k

 an
Cover: The 1982-83 water year was characterized by 

significant flooding throughout the country. In Salt 

Lake City, Utah, local authorities had to reroute 

City Creek flow from City Creek Canyon down 

State Street in order to control the May-June 

1983 floodwaters. View of State Street, June 5, 

looking north toward the Capitol Building. (Photograph by Rulon Christiansen, U.S. Geological 

Survey.)
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-UUnited StatesGeoIogi ca[ 

Survey Yearbook,

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Fiscal Year-
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

WILLIAM P. CLARK, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1984

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Washington, D.C. 20402
United

States

Geological

Survey

Yearbook,

Fiscal

Year

1983

CONTENTS

1 The Year in Review

 Perspectives

4 Flooding: A Unique Year 

12 The National High-Altitude Photography Program

18 Research in the Marine Frontier

22 Missions, Organization, and Budget

28 National Mapping Program

38 Geologic Investigations

64 Water Resources Investigations

International Activities

94 Information Systems Activities 

98 Organizational and Statistical Data

100 U.S. Geological Survey Offices

105 Guide to Information and Publications

106 Cooperators and Other Financial Contributors 

112 Budgetary and Statistical Data

^Jagged peaks of the Tcton Range tower more than 7,000 feet 

above the flat floor of Jackson Hole in northwest Wyoming.
Photograph by Dawn Reed. U.S. Geological Survey.
The Year in Review

For 104 years, the U.S. Geological 

Survey has served to meet the Nation's 

need for knowledge about the Earth and 

its resources. In the spirit of that proud 

tradition and as tribute to the many goals 

and accomplishments met and achieved, I 

am pleased to present the U.S. Geological 

Survey Yearbook for 1983.

Events during the past year reminded us 

of the fundamental importance of the earth 

sciences to the Nation and presented the 

Geological Survey with many challenges. 

The tremendous power of nature was once 

again demonstrated by unusually widespread flooding, a devastating earthquake 

in Coalinga, California, volcanic eruptions 

in Hawaii, and landsliding in California and 

Utah. Disposal of toxic and nuclear wastes 

repeatedly made headlines, as did acid 

rain. The increasing use of computers to 

store and analyze earth science data has 

sparked the growth in demand for digital 

cartographic data by State and Federal 

agencies and by the private sector. Continued emphasis on environmentally sound 

and expeditious development of the Nation's mineral and energy resources and 

the Presidential proclamation of an Exclusive Economic Zone, which expanded 

the Nation's area of jurisdiction by 170 

percent, increased the need for earth 

science information.

The storms and flooding of 1982 and 

1983 confronted the Nation with a rare 

series of hydrologic events. Severe 

flooding affected much of the Mississippi 

and Missouri River basins, the Texas Gulf 

Coast, the Great Lakes basin, coastal 

California, and the Colorado River basin. A 

description of many of these floods and of 

the Survey's role in responding to the 

floods is the subject of a major essay in 

this volume.

The Geological Survey has an important 

role in providing State and local agencies 

with current, accurate evaluations of water 

conditions and critical water issues. In 

March of this year, the Geological Survey 

added a new dimension to its role as the 

Nation's water resources information agency by beginning preparation of an annual 

National Water Summary that will provide 

an overview of changing water conditions 

and describe specific water situations and 

concerns. A large part of the first National

Water Summary was developed through 

the technical contributions and aid of the 

more than 800 State and local agencies 

that form the non-Federal part of the 

Survey's Federal-State Cooperative Program. The report, scheduled to be published in January 1984, describes the major hydrologic events that occurred during 

1982 to mid-1983, summarizes the water 

issues of concern in each State, and provides a hydrologic perspective on these 

issues. In addition to describing the condition of the Nation's water resources, 

future reports will focus on selected geographic areas and issues of special interest 

and importance.

The 1983 National Water Summary has 

identified ground-water contamination and 

acid rain as two prominent water resource 

issues. The Geological Survey has recently 

increased its scientific effort to address 

these concerns.

In 1982, we began a program to study 

toxic waste and ground-water contamination problems. This program is designed to 

provide the Nation with earth science 

information necessary to improve wastedisposal practices and to help solve existing and future ground-water contamination problems. This year, we began new 

research studies at three field sites having 

documented, but different, histories of 

ground-water pollution. These studies involve teams of scientists examining the 

physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting the movement and fate of 

the contaminants in a variety of groundwater environments.

In addition to research projects to 

develop an understanding of the processes 

of contamination, we are beginning a longterm program to assess the quality of the 

Nation's ground-water resources, particularly with regard to trace substances. This 

will be done by studying individual areas 

that are representative of wider regions in 

terms of climate, ground-water hydrology, 

and human activities. Over a period of 

years, a number of these studies will be 

carried out in each of the major climatic 

and geohydrologic regions of the Nation.

Considerable attention and debate are 

currently directed towards the environmental effects of acid rain and various 

emission-control strategies. Much of the
debate stems from the fact that the relations between emissions, acid deposition, 

and environmental effects are poorly 

understood. The Geological Survey has 

been investigating the chemistry of precipitation and the affected streams and lakes 

for the past three decades and has published a number of significant findings 

related to acid rain. One recent study, 

however, deserves special mention. An 

analysis of sulfur dioxide emissions and 

Geological Survey water-quality data collected over the past 10 to 15 years at 47 

small headwater streams having little or no 

development indicates that sulfur dioxide 

emissions in the Northeast have decreased 

over the past 15 years and that trends in 

the water-quality characteristics of these 

headwater streams are consistent with 

decreased acid deposition. Throughout 

much of the remainder of the country, 

sulfur dioxide emissions have increased 

over the past 15 years, and trends in the 

water-quality characteristics of streams are 

consistent with increased acid deposition. 

The Geological Survey is accelerating its 

research, areal studies, and monitoring 

activities to further define the critical 

relation between acid deposition and 

consequent changes in stream and lake 

chemistry.

Resource assessments were a major 

endeavor of the Geological Survey in 

1983. Under the provisions of the Wilderness Act and subsequent related legislation, we and the U.S. Bureau of Mines 

completed a 20-year effort to assess the 

mineral resource potential of about 45 

million acres of Forest Service wilderness 

areas. The summary of these mineral 

surveys, which was released in December 

1983, indicates that there is evidence of 

mineralization in about 65 percent of the 

areas examined. The percentage of individual wilderness areas having mineral 

resource potential ranges from 0.1 of 1 to 

100 percent and averages about 20 percent. Assessments of oil and gas resources of wilderness lands in 11 Western 

States also were completed this year. 

Results of the assessments indicate that 

about two-thirds of the wilderness lands 

have some petroleum potential. The study 

also marked the first systematic resource 

assessment to integrate the available 

geologic information on designated Federal 

lands through a computer-based digital 

cartography system. During the next 

several years, we plan to complete a

similar program to assess the petroleum 

resources of wilderness lands in Alaska 

and other major Federal lands in Alaska 

and the Western United States.

On March 10, 1983, President Reagan 

proclaimed the "Exclusive Economic 

Zone," which extends jurisdiction of the 

United States for a distance of 200 nautical miles seaward of our shorelines. This 

new national boundary gives our Nation 

jurisdiction over the vast living and nonliving resources within those 3.9 billion 

acres. The importance of the Exclusive 

Economic Zone is emphasized when its 

size is compared to the total onshore area 

of the United States and its territories 

which is only 2.3 billion acres. Reconnaissance studies, in conjunction with the 

Federal Republic of Germany in 1982, 

suggested that mineral-rich crusts occurring on seamounts (underwater volcanoes) 

in the central Pacific contain significant 

quantities of cobalt, nickel, and manganese. There are more than 200 islands 

and seamounts within the boundaries of 

the Exclusive Economic Zone in the 

Pacific.

Recognizing the importance of the President's proclamation to the Nation's energy 

and mineral self-sufficiency, we have 

moved aggressively to coordinate our own 

marine geology activities with those of 

other Federal agencies, academia, and industry to identify and assess the resources 

of this vast area.

In August, we began an intensive 

15-month program of marine geologic and 

geophysical investigations in the Pacific 

Ocean that will extend from the Arctic to 

Antarctica. Planned activities for scientists 

on board the Research Vessel Samuel P. 

Lee include sea-floor photography of 

sulfide deposits on the Juan de Fuca 

Ridge, seismic surveys in the Bering Sea 

and in the south Pacific, additional sampling in the central and south Pacific for 

cobalt-manganese crusts, and seismic profiling in offshore Antarctica.

The eruption of Kilauea Volcano in 

Hawaii, catastrophic landslides in Utah and 

California, and the earthquake at Coalinga, 

California, attracted considerable public attention in 1983 and emphasized the need 

for Geological Survey programs aimed at 

mitigating losses from these hazards. Volcanologists and seismologists from the 

Survey accurately predicted the reawakening of Kilauea Volcano and successfully 

forecast the continuing dome-building
eruptions of Mount St. Helens. Survey 

landslide experts responded to an emergency request from the State of Utah to 

help identify potentially damaging landslides triggered by the rapid melting of a 

record mountain snowpack and locally 

heavy spring rains.

Mapping needs of Federal, State, and 

local agencies have caused the Geological 

Survey to accelerate completion of the 

standard large-scale map coverage of the 

United States to 1989. To reach our goal, 

we began publishing provisional edition 

maps in 1982. These interim products 

have the same level of information as the 

standard topographic maps but are prepared more rapidly and at lower cost by 

making some minor modifications to field 

and compilation procedures and by reducing some of the map-finishing operationsactivities that can be performed in conjunction with the revision of the maps. 

This year, we published about 700 new 

topographic quadrangle maps and have 

completed about 82 percent of the largescale map coverage of the conterminous 

United States and Alaska.

Recognizing the wide range of applications for digital cartographic data, we are 

in the process of building a National Digital 

Cartographic Data Base and of developing 

the necessary data standards, computer 

techniques, and equipment capabilities for 

its support. Production to date has primarily focused on providing the basic data 

categories shown on 7.5-minute published 

topographic quadrangle maps to meet the 

needs of other Federal and State agencies.

One major interagency effort getting 

underway is a program with the Bureau of 

Census to digitize all the hydrography and 

transportation data for the country at a 

scale of 1:100,000. The data resulting 

from this effort will not only be used to 

support the 1990 census but should be 

very useful to State and other Federal 

agencies for many other applications as 

well.

Another interagency effort is the development of a Federal Mineral Land Digital 

Data System that will contain information 

on Federal land surface and subsurface 

ownership, mineral occurrence, mining 

restrictions, and other data essential for 

establishing mineral development policy. 

Combining information from various data 

bases in a geographic information system 

will allow persons involved with resource 

development issues to more easily integrate and analyze these data to answer 

questions related to the availability and 

development of mineral resources on Federal lands.

If spatial or cartographic data are to be 

used for computer analyses and computeraided decisionmaking, then such information must be organized into a data base 

that meets consistent and exacting standards for widespread public use. To address 

these issues and to avoid duplication and 

waste, the Department established the Interior Digital Cartography Coordinating 

Committee, which is chaired by the Geological Survey. The Committee addresses 

digital cartographic data standards, data 

production planning, applications development, and technological information exchange. Subsequently, in April 1983, we 

were designated by the Office of Management and Budget as lead agency for digital 

cartography data coordination in the 

Federal Government.

Nineteen eighty-three was a year of 

challenges, new beginnings, and accomplishments. Many ambitious tasks, however, remain on our agenda. Whatever the 

challenges, I have the utmost confidence 

that we shall meet them with the same 

dedication, ability, and success that has 

served the Nation so well for 104 years.
Perspectives

Flooding: A Unique Year 

By A. L Putnam

Background

Floods have been and continue to be 

one of the most destructive hazards facing 

the people of the United States. Of all the 

natural hazards, floods are the most widespread and the most ruinous to life and 

property. Today, floods are a greater 

menace to our welfare than ever before 

because we live in large numbers near 

water and have developed a complex reliance upon it. From large rivers to country 

creeks, from mountain rills to the trickles 

that occasionally dampen otherwise arid 

wastelands, every stream in the United 

States is subject to flooding at some time. 

Floods strike in myriad forms, including 

sea surges driven by wild winds or tsunamis churned into fury by seismic activity. By far the most frequent, however, 

standing in a class by themselves, are the 

inland, freshwater floods that are caused 

by rain, by melting snow and ice, or by the 

bursting of structures that man has 

erected to protect himself and his belongings from angry waters.

An inland, freshwater flood is any abnormally high streamf low that overtops the 

banks of a stream. Such flooding is a 

natural characteristic of rivers. Flood plains 

are normally dry-land areas that act as 

natural reservoirs and temporary channels 

for floodwaters. If more flow is generated 

than the stream banks can accommodate, 

the water will overtop the banks and 

spread over the flood plain causing social 

and economic disruption and damage to 

crops and structures.

Floods can take place in the United 

States in all seasons, but, in particular 

areas, they are more likely at certain times 

of the year. Winter floods due to rainfall 

and abnormal temperature patterns take 

place in the Eastern United States. The incidence of winter floods progresses northward from the Gulf States in January to 

the Ohio River valley in March. Winter 

floods, caused by eastward moving cold 

fronts, also occur along the western slopes 

of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range in 

California, Oregon, and Washington.

Early spring floods are common in the 

northwestern States, the Great Lakes area, 

the Missouri River basin, the Red River of 

the North basin, the eastern slopes of the 

Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon, the Sierra Nevada Range in California, 

and the mountains of Arizona. The floodwater results from melting snow that accumulated during the previous winter. Ice 

jams also frequently cause flooding in 

some northern States and in some of the 

mountainous areas. Early spring floods in 

the lower Mississippi River basin are 

caused by the seasonal rainfall pattern. 

Late spring floods in the mountains mainly 

result from melting snow at high altitudes.

Summer floods are likely to occur in any 

part of the United States, but they are rare 

along the west coast. Although some summer floods have been caused by general 

cyclonic storms, most are caused by thunderstorms that affect small areas. Some 

are severe enough to cause considerable 

property damage and loss of life. During 

late summer and in the autumn, hurricanes 

commonly cause floods along the coasts 

of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic 

Ocean.

Finally, catastrophic dam failures have 

also caused major flooding resulting in 

property damage and loss of life. These 

can occur at any time of the year but are 

more likely during periods of heavy runoff.

To rate floods on a statistical basis, 

hydrologists use a rather simple system. 

Depending upon the records of the historical behavior of a given river, a particular 

inundation may be classified as a 10-year 

or a 100-year flood, meaning that a flood 

of that size or greater may be expected to 

occur, on the average, every 10 or every 

100 years, respectively. This does not 

mean, of course, that floods are neatly 

spaced at regular 10- or 100-year intervals. What the system does do is assess 

the chances of, say, a specific flood occurring in any specific year; for example, a 

100-year flood has, roughly, 1 chance in 

100 of occurring.
To provide information for this floodfrequency rating system, collection of data 

about floods, whether large or small, is a 

continuing objective of the U.S. Geological 

Survey. A network of about 8,000 

continuous-record streamflow gaging stations is maintained throughout the United 

States and the trust territories. Flood information is only one aspect of the data from 

that network, and it is supplemented by 

several thousand high-flow stations that 

provide annual maximum stage and discharge data. During major floods, data on 

discharge and peak elevation are collected 

on ungaged streams in addition to the 

gaged sites to help determine the areal distribution and magnitude of the floods.

From data collected by the Geological 

Survey, information is furnished to the 

public and private sectors. The information 

is widely used in the design of bridges, 

channel capacities, and roadbed elevations; for flood-plain zoning and for floodforecast, flood-alert and flood-warning 

systems; and in studies of the economics 

of flood-protection works, water supply, 

and flood-insurance programs. The most 

common use of flood information is by 

regulatory authorities who use it to establish design criteria that properly balance 

the hydrologic, economic, social, and 

political variables that might be considered 

in a comprehensive analysis. Afterwards, 

planners and designers use the information 

in analyses that ensure compliance with 

the minimum regulatory criteria which are 

usually stated as a frequency value.

In flood-warning activities, streamflow 

data are used by the National Weather 

Service, in combination with other data, to 

forecast the stage and time of an imminent 

flood. Telemetering and satellite data relay 

systems are used by the Survey to obtain 

current stage information that supports 

flood forecasting. Improvements in the 

capability to provide data for the prediction 

of timing and extent of floods is a continuing objective of the Survey.

1982-83 Conditions and Events

In most average years, one or more of 

the seasonal events generally produce 

some significant flooding in a few random 

locations throughout the United States. In 

some rare years, one particular seasonal 

event may produce a flood of such magnitude and widespread distribution that the

flood is classified among the greatest 

floods of the United States. Since December 1, 1 982, however, almost every State 

in the United States and the Virgin Islands 

has experienced significant flooding. This 

in itself may uniquely place the 1982-83 

sequence of events among the great flood 

episodes in the United States. Highlights of 

some of the most outstanding events since 

December 1,1982, are described in the 

following paragraphs.

Mississippi River Basin

Winter rainfall and temperature patterns 

began prematurely in late autumn. Two 

main storms, December 2 to 7 and 

December 24 to 29, 1982, were both related to deep low-pressure troughs over 

Texas and the Southwest. The resulting 

flow pattern fed warm air over the lower 

Mississippi River basin and created atmospheric disturbances over the Gulf of Mexico and southeast Texas that encouraged 

development of the storm systems. Subsequent slow movement of these systems 

toward the northeast produced tornadoes, 

severe thunderstorms, and intense rainfall 

of long duration. Additional moderate, but 

spotty, rains in December served to maintain a high soil moisture content, thereby 

contributing to high runoff and extreme 

floods.

The floods of December 1982 and early 

January 1983 affected an area approximately 250 miles wide and 1,000 miles 

long through the central and southern part 

of the United States extending from the 

Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. This 

area was roughly centered over the central 

and southern part of the Mississippi River 

basin.

Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas were affected severely by the December 2 to 7 

storm. The December 24 to 29 storm had 

the greatest affect in Lousiana and Mississippi. Western Tennessee, Kentucky, and 

other States on the fringe of the storms 

were not severely affected by either storm 

but had moderate to heavy rainfall from 

both events that caused moderate flooding 

on some streams.

Many of the outstanding peak flood 

flows during December were on large 

streams because of the generally widespread and long duration of the rainfall. 

Previous peaks of record were exceeded, 

and recurrence intervals were greater than 

100 years at many sites.
Backwater from the Pearl 

River near Slide/1, Louisiana, 

looking east along Old River 

Road, April 11, 1983. 

(Photograph by Verne 

Schneider, Water Resources 

Division, U.S. Geological 

Survey.)

Illinois was affected most severely by 

the early December storm with several 

streams exceeding previously known maximum floods. Missouri, like Illinois, was affected most by the early December storm 

and also had many new peaks of record 

established.

Arkansas had severe flooding caused by 

the early December storm, and the southeastern part of the State received additional flooding from the late December 

storm. Peaks of record were exceeded at 

many locations. An outstanding example 

occurred near Poughkeepsie on the Strawberry River where the maximum peak since 

1936 was exceeded by 6.6 feet and the 

December 3 peak discharge was more 

than 3 times the previous maximum. This 

flood was greater than a 100-year event.

Large flood peaks in Mississippi were 

mostly in the western part of the State. 

Only a few really unusual peaks occurred 

because Mississippi was on the eastern 

fringe of the storms.

Louisiana was affected by both December storms. The late December storm was

the most severe. The Little River near 

Rochelle exceeded the previous maximum 

since 1958 by 5.6 feet. The December 29 

peak discharge was nearly twice as large 

as the previous maximum and had a frequency in excess of 100 years.

The mainstem of the Mississippi River, 

although not exceeding any previous maximum floods, had fairly high peaks from 

Illinois downstream to its mouth. Peak 

discharges in the lower reaches exceeded 

1 million cubic feet per second at Tarbert 

Landing, Mississippi.

Ironically, as the passing of winter led 

into the seasonal rainfall patterns of 

spring, the storms brought abnormally intense rainfall of extended duration. From 

April 6 to 10, 1983, southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi were again 

deluged with intense rainfall for extended 

time periods. Several streams experienced 

record breaking floods, and frequencies exceeded 100 years. Most notable was the 

Pearl River where the maximum flood of 

record since I874 caused extensive flooding in the Slidell and Pearl River, Louisiana,
area for the third time in 5 years. The April 

.9 peak discharge had a frequency greater 

than 200 years. Of further interest at this 

location, only one flood greater than a 

25-year event had been experienced during the first 78 years of record and that 

was in the first year of recorded events. 

During the last 5 years of record, three 

events have exceeded the 25-year frequency with the 1983 flood exceeding the 

200-year event.

Again in late April and early May, the 

middle and upper Mississippi River basin 

experienced extensive flooding. Rainfall 

from this storm combined with snowmelt 

runoff to produce the fifth largest peak 

stage of record on the lower Mississippi 

River at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The late 

May peak exceeded that of spring 1973, a 

flood that ended a 23-year period of relative tranquility. The 1983 discharge of 

about 1.5 million cubic feet per second 

was slightly greater than a 25-year 

frequency.

May 19 to 22 brought more suffering to 

the already weary people of central and 

northeastern Mississippi. The Pearl River

»* /

and the Tennessee Tombigbee River system were the hardest hit. More streams 

experienced record floods with frequencies 

in excess of 100 years.

For the 6-month period December 1, 

1982, through May 31, 1983, the cumulative total rainfall exceeded 60 inches, or 

roughly 3 times the seasonal normal, and 

also exceeded the normal annual total rainfall. During the same period, the Pearl 

River at Carthage, Mississippi, experienced 

51 inches of runoff, or roughly 85 percent 

of the known rainfall-produced streamflow.

At Jackson, Mississippi, flood stage was 

exceeded for 98 days from December 1, 

1982, through May 31, 1983. Each 

month experienced significant flooding: 

December, 23 days over flood stage; 

January, 13 days; February, 21 days; 

March, 11 days; April, 18 days; and May, 

12 days. In some locations, residents have 

had to evacuate their homes as much as 

50 percent of the time.

With the summer thunderstorm season 

just beginning, heavy rainfall from July 2 

to 4, 1983, in a band 50 miles wide from 

DeKalb, Illinois, to Valparaiso, Indiana,

i&fel

Staff gage upstream near left 

abutment of Military Road 

bridge crossing French 

Branch Creek, a tributary of 

the Pearl River, near Slidell, 

Louisiana, April 11, 1983. 

(Photograph by Verne 

Schneider, Water Resources 

Division, U.S. Geological 

Survey.)

31

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caused flooding with a frequency in excess 

of 100 years on some streams in northern 

Illinois. The 24-hour rainfall generally 

exceeded 5 inches, with a maximum of 

about 7 inches.

Virgin Islands

More than a foot of rain fell in a 12-hour 

period beginning late April 17, 1983, on 

St. Thomas and St. Johns. Torrents of 

water, mud, and debris, along with fallen 

rocks, trees, and utility poles, made most 

island roads impassable. The total cumulative rainfall from the fierce thunderstorm 

dumped more than 14 inches of rain on 

St. Thomas. Maximum reported rainfall 

was in excess of 18 inches on an island 

whose average annual rainfall is just 20 

inches.

Extensive flooding was recorded in 

several areas throughout both islands. In 

Charlotte Amalie, the main city on St. 

Thomas and capital of the Virgin Islands, 

the Harry S Truman Airport had as much 

as 2 feet of water throughout the runway 

system and remained closed for 2 days. 

On both St. Thomas and St. Johns, urban 

areas were affected by as much as 3 feet 

of water. Throughout the islands, flooding 

exceeded previously known maximums 

with frequencies estimated to exceed 

100-year events.

California Coast and Western Slopes

California was plagued with severe 

storms from the Pacific during December 

1982 through March 1983, and, in most 

of coastal California, the cumulative rainfall 

through the beginning of spring was approximately double the seasonal normal. In 

many parts of the State, the cumulative 

total rainfall equaled or exceeded 100-year 

frequency. The principal damaging activity 

associated with the rainstorms was the 

reactivation of deep-seated landslides as 

the rains infiltrated to raise the groundwater levels. Because infiltration in many 

areas requires days, weeks, or even 

months to raise local ground-water levels 

to maximum, the spring runoff from snowmelt triggered massive mud and debris 

flows and land and rock slides.

Localized floods, most often in urban 

areas, occurred with each storm. Flood 

peaks in California, although not generally 

exceeding many previous long-term maximums, were significant in comparison to

previous floods. On the Cache Creek near 

Yolo, the historic maximum of 41,400 

cubic feet per second occurred on February 25, 1958. The January 27, 1983, 

peak discharge was 33,000 cubic feet per 

second; however, since the 1958 flood, 

Cache Creek has been partially controlled 

by the Indian Valley Reservoir, which was 

completed in 1974. The March 2, 1983, 

peak discharge on the Sacramento River at 

Butte City had a frequency of about 35 

years. Clear Lake at Lakeport is the largest 

freshwater lake in the State. The lake level 

is regulated by gates on a dam at the 

outlet, and water is released down the 

natural channel on Cache Creek. The 

previous known maximum level for Clear 

Lake since 1874, which was 11.12 feet, 

occurred on January 28, 1914, before the 

dam was completed in 1915. The March 

3, 1983, peak level was 11.16 feet.

The Great Basin

California, Nevada, and Utah experienced one of the most severe winters 

since the collection of climatic data began 

in the late 1880's. Many of the snowpack 

measuring sites set new records for depth 

and water content. Resulting runoff from 

this snow caused record peak discharges 

and cumulative-flow volumes at many 

sites. Temperatures for most of the winter 

and spring remained well below normal, 

with only a short break during early March 

1983. Warm days and nights during this 

break, combined with rain on existing 

snow at altitudes below 6,000 feet, 

caused major flooding along the Humboldt 

River in northern Nevada and most small 

streams in eastern Nevada. The peak discharge on the Humboldt River at Elko exceeded the estimated magnitude of the 

50-year flood.

In western Nevada, winterlike conditions 

with heavy snowfall continued through 

mid-May. Then the weather changed dramatically, and daytime temperatures rose 

into the 80's. Water saturated the steep 

slopes of the eastern Sierra Nevada causing numerous land-slope failures. On May 

29, a 400-foot segment of the major road 

connecting Lake Tahoe to Carson City and 

Reno slid to the bottom of a 250-foot 

ravine, causing some minor damming but 

no major flooding on already swollen Glenbrook Creek. One day later, at noon on 

Memorial Day, a massive landslide on the 

flank of Slide Mountain displaced two
small lakes and sent a mud-and-debris flow 

roaring down Ophir Creek into Washoe 

Valley between Carson City and Reno. Preliminary estimates suggest that the flow 

traveled at speeds of about 20 miles per 

hour, with a peak-flow rate that may have 

been as great as 30,000 cubic feet per 

second.

Streamflow in the three major western 

Nevada rivers, the Truckee, Carson, and 

Walker, is breaking long-time cumulativeflow records. The yearly average discharge 

on the Truckee River at Reno is 657 cubic 

feet per second for 55 years of record. 

The projected average flow for the 1983 

water year is estimated at approximately 

2,000 cubic feet per second. Pyramid 

Lake, the closed-basin terminus of the 

Truckee River, is expected to rise a total of 

13 feet by the end of the water year. 

Already the lake has reached an altitude 

last seen in April 1950. The Carson River 

is projected to have a record average discharge of about 1,000 cubic feet per second for the 1983 water year. This will exceed the 42-year average by 254 percent. 

Walker Lake, the closed-basin terminus of

the Walker River, has already risen 7.5 

feet since October 1, 1982. Only two 

other similar rises have been recorded 

since 1928: 6 feet in 1938 and 7 feet in 

1969. High flows in northern Nevada continued into late July.

In Utah, Great Salt Lake rose 5.2 feet 

from September 18, 1982, to July 1, 

1983, the greatest seasonal rise ever 

recorded. The previous largest known 

seasonal rise was 3.4 feet in 1906-07. 

The rise in 1982-83 was caused by considerably above-average rainfall in 1982, 

above-average snowfall during winter 

1982-83, and continued snowfall and 

unseasonably cool temperatures during 

spring 1983 that prevented normal evaporation of water from the lake.

The level of Great Salt Lake on July 1, 

1983, was 4,205.0 feet above sea level. 

This is the highest level the lake has 

reached since 1924. The increase in area 

covered by the lake from September 1982 

to July 1983 was 171,000 acres (267 

square miles). This has created problems 

with the roads, railroads, wildfowlmanagement areas, recreational facilities,

Thirteenth South St. between 

West Temple and Second 

West, looking east. Salt 

Lake City, Utah, May 28, 

1983. The conduit beneath 

Thirteenth South is unable 

to handle the runoff and 

spouts water into the street, 

sandbagged as a canal. 

(Photograph by Paul 

Blanchard, Water Resources 

Division, U.S Geological 

Survey.)
and industrial installations that have encroached on the exposed lake shores.

The level of Utah Lake, by agreement of 

1885 between the land owners around the 

lake in Utah Valley and the users of water 

from the lake in Salt Lake County, is to be 

controlled so that it does not rise above 

"compromise" level. In 1983, however, 

Utah Lake rose considerably above that 

level, peaking at 4.94 feet above "compromise" level June 23. Previous known 

maximum stages are 4.9 feet above "compromise" level in July 1884 and 6.42 feet 

above "compromise" level sometime in 

1862.

In Utah, several streams exceeded 

previous known maximum floods, and recurrence intervals were greater than 50 

and 100 years at many locations. The 

Sevier River near Lynndyl, for instance, experienced a peak discharge nearly double 

the previously known discharge since 

1944 and more than double the magnitude 

of the 100-year flood.

In Salt Lake City, underground conduits 

have been designed to carry much of the 

streamflow. City Creek normally flows 

through a portion of these underground 

conduits. Red Butte, Emigration, and 

Parleys Creeks normally flow westward 

under the city in a conduit beneath 13th 

South Street. In late May and June 1983, 

the worst possible scenario of flooding had 

developed for the canyons that produce 

f loodwaters for these streams. Conduits in 

the city became blocked with silt, gravel, 

and debris swept down from the channels 

and flood plains where it had accumulated 

during long periods without major floods. 

The conduits could not begin to handle all 

the water which overflowed into the 

streets above. The streets were sandbagged and formed into canals, and floodwaters were channeled down 13th South 

and State Streets thus, the emergence of 

two new rivers, the "State Street 

River"and the "13th South Street River."

Colorado River Basin

Larger than normal accumulation of 

snow occurred in the Rocky Mountains 

during winter and spring 1982-83. The 

U.S. Soil Conservation Service maintains a 

network of snow courses, some telemetered, to provide information on the rate 

of snow accumulation and equivalent 

water content. Preliminary data and information show that as of January 1, 1983, 

the equivalent water content of the snow 

cover in much of the Rockies was 121 

percent of the long-term (1963-77) 

average. Lack of snow during January and 

February caused estimates of the snow 

water content to be decreased to about 90 

percent of the long-term average on 

February 1 and March 1. Then, late winter 

and early spring snows caused estimates 

of the equivalent water content to be increased to 120 percent of the 1963 to 

1977 average April 1, and, by May 1, 

estimates were 142 percent of the longterm average.

Cooler than normal temperatures in May 

caused snowmelt from only the lower elevations. This is illustrated by the fact that 

some stations that receive runoff from 

lower elevations experienced peak discharges about the end of May, and the frequencies were generally less than 10 

years. However, a larger than normal snow 

cover still existed above 8,000 feet. 

Melting of the high-elevation snow took 

place at a gradual rate until the last week

10
of June when daytime high temperatures 

in the mountains reached 70° to 80°F. and 

a frontal system moved through from June 

23 to 25 bringing general rainfall in excess 

of 0.5 inch. This combination of warm 

temperatures and rainfall generated peak 

discharges at gaging stations that had a 

range in recurrence intervals from 5 to 

200 years. The most significant high flows 

occurred on the Colorado, Gunnison, and 

White Rivers. An outstanding example occurred near Meeker, Colorado, on the 

White River where the discharge exceeded 

all previous maximum discharges that occurred in 78 years of station operation. 

The peak discharge frequency was estimated to be about 200 years.

Flooding in Arizona and California along 

the Colorado River was caused by releases 

from Lake Powell (Glen Canyon Dam) and 

Lake Mead (Hoover Dam). A June 6, 

1983, forecast predicted inflow to Lake 

Powell for the months of April through 

July at 131 percent of normal runoff. Updated estimates of inflow to Lake Powell 

made June 28 called for 210 percent of 

normal runoff.

Inflow to Lake Powell increased from 

about 16,000 cubic feet per second to 

over 30,000 cubic feet per second in late 

April 1983. In late May, the inflow increased from 36,000 to about 90,000 

cubic feet per second. The peak inflow of 

about 126,000 cubic feet per second occurred in June. On July 10, estimated inflow was 69,000 cubic feet per second. 

Releases from Lake Powell increased 

steadily during June, reaching a maximum 

average daily discharge of 92,600 cubic 

feet per second.

Releases from Lake Mead were increased in January to meet storage

amounts in accordance with operation 

criteria. In late June, releases from Hoover 

Dam were being held at 40,000 cubic feet 

per second. However, flow over the 

spillway of Hoover Dam began on July 3, 

and the maximum release was 42,000 

cubic feet per second on July 10. Flow 

over the spillway had occurred only one 

other time since the completion of the dam 

in 1935 and that occasion was in 1 943 

during controlled operations to test the 

newly completed system.

Summary

Above-normal precipitation prevailed in 

most of the United States in 1982 and 

1983, filling lakes and reservoirs, recharging many aquifers, and, when unusually 

excessive, causing floods. Meltwater from 

extremely heavy snows in parts of the 

West caused floods and posed continuing 

threats of flooding in many areas in spring 

and summer 1983.

The intense flooding that affected much 

of the Mississippi and Missouri River 

basins, the Great Basin, and the Colorado 

River basin boosted streamflows on many 

streams to their highest in 55 years, 

possibly even during the 20th century. 

The frequency for floods in parts of at 

least 14 States exceeded that which can be 

expected to occur on the average of once 

in 100 years, with a few exceeding frequencies of once in more than 200 years. 

When all the data and information have 

been collected, analyses might very well 

show such widespread climatic and hydrologic events in one year to be the unique 

situation of modern man's experience.

11
The National High-Altitude Photography Program

By Charles W. Beetschen

High-altitude photography aerial 

photography taken from aircraft operating 

at altitudes of 40,000 feet and above 

has been recognized for many years as 

one of the most versatile, accurate, and 

economical remote sensing techniques 

used to evaluate, map, and monitor the 

Nation's resources and environment. Federal and State agencies and private users 

make extensive applications of highaltitude photography in mapping and charting and in studies of topography, geology, 

hydrology, land use and land cover, soils, 

wetlands, and other resources. In sitespecific studies, high-altitude photography 

provides information to estimate timber 

volumes, to detect crop diseases and forestry infestations, to take wildlife censuses, to estimate traffic flows, to plan 

highway and pipeline routes, to aid in archeological investigations, and for many 

other applications concerned with the inventory, management, and development of 

natural and manmade features. Highaltitude photography taken at frequent 

intervals over the same area provides information necessary for change detection, 

such as observation of shoreline changes 

in the coastal zone, changes in land use 

and land cover, or alterations in the landscape caused by floods, storms, and other 

natural disasters. When used with other 

forms of remote sensing in a systems approach to data acquisition and analysis, 

high-altitude photography aids in providing 

spatial data important to thematic mapping 

and land use planning and management 

(fig. 1).

In recognition of the multiple uses of 

high-altitude photography now and in the 

foreseeable future and the need to acquire 

photography in the most efficient manner, 

Federal agency users agreed in 1978 to 

consolidate their requirements and to pool 

their resources in a coordinated costsaving effort to systematically photograph 

the approximately 3 million square miles of 

the conterminous United States (48 

States). The agreement provided for the 

establishment in 1980 of a National HighAltitude Photography Program designed to 

develop a national high-altitude photographic data base composed of black-andwhite and color-infrared photography. The

U.S. Geological Survey, the principal coordinating agency, shares the responsibilities 

for program planning and for funding the 

acquisition of photography with 12 other 

Federal agencies participating in the program. When the remaining photographs for 

the national high-altitude photography data 

base are acquired in 1986, the Nation will 

have for the first time complete photographic coverage at uniform scale of the 

conterminous United States.

Background

High-altitude photography became a 

reality in the 1950's and 1960's as a 

result of improvements in aircraft and 

photographic technology during World War 

II and the immediate postwar period. 

These innovations included the introduction of new propulsion systems, pressurization, and other design changes to aircraft to permit high-altitude operations; 

modifications to photographic systems including the use of color and color-infrared 

films providing a high degree of spatial 

resolution and spectral discrimination; 

significant new photogrammetric equipment and procedures that could prepare a 

standard mapping product to prescribed 

national standards of accuracy and content; and many other improvements. During this period, high-altitude photography 

depended on the use of military aircraft 

converted for civilian applications. The 

high cost of flight operations for these aircraft counterbalanced the savings in production costs normally realized from application of photography taken at higher 

altitudes. Federal agencies deferred major 

acquisitions of high-altitude photography 

until a more cost-effective photographic 

system was developed.

In the late 1960's, the introduction of a 

small business jet capable of operating at 

high altitudes provided commercial aerial 

survey firms an aircraft that required 

modest capital outlay and made the acquisition of high-altitude photography economically feasible for Federal agencies. 

Interest in high-altitude photography intensified, and competition began for the services of the few aircraft available. However,

12
individual agencies planned for the acquisition of high-altitude photography with only 

minimal coordination of requirements. The 

result was duplication of photography in 

some areas of the country, a lack of 

photography in others, and a slowdown in 

programs relying on high-altitude photography for data acquisition and analysis. A 

large amount of high-altitude photography 

was acquired, but with little semblence of 

national coverage; also lacking was a central source where all users could obtain information about the availably of existing 

photographic coverage.

The Geological Survey, exercising 

responsibilities for coordination of aerial 

photography assigned under Office of 

Management and Budget Circular A-16, 

began preliminary studies in 1970 to identify the needs of the Federal agencies for 

high-altitude photography with the objective of developing a program to achieve 

national coverage.

In 1972, the Federal Mapping Task 

Force on Mapping, Charting, Geodesy and 

Surveying was established by the Office of 

Management and Budget to conduct a 

broad study on how best to use Federal 

resources to meet overall cartographic requirements. The 1973 report of the task 

force recommended a centrally coordinated 

effort to assemble, review, and validate 

the aerial photographic needs of all civilian 

agencies and indicated the need for a central source to provide information to all 

users about existing aerial photography.

During the next several years, the Geological Survey continued studies to determine Federal agency requirements for highaltitude photography. A separate survey 

was conducted by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture to identify agency data needs 

to support departmental programs. This 

survey indicated that high-altitude colorinfrared photography would support a majority of the data needs that could be 

satisfied by photographic film sensors. The 

information from the Department of Agriculture, combined with similar results from 

the Geological Survey, provided sufficient 

justification for a single draft proposal for a 

National High-Altitude Photography Program which could be submitted to other 

interested Federal agencies for review.

In August 1978, the Geological Survey 

invited representatives of 24 Federal agencies to meet and discuss the draft proposal, to identify the products, and to consider funding procedures. The agency

representatives fully supported the need 

for a national program which would lead to 

the formation of a high-altitude photography data base for the conterminous 

United States, eliminate duplication by 

consolidating the needs of many Federal 

and State agencies, result in substantial 

savings in the cost of acquiring highaltitude photography, and make highaltitude photography readily available to all 

users, both public and private.

An interagency steering committee was 

organized to consider the findings of the 

August 1978 meeting and to complete a 

program proposal. Discussions were held 

with potential commercial aerial survey 

firms on the technical requirements of the 

program and with Federal agencies to identify priority areas and funding for the firstyear flight operations and to discuss the 

processing of film and distribution of products. The plan for a National High-Altitude 

Photography Program was approved by 

the Federal agencies in 1979, and contracts were awarded to commercial aerial 

survey firms to permit the start of 

photographic operations in fiscal year 

1980.

Program Description and Products

The jet aircraft employed in the National 

High-Altitude Photography Program by the 

commercial contractors are equipped with 

9- by 9-inch format precision aerial mapping cameras. These cameras take vertical 

aerial photographs that are compatible 

with precision stereoscopic mapping 

equipment. One camera has a 6-inch (1 53- 

millimeter) focal length lens, uses Kodak 

2405 panchromatic black-and-white film, 

and produces a photograph at a scale of 

1:80,000 (1 inch equals about 1.25 

miles). The other camera has an 8/4-inch 

(210-millimeter) focal length lens, uses 

Kodak 2443 color-infrared film, and 

produces a photograph at a scale of 

1:58,000 (1 inch equals about 0.9 mile). 

Each black-and-white photograph covers 

an area of about 130 square miles; each 

color-infrared photograph covers an area of 

about 68 square miles. The theoretical 

ground resolution of both black-and-white 

and color-infrared photographs is approximately 6 1/2 feet (2 meters).

The aircraft fly in a north-south direction 

over predetermined flight lines along the 

centers of Geological Survey 7.5-minute

13
Figure 1. Photographs of 

Colville, Washington, and 

vicinity taken August 6, 

1983, showing the rectilinear pattern of the urban 

area (airport on the east; 

sewage treatment facility 

on the west) surrounded by 

agricultural land (alfalfa and 

grain fields) and forest land 

(ponderosa pine, Douglas 

fir, and western larch). The 

distinct north-south linear 

features include the Colville 

River, Burlington Northern 

Railroad, and U. S. Route 

395. A, Color-infrared 

(scale 1:58,000). B, Blackand-white (scale 

1:80,000).

14

quadrangles at an altitude of 40,000 feet 

above mean terrain. Film is exposed over 

ground stations established in advance of 

the flight missions and patterned to 

produce overlapping photographs required 

for stereoscopic coverage (fig. 2). There 

are an average of three black-and-white 

exposures and four color-infrared 

exposures for each 7.5-minute quadrangle. 

Approximately 120,000 black-and-white 

photographs and 175,000 color-infrared 

photographs are required for complete 

coverage of the conterminous United 

States.

Photographic operations must consider 

the flying season and other environmental 

factors. The flying season selected for the 

initial coverage of the 48 States is the 

leaf-off season. This time of the year is of 

primary concern in the deciduous forest 

areas generally located east of 96° west 

longitude. Useful photography can be 

taken only when the Sun angle is greater 

than 30° and when cloud cover, snow, 

smoke, and haze are absent. Photographs

cannot contain hot spots (reflections) or 

excessive shadowing. These requirements 

limit the flying season to specific time 

periods for all areas of the conterminous 

United States so that no single area can be 

flown throughout the year. Generally, 

flights are limited to spring in the deciduous forest areas. Photographic operations 

in all areas are subject to seasonal changes 

and local variations in terrain.

The primary products of the National 

High-Altitude Photography Program are 

9- by 9-inch black-and-white and colorinfrared photographs in film or paper-print 

format. Film positives and paper prints are 

available for black-and-white and colorinfrared in the 9- by 9-inch size; however, 

a film negative is available as a standard 

product for only the black-and-white 

photography. Photography from the 

National High-Altitude Photography 

Program is not for the exclusive use of the 

Federal agencies but is available to 

everyone.
The Geological Survey's National Cartographic Information Center serves as the 

central source for information about the 

National High-Altitude Photography Program and the approximately 13 million 

frames of aerial photography acquired by 

other programs. Photography from the 

National High-Altitude Photography Program can also be obtained directly from 

the primary processing and distribution 

centers of the Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center in Sioux Falls, 

South Dakota, or the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Salt Lake 

City, Utah.

Current Program Organization and 

Status

The National High-Altitude Photography 

Program Steering Committee established in 

1978 continues as the principal organizing 

and coordinating body for the program. 

The committee considers short- and longrange program objectives and new requirements for high-altitude photography. 

The committee is chaired by the Geological 

Survey, with member representatives from 

the Soil Conservation Service and the 

Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation 

Service, Department of Agriculture; the 

Bureau of Land Management, Department 

of the Interior; the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, Department of Defense; and the 

Tennessee Valley Authority. Representatives from the Office of Surface Mining, 

Department of the Interior, and the 

Defense Mapping Agency, Department of 

Defense, serve as ad-hoc members in an 

advisory capacity.

Each year, the committee hosts a conference where representatives from the 

Federal agencies participating in the program review status and progress, identify 

priority areas for photographic missions 

during the succeeding year, and indicate 

the level of funding support available for 

that year. A plan for photography is prepared which balances the requests for 15
photographic coverage with the amount of 

funding available from each agency.

Since the beginning of the program in 

fiscal year 1980, a total of 2.85 million 

square miles, or 93 percent of the area of 

the conterminous United States, has been 

contracted. About 52 percent of the contracted photography has been completed 

and is available to users (fig. 3). The final 

7 percent of the area will be contracted in 

fiscal year 1985. All contracted photography is scheduled to be completed in 

fiscal year 1986.

Federal agencies that have provided financial support for the National HighAltitude Photography Program are Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, 

Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, 

and Statistical Reporting Service of the 

Department of Agriculture; U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers and the Defense Mapping Agency of the Department of Defense; 

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land 

Management, Bureau of Mines, Geological

Survey, National Park Service, Office of 

Surface Mining, and Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior; and 

the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Future of National High-Altitude 

Photography Program

On completion of the initial photographic 

coverage of the conterminous United 

States, the National High-Altitude Photography Program will be directed toward a 

second photographic cycle based on the 

coordinated requirements of Federal and 

State agencies and other users. Under the 

aegis of the program's interagency steering committee, studies are in progress to 

review the need for extending photographic coverage to Alaska, Hawaii, and 

other areas; to examine the use of new 

cameras, films, and other modifications to 

current photographic systems; to investigate requirements for changes in the flying

Figure 2. Pattern of exposure 

stations, end lap, and 

sidelap for high-altitude 

photography.

16

EXPOSURE STATIONS

 BLACK AND WHITE 

(B/W)

O COLOR INFRARED 

(CIR)

0 BOTH

62 % endlap B 

(± 65% CIR)
season and other environmental conditions; 

and to review user needs for better methods of obtaining archived photography.

The use of new photographic technology 

and other improvements envisioned by the 

program planners should result in a more 

reliable and flexible product to address a 

broader range of interests and applications.

The National High-Altitude Photography 

Program is a successful response to the 

deficiencies in the acquisition of aerial 

photography within the Federal establishment noted by the Office of Management 

and Budget Task Force in 1973. The 

recommendations of the Task Force have 

been satisfied, and the goal of national 

photographic coverage is within sight. The 

program is also an example of how a scientific activity can be coordinated between 

Federal agencies and the user community

to result in savings to the taxpayer and in 

a product that is of immediate and significant value to the Nation.

Figure 3. Status of national 

high-altitude photography 

coverage.

"d

I

..

'I

17
Research in the Marine Frontier 

By Bonnie A. McGregor and Gary W. Hill

On March 3, 1879, the U.S. Congress 

established the U.S. Geological Survey and 

charged it with the responsibility for the 

classification of public lands and the 

examination of the geologic structure, 

mineral resources and products of the national domain. In 1879, much of this Nation's land area was frontier. Today, the 

Nation's geographic frontiers primarily lie 

beneath its surrounding oceans. By Presidential proclamation in 1983, the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone was established. 

The proclamation claimed the seabed 

resources in this underwater frontier to 

200 nautical miles offshore (fig. 1). This 

zone, which includes the waters surrounding the continental United States, Hawaii, 

Alaska, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories 

and possessions, constitutes an area about 

170 percent larger than the size of the onshore area, Within this vast underwater 

domain lie resources of immense importance to the Nation: an estimated 35 percent of the economically recoverable oil 

and gas yet to be found in the United 

States; strategic metals like cobalt, manganese, and nickel in sea-floor crusts and 

nodules; massive sulfide deposits actively 

forming today on ridge crests; and major 

concentrations of heavy minerals in nearshore sand bodies.

Along with the immense potential for 

increasing our domestic resource base, 

exploration of the seabed provides an exciting scientific frontier. Most of the 

geologic framework of the Nation's continental margins (shelf, slope, and rise) is 

known from a relatively few and widely 

spaced deep seismic reflection profiles and 

a few deep drillholes that recovered rocks 

from within the margin. The frontier character of the offshore domain is emphasized 

when one considers that major sedimentary basins with petroleum potential have 

been discovered within the last 8 years, 

sulfide deposits at sea-floor spreading 

centers have been known only since 

1978, cobalt-rich manganese crusts on 

Pacific seamounts (underwater extinct 

volcanoes) were recognized as important 

potential resources in 1982, and additional 

sea-floor features, such as submarine canyons and seamounts, are discovered virtually every year. Through marine geologic 

surveys, the dynamic aspects of plate tectonics can be studied: the continual creation of the Earth's new crust at the midocean spreading centers; the formation of 

volcanic arcs, basins, and trenches where 

the crustal plates collide; and the migration 

of the plates over hotspots in the Earth's 

mantle, creating chains of volcanic islands. 

Through geologic time, this plate tectonic 

process has caused rocks formed on the 

sea floor (even whole marine basins) to be 

accreted to the continents where erosion 

may expose them for study today. Because these rocks originated in the oceans,

UNITED STATES EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE

Figure 1. Boundaries of the 

Exclusive Economic Zone.

,' Northern 

(' Mariana 

. Island^

/? ^ 

A4 Guam ' ,: ;

Johnston v_ 

Island

Howland \ , 

Island ^'

"-^"v '-Hawaii

, ".;>. Palmyra A toll

^' 

< > Jarvis Island

.American 

> Samoa

18
the marine realm remains the natural laboratory where the fundamental tectonic and 

volcanic processes responsible for their 

formation and resource potential may be 

studied best.

Marine Program

The marine program has three major 

elements: Regional Geologic Framework, 

Sedimentary Dynamics, and Marine Energy 

and Mineral Deposits. Scientific studies in 

these program elements provide answers 

to major geologic questions that bear on 

the fundamental geologic makeup of the 

Earth and concerns about the future availability of resources.

The Regional Geologic Framework element includes investigations in regional 

stratigraphy, paleoenvironmental conditions, and structural settings of the continental margins, and marginal sea and 

deep ocean basins. These investigations 

focus on processes that influence the formation of petroleum and mineral deposits. 

Other studies of tectonism, seismicity, 

magmatism, and volcanism provide information on the settings of marine deposits, 

the process of ocean-floor spreading, the 

development of oceanic trenches, the 

evolution of landmasses or islands, and the 

geologic hazards that could impede future 

use of offshore lands. In the context of 

geologic history and crustal framework, 

these activities lead to the analysis and interpretation of the evolution of continental 

margins, spreading centers, and island 

masses.

The Sedimentary Dynamics element includes studies of active geologic processes 

that are modifying the sea floor and 

coastal zone today, with awareness that 

similar processes acted to form sedimentary deposits throughout geologic time. 

Topics of concern are the shape and 

sedimentologic character of major marine 

sedimentary deposits and the mechanics of 

how they formed. Sedimentary dynamics 

research defines the geologic conditions 

which control large-scale sediment failures 

(subsea landslides), the erosional processes forming scarps and submarine canyons on the continental margin, the 

dynamics of transport of sediments and 

pollutants on the sea floor, and the 

geologic processes operating in and shaping estuaries and coastal zones. Because 

many basins on land today formed in

marine environments, there is much transfer of information and insight from marine 

studies to land studies and vice versa.

As we seek to understand the nature of 

the zone where the ocean and continental 

crusts meet and the dynamic processes 

that are involved, we are becoming increasingly aware of significant processes 

of erosion on the continental shelf and 

slope. The first evidence was seen in 

geophysical profiles that revealed buried 

ancient continental shelves as much as 

113 miles seaward of the present shelf 

edge. More recently, high-resolution 

acoustic (sonar) imaging devices have 

revealed sea-floor features never before 

seen. Many more canyons on the continental slope have been discovered than 

were previously suspected, suggesting 

that submarine erosion is a geologic agent 

modifying the morphology of the slope at a 

higher rate than previously considered. 

Geologists on deep submersible dives east 

of Florida have observed a near vertical 

wall of limestone about 2.5 miles high that 

may have eroded back as much as 9 miles 

in the past 37 million years. The evidence 

for erosion on such a scale in the past has 

significant implications for the preservation 

of oil and gas trapped within the continental margin and for resource exploration and 

development in deep water.

Finds of new mineral deposits in the 

oceans are high on the list of exciting 

geologic discoveries of the past decade. 

The Marine Energy and Mineral Deposits 

element supports investigations of these 

deposits and the processes that formed 

them. For several years, geologists had 

speculated that seawater and rock might 

react in areas of volcanic heating to form 

mineral deposits. In 1979, massive sulfide 

deposits were discovered accumulating 

around a hydrothermal vent on the crest of 

the midocean ridge in the Pacific Ocean. 

The midocean ridge is a world-encircling 

mountain range, the crest of which is a rift 

zone and spreading center where new seafloor crust is formed. As the sea floor is 

pulled apart along the rift zone, molten 

rock rises to the sea floor. Cold sea water 

percolates downward along faults or 

cracks in the sea floor and is heated by 

and reacts with the hot rock. Then it is 

convected vigorously to the surface where 

it discharges in geyser like plumes of hot 

water (350° C.) laden with sulfides of 

zinc, copper, and silver, some of which 

precipitate on the sea floor (figs. 2, 3).

19
Since the initial discovery, such sulfide 

deposits have been found at five other 

locations along the ridge. For the first 

time, geologists can witness a massivesulf ide type of deposit actually being 

formed on the sea floor. Research into this 

process provides important insights into 

exploration techniques for new onshore 

deposits.

In addition to these rapidly forming sulfide deposits, manganese crusts recovered 

from seamounts in the Pacific Ocean contain cobalt, the concentration of which 

varies with water depth. The most favorable water depth range, where the cobalt 

content exceeds that of commercial 

deposits onshore, is about 3,280 to 

8,530 feet. These deposits lie on the 

flanks of islands and seamounts, some of 

which are located within 200 nautical 

miles of U.S. territory.

The program element for marine energy 

and minerals is concerned with developing 

geologic concepts from which settings and 

conditions of the origin and concentration 

of marine minerals and hydrocarbons can 

be defined. The United States is dependent 

on foreign sources for a large percentage 

of its petroleum and for several strategic 

minerals, such as cobalt. This dependence 

underscores the need to perform research 

on the distribution and origins of these and 

other resources in the marine realm.

All three program elements converge in 

the study of marine basins and sediment 

fans or wedges for hydrocarbons. It is 

necessary to understand the setting and 

character of the sediment accumulation, 

the source of the sediments, the amount 

of organic material present, and whether 

the thermal maturity is sufficient to 

generate hydrocarbons that might migrati 

and become trapped. During the past few 

years, research by the Geological Survey 

has revealed previously unknown Arctic 

offshore basins with good petroleum 

resource potential. In addition, program 

scientists identified the possible occurrence of gas in the deep Aleutian Basin of 

the Bering Sea, through inferences from 

seismic records, and they confirmed the 

presence of gas hydrates (frozen gas) in 

sediments lying in deep water off the 

Atlantic coast. Gas hydrates may also 

form an impermeable seal under which 

recoverable gas and oil may collect. As 

technology advances, the gas hydrate 

itself may become an exploitable resource.

Marine Surveys

The life blood of a marine geology program is its marine operations, and the 

Geological Survey operations are based in 

Menlo Park, California, and Woods Hole, 

Massachusetts. Two large research vessels

Figure 2. Hydrothermal 

deposits at site of plume on 

Juan de Fuca Ridge.

20
Figure 3. Hydrothermally 

deposited zinc sulfide showing light-colored layers of 

iron sulfide.

(R/V) capable of open-ocean surveys are 

operated by the Survey and are in steady 

use. The R/V Samuel P. Lee (208 feet) is 

equipped for deep-penetration seismic 

reflection profiling and other geophysical 

surveys. It is ice strengthened and is used 

for research operations at high latitudes 

where ice may be a danger. The R/V Polaris II ( 160 feet) is equipped for highresolution seismic reflection profiling, light 

geophysical surveys, and sea-floor sampling. In addition, the Survey maintains 

four smaller vessels for nearshore marine 

surveys. Each year, other vessels from 

oceanographic institutions and industry are 

used as needed to accomplish the Geological Survey mission to acquire knowledge 

about the Nation's underwater domain. 

In 1982, the R/V Samuel P. Lee conducted research in waters off Alaska to 

add information on the geologic framework 

and potential for petroleum resources of 

large sedimentary basins on the continental shelf and to obtain new data on the 

plate tectonic setting of the Aleutian Island 

chain. Other important cruises added to 

our understanding of the Atlantic continental margin, especially concerning the basic 

framework and processes of sedimentation 

and erosion but also concerning mineral 

resources of the large underwater Blake 

Plateau off the coast of the Carolinas. Also 

in 1982, the R/V Samuel P. Lee conducted geophysical surveys, sponsored by 

the United States, Australia, New Zealand, 

and the United Nations, around the Pacific 

island areas of Tonga, Vanuatu, and the 

Solomon Islands. During a cooperative investigation in the central Pacific, Geological Survey and German Government scientists recognized the potential for cobalt 

resources in manganese crusts on the sea 

floor.

In August 1983, the longest, most elaborate marine survey ever planned by the 

Geological Survey began. The R/V Samuel 

P. Lee left San Francisco on a scheduled 

40,000-mile cruise from pole to pole. 

Planned activities included sea-floor 

photography of sulfide deposits on Juan 

de Fuca Ridge, seismic surveys in the 

Chukchi Sea north of the Bering Straits in 

the Arctic, sampling in the central and 

southern Pacific for cobalt-manganese 

crusts, seismic surveys in the south 

Pacific, and framework/resource surveys 

in the Ross Sea-Wilkes Land continental 

shelf area off Antarctica. In addition, a 

joint Survey-Geological Survey of Canada 

expedition used a Canadian-developed seafloor mounted drill to obtain samples from 

sulfide deposits on Juan de Fuca Ridge. As 

1983 ended, prospects appeared bright 

for a proposed expansion of the marine 

program to cover the vast new national 

frontier of the Exclusive Economic Zone.

21
Missions, Organization, and Budget

Missions

The U.S. Geological Survey was established by an act of Congress on March 3, 

1879, to answer the need for a permanent 

government agency at the Federal level to 

conduct, on a continuing, systematic, and 

scientific basis, investigations of the 

"geological structure, mineral resources, and 

products of the national domain." Although a 

number of laws and executive orders have expanded and modified the scope of the 

Survey's responsibilities over its 104-year 

history, the Survey has remained principally a 

scientific and technical investigation agency 

as contrasted with a developmental or 

regulatory one. Today, the Survey is mandated to assess onshore and offshore energy 

and mineral resources; to provide information 

for society to mitigate the impact of floods, 

earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, and 

droughts; to monitor the Nation's ground- and 

surface-water supplies; to study the impact 

of man on the Nation's water resources; and 

to provide mapped information on the Nation's landscape and land use. The Survey is 

the principal source of scientific and technical 

expertise in the earth sciences within the 

Department of the Interior and the Federal 

Government. This Yearbook provides 

highlights of the wide range of earth science 

research and services in the fields of geology, 

hydrology, and cartography. These activities 

represent the continuing pursuit of the longstanding scientific missions of the Survey.

Organization

The U.S. Geological Survey is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Its activities are 

administered through the major program divisions of National Mapping, Geologic, and 

Water Resources. These program operations 

are supported by the Administrative and Information Systems Divisions. The Survey 

conducts its functions through an extensive 

field organization of offices located 

throughout the 50 States and Puerto Rico. At 

the national level, the functions of the Survey 

are coordinated through assistant directors 

for administration, program analysis, 

research, information systems, intergovernmental affairs, and engineering geology.

Budget

In fiscal year 1983, the U.S. Geological 

Survey had obligational authority for 

$556.0 million, of which $378.2 came 

from direct appropriations, $ 18.7 million 

came from transfers from accounts discussed below, and $ 159.1 million came 

from reimbursements. The Survey received 

funds under two congressional appropriations, "Barrow Area Gas Operations, Exploration and Development" ($6.4 million), 

and "Surveys, Investigations, and Research," which is the traditional source of 

direct funding for all other Survey activities 

($371.8 million). Transfers to the latter 

account equaled $ 16.2 million unobligated 

balance from the National Petroleum 

Reserve in Alaska account as required in 

the appropriation language, $2.2 million 

from the same account under emergency 

authority to cover the Redwood City, 

California, flood damage, and $0.3 million 

unobligated balance from the Office of 

Water Research and Technology for the 

Water Resources Scientific Information 

Center Program. The Survey also received 

funds for reimbursements for work performed under agreements with other 

Federal agencies, State and local governments, international organizations, and 

foreign governments. The Survey performs 

services under these agreements when 

earth science expertise is required by other 

agencies and their needs complement 

Survey program objectives. Work done for 

State, county, and municipal agencies is

Percentage allocation of funds, by Division. ,
U. S. Geological Survey budget authority for 

fiscal year 1983, by appropriation

(Dollars in thousands)

Fiscal year

Activity/Subactivity/ 19831 

Program Element enacted

Surveys, Investigations, and Research:

National Mapping, Geography and

Surveys 81,138 

Primary Quadrangle Mapping 38,960

Primary Quadrangle

Mapping 35,106 

Modernization of Mapping

Technology 3,854 

Map Revision and

Orthophotoquads 17,002

Revision 10,840

Orthophotoquads 6,162

Digital Mapping 3,970

Small, Intermediate, and

Special Mapping 14,367 

Intermediate-Scale Mapping 6,756 

Land Use and Land Cover

Mapping 3,409 

Airborne Profiling of Terrain

System 1,691 

Small-Scale and Other Special

Mapping 2,511 

Cartographic and Geographic

Information 3,839 

Side-Looking Airborne Radar 3,000

Geologic and Mineral Resource

Surveys and Mapping 159,190 

Geologic Hazards Surveys 51,611

Earthquake Hazards

Reduction 34,952 

Volcano Hazards 10,840 

Ground Failure and

Construction Hazards 2,729

Reactor Hazards Research 3,090

Land Resource Surveys 16,845

Geologic Framework 13,735

Geomagnetism 2,115

Climate Change 995

Mineral Resource Surveys 41,072

Alaska Mineral Surveys 9,252

Conterminous U.S. Mineral

Surveys 5,582 

Wilderness Mineral Surveys 8,425 

Strategic and Critical Minerals - 5,752 

Development of Assessment

Techniques 11,959 

Mineral Discovery Loan

Program 102 

Energy Geologic Surveys 34,176 

Coal Investigations 14,175 

Onshore Oil and Gas

Investigations 6,922 

Oil Shale Investigations 823 

Geothermal Investigations 7,090 

Uranium-Thorium

Investigations 4,166 

World Energy Resource

Assessment 1,000

Offshore Geologic Surveys 

Offshore Geologic Framework -

Water Resources Investigations 

National Water Data System 

Federal Program - 

Data Collection and Analysis 

National Water Data Exchange 

Regional Aquifer Systems

Analyses 

Coordination of Water Data

Activities 

Core Program Hydrologic

Research 

Improved Instrumentation - 

Subsurface Waste Storage 

Flood Hazards Analysis 

Water Resources Assessment - 

Supporting Services 

Toxic Wastes Ground-Water

Contamination 

Acid Rain 

Water Resources Scientific

Information Center 

Federal-State Cooperative

Program 

Data Collection and Analysis,

Areal Appraisals and

Special Studies 

Water Use (Cooperative) 

Coal Hydrology (Cooperative) - 

Energy Hydrology 

Coal Hydrology 

Nuclear Energy Hydrology 

Oil Shale Hydrology 

Earth Sciences Applications -

Earth Resources Observation 

Systems -

Environmental Affairs -

Land Resources Data

Applications 

General Administration 

Executive Direction 

Administrative Operations - 

Reimbursable to Department of 

Labor 

15,486

15,486

115,096

54,201

15,888

1,247

14,665

894

5,982

1,899

1,453

464

329

3,594

4,451

2,462

873

45,782

39,390

3,230

3,162

15,113

6,849

6,993

1,271

11,132

9,563

943

626

14,931

4,956

8,628

1,347

Facilities 9,022 

National Center Standard Level

User Charge 7,364 

National Center Facilities

Management 1,658

TOTAL, Surveys, Investigations,

and Research 390,509

Barrow Area Gas Operation 6,400 

TOTAL, U.S. Geological Survey 396,909

'Funding shown represents appropriations under "Surveys, 

Investigations, and Research" only and does not include other 

sources of funding such as reimbursements from other Federal 

or State organizations.

23
almost always done on a cost-sharing 

basis.

Most of the appropriations and reimbursements received by the Survey in 

fiscal year 1983 are distributed through 

budget activities that roughly correspond 

to its mapping, geologic, hydrologic, and 

administrative areas of responsibility.

Personnel

At the end of fiscal year 1983, the U.S. 

Geological Survey had 7,245 permanent 

full-time employees on board, an increase 

of 80 from fiscal year 1982. With the exception of the transfer of approximately, 

2,500 employees to the Minerals Management Service in 1982, the Survey's fulltime permanent work force has been relatively constant since 1973. The Survey's 

diversified earth science research programs 

and services are reflected in its workforce 

which is composed of personnel in over 

170 disciplines, with more than 50% 

possessing a Bachelor's or higher level

degree. More than one-half of the Survey's 

staff are professional scientists, and approximately one-fourth are technical 

specialists. Hydrologists, geologists and 

cartographers predominate among the professional group which includes members of 

more than 30 other disciplines such as 

geophysicists, chemists and engineers.

The number of other-than-f ull-time permanent employees has more than doubled 

since 1973 and includes many students 

and faculty members from colleges and 

universities as well as part-time personnel. 

The Survey has profited greatly from its 

association with the academic community. 

The expertise of many eminent specialists 

has become available to the Survey in this 

manner and has provided great flexibility in 

solving problems and meeting surges in 

workload, especially during the field 

season. The relationship also has been an 

invaluable channel for recruiting young 

professionals of demonstrated ability for 

permanent full-time positions upon the 

completion of their studies.

24
By Organization

Water Resources

Division

2,816

National

Mapping

Division

1,837

By Location

Director's Office and 

Administrative Division 441 

National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska 

nformation Systems Division 169

By Occupation

TOTAL 7,245

Cartographers

523 

Wage board

Chemists 169

194 

Geophysicists 

224

Permanent full-time U.S. 

Geological Survey 

employees

25
Awards and Honors Honors From Foreign Governments

Each year employees of the U.S. Geological Survey receive awards that range 

from modest monetary awards to recognition of their achievements by large professional societies. The large number of these 

awards attests to the quality of the individuals who are the U.S. Geological 

Survey. This year, the Survey wishes to 

acknowledge those individuals who either 

received high honors from or were elected 

to high office in professional societies and 

those individuals who received the Department of the Interior's highest award.

Honors

Kenneth L. Pierce, Geologist, was 

selected for the Kirk Bryan Award of the 

Geological Society of America in recognition of his studies on the glacial geology of 

Yellowstone Park.

Eugene M. Shoemaker, Geologist, was 

awarded the Arthur L. Day Medal of the 

Geological Society of America in recognition of his imaginative contributions to 

astrogeology, volcanology, and petrology 

and for his dedication to science.

James P. Bennett, Hydrologist, was 

named Engineer OT the Year for the Department of the Interior by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Thomas D. Fouch, Geologist, was appointed a Distinguished Lecturer by the 

American Association of Petroleum 

Geologists.

George E. Ericksen, Research Geologist, 

was made a Knight Commander in Chile's 

Order of Bernardo O'Higgins in Santiago, 

Chile, June 9,1983. The Chilean government honored Ericksen's outstanding contributions to the study of mineral resources 

in that country.

Presidents of Professional Societies

Service in professional societies is one 

of the important professional contributions 

a scientist can make. Societies play a fundamental role in the distribution of new 

knowledge, in addition to providing a 

forum in which new ideas are tested. The 

active participation of Survey scientists in 

professional societies attests to the scientific vitality of the Bureau. The Bureau is 

particularly proud of those individuals who 

have been elected to society presidencies 

by their professional peers.

Robert M. Hamilton

Frederick J. Doyle

Seismological Society of 

America;

International Society for 

Photogrammetry and 

Remote Sensing;

Department of the Interior Distinguished 

Service Awards

The highest honor given by the Department of 

the Interior is the Distinguished Service Award. 

This award for outstanding achievements in

26
challenging and difficult assignments was given 

to 13 U.S. Geological Survey employees this 

year. These individuals and the bases for their 

awards were as follows:

Lawrence H. Borgerding, Chief, Mid-Continent 

Mapping Center, for his outstanding service and 

achievements with the Geological Survey as a 

cartographer and administrator in the development of the National Mapping Program;

Hilton H. Cooper, Jr., Research Hydrologist, in 

recognition of his unparalleled technical accomplishment in the mathematical analysis of 

the dynamic behavior of ground-water systems;

Robert E. Davis, former Chief, Office of Scientific Publications, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the management of 

research programs in the earth sciences and the 

publications program of the Geological Survey;

Roy E. Fordham, Chief, Eastern Mapping 

Center, for his outstanding service and 

achievements with the Geological Survey as a 

cartographer and administrator in the development and execution of the National Mapping 

Program;

Philip W. Guild, Research Geologist, in recognition of his exceptional achievements in the investigation of mineral deposits and leadership in 

domestic and international programs for metallogenic studies and maps;

Daniel B. Krinsley, Research Geologist, in 

recognition of his outstanding achievements in 

pioneering scientific research, his major contributions to the use of earth science data by 

planners and decisionmakers, and his exemplary 

career as a manager of scientific programs;

Leslie B. Laird, former Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research and Technical Coordination, 

for his exceptional contributions to the management of water resource programs in the Geological Survey;

Alfred T. Miesch, Research Geologist, Grand 

Junction, Colorado, in recognition of his 

outstanding contributions to geostatistics and 

geochemistry in the Geological Survey;

Roy R. Mullen, Associate Chief, National Mapping Division, for his exceptional contributions 

to the Geological Survey as a scientist and executive of the National Mapping Program;

Ralph J. Roberts, Research Geologist, in 

recognition of his many creative scientific contributions to Geological Survey studies and programs in the geology of mineral deposits, structural geology, and geologic processes;

Robert L. Smith, Research Geologist, Branch 

of Igneous and Geothermal Processes, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the research program of the Geological Survey in the 

areas of silicic volcanism, igneous processes, 

and assessment of volcanic hazards;

Lowell E. Starr, Assistant division Chief for 

Research (NMD), for his outstanding leadership 

and exceptional contributions to the development of technology in the field of topographic 

mapping; and

Robert F. Yerkes, Research Geologist, Branch 

of Western Regional Geology, in recognition of 

his major contributions to the Geological Survey, 

fundamental geologic research, especially in the 

southern California region, and leadership in applying geology to solving man's problems.

27
National Mapping Program

Mission and Organization

The National Mapping Division conducts 

the National Mapping Program, which provides graphic and digital cartographic and 

geographic products and information for 

the United States, Territories, and U.S. 

possessions. The products include several 

series of topographic maps, land use and 

land cover maps and associated data, geographic names information, geodetic control data, and remote sensing data.

The products are produced by four 

regional mapping centers and the Earth 

Resources Observation Systems Data 

Center. The Division's Printing and Distribution Center prints Survey map products 

and stores and distributes all Survey maps 

and texts. The Division also operates the 

National Cartographic Information Centers 

and the Public Inquiries Offices which, 

along with the Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center, provide information about and fill orders for earth 

science, cartographic, geographic, and 

remote sensing data.

Major Programs and Activities

In support of the National Mapping Program, the Division concentrates its efforts 

on the following major activities:

 Primary quadrangle mapping and revision, including the production and revision 

of 7.5-minute 1:24,000- and 1:25,000- 

scale maps in the conterminous United 

States and Hawaii and the 15-minute 

1:63,360-scale maps in Alaska. During 

fiscal year 1983, about 1,300 revised and 

1,370 new standard topographic maps 

were published, mostly in the 7.5-minute 

series (fig. 1}. Published topographic maps 

are available for about 85 percent of 

Alaska and for 80 percent of the other 

49-State area. Fifteen States have complete 7.5-minute series map coverage.

 Small-scale and special mapping, including the preparation of maps and map 

products from the intermediate-scale 

(1:50,000 and 1:100,000) series to the 

small-scale (1:250,000) series and other 

smaller scale U.S. base maps. Complete 

topographic coverage of the United States 

is available at the scale of 1:250,000. 

More than 70 percent of the conterminous

United States is mapped in one or more of 

the intermediate-scale series (fig. 2), which 

include 1:50,000-scale quadrangle maps, 

1:50,000- or 1:100,000-scale county 

maps, and 1:100,000-scale topographic 

or planimetric quadrangle maps. More than 

80 topographic-bathymetric maps have 

been published for coastal area planning. 

Land use and land cover maps are complete for 2.2 million square miles.

 Digital cartography, including the production of base categories of cartographic 

data at standard scales, accuracies, and 

formats suitable for computer-based 

analysis. In early fiscal year 1983, the 

Geological Survey chaired a newly formed 

Department of the Interior committee to 

coordinate digital cartography activities 

within the Department. The Office of 

Management and Budget later issued a 

memorandum to foster better coordination 

of all Federal digital cartography programs. 

The Geological Survey has been delegated 

the lead role in this activity and will chair a 

Federal committee to implement this 

objective.

 Information and data services, including the acquisition and dissemination 

of information about U.S. maps, charts, 

aerial and space photographs and images, 

geodetic control, cartographic and geographic digital data, and other related information; distribution of earth science information to the public; and sale of maps and 

map-related products directly and through 

about 3,000 commercial dealers.

 Advanced development and engineering to improve the quality of standard 

products; to provide new products, such 

as digital cartographic data, that make 

maps and map-related information more 

useful to users; to reduce costs and to increase productivity of mapping activities; 

to acquire innovative and more useful 

equipment; and to design and develop 

techniques and systems to advance the 

mapping of high-priority areas of the 

country.

 Cartographic and geographic research, 

with particular emphasis on spatial data 

techniques for studies using modern geographic analysis with new and improved 

cartographic concepts and techniques.

28
Budget and Personnel

For fiscal year 1 983, National Mapping 

Division funding of about $107 million included the $17 million associated with the 

Earth Resources Observation Systems Program, which was integrated into the Division at the beginning of fiscal year 1983. 

Funding sources included direct congressional appropriations, funds transferred 

from other Federal agencies, joint funding 

agreements through the Federal-State

Cooperative Program, and funds transferred from local agencies.

The permanent full-time personnel 

strength of the Division at the end of fiscal 

year 1983 was 1,829, representing a 

work force skilled in cartography, geography, computer science, engineering,

physical science, photographic and remote Figure 1. Status of standard 

sensing technology, and information 

sciences.

topograhic mapping and 

revision,

r/^tM'--r

 ' MS* ..." -^ v-1-' ij&iEXPLANATION 

15' Mapping 

7.5 Mapping 

Revision in progress
Figure 2. Status of the 

intermediate-scale mapping 

program.

Highlights

In the following sections, highlights from 

some of the major activities are described.

Provisional Maps

In 1982, the Geological Survey initiated 

a series of provisional edition topographic 

maps to expedite completion of the 8,500 

7.5-minute quadrangle areas not covered 

by 1:24,000-scale mapping. Under this 

accelerated mapping program, practically 

all of the unmapped areas are targeted for 

provisional mapping, allowing complete 

7.5-minute map coverage of the conterminous United States by 1989. Provisional 

maps of unmapped 1 5-minute quadrangle 

areas in Alaska will also be produced, 

allowing 1:63,360-scale map coverage of

Alaska to be completed concurrently with 

the 1:24,000-scale coverage of the conterminous United States.

Provisional maps are prepared to the 

same map accuracy standards and contain 

essentially the same level of content as 

standard topographic maps but reflect a 

provisional rather than a finished map appearance. They are printed in four or five 

colors and are made available through 

standard distribution procedures. The 

maps can be produced manually or with 

automated techniques. The first maps in 

the provisional series were produced manually using standard compilation techniques, with some linework and lettering 

done by hand.

Computer technology is the basis for the 

automated processing of provisional maps. 

Maps are produced in the following stages:

30
(1) information collection: aerial photographs are used in plotting equipment to 

record information from the photographs 

on computer tapes, (2) information editing: 

appropriate map symbols are applied to 

properly represent the features on the 

map, and errors and deficiencies are corrected, and (3) cartographic plotting: newly developed computer programs produce 

complete lettering and place certain 

descriptive lettering, contour labels, and 

control elevations on the maps. These 

automated processes further shorten the 

map production cycle for provisional maps 

and place the product in the hands of the 

user at an earlier date.

After completion of the provisional mapping program, the maps will be updated, 

fully finished, and reissued as standard 

topographic editions.

Digital Cartogaphy

Map data in digital form are being applied to an increasing number of complex 

problems. Applications are not limited to 

the earth sciences but are as diverse and 

complex as the many uses of a map. An 

important factor in the growth of digital 

cartographic data applications is the 

development of geographic information 

systems. These systems have the capability to compare rapidly and to sort through 

large amounts of digital data on multiple 

topics about the land and its resources. 

Also, maps can be prepared much faster 

and more accurately using automated 

procedures.

To meet the demand for standardized 

digital cartographic data, the Geological 

Survey is digitizing base categories of cartographic information from its various national series of topographic maps. The 

primary effort is devoted to building a national digital cartographic data base containing the basic categories shown on published 7.5-minute topographic maps. The 

digitized data, available in two forms, are 

digital line graphs and digital elevation 

models (fig. 3). The digital line graphs are 

graphic data digitized from published 

maps. Currently, four categories of digital 

line graphs are being collected: public land 

net, boundaries, hydrography, and transportation. The digital elevation models are 

digitized elevations collected at regularly 

spaced intervals throughout a quadrangle.

Other data being collected include the 

planimetric features from 1:2,000,000-

scale sectional maps of the National A/tas 

of the United States of America and 

selected 1:500,000-scale State base 

maps, elevation data from the 1:2 50,000- 

scale map series, land use and land cover 

data, and geographic names data.

In a related, broader area of activity the 

coordination of Federal digital cartographic 

data programs the Survey expanded its 

coordination activities within the Department of the Interior by chairing the newly 

established Interior Digital Cartography 

Coordination Committee. Subsequently, 

the Office of Management and Budget 

issued a memorandum to foster better coordination of all Federal digital cartography 

programs. The Geological Survey was 

delegated the lead role in implementing 

this objective. In May 1983, representatives of Federal agencies met at the 

Survey's Reston, Virginia, offices to form a 

committee to begin coordination efforts.

Although the expanded Federal coordination activity has been underway only a 

short time, significant new requirements 

for digital cartographic data have been 

identified. The most pressing of these requirements is the development of a 

1:100,000-scale digital cartographic data 

base to support the 1990 census. Accordingly, a pilot project has been initiated by 

the Geological Survey in cooperation with 

the Bureau of the Census to digitize transportation and hydrography data in the 

State of Florida.

Plans for fiscal year 1984 include continued cooperation with the Bureau on the 

pilot project and, in the broader coordination area, the establishment of work 

groups to further identify Federal digital 

cartographic data requirements, to assist in 

insuring that needs are met, to provide a 

mechanism for development of data standards, to serve as a forum for exchange of 

information on technology and methods, 

and to facilitate private sector use of the 

data.

Image Mapping

The Geological Survey has recognized a 

national need for image products as valuable mapping tools, map supplements, and 

as alternatives to standard maps. As a 

result, it is responding to these needs 

through three programs that provide such 

products, namely its high-altitude photography, orthophotography, and satellite imagery programs.

31
Image mapping in the form of orthophotoquads provides relatively low-cost 

products that can be prepared in about 

one-third the time required for line maps. 

For areas of the conterminous United 

States unmapped at the 1:24,000 scale, 

black-and-white orthophotoquads serve as 

interim maps until new 7.5-minute topographic maps become available. Orthophotoquads have been prepared for about 

56 percent of the conterminous United

States. During fiscal year 1983, the 

Survey prepared 1,950 orthophotoquads.

In Alaska, 1 5-minute orthophotoquads 

are being prepared at the 1:63,360 scale 

in cooperation with the Bureau of Land

Management and the State of Alaska. In 

fiscal year 1983, 95 quadrangles were 

produced. Coverage of most portions of

the State is anticipated over the next 

decade.

Figure 3. Digital cartographic 

mapping. A, Status of 

digital line graph production. 

B, Status of digital elevation 

model production.

32
Production of color infrared and simulated natural color orthophotoquads during 

fiscal year 1983 included areas in Delaware, North Carolina, and Washington at 

scales of 1:24,000 and 1:25,000. The 

Geological Survey is also preparing a series 

of simulated natural color image maps at 

1:25,000 scale of the United StatesMexico international boundary in cooperation with the Customs Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury.

During fiscal year 1983, the National 

Mapping Division, in cooperation with the 

Minerals Management Service, completed 

25 Landsat 1:250,000-scale black-andwhite image maps for the Alaskan North 

Slope above the 68th parallel. These products will be used to help support the management of the Federal Government's oil 

and gas program in that area. Plans are being made to publish the Landsat image 

maps as part of standard Alaskan map 

coverage. Other Landsat image maps are 

under consideration.

The Survey also has been evaluating 

Side-Looking Airborne Radar for use in 

topographic and geologic mapping. Twelve 

controlled 1:250,000-scale quadrangle image mosaics of the Aleutian Island Arc in 

Alaska are being prepared from radar 

imagery acquired in 1982. Six of the 

mosaics will be printed back-to-back with 

updated line maps; the remaining mosaics 

will be printed without line maps.

Information Services

The Geological Survey disseminates 

much of the Nation's earth science information through its Public Inquiries Offices, 

National Cartographic Information Centers, 

and Earth Resources Observation Systems 

Data Center. The National Mapping Division operates these public access points 

for the Survey and sells the Survey's 

maps, books, photographs, and machinereadable tapes. Four areas where significant advances have been made in providing improved service to the public are in 

the map reference library program, the 

product-inventory distribution system, the 

cooperative information service system, 

and the National Cartographic Information 

Center's State affiliate network.

The Geological Survey's map reference 

library network has been an important extension of the Survey in many communities across the country. At present, there 

are over 500 libraries that house collections of Geological Survey topographic and 

scientific maps. To provide access to a 

greater number of citizens and to eliminate

duplication among depository systems, 

thereby cutting costs, several map depository programs (including the Geological 

Survey and Defense Mapping Agency programs) are being consolidated within the 

larger Congressional depository system. 

The consolidated, but expanded, program 

will be administered by the Government 

Printing Office under the policy direction of 

the Joint Committee on Printing. The program will be implemented in early 1984, 

following a survey by the Government 

Printing Office to determine which products each depository library wishes to 

receive. The Geological Survey will then 

make monthly mailings to the libraries of 

the Survey and Defense Mapping Agency 

maps.

In the area of product distribution, a 

computer-based system has been installed 

to track the various types of Survey maps 

and books that are stored for public sale 

and distribution. Major Survey warehouses 

in Arlington, Virginia, Alexandria, Virginia, 

and Denver, Colorado, have been equipped 

with terminals that communicate over telephone lines with the host computer, which 

contains descriptive information about 

each product, its storage location, and its 

stock quantity. In 1984, an additional 

capability to handle and track the thousands of orders received each year will be 

developed.

To meet the increasing need for earth 

science data, the Survey is considering the 

development of a cooperative information 

service that will coordinate the existing information services of the Geologic, Water 

Resources, and National Mapping Divisions. As part of this service, the Survey 

has linked its Public Inquiries Office and 

National Cartographic Information Center 

public access points via a computer-based 

network and plans to exchange and share 

information with other Interior bureaus and 

selected State offices. The network, referred to as the Earth Science Information 

Network, will help to provide the public 

and other Government agencies with the 

earth science data stored in various major 

data bases, to develop the flow of information among public access points, and, 

when necessary, to bring information 

together quickly to focus attention on national problems.

The National Cartographic Information 

Center's network of State affiliates continued to grow during the year. Newcomers to the network include the States 

of Idaho, Massachusetts, and Rhode 

Island. Since the initial affiliate agreement 

with the State of Texas in April 1976, 36 33
34

States have become linked with the National Cartographic Information Center. 

The State affiliates handle cartographic 

and geographic data, distribute pamphlets, 

brochures, and topographic indexes, and 

sell maps of their respective States.

Research, Investigations, and Developments

Vegetation-Land Cover Classification in 

Alaska

The National Mapping Division has 

cooperated during the past 3 years with 

several State and Federal resource management agencies in Alaska to produce 

vegetation and land cover classifications to 

support comprehensive planning, research, 

and management mandates of the 1980 

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and inventory requirements of the 

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.

The vegetation-land cover classifications 

have been derived from Landsat digital 

data and digital elevation data using standard digital processing techniques. With few 

exceptions, the analysis procedures (including field data collection) and classification descriptions follow a standard format. 

By the end of fiscal year 1983, approximately 110 million acres of Alaska were 

classified for vegetation-land cover. Projects in progress will complete an additional 

80 million acres by the middle of fiscal 

year 1984. At that time, over half the 

State will have detailed land cover classifications. The primary use of these data is 

for estimates of land cover acreages and 

for producing habitat suitability models for 

various wildlife species.

Digital Cartographic Data Standards

As a part of the development of a national digital cartographic data base, the 

Survey also develops technical standards 

that govern the information that is stored 

in the data base. An agreement between 

the National Bureau of Standards and the 

Geological Survey assigns the Survey the 

responsibility to develop and maintain the 

standards for computer-based and graphic 

information for the earth sciences.

The Survey is preparing technical standards for the various types of cartographic 

information in the national data base. Interim standards are being published as 

Geological Survey Circular 895, which currently consists of seven chapters. The

circular includes technical standards for 

applying digital line graph techniques (a 

way to represent line map information in 

digital form) for the Public Land Survey 

System and a description of digital elevation models (collections of elevation values 

stored on a computer). Work is essentially 

complete on technical standards for digital 

line graphs for hydrography and for 

1:100,000-scale maps. These standards 

will be included as additional chapters of 

the circular.

The Survey recognized that other public 

groups and individuals who use its products should be involved in the development of digital cartographic standards and 

actively supported the work of the National Committee for Digital Cartographic 

Data Standards. The goal of the committee, established under the auspices of 

the American Congress on Surveying and 

Mapping, is to provide a professional 

forum for Federal, State, and local agencies, private industry, and professional 

individuals to share their opinions, assessments, and proposals on digital cartographic data standards. After the standards are formulated, they will be subjected 

to extensive review. When the Survey is 

confident that the standards are acceptable, they will be submitted to the National 

Bureau of Standards for application 

throughout the Federal Government.

Petroleum Resource Assessment of 

Undeveloped Federal Lands

The Survey has prepared a series of 

maps and associated statistics to support 

an assessment of petroleum potential in 

undeveloped Federal lands in 11 Western 

States. These undeveloped lands include 

wilderness areas and other lands being 

considered for wilderness designation. 

Administrative and legal boundary information on these areas was compiled using 

computer-assisted techniques developed 

by the National Mapping Division. Resource boundaries of potential petroleumyielding areas and geologic basins were 

compiled in the same way.

Additional computer programs were developed to provide a geographic analysis 

of the combined boundary information. By 

using these programs, the National Mapping Division prepared maps that combined 

the areas that have petroleum potential 

with the various categories of Federal 

lands. The potential of the petroleum areas 

was classified from low to high, and the 

size of these areas was also calculated.
Satellite Glaciology

Satellite image maps are highly useful as 

multipurpose base maps for various types 

of geological, glaciological, and geophysical data. The National Mapping Division 

used a 1:500,000-scale Landsat image 

mosaic of the Amery Ice Shelf, Antarctica, 

as the base map for compilation of 1 - and 

5-meter contours derived from Seasat 

radar altimeter data. Division scientists 

have also collected data for preparation of 

a 1:5,000,000-scale digital mosaic of 

Antarctica using National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration very high 

resolution radiometer images. The mosaic 

will be unique because it will be the first 

cartographically and geometrically accurate 

image base of the entire continent made 

from one data source. It will be used as 

the basis for a new map of the continent 

and for maps on specialized topics.

Image Map Research

Since the launch of Landsat 1 in 1972, 

the Survey has published a variety of experimental image maps based on the multispectral scanner data. The 80-meter picture element data of the multispectral 

scanner, when properly processed, can 

provide resolution, geometric accuracy, 

and content comparable to a 1:250,000- 

scale line map.

Early in 1982, the Las Vegas 

1:250,000-scale quadrangle was selected 

to test a newly developed geometric registration capability together with advanced 

digital image processing techniques 

available at the Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center. The Las Vegas 

area was selected because of the diversity 

of features urban areas, desert, mountains, lakes, rivers, and irrigated agriculture. Four Landsat scenes were required to 

cover the map area. The final product was 

a conventional color-infrared image map 

with a standard line map printed on the 

back.

The area around Dyersburg, Tennessee, 

located along the Mississippi River in the 

northwestern part of the State, was the 

first area to be mapped (scale 1:100,000) 

with data from the Landsat 4 Thematic 

Mapper. The process used to develop the 

Dyersburg map laid the groundwork for 

future uses of Thematic Mapper data. The 

Thematic Mapper has a picture element 

size of 30 meters and produces data on 

seven bands. By combining and manipulating this data, numerous color combinations

can be used to produce a three-color map. 

After examining many of these combinations, bands 2, 3, and 5 were selected to 

produce the final map.

Each band was processed to achieve the 

optimum density, or brightness, for processing. A digital edge enhancement technique was used to accent the boundaries 

between different areas on the images. 

The map developed from the Thematic 

Mapper images was printed on the reverse 

of a standard line map. Both the Las Vegas 

and Dyersburg maps incorporate a Universal Transverse Mercator grid so that each 

can be cross-referenced to its companion 

line map.

Rolla Conterminous United States Mineral 

Assessment Program Activity

The Geologic Division, the Earth 

Resources Observation Systems Data 

Center, and the Missouri Geological Survey 

developed and tested a digital geologic 

data base for mineral resource assessment 

of the Rolla, Missouri, 1 ° by 2° 

quadrangle. The data base consisted of 20 

numerically encoded layers of surface and 

subsurface geological, geochemical, and 

geophysical data that were digitized from 

1:250,000-scale maps compiled as part of 

the Conterminous United States Mineral 

Assessment Program. Using defined geological and geochemical characteristics, 

two additive numerical models were developed and applied to the data base to 

identify and rank favorable areas for the 

occurrence of Mississippi River valley-type 

lead-zinc mineralization.

Federal Mineral Land Information System

The Federal Mineral Land Information 

System is being designed as a tool to 

develop land management and policy objectives for the Nation's strategic and 

critical minerals and energy resources. 

Central to this objective is the creation of a 

data base on Federal surface ownership, 

subsurface mineral rights, Federal restrictions to mineral development, and mineral 

occurrence and potential. These types of 

information will be compiled and analyzed 

using a geographic information system currently under development.

A pilot project, based on questions 

which might be asked of an operational 

system by national policymakers, was conducted on the Medford, Oregon, 

1:250,000-scale quadrangle. The Medford 35
quadrangle was selected because a Conterminous United States Mineral Assessment Program report was available, as well 

as other mineral deposit and occurrence 

data. Surface mineral management status 

maps were also available at 1:100,000 

scale. Results of the pilot project have 

been analyzed and a report has been prepared outlining the potentials and limitations of using a digitized approach for 

national level data bases.

Arctic Lake Digital Data Base Project

The National Mapping Division has 

cooperated with the Water Resources Division to develop a digital data base containing the geographic location, acreage, and 

other attributes for lakes greater than 5 

acres on the North Slope of Alaska. The 

data will be used by the Bureau of Land 

Management in its onshore oil and gas 

assessment and leasing program.

The basic information for the project is 

the water categories derived from a digital 

land cover classification of the National 

Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The classification was originally performed by National Mapping Division personnel at Moffett Field, California, using Landsat digital 

data. The product is a computer file from

which items can be retrieved by specifying 

latitude-longitude coordinates of an area of 

interest, or by entering an index number 

for a particular lake.

The lake surface area and any other lake 

attribute (such as depth, water quality, or 

temperature) that has been entered into 

the file will be listed. In addition, the computer can sort and display lakes by size 

classes (5-10 acres, 10-50 acres, and 

over 50 acres) and summarize surface area 

by lake classes. The lake inventory has 

been completed for nine quadrangles within the National Petroleum Reserve. Work 

on six additional quadrangles on the North 

Slope is underway.

Fuel Mapping and Monitoring for Wildlife 

Management

The National Mapping Division, the 

Bureau of Land Management, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration jointly evaluated the use of advanced 

very high resolution radiometer data for 

mapping wildland fire fuels and monitoring 

the growth of grasslands and biomass accumulation of over 9 million acres of public 

lands in northwestern Arizona. Bureau of 

Land Management fire managers require a 

low-cost, effective means of mapping fire

36
fuels for millions of acres of public lands 

and for annually monitoring fire fuel 

conditions.

A geologically referenced computer file 

was developed containing terrain information, road network, ownership, and advanced very high resolution radiometer 

data acquired on six dates in March and 

April 1982 (during the spring growth cycle 

of the grasslands). These data were processed to compute an index related to the 

greenness of vegetation. Bureau of Land 

Management personnel used resulting 

greenness images to monitor the spring 

growth patterns and the date of grassland 

maturation.

A wildland fire fuels map with 13 categories was produced from the previously 

collected advanced very high resolution 

radiometer data, digital terrain data, and 

Bureau of Land Management information 

on the area. This fuel map is being used by 

fire management officers as a base map 

for fire planning, and advanced very high 

resolution radiometer data have proved 

useful for mapping and monitoring wildland fire fuels for the Bureau of Land 

Management's National Wildfire Management Program.

37
Geologic Investigations

Mission and Outlook

During fiscal year 1983, the Geologic 

Division continued its programs to assess 

energy and mineral resources onshore and 

offshore, to identify and investigate 

geologic hazards, and to evaluate the Nation's geologic framework, the geologic 

processes that have shaped it, and their 

relationship to long-term climatic changes.

The articles in this section of the Yearbook describe some of the most significant 

accomplishments of the Geologic Division 

during fiscal year 1983. We believe that 

these articles, while representing only a 

select few of the activities of the Division, 

show how geologic research simultaneously opens new avenues in geoscience and 

provides the basic information to conduct 

missions that are central to the national 

welfare.

Major Programs

The Geologic Division program is 

presented to Congress under five major 

program headings. A discussion of accomplishments under these subactivities 

during this last fiscal year follows:

Geologic Hazards Surveys

The eruption of Kilauea Volcano in 

Hawaii, catastrophic landslides in Utah and 

California, and a damaging magnitude 6.5 

earthquake near Coalinga, California, 

focused attention in 1983 on the Survey's 

Geologic Hazards programs. In 1983, U.S. 

Geologic Survey volcanologists and seismologists accurately predicted the 

reawakening of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano; 

successfully forecast the continuing eruptions of the State of Washington's Mount 

St. Helens; and monitored seismic activity 

and ground deformation that may portend 

potential volcanic activity at Long Valley, 

California, and Mauna Loa Volcano, 

Hawaii. Survey landslide experts responded to an emergency request from the 

State of Utah to help identify and mitigate 

potentially damaging landslides triggered 

by rapid melting of a record mountain 

snowpack and locally heavy spring rains. 

One landslide near Thistle, Utah, alone

caused more than $200 million in property 

losses. The Coalinga earthquake demonstrated again the vulnerability of unreinforced masonry buildings in the United 

States to damaging earthquake ground 

motion. Survey earthquake specialists, 

studying strong ground motion accompanying the Coalinga event and similar 

data from the 1979 Imperial Valley, California, earthquake, produced mathematical 

formulae that permit the prediction of 

damaging earthquake ground motion. Efforts to accurately forecast potentially 

damaging earthquakes in California continued with the calculation of probabilities 

for earthquakes in each of the several 

parts of the San Andreas fault system. The 

first set of comprehensive earthquake 

ground-shaking hazards maps for interval 

times of 10, 50, and 250 years were 

published for the conterminous United 

States. In 1983, Survey geologists and 

seismologists also drew national attention 

to the potential for damaging earthquakes 

in the Eastern United States, for identifying 

buried active faults in the central Mississippi Valley which were probably responsible 

for the great New Madrid, Missouri, earthquakes of 1811-12, and for recognizing 

the possibility that tremors like the 

Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake of 

1886 might occur elsewhere along the 

eastern seaboard.

Land Resource Surveys

During fiscal year 1983, research within 

the varied tasks of the Geologic Framework Program contributed significantly 

towards advancing our understanding of 

the fundamental geologic framework of the 

Nation and the nature of the geologic processes that have shaped it. Multidisciplinary 

studies along geologic transects that cross 

major portions of the continent have added 

greatly to the achievement of these objectives. Research on the rapidly developing 

accreted terrane concept, wherein the 

margin of North America was formed by 

the welding together of many microcontinents, contributes to and depends upon 

results from the transect studies. These

38
studies, together with research on igneous 

terranes, geologic processes, the ages of 

rocks, and the Precambrian core of the 

United States, continue to produce numerous maps and reports that not only increase the body of scientific knowledge of 

the Nation's geologic framework but have 

immediate applied uses. These uses are 

particularly evident in evaluating the Nation's energy and mineral resources and in 

identifying and understanding geologic 

hazards. Studies conducted under the 

Climate Program are progressing towards 

understanding the natural climatic history 

of the Earth. These studies provide the 

basis for assessing the effects of man's 

activities on long- and short-term changes 

in global climate. In response to the President's Caribbean Basin Initiative, geologic 

investigations have been initiated in that 

region. These studies will contribute to the 

economic and political health of the Caribbean Basin countries in addition to advancing knowledge of the important geologic 

relationships between that region and the 

North American continent. The Geologic 

Division will continue to place heavy emphasis on basic geologic research capabilities because of the importance not only to 

the Division's other programs but also to 

the Nation and a large and growing user 

community.

Mineral Resource Surveys

During fiscal year 1983, the Geologic 

Division completed the 20-year program 

conducted jointly with the Bureau of Mines 

to assess the mineral resource potential of 

National Forest lands being considered by 

Congress for designation as Wilderness 

Areas. The results of those investigations 

were compiled in a two-volume professional paper entitled Wilderness Mineral 

Potential, which discusses nearly 800 

study areas. (Publication of this book is 

scheduled for early in fiscal year 1984.) 

Significant advances were also made in 

the analogous program which is being conducted by the Bureau of Mines and Geologic Division on behalf of the Bureau of 

Land Management. In addition, the Division completed mineral resource assessments in Montana, Idaho, and Utah under 

the Conterminous United States Mineral 

Appraisal Program.

The Division made great strides in other 

significant mineral-related research projects

during fiscal year 1983. New remote sensing techniques were developed to delineate 

zones of altered rocks associated with ore 

deposits. Genetic models of epithermal 

gold-alunite ore deposits and a number of 

new exploration techniques to aid in the 

conduct of mineral resource assessment 

activities also were developed. A prototype 

International Strategic Mineral Inventory of 

worldwide major mines and deposits of 

chromium, nickel, manganese, and phosphate was completed in cooperation with 

the Bureau of Mines and representatives of 

Canada, West Germany, Australia, and 

South Africa.

Energy Geologic Surveys

During fiscal year 1983, the Geologic 

Division completed an assessment of undiscovered potential oil and gas resources 

in all categories of Wilderness or designated Wilderness Study Lands in 11 Western States. Digital cartographic techniques 

were used by the National Mapping Division to produce base maps and to combine 

sets of geologic and geographic data for 

the final assessment products. Planning to 

provide similar assessments of oil, gas, 

and coal for all categories of federally 

owned land is underway; the actual work 

will begin in fiscal year 1984. Research 

and development continued toward the 

production of a major information base to 

be called the National Oil and Gas Information Atlas.

A major compendium of research papers 

summarizing many years of uranium studies in the Jurassic rocks of the San Juan 

Basin, New Mexico, was completed and 

prepared for publication. These studies included regional stratigraphic and sedimentologic work, compilations and interpretations of huge amounts of subsurface data, 

geochemical and petrographic examination 

into the processes of ore formation, geophysical surveys, and a new geostatistical 

approach to resource assessment.

Coal geologists of the Geologic Division 

continued to provide information on the 

geology, quantity, and quality of coal in 

support of the Department of the Interior's 

coal-leasing program for Federal lands. A 

total of 12 quadrangle folios was completed; these will be added to the growing 

base of information used in land use planning and lease-program management. The 

data, together with other information from

39
cooperating State geological surveys, further improved the capability of the National Coal Resources Data System.

Offshore Geologic Surveys

In fiscal year 1983, the Geologic Division provided substantial information in 

support of the decision process that led to 

the Presidential proclamation of the "Exclusive Economic Zone" on March 10, 

1983. A discussion of progress to date 

and projected future activities is provided 

in an essay on marine research in the "Perspectives" section of this volume. Survey 

scientists gathered new seaf loor photographs and geological samples of the area 

around the polymetallic sulfide vents at the 

southern end of the Juan de Fuca Ridge.

Sampling of the sulf ide deposits, previously done from the surface, was attempted 

on the seafloor by a joint U.S. Geological 

Survey-Geological Survey of Canada 

group using a special core drill developed 

in Canada. A side-scan sonar survey was 

conducted to obtain sea floor images of 

the Juan de Fuca and Gorda Ridges; this 

survey has added greatly to the understanding of the geology of these ocean 

spreading centers and the likely distribution of their sulf ide resources. Near the 

end of the year, the Research Vessel 

Samuel P. Lee embarked on "Operation 

Deep Sweep," a research cruise covering 

geologic framework, process, and resource 

surveys in the Arctic and Central and 

South Pacific Oceans, and the waters 

around Antarctica.

40
Petroleum Potential of 

Wilderness Lands in the 

Western United States

National concerns over sources for continuing energy supplies within the United 

States have generated a great deal of interest in the last few years with respect to 

the probable occurrence of energy and 

nonenergy resources on Federal lands that 

have limited access for exploration and 

development. As a part of the U.S. Geological Survey's continuing efforts to 

inventory the energy resources on Federal 

lands, a special investigation was conducted to assess the potential oil and gas 

resources occurring in the designated and 

proposed Wilderness Lands in the Western 

United States.

To properly assess the petroleum potential of these lands, petroleum geologists in 

the Survey conducted systematic studies 

that were based on the available geological 

and geophysical information to determine 

the geologic favorability for the occurrence 

or lack of petroleum resources in these 

Wilderness Lands.

The scope of the investigation is limited 

to conventional petroleum resources occurring in the Wilderness Lands administered 

by the Bureau of Land Management, the 

U.S. Forest Service, the National Park 

Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service. The total area of the study covers 

nearly 74 million acres of Wilderness 

Lands in Arizona, California, Colorado, 

Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, 

Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

This investigation is unique in that it is 

the first Federal program to conduct systematic geologic studies of the petroleum 

resource potential on specifically designated Federal lands and to integrate all the 

available information concerning these 

lands through the use of a computer-based 

digital cartographic data system. Map data 

portraying the boundaries of the Wilderness Lands, the terrane and underlying 

geologic structure, and previously delineated petroleum resource provinces have 

been digitized and correlated by using 

computer techniques. These data, when 

merged with data from wells drilled and 

from petroleum production on adjoining 

lands, enable the geologists to conduct a 

systematic study of each wilderness tract.

An analysis of all the geologic characteristics favorable or unfavorable for petroleum occurrence in conjunction with the 

geologic settings for the Wilderness Lands 

in the western petroleum provinces was 

performed by a team of geologists on each 

of the wilderness tracts. The geologic 

characteristics reviewed for each tract included the presence or absence of the following: adequate source beds and reservoir rocks, adequate trapping mechanisms, 

favorable thermal and maturation histories, 

presence of petroleum seeps or adjacent 

wells with oil or gas shows or actual production, and the presence of favorable 

sedimentary rock sections underlying volcanic terrane or faulted and overthrust 

areas.

The assessments of the petroleum resources on Wilderness Lands were both 

qualitative and quantitative. Each tract was 

assigned a qualitative rating describing the 

potential for the favorable occurrence of 

recoverable oil and gas resources, such as 

high, medium, low, low to zero, zero or 

unknown potential. The quantitative 

assessment was subjectively estimated 

based on the richness and the potential of 

the wilderness tracts relative to the total 

petroleum potential for the respective 

basin or province within which they 

occurred.

The results of the qualitative analysis of 

the petroleum potential of the Wilderness 

Lands are tabulated by total acreages for 

each wilderness tract as classified by its 

potential rating. These tabulations are 

reported for the Wilderness Lands by State 

and for the total Wilderness Lands in the 

11 Western States. At least 34 percent of 

the total acreage for Wilderness Lands, or 

approximately 25 million acres, has the 

geologic characteristics necessary for the 

occurrence of petroleum resources in varying amounts. An additional 33 percent of 

the Wilderness Lands may have some limited potential where small sedimentary 

areas are mixed within igneous and metamorphic terranes but are more likely to fall 

in the low to zero potential. Finally, 33 

percent of the Wilderness Lands probably 

have no petroleum potential because they 

are located in terranes with predominantly 

igneous and (or) metamorphic rocks which 

are unfavorable for the occurrence of 

petroleum.

The quantitative petroleum assessments 

for the Wilderness Lands in the Western 

United States represent a part of the total

41
estimate of the remaining undiscovered oil 

and natural gas for the 38 petroleum provinces, as defined in Survey Circular 860, 

within which the Wilderness Lands occur. 

The undiscovered recoverable oil, reported 

at the 95- and 5-percent probability levels, 

for the Wilderness Lands in the Western 

States is estimated to range from 0.555 to 

1.490 billion barrels with a mean estimate 

of 0.834 billion barrels. The undiscovered 

recoverable natural gas reported at the 

same probability levels is estimated to 

range from 5.536 to 16.639 trillion cubic 

feet with a mean estimate of 9.729 trillion 

cubic feet. For comparative purposes, the 

total undiscovered recoverable oil and 

natural gas resources estimated by the 

Geological Survey for the 38 western 

petroleum provinces in which these Wilderness Lands occur are 25 to 45 billion barrels of recoverable oil with a mean estimate of 31 billion barrels and 141 to 256 

trillion cubic feet of natural gas with a 

mean estimate of 183 trillion cubic feet. 

An estimated percentage range (reported 

at the 95- and 5-percent probability levels) 

of the amounts of petroleum resources 

within these western provinces which may 

occur within designated and proposed Wilderness Lands is 2.2 to 3.3 percent of the 

total undiscovered recoverable oil and 3.9 

to 6.5 percent of the total undiscovered 

recoverable gas.

These results have been published as 

Survey Circular 902. The circular documents the entire study: the methodology, 

procedures, and digital cartography; a 

description of the geology and geologic 

framework for each State, along with an 

explanation of the interpretative geology 

and evaluation of the petroleum potential 

within the locale of each of the wilderness 

tracts; tables and graphs of the results of 

the qualitative assessments tabulated by 

acreages; and the quantitative estimates 

reported as probability distributions.

A series of maps, one for each Western 

State, will be published separately as 

Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series 

Maps 1-1537 through 1-1547. Each 

map will show, in color and at a scale of 

1:1,000,000, the location and Bureau of 

Land Management tract identification and 

qualitative petroleum potential of the 

Wilderness Lands studied, the boundary 

locations of other major Federal and Indian 

lands, the boundaries and identification of 

the petroleum provinces, and other base 

information (see the figure). A pamphlet 

will accompany each State map describing 

the geology of the State and the local 

geology relative to the position of the 

wilderness tracts and their petroleum 

potential.

During the next several years, a similar 

program is scheduled to complete the 

petroleum resource assessments of Wilderness Lands in Alaska and other major 

Federal lands in Alaska and the Western 

United States.

42
116' 115- 110 109

48 :

46 ;

451

NATIONAL WILDERNESS LANDS 

QUALITATIVE PETROLEUM POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT

CABINET MOUNTAINS 

WILDERNESS

GREAT BEAR WILDERNESS SWEETGRASS ARCH

BOB MARSHMC WILDERNESS

MONTANA OVERTHRUST BELT

.Helena EXPLANATION

ANACONDA PINTLAR 

WILDERNESS

Butte

SOUTHWESTERN 

MONTANA

RESOURCE ASSESSMENT PROVINCES 

Province boundaries

10 20 30 40 50 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 50 KILOMETERS

ABSAROKA BEARTOOTH 

WILDERNESS

Base map and wilderness information from 

Bureau of Land Management, June 1981

The petroleum potential of 

Wilderness Lands in the 

western portion of Montana.

43
National Coal Resource Data System

44

Immediately following the oil embargo of 

1973, the United States moved rapidly to 

increase the use of alternative sources of 

energy. During the balance of the 1970's, 

a significant amount of new exploration for 

coal resources was accomplished under 

various governmental and industrial programs designed to accelerate development 

of the Nation's vast reserves of this fuel. 

In 1974, the U.S. Geological Survey 

began the development of the National 

Coal Resources Data System to provide a 

central repository for all previously acquired public coal data as well as for additional data acquired in the future. It is a 

user-oriented computerized data system 

for the inventory and analysis of the Nation's coal resources. The system also is 

designed to summarize data on coal resources and to make these data accessible 

to a large audience in a standardized format so that they can be used in formulating and implementing the Nation's 

energy policy.

The coal resources of the United States 

are large, and the task to assess them is 

challenging. Current estimates indicate 

that there are nearly 4 trillion short tons of 

coal in the United States; however, less 

than one-half have been identified by 

systematic mapping and exploration. The 

existence of the remainder is extrapolated 

from current data. In addition, the coal 

resource information included in existing 

summaries is often inadequate because of 

outdated information, lack of uniform 

standards, insufficient detail, and lack of 

data. The scope and complexity of the 

task to create a modern U.S. coal resource 

assessment are clear from the following 

facts: coal-bearing rocks underlie approximately 13 percent of the land area in the 

United States, the strata may contain more 

than 50 coalbeds or zones at depths of 

6,000 or more feet, and the geological 

structure ranges from regular and flat lying 

to highly folded and faulted.

The system is designed to be openended so that it can accommodate growth 

in quantity and type of data stored and in 

facilities to make these data accessible. 

Presently, the goal of developing a system 

that can statistically, tabularly, and 

graphically analyze coal data has been 

met. The major goal to calculate coal resources according to the approved methods of the Geological Survey has also been 

attained.

Research and development on the system has also provided tools which can be 

and are applied to available data for other 

research and planning needs; for example, 

capabilities of the data system can be used 

to study geochemical constituents and the 

shape, size, and distribution of coal and 

overburden layers for use in making 

models of coal occurrence. The system 

also improves prediction of additional coal 

resources in unexplored areas and can aid 

in mine reclamation plans.

Data from the various parts of the system may be integrated to demonstrate the 

relationship of several different elements; 

for example, trace element and petrologic 

data can be overlayed with stratigraphic 

data to generate prediction models for coal 

quality variation on a bed or multiple bed 

basis. These facilities allow integration of 

quantity and quality data for coal resource 

assessments. Coal quality data (such as 

sulfur content) are essential to decisionmakers who must assess the environmental impact of coal mining and use. As 

the data base grows, it is expected to be 

of considerable value in industry planning 

for exploration and development of new 

resources.

The problem of assessing the Nation's 

coal resources is a multifaceted one with 

efforts from many contributors aiding in 

the solution. Coordination between groups 

within and external to the Geological 

Survey has been of great value. Substantial contributions have been made by the 

Information Systems and National Mapping 

Divisions. To augment the Federal coalmapping/data-gathering programs, the expertise available in State geological agencies has been used to carry out a large 

part of the data collection. At this time, 

the Survey is funding 18 State geological 

agencies or universities to collect and submit available coal resource-related data for 

entry into the NCRDS. For the majority of 

the States, this is a 5-year program. As of 

September 1983, information on approximately 65,000 drill holes or outcrop 

observations have been entered into the 

system.

The U.S. Geological Survey is firmly 

committed to the continued improvement 

of the National Coal Resources Data System to serve current and future needs for 

U.S. coal resource assessment.
Landslide Crisis in Utah

Heavy precipitation in Utah during the 

1982 83 winter season, beginning with 

a major storm in September 1982, produced a near record snowpack in the 

higher elevations. Rapid melting combined 

with spring snow and rainstorms triggered 

damaging debris flows and landslides in 

unprecedented numbers.

The U.S. Geological Survey responded 

to requests from the Utah Geological and 

Mineral Survey and the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency for geological help in 

the emergency response to the landsliding. 

During the period of this emergency, eight 

geologists and engineers with support staff 

from the Survey's regional centers in Denver and Menlo Park and from the University 

of Cincinnati and the Los Angeles County 

Flood Control District provided various 

types of technical assistance. This team 

provided assessments of threats to life and 

property from different types of landslides 

between mid-April and mid-June 1983 and 

evaluated potential problems that could be 

triggered by future cloudbursts.

The first indications of impending problems materialized with the reactivation of a 

large (106-million-cubic-foot) landslide 

near Thistle, Utah. The landslide blocked 

Spanish Fork Canyon which created a 

large lake and cut off a major transcontinental railroad line and highway access to 

central Utah which prevented shipment of 

coal and other supplies; costs of damage 

have exceeded $ 100 million. The Survey 

responded to a request from the Utah 

Survey to provide assessments of the landslide conditions at Thistle and a detailed 

map of the bedrock geology in the vicinity 

of the landslide. The geologic map, published by the Utah Survey, has been useful 

in selecting routes for bypass tunnels for 

the railroad and for estimating tunneling 

conditions.

Toward the end of May, a week of very 

warm weather accelerated melting of the 

snowpack triggering numerous landslides 

in the Wasatch Mountains and Wasatch 

Plateau that mobilized into debris flows. 

North of Salt Lake City, debris flows 

crashed into the communities of Bountiful 

and Farmington, destroying homes and 

forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Geologists from the Geological 

Survey assisted the Utah Survey in hazard 

appraisals in areas of population concentration. The lack of fatalities caused by 

landsliding was due in large part to the 

well-organized response of the Utah

Survey in directing repeated evaluations of 

hazards in critical areas and to cooperation 

with appropriate local, State, and Federal 

emergency management agencies.

Two other potential disasters involved 

reservoirs in the Wasatch Plateau that 

could have been breached or partly filled 

by landslides, releasing a wall of water 

that would probably have caused extensive damage in communities downstream. 

One of the reservoirs was partially drained 

and the other was closely monitored to 

make certain that the hazard did not 

become worse. Other problems involved 

the potential for landslides blocking creeks 

and forming dams which, if breached, 

would release a large volume of water and 

debris in a short time. Still other problems 

involved landslides that disrupted road systems and water supplies.

After the most pressing emergency 

situations had abated, the Utah Survey 

asked the Geological Survey to determine 

whether additional landslide disasters were 

in the early stages of formation in other 

areas of the State and which areas in the 

State should be photographed for shortand long-term assessment of landslide 

potential. One major problem was the need 

to cover 82,000 square miles in a short 

time with limited funds and manpower. To 

make the most rapid survey possible, two 

geologists rode in a light aircraft, one of 

them plotting areas of landsliding on a 

1:100,000-scale topographic map and the 

other taking pictures of these areas and 

describing the localities in a tape recorder. 

At the end of 4 days, a 1:500,000-scale 

map was prepared showing all the known 

landslide areas along with an evaluation of 

which areas seemed to be highest in priority for immediate hazard assessment on 

the ground and for longer term landslide 

assessment using vertical aerial 

photography.

Another major problem was to determine 

the hazard represented by partly detached 

landslides that occupied valleys upstream 

from several communities north of Salt 

Lake City. The concern was that, during 

summer rainstorms, these landslides could 

become debris flows, which would be similar to the destructive ones of May and 

June. Although geologists and engineers 

are able to predict the stability of a particular hillside if information on the strength, 

volume, and geometry of the materials are 

known, the prediction of mobilization into 

a debris flow is still a research problem.

46
Large landslide near Thistle, 

Utah, blocking U.S. Highway 

89 and a major transcontinental railroad line.

(Photograph, courtesy of U.S. Forest Service.)

46
The problem is even more difficult in making regional predictions of debris flow 

activity. Five geologists and engineers 

were assigned the task of designing a 

method to make such regional predictions. 

The clues for solving the problem came 

from understanding the behavior of debris 

flows that occurred during the past spring. 

The volume of the landslide material that 

mobilized or could be mobilized, the average gradient of the stream channel, and 

the presence or absence of historic and 

prehistoric debris flows in a canyon system seemed to be the most important factors, apart from the water needed to 

mobilize the material. This information was 

determined for 24 canyons from Salt Lake 

City north to Willard, and a map was made 

to show the relative potential for debris

flows reaching the mouth of each canyon. 

For those canyons with very high potential, one of the engineers made recommendations for methods of mitigating the 

debris flows after they emerged from the 

canyon mouths and extended into communities below.

The causes and mechanism of the unprecedented landslide activity are being investigated by the Geological Survey. The 

problem of high ground water triggering 

reactivation of old landslides is being studied at two landslides on the Wasatch 

Plateau. The team of scientists is also 

analyzing the runout patterns of debris 

flows in areas where flows have not been 

interupted or influenced by manmade 

structures to formulate a method to predict 

runout distances.

47
Eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Kilauea Volcano began a major eruption 

on January 3, 1983. It was not unexpected; the weekly forecast of eruption 

probability issued on December 30,1982, 

based on the state of strain of Kilauea's 

summit area, indicated that the likelihood 

of an eruption during the period of December 30 to January 5 was nearly double the 

average long-term probability.

Just past midnight on the morning of 

January 2, a major earthquake swarm and 

harmonic tremor set off the seismic alarm 

that sent the staff of the U.S. Geological 

Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory 

rushing to the observatory to see what the 

monitoring instruments were showing. 

Three to five small, generally unfelt earthquakes were occurring every minute at 

shallow depths beneath the upper east 

flank of Kilauea along a zone of weakness 

known as the east rift. The earthquakes 

were accompanied by harmonic tremor on 

the summit and east rift seismographs, indicating that magma (molten rock) was on 

the move through underground fractures. 

After 1:00 a.m. the earthquake swarm increased, and several quakes of magnitude 

2.5 to 3.0 were felt by local residents.

Another clue to what was happening 

underground became evident just after 

2:00 a.m. as recording tiltmeters began to 

show rapid subsidence of the summit of 

Kilauea, amounting to 7 inches in the next 

24 hours. A tiltmeter is an instrument that 

can measure changes in inclination as 

small as one part per million. All signs indicated that a major new fracture was 

forming beneath the surface on the east 

flank of Kilauea and that magma from 

beneath the summit of Kilauea was moving 

into this newly forming, but still hidden, 

crack. During the day of January 2, the 

earthquake swarm beneath the flank of 

Kilauea slowly migrated about 5 miles farther down the east rift zone indicating that 

the underground fracture was still extending eastward. Geologists in the field 

moved down the surface of the rift zone 

hoping to be at the location of any breakout of the fracture to the surface.

They were not disappointed; at 12:31 

a.m. on January 3, 24 hours after the 

underground movement of magma began,

lava burst to the surface in a remote area 

on the flank of Kilauea Volcano near an old 

crater on the rift zone. The erupting fissures rapidly extended until they were 

about 5 miles long and produced a line of 

incandescent lava fountains called a curtain of fire.

The eruption continued intermittently 

through mid-January with high rates of 

lava emission on January 7 that fed a major lava flow. This flow moved 4 miles in 5 

hours towards the relatively undeveloped 

Royal Gardens subdivision of house lots. 

This first threat to Royal Gardens was 

perhaps a warning of destruction yet to 

come.

The eruption paused until late February 

as the magma reservoir beneath the summit of Kilauea slowly refilled. Evidence for 

this recharge came from the recording tiltmeters which showed the summit to be 

slowly swelling upward after its rapid subsidence during January's emission of lava. 

When enough pressure was regained in the 

molten rock beneath the summit, the flank 

eruption was renewed. No new swarms of 

earthquakes occurred, indicating that the 

same fracture system was acting as the 

magma conduit for the eruption.

Five more major eruptive phases have 

occurred to date (July 27, 1983) late February to early March, late March to early 

April, mid-June, late June to early July, 

and late July. Each of these phases has 

erupted from vents on the fracture system 

in the roadless and trailless fern forest of 

the middle east rift zone of Kilauea. They 

have produced spectacular lava fountains, 

and four phases also have fed 5- to 6-milelong lava flows that have invaded the 

Royal Gardens subdivision. These thick, 

relatively slow-moving lava flows move 

through the forest-covered slopes of the 

south flank of Kilauea at speeds that average 3 feet per minute with surges in speed 

up to 100 feet per minute. They utterly 

destroy everything in their path and, so 

far, have consumed 16 dwellings and covered 330 houselots in the subdivision.

This eruption is already one of the longest lasting rift-zone eruptions in Kilauea's 

recorded history, and most indications suggest that it is not over.
Lava flows in March, April, 

June, and July 1983 destroyed 16 dwellings and 

covered 330 house lots in 

the Royal Gardens subdivision on the Island of Hawaii. 

(Aerialphotograph by J. D. 

GriggsJ

River of molten lava pours 

down the south flank of 

Kilauea Volcano on Jury 1, 

1983. The eruption vents 

along the east rift zone are 

visible on the horizon. (Aerial 

photograph by J. D. Griggs)

49
The 1983 Earthquake Sequence 

Near Coalinga, California

Figure 1. Damage to older 

unreinforced masonry 

building, Coalinga.

On May 2, 1983, the town of Coalinga, 

California, was heavily damaged by an 

earthquake that was centered about 8 

miles northeast of town. The earthquake 

measured 6.5 on the Richter scale and 

was felt as far away as Las Vegas, Carson 

City, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Estimates by the Office of Emergency Services 

indicate that shaking from the earthquake 

caused approximately $31 million damage 

in Coalinga, making this the most damaging earthquake in California since the San 

Fernando earthquake of 1971. Damage 

was most severe to older unreinforced 

masonry buildings (fig. 1) and some older 

wood framed residences. Newer buildings 

of nearly all construction types, both 

within and outside of the downtown area, 

suffered much less damage. The extensive 

damage generated by the earthquake in 

Coalinga reemphasized the seismic vulnerability of older unreinforced masonry structures with the sobering realization that 

most older California communities contain

many such structures. In the event of 

larger earthquakes along other portions of 

the San Andreas fault system, the 

amounts of damage to life and property 

could approach catastrophic proportions.

Seismic data continuously transmitted 

via telephone and radio from the Survey's 

California Seismographic Network together 

with automatic computer analyses of the 

incoming data provided accurate locations 

within minutes of the occurrence of the 

mainshock and its more than 6,000 aftershocks. Information collected from this 

network suggests that the Coalinga earthquake sequence was the result of seismogenic failure in a portion of the Earth's 

crust outlined by previous earthquake sequences. The seismic gap filled in by the 

Coalinga earthquake sequence and the 

previous earthquake sequences is illustrated in figure 2.

Precise elevation measurements and 

analyses of seismic data suggest that the 

Coalinga mainshock occurred along the

50
Anticline Ridge fault with the result that 

after the earthquake, the region northeast 

of the fault was elevated by about 16 

inches and the area to the southwest lowered by about 6 inches.

Of the more than 6,000 aftershocks 

which have occurred in the Coalinga 

region, six were larger than magnitude 

5.0, with five of these on the nearby 

Nunez fault. Surface rupture along the 

Nunez fault began on June 11 with a magnitude 5.2 aftershock. Subsequent aftershocks lengthened and enlarged the rupture so that it now extends for about 2 

miles and has a maximum vertical displacement of over 23 inches.

37 15.00

CD

Strong-motion instrumentation operated 

by Survey as part of the U.S. National 

Strong-Motion Network has provided 

numerous recordings of the damaging 

levels of ground shaking generated by the 

mainshock and subsequent aftershocks. 

This information, crucial for earthquakeresistant design analyses and description 

of the nature of seismogenic crustal failure 

in the region, was recorded on conventional photographic film recorders as well 

as newly developed computerized recording systems which provide data of exceptional quality, such as the General Earthquake Observation System (GEOS). Such 

recordings show significant geographic

37 15.00

35 45.00 35 45.00

in Figure 2.- Previous earthquake sequences and 

seismic gap filled in by 

the Coalinga earthquake 

sequence.

51
variations in the amplitude and frequency 

content of ground shaking that can be 

used to study the characteristics of 

damaging levels of strong ground shaking.

Aftershock recordings obtained in the 

town of Coalinga, which is located in an 

alluvium-filled valley, and at nearby sites 

located on bedrock, suggest that certain 

frequencies of shaking were considerably 

larger in Coalinga than at bedrock sites 

less than 2.5 miles away (fig. 3). This 

increased shaking due to the alluvium 

beneath Coalinga may have contributed to 

the significant damage caused by the 

mainshock.

Additional scientific investigations have 

provided a preliminary estimate of the rate

of offset along the Anticline Ridge fault. 

Scientists have found an area where the 

ground surface is upwarped and incised by 

small creeks. Determination of the age of 

the upwarped ground surface suggests 

that there is a 0.2 inch per year uplift rate 

for the area over about the last 2,500 

years. The repeat time for similar earthquakes along the Anticline Ridge fault has 

been estimated at about one event every 

350 years. Similar geologic and tectonic 

settings for other regions along the west 

side of San Joaquin Valley suggest that 

similar earthquakes could also occur in 

these regions.

Figure 3. East-west components of ground velocity 

recorded at five GEOS locations from a magnitude 4.3 

aftershock

52
Earthquakes in the Eastern United States

Earthquakes are about 10 times more 

common in southern California than they 

are in the Eastern United States. However, 

damaging earthquakes do constitute a significant hazard in the Eastern United 

States. Historic examples of violent 

eastern earthquakes occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, on August 31, 1886, 

and in the New Madrid, Missouri, area in 

the winter of 1811-12. Extensive 

damage and 60 deaths were caused by 

the South Carolina event, and widespread 

dislocation of the ground surface occurred 

in the Mississippi River Valley area. These 

earthquakes were felt over much of the 

Eastern United States as is characteristic 

of major eastern events. Intensities registering VI and higher on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MM) were observed 

across several Eastern States in 1811 and 

1886.

For the past decade, the U.S. Geological 

Survey has focused research on understanding the origins of eastern seismicity. 

One natural target for these investigations 

has been the Charleston area which experienced the 1886 event (MM X) and which 

continues to experience seismicity. A major 

multidisciplinary research program has significantly increased the understanding of 

Charleston seismicity and its regional tectonic setting. Results of this study are described in Professional Paper 1313, Studies

 UK

Related to the Charleston, South Carolina, 

Earthquake of 1886. Because several competing hypotheses exist to explain the 

specific tectonic origin of Charleston 

seismicity, resolution of these hypotheses 

into a workable seismotectonic model remains an important research goal. Although 

it is recognized that the Charleston area 

remains a likely area for future large earthquakes, the probability of such events elsewhere along the east coast has also been 

addressed. Although there is no recent or 

historic evidence for strong earthquakes 

elsewhere in the East, the fact that most 

tectonic elements of the Charleston area 

are similar to those in other parts of the 

East allows for the possibility that major 

earthquakes with long recurrence intervals 

may occur elsewhere in the region. A full 

understanding of the cause of 1886 Charleston earthquake within the regional tectonic framework is important to understanding the likelihood of strong earthquakes 

throughout the East.

In May 1983, a conference, The 1886 

Charleston Earthquake and Its Implications 

for Today, gave scientists and individuals 

having diverse backgrounds in government, academia, and the private sector an 

opportunity to discuss what is known and 

what still needs to be known about the 

historic Charleston earthquake. The conference participants also discussed exGoose Creek church. 

Charleston, South Carolina, 

after earthquake of 1886.

53
periments for resolving hypotheses about 

the tectonic origin of the 1886 earthquake 

and developed measures for reducing the 

destruction from future earthquakes. They 

agreed on a plan for continued cooperative 

research and hazard mitigation measures in 

the East. First, the recently formed South 

Carolina Seismic Safety Consortium and 

the South Carolina Geological Survey were 

strongly encouraged to continue their efforts to heighten public and governmental 

awareness and preparedness for possible 

future Charleston-type earthquakes. Second, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

received technical guidance for formulating 

future research priorities related to its 

regulatory function. Third, the U.S. Geological Survey was encouraged to continue 

its integrated research plan with emphasis 

on refinement and resolution of the existing seismotectonic models. Continuing 

cooperative efforts among all the groups 

concerned with earthquake activity in the 

area is essential to build public concern 

and to provide accurate scientific information for dealing with problems related to 

earthquakes.

Warehouse, Charleston, South 

Carolina, after earthquake of 

1886.

54
Strategic and Critical Minerals Potential Supply 

Problems and New Research Directions

Figure 1. U.S. dependency 

on selected nonfuel 

minerals.

In 1979, civil war in Zaire spurred industry fears of a supply interruption and 

resulted in an eightfold explosion to as 

much as $50 per pound in the spot market 

price of cobalt, a metal that imparts hightemperature strength to ferroalloys and is 

used extensively in jet engines and for 

super magnets. The cobalt crisis was short 

lived, but it indicates how sensitive the 

world metal market is to threats of supply 

disruption. Many industrialized nations lack 

not only cobalt but a wide variety of minerals. Figure 1 shows that the United 

States is strongly dependent on imports 

for a large proportion of its mineral needs 

and that the sources of some of these 

materials may be vulnerable to political, 

economic, or even military disruption. 

Those minerals which are essential to our 

Nation's economic well being and military 

security and for which domestic or secure 

foreign sources are not assured are termed 

critical and strategic. The United States 

has not always been an import-dependent 

nation; indeed, within the last century, the 

United States was, for a brief time, a 

world leader in the production of such 

now-strategic commodities as chromium,

nickel, cobalt, and aluminum. However, as 

industrial demands have multiplied, as 

domestic deposits have been depleted, 

and as richer deposits in foreign lands 

have become developed, the United States 

steadily moved toward an importer status. 

Since the Second World War, a number 

of major domestic mining districts have 

closed, and the steady trend of increasing 

dependence on foreign suppliers shows 

that the slack has not been taken up by 

new domestic producers. Among those 

districts closed are Bunker Hill, Idaho (lead, 

zinc, silver), Butte, Montana (copper, 

silver), Keewenaw, Michigan (copper), and 

Ducktown, Tennessee (sulfur).

The closing of these mines has encouraged a widespread perception among persons outside of the minerals community 

that the United States is thoroughly explored and that no new mineral deposits 

remain to be discovered, but recent experience demonstrates that this is far from 

correct, as a few examples demonstrate: 

 Within the last 30 years, the world's 

largest lead deposit (Viburnum, Missouri) has been discovered and put 

into intensive operation; it now yields

COMMODITY

0 10 20 30 40 50 6.0 70 8.0 90 1.00%

ADEQUACY OF U.S. RESERVES 

for cumulative U.S. demand 

1982-2000

Canada. New Caledonia

Sources In red are subject to potent'

MAJOR FOREIGN SOURCE

55
about 90 percent of the Nation's lead 

production. Continued exploration is 

locating more and more mineralization 

in this area.

 A dozen or more substantial gold

deposits have been discovered in the 

Great Basin (principally Nevada). 

These are an unusual, low-grade, 

large-tonnage type only recently recognized as having economic potential.

 Large deposits of copper and zinc have 

been discovered at Crandon, Wisconsin, and Bald Mountain, Maine.

 A recently discovered extensive zone of 

platinum metals in the Stillwater complex of Montana is probably the 

world's second largest deposit (after 

the Merensky reef deposit in the Bushveld complex of the Republic of South 

Africa).

 The Brooks Range in Alaska is the site 

of two large new, and as yet undeveloped, deposits, Arctic Camp (copper 

and zinc) and Red Dog (zinc). 

Although there has been a continuing 

flow of new discoveries, the levels of exploration, discovery and development have 

lessened, reflecting a decline in the health 

of the industry and a gradual reduction of 

good exploration targets. Furthermore, 

despite some success in finding additional 

ore deposits of the types already known to 

be present, the platinum find in the Stillwater, Montana, and the nickel find at 

Brady Glacier, Alaska, are the only major 

discoveries of minerals high on the strategic and critical list. Chromium, manganese, cobalt, tin, aluminum, tantalum, and 

many others still are predominantly imported, and some of the supplies may not 

be dependable in the future. To assure that 

the Nation is in the best possible position 

with respect to minerals, the Geological 

Survey's program of basic mineral research 

is now focused on strategic and critical 

minerals. Three main elements comprise 

this program: systematic local and regional 

mineral surveys, investigations of the 

geologic controls on mineralization, and 

establishment and maintenance of the data 

base concerning the geologic availability of 

minerals at home and abroad.

Mineral Surveys

Three general components of regional 

mineral mapping are included within this 

program: Conterminous U.S. Mineral Assessment Program (CUSMAP), in which

large areas are mapped at a scale of 1 inch 

equals 4 miles in blocks of about 8,000 

square miles each (1 latitude by 2 longitude) (fig. 2). The 48 conterminous States 

contain about 1 50 such quadrangles 

which are favorable for the occurrence of 

strategic and critical minerals. Eleven of 

these have been assessed since the program began in 1977, and 12 more quadrangles are in progress. Studies include 

geologic mapping; geochemical sampling 

of stream sediments, soils and rocks; and 

geophysical investigations. This work provides a basis to delineate certain areas as 

having potential for mineral deposits; 

because different geologic settings possess different probabilities for the occurrence of different minerals (for example, 

lead and zinc are often found in dolomitized carbonate rocks, whereas uranium 

occurs in sandstones), the resulting 

mineral assessment map may be highly 

complex with several kinds of potential 

indicated. Priorities for the study of 

CUSMAP quadrangles are assigned on the 

basis of the amount of Federal land to be 

assessed, the level of previously known 

mineral potential, the probability that the 

study will identify significant mineral 

potential, and interest from States and 

from other Federal agencies.

In Alaska, a similar program called Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program 

(AMRAP) is systematically covering the 

State (fig. 3). Difficulty of access is a 

severe problem in many parts of Alaska, 

but, nevertheless, about 41 percent of the 

quadrangles containing significant mineralization in the State have been mapped and 

assessed thus far.

Under the provisions of the Wilderness 

Act of 1964, Public Law 88-577, and 

the Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act of 1976, Public Law 94-579, the 

Geological Survey, in cooperation with the 

Bureau of Mines, conducts mineral surveys 

of certain lands designated and considered 

for incorporation into the National Wilderness Preservation System. Since the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964, about 

800 tracts of Forest Service lands totalling 

more than 42 million acres have been assessed, and, since 1978, 36 tracts under 

Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction 

totalling about 3 million acres have been 

studied, with emphasis on strategic and 

critical minerals. Where practical, such 

tracts have been integrated into the 

CUSMAP and AMRAP programs, but, in

56
general, the level of detail and amount of 

time spent per unit area is greater for the 

wilderness studies than for CUSMAP or 

AMRAP.

Mineral Deposit Research

Most mineral deposits that are exposed 

at the surface have been recognized by 

prospectors, but a large fraction of deposits are either concealed or have only an 

uneconomic fringe visible. Thus, a key element in the transition from the physical 

description of the ground, in the form of a 

geologic map, to the mineral assessment is 

the ability to recognize the possibility or

probability for a given type of mineralization to occur in a given geologic setting. 

The basic tool for this is the comparison of 

the tract with similar tracts known to be 

mineralized so that the geologic clues to 

mineralization can be recognized and interpreted. Studies of known mineral deposits 

are key factors in support of the assessment activity. These studies must include 

detailed field and laboratory investigations 

of mines and prospects and an interpretive 

synthesis leading to predictive models for 

mineral deposits. Use of these models can 

lead to discovery of new resources in 

previously unexplored parts of the United 

States as well as expanding the identified 

reserves in recognized mining districts.

Figure 2. Status of the 

Conterminous United States 

Mineral Assessment 

Program.

FOLIO PUBLISHED OR IN PRESS

FOLIO IN PREPARATION

FIELD WORK IN PROGRESS
70°____174° 171° i&B" 165" 162°_____ '50° 147 1" 144° U1 :

ALASKA 

EXPLANATION

PRIORITY QUADRANGLES TENTATIVELY 

SCHEDULED TO BEGIN 1984 TO 1990

Figure 3. Status of the 

Alaska Mineral Resource 

Assessment Program.

58
Geologic Availability of Minerals

To keep track of the amount and distribution of mineral resources within the United 

States and to promote the adequacy and 

certainty of access to resources from 

foreign sources, the Geological Survey carries out several mutually complementary 

activities. Each of the major mineral commodities is assigned to an experienced 

earth scientist whose duty it is to acquire 

and maintain a thorough understanding of 

the national and international resource information for that specific mineral or material. 

These mineral commodity experts constitute a valuable source of resource information to answer direct inquiries from the 

private and public sectors. In addition, the 

amount and distribution of resources by 

geographic region is compiled and used 

through a recently revised computerized 

mineral and geologic data system which 

possesses over 60,000 entries. To improve 

our knowledge of foreign supplies and 

potential supplies, the Geological Survey is 

cooperating with the State Department and 

many agencies of foreign governments to 

develop improved resource information and 

evaluate worldwide nonfuel mineral 

resource potential and to keep track of 

international exploration activities. Survey

foreign activites are directed especially 

toward identification of alternate and more 

secure sources of the strategic minerals 

needed by the United States.

In summary, the Geological Survey is attacking the increasingly difficult problem of 

United States critical minerals import dependency by systematic mineral surveys to 

identify domestic mineral resource potential, 

mineral deposit research that can lead to 

the discovery of new types of deposits in 

hitherto unexplored parts of the United 

States and expanding known resources in 

recognized mining districts, and resource 

data services in the form of mineral commodity experts and an international computerized mineral resources data base. 

These activities are continuing programs 

that constitute a significant part of the 

Geological Survey's responsibilities as mandated by the Organic Act of 1879. Because 

of long experience in these activities, the 

Geological Survey has been able to quickly 

focus on strategic and critical mineral problems to support the President's National 

Materials and Minerals Program Plan that 

was released in April 1982. By these activities, the Geological Survey can help 

identify new domestic mineral resources 

and more secure foreign sources, as well as 

provide resource information to support 

land and mineral policy decisionmaking.

59
Climate Change

Most people are very much aware of the 

unusual weather that occurred during the 

last year. For example, record snows in 

the Midwest followed by early spring 

thaws and heavy spring rains caused 

flooding in a number of places such as Salt 

Lake City, Utah, and parts of the Southeastern United States. However, different 

types of geologic studies demonstrate that 

climate varies over a wide range of time 

scales from decades to millenia and that 

the climate changes experienced by 

modern man represent relatively minor 

wiggles superimposed on larger scale climatic fluctuations. Geologists are actively 

involved in the study of ancient climates 

(or paleoclimates) because much geologic 

data such as associations of fossils, structure and composition of sediments, and 

the occurrence of features directly related 

to glacial processes can provide information on past climates that extends beyond 

the historical records of man. Such information is essential for understanding current climate and for predicting future 

climate change.

The water-level fluctuations of ancient 

Searles Lake, California, shown in the 

figure, represent one kind of paleoclimate 

record. Although now dry, Searles Lake 

was one of about 100 lakes in the Great 

Basin that extend from the Sierra Nevada 

of California to the Wasatch Mountains of 

Utah. These lakes, which were developed 

in closed basins, are called pluvial lakes 

(rain lakes) because their water-level 

changes dramatically with changing 

climate. During times of cool and wet 

climate, the pluvial lakes expand, whereas 

during times of warm and dry climate, they

800

DO U)

 £ 700 -

shrink. Through studies of the geology of 

Searles Valley and cores from ancient 

Searles Lake, U.S. Geological Survey 

scientists have been able to reconstruct 

the history of Searles Lake for the last 

30,000 years.

The figure shows that Searles Lake has 

remained dry or at a relatively low level for 

the last 10,000 years. In contrast, from 

10,000 to 30,000 years before present, 

the level of ancient Searles Lake was generally much higher, and extreme rapid fluctuations in the level of the lake occurred 

frequently. Between 1 5,000 and 20,000 

years before present, the lake level rose 

high enough to flow over the valley rim into the next lower basin. Because changes 

in the lake level reflect changes in climate, 

we infer that warm, dry, and relatively 

stable climates of the past 10,000 years 

were preceded by a period of cold and wet 

and more variable climates.

The modern and ancient record of 

Searles Lake generally matches the history 

of lake levels determined from many other 

pluvial lakes in the Great Basin. For example, when Searles Lake was overflowing 

its basin between 1 5,000 and 20,000 

years before present, Great Salt Lake was 

greatly expanded and formed part of a 

huge lake called Lake Bonneville which 

covered an area of about 19,300 square 

miles, 1 7,000 square miles larger than the 

present Great Salt Lake.

A wide variety of paleoclimate studies 

indicate that climate has fluctuated 

regularly in the past; these studies also 

show that climates as warm as the last

cc. z D -

. O tfs

Water-level fluctuations of 

ancient Searles Lake, 

California.

600

500

400

10 15 20 

THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE PRESENT

25 30

60
10,000 years have only occurred about 5 

percent of the time in the last 700,000 

years. Therefore, we are currently in a 

time of abnormally warm and equitable 

climate, and, unless man's activities 

change the natural system, we expect to 

see a change to cooler and more variable 

climates in the (geologically) near future.

Scientists of the Geological Survey continue to investigate the long-term natural 

variability of climate because this information is necessary both to assess the influence of man's activities on climate and 

to predict the consequences of future 

natural, or man-induced, climate change on 

the Nation's resources. In addition, as part 

of the Nation's effort to understand 

climate and climate change as they relate 

to national goals and needs, the U.S. 

Geological Survey provides essential information on paleoclimates to the National 

Climate Program.

Winter sediment-coring 

operations on St. Michael 

Island, Alaska. Analysis 

of fossils in cores provides 

data for reconstructing 

climatic history.

61
Puerto Rico: A Key to the Caribbean Basin

The U.S. Geological Survey's first major 

program in the Caribbean basin was aimed 

at providing economic assistance to the 

Government of Puerto Rico through an 

assessment of the mineral resources of the 

island. Shortly after the program began in 

1952, FORMENTO, the Puerto Rican 

Industrial Development Corporation, and 

scientists of the Geological Survey realized 

that basic geologic data upon which to 

make a mineral resource assessment for 

Puerto Rico were lacking. The Geological 

Survey scientists began a program of 

detailed basic geologic mapping of the 

island to provide the necessary framework 

for ongoing and future mineral resource 

studies.

The change in orientation from an economic mineral resource assessment program to a program combining basic geologic mapping with resource assessment 

resulted in a detailed study of the entire 

island and involved a wide range of 

Geological Survey talent. The 62 detailed 

(1:20,000 scale) geologic maps produced 

over the 31 -year history of the project 

have transformed Puerto Rico from one of 

the geologically least known to one of the 

most thoroughly known terranes in the 

world. The recently completed Geologic 

Map of Puerto Rico (1:100,000 scale) 

combines the essentials of the original 62 

detailed geologic maps with modern 

interpretations made in light of current 

geologic theory into a convenient single 

map. The detailed maps and the regional 

map form a basis for further studies in 

metallic and nonmetallic mineral resource 

assessment and for studies of geologic 

hazards such as unstable ground and 

earthquakes.

Puerto Rico, like the other islands of the 

Greater Antilles, Cuba, Hispaniola, and 

Jamaica, originally formed along a belt of 

submarine volcanoes that later were raised 

above the sea in the form of an island arc. 

The oldest rocks of the island arc are at 

least 110 million years old, whereas the 

youngest volcanic rocks are about 38 million years old. The oldest volcanic rocks 

consist chiefly of lava flows that in surface 

exposures often resemble masses of irregularly piled pillows. The pillow lavas, along

with glassy brecciated rocks were produced by sudden quenching and fracturing 

of molten lava by sea water. Evidence that 

the lavas were formed in part above, or 

very near, the sea surface comes from the 

presence of shallow-water clamlike fossils 

in sandstone and limestone beds interlayered with the volcanic rocks. These 

older volcanic rocks (fig. 1) characteristically show chemical peculiarities that distinguish them from other island-arc volcanic rocks. They contain relatively little 

potassium, rubidium, thorium, and uranium 

and are classified as primitive island arc 

rocks. The younger volcanic rocks of Puerto Rico formed as lava flows, tuff, and 

volcanic breccia produced by explosive 

and quiet eruptions of lava or as debris 

derived from the erosion of volcanic rocks 

exposed at the surface. These more 

evolved island-arc rocks are chemically 

distinct from those of the primitive island 

arc because of their greatly increased 

potassium content in relation to calcium 

and sodium. Intrusive rocks which gave 

rise to these younger rocks are known to 

contain copper deposits, and recent preliminary evidence suggests that they may 

also contain gold deposits.

Geologists had generally assumed that 

Puerto Rico and other islands of the 

Greater Antilles were formed in their present positions or possibly on the western 

margin of the Caribbean basin near the 

present position of Panama, Costa Rica, 

and Nicaragua. Recently completed work 

on rock magnetism indicates, instead, that 

Puerto Rico and probably the other islands 

of the Greater Antilles formed at the 

latitude of present-day Peru and Ecuador 

and that they moved into the Caribbean 

basin at some time in the last 38 million 

years.

An understanding of the basic geologic 

framework of Puerto Rico is fundamental 

to future mineral resource assessment of 

the island, particularly in regard to predictive resource estimates for copper, gold, 

and phosphate rock used for fertilizer and 

to the expected incidence and potential 

severity of geologic hazards such as earthquakes and landslides.

62
Figure 1. Pillow lavas representative of the older volcanic rocks of Puerto Rico 

were extruded on the sea 

floor. Individual pi/lows are 

as large as 15 feet in 

diameter.

63
Water Resources Investigations

Mission and Organization Programs

The U.S. Geological Survey has the major responsibility within the Federal Government for assessing the Nation's water 

resources. It collects basic data and conducts special investigationa to provide 

background information for planners and 

managers. Demands for water from a wide 

variety of users increasingly require that 

planners at Federal, State, and local levels 

establish priorities for use. Sound judgment in determining such priorities 

depends on access to accurate hydrologic 

information and impartial expertise.

Office of Water Data Coordination

A major responsibility was assigned to 

the Survey in 1964 when it was designated the lead agency for coordinating 

water-data acquisition activities of all 

Federal agencies. Activities include those 

that produce information on streams, 

lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and ground 

water. This coordination effort minimizes 

duplication of data collection among 

Federal agencies and strengthens the data 

base and its accessibility.

Water Resources Division programs fall 

into four categories: the Federal Program, 

the Federal-State Cooperative Program, 

Assistance to Other Federal Agencies, and 

the Non-Federal Reimbursable Program.

The Federal Program

The data collection, resource investigation, and research activities of this program are carried out in areas where the 

Federal interest is paramount. These include bodies of water in the public domain, 

river basins and aquifers that cross State 

boundaries, and other areas of international or interstate concern. Activities include operation of surface- and groundwater quantity and quality measurement 

stations throughout the country, the 

Survey's Central Laboratories System, 

hydrologic research and analytical studies, 

and a variety of supporting services.

The Federal-State Cooperative 

Program

The Cooperative Program is based on 

the concept that Federal, State, and local

 »" "*»*,_

C~- ^J*untain Time Zone Central Time Zone. 

, o/t o -T ^W :

Eastern Time Zone r^ 

NORTHEASTERN REGION^ ^«>

Location of principal offices 

of the U.S. Geological 

Survey's Water Resources 

Division in the conterminous 

United States. Cities named 

are those where Regional 

and District Offices are 

located. Puerto Rico is included in the Southeastern 

Region, and Alaska and 

Hawaii are included in the 

Western Region.

T USGS Notiono! Training Cents 

I National Water-Qvality Laboratory *^& Regional Boundary

64
governments have a mutual interest in 

evaluating, planning, developing, and managing the Nation's water resources. The 

immense size of the task of appraising the 

Nation's water resources precludes accomplishment by Federal efforts only. Similarly, 

State and local agencies working independently cannot relate to the sizable 

regional aspects of the hydrologic system. 

Because many water problems begin at the 

local level, the Survey has cooperative 

agreements with all States under which 

each party funds one-half the cost of 

financing studies of water resources. 

Cooperation through this Program provides 

an economical and comprehensive system 

for water-resources assessments.

Most projects under the Cooperative 

Program respond to a recognized problem 

or define a potential one. In addition to 

data collection, programs may focus on 

water use and availability, the impact of 

man's activities on the hydrologic environment, and energy-related water demands 

which may strain available water supplies. 

In emergency situations, such as drought 

or flood, events are monitored, and the 

data accumulated under the Cooperative 

Program prove invaluable.

Assistance to Other Federal 

Agencies

With funds transferred from other 

Federal agencies, the Geological Survey 

performs a wide variety of work related to 

the specific needs of each agency.

Non-Federal Reimbursable Program

Non-Federal reimbursable funds are unmatched funds received by the Geological

Survey from State and local agencies in 

situations where there is both Federal and 

State interest in investigation of water 

resources but where matching Federal 

funds are either unavailable or are not 

otherwise applicable to cost sharing.

Budget and Personnel

At the end of fiscal year 1983, the 

Water Resources Division employed 2,927 

full-time personnel. This number included 

scientists and engineers representing all 

fields of hydrology and related sciences, 

technical specialists, and administrative, 

secretarial, and clerical employees. An additional 1,644 permanent part-time and intermittent employees assisted in the work 

of the Division.

The $200.8 million obligated in 1983 

for water resources investigation activities 

came from the following sources:

1. Direct Congressional appropriations.

2. Congressional, State, and local appropriations for 50-50 funding in 

the Federal-State Cooperative 

Program.

3. Funds transferred from other Federal 

agencies.

4. Funds transferred from State and local 

agencies.

Highlights

In the following sections, highlights from 

some of the major programs are described.

65
The Federal-State Cooperative Water

Resources Program Some Highlights From 1983

The Federal-State Cooperative Program 

in fiscal year 1983 continued to concentrate on water-resources investigations of 

highest priority to the Nation. Hydrologic 

data collection and interpretive studies 

were proceeding in every State, Puerto 

Rico, and several of the territories with 

focus on such current concerns as groundwater contamination, flood analyses, impacts of toxic wastes, acid precipitation, 

and stream quality.

During the year, this 50-50 matching 

program was carried out in working partnership with more than 800 State, regional, and local agencies. Joint funding 

from all sources totaled about $92 million. 

Details of the program are arranged at 

State and local levels by representatives of 

the Survey and the cooperating agencies. 

This pooling of interests results in a 

balanced effort that directs combined 

resources to hydrologic investigations having the most significance to the cooperating parties. A few of the highlights of 

1983 are described below.

Slidell, Louisiana:

Backwater and Flow Distribution of

Pearl River Floods

Severe flooding on the lower Pearl River 

in the vicinity of Slidell, Louisiana, occurred in April 1979, 1980, and 1983. 

Each flood approached or exceeded a 

100-year frequency of recurrence. The 

chance for three such floods happening 

within a 4-year span is about 1 in 10,000.

Following the 1980 flood, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the 

Louisiana Department of Transportation 

and Development, Office of Highways, 

began a study of backwater and flow distribution of the Interstate Highway 1-10 

crossing of the Pearl River near Slidell. A 

finite element model has been developed

to simulate flow conditions through the existing bridge opening. The model may also 

be used to simulate conditions without 

I-10 in place, with the effects of alternative bridge designs, or with modifications to the existing bridge.

In the vicinity of Slidell, the Pearl River 

occupies a flood plain about 5 miles wide 

that is slightly incised below the surrounding land. Just upstream from I-10 at Slidell, the river splits into three distributary 

channels with the main channel running 

along the west bank of the flood plain. 

During floods, streamflow, rather than being concentrated along the main channel 

that parallels the west bank, shifts to the 

east side of the flood plain. 1-10 embankments and bridge openings cause flow 

to shift from the west to the east bank farther upstream than it would if the highway 

were not there. Results of the investigation 

also show that the 1-10 crossing and the 

resulting shift in flow distribution affect 

the height as well as the extent of 

backwater.

Pagan Island, Northern Marianas: 

Effects of Volcanic Activity on Water 

Quality

The entire population of Pagan Island, in 

the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, was evacuated to Saipan 

because of Pagan Volcano's eruption in 

May 1981. The volcano is a potentially 

explosive one, and eruptions about 1920 

caused the evacuation of the population 

for several years. The people cannot return 

home until it is determined that their water 

supply is no longer contaminated. Under a 

joint-funding agreement, the U.S. Geological Survey is investigating the quality of 

water in the vicinity of the villages on 

Pagan Island.

66
A field reconnaissance was carried out 

in March 1983. Members of the party included engineers and chemists from the 

Water Resources Division and seismologists and volcanologists from the Survey's 

Geologic Division. Water samples were 

collected from many sources, and gas and 

vapor samples were collected at the 

volcano. Instruments were installed to collect and transmit data on rainfall and 

seismic events directly to the Honolulu 

District Office via the GOES satellite. 

Results of this work will determine whether or not the water supply is potable and 

may give some indication of trends in volcanic activity.

Sheffield, Illinois: 

Ground-Water Flow and Tritium 

Migration From the Sheffield LowLevel Radioactive Waste Site

Sheffield, near Chicago, which was one 

of six commercial low-level radioactive 

waste disposal sites in the United States, 

is being studied by the Geological Survey 

to develop geohydrologic expertise to be 

included in criteria for future site selection 

under the Low-Level Waste Policy Act of 

1980. A pebbly-sand unit underlying 67 

percent of the site in Illinois extends to a 

strip-mine pond located about 2,000 feet 

northeast of the nearest waste trench. As 

part of a study of the hydrogeology east of 

the site, a number of test wells were constructed. Seventy-eight nanocuries of 

tritium per liter were detected in water 

samples from two of these wells located a 

few hundred feet east of the boundary of 

the site. (Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

regulations allow a maximum permissible 

concentration of 3,000 nanocuries of 

tritium per liter for release into water.)

In a cooperative investigation with the 

Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, an 

additional 20 wells have been drilled in an

effort to determine the areal extent of the 

tritium plume, the source of the tritium, 

and the nature of the release. One migration pathway has been identified along a 

buried sand-and-gravel-filled channel, and 

tritium is discharging through seeps to the 

strip-mine pond. Detailed information obtained from the test wells suggests that 

other pathways may also be present.

New Mexico:

Unexpected Results of Streamf low

and Ground-Water Investigations

Results of investigations describing 

streamflow in the Pecos River, in cooperation with the Pecos River Commission, 

and ground-water conditions in the 

Albuquerque-Belen basin, in cooperation 

with the New Mexico Environmental 

Improvement Division and the city of 

Albuquerque, show that previous concepts 

associated with these hydrologic systems 

may need to be revised.

Studies of the Pecos River between 

Artesia and Carlsbad indicate that, in the 

last several years, base flow has not increased as much as expected after the 

area was cleared of phreatophytes (salt 

cedar). Base flow was projected to increase about 1 acre-foot per acre, but 

analysis of streamflow records reveal only 

about one-fourth that amount.

In the Albuquerque-Belen basin, reconnaissance investigations of ground-water 

quality have detected unexpected concentrations of organic chemicals, and one 

municipal well has been shut down as a 

result of the sampling program. In addition, 

water-level measurements have determined 

that ground-water movement is in a direction away from the Rio Grande toward the 

eastern border of the basin, and movement 

of contaminants, therefore, may be in a 

direction opposite to that originally 

thought.

67
Earth science investigations of 

hazardous waste disposal sites 

provide site-specific geohydrologic data as well as generic 

information on the effectiveness of investigation techniques, monitoring systems, 

and so forth. (Photograph by 

Stephen C. Delaney, U.S. 

Environmental Protection 

Agency.)

Hazardous Waste Hydrology

The safe disposal of hazardous waste 

provides serious challenges to our Nation, 

States, and local communities. The great 

variation in nature and degree of hazard 

from a wide variety of dangerous substances demands that we employ the most scientific management of which our society is 

capable. The proper collection, interpretation, and use of earth science information 

is critical to a program of effective control 

for such wastes.

With this in mind, the U.S. Geological 

Survey, through the Office of Hazardous 

Waste Hydrology, established a program to 

focus hydrologic and geologic expertise 

on the earth-science aspects of safe, effective waste disposal and ground-water contamination problems. The comprehensive 

program is composed of three elements: 

high-level radioactive waste, low-level radioactive waste, and nonradioactive toxic 

waste.

High-Level Radioactive Waste

High-level radioactive waste includes 

spent nuclear-reactor fuel and material 

derived from reprocessing nuclear fuel. 

The waste is characterized by high radioactivity and by nuclides with relatively long 

half-lives, and it generates considerable 

amounts of heat in its decay. After more

than 30 years of nuclear-power development, a suitable permanent repository has 

yet to be developed for this type of waste. 

The most viable disposal concept consists 

of placing the waste in a deep-mined 

repository as much as a few thousand feet 

below the surface of the Earth in which 

the waste is effectively isolated from 

man's environment for tens of thousands 

of years.

The principal objective of the Survey 

high-level waste program is to support the 

national effort, led by the U.S. Department 

of Energy, to select and characterize sites 

where wastes can be effectively isolated in 

deep geologic environments. Specific program objectives are to provide techniques 

for (1) evaluating the chemical interaction 

of nuclear waste with natural fluids and 

with the rock and mineral framework of 

ground-water systems, (2) evaluating 

transport of waste nuclides by ground 

water, (3) characterizing geologic and 

hydrologic conditions at sites under consideration by the U.S. Department of 

Energy, and (4) screening large provinces 

of the United States for smaller areas having potentially favorable earth-science 

characteristics for waste disposal.

The earth science problems associated 

with this endeavor are complex and incompletely understood. The Survey's HighLevel Radioactive Waste Program stresses

68
the concept of isolating nuclear wastes by 

means of relatively independent multiple 

barriers to waste nuclide migration. A major requirement is to identify environments 

where such multiple natural barriers are 

believed to exist. A second major requirement is to identify and understand the critical hydrogeologic properties and processes that are involved in radionuclide 

migration from a repository to environments of living organisms.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Waste 

Policy Act of 1982 defines the timetable 

and responsibility of the Department of 

Energy in selecting the first and second 

repositories. As specified in the Act, the 

Survey program is designed to provide 

consultation and support to the Department of Energy to accomplish this national 

mission, which includes selecting the first 

repository site in 1987 and burial of 

wastes by 1998.

Low-Level Radioactive Waste

Low-level radioactive waste is produced 

by hospital, research and industrial facilities, and nonfuel-related activities of 

nuclear-reactor operation. It is generally 

much less radioactive than the high-level 

wastes, as its characterization implies, and 

does not generate significant amounts of 

heat in its decay. Disposal in this country 

is by shallow land burial, although ocean 

dumping has occurred in the past.

There are six commercial low-level 

waste sites in the United States. Three are 

closed, due wholly or in part to environmental concerns, and a fourth closure is 

being contested in the courts. Provisions 

of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy 

Act of 1 980 may result in the establishment of as many as eight new commercial 

sites by 1990. In addition to these commercial sites, the Department of Energy 

operates six major and a number of minor 

low-level waste disposal sites for 

government-generated waste.

Low-level radioactive waste can pose a 

threat to human health if contaminants 

migrate from shallow land-burial sites in 

concentrations exceeding accepted standards. The principal migration pathway is 

generally ground water. The objective of 

the Survey program that addresses this 

problem is to gain a better understanding 

of the geohydrologic controls on the 

migration of radionuclides from shallow 

land-burial sites. To accomplish this objective, the Geological Survey has been conducting field research studies at five commercial and three Department of Energy 

disposal sites. Basic research complements 

the field investigations. Final reports on the 

first phase of field studies at commercial 

sites were published in 1983. These and 

other reports on earth science aspects of 

low-level radioactive waste disposal will be 

essential information for individual States 

or multi-State low-level waste compacts as

Careful techniques being 

developed and tested 

through programs of the Office of Hazardous Waste 

Hydrology are employed to 

collect ground-water samples 

from a hazardous waste 

disposal facility and to 

safeguard the hearth of 

hydrologic technicians. 

(Photograph by Stephen C. 

Delaney, U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agenc y.)

69
Research supported by the 

Office of Hazardous Waste 

Hydrology is conducted to 

obtain a better understanding of contaminant transport 

from hazardous waste disposal areas to local streams 

and aquifers. (Photograph by 

Stephen C. Delaney, U.S. 

Environmental Protection 

Agency.)

they seek new sites in accordance with requirements of the Low-Level Waste Policy 

Act of 1980.

Nonradioactive Toxic Waste

The safe cleanup and disposal of toxic 

chemical wastes from point and nonpoint 

sources is one of the most critical environmental problems confronting the 

United States. Point-source contamination 

from leaks, spills, and disposal of these 

wastes currently imposes high annual 

costs on the public and private sectors and 

can seriously affect human health and 

safety. The number of toxic substances requiring disposal is increasing, as is the 

quantity of that waste, the latter at a rate 

of from 3 to 5 percent annually. In New 

England and New York alone, more than 

1,000 wells are known to be contaminated by organic chemicals, affecting the 

drinking water of millions of people.

Chemicals used in agriculture have been 

implicated in nonpoint contamination of 

shallow aquifers throughout the country. 

Pesticides currently in use are often different from the organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides used one or two 

decades ago. Many of the newer pesticides have low soil affinity and high persistence, which allows them to pass 

unimpeded through the soil and into the 

saturated zone of the ground-water 

system.

In some cases, present technology is inadequate to develop technically sound and 

practical regulations to protect the public 

from hazardous chemical contamination in 

a cost-effective manner. Major technical 

questions are yet to be answered about 

the behavior of specific chemicals under 

different hydrogeologic conditions and 

about the safety, suitability, and 

economics of restoration and disposal 

methods.

The Geological Survey has begun an interdisciplinary program to provide the Na70
tion with earth-science information necessary to improve waste-disposal practices 

and to help solve existing and future 

ground-water contamination problems. The 

program uses the data bases and experiences of previous Survey work that are 

specifically relevant to the problem. It is 

closely coordinated with related programs 

of Radioactive-Waste Disposal, Regional 

Aquifer Systems Analyses projects, the 

Federal-State Cooperative Program, and 

studies of glacial deposits in the Eastern 

United States.

The program includes both field and laboratory investigations. Long-term research 

programs have been established at locations of known ground-water contamination to determine the behavior of specific 

contaminants in the ground-water system 

and to develop techniques with which to 

study them; these sites are near Bemidji, 

Minnesota, Pensacola, Florida, and Cape 

Cod, Massachusetts. This research is complemented by investigations of other field 

problems related to the reliability of predictive models and monitoring strategies for 

contamination. Geological Survey scientists have begun an appraisal of national 

ground-water quality to determine the 

magnitude and trends of the contamination 

problem. The appraisal is being closely 

coordinated with State governments.

Technical information developed within 

each element of the hazardous-waste program is incorporated into other elements of 

the program. Other Survey programs such 

as Regional Aquifer Systems Analyses and 

core research provide additional technical 

information and support. An early dividend 

of this coordination has been major support to the Department of Energy, the U.S. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and State 

government agencies in the development 

of waste-disposal siting criteria. This comprehensive approach to solving earth 

science related problems of hazardous 

waste disposal places the U.S. Geological 

Survey in a position to continue contributing highly useful earth science information on this major national issue.

71
Cost-Effectiveness of the 

National Stream-Gaging Program

The U.S. Geological Survey began a nationwide analysis of its stream-gaging program during fiscal year 1983. The purpose 

of the analysis is to define and document 

the most cost-effective method of furnishing streamflow information. The analysis is 

being carried out over a 5-year period with 

about 20 percent of the program being 

analyzed each year. The Survey operates 

about 8,000 continuous-recording gaging 

stations nationwide that provide streamflow information for a large variety of 

users. These gaging stations will be evaluated (1) to identify the principal uses of 

the data and to relate these uses to funding sources, (2) to identify alternate, less 

costly methods of furnishing needed information, and (3) to define strategies for 

operating the program to minimize the 

standard error in streamflow data while 

staying within the operating budget. The 

first two steps are designed to ensure that 

sufficient need exists for operating a gaging station. The third step provides for 

allocation of financial and manpower 

resources among the stations that remain 

in the program after the screening process, 

so that the program is operated in the 

most cost-effective manner. An analysis 

completed for the State of Maine early in 

fiscal year 1983 will serve as a prototype.

In the first step, the known uses of 

streamflow data generated at a gaging station are compared against the objectives of 

the stream-gaging program to ensure sufficient justification exists for Survey involvement at that station. Deficiencies in the 

existing data-collection program are evaluated to ensure that all information needs 

are met. The responsiveness of the operation of each station to the types of uses 

also is evaluated to see that streamflow information is timely. For example, analysis 

of the data uses for 51 stations in Maine 

indicated that three stations should be 

discontinued as soon as is practical and 

that an additional three stations should be 

discontinued at the end of short-term projects. Analysis also indicated that, as funds 

become available, additional stations 

should be established in the interior of 

Maine to better define regional hydrology.

The second step of the analysis is used 

to determine whether sufficient streamflow 

information can be generated at a station

by methods other than operating a 

continuous-record station. Primarily, two 

alternate methods are considered, a flowrouting model and a statistical regression 

model. The flow-routing model uses the 

traveltime of flow between stations, the 

storage in the stream channel, and hydrologic routing techniques to transfer daily 

flows from an upstream station to a downstream one. The statistical regression 

model correlates daily flows at the station 

of interest with daily flows at other nearby 

stations. Once calibrated, both models can 

be used to estimate daily flows at discontinued stations by using daily flows from 

operating stations. The accuracy of the 

estimated streamflow must be suitable for 

the intended usage for an alternate method 

to be viable. In the Maine analysis, there 

was one station where both models provided daily discharges of sufficient accuracy for the intended usage. Both 

models were calibrated using all existing 

data, and the recommendation was to continue operating the station until sufficient 

data were available to verify the models. 

The final step is used to determine the 

best allocation of money and manpower 

among the stations that remain in the program after the two screening steps. 

Because there are so many uses made of 

streamflow data, minimization of the 

standard error of streamflow data, expressed as percentages, is chosen as the 

general measure of the program's effectiveness. This part of the analysis defines 

the uncertainty function for each station in 

the program, develops the necesary cost 

information, and determines the number of 

visits necessary to each station to minimize the uncertainty.

The uncertainty function relates the 

standard error of streamflow data to the 

number of visits and measurements made 

per year or season. Examples of typical 

uncertainty functions from the Maine 

study are given in figure 1. These uncertainty functions are computed using a statistical technique that evaluates the accuracy of the streamflow rating curve, the 

accuracy of transferring flows from nearby 

stations, and the variability of historical 

flows at the station. The rating curve at 

each station is the relationship that 

enables the hydrologist to convert the

72
140

Figure 1. Typical uncertainty 

functions for three gaging 

stations in Maine.

°0 5

NUMBER OF VISITS

recorded water-surface elevation (gage 

height or stage) to streamflow. At some 

sites, additional correlative data are 

necessary to determine the flow, such as 

the fall in water surface between sites. 

When the recorder at the station fails to 

record the water-surface elevation (or 

other correlative data), the rating curve 

cannot be used, and daily flows must be 

estimated from flows at nearby sites or 

from historical flows at the station. The 

uncertainty function includes the variability 

or standard error of flows estimated in 

these various ways.

Once the uncertainty functions for each 

station are known, various costs associated with stream gaging can be determined. Feasible routes are defined for servicing the stations, and each station is 

assigned to one or more routes. The cost 

of servicing each station, route costs, and 

the minimum number of times each station 

should be visited are determined. The fixed 

costs of operating each station, including 

the cost of computing records and their 

storage and publication, are also determined. This information and the uncertainty functions are input to a computer program that determines the number of times 

each route is used. The routes selected are 

those with the largest reduction in uncertainty per dollar of expenditure. By varying 

the total budget and repeatedly running 

the program, an uncertainty or average

10 15 .. ., ... 

AND MEASUREMENTS

standard error relationship with the budget 

can be developed. Figure 2 is an example 

of an uncertainty-cost relationship for 

Maine. The original Maine stream-gaging 

program, consisting of 51 stations, operated with an annual budget of $211,000. 

As a result of the data-use analysis, it was 

recommended that 6 of the original 51 

stations in the Maine stream-gaging program be discontinued. The stream-gaging 

program analyzed for cost-effectiveness 

consisted of 45 stations. The current 

criteria for operating the 45-station program require a budget of $180,300. This 

is the circle in figure 2 marked "Current 

Practice." The average standard error of 

the streamflow records was 17.7 percent. 

As can be seen in figure 2, this overall 

level of accuracy could be maintained with 

a budget of about $170,000 if allocation 

of resources among the gages was altered. 

The recommendation was to modify the 

operation of the program and to use the 

residual $10,300 to increase receipt of 

data from the interior of the State. The 

relationship in figure 2 indicates the reduction in uncertainty that can be achieved by 

increasing the total budget.

Studies like the one in Maine are scheduled for completion in 1 7 States during 

fiscal year 1983. The entire stream-gaging 

program will be analyzed over the next 5 

years as part of the continuing effort of 

the Geological Survey to evaluate the Na73
Figure 2. The relationship 

between the average standard error and the total 

budget for the streamgaging program for Maine.

150 200 250 300 

BUDGET, IN THOUSANDS OF 1982 DOLLARS

350

tion's water resources. The national 

stream-gaging program that results from 

this analysis will be responsive to the 

needs of local, State, and Federal agencies 

and will provide streamflow information in 

the most cost-effective manner.

74
Contamination of Ground Water by Coal-Tar 

Derivatives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Section showing major processes controlling the transport through ground water 

and fate of coal-tar derivatives. St. Louis Park area. 

Minnesota.

Operation of a coal-tar distillation and 

wood-preserving facility in St. Louis Park, 

Minnesota, from 1918 to 1972 resulted in 

severe ground-water contamination. In 

1978, the U.S. Geological Survey began 

detailed studies of the transport and fate 

of coal-tar derivatives through ground 

water in the area. Local, State, and Federal 

agencies will use the results of the studies 

to guide management decisions and to 

design remedial action. The studies were 

conducted in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota 

Pollution Control Agency, city of St. Louis 

Park, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The problem of most immediate concern 

to the city and to the State and Federal 

regulatory agencies is the presence of toxic organic compounds in water withdrawn 

from some municipal wells. When the first 

municipal well was drilled in 1932, the 

Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer contained 

water having a distinct coal-tar taste. The 

well is 3,500 feet from the plant site. 

From 1978 to 1981, use of seven more 

municipal wells in this aquifer was discontinued because the wells yielded water 

containing trace amounts of coal-tar compounds, including at times and places, the 

carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene.

The Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer is 

the region's major ground-water resource. 

About 75 percent of ground-water withdrawals in the St. Louis Park and Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan areas are 

from this aquifer. The aquifer has good 

natural protection from near-surface 

sources of contamination. In the St. Louis 

Park area, it is 250 to 500 feet below land

surface and is overlain by glacial drift, two 

bedrock confining beds (Glenwood and 

basal St. Peter), and two bedrock aquifers 

(Platteville and St. Peter). Nonetheless, it is 

now contaminated because materials 

entered the aquifer through at least five 

wells that hydraulically connect more than 

one aquifer (multiaquifer wells). The single 

major source is a well on the former plant 

site that was drilled in 1917 to an original 

depth of 909 feet. When first geophysically logged by the Survey in 1978, the well 

had filled to a depth of 595 feet. The uppermost 100 feet of the fill was mostly 

coal tar. Moreover, approximately 1 50 

gallons per minute of contaminated water 

was moving through the well bore from 

the St. Peter aquifer into the Prairie du 

Chien-Jordan aquifer.

Contaminants in the Prairie du ChienJordan aquifer have moved at least 2 miles 

northeast and southeast of the plant site. 

The direction and rate of contaminant 

movement changes with time because the 

bedrock ground-water flow system continually adjusts to hydraulic stresses caused 

by water withdrawals and flow through 

multiaquifer wells. Contaminants move 

rapidly through the Prairie du ChienJordan aquifer because the upper part is a 

carbonate rock with fractures and solution 

channels. Consequently, the concentration 

and composition of contaminants in water 

pumped from the Prairie du Chien-Jordan 

aquifer through individual industrial and 

municipal wells fluctuates with time.

Contaminants entered the uppermost 

bedrock aquifer, the Platteville, directly 

from the drift and moved at least 4,000 

feet from the plant site. Locally, the conDegradation of phenolic 

compounds by bacteria

Vertical movement 

of coal-tar fluids

Retardation of movement 

of polynuclear aromatic 

hydrocarbons by sorption

h-

<

800

Dissolution of 

coal tar by 

ground water

Flow of uncontaminated 

ground water

900

Movement of 

contaminants 

into underlying 

bedrock aquifers 

through bedrock 

valleys and 

multiaquifer cells

Downgradient 

migration of 

biorefractory 

compounds

 ;.... ' . V-Y/^T T TT7""^777^ ' : : :'-.-rT7r?~ ; .-. . >.-::r^ -

1000 2000 3000 FEET

_J_______I________|

75
^ jr^J?.,* 

taminants have reached the St. Peter 

aquifer through the Glenwood confining 

bed and (or) through bedrock valleys 

where the confining bed has been removed 

by erosion.

The greatest mass of contaminants is in 

the drift near the plant site. Coal-tar 

derivatives reached the water table by percolation through the unsaturated zone and 

through ponds that received surface runoff 

and process water from the plant. Parts of 

the drift contain an undissolved liquid mixture of many individual coal-tar compounds. Chemical analyses of organic fluid 

and water from a monitoring well completed in the drift 50 feet below the water 

table identified more than 200 individual 

organic substances. The viscous organic 

fluid is denser than water and has moved 

slowly downward independent of the

direction of ground-water flow. Ground 

water entering the area of the plant site 

through the drift is contaminated by partial 

solution of the organic fluids and by 

release of compounds sorbed on the drift 

materials. The contaminated water moves 

laterally to the east and southeast and 

downward into the Platteville aquifer. 

Water in the drift 4,000 feet from the site 

contains less than 10 milligrams per liter 

of disolved organic carbon but has a distinct chemical odor and contains a large 

proportion of coal-tar compounds highly 

soluble in water.

One major group of coal-tar compounds 

(phenolic compounds) is being degraded to 

methane and carbon dioxide by bacteria 

that metabolize phenolic compounds in the 

anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment that 

exists in the aquifer. This finding is of

I

**s*v ^-o

Vertical aerial photographs of 

the plant site during plant 

operation (left) and redevelopment (right).

:IM

76
major scientific importance because it 

demonstrates the substantial natural 

capacity of a ground-water system to 

biologically degrade certain toxic compounds that are very mobile in ground 

water.

Movement of another major group of 

coal-tar compounds (polynuclear aromatic 

hydrocarbons) was found to be greatly 

retarded by sorption on the drift material.

Where ground water contains sufficient 

oxygen, it seems that some of these compounds are being degraded by aerobic 

bacteria.

The results of this ongoing project suggest that the ability of the natural systems 

to assimilate toxic wastes might be successfully exploited in efforts to restore 

contaminated aquifers.

77
Fluid samples collected from 

the drift 50 feet below the 

water table near the plant 

site. Organic fluid derived 

from coal tar (glass on left) is 

being dissolved and transported b y ground water 

(glass on right).

The Water Resources Division of the U.S. 

Geological Survey has similar ground-water 

contamination studies being conducted around 

the country, several of which are as follows:

 Bemidji, Minnesota: Contamination from an 

oil spill;

 Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Contamination 

from sewage;

 Pensacola, Florida: Contamination

associated with the manufacture of wood 

preservatives; and

 Trenton-Philadelphia-Camden corridor, New 

Jersey-Pennsylvania: Contamination 

from industrial solvents and petroleum 

byproducts.

78
Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage

Figure 1. Block diagram of 

the Aquifer Thermal Energy 

Storage site. University of 

Minnesota, St. Paul.

In May 1980, the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Geological Survey began 

a project to evaluate the storage of hightemperature water in the deep FranconiaIronton-Galesville sandstone aquifer 

(hereafter called "the aquifer") and later 

recovering the hot water for space heating. High-temperature water (302°F.) 

generated during the cooling of the University's electrical generation facilities will 

supply heat for storage at about 800 feet 

below the surface. Figure 1 shows the 

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) 

system which uses two wells 860 feet

apart. Water is pumped from one of the 

wells in the aquifer through a heat exchanger where heat is added or removed. 

The water is then returned to the aquifer 

through the other well. Experimental testing of the ATES system consists of a series 

of hot-water injection, storage, and withdrawal cycles. Each cycle is 24 days long, 

and each injection, storage, and withdrawal step of the cycle takes 8 days.

The U.S. Geological Survey designed the 

data-collection network, collected and 

analyzed the data to describe the hydrologic properties of the aquifer, and conQUATERNARY

ORDOVICIAN

Modified from Walton. 1981

~~x^-C~-~-^:~-C~~~-C^ -CAMBRIAN s^rn-c>-----r-~~x-r-~--~.-

^PRECAMBRIAN

EXPLANATION

600 800 FEET

Observation well

Pressure transdu 

or thermocouple

79
structed a ground-water-flow and thermalenergy-transport model for evaluating the 

efficiency of the ATES system.

A comprehensive network for data collection, data storage, and data reduction 

has been designed to monitor temperature 

and pressure changes during the ATES 

test cycles.

Temperature and pressure measurements are combined in observation-well 

tests at approximate distances of either 20 

or 40 feet away from the production wells 

(fig. 1). All pressure and temperature data 

are transmitted from the observation wells 

by way of buried cables to a central data 

logger where measurements are viewed independently or stored on computer magnetic tape for later analysis.

Two computer models have been constructed to simulate the movement of 

ground water and heat. The computer 

code for the models, developed under contract to the Geological Survey, has been 

used for calculating the effects of liquidwaste disposal in deep saline aquifers. The 

code has been successfully used to model 

storage of warm (130°F.) water in a 

shallow unconfined aquifer in Alabama but 

never for high-temperature water in a deep 

confined aquifer, such as in Minnesota.

Application of the calibrated model will 

consist of simulating various combinations 

of heat injection, storage, and withdrawal 

periods and various pumping-injection 

rates and analyzing the effects of the combinations on efficiency of the ATES system. 

One measure of system efficiency is the 

ratio of heat recovered to heat injected, 

which can be expressed as a percentage. 

The higher the percentage, the more efficient the ATES system.

Preliminary model simulations indicate 

that, under the condition of injecting 

300°F. water for five 1 -year cycles, the 

least-efficient operation would be injection

of hot water for 8 months and withdrawal 

of hot water for 4 months; both periods 

have the same injection-withdrawal rate of 

300 gallons per minute. This operation 

would be only 39-percent efficient at the 

end of the 5-year period.

The most efficient operation that has 

been simulated describes injection and 

withdrawal of hot water for equal 6-month 

periods but with a withdrawal rate of 600 

gallons per minute, which is twice the injection rate of 300 gallons per minute. 

Under these conditions, 84 percent of the 

stored thermal energy would be removed 

at the end of 5 years.

Although it may appear that the best 

operation of the ATES system is the one 

that is most efficient in terms of heat 

recovered, other analyses indicate that the 

most efficient operation may not be the 

most economical. The economic efficiency 

of the ATES system is a function of the 

minimum temperature requirements for use 

of recovered water.

Preliminary models indicate that, under 

conditions of injecting 300°F. water with a 

minimum withdrawal temperature requirement of 110°F., the maximum system efficiency at the end of five 1 -year cycles 

would be 84 percent, based on 6-month 

injection and withdrawal periods with a 

withdrawal rate of 600 gallons per minute 

and an injection rate of 300 gallons per 

minute. If the minimum withdrawal temperature required is 140°F., the maximum 

system efficiency at the end of five 1 -year 

cycles would be 61 percent based on 8 

months of injection and 4 months of withdrawal, again with a withdrawal rate of 

600 gallons per minute and an injection 

rate of 300 gallons per minute.

The model simulations are encouraging 

and indicate that the ATES system is a 

viable means for conserving a valuable 

resource that presently is being wasted.

80
Regional Ground-Water Flow in the 

Floridan Aquifer System

The Floridan aquifer system is one of the 

major sources of ground-water supplies in 

the United States. This highly productive 

aquifer system underlies all of Florida, 

southeastern Georgia, and small parts of 

adjoining Alabama and South Carolina, for 

a total area of about 100,000 square 

miles. A total of about 3 billion gallons of 

water per day is withdrawn from the aquifer, and, in many areas, the Floridan is the 

sole source of fresh water.

The Floridan aquifer provides public 

water supplies for many cities including 

Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, 

Tallahassee, and St. Petersburg in Florida 

and Brunswick and Savannah in Georgia. 

The amount of water withdrawn for irrigation and industrial use is greater than that 

withdrawn for public supply. Although 

pumping of ground water has caused 

extensive local declines of ground-water 

levels, more than one-half the aquifer area 

has not yet had significant declines in 

water levels. Despite the enormous 

amount of untapped water in the Floridan, 

the water ia not always locally available 

for use.

This aquifer system is a sequence of 

hydraulically connected carbonate rocks 

(principally limestone with some dolomite) 

that vary in thickness from a featheredge 

where they crop out to more than 1,500 

feet where the aquifer is confined. In parts 

of southern Georgia and northwestern and 

central Florida, the rocks of the Floridan 

outcrop are covered by a thin layer of soil. 

In these areas, the Floridan usually contains one aquifer. In parts of coastal 

Georgia, the Florida panhandle, and all of 

southern Florida, the Floridan aquifer rocks 

are covered (or confined) by hundreds of 

feet of clay and sand, and, in these areas, 

two aquifers generally are separated by 

rock that has low to extremely low permeability. Most of the natural recharge, flow, 

and discharge occurs where the rocks crop 

out or where the aquifer is thinly covered. 

The large springs of northwest-central 

Florida occur in the outcrop areas.

From 1978 to 1982, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a regional assessment of the Floridan aquifer system by 

studying and summarizing previous studies, collecting new data in selected areas, 

and using computers to model and simulate ground-water flow. The Floridan study 

was one of 15 comprising the Survey's 

Regional Aquifer Systems Analysis Program, which is commonly known as the 

RASA program. In the early 1930's, Victor 

Stringfield, a Survey geologist, published a 

Water-Supply Paper, Artesian Water in the 

Florida Peninsula. In it, he identified for the 

first time a regional flow system in the carbonate rocks of Florida. His potentiometric 

surface map of the Floridan aquifer 

showed the natural recharge areas (intakes 

to the aquifer), discharge areas (outlets), 

and the general direction of ground-water 

movement from the recharge to discharge 

areas. A major potential recharge area was 

shown in central Florida. Major discharge 

areas were shown in the coastal areas of 

Florida and Georgia.

In the early 1940's, Stringfield, H. H. 

Cooper, and M. A. Warren documented a 

widespread decline of water levels, or artesian pressure, along the Georgianortheastern Florida coast. The areal 

decline was caused by large ground-water 

withdrawals from the Floridan aquifer at 

the coastal cities of Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia, and Fernandina Beach and 

Jacksonville, Florida. Pumping, which 

began in the late 1800's, caused "cones 

of depression" to form in the potentiometric surface around these cities. 

However, by the 1940's, these cones had 

coalesced to form a troughlike depression 

(in the potentiometric surface) extending 

from Jacksonville, Florida, to near Hilton 

Head, South Carolina, a distance of 150 

miles.

Since this early work of Stringfield, other 

maps of the potentiometric surface have 

been prepared. However, to do a rigorous 

analysis of the flow system, an aquiferwide map based on simultaneous measurements throughout the four-State area was 

needed. To meet this need, the Survey, 

during a 12-day period in May 1980, 

measured the depth to water level, or artesian pressure, in more than 2,700 wells 

tapping the upper Floridan aquifer. The 

resulting potentiometric-surface map, as 

prepared by R. H. Johnston and several 

coworkers, is shown in the accompanying 

illustration. Most of the major features of 

the regional flow system can be demonstrated from this map; for example, con81
SOUTH CAROLINA

Hilton Head 

Savannah

, 1,900 CFS

44 % S

4 % A

52 % P

> /S

Fort Walton Beach 

1,300 CFS 

92 % S

5 % A 

3 % P 3900 CFS

88 % S 

8 % A 

4 % P

3j600 CFS

85 % S

2 % A

13 % P

2,100 CFS

55 % S 

11 % A 

34 % P

EXPLANATION

Areas where long-term water-level declines are 

greater than 20 feet

Area of greatest natural flow activity

Contour Shows altitude of the potentlometric 

surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, in feet

Ground-water basin boundary

5,700 CFS Total discharge from ground-water basin, in

cubic feet per second 

87% S To springs and rivers 

9% A Areal seepage 

4% P Pumping

240 CFS

0 % S

37 % A

63 % P

Regional ground-water flow in the Floridan 

aquifer; Johnston and Bush, 1982

82
Ground-water levels in the 

upper Floridan aquifer in 

1980; also shown is the 

ground- water discharge 

(natural and pumping) in 

1980.

tour lines that are distorted or uneven indicate appreciable discharge to springs and 

rivers and are characteristic of areas such 

as northwest-central Florida where the 

aquifer is at or close to land surface, and 

relatively smooth contour lines are characteristic of areas such as southern Florida 

and indicate that the aquifer is more deeply buried and thus is insulated from surface 

stresses.

The change in the potentiometric surface 

caused by pumping depends on the rate 

and duration of the pumping and the 

hydrogeologic setting. Regional long-term 

declines in water levels greater than 20 

feet are shown on the illustration (stippled 

areas). As of 1980, about 640 million 

gallons per day, mostly for industrial use, 

were being withdrawn from the coastal 

strip of southeastern Georgia-northeastern Florida. As a result, the troughlike 

depression of the 1940's in coastal 

Georgia and northeastern Florida has 

spread inland to become the largest area 

of significant water-level change in the 

Floridan aquifer system. Although this 

water-level depression is relatively shallow, 

it is widespread because the permeable 

limestone is overlain by several hundred 

feet of clay that slows down the recharge 

rate. Thus, the area over which the recharge occurs must be large.

In west-central Florida, about 900 million gallons a day is pumped from the 

Floridan aquifer. The phosphate industry 

and irrigation account for the major part of 

that pumpage. As a result, a regional 

depression exists in the potentiometric surface southeast of Tampa. Although the 

pumping rate is greater in the west-central 

area of Florida than it is in the area of 

southeastern Georgia-northeastern 

Florida, the area of influence is smaller 

because the thin layers of sand and clay 

overlaying the Floridan aquifer permit the 

aquifer to be readily recharged.

In the Fort Walton Beach area of panhandle Florida, pumping of about 15 million gallons per day has caused a regional 

depression in the potentiometric surface. 

This relatively low pumping rate has 

caused a regional depression because, in 

this area, the ability of the Floridan aquifer 

to transmit water to the center of pumping 

is about 100 times less than that in westcentral Florida or in southeastern 

Georgia-northeastern Florida. Steep cones 

of depression in water levels due to pumping are characteristic in areas where an

aquifer's ability to transmit water is low.

To estimate rates of recharge and discharge and to determine how these rates 

are affected by various pumping conditions, a computer simulation of the 

Floridan's flow system was developed by 

bringing together everything that was 

known about the Floridan's hydraulics and 

hydrogeology. This computer simulation of 

the regional flow system showed that 

before ground-water development began 

about 21,000 cubic feet per second were 

discharged from the Floridan aquifer. Of 

that amount, about 19,000 cubic feet per 

second, or 90 percent of the discharge, 

flowed to springs or discharged to rivers. 

The remainder discharged as areal seepage 

in coastal areas. Because discharge from 

the flow system balanced recharge to the 

system, simulated predevelopment recharge was also about 21,000 cubic feet 

per second. The average predevelopment 

recharge rate was about 4 inches per year 

over the area where recharge occurred, 

and the average predevelopment rate of 

areal seepage was about 0.6 inch per year 

over the area where areal seepage 

occurred.

As previously mentioned, most of the 

natural flow (large-discharge springs and 

highest rates of recharge) is in areas where 

the aquifer is at or close to land surface 

(areas shown by hatch marks on the accompanying map). Only about 13 percent 

of the regional predevelopment discharge 

occurred where the aquifer is hundreds of 

feet below the land surface, although that 

part of the aquifer system includes about 

50 percent of the total area of the aquifer.

Of today's total Floridan aquifer discharge of about 23,500 cubic feet per 

second, about 75 percent is discharge to 

springs and rivers, 7 percent is areal seepage, and 18 percent is pumpage. Groundwater development has reduced spring 

flow and discharge to rivers by less than 5 

percent, and discharge by areal seepage in 

coastal areas has been reduced by about 

30 percent. Of the amount pumped, about 

20 percent is salvaged from spring flow 

and discharge to rivers, and 20 percent is 

from reduced areal seepage in coastal 

areas. The remaining 60 percent of the 

pumpage is from additional recharge that 

is induced bacause pumping has lowered 

water levels in the aquifer.

Today's average recharge rate is about 4 

inches per year, and the average rate of 

areal seepage over the discharge areas is

83
about 0.5 inch per year. These averages 

are virtually unchanged from predevelopment values because ground-water development has enlarged the area over which 

recharge occurs and has shrunk the area 

where loss by areal seepage occurs.

In summary, the major part of the flow 

system today is largely unchanged from 

predevelopment conditions. Largedischarge springs are still the dominant 

feature of the system. Although pumping 

has caused recharge rates to increase 

locally, the greatest recharge still occurs 

near the springs. Even after development, 

ground-water flow remains sluggish in 

areas where the aquifer is deeply buried 

relative to flow in areas where the aquifer 

is close to the land surface.

Similar ground-water studies are being conducted by the Water Resources Division of the 

U.S. Geological Survey within its Regional 

Aquifer System Analysis Program. They are as 

follows:

 Alluvial Basins: In parts of Nevada and 

Utah;

 Atlantic Coastal Plain: In parts of New

York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North 

Carolina;

 Central Midwest: In parts of Arkansas,

Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, 

New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 

and Texas;

 Central Valley: In California;

 Columbia Plateau: In parts of Washington, 

Oregon, and Idaho;

 High Plains: In parts of Colorado, Kansas,

Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South 

Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming;

 Northeast Glacial Valleys: In the New

England States, New York, and the glaciated parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 

and northeastern Ohio;

 Northern Great Plains: In parts of Montana, 

North and South Dakota, and Wyoming;

 Northern Midwest: In parts of Illinois, Iowa, 

Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin;

 Oahu, Hawaii;

 Snake River Plain: In part of Idaho;

 Southeastern Carbonates: In Florida and 

parts of Georgia, Alabama and South 

Carolina;

 Southeastern Coastal Plain: In parts of

South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and 

Mississippi;

 Southwest Alluvial Basins: In parts of

Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and 

Texas;

 Upper Colorado: In parts of Colorado, Utah, 

New Mexico, and Wyoming; and

 West Gulf Coastal Plain: In parts of

Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and 

Texas.

84
The Distributed Information System

The Water Resources Division of the U.S. 

Geological Survey is installing a nationwide network of 75 minicomputers to support research, 

hydrologic simulations, the national hydrologic 

data base, and management activities. Applications programs and proprietary software for 

computer graphics, data base management, statistical analysis, and data entry are installed on 

every system. These minicomputers are located

in each District and Regional Office, in many 

project and subdistrict offices, and in the Reston, Virginia, headquarters. A state-of-the-art 

data communications network, which connects 

more than 1,000 terminals with the minicomputers, provides excellent support for Geological 

Survey scientists and cooperating State and 

local agencies in every State.

Location of offices of the U. S. 

Geological Survey's Water 

Resources Division where the 

Distributed Information System 

computer network for hydrology 

is operational or planned. Connected to each other via telecommunications, the network provides state-of-the-art technology 

to Survey scientists working on 

water-resources investigations.

85
International Activities

Mission

Although the primary responsibility of 

the U.S. Geological Survey is to conduct 

investigations within the limits of the 

United States and its territories, international activities have been an important 

component of U.S. Geological Survey 

operations for more than four decades. 

Such activities have included technical assistance to other countries and international organizations, scientific cooperation 

with earth resources agencies abroad, exchange of scientists and training of participants, representation of the Survey or the 

U.S. Government in international commissions and associations, and assessment of 

mineral and energy resources of foreign 

countries. During 1983, the Survey was involved in a wide range of activities in each 

of these categories.

In undertaking international activities, 

the Survey has four principal objectives: 

 To help achieve domestic research objectives through the comparative

study of scientific phenomena abroad 

and in the United States.

 To contribute toward foreign policy objectives and to provide support for the 

international programs of other Federal 

agencies.

 To obtain information about existing and 

potential foreign resources of interest 

to the United States.

 To develop and maintain contacts with 

counterpart institutions and programs 

to facilitate scientific cooperation and 

exchange.

Major Programs and 

Activities

During 1983, Survey technical 

assistance was extended to 25 nations 

under bilateral assistance programs and to 

several regional or worldwide organizations 

(see table).

International scientific activities conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1983, Bsted by country 

or region

Technical Assistance Activities

Bangladesh Mineral resources exploration; modernization of Bangladesh

Geological Survey.

Brazil Natural gas utilization studies. 

Costa Rica Coal resources project development.

Egypt Technology transfer and manpower development; remote sensing. 

El Salvador Earthquake hazards reduction. 

Guatemala Do. 

Indonesia Land use; hazards mitigation; volcanic research; coal and mineral

resources assessment.

Jordan Seismic systems; ground water resources; geothermal resources. 

Kenya Regional remote sensing facility; landsat imagery. 

Malawi Project development in coal laboratories and stratigraphicgeophysical studies.

Morocco Landsat image base-map compilation. 

Pakistan Coal resources project development. 

Panama Earthquake hazards reduction. 

Paraguay Hydrologic hazards related to floods. 

Peru Mineral resources assessment; flood hazards in Cuzco. 

Philippines Coal and mineral resources project development; publications

assistance.

Portugal Geothermal resources; seismic hazards-San Miguel Island, Azores. 

Romania Earthquake detection equipment. 

Saudi Arabia Geologic mapping and mineral resource assessment; hydrologic

studies.

Somalia Institutional development; mineral resources surveys. 

Syria Remote sensing.

86
International scientific activities conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1983, listed by country 

or region Continued

Technical Assistance Activities

Thailand Remote sensing; oil shale and lignite research; geologic workshops

and natural gas symposium.

Tunisia Remote sensing; Landsat mosaic compilation. 

Venezuela Hydrology and water resources of Orinoco Basin. 

Yemen Earthquake investigations.

East Africa Remote sensing for cartographic and geologic applications. 

Latin America Earthquake disaster mitigation in Andean region. 

Southeast Asia Earthquake engineering and hazards mitigation; engineering

seismology and geology; phosphate research. 

Worldwide Global seismic network; geologic and hydrologic training programs;

conventional energy resources identifications.

Scientific Cooperative Activities

Antarctica Topographic mapping.

Australia Lacustrine geologic studies; isotopic analyses.

Bolivia Tin resources surveys.

Brazil Mineral and energy resources assessments; river sediment studies.

Canada Strategic minerals inventory; sea-floor mineral exploration; borehole

geophysics.

Chile Aeromagnetic surveys.

Colombia Mineral resources assessment; geochemical data processing.

Dominican Republic Geothermal resources assessment; offshore shelf studies.

France Remote sensing; marine geology.

Germany Strategic minerals inventory; marine seismic studies of continental

margins.

Hungary Seismic stratigraphy, reflection seismic, electromagnetic,

mineralogic, paleomagnetic and paleoenvironmental studies.

Iceland Volcano and geothermal studies.

Japan Joint panels on earthquake prediction, marine geology, and marine

mining.

Mexico Volcano and geothermal studies; geochemical and geophysical exploration; mineral and metallogenic map analyses; regional structure and stratigraphic studies; tectonostratigraphic terrane 

studies.

Oman Sulfide deposit studies.

Pakistan Isotopic study of zircon.

People's Republic of China Earthquake studies; remote sensing; coal basin studies; petroleum

geology of carbonate rocks; circum-Pacific geologic and tectonic 

framework; karst genesis and classification; surface-water 

hydrology.

Peru Landslide hazards-Tablachaca Dam.

South Africa Strategic minerals inventory.

South Korea Offshore petroleum resources and geothermal resources

assessments.

Sweden Nuclear waste disposal.

United Kingdom Coal resources and environmental studies.

U.S.S.R Joint committee on earthquake prediction.

Yugoslavia Crustal structure research; seismic studies; subsidence research;

geochemical surveys.

Pacific region South Pacific cruise; hydrocarbon resources studies; oceanic crusts

studies; chromite resources.

Southeast-East Asia Sea-floor geologic mapping; petroleum geology research.

Worldwide International Strategic Mineral Inventory; The World Energy

Resources Program.

87
The largest assistance programs were 

with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (regional geologic mapping, mineral surveys, and institutional development) and with the Saudi 

Arabian Ministry of Agriculture and Water 

(surface and ground water hydrology), 

both financed by the Kingdom of Saudi 

Arabia. Assistance to several countries involved coal resource assessments and 

earthquake hazard mitigations, each sponsored for the large part by the Agency for 

International Development.

Scientific cooperation is conducted 

under cooperative agreements with counterpart organizations in other countries to 

help achieve common research objectives 

and to support foreign policy of the United 

States. The financing for such cooperative 

activities is jointly from funds appropriated 

for Survey research and funds or other 

financial resources made available by the 

cooperating country or organization. During 1983, such cooperation was carried 

out with 24 countries and several regional 

organizations (see table). The largest 

bilateral cooperative efforts, in terms of 

the numbers of scientists involved, were in 

Antarctica (sponsored by the National 

Science Foundation), China, Colombia, and 

Mexico. Another major undertaking was 

the hydrocarbon resources study in the 

Southwest Pacific in cooperation with 

Australia, New Zealand, and other countries of that region, sponsored in part by 

the Agency for International Development. 

The Survey continued to coordinate 

the preparation of maps under the CircumPacific Map Project on behalf of the 

Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and 

Mineral Resources, which now involves 

about 35 countries.

Exchange of scientists and training of 

participants are two activities that are performed by the Survey to support bilateral 

scientific cooperation and technical assistance programs. The reciprocal exchanges 

provide the opportunities for global consulation and study by scientists of many 

countries and those of the U.S.-Geological 

Survey. Training of participants is scheduled or arranged under foreign assistance 

programs using funds transferred to the 

Survey. Seventy-seven research scientists 

from 23 countries spent a total of 290 

man-months at Survey facilities in 1983, 

studying or consulting on most all subjects 

of which the Survey has expertise. Arrangments often include training at other

institutions, such as colleges and universities and private companies. The Survey 

conducted five training courses for foreign 

participants in 1983: Hydrologic Techniques, Advanced Remote Sensing Applications, Principles of Data Processing, and 

two International Remote Sensing workshops. Approximately 60 participants attended these courses.

In 1983, as many as 100 Survey employees represented the United States in 

meetings of international organizations and 

commissions and served on councils and 

committees of scientific commissions and 

international scientific unions.

The Geological Survey has frequently 

been called upon for information about 

known and potential resources abroad. To 

provide such information, the Survey has 

gradually broadened the scope of its efforts to collect and evaluate such information in cooperation with other agencies 

and countries. During 1983, cooperation 

was continued with the Department of 

State and the Bureau of Mines in the Resources Attache Program whereby reporting officers are stationed in selected U.S. 

embassies abroad to assemble data on 

resources indigenous to the country or 

region. A world energy resources assessment program also was continued, resulting in new provisional estimates of oil and 

gas resources worldwide. The Geological 

Survey cooperated with the Bureau of 

Mines and with mineral resource agencies 

of Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany, South Africa, and Australia to conduct an international strategic minerals inventory, which focused on the compilation 

of data for chromium, cobalt, manganese, 

phosphate, platinum, tin, titanium, nickel, 

and rare earths worldwide.

Authority and Coordination

Authority and responsibility for Survey 

international activities derive in part from 

specific legislation and in part from agreements to permit the achievement of mandated research objectives. Technical assistance and partipant training are provided on 

behalf of the Department of State, the 

Agency for International Development, and 

the Trade Development Program as authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act. 

International scientific cooperation is authorized by the Secretary of Interior to supplement domestic research objectives and

88
to provide expertise for reimbursable programs commited by other agencies or requested by other countries. Exchange of 

scientists is commonly arranged on behalf 

of the International Communications 

Agency. Representational activities are 

carried out either on behalf of the 

Department of State or as an extension of 

scientific cooperation. Assessments of 

mineral and energy resources in other 

countries are partly in response to commitments of the Survey and partly to support 

programs of other Federal agencies.

All Divisions of the Survey participate in 

international programs. Projects are staffed 

on a rotational basis by personnel from 

domestic operations. Each Division has a 

designated representative or office for its 

international activities, and overall coordination is maintained through the International Activities Committee, which serves 

under the Executive Committee. The Office 

of International Geology in the Geologic 

Division provides logistical and administrative support for all Survey international activities, but technical management of each 

project is exercised by the appropriate 

Divisipn.

Highlights

Saudi Arabia

In 1983, the agreement between the 

Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and the Geological 

Survey was extended for another 2-year 

period, the seventh such extension for the 

program. Geologic mapping at a scale of 

1:100,000, now complete in the southern 

part of the Arabian Shield, has been extended northward. Geologic maps are being recompiled at scale of 1:250,000 

(1.5° x 1 ° quadrangle) for multicolor 

publication by the Ministry with the 

ultimate goal to show the geology of the 

entire Arabian Shield in this format. 

Resource evaluations applying mineralogy, 

geochemistry, geochronology, and isotope 

dating continued for a variety of mineral 

prospects in shield rocks and Cenozoic 

volcanics. Detailed studies on gold were 

conducted at the Mahd adh Dhahab mine, 

which was reactivated this year.

During the past several years, the 

Survey produced geodetically controlled 

duotone Landsat image mosaics at scales 

of 1:250,000 and 1:500,000 as bases 

for compilation of geographic and geologic

maps (fig. 1). A new series of four-color 

image maps is in the process of being 

developed; two quadrangles at a scale of 

1:500,000 will be printed this year, and 

experimental printing of four-color image 

maps at a scale of 1:250,000 will be 

done in 1984. The program to prepare 

topographic maps in the vicinity of Jiddah 

at a scale of 1:25,000 was completed in 

June 1983; the 14 maps in the series will 

be printed by the Geological Survey in 

December.

Under the agreement with the Ministry 

of Agriculture and Water, the Survey has 

emphasized studies in the occurrence and 

quality of ground and surface water. Compilation is proceeding on a comprehensive 

atlas of water resources, including the 

history of water development.

Indonesia

The Survey's program of technical 

assistance to Indonesia, principally in the 

mitigation of geologic hazards, under 

auspices of the Agency for International 

Development, was terminated in 1983 

after 4.5 years during which 30 scientists 

on short-term consultancies completed 14 

man-years of studies at a cost of about 

$2.4 million. In 1983, 15 consultants 

conducted 50 man-months of research on 

hazards associated with the volcanoes of 

Java and Sumatra. The program culminates this year with Survey representation 

at the Krakatau symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of that major 

volcanic eruption.

Venezuela

The Survey is assisting the Venezuelan 

Ministry of Environmental and Renewable 

Natural Resources on the implementation 

of stream gaging and water-quality sampling programs for the Orinoco river and its 

tributaries. Too little is known at this time 

about the varied flow and sedimentdischarge characteristics of this major river 

to allow Venezuela to plan effectively for 

future hydroelectric and navigation development. The proposed techniques of study 

are those developed by the Geological 

Survey for other large rivers, such as the 

Mississippi and the Amazon.

Morocco

The Survey, in cooperation with the 

Defense Mapping Agency, is preparing 13

89
Figure 1. Status of

1:250,000-scale Landsat 

image maps in Saudi 

Arabia.

Landsat multispectral (bands 4, 5, 7) 

image maps at the scale of 1:250,000 

which will provide base maps for an area 

in Morocco and Western Sahara that is 

largely unmapped. The coverage will be 

extremely useful to Morocco in geologic investigations, energy and mineral exploration, and natural resource programs. The 

maps will be printed in the conventional 

color-infrared image format.

People's Republic of China

Under the Earth Sciences Protocol 

signed in 1980 between the Chinese Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources 

and the U.S. Geological Survey, some 20 

projects have now been defined covering a 

wide variety of geoscience subjects. In 

May 1983, the Director, Chief Geologist,

and eight other scientific administrators 

visited China to gain an understanding of 

the scope and nature of activities in the 

Chinese geoscience community.

During this year, exchange studies involved 35 Geological Survey scientists on 

five projects. Remote sensing techniques 

involving study of the regional structure, 

surface and subsurface stratigraphy and 

sedimentology, and evolutionary history 

were applied to petroleum exploration in 

the Qaidam (Chaidamu) Basin in China and 

the Uinta Basin in Utah. This computerprocessed Landsat data was compared to 

geology in the field for selected areas. 

Identification of the coal-forming environments and the application of computerbased data systems for exploration and 

assessment of coal resources were the important objectives of a project that in57 C 6O°

0 100 200 KILOMETERS

 Boundary of Arabian Shield
volved comprehensive studies in one or 

two selected coal basins in each country. 

The petroleum geology of carbonate rocks 

was studied in reef sequences of the 

Permian Basin of western Texas and the 

Nanpanjiang Basin in southern China, 

emphasizing types and distribution of sedimentary facies, diagenesis, and hydrocarbon generation and migration. Geologic 

and tectonic framework studies compared 

key structural characteristics and tectonic 

evolutionary history of Meso-Cenozoic 

time in selected areas of eastern China and 

the Western United States. Genesis, classification, and distribution of karst is being 

defined as a future research effort.

South Pacific

Australia, New Zealand, and the United 

States are cooperating on a program of 

marine geoscientific research in the South 

Pacific region in association with, and 

under coordination by, the United Nations 

Committee for the Coordination of Joint 

Prospecting for Mineral Resources in the 

South Pacific Offshore Areas. The Survey 

ship, R/V Samuel P. Lee, made a three-leg 

cruise during April, May, and June 1982 

in the offshore waters of the Kingdom of 

Tonga, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands 

to collect scientific data on the geology 

amenable to hydrocarbon resources (fig.

2). Interpretation of these data during 

1983 resulted in the delineation of several 

sedimentary platforms or basins and defined several significant stratigraphic and 

structural features capable of trapping oil 

and gas. A preliminary evaluation of the 

petroleum potential of this region will be 

made after an examination of the results of 

laboratory analyses of samples and a detailed interpretation of the multichannel 

seismic reflection profiles. A comprehensive evaluation will be made following 

interpretation of additional data to be collected on a 1984 cruise of the Lee in the 

same waters.

Circum-Pacific Map Project

Innovative approaches are used to relate 

the known energy and mineral resources 

to major geologic features of the Pacific 

basin under a cooperative effort by participating geoscientists from 35 countries. 

This effort, the Circum-Pacific Map Project, 

is an activity of the Circum-Pacific Council 

for Energy and Mineral Resources; project 

coordination and cartography are the 

responsibility of U.S. Geological Survey, 

and the maps are published by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 

Data are compiled by the appropriate panel 

representatives on five 1:10,000,000- 

scale equal-area maps, four of which

GEOPHYSICAL TRACKING BY R/V SP LEE, 1982

Figure 2. Scientific cruise of 

R/V Samuel P. Lee.

91
represent quadrants of the Pacific, and the 

other, Antarctica. Twenty-one of 47 

planned maps have been published since 

the project began 11 years ago. During 

1983, activities centered on the completion of the first three map series, Plate 

Tectonics, Geologic, and Mineral 

Resources; publication of the next two 

map series, Energy Resources and Geodynamics, will commence in 1984.

Antarctica

The Survey, in cooperation with the National Science Foundation, compiles and 

publishes base maps of selected areas in 

Antarctica in support of the scientific 

research projects of the United States Antarctic Research Program. Maps of Antarctica are subdivisions of the International 

Map of the World system and use symbols 

approved by the Scientific Committee on 

Antarctica Research. Available maps include topography at a scale 1:50,000; 

shaded relief at scales of 1:250,000 and 

1:500,000, some of which cover coastal 

areas of Wilkes Land and Enderby Land; 

base maps at a scale of 1:1,000,000 produced in accordance with specifications of

the International Map of the World; sketch 

maps with shaded relief at a scale of 

1:500,000; and Landsat satellite image 

maps at scales of 1:500,000 and 

1:1,000,000.

In 1982-83, for the 25th year, the National Mapping Division of the Survey 

again provided a field team to establish 

Antarctic mapping control. This team 

worked jointly with two cartographers 

from the New Zealand Department of 

Lands and Survey to establish horizontal 

and vertical control using conventional 

angulation and electronic distance measuring equipment as well as Navy navigation 

satellite doppler receivers. For the 11 th 

consecutive year, two Survey employees 

wintered-over at the Amundsen-Scott 

South Pole station; round-the-clock overflights of U.S. Navy navigation satellites 

were tracked, and the seismic station, a 

vital link in the Worldwide Standardized 

Seismograph Network, was maintained. A 

Survey photonavigator assisted the Navy 

flight crews in obtaining new aerial photograph coverage over a portion of the dry 

valley area of Antarctica. The Geological 

Survey continues to maintain the U.S. Antarctic Cartographic Library, which contains 

international holdings of cartographic

92
materials including aerial film, aerial 

photographs, and Antarctic maps.

Mexico

Survey and Mexican scientists cooperated on a number of geological mapping 

and mineral research projects in 1983. A 

hydrothermally altered zone that appears 

to have excellent potential for mineral 

deposits has been delineated in the La 

Purisima-San Ignacio area. A classical porphry copper-type zone of hydrothermal 

alteration was discovered in the vicinity of 

Sonora where sampling, analysis, and evaluation of the potential for production of 

copper continues. Copper and manganese 

ores near La Paz and Todos Santos may 

have formed in association with subaqueous basin-floor discharges of hot springs. 

On Magdalena Island, magnesite and 

malachite mineralizations were found in a 

metamorphased ophiolite sequence in the 

basement terrane. A sea floor origin analagous to the modern Red Sea geothermal 

system may be the model for the copper 

deposit in the Baja. Also in 1983, monitoring studies continued on El Chichon 

volcano which erupted in 1982.

93
Information Systems Division

Mission

The Information Systems Division provides guidance and advice to the Director 

of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of the Interior, other government 

agencies, and the other Divisions of the 

Survey on all matters relating to Bureau information technology and automated data 

processing (ADP) services. It provides for 

the coordination and growth of information 

systems and guidelines for data standardization, data administration, and data base 

management. The Division is responsible 

for telecommunications management. It 

supports production systems and conducts 

ADP research into better ways to use technology to solve mission-related problems.

Budget and Personnel

The Information Systems Division had a 

budget of $22.6 million for fiscal year 

1983. Other Survey Divisions and Department of Interior and Federal agency users 

provided funding.

As a Department of the Interior General 

Purpose Computer Center, the Division 

computing facilities were available to other 

Interior offices and bureaus as well as to 

all Survey divisions.

Division staffing consists of 168 full-time 

employees, primarily computer specialists, 

computer analysts, mathematicians, systems programmers, computer scientists, 

and technicians. The staff is augmented by 

part-time and intermittent employees who 

greatly assisted in fulfilling the mission of 

the Division. These employees served 

customers from the five ADP Service 

Center sites nationwide: National Center, 

Reston, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Menlo 

Park, California, Denver, Colorado, and 

Flagstaff, Arizona.

Accomplishments 

Use Assistance Centers

The Information Systems Division established a user support section at each of its 

five ADP Service Centers to provide assistance for the full range of services supported 

by the sites. These services include solving 

user computer problems, supporting the use

of proprietary software packages, analyzing 

user requirements for computer support, 

and designing and programming new 

systems.

Digital Private Automatic Branch Exchange

The Division is developing a Request for 

Proposals (RFP) to get replacement 

telephone systems for Reston and Menlo 

Park. The systems will provide touchtone 

service and extensive support to digitized 

voice and data communications. Use of 

the new systems should result in a significant cost savings and provide the Survey 

with improved voice and data communications capabilities for the next decade.

Communications Network Management 

Services

Developing an RFP for a nationwide network dedicated to Survey activities was a 

major activity this fiscal year. The new 

network will include a feature for linking all 

Survey computers as host computing resources and will provide access to these 

resources for all local and remote location 

users. The design of the network allows 

for expansion and will allow new technology to be installed and used throughout 

the entire life of the contract. This service 

will replace many fragmented communications facilities and will result in a unified 

approach to communications within the 

Survey. Within the next several years, this 

service should provide the capability to 

merge digitized voice and data over common communications lines resulting in significant opportunities to reduce expenses.

Tymnet Improvements

Tymnet, a nationwide communication 

network used by the Survey, was augmented to provide interim communications 

support to the Water Resources Division 

Distributed Information System minicomputers. The significant improvements 

include additional host computer connections and take advantage of the technology that was acquired with the minicomputers. Also, special Tymnet user names

94
were established for each Division or 

organization to provide usage statistics 

that will enable the Divison to improve 

data communications facilities at remote 

Survey offices.

Large Scale Optical Disk Storage

The amount of scientific data that the 

Survey digitizes and stores is increasing. 

Laser optical disk technology provides a 

method to more efficiently store needed 

data and preserve it with a high degree of 

reliability and a lower storage cost. The Information Systems Division, in conjunction 

with the National Mapping Division, established a program to test the technology 

and plans to design and implement an 

earth science digital data library using optical disk mass storage capability.

Optimum Use of Mainframe Computer 

Capacity

The Division began the rearrangement of 

its mainframe computers to make more 

cost effective and efficient use of its resources. The Multics computer sites are 

being consolidated; the system in Menlo 

Park was shutdown, and the system at the 

National Center will be phased out in fiscal 

year 1984 and its workload shifted, as 

was Menlo Park's workload, to the Multics 

system in Denver.

An Amdahl V8 mainframe computer was 

purchased to assist in combining the 

Washington ADP Service Center workload 

with that of the National Center. The computer will replace two Itel computers at the 

Washington ADP Service Center and reduce 

operating costs.

Acquisition Support

During fiscal year 1983, the Division 

continued to support the other Survey 

Divisions in acquiring ADP resources. The 

efforts included requirements definition, 

documentation preparation, regulatory approvals acquisition, technical evaluation of 

proposed resources, contract administration functions, and management of the 

bureau ADP reutilization program.

ADP acquisition specialists were added to 

the staffs in Menlo Park and Denver to provide additional support to the field centers. 

Over 3,100 requests for equipment, software, and services with expenditures exceeding $40 million have been processed

this fiscal year. Programs supported were 

the Water Resources Distributed Information System, Earthquake Studies, Digitized 

Mapping Information, administrative support 

functions, merging of General Purpose 

Computer Centers, Public Inquiries System, 

Marine Geology research, and office 

automation projects.

Increased Support for Minicomputers

The Reston ADP Service Center created 

the Multics-Minicomputer Technical Support Section to better serve the users of 

minicomputers within the Survey and installed several minicomputers belonging to 

other divisions. It also began to install the 

communications equipment required to link 

the nationwide network of minicomputers 

and mainframe computers.

Major Activities

Information Systems Division personnel 

provided major leadership and support for 

two bureauwide activities:

Information Systems Council

The Information Systems Council is 

made up of Division and regional policylevel representatives who meet monthly to 

review and recommend ADP technical policy, to coordinate ADP technology within 

the Survey and with the Department of Interior, and to provide guidelines for major 

information programs and systems of the 

Survey.

The Council began two studies this year: 

an evaluation of telecommunications in the 

Survey and an analysis of the current and 

anticipated use of mainframe computers 

by the Survey. The evaluation of telecommunications is significant because data 

and voice communications costs will 

become an increasingly larger component 

of future Survey budgets. An analysis of 

mainframe computer use was prompted by 

the rapid growth of the use of small computers throughout the Survey.

The Council also began a program to increase the ADP procurement authority of 

the Central Region Procurement and Contracts Section from $ 10,000 to $50,000 

and is investigating ways to ease the acquisition and use of technology at all field 

sites.

95
Earth Science Information Network and 

Centers

The Survey and the Information Systems 

Council established the Earth Science Information Network to improve dissemination 

of earth science information. The emphasis 

of the network is to link public access 

points to provide more consistent and systematic information access and delivery.

The initial focus will be on the National 

Cartographic Information Centers (NCIC) 

and the Public Inquiries Offices (PIO). The 

Information Systems Division provided the 

NCIC and PIO offices with microcomputers 

linked to computerized reference sources 

describing the Geological Survey's earth 

science information and products. The network provides the offices with timely news 

releases from the Public Affairs Office and 

has the capability to obtain information 

from non-Survey sources, where necessary, to provide coverage of a particular 

earth science discipline or geographic area.

The Council is considering establishing 

one or more Earth Science Information 

Centers which could provide a more technical information service for the scientific 

community within the Department of Interior. The centers would be staffed with 

scientific personnel from each of the line 

Divisions and would have available the 

complete set of reference tools being 

developed and implemented for the existing public access points.
Computer specialist conducts tests to verify performance of new computer system.

97
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

STAFF OFFICES

WATER RESOURCES DIVISION

Office of the Assistant Chief

for Scientific Publications

and Data Manaoement

NATIONAL MAPPING DIVISION

Chief 

Associate Chief

Office of 

Water Data Coordination

Assistant Division Chief 

for Research

Geographic and

Cartographic Research 

Systems and

Techniques Develooment

Surface Water 

Ground Water 

Quality of Water

Assistant Division Chief 

for Information and Data Services

Offices

Product Distribution Policy 

Publications Liaison and Review 

National Cartographic and 

Geographic Information Service 

Public Inquiries

Regional Offices

Northeastern Reston. VA 

Southeastern Atlanta, GA 

Central Denver. CO 

Western Menlo Park . CA

District Offices

Assistant Division Chief 

for Plans and Operations

Program Management 

Plans and Coordination 

International Activities

Assistant Division Chief

for Earth Resources Observation

Systems

Field Centers

Eastern Mapping Reston. VA 

Mid Continent Mapping Rolla. MO 

Printing and Distribution Reston. VA 

Rocky Mountain Mapping Denver,CO 

Western Mapping Menlo Park. CA 

EROS Data Center Sioux Falls, SD

Office of Scientific Publications

Branches

Eastern Technical Reports 

Central Technical Reports 

Western Technical Reports 

Library and Information Services

Branches

AlasKan Geology 

Western Mineral Resources 

Central Mineral Resources 

Eastern Mineral Resources 

Exploration Geochemistry 

Geophysics 

Analytical Chemistry 

Resource Analysis

Office of Energy and Marine 

Geology

Branches 

Coal Resources 

Oil and Gas Resources 

Energy Minerals 

Pacific Marine Geology 

Atlantic Marine Geology

98
ORGANIZATION OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

U.S. Department of the Interior

GEOLOGIC DIVISION

Chief Geologist 

Associate Chief Geologist 

Assistant Chief Geologist tor Program

Office of International Geology

Office of Regional Geology

Branches

Western Regional Geology 

Central Regional Geology 

Eastern Regional Geology 

Isotope Geology 

Paleontology and Stratigraphy 

Astrogeology

Office of Earthquakes, 

Volcanoes and Engineering

Branches

Tectonophysics 

Engineering Seismology and

Geology 

Seismology 

Engineering Geology and

Tectonics 

Global Seismology and

Geomagnetism 

Igneous and Geothermal 

Processes

Assistant Chief Geologists

Eastern Region 

Central Region 

Western Region

INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION

Chief 

Associate Chief

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

Chief 

Deputy Chief

OFFICES

Program Supoort Services 

Systems Policy and Management 

Data Administration 

Acquisition Management and

Suppon 

Operational Support Services

Office of ADP Services

Centers 

Denver, CO 

Menlo Park, CA 

Washington, D.C. 

Flagstaff, AZ 

Reston, VA

Branches

Financial Management

General Services

Management Analysis

Personnel

Procurement and Contracts

Management Offices

Eastern Reston, VA 

Central Denver, CO 

Western Menlo Park, CA
U.S. Geological Survey Offices 

Headquarters Offices

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, 

National Center, Reston, VA 22092

Office Name Telephone Number Address

Office of the Director

Director Dallas L Peck (703) 860-7411 National Center, STOP 101 

Associate Director Doyle G. Frederick (703) 860-7412 National Center, STOP 102 

Special Assistant (Washington Liaison) and

Deputy Ethics Counselor Jane H. Wallace (202) 343-3888 Rm. 7343, Interior Bldg.,

Washington, DC 20240

Assistant Director for Research Bruce B. Hanshaw (703) 860-7488 National Center, STOP 104 

Assistant Director for Engineering Geology James F. Devine (703) 860-7491 National Center, STOP 106 

Assistant Director for Administration Edmund J. Grant (703) 860-7201 National Center, STOP 201 

Assistant Director for Programs Hillary A. Oden (703) 860-7435 National Center, STOP 105 

Assistant Director for Intergovernmental Affairs John J. Dragonetti (703) 860-7414 National Center, STOP 109 

Director's Representative-Central Region John D. McLaurin (303) 234-2351 Box 25046, STOP 510, Denver Federal

Center, Denver, CO 80225 

Director's Representative-Western Region George Gryc (415) 323-2917 345 Middlefield Rd., STOP 87

Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Special Assistant for Congressional and

Legislative Affairs Nancy L Smith (703) 860-6438 National, STOP 112 

Congressional Liaison Officer Talmadge W. Reed (703) 860-6438 National Center, STOP 112 . 

Chief, Public Affairs Office Donovan B. Kelly (703) 860-7444 National Center, STOP 119 

Staff Assistant (Special Issues) William G. Wilber (703) 860-7413 National Center, STOP 121 

Special Assistant to the Director for Alaska Max. C. Brewer (907) 271-4398 or Gould Hall-APU Campus

(907) 263-7429 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99504 

Assistant Director for Information Systems R. Michael Gall (703) 860-7108 National Center, STOP 801

National Mapping Division

Chief -- Rupert B. Southard (703) 860-6231 National Center, STOP 516 

Associate Chief Roy R. Mullen (703) 860-6232 National Center, STOP 516 

Assistant Division Chief for Research Lowell E. Starr (703) 860-6291 National Center, STOP 519 

Assistant Division Chief for Plans and

Operations Peter F. Bermel (703) 860-6281 National Center, STOP 514 

Assistant Division Chief for Information and

Data Services Gary W. North (703) 860-7181 National Center, STOP 508

Geologic Division

Chief Geologist - Robert M. Hamilton (703) 860-6531 National Center, STOP 911

Associate Chief Geologist William C. Prinz (703) 860-6532 National Center, STOP 911

Assistant Chief Geologist for Program Benjamin A. Morgan (703) 860-6584 National Center, STOP 911

Deputy Chief Geologist for Scientific Personnel Penelope M. Hanshaw (703) 860-7429 National Center, STOP 911

Policy and Budget Officer Norman E. Gunderson (703) 860-6544 National Center, STOP 910

Office of Scientific Publications, Chief John M. Aaron (703) 860-6575 National Center, STOP 904

Office of Regional Geology, Chief Douglas M. Morton (703) 860-6411 National Center, STOP 908 

Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and

Engineering, Chief John R. Filson (703) 860-6471 National Center, STOP 905

Office of Energy and Marine Geology, Chief Terry W. Offield (703) 860-6431 National Center, STOP 915

Office of Mineral Resources, Chief Thomas Ovenshine (703) 860-6561 National Center, STOP 913

Office of International Geology, Chief John A. Reinemund (703) 860-6418 National Center, STOP 917

Water Resources Division

Chief Hydrologist ----------------------- Philip Cohen (703)860-6921 National Center, STOP 409

Associate Chief Hydrologist --------------------- R. Hal Langford (703)860-6921 National Center, STOP 408

Assistant Chief Hydrologist, Scientific

Publications and Data Management --------- lames E. Biesecker (703) 860-6877 National Center, STOP 440

Assistant Chief Hydrologist, Operations -------- Thomas J. Buchanan (703) 860-6801 National Center, STOP 441

Assistant Chief Hydrologist, Research

and Technical Coordination -------------- Gordon D. Bennett (703) 860-6971 National Center, STOP 414

Deputy Assistant Chief Hydrologist,

Research --------------------------- Roger G. Wolff (703) 860-6971 National Center, STOP 413

Office of Hazardous Waste Hydrology, Chief ---- lohn B. Robertson (703)860-6976 National Center, STOP 410

Branch of Water Information Transfer, Chief ----- Gary D. Cobb (703) 860-6802 National Center, STOP 440

Branch of Ground Water, Acting Chief -------- Eugene G. Patten, Jr. (703) 860-6904 National Center, STOP 411

Branch of Quality of Water, Chief ----------- R. J. Pickering (703) 860-6834 National Center, STOP 412

100
Office Name

Branch of Surface Water, Chief ------------- Marshall E. Moss

Office of Water Data Coordination, Chief ------ Porter E. Ward

Office of International Hydrology, Chief -------- Delia Laura

Office of Computer Technology, Chief --------- |. Ronald Jones

Office of Scientific Information, Chief --------- John E. Moore

Water Resources Information 

Center Program (WRSIC), Chief ------------ Raymond A. Jensen

Information Systems Division

Chief R. Michael Gall 

Associate Chief Carl E. Diesen 

Office of Systems Policy and Management Richard A. MacDonald 

Office of ADP Services James A. Lair 

Office of Data Administration Theodore M. Albert 

Office of Acquisition Management and Support Virginia L. Thomas 

Office of Program Support Services Rollin F. Nelson 

Office of Operational Systems Support James S. Bregman

Administrative Division

Chief Edmund J. Grant 

Deputy Chief William F. Gossman, Jr. 

Administrative Operations Officer George F. Hargrove, Jr. 

Personnel Officer Maxine C. Millard 

Contracts Officer Paul A. Denett 

Finance Officer Posey B. Howell, Jr. 

General Services Officer Robert E. Rogers 

Management Analysis Officer Ronald E. DeMatteo

Selected Field Offices 

National Mapping Division

Regional Centers

- Roy E. Fordham

- Lawrence H. Borgerding

Eastern - - 

Mid-Continent

Rocky Mountain John D. McLaurin 

Western John R. Swinnerton 

Printing and Distribution Charles D. Kuhler

Public Inquiries Office

Alaska ---------

California: 

Los Angeles

Elizabeth C. Behrendt

Lucy E. Birdsall

Menlo Park Bruce S. Deam

San Francisco Patricia A. Shiffer

Colorado Irene V. Shy

District of Columbia Bruce A. Hubbard

Texas

Utah

John P. Donnelly

Wendy R. Hassibe

Telephone Number

(703) 860-6837 

(703) 860-6931 

(703) 860-6547 

(703) 860-6877 

(703) 860-6878

(703)860-6031

Address

National 

National 

National 

National 

National

STOP 415 

STOP 417 

STOP 470 

STOP 440 

STOP 440

National Center, STOP 421

(703) 860-7108 

(703) 860-7106 

(703) 860-7127 

(703) 860-7519 

(703) 860-6086 

(703) 860-7242 

(703) 860-7103 

(202) 343-7981

National Center, STOP 801 

National Center, STOP 801 

National Center, STOP 804 

National Center, STOP 807 

National Center, STOP 806 

National Center, STOP 805 

National Center, STOP 802 

Interior Building, Room 1443

(703) 860-7201

(703) 860-7203

(703) 860-7204

(703) 860-6127

(703) 860-7261

(703) 860-6181

(703) 860-7206

(703) 860-7211

National Center, STOP 201

National Center, STOP 202

National Center, STOP 203

National Center, STOP 215

National Center, STOP 205

National Center, STOP 270

National Center, STOP 207

National Center, STOP 206

(703) 860-6352 

(314) 341-0880

(303) 234-2351

(415) 323-8111,

ext.2411 

(703) 860-6761

(907) 277-0577

(213) 688-2850 

(415) 323-8111 

(415) 556-5627 

(303) 837-4169 

(202) 343-8073 

(214) 767-0198 

(801) 524-5652

National Center, STOP 567 

1400 Independence Road,

Rolla, MO 65401 

Box 25046, STOP 510,

Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 

345 Middlefield Road,

Menlo Park, CA 94025 

National Center, STOP 580

108 Skyline Bldg., 

508 2d Ave., 

Anchorage, AK 99501

7638 Fed. Bldg.,

300 N. Los Angeles St.,

Los Angeles, CA 90012 

345 Middlefield Rd.,

STOP 33, Bldg. 3, Rm. 122,

Menlo Park, CA 94025 

504 Customhouse,

555 Battery St.,

San Francisco, CA 94111 

169 Fed. Bldg.,

1961 Stout St.,

Denver, CO 80294 

1028 GSA Bldg.,

19th and F Sts., NW.,

Washington, DC 20244 

1C45 Fed. Bldg.,

1100 Commerce St.,

Dallas, TX 75242 

8105 Fed. Bldg.,

125 S. State St.,

Salt Lake City, UT84138

101
Office Name

Virginia Margaret E. Counce

Washington Jean E. Flechel

Distribution Branch Offices

Alaska Natalie Cornforth 

Western Dwight F. Canfield

Eastern George V. DeMeglio

Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center

South Dakota Alien H. Watkins

Geologic Division 

Regional Offices

Eastern Bruce R. Doe 

Central Harry A. Tourtelot

Western G. Brent Dalrymple

Water Resources Division 

Regional Offices

Northeastern Stanley P. Sauer 

Southeastern James L. Cook

Central Alfred Clebsch, Jr. 

Western John D. Bredehoeft

District Offices

Alabama -

Alaska - 

Arizona

Charles A. Pascale

Philip A. Emery 

Robert D. Mac-Nish

Arkansas Ector E. Gann

California

Colorado

Timothy J. Durbin

James F. Blakey

Telephone Number 

(703) 860-6167

(509)456-2524

(907) 456-7535 

(303) 234-3832

(703)557-2781 

(605) 594-7123

(703) 860-6631 

(303) 234-3625

(415) 323-2214

(703) 860-6985 

(404) 221-5174

(303)234-3661

(415) 323-8111, 

ext. 2337

(205) 752-8104

(907) 271-4138 

(602) 792-6671

(501)378-6391 

(916) 484-4606 

(303) 234-5092

Address

1C402 National Center,

STOP 503,

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr.

Reston, VA 22092 

678 U.S. Courthouse,

W. 920 Riverside Ave.,

Spokane, WA 99201

101 12th Ave., Box 12, 

Fairbanks, AK 99701

Box 25285, STOP 306, 

Denver Federal Center, 

Denver, CO 80225

1200S. EadsSt., 

Arlington, VA 22202

EROS Data Center, 

Sioux Falls, SD 57198

National Center STOP 953 

Box 25046, STOP 911,

Denver Federal Center,

Denver, CO 80225 

345 Middlefield Rd., STOP 19,

Menlo Park, CA 94025

National Center, STOP 433 

Richard B. Russell Federal

Bldg., 75 Spring St., SW,

Suite 77, Atlanta, GA 30303 

Box 25046, STOP 406,

Denver Federal Center,

Denver, CO 80225 

345 Middlefield Road, STOP 66,

Menlo Park, CA 94025

P.O. Box V, 202 Oil and Gas

Board Bldg.,

University of Alabama,

University, AL 35486 

733 W. 4th Ave., Suite 400,

Anchorage, AK 99501 

Federal Bldg.,

301 W. Congress St.,

Tucson, AZ 85701 

2301 Federal Office Bldg.,

700 W. Capital Ave.,

Little Rock, AR 72201 

Room W-2235 Federal Bldg.,

2800 Cottage Way,

Sacramento, CA 95825 

Box 25046, STOP 415,

Denver Federal Center,

Denver, CO 80225

Connecticut (See Massachusetts) 

102
Office Name Telephone Number Address

Delaware (See Maryland)

District of Columbia (See Maryland)

Florida Irwin H. Kantrowitz (904) 681-7620 Suite 3015 Hobbs Federal Bldg.,

227 North Bronough Street, 

Tallahassee, FL 32301

Georgia Jeffrey T. Armbruster (404)221-4848 6481 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.,

Suite B, 

Doraville, GA 30360

Hawaii Stanley F. Kapustka (808) 546-8331 P.O. Box 50166,

300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm 6610, 

Honolulu, HI 96850

Idaho Ernest F. Hubbard, Jr. (208) 334-1750 230 Collins Road,

Boise, ID 83702

Illinois Larry G. Toler (217)398-5353 Champaign County Bank Plaza,

102 E. Main St., 4th Floor, 

Urbana, IL61801

Indiana Dennis K. Stewart (317) 927-8640 6023 Guion Road, Suite 201,

Indianapolis, IN 46254

)owa John M. Klein (319) 337-4191 P.O. Box 1230,

1400 S. Clinton St., 

Iowa City, IA 52244

Kansas Joseph S. Rosenshein (913) 864-4321 1950 Constant Ave.-Campus West,

University of Kansas, 

Lawrence, KS 66044

Kentucky Alfred L Knight (505) 582-5241 572 Federal Bldg.,

600 Federal PI., 

Louisville, KY 40202

Louisiana Darwin D. Knochenmus (504) 390-0281 P.O. Box 66492,

6554 Florida Blvd., 

Baton Rouge, LA 70896

Maine (See Massachusetts)

Maryland Herbert J. Freiberger (301)828-1535 208 Carroll Bldg.,

8600 La Salle Rd., 

Towson, MD 21204

Massachusetts Ivan C. James II (617)223-2822 150 Causeway St., Suite 1309,

Boston, MA 02114

Michigan T. Ray Cummings (517) 377-1608 6520 Mercantile Way, Suite 5,

Lansing, Ml 48910

Minnesota Donald R. Albin (612)725-7841 702 Post Office Bldg.,

St. Paul, MN 55101

Mississippi Garald G. Parker, Jr. (601) 960-4600 Suite 710 Federal Bldg.,

100 West Capitol St., 

Jackson, MS 39269

Missouri Daniel P. Bauer (314) 341-0824 1400 Independence Rd.,

STOP 200, 

Rolla, MO 65401

Montana George M. Pike (406) 449-5302 428 Federal Bldg.,

301 South Park Avenue, 

Drawer 10076, 

Helena, MT 59626

Nebraska William M. Kastner (402)471-5082 406 Federal Bldg. and

U.S. Courthouse, 

100 Centennial Mall, North, 

Lincoln, NE 68508

Nevada(See Idaho)

New Hampshire (See Massachusetts)

New Jersey Donald E. Vaupel (609) 989-2162 430 Federal Bldg.,

402 E. State Street, 

Trenton, NJ 08608

New Mexico James F. Daniel (505) 766-2246 Western Bank Bldg., Rm. 720,

505 Marquette, NW., 

Albuquerque, NM 87102

New York Lawrence A. Martens (518) 472-3107 P.O. 1350, 343 U.S. Post

Office and Courthouse Bldg., 

Albany, NY 12201

North Carolina James F. Turner (919) 755-4510 P.O. Box 2857, Rm. 436,

Century Postal Station, 

Raleigh, NC 27602

103
Office Name Telephone Number Address

North Dakota " L. Grady Moore 

Ohio - Steven M. Hindall 

Oklahoma James H. Irwin

Oregon Edward L. Bolke

(Acting) 

Pennsylvania David E. Click

Puerto Rico Ferdinand QuinonesMarquez

Rhode Island (See Massachusetts)

South Carolina Rodney N. Cherry

South Dakota Richard E. Fidler 

Tennessee Larry R. Hayes 

Texas Charles W. Boning 

Utah Theodore Arnow

Vermont (See Massachusetts)

Virginia (See Maryland)

Washington Leslie B. Laird

West Virginia David H. Appel

Wisconsin - Vernon W. Norman 

Wyoming Richard M. Bloyd, Jr.

Administrative Division 

Regional Management Offices

Roy Heinbuch 

Jack J. Stassi

(701) 255-4011,

ext. 601 

(614) 469-5553

(405) 231-4256 

(503) 231-2009 

(717) 782-4514

(809) 783-4660

(803) 765-5966

(605) 352-8651, 

ext. 258

(615) 251-5424 

(512) 397-5766 

(801) 524-5663

(206) 593-6510 

(304)347-5130

(608) 262-2488 

(307) 772-2153

Western Avery W. Rogers

(703)860-7691 

(303) 234-3736

(415) 323-2211

821 East Interstate Ave.,

Bismarck, ND 58501 

975 West Third Ave.,

Columbis, OH 43212 

Rm. 621, 21 5 Dean A. McGee Ave.

Oklahoma City, OK 73102 

847 NE 19th Ave., Suite 300,

Portland, OR 97232 

P.O. Box 1107, 4th Floor,

Federal Bldg., 228 Walnut St.,

Harrisburg, PA 17108 

GPO Box 4424,

Bldg. 652 GSA Center,

San Juan, PR 00936

Suite 658, 1835 Assembly St.,

Columbia, SC 29201 

Rm. 317 Federal Bldg.,

200 4th St., SW,

Huron, SD 57350 

A-413 Federal Bldg.,

U.S. Courthouse,

Nashville, TN 37203 

649 Federal Bldg.,

300 E. 8th St.,

Austin, TX 78701 

1016 Administration Bldg.,

1745 W. 1700 South,

Salt Lake City, UT 84104

1201 Pacific Ave., Suite 600,

Tacoma, WA 98402 

3416 Federal Bldg. and

U.S. Courthouse,

500 Quarrier St., E.,

Charleston, WV 25301 

1815 University Ave.,

Madison, Wl 53705 

P.O. Box 1125,

2120 Capital Ave., Rm. 4007,

Cheyenne, WY 82003

National Center, STOP 290 

Box 25046, STOP 201,

Denver Federal Center,

Denver, CO 80225 

345 Middlefield Rd., STOP 11,

Menlo Park, CA 94025

104
Guide to Information 

and Publications

Throughout this report, reference has been 

made to information services and publications 

of the U.S. Geological Survey. During fiscal 

year 1983, the Survey produced over 5,265 

new and revised topographic, hydrologic, and 

geologic maps; printed 13,162,500 copies of 

5,265 different maps; distributed 7,417,093 

copies of maps; and sold 5,610,855 copies for 

$7,093,548. The number of reports approved 

for publication by the Geological Survey 

decreased 4,383 reports prepared in fiscal 

year 1983 with 63 percent designated for 

publication in professional journals and 

monographs outside the Survey with the remainder scheduled for publication by the 

Survey. In addition, 182,632 copies of 

technical reports were distributed of which 

22,426 copies were sold for $129,281 and 

997 open-file reports were released of which 

37,204 copies were sold for $282,650.

To buy Survey book publications or to request 

Survey circulars, catalogs, pamphlets, and 

leaflets (limited quantities free), write or visit: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Eastern Distribution Branch 

604 S. Pickett St. 

Alexandria, VA 22304

To buy maps of areas east of the Mississippi 

River, write or visit: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Eastern Distribution Branch 

1200 S. Eads St. 

Arlington, VA 22202

To buy maps of areas west of the Mississippi 

River and to request Survey catalogs, pamphlets, 

and leaflets (limited quantities free), write or 

visit:

U.S. Geological Survey 

Western Distribution Branch 

Box 25286, Bldg. 41, Federal Center 

Denver, CO 80225

To buy Alaskan maps, residents of Alaska 

may write or visit: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Alaska Distribution Section 

101 12th Avenue, Box 12 

Fairbanks, AK 99701

To obtain information on the availability of 

microfiche or paper-duplicate copies of open-file 

reports, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Services Section 

Box 25425, Federal Center 

Denver, CO 80225

To get on the mailing list for the monthly list 

of New Publications of the Geological Survey 

(free), write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Mailing List Unit 

582 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive 

Reston, VA 22092

To subscribe to the Earthquake Information 

Bulletin, write:

Superintendent of Documents 

Government Printing Office 

Washington, DC 20402

To obtain information on programs, publications, and services or to obtain copies or reports 

and maps, visit the U.S. Geological Survey 

Public Inquiries Offices at the following 

addresses: 

Alaska:

108 Skyline Bldg.

508 2d Avenue

Anchorage, AK 99501 

California:

7638 Federal Bldg.

300 N. Los Angeles St.

Los Angeles, CA 99012

122 Bldg. 3

345 Middlefield Rd.

Menlo Park, CA 94025

504 Customhouse

555 Battery St.

San Francisco, CA 94111 

Colorado:

169 Federal Bldg.

1961 Stout St.

Denver, CO 80294 

Texas:

1C45 Federal Bldg.

1100 Commerce St.

Dallas, TX 75242 

Utah:

8105 Federal Bldg.

125 S. State St.

Salt Lake City, UT84138 

Virginia:

1C402 National Center

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr.

Reston, VA 22092 

Washington:

678 U.S. Courthouse

W. 920 Riverside Ave.

Spokane, WA 99201 

Washington, DC:

1028 General Services Admin. Bldg.

19th and F Sts., N.W.

Washington, DC 20244

To obtain information on cartographic data, 

write or visit the U.S. Geological Survey, National Cartographic Information Centers (NCIC), 

in the following States:

California:

Western Mapping Center

National Cartographic Information Center

345 Middlefield Rd.

Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Colorado:

Rocky Mountain Mapping Center

National Cartographic Information Center

Box 25046, Stop 504

Bldg. 25, Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225 

Mississippi:

National Space Technology Laboratories

National Cartographic Information Center

U.S. Geological Survey

Bldg. 3101

NSTL Station, MS 39529

Missouri:

Mid-Continent Mapping Center

National Cartographic Information Center

1400 Independence Rd.

Rolla, MO 65401 

Virginia:

National Cartographic Information Center

507 National Center

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr.

Reston, VA 22092

Eastern Mapping Center

National Cartographic Information Center

536 National Center

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr.

Reston, VA 22092

To obtain information on satellite and space 

imagery, write or visit: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

EROS Data Center 

Sioux Falls, SD 57198

To obtain assistance in locating sources of 

water data, identifying sites at which data have 

been collected, and specific data, write: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

National Water Data Exchange 

421 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092

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

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 

Water Information Group 

420 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. 

Reston, VA 22092

To obtain information on geology topics such as 

earthquakes, 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

105
Cooperators and Other Financial 

Contributors

(Cooperators listed are those with whom the U.S. Geological Survey had a written agreement cosigned by Survey officials and the cooperating agency for financial 

cooperation in fiscal year 1983. 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 with whom the Geological Survey has research contracts and to whom it supplied research funds are not 

listed.)

Cooperating office of the Geological Survey

g Geological Division

n National Mapping Division

w Water Resources Division

State, County, and Local Cooperators

Alabama:

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (w), Environmental Management (w), Highways (w); Alabama Surface Mining 

Commission (w); Geological Survey of Alabama (n,w); Jefferson County Commission (w); Tuscaloosa, City of (w)

Alaska:

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (w), Fish and 

Game (w), Natural Resources (n), Division of Geological and 

Geophysical Surveys (g, w), Lands and Water Management (w), 

Transportation and Public Facilities (w), Alaska Power Authority (g,w); 

Anchorage, Municipality of Department of Health and Environmental 

Protection (w), Department of Planning (w), Water and Wastewater 

Utility (w); Fairbanks North Star Borough (w); Juneau, City and Borough 

of (w); Kenai Peninsula Borough (w); King Cove, City of (w); 

Matanuska Susitna Borough (w); Sandpoint, City of (w)

American Samoa: (See Hawaii)

Arizona:

Arizona Department of Game and Fish (w), Health Sciences, Bureau 

of Water Quality Control (w), Water Resources (w); Gila Valley Irrigation District (w); Maricopa County Flood Control District (w), 

Municipal Water Conservation District No. 1 (w); Metropolitan Water 

District of Southern California (w); Navajo County Parks Commission 

(w); Pima County, Board of Supervisors (w); Salt River Valley Water 

Users Association (w); San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District (w); 

Show Low Irrigation Company (w); Tucson, City of (w); University of 

Arizona, Water Resources Research Center (w)

Arkansas:

Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology (w); Arkansas 

Soil and Water Conservation Commission (w); Arkansas Geological 

Commission (g,n,w); Arkansas State Highway and Transportation 

Department (w)

California:

Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District 

(Hayward) (w), Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7 

(Livermore) (w), Water District (w); Antelope Valley-East Kern Water 

Agency (w); California Department of Boating and Waterways (w), 

Fish and Game (Sacramento) (w), Fish and Game, Region II (Rancho 

Cordova) (w), Health Services (w), Transportation, District 3 

(Marysville) (w), Water Resources Central District (Sacramento) (w), 

Northern District (Red Bluff) (w), San Joaquin District (Fresno) (w); 

California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Coast Region 

(San Luis Obispo) (w), Colorado River Basin Region (Palm Desert) (w), 

North Coast Region (Santa Rosa) (w), San Francisco Bay Region 

(Oakland) (w), Santa Ana Region (Riverside) (w); California Water 

Resources Control Board (w); Carpointeria County, Water District (w); 

Casitas Municipal Water District (w); Coachella Valley, County Water 

District (w); Contra Costa County Department of Health Services (w), 

Flood Control and Water Conservation District (w); Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency (w); Desert Water Agency (w); East Bay 

Municipal Utility District (w); East San Bernardino County Water District

106

(w); El Dorado County (w); Fresno County, Department of Resources 

and Development (w); Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (w); 

Georgetown Divide Public Utility District (w); Goleta County Water 

District (w); Humboldt Bay, Municipal Water District (w); Imperial County, Department of Public Works (w); Imperial Irrigation District (w); Indian Planning Consortium-Central California (w); Indian Wells Valley 

Water District (w); Inyo County Water Department (w); Kern County 

Water Agency (w); Kings River Conservation District (w); Lake County, 

Planning Department (w); Los Angeles County, Flood Control District 

(w); Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (w); Madera County, 

Flood Control and Water Conservation Agency (w); Madera Irrigation 

District (w); Marin County, Department of Public Works (w); Marin 

Municipal Water District (w); Merced, City of (w); Merced Irrigation 

District (w); Modesto, City of, Department of Public Works (w); Modoc 

County, Department of Public Works (w); Mojave Water Agency (w); 

Montecito County Water District (w); Monterey County Flood Control 

and Water Conservation District (w); Monterey Peninsula, Water 

Management District (w); Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (w); Newport Beach, City of (w); Orange County Environmental Management Agency (w), Water District (w); OrovilleWyandotte Irrigation District (w); Pacheo Pass Water District (w); 

Paradise Irrigation District (w); Placer County Water Agency (Auburn) 

(w); Placer County Water Agency (Foresthill) (w); Rancho California 

Water District (w); Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (w); Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, 

Department of Public Works (w); San Benito County Water Conservation and Flood Control District (w); San Bernardino Valley Municipal 

Water District (w); San Diego, City of (w); San Diego County, Department of Planning and Land Use (w), Public Works (w); San Diego 

County Water Authority (w); San Francisco, City and County of, Hetch 

Hetchy Water and Power (w); San Francisco Water Department (w); 

San Joaquin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (w); 

San Luis Obispo County, Engineering Department (w); San Mateo 

County Department of Planning (w). Department of Public Works (w); 

Santa Barbara, City of, Department of Public Works (w); Santa Barbara 

County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (w), Water 

Agency (w); Santa Clara Valley, Water District (w); Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (w), Planning Department (w); Santa Cruz, City of, Water Department (w); Santa Maria 

Valley Water Conservation District (w); Santa Rosa Band of Mission Indians (w) Siskiyou County Flood Control and Water Conservation 

 District (w); Sonoma County Planning Department (w), Water Agency 

(w); Sequel Creek County Water District (w); Stanford University (g); 

Tahoe Regional Planning (w); Terra Bella Irrigation District (w); Thousand Oaks, City of (w); Tulare County, Flood Control District (w); 

Turlock Irrigation District (w); United Water Conservation District (w); 

University of California Berkeley, Agricultural Experiment Station, 

Department of Forestry and Resource Management (w), Davis, Division 

of Environmental Studies (w); Ventura County, Public Works Agency 

(w); Western Municipal Water District (w); Westlands Water District 

(w); Woodbridge Irrigation District (w); Yolo County, Flood Control and 

Water Conservation District (w)

Colorado:

Adams County, Board of Commissioners (w); Arapahoe, County of (w); 

Arkansas River Compact Administration (w); Arvada, City of (w);
Aspen, City of (w); Aurora, City of (w); Boulder, County of, Department of Public Works (w); Central Yuma Ground Water Management 

District (w); Chapel Hills Water and Sanitation District (w); Cherokee 

Water and Sanitation District (w); Colorado Department Highways 

(w), Natural Resources (g); Colorado Division of Water Resources, Office of the State Engineer (w); Colorado River Water Conservation 

District (w); Colorado Springs, City of Department of Public Utilities 

(w), Office of the City Manager (w); Colorado Water Conservation 

Board (w); Copper Mountain Water and Sanitation District (w); Delta 

County, Board of County Commissioners (w); Denver, City and County, 

Board of Water Commissioners (w); Denver Regional Council of Governments (w); Eagle County, Board of Commissioners (w); El Paso County 

Water Users Association (w); Englewood, City of, Bi-City Wastewater 

Treatment Plant (w); Frenchman Ground Water Management District 

(w); Fruita, City of (w); Garfield County (w); Glenwood Springs, City of 

(w); Grand County Board of Commissioners (w); Larimer-Weld Regional 

Council of Governments (w); Marks Butte Ground Water Management 

District (w); Mesa, County of (w); Metropolitan Denver Sewage 

Disposal District No. 1 (w); Northern Colorado Water Conservancy 

District (w); Pitkin County, Board of Commissioners (w); Pleasant View 

Water and Sanitation District (w); Pueblo, City of, Board of Water 

Works (w); Pueblo Civil Defense Agency (w); Purgatoire River Water 

Conservancy District (w); Rio Blanco County, Board of County Commissioners (w); Rio Grande Water Conservation District (w); Sand Hills 

Ground Water Management District (w); Southeastern Colorado Water 

Conservancy District (w); Southwestern Colorado Water Conservancy 

District (w); Trinchera Conservancy District (w); Uncompahgre Valley 

Water Users' Association (w); Upper Arkansas River Water Conservancy District (w); Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District (w); Urban 

Drainage and Flood Control District (w); Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (w); 

Water Users No. 1 (Rangely) (w); Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy 

District (w)

Connecticut:

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (g, n, w); Enfield, 

Town of (w); Fairfield, Town of, Conservation Commission (w); Manchester, Town of, Department of Public Works (w); Meriden, Town of, 

Department of Public Works (w); New Britain, City of Board of Water 

Commissioners (w), Improvement Commission (w); New Haven Water 

Company (w); Northeast Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (w); 

Norwalk, Town of (w); Simsbury, Town of (w); Torrington, City of (w)

Delaware:

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (w); 

Geological Survey (n,w); New Castle County, Public Works Department 

(w)

District of Columbia:

Department of Environmental Services (w)

Florida:

Big Cypress Basin Board (w); Boca Raton, City of (w); Bradenton, City 

of (w); Brevard County, Board of County Commissioners (w); Broward 

County Environmental Quality Control Board (w), Water Resources 

Management Division (w); Cape Coral, City of (w); Clearwater, City of 

(w); Collier, County of (w); Cocoa, City of (w); Coordinating Council on 

the Restoration of Kissimmee River Valley and Taylor Creek-Nubbins 

Slough Basin (w); Englewood Water District, Board of Supervisors (w); 

Escambia County, Board of County Commissioners (w); Flagler County, 

Board of County Commissioners (w); Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Bureau of Water Resources Management (w), 

Division of Recreation and Parks (w), Transportation (n,w); Florida Institute of Phosphate Research (w); Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority 

(w); Fort Lauderdale, City of (w); Fort Walton Beach, City of (w); 

Gainesville, City of (w); Hallandale, City of (w); Hernando, County of 

(w); Highland Beach, Town of (w); Hillsborough County (w); 

Hollywood, City of (w); Jacksonville, Consolidated City of Department 

of Health and Environmental Services (w), Department of Public Works 

(w); Jacksonville Electric Authority (w); Juno Beach, Town of (w); 

Jupiter Inlet District (w); Lake County Board of County Commissioners 

(w), Pollution Control Department (w); Lee County, Board of County

Commissioners (w); Leon County Courthouse (w), Department of 

Public Works (w); Manatee County, Board of County Commissioners 

(w); Marion County, Board of County Commissioners (w); Miami-Dade 

Water and Sewer Authority (w); Northwest Florida Water Management 

District (w); Old Plantation Water Control District (w); Orange County, 

Board of County Commissioners (w); Palm Beach County, Board of 

County Commissioners (w); Pasco, County of (w); Pensacola, City of 

(w); Perry, City of (w); Pinellas County, County Courthouse (w); 

Pinellas Park Water Management District (w); Polk County, Board of 

County Commissioners (w); Pompano Beach, City of, Water and Sewer 

Department (w); Quincy, City of (w); Reedy Creek Improvement District 

(w); Sarasota, City of (w); Sarasota, County of (w); South Florida 

Water Management District (w); Southwest Florida Regional Planning 

Council (w); Southwest Florida Water Management District (w); St. 

Johns, County of (w); St. Johns River Water Management District (w); 

St. Petersburg, City of (w); Stuart, City of (w); Sumter County, Recreation and Water Conservation and Control Authority (w); Suwannee 

River Authority (Live Oak) (w); Suwannee River Authority (Trenton) (w); 

Suwannee River Water Management District (w); Tallahassee, City of, 

Underground Utilities (w); Tampa, City of (w); University of South 

Florida (w); Walton, County of (w); West Coast Regional Waters Supply 

Authority (w); Winter Park, City of (w)

Georgia:

Albany, City of, Water, Gas, and Light Commission (w); Bibb County, 

Board of County Commissioners (w); Brunswick, City of (w); Chatham 

County, Board of County Commissioners (w); Clayton County, Water 

Authority (w); Consolidated Government of Columbus (w); Covington, 

City of (w); Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental 

Protection Division (w), Geological Survey (n,w); Transportation (w); 

Macon-Bibb County, Water and Sewage Authority (w); Valdosta, City 

of (w)

Guam: (See Hawaii)

Hawaii:

American Samoa, Government of (w); Guam, Government of (w); 

Hawaii Department of Health (w), Land and Natural Resources, Division of Water and Land Development (w), Transportation (n,w); 

Honolulu, City and County Board of Water Supply (w), Department of 

Public Works (w); Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (w) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (w), Federated States of 

Micronesia (w) State of Kosrae (w), State of Ponape (w), State of 

Truk (w), State of Yap (w); Republic of Palau (w)

Idaho:

Big Lost River Irrigation District (w); Idaho Department of Health and 

Welfare, Bureau of Water Quality (w), Lands (n), Water Resources (w); 

Idaho Water Resources Board (w); Oakley Canal Company (w); Salmon 

River Can.la Company (w); Teton County, Board of Commissioners (w); 

The Shoshone Bannock Tribes, Fort Hall Indian Reservation (w); Water 

District No. 01, Idaho Falls (w); Water District No. 31, DuBois (w); 

Water District No. 33, Howe (w); Water District No. 37, Shoshone (w); 

Water District No. 37-N, Carey (w); Water District No. 65-K, Lake 

Fork (w)

Illinois:

Bloomington and Normal Sanitary District (w); Cook County, Forest 

Preserve District (w); Decatur, City of (w); Illinois Department 

of Conservation (n), Division of Highways (n), Energy and Natural 

Resources, State Water Survey Division (w), Nuclear Safety (w), 

Transportation, Division of Water Resources (w); Illinois Environmental 

Protection Agency (w); Illinois State Geological Survey (n); Springfield, 

City of (w)

Indiana:

Carmel, Town of (w); Elkhart, City of, Waterworks (w); Indiana 

Geological Survey (n); Indiana State Board of Health (w); Indiana 

Department of Highways (w), Natural Resources (n) Division of 

Water (w), Division of Reclamation (w); Indianapolis, City of, Department of Public Works (w); Purdue University (g)

107
Iowa:

Cedar Rapids, City of (w); Charles City, City of (w); Clear Lake, City of 

(w); Des Moines, City of (w); Des Moines Water Works (w); Fort 

Dodge, City of (w); Iowa Department of Transportation Highway 

Division (w); Iowa Geological Survey (n, w); Iowa State University (w); 

Marshalltown, City of (w); Sewage Disposal Plant (w); Sioux City, City 

of (w); University of Iowa, University Physical Plant (w); Waterloo, City 

of (w); West-Central Iowa Rural Water Association (w)

Kansas:

Arkansas River Compact Administration (w); Harvey, County of (w); 

Hays, City of (w); Kansas Department of Health and Environment (w), 

Transportation (n, w); Kansas Geological Survey (w); Kansas State 

Board of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources (w); Kansas Water 

Office (w); Kansas-Oklahoma-Arkansas River Commission (w); 

Southwest Kansas GWMD No. 3 (w); Western Kansas GWMD No. 1 

(w); Wichita, City of, Flood Control Maintenance (w)

Kentucky:

Elizabethtown, City of (w); Kentucky Department of Natural 

Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet (w), Transportation 

Cabinet, Division of Design (w); University of Kentucky, Kentucky 

Geological Survey (n,w)

Louisiana:

Baton Rouge City-Parish Government (w); Capital-Area Groundwater 

Conservation Commission (w); Louisiana Department of Natural 

Resources Geological Survey (g,w); Office of Environmental Affairs, 

Water Pollution Control Division (w); Transportation and 

Development Office of Highways (w), Office of Public Works (n,w); 

Louisiana State Planning Office (n); Sabine River Compact Administration (w)

Maine:

Androscoggin Valley Regional Planning Commission (w); Cobbossee 

Watershed District (w); Maine Department of Conservation, Geological 

Survey (n,w). Environmental Protection (w); Wilton, Town of (w)

Maryland:

Anne Arundel County, Planning and Zoning Office (w); Baltimore County Department of Permits and Licenses (w), Department of Public 

Works (w), Office of Planning and Zoning (w); Calvert County (w); 

Caroline County (w); Carroll County, Board of County Commissioners 

(w); Howard County, Department of Public Works (w); Maryland 

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Environmental 

Programs (w), Transportation, State Highway Administration (w); 

Maryland Energy Administration (w); Maryland Geological Survey 

(n, w); Maryland Water Resources Administration (w); Montgomery 

County Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Environmental and Energy Planning (w), Division of Pollution Control (w); 

Poolesville, Town of (w); St. Marys County, County Commissioners 

(w); Upper Potomac River Commission (w); Washington Suburban 

Sanitary Commission (w)

Massachusetts:

Barnstable County, County Commissioners (w); Cape Cod Planning and 

Economic Development Commission (w); Falmouth, Town of (w); 

Massachusetts Department of Public Works (n) Division of Highways 

(w), Division of Research and Materials (w); Massachusetts State 

Water Resources Commission Division of Water Pollution Control (w), 

Division of Water Resources (w); Metropolitan District Commission, 

Water Division (w)

Michigan:

Ann Arbor, City of (w); Battle Creek, City of (w); Branch County (w); 

Clare, City of (w); Coldwater, City of. Board of Public Utilities (w); 

Dickinson County, Board of Commissioners (w); Elsie, Village of (w); 

Flint, City of, Water Supply and Pollution Control, Department of Public 

Works and Utilities (w); Genesee County Drain Commission, Division of 

Water and Waste Services (w); Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority

(w); Imlay, City of (w); Kalamazoo, City of, Department of Public 

Utilities (w); Lansing, City of, Board of Water and Light, Water and 

Stream Division (w); Macomb County (w); Mason, City of (w); 

Michigan Department of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation 

Division (w), Natural Resources Geological Survey Division (w), Office 

of Budget and Federal Aid (w); Transportation (w); Oakland County, 

Drain Commission (w); Otsego County, Road Commission (w); Portage, 

City of (w); St. Johns, City of (w); Van Buren County, Board of Commissioners (w); Ypsilanti, City of (w)

Minnesota:

Bassett Creek Flood Control Commission (w); Carnelian-Marine Watershed District (w); Coon Creek Watershed District (w); Eagan, City of 

(w); Elm Creek Conservation Commission (w); Iron Range Resources 

Rehabilitation Board (w); Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities Area 

(w); Metropolitan Waste Control Commission (w); Middle River-Snake 

River Watershed District (w); Minnesota Department of Energy, Planning and Development (w). Health (w), Natural Resources (w), 

Transportation (w); Minnesota Geological Survey (w); Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (w); Minnesota Waste Management Board (w); 

Morrison County, Soil and Water Conservation District (w); Red Lake 

Watershed District (w); St. Louis Park, City of (w); University of Minnesota (w); Wesmin Resource, Conservation and Development Association (w)

Mississippi:

Harrison County Board of Supervisors (w), Development Commission 

(w); Jackson, City of (w); Jackson County Board of Supervisors (w). 

Port Authority (w); Mississippi Department of Highways (w), Natural 

Resources Bureau of Geology (w), Bureau of Land and Water 

Resources (w), Bureau of Pollution Control (w); Mississippi Research 

and Development Center (n, w); Natchez, City of (w); Pat Harrison 

Waterway District (w); Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (w)

Missouri:

Little River Drainage District (w); Missouri Department of Conservation 

(w), Natural Resources Division of Environmental Quality, Lab Services 

Program (w), Division of Geology and Land Survey (n,w), Land 

Reclamation Commission (w); Missouri Highway and Transportation 

Commission (w); Springfield, City of City Utilities, Engineering Department (w), Sanitary Services Department (w); St. Louis County, Department of Highways and Transportation (w)

Montana:

Chippewa Cree Tribal Council (w); Montana Bureau of Mines and 

Geology (w); Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (w), 

Health and Environmental Sciences (w), Highways (w), Natural 

Resources and Conservation (w). State Lands (w); Montana State 

University (w); State of Montana (w); Salish and Kootenai Tribes of 

Flathead Reservation (w); Wyoming State Engineer (w)

Nebraska:

Central Platte Natural Resources District (w); Kansas-Nebraska Big Blue 

River Compact Administration (w); Lincoln, City of (w); Little Blue 

Natural Resources District (w); Lower Platte Natural Resources District 

(w); Lower Republican Natural Resources District (w); Nebraska Department of Environmental Control (w), Water Resources (w); Nebraska 

Natural Resources Commission (w); Tri-Basin Natural Resources District 

(w); Twin Platte Natural Resources District (w); University of Nebraska, 

Conservation and Survey Division (w); Upper Loup Natural Resources 

District (w)

Nevada:

California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region (w); 

Carson City, Department of Public Works (w); Churchill County (w); 

Douglas County, Department of Planning (w); Fallon, City of (w); 

Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (g,n,w), Nevada Department 

of Conservation and Natural Resources Division of Environmental 

Protection (w), Division of Water Resources (w); Transportation (w); 

Reno, City of (w); Washoe County, Council of Governments (w)

108
New Hampshire:

Nashua Regional Planning Commission (w); New Hampshire Water 

Resources Board (w)

New Jersey:

Bergen, County of (w); Camden County, Board of Chosen Freeholders 

(w); Cranford, Township of (w); Logan, Township of (w); Morris County, Municipal Utilities Authority (w); New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Resources (w); North Jersey 

District Water Supply Commission (w); Passaic Valley Water Commission (w); Somerset County, Board of Chosen Freeholders (w); West 

Windsor Township, Environmental Commission (w)

New Mexico:

Alamogardo, City of (w); Albuquerque, City of (w); Albuquerque 

Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (w); Costilla Creek Compact Commission (w); Las Cruces, City of (w); New Mexico Bureau of 

Mines and Mineral Resources (w); New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division (w); New Mexico Department of Highways (w); Office of 

State Engineer (w); Pecos River Commission (w); Pueblo of Zuni (w); 

Santa Fe Metropolitan Water Board (w)

New York:

Albany, City of, Department of Water and Water Supply (w); Auburn, 

City of (w); Brookhaven, Town of (w); Chautauqua, County of, Department of Planning and Development (w); Cornell University Department 

of Natural Resources (w), Department of Utilities (w); Cortland, County 

of, Planning Department (w); Erie County, Division of Environmental 

Control, Department of Environment and Planning (w); Hudson-Black 

River Regulating District (w); Kirkwood, Town of (w); Kiryas Joel, 

Village of (w); Long Island Regional Planning Board (w); Monroe, County of Engineering Department (w), Water Authority (w); Nassau, 

County of, Department of Public Works (w); New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Air Resources-Water 

Resources-Energy (w), Department of Sanitation, Office of Resource 

Recovery (w); New York State Department of- Education (w), Health, 

Division of Environmental Health (w), Environmental Conservation Bureau of Monitoring and Assessment, Resource Monitoring Section (w), Bureau of Water Research (w), Division of Air (w), Division of 

Water (w), Hydrologic Services Section, PCB Project Unit (w), Water 

Research Bureau (w); Transportation, Bridge and Construction Bureau 

(w); New York State Power Authority (w); Nyack, Village of, Board of 

Water Commissioners (w); Onondaga, County of Department of 

Drainage (w), Environmental Management Council (w), Water Authority 

(w); Oswego, County of, Planning Board (w); Rochester, City of, 

Department of Public Works (w); Rockland, County of, Drainage Agency (w); Seneca Nation of Indians (w); Shelter Island, Town of (w); Suffolk, County of Department of Health Sciences (w), Water Authority 

(w); Susquehanna River Basin Commission (w); Temporary State Commission on Tug Hill (w); Ulster, County of, County Legislators (w); 

University of the State of New York, Regents Research Inc. (w); 

University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences (w); 

Westchester, County of Department of Health (w), Department of 

Public Works (w)

North Carolina:

Gary, City of (w); Charlotte, City of (w); Durham, City of, Department 

of Water Resources (w); Greensboro, City of (w); North Carolina State 

Department of Human Resources (w), Natural Resources and Community Development (n,w), Transportation, Division of Highways (w); 

North Carolina Agricultural Research Service (w); Raleigh, City of (w); 

Rocky Mount, City of (w)

North Dakota:

Burleigh County, Water Resources District (w); North Dakota Geological 

Survey (w); North Dakota State University (w); Oliver County, Board of 

Commissioners (w); Public Service Commission (w); State Department 

of Health (w); State Water Commission (n, w); University of North 

Dakota (w)

Northern Mariana Islands: (See Hawaii)

Ohio:

Canton, City of, Water Department (w); Columbus, City of Department of Public Service (w), Division of Water (w); Miami Conservancy 

District (w); Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (w); Ohio 

Department of Natural Resources Division of Geological Survey 

(g,w), Division of Oil (w), Division of Reclamation (w), Division of Water 

(w); Transportation (w); Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (w); 

Seneca Soil and Water District (w)

Oklahoma:

Ada, City of (w); Altus, City of (w); Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (w); Claremore, City of (w); Fort Cobb Reservoir Master 

Conservancy District (w); Foss Reservoir Master Conservancy District 

(w); Lawton, City of (w); Lugert-Altus Irrigation District (w); Mountain 

Park Master Conservancy District (w); Oklahoma City, City of (w); 

Oklahoma Conservation Commission (w); Oklahoma Department 

of Highways (n), Transportation (w); Oklahoma Geological Survey, 

University of Oklahoma (w); Oklahoma Water Resources Board (w); 

Sapulpa, City of (w); Tulsa, City of (w)

Oregon:

Benton County Emergency Services (w); Burnt River Irrigaton District 

(w); Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation (w), Warm 

Springs Indian Reservation (w); Coos Bay-North Bend Water Board (w); 

Douglas, County of, Department of Public Works (w); Eugene, City of, 

Water and Electric Board (w); Lane Council of Governments (w); Lane, 

County of, Office of the Chief Administrator (w); McMinnville, City of, 

Water and Light Department (w); Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (w), Fish and Wildlife (w), Geology and Mineral Industries 

(g,n), Water Resources (w); Oregon State Highway Division (w); 

Oregon State University (w); Portland, City of, Department of Finance 

and Administration (w); Rajneeshpuram, City of (w); Salem, City of (w); 

Wasco County People's Utility District (w)

Pennsylvania:

Altoona City Authority (w); Bethlehem, City of (w); Chester, County of, 

Water Resources Authority (w); Delaware River Basin Commission (w); 

Harrisburg, City of, Department of Public Works (w); Letort Regional 

Authority (w); Millcreek, Township of (w); New York State Department 

of Environmental Conservation (w); Oley Township (w); Philadelphia, 

City of, Water Department (w); Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Mining and Reclamation Bureau (w), Office of 

Resources Management (w), Soil Wastes and Management Bureau (w), 

State Parks Bureau (w), Topographic and Geologic Survey Bureau 

(n,w), Water Quality Management Bureau (w); Pennsylvania State 

University (g); Susquehanna River Basin Commission (w); Washington 

County Conservation District (w), Planning Commission (w), Supervisors (w)

Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (w); Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (w), Health (w), Natural Resources (g,w). 

Transportation and Public Works (w); Puerto Rico Electric Power 

Authority (w); Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (w); Puerto Rico 

Industrial Development Company (w); Puerto Rico Land Authority (w); 

Puerto Rico Mineral Resources Development Corporation (g); Puerto 

Rico Planning Board (w); Puerto Rico Sugar Corporation (w); (See also 

Virgin Islands)

Rhode Island:

Narragansett Bay Water Quality Commission (w); Rhode Island State 

Department of Environmental Management, Division of Water 

Resources (w); State Water Resources Board (w)

South Carolina:

Charleston, Commission of Public Works (w); Grand Strand Water and 

Sewer Authority (w); Hilton Head Island, Public Service District No. 1 

(w); Myrtle Beach, City of (w); North Myrtle Beach, City of (w); South 

Carolina State Department of Highways and Public Transportation (w), 

Geological Survey (w). Health and Environmental Control (w), Public

109
Service Authority (w), Water Resources Commission (w); Spartanburg 

Water Works, Commissioners of Public Works (w)

South Dakota:

Black Hills Conservancy Subdistrict (w); East Dakota Conservancy Subdistrict (w); Lower James Conservancy Subdistrict (w); South Dakota 

Department of Transporation (n); Water and Natural 

Resources Geological Survey Division (w), Water Rights Division (w); 

Watertown, City of (w)

Tennessee:

Franklin, City of (w); Lawrenceburg, City of (w); Lincoln County, Board 

of Public Utilities (w); Memphis, City of Light, Gas, and Water Division 

(w), Public Works Division (w), Water Division (w); Metropolitan 

Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Public 

Works (w); Shelby, County of (w); Tennessee Department of Conservation, Geology Division (n,w), Health and Environment (w); Transportation, Bureau of Highways (w)

Texas:

Abilene, City of (w); Alice, City of (w); Arlington, City of (w); Athens 

Municipal Water Authority (w); Austin, City of (w); Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Counties, Water Improvement District No. 1 

(w); Bistone Municipal Water Supply District (w); Brady, City of (w); 

Brazos River Authority (w); Cleburne, City of (w); Clyde, City of (w); 

Coastal Bend Council of Governments (w); Coastal Industrial Water 

Authority (w); Colorado River Municipal Water District (w); Corpus 

Christi, City of (w); Dallas, City of, Public Utilities (w); Dallas, County 

of, Public Works Department (w); Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport (w); Edwards Underground Water District (w); El Paso, City of, Public Service 

Board (w); Franklin, County of, Water District (w); Gainesville, City of 

(w); Galveston, County of (w); Garland, 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); Mackenzie Municipal Water Authority (w); 

Nacogdoches, City of (w); North Central Texas Municipal Water 

Authority (w); Northeast Texas Municipal Water District (w); Orange, 

County of (w); Pecos River Commission (w); Red Bluff Water Power 

Control District (w); Reeves, County of, Water Improvement District 

No. 1 (w); Sabine River Authority of Texas (w); Sabine River Compact 

Administration (w); San Angelo, City of (w); San Antonio, City 

of Engineering Department (w), Public Service Board (w); San Antonio 

River Authority (w); San Jacinto River Authority (w); Tarrant, County 

of, Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 (w); Texas Bureau of 

Economic Geology (g); Texas Department of Water Resources (n,w); 

Titus, County of, Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 (w); Tom Green, 

County of, Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 (w); Trinity 

River Authority (w); Upper Guadalupe River Authority (w); Upper 

Neches River Municipal Water Authority (w); Upper Trinity Basin Water 

Quality Compact (w); Velasco Drainage District (w); West Central 

Texas Municipal Water District (w); Wichita, County of, Water Improvement District No. 2 (w); Wichita Falls, City of (w); Wood, County of 

(w)

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands: (See Hawaii)

Utah:

Bear River Commission (w); Salt Lake, County of Board of County 

Commissioners (w), Division of Flood Control and Water Quality (w); 

Utah Department of Natural Resources Geological and Mineral 

Survey (g,w), Water Resources Division (w), Water Rights Division (w), 

Wildlife Resources Division (w)

Vermont:

Agency of Environmental Conservation (n); Vermont Department of 

Water Resources and Environmental Engineering (w)

Virginia:

Alexandria, City of, Department of Transportation and Environmental 

Services (w); James City, County of, Department of Public Works (w); 

Newport News, City of, Department of Public Utilities (w); Roanoke, 

City of, Utilities and Operations (w); Southeastern Public Service 

Authority of Virginia (w); University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences (w); Virginia Department of Conservation and Development, Division of Mineral Resources (n), Highways and Transportation (w); Virginia State Water Control Board (w)

Virgin Islands:

Department of Public Works (w); Planning Office (w); Virgin Islands, 

College of (w)

Washington:

Bellevue, City of, Public Works Department (w); Chelan, County of, 

Public Utility District No. 1 (w); Cowlitz, County of, Board of County 

Commissioners (w); Everett, City of (w); Fircrest, Town of (w); Hoh Indian Tribe (w); Island, County of. Board of County Commissioners (w); 

King, County of, Department of Public Works (w); Lewis, County of, 

Board of Commissioners (w); Makah Tribal Council (w); Municipality of 

Metropolitan Seattle (w); Pend Oreille, County of, Public Utility District 

No. 1 (w); Puyallup Indian Nation (w); Quinault Indian Business Committee (w); San Juan County Board of County Commissioners (w); 

Seattle, City of Department of Lighting (w), Water Department (w); 

Skagit, County of (w); Snohomish County (w); Stillaguamish Indian 

Tribe (w); Tacoma, City of Public Utilities Department (w), Public 

Works Department (w); Tulalip Tribal Board of Directors (w); University 

of Washington (w); Yakima Tribal Council (w); Washington Public 

Power Supply System (w); Washington Department of Ecology (w), 

Fisheries (w), Natural Resources (g,n). Transportation (w)

West Virginia:

Morgantown, City of, Water Commission (w); West Virginia Department of Highways (w). Natural Resources Division of Reclamation 

(w), Division of Water Resources (w); West Virginia Geological and 

Economic Survey (w)

Wisconsin:

Brown County Planning Commission (w); Dane, County of Department 

of Public Works (w), Regional Planning Commission (w); Forest County 

Potawatomi Community (w); Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District 

(w); Green Lake Sanitary District (w); Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation (w); Madison Metropolitan Sewage District (w); Madison Water 

Utility (w); Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (w); Middleton, City 

of (w); Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (w); 

University of Wisconsin, Extension, Geological and Natural History 

Survey (n,w); University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (w); Wisconsin 

Department of Natural Resources (n,w), Transportation (n) Bridge 

Section (w), Division of Highways (w)

Wyoming:

Buffalo, City of (w); Water Development Commission (w); Wyoming 

Department of-Agriculture (w), Economic Planning and Development 

(w), Environmental Quality (w), Highways (w); Wyoming State Engineer 

(n,w)

Federal Cooperators

Central Intelligence Agency (g)

Department of Agriculture:

Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (n); Economics, 

Statistics, and Cooperatives Service (n,w); Forest Service (w); 

Graduate School (w); Agricultural Research Service (w); Soil Conservation Service (g,n,w)

Department of the Air Force:

Air Force Academy (w); Boiling Air Force Base (g); Hanscom Air Force 

Base (g); Headquarters, AFTAC/AC (g); Vandenberg Air Force Base 

(w); Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (n); Wurtsmith Air Force Base (w)

110
Department of the Army:

Armament Research and Development Command (w); Avionics R and D 

Activity (g); Coastal Engineering Research Center (g); Corps of 

Engineers (g,w); Fort Belvoir (n); Fort Bliss (w); Fort Carson Military 

Reservation (w); Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command (g); Research Office, Triangle Park, N.C. (g); Waterways Experiment Station (g); White Sands Missile Range (w)

Department of Commerce:

Coastal Plains Regional Action Planning Commission (g); National 

Bureau of Standards (g); National Ocean Survey (n); National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine (w); Fisheries Service 

(n,w); National Weather Service (g,w)

Department of Defense Agencies:

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (g); Defense Mapping 

Agency (g,n); Defense Nuclear Agency (g); Defense Intelligence Agency

(g)

Department of Energy:

Albuquerque Operations Office (g,w); Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

(g,w); Bonneville Power Administration (w); Chicago Operations Office 

(w); Idaho Operations Office (w); Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (g); 

Nevada Oberations Office (g,w); Oak Ridge Operations Office (w); Office of Energy Research (g); Procurement Operations Office (g); 

Richland Operations Office (g,w); San Francisco Operations (g); Sandia 

National Laboratories (g); United States Arms Control and Disarmament 

Agency (g); Western Area Power Administration (g)

Department of Health, and Human Services (w)

Department of the Interior:

Bureau of Indian Affairs (g,n,w); Bureau of Land Management (g,n,w); 

Bureau of Mines (g,n,w); Bureau of Reclamation (g,w); Minerals 

Management Service (g,w); National Park Service (g,n,w); Office of the 

Secretary (g,w); Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 

(g,n,w); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (g,n,w); Water and Power 

Resources Service (g)

Department of Justice (w)

Department of the Navy:

Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Test Center (g); Naval 

Oceanographic Office (g,n); Naval Weapons Center, China Lake 

(g,n,w); Office of Naval Research (g); U.S. Marine Corps, Camp 

Pendleton (w)

Department of State:

Agency for International Development (g,w); International Boundary and 

Water Commission, U.S. and Mexico (w); International Joint Commission, U.S. and Canada (w)

Department of Transportation:

Federal Highway Administration (g,w); St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (w); U.S. Coast Guard (w)

Department of Treasury:

U.S. Customs Service (n)

Environmental Protection Agency; (n)

Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory (w); Environmental 

Monitoring Systems Laboratory (g); Office of Environmental Engineering 

and Technology (g); Office of Monitoring and Technical Support (w)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (g,w)

Federal Energy Regulating Commission Licensees (w)

General Services Administration (w)

Missouri Basin States Association (w)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (g,w)

National Science Foundation (g,n,w)

Tennessee Valley Authority (n,w)

Veterans Administration (g,w)

Other Cooperators and Contributors

Government of American Samoa (w) 

Government of Guam (w) 

Government of Peru (g) 

Government of Saudi Arabia (g,n,w) 

Government of Venezuela (w) 

People's Republic of China (g)

Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (w); Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (w); Puerto Rico Department of Health (w); Puerto 

Rico Department of Natural Resources (g,w); Puerto Rico Department 

of Transportation and Public Works (w); Puerto Rico Electric Power 

Authority (w); Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (w); Puerto Rico 

Industrial Development Company (w); Puerto Rico Land Authority (w); 

Puerto Rico Mineral Resources Development Corporation (g); Puerto 

Rico Planning Board (w); Puerto Rico Sugar Corporation (w)

Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands (w):

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (w); Federated States 

of Micronesia (w) State of Kosrae (w), State of Ponape (w), State of 

Truk (w), State of Yap (w); Republic of Palau (w)

United Nations:

United Nations Development Program (g,w); UNESCO (w); World 

Meteorological Organization (w)

Virgin Islands:

College of the Virgin Islands (w); Virgin Islands Department of Public 

Works (w); Virgin Islands Planning Office (w)

111
Budgetary and Statistical Data

TABLE 1. Geological Survey budget for fiscal years 1978 to 1983, by activity and sources of funds'*

(Dollars in thousands; totals may not add due to rounding.)

Budget activity

Total 

Direct program 

Reimbursable program 

States, counties, and municipalities 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 

Other Federal agencies 

Alaska Pipeline Related Investigations 

Direct program 

Reimbursable program 

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 

Conservation of Lands and Minerals 

Direct program - 

Reimbursable program 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 

Other Federal agencies 

Office of Earth Sciences Applications 

Direct program 

Reimbursable program 

States, counties, and municipalities 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 

Other Federal agencies 

National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska 

Direct Program ---------------------------

Allocation transfer 

Reimbursable program (Federal) 

General Administration 

Direct program 

Reimbursable program (Federal) 

Facilities 

Direct program ; -

Reimbursable program 

Miscellaneous services to other accounts -

Reimbursable program 

Miscellaneous non-Federal sources 

Other Federal agencies 

Barrow Area Gas Operation 

Direct program 

1978

$698.272

576,393

121,879

40,784

12,825

68,270

317

317

69,520

61,356

8,164

3,320

499

4,345

163,193

123,830

39,363

956

8,510

29,897

146,014

2 78,487

67,527

36,457

1,429

29,641

77 409

77,399

110

g

101

23,226

18,132

5,094

51

2,153

2,890

202,704

202,598

106

3,650

3,650

10,769

10,769

 

1,515

1,515

225

1,290

 

 

1979

$764,718

634,886

129,832

44,124

15,789

69,919

272

272

74,566

65,584

8,982

3,371

597

5,014

178,556

134,846

43,710

584

10,914

32,212

168,598

96,847

71,751

40,156

1,673

29,922

85 4-84

85,362

122

122

23,965

19,959

4,006

13

2,333

1,600

11 c ooc

216,886

3.661

3,661

11,741

11,741

 

1,261

1,261

272

989

 

 

1980

$782,136

639,143

142,993

46,849

16,817

79,327

82,683

72,759

9,924

3,083

610

6,231

193.652

146,963

46,689

640

11,258

34,791

184,871

108,664

76,207

43,126

1,778

31,303

irtR O.QE

105,928

467

12

455

23,734

18,935

4,799

2,808

1,991

1 RQ fi/1 £

169,845

3,776

3,776

12,273

12,273

4,907

4,907

351

4,556

-----

1981

$769,757

623,057

146,700

48,700

19,605

78,395

89,177

77,449

11,727

2,985

1,095

7,648

208,287

162,756

45,531

758

13,192

31,761

194,016

115,458

78,558

45,238

2,088

31,332

127,001

25,739

1,262

29

1,233

23,205

18,849

4,356

3,139

1,217

107,001

107,001

3,896

3,896

11,909

11,909

5,266

5,266

62

5,204

......

 

1982

$661,842

509,983

151,859

50,418

24,376

77,065

88,133

77,687

10,446

3,000

1,100

6,346

212,355

163,731

48,624

480

16,844

31,300

190,096

108,637

81,459

46,938

2,679

31,842

1 on /ico

129,868

600

210

390

20,853

14,359

6,494

3,482

3,012

2

1 QC

2,196

3,407

3,407

10,098

10,098

4,236

4,236

61

4,175

 

 

1983

$556,054

396,909

159,145

51,972

21,215

85,958

91,611

81,138

10,473

2,700

1,204

6,569

206,517

159,190

47,327

490

14,293

32,544

199,697

115,096

84,601

48,782

3,914

31,905

18.452

11,132

7,320

1,728

5,592

16,313

14,931

1,382

9,167

9,022

145

7,897

7,897

76

7,821

6.400

6,400

'Includes 1982 appropriation for Minerals Management Service.

2Funds for the Airborne Positioning System, appropriated to Water Resources Investigations are included as obligations of Topographic Surveys and Mapping ($2,172 thousand).

112
TABLE 2. Geological Survey reimbursable program funds from other Federal agencies for fiscal years 1978 to 1983, by agency

(Dollars in thousands)

Agency

Total 

Department of Agriculture 

Department of Commerce 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -----

Ozarks Regional Commission 

Department of Defense 

Department of Energy 

Bonneville Power Administration 

Department of Housing and Urban Development 

Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Indian Affairs 

Bureau of Land Management 

Bureau of Mines 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Minerals Management Service 

National Park Service -- - 

Office of the Secretary : __ __ 

Office of Surface Mining 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Department of State 

Department of Transportation 

Environmental Protection Agency 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

National Science Foundation 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Tennessee Valley Authority 

Miscellaneous Federal agencies : 

Miscellaneous services to other accounts -- --

1978

$68,164

2,727

183

1,708

15,655

14,980

138

3,789

16,528

2,385

10,791

108

1,871

791

135

447

1,010

193

3,074

2,763

848

1,318

216

1,882

1,290

1979

$69,919

2,619

141

1,464

16,760

15,338

48

1,967

17,746

4,345

9,712

240

1,975

771

82

21

600

1,455

149

2,873

4,033

896

1,583

261

1,645

989

1980

$79,326

3,878

276

2,388

76

17,447

14,406

61

302

22,926

9,295

7,807

297

2,257

818

203

1,563

686

2,449

291

2,645

2,793

1,211

1,325

243

2,105

4,556

1981

$78,395

3,567

823

18,490

10,885

81

188

22,553

3,999

13,800

299

2,231

1,121

154

469

480

2,272

273

1,259

5,065

2,001

1,781

317

3,717

5,204

1982

$76,675

2,675

1,781

21,459

10,529

75

20,328

5,001

10,551

275

1,800

1,015

100

1,176

410

3,445

500

675

3,885

1,958

1,544

290

3,431

4,175

1983

$85,958

2,774

111

5,750

25,429

5,858

103

23,955

4,796

7,150

200

3,411

5,284

1,957

223

606

328

573

483

883

3,716

1,300

2,272

151

4,882

7,821

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1984-421-594:312

113
' As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the 

Department of the Interior has responsibility for most 

of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our 

land and water resources, protecting our fish and 

wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural 

values of our national parks and historical places, 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 interest of all our people. 

The Department also has a major responsibility for 

American Indian reservation communities and for 

people who live in Island Territories under U.S. Administration.