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

U.S. Geological Survey

Programs in Vermont 

For more than 100 years, the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) has been 

assessing, mapping, and reporting on Vermont’s earth resources. Ongoing USGS 

programs include topographic and geologic mapping, surface- and ground-waterdata collection, water-quality assessment, 

research on the effects of global change, 

assessment of hydrologic and geologic 

hazards, biological resources, and mineral 

exploration. The USGS, through cooperative programs with many Federal, State 

and local agencies, contributes to the 

health, safety, and economic well being of 

Vermont’s citizens.

Topographic Mapping 

 Maps and digital cartographic data are 

used for various commercial and recreational purposes. Among the most popular 

and versatile products of the USGS are its 

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

on the map equals 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. Contour lines are used to depict the elevation 

and shape of terrain. Vermont is covered 

by 213 maps at this scale. 

The USGS, through its National Mapping Program, fosters partnerships with 

Federal and State agencies to improve the 

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

enhance the availability of timely and 

accurate data. During 1995, the USGS and 

the Vermont Department of Taxes (VDT) 

were involved in a cooperative agreement 

wherein the USGS provided assistance to 

support the VDT's preparation of digital 

orthophotoquads (DOQ's) and digital elevation models (DEM's) that met USGS 

standards. A DOQ is derived from digitized aerial photographs and combines the 

image characteristics of a photograph with 

the geometric qualities of a map. DOQ's 

and DEM's have been completed for Rutland County. DOQ's are becoming 

increasingly useful as a component in geographic information systems (GIS) where 

computer-readable layers of map data can 

be combined with other kinds of geographic data.

Stream Stability and Scour at 

Bridge Sites

 The evaluation of stream stability and 

scour at bridge sites in Vermont contributes to the improved safety of Vermont’s 

transportation system and enhances the 

knowledge of stream-scour processes at 

bridge settings typical of those found in 

the Northeast.

Nationally, the scour of streambeds 

and riverbanks by floodwaters is the leading cause of failures of bridges over water. 

Flooding in Vermont can be widespread, 

as evidenced by the historic floods of 

1927, 1936, and 1938, or localized, as 

shown by the floods of 1973, 1976, 1984, 

1989, 1990, 1992, and 1995. Millions of 

dollars have been spent as a direct result of 

flood damage, and about $60 million has 

been spent on flood-control projects since 

the 1927 flood. An assessment of potential 

scour of the stream channel and banks at 

bridge sites is used by State agencies to 

design, construct, and maintain bridges 

properly and to avoid future failures. Vermont is evaluating the safety of all bridges 

over water in the State (fig. 1).

Index of Subjects

Topographic Mapping

Stream Stability and Scour at Bridge Sites

Geologic Mapping

Mineral Exploration and Information

Landslide Hazards

National Water-Quality Assessment Program

Water-Data Collection

Earth Science Information Center

Water Use

Global Change Hydrology

Figure 1. A covered bridge in Randolph. This is one of the 403 bridges that is being evaluated 

by the USGS for potential failure as a result of stream erosion (scour) during floods.

Earth Science in the Public Service
LOCATION OF MAP

Yp Granite pegmatite

Yta Tourmaline aplite

Ygg Biotite granite gneiss

Ya Amphibolite

Ybg Biotite gneiss

Yrs Rusty aluminous quartz schist

Yq White vitreous quartzite

 Areas of exposed bedrock

EXPLANATION

0 0.5 MILE

0 0.5 KILOMETER

VERMONT

 Topographic contour – Shows

 altitude of land surface. Contour

 interval 100 feet. Datum is

 sea level.

3000

3100

3200

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2900

2900

2900

2900

Ygg

Ygg

Ygg

Yta

Ybg

Ybg

Ya Ybg

Yq

Yq

Yq

Yp Yta

Ybg Yta

Yta

Yta

Yrs

Yq

Ybg

Yta

Yta

Ybg

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

Vermont Agency of Transportation, is 

completing a quantitative evaluation of 

scour potential and stream-channel stability at 403 scour-susceptible bridge sites 

(fig. 2). By the end of the 1995 field season, 236 bridge sites had been evaluated. 

The evaluation includes a detailed survey 

and an assessment of the hydrologic and 

geomorphologic setting, floodflow frequencies, streamflow velocities, stability 

of streambed materials, and potential 

depth of scour. 

Geologic Mapping

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

Vermont Geological Survey, is collecting 

and compiling geologic data for a new 

bedrock map of Vermont at a scale of 

1:100,000. The detailed bedrock data, 

which includes locations of outcrops, rock 

types, and fracture data, are being compiled and published jointly in map and 

digital GIS form. These reports are available from the State Geologist. The digital 

data base is useful to engineers, planners, 

National Forest managers, and Regional 

Planning Commissions. A sample from 

one of these maps is shown in figure 3. 

These maps, in conjunction with waterwell information, can be used for assessing the potential for well-head contamination, developing water supplies, and 

providing baseline information for ecosystem management. This project has 

combined the resources of the State with 

those of the USGS to gather useful basic 

Figure 2. Locations of 403 bridge sites in 

Vermont that are being evaluated for stream 

stability and scour potential.

geologic data in a timely fashion and in a 

format that is becoming increasingly used 

by government and industry. 

The STATEMAP component of the 

National Cooperative Geologic Mapping 

Program provides funds to address a wide 

variety of economic and environmental 

issues by supporting geologic mapping 

projects in Vermont. These issues range 

from slope-stability, road engineering, 

and radon hazards to ground-water 

quality. 

Mineral Exploration and 

Information

The USGS has evaluated areas in Vermont for the presence of deposits of tin 

and tungsten. Recent geochemical investigations identified minor deposits that may 

be a source of economic development. 

Preliminary studies by the USGS have 

begun to establish geochemical data bases 

that document baseline element abundance for rock types that contain copper 

and molybdenum deposits. 

Mineral resources, such as slate, iron, 

granite, marble, and sand and gravel, from 

about 700 sites in Vermont are included in 

the USGS Mineral Resource Data System 

(MRDS). The MRDS is a digital data base 

of more than 110,000 mineral sites in the 

United States and worldwide. MRDS provides up-to-date information on mineral 

occurrences and related data to support 

USGS research and mineral-resource 

assessments. MRDS also provides mineral-related information to State agencies, industry, and the public. The records 

in the data base for Vermont are compiled 

from the findings of a cooperative study 

with the Vermont Geological Survey, 

USGS studies, and other published data. 

Paper copies and a GIS copy of the data 

compiled for Vermont are available 

through the Vermont Geological Survey. 

Landslide Hazards

The mountainous areas of Vermont, 

which comprise fractured bedrock with a 

thin soil cover, have a variety of different 

types of slope failures, which include rock 

falls, debris-flow avalanches, and fastmoving destructive landslides that result 

from precipitation and freeze-thaw cycles 

and that cause highway blockage and 

property damage. At the Smugglers Notch 

area in northern Vermont, the USGS, in 

cooperation with the Vermont Geological 

Survey, employed a multidisciplinary 

approach to study the types and distribution of slope-failure hazards. Slopes were 

monitored to evaluate the influence of 

external factors on slope stability. An 

instrumentation system was developed 

that has the potential for use as an early 

warning system for impending slope failures.

National Water-Quality 

Assessment Program

In 1991, the USGS began a National 

Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) 

Program to describe the quality of the 

Nation’s water resources, and to identify 

Figure 3. Sample of a part of the Digital Bedrock Geologic Map of the Mount Holly area showing 

bedrock outcrops and geologic units on Mount Okemo, which is a ski area. The rocks that cap Mount 

Holly are among the oldest in the State.
the natural and human-activity factors that 

affect it. The program provides 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 

collected in regional study areas.

A committee of representatives from 

Federal, State, and local agencies; universities; and the private sector works closely 

with the USGS in each regional NAWQA 

Program study to exchange information 

on water-quality issues and to assist in 

designing and planning project products 

to meet the needs of the States and towns 

in each study area.

Vermont was included in a regional 

project that encompassed the Connecticut, 

the Housatonic, and the Thames Rivers. 

This study area covered 15,750 square 

miles in western New Hampshire, eastern 

Vermont, west-central Massachusetts, 

most of Connecticut, and small parts of 

New York and Rhode Island. In Vermont, 

this area included the western part of the 

Connecticut River drainage basin. A sample of findings includes the following:

• Eight volatile organic compounds 

(VOC’s) were detected in water samples from 6 of the 11 urban wells sampled in Vermont and New Hampshire. 

The gasoline additive methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE) was detected in 9 

percent of the urban wells sampled. 

Water samples from eight bedrock 

wells did not contain MTBE. 

• Nutrient concentrations varied among 

sampling locations, but none appeared 

either excessive or indicative of 

eutrophic conditions. Nutrient concentrations determined for urban and 

agricultural sites were higher than 

concentrations determined for undeveloped areas.

• The highest concentrations of pesticides 

were observed in storm runoff that 

followed spring applications; concentrations were, however, generally low 

(barely exceeding detection limits). 

Pesticides were not detected in runoff 

from undeveloped areas.

• Riverbed sediments show low concentrations of antimony, cadmium, copper, 

lead, mercury, silver, zinc, and sulfur. 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) 

and organic pesticides [dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dieldrin, 

and chlordane] were not detected. 

• Low concentrations of a DDT metabolite 

were detected in fish tissue at Moore 

Reservoir and at the Bellows Falls 

impoundment site. Concentrations of 

PCB’s in fish tissue were less than the 

detection limits at the Moore Reservoir site, but slightly exceeded detection limits at the Bellows Falls 

impoundment site. At a third site—

Sleepers River near St. Johnsbury—

DDT metabolites and PCB’s did not 

exceed detection limits. 

Water-Data Collection

The amount of water in Vermont's rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs is measured and monitored by the USGS 

hydrologic data-collection program. The 

data are used for forecasting floods and 

droughts; water-resources planning; 

design and operation of projects for water 

supply, hydroelectric power, and flood and 

pollution control; designing bridges and 

culverts; flood warning; flood-plain management; and hydrologic research. Longterm records are needed to evaluate the 

responses of hydrologic systems to natural 

climatic variations and human-induced 

stresses so that potential problems can be 

defined early and appropriate planning 

and management actions can be taken by 

State and local agencies. Streamflow monitoring also provides baseline data on natural seasonal discharge variations of rivers 

and streams throughout Vermont.

In Vermont, the USGS collects surface-water data from a network of 35 continuous-record streamflow stations, 3 

continuous-record lake-level stations, and 

3 partial-record streamflow stations. The 

network is operated cooperatively by the 

USGS and the Vermont Department of 

Environmental Conservation. Records are 

published annually. These data are used 

routinely by private consultants, residents, 

newspapers, colleges and universities, and 

local government agencies throughout 

the State.

Realtime streamflow data are available 

at 14 locations throughout Vermont by 

way of satellite and telephone telemetry. 

This information is critical for flood forecasting and response duties of the 

National Weather Service and the Vermont Emergency Management Agency. 

Telemetric data also allow State personnel 

to monitor drought conditions and compliance of flow-regulation projects. 

Earth Science Information 

Center

The Earth Science Information Centers (ESIC’s) provide information about 

USGS programs, products, and technological developments to the public. The 

ESIC in Burlington was established under 

a cooperative agreement between the 

USGS and the Bailey Howe Library at the 

University of Vermont in Burlington. 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.

Water Use 

Water resources in Vermont are 

increasingly stressed by new demands. To 

minimize the impact of changing patterns 

in water use, available supplies and current and predicted future demands need to 

be carefully evaluated. Without adequate 

information, decisionmakers are not 

equipped to resolve critical issues related 

to water supply, hydropower, snow making, water quality, and the potential effects 

of streamflow withdrawals on ecosystems. 

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

Vermont Department of Environmental 

Conservation, Water Supply Division, is 

working to improve the State’s water-use 

information for the management of Vermont’s water resources. Assistance is provided to the State in the collection, 

analysis, and dissemination of water-use 

data. Work is underway to develop a statewide water-use data base for Vermont that 

includes site-specific data and data aggregated by county and major drainage 

basins. Data extracted from this data base 

are organized into reports and distributed 
Sleepers River

US Rt. 2

Snow

Research

Station

Danville

EXPLANATION

Watershed boundary

Subwatershed boundary

Streamflow-gaging station

Meteorological station

Area of

enlargement 

VERMONT

St Johnsbury

0 5 MILES

0 5 KILOMETERS

Thermoelectric 82 percent

Municipal use, losses, and tranfers 1 percent

Mining 1 percent

Agricultural 1 percent

Industrial 7 percent

Commerical 1 percent

Domestic 7 percent

to Federal and State agencies, educators, 

consultants, and other organizations or 

individuals concerned with water 

resources. A report on wastewater in New 

England and a map report on freshwater 

withdrawals and use in Vermont have 

been produced as part of this program. An 

example of total freshwater use in Vermont is shown in figure 4.

Global Change Hydrology

The Sleepers River near Danville is 

one of the five national sites chosen for 

investigations of water, energy, and biogeochemical budgets, as part of the USGS 

Global Change Hydrology Program. This 

national research program monitors the 

effects of global environmental changes, 

such as global warming, on a representative cross section of ecosystems found in 

the United States. 

At the Sleepers River Research Watershed (fig. 5), the USGS is investigating 

these processes in a typical landscape of 

mixed forest and agricultural land use 

found in the Northeastern United States. 

Current measurements of solar radiation, 

air and water temperatures, rain and snow 

amounts, snowpack accumulation, 

ground-water levels, streamflow, and 

water quality are compared with historical 

records at the site (established in 1958) to 

detect changes and to understand their 

causes. Naturally occurring isotopes of 

oxygen, carbon, strontium, and lead are 

being used to trace the flow of water and 

dissolved materials in the basins. 

USGS State representative

361 Commerce Way

Pembroke, NH 03275

(603) 226-7800

Fax: (603) 226-7894

Email: dc_nh@usgs.gov

Vermont Field Office:

 P.O. Box 628

Montpelier, VT 05601

(802) 828-4479

Fax: (802) 828-4465

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-045-96

Figure 4. Total freshwater use in Vermont, by category, in 1990.

Figure 5. Location of sampling sites for the Global Change Hydrology Research Program.

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