About the Cover. A geographic information system (CIS) is a computer system capable of assembling, 

storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information; that is, data that have been 

identified according to their locations. Capturing the many types of data available and needed to make 

effective use of CIS technology is the time-consuming component of GIS work. The U.S. Geololgical 

Survey (USGS) is intensively involved in the acquisition of earth science data for use in GIS through its 

mission-mandated research and investigations. The theme chapter of this Yearbook describes many of the 

applications that the USGS is employing using GIS technology. In addition to the acquisition of the data, 

the USGS is involved in the coordination of geographically referenced or spatial data used in GIS. The 

backbone of GIS technology is reliable and usable data that can be easily disseminated to and accessed by 

the many agencies at Federal, State, and local levels, as well as the private sector, who use GIS to solve 

problems of resource assessment, land use applications, and environmental issues. CD-ROM (compact 

disk, read-only memory) technology is providing GIS researchers with an excellent medium by which to 

disseminate the vast files of spatial data that are crucial to GIS.

Counterclockwise from bottom:

Map produced by using a GIS (see p. 23).

Digital elevation data portrayed in a three-dimensional perspective view (see article, p. 96).

Digital geologic map of a section of southeastern Puerto Rico (see article, p. 4).

Arctic Data Interactive Climate change data available on CD-ROM (see Information Systems

Activities, p. 91).

Hypothetical seismic zonation map produced by using a GIS (see article, p. 7). 

Digital map used in a GIS (see p. 23). 

Areal distribution of atrazine concentrations in the lower Kansas River basin (see article, p. 76).

Back Cover. The way maps and other data have been stored or filed as layers of information in a GIS 

makes it possible to perform complex analyses. The illustration on the back cover of the Yearbook is an 

example of a computer screen generated with a GIS. The information stored about the location, displayed 

here graphically, that can be retrieved from the GIS includes the latitude, longitude, projection, and 

coordinates of an exact location and additional information, such as the road system in the area, the 

closeness of a location to wells, sources of pollution, and the slope of the land (see p. 23).
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY YEARBOOK

FISCAL YEAR 1991
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

MANUEL LUJAN, Jr., Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not 

imply endorsement by the U.S. Government

United States Geological Survey Yearbook Fiscal Year 1991 

ISSN 0892-3442

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1992

For sale by the Book and Open-File Report Sales, U.S. Geological Survey 

Federal Center, Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225
CONTENTS

iv Message from the Director

1 Geographic Information Systems and

	Spatial Data Coordination and Management

25 People and Programs

47 National Mapping Program

55 Geologic Investigations

67 Water Resources Investigations

81 International Activities

91 Information Systems Activities

99 Administration

105 Organizational Chart

106 Budget Information

108 Guide to Information and Publications

109 U.S. Geological Survey Offices

114 Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors

Contents Hi
Message from the Director

F

or centuries, maps and geographic information have 

helped people understand and manage their environment. 

From simple street plans to complex representations of land 

surface, maps have helped form our understanding of the 

Earth. The advent of the satellite era and new remote sensing 

technologies allowed us to view our home from space and to 

collect global data. Great advances in computer technology 

permitted scientists to compare massive amounts of information 

and to develop new insights into the land on which we live. 

Our view of the Earth began to change. Today we are combining the strengths of traditional printed maps with the force of 

remote sensing data and the power of modern computing in 

geographic information systems (GIS) to help us visualize new 

ways of understanding and managing our planet.

The U.S. Geological Survey is using GIS technology for 

such diverse projects as tracing the distribution of glacial 

sediments in three dimensions to assist in accurate assessments 

and balanced use of our Nation's resources. These powerful 

computing tools also allow scientists to pinpoint geological 

hazards so that realistic prevention, mitigation, and disaster 

response measures can be taken. Actions to protect or restore 

water supplies are aided by the complex analyses that can be 

handled efficiently by using GIS. By applying GIS technology 

in such areas as water resources protection, land management 

planning, and natural disaster prevention, scientists are providing citizens, resource managers, and decisionmakers with vital 

environmental information faster than ever before.

The USGS is not alone in creative uses of GIS. More than 

95 Federal agencies are using GIS, and thousands of State and 

local government agencies and private companies are tracking 

land use and ownership and making land management decisions with this new technology. The success of GIS technology 

is based firmly in the availability of high-quality digital data. 

Developing those data is a considerable challenge, and billions 

of dollars are being invested each year to meet these expanding 

data needs.

The Secretary of the Interior has been assigned the 

challenge of coordinating the Federal Government's geographic 

data activities as head of the recently established Federal 

Geographic Data Committee. Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan, 

Jr., has asked the USGS to chair this committee on his behalf. 

Serving as the broker between data users and producers and 

attempting to ensure that appropriate, high-quality data are 

available at the lowest possible price, the USGS is coordinating 

with other agencies within the Department of the Interior, 

as well as with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, 

Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, State, 

and Transportation. We are also working closely with the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency

Management Agency, Library of Congress, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Smithsonian Institution, and 

other independent agencies.

This year, the Survey's mission of "Earth Science in the 

Public Service" was put to the test before, during, and after 

the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. Countless 

lives and billions of dollars in equipment were saved through 

the hard work, sophisticated instrumentation, and dedication 

of all involved. The USGS, government of the Philippines, 

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Department of Defense, and Agency for International Development 

worked together as a team during the volcanic crisis. Because 

of the quick deployment of monitoring equipment and 

the preparation of a volcanic hazards map by Filipino and 

USGS scientists, there were accurate warnings of impending 

eruptions. The effective communications among the governments and agencies involved and the confidence in the 

professionalism of all the scientists and officials ensured that 

the cooperative effort at Mount Pinatudo was both a scientific 

and a humanitarian success.

USGS water resources monitoring programs, such as 

tracking the effects on water quality of pesticide use in the 

Nation's agricultural regions and studying potential interactions 

between ground water and low-level radioactive waste, provide 

the information and understanding to support the President's 

water-quality initiative. In 1991, National Water Quality 

Assessment program studies that began at 20 sites across the 

country are the first phase in an eventual 60-site assessment 

of trends and changes in the quality of the Nation's water 

resources.

Understanding how Earth systems interact is a complex 

challenge. The use of GIS, the hazards work at Mount 

Pinatubo, and the National Water Quality Assessment are but 

three examples of how the USGS is working to advance our 

understanding of the Earth to help guide environmental and 

resources development policy in the future.

Cooperative agreements and integrated data enhance 

USGS investigations into the fundamental processes that mold 

our planet. As we gain insight into these processes, we will be 

better equipped to assist the agencies of the Department of the 

Interior, and other government and private groups at all levels, 

in reaching our shared stewardship goals and ensuring the 

preservation and enjoyment of our rich natural resources today 

and for the future.

Dallas L. Peck
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND 

SPATIAL DATA COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT

O

TJ 

- .2

"a -I o

V 

*s3

V n,

 5 en CU

 5 « -«

cu 0,^""

2 

en

« <G

S 2 3 

en 

31-2

E 2

 - O 5 

T3 cS 13

3 £ « 5/3 cu "H,

X be '-3 

3 S 3

3.S S

£ * «

o S ^

.£ 

12«55 «

u 

s'i"S

<u rt

producing new categories of information inboth traditional anddigital formats thacan

C Sr

.2 «

« ed

.S 

	<-i 6 

.2 o

J3 ^

H -S

en "->

en 

1) 

re

3 3

^-s ^

C t.

re CU

1 S OH *"

re 2 

"re W1

JS 2

bo8

en

cu I

 S c 

bo g 

« .£ 

| -0

^ S 

 ^7- t/5 i-H 

<U f-H 

U » S-"5 

S

^4 rt r< 

iy C " 

*r< tn " ^ 

X ro <-> ^2 

10 fU 'bC'In 

(-, bO^O O 

'^JSSc

«Ti4-i bo"13 

^2 o _H 

'§ J 

'bo"b

<u t^

»N O

^

u -0

1*3 C

13 

<u

3

S 

S 

r «

S

(U

fi

^-J

C/5

 1 1

T5

<U 

 13

0)

i i

u

JS

h

^

^H

<u

<u 

i Q

 i-Ha

(D

fi

1/5

 l-Ho

PL,

5-H

0

T5 

^3

U

4->

HH

(/D

S

^j

«

"'S

^

1

5

=2

a 3 

W -

3 

 C 

3 

,.« 

re 

&

oT 

en 

^ 

s

0 

 - 

re 

S 

a

\5 "°

 a o

c

, 

o < o

c

3 rt

ffi

^ 

^ 

3 

O 

en 

CU 

U 

(4-1 

o 
108° 102°

100 200 300 400 MILES 36° -

Area covered by map shown in 

gray. The map will be printed as 

four sheets (outlined in thick black 

lines; middle sheets overlap).

16 miles on the land surface). The term 

Quaternary refers to the glacial and modernday sediments that lie at land surface above 

older geologic units. The map includes parts 

of 23 States and Canada and provides a 

regional context for the more detailed mapping required to make land use decisions 

about specific sites. The map area encompasses more than 2.1 million square kilometers, or about one-quarter of the area of the 

conterminous United States. That area supports about 40 percent of the United States 

population as well as much of the Nation's 

agriculture and industry.

Modern geoscience maps contain useful 

information that is applicable to resource 

management and environmental issues. To 

address these issues most effectively, the 

information must be in a direcdy usable format; that is, no additional interpretation is 

necessary. These maps are useful, for example, in the management of ground water 

resources and the assessment of the effects of 

different land uses. Typically, such a map 

shows the texture of the rock and sediments 

(porous sandstone or glacial lake clay and silt, 

for example) in three dimensions and to 

depths of at least 50 meters. Directly usable 

information is needed because the people who 

must use the information for land use planning, promulgating regulations, or ensuring 

compliance are rarely geoscientists. These 

issues require specific information, and if that 

information is not presented clearly on available maps, a land use planner must either

reinterpret the available information or 

decline to use it.

Increasingly, more map users are requiring map information in digital form. Commonly, this digital information is examined in 

conjunction with other types of information in 

a GIS. For example, geologic map information may be displayed and analyzed with 

hydrologic or land use information to establish or clarify relationships. Such analyses are 

especially useful for environmental or land 

use issues because they are interdisciplinary 

and therefore require many types of information for a comprehensive study. New map 

information can be derived from such analyses; such maps are commonly referred to as 

derivative maps. By providing geoscience 

information in digital form and using a GIS 

to make derivative maps customized to the 

needs of the user, the USGS is creating more 

opportunities to use the earth science information collected in its research and missionrelated investigations.

Digitization and preliminary analysis of 

the Quaternary sediments map has involved a 

number of cooperators from different government agencies, which reflect the range of 

interest and applications for this type of geologic map. Funding and personnel needed for 

processing and analysis were provided by the 

USGS, the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, and certain State agencies. This interdisciplinary and interagency effort will produce not only a digital version of the map, 

but also new procedures for digital processing 

and display of map data and models and

2 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
derivative maps designed to address specific 

societal issues.

Certain areas on the Quaternary sediments map are already being tested for applications to societal issues. For example, a GIS 

method is being developed to identify potential ground-water aquifers and to rank 

sequences of geologic materials for relative 

contamination potential. This information will 

provide a regional perspective on the issue 

that can enable planners and officials to better 

support their decisions on the use of agricultural chemicals in the U.S. midcontinent and 

the potential for contaminating ground water. 

By using GIS methods, interrelations among

information on the Quaternary sediments 

map and other categories of information (for 

example, geophysical, elevation, soils, or 

hydrologic) are also being investigated. In certain cases, derivative maps will be produced 

from these investigations. The Quaternary 

sediments map also is being studied for applications of geologic information to risk-based 

economic decisions. This type of economic 

analysis using earth science information represents an emerging discipline that links GIS, 

spatial statistics, and both point and areal geoscience data sets and offers a new approach to 

viewing spatial data and new arenas for the 

use of geoscience data.

Black and white image of part of 

the map in preparation, which will 

be printed in full color. Darker 

tones indicate areas of thicker 

glacial sediment (see block diagram). 

Map area is centered on southern 

Lake Michigan and includes parts 

of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, 

Illinois, and Wisconsin (clockwise 

from upper right).

Geographic Information Systems 3
Figure 1, Digital 

geologic map of 

southeastern part of 

Puerto Rico.

GIS TechnologyApplications to 

Assessing Mineral and 

Energy Resources

By W. David Menzie, Walter J. Bawiec, 

and William H. Wright, Jr.

T

he assessment of the Nation's mineral 

and energy resources is one of the basic 

mandates of the USGS. A resource assessment 

is used to estimate the amount of identified 

and undiscovered energy and mineral resources present in an area. These assessments 

are useful for land use planning, for formulating national policy, and for planning exploration programs. The assessments include an 

inventory of identified mineral deposits, or oil 

and gas fields; a delineation of terranes that 

may contain oil and gas fields or particular 

types of mineral deposits; estimates of the 

numbers of undiscovered oil and gas fields, or 

mineral deposits present in the terranes; and 

size distributions of the oil and gas fields, or 

grade-tonnage models of the mineral deposits. 

Because oil and gas fields and mineral deposits are of different types and reflect the different earth processes that form them, the 

geologist must synthesize many different 

kinds of data depending on the types of 

deposit that may be present in an area. GIS 

technology is playing a growing role in collecting, editing, manipulating, and analyzing the 

data used in these assessments and in disseminating and interpreting the implications of 

the assessments.

The first and most basic task in preparing a mineral or energy assessment is to collect relevant data. In the past, spatial data 

were collected and analyzed mostly in hard 

copy form such as maps. While the capture of

spatial data in digital form is often time consuming, it permits a faster, more thorough 

analysis of the data than was previously possible. The USGS has experimented with several 

strategies for capturing spatial data, including 

optical scanning using drum scanners and 

hand digitization using both GIS and specialty 

software, such as GSMAP. In using optical 

scanners, the efforts spent in preparing the 

material to be scanned save significant effort 

in editing the data. Once spatial data are captured, GIS software is used for editing and 

for preparing structured spatial data sets.

An example of the type of information 

that increasingly is being captured in digital 

form are geologic map data. Preliminary compilations of geologic contacts, faults, and other 

features can be hand digitized or scanned, 

edited, and combined with digital files on terrane and administrative boundaries to produce structured geologic data sets. GIS technology facilitates the preparation and editing 

of geologic data sets because special plots can 

be prepared that emphasize one particular 

aspect of a map, such as the distribution of 

one rock unit.

GIS technology plays several roles in the 

analysis and manipulation of energy and mineral resource information. First, individual 

spatial data sets may be easily transformed to 

produce new data sets that are relevant to a 

particular energy or mineral problem. Examples of this type of application include combining particular rock units in a geologic data 

set or filtering of electromagnetic data. One 

of the roles GIS technology can play in mineral and energy investigations is in combining 

geologic, geochemical, and geophysical data 

sets to aid in predicting where additional 

resources may occur. The ability to easily 

combine such data sets offers an opportunity 

to develop spatial mineral deposit models that 

extend the descriptive models currently used 

in mineral assessment and exploration.

Perhaps the greatest potential use of GIS 

is as a vehicle for ensuring that earth science

CZI

EXPLANATION 

Intrusive rock

Carbonate-bearing rock 

Noncarbonate-bearing rock

N

Study 

area

4 MILES

I

4 KILOMETERS

4 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
information is considered in setting public 

policy on a variety of energy and minerals 

issues. For example, GIS technology can be 

used to evaluate the potential impact of proposed land use plans on energy and mineral 

exploration or to evaluate the affect of mineral and energy development upon the environment. GIS technology is ideally suited to 

identifying where potential land use conflicts 

may occur and to calculating how large an 

area may be affected.

Finally, having spatial data in a GIS facilitates dissemination of the data to the public 

and interested users. Structured spatial data 

sets can be easily converted to common formats, such as digital line graph, and released 

with visualization software on a CD-ROM. 

CD-ROM's can store large amounts of data 

(750 megabytes) and are a suitable archiving 

media. The USGS has established a new publication series, the Digital Data Series (DOS), 

for the release of large data sets. One of the 

first releases in the new series is the digital 

Geology of Nevada, USGS DDS-2 (see article, 

p. 20).

Mineral Resource Assessment of Puerto 

Rico. To assess the mineral resources of 

Puerto Rico, a special project currently is 

being conducted within a GIS environment. A 

large number of data sets, including a new 

geologic map, gravity, magnetic, stream sediment geochemistry, mineral occurrences, and 

side-looking radar data have been captured in 

digital form. These data are being combined 

to delineate terranes that may contain undiscovered deposits. The data sets that are combined vary depending upon the type of 

deposit thought to be present. For a region 

such as Puerto Rico that may contain a number of deposit types, being able to combine 

various data sets digitally can save significant 

effort. Figure 1 presents an example of how 

GIS technology can be used to delineate tracts 

that may contain undiscovered mineral deposits. Carbonate-bearing rocks adjacent to intrusions often host skarn deposits of iron, copper, lead, zinc and gold. Using rock units that 

may host undiscovered deposits as a starting 

point, a geologist can add information about 

known mineral deposits, exploration geochemistry, and geophysics to better predict 

future deposit localities.

Coal Availability Studies. GIS technology is rapidly becoming the norm for assessing energy commodities. Coal availability studies are a prime example of GIS technology in 

action. These studies, conducted in cooperation with State geological surveys, provide the 

capability to estimate the amount of coal available for production in a given area (usually 

a 7.5-minute quadrangle), after land use,

technologic, and other user defined restrictions (such as coal quality) are taken into consideration (fig. 2). Many of the land use 

restrictions are fixed; that is, there is little 

likelihood that they will change they are, 

however, modifiable within the GIS system. 

As extraction technologies change, the system 

can be updated to reflect these changes, and, 

if assumptions as to what constitutes compliance coal change, they too can be introduced 

into the system. After changes are made, the 

estimating program can again be run to determine the impact of the changes on the estimated amount of coal available for production in the study area.

Through fiscal year 1991, coal availability 

studies of 18 quadrangles in the Central Appalachian coal region in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia were completed. 

Results of these studies bring into question 

the estimated 200- to 300-year supply of coal 

currently being used by energy planners.

In fiscal year 1992, coal availability studies continue in the Central Appalachian coal 

region. Two quadrangles, one in Kentucky 

and one in West Virginia, are being studied. 

Three quadrangles, one each in the States of 

Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, are 

being studied in the Northern Appalachian 

coal region, and two quadrangles, one in Kentucky and another in Ohio, are under investigation in the Illinois coal basin.

Figure 2. Coal availability studies, 

fiscal years 1987-90.

EXPLANATION

ORIGINAL COAL IN 12 QUADRANGLES10.1 billion short tons

Available 51 %

Compliance and noncompliance 

equally available

Technologic restrictions 32%

Mined and that lost in 

mining 14%

Land use restrictions 3%

RESTRICTIONS THAT IMPACT 

THE AVAILABILITY OF REMAINING COAL

Land use

(mainly manmade)

Towns and cemeteries

Powerlines and pipelines

Oil and gas wells

National or State forests and parks

Roads, railroads, and airports

Streams, lakes, and reservoirs

Recreational areas

Technology

(mainly geologic)

Surface mining:

coal depth and thickness 

Underground mining:

coal depth and thickness

Proximity to mines 

Barrier pillars 

Roof or floor problems 

Structural problems

Geographic Information Systems
124°W

38°20'N

38°N

40'W

EXPLANATION

Water depth In meters 

"I 200 to 2999 

g 3000

High angle fault Dashed 

where inferred

A Inferred thrust fault 

Sawteeth on upper plate

Bathymetric contour 200 

meter intervals

Sample site

SCALE 1:250,000 

0 5 NAUTICAL MILES

5 KILOMETERS

Part (see inset) of the new map 

for the continental shelf north of 

San Francisco, Calif.

Mapping the California 

Continental Shelf

By Michael E. Field

U

sing GIS techniques, USGS scientists 

have constructed a new map for the continental shelf north of San Francisco. Of note, 

the map shows diverse types of data that traditionally are not mapped together, such as 

sediment age, sediment thickness, faults, and 

sediment particle size. Each type of information is depicted in a different color (shown 

here in black and white), so as to be useful to 

a broad community of users, including physical oceanographers, commercial and recreational fishers, and geologists. Using digitized 

data sets in MAPGEN format, the map is

being compiled for formal publication, with 

partial support provided by the Office of 

Naval Research, Department of the Navy, 

which will use the map as background information for the STRESS (Sediment Transport 

Events on the Shelf and Slope) Program. 

Under the STRESS Program, researchers 

from the USGS, Woods Hole Oceanographic 

Institute, University of Washington and several other universities are examining the role 

of storms in resuspending and transporting 

sediment on the continental shelf.

The map includes information on structure, morphology, and surficial geology. One 

of the strengths of the map is its color format, 

which permits overlaying contrasting information and no loss of legibility. The map consists 

of five layers: bathymetry, faults, surface geology, Holocene sediment thickness, and sediment particle size.

6 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Bathymetric contours, digitized from a 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data base, are mapped at 20-meter 

intervals on the shelf and at 100-meter intervals beyond the shelf break (200 meters). 

Onshore and offshore faults are digitized 

from a USGS map. The surficial geologic 

units were mapped by the investigators by 

using high-resolution seismic-reflection profiling and sidescan sonar. Three main units are 

shown: pre-Quaternary outcrops, Pleistocene 

deposits, and Holocene deposits. The preQuaternary units include both deformed and 

uplifted sedimentary beds on the outer shelf 

and exposures of resistant sedimentary and 

granitic rocks on the inner shelf. The broad, 

thick suite of Pleistocene deposits formed during times of shoreline migration caused by the 

rise (transgression) and fall (regression) of sea 

level. The Holocene deposits, primarily composed of sediment that has accumulated during the past 5,000 years, are mapped by thickness as well as distribution, thus showing the 

position of local concentrations of sediment 

formed by shoreline and deltaic deposition. 

Superimposed on all units are contours showing average particle size (in millimeters) of the 

upper few centimeters of sea floor sediment.

The map has many potential uses for the 

public and for research investigations. For 

example, the particle size information is useful to researchers for predicting movement of 

sediment during storms. The location of outcrops and the textural character of the sea 

floor are valuable to fishers for locating shellfish and certain types of bottom fish. Location 

and thickness of Holocene sediment are 

important for future assessments of placermineral and aggregate resources. Decisions 

about continental shelf use, such as locating 

suitable disposal sites for dredged material, 

need this type of definitive information about 

bottom sediment type and morphology. Other 

applications will doubtlessly emerge as use of 

the continental shelf increases.

GIS Technology and Its 

Application to Geologic 

Hazards

By Arthur C. Tarr

G

IS technology is transforming geologic 

hazards research in the 1990's. Complex 

hazards analyses once thought to be impractical or impossible are now routine. GIS technology automates the process of acquiring 

geologic data by replacing drafting vellum 

with a computer screen, a greenline with a

digital base map, and a set of drafting tools 

with a digitizer tablet and a mouse. Finished, 

full-color maps portraying results of research 

are produced and distributed in weeks or 

months instead of the years needed to produce a traditionally printed map.

Geologic research is a lengthy, deliberate 

process of data acquisition, analysis, peer 

review of results, and finally, publication of a 

report or map. Until the last decade, geologic 

mapping and map compilation employed 

cumbersome tools and laborious techniques. 

GIS has changed that. In the USGS, GIS is 

now used widely to study and depict earthquake hazards in the San Francisco Bay area, 

the Pacific Northwest, and the Central United 

States and to study the landslide hazard in 

numerous areas of the United States and foreign countries.

GIS promises to radically change the 

methods of field geologists. Imagine a geologist in the field in 1996 mapping fault breaks 

resulting from a recent large earthquake. The 

geologist begins by entering field data into a 

lightweight, battery-powered computer. 

Simultaneously, geographic coordinates of the 

geologist's position are computed by a Global 

Positioning System (GPS) unit and recorded 

for each field observation. The GPS unit 

receives radio transmissions from a constellation of navigation satellites and is small 

enough to be stashed in a backpack. Back at 

the office, the geologist transfers the images 

and the data from the portable computer to a 

workstation where the geographic coordinates 

and other data are converted into a standard 

map projection in a CIS-compatible format. 

The new field data and selected video frames 

are then displayed together on the highresolution screen of the workstation where 

the data can be edited and interpreted.

A colorful multispectral satellite image of 

the study area and previously mapped geologic or geophysical data also may be displayed as backdrop layers. The geologist 

retrieves additional field data from a colleague's computer in another State. Within the 

computer environment, the scientist can compose maps portraying the new data on a topographic base retrieved from a USGS data base 

and then plot the maps on a desktop color 

printer or perhaps on a large format color 

plotter. After revising the color maps, the 

geologist can make them available over a computer network to colleagues across the United 

States and in foreign countries.

Although some elements of GIS, such as 

computer analysis of spatial data and automated mapping, have been used in earthquake and landslide hazards research for 

decades, these elements were not originally

"Complex

hazards analyses

once thought to

be impractical or

impossible are

now routine."

Geographic Information Systems 7
integrated to work together as a system. For 

example, the geological hazards of San Mateo 

County, Calif., have been analyzed and 

mapped since the 1970's using computerized 

analysis and automated mapping methods. 

These methods were refined during subsequent years, but progress was slow for several 

reasons: customized computer programs had 

to be written for each application; computer 

hardware was expensive and slow relative to 

today's computers; and necessary spatial data 

were not available in digital form. These data 

had to be laboriously acquired from existing 

source materials by digitizing paper maps.

Nevertheless, in the mid-1980's, a USGSState cooperative pilot study of a small area of 

the Wasatch Front in Utah demonstrated the 

feasibility of using GIS as an earthquake hazards assessment tool. The pilot study resulted 

in numerous thematic data layers portraying 

societal elements at risk, such as schools, fire 

stations, and hospitals, and geologic hazards, 

such as the Wasatch fault and geologic units 

susceptible to liquefaction. Later, GIS was 

employed in two different earthquake hazards 

study areas, one in the Pacific Northwest and 

one in the San Francisco Bay area; for example, GIS was used in several ground response 

studies following the October 17, 1989, Loma 

Prieta earthquake in California. By 1990 GIS 

was fully integrated into research plans for 

the New Madrid seismic zone of the central 

United States, and in 1991 the USGS National 

Landslide Information Center began incorporating GIS landslide data into a new data 

base, which will be available to earth scientists 

worldwide.

The growth of GIS in the USGS led to 

the establishment in 1990 of a computer 

graphics laboratory in Golden, Colo., to provide GIS and other scientific visualization 

tools to geologic hazards projects and to the 

creation of a Geologic Hazards Data Base 

(GHDB) to combine earthquake and landslide 

hazards data under centralized management. 

The GHDB currendy contains more than 1 

gigabyte of digital spatial data related to 

geologic hazards research in the Pacific

Northwest, Central United States, Colorado, 

and San Francisco Bay area. Many data sets in 

the GHDB are accessible to USGS-sponsored 

researchers and collaborators over Internet, a 

global telecommunications network.

The figure shows how the GHDB can be 

used by illustrating research study results of 

the expected intensity (as measured on the 

modified Mercalli intensity scale) of a hypothetical magnitude 7.1 earthquake located 

near the epicenter of the 1949 southern Puget 

Sound earthquake. The figure demonstrates a 

suite of GIS functions and one technique that 

uses a particular algorithm to calculate circular intensity contours based on a point earthquake source (intensity is the dependent variable and has been adjusted for the effects of 

site geology). GIS can accommodate other 

algorithms that produce noncircular intensity 

contours (such as those from a line source 

instead of a point source), multiple intensity 

adjustments (to correct for depth to bedrock 

or depth to water table), or a different 

dependent variable (such as acceleration). 

Also, the technique can be generalized to produce landslide and liquefaction susceptibility 

maps.

What may we expect from GIS in the 

next 5 to 10 years, especially as it applies to 

geologic hazards research? Computer hardware costs probably will continue to decrease 

even as the hardware becomes more powerful. Therefore, GIS software will take advantage of affordable, higher performance hardware to provide additional functions and 

speed to existing applications. Enormous 

spatial data bases, such as large-scale maps of 

extensive areas and high-resolution satellite 

images, will be distributed widely on optical 

media, such as CD-ROM, at low cost. Highspeed computer networks linking online data 

bases in the United States and in foreign 

countries will permit USGS scientists to access 

and exchange large data sets with their 

collaborators. In the 1990's, geologic hazards 

research will become increasingly efficient, 

comprehensive, and timely because of 

advances in GIS technology.

Hypothetical seismic zonation map, produced by using 

GIS, of a portion of southern Puget Sound, Wash., 

for a magnitude 7.1 earthquake (star).

8 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
123°00' 122°30'

48°30'

48°00'

47°30'

47°00'

EXPLANATION

MODIFIED MERCALLI 

INTENSITY

il-IV

 IV

EH] iv-v

 I V 

V-VI 

VI

VI-VII 

VII

Study area

20 MILES

\ 

20 KILOMETERS

Geographic Information Systems 9
"By using CIS 

technology, the

USGS has 

speeded up the

analysis,

presentation,

and publication

of this 

information."

Use of GIS Technology 

in Preparing WaterResources Publications

By Gregory J. Allord and 

Richard W. Paulson

T

he USGS National Water Summary 

(NWS) program documents national 

assessments of the water resources of the 

United States in a series of USGS WaterSupply Papers. Each Water-Supply Paper 

presents information on hydrologic and 

meteorologic conditions for 1 or 2 water 

years (October to September) and focuses on 

a particular topic, such as water quality or 

water use. The information is presented in a 

series of articles and in State-by-state summaries. By using GIS technology, the USGS has 

speeded up the analysis, presentation, and 

publication of this information.

The national assessments that are presented in these NWS reports aggregate existing data from USGS and other Federal and 

State data bases. Because the NWS reports are 

intended for a nontechnical audience, the 

often-complex data are presented in specially 

designed formats for that audience. The multicolor graphics that can be produced with 

GIS technology are an effective method of 

presenting this complex data.

The State summaries provide for comparison of water-resources conditions between 

States because each State summary shares a 

common organization of text, tables, and illustrations. Manual preparation in a timely manner of the text and illustrations for each State 

summary rarely is possible because of the 

large quantity of data represented, the need 

to replicate common presentation formats, 

and the deadlines of report preparation. Consequently, the preparation of computer-based 

text and illustration data sets allows the information to be combined and compared in 

needed formats.

Examples of small-scale, national digital 

data sets that have been created in support of 

the NWS reports include State and county 

boundaries; hydrography; hydrologic unit 

boundaries; average annual runoff; population growth and distribution; location of waste 

sites; water withdrawals and use by county, 

aquifer, and drainage basin; and areal extent 

of major floods and droughts in each State. 

Digital data sets that currently are being 

prepared include land use, physiographic 

provinces, updated population distribution, 

and water-quality trends and conditions at 

selected sites. A national digital wetlands data 

set at a scale of about 1:2,000,000 also is in

preparation in cooperation with the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, Department of the 

Interior.

Because most USGS hydrologic studies 

are local or regional in scope, and few result 

in the creation of nationwide, small-scale data 

sets on a specific subject, organizing and displaying hydrologic data in NWS reports 

present unique problems for the compilation, 

analysis, and review of the data. The topical 

information selected for the NWS, however, is 

aggregated on a regional and national basis 

and must be consistent from State to State 

and at a scale for publication as page-sized 

maps. Almost all of the State-summary illustrations are now prepared using CIS-based 

techniques.

The figure (facing page) is a black and 

white example of a multicolor, GIS-produced 

State-summary illustration. The illustration 

shows six time-series graphs of data from 

USGS stream-gaging stations that show periods of major drought, a State map that shows 

the locations of the stream-gaging stations, 

and State maps that show the areal extent 

of droughts. Each drought is identified by a 

particular color that links a highlighted period 

in the time-series graphs with the areal extent 

of the drought on a State map and with the 

color key in the map explanation. Additionally, if the severity of the drought fluctuated 

in the State, as in the case of the 1980-82 

drought, two shades of the color are used on 

the State map to show areal extent of classes 

of drought severity. Time-series data from 

the six hydrologic stations in Tennessee were 

extracted from the USGS National Water 

Data Storage and Retrieval System data base 

and analyzed to identify the major droughts 

in the State. The areal extent of each major 

drought was then defined on the basis of the 

analysis of data from as many as 40 hydrologic stations.

Links between ARC/INFO, the GIS used 

by the Water Resources Division, and the traditional publishing process have been created 

for the preparation of illustrations, and several software applications and computer systems are used. For example, desktop publishing software on a personal computer was used 

to lay out the different elements of the 

drought illustration. In conformance with the 

overall design of the illustration, individually 

scaled graphic elements, such as the drought 

maps, graphs, and illustration explanation, 

were first put in position using Adobe Illustrator 3.0. The horizontal and vertical page 

position coordinates were then determined, 

and the graphic elements were digitized and 

entered into an ARC/INFO file in one of the 

USGS Distributed Information System (DIS) 

computers. This ARC/INFO map then was 

converted to PostScript format, a page

10 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Areal Extent of Droughts

1938-45 1952-56

1963-72 1980-82

1985-88

50 MILES

_l

50 KILOMETERS

Annual Departure

U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations and 

corresponding drainage basins Numbers refer to 

graphs

o 

o

tO 

O

Q 

<

EXPLANATION

Areal extent of major drought

Recurrence interval, 

in years

Annual departure from average 

stream discharge

Departure

Mapped drought-Color 

corresponds to 

drought date

1950 1960

WATER YEAR

Figure 4. Areal extent of major droughts with a 

recurrence interval of 10 years or more in Tennessee, and annual departure from average stream 

discharge for selected sites, water years 1920-

88. (Source: Data from U.S. Geological Survey files.)

Example of an illustration, modified from the 1988-89 National Water Summary, 

Water-Supply Paper 2375, prepared using CIS technology.

Geographic Information Systems 11
description language that conveys this spatial 

information to a variety of printers and other 

high-resolution image setters. A non-GIS software system called TELLAGRAF was used to 

create the time-series graphs in the drought 

illustration. TELLAGRAF also operates on 

the USGS DIS computers and has a PostScript 

output format. The horizontal and vertical 

coordinates of the block of time-series graphs 

in the Adobe Illustrator 3.0 layout then were 

incorporated in the TELLAGRAF file. The 

PostScript files of the block of time-series 

graphs and the maps and illustration explanation then were merged to create the digitally 

mosaicked illustration. The DIS image setter 

produced the high-resolution prescreened 

negatives of the mosaicked illustration used in 

printing the NWS report. The highly automated illustration-preparation process was 

used to prepare 52 drought illustrations 

(one for each State, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. 

Virgin Islands) and 52 flood illustrations, 

which have a design similar to the drought 

illustrations.

The illustration-preparation process used 

in the NWS reports relies extensively on 

computer-assisted procedures for manipulation of data. The human touch and creative 

eye are still important in the preparation of 

illustrations, but the large number of illustrations for a typical report could not be prepared efficiently without extensive use of GIS 

and other computer technologies.

The increasing use of GIS in support of 

NWS reports has paralleled the implementation of GIS technology within the USGS. The 

preparation of NWS reports has identified 

and led to the solution of many GIS problems, such as data accuracy standards, documentation, archiving, and distribution of 

geographic data. GIS-based illustration production methods have progressed from simple 

ink-pen plots of geographic linear data to the 

creation of prescreened color-separated negatives for point, line, and areal data.

GIS technology is integral to the analysis

of data and the planning for future reports. 

Specific problems concerning the manipulation and extraction of thematic information 

from hydrologic data bases have been solved, 

but the integration of symbolic hydrologic 

data and text wholly within a GIS system to 

prepare NWS illustrations still remains to be 

fully defined and implemented. The use of 

GIS techniques will continue to improve the 

content, quality, and efficiency in the preparation of illustrations. The GIS techniques that 

have been developed for the preparation of 

multicolor NWS illustrations are being documented and distributed so that these techniques can be used in preparing other USGS 

publications.

GIS A Pioneering 

Approach to Regional 

Aquifer-System Analysis

By John Michael Kernodle and 

Steven D. Craigg

U

nder the USGS Regional Aquifer-System 

Analysis (RASA) program, geologic, 

hydrologic, and geochemical information are 

assembled and analyzed to develop an understanding of the major ground-water systems 

in the United States. The RASA program 

provides quantitative information that enables 

Federal, State, and local water-resources officials to effectively manage aquifer systems. An 

important element of the RASA studies is the 

use of computers to simulate ground-water 

flow, both to develop an understanding of the 

natural hydrologic system and any changes 

caused by human activities and to provide a 

method of predicting regional effects of 

future pumping or other stresses.

The San Juan Basin RASA study area 

covers about 19,500 square miles along the 

eastern edge of the Colorado Plateau in New 

Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah (see figure, facing page, top right). The principal 

uses of water in the basin are for municipal, 

industrial, domestic, and livestock purposes. 

Surface water is fully appropriated and 

ground water is the only source of water supply in much of the basin. The study area is 

defined as that part of the San Juan structural 

basin that contains Triassic through Tertiary 

rocks. The San Juan Basin RASA was the 

20th of 25 studies in the RASA program, but 

was the first to use GIS technology to accomplish the major objectives of the study. These 

objectives were to define and evaluate the 

basin's aquifer systems, assess the effects of 

ground-water use on aquifers and streams, 

and determine the availability and quality of 

ground water.

Traditionally, the results of RASA studies have been published as USGS Open-File 

Reports, Water-Resources Investigations 

Reports, Hydrologic Investigations Atlases, 

and Professional Papers. The final results of 

the San Juan Basin RASA will be published as 

Professional Paper 1420. In the interim, however, 10 Hydrologic Investigations Adases 

(HA-720 A-J) have been published. These 

adases describe the geology, hydrology, and 

geochemistry of major hydrogeologic units 

in the San Juan Basin. The GIS data bases 

used in the preparation of these atlases serve 

dual functions: cartographic bases for thematic illustrations in the atlases and data 

for input into ground-water-flow and geochemical models. Publications created with

12 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
GIS technology are not just maps and words; 

rather, they are a form of reusable data that 

document areal geologic, hydrologic, and 

geochemical interpretations. By using GIS, 

both the areal hydrogeologic information and 

the finite-difference model data can be constantly revised until the very last phases of the 

investigation.

The GIS applications used in the San 

Juan Basin RASA saved labor, time, and 

money. Compared with limitations encountered during many hydrologic investigations, 

such as relatively short project length, limited 

funds, and induced deadlines, the San Juan 

Basin RASA was unique. For example, the 

project spanned more than 5 years; funding 

was adequate; deadlines mainly were internal 

and self-imposed by the project staff; and the 

study was continually well staffed. Taken in 

context, these factors enhanced the benefits of 

using a GIS during the San Juan Basin 

RASA, which include problem analysis that 

previously would not have been possible using 

traditional methods.

Several digital data bases and their 

resultant GIS data layers were created during 

the San Juan Basin RASA, and different 

amounts of time and labor were required to 

produce them. For example, the digital base 

map was produced in about 1 year. Digitizing 

the basinwide geologic map required about 6 

months of continuous labor and even more 

time to check the work and code the geologic 

units. Acquisition of a commercially available 

oil and gas test-well data base and associated 

geochemical brine data base required about 4 

months. Ongoing acquisition of other data 

bases, such as basin topography, land ownership, and precipitation took several months. 

In addition, because GIS was a new and continuously evolving technology, the training of 

project personnel in the applications of GIS 

and other digital techniques was a constant 

consideration.

Once the GIS data bases and layers were 

in place, the true benefits began to be realized. One benefit was the development of an 

accurate base map for the study area that can 

be transferred with accompanying thematic 

data into the formats and media that meet 

USGS publication standards. Another benefit 

was the development of interfaces with additional analytical software and data bases that 

are maintained by other public agencies and 

private firms, which makes the data from the 

San Juan Basin RASA more available and useful for the officials and managers who need 

the information. In addition to simple datatransfer mechanisms, these interfaces have 

been used for analysis of the occurrence of oil 

and gas in the San Juan Basin, analysis of the 

top of hydrogeologic units in the subsurface, 

regression-analysis of surface-water runoff

110° 105°

40°

35°

COLORADO

SAN JUAN 

STRUCTURAL BASIN

NEW MEXICO

\

100

100

I

200 

I

300 

I

I I 

300 400 KILOMETERS

GIS coverage showing location of the Colorado Plateau, the San Juan structural basin, and the 

San Juan Basin RASA (Regional Aquifer-System Analysis) study area.

An abandoned windmill along the Rio Puerco (Pig River) drainage in the east-central part of the 

San Juan Basin. The well was probably abandoned because of small yields and poor water quality.

Geographic Information Systems 13
An active, cratered travertine spring mound along the southeastern margin of the San Juan Basin. 

Saline ground water discharges at a rate of about 10 gallons per minute to the land surface from 

late Paleozoic and Triassic strata after migrating upward through fractures associated with a major 

reverse and thrust fault zone.

Top, The central cratered part of the mound encircled by a travertine rim. The crater is about 40 

feet in diameter and at least 50 feet in depth.

Bottom, The arcuate travertine mound (about 50 feet in height), discharge of water from the crater 

rim on the right side, and recently deposited travertine (marked by light-colored areas on the mound 

slopes).

and ground-water recharge, and analysis and 

GIS presentation of data from the groundwater flow model.

A third benefit was simply a reduction in 

time and effort needed to create groundwater flow-model-input data sets. A minimum 

of 14 hydrogeologic units needed to be represented in a ground-water flow model of the 

aquifer systems in the San Juan Basin. If the 

model simulations were restricted only to one 

finite-difference representation of these 14 

units, more than 1.4 million manual data 

entries would be required, which would have 

taken at least 100 uninterrupted 8-hour workdays of continuous data entry just to prepare 

data input for each version of the groundwater flow model, excluding time to verify the 

accuracy of the data entry.

A preliminary model of the Gallup Sandstone, Dakota Sandstone, and Morrison Formation part of the flow system had been prepared in 1987; the Hydrologic Atlases for 

these units were in review, and therefore the 

GIS data bases for these units were available 

for construction of the ground-water flow 

model. From these and other GIS data bases 

of outcrop, thickness, and altitude of the top 

of the aquifer, and of precipitation, topography, and hydrography, a steady-state groundwater flow model was constructed in 2 days.

The expanding data bases are not limited to the study area of the San Juan Basin 

RASA. The GIS data bases have encouraged a 

freer exchange of information between other 

agencies and the public. The free exchange of 

information in a common format is reason 

enough for using the GIS; however, because 

the areal coverage from the shared information greatly exceeds the area covered by the 

San Juan Basin RASA, the expanded data 

bases also are serving as the basis for new 

GIS-based investigations in other parts of the 

Southwest.

A GIS and its associated data bases are 

not end products. Rather, the various data 

layers are used as input to digital groundwater flow models of basin aquifer systems 

and as input to geochemical models of rockwater interactions. For the San Juan Basin 

RASA, the new GIS technology accomplished 

a traditional task more efficiently and resulted 

in increased productivity. Tasks that were 

once considered to be too labor intensive, 

impractical, or impossible when traditional 

methods were used can now be accomplished 

with the aid of a GIS in a timely and costeffective manner.

14 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Cooperation The Key to 

Unlocking the Benefits of 

Geographic Data

By Michael A. Domaratz

A

broad spectrum of complex problems 

face our Nation today, including emergency preparedness and response. . .global 

monitoring and modeling. . .economic development. . .intelligent vehicle and highway 

systems. . .agricultural pest management. . . 

water-quality assessment. . .range and forest 

management. . .crisis management. . .mineral, 

oil, and gas leasing. . .wetlands analyses. . . 

census taking. . .facilities siting. . .mapping 

and charting. . . mail delivery. . .all of which 

require accurate and reliable geographic data 

for solutions.

Government agencies are being asked to 

respond quickly in addressing these problems. 

To add to the complexity, new and growing 

administrative and regulatory responsibilities 

have placed tremendous pressure on information delivery systems. Geographic data sets, 

such as environmental, natural resources, and 

socioeconomic data, can be used to understand national problems and to unlock 

answers.

Computerized technologies for handling 

geographic data, such as GIS, have emerged 

as highly efficient and effective tools for solving complex issues. Federal agencies have 

realized the advantages of these technologies. 

More than 95 Federal organizations use these 

technologies in a variety of applications such 

as those listed above. State and local governments and private companies also are actively 

using geographic data in applications such as 

governing land ownership and use, locating 

sites from which to provide services, routing 

vehicles, maintaining public works, managing 

land, and marketing products.

The Nation must act quickly if it is to 

maximize the benefits of using this technology. These powerful technologies are acutely 

dependent on the availability and quality of 

computer-readable, or digital, geographic 

data. Development of the needed digital geographic data is invariably the largest cost factor in computer-assisted analysis of complex 

issues. With billions of dollars being invested 

in geographic data and related technology by 

Federal, State, and local governments and the 

private sector, interest in means of reducing 

costs and duplication of efforts to increase the 

return on this national investment has grown 

quickly. Many decisions on these investments 

will be made over the next few years, and it is

Base Cartographic

Cadastral

Cultural and Demographic

Geodetic

Geologic

Ground Transportation

International Boundaries

Soils

Vegetation

Wetlands

important to lay the foundation for cooperation and coordination now.

With these concerns in mind, the Office 

of Management and Budget issued a revised 

Circular A 16, Coordination of Surveying, 

Mapping, and Related Spatial Data Activities, 

in October 1990. Such circulars establish governmentwide policies as well as responsibilities 

for implementing these policies.

A major objective of revised Circular 

A 16 is development of a national digital 

geographic information resource. As an analogy, just as the connectivity and standards of 

the Nation's electric power distribution network provide benefits of increased convenience, markets, and economies in generating

Data categories coordinated under 

the revised Office of Management 

and Budget Circular A I 6. These 

categories farm the data foundation 

for many applications of geographic 

data.

Spatial Data Coordination and Management 15
Data coordination responsibilities assigned by the revised 

Office of Management and Budget Circular A I 6

Geographic data category Lead agency

Base cartographic .........

Cadastral..................

Cultural and demographic 

Geodetic...................

Geologic ..................

Ground transportation ....

International boundaries.. 

Soils ......................

Vegetation.................

Wetlands ..................

U.S. Geological Survey

Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management

Department of the Interior 

Bureau of the Census

Department of Commerce 

Coast and Geodetic Survey

Department of Commerce 

U.S. Geological Survey

Department of the Interior 

Federal Highway Administration

Department of Transportation 

Office of The Geographer

Department of State 

Soil Conservation Service

Department of Agriculture 

Forest Service

Department of Agriculture 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Department of the Interior

electricity, the development of this geographic 

information resource will benefit users of the 

geographic data. Sets of commonly used data, 

produced to standards, will enable users to 

share data more easily and reduce the need 

for individual agencies to collect data. Use of 

standards will encourage the development of 

larger markets and economies of scale, leading to reduced costs for data. Efforts can be 

concentrated on improving the use of these 

technologies in solving problems rather than 

on producing data or servicing a fragmented 

user community. Users will benefit from the 

availability of more timely and higher quality 

data.

The circular assigns to Federal agencies 

the responsibilities of leading coordination 

activities for 10 categories of data (see figure, 

p. 15). These categories form the data foundation for many applications. Agency responsibilities include providing governmentwide 

leadership in developing data standards, 

assisting information and data exchange, and 

coordinating data collection. The categories 

and lead agencies are listed in the table above.

The circular also establishes an interagency committee, the Federal Geographic 

Data Committee (FGDC). This committee promotes the coordinated development, use, 

sharing, and dissemination of geographic data 

and also oversees and provides policy guidance for agency efforts to coordinate data categories. The FGDC is composed of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, 

Commerce, Defense, Energy, Housing and 

Urban Development, Interior, State, and 

Transportation; Environmental Protection

Agency; Federal Emergency Management 

Agency; Library of Congress; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National 

Archives and Records Administration; and 

Tennessee Valley Authority. The Departments of Education, Health and Human 

Services, Justice, and Labor, the National 

Capital Planning Commission, and the Smithsonian Institution also.participate in FGDC 

activities. The USGS chairs the committee on 

behalf of the Secretary of the Interior.

The FGDC promotes the development, 

maintenance, and management of geographic 

data bases. These activities ensure that geographic data are maintained and made available for wide and varied use. By encouraging 

the development of standards and specifications, the committee ensures that data can be 

used with various commercially available 

hardware and software. By sharing experiences of using new technologies, the committee can help others make informed decisions 

on implementing new technologies for their 

own applications.

The successful development of the 

Nation's geographic information resource 

depends on all parties Federal, State, and 

local governments, the private sector, and academia working together. Building innovative 

partnerships and improved coordination processes will reduce duplication of effort and 

produce data that is of mutual benefit to all. 

The FGDC provides guidance and promotes 

cooperation between the Federal and nonFederal geographic data communities.

The committee cooperates with other 

groups that have coordination responsibilities, 

such as the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences of the Federal Coordinating 

Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology, and the Nation's water information 

coordination program. These cooperative 

efforts encourage the sharing of advances 

made by the groups and of networks to 

reach their communities, while allowing the 

groups to pursue issues important within their 

communities.

The immediate need for, and large cost 

of, high-quality digital geographic data is 

creating opportunities to build partnerships 

among Government institutions and between 

the public and private sectors. Through 

revised Circular A 16 and the FGDC, the 

Federal community is striving to take advantage of these opportunities and to reap the 

dividends of the growing national investment 

in geographic data. These efforts ensure the 

availability of data needed to meet the challenges of improving the Nation's competitiveness in world markets and its ability to 

respond to complex issues.

16 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
States (shaded) having cooperative 

mapping agreements with the USGS 

for fiscal year 1991.

USGS-State Partnerships 

in the National Mapping 

Program

By Max M. Ethridge, Katherine F. Lins, 

and Larry L. Amos

A mission of the USGS National Mapping 

Program is to provide up-to-date maps, 

digital cartographic data, and remotely sensed 

data in response to requirements of Federal, 

State, and local government agencies. These 

requirements are identified and coordinated 

under the auspices of Office of Management 

and Budget Circular A-16, Coordination of 

Surveying, Mapping, and Related Spatial Data 

Activities (see article, p. 15). Through the 

revised Circular A-16, the USGS has been 

challenged to balance its role as provider of 

federally required cartographic data with an 

increased responsiveness to State and local 

cartographic data requirements.

A technological revolution in spatial data 

analysis is occurring throughout government 

and industry because of GIS. This revolution, 

coupled with increased pressure on land and 

other natural resources, has dramatically 

increased the demand for map information 

in digital form. The annual requirements for 

the USGS standard cartographic products, 

identified from the expanded A-16 solicitation, exceed USGS capacity to produce these 

data. To obtain required data, many public 

agencies are offering to augment the USGS

capacity by entering into partnerships with 

the USGS in the production of standard cartographic products.

Increased Emphasis on USGS-State 

Partnerships. The USGS has a longstanding 

cooperative program that provides other government agencies the opportunity to influence 

production priorities for those standard map 

products, digital cartographic data, and 

remotely sensed data that would otherwise not 

be produced as soon as required. To address 

the rapidly increasing needs of State and local 

governments for standard cartographic and 

remotely sensed digital and graphic data, the 

USGS is emphasizing partnerships with States 

through a variety of mechanisms. Such partnerships are beneficial to all map-using agencies Federal and State because increased 

resources accelerate the availability of multipurpose cartographic products to all users. 

These cartographic products include topographic maps and derived digital line graph 

(DLG) data; digital elevation models (DEM); 

photoimage products, including aerial photographs and orthophotoquads; and thematic 

map products, including land use and land 

cover data.

The major objectives of the USGS-State 

partnerships are to accelerate the availability 

of data through the National Digital Cartographic Data Base, which is the digital spatial 

repository of base category data, and to accelerate the production of revised digital cartographic and thematic products. A companion 

effort supported by the States is to acquire 

systematic aerial photographic coverage

Spatial Data Coordination and Management 17
"States provide 

funds to ensure

that the 

photographs they

need will be 

acquired on time."

through the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP; see article, p. 50). Cooperative 

agreements with State partners will enable the 

USGS to:

 Meet more Federal, State, and local needs 

for up-to-date cartographic data,

 Reduce duplication of effort by cooperating with other agencies to produce standard 

cartographic products,

 Improve efficiency as more digital cartographic data are made available to support 

Federal and State GIS applications, and

 Take advantage of capabilities outside the 

USGS to perform major phases of map revision and digital data production.

Cooperative Graphic and Digital Data 

Applications. The States are primarily interested in DLG's, map revision, aerial photography, orthophotoquads, and DEM's. In fiscal 

year 1991, the USGS had agreements with 35 

States, which collectively provided about $2.8 

million toward the cooperative production of 

these and other standard products. The following are examples of typical USGS-State 

partnerships.

 The Florida Department of Natural 

Resources is cooperatively funding a statewide 

program to revise USGS l:24,000-scale topographic maps and produce DLG's. Through 

this program, the USGS is updating all maps 

made before 1980, producing DLG's for these 

new maps, and producing DLG's for existing 

maps made after 1980. These products support the State GIS applications in management and analysis of State-owned lands and 

wetlands and also support the Federal Wetlands Inventory program.

 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources is cooperatively funding 

statewide programs to revise l:50,000-scale 

county maps and l:24,000-scale topographic 

maps. These maps are used by about 15 different State agencies. In addition, the State 

and the USGS are preparing l:100,000-scale 

DLG hydrography data for the entire State. 

These data are augmented by selected features from 1:24,000 DLG hydrography files. 

The resultant data will be used for GIS applications in point-source pollution monitoring 

and analysis.

 The Delaware Geological Survey is cooperatively funding l:24,000-scale DLG's to prepare a statewide GIS for multiple uses, including environmental monitoring, watershed 

modeling, and pollution source detection. Delaware also is supporting maintenance of the 

l:24,000-scale topographic maps of the State.

 The New Hampshire Office of State 

Planning is cooperatively funding statewide 

coverage using l:24,000-scale DLG's to help 

develop a GIS intended to support analyses of 

the State transportation network, water quality assessments, and geologic investigations.

 The South Carolina Water Resources 

Commission is cooperatively funding the 

production of l:24,000-scale DLG files of 

hydrography, political boundaries, and 

transportation for river basin drainage areas 

throughout the State.

 The Illinois Department of Energy 

and Natural Resources and the Kansas Geological Survey are cooperatively funding 

l:100,000-scale county maps that the USGS is 

producing.

While these examples of USGS-State 

partnerships demonstrate a response to specific State needs, the resulting standard cartographic products also satisfy a wide range of 

Federal agency needs in these same areas. A 

portion of the expanded partnership effort is 

directed toward the NAPP. NAPP is optimally 

designed to achieve national aerial photographic coverage on a 5-year cycle to provide 

an up-to-date source for map inspection and 

revision programs, resource management 

needs, and orthophotoquad production. 

Because NAPP images and orthophotoquads 

are in demand by State and local government 

agencies, States provide funds to ensure that 

the photographs they need will be acquired 

on time. Four States Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Washington are participating in 

NAPP for fiscal year 1991.

Requirements for orthophotoquads are 

increasing significantly. Because of their 

shorter production cycle, relatively low cost, 

availability in digital form, and geometric 

fidelity, these image maps are popular for 

GIS applications and revision of existing 

maps. The States of Connecticut, Maryland, 

and Minnesota currently require orthophotoquads. The USGS is currently conducting 

pilot projects on the next generation of land 

use and land cover data and is in the process 

of developing a User-Needs Assessment. Once 

the next generation of land use and land 

cover products is defined, the USGS plans 

to invite State and local agencies to participate 

in preparing land use and land cover data. 

Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, 

and North Carolina have expressed interest 

in land use and land cover data for GIS 

analyses.

Mechanisms for USGS-State Mapping 

Partnerships. Public law authorizes the 

USGS to enter into cooperative mapping 

projects with the States, provided that the 

USGS does not use its appropriated funds to 

pay more than half the cost of topographic 

mapping carried on in cooperation with any 

State. The USGS has developed a number 

of mechanisms to work effectively with the 

States. The principal mechanism for cooperative agreements is the Joint Funding 

Agreement. While project costs are estimated 

for planning purposes, the State partner's

18 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
contribution must equal at least half of the 

actual cost of performing the work. More 

recently, States are looking for cost savings by 

participating in partnerships with the USGS 

through nonfunded agreements where each 

agency does a portion of the work.

Cooperative agreements are carried out 

through one or a combination of the following funded and nonfunded agreements:

Funded Agreements

 Joint Funding. The State partner agency 

reimburses the USGS by a transfer of funds. 

The work may be performed entirely by the 

USGS, or some or all of the work could be 

contracted to a third party.

 Supplementary Funding. This mechanism is similar to joint funding, except that 

the State partner agency performs the work 

(except for final, approval, quality review, 

archiving or printing, and distribution), and 

the USGS transfers funds to the State partner 

agency to collect the data to USGS standards.

Nonfunded Agreements

 Work Share. The State partner agency, 

by agreement with the USGS, performs a portion of the work and the USGS performs the 

rest. If the two portions of work each cost the 

same to perform, no exchange of funds takes 

place.

 Data Exchange. The State partner 

agency, by agreement with the USGS, collects 

map information for a specific area and the 

USGS performs the same task for a different 

geographic area. For example, the State partner agency could collect a whole digital file 

for an area, and the USGS would collect a 

digital file for another area of mutual interest. 

The two agencies then exchange the data but 

do not exchange funds.

Outlook. Because of budgetary constraints, it is mutually beneficial for Federal 

and State organizations to coordinate their 

activities and eliminate duplication of effort 

whenever possible. Partnerships such as those 

in the USGS-State cooperative mapping program present an opportunity for both State 

and Federal Governments to meet their mapping needs at lower cost.

Sound Data 

Management 

A CIS Benefit

By Kathryn D. Gunderson

D

ata management has been defined as the 

function of controlling the acquisition, 

analysis, storage, retrieval, and distribution 

of data. Recently, much attention has been

focused on poor data management practices 

at some Government agencies. GIS research 

data present a challenge and an opportunity 

for data managers and serve as a catalyst for 

increased awareness of the importance of 

sound management practices. GIS research 

consists of gathering large amounts of data 

from a variety of sources. Quite often the collected data represent a unique configuration 

of particular data sets, and there is not always 

a systematic approach or means to accomplish 

judicious data management practices. The 

need to access, integrate, and display data 

from various sources places an urgent emphasis on data management issues such as compatibility, transfer standards, and accessibility.

Several activities are underway at the 

USGS to support and promote sound data 

management practices. The Information System Council (ISC), a bureau level group that 

recommends policies, coordinates research 

and technology, and provides guidelines for 

major computer systems and information 

management programs and systems of the 

USGS, has established a Data Management 

Subcommittee. Subcommittee assignments 

include identifying the current data management policies and mechanisms that are in 

place at the USGS, identifying data management issues and activities that are specifically 

related to global change, and coordinating 

standards for earth science data elements. 

The ISC works closely with the newly formed 

Geological Survey Geographic Data Committee to develop policy for managing the digital 

spatial data sets that are collected and used in 

GIS applications.

The interest in GIS and spatial data has 

encouraged USGS participation in the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Data Management for Global Change, an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives from 

scientific agencies involved in global change 

research. The purpose of the IWG is to make 

it as easy as possible for scientists and others 

to access global change data. As with researchers who use GIS technology, global change 

researchers must be able to easily locate relevant data that are well documented. The IWG 

recently succeeded in establishing as Federal 

policy a set of data management principles 

targeted at global change data but relevant 

to other data and information activities, 

including GIS data. In July 1991, the Director 

of the Office of Science and Technology 

Policy, the Executive Office of the President, 

D. Allan Bromley, approved the following set 

of policy statements for Federal Government 

data management for global change research: 

 The Global Change Research Program 

requires an early and continuing commitment 

to the establishment, maintenance, validation,

"The need to 

access, integrate, 

and display data

from various

sources places an

urgent emphasis

on data

management

issues. ..."

Spatial Data Coordination and Management 19
Data Management 

Components

These data management 

components have been 

agreed upon by the ISC:

Acquisition of Data

 Collection

 Entry

 Description

 Conversion (analog 

to digital)

Analysis of Data

 Quality control and 

validation

 Data base design

 Processing

Storage of Data

 Archiving

 Refreshing

 Purging

 Protection and 

security

Retrieval of Data

 Accessibility

 Security

 Standards

 Dictionaries

 Documentation

Distribution of Data

 Policies

 Exchange standards

 Reproduction

description, accessibility, and distribution of 

high-quality, long-term data sets.

 Full and open sharing of the full suite of 

global data sets for all global change researchers is a fundamental objective.

 Preservation of all data needed for longterm global change research is required. 

For each and every global change data parameter there should be at least one explicitly 

designed archive. Procedures and criteria for 

setting priorities for data acquisition, retention, and purging should be developed, both 

nationally and internationally. A clearinghouse process should be established to prevent the purging and loss of important data 

sets.

 Data archives must include easily accessible 

information about the data holdings, including quality assessments, supporting ancillary 

information, and guidance and aids for locating and obtaining the data.

 National and international standards 

should be used to the greatest extent possible 

for media and for processing and communication of global data sets.

 Data should be provided at the lowest possible cost to global change researchers in the 

interest of full and open access to data. This 

cost should, as a first principle, be no more 

than the cost of reproduction and distribution. Agencies should act to streamline administrative arrangements for exchanging data 

among researchers.

 For those programs in which selected 

principal investigators have initial periods of 

exclusive data use, data should be made 

openly available as soon as they become 

widely useful. In each case the funding 

agency should explicitly define the duration 

of any exclusive-use period.

The overall purpose of these policy statements is to facilitate full and open access to 

quality data for global change research. 

Because these principles have applicability 

across all data management issues, including 

GIS research, the USGS supports the adoption of these principles as general data management policy for all earth science data.

empowering scientists and researchers with 

capabilities which, until a few years ago, 

required mainframe computers.

Data management is challenging because 

it entails a complex interaction of many activities, including the collection, dissemination, 

and archiving of data. Each of these activities 

has been drastically changed in the last 5 

years by the transition from analog or paperbased data collection to the capture of data in 

digital form. However, the management of 

digital data has been significantly enhanced 

by the advent of CD-ROM optical storage 

technology.

CD-ROM technology offers a significant 

improvement to data dissemination and data 

archiving. CD-ROM is replacing magnetic 

tape for both disseminating and archiving 

data (fig. 1). The standards inherent in 

CD-ROM make it an ideal digital dissemination medium, while the stability of the 

medium offers an improved method for longterm storage of valuable data. Additionally, 

the convenience and low cost of CD-ROM 

allows for multiple copies of an entire data 

archive to be produced, thereby eliminating 

the possibility of a catastrophic event destroying the only copy of a priceless data base. 

CD-ROM can be used to store the data 

used by GIS software, thereby freeing up 

space on the hard drive of personal computer 

workstations.

Some recent CD-ROM products generated by the USGS include two discs in the 

Digital Data Series (DDS) the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program 

CD-ROM and the Geology of Nevada (figs. 2 

and 3) and the US GeoData series. The DDS 

is available through the Federal depository 

libraries and can be purchased from the 

USGS. The US GeoData series is available in 

the USGS Earth Science Information Centers 

(see p. 108).

NURE CD-ROM. During the last year, 

the USGS began the new formal DDS publication series. The first CD-ROM disc in

CD-ROM and the USGS

By E.J. McFaul

T

he management of digital data presents a 

great challenge as well as an important 

opportunity for the USGS. The fact that 

much of the Survey's data are now in digital 

form has led to an unprecedented demand 

for them. The primary reason for this lies in 

the proliferation of relatively inexpensive 

desktop and workstation computers that are

Figure 1. A single CD-ROM disc can store the data from 

25 to 50 magnetic tapes.

20 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Figure 2. Computer 

display (actual image 

uses 256 colors) for 

the Geology of Nevada 

CD-ROM.

figure 3. Zoom of 

image showing 

highlighted areas from 

the Geology of Nevada 

CD-ROM.

Spatial Data Coordination and Management 21
the USGS DDS contains geochemical data, 

collected under the NURE program, that covers the western half of the United States. This 

disc contains nearly 400,000 sample records 

compiled by the USGS and the Department of 

Energy over many years. These records are 

accessed by using a retrieval system called 

GSSEARCH that provides answers to complicated searches within seconds. Subsets of data 

can easily be created from the CD-ROM and 

passed through other processing programs, 

such as statistical packages for detailed analysis and display. Probably the most significant 

aspect of the NURE CD-ROM is that now 

hundreds of scientists and researchers will be 

able to have their own copy of this massive 

data base directly accessible through their 

desktop computers or workstations.

Geology of Nevada. The second release 

in the DDS represents an important milestone 

for the USGS. This disc contains the first geologic map in digital form placed on a 

CD-ROM. The accompanying display software 

called MAPPER was also developed by the 

USGS and provides a soft-copy version of the 

geologic map of Nevada, displayable on inexpensive personal computers equipped with 

color monitors (fig. 2). This disc is not 

intended to replace the printed map but to 

complement it. The software allows the user 

to zoom into an area of interest and display 

the color geologic formations (along with a 

variety of other information) at resolutions 

that bring out minute detail. In addition, subtle or obscure geologic formations can easily 

be highlighted and identified in conjunction 

with the color key chart (fig. 3).

The US GeoData Series. US GeoData 

are CD-ROM's that contain cartographic and 

textual data in digital form. The US GeoData 

Series includes (but is not limited to) the 

standard USGS digital line graph map series 

(1:24,000, 1:100,000, 1:250,000, etc.). Other 

data included in the US GeoData Series are 

Geographic Names Information System data 

and l:100,000-scale digital elevation model 

data.

Many other CD-ROM discs are being 

developed at the USGS. One very interesting 

disc will contain high-resolution color images 

of core samples and related geophysical information, thus allowing the user to preview

these valuable geological archives anywhere in 

the world. Another disc will provide a combination of sonar, bathymetric, spatial, and 

attribute information about the bottom of the 

Boston harbor, including actual color-digitized 

photographs of selected areas.

Significant economic reasons support the 

Federal Government's increasing use of 

CD-ROM. The use of this technology can produce considerable reductions in the cost of 

accessing and disseminating information. Not 

only can agencies internally distribute 

mainframe-sized data bases on these inexpensive discs, but also the public now has access 

to these same data bases at significantly 

reduced cost. For example, the digital mapping data produced by the USGS in the form 

of the nationwide cartographic data base, at 

1:2,000,000 scale, previously cost more than 

$1,400 when purchased on multiple reels of 

magnetic tape. It can now (1991) be purchased at any USGS Earth Science Information Center on a single CD-ROM, including 

display software, for $32. The first in a series 

of l:100,000-scale digital mapping discs is just 

now being released and will offer even more 

cost savings to the public.

Interest

IG

The USGS sponsors the U.S. Government's Special Interest Group on CD-ROM 

Applications and Technology (SIGCAT), 

which supports a worldwide membership 

of more than 5,000 users and producers 

of CD-ROM technology.

In 1986 the USGS established SIGCAT to 

share CD-ROM knowledge and experience 

with other government agencies.

For more information, call the SIGCAT 

information line at (703) 648-4452.

22 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
GIS Focus of Special Leaflet

GIS, computer technology designed to store and 

manipulate geographic data, is explained in a 

four-color leaflet published by the USGS.

The leaflet, "Geographic Information Systems," 

defines what a GIS is, how the system works, 

and what makes it special. Nick Van Driel, 

Chief of the Geographic Information Systems 

Research Laboratory at the USGS headquarters 

in Reston, Va., one of the authors said, "GIS is

used throughout the public and private sectors. 

People experience the effects of GIS almost 

every day and don't realize it. GIS is used for 

taxes, private delivery services, political redistricting, and electric and telephone utility management, just to name a few instances."

To order a copy of this 22- by 34-inch leaflet, 

call 1-800-USA-MAPS.

Spatial Data Coordination and Management 23
Mission

The U.S. Geological Survey, a bureau of 

the U.S. Department of the Interior, was 

established by an Act of Congress on March 3, 

1879, to provide a permanent Federal agency 

to conduct the systematic and scientific 

"classification of the public lands and 

examination of the geological structure, 

mineral resources, and products of the 

national domain."

As a Nation we face serious questions 

concerning our global environment. How can 

we ensure an adequate supply of critical water, 

energy, and mineral resources in the future? In 

what ways are we irreversibly altering our 

natural environment when we use these 

resources? How has the global environment 

changed over geologic time, and what can the 

past tell us about the future? Will we have 

adequate supplies of quality water available for 

national needs? How can we predict, prevent, 

or mitigate the effects of natural hazards?

Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating 

the scientific information needed to answer 

these questions are the primary mission of the 

USGS. This information is provided to the 

public in many forms, such as reports, maps, 

and data bases, that provide descriptions and 

analyses of the water, energy, and mineral 

resources, the land surface, the underlying 

geologic structure, and the dynamic processes 

of the Earth.

As the Nation's largest earth science 

research and information agency, the USGS 

maintains a long tradition of providing "Earth 

Science in the Public Service."
USGS Programs

S

cientific programs are administered 

through the Geologic, Water Resources, 

and National Mapping Divisions and supported by the Information Systems and 

Administrative Divisions. The National Center 

of the USGS is located in Reston, Va., near 

Washington, D.C. Research and investigations 

are carried out through an extensive organization of regional and field offices located 

throughout the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the 

Virgin Islands, and the Territory of Guam.

National Mapping Division

T

he headquarters office of the National 

Mapping Division is located in Reston, 

Va., and is composed of five primary organizational units: Program, Budget, and Administration; Coordination and Requirements; 

Production Management; Research; and Information and Data Services. Four mapping centers (Reston, Va.; Rolla, Mo.; Denver, Colo.; 

and Menlo Park, Calif.) and the EROS (Earth 

Resources Observation Systems) Data Center 

(Sioux Falls, S. Dak.) perform operational 

mapping, remote sensing, printing, product 

distribution, and data dissemination activities.

Mapping Coordination. The USGS 

annually coordinates requirements for maps 

and digital cartographic data of Federal agencies under authority of Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16. In October 1990, OMB revised Circular A-16 to 

broaden the scope of Federal spatial data 

activities to be coordinated (see article, p. 15). 

Under the new circular, the USGS also coordinates requirements of State and local agencies for maps and map-related products. In 

the area of digital cartography, the USGS 

chairs both the Interior Geographic Data 

Committee (a departmental committee) and 

the Federal Geographic Data Committee (a 

multiagency committee) established under the 

new Circular A-16. The USGS provides leadership in the use of spatial data and in the 

development of digital data exchange standards. The USGS also provides staff support to 

the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, an 

interdepartmental board that determines the 

choice, form, spelling, and application of official geographic place names for Federal use.

Map and Digital Data Production. The 

USGS prepares base maps, image map products, digital cartographic and geographic data, 

and selected thematic maps of the Nation that 

are used extensively for land planning, land 

and resource management, and recreation 

purposes. Of rapidly increasing importance is 

the production of digital geographic data in 

various electronic media. Reproductions of 

aerial photographs and satellite images also

are available. Digital data are available from 

the National Digital Cartographic Data Base 

as digital line graphs or digital elevation 

models.

Primary topographic maps, including 

7.5-minute maps mostly at 1:24,000 scale for 

all areas of the lower 49 States and 15-minute 

maps of Alaska at 1:63,360 scale, are especially useful where detailed information is 

needed for all types of land and resource 

management. These detailed maps are periodically inspected and revised to maintain 

data currentness.

Also available are smaller scale topographic maps, such as the intermediate-scale 

maps prepared at 1:100,000 scale and the 

l:250,000-scale map series. These map series 

are widely used by Federal and State agencies 

and the private sector for preparing their own 

special-purpose maps and depicting their 

unique data. Other maps available include 

l:500,000-scale State base maps and smaller 

scale U.S. base maps.

The land use and land cover maps, primarily at scales of 1:250,000 and 1:100,000 

for selected areas, provide the only systematic nationwide inventory of land use and 

land cover data. The USGS also prepares 

special-purpose map products, such as orthophotoquads, small-scale image maps, U.S. 

National Park maps, and thematic maps.

Research and Technology. The USGS 

has pioneered investigations that have led to 

significant developments and changes in surveying and mapping. Mapping research activities, which are centered primarily on the geographic and cartographic disciplines, currently 

emphasize spatial data analysis, applications of 

remote sensing and geographic information 

systems, and advanced techniques for producing digital cartographic data.

The Division has embarked on a major 

research and development plan to move from 

manual to digital production and revision of 

map products. The goals of the map modernization effort are to implement the advanced 

cartographic systems and procedures required 

to automate map production and to provide 

digital cartographic data required by Federal 

and State agencies for computer-based analysis of spatial data.

Information Services. The USGS 

disseminates much of the Nation's earth science information through its Earth Science 

Information Centers (ESIC), 62 State ESICaffiliated offices, and the Tennessee Valley 

Authority. The information is provided in 

many forms, from maps and books to 

computer-readable magnetic tapes and 

compact discs. About 130,000 different 

maps, books, and reports and about 9.5 

million aerial and space images are available 

for purchase. USGS maps are also available
from more than 3,000 authorized commercial 

map dealers nationwide.

Water Resources Division

T

he headquarters office of the Water 

Resources Division is located in Reston, 

Va. The Chief Hydrologist, the Associate 

Chief Hydrologist, and five Assistant Chief 

Hydrologists are responsible for the overall 

direction of the Division. National waterresearch programs are developed at Division 

headquarters under the direction of the Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research and 

External Coordination.

General direction of the Division's field 

programs is conducted through four Regional 

Hydrologists, located in Reston, Va.; Norcross, Ga.; Denver, Colo.; and Menlo Park, 

Calif. Forty-two District Offices conduct the 

water-resources investigations and datacollection programs of the Division in all 50 

States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 

the Territory of Guam.

National Water-Quality Assessment. 

The National Water-Quality Assessment 

(NAWQA) program seeks to provide nationally consistent descriptions of the quality of 

the Nation's water resources over a large, 

diverse, and geographically distributed portion of the country; provide a baseline for 

evaluating future trends in water quality and, 

where possible, define trends in water quality 

over recent decades; and provide an understanding of the factors influencing water quality. This information provides the basis to 

forecast change and evaluate the likely effect 

on water quality of various proposed remedial 

actions. In fiscal year 1991, the 4-year transition from pilot to full-scale NAWQA program 

began and the first 20 study units nationwide 

were selected.

National Water Summary. The National 

Water Summary program provides water 

information on a State-by-state and national 

basis to aid policymakers in the analysis and 

development of water policies, legislation, and 

management actions. Changing patterns in 

availability, quantity, quality, and use of water 

resources are summarized for use by government officials, natural resources managers, 

and the public.

The principal products of the program 

are National Water Summary reports that 

describe hydrologic events and water conditions for individual water years and provide 

a State-by-state overview of specific waterrelated issues. In fiscal year 1991, the 1987 

report on water use (Water-Supply Paper 

2350) was distributed and the 1988-89 report 

on floods and droughts (Water-Supply Paper 

2375) was sent to the printer.

Hazardous Waste Hydrology. The USGS 

conducts research and investigations into the

disposal of hazardous chemical and radioactive wastes. This information is useful in 

alleviating the effects of waste on the Nation's 

water resources. The USGS evaluates the 

existing and potential effects on water resources of hazardous-waste disposal and provides baseline data on the chemical contamination of surface and ground water to assist 

the Department of Energy in developing procedures and guidelines for identifying suitable 

waste-disposal sites.

Radioactive-waste studies are conducted 

in the Nuclear Waste Hydrology program, the 

principal emphasis of which is a better understanding of radionuclide transport in groundwater systems.

Nonradioactive wastes are the focus of 

the Toxic Substances Hydrology program, 

which provides data to mitigate existing and 

potential contamination problems.

Regional Aquifer-System Analysis. The 

Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) 

program is a systematic study of a number 

of regional ground-water systems that represent a significant part of the Nation's water 

supply. The program includes assessment of 

discharge-recharge dynamics, hydrogeologic 

and chemical controls governing response of 

aquifer systems to stress, and development of 

computer simulation models. As of fiscal year 

1991, more than 800 RASA reports and maps 

have been produced (see article, p. 12).

Acid Rain. The USGS provides information needed to improve the scientific 

understanding of the occurrence and effects 

of acid rain, so that judgments can be made 

about effective measures for controlling or 

alleviating the problem. Components of the 

acid rain research and monitoring program 

include determination of the effects of acid 

deposition in lakes, streams, aquifers, and 

on building stones and operation of the 

National Trends Network for monitoring precipitation chemistry. The program is coordinated through the Interagency Task Force on 

Acid Precipitation. Comprehensive reports on 

results of the first 10 years of the interagency 

program were published in 1991, and program objectives were revised to emphasize 

evaluation of the Clean Air Act Amendments 

of 1990.

Hydrologic Data Collection. The Hydrologic Data Collection program provides information on the quantity, quality, location, and 

use of the Nation's surface and ground water 

to support the needs of Federal, State, and 

local governments. Data collection stations are 

maintained at selected locations to provide 

records on streamflow, reservoir and lake 

storage, ground-water levels, and the quality 

of surface and ground water. These data 

form an information base that supports

26 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
national and regional assessments of water 

resources. In fiscal year 1991, the USGS operated more than 7,300 continuous streamflow 

stations; collected stage and (or) discharge 

data at about 5,300 other stream, lake, and 

reservoir sites; determined ground-water levels in about 34,000 wells; and collected waterquality data from about 3,300 surface-water 

and 7,600 ground-water sites.

Federal-State Cooperative Program. The 

Federal-State Cooperative program, which 

constitutes more than 40 percent of overall 

Division activity, is a partnership for waterresources investigations involving 50-50 cost 

sharing between the USGS and more than 

1,000 State or local government agencies. One 

of the program's unique characteristics is that 

the USGS conducts most of the work on 

behalf of the cooperators. Hydrologic data 

collection activities as well as water-resources 

investigations and research are included in 

the program. In fiscal year 1991, water issues 

of highest priority included maintenance of 

basic water-resources data networks; surfaceand ground-water quality; water supply and 

demand; wetlands, lakes, and estuaries; 

hydrologic hazards; and hydrology of global 

climate change.

National Research Program. Basic 

research in the Water Resources Division 

focuses on increasing understanding of the 

fundamental hydrologic processes of the 

Nation's ground- and surface-water systems. 

Knowledge and techniques derived from 

these efforts are directed at solving current 

problems and anticipating future problems. 

Research studies are concentrated in surfacewater hydrology, geochemistry, ground-water 

hydrology, sediment transport and geomorphology, water chemistry, and ecology.

State Research Institutes. The State 

Water Resources Research Institutes program, 

the costs for which are shared by Federal and 

State governments, supports 54 Water 

Research Institutes at land-grant colleges or 

universities in the 50 States, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 

and Guam. Research projects at the institutes 

are conducted in all water-related fields 

including engineering and the physical, biological, and social sciences.

Research Grants. The Water Resources 

Research Grants program supports research 

as defined in the Water Resources Research 

Act of 1964. Competitive grants are awarded 

on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis to qualified educational institutions, foundations, private firms, individuals, or agencies of local or 

State governments. Research is supported on 

water-resources-related problems of national 

interest.

Water Data Activities Coordination. 

The Office of Water Data Coordination is

responsible for providing leadership to coordinate the water-data acquisition and information sharing activities of all agencies of the 

Federal Government. The office was created 

as part of the U.S. Department of the Interior's implementation of Office of Management 

and Budget Circular A-67. The scope of the 

activities includes the quality, quantity, and 

use of streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and 

ground water.

Much of the program is accomplished 

through two committees that advise the Secretary of the Interior on programs and plans 

related to the implementation of Circular 

A-67. Thirty Federal organizations are represented on the Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data, and more than 100 representatives of those organizations conduct the 

activities of the committee. The second group 

is the Advisory Committee on Water Data for 

Public Use, which is composed of 16 national 

organizations involved in water-related issues. 

This committee operates under the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act. In March 1991, the 

Sedimentation Subcommittee of the Interagency Committee sponsored an international 

conference on Practical Sediment Management in Las Vegas, Nev., attended by 400 

planners and managers.

Geologic Division T

he headquarters office of the Geologic 

Division is located in Reston, Va., and 

consists of the Office of the Chief Geologist 

and six subordinate offices: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Engineering; Regional Geology; 

Mineral Resources; Energy and Marine Geology; International Geology; and Scientific 

Publications. Assistant Chief Geologists in the 

Eastern, Central, and Western Regions act for 

the Chief Geologist in carrying out general 

objectives, policies, and procedures for the 

Division. Project operations are conducted by 

personnel located principally in regional centers at Reston, Va.; Denver, Colo.; and Menlo 

Park, Calif.; at field offices in Flagstaff, Ariz.; 

Anchorage, Alaska; Woods Hole, Mass.; 

Tucson, Ariz.; Reno, Nev.; and Spokane, 

Wash.; and at the center for Coastal and 

Regional Marine Studies in St. Petersburg, 

Fla.

Geologic Hazards Surveys. The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program is a 

national research effort conducted to reduce 

hazards and risks from future earthquakes 

in the United States. Specific tasks include 

evaluation of earthquake potential for seismically active areas of the United States and 

operation of global seismic networks (see 

article, p. 58).

The Volcano Hazards Program conducts research on volcanic processes to help

Programs 27
reduce the loss of life, property, and natural 

resources that can result from volcanic eruptions and related hydrologic events. The 

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Island 

of Hawaii and the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash., are the principal 

field research centers for this program. The 

Alaska Volcano Observatory, a cooperative 

effort with State and academic organizations, 

is located in Anchorage.

The Landslide Hazards Program emphasizes field and laboratory research on the 

active earth processes that result in ground 

failures such as landslides, mudflows, and 

debris flows.

Geologic Framework and Processes. The 

National Geologic Mapping Program conducts 

basic geologic research to acquire fundamental data on the Nation's geologic structure and 

the environmental and dynamic processes that 

have shaped it. Geologic mapping, geophysical research on the properties of Earth materials, age determinations of rocks, and modernization of mapping techniques are the 

main components of the program. Geologic 

maps provide the data required to address 

many societal and environmental issues, such 

as water-quality and toxic-waste issues; earthquake, volcano, and landslide hazards; and 

potential ground-water contamination by 

agrichemicals.

The Deep Continental Studies Program 

conducts research to obtain information on 

the composition, structure, formation, and 

evolution of the middle and lower crust and 

upper mantle of the Earth.

The Geomagnetism Program measures 

and interprets changes in the strength and 

direction of the Earth's magnetic field. Eleven 

geomagnetic observatories provide data for 

continually updating global navigational 

charts and maps produced by Federal 

agencies.

The Climate Change Program conducts 

research on the natural variability of past climate, on the extent of human influence on 

natural patterns of change, and on the magnitude of climate change demonstrated in the 

geologic record in support of Federal global 

change research efforts.

The Coastal and Wetlands Program provides geologic information on the nature, 

extent, and cause of coastal erosion. This information is used by Federal and State agencies to mitigate coastal retreat and land loss.

Offshore Surveys. The Offshore Geologic Framework Program conducts scientific 

investigations to acquire an understanding of 

basic geologic and geophysical characteristics 

of the continental margins, adjacent slope and 

deep-ocean areas, and the U.S. Exclusive 

Economic Zone. Results of these studies and 

analysis of new information are essential for

energy and mineral resource evaluation and 

assessment.

Mineral Resource Surveys. The National 

Mineral Resource Assessment Program provides comprehensive multidisciplinary surveys 

to identify undiscovered mineral resources in 

the conterminous United States and Alaska 

and provides mineral-resource information 

for planning the use of public lands.

The Strategic and Critical Minerals Program provides comprehensive information on 

domestic and world resources of nonfuel minerals that are essential to a strong national 

economy and defense.

The Development of Assessment Techniques Program conducts basic and applied 

research on the origin and the geologic, geochemical, and geophysical characteristics of 

mineral deposit systems to develop concepts 

and techniques to improve the capability to 

identify and evaluate mineral resources.

Energy Surveys. The Evolution of Sedimentary Basins Program conducts multidisciplinary research to define the evolution of 

and the energy and mineral commodities in 

sedimentary basins in the United States.

The Coal Investigations Program conducts geologic, geophysical, and geochemical 

research to develop scientifically based assessments of the quality, quantity, and availability 

of the Nation's coal resources.

The Oil and Gas Investigations Program 

conducts basic and applied research on the 

generation, migration, and entrapment of 

petroleum and natural gas to provide reliable 

assessments of the oil and gas resources of the 

Nation that are critical to the development 

and implementation of national energy policies and strategies.

The Oil Shale Investigations Program 

conducts research to assess the Nation's oil 

shale resources, including investigation of the 

structure and chemistry of oil shale deposits 

and identification of oil shale deposits suitable 

for exploitation under current environmental 

and technological constraints.

The Uranium and Radon Investigations 

Program conducts basic research to determine 

the nature and distribution of uranium and 

thorium resources, including newly forming 

uranium deposits and daughter products, 

such as radon, that may be health hazards.

The Geothermal Investigations Program 

conducts basic research to determine the 

nature, distribution, and magnitude of the 

Nation's geothermal resources. These studies 

define the geologic and hydrothermal regimes 

of the various classes of geothermal resources 

and identify the crustal, geochemical, and 

hydrothermal processes that produce geothermal systems.

The World Energy Resources Assessment 

Program provides information on worldwide

28 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
energy resources for use by other agencies 

in the development of national-energy, 

international-trade, and foreign policies.

International Activities

T

he USGS has conducted earth science 

studies in foreign countries for nearly 50 

years. Authorization is provided under the 

Organic Act, as revised, and the Foreign 

Assistance Act and related legislation when 

such studies are deemed by the U.S. Departments of the Interior and State to be in the 

interest of the U.S. Government.

Current international program efforts 

focus on technical assistance programs in 

developing countries and scientific cooperation and research through agreements with 

other countries as an extension and enhancement of USGS domestic programs. Cooperative research activities range from informal 

communications among scientists, through 

formal, jointly staffed projects, to multinationally staffed coordinated programs focused on 

particular problems or topics.

Related activities that are integral to the 

international programs include institutional 

development, exchange of scientists, training 

of foreign nationals, and representation of 

the USGS or the U.S. Government in international organizations and at international 

conferences and meetings.

Information Systems Division

T

he Information Systems Division headquarters office is in Reston, Va. The 

Division is composed of five offices: Assistant 

Director, Computer and Communications Services, Customer Services, Field Services, and 

Management Services. Service centers in Reston, Va.; Menlo Park, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; 

and Flagstaff, Ariz., provide a complete range 

of services to users.

The Assistant Director for Information 

Systems is the Division Chief. He chairs the 

USGS Information Systems Council, which is 

composed of the top automated data processing manager in each Division and in the Central and Western Regions. The council recommends technology-related policies to the 

Director, coordinates computer science 

research and technology, and provides guidelines for the sharing, acquisition, and use of 

major computer systems and information 

management programs for the USGS.

Administrative Division

T

he headquarters office of the Administrative Division is located in Reston, Va. 

The Assistant Director for Administration is 

the Division Chief. Under his leadership, the 

Division provides administrative direction and

coordination to support the scientific and 

technical programs of the USGS. The Division 

is composed of five headquarters offices. 

Financial Management and Systems Management are centralized headquarters functions. 

In fiscal year 1991, cash management improvements included bureauwide implementation of a third party draft program (see p. 

103); significantly better compliance with the 

Prompt Payment Act; expanded remote data 

entry; and a pilot program of using Automated Teller Machines for travel advances.

Facilities and Management Services, Personnel, and Procurement and Contracts provide operational support at headquarters and 

at USGS field units through Regional Management Offices in Denver, Colo., and Menlo 

Park, Calif. In fiscal year 1991, Facilities and 

Management Services' efforts included major 

construction projects; a laboratory safety program; space renovations, office relocations, 

and energy conservation; and approval by the 

National Archives and Record Service 

(NARA) for disposition of sea floor mapping 

data on CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only 

memory), the first time NARA has approved 

CD-ROM as an acceptable archival medium.

The Office of Personnel implemented a 

performance recertification program for 

senior executives in fiscal year 1991, 

expanded use of automated systems, and 

implemented a pre-appointment and random 

drug testing program in support of drug-free 

workplace initiatives. The Office of Procurement and Contracts established a Qualified 

Producers List (QPL) of firms capable of providing data digitization services and expanded 

the General Services Administration's bankcard system as a procurement tool.

The Division also manages the development, maintenance, and operation of the 

financial management system for the entire 

U.S. Department of the Interior through a 

sixth component, the Washington Administrative Service Center.

Budget

Percentage of Total 

Funds by Activity

ooperative agreements with more than 

1,000 Federal, State, and local agencies 

and the academic community support a large 

share of research and investigations. In fiscal 

year 1991, the USGS had obligational authority for $802.5 million, $575.0 million of which 

came from direct appropriations, $6.9 million 

from estimated receipts from map sales, and 

$220.2 million from reimbursements. The 

USGS was reimbursed for work performed 

for other Federal, State, and local agencies 

whose needs for earth science expertise complement USGS program objectives. Work for 

State, county, and municipal agencies is most 

often conducted on a cost-sharing basis (see 

p. 107).

"^ _. ~~~T^

3

33

20

42

Facilities

General 

Administration

Geologic and 

Mineral Resource 

Surveys and 

Mapping

National Mapping, 

Geography, and 

Surveys

Water Resources 

Investigations

Programs 29
Personnel, 

by Occupation

People

1,693

530

"Tie"

922

265

1,632

462

2,952

Administrative 

and Clerical

Cartographers 

Chemists

Geologists 

Geophysicists

Hydrologists

Other Scientists 

and Engineers

Technical

Wage Board

A

t the end of fiscal year 1991, the USGS 

had 8,832 permanent full-time employees. The diversified earth science research 

programs and services of the bureau are 

reflected in the workforce, about half of 

which possess a bachelor's or higher level 

degree.

Permanent employees are supported by 

the 2,037 other-than-full-time permanent 

employees, including many university students 

and faculty members. This relation with the 

academic community has made the expertise 

of many eminent scientists available to the 

USGS. Students have proved valuable during 

times of increased workload, especially during 

the field season. Academic institutions have 

provided a means of recruiting qualified 

young professionals for permanent full-time 

positions upon completion of their studies. 

The USGS has several innovative programs 

that provide opportunities for graduate students. Other programs promote interest in 

the earth sciences at historically black colleges 

and universities and at Hispanic-serving institutions. (See "Women, Minorities, and Persons 

with Disabilities," p. 39.)

Outreach and

Information

Dissemination

I

n its continuing commitment to meet the 

earth science needs of the Nation, the 

USGS collects, analyzes, interprets, publishes, 

and disseminates earth science information. 

The results of USGS investigations are published in scientific reports and in topographic, 

geologic, and hydrologic maps. About 130,000 

different maps, books, and reports are available for purchase. A series of general-interest 

publications is available to inform the public 

about USGS activities. Research results and 

investigations are also published in journals of 

technical and scientific organizations and in 

publications of cooperating Federal and State 

agencies. News releases, realtime information 

on earthquakes in the United States and 

around the world, and news conferences on 

reports and events of current interest are 

other important means by which the USGS 

provides earth science information to the 

public.

During fiscal year 1991, the USGS produced 1,480 new or revised topographic, geologic, and hydrologic maps, bringing the total 

number of maps available to 87,000. Of these,

more than 6.5 million copies were distributed. 

The number of reports approved for publication in fiscal year 1991 was 4,457, 74 percent 

of which were designated for publication in 

outside professional journals and monographs 

and the remainder for publication by the 

USGS.

More than 125,000 copies of technical 

reports were distributed. Also, 912 new 

reports were released as open files, making 

the total more than 29,000 open-file reports 

available. More than one million copies of 

general-interest publications were distributed 

in response to inquiries from the public. Of 

the approximately 9.5 million aerial and space 

images available for sale, about 200,000 copies 

are sold annually.

Awards and Honors

E

ach year USGS employees receive awards 

and honors that range from certificates 

of excellence and monetary awards to recognition of their achievements by election to 

membership or office in professional societies. 

Abbreviations used throughout are NMD, 

National Mapping Division; WRD, Water 

Resources Division; GD, Geologic Division; 

ISD, Information Systems Division; and AD, 

Administrative Division.

Presidential Rank

Presidential Rank Awards are presented 

annually by the Office of Personnel Management on behalf of the President to career 

members of the Senior Executive Service for 

exceptional service. Presidential Rank Awards, 

the highest civilian honor awarded to Federal 

executives, are given at two levels: Distinguished ($20,000 award) and Meritorious 

($10,000 award). In 1991, three USGS executives received Meritorious Rank Awards: 

Verne R. Schneider, Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Program Coordination and Technical 

Support, WRD, has provided executive direction for numerous hydrologic programs, most 

notably the comprehensive long-range plan 

for the National Water Quality Assessment 

(NAWQA) Program to support the President's 

Water Quality Initiative. Dr. Schneider's leadership, managerial competence, and program 

knowledge are nationally and internationally 

recognized.

Jack J. Stassi, Assistant Director for Administration, has pursued an aggressive campaign 

of modernizing and streamlining USGS 

administrative support activities for the past

30 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
5 years. He has had a significant role in the 

acquisition and implementation of a standardized accounting and payment system for all 

Department of the Interior bureaus, and he 

has pioneered advancements in automated 

personnel processing. These achievements 

have drawn attention from other Federal 

agencies and have been recognized by 

the President's Council on Management 

Improvement.

Robert L. Wesson, Chief, Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Engineering, GD, has 

devoted his significant technical and managerial talents to the development of research 

programs in support of the USGS mission to 

reduce the loss of life and property resulting 

from earthquakes, volcanoes, and ground failures. Under his leadership, the USGS has 

been given responsibility for all scientific postearthquake activities and coordination, 

regional earthquake hazards assessments have 

intensified, and a new Alaska Volcano Observatory has been established. Dr. Wesson is 

recognized as an international authority on 

seismograph networks.

Distinguished Service

The highest honor given by the Department of the Interior to its employees is the 

Distinguished Service Award. Symbolized by a 

gold medal, this award for outstanding 

achievement was presented to nine USGS 

employees:

K. Eric Anderson, Chief, Eastern Mapping 

Division, NMD, was cited for his many 

achievements in the development of the 

National Digital Cartographic Data Base and 

the computerized geographic information and 

land use retrieval system, the first of its kind 

in the USGS.

Rodney N. Cherry, Chief, South Carolina 

District Office, WRD, for outstanding contributions to the management of water resources 

programs.

John N. Fischer, Jr., Associate Chief Hydrologist, WRD, for exceptional contributions to 

earth sciences as a technical project coordinator and program manager. 

Donald T. Lauer, Chief, Branch of Science 

and Applications, EROS Data Center, NMD, 

for outstanding service and many valuable 

contributions to remote sensing and geographic information systems development 

activities.

Robert L. Schuster, GD, for exemplary contributions to the field of engineering geology 

and leadership in the geotechnical engineering research community. 

Frank Sentfle, GD, for outstanding contributions to nuclear physics and geochemistry and 

for exceptional leadership to scientific 

research programs.

Paul K. Sims, GD, for outstanding contributions to programs in mineral deposits and 

mineral resource evaluation and for many 

contributions to scientific administration. 

Roger G. Wolff, Chief, Office of Hydrologic 

Research, WRD, for exceptional contributions 

in ground-water hydrology and research management and administration.

Meritorious Service

The Meritorious Service Award is the 

second highest award granted by the Department of the Interior and is given for significant contributions to the earth sciences and to 

management and administration of USGS scientific programs. Recipients are 

Office of the Director WILLIE McDuFFiE, JR. 

Geologic Division ROGER P. ASHLEY, DENNIS 

P. Cox, WILLIAM L. ELLSWORTH, ROBERT B. 

HALLEY, DAVID S. HARWOOD, DAVID P. HILL, 

DAVID G. HOWELL, JAY L. INGE, ROBERT C. 

JACHENS, BRUCE R. LIPIN, EDWIN A. NOBLE, 

FRED PETERSON, JAMES E. QUEEN, EUGENE A. 

SHINN.

Water Resources Division WILLIAM T. 

ALLEY, MARY Jo BAEDECKER, DANIEL P. 

BAUER, OWEN B. BRICKER, CHARLES R. 

BURCHETT, JAMES E. CLOERN, RICHARD E. 

FIDLER, PHILLIP GREESON, ARLEN W. 

HARBAUGH, JERRY L. HUGHES, ROBERT D. 

MACNISH, JOE A. MORELAND, GERALD G. 

PARKER, CHARLES A. PASCALE, FERDINAND 

QUINONES-MARQUEZ, JOAN M. RUBIN, 

WILBERT O. THOMAS, JR., JAMES F. 

TURNER, JR., WARREN W. WOOD, ALLEN L. 

ZACK. 

Information Systems Division WENDY A.

BUDD.

National Mapping Division CHARLES W.

BENNETT, JR.

Administrative Division AUDREY J. ANDRUS, 

TIMOTHY E. CALKINS, ROBERT C. EDWARDS, 

PHILIP L. McKiNNEY.

Superior Service

The Superior Service Award is the third 

highest award granted by the Department of 

the Interior and is given for significant acts, 

services, or achievements that materially aid 

the accomplishment of the Survey's mission. 

Recipients are

Office of the Director CATHERINE L. HILL. 

Geologic Division ROBERT R. BURFORD, 

CYNTHIA M. CRAMPSEY, JOHN P. D'AGOSTINO, 

ROY T. HOPKINS, JR., RAYMOND JORDAN, 

SAMUEL W. STEWART, W C SWADLEY, 

JULIA E.H. TAYLOR, EARL R. VERBEEK. 

Water Resources Division DARWIN F. ALT, 

HARVEY L. CASE III, SHELDON C. CORDES, 

JAY H. DIAMOND, G. Louis DUCRET, JR., 

ROBERT E. FAYE, MICHAEL W. GAYDOS, 

JAMES M. GERHART, DANIEL C. GILLIES,

Personnel, by Division

548

2,245

157

1,660

4,222

Director's Office

and

Administrative 

Division

Geologic Division

Information 

Systems Division

National Mapping 

Division

Water Resources 

Division

People 31
SHIRLEY A. HAMMAMOTO, RICHARD O. 

HAWKINSON, WILLIAM F. HORAK, JR., 

PAUL A. HSIEH, EDWIN C. KENNISON, JAMES E. 

KIRCHER, VINCENT C. LAI, EDWARD R. LANDA, 

MELVIN LEW, RUSSELL K. LIVINGSTON, 

DAVID J. LYSTROM, WILBUR J. MATTHES, 

PHILIP B. MCCOLLAM, JOHN L. OBERG, 

BEVERLY A. PITTARELLI, JAMES G. RANKL, 

LINDA D. RANN, BARBARA J. RYAN, EARL L. 

SKINNER, WILLIAM R. STOKES, STEPHEN J. 

VANDAS, CHESTER ZENONE. 

Information Systems Division KEVIN W. 

LAURENT, CAROL LAWSON, JOHN C. 

O'DONNELL, ELIZABETH M. PRITCHETT. 

National Mapping Division JENNIE M. 

GRANT, KATHRYN C. NEFF, KEVEN S. ROTH, 

DORIS K. WALSH. . - 

Administrative Division SALLY L. 

HUTCHISON, BARBARA J. SHAW, MATTHEW J. 

SLIWIAK, CYNTHIA S. WYLIE.

Unit Award for Excellence ' . 

of Service

The Unit award is granted by the 

Department of the Interior to a group of 

employees who have worked together as a 

unit to perform a service so far above and 

beyond that which is normally expected that it 

is considered to be superior. The award 

includes a certificate signed by the Secretary 

of the Interior.

USGS Library, GD, was recognized for the 

enormous staff effort, coordination, and 

teamwork demonstrated by the successful 

planning and implementation of the extensive 

and complex move and renovation of the 

USGS Library in Reston, Va. 

Public Affairs Office, Office of the Director, 

was recognized for its prodigious efforts in 

developing and fostering a Visitors Center 

and tour program at the National Center 

headquarters, in providing information for 

news media coverage for the Loma Prieta 

earthquake, and in rendering press and 

related coverage for the 28th International 

Geological Congress.

Stephen Vandas (center) receives the 

Superior Service Award, in 

Washington, D.C., from Deputy 

Interior Secretary Frank Bracken 

(left) and USGS Director 

Dallas Peck.

1991 AGI Award for Outstanding 

Contribution to Public 

Understanding of Geology

The USGS was noted in this award for 

its publications and reporting of the Loma 

Prieta earthquake and Mount St. Helens volcano and for its reporting of the potential and 

preparations for a New Madrid earthquake.

The award recognizes significant contributions to public awareness of the role of 

geology in our daily lives leading to a greater 

appreciation of geologic influences on our 

environment, economy, and lifestyles.

Awards and Honors Received by 

USGS Employees in 1991

James E. Biesecker, Assistant Director for 

Information Systems, ISD, received a Federal 

Women's Program Achievement Award from 

the Federal Women's Interagency Board for 

significant contributions toward improving the 

status of women in the USGS. 

John Bredehoeft, senior research geologist, 

GD, was elected to the Russian Academy of 

Natural Sciences (of the Russian Republic) for 

his fundamental contributions to the study of 

ground water and its wise use as a water 

resource and for the study of water wells in 

helping predict earthquakes. 

Ronald C. Circe, GD, received the USGS 

Safety Management Award for his efforts as 

Chairman of the newly formed Branch of 

Atlantic Marine Geology Diving Control 

Board and his outstanding contributions 

in creating standards for scientific SCUBA 

Diving.

George Erickson, GD, became the first recipient of the Geological Society of Chile Herbert 

Thomas Award for his outstanding contributions to the geology of Chile. He was also 

named a Corresponding Member of the 

Chilean National Academy of Sciences. 

Anita Harris, GD, received the Pander Society Medal for outstanding and innovative contributions in conodont paleontology. 

Richard A. Herbert, Chief of the Kansas District Office, WRD, received the Icko Iben 

Award of the American Water Resources 

Association, in recognition of outstanding 

contributions to the promotion of communications among the various disciplines of water 

resources.

David Hill, GD, was elected a Fellow of the 

American Geophysical Union. 

Robert D. Jarrett, research hydrologist, 

WRD, was named Engineer of the Year 

for the USGS, U.S. Department of the Interior, by the National Society of Professional 

Engineers.

32 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Peter Lipman, GD, was elected a Fellow of 

the American Geophysical Union. 

Alan M. Mikuni, Supervisory Cartographer, 

NMD, was 1991 Chairman of the Engineering 

Cartography Committee, Surveying Engineering Division, American Society of Civil 

Engineers.

Betty M. Miller, GD, was presented with the 

JJ. Arps Award of the International Society 

of Petroleum Engineers for her outstanding 

contributions to the fields of hydrocarbon 

economics and evaluation. 

Michael A. Newman, Cartographic Technician, NMD, was awarded the Exemplary Act 

Award of the Department of the Interior for 

prompt action in averting a life-threatening 

situation.

Gary W. North, Assistant Division Chief for 

Information and Data Services, NMD, was 

elected Chairman of the Federal Delegation to 

the White House Conference on Library and 

Information Services.

James R. Plasker, Assistant Division Chief for 

Production Management, NMD, received the 

Presidential Award of the American Congress 

on Surveying and Mapping for outstanding 

contributions to the surveying profession, and 

specifically for a special report on surveying 

and mapping in the United States presented 

to the International Federation of Surveyors. 

Wayne G. Rohde, Chief, Program Development and Control, EROS Data Center, NMD, 

received the Department of the Army Meritorious Service Medal for Exceptional service in 

the application of satellite multispectral imagery for Army applications. Mr. Rohde was 

also selected as the Intelligence Threat and 

Analysis Center Army Reservist of the Year 

for 1990.

Malcolm Ross, GD, was elected President of 

the Mineralogical Society of America and was 

the first recipient of the Society's Public Service Medal in recognition of his contributions 

to the understanding of the health effects of 

mineral dusts, particularly asbestos. 

David M. Sherman, GD, received one of the 

most prestigious awards of the Geochemical 

Society, the F.W. Clarke Medal, which is 

bestowed upon a young scientist for a singular 

important contribution to geochemistry or 

cosmochemistry.

Norman Sohl, GD, received the Paleontological Society Medal, the highest award of the 

Paleontological Society, for his distinguished 

career in paleontology. 

David I. Stannard, research hydrologist, 

WRD, received the C.A. Hogentogler Award 

from the American Society for Testing and 

Materials (ASTM), as an author of an ASTM 

paper of outstanding merit on soil or rock, 

entitled Tensiometers Theory, Construction, and Use.

Stewardship Award for Science 

and Technology

In support of his initiative to recognize 

employees who play active roles in the preservation, conservation, and development of 

national resources, Secretary of the Interior 

Manuel Lujan, Jr., presented the Stewardship 

Award for Science and Technology to Isaac J. 

Winograd, research hydrologist, WRD, in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to 

the conduct of pioneering earth science investigations that address nationally important 

environmental issues and for his support 

of the overall U.S. Global Change Research 

Program.

Public Service Recognition

Special awards were presented by the 

USGS to nine employees in 1991 for their 

outstanding contributions as public servants. 

These awards were part of the celebration of 

Public Service Recognition Week activities, to 

celebrate the indispensable and diverse contributions of the millions of women and men 

who make up the public workforce. Those 

receiving Public Service Recognition Awards 

were

Marcella Bernhard, ISD, who monitors all 

communication systems in the USGS Western 

Region, installs local area networks, and 

serves as the computer security officer for the 

region.

Michael L. Blanpied, GD, who has embraced 

the call for outreach in the public service 

by giving lectures on earthquakes and 

earthquake hazards and by working with 

museum staff to develop an earthquake safety 

presentation.

Wendy R. Hassibe, NMD, who, as Chief of 

the Earth Science Information Management 

Branch, has advanced the Survey's professional reputation as a world-class scientific 

research organization and organized the 

Earth Science Information network, which has 

given a new direction and a broadened scope 

to USGS information outlets.

Wendy Hassibe explains details of a 

map to a visitor at the Earth Science 

Information Center in Restart, Va.

People 33
Emiko "Amy" A. Hirota, NMD, who, as secretary to the Chief of the Western Mapping 

Center, offers a helpful, cheerful first impression to visitors of the USGS and the Federal 

Government.

Thomas L. Holzer, GD, whose availability to 

both scientists and the media after the Loma 

Prieta earthquake was a key factor in disseminating timely information to the public. 

Judy Huffman, AD, USGS expert in employee benefits and awards who has cheerfully 

counseled thousands of USGS employees. 

Anna M. Lennox, WRD, who, as an international water resource program specialist, has 

made immeasurable contributions to the 

favorable image of the USGS and the United 

States held by thousands of scientists, engineers, and governmental officials around the 

world.

Susan Russell-Robinson and young visitors to the National Center 

Visitors Center near the dinosaur footprints display.

Deborah M. McLean, WRD, whose ability to 

produce timely status reports on 25 financial 

accounts and to keep up with thousands of 

transactions for these accounts has improved 

the efficiency and production of her entire 

office.

Susan L. Russell-Robinson, Office of the 

Director, who, as information scientist for the 

National Center Visitors Center, has brought 

the word of the USGS to nearly 10,000 visitors in 2 years. . .

Public Service Excellence

The Public Employees Roundtable, which 

consists of more than 25 professional organizations and societies, each year sponsors a 

Public Service Excellence Award. The award 

is given to the organization or organizations 

that have most improved the image of public 

employees through increased organizational 

effectiveness and customer satisfaction. 

Nominees were evaluated in the areas of productivity improvements, savings achieved 

through efficiencies, and new and innovative 

techniques.

The USGS Administrative Service Center 

was recognized for its outstanding achievements in evaluating, acquiring, and implementing the Federal Financial System, a single 

departmentwide accounting and repayment 

system for the 10 bureaus of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

John Wesley Powell

Each year the USGS presents the John 

Wesley Powell Award to persons or groups 

outside the Federal Government for voluntary 

actions that result in significant gains or 

improvements in the efforts of the USGS to 

provide "Earth Science in the Public Service."

The Powell Award is named in honor of 

the second USGS director (1881-84). Powell,

At an awards ceremony in May 

1991, the Executive Director of 

the Public Employees Roundtable, Joan Keston (second from 

left), presented a 1991 Public 

Service Excellence Award to the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

Assistant Director for Administration, Jack J. Stassi (second 

from right), and the USGS 

Chief, Washington Administrative Service Center, Philip L. 

McKinney (far right). Deputy 

Secretary, Frank A. Bracken 

(center), and Principal Deputy 

Assistant Secretary for Policy, 

Management and Budget, Ed 

Kay (far left), look on.

34 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
a geologist, Civil War hero, and Indian ethnographer, led pioneer explorations of the 

Colorado River. Powell award recipients for 

1991 are

Michael T. Halbouty, of Houston, Texas, 

who received the Powell Award for Achievement as a Private Citizen. He was recognized 

for his more than 30 years of support for the 

USGS in his various capacities as an official 

member of the American Association of 

Petroleum Geologists, as President and Chairman of the Board of the Circum-Pacific 

Council for Energy and Mineral Resources, 

and as a private citizen. Dr. Halbouty, a longtime friend of the USGS, has advanced programs and enhanced the careers of countless 

USGS research scientists. 

Peter G. Morros, Director, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 

who received the Powell Award for Achievement in State Government. Mr. Morros has 

been a valued advisor to the USGS Director 

and Chief Hydrologist and an active supporter of the USGS water resources program 

in Nevada and other western States. An active 

member of the USGS Advisory Committee on 

Water Data for Public Use, Mr. Morros' many 

contributions have significantly strengthened 

the technical content of the USGS water 

resources program.

Unocal Corporation North American Oil and 

Gas Division of Ventura, Calif. Their paleontology team received the Powell Award for 

Achievement in Industry. The team has been 

instrumental in helping the USGS accomplish 

the objectives of the Santa Maria Province 

Project of the Evolution of Sedimentary 

Basins Program, enhancing the ability of 

USGS scientists to reconstruct the geologic 

evolution of sedimentary basins and leading 

to a better understanding of the resource 

potential of this important and geologically 

complex area. Team members included 

Gregory BLAKE, Robert G. ARENDS, Mark V. 

FILEWICZ, Mary Lou COTTON THORNTON, and 

David R. YORK.

Lynn R. Sykes, Professor of Geology, Columbia University, Palisades, N.Y., who received 

the Powell Award for Achievement in ah Educational Institution. Dr. Sykes has served as a 

faithful source of advice, support, and constructive criticism for the USGS earthquake 

hazards reduction program. He has brought 

his personal expertise in seismology and its 

relationship to plate tectonics to bear on the 

development and nurturing of the program. 

Through the rigor of his criticism, as well as 

his advocacy, the USGS has been able to 

maintain and strengthen the hazards reduction program for more than a dozen years.

Special Programs and 

Initiatives

Volunteerism

I

n 1991, the Volunteer for Science Program 

once again proved itself a successful complement to the USGS workforce. At any one 

time, nearly 700 volunteers were actively 

participating with USGS employees in a 

variety of earth science research, computer 

technology, and office administration 

projects. USGS employees are also very 

active as volunteers themselves in their 

communities.

Volunteer for Science. The program has 

grown steadily since its beginning in June 

1986. In a recent letter, a science teacher volunteer commented, "Hope you can maintain 

the volunteer program. It was a winner for 

me." It has been a winner for the USGS, too. 

In 5 years the Volunteer for Science Program 

has benefited from the efforts of more than 

2,800 volunteers who have donated well over 

580,000 hours of service, saving the Federal 

Government and American taxpayers more 

than $6 million.

We intend not only to maintain the 

impressive growth of the program but also to 

encourage even greater participation. A series 

of promotional tools have been developed to 

increase public awareness of the program. A 

recruitment video provides a colorful, closeup 

view of volunteer opportunities throughout 

the USGS. Showcasing volunteers from each 

USGS division, the upbeat, fast-paced videotape will gready enhance recruiting efforts. 

The video will also serve as a companion to 

recruitment exhibits that offer increased program exposure at career and volunteer fairs. 

These colorful montages, showing volunteers 

at work in offices, laboratories, and in the 

field, expressively depict the vast scope of volunteer opportunities throughout the USGS.

Leaflets, posters, and similar promotional 

items have also been developed to increase 

awareness and provide program information 

at schools, career fairs, volunteer conferences, 

and to professional and community service 

organizations.

The remarkable success of the Volunteer 

for Science Program must be attributed, 

in large part, to the volunteers themselves and 

the enthusiasm and dedication they bring to a 

multitude of tasks. To better demonstrate our 

appreciation of these individuals, we 

have developed new awards criteria and 

created a variety of distinctive recognition 

items.

Special Programs and Initiatives 35
A Volunteer for Science logo is one key 

to the program's new look. In April we 

invited everyone to participate in a logo 

design contest. We received 80 entries from 

employees, volunteers, and even elementary 

school students at a USGS partnership school. 

The winning design concept was submitted by 

Donna Jenkins, a volunteer in Pasadena, 

Calif. Her idea can now be seen as the colorful, red, white, blue, and gold logo, with a 

distinctive "V" shape, on all items associated 

with the Volunteer for Science Program.

We hope the logo, the new tools for 

recruitment and reward, and the impressive 

winning record will not only remind us of 

how far we have come but will also ensure 

even greater strides into the future.

Points of Light. In support of President 

Bush's Thousand Points of Light, Secretary 

Lujan hosted a series of lunches during 1991 

to recognize Department employees for community volunteer activities. The following 

USGS employees were recognized for their 

many hours of service to their fellow citizens 

and their communities: 

Willie McDuffie, Jr., Office of the Director, 

Reston, Va., for his work in helping to direct 

young people in Washington, D.C., away from 

lives of drug addiction, irresponsible maternity, and crime.

Harold J. Cohen, NMD, Reston, Va., for his 

work in organizing and coaching Special 

Olympics soccer teams.

Clifford A. Haupt, WRD, Reston, Va., for his 

work with students and educators at all levels 

within the Fairfax County, Va., school system.

Education

T

he USGS has a long-standing commitment to education. That commitment 

includes providing further educational opportunities for its own employees, for graduate 

students, and for postdoctoral students. A 

growing interest and emphasis in precollege 

educational support stems from President 

Bush's goal for the United States to attain 

preeminence in math and science by the turn 

of the century and from a concern by the 

USGS that everyone needs an understanding

of the earth sciences to be an informed citizen 

ready to respond to the changing physical 

world. Also, the USGS and other scientific 

agencies recognize a need for a qualified pool 

of scientists for the 21st century and beyond, 

a pool of scientists that will mirror the changing face of the general employment picture in 

which women and minorities will figure more 

prominently.

All of these concerns have led the USGS 

to commit additional resources to help support Secretary of the Interior Lujan's excellence in education efforts. USGS personnel 

around the country are involved in educational activities, and the USGS has adopted 

schools in connection with its offices in several 

States. These efforts include USGS scientists 

routinely visiting classrooms to give presentations and share their knowledge and experience with teachers and students, conducting 

regular summer workshops at several sites for 

teachers and participates in regional and 

national meetings of the National Science 

Teachers Association, developing resource 

centers at USGS libraries to assist teachers 

with classroom activities, and hosting more 

than 5,000 student visitors in the USGS 

National Visitors Center in the past school 

year. The following items provide a glimpse 

of the many exciting educational activities 

underway.

Partnership in Education. The USGS 

has continued to place great emphasis on the 

expansion of activities in support of existing 

Partnership in Education agreements and on 

the establishment of new agreements throughout the country. The USGS Earth Science 

Education Committee has selected kindergarten through sixth grade as its primary focus, 

although we are also pursuing and supporting 

formal partnerships with colleges and universities, such as Lincoln University in Rolla, 

Mo., and Gallaudet University in Washington, 

D.C.

The educational partnership the USGS 

established in 1990 with neighboring Dogwood Elementary in Reston, Va., near the 

USGS National Center, has been extremely 

successful and serves as a model for the types 

of educational exchanges that can occur 

between academic institutions and government offices. USGS-sponsored activities 

include inviting students and teachers to special cultural awareness programs, displaying 

exhibits on glaciers and volcanoes and other 

earth science topics in the school library, 

donating cash register receipts to assist in the 

acquisition of computer equipment, inviting 

the students to Drug Awareness Day and distributing literature and posters, USGS 

employees serving as advisors to students for 

the school's Invention Convention, and donating hundreds of children's books to help

36 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
establish a library in a community center used 

by many Dogwood students and their younger 

siblings.

The partnership with Dogwood Elementary is indeed a true cooperative effort. Not 

only does the USGS strive to enrich the 

school, but also the school offers its resources 

to us, whenever possible. For example, the 

students of Dogwood Elementary threw a 

birthday party in honor of our 112th birthday, a teacher conducted training on different 

learning styles for interested USGS employees, the principal of Dogwood Elementary 

invited the USGS to several meetings and conferences focused on establishing strong educational partnerships, and the school also 

invited the USGS to attend a seminar on cultural diversity conducted by a well-known 

clinical and industrial psychologist. This very 

productive and rewarding academic year culminated in a ceremony in which the Fairfax 

County Public Schools presented an appreciation plaque to the USGS, which is proudly 

displayed at our National Center in Reston.

The USGS had traditionally been a 

strong supporter of earth science education 

and has been involved in the Partnership in 

Education Program since its inception in 

1984. However, most of our involvement has 

been through informal outreach and assistance to schools. Presently, USGS offices 

throughout the country are being encouraged 

to establish formal Partnership in Education 

agreements with local schools. A second formal partnership agreement has already been 

established in our Central Region with Cole 

Elementary School, a predominantly Hispanic 

school in Arizona, and we are in process of 

establishing others.

Reaching Out to Teachers and Into the 

Classroom. Teacher input and guidance in 

the development of educational materials and 

activities is an important component to the 

USGS education effort. To assist in this 

effort, the USGS hosts specialized workshops 

in each region and provides field programs 

on specialized topics. In connection with some 

of the workshops and field activities, teachers 

are granted college credit through cooperative 

agreements with local colleges and universities. In-service programs are coordinated with 

local school programs so that teachers who 

want to hone their earth science skills can 

attend special programs and receive in-service 

credit for participating.

As examples of these efforts, the USGS 

hosted an intensive 1-week field program for 

55 teachers in the Denver, Colo., area called 

GEOTEACH, in which such nearby features 

as dinosaur tracks and geologic formations 

in local parks augmented the program; a 

2-week field and lab program for Native 

American Indian teachers on the Pine Ridge

Reservation in South Dakota provided the 

teachers and USGS scientists a unique opportunity to blend Native culture with earth science teaching; internship opportunities are 

available at numerous USGS office sites for 

teachers who have been teaching for many 

years and for those who are still preparing to 

teach; the USGS also provides for its own special recognition of teachers who receive 

nationally recognized awards for excellence in 

science teaching.

Interacting with students is also an 

important component of USGS education 

efforts. Tours and special programs for 

school groups are hosted where facilities permit. The USGS Volunteer for Science program also provides an excellent opportunity 

for students to get an on-the-job taste of what 

it is like to work as an earth scientist. Scientists go to classrooms and participate in science and career fairs and judge science contests. One exciting new project is developing 

fossil collections that can be used by scientists 

visiting in classrooms and for teachers to borrow and use themselves.

The successful Joint Education Initiative 

(JEdl), a multidivision, multiagency, academic 

and industry cooperative project, has brought 

realtime scientific data and images into the 

classroom using CD-ROM technology. The 

JEdl project has proved so successful that it is 

being written into textbooks, implemented in 

a new program for community colleges in 

California, and written into new standards for 

secondary education in science. The USGS, 

which oversaw the prototype development of 

the project, has turned it over to the University of Maryland for further development and 

distribution.

The USGS is also involved in more than 

40 coalitions and partnerships to further 

earth science education across the Nation. 

Many alliances are with individual universities 

or colleges or with local school districts. Most 

effective for the USGS are those programs 

that provide an established inroad to the 

teaching community in a regional area or 

those that deal with national issues in science 

education reform. Some examples are the 

Bay Area Earth Science Institute, a large coalition effort in the San Francisco Bay area to 

train teachers in earth and physical science; 

DEEP, the Denver Educational Excellence 

Program, dedicated to supporting outstanding 

minority junior and senior high school students; MESA, the Mathematics-EnglishScience Achievement program, which supports field trips for Hispanic students; and 

FIRST and FEST, which are the Field Investigations Research for Science Teachers and 

Field Education for Science Teachers of the 

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History

Special Programs and Initiatives 37
At an April 1991 ceremony in the office of 

Deputy Interior Secretary Frank Bracken 

(left), Kenneth D. Reid (center), executive 

director of the American Water Resources 

Association (AWRA), received a plaque from 

Dallas Peck, director of the USGS, 

commemorating the assistance of AWRA in 

the cooperative Water Education Initiative.

Survey, the University of Wisconsin, and the 

Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. Coalitions have been useful to the USGS 

in helping to identify outside sources for 

reprinting and distribution of publications.

Cooperative Water Resources Education 

Initiative. In response to President Bush's 

challenge to Americans to become "Number 

One" in the world in math and the sciences, 

the USGS has begun a water-resources education program. The USGS, Bureau of Land 

Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

and Bureau of Reclamation of the U.S. 

Department of the Interior and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are working in a 

partnership, which began in fiscal year 1990, 

with the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) on this program. The 

AWRA, a nonprofit educational organization 

dedicated to the advancement of interdisciplinary water-resources research, planning, management, development, and education, has 

approximately 3,000 members worldwide. 

The NSTA, the world's largest organization 

dedicated to the improvement of science education at all grade levels, has a membership of 

approximately 60,000 educators.

The objective of the water-resources education program is to stimulate interest in and 

provide a basic knowledge of water resources 

to students from kindergarten through the 

12th grade. To meet this objective, the program is designed as a cooperative effort 

among Federal and private agencies to provide several different teaching aids. The first 

teaching aid is a series of three sets of waterresources educational posters designed to capture the attention of the students (the first set

in the series, on water use, was released in 

April). The second teaching aid, which is a set 

of water-resources educational training packages designed to be taught in the classroom or 

after school by water-resources professionals 

and other interested individuals, is currently 

being reviewed by NSTA representatives.

The first set of posters in the series covers water use and has been distributed by the 

NSTA to about 43,000 science teachers in the 

United States. Each of the three posters in 

this first set demonstrates the importance of 

water to society and shows how water is used 

and reused. Two of the posters also were 

inserted in the May issues of two different 

NSTA publications: Science and Children, for 

science teachers of kindergarten through the 

fifth grade, and Science Scope, for science 

teachers of sixth through the eighth grade. 

The two posters, which are in color, were 

accompanied by articles that provide background material for the teachers. Because the 

posters have two different audience levels 

grade and middle school students appropriate texts were placed on the reverse of the 

posters earmarked for the two different magazines. The third poster, a black and white 

version printed for children to color, has no 

text. The posters presently in preparation are 

on wastewater treatment and wetlands.

The formal agreements established 

among the Federal agencies mentioned above 

with the AWRA and the NSTA are planned 

to insure long-term viability for the education 

initiative. The education initiative represents 

a unique commitment among government 

and private agencies to improve communications between the scientific and education 

communities.

38 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Computer Links to Understanding Earth 

Science. The USGS is exploring the use of 

hypermedia technology for designing and 

developing educational tools for the precollege education community. Multimedia 

computer technology offers exciting new possibilities for navigating through multiple layers of information. Hypermedia or hypertext 

is defined as a software development environment for creating nonsequential data bases 

containing associative links between a mix of 

information, such as graphics, text, animation, 

sound, and video.

Research and development projects at a 

variety of universities have shown that this 

type of computerized information tool 

enhances understanding of complex scientific 

processes. Hypermedia improves learning by 

focusing attention on the relationship between 

ideas rather than on isolated facts. The associations provided by links from within a hypertext system may improve concept formation 

and understanding. The use of graphics and 

animation contributes to the effectiveness of 

hypermedia as a learning tool. The interactive 

nature of hypermedia may also contribute to 

its appeal to young learners much in the same 

way that computer video games have become 

so popular in the last decade.

During the coming months, the USGS 

will be developing a hypermedia system for 

children to explore the water cycle and to 

understand maps and earthquakes.

What? Me a Scientist? This eye-catching 

title headlines a poster depicting women and 

minorities actively working in scientific 

endeavors. The poster was produced by the 

USGS in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of 

Mines and the Association of Women Geoscientists. The poster provides a positive visual 

image of women and minorities and seeks to 

encourage young people to pursue a career in 

science. A tag line at the bottom of the poster 

asks the student, "Will your picture be here in 

the year 2000?"

Women, Minorities, and Persons 

with Disabilities

International Training Opportunities. 

Employment projections for the year 2000 

indicate that there will be a higher percentage 

of women and minorities in the workforce. 

Employers will be increasingly required to 

provide training, tutoring, or remedial education in the workplace to enable the workforce 

to reach optimum productivity. Additionally, 

greater emphasis will have to be placed on the 

development and advancement of women, 

minorities, and persons with disabilities into 

supervisory, managerial, and executive positions. The year 2000 is upon us, and it is clear

that special training efforts must begin now in 

anticipation of a well-prepared workforce.

In this regard, the USGS has already 

begun to focus on providing career development and training opportunities to the 

women, minorities, and persons with disabilities within our existing workforce. During the 

past fiscal year, training needs surveys were 

conducted to determine the special needs of 

these targeted groups. Individual and group 

training was offered, including courses such 

as Basics of English Grammar and Usage, 

Writing Skills, Speaking and Listening, Sign 

Language, Communicating with Disabled 

Employees, Dealing with Difficult People, 

Men and Women Working Together, and 

Coaching and Counseling Hearing Impaired 

Employees. Special efforts were made to 

provide career and manager development 

opportunities to women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. Numerous employees 

attended undergraduate and graduate courses 

and participated in special developmental 

training such as the Women's Executive 

Leadership Program, the Departmental Manager Development Program, and Executive 

Seminars.

Furthermore, the USGS recognizes that 

with the changing composition of the workforce, it is necessary to provide all employees 

with an understanding and appreciation of a 

wide variety of cultures. In fiscal year 1991, in 

our initial efforts to provide training to USGS 

employees on the topic of cultural diversity, 

we trained close to 1,500 employees at our 

major centers and offices across the country. 

Because many of our employees are located in 

remote field locations and classroom training 

is not always practical, we purchased several 

sets of a video series on cultural diversity. We 

realize it is important for all of our employees 

to receive exposure to this extremely significant topic; therefore, the videotapes are 

readily available for loan to employees. Also, 

managers and trainers are strongly encouraged to use the videotapes in meetings and 

conferences.

The USGS is committed to the development and maintenance of a well-prepared 

workforce, and we will continue our concentrated training efforts to train and develop all 

employees.

Specialized Equipment and Services for 

Disabled Employees. The Selective Placement 

Program Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives from each division, met 

for the first time this year to evaluate the 

needs of disabled persons within the USGS 

and to provide necessary equipment or training, or other enhancements. The committee 

approved $14,000 for interpreting services for 

hearing impaired employees to be used in 

government training courses, staff meetings,

Special Programs and Initiatives 39
supervisory sessions, and other gatherings 

where sign language interpretation is 

required. Other purchases include

 Telecommunications equipment to provide 

telephone access for hearing impaired 

employees and members of the public who 

call USGS offices,

 For visually impaired employees, automated workstations and equipment, such as 

software that magnifies print size for use in 

offices and libraries by employees and library 

patrons and high-resolution monochrome 

display monitors that provide a magnified 

high-contrast black and white display,

 "Ergo-Arms," keyboard adaptive devices 

for individuals with arm and wrist weaknesses 

that make it difficult to use a keyboard,

 "Power-Bar," a device that attaches to milling equipment for use in the Earth Resources 

Observation System Data Center, Sioux Falls, 

S. Dak., to permit a wheelchair-bound employee to make adjustments to machinery, and

 Voice recognition systems that enable two 

physically challenged individuals to operate 

their computers by using voice commands.

The committee continues to evaluate 

equipment and training programs that 

will increase the potential of employees 

with disabilities. The USGS has a leading 

record among bureaus of the Department 

of the Interior for employment of disabled 

individuals.

Outreach. The USGS has continued its 

full-scale efforts to locate, interest, and attract 

minority, female, and disabled individuals 

toward research and career pursuits in the 

field of earth science. Efforts to support and 

further affirmative outreach initiatives established by President Bush and Secretary of the 

Interior Lujan have focused on recruitment at 

all levels of education as a means to encourage targeted individuals to explore careers in 

earth science and to identify viable career opportunities early in their educational pursuits.

Beginning with job fairs in Albuquerque, 

N.M.; Washington, D.C.; and Dallas, Tex., the 

bureau provided representation and career 

information at seven national or regional 

career fairs that targeted minority, female, 

and disabled individuals. Throughout the 

year, program officials, line managers, and 

personnel specialists joined forces to stand at 

fair booths and introduce job seekers to the 

exciting field of earth science exploration and 

research. Young people and seasoned scientists alike stopped to find out what the USGS 

has to offer and to learn from the employees 

themselves the issues and policies of national 

significance that USGS scientists routinely 

study.

In 1992, plans for active participation in 

job fairs will produce more recruitment teams 

in locations throughout the Nation at career

fairs, professional conferences, college campus 

career days, and seminars. These teams give 

on-the-spot information to interested participants. Two special emphasis outreach coordinator positions have been established in the 

Personnel Office specifically to provide leadership and planning for outreach activities 

and to successfully meet the challenges of 

recruitment for today's changing job market.

Working closely with the Environmental 

Careers Organization, Inc., a nonprofit organization having a large resource of minority 

and handicapped students, the USGS has 

established workstudy partnerships for students pursuing degrees in the environmental 

and earth sciences. The USGS in St. Petersburg, Fla., initiated the first partnerships program with Environmental Careers Organization, Inc., in which three students have been 

assigned to scientific projects. Similar agreements have been developed in other locations 

with water resources and geologic programs. 

We look forward to enhancing academic 

development and practical work experience 

opportunities for these students with the goal 

of providing employment opportunities upon 

completion of their education.

Minority Colleges Cooperative Activities. 

The USGS has a long history of active support of cooperative activities and special programs with the Historically Black College and 

University (HBCU) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). 

Hampton University, an HBCU, and New 

Mexico Highland University, an HACU, are 

two of the colleges with which the USGS has 

ongoing programs.

Hampton University. for the last 3 fiscal 

years, USGS employees have visited Hampton 

University, located in Hampton, Va., to attend 

job fairs, interview potential full-time and 

cooperative education employees, and implement a guest lecture exchange program.

The USGS had two cooperative education agreement appointments with Hampton 

University in place for fiscal year 1990. The 

appointees worked in the computer visualization (graphics) and technology assessment 

(research) fields. In addition, the USGS hired 

two full-time Hampton graduates during fiscal year 1990. These graduates are working in 

the areas of earth science data base maintenance and development and computer operating systems. The USGS will continue its 

emphasis on recruitment efforts in these two 

areas.

The USGS initiated a Guest Lecture and 

Information Exchange Program with Hampton University's Computer Sciences Department. The lecture series began in the first 

quarter of fiscal year 1991 with a USGS computer scientist speaking on object oriented

40 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
programming. The lecture presented an overview of object oriented programming including definitions, a comparison with procedural 

programming, and realworld applications. 

The second lecture on parallel processing 

described typical parallel processing architectures, provided insight into how algorithms 

and programs for these systems differ from 

traditional computers, and described USGS 

experiments with parallel processors. These 

lectures were tailored to Hampton University's curriculum.

New Mexico Highland University. The 

USGS has initiated a similar program with 

New Mexico Highland University located in 

Las Vegas, N. Mex. During an initial visit, 

USGS representatives met with the President 

of the University, the Director of Career Services, and the Vice President for Academic 

Affairs. The meetings resulted in several 

innovative ideas that the USGS is currently 

pursuing. A summary of the USGS cooperative education program was presented to two 

introduction to information systems classes. A 

New Mexico Highland University student is 

scheduled to visit the USGS Denver Field 

Center in Colorado to pursue a cooperative 

education appointment. The student will 

spend time touring the field center and meeting with employees.

A graduate of Hampton University working in the USGS 

as a mathematician.

Special Programs and Initiatives 41
L

earning how to read topographic maps, 

finding out what is in the water, and looking at fossils under microscopes were some of 

the more than 150 displays of USGS research 

and activities at the third public open house at 

the USGS in Menlo Park, Calif, May 18-19, 

1991.

Good weather, excellent displays, and 

extensive employee involvement and visitor 

turnout combined to make the occasion an 

enormous success. Between 15,000 and 20,000 

people visited the Menlo Park facility during 

the 2 days.

Looking at the Earth from above.

You can see for miles and miles. . 

as far as 93 million miles. . .

Displays of USGS research showed the 

remarkable breadth of work in the earth sciences. Highlights included interactive video 

programs on regional seismicity; spectacular 

20-foot-long sidescan sonar images of the sea 

floor; the invasion of an Asian clam into San 

Francisco Bay; and computer animations of 

landslides and debris flows. A popular attraction was the ask-a-scientist booth, which was 

intended mainly for young people and their 

favorite mystery rocks but was thronged by 

adults bringing in geologic treasures. The 

Marine Facility at the Port of Redwood City, 

a few miles from Menlo Park, opened USGS 

research vessels, the S.P. Lee and the Polaris, 

for public tours.

Public response to the Open House was 

overwhelmingly favorable. One frequently 

voiced complaint was that there was not 

enough time to see everything. Also, adults 

commented that the children hogged the interactive computer displays, not giving the adults 

enough time on the keyboards. The public was 

pleased that the USGS had taken the time and 

effort to share their work with taxpayers.

As part of its nationwide effort to reach 

out to the public in fulfillment of its mission to 

provide "Earth Science in the Public Service," 

the USGS hosts open houses on a rotational 

basis at its regional facilities in Menlo Park, 

Calif, and Denver, Colo.; and at its headquarters in Reston, Va. The 1992 open house was 

held April 25, 1992, in Reston. The USGS in 

Denver will host the 1993 event. (Photographs 

by Jay Prendergast and Pat Jorgenson.)

. . .and how does the Earth handle stress? Pondering the complexities of scientific research.

42 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
vA/HAT IT MEANS

Making your own volcano model. an earthquake "happen

Imagining life on another planet. . .

Rock with a view

A map is worth a thousand words. . .

Discovering Earth's treasures together

. . .and deep beneath the surface

Special Programs and Initiatives 43
Contributions to U.S. Operations 

Desert Shield and Desert Storm

T

he USGS provided professional support 

and earth science expertise to national 

defense efforts for operations Desert Shield 

and Desert Storm. USGS personnel also 

served on active duty during the operations. 

The following are some USGS activities that 

were part of the U.S. military operations.

Desert Studies Support. During the late 

summer, autumn, and early winter of 1990, 

the United States led a massive multinational 

military buildup on the Arabian peninsula to 

counter the invasion and occupation of 

Kuwait by Iraq. The USGS desert studies 

group participated in developing plans and 

strategy for possible military action by providing technical and scientific expertise in Landsat image processing and terrain analysis of 

desert environments to several government 

agencies.

One phase of the participation involved 

the training of terrain analysts in (1) landform 

characteristics and trafficability and (2) Landsat image processing and interpretation techniques used to construct maps of surface 

materials. Another phase was directed at preparing a manual, entitled Remote Sensing Field 

Guide Deserts, for the Army and Marine 

Corps. That manual describes and illustrates 

various landform and terrain types found in 

desert regions. More than 100,000 copies of 

the manual were printed and distributed to 

troops as part of their training. A third phase 

involved direct exchanges with military tactical 

units to train them in the geologic conditions 

in the Middle East that could affect aerial 

combat operations.

Throughout Operation Desert Storm, a 

team of USGS scientists was stationed at Air 

Force Headquarters to provide advisory support for several aspects of the air war. That 

team was reinforced by nearly continuous 

technical and scientific help from the Survey's 

Desert Studies Group, which prepared trafficability maps and other information for the 

U.S. Army and Marine Corps using remotely 

sensed digital image data. Scientists of the 

teams provided assistance to the Air Force on 

a range of special technical needs, such as 

geophysical expertise developed for largescale explosion shock-wave processes. USGS 

participants in operations Desert Shield and 

Desert Storm have been commended by the 

Secretary of the Air Force, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Army Engineering 

Research Institute for their dedication and 

major contributions in support of the military 

actions.

Enhanced Satellite Images Produced for 

Desert Storm. The USGS Earth Resources 

Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center

supported Department of Defense (DOD) and 

intelligence agencies by supplying digital data 

and satellite images for Operations Desert 

Shield and Desert Storm beginning in early 

August 1990.

Enhanced Landsat Thematic Mapper 

(TM) satellite images were produced at scales 

ranging from 1:50,000 to 1:250,000, for 

change detection, map updates, and terrain 

analysis of Kuwait and portions of Saudi 

Arabia and Iraq, including Baghdad. From 

meteorological satellite data a photoimage 

mosaic of the Middle East was prepared for 

DOD agencies. Landsat TM satellite image 

data were acquired in the final phases of 

Operation Desert Storm to evaluate the extent 

of the Kuwait oil field fires and the oil slick in 

the Persion Gulf. These data were used to aid 

military operations and to assist in environmental monitoring. During operations Desert 

Shield and Desert Storm, the EROS Data 

Center coordinated the distribution of a digital data archive and catalog system of all civil 

satellite data purchased and products produced for DOD agencies.

Advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data products of the KuwaitPersian Gulf area during the period of conflict were provided to the United Nations 

Environment Programme (UNEP) offices in 

Geneva, Switzerland, and Nairobi, Kenya. 

UNEP also provided a copy of the digital data 

to the government of Japan to assist in developing funding alternatives to aid in the reconstruction of Kuwait.

USGS Mission in Saudia Arabia Receives 

Citation. USGS employees and their families 

were recognized with a special citation from 

the Secretary of the Interior for their efforts 

as part of the United States presence in 

Saudia Arabia during the Gulf War.

Although the city of Jiddah, headquarters of the USGS Saudia Arabia mission, was 

never under attack, the group of scientists 

and administrators lived under constant 

tension resulting from civil demonstrations, 

threats of terrorism, and reports of Iraqi 

aircraft and missiles in Yemen and Sudan. 

USGS personnel responded by performing 

their scientific and managerial assignments 

well, despite these trying and sometimes 

dangerous circumstances. The USGS group 

become a critical resource to the U.S. Consulate General because of their long-established 

mission and their contacts with the business 

and professional community of Jiddah. The 

Saudi mission members became valuable 

adjuncts to the Department of State and 

essential members of the American team in 

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Acting as unofficial spokespersons, USGS 

personnel aided the American presence in the 

area. Their business-as-usual attitude helped

44 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
57, 7990, about 4 weeks after Iraq invaded

Kuwait.

to keep operations running smoothly and was 

an aid to diplomacy. For their outstanding 

performance of duty in times of stress and for 

their extra efforts as part of the American 

team in the Kingdom, the members of the 

USGS Mission in Saudi Arabia were granted 

the Unit Award for Excellence of Service of 

the Department of the Interior.

The following USGS personnel, who 

were stationed in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, 

and who were recognized for their contributions are PHILIP J. ARUSCAVAGE, KEITH M. 

BEARDSLEY, ARTHUR A. BOOKSTROM, PAUL S. 

BOSCH, JERRY J. CAPE, RICHARD B. CARTEN, 

RALPH P. CHRISTIAN, GEORGE V. DEMEGLIO, 

ELLIOT T. ENDO, THOMAS J.W. LEE, CARTER 

H. MILLER, KENNETH A. SARGENT, PAUL W. 

SCHMIDT, PAUL W. TOGANS, RICHARD L. 

TYNER, BRUCE M. WALKER, PAUL L. WILLIAMS, 

and BRUCE M. WOOD.

The following contractors to the USGS 

are not U.S. Government employees but are 

full-time members of the USGS mission: 

PETER R. JOHNSON, RICHARD P. SHELDON, and 

GEORGE J. VRANAS.

USGS Employees Called to Active Duty 

During Operations Desert Shield and Desert 

Storm. BERI N. FRALEY, Nashville, Tenn.; 

ANNE E. GARTNER, Menlo Park, Calif.; 

WALTER H. MCDONALD, Reston, Va.; 

GEORGE S. OUTLAW, Nashville, Tenn.; 

BOBBY R. RICHARDS, Jackson, Miss.; and 

THEODORE F. SAUNDERS, Reston, Va.

February 15, 1991, 1 month after the beginning of the 

coalition air campaign.

February 23, 1991, shortly after the start of the coalition 

ground campaign (note plume extending over water).

Three satellite images of the Kuwait oil fires were acquired 

from an altitude of 435 miles by the thematic mapper 

sensors aboard the Landsat satellite. The USGS EROS 

Data Center processed the data and printed the images. 

The images show the expanding smoke plumes from the 

fires.

Special Programs and Initiatives 45

Message from the Chief, National Mapping Division

A

s the use of computerized geographic information systems (GIS) has grown, the 

focus of the National Mapping Program has shifted from our traditional paper 

map products toward digital data and the establishment of automated data bases for GIS 

applications. The Division's emphasis for the future will continue to be on the development and production of advanced information systems to support policy and operational 

decisions concerning resource management and earth science issues. Cartographic data 

are central to analyses and decisions related to land, transportation, housing, energy, 

defense, boundaries, demographics, pollution, crime prevention, development, and conservation issues. Digital image data, such as orthophotoquads and satellite data, and 

land use and land cover data will also play an increasing role in these advanced 

information systems as different layers of information are combined for various applications. The NMD is taking important steps to provide the fuel (digital spatial data) for 

these advanced information systems.

The NMD is active in coordinating a wide range of spatial data activities with 

other Federal organizations to establish common standards for digital data, create links 

between data bases, facilitate the exchange of data, and eliminate duplication. We are 

seeking partnerships with others to make our resources more effective and to meet 

additional critical requirements. We are conducting pilot projects to learn about new 

applications and are introducing advanced computer technology into our production 

systems. We are establishing new data processing and archive facilities to support global 

change research. Also, by improving and automating existing data bases, we are able to 

support internal and external requirements for information such as geographic names.

These activities are integral to the process of providing advanced information 

systems to support the Nation's needs for geographic and cartographic data. As the need 

for spatial data for solving complex, interrelated natural resource, natural hazard, and 

environmental concerns continues to grow, we remain committed to providing the 

data and advanced information systems necessary for wise policy formulation and 

decisionmaking.

Alien H. Watkins

Benefits of Geographic 

Information Systems

By Stephen R. Gillespie

T

he value of digital cartographic data 

depends upon the benefits that can be 

derived from their use in computerized GIS. 

Managers of GIS know that there are large 

benefits to be obtained from the use of GIS 

technology. However, because benefits are 

difficult to measure, decisions on acquiring 

and operating a GIS are often made without a 

clear idea of the benefits. Also, because costbenefit studies can be expensive and time consuming and because shortcuts frequently produce erroneous results, detailed analyses of 

benefits are often avoided or are misleading.

To address this problem, the USGS is 

developing practical techniques for measuring 

the benefits of using digital cartographic data 

in GIS. These efforts will help users to make 

informed decisions when investing in a GIS 

and will help the USGS to assess the potential 

value of the developing National Digital

Cartographic Data Base (NDCDB). The 

NDCDB is a central archive of computerreadable geographic data containing USGS 

1:24,000- and l:100,000-scale maps and will 

be the cornerstone of national map coverage 

for GIS applications.

During late 1990 and early 1991, the 

USGS conducted more than 40 case studies 

with Federal GIS users. Information was collected on 63 successful GIS applications. The 

agencies and applications studied represent a 

broad spectrum of the diverse uses of digital 

cartographic data in the Federal Government.

Measuring the Benefits of GIS Use. Most 

published cost-benefit studies on GIS present 

detailed quantitative cost information but only 

sketchy and qualitative benefit information. 

More reliable benefit information can be 

obtained by noting that there are two different types of benefits from the use of a GIS 

and that different techniques must be used to 

measure each type.

The two major types of benefits are 

efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency benefits occur when a task can be done less expensively by using a GIS. Effectiveness benefits
Some predictions from the USGS digital benefits model

Efficiency benefits

Application

Savings due to GIS in percent 

Predicted Measured

Fish and Wildlife Management ..............

Forestry. .....................................

Parks and Recreation ........................

Urban and Regional Planning ...............

62

74

78

86

89

50

65

80

92

95

Effectiveness benefits

Application Number of

applications Predicted

Total benefits

Measured

Commerce and Economic 

Development.

Forestry ..............................

4 

5

5

$1,158,492 

616,636

171,677

$1,017,500 

838,100

212,900

"In the 40 case

studies, the use

of GIS

technology

reduced

operating 

expenses by an 

average of 75

percent."

occur when using a GIS allows completion of 

a task that could not otherwise have been 

done at all. The two types of benefits can be 

distinguished by comparing the outputs of an 

application when it is run with a GIS to those 

when it is run without the technology. If the 

two outputs are equivalent, then any observed 

benefits from GIS use are because of efficiency; if the two outputs are substantially different, then the GIS benefits are because of 

effectiveness.

Efficiency benefits can be measured by 

comparing the variable input costs of performing the application with a GIS to the 

variable input costs incurred prior to GIS use. 

Assuming that the fixed inputs are already in 

place, how much less does it cost to produce 

the output using the GIS process? In the 

40 case studies, the use of GIS technology 

reduced operating expenses by an average of 

75 percent.

Effectiveness benefits, which depend 

upon the value of the unique GIS output, can 

be measured by using a three-step process. 

First, identify how the GIS output is different 

from what would otherwise have been produced. Does the GIS generate new products, 

higher quality versions of existing products, a 

larger volume, or faster turnaround? Second, 

determine what effect each change has on the 

use of the outputs. Do the changes reduce 

user costs, enable users to improve the quality 

of their products, or let users more effectively 

communicate their products? Third, determine the value of each of these effects.

Determining value is a difficult task. 

However, this three-step process narrows the 

focus of the study so that value can be more 

easily and accurately measured. For most of 

the 40 case studies it was possible to make objective estimates of value. These estimates varied widely but had a median value of $8,000 

for a single run of a typical application.

Effectiveness benefits were generally 

found to be considerably higher than 

efficiency benefits. That is, the more significant source of benefits from the use of GIS 

technology was found to be the new or 

improved outputs made possible by the GIS, 

rather than the savings obtained from lowering operating costs.

Predicting the Benefits of GIS Use. The 

technique used in the 40 case studies permits 

reasonably accurate and objective measurement of the benefits of GIS use; however, the 

technique is still difficult and time consuming. 

The USGS has developed a digital benefits 

model that uses two equations that predict the 

two kinds of benefits. In the 40 case studies, 

the efficiency equation explains approximately 

50 percent of the observed variation in benefits and is statistically significant at a confidence level of 98 percent. The effectiveness 

equation explains approximately 90 percent 

of the observed variation in benefits across 

the 40 case studies and is statistically significant at a confidence level of 99 percent.

The equations use a small number of 

objective and easily collected variables to predict benefits. Some of these variables are the 

areal extent of the application, the number of 

megabytes of data, and the maximum number 

of concurrent overlays. The coefficients of the 

variables were estimated by using the information collected in the case studies and a statistics software program on a personal 

computer.

The digital benefits model can be used to 

help decide the suitability of a particular 

application for GIS use or to assist in costbenefit studies supporting the acquisition of 

GIS equipment. The model is applied in a 

four-step process. First, list all the applications 

for which GIS use is planned. Second, for 

each application, determine if the benefits of 

GIS use will be efficiency or effectiveness. 

Third, collect the values of the variables used 

in the equations. Fourth, enter the values for 

the variables into the appropriate equation 

and multiply by the values of the coefficients. 

The result of the equation is the predicted 

value of the GIS benefits.

This digital benefits model is much faster 

and less expensive than traditional benefit 

analyses. The difficult and expensive process 

of actually measuring GIS benefits for all 

applications is eliminated. Only the values of 

the variables used in the equations are needed 

to predict benefits. These variables can be 

measured quickly, easily, and objectively.

At present, the model is limited by the 

fairly small number of applications used to 

develop the equations. Cooperative efforts to 

expand applications are underway with other 

Federal agencies.

48 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Global Land Information 

System

5) Thomas M. Holm

~f) eturning from a field trip to Kenya, a 

J\^cientist may need additional information 

about land use, land cover, and terrain patterns observed in Africa. Where does one go 

for data on soil conditions, topography, and 

vegetation conditions? Researchers can now 

use their personal computers and a modem to 

access a computer data base in the Earth 

Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data 

Center in Sioux Falls, S. Dak. Once connected, 

the scientist's computer is linked with the Global Land Information System (GLIS). GLIS 

allows the operator to zero in on and define 

the land area of interest and query GLIS for 

land use, land cover, and topographic and 

remotely sensed data.

GLIS was developed in support of global 

change studies to meet the need for information about the Earth's land surface. It represents an important step in meeting the USGS 

responsibility for providing a land data system 

for global change. GLIS is, for the most part, 

a metadata system; that is, the system contents 

are mosdy descriptions of sources of data and 

images, listed similarly to the descriptions of 

books and tapes in a library card catalog.

GLIS, developed by the USGS at the 

EROS Data Center (EDC), is a central 

interactive source of data about the Earth's 

land surface. Scientists can use GLIS to assess 

the potential use of data sets, determine their 

availability, and place online requests for 

related data products. The USGS developed 

GLIS to provide:

 Advanced online information query, data 

graphics display, and product request capabilities and services to the global change 

research community.

 A widely accessible data system that allows 

researchers easy access to information about 

global land science data stored at locations 

around the world.

 Network connections to and from other 

global change data and information systems 

and other earth science information systems.

 Archival systems assuring long-term preservation of earth science data.

GLIS contains references to a variety of 

land data sets, such as land use, land cover, 

and soils, cultural and topographic, and 

remotely sensed satellite and aircraft data. 

The data accessible through GLIS reside at 

USGS and other data centers throughout the 

world, such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.

Since 1972, EDC has stored, reproduced, 

and distributed aerial photographs, satellite 

data, and other earth science data of the

"GLIS

is a central

interactive

source of data

about the Earth's

land surface."

A sample GLIS browse screen of 

an AVHRR (advanced very high 

resolution radiometer) satellite image 

of the Suez Canal area and the 

associated coverage plot graphics.

National Mapping Program 49
United States and of other areas worldwide. 

The continued availability of these data are 

critical to scientists seeking to understand 

Earth systems and for predicting the changes 

in the Earth's lands, oceans, and atmosphere 

that are caused by both natural and humaninduced phenomena. GLIS is used to manage 

and distribute these vast amounts and varied 

types of land data needed for global change 

studies.

The National Aerial 

Photography Program

By Donald L. Light

F

ederal and State agencies are currently 

participating in the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) to support the 

development of a national photographic data 

base. A steering committee composed of representatives from cooperating Federal agencies of the Department of Agriculture, 

Department of the Interior, and Tennessee 

Valley Authority provides overall program 

guidance. The USGS administers NAPP 

under the joint committee's direction.

NAPP was established to coordinate the 

collection of aerial photographs of the 48 

contiguous States every 5 years. The goals of 

NAPP are to ensure that the photographs are 

of uniform scale, have good image quality,

and meet the requirements of several Federal 

and State agencies.

The objectives of NAPP are to complete 

conterminous coverage of the United States 

and develop a NAPP data base, to provide 

updates of the base every 5 years, and to 

ensure that the photographs are easily 

available to any user. The map below shows 

the plan in effect beginning with fiscal year 

1992. Actual dates of acquisition may vary 

depending on the availability of funds and 

on weather conditions. States can ensure that 

the photographs they need will be acquired 

through cooperative funding of 50 percent 

of the estimated cost prior to the year of 

planned acquisition.

NAPP provides stereoscopic coverage by 

overlapping successive pairs of aerial photographs so that a three-dimensional view of the 

terrain, a stereomodel, is obtained when pairs 

of photographs are viewed through a stereoscope. NAPP photographic flights follow predetermined north-south lines along center 

lines of quarters of USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles. Flights are at 20,000 feet above mean 

terrain to produce a nominal photo-scale of 

1:40,000.

To obtain ordering information, contact 

any Earth Science Information Center (ESIC; 

see p. 108) or call 1-800-USA-MAPS. You 

can order directly by sending a map outlining 

your area of interest to (1) Sioux Falls-ESIC, 

U.S. Geological Survey, Sioux Falls, SD 57198 

or (2) USDA-ASCS, Aerial Photography Field 

Office, P.O. Box 30010, 2222 West 2300 

South, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0010.

EXPLANATION 

I 11992 

I 11993 

Eg 1994

 1995

 1996

NAPP acquisition program from 1992 96, plan of the States to be considered for aerial photography in NAPP by year. 

Actual dates of photography may vary.

50 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
A computer-generated (digitized) 

version of the 1791 L'Enfant plan 

of Washington, D.C., prepared for 

the Library of Congress by the 

USGS and assisted by the National 

Geographic Society and the National 

Park Service.

L'Enfant Plan Digitized in 

Cooperative Project

T

wo hundred years ago, Pierre Charles 

L'Enfant journeyed to Philadelphia, the 

temporary headquarters of the new government of the United States, to show President 

George Washington the unfinished draft of 

his plan for the Nation's capital city. In commemoration of that event, a cooperative effort 

among the USGS, the National Park Service, 

the National Geographic Society, and the 

Library of Congress has resulted in a new 

look at a part of American history. L'Enfant's 

manuscript plan of "The City of Washington" 

has been digitally reconstructed to make 

reprinting of the plan a reality.

The digitized version of the plan makes 

it possible for the first time in many years to 

discern previously obscured details that Pierre 

L'Enfant included on his draft plan. Even 

some penciled notations added later by 

Thomas Jefferson are now easy to read.

Fading and deterioration of the manuscript had made parts of the plan virtually 

illegible. A 19th-century effort to preserve the 

plan by varnishing it had the unfortunate 

opposite effect of seriously degrading the 

image.

The 1991 digitally enhanced version 

(above) of the 1791 L'Enfant plan was made 

possible by the partnership of three Federal 

agencies and one private organization, all of

which have an interest in the L'Enfant plan 

and what it represents. This digital process 

had never been attempted before with a historic map.

The project was initiated in 1987 and 

financed in part by the National Geographic 

Society to catalog, restore, preserve, and publish the Library of Congress collection of 

some 3,000 maps and 250 atlases covering 

Washington, D.C. The original manuscript of 

L'Enfant's early plan for the new capital city is 

the linchpin of that collection. The National 

Capital Region of the National Park Service 

was interested in using the new version of the 

L'Enfant plan to help celebrate the bicentennial of the Nation's Capital, and that agency 

contributed funds to assist the project.

In 1988, cartographic and conservation 

specialists from the Library of Congress transported the L'Enfant plan to the Eastern Mapping Center of the USGS in Reston, Va., so 

that it could be photographed with a special 

camera on high-contrast film to produce oneto-one sized negatives. USGS experts then 

made photographic prints that were carefully 

scanned, and the features of L'Enfant's paper 

plan were converted to computerized format. 

The resulting digital data were then displayed 

on computer edit stations, allowing the operators to remove varnish and other stains and 

blemishes and to enhance the lines, patterns, 

shading, and text of the original plan.

The original scanned data from the plan 

were so detailed that the information occupied 

approximately 30 computer tapes, or 809

". . .a new look

at a part

of American

history."

National Mapping Program 51
megabytes of information. Once all the 

unwanted background clutter was removed, 

the data for the final digitized version of the 

plan were contained on two computer tapes, 

one for the continuous-tone shading and one 

for the text and linear information.

Copies of the new, digitally enhanced 

version of the L'Enfant plan, as well as color 

facsimiles of the original manuscript, are 

available for sale from the Library of Congress. For information, call 202-707-2905.

Monitoring Urban 

Landscapes

By Robert H. DeAngelis and Jay Donnelly

T

all buildings that alter the skyline of a 

city, burgeoning populations that put 

additional stress on existing services, and the 

associated expansion of roads and regional 

mass transportation systems needed to accommodate urban growth are among the development issues that concern urban and regional 

planners. In order to effectively monitor 

growth and to forecast how an urban area 

might grow, urban planners need an adequate 

base of geographic, demographic, land use, 

and associated spatial data in computerreadable form. A regional planner in the 

Washington, D.C., area may ask, "Given

varous development conditions, what will the 

Washington metropolitan area look like in the 

year 2050?"

Scientists with the USGS, the National 

Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), and 

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

(MIT) are collaborating to address that question and other urban change issues. Their primary goal is to determine how best to apply 

digital spatial data to make informed projections and decisions regarding urban growth.

Each collaborator contributes a unique 

expertise to this research. The role of the 

USGS in this innovative project is to use spatial analysis tools, such as GIS systems, image 

processing, transportation analysis, and 

computer-aided design systems, as components in a modeling system to project and 

monitor urban change. The Washington 

region was selected as a test area because a 

wealth of digital information about this region 

already exists. USGS large-scale digital cartographic, elevation, and image data are being 

integrated with other forms of digital urban 

planning information to assess the demographic, natural, transportation, and architectural resources of the Nation's Capital.

A primary task of the USGS in this 

project is to provide expertise in methods of 

integrating and using digital spatial data. For 

example, the USGS is giving technical assistance to the project collaborators on efficient 

techniques for data transfer and manipulation. These efforts include designing

A, A surface model of National Airport as viewed from the south. A mesh has been overlaid on the surface to define relief. 

Note the aircraft in the center of the image. The model was produced by combining a digital elevation model surface with 

digital orthophoto image data in a GIS. The surface model can be manipulated to produce different views from different 

directions specified by the observer.

52 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
intuitive menu driven tools that make it 

easier to manipulate, analyze, and view urban 

information.

The NCPC is the central planning 

agency for the Washington metropolitan 

region. This Federal commission reviews and 

coordinates development plans proposed by 

Federal, State, regional, and local authorities. 

For this collaborative research, the NCPC will 

select a pilot area within the National Capital 

region and provide expertise in regional 

planning, transportation analysis, employment 

migrations, architectural concerns, and consideration of the aesthetic impacts of future 

growth of federally owned properties.

Adapting traditional simulation techniques to new technologies and developing 

innovative techniques are the responsibility of 

MIT. Researchers at MIT are developing 

methods for assessing and visualizing the 

likely effects of alternative development proposals. MIT scientists are designing a system 

that will make urban data sets and manipulation tools accessible to users at various locations. Planners can use these data and systems 

to devise what-if growth scenarios.

The first phase of this project is near 

completion. The USGS has built spatial data 

bases from a variety of sources and systems 

and has gathered current and historic

information on the natural, manmade, and 

cultural resources of the Capital region. Formats for data exchange have been selected. 

The USGS also has written programs to make 

viewing and using these data easier. MIT has 

developed tools for visualizing and manipulating imagery and historical spatial data.

Using advanced spatial analysis tools, the 

NCPC will be able to select those sites most 

suitable for large-scale development. Visualization and viewing tools will allow urban 

planners to assess the aesthetic impacts that 

constructing a large office building could have 

on this historic region. Models of the land 

surface can be generated and manipulated by 

using digital data visualization tools to represent different viewing perspectives. Information can be derived about demographic 

change and its effect on regional transportation networks as the workforce shifts to a new 

facility. From this base of information, planners can evaluate alternative sites and other 

development scenarios.

Technology transfer is a common goal of 

this cooperative project. Initiating and 

encouraging dialog among data providers, 

earth scientists, and urban planners are essential. The analytical techniques and products 

developed in this project will be useful in 

other urban applications.

". . .what

will the

Washington

metropolitan

area look like in

the year 2050?"

B, Digital representation of what the pilot of the aircraft (A) might see on approach to the landing runway. The observer 

can replicate the pilot's perspective by using the GIS to set viewing parameters such as target, height above the surface, 

direction, and distance of object to target. Inset: vertical view, including aircraft.

National Mapping Program 53
Mission

The Geologic Division evaluates the 

Nation's geologic structure and the geologic 

processes that have shaped it, assesses the 

Nation's mineral and energy resources, and 

identifies and investigates geologic hazards.

 Investigations of geologic hazards provide 

information for predicting and delineating 

hazards from earthquakes and volcanoes and 

for identifying engineering problems related to 

ground failure hazards.

 Regional geologic studies provide geologic 

maps and regional syntheses of detailed 

geologic data essential to mineral, energy, 

and hazard assessments, and to land use 

decisions such as landfill siting and selection 

of transportation routes.

 Offshore geologic studies identify and 

describe the mineral and petroleum resources 

of the offshore areas of the United States, 

including the Exclusive Economic Zone, an 

area one-third larger than the land area of the 

United States.

 Mineral resource investigations assess the 

distribution, quantity, and quality of the 

Nation's mineral resources required for making 

land use decisions by Federal, State, and local 

land-management agencies.

 Surveys of energy resources provide 

assessments of the Nation's coal, petroleum, 

uranium, and geothermal resources and 

enhance capabilities to explore for and develop 

new sources of energy.
Message from the Chief Geologist, 

Geologic Division

T

he mission of the Geologic Division provides us with many challenges as we monitor 

natural hazards and conduct extensive research to mitigate and, potentially, to 

forecast the occurrence and effects of these hazards. We are also responsible for mapping 

onshore and offshore geology, the last terrestrial frontier of our Nation.

The Nation needs energy and mineral resources to sustain its economic and 

national security. Through our energy and mineral resource assessment programs, we 

are working to provide credible and unbiased estimates of undiscovered and critical 

resources. The Earth is a complex and dynamic system. Understanding global change, 

whether it is developing knowledge on changes in climate in the Earth's long geologic 

history or discerning the complex interactions between the atmosphere and the land 

surface and the oceans, the Geologic Division is committed to providing the information 

to help the Nation deal with this vital issue.

While the pursuit of our science is paramount, we also recognize the importance of 

effective communication of our science to those who need it, communication among our 

scientists, and the healthy advancement of our diverse scientific workforce. To address 

this last issue, we have made extensive strides this fiscal year by establishing a Women's 

Advisory Committee to promote communication with our managers on opportunities, 

problems, and solutions related to the professional development of women employees in 

all work categories. We held program planning forums at each of our major regional 

centers in Reston, Va.; Denver, Colo.; and Menlo Park, Calif., to ensure that information on our programs and funding opportunities are effectively communicated.

The response to our efforts to meet the needs and foster the advancement of our 

diverse scientific, technical, and support staffs has been overwhelmingly positive, and we 

will continue to support these efforts as part of our overall mission to provide geologic 

knowledge and understanding that serves the Nation's needs.

Benjamin A. Morgan III

Thermal Maturity 

Mapping in Alaska

By Kenneth J. Bird, Mark J. Johnsson, 

David G. Howell, and Leslie B. Magoon

N

ew information on the temperatures to 

which rocks were exposed in the past is 

offering insights into geologic processes and is 

providing a basis for new assessments of 

hydrocarbon, coal, and mineral resource 

potential in Alaska. Knowledge about these 

temperatures is critical to developing resource 

estimates because the amount of heating is an 

important factor in determining whether oil 

or natural gas are formed, the energy content 

of coal, and the type of mineral deposits that 

may form. By knowing the age of the rock 

and the maximum temperature of exposure, 

geologists also gain a better understanding of 

how the crust of the Earth has been reshaped 

over geologic time. This information furthers 

our understanding of the workings of plate 

tectonics the shifting of crustal plates that 

make up the Earth's surface and the geologic evolution of Alaska.

Thermal Maturity. The temperature of 

the upper part of the Earth's crust increases 

with depth at an average rate of about 25°C 

per kilometer. The ultimate source of this 

heat is the spontaneous decay of natural 

radioactive minerals. The presence at the 

Earth's surface of rock once heated to high 

temperatures attests to the dynamic nature of 

the Earth's crust. Determining the past temperature exposure allows for a better understanding of both tectonic processes and 

hydrocarbon, coal, and mineral resource 

potential. Geothermometers are mineral or 

organic indicators of past temperature exposure. High-temperature geothermometers, 

those indicative of once-molten or nearmolten conditions in igneous or metamorphic 

rock, have been known for a century or more.

Efforts by geologists during the last 25 

years have resulted in the identification of 

reliable low-temperature (<300°C) geothermometers suitable for use in sedimentary 

rock. Low-temperature analysis is often reported in terms of thermal maturity because 

most low-temperature geothermometers actually respond not only to the maximum past 

temperature but also to the time spent at that 

temperature. The best thermal maturity indicators are little affected by time and give

o

w 

O

O

O

w

C/3

H

o

Hh-H

O
EXPLANATION 

I Quaternary sediments 

I Undermature

Mature I

Mature II

Overmature

Supermature

Igneous-metamorphic

Figure 1. Thermal maturity map of surface rock in northern Alaska based on more than 2,000 sample stations, including 82 wells.

fairly accurate measures of past maximum 

temperatures. By far the most widely 

used thermal maturity indicator is vitrinite 

reflectance.

Vitrinite, one of several types of organic 

particles commonly found disseminated in 

sedimentary rock, is the fossil remains of 

woody plant material. Upon exposure to elevated temperatures, vitrinite becomes increasingly reflective. These changes in reflectivity 

are responsible for the increase in the brightness of coal, which consists primarily of vitrinite, with increasing coal rank: lignite coal is 

dull, bituminous coal is moderately bright, 

and anthracite coal is very bright.

Past temperatures can be determined by 

measuring the amount of light that is reflected off a polished surface of vitrinite, designated as R0 and reported in percent. Typical 

values range from ~0.2 percent, for vitrinite 

that has never been subjected to temperatures 

higher than those found at the Earth's surface, to more than 5.0 percent, for vitrinite 

exposed to metamorphic conditions (generally 

exceeding 300°C). Oil is found in samples that 

give vitrinite reflectance values between 0.6 

and 1.3 percent. At values higher than about 

2.0 percent, generally only natural gas is 

present. Other useful thermal maturity indicators are based on color changes observed in 

fossil pollen, spores, and conodonts (teethlike 

microfossils) and structural changes in clay 

minerals.

Thermal Maturity Mapping in Alaska. 

During the last 15 years, the USGS has collected vitrinite reflectance data from many 

parts of Alaska in its study of oil and natural 

gas resources. These data, combined with data 

from the oil industry and other scientists, now 

provide information on thermal maturity at 

several thousand localities widely distributed 

over the State. These data have been combined with other measures of thermal maturity, such as conodont color, to produce a 

thermal maturity map of the surface rock of 

Alaska. The thermal maturity data are 

grouped into five categories: undermature 

(R0<0.6 percent), mature I (R0 =0.6-1.3 

percent), mature II (R0 = 1.3-2.0 percent), 

overmature (R0=2.0 3.5 percent), and supermature (R0>3.5 percent).

North Slope Example. The northern 

part of the thermal maturity map of Alaska 

(the Brooks Range and North Slope) is shown 

in figure 1. This map is based on about 1,100 

vitrinite reflectance determinations from surface localities, 3,000 determinations from 82 

wells, and approximately 1,000 conodont 

color analyses. These data provide the most 

concentrated coverage of any area of the 

State. They show that the thermal maturity of 

rock at the surface generally increases from 

north to south. This increase indicates greater 

uplift to the south. Assuming an average 

geothermal gradient of 25°C per kilometer, 

the maximum reflectance values indicate

56 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
A Geology.

North 

A'

Tertiary

Cretaceous

CarboniferousJurassic Pre-Carboniferous' 

'basement"

B, Thermal Maturity.

(Vitrinite reflectance, mean R o, %)

North 

A'

25 KILOMETERS

No vertical exaggeration

Undermature (Ro < 0.6)

Mature 1 (Ro 0.6-1.3)

Mature I (R0 1.3-2.0)

Overmature (R o 2.0-3.5) Supermature (R o 3.5-5.0)'

Figure 2. Cross section along section A A' in figure 1, showing geology (upper panel) and thermal maturity (lower panel). Thermal maturity units are identical to 

those in figure 1. Numeric values in lower panel are representative vitrinite reflectance values, R0, in percent.

uplift of 12 kilometers for the central Brooks 

Range. Uplift apparently decreases to the 

north, and the rock exposed along the coast 

east of Prudhoe Bay appears to show no 

uplift.

A salient feature of the regional thermal 

maturity pattern is a broad southward extension of thermally immature rock in the central 

portion of the North Slope. In comparison, 

rock in regions to the east and west is of 

higher thermal maturity, indicating that they 

were at one time buried to greater depths and 

have therefore undergone greater uplift than 

rock of the central North Slope. Such uplift in 

the eastern Brooks Range has previously been 

recognized, but the uplift in the western 

Brooks Range and North Slope is recognized 

only from thermal maturity data. These 

regional differences in uplift may indicate 

that mountain building continued longer in 

the east and west than in the central portion 

of the Brooks Range.

Vitrinite reflectance patterns within the 

Brooks Range indicate that maximum burial 

occurred after the early phases of mountain 

building. The pattern of vitrinite reflectance 

values just north of the Brooks Range, however, show a warping of the thermal maturity 

values (fig. 2) an indication that the later 

stages of mountain building continued in this 

area after maximum heating and burial. Oil 

and natural gas are expected to have formed 

primarily at the time of maximum heating of 

the rock the time when a thermal signature 

was imposed. The observed warping of the 

thermal maturity units means that late-stage 

deformation may have destroyed earlyformed oil and natural gas accumulations or 

shifted them to new locations. Thermal maturity data thus can be used to infer aspects of 

the timing of mountain development and 

have important implications for oil and natural gas exploration.

Geologic Investigations 57
"The network 

will consist of 

approximately

150 seismograph 

stations

distributed across 

the contiguous 

48 States and

Alaska, Hawaii,

Puerto Rico,

and the Virgin

Islands."

United States National 

Seismograph Network

By Robert P. Masst

T

he frequency of occurrence, geographical 

distribution, and magnitude of earthquakes are important in assessing the seismic 

hazard of a region, for establishing the design 

and construction criteria for critical facilities, 

such as nuclear reactors, and for responding 

to large-magnitude events. This information 

defines the seismicity of a region and can 

be determined only through the operation 

of seismograph networks. For many years, 

scientists and government agencies have recognized the need for a high-quality national 

seismograph network in the United States.

The USGS has developed and is deploying a broadband digital seismograph network 

for the United States to meet this need. The 

network will consist of approximately 150 

seismograph stations distributed across the 

contiguous 48 States and Alaska, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Data 

transmission will be via two-way satellite 

telemetry from the network sites to a central 

recording facility at the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) in Golden, 

Colo. The design goal for the network is the 

undistorted recording by at least five welldistributed stations of any seismic event of 

magnitude 2.5 or greater in virtually all 

areas of North America. The entire network, 

the U.S. National Seismograph Network 

(USNSN), is a cooperative effort between the 

USGS and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

The USGS will install and operate the 

USNSN, and the NRC is providing funds to 

the USGS for the completion of the network 

east of the Rocky Mountains. This network 

will increase the ability to characterize earthquakes in most parts of the United States. 

However, the USNSN will not, even when 

complete, eliminate the need for additional 

dense networks of seismograph stations in 

specific locations. Such dense local networks 

exist today in several critical areas within the 

United States. These dense local networks 

detect low-magnitude earthquakes (below the 

2.5 threshold for USNSN) and achieve high 

location accuracy. The dense local networks 

are located in specific seismic risk areas to 

acquire important data for research in earthquake prediction and ground-motion estimation. The USNSN and the dense local seismograph networks are complementary. Data 

from USNSN will provide, for the first time, 

near-uniform high-quality coverage for the 

entire country.

The design of the USNSN will meet the 

following objectives:

 Detect and locate all earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in the United States, 

within 30 minutes,

 Minimize development risk, development 

cost, and operation cost of the network,

 Place seismograph stations at low-noise 

sites,

 Acquire full seismic waveform data, and

 Provide rapid distribution of the data 

through the NEIC.

To ensure that a high-quality network is 

deployed within a few years, it is essential that 

the system design be feasible, that installation 

and implementation be timely, and that available funds cover all costs. For the USNSN, 

the USGS will minimize risk by using a stateof-the-art seismic processing system recently 

developed for the NEIC. All station hardware 

will be commercially available. Historically, the 

failure to maintain funding for seismograph 

networks and arrays has been high operating 

costs. Therefore, the design of the USNSN is 

such that operational costs will be minimized.

The lower the nonearthquake background noise at the stations, the better the 

overall network detection will be. To the 

extent possible, seismograph stations are 

being located at low-noise sites. The USNSN 

will produce high-quality seismic data covering a wide dynamic range. Three-component 

data will be available from the network stations. Rapid access to data from USNSN 

will be provided by the USGS. Waveform 

data for earthquakes will be available in realtime through a broadcast mode satellite transmission from the NEIC and in near realtime 

through high-speed dial-up to the event waveform data base at the NEIC.

Waveform data for all earthquakes 

recorded by USNSN also will be provided on 

CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory). 

Satellite links to participating regional networks also will be provided. The NEIC has 

taken a leadership role in distributing national 

and global seismic data to the scientific community. For data from the USNSN, the NEIC 

is developing procedures to ensure rapid distribution and equal access to the event data 

for all interested users.

Each station will have three-component 

seismometers, which will acquire data over a 

very broad band and high dynamic range. 

The seismograph stations will have a microcomputer, a satellite transmitter, and an 

antenna. The event data will be digitized at 

the station. In addition, stations are being 

equipped with three-component strongmotion sensors, further extending the total 

dynamic range of the system. This larger

58 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
EXPLANATION

USNSN sites 

LLNL sites 

RSTN sites 

Regional network 

nodes and centers

dynamic range will permit even large earthquakes to be recorded on scale.

Data will be transmitted from the station 

to the NEIC via satellite and a small satellite 

antenna. The NEIC will receive data from all 

seismograph stations using a large satellite 

dish having associated electronics located at 

the NEIC in Golden, Colo. This data transmission will allow the seismograph stations to 

be placed at sites that have low background 

noise and will eliminate dependency on the 

more costly long-distance telephone lines.

The system is being designed with sufficient capacity to telemeter all data simultaneously in the event of a great earthquake 

near North America. At NEIC in Golden, a 

modular real-time seismic processing system 

can be easily expanded to meet all future 

USNSN requirements. Many future seismic 

studies of the United States, including those 

studies using data from the dense local networks, will be based on the data base obtained 

from the USNSN.

The functions of the processing system 

include refining signal detection, determining 

signal parameters, associating signals, determining preliminary earthquake location, 

archiving the signal waveform data with associated epicenter information, providing an 

interactive capability for reviewing all automatic event determinations, and producing 

final epicenter information for dissemination. 

Processed results for USNSN in the form of

U.S. National Seismograph 

Network stations. LLNL, 

Lawrence Livermore National 

Laboratory; RSTN, realtime 

seismic network.

Satellite dish that will receive data 

from all 150 stations in the U.S. 

National Seismograph Network, 

located at the USGS National 

Earthquake Information Center in 

Golden, Colo.

epicenter electronic bulletins will be available 

as part of the NEIC Quick Epicenter Determination (QED) program. The QED bulletin is 

already available by dialing the NEIC computers toll free (1-800-358-2663). The QED 

information also is transmitted over the 

World Meteorological Organization communications channels to countries all around the 

world.

Geologic Investigations 59
122°15'

EXPLANATION

Gulf of the Farallones Nationa

Marine Sanctuary boundary

Preliminary study area

USGS Farallon shelf segment study

Area that may contain radioactive waste

Radioactive waste dumpsite

Area covered by sidescan sonar mosaic

Bathymetry in meters

Transverse mercoioi projection

HALF MOON 

BAY

10 NAUTICAL MILES

15'

37°00'

Figure 1. Continental shelf and slope study areas in the Gulf of the Farallones. Inset shows sonograph mosaic of intricate linear scour 

depressions on the continental shelf. Sidescan sonar coverage was obtained over the entire preliminary study area. The shaded part in 

the middepth radioactive waste dumpsite is the area of the sonographic mosaic shown in figure 2.

Farallones Region, 

California Marine 

Environmental Research

By Herman A. Karl

T

he marine environment is now facing 

important issues of universal concern 

such as pollution, resource availability and 

management, natural hazards, and global and 

climatic change. Concerns about possible environmental damage to the world's oceans were 

expressed at least 30 years ago but only now 

are the potential effects of human activities on 

the marine ecosystem beginning to be fully 

understood by scientists and the public. The

oceans will be used increasingly as a source of 

food and mineral and petroleum resources, as 

a place for recreation, and as a repository for 

waste products. To ensure that these human 

demands are met responsibly, the public and 

the public's representatives must have the 

best scientific data available to guide them in 

making choices about uses of the marine 

environment.

The USGS has conducted geologic 

research investigations in the marine environment for more than two decades. In 1983, 

President Reagan proclaimed the ocean area 

200 nautical miles off the coast of the United 

States, its island territories, and territorial seas 

as the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 

The USGS is conducting systematic environmentally focused geologic investigations, 

called Geologic Inventory projects, on the

60 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
continental shelf and slope within the EEZ. 

Areas that are offshore of major population 

centers have been and will continue to be 

most impacted by human activities, and, 

therefore, the initial study sites are adjacent to 

large urban areas. The first of the Geologic 

Inventory projects, the Offshore Geology of 

the Farallones Region, was begun offshore of 

the San Francisco Bay in 1989.

Concept and Structure of the Farallones 

Region Project. Each Geologic Inventory 

project is designed and conducted as a multidisciplinary research study. The basic research 

must be relevant to one or more specific social 

issues and also must provide baseline information that can be used to design other environmental studies. Most importantly, the data 

derived from the project must be communicated in a timely way that is clearly understandable not only by professional scientists 

but also by the public and those charged with 

managing offshore areas. The Farallones

Region project demonstrates this applicability 

of basic marine research to critical social 

issues.

The continental margin offshore of the 

San Francisco Bay area (fig. 1) was chosen as 

the site of the first Geologic Inventory project 

for six reasons: (1) The Gulf of the Farallones 

is an important commercial and recreational 

fisheries area. (2) The Gulf of the Farallones 

National Marine Sanctuary a unique marine 

ecosystem encompasses a large part of the 

Gulf of the Farallones. Little is known about 

the geology and oceanography of this area. 

(3) Selected areas of the ocean floor have 

been used and are being considered as disposal sites for material dredged from San 

Francisco Bay. There is a great need to 

gather information about the geologic and 

oceanographic processes on the continental 

margin to understand the effects of these 

disposal sites on the environment. (4) More 

than 47,800 drums (55 gallon) and other

Figure 2. Part of sidescan sonar 

mosaic obtained on the continental 

slope adjacent to the middepth 

radioactive waste dumpsite. Small 

dots within the circled area are 

55-gallon drums. The arrow points 

to a particularly prominent cluster 

of barrels. The barrel illustrated is 

one of the barrels within the circled 

area, but it is not possible to 

attribute the photograph to a specific 

target (barrel) on the sonograph.

Geologic Investigations 61
"The sonographs

are used to

define the

geologic and

morphologic

setting of the

study area. ..."

containers of low-level radioactive waste were 

dumped on the continental margin between 

1946 and 1970. These drums now litter a 

large area (1,400 square kilometers) of the sea 

floor within the marine sanctuary (fig. 2). The 

exact location of the drums and the potential 

hazard the drums pose to the environment 

are unknown. (5) Many faults have been 

mapped in the Gulf of the Farallones; for 

example, the San Andreas Fault crosses the 

Gulf near the Golden Gate Bridge. These 

faults are a potential seismic risk for the cities 

in the San Francisco Bay area. (6) Study of 

the open ocean environment complements 

ongoing USGS investigations of San Francisco 

Bay and provides an opportunity to study an 

estuarine shelf-slope system.

The USGS began this multidisciplinary 

project by mapping and sampling the continental shelf east of the Farallon Islands. In 

1990 the project expanded in scope when the 

USGS conducted an investigation, sponsored 

by the USGS, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. 

Navy, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NO A A), to survey and sample the continental slope west of the Farallon 

Islands. This cooperative study was designed 

to provide information about the location and 

distribution of the drums of low-level radioactive waste and about geologic data on areas 

being considered as sites for disposal of 

dredge material from San Francisco Bay.

Data Collection and Results. A variety of 

surveying and sampling techniques and technologies are required to sample and measure 

the many physical products and processes that 

characterize continental shelf and slope environments. These include but are not limited 

to geophysical surveys, sediment sampling, 

bottom photography, and measurements of 

ocean currents. One valuable surveying tool is 

sidescan sonar, which allows scientists to characterize the morphology of the sea floor by 

swath mapping. Sidescan sonar provides an 

acoustic image, or sonograph, of the sea floor 

that is similar to a satellite image of the 

Earth's land surface. As the sidescan sonar 

instrument is towed behind a ship along previously determined tracklines, the sonar continuously emits pulses of sound that ensonify 

strips, or swaths, of sea floor. The width of 

the swaths depends upon the type of sidescan 

sonar system. Swaths ranged from 200 meters 

to 5 kilometers in the Farallones study. When 

constructing a mosaic of the swath images, 

tracklines are spaced so that adjacent swaths 

overlap by 10 to 20 percent.

The sidescan data are processed by computers, and a digital gray-scale mosaic of a 

chosen area of sea floor is progressively built 

by overlapping and joining adjacent swaths. 

The shades of gray define the features of the

sea floor and represent varying energy levels 

of sound returned from the sea floor and, 

hence, an acoustic image. The differences in 

the energy of the backscattered sound are 

related to sediment grain size, surface roughness, hardness, and slope of the sea floor. 

These sea-floor characteristics reflect the host 

of geologic processes that have produced the 

sea-floor environment. The sonographs are 

used to define the geologic and morphologic 

setting of the study area, to interpret geologic 

processes operating on the continental margin, and to provide information relevant to 

environmental issues.

When information on large areas is 

required and limited survey time is available, 

a reconnaissance method is used instead of 

detailed swath mapping. Data are collected 

along widely spaced tracklines to obtain an 

overview of the area. On the continental shelf 

between Point Reyes and Half Moon Bay, 

reconnaissance surveys from a high-resolution 

sidescan sonar system revealed at least four 

fields of bedforms (ripples and dunes generated by ocean currents). Owing to the widely 

spaced and non-overlapping sonographs, it 

was impossible to establish the absolute 

boundaries and geometric relationships of the 

bedform fields. Of particular interest were a 

series of broad (as wide as 2 kilometers), shallow (1-3 meters deep) depressions floored by 

coarse sand and large wave-generated ripples. 

To define the pattern and limits of the field 

of depressions, an 800-square-kilometer area 

was resurveyed with overlapping swaths and a 

computer-processed mosaic was constructed 

on board ship (fig. 1). This study is the first 

to map and define the field boundaries and 

thereby establish the geometry and spatial 

relationships to other shelf features of depressions such as these.

The origin of the depressions is controversial. The intricate pattern of depressions 

and ripples shows a dynamic and complex 

sediment transport system that varies with 

time and space. Information from the mosaic 

has several practical applications. For example, the evidence of strong currents, as indicated by large ripples in coarse-grained sand, 

suggests that dredge material and pollutants 

disposed of at sites on the shelf could be 

redistributed over large areas. Also, commercial fisherman can use the mosaic to locate 

substrate preferred by bottom fishes and 

crabs.

The low-level radioactive waste containers that were dumped in the Farallon Islands 

Radioactive Waste Dump (FIRWD) may or 

may not pose a risk to the environment. To 

evaluate the risk, samples of the sediment, 

biota, and water must be collected near the 

concentrations of barrels. However, the exact 

location of the barrels must be known prior to

62 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
sampling. The USGS, in cooperation with 

NOAA, used sidescan sonar to map two areas 

within the FIRWD. Total sea-floor coverage 

was obtained, and computer-processed mosaics were constructed on board ship.

Many small nongeologic targets (barrels) 

were distributed throughout the survey areas, 

which covered about 70 square kilometers on 

the shelf and 125 square kilometers on the 

slope (fig. 1). Analysis of the sidescan data 

suggests that many of the targets are 55- 

gallon drums. This interpretation was confirmed at one site by an underwater video 

and 35-millimeter camera system. Maps of 

barrel distribution derived from the sonographs are being used to design sampling 

schemes to evaluate the risk that the levels 

of radioactivity may have on the biota and 

environment.

Conclusions. Geologic Inventory projects 

such as the Offshore Geology of the Farallones Region are particularly important in 

ocean areas offshore from major urban centers where human activities have the most 

impact on the environment and where complex multiple-use decisions are necessary. The 

data collected during such projects aid in the 

resolution of geologic and oceanographic 

questions and critical social problems, such as 

hazardous waste management and pollution 

control. Many scientific surveying and sampling techniques, such as the sidescan sonar 

swath mapping discussed here, are available 

to help solve environmental problems. Cooperative agency investigations, such as the 

Farallones Region project, are cost and time 

efficient. Where feasible, such partnerships 

can be used to address these important societal and scientific issues.

New State Geologic Maps 

in New Jersey

By Wayne L. Newell and 

Mitchell W. Reynolds

T

he USGS and the New Jersey Geological 

Survey (NJGS), part of the New Jersey 

Department of Environmental Protection, are 

completing a new series of geologic maps, 

which present the distribution and structure 

of bedrock and earth-surface materials across 

the State. The cooperative geologic mapping 

project was begun in 1984. The map information enables Federal and State hydrologists, 

planners, and engineers to accurately model 

aquifers, identify other resources, and define 

strategies for mitigating hazards and targeting 

resources. The project is one of the initial

geologic mapping projects of the Cooperative 

Geologic Mapping program element 

(COGEOMAP) in the National Geologic 

Mapping Program.

The objective of the National Geologic 

Mapping Program is to model the geologic 

framework of the Nation through systematic 

geologic mapping and analysis of regions. 

The program provides geologic data necessary to make informed land use planning 

decisions. Through the COGEOMAP program, State geological surveys and the USGS 

combine resources to produce geologic maps 

in areas of mutual interest. During fiscal year 

1991, cooperative projects were in progress in 

36 States, including New Jersey. Such projects 

range in scope from quadrangles or counties 

to entire States and include not only geologic 

mapping but also geophysical mapping and 

isotopic and paleontologic geochronology of 

earth materials. The New Jersey State geologic map project was an early successful 

model for cooperation between a State agency 

and the USGS to produce both bedrock and 

earth-surface materials maps for an entire 

State.

Two complete maps, one of bedrock and 

one of surficial geology, provide an overall 

framework of the geology of New Jersey. 

Each map includes three panels that portray 

the north, central, and southern parts of the 

State at the scale of 1:100,000 (1 centimeter 

equals 1 kilometer). The bedrock geologic map 

shows the distribution of (1) Proterozoic metamorphic and igneous rock faulted against 

Paleozoic cover rock in the State's northern 

highlands, (2) early Mesozoic basins, which 

record the initial stages of continental rifting, 

and (3) a thick, overlapping sequence of 

unconsolidated late Mesozoic and early Tertiary sand, gravel, and clay, which fill Atlantic 

Coastal Plain embayments. The surficial 

geologic map delineates a variable thickness of 

Pleistocene glacial deposits across the northern part of the State, the weathered regolith 

on the unglaciated bedrock, and the Miocene 

to Recent fluvial to marine sediments overlapping older deposits of the Coastal Plain.

The earliest geologic map information 

for New Jersey was produced by Henry D. 

Rodgers more than 150 years ago following a 

brief but comprehensive reconnaissance of the 

State. Even though the State legislature had 

recognized early the need for a systematic 

detailed survey of New Jersey's natural 

resources, it was not until well after the Civil 

War that the work was completed with enthusiastic support from the State agricultural 

society. At the end of the 19th century, a second State geologic map project was initiated 

using a new, State-surveyed topographic base 

for geologic field studies. First printed in 

1910-12, the map was a forerunner of

"Two complete

maps, one of

bedrock and one

of surficial

geology, provide

an overall

framework

of the geology

of New Jersey."

Geologic Investigations 63
- ;..»?*!;;, > st

PRESENT at 

1:550,000

1910-12 and PRESENT 

Generalized map location

An example of the evolution of geologic mapping in New Jersey, shown by comparison of J. Parkers' 

1864 State geological map with parts ofJ.V. Lewis and H.B. Kilmmel's 1910-12 map and the 

present USGS NJGS cooperative mapping project (see index map for locations).

64 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
I- 

modern State geologic maps and has been 

widely used for 80 years for mineral resources, industrial materials, water resources, 

and land use planning. The new series of geologic maps, now being prepared for printing, 

was initiated to provide New Jersey with more 

reliable geotechnical information to address 

critical issues concerning water resources, disposal of hazardous wastes, and conflicting 

interests in land use planning.

Eighty years of progress in geologic 

research and new uses for geologic information are mandates for compiling new maps. 

The new State geologic maps are built upon 

modern concepts, including the collision and 

rifting of continents, weathering, erosion, the 

transport and deposition of sediments, climate 

change, glaciation, and the impact of people 

on the rates of natural processes. Deep core 

drilling, seismic profiling, and geophysical 

maps of the Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields have helped to reliably describe 

the distribution, shape, and structural configuration of rock types under the surface of 

New Jersey to depths exceeding several kilometers. This detailed information is essential 

to understanding the geologic history, the 

potential for earthquake hazards, and the distribution of resources. Radiometric and paleontologic studies of the ages of the rock units 

have facilitated the interpretation of the geologic history of New Jersey and aided in such 

applications as stratigraphic correlations for 

aquifer modeling.

Beyond the description of rock types and 

their distribution, the geologic history is an 

important attribute recorded on geologic 

maps designed for general-purpose use. 

Knowledge of the geologic history of New 

Jersey permits interpretations of the opportunities and limitations presented by geologic 

processes and environments. Such history permits interpretation of the magnitude and frequency of events such as earthquakes, flooding, climate change, and sea level rise.

Geologic maps and cross sections coupled 

with an interpretation of the history of geologic processes help map users to predict the 

suitability of areas for competing land uses. 

Slope stability, aquifer recharge areas, flood 

prone areas, eroding coastal areas, and locations along faults can be evaluated using the 

new geologic maps as a guide. Data from the 

maps can be computerized and used interactively with other types of spatial data in a 

GIS to solve many complex earth science 

problems.

The cooperative project between the 

USGS and the NJGS has been a pilot for 

coordinated efforts between State and Federal 

agencies. The NJGS is responsible for the 

interpretation of geologic information for

Geologists of the USGS and the 

New Jersey Geological Survey 

examine intensely weathered 

Miocene fluvial deposits in 

central New Jersey.

regulating site-specific uses. Realizing a need 

for more comprehensive map information to 

fulfill that function, State funds were obtained 

for the NJGS and the USGS to pursue geologic mapping and basic research in a series 

of collaborative projects.

The USGS has provided state-of-the-art 

research skills for geologic mapping. Because 

the focus of the USGS is national in scope, 

the collaborative project allows for the geology of New Jersey to be put into a regional 

perspective across the length and breadth of 

the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Mesozoic basins, 

Piedmont, Highlands, and Valley and Ridge 

provinces of the Appalachians; the project 

expands the essential national base of geologic 

information. The NJGS has the detailed 

knowledge of local geology and extensive 

archives of information from years of boring 

for bridges, site investigations, and well logs, 

which have been essential in developing the 

overall geologic picture of New Jersey. The 

involvement of State geologists in the creation 

and presentation of the new maps ensures 

that the new geologic data base is most useful 

and applicable for the NJGS's continuing 

mandate to apply the information to land 

use decisions that affect the environment, 

that provide for responsible use of natural 

resources, and that impact the well-being of 

New Jersey citizens.

Geologic Investigations 65
Mission

The U.S. Geological Survey has the 

principal responsibility within the Federal 

Government to provide the hydrologic 

information and understanding needed 

by others to achieve the best use and 

management of the Nation's water resources. 

To accomplish this mission, the Water 

Resources Division, in cooperation with State, 

local, and other Federal agencies,

 Systematically collects and analyzes data to 

evaluate the quantity, quality, and use of the 

Nation's water resources and provides results of 

these investigations to the public.

 Conducts water resources appraisals 

describing the occurrence, availability, 

and physical, chemical, and biological 

characteristics of surface and ground water.

 Conducts basic and problem-oriented 

hydrologic and related research that aids in 

alleviating water resources problems and 

provides an understanding of hydrologic 

systems sufficient to predict their response to 

natural or human-caused stress.

 Coordinates the activities of Federal agencies 

in the acquisition of water resources data for 

streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and 

ground water.

 Provides scientific and technical assistance 

in hydrologic fields to other Federal, State, 

and local agencies, to licensees of the Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission, and to 

international agencies on behalf of the 

Department of State.

 Administers the State Water Resources 

Research Institutes Program and the National 

Water Resources Research Grants Program.
Message from the Chief Hydrologist, 

Water Resources Division

T

he strength of the USGS program in water resources lies in our nationwide 

presence and long-term programmatic commitment to objectivity in understanding 

the physical, chemical, and biological processes that control the distribution and quality 

of water and in documenting its use. Grass-roots involvement in water issues in every 

State assures that our studies and data-collection efforts reflect local, regional, and 

national needs for information. At the same time, we are committed to maintaining 

nationally consistent, high-quality standards for our data and research, a commitment 

that is fundamental to maintaining the credibility we enjoy within the water resources 

community.

In fiscal year 1991, the USGS began a long-term program of regional waterquality studies that ultimately will cover about 50 percent of the land area of the United 

States and about 70 percent of national water use. The objective of the National Water 

Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program is to describe the status and trends of regional 

and national water quality and provide explanations for those observations. Implementation of the NAWQA program is part of a trend that has seen water-quality activities 

grow from 25 percent of our total water resources program to nearly 45 percent during 

the past decade.

Our program aspirations for the future include fully implementing the NAWQA 

program, expanding related water-quality studies of specific problems in our FederalState Cooperative program, and developing additional expertise in the hydrology and 

water quality of lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. We want to expand our capability to 

predict the effects of climate change on water resources and to increase our ability to 

address point and nonpoint-source ground-water contamination. Finally, we are looking 

hard at ways to improve the coordination and integration of water data collected by 

Federal, State, and local agencies. Clearly, we do not have sufficient water information 

or fiscal resources to support all the scientific, management, and regulatory programs 

that should be conducted to assure that the Nation's water resources are wisely used and 

managed. We can, however, assure that our resources are expended for data collection in 

ways that complement data collected by others and that the information we have is readily 

available to all. We believe that investments in these programs now will lay the 

foundation for water-resources investigations of the USGS well into the 21st century.

Philip Cohen

Distribution of Pesticides 

in the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta

By Kathryn M. Kuivila

I

n spite of a growing concern about the 

effects of pesticides in surface waters, there 

is a considerable lack of understanding regarding factors that control the fate of these 

compounds in the environment. The drainage 

system of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 

(fig. 1) includes the Central Valley of California, most of which is irrigated and intensively 

farmed and serves as an excellent case study. 

Central Valley pesticide use, which is among 

the most concentrated in the world, accounts 

for about 10 percent of the total pesticide 

usage in the United States (20,000 tons

annually, including more than 500 different 

organic compounds). Thus, the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta receives diverse organic 

contaminants that vary widely in their sources, 

seasonal distribution, environmental behavior, 

and toxicity.

The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, 

which together drain most of the Central Valley, probably are the sources of the highest 

loads of pesticides entering the delta. Local 

sources, such as agricultural wastewater discharged from delta farmlands, enter the estuary between the rivers and the Pacific Ocean 

and also contribute pesticides.

Pesticides are applied throughout the 

year, but application differs seasonally and in 

areal extent depending on the crop(s) being 

grown. Therefore, the distribution of pesticides in the delta depends on where and 

when pesticides are applied, the hydrology of 

the river-delta system, and the biogeochemical 

properties of the pesticides.

H 

w

C/3

o

o 

w

en

w

en

H

h-H

O 

> 

H

I-H

O

en
38°45' -

EXPLANATION

T Pesticide sampling sites

 Federal and State water projects

Streamflow affects transport, residence 

time, and fate of pesticides in the delta. River 

inflows to the delta and total freshwater 

discharge from the delta differ by an order of 

magnitude between extreme years of drought 

or floods and even seasonally during some 

years. The operation of Federal and State 

water projects that transfer water from northern California sources to the San Joaquin Valley and southern California also affects the 

flow system in the delta. Typically, most San 

Joaquin River flow during the summer goes 

to pumping plants; therefore, the Sacramento 

River is virtually the sole freshwater source to 

the estuary. In winter, river inflows are significantly higher and the export pumps have less 

effect on flow patterns in the delta.

Pesticide Sources and Transport

Three major crops, almonds, alfalfa, and 

rice, were selected for source and transport 

studies because the pesticides that are used on 

these crops include compounds having different biogeochemical properties (fig. 2). Pesticides are applied to these three crops at different times during the year, as is clearly 

illustrated in the graph of monthly application 

rates of a representative pesticide for each 

crop in 1988 (fig. 2B). Almond orchards, 

located primarily along the San Joaquin River, 

are sprayed with different pesticides, including diazinon, in January and February and 

again from May through August.

Pesticides, including carbofuran, are 

applied to alfalfa fields near the San Joaquin 

and within the delta in March and to rice 

fields primarily along the Sacramento River 

from April through June. After a lag time 

following application, the pesticides are transported in runoff to the river where they move 

downstream in river water as a pulse (high 

concentrations that are detected for short 

periods of time). Pesticide transport is primarily controlled by the hydrology of the river 

system, and seasonal distributions of the different pesticides are further influenced by the 

fluctuations in discharge to the delta.

Biogeochemical properties of pesticides 

are also important factors that influence their 

distribution in the environment. For example, 

if a particular pesticide is dissolved in the

Figure 1. Sampling sites in the Sacramento-San Joaquin 

Delta, Calif. The major route of water flow in the San 

Joaquin River from Vernalis to the delta, as indicated by 

dye studies in February 1991, is past Mossdale, along 

Grant Line Canal and Old River, and then directly to the 

Federal and State export pumps.

68 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
ACTIVE INGREDIENT, IN THOUSANDS OF POUNDS

3 0) Q. O(B 11

C

£ 3 El

3°. >8 £ O

g-s, <^

3f &§ c/j £L s^

(-» C/5cr a. ft no- a ft ftr-gOrf ~5" 5'q 3- 6) < S 3 1/1 «-1

* (

&: H)

CA (U*<

^3 

3 & O v 3 ^ S' » O crq

ft _ D- - o o

Q- S ft -(

J^^' 

3^5' -e. ft 

n> nC. -! 3 <' 3'5

CTQ

mum concen was detected site a thmitration of80nangrams per1 from February 3through 12outhf theSanJoaquin River

P S' i-t n

ED "1

(U 

1- <P3 D.S

K -1

San JoaquinRiver occurs primarily inFebich. Apulseof diazinon at m

SJ£.

 ^

diazinon) an chlorpyrifos.

d theparticle-bound compour 

Almond pesticide loading to i

3- 0. 

ft

D. V)'£- <T ft an O

*a

§a.CO 'n'

31 -<_

13

&!

~t 

W <-* 3"5'wa.

D. 13 a 

o- S r? ^£ 8

mi" 2 5^ 3 a, ft

Pesticides. The primary pest 

e applied to almond orchardsP T- "i ft

is dissolved or adsorbed ontoa

s §r <"

0 o -I, % G "' 

o- & rtl W

in the parent compound, andigradation depends on whethe

"§ 

degradation

compound can beeither more

o

n' 

£1 ^T

5' o

K

mother compound. Theresulti

crq

environmeni which itdeg:

"i S.K8 § 

n ft "-,- -t H. M 3 a o' cr 3 ^ s: 3-W ft

^3 

2 s &*n 3

ffi o

cT

Oq

<-*ft i?COn'aft

3.

3

S. 5'3"Er ft

transported

3' 

r-*3" 

ft

ri ft> (g.P <-»

*O 

P 1-1

?V n"

s.

C/l2.CT

| O

ft 

g1 ft

O w

13 

»gn_ 

fT M 3 3-

oft

D. «

CL ») -.5in .T* P S'

1 1

E; 3 ft O g-Jc 3

B.g 8 S3 2

TJ ^

o w M>-. "*i Ji1^TJ

rt

W5

T"

a maximum of100nanograms perliter and

traces of chlorpyrifos were detected.

maximum concentration of84nanograms per

liter was detected intheSan Joaquin River

from March14 through 27.During thistime, concentrations ofcarbofuran alsoincreased to

fT P_

o- ft

n' gCOO

^ 

n ft

CO

>

13

ff

O "-h

Q- 5'N_

Iri 

P

Ko"

crq 

ft

1

O a _Q C 3'<' S

ft >-(aCOft, ftj CO1

pies at concentrations justhigher thandetection limitof 10nanograms perliter. 

Alfalfa Pesticides. Thprimary pesticides applied to alfalfa fields are dissolved compounds (carbofuran, diazinon, malathion, and diuron) particle-bound compounds (chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, andtrifluralin). The alfalfa pesticides reach thedelta inMarch andApril fromdifferent locations Only diazinon was detected inthewater sam- the pulsedetectd at Vernalis, were verylow. parathion was applied tohalmond orchards as diazinon because ethylparathion degrades rapidly intheorchards. Chlorpyrifos was not 

detected inthewater samples. 

The concentrations ofalmond pesticides 

in water samples fromthe delta,a end of

to ft B 3-

|>rT TD

c« p 11

B- 3 o 3

eg q 3- n

CO ^ *'s

B g 3 o- £ 3"

3 fT cn

S- Sn i F> «

-<_

 ' 4

g. >] -- DISCHARGE, IN THOUSANDS 

OF CUBIC FEET PER SECOND
". . .high

concentrations

are detected for

only a few weeks

at a time."

Other fixed sampling sites included Freeport on the Sacramento River, two sites along 

Old and Middle Rivers within the delta, and 

at Chipps Island, the boundary between the 

delta and San Francisco Bay (fig. 1). Concentrations of diazinon were at the detection limit 

(10 nanograms per liter) during the sampling 

period (end of March through mid-May) at 

these riverine and delta sites and were slightly 

higher at Chipps Island.

In contrast, concentrations of carbofuran 

reached a maximum value at all sites on April 

5 and decreased thereafter. Carbofuran concentrations increased seaward; maximum levels ranged from 70 nanograms per liter at 

Freeport on the Sacramento River to 250 

nanograms per liter at Chipps Island. For 

alfalfa and other important delta crops, the 

information gained from the sampling period 

shows that pesticide loading to the bay should 

be measured at the delta-bay boundary at 

Chipps Island so both riverine and delta 

sources will be included.

Rice Pesticides. Rice pesticides enter the 

delta primarily from the Sacramento River, 

which is tidal downstream from Freeport. A 

concentrated load of dissolved pesticides (carbofuran, methyl parathion, molinate, and 

thiobencarb) from rice fields enters the Sacramento River in May and June from agricultural drains, such as the Colusa Basin Drain 

(fig. 1). The presence of these compounds 

during spawning season and the results of 

toxicity tests by personnel of State and Federal agencies suggest that the larval stages of 

striped bass are adversely affected by the pesticides in the river.

The concentrations of the rice pesticides 

and their degradation products were measured during a 4-day period, beginning June 

3, as they were transported downriver from 

Sacramento to Rio Vista (fig. 1). Three of the 

four pesticides were detected at all sampling 

sites: molinate, in concentrations from 7,000 

to 12,000 nanograms per liter; thiobencarb, 

from 40 to 60 nanograms per liter; and carbofuran, from 125 to 350 nanograms per 

liter. The concentrations of these three pesticides changed little over time as they were 

transported downstream. Methyl parathion 

was not detected in any of the river water 

samples. Samples taken at Chipps Island (fig. 

1) also contained measurable concentrations 

of the three rice pesticides that were detected 

in the delta water, which suggests that these 

pesticides are being transported into San 

Francisco Bay.

Summary

There is much uncertainty about the 

long-term biological effects of pesticides in the 

environment; therefore, the standards for 

concentrations of pesticides in surface waters

are not well established. Whereas some of the 

dissolved-pesticide concentrations measured 

during this study are not of concern, concentrations of diazinon in samples taken at Vernalis in 1991, after this pesticide was used on 

almond orchards and alfalfa fields, were considerably above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended maximum criterion for aquatic life of 9 nanograms per liter.

The factors that control the sources, 

transport, and transformation of pesticides in 

surface waters also are poorly understood. In 

the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, a 

striking feature is the pulse effect of pesticide 

loads; that is, high concentrations are detected 

for only a few weeks at a time.

The application of pesticides on the 

fields in the Central Valley of California is 

regulated and recorded, but the variable lag 

time between application and detection in 

the rivers makes it difficult to plan when to 

take samples. Also, there is little information 

about the persistence of pesticides in the environment. Therefore, an intensive and continuous sampling effort is needed to adequately 

define pesticide sources over time and to 

determine the transport of the pesticides 

within the delta-bay system. By using this 

information about the behavior of pesticides 

in the environment, planners and resource 

managers, as well as the farmers in the Central Valley, will be able to make informed 

decisions about the use of pesticides relative 

to the effects on the environment.

Ground Water Atlas 

of the United States

By James A. Miller

G

round water is an important national 

resource. Planners, managers, and personnel from Federal and State agencies, congressional staffs, and the public routinely 

request information from the USGS about 

aquifers and ground-water resources. Whereas the USGS and other Federal and State 

agencies have collected extensive amounts of 

ground-water data for more than 80 years, 

there has not been a comprehensive overview 

of the Nation's ground-water resources on a 

national scale until now. When complete, the 

new Ground Water Atlas of the United States 

will provide in a single publication the most 

important ground-water information collected 

by the USGS. The Atlas will also serve as a 

basic reference that describes the location and 

the geographic, geologic, and hydrologic characteristics of all of the major aquifers in the 

Nation.

70 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Figure 1. The 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have been separated into 13 regional areas. Each area is described in a chapter of the 

Ground Water Atlas of the United States (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands not shown).

The Atlas is written so that it can be 

readily understood by readers who are not 

hydrologists. Therefore, it will be useful as a 

teaching tool in colleges and universities and 

as an introduction to ground-water hydrology 

for those in Federal and State agencies, the 

Congress, and State Legislatures who need to 

understand ground-water occurrence, movement, and quality.

Atlas Design. The complete color Adas 

will have 14 chapters, 13 of which describe 

regional areas that collectively cover the 50 

States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands 

(fig. 1). The introductory chapter to the overall publication will be the last chapter written. 

Two objectives used in delineating the 

regional areas are (1) to keep each area at a 

size within which all the principal aquifers can 

be shown at a reasonable map scale and (2) to 

contain the most important regional aquifer 

system or systems entirely within an area. 

Minor aquifers and minor features of the 

geology and hydrology of the principal aquifers are not shown because of the scale of the 

maps.

Maps in the Atlas are supplemented by 

charts, cross sections, hydrographs, block and

Organization of the Ground Water Atlas of the United States

[The Ground Water Adas is divided into 14 chapters. Chapter A presents introductory material and 

nationwide summaries; chapters B through M describe all principal aquifers in a multistate segment 

of the conterminous United States; and chapter N describes all principal aquifers in Alaska, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (see fig. 1)]

Number of 

regional area

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Chapter content

Introductory material and nationwide summaries

California, Nevada

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah

Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska

Oklahoma, Texas

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina

Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming

Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee

Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina,

Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,

New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

Atlas 

chapter

730-A

730-B

730-C

730-D

730-E

730-F

730-G

730-H

730-1

730-J

730-K

730-L

730-M

730-N

Water Resources Investigations 71
EXPLANATION

Surficial aquifer system 

Sand and gravel aquifer 

Biscayne aquifer

Southeastern Coastal Plain 

aquifer system

Piedmont and Blue Ridge aquifers 

Valley and Ridge aquifers 

Appalachian Plateaus aquifers 

Interior Low Plateaus aquifers

pie diagrams, and photographs that describe 

the location, geology, and hydrology of the 

principal aquifers of the United States. The 

scales of the maps vary from nationwide-sized 

maps that illustrate problems, such as saltwater encroachment or land subsidence 

caused by ground-water pumping, to maps of 

specific aquifers, such as the Biscayne aquifer 

that extends over only a three-county area in 

southeastern Florida. Figure captions describe 

in simple language the principal features of 

each illustration. Also, pertinent references 

are listed for each described aquifer for readers who need detailed information.

Each of the 13 descriptive chapters will 

be published as a separate Hydrologic Investigations Atlas (HA). The first chapter of the 

Adas to be published, "Hydrologic Investigations Atlas 730 G," was issued in 1991 and 

includes aquifers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. After all 13 reports 

are published, the introductory chapter will 

be written and the 14 chapters will be published as a single book. The introductory 

chapter will present an overview of groundwater conditions nationwide and discuss the 

effects of human activities on ground water.

Each descriptive chapter of the Atlas 

begins with an overview of geologic and 

hydrologic conditions throughout the regional 

area covered by that chapter. Regional maps 

that show amounts of precipitation, runoff, 

physiography, geology, and ground-water 

withdrawals by county are included in this 

overview. Each chapter contains block diagrams, cross sections, and isometric diagrams, 

such as the one shown in figure 2, that show 

the relation of each aquifer or aquifer system 

to underlying and overlying hydrogeologic 

units. Figure 2 shows aquifers in semiconsolidated and consolidated deposits; some chapters also have a regional map that shows aquifers in unconsolidated deposits.

Discussions of each principal aquifer 

within a regional area are accompanied by 

maps that show the location and extent of the 

aquifer, the thickness of the aquifer, the potentiometric surface of the aquifer, and the quality of the water in the aquifer. Stratigraphic

Figure 2. All or parts of nine principal aquifers, shown 

here from shallowest to deepest, are exposed at land 

surface in the four States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, 

and South Carolina) described in area 6 (modified from 

map HA 730-G) of the Ground Water Atlas of the 

United States. A tenth aquifer, the Intermediate aquifer 

system in Florida, is completely buried.

72 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
charts list the geologic units that compose the 

aquifer. Cross sections detail the relation of 

the aquifer to the geology of the area, and 

flow-direction arrows superimposed on the 

cross sections show the movement of water in 

the aquifer. Representative hydrographs illustrate the response of water levels in the aquifer to changes in the amount of precipitation 

or ground-water pumping.

Where data are available, the maps 

depict the change in water levels over time as 

the aquifer is developed. Pie diagrams portray 

the amount of water withdrawn for specific 

categories of water use. Special conditions 

caused by ground-water use, such as sinkholes 

that form in response to ground-water pumping, waterlogging caused by irrigation, and 

large water-level declines or intrusions of saltwater caused by excessive ground-water withdrawals, are discussed and illustrated.

Color is used in the Atlas to emphasize 

the information presented in each illustration 

and for consistency among chapters. A set of 

five uniform map scales has been chosen so 

that the maps can be directly compared within 

and among chapters. Photographs illustrate 

special features or conditions.

Because USGS ground-water data are so 

extensive, no new data are being collected for 

the Adas; illustrations and interpretations 

already published are merged, joined, modified, and simplified as necessary. Data bases 

and interpretive results of the studies conducted as part of the USGS Regional AquiferSystem Analysis (RASA) program are major 

sources of information for the compilation of 

the Adas. Some of the results of these studies 

are combined into nationwide summaries in 

the Adas. The regional syntheses of the 

RASA studies are supplemented where necessary by material from smaller scale studies. If 

appropriate illustrations are not available, 

maps and illustrations are constructed from 

data files.

Summary. The Ground Water Atlas of 

the United States is designed for a varied 

readership. Accordingly, the level of writing is 

aimed at readers who have some technical 

knowledge but are not hydrologists. Technical 

jargon is kept to a minimum, and technical 

terms are defined in simple language. The 

Adas does not present a comprehensive 

description of all that is known about each 

aquifer or aquifer system; rather, it presents, 

within a single book, the most important 

aspects of the geohydrology, ground-water 

flow system, water quality, and use of water 

withdrawn from the Nation's principal 

aquifers.

Water Movement 

Through Soil 

at a Low-Level 

Radioactive-Waste Site 

in the Amargosa Desert

By Brian J. Andraski

A

bout 1.5 million cubic feet of filters, 

equipment, clothing, and other waste 

contaminated by radioactive nuclides are 

generated every year in the United States by 

electric utilities, universities, hospitals, and 

industrial facilities. These wastes are called 

low-level radioactive wastes because the hazard from radiation is both relatively low and 

short-lived (from 100 to 500 years). At 

present, low-level radioactive wastes are disposed of in shallow land burial trenches at 

three locations (Barnwell, S.C.; Beatty, Nev.; 

and Richland, Wash.) in the United States. 

Beginning in 1993, two of these three sites 

(Barnwell and Beatty) will be closed, so several new facilities for the disposal of such 

wastes will have to be sited and built in the 

late 1990's.

Arid regions appear to be the ideal 

choice for shallow land burial of these wastes 

because low precipitation and high evapotranspiration, which are typical of arid regions, can 

reduce the potential for contact between 

water and buried waste. Also, thick, unsaturated zones may provide a natural barrier to 

the migration of radionuclides to the water 

table. The processes affecting movement of 

water through soil at arid sites are not well 

understood, however, because only recently 

has there been a need to understand the soilwater regime and the movement of water 

through soil in arid, nonirrigated sites. This 

need has been underscored by the ongoing 

proposals to use arid sites for the disposal of 

several types of waste. Currently, little information is available about the natural soil-water 

flow systems at arid sites, and even less is 

known about how the construction of a wastedisposal facility alters the natural environment 

of the site.

Beatty Study Site. Detailed field investigations at the site in the Amargosa Desert 

near Beatty, Nev., are part of the USGS program of research on low-level radioactivewaste disposal. Through this program, the 

USGS assesses the suitability of existing burial 

sites and develops site-selection and facilitydesign criteria for use by the U.S. Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission (NRC) in their selection of future burial sites. The Beatty facility, 

which is in one of the most arid parts of the

"Arid regions

appear to be the

ideal choice for

shallow level

burial of these

wastes. ..."

Water Resources Investigations 73
<$ . -, -yj.-^w.ry Tr- *^Z^-"T-;' - - ; x

Ama/ iijeai o/ the undisturbed 

(fenced, upper left) and disturbed 

(fenced, center) study sites, which 

are adjacent to the low-level 

radioactive-waste facility (behind the 

fence across the road at the upper 

right of photo) in the Amargosa 

Desert near Beatty, Nev.

United States, opened in 1962 and was the 

first commercially operated, low-level 

radioactive-waste facility in the country. From 

1981 through 1990, precipitation at the site 

averaged about 4.2 inches annually and 

ranged from as little as 0.5 inch during 1989 

to as much as 9 inches during 1983. Depth to 

the water table is about 345 feet. The site is 

underlain by coarse-grained to fine-grained 

alluvium. Vegetation is sparse, and creosote 

bush (Larrea tridentata) is the predominant 

species.

Preliminary evaluation of conditions in 

the vicinity of the Beatty waste-disposal facility 

suggested that low average annual precipitation and high average annual evapotranspiration would prevent water from reaching the 

buried waste. Results from initial studies by 

USGS personnel, however, indicate that this 

assumption is invalid. Under the right climatic 

and soil-moisture conditions, the potential for 

water to infiltrate at depth at the burial facility does exist, in spite of high evaporation.

Detailed investigations by USGS scientists 

have been conducted to better define the 

directions and rates of movement of water 

through soil under natural conditions and to 

determine how the removal of vegetation and 

construction of burial trenches disturbed the 

natural environment. Undisturbed and disturbed study sites were established adjacent 

to the low-level waste-disposal facility (see

figure). At the undisturbed site, a vertical 

shaft provides access for installation and 

retrieval of instruments in the upper 45 feet 

of the vegetated soil. At the disturbed site, 

two small-scale test trenches (each about 14 

feet in length, depth, and width) were constructed in the same manner as those of the 

burial facility. The trench covers and the 

undisturbed soil between the trenches are 

kept free of vegetation.

At the undisturbed site, near-surface soil 

is usually dry; however, the amount of water 

in the soil fluctuates in response to precipitation and evapotranspiration and ranges from 

about 1 to 12 percent moisture. Below a 

depth of 3 feet, the amount of water in the 

soil depends in part on differences in soil texture, and the moisture content ranges from 

about 4 to 14 percent. Measurements of soilwater-potential and vapor-density gradients in 

the upper 30 feet of soil indicate that the 

direction of water movement varies; below the 

30-foot depth, however, the measurements 

indicate that the direction of water movement 

is generally upward. Estimates of the volume 

of water flow, in either liquid or vapor form, 

are typically less than 10~ 3 inches over the 

area per year.

At the disturbed site, construction of the 

test trenches produced a backfill material that 

was generally drier (3 to 4 percent moisture) 

and significantly more homogeneous than the

74 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
undisturbed soil. During the first year after 

the test trenches were built (September 1987 

to September 1988), precipitation at the site 

totaled 6.2 inches (152 percent of the 10-year 

average). By the end of the first year, the 

amount of water stored in the near-surface 

soil of the unvegetated trenches and in the 

unvegetated soil between the trenches showed 

a net increase of as much as 64 percent over 

initial amounts, whereas no net increase occurred in vegetated soil at the undisturbed 

site.

Precipitation at the site totaled 1.5 inches 

during the next 2 years. In spite of these 

extremely dry conditions, the amount of 

water stored in the near-surface soil of the 

unvegetated trenches and in the unvegetated 

soil between the trenches still showed a net 

increase of from 5 to 15 percent over initial 

amounts. In contrast, the amount of water 

stored in the vegetated soil at the undisturbed 

site was 15 percent less than the initial 

amount. By the end of the third year (1990), 

water that infiltrated the trench covers and 

water from the undisturbed soils adjacent to 

and beneath the trenches still had not come in 

contact with the simulated waste.

Results of Investigation. Results to date 

(1991) from these ongoing studies have 

clearly demonstrated that the natural system 

impedes water permeation at depth at this 

arid site. In addition to the natural climatic 

regime (that is, precipitation and evaporation), soil and vegetation are extremely important factors influencing the soil-water regime 

at the Beatty site. The stratified alluvial soils 

provide natural barriers to water movement. 

Because vertical flow of water is impeded, 

plants can extract and transpire water that 

accumulates in the root zone. Creosote bush, 

an evergreen shrub that is extremely drought 

tolerant, can deplete the soil of what litde 

water is available. The limits on the downward movement of water through the soil 

caused by these near-surface conditions are 

reflected in the consistently low soil-water content that is measured at depth. The amount 

of water or vapor moving through the soil is 

quite low, and the moisture moves upward or 

downward in response to soil-water-potential 

and soil-temperature gradients.

The construction of the burial trenches 

and removal of the native vegetation significandy altered the natural environment of the 

site. Trench construction eliminated the natural barriers to water movement originally 

present in these alluvial desert soils. Two 

points should be considered regarding the 

absence or presence of natural barriers to 

water flow: (1) the lack of such barriers in the 

trench backfill could increase the potential for 

deep percolation of water and (2) the presence of these barriers in the soil adjacent to a

trench could result in lateral flow of water 

from the soil into the trench. Lack of vegetation increases the potential for water to 

percolate toward the buried waste.

Application of Findings to Waste Sites in 

Arid Regions. Regulations of the NRC 

require that near-surface, low-level 

radioactive-waste sites "shall be capable of 

being characterized, modeled, analyzed, and 

monitored." The 1 year of preoperational 

monitoring required by the regulations for 

purposes of characterization and subsequent 

modeling of any proposed commercial lowlevel radioactive-waste site is generally limited 

to natural site conditions. Results from the 

studies near Beatty, Nev., demonstrate that 

the installation of a disposal facility markedly 

alters the natural environment. These changes 

must be considered when a disposal facility is 

designed and the effectiveness of a proposed 

site and facility for long-term isolation of 

waste is studied.

Based on the predominantly low soilwater potential measured to date at both the 

undisturbed and disturbed study sites, the 

movement of moisture in the vapor phase is 

likely to be an important transport mechanism. Transport of radioactive constituents in 

the vapor phase, such as tritium and carbon14, may be a major pathway for the migration 

of contaminants at arid sites. Unsaturatedzone monitoring programs, which are 

designed for arid disposal sites, need to 

include monitoring of both liquid and vaporphase transport mechanisms as potential pathways for the release of radionuclides.

Summary. The movement of water 

through soil at arid sites is extremely complex 

and is influenced by several interacting factors 

and physical processes. Factors such as climate, vegetation, and soil properties significantly affect the processes that control the 

movement of water through soil. Depending 

on specific but often transient conditions, 

water movement at arid sites may be predominandy either liquid or vapor flow and may 

occur in response to soil-water-potential and 

temperature gradients. Results from ongoing 

studies near Beatty, Nev., are being used to 

better define the mechanisms and soil properties that control the movement of water 

through the soil at that arid site. Additional 

studies of the processes that control directions 

and rates of water moving through the soil 

throughout the unsaturated zone are needed. 

Such studies are critical to evaluating the 

importance of potential contaminant-release 

pathways at arid, low-level radioactive-waste 

disposal facilities and to obtaining a better 

understanding of the overall hydrologic cycle 

in arid regions.

". . .installation

of a disposal

facility markedly

alters the

natural

environment."

Water Resources Investigations 75
"Atrazine. . . 

had the 

highest

concentration of 

any pesticide

measured

in surface water

during low

flow."

Distribution of Atrazine 

and Similar NitrogenContaining Herbicides, 

Lower Kansas River Basin

By John K. Stamer and Ronald B. Zelt

N

onpoint-source contamination of surface 

and ground water from agricultural 

activities is a national issue. Contaminants 

include pesticides, sediment, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), and fecal bacteria. Of 

these contaminants, pesticides receive the 

most attention because they are toxic to 

aquatic life and are therefore potentially toxic 

to humans through consumption of contaminated water supplies or fish. Farmers depend 

on pesticides, including herbicides, to increase 

crop yields. Herbicides prevent or inhibit the 

growth of weeds that remove nutrients and 

moisture needed by the crops. If weeds are 

harvested with the crop, the value of the harvested crop is less than that of a weed-free 

crop. Herbicides are applied before planting, 

or as pre- and post-emergent compounds during or some time after planting. Herbicides 

often are used in urban areas and in large 

quantities for nonselective weed control in 

industrial applications, such as along railroad 

rights-of-way.

The USGS began a surface-water-quality 

assessment of the 15,300-square-mile lower 

Kansas River basin in southeastern Nebraska 

and northeastern Kansas (fig. 1) in 1986 as 

part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. About 85 percent 

of the study unit area is agricultural land typical of the mid western United States; principal 

crops are corn, sorghum, soybeans, and 

wheat. The study unit includes the Big Blue 

and Delaware River basins and smaller tributaries to the 170-mile reach of the Kansas 

River from Junction City, Kans., to its confluence with the Missouri River at Kansas City, 

Kans. Three large Federal reservoirs (Tuttle 

Creek, Perry, and Clinton Lakes) lie within 

the Kansas part of the study unit. These reservoirs are used for flood control, low-flow 

augmentation, public-water supplies, and recreation. Most of the surface-water storage in 

the lower Kansas River basin is held in these 

three reservoirs, which have a substantial 

effect on streamflow and water quality in the 

Kansas River. In the study unit, surface runoff provides much of the water used for public supply, and surface water is the principal 

source of public supply in the Kansas part of 

the study unit.

The areal and temporal distribution in 

surface water of atrazine and similar nitrogencontaining herbicides, such as alachlor, cyanazine, metolachlor, and simazine, are being 

defined in this study of the lower Kansas 

River basin. As a group, these compounds are 

used extensively throughout the study unit; 

atrazine is used the most. In 1989, an estimated 4.3 million pounds of the active ingredient atrazine were applied to corn and sorghum cropland in the study unit. This 

amount is about 5 percent of the total amount 

of atrazine used in the United States during 

that year.

Analyses by USGS personnel of available 

data on 458 water samples collected at 20 

surface-water sites from 1978 to 1986 by personnel of the Kansas Department of Health 

and Environment indicated that atrazine, 

metolachlor, and alachlor were the herbicides 

most frequently detected in water from the 

Kansas part of the study unit; the highest 

concentrations were for atrazine.

Atrazine, unlike metolachlor or alachlor, 

was detected during each month of the year. 

Median concentrations of atrazine in water 

samples collected during June, July, and 

August of each year from 1978 to 1986 

exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level 

(MCL) of 3.0 micrograms per liter established 

by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

for finished public-water supplies under the 

Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986.

After the available data were analyzed, 

USGS personnel measured concentrations of 

nitrogen-containing herbicides in samples of 

stream water that were collected during lowflow conditions from summer 1988 to spring 

1989 at 61 synoptic-sampling sites in the study 

unit (fig. 1). During low flow, shallow ground 

water is the source of most of the flow in 

unregulated streams. Analyses of these samples indicated that atrazine was the most frequently detected herbicide and had the highest concentration of any pesticide measured in 

surface water during low flow. In general, the 

highest concentrations of atrazine were measured in the Big Blue River basin upstream of 

Tuttle Creek Lake where the largest amounts 

of atrazine were applied to the land (fig. 1). 

In July 1988, the median concentration of 

atrazine in samples from the 61 sites was 2.6 

micrograms per liter; 38 percent of the samples had concentrations of atrazine higher 

than the established MCL of 3.0 micrograms 

per liter.

Concentrations of atrazine during low 

flow also fluctuated seasonally; the highest 

median concentrations occurred in spring and 

summer and the lowest in fall and winter. Of 

the 61 sites sampled during low flow, only 

one site the outflow of Perry Lake on the 

Delaware River had atrazine concentrations

76 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
.97°

98°

Grand Island

99°

EXPLANATION

ESTIMATED ATRAZINE APPLICATION - 

By county, in pound per square mile, 1989

I | Less than 200 

H 200-400 

^^| More than 400

ATRAZINE CONCENTRATIONIn micrograms per liter, July 1988

V Not higher than 1.0 

V 1-1 30

Higher than 3.0

higher than the established MCL of 3.0 

micrograms per liter during each of the four 

seasons. Following atrazine, in order of 

decreasing median concentrations, were the 

herbicides metolachlor, cyanazine, and 

simazine; median concentrations of these 

compounds during low flow ranged from 0.1 

to 0.3 microgram per liter.

To define the temporal variability of concentrations of herbicides in the principal 

streams in the study unit, water samples were 

collected monthly or more frequendy from 12 

fixed stations from March 1989 to February 

1990 to provide samples that covered the 

range of expected streamflows. Analyses of 

these water samples indicate that atrazine was 

the herbicide most frequently detected in 

water (95 percent of 178 samples) and that 

atrazine concentrations fluctuated seasonally 

from March 1989 to February 1990. The 

highest concentrations occurred during June 

and July 1989 when median concentrations 

exceeded the established MCL of 3.0 micrograms per liter. In August 1989, more than 

25 percent of the samples contained atrazine 

concentrations that exceeded the established 

MCL. The lowest median concentrations

occurred in February 1990, followed closely 

by January 1990 and November 1989. Median 

concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 microgram per liter during those 3 months.

A markedly different pattern emerged 

when seasonal fluctuations of atrazine concentrations between unregulated and regulated 

streams from March 1989 to February 1990 

were compared (fig. 2). Atrazine concentrations in the Delaware River, which is unregulated above Perry Lake, near Muscotah, 

Kans., were lowest in March and April before 

the herbicide was applied and highest in May, 

June, and July in response to herbicide application, precipitation, and subsequent surface 

runoff into the streams. The highest concentrations of atrazine were 22 micrograms per 

liter in June 1989 and 9.4 micrograms per 

liter in July. Thereafter, regardless of the 

rates of streamflow, atrazine concentrations 

began to decline, decreasing to 0.2 microgram 

per liter by February 1990 (fig. 2). Patterns 

were similar in the unregulated streams West 

Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester, Nebr., 

and Big Blue River at Barneston, Nebr., 

where concentrations of atrazine ranging 

from 10 to 20 micrograms per liter occurred

Figure 1. Areal distribution 

of atrazine concentrations 

during low-flow sampling 

in July 1988 relative to 

estimated atrazine use by 

county (1989) in the lower 

Kansas River basin. (Figure 

produced by using a 

geographic information 

system.)

Water Resources Investigations 77
in response to runoff from croplands where 

corn and sorghum are grown.

In contrast to unregulated streams, atrazine concentrations measured in water samples from the Delaware River at the outflow 

of Perry Lake showed no seasonal variability 

(fig. 2). Concentrations of atrazine gradually 

decreased from 4.0 micrograms per liter in 

March 1989 to 1.7 micrograms per liter in 

February 1990, and concentrations were equal 

to or higher than 3.0 micrograms per liter 

from March through mid-August 1989. The 

volume of water in Perry Lake in relation to 

its outflow appeared to moderate the seasonal 

fluctuations in atrazine concentrations from 

inflowing streams. In contrast, analyses of 

outflow-water samples from Tuttle Creek 

Lake on the Big Blue River indicated some 

seasonal fluctuations in atrazine concentrations because the volume of water in Tuttle 

Creek Lake is much smaller in relation to its 

outflow.

Note that March 1989 to February 1990 

was a relatively dry period and that higher 

atrazine concentrations could occur during

wet periods. For example, from April to October 1986, the median concentration of atrazine, 4.4 micrograms per liter, in the Big Blue 

River downstream from Tuttle Creek Lake 

was higher than the established MCL. This 

median concentration was determined from 

10 samples, and the maximum concentration 

was 8.3 micrograms per liter. The Big Blue 

River often contributes a large percentage of 

the streamflow in the Kansas River during 

summer months; therefore, high concentrations of atrazine in the Big Blue River can 

cause atrazine concentrations in the Kansas 

River to increase to more than 3.0 micrograms per liter. Public-water supplies for 

Topeka, Lawrence, and the Kansas City, 

Kans., metropolitan area are withdrawn from 

the Kansas River downstream from its confluence with the Big Blue River.

For the March 1989 to February 1990 

sampling period, mean concentrations of atrazine at 3 of the 12 fixed stations in the study 

unit exceeded the established MCL of 3.0 

micrograms per liter. One station is on West 

Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester, Nebr.,

Figure 2. Atrazine concentrations 

in water relative to rates of 

stream/low in an unregulated 

stream, Delaware River near 

Muscotah, Kans., and in a 

regulated stream, Delaware River at 

the outflow of Perry Lake, Kans., 

March 1989 to February 1990. 

MCL, Maximum Contaminant 

Level.

cc

LU 

0.

fc 

ffi

o

CD

U

2

f

1

30,000

10,000

1,000

100

10

1

30,000

10,000

1,000

100

10

Delaware River near Muscotah, Kansas 

Unregulated stream 

Established MCL

60

10

1.0

0.10

0.01

COI

O

" Delaware River at outflow of Perry Lake, Kansas 

_ Regulated stream

 t Established MCL

 y-v

10

0.10

0.01

MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB

1989 1990

EXPLANATION 

 Streamflow

 Atrazine concentration

78 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Public -""^ 

"recreation areas

Outlet

PERRY LAKE

Public 

swimming beach

Marina

and two stations are on the Delaware River, 

the drainage area of which lies entirely in 

Kansas. All three stations are downstream 

from areas that are predominantly cropland. 

Upstream of Perry Lake, the sampling station 

on the Delaware River near Muscotah, Kans., 

is downstream from two public surface-watersupply intakes and upstream from one intake.

Atrazine concentrations in samples from 

the outflow of Perry Lake are representative 

of atrazine concentrations within the lake. 

Public-water supplies are withdrawn from 

Perry Lake for two rural water districts and 

several Federal- and State-owned recreational 

areas. Water withdrawn from the Delaware 

River and Perry Lake receives no special 

treatment to remove atrazine from the 

finished water, and there is the potential for 

concentrations of atrazine in these publicwater supplies to exceed the MCL at different 

times of the year.

Atrazine and similar nitrogen-containing 

herbicides pose a special problem in publicwater supplies because these compounds are 

relatively water soluble. Several studies in different States have shown that conventional

water treatment is ineffective for removal of 

atrazine, alachlor, or similar compounds from 

the finished water.

The USGS has begun to implement the 

NAWQA program with 20 additional study 

units. Results from the assessment were used 

by the Kansas State Board of Agriculture 

Technical Advisory Committee (TAG) as the 

basis for establishing the Delaware River basin 

in northeastern Kansas as a pesticide management area pesticide management area. This 

pesticide management area is the first in the 

Nation that targets reducing the amount of 

atrazine in runoff that enters inland surface 

waters. Administration of the pesticide management area includes components of management and conservation practices, education, monitoring, research, enforcement, and 

evaluation. The USGS is involved with the 

research and monitoring components of the 

pesticide management area through the 

Federal-State cooperative program and will 

continue to provide information that may be 

used by the TAG as it considers the establishment of additional pesticide management 

areas in Kansas.

Aerial photograph of Perry 

Lake, Kans., showing the dam, 

outlet of the lake, beach area for 

swimmers, and recreational

Water Resources Investigations 79
Mission

U.S. Geological Survey cooperative science and technology 

studies with foreign nations are authorized under the Organic 

Act, as revised, and the Foreign Assistance Act and related 

legislation when the activities are determined by the Departments of State and the Interior to be in the best interest of the 

U.S. Government. Objectives of the investigations include:

 Liaison will be established and maintained with foreign 

counterpart organizations, scientists, and technicians. The 

technology transfer and data exchange will be facilitated through 

cooperation, goodwill, and harmony.

 Comparative international studies will expand the range and 

contribute to the attainment of domestic research objectives 

through testing and application of scientific concepts and 

techniques in favorable areas abroad.

 Worldwide data bases will be established into which information about known and potential foreign resources of interest to 

the United States will be incorporated. These data bases will be 

available worldwide to all interested parties.

 Worldwide cooperative studies in the earth sciences will 

broaden the expertise of both USGS and foreign-counterpart 

scientists and technicians.

 Earth science and natural resource programs of other Federal 

agencies, international organizations, academia, and the private 

sector that share mutual interest with USGS efforts will be 

supported; the Department of State, in particular, will be 

provided with information from which to formulate objectives 

and decisions on matters of foreign policy.
Introduction

U

SGS international studies in science and technology continued as essential 

activities to complement the domestic scientific program during fiscal year 1991. 

The studies are conducted under U.S. Government approved, bilateral or multilateral 

agreements with foreign counterpart organizations. USGS technical assistance programs 

in foreign countries provide for the transfer of technology by advice, training, and 

demonstrations and are commonly done under the auspices of other U.S. Federal 

agencies, international scientific organizations or financial institutions, or foreign 

governments. USGS scientific cooperative programs with foreign nations include almost 

any activity from informal contacts between individual scientists about topics of mutual 

interest to formally organized, jointly staffed and funded, coordinated research on 

scientific phenomena.

USGS scientists often serve as officers, committee members, or participants in 

international organizations, commissions, and associations. Many USGS employees were 

involved in providing information, particularly to the Departments of Defense and 

State, about the Middle Eastern region as a USGS contribution to the U.S. Operations 

Desert Shield and Desert Storm (see p. 44). Several hundred copies of regional and 

quadrangle Landsat image base maps for the Middle eastern countries were supplied in 

answer to requests. In addition, many geologic, hydrologic, and terrain-analysis reports 

were furnished.

In spite of international crises in several areas of the world during the past year, 

USGS ongoing programs continued, although most were at a reduced pace. New 

and expanding programs in the geological, hydrological, and mapping sciences and 

technologies are under discussion for the nations of Eastern Europe (see p. 86), the 

former Soviet Union, and Latin America, all of which have demonstrated a renewed 

interest in cooperation, and also in several Middle Eastern countries, where reconstruction will require a knowledge of geological and hydrological sciences.

International efforts highlighted this year include those at Mount Pinatubo, in 

Central and Eastern Europe, and in Canada.

The 1991 Eruption of 

Mount Pinatubo Volcano

By John W. Ewert and 

Christopher G. Newhall

T

he June 12-15, 1991, eruption of Mount 

Pinatubo volcano, located 100 kilometers 

northwest of Manila in the Philippines (fig. 1), 

was the largest eruption in the past 5 decades 

and led to the largest known evacuation of 

people due to a volcanic threat. Quick deployment of monitoring instruments and preparation of a volcanic hazards map by scientists 

from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology 

and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the USGS 

helped scientists to better understand the precursors of volcanic activity and provided the 

basis for accurate warnings of impending 

eruptions. These warnings were widely disseminated and led to the evacuation of more 

than 58,000 residents near the volcano, 

including 14,500 U.S. military personnel from 

Clark Air Base prior to June 12. Before the 

climactic eruption of June 15, more than 

100,000 people had left the area.

USGS monitoring instrumentation used 

at Pinatubo was drawn principally from a permanent supply of specialized equipment kept 

ready for volcano crises under the auspices of 

the USGS Volcano Hazards Program and the 

joint USGS-Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) Volcano Disaster Assistance 

Program. OFDA is an office of the Agency 

for International Development (AID) and is 

responsible for administering the AID overseas disaster assistance program. By the end 

of fiscal year 1991, more than 23 USGS geologists, seismologists, hydrologists, and electronics and computer specialists had each 

spent between 3 and 8 weeks at Pinatubo and 

helped PHIVOLCS advise community and 

national leaders and those at risk.

April 2, 1991. The eruptive cycle began, 

with a series of small explosions of steam and 

mud from an east-northeast-trending, 1.5- 

kilometer-long chain of vents on the north 

side of the volcano. Vigorous steam emissions 

continued from vents on the north side of the 

summit dome through the end of May.

April 5.-PHIVOLCS installed four nontelemetered seismographs on the northwest 

side of Pinatubo, 10 to 15 kilometers from the 

summit. During the next several weeks, these 

stations recorded between 40 and 140 seismic

H 

w

H

HH

o

n

H

H

HH

W

C/5
Figure 1. Location of 

Mount Pinatubo in the 

Philippines and the 

convergent plate boundary 

that causes the volcanic 

activity in the Philippines.

120° 122°

PHILIPPINESEA

EXPLANATION

Pliocene-Holocene

volcano 

Convergent plate

boundary

x-Map area 

PHILIPPINES

100 KILOMETERS

Figure 2. Volcanic 

hazards map of Mount 

Pinatubo.

120°00' 120°30'

15°00'

Maguisguis 

Poonbato Na'

*-t_ ^

EXPLANATION 

Hazard zones

Ashflow

Singe zone of ashflow

Mudflow

Ashfall (includes South 

China Sea)

events per day, most of which were less than 

magnitude 1.

April 22. In response to a request from 

the Government of the Philippines and the 

U.S. Air Force at Clark Air Base, an initial 

three-person USGS team was dispatched to 

Pinatubo with telemetered seismic instrumentation, a computer-based seismic-data collection and analysis system, telemetered tilt 

meters, and a COSPEC (correlation spectrometry) instrument for measuring the emission 

of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas. A seven-station 

telemetered seismic net, installed by a

PHIVOLCS-USGS team, was fully operational by mid-May; the central recording site 

was located on Clark Air Base.

A 5-level alert system (see table) was 

developed by PHIVOLCS and the USGS to 

provide communication about the status of 

Mount Pinatubo to public officials and to provide a framework against which to make contingency plans.

May 13. The alert system (1 is low alert 

and 5 is high alert) was adopted and distributed to civil defense and local officials beginning when the volcano was at level 2.

82 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Only limited geologic information was 

available before April 2, 1991. The volcano 

was known to be a 3-kilometer-diameter 

dacite dome complex surrounded by voluminous fans of geologically young (600-8,000 

years before the present) ashflow deposits. No 

historic eruptions had occurred at Mount 

Pinatubo, but the volcano was known to be 

thermally active and had been explored as a 

potential geothermal energy source by the 

Philippine National Oil Company. Although 

there was no volcanic hazards map of the 

volcano, one was quickly compiled by the 

PHIVOLCS-USGS team to show areas most 

susceptible to ashflows, mudflows, and ashfall. 

The map was based on the maximum known 

extent of each type of deposit from past eruptions and was intended to show a worst-case 

scenario.

May 23. The map was first distributed 

to Philippine civil defense officials, local governments, and the U.S. military. The map 

proved to forecast closely the areas that were 

impacted on June 15. Figure 2 is a redrafted 

version of this map.

Late May. The number of seismic 

events fluctuated from day to day. Trends in 

rate and character of seismicity, earthquake 

hypocenter locations, or other measured 

parameters were insufficiently conclusive to 

allow forecasting of an eruption.

End May to beginning June. Subde 

changes in seismic activity (a single longperiod earthquake, periods of tremor, and 

hypocenters began to concentrate beneath the 

steam vents) heralded a trend of accelerating 

precursory activity. SO2 gas emissions, which 

had increased tenfold from May 13 to May 

28, suddenly decreased as if magma had 

sealed its conduit so that gas could not escape.

June 6 12. A swarm of progressively 

shallower volcano-tectonic earthquakes accompanied by inflationary tilt on the upper east 

flank culminated in the extrusion of a small 

lava dome, near the most vigorous steam vent, 

and in continuous low-level ash emission.

An alert level 4 was announced on June 

7, and residents of Zambales, Tarlac, and 

Pampanga Provinces within 20 kilometers of 

the volcano were evacuated. Early on June 10, 

in the face of a growing dome, increasing ash 

emission, and worrisome seismicity, 14,500 

nonessential personnel and dependents were 

evacuated by road from Clark Air Base to 

Subic Bay Naval Station. Almost all aircraft 

had already been removed from Clark when 

this action was taken.

From June 7 to 12, periods of tremor 

became more frequent and had lower frequency, and SO2 emissions dropped to low 

levels. Although magma continued to move 

beneath the volcano, the tremor fluctuations 

and SO2 emissions suggested that the vent 

had been sealed by a cap of degassed magma.

Hazard-alert levels established for volcanic hazard communication at 

Mount Pinatubo

Alert level Criteria Interpretation

Background; quiet

Low-level seismic, fumarolic, 

other unrest.

Moderate level of seismic, other 

unrest, with positive evidence for 

involvement of magma.

Relatively high and increasing 

unrest including numerous 

shallow, volcanic earthquakes; 

accelerating ground deformation; 

increased vigor of fumaroles, gas 

emission.

Intense unrest, including harmonic 

tremor and (or) many long-period 

(low-frequency) earthquakes.

Eruption in progress ...............

No eruption in foreseeable

future.

Magmatic, tectonic, or hydrothermal disturbance; no

eruption imminent. 

Probable magmatic intrusion;

could eventually lead to an

eruption. 

If trend of increasing unrest

continues, eruption possible

within 2 weeks.

Eruption possible within 24 

hours.

Eruption in progress.

Stand-down procedures

In order to protect against lull-before-the-storm phenomena, alert levels will 

be maintained for the following periods after activity decreases to the next 

lower level:

From level 4 to level 3: Wait 1 week.

From level 3 to level 2: Wait 72 hours.

June 12-14.-At 08:51 on June 12, a 

powerful explosion sent an ash column 19,000 

meters above sea level (m asl), as measured by 

weather radar at Clark Air Base (fig. 3). Additional explosions occurred on the night of 

June 12 and in the morning of June 13. 

Explosions destroyed part of the dome and 

formed a small crater adjacent to the dome. 

Seismic activity during this period became 

intense. Recognizable seismic buildup, as 

much as several hours prior to the explosions 

from June 12 to 14, permitted short-term 

notification of impending eruptions to Philippine civil authorities and Philippine and U.S. 

military authorities.

June 14 15. On June 14 an 8-hour 

episode of vigorous seismic activity, more 

vigorous than any observed before at 

Pinatubo, lasted until 13:09 when the first 

explosion of what became the climactic eruptive phase began. Explosive eruptions became 

more frequent into the night and following 

morning when, at 05:55, a lateral blast spread 

southwest, north, northwest, and west from 

the volcano and sent a broad column of ash to 

at least 12,000 m asl. Six additional eruptive 

pulses followed the blast, and by early afternoon the eruption was essentially continuous, 

lasting approximately through June 15.

At this time, Typhoon Yunya was 

nearing Pinatubo. The extreme vigor of the 

eruption, loss of telemetered seismic stations 

between the summit and the observatory, and 

uncertainty about the effect of Yunya on immediate mudflow hazards precipitated the

International Activities 83
Figure 3 (left). The June 12 

eruption column from Mount 

Pinatubo taken from the east side 

of Clark Air Base.

Figure 4 (right). Mount Pinatubo 

on June 29 showing the crater, 

surrounding topography inundated 

by ash/lows, and minor continuous 

ash venting.

120°00' 120°30'

15°30' -

15°00 -

14°30 -

Figure 5. Distribution of 

ash and ash/lows from the 

June 1991 eruptions.

5 

EXPLANATION 

Ashflow deposits

Mudflow deposits as of 

September 1, 1991

Mudf low-impacted 

channels

Thickness (in centimeters) 

of ashfall deposits 

during June 1991

84 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
evacuation of the remaining Air Force, USGS, 

and PHIVOLCS personnel from Clark Air 

Base at 14:30 June 15. Personnel returned to 

Clark the following morning. Seismicity began 

to decline late on June 15, but the volcano 

continued to erupt a 10,000-meter-high column of ash for the next several weeks. The 

various explosions of June 12 to 15 destroyed 

six of the seven seismic field stations and both 

telemetered tiltmeters. By June 18 the USGS 

had dispatched replacement equipment and 

additional personnel to reinstall the seismic 

net and to replace the USGS group on site.

The effects of the June 15 climactic eruption were impressive. A crater 2 kilometers in 

diameter was formed on the north side of the 

summit dome, and ashflow deposits covered 

approximately 100 square kilometers of the 

area around the volcano. These voluminous 

ashflow deposits filled in the deeply dissected 

landscape on the north, west, and south 

flanks of the volcano to such a degree that 

these areas are now broad featureless plains 

(fig. 4). Preliminary estimates of bulk volume 

of ejecta range from 7 to 11 cubic kilometers.

Airfall and mudflow hazards accompanying the eruption were exacerbated by typhoon 

Yunya during the peak eruptive activity. 

Cyclonic winds spread tephra over a circular 

area more than 200 kilometers in diameter, 

covering at least 20,000 square kilometers 

with enough ash to damage crops, infrastructure, and buildings (fig. 5). Most of the deaths 

(more than 330 people) and injuries from this 

eruption were from the June 15 collapse of 

roofs under wet heavy ash; many of these 

roof failures would not have occurred if there 

had been no rainfall. Heavy rain from the 

typhoon remobilized ashflow deposits into 

mudflows on all sides of the volcano. These

flows destroyed homes, bridges, and 

irrigation-canal dikes and buried cropland 

beyond the volcano.

The onset of the wet season in July 

brought continued hazards as the ashflow and 

airfall deposits were remobilized into secondary mudflows. Damage to bridges, irrigationcanal systems, roads, cropland, and urban 

areas occurred in the wake of each significant 

rainfall. In early July, a system of telemetered 

rain gages and a demonstration system of 

flow monitors was installed to measure 

precipitation rates and track mudflows in 

specific drainages. These data allowed the 

PHIVOLCS-USGS group to provide Philippine civil and U.S. military authorities with 

real-time mudflow-hazard information.

By August of this year, more than 

100,000 people were still displaced by the 

eruption and continuing mudflow hazard. 

The main transportation corridors connecting 

Manila to Angeles City and Olongapo were 

subject to disruption with each heavy rain. 

Areas near the volcano will undoubtedly be 

subject to inundation by mudflows for several 

more years.

Effects of the eruption on global weather 

patterns remain to be seen. The mass of SO2 

erupted on June 15 to 16 has been estimated 

by the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration at approximately 18 million 

tons about double what was erupted by the 

1982 eruptions of El Chichon in Mexico. On 

the basis of data from other large eruptions in 

the historical past, some climatic cooling can 

be anticipated. Plans are that the USGS will 

continue support to PHIVOLCS in fiscal year 

1992 and will assist, as requested, in the continued monitoring of Pinatubo.

Cooperative Investigations

The USGS currently has 51 agreements with 

counterpart agencies in 36 individual countries under which cooperative research may 

be undertaken; another 25 agreements are 

pending in various stages of negotiations, 

which will bring the total number of cooperating countries to 44. In addition, 13 other 

agreements are multinational, regional, or 

worldwide in scope. The agreements authorize the following types of cooperative investigations in fiscal year 1991:

Remote Sensing, Surveying, and Mapping

 Data collection from AVHRR (advanced 

very high resolution radiometer), Landsat, 

and SPOT (Satellite Pour ('Observation de la 

Terre) imagery,

 Production of base, topographic, geologic, 

and other thematic maps,

 Assessment of changes in glaciers, ice 

sheets, and climate in polar regions.

Mineral Resources Assessments

 A worldwide International Strategic 

Minerals Inventory,

 Research and modeling of deposits in 

individual countries.

Energy Resources Assessments

 Worldwide estimates for oil and gas by the 

World Energy Resources Program,

 Research and modeling of petroleum, coal, 

and peat and geothermal potential in individual countries.

Water Resources Assessments

 Research and modeling of surface and 

ground water in individual countries and 

regional basins.

Natural Disaster Assessments

 Research and modeling of methods to 

mitigate geologic and hydrologic hazards,

 Predictive investigations and monitoring for 

volcanic eruptions,

 Global research on seismicity, earthquakes, 

and geophysics.

Oceanography

 Research and modeling in marine geology,

 Research and modeling of deltaic and 

coastal sedimentary and erosional processes.

Climate Change and Atmospheric Deposition

 Research, assessment, and modeling of 

global warming and acid rain.

International Activities 85
"A prime

objective of the

Science and

Technology

Program is to

revitalize the

sciences in the

region after 40

years of isolation

from the West."

Central and Eastern 

Europe Opportunity for 

Cooperation in Science

By Richard D. Krushensky

With the opening of Central and Eastern 

Europe to a market economy and to 

western influences, the western scientific community has an unparalleled opportunity to 

assist in the development and advancement of 

all scientific disciplines in this region. Federal 

agencies concerned with science and the U.S. 

Department of State have begun cooperative 

work under bilateral Science and Technology 

Agreements with Hungary, Poland, and 

Yugoslavia, and cooperative work with science 

agencies of Czechoslovakia is slated to begin 

in the spring of 1992.

A prime objective of the Science and 

Technology Program is to revitalize the sciences in the region after 40 years of isolation 

from the West. The program is funded by 

the governments involved. A second major 

regional objective is the mitigation of environmental degradation that accompanied 

the industrial recovery of the region after 

the Second World War. The need to raise the 

standard of living of the populace and the 

implementation of a market economy will lead 

to increased pressures on the environment.

Cooperative science and technology 

programs between the USGS and geoscience 

organizations in the region are directed to the 

characterization and assessment of mineral 

and energy resources and natural hazards and 

to the assessment of geology-related environmental degradation and its mitigation or 

avoidance. The application of results from 

ongoing USGS domestic programs to problems in Central and Eastern Europe have led 

to insights that in turn have been applied to 

geology-related problems in the United States.

Hungary. Cooperative science and technology projects between the USGS and Hungarian geological organizations have been 

approved only recently and studies have just 

begun. Late Miocene (5- to 10-million-yearold) sediments in the Pannonian basin will be 

studied to gain a better understanding of the 

Earth's polarity reversals during that time. 

This sedimentary record is proving to be a 

paleomagnetic Rosetta Stone for an understanding of the Earth's geomagnetic behavior 

during the late Miocene. This new understanding will allow the development of a 

greatly improved and detailed polarity time 

scale, as well as an improved understanding 

of global magnetic polarity reversals during 

the late Miocene.

Because contamination of ground water 

is widespread in Hungary, and the basins in 

which ground water lies are geologically well 

known, the USGS, in cooperation with the 

Hungarian Research Center for Water 

Resources, will test the hypothesis that the 

change in oxygen-18 and tritium composition 

of ground water recharge during the last 

glacial-interglacial transition (10,000 to 12,000 

years before the present) can be used as a 

marker for ground-water dating and that this 

technique can replace the carbon-14 dating 

technique, which is both expensive and in 

some geologic situations not usable. Ground 

water that is determined to be very old (for 

example, 10,000 years old) probably has had 

little or no dilution with water since that date. 

If it is used or has the potential to be used as 

a source of potable water, its contamination 

should be avoided. On the other hand, if it is 

never to be used as a source of potable water, 

it might be an acceptable repository for toxic 

or nuclear wastes. The USGS has the lead in 

cooperation with other bureaus in the Interior 

Department and the government of Hungary 

to set up national laws and regulations related 

to use and regulation of public lands, including mineral and energy resources, resource 

leasing, royalties, and environmental protection related to land use.

Poland. Emphasis in one of the USGS 

and Polish Institute of Geology cooperative 

studies is directed to the development of an 

understanding of the way in which formation 

and deposition have affected the quality of 

lignite and coal and in turn influence environmental, technological, and economic aspects 

of lignite and coal use in Poland and the 

United States. A related project, concerning 

the origin and habitat of coal gases in 

Polish and United States coal basins, is 

designed to study the origin, accumulation, 

and migration of coal gases. This study is of 

particular importance because of the potential 

use of coal gases as an energy source and 

because of the relationship of these gases to 

hazardous rock and gas outbursts and methane explosions in coal mines worldwide. 

USGS and Polish scientific teams will also 

study geochemical and geophysical means of 

prospecting for mineral deposits in areas 

where the deposits are covered by tens to 

hundreds of feet of sedimentary rock.

Economic applications are also of major 

importance in a study of the comparative 

anatomy of large marine evaporite basins such 

as the Zechstein basin of central and western 

Poland and the Delaware and Paradox basins 

in the United States. Because the occurrence 

of sulfur and petroleum with evaporite 

sequences is poorly understood, resolution 

of the mode of origin of these salt basins

86 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
may have far-reaching economic implications 

for the United States, Poland, and other 

countries.

Yugoslavia. Overuse of fertilizers, 

selenium deficiency, or excess amounts of 

cadmium, zinc, or lead from soils or coal 

deposits were previously thought to be the 

causes of endemic kidney disease throughout 

the Balkans. However, cooperative studies 

with Yugoslav geoscience scientists suggest a 

tie between endemic kidney disease and the 

outcrop or the subsurface existence of very 

young coal deposits. One or more organic 

compounds from these immature low-rank 

coal deposits or coal mine spoils appears to be 

the causative agent.

Basic research studies conducted in the 

United States are applied to the study of the 

petrology and geochemistry of magmatic and 

metamorphic complexes in the southern part 

of the Pannonian Basin and the northernmost 

Dinaric Alps in western Yugoslavia. This 

cooperative study will evaluate the metallic 

mineral resource potential of the area. Results 

of geochemical studies of ground water in the 

cavernous limestone terrane of western 

Yugoslavia and the incidence of toxic metals 

such as mercury, uranium, zinc, and lead in 

the ground water as it moves to its natural 

outlets on the Adriatic coast are of immediate 

and direct application to the mining districts 

of Tennessee and Missouri.

As in Poland, lignite in southern Yugoslavia is the major fuel for the production of 

electrical energy. Cooperative studies between 

USGS scientists and scientists of the Institut 

za Nauc"na Istrazivanja I Rrazvoj Institute 

address the geochemical composition of 

lignite and the enclosing rocks. The study 

includes determination of the optimum 

analytical method and the analysis for trace 

elements in the coal and its byproducts, such 

as ash. Basic research is also conducted on soil 

profiles and soil geochemistry of soils developed on alluvial terraces of the Sava River in 

Slovenia and the relationship of these soils to 

the tectonic and climatic history of the region.

Civil war in Yugoslavia has curtailed 

cooperative projects. Yugoslav counterparts 

continue project work without the on-site 

participation of U.S. scientists.

Outlook. Cooperative studies between 

the USGS and Czechoslovak geoscience organizations have not yet begun under the 

recently signed Science and Technology 

Agreement. Other Balkan countries such as 

Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania are affected 

by the same or similar geological and environmental problems as those in Hungary, Poland, 

and Yugoslavia and would profit by similar 

cooperative programs.

27TH

INTERNATIONAL

GEOGRAPHICAL

CONGRESS

More than 10,000 earth scientists representing 

85 countries will gather in Washington, D.C., 

from August 2-14, 1992, for the joint congress 

of the 17th International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) and the 

27th International Geographical Congress (IGC). 

It will have been 40 years since either meeting 

was last hosted on North American soil. More 

than 143 technical and professional sessions 

are to be presented at these meetings. A combined scientific, technical, and commercial 

exhibition will span both weeks, August 4-13, 

1992.

The ISPRS is a scientific and educational organization consisting of 85 member nations and 5 

regional societies focusing on photogrammetry, 

remote sensing, mapping, and geographic information systems and their application in such 

areas as monitoring global change. The ISPRS 

Congress will have more than 115 technical 

sessions in which an international exchange of 

ideas, experiences, and research will take place.

The IGC is held in collaboration with and under 

the sponsorship of the International Geographical Union, which has 88 member countries or 

territories and 10 associate members. Twentyone commissions and seven study groups concerned with geographic themes will be represented at the conferences. The 27th IGC, under 

the theme, "Geography is Discovery," will 

feature plenary sessions and symposia, as well 

as paper and poster sessions concerning virtually every aspect of basic and applied geographical research.

The joint sessions will also offer workshops and 

short courses. The USGS is one of several Federal mapping science agencies that are principal 

supporters of the congress.

AUGUST 2-14,1992 

XVH ISPRS CONGRESS - WASHINGTON, D. C

o

w 

O 

O

E

C/3

O 

O

w

International Activities 87
"A long and

productive

tradition of

USGS-GSC

cooperation dates

from the last

decades

of the 19th

century. ..."

The Geological Survey of 

Canada Celebrates its 

Sesquicentennial

By Bruce F. Molnia

I

n April 1992, the Geological Survey of 

Canada (GSC), the premier geoscientific 

agency in Canada, turns 150 years old. The 

GSC was established in 1842, 37 years before 

the founding of the USGS, and is the oldest 

geological survey in North America. The 

GSC's original mandate was to accurately map 

and evaluate the mineral and natural geologic 

resources of what was then called Upper and 

Lower Canada. A long and productive tradition of USGS-GSC cooperation dates from 

the last decades of the 19th century, and the 

USGS joins in celebration of this historic 

event in the life of the GSC.

The GSC's current mission is to provide 

Canada with a comprehensive geoscience 

knowledge base contributing to economic 

development, public safety, environmental 

protection, and national sovereignty by 

acquiring, interpreting, and disseminating 

geoscience information concerning Canada's 

landmass, including the offshore and by providing logistical support for polar science.

Because the United States and Canada 

share a common border, the USGS and the 

GSC share a number of interests related to 

the geology of this common border and to the 

earth sciences in general. Currently, there are 

more than a dozen cooperative activities 

involving personnel from both the USGS and 

the GSC. These activities range from essentially completed interactions in which final 

maps and reports are published or are in 

varying degrees of completion (Quebec-Maine 

Transect Project and GLIMPCE Program), to 

activities that are in full flower (Metallogenesis 

and Tectonics of the Russian Far East, Alaska, 

and Canadian Cordillera Project, North 

American Mississippi Valley Type Deposits 

Project, and Late Cenozoic Climates of Alaska 

and Yukon Project), to new activities that have 

just sprung from the planning phase or are 

beginning a cooperative field phase (Interior 

Alaska Metamorphic and Tectonics Project). 

The following are descriptions of these cooperative activities.

Quebec-Maine Transect Project. Seismic 

reflection and refraction profiles across Maine 

and in southern Quebec were collected jointly 

by the USGS and the GSC from 1983 to 1985. 

The results of these geophysical experiments 

were digitally merged with geological and 

potential field data of Quebec and Maine 

in a geographic information system to produce a complex transect in the format of the 

Global Geoscience Transects Project of the

International Lithosphere Program. A 

CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory) 

of the digitized transect accompanied by gridded gravity, magnetics, and seismic reflection 

and refraction data will be produced in fiscal 

year 1992. The transect, first assembled in 

1989 for the International Geological Congress, was released as a USGS Open-File 

Report in August 1991 and will soon be 

released as part of the USGS Miscellaneous 

Investigations Map series.

GLIMPCE Program. The Great Lakes 

International Multidisciplinary Program on 

Crustal Evolution (GLIMPCE), organized by 

the USGS and the GSC, is an international 

cooperative program to study the Earth's 

crust beneath the Great Lakes. Seismic surveys of more than 1,000 kilometers in Lake 

Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, as 

well as aeromagnetic surveys of Lake Huron 

and Lake Superior, were accomplished in 

1986 and 1987. New gravity data were collected in Lake Huron in 1988. Another 

GLIMPCE activity was an experiment to collect seismic refraction data of the crust below 

the Great Lakes to depths greater than 50 

kilometers.

A geological feature that received considerable attention as a result of the refraction 

experiment was the Midcontinent Rift, a 1.1- 

billion-year-old continental-scale structure that 

curves in a broad arc from Kansas through 

Lake Superior and into southern Michigan. 

Joint USGS-GSC analysis of the GLIMPCE 

seismic and aeromagnetic data is revolutionizing our understanding of the geologic history 

of the Lake Superior region and of continental rifts in general. GLIMPCE products 

include annotated crustal transects and potential field geophysical maps incorporating both 

GLIMPCE data and older regional data. The 

USGS will publish l:l,000,000-scale aeromagnetic and gravity maps of Lake Superior. Similar maps of Lake Huron are being prepared 

by the GSC.

Metallogenesis and Tectonics of the 

Russian Far East, Alaska, and Canadian 

Cordillera Project. This project has two 

major collaborative efforts involving USGS 

and GSC personnel. The first, the compilation 

of a l:5,000,000-scale terrane map of the 

North Pacific, depicting tectonostratigraphic 

terranes, plutonic rocks, and overlap assemblages, will be completed in 1992. The map 

will be accompanied by a text describing each 

of the terranes, including details of terrane 

stratigraphy. When published, this map will 

serve as the base for the compilation of a second l:5,000,000-scale metallogenic map set of 

the Russian Far East, Alaska, and Canadian 

Cordillera, including (1) map sheets depicting 

the locations of approximately 1,000 significant load deposits, 150 placer districts, and 

the metallogenic belts of the region,

88 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
(2) detailed tables describing significant lode 

deposits and placer districts, and (3) a text 

describing the tectonic origin of the metallogenic belts. Publication is expected in the 

Spring of 1993.

North American Mississippi Valley Type 

(MVT) Deposits Project.-Since 1987, the 

USGS and the GSC have cooperated in sampling and examining every MVT lead-zinc 

deposit in North America and in preparing a 

review paper summarizing information 

on MVT districts throughout the world. 

Exploration guidelines, and critical data on 

grade and tonnage are included in the report. 

The GSC has funded and published three 

studies of paleomagnetic dating of U.S. midcontinent MVT deposits. The USGS is conducting a reconnaissance chemical study of 

fluid inclusions from Canadian MVT deposits. 

Both the USGS and the GSC are cooperating 

in the study of lead-zinc deposits in Poland, 

and the GSC will provide paleomagnetic dating of the deposits from Poland.

Late Cenozoic Climates of Alaska and 

Yukon Project. This project aims to improve 

our understanding of the history of climate 

and environmental change in northwest 

North America during the past 17 million 

years. The project involves the participation 

of 20 scientists having a variety of research 

specialties from the USGS, the GSC, Agriculture Canada, and several academic institutions 

in the United States and Canada. Phase one 

of the project involves interdisciplinary investigations of natural exposures of late Cenozoic 

rock and unconsolidated deposits containing 

fossil assemblages useful for determining 

ancient climate conditions and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

Field work in 1990 and 1991 involved 

the study and sampling of fossil-rich deposits 

along the Porcupine River and at other locations in Alaska and the Yukon. Planned work 

for 1992 includes field investigations aimed at 

improving our understanding of the timing 

and development of the Alaska Range. The 

rise of these high mountains in the late Cenozoic caused a dramatic climate change in the 

Alaskan interior and in adjacent parts of Canada. Phase two of the project, scheduled for 

1993, involves scientific drilling to recover a 

350-meter-long sediment core from Yukon 

Flats, Alaska. The core may provide a nearly 

continuous high-latitude record of climate 

and environmental change spanning the past 

10 million years or more.

Interior Alaska Metamorphic and 

Tectonics Project. Present activities of this 

project are in east-central Alaska along the 

northern Yukon border, of which USGS and 

GSC geologists have identified a series of 

questions of mutual concern and potential 

cooperation. The study area is a region where 

existing mapping studies and basic geologic 

information are sparse, are of a reconnaissance quality, or are largely outdated. Topics 

of mutual interest include (1) the origin and 

age of granitic plutons in the border region 

and their history relative to regional depositional, metamorphic, and deformational 

events and (2) understanding the basic stratigraphic and structural patterns of this border 

region. Uranium-lead dating and isotopic 

studies of samples collected from the Bear 

Mountain pluton during USGS field investigations in 1991 will be performed by the GSC. 

Cooperative field studies are being considered 

for 1993.

Scientific Exchange and Training

USGS international programs seek to 

strengthen earth science institutions in 

foreign countries by providing training in 

the United States for foreign nationals 

and by exchanging scientists. During fiscal year 1991, 95 scientists and technicians from 43 foreign countries received 

training in the United States, and 42 visiting scientists from 16 countries conducted research at either the USGS or 

other facilities as arranged by the USGS. 

In fiscal year 1991, the total of USGS 

employees permanently assigned overseas 

was 30, and 585 USGS employees made 

710 project-related overseas trips. The 

number of personnel involved in training 

and project-related travel is considerably

less than in past years, probably as a 

result of restricted travel imposed during 

the Middle East crisis.

At least 485 scientists and technicians 

from other countries received instruction 

and training by USGS specialists within 

their respective countries, either one-onone or in workshops and short courses. 

This overseas training was concentrated 

in, but not restricted to, those countries 

where the USGS has permanently 

assigned personnel or long-term projects, 

as in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Pakistan, 

Venezuela, Bolivia, Fiji, and Bangladesh. 

Short courses and workshops focused on 

mineral resources, geologic hazards,

remote sensing, computer processing of 

satellite imagery, field geologic mapping, 

and techniques of water and geochemical 

sampling and analysis.

Formally scheduled USGS training 

courses presented in the United States for 

worldwide participation during fiscal year 

1991 included Understanding Earthquakes and Mitigating Their Effects and 

Techniques of Hydrologic Investigations in 

Denver, Colo.; Marine Geology Research 

and Applications Techniques in Hilo 

and Honolulu, Hawaii; and Remote 

Sensing Applications for Environmental 

Assessment and Monitoring in Sioux Falls, 

S. Dak.

International Activities 89
Mission

The Information Systems Division 

provides support and services to the Director of 

the U.S. Geological Survey, to major programs 

in each division of the USGS, the U.S. 

Department of the Interior, and to other 

government agencies on information technology 

and automated data processing (ADP). The 

Division operates the USGS mainframe 

computer located in Reston, Va., and 

Technology Information Centers and 

minicomputers in four ADP service centers 

nationwide.

The Division assists users in acquiring 

ADP and telecommunications hardware,

software, and services; coordinates and 

improves information systems through systems 

analysis and design; provides user education 

and assistance; and conducts research into 

better ways to use computer technology to 

solve mission-related problems. The Division 

coordinates, manages, and operates voice, 

data, and radio communications for the USGS, 

including GEONET, the data communications 

network of the Interior Department, from which 

gateways provide access to other national 

networks and supercomputer systems.
Message from the Assistant Director for 

Information Systems

D

uring the last 4 decades, computing has become one of the most pervasive and 

powerful technologies for information management and scientific progress. 

High-performance computing technology is now essential in science and engineering. 

Computers empower individuals to improve their work and the organization to better 

accomplish its mission. Examples of this in the USGS cut across the entire spectrum of 

our scientific research activities and include preparing three-dimensional models of 

solute transport, using geographic information systems, locating earthquake epicenters, 

preparing digital elevation models, and tracking financial resources through the Federal 

Financial System.

We are committed to meeting the continuing challenge of rapidly changing 

computer technology and helping the USGS make the best and most effective use of these 

tools. The articles in this chapter briefly describe a few of the challenges 

mainframe computing, telecommunications, and scientific visualization. Computer 

networking is another challenge that will impact all USGS employees. As more USGS 

personnel have powerful workstations on their desks, the need to link the Survey 

computers in a fast, dependable, and inexpensive network will become increasingly 

essential. A recent example is how we have integrated the diverse USGS electronic 

mail systems. Networking will allow scientists and administrators to actively share 

applications and data. We are committed to meeting these challenges.

J.E. Biesecker

The Changing Role 

of USGS Mainframe 

Computing

By Tod Huffman, Larry Harms, and 

Mark Kutsko

T

oday's modern computing data center 

usually contains at least one mainframe 

computer. Mainframe computers typically 

possess very fast central processor units and 

large main memories and provide access to a 

variety of high-performance and high-capacity 

data storage devices. During the past 25 years, 

mainframe computing has continued to serve 

the data collection, processing, analysis, and 

storage requirements of USGS scientists and 

administrators.

During the last 10 years, due to the rapid 

development, availability, and low cost of 

smaller types of computers, many USGS computing activities have downsized their 

mainframe-based applications to networked 

minicomputers, personal computers, or the 

new client-to-server architectures. These 

downsizing transitions have been accomplished at a slow, measured pace, and in 

many cases the mainframe continues to serve 

these relocated applications by providing supportive remote batch processing, data storage, 

and archival services. The role of the mainframe is being redefined within the networked computing infrastructure of the 

USGS, but the mainframe still provides

unique services required by the very large, 

distributed collections of scientific and administrative data.

The USGS Amdahl 5890 mainframe is a 

dual processor, 45-million-instruction-persecond computer located in the USGS 

National Center in Reston, Va. Associated 

central processor resources include 256 megabytes of main memory and 40 input/output 

channels accessing more than 160 billion bytes 

of magnetic disk storage. The Amdahl Multiple Domain Feature permits concurrent operation of as many as four physically separate 

operating domains. Each domain represents 

an isolated segment of the computer that provides data integrity and processing security.

Running under the control of the IBM 

Multiple Virtual Storage/Extended Architecture (MVS/XA) operating system, five major 

production subsystems provide online transaction processing for large, distributed administrative systems, powerful editing and programming languages, data base management, 

and extensive batch processing. The mainframe data center is open around-the-clock, 

including Saturday, and the mainframe runs 

unattended on Sunday. Mainframe services 

can be accessed from anywhere in the Nation 

by using existing USGS GEONET network 

services or local area network telecommunication links such as Internet. Currently, 6,500 

registered users process about 800,000 jobs 

annually.

As a partner in the nationwide network 

of USGS computers, the mainframe is the 

central computing facility of the Department

Hh-H

O

C/3

Cfl

H 

w

C/3

n

H

H

w

en
7%e console is the focal point for mainframe monitoring.

The mainframe laser printer can create hard-copy output 

at the rate of 215 pages per minute.

The mainframe console also services UNIX. 

92 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991

of the Interior (DOI) Federal Financial System (FFS) and of other large personnel and 

administrative systems serving the USGS and 

other Federal and DOI agencies nationwide. 

The mainframe continues to serve the distributed system of minicomputers through batch 

processing and archival services for the USGS 

National Water Information System and 

serves as postprocessor and data base archiver 

for the USGS National Digital Cartographic 

Data Base.

The mainframe also supports very large 

data base activities of the DOI Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 

and Bureau of Mines and provides various 

processing services for the Minerals Management Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the DOI Office of the Secretary. 

Communication facilities connect the mainframe and Bureau of Reclamation and 

Bureau of Indian Affairs computers in 

Denver, Colo., and Albuquerque, N. Mex., 

and support data transfer and interactive 

processing sessions.

Among the large application systems 

residing on the mainframe is the DOI standard automated accounting and payment system, the FFS, managed by the Washington 

Administrative Service Center in Reston (see 

p. 101). Five client agencies, the USGS, 

National Park Service, Bureau of Indian 

Affairs, U.S. Courts, and Patent and Trademark Office, use the mainframe. Continuing 

DOI progress toward departmentwide financial systems standardization, FFS processing 

on both the USGS and the Bureau of Reclamation Administrative Service Center computers represented approximately 70 percent of 

the Department's total accounting transactions 

during fiscal year 1991.

Another large system supported by the 

mainframe is the automated Standard Form 

52 (SF 52) system. The SF 52 system is a 

paperless system that encompasses the automation of all phases of processing personnel 

actions, including creating and approving 

requests for personnel action by management, 

processing actions by the Personnel Office, 

and transmitting information to update master personnel files. Actions can be electronically routed to all appropriate individuals in 

management and personnel offices nationwide. Courtesy copies, concurrence routing, 

browsing, deleting, or canceling actions are 

also supported.

The Automated Vacancy Announcement 

System (AVADS) also runs on the mainframe 

and is another large system that supports 

USGS personnel activities. AVADS is an interactive system designed to create, edit, distribute, and print the full text of all vacancy 

announcements of the USGS. As requests to 

fill positions are received for advertisement,
USGS personnel offices enter vacancy 

announcement information into the AVADS 

data base. AVADS transmits all pertinent 

information that is unique to a specific 

vacancy to USGS distribution points nationwide. At each distribution point, vacancy 

announcements are printed and posted where 

employees have access to and can obtain 

printed copies.

The public can also browse microcomputer AVADS information when visiting 

USGS personnel offices. AVADS is currendy 

being expanded to become the DOI vacancy 

announcement system. All bureaus will enter 

dieir announcement information, which will 

then be electronically distributed departmentwide. A microcomputer-based bulletin board 

of all vacancy information will also be available to the public for nationwide access.

The USGS National Digital Cartographic 

Data Base (NDCDB) has been resident on the 

mainframe since the late 1970's and is still 

very actively used. NDCDB is being redesigned to take advantage of a large, more 

powerful relational data base management 

system associated with the mainframe. The 

NDCDB is an automated, interactive index 

providing up-to-date information about digital 

cartographic data available for distribution 

and sale throughout the USGS. The index is 

used by USGS Earth Science Information 

Centers, NDCDB data base managers, and 

others desiring access to digital cartographic 

information. The index can be queried to 

answer questions about the data held in the 

digital archive. The bulk of the digital data 

archive is now contained on magnetic 

cartridge tape. Because the archive will be 

transferred to an automated robot tape cartridge device, accessing this data will soon 

take less time.

The USGS mainframe supports several 

large data base applications for other Bureaus 

within DOI. One of the principal functions of 

the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 

Enforcement (OSMRE) is to administer the 

Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977 

(Public Law 95-87). The basic functions of 

enforcing this act are inspecting mines and 

assessing and collecting penalties. The Collection Management Information System 

(CMIS), located on the mainframe, was developed to manage and support these functions. 

CMIS stores, tracks, and reports information 

on citations for mining violations reported by 

field inspectors. This interactive system provides online data entry and retrieval for 

OSMRE headquarters and regional office 

staff nationwide. The retrieval function provides online query and batch reporting, 

which summarize and categorize OSMRE 

activities.

The Applicant Violator System (AVS) is 

another highly visible system maintained by 

the OSMRE on the mainframe. AVS contains 

information on all surface coal mining operations and companies in the Nation. The primary function of the AVS is to check whether 

an applicant for a surface mining permit is in 

any way related to, or is itself, a violator of 

mining regulations. For violators, AVS blocks 

issuance of new mining permits. The system is 

used by State regulatory authorities, Federal 

permitting units, OSMRE headquarters, field 

and area offices, technical centers, and other 

parties designated by the courts.

During fiscal year 1992, the USGS will 

start new mainframe services that will enhance the ability of the data center to provide 

unique services within the USGS computing 

network:

 A mass storage system for USGS earth science data, using a UNIX-like gateway into the 

mainframe, includes simple, straightforward 

mechanisms for storing and retrieving very 

large files and is accessible to any local area 

subnetwork via GEONET or Internet. A 

large, automated tape cartridge device for 

storing 1.2 trillion bytes (expandable to 20 

trillion bytes) of data will be one of the components of data storage supporting this new 

service. This mass storage system will also be 

available to users of the MVS/XA operating 

system.

 The Soft*Switch electronic mail (Email) 

software will use the mainframe to connect all 

of the diverse and disparate USGS Email systems into a unified USGS system. This service 

will allow the existing Email systems of the 

USGS, as well as other mail systems within the 

scientific community, to exchange messages 

easily.

 Network access to the mainframe will be 

improved by upgrading the Transmission 

Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) 

network connection. TCP/IP network access to 

the MVS/XA operating system will be available. New software allowing direct access to 

transaction processing, time sharing, text editing, Model 204 data base management system, 

and batch subsystems will permit local area 

network access to production mainframe services from personal computers (PC's) and 

workstations nationwide. Using this TCP/IP 

network link to the mainframe, remote computer environments, such as PC's and workstations, can route and submit batch jobs to 

the mainframe and have output from these 

jobs automatically returned to the point of 

submittal.

 Several new software subsystems will automate data center operations, data processing 

help-desk services, and computer console 

monitoring. These systems will improve the 

efficiency, reliability, and ease of use of data

"The USGS

mainframe

supports several

large data base

applications for

other Bureaus

within DOI."

Information Systems Activities 93
Communications services, BISDN 

(Broadband Integrated Services 

Digital Network), frame relay, and 

X.25 (international packet switching 

standard) and SNA (Systems 

Network Architecture), the time 

frame in which they were 

introduced, and the associated 

transmission speeds.

CO

.S2

CO

2.4 gigabits 

per second

44.736 megabits 

per second

1.544 megabits 

per second

56 kilobits 

per second

center services and should help in reducing 

costs associated with operating the center.

By improving the ease of access to the 

mainframe and adding mainframe data center 

services that supplement and enhance applications resident in other USGS nonmainframe 

computing environments, the mainframe is 

moving into a new era of service to the USGS 

computing community. In the future, the 

mainframe will continue to provide unique 

data processing facilities and services that 

effectively respond to ever-changing USGS 

and DOI computing needs nationwide.

Emerging

Telecommunications

Technologies

By Elaine Stout

F

rom the early days of using Arpanet 

a Department of Defense computer 

network to the present use of the USGS 

GEONET and the massive Internet networks, 

USGS scientists have implemented and used 

wide-area telecommunications technology. In 

the past, especially with networks such as 

GEONET, extensive and expensive error 

checking and correcting were relegated to the 

network. The USGS end user devices, often 

inexpensive terminals, could not correct 

errors or perform the most rudimentary error 

checking. In essence, the network did all the 

time-consuming work.

The networking and computing environment is evolving from slow terminal-based 

systems to high-speed distributed systems. 

Newly developed communications networking 

technologies reflect this evolution. Three reasons driving the move to new telecommunication technology are (1) end users, such as

94

1985 1990 

U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991

1995 2000

USGS scientists, require far higher transmission rates for transport of images and 

visualization, (2) end-user devices have significantly improved intelligence and processing 

power, and (3) extremely high-quality transmission circuits are available and affordable.

In the USGS, higher transmission speed 

is found in the new Distributed Information 

System (DIS-II) workstations and powerful 

graphics devices that generate extensive local 

area network (LAN) to LAN traffic. These 

workstations and devices use new computing 

interfaces (for example, X Windows) such that 

a remote computer actually appears to be 

local. Even the personal computer can now 

support error detection and retransmission. 

The USGS move to higher speed computing 

applications has paralleled the telecommunications industry distribution of very high speed, 

all-digital circuitry throughout the country.

Optical fiber now is pervasive; all major 

telecommunications carriers have fiber running east and west, north and south. To date, 

the continental United States has more than 2 

million miles of optical fiber. Historically, data 

networks such as GEONET were designed to 

cope with errors resulting from analog communications circuits and equipment. The 

new fiber and new computing devices have 

substantially increased the reliability of the 

network.

Telecommunications networking of the 

1990's will include words and acronyms such 

as frame relay, cell relay, BISDN (Broadband 

Integrated Services Digital Network), SMDS 

(Switched Multimegabit Data Service), ATM 

(Asynchronous Transfer Mode), and SONET 

(Synchronous Optical NET work). Some of 

these new technologies (including frame relay, 

cell relay, BISDN, and ATM) are streamlined 

by fast packet switching. Fast packet combines 

the advantages of the older circuit switching 

approach high throughput and low delay 

with the advantages of statistical multiplexing 

techniques that allow for efficient use of the 

transmission circuitry by shared bandwidth. 

Frame relay is the only commercially available 

network technology now being distributed; 

the other technologies will be introduced in 

the mid- and late 1990's. However, the direction of telecommunications technology is 

defined: high-speed fast packets and, when 

appropriate, shared bandwidth for voice and 

video services.

The USGS is currently testing and distributing one of these newer technologies. 

Since February 1991, frame relay technology 

has been tested between Reston, Va., and 

Menlo Park, Calif.; Lakewood, Colo., was 

added in July 1991. Performance gains, as 

measured by bits per second transferred, have 

been significant. More than 2,000 individual 

tests were run between Reston and Menlo
Park, and frame relay throughput performance was 19 times greater than that of the 

USGS GEONET network. When compared to 

Internet, frame relay performance gains were 

about sixfold. Two types of tests were run: one 

test was machine oriented; the other, user oriented. For the machine test, computers transmitted large files back and forth all day by 

using the Transmission Control Protocol/ 

Internet Protocol the predominant protocol 

in the USGS. For the user test, individual 

X Windows sessions were established for 

transmission of a graphics image from Menlo 

Park to Reston; this test was performed randomly throughout the day.

Results from the throughput testing and 

the random X Windows tests were compared 

and were within 2 percent of one another. In 

other words, the performance predicted for 

the user actually happened. Frame relay performance to date has been impressive and 

could make the usual bottleneck the slow 

wide-area network more tolerable. Frame 

relay technology has immediate benefits 

for the USGS. Also, a frame relay network 

supporting high transmission rates can 

be installed with relatively small capital 

investment.

The USGS was the first Federal agency 

to test frame relay and continues to assess 

new fast packet technologies. Also, the USGS 

is using a newly developed backbone network 

for more than just frame relay. On the same 

transmission circuit, several simultaneous 

voice calls are routinely transmitted with video 

conferences. While frame relay is an interface 

standard from LAN to a wide-area network, 

the wide-area networking switching approach, 

called cell relay, increases the performance 

and lowers the ultimate cost of the network by 

integrating voice, data, and video. Consequently, via the same optical fiber telecommunications circuitry, all the above services are 

available at the Reston, Menlo Park, and 

Lakewood sites.

Another advance at the USGS is compressed video conferencing. Compressed 

video is dramatically different from full 

broadcast video. For instance, to broadcast 1 

second of the evening network news requires 

about 90 million bits; using the USGS compressed video conferencing, that same video 

second requires as few as 56,000 bits, a tiny 

portion of the full broadcast mode. Amazingly, even though substantial compression 

occurs, the overall picture and audio quality is 

good and, more importantly, affordable. 

Compressed video conferencing services have 

dropped in price significantly during the last 

few years. Also, as recently as 3 years ago, a 

full Tl circuit (capacity of 1.544 megabits) 

was needed for this type of video presentation. Now, due to enhanced video algorithms

A, 1990.

B, 1996.

The expansion and evolution from the 1990 networking architecture to the 1996 networking 

architecture. A, 1990, host computer, LAN (local area network), and PABX (Private Automatic 

Branch eXchange) connected to X.25 (international packet switching standard) and SNA (Systems 

Network Architecture) and a slow-speed circuit network. B, 1996, this environment will evolve to 

host computer, LAN, and PABX connections to high-speed services, X.25 and SNA, frame relay, 

and BISDN over optical networks, such as SONET.

Information Systems Activities 95
(those routines that convert and compress 

the picture), compressed video may be 

transmitted in just 4 percent of the old Tl 

requirement.

Telecommunications continue to change 

and evolve at an ever increasing rate. By the 

time new technologies are developed, they 

may be obsolete. The USGS has consistently 

balanced the costs with the benefits of new 

technologies; further, decisions are tempered 

with the knowledge that, as the Greek philosopher Heraclitus (540-480 B.C.) stated, 

"Nothing endures but change." In the telecommunications arena, this is the rule.

Scientific Visualization for 

Scientific Research

By Carmelo Ferrigno, 

Richard A. MacDonald, and 

Brian Schachte

S

cientists must constantly find new methods 

to quickly and effectively analyze increasing quantities of data that are collected and 

generated in their research. The traditional 

manual methods of reviewing large tables of 

printed data and plotting results are no 

longer effective. By using a process called scientific visualization, scientists can now use 

computers to review their data and generate

the diverse charts and graphs needed to illustrate research results. The visualization of 

data goes beyond just generating pie charts 

and line charts (fig. 1). The latest techniques 

use three-dimensional graphics (fig. 2) and 

computer-generated animation and videos to 

analyze data.

Scientific visualization techniques are 

important to many USGS research projects. 

Research in such areas as earthquake and volcano simulations and water-quality studies 

generates massive amounts of data that cannot be properly analyzed without the use of 

computer-generated graphics. Another example of visualization is the work being done by 

USGS employees who are using cameras and 

video cassette recorders to record such events 

as excavating and collecting within a geological fault zone. These recordings are later used 

to study the structure and composition of the 

fault area.

The USGS has developed a video that 

describes some of the visualization techniques 

(fig. 3) that can be used to analyze scientific 

data. Other videos are being developed 

by using desktop computer systems. It is 

anticipated that several videos will be produced that simulate geologic events such as 

earthquakes.

Other new visualization products range 

from simple graphics printed on paper or 

viewed on a computer terminal to videos 

describing the results of earth science

20

15

CD

c 

en

CO

10

EXPLANATION

Signal #1 

Signal #2

Time

Figure 1. Example of typical graph used to portray data in a geological report as created by using 

scientific visualization.

96 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Figure 2. Example of elevation data portrayed in a three-dimensional perspective view.

research. Current production projects include 

one video depicting monthly streamflow 

conditions from 1929 91 and another video 

showing the results of a three-dimensional 

model of Pamlico Sound in North Carolina.

Another scientific visualization tool is the 

CD-ROM, which can be used to disseminate 

earth science information within an interactive 

and visual format. Using a microcomputer, a 

person can access the information on a 

CD-ROM randomly. A recent product, the 

Arctic Data Interactive, is now available and 

contains extensive graphical and textual 

information on the Arctic region of Alaska. 

Currently, a second CD-ROM is being

developed as an aid in teaching elementary 

school children about such topics as the making of maps at the USGS.

It is clear that the use of scientific 

visualization techniques will increase within 

the USGS. The complexity of the research 

activities will increase partially due to the use 

of more sophisticated and powerful supercomputers. This increase will lead to the 

generation of more complex data that will 

require the use of visualization techniques for 

analysis. At the same time, the visualization 

techniques will keep pace with the requirement with the help of Federal Government 

national laboratories.

Figure 3. Examples of using shades of gray to visually define scientific data.

Information Systems Activities 97
Mission

The Administrative Division provides 

administrative direction and coordination in 

support of the scientific and technical 

programs of the U.S. Geological Survey. This 

support includes policy guidance and program 

direction and provides leadership and authority 

for various administrative management and 

technical support functions, including 

personnel, manpower utilization, finance, 

administrative management systems, 

management analysis, records management, 

procurement and contract negotiation, property

and facilities management, security, safety, 

and motor vehicle management.

The Division also manages the 

development, maintenance, and operation of 

the financial management system for the 

entire U.S. Department of the Interior. These 

functions are carried out at the National 

Center in Reston, Va., and through Regional 

Management Offices in Denver, Colo., and / 

Menlo Park, Calif. Ij

II

.1 J »

\

76". v

>7V - -
Message from the Assistant Director for Administration

T

o accomplish its stated mission, the Administrative Division has established goals to 

make the most cost-effective balanced use of administrative support resources while 

maintaining or increasing the quality of service and to improve responsiveness to our 

service clientele. The division is also actively increasing the professionalism of administrative support services and proactive administrative partnerships at both the bureau and 

departmental levels.

We are aggressively pursuing the Secretary of the Interior's human resources 

initiatives through strong support of our Volunteer for Science Program and furthering 

the employment of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. During 1991, we 

established a USGS Public Service Award to recognize employee accomplishments as 

public servants to the American people. We initiated employee support groups and 

workshops to deal with concerns such as family and friends participating in Operation 

Desert Storm, elder care, and latchkey children. We continue to support child care centers 

in Northern Virginia and in Menlo Park, Calif., and began developmental work for a 

new center in Flagstaff, Am., scheduled to open in fiscal year 1992.

In the area of facilities management, we transferred land and facilities at the 

USGS Western Region Center in Menlo Park, Calif., to the General Services 

Administration. This action consolidates the ownership of these holdings and improves 

management of these facilities. Successful negotiations with the National Archives and 

Records Service enable the USGS to save space and record-holding costs by now being 

able to archive invaluable scientific records on CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only 

memory).

Many financial management improvements and changes in administrative 

support that have been undertaken recently are explained in the following pages. 

Through these improvements and streamlining of systems, we are able to provide the most 

cost-effective administrative support for the scientific, research, and technical programs 

of the USGS.

For the future, we will continue to streamline administrative operations and look at 

new technologies to reduce paper-intensive activities and to economize and expedite 

procedures wherever possible. In addition, we will be conducting a Total Quality 

Management pilot project to further improve service to our customers the scientific 

staff and programs of the USGS.

Jack], Stassi

Streamlining with 

Automation

By Kory K. Lee

D

uring 1991, the USGS automated 

several administrative operations that 

support the scientific mission of the bureau. 

To enhance administrative information management and to comply with federally mandated regulations, the USGS put into operation new automated systems in the areas of 

personnel, general services, and facilities. Specific new automated systems implemented 

bureauwide are the Performance Management Tracking System, the Space Management System, the Inventory Control System, 

and the Motor Vehicle Management System.

Performance Management Tracking 

System. Following a 1990 management 

control review of bureau performance

management practices, the USGS began to 

use an automated performance management 

tracking system (PMTS) that aids managers 

and personnel offices in tracking annual performance standards and appraisal paperwork. 

Now used bureauwide, the PMTS provides 

managers and personnel offices with more 

timely and accurate information regarding the 

status of performance management documentation at all organizational levels.

The PMTS consists of interactive screens 

for updating or querying the data base. 

Depending on security profiles maintained by 

the system, users can enter and track the date 

performance standards were developed, the 

date the annual appraisal was prepared, and 

the annual rating for employees in a specific 

organization. The system also provides performance management due dates and performance appraisal history for each employee. 

PMTS provides reports, such as the Performance Standards Report and the Annual

>
Appraisal History Report, which give more 

timely information on the organization's compliance with performance management 

requirements.

Space Management System. In 1991, the 

USGS completed the initial phase of the 

Space Management System (SMS). The new 

SMS replaces manual and personal-computerbased processes for allocating space costs and 

tracking space holdings for the entire bureau. 

Developed on an IBM System/38 minicomputer, the SMS improves the monitoring, analyzing, and reporting of the use and cost of 

USGS workspace leased from the General 

Services Administration (GSA).

The first phase of SMS accepts electronic 

input of quarterly billing data from the GSA, 

tracks the allocation of space, and distributes 

costs of the assigned space to each USGS division based on actual usage. Data on GSAand USGS-owned space assignments can be 

accessed through standard inquiries such as 

the building inquiry that reports location and 

statistics. One SMS design feature, an interface to the Federal Financial System, replaces 

a labor-intensive process for distributing costs 

for GSA leased space back to the divisions. 

To provide SMS data for users at the microcomputer level, an optional feature of the System/38 enables users to query and transfer 

data to a personal computer; once transferred, the data are available for word processing or spread-sheet documents. Enhancements such as a budget and forecasting 

module are planned for the next phase.

Inventory Control System. To improve 

customer service and inventory management, 

the USGS acquired an off-the-shelf inventory 

control and point-of-sale system. The new

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT TRACKING SYSTEM

P

* MAIN MENU *

(1) ACCESS PAST RATING PERIOD

(2) ACCESS PRESENT RATING PERIOD

(3) REPORTS MENU

ORGANIZATION 

CODE LIST

EMPLOYEE 

LIST

EMPLOYEE 

RECORD

ORGANIZATION 

CODE LIST

EMPLOYEE 

LIST

EMPLOYEE 

RECORD

REPORTS MENU

PERFORMANCE 

STANDARDS REPORT

APPRAISAL 

HISTORY REPORT

system, now incorporated in all Administrative Division supply management offices, 

replaces manual procedures and obsolete 

technology that had become increasingly 

costly to maintain.

The new control system operates on a 

microcomputer local area network in each of 

the regional locations of Reston, Va.; Denver, 

Colo.; and Menlo Park, Calif. The system 

maintains a complete data base of office supplies, field equipment, and special order 

items. As these supplies are purchased by 

USGS offices, the system uses bar-code reading technology to post sales transactions 

against the inventory at the time of purchase. 

An interface with the Federal Financial System allocates the costs of the supplies to the 

proper account. The system automatically 

determines cost-effective reorder points for 

inventory items using Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) techniques. EOQ determines the 

stock level to which a particular item should 

diminish before reordering is needed and the 

optimum reorder quantity to minimize total 

costs. Once the EOQ is determined, the 

inventory control system provides information 

for ordering stock from the GSA and open 

market vendors.

Motor Vehicle Management System. The 

Motor Vehicle Management System (MVMS) 

is used to collect bureauwide motor vehicle 

usage information in a more timely and accurate manner and to transmit vehicle data to 

the Departmental Fleet Management System. 

The MVMS is used primarily by regional and 

field offices in the Geologic, Water Resources 

and National Mapping Divisions. The information, collected to monitor vehicle usage and 

satisfy departmental and bureau reporting 

requirements, includes mileage, fuel consumption, and vehicle maintenance costs for more 

than 1,500 USGS-owned vehicles.

As late as 1990, this information was 

recorded and processed on outdated punch 

cards. The MVMS provides system users with 

three ways of entering data: a personalcomputer-based data base application that has 

automated transmission to the bureau mainframe computer, an online mainframe system, 

or an interface with existing systems that 

gather motor vehicle information. In subsequent processing, the data are used to update 

the bureau Property Management System and 

provide reports required by the Interior 

Department. The personal computer and 

online functions have built-in edits that 

improve the accuracy of vehicle-use data.

The DOIAVADS Study.-During 1991, 

the Department of the Interior (DOI) initiated 

a study to explore the feasibility of a departmentwide automated vacancy announcement 

and distribution system (AVADS). Designed 

for departmental and nondepartmental

100 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Inventory control system: Use of the bar-code reader speeds 

checkout and immediately updates the system data base.

users, AVADS will electronically distribute 

announcements, make them available as 

quickly as possible, reduce the amount of 

paper handled, and consolidate redundant 

distributions. The study, led by the USGS and 

involving personnel from many Interior 

bureaus, examined the AVADS currently in 

use at the USGS, as well as existing automated and manual processes from four other 

DOI bureaus: the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 

Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, and Minerals Management 

Service.

Requirements for an announcement system were determined by representatives from 

each bureau. On the basis of selection criteria 

such as cost and ease of implementation and 

maintenance, the study recommended a modified version of the USGS AVADS. Enhancements to the existing system will allow distribution of the job announcements using a 

wide-area network and electronic bulletin 

board service. Initial implementation of the 

system is planned for 1992.

Washington 

Administrative 

Service Center

By Anthony B. Queern

D

uring this fiscal year, the USGS Washington Administrative Service Center 

(WASC) provided ongoing leadership in the 

implementation and enhancement of the 

Department of the Interior (DOI) standard 

automated accounting and payment system, 

the Federal Financial System (FFS). The 

WASC handles departmental administrative

systems development at client DOI bureaus 

and Federal agencies, such as the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. The WASC 

also provides management assistance, planning, contractor services, computer center services, and technical services to its customers.

The FFS is managed by the WASC in 

Reston, Va. FFS computer services are also 

provided by the Department's Denver, Colo., 

Administrative Service Center. To date, the 

USGS, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of 

Mines, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau 

of Land Management, National Park Service, 

and Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts 

use the system.

In addition to FFS support efforts, the 

WASC began work on two additional department administrative systems to improve and 

standardize administrative systems throughout 

the DOI. These new initiatives are the Interior Department Electronic Acquisition System and an upgrade of the Interior Procurement Data System. Also this year, a working 

capital fund was authorized by Congress to 

improve the administrative efficiency of the 

WASC.

Federal Financial System. At the beginning of fiscal year 1991, the USGS, Bureau of 

Reclamation, Bureau of Mines, and U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service continued operations 

under the FFS. Continuing DOI progress 

toward departmentwide standardization, 

the Bureau of Land Management and the 

National Park Service became the latest 

bureaus to successfully convert their financial 

operations to the FFS and began processing 

accounting transactions during the fiscal year. 

The addition of these bureaus increased the 

number of FFS-processed transactions to 

approximately 70 percent of the Department 

total.

The Administrative Office of the U.S. 

Courts, the first client agency outside the 

DOI, carried out its 1990 annual financial 

closing activities under the FFS and continued 

operations for 1991 using computer services 

and support of the WASC. In 1991, WASC 

stabilized the recently added bureaus and 

began extensive conversion work for the fiscal 

year 1992 addition of the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs and Department of Commerce Patent 

and Trademark Office. A new and enhanced 

FFS software release was successfully tested 

and installed at both administrative service 

centers. The new release offers more flexibility and increases the number of options for 

FFS users.

Interior Department Electronic Acquisition 

System. In August 1990, the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget and 

the DOI Management Committee decided to 

proceed with the analysis and design of a 

standardized departmentwide automated

"To date, the

USGS, Bureau

of Reclamation,

Bureau of

Mines, U.S.

Fish and

Wildlife Service,

Bureau of Land

Management,

National Park

Service, and 

Administrative

Office of the 

U.S. Courts use

the system."

Administration 101
". . .the WASC 

was awarded a 

Public Service

Excellence 

Award for fiscal 

year 1991. . . ."

procurement system. This decision was the 

culmination of a study conducted by department staff and an intrabureau study team and 

included technical support provided by the 

WASC. After analyzing the state of procurement automation in the 11 bureaus and 

offices within the DOI, the study team recommended the acquisition of a procurement system that would automate small purchases and 

contracts. Features of the proposed Interior 

Department Electronic Acquisition System 

(IDEAS) span the procurement cycle from 

advanced acquisition planning and electronic 

requisitioning to contract administration and 

close-out.

Another interbureau working group, 

composed of experienced procurement specialists and technical staff from the various 

bureaus, completed documentation describing 

the functional requirements of the system and 

prepared recommendations for departmentwide standards for data, processes, reports, 

and interfaces to other administrative systems 

such as the FFS. From these requirements, 

the WASC developed a conceptual model that 

defines the core requirements for the IDEAS.

The WASC conducted a market search 

to identify bureau, other agency, or commercial software meeting DOI requirements. The 

WASC is also conducting a detailed costbenefit analysis in accordance with Federal 

Information Processing Standards guidelines. 

The analysis will evaluate the various alternatives to determine the most cost-effective 

approach to installing a system for the Department. The collection of baseline cost data for 

the analysis is complete. The analysis will 

result in a strategy for procuring or adapting 

a standard system that meets departmentwide 

specifications.

Interior Procurement Data System. During 1991, the WASC completed work to 

standardize procurement reporting systems in 

the DOI. The work consisted of upgrading 

software, hardware, and system documentation on the Interior Procurement Data System 

(IPDS). The DOI is required to report socioeconomic and contract award information 

regarding Federal funds obligated during 

the procurement process to the GSA Federal 

Procurement Data System (FPDS). The IPDS 

collects information for each Bureau and Purchasing Office in the Department and provides data for the FPDS. The IPDS also tracks 

and reports additional information to meet 

specific reporting needs in the Department. 

The IPDS has been targeted to serve as the 

first module of IDEAS.

The upgrade consisted of developing 

new software to take advantage of superior 

processing capabilities of the USGS Amdahl 

mainframe computer. The USGS computer 

provides a central location for the bureaus to

report their procurement data and offers the 

flexibility of entering data directly or submitting data remotely from existing procurement 

reporting systems. IPDS began operating in 

October.

Working Capital Fund. To improve 

administrative support for the Department, 

the WASC modified its organizational and 

funding structure to operate under a working 

capital fund. Authorized by Congress to begin 

operations in fiscal year 1991, the fund assists 

in the management of support activities that 

the USGS provides for department and government customers. Such activities include the 

WASC, a general purpose computer center, 

and the USGS telecommunications equipment 

replacement fund. The working capital fund 

is financed by customer fees generated as 

work is performed for WASC and computer 

center customers. A team was formed within 

the USGS to oversee management of the fund 

and carry out the many organizational tasks 

associated with its implementation. The 

project was completed at the end of fiscal 

year 1991.

Recognition. At the DOI Financial Management Conference, the WASC was awarded 

a Public Service Excellence Award for fiscal 

year 1991 by the Public Employees Roundtable Awards Committee. The award noted 

the WASC contribution to improvements in 

financial management that ultimately benefit 

the public through unique efforts to upgrade 

the financial management operations of the 

Department of the Interior. WASC contributions go beyond the successful implementation 

of the FFS in the DOI and other agencies; 

they include the development of an innovative 

approach to the procurement of off-the-shelf 

software, the incorporation of government 

requirements into the DOI system to make it 

more useful to other agencies, and leadership 

in the Federal Government user group for 

the FFS software as well as in efforts to award 

a governmentwide contract for commercially 

available software and related services.

USGS Office Supply 

Service Center

By Bert Simon

S

ince 1974, the USGS National Center selfservice supply store has provided a convenient, cost-effective source of office supplies 

for employees in Reston, Va. The store currently carries nearly 1,000 items and averages 

about $500,000 in annual sales to 226 customer accounts, including other Federal agencies in the Reston and Herndon area. The

102 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
store is a centralized source of supplies and 

materials that would otherwise have to be 

obtained less efficiently and at higher cost by 

individual offices. Consolidated purchasing 

and stocking saves an estimated $250,000 

annually in procurement processing, order 

receiving and delivery, and storage.

In 1991, the store was transformed into a 

service center by the addition of new products 

and the consolidation of services previously 

available from other sources. Major process, 

layout, and environmental improvements 

combined to enhance customer service and 

management quality.

The year-long transformation began with 

the consolidation and pruning of inventory. 

Obsolete, slow-moving, and zero-demand 

items were removed from inventory and 

reported to the General Services Administration (GSA) for redistribution. The GSA 

accepted transfer and credited the USGS with 

nearly $10,000 of the merchandise, and the 

Department of Defense accepted the remaining excess inventory, having a book value of 

$184,000. Remaining bulk stock was moved 

from an off-site storage location to the Service 

Center. The installation of new bulk-storage 

shelving permits most of the supply stock to 

be placed on the sales room floor. These 

actions eliminated multiple stock locations, 

reduced internal movement of stock, saved 

storage space, and provided a ready supply of 

merchandise to the customer.

Service Center efficiency was improved 

significantly by the new Inventory Control 

System (ICS), which is off-the-shelf software 

customized to meet USGS requirements. 

Highlights of the system are point-of-sale 

inventory accounting, data entry through barcode scanning, itemized sales receipt preparation, and extensive management reporting. 

ICS was brought online in May 1991 and is 

now the supply manager's principal tool for 

controlling supply operations. ICS maintains 

perpetual inventory control, and a point-ofsale feature decreases stock balances as sales 

are transacted. ICS also eliminates manual 

price changing because current prices are 

maintained in the data base.

This pricing feature and the use of product bar codes allow new stock to be placed on 

the sales floor upon receipt and eliminates 

delays due to manual price marking. Efficiency is further improved through the ability 

of the system to compute economic order 

quantity (EOQ), which determines when and 

how much to order. EOQ helps the manager 

maintain stock at the minimum level necessary 

to meet customer demand. The system adjusts 

to fluctuations in demand and modifies stock 

levels accordingly.

Customer service was the driving force 

behind improvements in store layout, stock

arrangement, and the addition of convenience 

features. Highly functional display racks provide maximum flexibility for displaying and 

rearranging supply stock. Improved aisle and 

bin signs aid customers in locating items. 

Carts and tote baskets are available, and a 

literature rack at the check-out area displays 

pamphlets and brochures on a variety 

of administrative subjects requested by 

customers.

The Service Center is primarily a supply 

center, but it also provides additional services 

to customers. Personnel at the customer service counter respond to inquiries and process 

orders for recycled laser printer cartridges, 

gas cylinders, field equipment, bulk items 

such as copier paper, and special order supplies. The center houses and provides training 

and operator assistance for the only color 

copier at the National Center.

The Service Center is close to other inhouse service elements. A customer service 

representative assists employees in obtaining 

requested support. Print requisition assistance, 

mail operations support, messenger service, 

passenger shuttle assistance, personal property reutilization, and transportation services 

are provided to walk-in customers and by telephone. The Transportation Office, conveniently located near the Service Center, provides services such as overnight express mail, 

freight shipments, shipment claims assistance, 

and household goods shipments.

To ensure that supplies and services 

keep pace with the changing requirements 

of USGS programs, Service Center staff 

meet regularly with a committee of customer 

representatives. The committee investigates 

improving services, promoting effective communication, evaluating the services provided, 

and ensuring that customer concerns are satisfactorily resolved. Feedback from individual 

customers and from the committee helps the 

Service Center continually improve customer 

service.

Third Party Drafts

By Judith A. Gunnelb

T

o reduce the amount of cash being held 

in imprest funds, the USGS Office of 

Financial Management (OFM) implemented a 

third party draft payment system as an alternative payment mechanism for imprest fund 

transactions. A third party draft is a checklike 

instrument drawn against a contractor's bank 

account. The chart (p. 104) shows the document flow for the drafts. The contractor supplies the USGS with the drafts, which are 

issued by a USGS cashier in lieu of cash for

". . .a centralized

source of

supplies and

materials that

would otherwise

have to be

obtained less

efficiently and at

higher cost. . . ."

Administration 103
Third party drafts

"The use of the 

drafts proved to

be highly

successful and

has since been

expanded to

61 locations

bureauwide."

the same types of transactions processed 

through an imprest fund, with the exception 

of travel advances. The payee of the draft 

cashes or deposits the draft, which is processed through the banking system and presented to the contractor's bank for payment. 

The contractor then bills the USGS for reimbursement of all items paid by the contractor. Subsequently, the USGS reimburses the 

contractor with a wire transfer of funds. It 

takes about 10 days from the time a draft is 

issued to the time it clears the contractor's 

account.

In cooperation with OFM, the Water 

Resources Division Northeast Region 

conducted a pilot of the third party draft program at 18 locations having imprest funds 

and at 4 locations having no imprest funds. 

The use of the drafts proved to be highly successful and has since been expanded to 61 

locations bureauwide. Drafts are widely 

accepted by vendors since payment is being 

made at the time of the purchase, rather than 

having the vendor bill the USGS. Although 

the drafts may be used for many types of 

transactions, they have proven to be most 

advantageous for payment for services provided by gage readers, for registration fees, 

for publications and subscriptions, and for 

software updates. To date, the USGS has 

processed 14,901 drafts having a total dollar 

amount of $1,354,775.

Third party drafts can be used to supplement an imprest fund or even eliminate cash 

in the imprest fund. Drafts offer better cash

management procedures, flexibility, and internal control. Audit trails are provided, and 

there are fewer security problems. The cashier does not need to replenish the fund since 

no cash is actually being disbursed. Although 

cashiers must account for all drafts issued, 

they are not personally liable as they are with 

cash. In those participating locations having 

no imprest funds, the program streamlines 

the purchasing process since it provides a 

mechanism for purchasing goods and services 

that was not available previously without issuing a purchase order or blanket purchase 

agreement. Future uses of the drafts are for 

On-the-Spot Awards and for ordering merchandise by the c.o.d. (cash on delivery) 

method.

Child Care

A

fter 1 year of operation, the Federal 

Children's Center of Northern Virginia, 

established by the USGS and five other Federal agencies, is almost fully enrolled. The 

first year was eventful, beginning with a formal dedication ceremony attended by Congressman Frank Wolf and other local dignitaries. Parents were added to the board of 

directors, and an emergency drop-in program 

was started to allow parents to use the center 

when other child care arrangements fall 

through. A tuition assistance program was 

begun, and a before-and-after-school program 

was planned to begin in December 1991. The 

year ended with formal evaluations of the 

center by parents and staff members; these 

evaluations confirm that the center is a great 

success.

The GeoKids Center in Menlo Park is 

making plans to build a modern child care 

facility to be completed in late 1992, with the 

assistance of the San Francisco Region of the 

General Services Administration (GSA). 

GeoKids continues to be cited as a model 

parent-cooperative program and was awarded 

a 1991 Recognition Award for Program 

Excellence by the California Association for 

the Education of Young Children.

Start-up funds were committed for a 

child care program in Flagstaff, Ariz., and 

employees there are working with GSA officials to obtain updated needs assessment 

information to guide them in the development of a program for children of Federal 

employees in Flagstaff.

104 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
>-

UJ

c/1

o 

21

(/ O

=5 -£

UJ

Z

O

N

< 

O

OS

O

Man ialand es 

ricas

S

8!

Organizational Chart 105
Budget Information

USGS budget authority for fiscal year 1991, by appropriation, for surveys, investigations, and research (SIR) 

[Dollars in thousands]

Activity/Subactivity/Program element

Fiscal year

1991 

enacted

Activity/Subactivity/Program element

Fiscal year

1991 

enacted

National Mapping, Geography, and Surveys................ $132,396

National Map and Digital Data Production................ 47,954

Cartographic Data and Map Revision.................... 41,838

Thematic and Special Data ................................ 4,624

SLAR.......................................................... 1,492

Information and Data Systems .............................. 19,165

National Data Base Management......................... 7,937

Information Dissemination Services...................... 4,156

Global Change Data Systems .............................. 7,072

Research and Technology .................................... 17,959

Cartographic and Geographic Research................. 8,333

National Cartographic Requirement Coordination

and Standards.......................................... 3,946

Geographic and Spatial Information Analysis.......... 5,680

Advanced Cartographic Systems ............................ 47,318

Geologic and Mineral Resource Surveys and Mapping... 221,391

Geologic Hazards Surveys .................................... 68,906

Earthquake Hazards Reduction........................... 50,475

Volcano Hazards............................................ 16,190

Landslide Hazards .......................................... 2,241

Geologic Framework and Processes......................... 35,917

National Geologic Mapping ............................... 21,273

Deep Continental Studies.................................. 3,106

Geomagnetism............................................... 1,785

Coastal and Wetlands Processes........................... 9,753

Global Change Research...................................... 10,409

Global Change and Climate History ..................... 10,409

Offshore Geologic Surveys................................... 27,302

Offshore Geologic Framework............................ 27,302

Mineral Resource Surveys .................................... 48,677

National Mineral Resource Assessment Program ...... 25,118

Strategic and Critical Minerals ............................ 9,974

Development of Assessment Techniques................ 13,585

Energy Geologic Surveys ..................................... 30,180

Evolution of Sedimentary Basins .....

Coal Investigations......................

Oil and Gas Investigations.............

Oil Shale Investigations ................

Uranium and Radon Investigations.. 

Geothermal Investigations.............

World Energy Resource Assessment.

6,725

8,212

5,817

593

1,917

6,094

822

Water Resources Investigations............................... $177,399

National Water Resources Research and Information

..System Federal Program............................... 100,860

-Data Collection and Analysis .............................. 22,753

National Water Information Clearinghouse ............ 3,730

Coordination of National Water Data Activities........ 1,022

Regional Aquifer System Analysis........................ 10,703

Core Program Hydrologic Research ..................... 10,133

Improved Instrumentation ................................ 1,696

Water Resources Assessment.............................. 1,619

Toxic Substances Hydrology .............................. 14,628

Nuclear Waste Hydrology ................................. 3,925

Acid Rain..................................................... 3,138

Scientific and Technical Publications..................... 2,300

National Water-Quality Assessment Program .......... 18,219

Global Change Hydrology ................................. 6,994

National Water Resources Research and Information

System Federal-State Cooperative Program ........ 65,763

Data Collection and Analysis, Areal Appraisals, and

Special Studies ............................................ 61,776

Water Use.................................................... 3,987

National Water Resources Research and Information 

System State Research Institutes and Research

Grants Program........................................... 10,776

State Water Resources Research Institutes.............. 5,647

National Water Resources Research Grants Program.. 4,358

Program Administration ................................... 771

General Administration......................................... 21,205

Executive Direction............................................ 6,668

Administrative Operations ................................... 12,004

Reimbursements to the Department of Labor ............ 2,533

Facilities........................................................... 18,299

National Center Rental Payments to GSA ............... 15,452

National Center Facilities Management.................. 2,847

Total, SIR............................................ $570,690

106 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
USGS budget for fiscal years 1988 to 1991, by activity and sources of funds1 

[Dollars in thousands; totals may not add because of rounding]

Budget activity

Total ............................................

Direct program ......................................

Reimbursable program ..................................

States, counties, and municipalities ..........................

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources ..........................

Other Federal agencies ................................

National Mapping, Geography, and Surveys .......................

Direct program ......................................

Reimbursable program ..................................

States, counties, and municipalities ..........................

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources ..........................

Other Federal agencies ................................

Geologic and Mineral Resource Surveys and Mapping. .................

Direct program .....................................

Reimbursable program ..................................

States, counties, and municipalities ..........................

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources ..........................

Other Federal agencies ................................

Water Resources Investigations ..............................

Direct program ......................................

Reimbursable program ..................................

States, counties, and municipalities ..........................

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources ..........................

Other Federal agencies ................................

General Administration ..................................

Direct program ......................................

Reimbursable program (Federal). ............................

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources ..........................

Other Federal agencies ................................

Facilities ..........................................

Direct program .....................................

Reimbursable program ..................................

Computer and administrative services to other accounts. ................

Reimbursable program ..................................

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources ..........................

Other Federal agencies ................................

Operation and maintenance of quarters ..........................

Direct program ......................................

1988

............ $662,101

............ 448,233

........... 213,868

........... 68,609

............ 12,775

............ 132,484

........... 120,845

............ 90,541

............ 30,304

........... 1,579

........... 10,021

............ 18,705

........... 224,028

............ 177,278

............ 46,750

............ 1,138

............ 368

............ 45,244

............ 278,380

............ 149,471

............ 128,910

............ 65,893

........... 2,354

............ 60,662

............ 17,746

............ 14,684

........... 3,062

........... 3

............ 3,060

............ 16,252

............ 16,214

............ 38

........... 4,804

............ 4,804

............ 29

............ 4,775

........... 45

............ 45

1989

$670,897

451,988

218,909

69,577

14,194

135,138

126,457

94,235

32,222

1,520

10,804

19,898

215,882

178,329

37,553

961

682

35,910

287,154

145,635

141,520

67,095

2,700

71,725

19,059

16,330

2,729

0

2,729

17,450

17,421

29

4,856

4,856

7

4,849

38

38

1990

$ 723,137

'501,510

221,628

74,113

15,151

132,363

141,069

111,528

29,542

2,132

10,278

17,131

241,739

200,472

41,267

1,917

2,022

37,328

295,128

152,904

142,224

70,064

2,839

69,321

21,493

18,081

3,412

1

3,411

18,502

18,502

0

5,183

5,183

11

5,172

23

23

1991

$802,538

575,044

227,494

87,415

13,499

126,580

162,421

132,395

30,026

2,366

9,722

17,938

261,513

225,112

36,401

2,661

1,260

32,480

333,238

177,969

155,269

82,388

2,503

70,378

21,528

21,206

322

1

321

18,314

18,314

0

5,476

5,476

13

5,463

48

48

1 Direct program includes $570,472 for current year, $4,361 for no year, $163 for Contributed Funds, and $48 for Operation and Maintenance of Quarters.

USGS reimbursable funds from other Federal agencies for fiscal years 1988 to 1991, by agency 

[Dollars in thousands; figures in parentheses are included in Department of the Interior totals]

Budget activity

r o/

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ............................

Total. ......................................

1988

............ $ 3,392

............ 50

............ 6,138

............ 39,462

............ 26,800

............ 258

............ 17,166

............ (4,664)

(1 7731

(29)

............ (6,715)

(2Q11

............ (1,069)

n QRHI

fS521

............ (290)

9 896

............ 794

............ 3,591

............ 4,877

K«K

............ 1,589

269

............ 18,146

............ $132,963

1989

$ 3,638

0

5,327

40,478

31,630

311

14,076

(2,190)

(1,317)

(0)

(5,926)

(222)

(1,304)

(2,206)

/OC/I\

(648)

10,082

1,479

3,096

4,952

630

1,797

170

17,472

$135,139

1990

$ 3,379

281

1,448

41,257

29,574

358

12,728

(2,018)

H 23Q1

(24)

(6,119)

/ao\

(883)

(1,343)

(106)

/oc4\

8,144

362

5,279

5,607

2,328

1,917

217

19,484

$132,363

1991

$ 3,464

323

2,258

42,002

28 rj9i

159

12,533

(1,834)

(1,256)

(0)

(6,259)

/*7C\

(1,036)

(1,549)

/C*7\

(456)

8,279

299

4,302

6,270

625

1,441

200

15,904

$126,580

Budget Information 107
Guide to Information and Publications

Earth Science Information 

Centers

To obtain information on cartographic data 

and on earth science programs, publications, and 

services, or to obtain copies of reports and maps, 

write or visit U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science 

Information Centers at the following addresses:

Alaska:

Room 101

4230 University Dr.

Anchorage, AK 99508-4664

RoomG-84

605 West 4th Ave.

Anchorage, AK 99501

New Federal Building, Box 12 

101 12th Avenue 

Fairbanks, AK 99701

California:

Room 3128

532 Bldg. 3

345 Middlefield Rd.

Menlo Park, CA 94025-3591

Colorado:

Room 1813

504 Denver Federal Center, Bldg. 25

Box 25046

Denver, CO 80225-0046

District of Columbia:

Main Interior Bldg., Room 2650

1849 C St., NW.

Washington, DC 20240

(When visiting, use E St. entrance.)

Mississippi:

Bldg. 3101

Stennis Space Center

Bay St. Louis, MS 39529

Missouri:

Room 231

1400 Independence Rd.

Rolla, MO 65401-2602

South Dakota:

EROS Data Center

Sioux Falls, SD 57198-0001

Utah:

8105 Federal Bldg.

125 S. State St.

Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1177

Virginia: 

Room 1O102 

507 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092

Washington:

678 U.S. Courthouse 

W. 920 Riverside Ave. 

Spokane, WA 99201

Water Information 

Water-Source Data

To obtain assistance in locating sources of 

water data, identifying sites at which data have been 

collected, and obtaining specific information, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

National Water Data Exchange 

421 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092

Water-Data Aquisition Activities

To obtain information on ongoing and planned 

water-data acquisition activities of all Federal agencies and many non-Federal organizations, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Office of Water Data Coordination 

417 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092

Water Resources of Specific Areas

To obtain information on water resources in 

general and about the water resources of specific 

areas of the United States, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Hydrologic Information Unit 

419 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092

Geologic Information

General Geology

To obtain information on geologic topics such 

as earthquakes and volcanoes, energy and mineral 

resources, the geology of specific areas, and geologic maps and mapping, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Geologic Inquiries Group 

907 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092

Mineral Resources

To obtain information on mineral resources, 

write or visit:

Minerals Information Office* 

Main Interior Bldg., Room 2647 

1849 C St., NW. 

Washington, DC 20240

*Joint venture of the USGS and the U.S. Bureau 

of Mines.

Minerals Information Office, USGS 

340 N. 6th Ave. 

Tucson, AZ 85705

Minerals Information Office, USGS 

c/o Mackay School of Mines 

University of Nevada, Reno 

Reno, NV 89557-0047

Minerals Information Office, USGS 

U.S. Courthouse, Room 656 

W. 920 Riverside Dr. 

Spokane, WA 99201

Maps

Topographic and Thematic

To buy maps of all areas of the United States 

and to request USGS catalogs, pamphlets, and leaflets (limited quantities free), write or visit:

U.S. Geological Survey

Map Distribution

Building 810

Denver Federal Center, Box 25286

Denver, CO 80225

To buy Alaska maps, residents of Alaska may 

write or visit:

Earth Science Information Center 

New Federal Building, Box 12 

101 12th Avenue 

Fairbanks, AK 99701

Aerial Photographs and Satellite Images

To obtain information on aerial photographs 

and satellite and space images, write or visit:

U.S. Geological Survey 

EROS Data Center 

Sioux Falls, SD 57198

Books and Reports

To buy USGS book publications, to request 

USGS circulars, or to obtain information on the 

availability of microfiche or paper-duplicate copies 

of open-file reports, write:

U.S. Geological Survey 

Book and Open-File Report Sales 

Federal Center, Box 25286 

Denver, CO 80225

Periodicals

New Publications

To get on the mailing list for the monthly list 

of New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey 

(free), write:

U.S. Geological Survey 

Distribution Support Section 

582 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive 

Reston, VA 22092

Earthquakes & Volcanoes

To subscribe to Earthquakes 6f Volcanoes, a 

bi-monthly, nontechnical digest that provides up-todate information on earthquakes, volcanoes, and 

related natural hazards around the world, write:

Superintendent of Documents 

Government Printing Office 

Washington, DC 20402

108 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
U.S. Geological Survey Offices

[Information current as of April 1992]

Headquarters Offices Central Region

National Center

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA 22092

Denver Federal Center 

Box 25046 

Denver, CO 80225

Western Region

345 Middlefield Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Office of the Director

Director

Associate Director

Special Assistant (Washington Liaison) and Deputy

Ethics Counselor 

Assistant Director for Research 

Assistant Director for Engineering Geology 

Assistant Director for Administration 

Assistant Director for Programs 

Assistant Director for Intergovernmental Affairs 

Assistant Director for Information Systems 

Congressional Liaison Officer 

Chief, Public Affairs Office 

Equal Employment Opportunity Officer 

Director's Representative Central Region 

Director's Representative Western Region 

Special Assistant to the Director for Alaska

Administrative Division

Chief

Administrative Officer

Office of Personnel, Chief

Office of Procurement and Contracts, Chief

Office of Financial Management, Chief

Office of Facilities and Management Services, Chief

Office of Systems Management, Chief

Washington Administrative Service Center, Chief

Central Regional Management Officer

Western Regional Management Officer

Information Systems Division

Chief

Deputy Chief

Office of Customer Services, Chief

Office of Computer and Communications Services,

Chief

Office of Management Services, Chief 

Office of Field Services, Chief

National Mapping Division

Chief

Associate Chief

Assistant Division Chief for Research

Assistant Division Chief for Program, Budget and 

Administration

Assistant Division Chief for Information and Data 

Services

Assistant Division Chief for Coordination and Requirements

Assistant Division Chief for Production Management

Eastern Mapping Center, Chief

Mid-Continent Mapping Center, Chief

Dallas L. Peck 

Doyle G. Frederick 

Jane H. Wallace

Stephen E. Ragone 

James F. Devine 

JackJ. Stassi 

Peter F. Bermel 

JohnJ. Dragonetti 

James E. Biesecker 

Talmadge W. Reed 

Donovan B. Kelly 

Bruce D. Palmer 

Harry Tourtelot 

George Gryc 

Philip J. Carpenter

JackJ. Stassi

Louie Pectol

Maxine C. Millard

John K. Peterson

Vacant

William F. Gossman, Jr.

Phillip L. McKinney

Phillip L. McKinney

F.B. Sower

George F. Hargrove, Jr.

James E. Biesecker 

Wendy A. Budd 

Virginia L. Ross 

Charles D. Nethaway

Eliot Christian 

Doug R. Posson

Alien H. Watkins 

Roy R. Mullen 

Joel L. Morrison 

Richard E. Witmer

Gary W. North 

Gene A. Thorley

James R. Plasker 

K. Eric Anderson 

Merle E. Southern

(703)648-7411 

(703) 648-7412 

(202) 343-3888

(703) 648-4450 

(703) 648-4423 

(703) 648-7200 

(703) 648-4430 

(703) 648-4427 

(703) 648-7108 

(703) 648-4457 

(703) 648-4460 

(703)648-4417 

(303) 236-5438 

(415) 329-4002 

(907) 271-4138

(703) 648-7200 

(703) 648-7204 

(703) 648-7442 

(703) 648-7373 

(703) 648-7604 

(703)648-7338 

(703) 648-7256 

(703) 648-7256 

(303) 236-5900 

(415)329-4150

(703) 648-7108 

(703) 648-7103 

(703)648-7178 

(703) 648-7077

(703) 648-7245 

(303) 236-4944

(703)648-5748 

(703) 648-5745 

(703) 648-4640 

(703)648-4611

(703) 648-5780 

(703) 648-5742

(703)648-4146 

(703) 648-6002 

(314) 341-0880

101 National Center

102 National Center 

Rm. 2648, Interior Bldg.

Washington, DC 20240 

104 National Center 

106 National Center 

201 National Center 

105 National Center 

109 National Center 

801 National Center 

112 National Center 

119 National Center 

116 National Center 

406 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 144 

4230 University Drive, Suite 201

Anchorage, AK 99508

201 National Center 

203 National Center 

215 National Center ' 

205 National Center 

270 National Center 

207 National Center 

206 National Center 

206 National Center 

201 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 211

801 National Center 

801 National Center 

805 National Center 

807 National Center

802 National Center

801 Denver Federal Center

516 National Center 

516 National Center 

519 National Center 

514 National Center

508 National Center 

590 National Center

511 National Center 

567 National Center 

1400 Independence Rd. 

Rolla, MO 65401

U.S. Geological Survey Offices 109
National Mapping Division Continued

Rocky Mountain Mapping Center, Chief 

Western Mapping Center, Chief 

Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center, 

Chief

Geologic Division

Chief Geologist

Associate Chief Geologist

Assistant Chief Geologist for Program

Administrative Officer

Human Resources Officer

Office of Scientific Publications, Chief

Office of Regional Geology, Chief

Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Engineering,

Chief

Office of Energy and Marine Geology, Chief 

Office of Mineral Resources, Chief 

Office of International Geology, Chief 

Assistant Chief Geologist, Eastern Region 

Assistant Chief Geologist, Central Region 

Assistant Chief Geologist, Western Region

Water Resources Division

Chief Hydrologist

Associate Chief Hydrologist

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Scientific Information

Management

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Operations 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research and External 

Coordination

Office of Hydrologic Research, Chief

Office of External Research, Chief 

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Program Coordination 

and Technical Support

Office of Atmospheric Deposition Analysis, Chief

Office of Ground Water, Chief, Acting

Office of Surface Water, Chief

Office of Water Quality, Chief

Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Water Assessment and 

Data Coordination

Office of Water Data Coordination, Chief 

Northeastern Region, Chief

New England Programs, Chief

Mid-Atlantic Programs, Chief

Mid-East Programs, Chief

Ohio Valley Programs, Chief 

Western Great Lakes Programs, Chief 

Southeastern Region, Chief

Southeast Programs, Chief 

Lower Mississippi Programs, Chief

Randle W. Olsen 

John R. Swinnerton 

Vacant

Benjamin A. Morgan 

William R. Greenwood 

David P. Russ 

Elwood H. Like 

John D. McGurk 

John M. Aaron 

Mitchell W. Reynolds 

Robert L. Wesson

Gary W. Hill 

Glenn H. Allcott 

A. Thomas Ovenshine 

Nancy Milton 

Harry A. Tourtelot 

William R. Normark

Philip Cohen 

John N. Fischer 

James F. Daniel

William B. Mann IV 

Robert M. Hirsch

Roger G. Wolff 

John E. Schefter 

Verne R. Schneider

RanardJ. Pickering 

Thomas E. Reilly 

Charles W. Boning 

David A. Rickert 

David W. Moody

Nancy C. Lopez 

Stanley P. Sauer 

Ivan C. James II

Herbert J. Freiberger

Donald E. Vaupel

Catherine L. Hill 

Daniel P. Bauer 

James L. Cook

Michael W. Gaydos 

Wanda C. Meeks

(303) 236-5825 

(415) 329-4254 

(605) 594-6123

(703) 648-6600 

(703)648-6601 

(703) 648-6640 

(703)648-6611 

(703) 648-6628 

(703)648-6077 

(703) 648-6959 

(703) 648-6714

(703)648-6470 

(703) 648-6100 

(703)648-6047 

(703) 648-6660 

(303) 236-5438 

(415) 329-5101

(703) 648-5215 

(703) 648-5216 

(703) 648-5699

(703) 648-5031 

(703) 648-5041

(703) 648-5043 

(703)648-6800 

(703) 648-5229

(703) 648-6874 

(703) 648-5001 

(703) 648-5301 

(703) 648-6862 

(703)648-6856

(703) 648-5019 

(703) 648-5817 

(617) 565-6866

(301) 838-1535

(609) 771-3902

(317) 290-3333 

(608) 276-3801 

(404) 409-7700

(404) 409-7700 

(501)324-6391

510 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 531 

EROS Data Center, 

Sioux Falls, SD 57198

911 National 

911 National 

910 National 

912 National 

911 National 

904 National 

908 National 

905 National

Center 

Center 

Center 

Center 

Center 

Center 

Center 

Center

915 National Center 

913 National Center 

917 National Center 

953 National Center 

911 Denver Federal Center 

Western Region, Stop 19

409 National Center 

408 National Center

440 National Center

441 National Center 

436 National Center

436 National Center 

424 National Center 

414 National Center

416 National Center 

411 National Center 

415 National Center 

412 National Center 

407 National Center

417 National Center 

433 National Center 

10 Causeway St., Rm. 926

Boston, MA 02222 

208 Carroll Bldg.

8600 La Salle Rd.

Towson, MD 21204 

Suite 206

Mountain View Office Park

810 Bear Tavern Rd.

West Trenton, NJ 08628 

5957 Lakeside Blvd.

Indianapolis, IN 46278 

6417 Normandy Ln.

Madison, WI 53719 

Suite 160

Spalding Woods Office Park

Norcross, GA 30092 

Suite 160

Spalding Woods Office Park

Norcross, GA 30092 

2301 Federal Office Bldg.

700 W. Capitol Ave.

Little Rock, AR 72201

110 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Water Resources Division Continued

Central Region, Chief 

Midwest Programs, Chief

North Central Programs, Chief

Rocky Mountain Programs, Chief

Southwest Programs, Chief

Western Region, Chief 

Pacific Northwest Programs, Chief

Great Basin Programs, Chief

District Offices

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut

Delaware (See Maryland)

District of Columbia (See Maryland)

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

James F. Blakey 

James E. Kircher

William J. Herb

Charles A. Pascale

Charles R. Burchett

T. John Conomos 

Garald G. Parker, Jr.

William J. Carswell, Jr.

Hillary H. Jeffcoat 

Philip J. Carpenter 

Robert D. MacNish 

Ector E. Gann

John M. Klein 

David J. Lystrom 

Chester E. Thomas, Jr.

Irwin H. Kantrowitz 

Timothy W. Hale 

William Meyer 

Jerry L. Hughes 

Stephen F. Blanchard 

Jo Ann Macy 

Norwood B. Melcher

Richard A. Herbert 

Alfred L. Knight 

Darwin D. Knochenmus

Derrill J. Cowing

(303) 236-5920 406 Denver Federal Center 

(913) 842-9909 4821 Quail Crest PI.

Lawrence, KS 66049 

(612) 229-2607 702 Post Office Bldg.

108 E. Kellogg Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55101 

(303) 236-4882 415 Denver Federal Center

Box 25046

Denver, CO 80225 

(512) 832-5791 8011 Cameron Rd., Bldg. 1

Austin, TX 78753

(415) 329-4403 Western Region, Stop 470 

(206) 593-6510 1201 Pacific Ave., Suite 600

Tacoma, WA 98402 

(702) 887-7600 Rm. 114 Federal Bldg.

705 N. Plaza St.

Carson City, NV 89701

(205) 752-8104 520 19th Ave.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 

(907) 786-7100 4230 University Dr., Suite 201

Anchorage, AK 99508 

(602) 670-6671 375 S. Euclid Ave.

Tucson, AZ 85719 

(501) 324-6391 2301 Federal Office Bldg.

700 W. Capitol Ave.

Little Rock, AR 72201

(916) 978-4633 Rm. W-2234 Federal Bldg.

2800 Cottage Way

Sacramento, CA 95825 

(303) 236-4882 415 Denver Federal Center

Box 25046

Denver, CO 80225 

(203) 240-3060 Rm. 525

Abraham A.j Ribicoff Federal Bldg.

450 Main St.

Hartford, CT 06103

(904) 681-7631 227 N. Bronough St., Suite 3015

Tallahassee, FL 32301 

(404) 986-6860 6481-B Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Doraville, GA 30360 

(808) 541-2653 677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 415

Honolulu, HI 96813 

(208) 334-1750 230 Collins Rd.

Boise, ID 83702 

(217) 398-5353 102 E. Main St., 4th Floor

Urbana, IL 61801 

(317) 290-3333 5957 Lakeside Blvd.

Indianapolis, IN 46278 

(319) 337-4191 P.O. Box 1230

Rm. 269 Federal Bldg.

400 S. Clinton St.

Iowa City, IA 52244 

(913) 842-9909 4821 Quail Crest PI.

Lawrence, KS 66049 

(502) 582-5241 2301 Bradley Ave.

Louisville, KY 40217 

(504) 389-0281 P.O. Box 66492

6554 Florida Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806 

(207) 622-8201 26 Ganneston Dr.

Augusta, ME 04330

U.S. Geological Survey Offices 111
Water Resources Division Continued

District Offices Continued

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri 

Montana

Nebraska 

Nevada

New Hampshire 

New Jersey

New Mexico 

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island (See Massachusetts) 

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Dave Grason

Michael C. Yurewicz 

Cynthia Barton 

George Garklavs

Gerald L. Ryan

Marvin G: Sherrill 

Joe A. Moreland

Michael V. Shulters 

Jon O. Nowlin

Brian Mrazik 

Janice R. Ward

Russell K. Livingston 

L. Grady Moore

James F. Turner 

William F. Horak, Jr. 

Steven M. Hindall 

Kathy D. Peter 

Marvin O. Fretwell 

David E. Click 

Alien L. Zack

Glenn G. Patterson 

Richard E. Fidler

Ferdinand QuinonesMarquez 

Richard O. Hawkinson

Harvey L. Case III

(301) 828-1535 208 Carroll Bldg.

8600 La Salle Rd.

Towson, MD 21204 

(508) 485-6360 28 Lord Rd., Suite 280

Marlborough, MA 01752 

(517) 377-1608 6520 Mercantile Way, Suite 5

Lansing, MI 48911 

(612) 229-2607 702 Post Office Bldg.

180 E. Kellogg Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55101 

(601) 965-4600 Suite 710 Federal Bldg.

100 W. Capitol St.

Jackson, MS 39269 

(314) 341-0824 1400 Independence Rd., Stop 200

Rolla, MO 65401 

(406) 449-5302 Drawer 10076, Rm. 428 Federal Bldg.

301 S. Park Ave.

Helena, MT 59626 

(402) 437-5082 Rm. 406 Federal Bldg.

100 Centennial Mall, North

Lincoln, NE 68508 

(702) 887-7600 Rm. 114 Federal Bldg.

705 N. Plaza St.

Carson City, NV 89701 

(603) 225-4681 525 Clinton St.

Bow, NH 03304 

(609) 771-3902 Suite 206, Mountain View Office Park

810 Bear Tavern Rd.

West Trenton, NJ 08628

(505) 262-5301 Pinetree Office Park, Suite 200

4501 Indian School Rd., NE.

Albuquerque, NM 87110 

(518) 472-3107 P.O. Box 1669

343 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse

Albany, NY 12201 

(919) 571-4000 3916 Sunset Rd.

Raleigh, NC 27606 

(701) 250-4601 821 E. Interstate Ave.

Bismarck, ND 58501 

(614) 469-5553 975 W. Third Ave.

Columbus, OH 43212 

(405) 231-4256 220 N.W. 66th, Bldg. 7

Oklahoma City, OK 73116 

(503) 231-2008 10615 S.E. Cherry Blossom Dr.

Portland, OR 97216 

(717) 730-6900 840 Market St.

Lemoyne, PA 17043 

(809) 749-4346 P.O. Box 364424

GSA Center, Bldg. 652

Hwy 28, Km. 7.2, Pueblo Viejo

San Juan, PR 00936

(803) 750-6100 Stephenson Center, Suite 129

720 Gracern Rd.

Columbia, SC 29210 

(605) 353-7176 Rm. 408 Federal Bldg.

200 4th St., SW.

Huron, SD 57350 

(615) 736-5424 810 Broadway, Suite 500

Nashville, TN 37203 

(512) 832-5791 8011 Cameron Rd., Bldg. 1

Austin, TX 78753 

(801) 524-5663 Rm. 1016 Administration Bldg.

1745 W. 1700 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84104

112 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Water Resources Division Continued

District Offices Continued , , .

Vermont (See New Hampshire)

Virginia Gary S. Anderson (804) 771-2427 3600 W. Broad St., Rm. 606

Richmond, VA 23230 

Washington Garald G. Parker, Jr. (206)593-6510 1201 Pacific Ave., Suite 600

Tacoma, WA 98402 

West Virginia David P. Brown (304)347-5130 603 Morris St.

Charleston, WV 25301 

Wisconsin Warren A. Gebert (608) 276-3801 6417 Normandy Ln.

Madison, WI 53719 

Wyoming Barney D. Lewis (307)772-2728 2617 E. Lincolnway, Suite B

Cheyenne, WY 82001

U.S. Geological Survey Offices 113
Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors

Cooperators listed are those with whom the 

USGS had a written agreement cosigned by USGS 

officials and officials of the cooperating agency for 

financial cooperation in fiscal year 1991. Parent 

agencies are listed separately from their subdivisions whenever there are separate cooperative 

agreements for different projects with a parent 

agency and with a subdivision of it. Agencies are 

listed in alphabetical order under the State or territory where they have cooperative agreements with 

the USGS. Agencies with whom the USGS has 

research contracts and to whom it supplied research 

funds are not listed.

Cooperating office of the U.S. Geological Survey 

g Geologic Division 

n National Mapping Division 

w Water Resources Division 

Alabama 

Alabama Department of 

Economic and Community Affairs (w),

Environmental Management (w),

Highways, Departments No. 1, 2, and 6 (w); 

Anniston, City of (w); 

Birmingham, City of (w); 

Butler, County of (w); 

Coffee County Commission (w); 

Fayette County Commission (w); 

Florida Department of Environmental Regulation

(w);

Geological Survey of Alabama (n,w); 

Greenville, City of (w); 

Huntsville, City of (w); 

Jefferson County Commission (w); 

Mobile, City of (w); 

Montgomery, City of (w); 

North Surhter Water Authority (w); 

Prattville, City of (w); 

Sumter, County of (w); 

Sylacauga, City of (w); 

Tuscaloosa, City of (w); 

University of Alabama Tuscaloosa (w)

Alaska

Alaska Department of 

Fish and Game (w),

Natural Resources, Division of Geological and 

Geophysical Surveys (w),

Transportation (w); 

Alaska Energy Authority (w); 

Alaska Industrial Development and Export

Authority (w);

Anchorage, Municipality of (w); 

Annette Islands Reserve Tribal Government (g); 

Fairbanks North Star Borough (w); 

Juneau, City and Borough of (w); 

Kenai Peninsula Borough (w); 

Kenai Soil and Water Conservation District (w); 

Kodiak, Borough of (w); 

Matanuska Susitna Borough (w); 

Sitka, City and Borough of (w); 

University of Alaska, Fairbanks (g) 

American Samoa 

American Samoa, Government of (w)

Arizona

Arizona Department of 

Environmental Quality (w),

Health Services (w),

Water Resources (w);

Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (w); 

Arizona State Land Department (w); 

Arizona State University (g); 

Colorado Department of Highways (w); 

Franklin Irrigation District (w);

Gila Valley Irrigation District (w); 

Gila Water Commissioner, Office of (w); 

Hualapai Indian Tribe (g); 

Maricopa CountyFlood Control District (w), 

Water District (w); 

Metropolitan Water District of Southern

California (w); 

Navajo Nation (w);

Pima County Department of Transportation (w); 

Prescott, City of (w); 

Safford, City of, Water, Gas, and Sewer

Department (w); 

Salt River Project (w); 

San Carlos Apache Tribe (g); 

San Carlos Irrigation District (w); 

Scottsdale, City of, Water Resources Department

(w);

Show Low Irrigation Company (w); 

Tohono Oldham Nation (w); 

Tucson, City of (w); 

Yuma, City of (w)

Arkansas

Arkansas Department of 

Parks and Tourism (w),

Pollution Control and Ecology (w),

Health (w); 

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Fisheries

Division (w);

Arkansas Geological Commission (n,w); 

Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation

Commission (w); 

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation

Department (w); 

Arkansas-Oklahoma: Arkansas River Compact

Commission (w); 

Beebe, City of (w); 

Independence, County of (w); 

Little RockMunicipal Water Works (w),

Public Works Department (w); 

Rogers, City of, Water Utilities Department (w); 

University of Arkansas 

at Fayetteville (w),

at Litde Rock (w) 

California 

Alameda County 

Flood Control and Water Conservation District 

(Hayward) (w),

Water District (w);

Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (w); 

California Department of 

Boating and Waterways (w),

Conservation (g),

Food and Agriculture (w),

Parks and Recreation (g,w),

Transportation (w),

Water Resources (w); 

California Water Control Board (w); 

Carpinteria County Water District (w); 

Casitas Municipal Water District (w); 

Coachella Valley Water District (w); 

Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water

Conservation District (w); 

Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency (w); 

Desert Water Agency (w); 

East Bay Municipal Utility District (w); 

East Valley Water District (w); 

Eastern Municipal Water District (w); 

Georgetown Divide Public Utility District (w); 

Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (w); 

Imperial County Department of Public Works (w); 

Imperial Irrigation District (w);

Indian Wells Valley Water District (w);

Los Angeles, County of (w);

Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (g);

Los Angeles Department of City Planning (g);

Madera Irrigation District (w);

Marin Municipal Water District (w);

Mendocino County Water Agency (w);

Merced, City of (w);

Merced Irrigation District (w);

Metropolitan Water District (w);

Mojave Water Agency (w);

Mono, County of (w);

Montecito Water District (w);

Monterey County Water Resources Agency (w);

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District

(w);

North Kern Water Storage District (w); 

Orange County Water District (w); 

Pala Band of the Mission Indians (w); 

Palo Alto, City of (w); 

Panoche Water and Drainage District (w); 

Pechanga Indian Reservation (w); 

Rancho California Water District (w); 

Riverside County Flood Control and Water

Conservation District (w); 

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (w); 

Sacramento County Department of Public Works

(w);

San Benito County Water District (w); 

San Bernardino County Flood Control District (w); 

San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water

District (w); 

San Diego, City of (w); 

San Diego, County Department of Public Works

(w);

San Francisco, City and County of (w); 

San Francisco Water Department (w); 

San Luis Obispo County Engineering

Department (w); 

San Mateo County Department of Public

Works (w); 

Santa Barbara, City of, Department of Public

Works (w);

Santa Barbara CountyFlood Control and Water Conservation

District (w), 

Water Agency (w);

Santa Clara Valley Water District (w); 

Santa Cruz, City of (w); 

Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water

Conservation District (w);

Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (w); 

Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District (w); 

Scotts Valley Water District (w); 

Sonoma CountyPlanning Department (w), 

Water Agency (w);

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (w); 

Tulare County Flood Control District (w); 

Turlock Irrigation District (w); 

United Water Conservation District (w); 

University of California 

at Berkeley (g),

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (g); 

Water Resources Control Board (w); 

Woodbridge Irrigation District (w); 

Yolo County Flood Control and Water

Conservation District (w); 

Yuba County Water Agency (w) 

Colorado

Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater (w); 

Arkansas River Compact Administration (w); 

Arvada, City of (w);

114 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Aspen, City of (w); 

Aurora, City of (w); 

Bent, County of (w); 

Boulder, City of (w); 

Boulder, County of (w); 

Breckenridge, Town of (w); 

Centennial Water and Sanitation District (w); 

Cherokee Water and Sanitation District (w); 

Colorado Department of 

Health (w), 

Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Conservation

Commission (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Colorado Division of 

Water Resources, Office of the State

Engineer (w), 

Wildlife (w);

Colorado River Water Conservation District (w); 

Colorado Springs, City of 

Department of Public Utilities (w), 

Engineering Division (w); 

Colorado Water Conservation Board (w); 

Delta County Board of Commissioners (w); 

Denver, City and County, Board of Water

Commissioners (w);

Eagle County Board of Commissioners (w); 

East Grand County Water Quality Board (w); 

Englewood, City of (w); 

Evergreen Metropolitan District (w); 

Fort Collins, City of, Water and Wastewater (w); 

Fountain Valley Authority (w); 

Fremont Sanitation District (w); 

Garfield, County of (w); 

Glendale, City of (w); 

Glenwood Springs, City of (w); 

Golden, City of (w); 

Jefferson County Board of County

Commissioners (w); 

Lakewood, City of (w); 

Lamar, City of (w); 

La Plata, County of (w); 

Las Animas, City of (w); 

Longmont, City of (w); 

Loveland, City of (w); 

Lower Fountain Water-Quality Management

Association (w);

Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District (w); 

Moffat, County of (w);

Northern Colorado Water Conservation District (w); 

Northglenn, City of (w); 

Pueblo Board of Water Works (w); 

Pueblo, City of, Department of Utilities (w); 

Pueblo County Commissioners (w); 

Pueblo West Metropolitan District (w); 

Rio Blanco, County of (w); 

Rio Grande Water Conservation District (w); 

Rocky Ford, City of (w); 

St. Charles Mesa Water District (w); 

Southern Ute Indian Tribe (w); 

Southwestern Colorado Water Conservation

District (w); 

Steamboat Springs, City of, Public Works

Department (w); 

Thorn ton, City of (w); 

Trinchera Water Conservation District (w); 

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (w); 

University of Colorado (g); 

Upper Arkansas Council of Governments (w); 

Upper Arkansas River Water Conservation

District (w);

Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority (w); 

Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District (w); 

Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (w); 

Ute Mountain Indian Tribe (w); 

Ute Mountain Reservation (g); 

Vail Valley Conservation Water District (w); 

Westminster, City of (w); 

Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District (w)

Connecticut

Connecticut Department of 

Environmental Protection (g,n,w), 

Transportation (w);

Fairfield, Town of, Conservation Department (w);

New Britain, City of, Board of Water 

Commissioners (w);

Norwich Sewer Authority (w);

South Central Connecticut Regional Water 

Authority (w);

Torrington, City of (w)

Delaware

Geological Survey (n,w)

District of Columbia

Department of Public Works (w);

Metropolitan Washington Council of 

Governments (w)

Florida

Bay County Utilities (w);

Boca Raton, City of (w);

Bradenton, City of (w);

Broward County Office of Natural Resources 

Protection (w);

Cape Coral, City of (w);

Cocoa, City of (w);

Collier, County of (w);

Daytona Beach, City of (w);

Florida Department of 

Environmental Regulation (w), 

Natural Resources (w)-

Division of Survey and Mapping (n), 

Transportation (n,w);

Florida InstituteFood and Agricultural Sciences (w), 

Phosphate Research (w);

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (w);

Fort Lauderdale, City of (w);

Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (w);

Hallandale, City of (w);

Highland Beach, Town of (w);

Hillsborough, County of (w);

Hollywood, City of (w);

Jacksonville, City of (w);

Jacksonville Electric Authority (w);

Lake, County of (w);

Lake Mary, City of (w);

Lee, County of (w);

Madison, City of (w);

Manatee County 

Board of County Commissioners (w), 

Environmental Action Commission (w);

Marion, County of (w);

Martin, County of (w);

Metropolitan Dade County (w);

Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Authority (w);

North Port, City of (w);

Northwest Florida Water Management District (w);

Ocala, City of (w);

Palm Beach, County of (w);

Perry, City of (w);

Pinellas, County of (w);

Polk, County of (w);

Pompano Beach, City of (w);

Port Orange, City of (w);

Reedy Creek Improvement District (w);

Sarasota, City of (w);

Sarasota, County of (w);

South Florida Water Management District (w);

South Indian River Water Control District (w);

Southwest Florida Water Management District (w);

St. Johns, County of (w);

St. Johns River Water Management District (w);

St. Lucie, County of (w);

St. Petersburg, City of (w);

Stuart, City of (w);

Suwannee River Water Management District 

(Live Oak) (w);

Tallahassee, City of 

Electric Department (w), 

Water Quality Laboratory (w); 

Tampa, City of (w);

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (w); 

Tampa Port Authority (w); 

University of Miami (g); 

University of South Florida (g); 

Volusia, County of (w); 

Walton, County of (w);

West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority (w); 

Winter Park, City of (w) 

Georgia

Albany, City of (w);

Albany Water, Gas, and Light Commission (w); 

Bibb, County of (w); 

Blairsville, Town of (w); 

Brunswick, City of (w); 

California Air Resources Board (w); 

Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning

Commission (w); 

Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource Conservation

and Development (w); 

Clayton County Water Authority (w); 

Covington, City of (w);

De Kalb County Public Works Department (w); 

Georgia Department of 

Natural Resources (g) 

Water Quality Support Program (w), 

Geologic Survey (n,w), 

Transportation (w) 

at Atlanta (w), 

at Forest Park (w); 

Georgia Mountain Regional Development

Center (w); 

Georgia State University, Center for

Hydrology (w);

Gwinnett, County of, Preconstruction Division (w); 

Helena, City of (w); 

Macon-Bibb County Water and Sewage

Authority (w); 

Moultrie, City of (w); 

Springfield, City of (w); 

Thomaston, City of (w); 

Thomasville, City of (w); 

Tifton, City of (w); 

Tifton County Commission (w); 

Valdosta, City of (w); 

Zebulon, City of (w) 

Guam 

Guam, Government of, Environmental Protection

Agency (w) 

Hawaii 

Hawaii, County of, Department of Water

Supply (w); 

Hawaii Department of 

Agriculture, Division of Agriculture Resource

Management (w), 

Land and Natural Resources (g) 

Division of 

Forestry and Wildlife (n), 

Water Resource Management (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (w); 

Honolulu, City and County of, Department of

Public Works (g,w);

Kauai, County of, Department of Water Supply (w); 

Maui, County of, Department of Water Supply (w); 

Office of State Planning (n) 

Idaho

Bonner County Commissioners (w); 

Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho (w); 

College of Southern Idaho (w); 

Idaho Department of 

Health and Welfare (w), 

Water Resources (w); 

Nampa, City of (w);

Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 115
Nez Perc£ Tribe (w);

Shoshone, County of (w);

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, (w);

Southwest Irrigation District (w);

Teton, County of (w);

University of Idaho (g);

Water District No. 01 (Idaho Falls) (w);

Water District No. 32D (Dubois) (w)

Illinois

Bloomington and Normal Sanitary District (w);

Cook County Forest Preserve District (w);

Decatur, City of (w);

DeKalb, City of, Public Works Department (w);

DuPage County Forest Preserve, Planning and

Development Section (w); 

DuPage County Department of Environmental

Concerns (w); 

Illinois Department of 

Energy and Natural Resources 

Geological Survey Division (n,w),

State Water Survey (w), 

Transportation 

Division of Highways (n),

Division of Water Resources (w); 

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (w); 

Lake County Department of Planning, Zoning, and

Environmental Quality (w); 

Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater

Chicago (w);

Northern Illinois University (g); 

Springfield, City of (w) 

Indiana

Carmel, Town of, Utilities (w); 

Elkhart, City of, Water Works (w); 

Indiana Department of 

Environmental Management (w),

Natural Resources (n), Bureau of Land, Forest, 

and Wildlife (w),

Transportation (w); 

Indianapolis, City of, Department of Public

Works (w) 

Iowa

Ames, City of (w); 

Carroll County Auditor (w); 

Carroll County Health Department (w); 

Carroll County Soil and Water (w); 

Cedar Rapids, City of (w); 

Davenport, City of (w); 

Des Moines, City of (w), Water Works (w); 

Fort Dodge, City of (w); 

Guthrie County Health Department (w); 

Iowa Department of 

Transportation, Highway Division (w),

Natural Resources, Geological Survey

Bureau (n,w); 

Iowa State University (w); 

University of IowaInstitute of Hydraulic Research (w),

Hygienic Laboratory (w) 

Kansas

Arkansas River Compact Administration (w); 

Clay County Board of Commissioners (w); 

Emporia, City of, Department of Public Works (w); 

Geary County Board of Commissioners (w); 

Harvey, County of (w); 

Hays, City of (w);

Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska (w); 

Kansas City-Wyandotte County Health

Department (w); 

Kansas Department of 

Health and Environment (w),

Transportation (w); 

Kansas Geological Survey (n,w); 

Kansas State Board of Agriculture, Division of

Water Resources (w); 

Kansas State University Department of 

Agronomy (w);

Kansas University Center for Research, Inc. (w);

Kansas Water Office (w);

Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas (w);

Linn, County of (w);

McPherson, County of (w);

Olathe, City of (w);

Prairie Band of Potawatomi Tribe (w);

Reno, County of (w);

Sac and Fox Tribe of Missouri (w);

Sumner, County of (w);

University of Kansas, Kansas Geological Survey (g);

Western Kansas Ground Water Management

District #1 (w); 

Wichita, City of (w) 

Kentucky

Campbellsville Municipal Water (w); 

Elizabethtown, City of (w); 

Fulton, City of (w); 

Glasgow Water Company (w); 

Jefferson, County of, Department of Public Works

and Transportation (w); 

Kentucky Department of Natural Resources and

Environmental Protection Cabinet (w); 

Kentucky State University (w); 

Lewisburg, City of (w); 

Metropolitan Sewer District (w); 

Owensboro, City of (w); 

Purchase Area Development District (w); 

University of Kentucky, Kentucky Geological

Survey (n,w);

University of Louisville (w) 

Louisiana

Alexandria, City of (w); 

Capital-Area Groundwater Conservation

Commission (w); 

East Baton Rouge Parish (w); 

Jefferson Parish Department of Public Utilities (w); 

Louisiana Department of 

Health and Hospitals, Office of Public

Health (w), 

Transportation and Development (w), Office of

Public Works (n), 

Wildlife and Fisheries (w); 

Louisiana Geological Survey (w); 

Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness (w); 

Louisiana State University and A&M College (w); 

Plaquemines Parish (w); 

Sabine River Compact Administration (w); 

St. John the Baptist Parish (w); 

St. John the Baptist Water Works, District 3 (w); 

Terrebonne Parish (w) 

Maine

Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (w); 

Cobbossee Watershed District (w); 

Greater Pordand Council of Governments (w); 

Maine Department of 

Conservation, Geological Survey (n,w), 

Transportation (n);

Maine Low Level Radioactive Waste Authority (w); 

North Kennebec Valley Regional Planning

Commission (w); 

Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission

(w);

Penobscot Valley Council of Governments (w); 

University of Maine (w) 

Maryland 

Anne Arundel County Planning and Zoning

Office (w);

Baltimore City of, Water Quality Management (w); 

Delaware Geological Survey (w); 

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and

Environmental Control (w); 

Delaware River Basin Commission (w); 

Hyndman, Borough of (w);

Maryland Department of 

Environment (w), 

Natural Resources (g,w),

Energy Administration (w); 

Maryland Geological Survey (n,w); 

Salisbury, City of (w) 

Massachusetts 

Cape Cod Commission (w); 

Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (n); 

Mashpee Water District (w); 

Massachusetts Department of 

Environmental Management, Division of

Resources Conservation (w), 

Environmental Protection, Division of Water

Pollution Control (w),

Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Law 

Enforcement, Division of Fisheries and 

Wildlife (w), 

Public Works (w);

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (g); 

Metropolitan District Commission 

Parks, Engineering and Construction

Division (w),

Watershed Management Division (w); 

Norway, City of (w); 

Ostego County Road Commission (w); 

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (w); 

Wayne, County of (w); 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (g) 

Michigan

Adrian, City of (w); 

Ann Arbor, City of (w); 

Battle Creek, City of 

Board of 

Public Utilities (w), 

Water and Light (w);

Cadillac, City of, Waste water Treatment Plant (w); 

Clare, City of (w); 

Consumers Power Company (w); 

Elsie, Village of, Department of Public Works (w); 

Flint, City of, Water Plant (w); 

Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (w); 

Imlay, City of (w); 

Kalamazoo, City of, Department of Public

Works (w);

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (w): 

Lansing, City of, Board of Water and Light, Water

and Stream Division (w); 

Macomb, County of (w); 

Mason, City of (w); 

Michigan Department of 

Natural Resources 

Office of Budget and Federal Aid (w), 

Sanitary Sewers and Engineering (w), 

Transportation, Design Division (w); 

Michigan Power Company (w); 

Monroe County Health Department, Environmental

Health Division (w); 

Negaunee, City of, Water and Wastewater

Treatment Plant (w); 

Norway, City of (w);

Oakland County Drainage Commission (w); 

Otsego County Road Commission (w); 

Portage, City of (w); 

Pordand, City of (w);

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (w); 

Wayne, County of, Division of Environmental

Health (w);

Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority (w) 

Minnesota

Beltrami County SWCD (w); 

Dakota County SWCD (w); 

Elm Creek Conservation Management and Planning

Commission (w);

Fond Du Lac Reservation Business Committee (w); 

Hennepin County Conservation District (w);

116 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
Leech Lake Reservation, Division of Resource

Management (w); 

Lower Red River Watershed Management

Board (w);

Metropolitan Waste Control Commission (w); 

Mille Lacs Reservation Business Committee (w); 

Minneapolis Water Works (w); 

Minnesota Department of 

Natural Resources (g,w), 

Transportation (w);

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (w); 

Minnesota State Planning Agency (n); 

Northwest Minnesota-Ground Water Steering

Committee (w);

Red Lake Reservation Business Committee (w); 

Red Lake Watershed District (w); 

Rochester Public Utilities (w); 

St. Paul, City of, Board of Water Commissioners

(w); 

University, of Minnesota, Minnesota Geological

Survey (g);

Vadnais Lake Area Watershed (w); 

White Earth Reservation Business Commission (w); 

Whitewater Joint Powers Board (w) 

Mississippi

Harrison County Development Commission (w); 

Jackson, City of (w); 

Jackson County Port Authority (w); 

Mississippi Department of 

Agriculture and Commerce (w), 

Environmental QualityOffice of Geology (w), 

Office of Land and Water Resources (w), 

Office of Pollution Control (w), 

Highways (w);

Pat Harrison Waterway District (w); 

Pearl River Basin Development District (w); 

Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (w); 

Sabine River Compact Administration (w); 

Yazoo Mississippi Delta (w) 

Missouri

Branson, City of (w); 

Cape Girardeau, City of (w); 

Independence, City of (w); 

Jackson County Parks and Recreation (w); 

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (w); 

Mid-America Regional Council (w); 

Missouri Department of 

Conservation (w), 

Health (w), 

Natural ResourcesDivision of Environmental Quality (w), 

Division of Geology and Land

Survey (n,w),

Land Reclamation Commission (w); 

Missouri Highway and Transportation

Commission (n,w); 

Rolla, City of (w); 

Rolla Municipal Utilities (w); 

Springfield, City of, City Utilities (w); 

St. Francis County Environmental Corporation (w); 

Sullivan, City of (w);

Watershed Commission of the Ozarks (w); 

University of Missouri-Columbia, Department of

Geology (w) 

Montana

Blackfeet Nation (w); 

Chippewa Creek Tribe of Rocky Boy's Reservation

(g);

Fort Belknap Community Council (w);

Fort Peck Reservation (w);

Helena, City of (w);

Lewis and Clark City-County Health

Department (w);

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (w); 

Montana Department of 

Agriculture (w),

Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (w), 

Health and Environmental Sciences (w), 

Highways (w),

Natural Resources and Conservation (w); 

Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Flathead

Reservation (w); 

Santee-Sioux Tribal Office (w); 

Wyoming State Engineer (w) 

Nebraska

Central Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

Kansas-Nebraska Big Blue River Compact

Administration (w); 

Lincoln, City of (w);

Litde Blue Natural Resources District (w); 

Lower Loup Natural Resources District (w); 

Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (w); 

Lower Republican Natural Resources District (w); 

Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (w); 

Middle Republican Natural Resources District (w); 

Nebraska Department of 

Environmental Control (w), 

Roads (w),

Water Resources (w);

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission (w); 

Nemaha Natural Resources District (w); 

North Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska (w); 

Panhandle Resource and Development Project (w); 

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (w); 

Santee-Sioux Tribal Office (w); 

South Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

Twin Platte Natural Resources District (w); 

University of Nebraska, Conservation and Survey

Division (w);

Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District (w); 

Upper Loup Natural Resources District (w); 

Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources

District (w);

Upper Republican Natural Resources District (w); 

Water Resources Center (w) 

Nevada

California Department of Water Resources (w); 

Carson City/County Department of Public

Works (w);

Carson Water Subconservancy District (w); 

Clark County Regional Flood Control District (w); 

Clark County Sanitation District (w); 

Douglas, County of (w); 

Duck Valley Reservation (w); 

Elko, County of (w); 

Henderson, City of (w); 

Interim Finance Commission, Legislative Counsel

Bureau (w); 

Las Vegas, City of (w); 

Las Vegas Valley Water District (g); 

Mackay School of Mines (w); 

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (g,n,w); 

Nevada Department of 

Conservation and Natural ResourcesDivision of Environmental Protection (w), 

Division of Water Resources (w), 

Human Resources, Division of Health,

Consumer Health Protection Service (w), 

Transportation (w); 

Wildlife (w); 

Nye, County of (w); 

Pyramid Lake Indian Tribe (w); 

Regional Water Planning and Advisory Board of

Washoe County/Cities of Reno and Sparks (w); 

South Lake Tahoe, City of (w); 

South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District (w); 

Summit Lake Paiute Indian Tribe (w); 

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (w); 

Washoe County Planning Department (n) 

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Department of 

Environmental Services (g,w),

Transportation (n) 

New Jersey 

Bergen, County of (w);

Brick Township Municipal Utility Authority (w); 

Gloucester County Planning Commission (w); 

Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (w); 

New Brunswick, City of (w); 

New Jersey Department of Environmental

Protection (n,w) 

Division of Science and Research (n); 

North Jersey District Water Supply

Commission (w);

Passaic Valley Water Commission (w); 

Pinelands Commission (w); 

Rutgers State University (w);

Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders (w); 

Washington Township Municipal Utility

Authority (w);

West Windsor, Township of (w) 

New Mexico 

Albuquerque, City of 

Hydrology Division (w), 

Waste Water Utility (w); 

Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control

Authority (w); 

Bernalillo, County of (w); 

Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (w); 

Costilla Creek Compact Commission (w); 

Elephant Butte Irrigation District (w); 

Highlands University, School of Science and

Technology (w);

La Cienega Acequia Association (w); 

Las Cruces, City of (w); 

Las Vegas, City of (w);

Navajo Indian Nation, Department of Environmental Protection (w); 

New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral

Resources, Division of Mining and

Technology (w);

New Mexico Environment Department (w); 

New Mexico Department of Highways (w); 

New Mexico State University Agricultural

Experiment Station (w); 

Office of the State Engineer (w); 

Pecos River Commission (w); 

Pueblo of Zuni (w); 

Raton, City of (w);

Rio Grande Compact Commission (w); 

Rio San Jose Flood Control District (w); 

Ruidoso, Village of (w); 

Santa Fe Metropolitan Water Board (w); 

Santa Rosa, City of (w); 

University of New Mexico (n) 

New York

Academy of Natural Sciences (w); 

Amherst, Town of, Engineering Department (w); 

Auburn, City of (w); 

Chautauqua, County of, Department of Planning

and Development (w); 

Cheektowaga, Town of (w); 

Chenango, County of (w); 

Cornell University, Electric Power Research

Institute (w); 

Cordand, County of (w); 

Essex, County of, Planning Department (w); 

Hudson-Black River Regulating District (w); 

Kiryas Joel, Village of (w); 

Long Island Regional Planning Board (w); 

Monroe, County of, Department of Environmental

Health (w); 

Nassau, County of 

Department of Health (w), 

Department of Public Works (w); 

New York City Department of Environmental

Protection 

Bureau of Water Supply (w), 

Division of Water Quality Planning (w);

Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 117
New York State Department of 

Environmental Conservation, Division of 

Water (w),

Transportation (w); 

New York State Power Authority (w); 

Nyack, Village of, Board of Water

Commissioners (w); 

Onondaga, County of 

Department of Drainage and Sanitation (w),

Water Authority (w); 

Orange County Water Authority (w); 

Putnam, County of, Department of Planning (w); 

Rockland, Town of (w); 

Schuyler County Department of Planning and

Economic Development (w); 

State University of New York, Syracuse (n,w); 

Suffolk, County of 

Department of Health Services (w),

Water Authority (w);

Tompkins, County of, Department of Planning (w); 

Ulster, County of (w) 

North Carolina 

Asheville, City of (w); 

Bethel, Town of (w); 

Brevard, City of (w); 

Chapel Hill, Town of (w); 

Charlotte, City of (w); 

Durham, City of (w); 

Forsyth, County of (w); 

Greensboro, City of (w); 

Guilford County S.W.C.D. (w); 

Highpoint, City of (w); 

Lexington, City of (w); 

Mecklenburg, County of (w); 

North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service (w); 

North Carolina State Department of 

Environment, Health, and Natural 

Resources (w),

Transportation (w);

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (w); 

Raleigh, City of (w); 

Rocky Mount, City of (w);

Triangle Area Water Supply Monitoring, Project 

Steering Committee (w)

North Dakota

Dickinson, City of (w);

Lower Heart Water Resources District (w);

Minot, City of (w);

North Dakota Department of 

Game and Fish (w),

Health, Water Supply, and Pollution 

Control (w),

Parks and Recreation (w),

Transportation (w); 

North Dakota Forest Service (n); 

North Dakota Geological Survey (w); 

Oliver County Board of Commissioners (w); 

Public Service Commission (w); 

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (g,w); 

State Water Commission (w); 

Three Affiliated Tribes Natural Resources 

Department (w)

Ohio

Akron, City of (w);

Canton, City of, Water Department (w); 

Columbus, City of (w); 

Eastgate Development Company (w); 

Fremont, City of (w); 

Lima, City of (w); 

Miami Conservancy District (w); 

Ohio Department of 

Natural Resources (w), 

Transportation (n,w); 

Ohio State University (g), Department of Agronomy

(w);

Ross, County of (w); 

Seneca Soil and Water District (w);

Sumit County Engineers (w); 

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of

Governments (w); 

University of Cincinnati (w); 

University of Toledo (w) 

Oklahoma 

Ada, City of (w);

Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (w); 

Enid, City of (w); 

McGee Creek Authority (w); 

Oklahoma City, City of (w); 

Oklahoma Conservation Commission (w); 

Oklahoma Department of Transportation (n,w); 

Oklahoma Geological Survey (g); 

Oklahoma State Health Department (w); 

Oklahoma Water Resources Board (w); 

Sac and Fox Nation (w) 

Oregon

Ashland, City of (w); 

Clark County, Washington 

Intergovernmental Resources Center (w), 

Public Services Department (w); 

Coos Bay-North Bend Water Board (w); 

Douglas, County of (w);

Eugene, City of, Water and Electric Board (w); 

Jackson, County of (w); 

Klamath Tribe (w); 

Lane Council of Governments (w); 

McMinnville, City of, Water and Light

Department (w); 

Oregon Department of 

Fish and Wildlife (w),

Human Resources, State Health Division (w), 

Natural Resources, Analysis and Planning

Management Services Division (w), 

Transportation (w), 

Water Resources (w); 

Portland, City of 

Bureau of 

Environmental Services (w), 

Water Works (w);

Puget South Water Quality Authority (w); 

Tualatin Valley Irrigation District (w); 

Umatilla Tribal Council (w); 

United Sewerage Agency (w); 

Warm Springs Tribal Council (w); 

Washington State Department of Natural Resources

(w)

Pennsylvania

Allentown, City of, Engineering Department (w); 

Bethlehem, City of (w); 

Bucks, County of (w);

Chester, County of, Water Resources Authority (w); 

Delaware River Basin Commission (w); 

Harrisburg, City of, Department of Public

Works (w);

Hazelton City Authority Water Department (w); 

Joint Planning Commission of Lehigh-Northampton

Counties (w);

Lancaster County Planning Commission (w); 

Letort Regional Authority (w); 

Media Borough Water Department (w); 

New York State Department of Environmental

Conservation (w); 

North Penn Water Authority (w); 

North Wales Water Authority (w); 

Philadelphia, City of, Water Department (w); 

Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Resources 

Bureau of Community Environmental

Control (w),

Bureau of Mining and Reclamation (w), 

Bureau of Soil and Water

Conservation (w), 

Bureau of Topographic and Geologic

Survey (n,w), 

Bureau of Water Quality Management (w),

Bureau of Water Resources

Management (w);

Pike County Planning Commission (w); 

Somerset Conservation District (w); 

Susquehanna River Basin Commission (w); 

Tinicum, Township of (w); 

University Area Joint Authority (w); 

University of Delaware, Geological Survey (w); 

West Bradford, Township of (w); 

Williamsport, City of, Bureau of Flood Control (w) 

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (w); 

Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (w); 

Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (w); 

Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (w); 

Puerto Rico Mineral Resources Development

Corporation (g);

University of the Virgin Islands (w); 

Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (w) 

Rhode Island

New Shoreham, Town of (w); 

Office of Housing, Energy, and Intergovernmental

Relations (w);

Rhode Island State Department of Environmental 

Management, Division of Water Resources (w); 

State Water Resources Board (w); 

University of Rhode Island (n) 

South Carolina

Beaufort-Jasper County Water Authority (w); 

Charleston Public Works (w); 

Land Resources Conservation Commission (n); 

Myrtle Beach, City of (w); 

Oconee County Sewer Commission (w); 

Pageland, Town of (w); 

Pickens, County of (w); 

South Carolina State 

Department of Health and Environmental

Control (w), 

Department of Highways and Public

Transportation (w), 

Public Service Authority (w), 

Water Resources Commission (n,w); 

South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium (w); 

Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District (w); 

Spartanburg Water System (w); 

University of South Carolina Department of

Environmental and Health Services (w); 

Waccamaw Regional Planning and Development

Commission (w);

Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority (w); 

York, County of, Planning and Development

Service (w) 

South Dakota

Area II Minnesota River Basin (w); 

Belle Fourche Irrigation District (w); 

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (w); 

East Dakota Water Development District (w); 

Lawrence, County of (w); 

Mellette/Todd County Conservation (w); 

Minnehaha, County of (w); 

Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge (w); 

Rapid City, City of (w); 

Rosebud Sioux Tribe (w); 

Sioux Falls, City of, Utilities Department (w); 

Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe(w); 

South Dakota Department of 

Environment and Natural ResourcesGeological Survey Division (w), 

Water Resource Management Division (w), 

Water Quality Division (w), 

Water Rights Division (w), 

Game, Fish and Parks, Custer State Park

Division (w); 

Transportation (w); 

South Dakota North Central Research Conservation

and Development (w); 

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (w);

118 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
South Dakota State University (w);

Stanley County Conservation District (w);

Watertown, City of (w);

West Dakota Water Development District (w);

West River Water Development District (w)

Tennessee

Alamo, City of (w);

Alcoa, City of (w);

Alpha Talbott Utility District (w);

Bartlett, City of (w);

Cedar Grove Utility District (w);

Chattanooga, City of, Department of Public

Works (w);

Chickasaw Basin Authority (w); 

Clarksville-Montgomery, County of (w); 

Columbia, City of (w); 

Dickson, City of (w); 

Eastside Utility District (w); 

Erwin, Town of (w); 

Fayetteville Water System (w); 

Franklin, City of (w); 

Germantown, City of (w); 

Hixson Utility District (w); 

Humphreys, County of (w); 

Jackson, City of, Utility Division (w); 

Jasper, City of (w); 

Johnson City, City of, Public Works Department

(w);

Knoxville, City of (w); 

Lawrenceburg, City of (w); 

Lebanon, City of (w);

Lewisburg, City of, Water Treatment Plant (w); 

Lincoln, County of, Board of Public Utilities (w); 

Maury City, City of (w); 

Memphis, City of 

Division of Public Works (w), 

Light, Gas, and Water Division (w); 

Memphis State University (w); 

Metropolitan Governments, Nashville, City of, and

Davidson, County of (w); 

Murfreesboro, City of, Water and Sewer

Department (w); 

Pigeon Forge, City of (w); 

Red Boiling Springs, Town of (w); 

Rutherford, County of (w); 

Savannah Valley Utility District (w); 

Sevierville, City of (w); 

Shelby County Government (w); 

Spring Hill, Town of (w); 

Suck Creek Utility District, Office of Planning and

Development (w); 

Tennessee Department of 

Environment and Conservation 

Division of 

Geology (w),

Groundwater Protection (w), 

Recreation Planning (w), 

Office of Water Pollution Control (w), 

Transportation 

Division of Planning (w), 

Division of Structures (w); 

Tennessee State Planning Office (w); 

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (w); 

Townsend, Town of (w); 

Union City, City of (w); 

University of Tennessee (w); 

Upper Duck River Development Agency (w); 

Wartrace, City of (w) 

Texas

Abilene, City of (w); 

Arlington, City of (w); 

Austin, City of (w); 

Austin, City of, Regulatory Affairs and Quality

Control (w);

Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Counties (w); 

Brazos River Authority (w); 

Coastal Water Authority (w);

Colorado River Municipal Water District (w);

Corpus Christi, City of (w);

Dallas, City of (w);

Dallas, City of, Public Works Department (w);

Edwards Underground Water District (w);

El Paso, City of, Public Service Board (w);

Fort Worth, City of, Water Department, Water

Pollution Control (w); 

Franklin, County of, Water District (w); 

Gainesville, City of (w); 

Galveston, County of (w); 

Garland, City of (w); 

Georgetown, City of (w); 

Graham, City of (w); 

Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water

Authority (w);

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (w); 

Harris, County of, Flood Control District (w); 

Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District (w); 

Houston, City of (w); 

Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (w); 

Lower Colorado River Authority (w); 

Lower Neches Valley Authority (w); 

Lubbock, City of (w); 

Nacogdoches, City of (w);

North Central Texas Council of Governments (w); 

North Central Texas Municipal Water

Authority (w);

North Texas Municipal Water District (w); 

Northeast Texas Municipal Water Authority (w); 

Orange, County of (w); 

Pecos River Commission (w); 

Red River Authority (w); 

Sabine River Authority of Texas (w); 

Sabine River Compact Administration (w); 

San Angelo, City of (w); 

San Antonio, City of 

Environmental Development Service (w); 

Public Service Board (w), 

Water Board (w); 

San Antonio River Authority (w); 

San Jacinto River Authority (w); 

Tarrant, County of, Water Control and

Improvement District No. 1 (w); 

Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board (w); 

Texas State Department of Highways and

Transportation (w);

Texas Water Development Board (n,w); 

Titus, County of, Fresh Water Supply District

No. 1 (w);

Trinity River Authority (w); 

Upper Guadalupe River Authority (w); 

Upper Neches River Municipal Water

Authority (w);

West Central Texas Municipal Water District (w); 

Wichita, County of, Water Improvement District

No. 2 (w);

Wichita Falls, City of (w) 

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 

Federated States of Micronesia, State of Ponape (w); 

Northern Mariana Islands, Commonwealth of (g,w), 

Department of Public Health and Environmental Services (w), 

Utility Commission (w), 

Municipality of 

Rota (w),

Luta Soil and Water Conservation (w), 

Tinian (w); 

Republic of Palau (w); 

Samoa, Government of, Department of Public

Works (w) 

Utah

Bear River Commission (w); 

Central Utah Water Conservation District (w); 

Five County Association of Government (w); 

Goshute Tribal Government (g); 

Ogden River Water Users (w);

Salt Lake, County of, Division of Flood Control (w); 

Tooele, City of (w); 

Tooele, County of (w); 

Utah Department of 

Agriculture, Environmental Quality Section (w), 

Health, Division of Environmental Health (w), 

Natural ResourcesGeological and Mineral Survey (g,n,w), 

Oil, Gas, and Mining Division (w), 

Water Resources Division (w), 

Water Rights Division (w), 

Wildlife Resources Division (w); 

Washington County Water Conservancy District (w); 

Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (w); 

Weber River Water Users Association (w) 

Vermont 

Agency of 

Administration (n), 

Natural Resources (g,n); 

Department of 

Environmental Conservation (w), 

Health, Division of Environmental Health (w) 

Virginia 

Accomack-Northampton Planning District

Commission (w); 

Alexandria, City of (w); 

Delaware Geological Survey (w); 

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (w); 

Henrico, County of, Department of Public

Utilities (w);

James City, County of (w); 

James City Service Authority (w); 

Loudoun, County of (g); 

Maryland, Department of 

Environment (w),

State Highway Administration (w); 

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

(w);

Newport News, City of (w); 

Northern Virginia Planning District

Commission (w);

Prince William Health District (w); 

Rappahannock-Rapidan Planning District

Commission (w); 

Roanoke, City of (w); 

Southeastern Public Service Authority of

Virginia (w);

University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences (w);

Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and 

Energy, Division of Mineral Resources (n); 

Virginia Beach, City of, Water Resources Division

(w);

Virginia Institute of Marine Science (w); 

Virginia State Water Control Board (w); 

Washington, D.C., Department of Public Works (w); 

Williamsburg, City of (w); 

York, County of (w) 

Washington 

Aberdeen, City of (w); 

Ashland, City of (w); 

Bellevue, City of (w);

Chelan, County of, Public Utility District No. 1 (w); 

Clark County Intergovernmental Resource Center

(w);

Douglas, County of, Public Utility District No. 1 (w); 

Eugene Water and Electric Board (w); 

Hoh Indian Tribe (w);

King, County of, Department of Public Works (w); 

Kitsap, County of, Public Utility District No. 1 (w); 

Lewis, County of 

Board of Commissioners (w), 

Public Works Department (w); 

Nisqually Indian Tribe (w); 

Oregon Department of Energy (w); 

Oregon Executive Department (w); 

Pacific County Commissioners (w);

Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 119
Pierce, County of, Public Works Department (w); 

Portland, City of 

Bureau of 

Environmental Services (w), 

Water Works (w);

Puget Sound Water Quality Authority (w); 

Quinault Indian Business Committee (w); 

Seattle, City of 

Department of Lighting (w),

Water Department (w); 

Seatde-King County Department of 

Health (w),

Public Works (w); 

Skagit, County of (w), Department of Public

Works (w); 

Snohomish, County of 

Board of Commissioners (w),

Public Utilities Department (w); 

Spokane County Commissioners (n); 

Swinomish Tribal Community (w); 

Tacoma, City of, Department of 

Public Utilities (w),

Public Works (w); 

Thurston, County of, Department of 

Health (w),

Public Works (w); 

Unified Sewerage Agency (w); 

University of Washington (g); 

Warm Springs Tribal Confederation (w); 

Washington Department of 

Administration, Capitol Buildings and Grounds 

Facilities (w),

Community Development (n);

Ecology (n,w),

Environmental Quality (w),

Fisheries (w),

Human Resources (w),

Information Services (n),

Natural Resources (g,n),

Wildlife (w);

Washington State Community Development (w); 

Whatcom, County of (w); 

Yakima Tribal Council (w) 

West Virginia 

Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and

Development Council (w); 

Morgantown, City of, Utility Board (w); 

New Martinsville, City of (w); 

Washington Public Service District (w); 

West Virginia Department of 

Commerce, Tourism and Parks Section (w),

Health, Office of Environmental Health 

Services (w),

Highways (w),

Natural ResourcesDivision of 

Water Resources (w), 

Wildlife (w);

West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (w) 

Wisconsin

Bad River Tribal Council (w); 

Balsam Lake Protection and Rehabilitation

District (w); 

Barren, City of (w); 

Beaver Dam, City of (w); 

Big Muskego Lake District (w); 

Brown County Planning Commission (w); 

Dane, County of 

Department of Public Works (w),

Lakes and Watershed Management (w),

Regional Planning Commission (w); 

Delavan, Town of (w); 

Druid Lake Inland Protection and Rehabilitation

District (w);

Eagle Springs Lake Sanitary District (w); 

Fond Du Lac, City of (w); 

Forest County Potawatomi Community (w);

Fowler Lake Management District (w);

Galena, City of (w);

Geological Survey (w);

Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District (w);

Green Lake Sanitary District (w);

Hillsboro, City of (w);

Hubbard, Township of (w);

Illinois Department of Transportation (w);

Lac Courte Oreilles Governing Board (w);

Lac Du Flambeau Indians (w);

Lac La Belle Management District (w);

Little Arbor Vitae Protection and Rehabilitation

District (w); 

Little Green Lake Protection and Rehabilitation

District (w);

Little Muskego Lake District (w); 

Little St. Germain Lake District (w); 

Loon LakeAVescot Management District (w); 

Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (w); 

Marinette County Land Conservation (w);- 

Mead, Township of (w); 

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (w); 

Merton, Township of (w); 

Muskego, City of (w); 

Norway, Town of (Wind Lake) (w); 

Oconomowoc Lake, Village of (w); 

Okauchee Lake Management District (w); 

Oneida Tribe of Indians (w); 

Peshtigo, City of (w); 

Powers Lake Management District (w); 

Red Cliff Indians (w);

Rock, County of, Public Works Department (w); 

Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning

Commission (w); 

Stockbridge-Munsee Indians (w); 

Thorp, City of (w); 

University of Wisconsin, Extension, Geological and

Natural History Survey (n); 

Waukesha Water Utility (w); 

Waupun, City of (w);

Whitewater-Rice Lake Management District (w); 

Wind Lake Management District (w); 

Wisconsin Department of 

Justice (w),

Natural Resources (w), 

Transportation (w);

Wisconsin Winnebago Business Committee (w); 

Wittenberg, Village of (w)

Wyoming

Attorney General (w);

Cheyenne, City of (w);

Economic Development and Stability Board (w);

Evanston, City of (w);

Evansville, Town of (w);

Freemont, County of (w);

Gillette, City of (w);

Laramie, County of (w);

Medicine Bow Conservation District (w);

Midvale Irrigation District (w);

Northern Arapahoe Tribe (w);

Pinedale, City of (w);

Sheridan Area Water Supply Joint Power Board

(w);

Shoshone Tribe (g,w); 

Teton, County of (w); 

Uinta, County of (w); 

Water Development Commission (w); 

Wind River Environmental Quality Commission (w); 

Wyoming Department of 

Agriculture (w),

Environmental Quality (w),

Game and Fish (w),

Highways (w);

Wyoming Governor's Office (w); 

Wyoming State Engineer (w); 

Wyoming Water Research Center (w)

Federal Cooperators

Central Intelligence Agency (g) 

Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service (n,w); 

Forest Service (g,n,w); 

Soil Conservation Service (n,w) 

Department of the Air Force (w) 

Air Force Academy (w); 

Headquarters, AFT AC/AC (g); 

Kirtland Air Force Base (w); 

MacDill Air Force Base (w); 

Occupational and Environmental Health

Laboratory (w); 

Patrick Air Force Base (g); 

Vandenberg Air Force Base (w) 

Department of the Army (w) 

Aberdeen Proving Ground (w); 

Belvoir RD&E Center (g); 

Corps of Engineers (g,n,w); 

Engineer Topographic Laboratory (g,w); 

Fort Bliss Military Reservation (w); 

Fort Bragg Military Reservation (w); 

Fort Carson Military Reservation (w); 

Picatinny Arsenal (w); 

Rocky Mountain Arsenal (w); 

White Sands Missile Range (w) 

Department of Commerce (w) 

Bureau of the Census (n);

National Institute of Standards and Technology (g); 

National Marine Fish Service (w); 

National Ocean Service (n); 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (g,n,w); 

National Weather Service (w) 

Department of Defense Agencies 

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (g); 

Defense Logistics Agency (w); 

Defense Mapping Agency (n); 

Defense Nuclear Agency (g); 

National Guard Bureau (w) 

Department of Energy (g,n,w) 

Alaska Power Administration (w); 

Bonneville Power Administration (w); 

Hanford Project (w); 

Health and Environmental Research (g); 

Idaho Falls Operations Office (g,w); 

Los Alamos National Laboratory (g,w); 

Nevada Operations Office (g,w); 

Oak Ridge Operations Office (g,w); 

Rocky Flats Operations Office (w); 

Sandia National Laboratories (g,w); 

Savannah River Operations Office (w); 

Schenectady Naval Reactors Office (w); 

Test Operations Office, Las Vegas, Nevada (g); 

Yucca Mountain Project (w)

Department of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Affairs (g,n,w); 

Bureau of Land Management (g,n,w); 

Bureau of Mines (n,w); 

Bureau of Reclamation (g,n,w); 

Minerals Management Service (g); 

National Park Service (g,n,w); 

Office of the Secretary (w); 

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and

Enforcement (w);

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (n,w) 

Department of Justice (w) 

Department of the Navy (w) 

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (g); 

Naval Oceanographic Office (g); 

Naval Weapons Center, China Lake (g); 

Navy Pacific Division (w); 

Office of Naval Research (g); 

Pacific Missile Test Center (g);

120 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
South Naval Facilities Engineering Command (w); 

U.S. Marine Corps (w)

Department of State (g)

Agency for International Development (g,n); 

Foreign and Nonforeign Governments (g); 

Government of Saudi Arabia (g); 

International Boundary and Water Commission,

U.S. and Mexico (w); 

International Joint Commission, U.S. and

Canada (w)

Department of Transportation 

Federal Highway Administration (w) 

Environmental Protection Agency (g,n,w) 

Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory (w); 

Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory (g); 

Office of Radiation Programs (g); 

Office of Water (w)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (g,w) 

Federal Energy Regulating Commission

Licensees (w) 

Library of Congress (n) 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(g.n.w)

National Science Foundation (g,n,w) 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (g) 

Tennessee Valley Authority (n,w) 

Veterans Administration (w)

Other Cooperators and 

Contributors

American Society for Photogrammetry and

Remote Sensing (n) 

Boy Scouts of America (n) 

United Arab Emirates (w) 

United Nations (g,w) 

Inter-America Development Bank (g); 

United Nations Development Program (n); 

Unesco (w); 

World Bank (g)

Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 121
Yearbook Staff

The staff of the USGS Yearbook appreciates comments from readers. If there are features that you particularly enjoy 

reading or information that you would like to have, but is not included, please let us know. Write to Managing Editor, USGS 

Yearbook, 119 National Center, Reston, VA 22092.

Annette Kulyk 

Bonnie D'Agostino 

Sandye Holmes 

Marti Quigley 

Connie Stephenson

National Mapping Division 

Geologic Division 

Water Resources Division 

Information Systems Division 

Administrative Division

Sunne Rinkus 

William A. Dize 

Carolyn McQuaig 

Linda Jacobsen 

Gail Wendt

Graphic Designer

Graphics Photographic Specialist

Typographer

Editor

Managing Editor

Please call or write to the following 1991 yearbook authors if you have questions or comments about the information in 

specific articles. (See the top of page 109 for full regional addresses.)

Gregory J. Allord

Larry L. Amos 

Brian J. Andraski

Walter J. Bawiec 

Kenneth J. Bird

Steven D. Craigg 

Robert H. DeAngelis 

Michael A. Domaratz 

Jay Donnelly 

Max M. Ethridge 

John W. Ewert

Carmelo Ferrigno 

Michael E. Field

Stephen R. Gillespie 

Kathryn D. Gunderson 

Judith A. Gunnells 

Larry Harms 

Thomas M. Holm

David G. Howell

Tod Huffman 

Mark J. Johnsson

Herman A. Karl 

John Michael Kernodle

(608) 238-9333

ext. 200 

(703) 648-4143 

(702) 887-7636

(703) 648-6148 

(415)354-3006

(703) 648-6981 

(703) 648-4539 

(703) 648-4533 

(703) 648-5395 

(703)648-4650 

(206) 696-7997

(703) 648-7142 

(415) 354-3088

(703) 648-5705 

(703)648-7144 

(703)648-7612 

(703) 648-7161 

(605)594-6142

(415)329-5430

(703) 648-7128 

(415) 354-3067

(415) 354-3084 

(505) 262-5310

505 Science Drive 

Madison, WI 53711-1061 

514 National Center 

705 North Plaza Street 

114 Federal Bldg. 

Carson City, NV 89701 

920 National Center 

345 Middlefield Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 95025 

902 National Center 

521 National Center 

590 National Center 

521 National Center 

514 National Center 

David A. Johnstone Bldg. 

CVO-Rm. 228 

5400 MacArthur Blvd. 

Vancouver, WA 98661 

804 National Center 

345 Middlefield Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 95025 

514 National Center 

802 National Center 

270 National Center 

804 National Center 

U.S. Geological Survey 

EROS Data Center 

Sioux Falls, SD 57198 

345 Middlefield Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 95025 

815 National Center 

345 Middlefield Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 95025 

345 Middlefield Rd.

Menlo Park, CA 95025 

4501 Indian School Road NE 

Suite 200 

Albuquerque, NM 87110-3929

Richard D. Krushensky 

Kathryn M. Kuivila

Mark Kutsko 

Kory K. Lee 

Donald L. Light 

Katherine F. Lins 

Richard A. MacDonald 

Leslie B. Magoon

Robert P. Massd 

E.J. McFaul 

W. David Menzie 

James A. Miller

Bruce F. Molnia 

Wayne L. Newell 

Christopher G. Newhall 

Richard W. Paulson 

Anthony B. Queern 

Mitchell W. Reynolds 

Brian Schachte 

Bert Simon 

David R. Seller 

John K. Stamer

Elain Stout 

Arthur C. Tarr 

Stephen J. Vandas 

Nick Van Driel 

William H. Wright, Jr.

Ronald B. Zelt

(703) 648-6060 

(916) 978-4648

(703)648-7153 

(703) 648-7241 

(703) 648-5106 

(703) 648-4535 

(703)648-7120 

(415) 354-3010

(303) 236-1510 

(703) 648-7126 

(703) 648-6125 

(404) 409-7710

(703) 648-4120 

(703) 648-6900 

(703) 648-6747 

(703) 648-6851 

(703)648-6987 

(703)648-6960 

(703)648-7131 

(703) 648-7283 

(703) 648-6907 

(913)842-9909

(703) 648-7006 

(303) 236-1605 

(303)236-4795 

(703)648-4185 

(703) 648-6514 

(913) 842-9909

917 National Center 

Rm. W-2234 

Federal Bldg. 

2800 Cottage Way 

Sacramento, CA 95825 

804 National Center 

206 National Center 

511 National Center 

514 National Center 

804 National Center 

345 Middlefield Rd. 

Menlo Park, CA 95025 

967 Denver Federal Center 

904 National Center 

920 National Center 

Spalding Woods Office Park 

Suite 160

Norcross, GA 30092 

917 National Center 

926A National Center 

959 National Center 

407 National Center 

206 National Center 

908 National Center 

804 National Center 

231 National Center 

926 National Center 

4821 Quail Crest Place 

Lawrence, KS 66049 

809 National Center 

966 Denver Federal Center 

414 Denver Federal Center 

586 National Center 

915 National Center 

4821 Quail Crest Place 

Lawrence, KS 66049

Editor's note: All photographs are by USGS employees unless otherwise noted.

122 U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1991
As the Nation's -'principal conservation agency,, 

the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public,

lands and natural-and cultural resources. ,Tjlis * ' $~ . ^t*»- *

includes fostering wise use of our land andwater resources, protecting ourjfish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural 

values of our national parks and ^historical 

plaices, and providing for the enjoyment of life 

-through outdoor recreation. The Department 

assesses our energy and mineral, resources and* 

works to assure that their "development is in the 

best interests of all our" peopfe,^The|*pepartrnent also promotes the" goals of the,Take Pridfe 

in.'America campaign ,by encouraging steward-- 

ship and7*'citizen responsibility for the public 

, lands anB promoting citizen participation in 

"their care. The Departme'nt^also has^a major 

lfe%)onsjirjility for American -Indian reservation 

communities and for people who -live in Island 

Territories under 'U.S.'administration. *