, hydroelectric power, flood 

and pollution control, and other purposes; 

designing bridges and culverts; flood-plain 

management; and hydrologic research. 

Long-term records are needed to evaluate 

the responses of hydrologic systems to 

natural climatic variations and humaninduced stresses so that potential problems 

can be defined early and appropriate planning and management actions can be taken 

by local and State officials. 

Since 1901, the USGS has maintained 

the only network of streamflow-gaging 

stations in Maine, which provides streamflow information statewide. In addition, 

most of these streamflow-gaging stations 

have satellite data-relay capability, which 

can provide streamflow data to users on a 

near-realtime schedule. The USGS also 

provides detailed statistical analyses of 

streamflow information for all locations 

where sufficient flow data have been collected. These data are available for use by 

individuals or organizations concerned 

with water-resources issues or problems in 

Maine. As of 1995, 43 streamflow stations 

were in the network, and data and information were available for an additional 63 

stations in the historical data base.

For more than 50 years, the USGS has 

maintained the only statewide network of 

observation wells to provide groundwater data for Maine. As of 1995, 31 

observation wells were in the network, 

and data and information were available 

for an additional 36 wells in the historical 

data base.

Since 1952, the USGS has developed 

the only continuously operating statewide 

network of water-quality data-collection 

sites for Maine. The network includes 

sites where dissolved oxygen, specific 

MAINE

Figure 2. Historical hydrologic datacollection sites.

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Portland

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72o

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60 MILES

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Blackstone River

Saco

River

River

Kennebec

Merrimack

River

River

Androscoggin

River

River

Kennebec

Merrimack

Saco

River

Androscoggin

River

River

Kennebec

Merrimack

River

River

Androscoggin

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Tauton

River

Charles R
conductance, pH, and water temperature 

are measured hourly, and the data are available in realtime; sites where water samples 

are periodically collected and analyzed for 

chemical and physical properties; and one 

site located near the White Mountain 

National Forest, where a Hydrologic 

Benchmark Station has been in operation 

since 1964 to monitor long-term trends in 

ambient water-quality conditions in a pristine watershed. As of 1995, 16 water-quality stations were in the network, and data 

and information were available for an additional 64 sites in the historical data base.

The hydrologic information collected 

for these three networks is published annually in the report Water Resources Data—

Maine. Statewide streamflow and groundwater conditions are reported monthly in 

Current Water Resources Conditions in 

Maine. 

Topographic Mapping

Through its National Mapping Program, 

the USGS strives to ensure the availability 

of map data in graphic and digital forms to 

the public through timely and effective 

data-collection and revision procedures. 

The use of maps and digital cartographic 

data is widespread. Among the most popular and versatile products of the USGS are 

its 1:24,000-scale topographic maps (1 

inch on the map represents 2,000 feet on 

the ground). These maps depict natural and 

cultural features of the landscape, such as 

lakes and streams, highways and railroads, 

boundaries, and geographic names. Maine 

is covered by 803 maps at this scale, of 

which 20 percent have boundary, transportation, and hydrography data digitized and 

about 30 percent have digital elevation 

model data available. The National Mapping Program fosters partnerships with 

State and Federal agencies to improve the 

effectiveness of its data-collection activities, to maximize resource sharing, and to 

enhance the availability of timely and 

accurate data to the general public.

Earth Science Information 

Centers

The Earth Science Information Centers 

(ESIC) provide information about USGS 

programs, products, and technological 

developments to the public. The ESIC in 

Augusta was established under a cooperative 

agreement between the USGS and the MGS. 

As part of the national ESIC network, this 

office provides information on such earth 

science topics as cartography, geography, 

digital data, remote sensing, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, geohydrology, aerial photography and land use. It 

is supported by the USGS with reference 

materials, technical assistance, training and 

outreach activities, and access to USGS data 

bases.

Nonpoint-Source 

Contamination From Rural 

Highways

In Maine, rural highways are a potential nonpoint source of phosphorus and 

trace metals to surface water. Previous 

studies have not examined water-quality 

characteristics of runoff from rural highway systems in the Northeastern United 

States. Determining highway runoff values 

for phosphorus, sediment, and selected 

trace metals can define the magnitude of 

the problem and provide information for 

responsible agencies to develop mitigation 

measures.

In 1992, the USGS, in cooperation with 

the Maine Departments of Transportation 

and Environmental Protection, began a 

study of three rural highways in central 

Maine. The objectives of the study include 

determining concentrations of total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, and suspended solids in runoff from the three 

study sites, as well as concentrations of 

dissolved and total copper, chromium, 

lead, nickel, and zinc.

Studies at Superfund Sites

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 

Act of 1980 (amended by the Superfund 

Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 

1986), a list has been compiled of sites 

throughout the United States that are contaminated with hazardous materials; these 

are known as Superfund sites. The USGS, 

in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), is studying the regional and local geohydrology at 

selected Superfund sites. 

In 1995, technical assistance to the 

USEPA was provided by the USGS at the 

Saco Municipal Landfill and the Saco 

Tannery Superfund sites. USGS assistance 

also had been provided at the U.S. Air 

Force–Loring Airbase to assess waterquality conditions on and around the base 

during its deactivation. The USGS assistance at these sites included assessments 

of problems related to ground-water 

hydraulics, surface-water runoff, waterquality conditions, and analyses of geohydrologic systems.

Contaminated Sediments in the 

Gulf of Maine

Many types of contaminants are ultimately deposited in sediments in the Gulf 

of Maine, where they can adversely affect 

the commercial and recreational uses of 

marine resources. The USGS is assembling existing data on contaminants in sediments as part of a study to assess 

contaminant levels and transport pathways 

in the Gulf. The data base is used to create 

maps of contaminant distribution; to provide information to local, State, and Federal regulatory agencies; and to address 

specific questions about the transport and 

long-term fate of contaminants in the 

waters of Maine, New Hampshire, and 

Massachusetts. The study is developing a 

method for establishing and using a 

national contaminated sediments data 

base. Preliminary maps indicate that 

“halos” of elevated contaminant concentrations commonly exist in marine-surface 

sediments for tens of miles offshore from 

urban or industrial centers. The study is 

conducted cooperatively with investigators 

from regional academic institutions and is 

partially supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 

Regional Marine Research Program.

“Red Tide” Investigations in the 

Western Gulf of Maine

Blooms of Alexandrium tamarense, 

which is a toxic red microorganism, have 

become a serious economic and public 

health problem that affect nearshore and 

offshore shellfish resources and fish and 

marine mammal populations in the Gulf of 

Maine. This so-called “red tide” phenomenon, which has expanded in recent years to 

include more areas and more fisheries 

resources, can be managed most effectively 

if the hydrodynamic, nutritional, and biological mechanisms that underlie the population development of the microorganism 

are understood. USGS scientists are using 
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a combination of numerical modeling, 

hydrographic and biological measurements, moored and drifting current measurements, and satellite imagery to quantify 

the structure, variability, and mechanics of 

the coastal current in the western Gulf of 

Maine. 

The study area extends from Penobscot 

Bay in the north to Massachusetts Bay in 

the south. USGS scientists are testing the 

hypothesis that a source population of 

algae in southern Maine is carried southwestward along the coast in a buoyant 

coastal plume. The distribution of the 

plume is determined by wind stress, runoff, and general water circulation in the 

Gulf of Maine. Some of these blooms 

enter Massachusetts Bay, and others continue along the coast across Stellwagen 

Bank and onto Georges Bank. This study 

provides a quantitative understanding of 

the physics, biology, and chemistry of the 

regional red tide phenomenon. From this 

research, a numerical model is under 

development that can be used by managers 

concerned not only with toxic algae, but 

also with long-distance transport of dissolved and particulate contaminants. This 

work is conducted cooperatively with the 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 

Oregon State University, and the University of New Hampshire and is partially 

supported by the Gulf of Maine Regional 

Marine Research Program.

Geologic Mapping

Surficial geologic mapping of the distribution of sand, gravel, silt, clay, and till is 

conducted by the MGS and the USGS. 

Geologic mapping is conducted mainly in 

southwestern Maine where most of the 

population growth has occurred and where 

the need for geologic information regarding water supplies, waste disposal, and 

construction requirements is greatest. In 

addition, bedrock geologic mapping has 

been conducted in the southern part of the 

State by the MGS in cooperation with the 

State Map Program and the USGS. Bedrock geologic mapping has been used for 

land-use planning, particularly near the 

coast. Geologic maps also are used by 

earth science teachers in the State and by 

National and State Park naturalists to 

increase public appreciation of unique geologic features in the parks. A new gravity 

map of the State and other geophysical 

data sets are important resources.

National Earthquake 

Information Center 

The National Earthquake Information 

Center (NEIC) in Golden, Colorado, collects, processes, and distributes information 

from more than 20,000 seismic events each 

year. This information is distributed in the 

form of alerts, bulletins, and routine catalogs to emergency management officials at 

the Federal and State level, operators of 

critical facilities, news media, the general 

public, and the earthquake research community. These catalogs of recent and historical earthquake information are used in 

assessments of earthquake hazards. To fulfill its mission better, the NEIC has developed and is deploying the U.S. National 

Seismograph Network (USNSN), which, 

when completed, will consist of about 60 

seismograph stations nationwide. The 

USNSN monitors nationwide seismicity, 

provides early notification of seismic events 

to national level emergency-services personnel, maintains an archive of high-quality 

digital data on national seismicity, and provides public information on earthquakes.

In Maine, the seismic network is coordinated by the MGS. The MGS is a member 

of the Northeastern U.S. Seismic Network, 

which is a consortium of universities, State 

and Federal agencies, and private companies that monitor and record seismic activity in the Northeast. Seismic data in Maine 

are recorded on instruments run by the 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 

Boston College. These data are then fed to 

the NEIC, where the MGS obtains daily 

seismic reports automatically over the 

Internet to respond to inquiries regarding 

seismic activity in Maine.

Water-Use Information

In southwestern and coastal Maine, 

water resources are increasingly stressed by 

new demands. Competition for water in the 

future will require that information on 

water availability and use be accurate so 

that the State can plan and manage water 

rights and water allocation programs. The 

MGS and the Maine Department of Human 

Services cooperate with the USGS in collecting, archiving, analyzing, and reporting 

on water-use trends in Maine. The data are 

entered into the New England Water-Use 

Data System, which is accessible to the 

State and other users by computer; reports 

are published at set intervals.

USGS State representative

26 Ganneston Drive

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 622- 8201

Fax: (207) 622-8204

Email: dc_me@usgs.gov

Additional earth science

information can be found by

accessing the USGS Home Page

on the World Wide Web at

http://www.usgs.gov/

For more information on

all USGS reports and products

(including maps, images,

and computerized data), call

1-800-USA-MAPS

The USGS provides maps,

reports, and information to help

others meet their needs to manage,

 develop, and protect America’s water,

energy, mineral, biological, and land

resources. We help find the natural

resources needed to build tomorrow,

and supply the scientific understanding needed to help minimize or mitigate the effects of natural hazards

and environmental damage caused

by natural and human activities. The

results of our efforts touch the daily

 life of almost every American.

U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet FS-019-96