Water-Data Program of the 

U.S. Geological Survey 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 863 

Water-Data Program of the 

U.S. Geological Survey 

By Bruce K. Gilbert and Thomas J. Buchanan 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 863 

1982 
United States Department of the Interior 

JAMES G. WATT, Secretary 

Geological Survey 

Dallas L. Peck, Director 

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data 

Gilbert, Bruce K. 

Water-data program of the U.S. Geological Survey. 

(Geological Survey circular ; 863) 

Bibliography: p. 

Supt. of Docs. no.: I 19.4/2:863 

1. Hydrology-Information services- United States. 2. Geological Survey (U.S.) I. Buchanan, Thomas J. 

II. Title. III. Series. 

GB657 .2.G54 353.0082'325 82-600102 

AACR2 

Free on application to Distribution Branch, Text Products Section, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 604 South Pickett Street, Alexandria, VA 22304 
CONTENTS 

Page 

Abstract --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 

Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 

Data collection activities -------------------------------------------------------- 3 

Surfacewater______________________________________________________________ 5 

Ground water----------------------------~--------------------------------- 8 

Quality of water ------------------------------------------------------------ 8 

Sediment ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8 

Water use ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 

Special-purpose networks---------------------------------------------------- 10 

Reporting and availability of data------------------------------------------------- 10 

Real-time data ------------------------------------------------------------- 11 

Network analysis ----------------------------------------------------------- 11 

Quality assurance and credibility---------------------------------------------- 12 

Coordination and exchange of water data ------------------------------------------- 13 

Summary--------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 

References cited --------------------------------------------------------------- 14 

List of selected U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Division offices----------------- 15 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

FIGURE 1. Pie diagram showing the fiscal year 1981 budget for the U.S. Geological Survey's 

Water Resources Division ---------------------------------------------- 2 

2. Map showing the location of the principal offices of the U.S. Geological Survey's 

Water Resources Division ---------------------------------------------- 4 

3. Pie diagrams showing the sources and allocation of funds for the U.S. Geological 

Survey's Water-Data Program in fiscal year 1981 --------------------------- 5 

4. Map showing the number, by State, of continuous and partial-record surface-water 

stations and surface-water quality sites operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in 

fiscal year 1980 ------------------------------------------------------- 6 

5. Map showing the number, by State, of ground-water observation wells and 

ground-water quality sites operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in fiscal year 

1980 --------------------------------------------------------------- 7 

6. Map showing the number of sites, by State, at which selected types of surfacewater quality information were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in fiscal 

year 1980 ----------------------------------------------------------- 9 

III 

Water-Data Program 

of the 

U.S. Geological Survey 

By Bruce K. Gilbert and Thomas J. Buchanan 

ABSTRACT 

The U.S. Geological Survey is the principal Federal agency 

responsible for the collection of hydrologic data needed for the 

planning, development, use, and management of the Nation's 

water resources. These data are the foundation necessary for 

conducting analytical and interpretive appraisals describing the 

occurrence and availability of surface and ground waters and 

their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The data 

are likewise required for basic and problem-oriented research in 

hydraulics, hydrology, and related fields. 

Hydrologic data collection by the Geological Survey began in 

1888. Current operations include about 17,000 stations for collection of river, lake, and reservoir data; about 27,000 wells for 

collection of ground-water data; and almost 17,000 sites for collection of water-quality information. These activities, the means 

by which the data are made available, and how the program is 

coordinated with other agencies are described in the circular. 

INTRODUCTION 

In virtually all parts of the Nation, the quantity, 

quality, and distribution of water are becoming increasingly critical to economic growth and people's 

health, safety, and well-being. A number of areas 

are experiencing increasing demands on water 

supplies because of p~pulation growth, industrial 

expansion, and agricultural requirements. Many 

places are subject to floods, and many parts of the 

country have been severely -affected by drought, if 

not by chronic water shortages. In some locations, 

deteriorating quality of surface water and, 

especially, ground water is of major concern. 

Shifts in population, changes in energy use, and 

mineral and food-production activities, such as 

those taking place in the Great Plains and Rocky 

1 

Mountain areas, are burdening existing water sup· 

plies. Thus, competition for currently availablE 

supplies of water of acceptable quality ha~ 

heightened dramatically among domestic, in· 

dustrial, and agricultural users. As a result, there 

is a growing urgency for reliable hydrologic data to 

facilitate planning, development, and management 

of the resource. 

The U.S. Geological Survey provides much of the 

hydrologic information collected in our Nation. 

This report describes the Survey's role as the Nation's principal water-data collector- what its activities are, how it makes the information 

available, and how it coordinates the water-data 

program with other agencies. 

To meet both local and national data needs, the 

Survey cooperates with State and local governments and other Federal agencies in conducting investigations and research on the occurrence, quality, quantity, distribution, utilization, movement, 

and availability of surface- and ground-water 

resources. Work in this regard depends on the systematic nationwide program of data collection, 

analysis, and dissemination. 

The functions described above are supported by 

Federal appropriations, by reimbursements from 

other Federal agencies, and by the Federal-State 

Cooperative Program (50-50 matching). Figure 1 

shows the sources of funds for the Water 

Resources Division's budget in fiscal year 1981. 

The U.S. Geological Survey was established 

March 3, 1879, with the responsibility for classifying the public lands and examining the geological 

structure, mineral resources, and products of the 
Reimbursable: 

Other Federal 

Reimbursable: 

State and local 

agencies 

$0.4 million 

0.2 PERCENT 

Federal share 

co-op funds 

$42.7 million 

FED E RAL •...... ~JAI~::::::::::::::::::::::-::::·· Reimbursable: 

50-50 COOPERATIVE PROGRAM::· State share 

22 PERCENT ':~:~::2:2·:·::P.:ER:c:eJtt?· co-op funds 

Direct 

to 

appropriations 

USGS- __ ---.J>:..::I ~~c.:..~/1-~J /!~/· !! !! !i ~i. !-~~ i! ~~ 111111 !i~= ~ = =,: · · :~; ii::~:~~:, $113.5 million 

FY 1981 TOTAL $192.0 MILLION 

FIGURE 1.-The fiscal year 1981 budget for the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division. 

national domain. Stream measurement began in 

the West in 1888 under an appropriation made that 

year to conduct a survey of irrigable lands in arid 

regions and of sites for reservoirs and other 

hydraulic works. The Survey received its first appropriation specifically for stream gaging and for 

determining the,water supply of the United States 

in 1894, and the continuing national program of 

cooperation with the States began in 1895. 

With time, water-data collection requests to the 

Geological Survey by States besides those in the 

West increased, and program activity grew in size 

and scope. The needs for information became more 

diverse, and the program expanded to include 

ground-water exploration and evaluation and 

water-quality investigations. A framework began 

to take shape for a nationwide water-data system. 

This eventually led to a water-data program that is 

closely attuned to respond to local data needs, yet 

is also sufficiently broad to provide the information 

required to plan and assess regional waterresources development and management. 

The Survey's 1879 organic act prohibits Survey 

employees from having personal or private interest in the lands or mineral wealth under investigation. This, together with a rigorous scientific approach to problems and the fact that the 

Survey neither designs, constructs, nor operates 

2 

water projects, is the basis for the impartiality that 

has characterized the Survey's work through the 

years. 

The increasing need for hydrologic data, the 

discovery of numerous chemical constituents in our 

waters, and the increasing operating costs for 

salaries and travel make it necessary to develop 

new instrumentation. For example, an improved 

method of determining water levels, preferably a 

noncontact type of sensor, is needed. New devices 

also are needed to measure velocity and (or) 

discharge across a stream cross section. There are 

also emerging needs for new sensors for a variety 

of water-quality parameters, especially for toxics, 

synthetic organics, heavy metals, nutrients, and 

biological parameters. 

One of the most needed improvements in the 

water-data program is an automated field-data acquisition system that directly tabulates data from 

multiple sensors. The system will consist of a core 

unit at a station to supply power and programing 

to operate sensors of several different parameters 

and to record specific information obtained from 

each. The technology exists today to combine and 

automate the collection of various data under a 

central control system, which is the key to the 

development of this equipment. Ideally, all the 

systems should operate from a standard power 
source and timer. The required design would permit newly developed sensors to be added and 

operated through the central control system. 

Many improvements in hydrologic instrumentation are expected during the 1980's. In addition, 

changes in sampling strategies ma?e possible by 

the new sensors and other technologic advances, 

such as the transmission of data by satellite, can be 

anticipated. 

Another matter of increasing importance relates 

to the need for critical analysis of the hydrologic 

data. Additional resources need to be applied to 

understand and evaluate the information already 

at hand. To allocate most effectively the funds and 

personnel available, it is essential to have a better 

grasp of which data are most critical. These 

analyses demonstrate the need for improved instrumentation- particularly sensors and recorders- and for development of new approaches 

to the timing of measurements and sampling. 

Ideally, the most efficient scheme is to measure or 

sample only when it is required, and this calls for a 

greater sensitivity to anticipated changes in the 

hydrologic system. 

DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES 

The Geological Survey maintains a nationwide 

system of stream gaging stations, ground-water 

observation wells, and locations for collecting 

samples of both ground and surface waters for 

measuring quality. The Survey's Water-Data Program provides the basic data for water-resources 

appraisals, environmental impact assessments, 

and energy-related studies and, in establishing the 

baseline conditions of the Nation's water, forms an 

invaluable foundation for solving emerging issues. 

These issues include identification and analysis of 

potential problems related to movement and 

storage of toxic wastes, acid precipitation, organic 

contamination in surface and ground water, oil 

shale hydrology, food and fiber production, landuse changes, and hydrologic hazards. 

Personnel assigned to Water Resources Division 

offices throughout the 50 States (fig. 2), Guam, and 

Puerto Rico currently collect data at many sites: 

almost 17,000 stage and discharge stations, about 

27,000 wells where water level and (or) pumpage 

data are collected annually or more frequently, and 

approximately 9,400 surface-water stations and 

7,400 wells where. water-quality information is col3 

lected. Almost 1,600 projects (areal, topical, and 

research) are underway as well. The principal purpose of the data-collection activities is to fulfill mission goals for furnishing hydrologic data and producing related analyses, interpretations, and 

research findings for the use of all agencies and 

citizens in the United States. The sources and 

allocation of funds for hydrologic data activities in 

fiscal year 1981 are shown in figure 3. A wide 

variety of agencies at Federal, State, and local 

levels furnish support to the Survey, and activities 

at a single data-collection site are often funded by a 

combination of sources. 

Although hydrologic data have been and are being collected, it is likely that there will always be 

some deficiencies in the geographical distribution 

and in the kinds and frequency of data obtained. 

This situation exists not only because of growth 

and shifts in population and depletion of some local 

sources of water, but also because the development 

and management of water resources on a regional 

and national basis require that more data be obtained on a more timely basis. 

SURFACE WATER 

The Geological Survey collects continuous stage 

(water-level) records at about 8,000 stream sites 

and 1,000 lake and reservoir sites throughout the 

Nation (fig. 4) and computes discharge (flow) of 

most of the streams from the stage records. 

Discharges at almost 8,000 additional stream sites 

are measured periodically or at peak stages or low 

flows or in response to other selected hydrologic 

conditions. In 1980, the Survey measured the 

discharge of some 3,000 streams on a one-time 

basis to meet the needs of special investigations. 

This is representative of activities during a typical 

year. Thus, there are literally thousands of streamgaging sites, including naturally flowing streams, 

streams or canals that are at times affected by 

man's activities, and waterways where the 

discharge is completely controlled. 

Digital recorders store water-stage data 

automatically by means of punched paper tape. 

The tapes are than processed for discharge computation, analysis, retrieval, and use. Analyses include streamflow duration, storage and frequency 

studies, and other statistical computations. Stage 

and discharge data from stream-gaging stations 

are used, for example, in interpretive studies of 
~ 

ALASKA 

e Anchorage 

000 

HAWAII 

e Honolulu 

0 

666 

6 

0 

0 

6 0 

Austine 

0 

SOUTHEASTERN 

REGION 

PUERTO RICO 

e San Juan 

FIGURE 2. -Location of principal offices of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division. Large open circles represent regional office; small 

black circles, district office; small open circles, subdistrict office; small triangles, field office; thick black lines, regional boundary. 
Federal program 

$8.3 million 

Federal matchin 

$21.3 million 

SOURCES OF FUNDS 

27.3 

percent 

I 

I 

FEDERAL1

- STATE 

Reimbursable: 

Other Federal 

Reimbursable: 

State and local 

agencies 

$0.2 million 

50-50 COOPERATIVE PROGRAM 

I 30.3 I 30.3 

I percent 1 percent I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

Total funding, $70.3 million 

ALLOCATION OF FUNDS 

21 

percent 

54 

percent 

Surface-water 

data 

State matching 

$21.3 million 

Ground-water 

data 

FIGURE 3.-Sources and allocation of funds for the U.S. Geological Survey's Water-Data Program in 

fiscal year 1981. 

5 
~ 

w-·· 

/~r>.l~'i:\ -

wAS;;-·--- ~ : \ ) 111 ' . '1;;,;.------- ___ JI ~ 53\J 66 

Puerto Rico: 96 

319 I : T. ---------------\MINN. '-..-.. 63" - _1\\ -- , \ : NDAK I ... ...,.__ ~ ........ / .. 

117 1• 1.. 1 1so , ,,.\"(' \ 

\ 440 - l l ' \ 1.....---.....----------~ • { "7 -- : 205 \ 523 .. i . 1 148 1 t - i ', ~j\ r 

DllEG) J : 170 496 \ \.- (.."\ 1-------------1 -

7

- ~r.ss 402 / \ 'S.DAK. ~ 591 7 L~"\ -92 '/ 278 · 

\...---"~WYO. r--------- - --I __ 

160 · j -130 --~-"-., \c.O~~ I 1 -- IDAHo• 1 112 : , --- ..,..._ 

: 409 I , ~----------\ " -- 931 ~ c:4----- 1 : 306 I ~IOWA \. ----- , -- 'NJ. LiF 17--- NEV ' I -- ------------. ...... -.... . 250 " Ill \ 630 I ---........_____ 141 :NEBR "'\ __ ') ,. -- 1 1

1

uiA-H-.., 1 198 ". 49 .""' 383 :\ -r-::rJ.-l-1-D 

I • ' -- .I --- I,"' ,.._ ., I : l .. .., _________ _j____ 102 \ ___ .I 346 1 565 .-'w". /" 

I 207 / ,coLo. l trM'o.-- ~ 287 L, r> ~ f"1 511 

I -- I I _'\; \ \ "-~,...-.~) 280 ( -- \ 96 I 290 '---------- ( '-.\, ('"" ~'(. I { 229 I -- I I KANS. - I • \ ,J 

\\ / 2.93 /

1 

ill , 300 'i 430 I / ,. r..r' 424 )o..___.-' ------

, I 458 I 1 -

241 1 --~ 53 -..... v,. .... __ ,- 1 ~ 2ss / -r-c __ _ \ ,. I : 1-S ___ ;:. .. -I N 185 

\ ' ~------ I I I -· I ___ .. -------- 2.71 ,' !"'" - 25 ' \ JARIZ -----+-------------1...___________ I - ----;1 TENN -- ,.- ----"'l,.. .. -·,, ,.. INMEX : ,--·- '- 2.71 r _,..·sc •. I '\.1 I ,----·-, 'ARK -----.... 157 \ ' ,TEXAS I 2.03 I ( -----\GA -, -- \ • I I I -- i 198 ;;-;----1 ~XLIX \ ,,, 31 'V I I 8 7 . -- ' MISS I \ .... ·, 314 1 451 . : i 12s ~J : \ 3o1 ·----.. > - - ' ' ' I I 313 \ - .- 7s , 87 1 """·--....., ..... ·

1 ~ 168 _ , 174 / I I "'""'....,."""•- ... ....., ( - I 210 \ 

---~ c.., I ' t - ---'., 3 7 I I , 1 ru..~- "> 1 ' 

"• 

1 

: \ ) \ l, r 

'.... / J \ 430 : 1 -------\.------·u ......... , r-·-1:\·------ 709 ·,, 188 ( ___ ( \ 1\(>-~-FLA ----L._ ""\ 753 I ', 0 

··,.. ' 

260 

Alaska: 137 

Hawaii: 

231 

109 

96 

~ ,.-... .... ) ' '-· \ ' .. , 

" \.... .......... 

0 200 400 600 800 1 000 

MILES 

FIGURE 4.-Number, by State, of continuous and partial-record surface-water stations and surface-water quality sites operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in fiscal year 

1980. This includes stations on streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, canals, and ditches. Data for New Mexico are from fiscal year 1979. For each State, the number 

above the bar indicates surface-water stations; the number below the bar indicates surface-water quality sites. The total is 16,697 surface-water stations; 9,414 surfacewater quality sites. 
-.::] 

v-·· 

/~t>.\~t.\ WAS;;-·---- 22. ~ S ~ \, 190 /

, "'TiiONr------- ----..!\ o \ o ~J 56 : . ------------- \ MINN -........,._, -- I ~ I NDAK I ... ....,... ...- . 

33o ,~ '· I 911 .. ' \j\ ': \ 

\ 264 - l ~ 'i . ( \ ,___ • - ( I ....._ ? -0- I I 131 I I--311 l, • ( : \ 

------ ----· • 1 ~ 1 o 174 "' ·. ~'~'~· 530 

0 

DREG J S : -- \ t.-' 

' '--1 1-------------~ 653 "''" I 1. --- 'SOAK. '1 ~ \~,-;; ... 366 1 ... fWvo --------/ 270 . 

143 

I co"'"~ .' -- \r-"••l'"i · -- I .--"-, V ~-4-'o• I 190 IDAHO• I 0 : ' --- ·.,..._ ~- : I 298 II 1 __________ 1 PI>. 569 ~ c4u-~-- I : -- ~IOWA ~ ----- ' -- NJ 29 F 7---~ . I 45 -------------...,-, . 72 " ILL \ 10 I 1

NfV -------- /NEBB '\ _ 'j , --~ I '"''"-., I 2468 ~ 0 / \ 183 h --'·' \' .!! 

i ! L__--. _________ j___ 1Q5 \ ___ ) ~ \ lQ. I 116 ,./vTVil'-'};~'i~:oEL 347 0 I 508 / ,coLo. l lr____ y 0 I 0 , rJ ~ ,. • ../ 218 

17 

I -5- t I - -'-MO \ I r-.... , ..... ,.,) 83 ' -- \ 1 

1040 ~~----·--·- ( .. , '\ ("' \(_'/ I ' 137 ' I I KANS "' ) ' \ ) '\ / 205 1

1 

..:!.!!..!_ 1 2777 '; 43 I (' r..r' 179 > ....... --' __ _ I - t v.,......... -- , 2544 \ . : I 672 I 430 ! o ·'"-~ ,~ 3o ~~--J--c---- 709 \ I I '\ j•.J -------- r-' N \ 1------~- I I --·· /' I ---· ___ .. 55 ,' '\ JARIZ -+;;;"M-----------L __ -------OKLA I -------: J TENN - ,.... ----""l...---·-, 

)'"' 1 EX ~----·-, '.ARK ... f 8 r __ ...,. sc ·· \ : I !TEXAS ' 1077 I ~ -----l(;i>.- '-.. 65 

'V 969 ' I' I -- i 864 r.;-s·s--.,- ~>.Lfl. ., "-, - \ -- I 1700 I 0 : -- . Ml I \ ...... 

• > 684 1 125 , ~- ! 2 5 / : 2 29 \ 1168 "· 

; : I ·-----.. ----------1 \ 323 I 15 \ 32 <... I : 1 ___ _. - : > ---( I I (LA-- ~) 83 I : ,. I I ' ) 1 ) (' 

............ / j' \ ~ r \ -----A-------u ......... __ .-------- 1017 •, 7 I - I _c- Fll>. '-·-J.._F- ~ __ ) 21 ·---I ', ·~\ 454 : •. "\. 

Alaska: 

Hawaii: 

\ .. -... ..... ,J " '·· \ \ .. , 

" \ .... .......... 

0 200 400 600 800 1000 

MILES 

234 

96 

99 

75 

96 

158 

21 

3 

FIGURE 5.-Number, by State, of ground-water observation wells and ground-water quality sites operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in fiscal year 1980. Data for New 

Mexico are from fiscal year 1979. For each State, the number above the bar indicates ground-water observation wells; the number below the bar indicates groundwater quality sites. The total is 26,7 4 7 ground-water observation wells and 7,345 ground-water quality sites. 
water supply, water storage, irrigation, and flood 

control. The gaging stations also provide data for 

research in hydrology and river hydraulics. 

GROUND WATER 

The gound-water data-collection network maintained by the Geological Survey consists of almost 

27,000 public and privately owned wells (fig. 5). 

Measurements of the depth to water below land 

surface (or the height above land surface in flowing 

wells) are made on a continuous or periodic basis. 

Continous recorders are used on more than 2,000 

of these wells. Additional wells are measured as 

part of specific investigations, and typically some 

of these are added to the observation well program. 

Water-level data are used to assess changes in 

ground-water storage; the changes can result from 

natural causes or from man's activities. In recent 

years, ground-water data have been used in 

computer-modeling studies to predict changes in 

the water levels and available supplies, in response 

to various stresses on the hydrologic system. 

Related investigations may involve general 

geologic appraisals, detailed surface and subsurface mapping, test drilling and geophysical work, 

or intensive analysis of aquifer characteristics such 

as saturated thickness, porosity, horizontal and 

vertical hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, and 

storage coefficients. This information is needed to 

inventory the resource. 

QUALITY OF WATER 

In addition to making quantitative measurements of streams and wells, the Geological Survey 

monitors the quality of surface and ground water. 

Water samples are collected at selected surfacewater stations for laboratory determination of a 

variety of constituents, depending on requirements (fig. 6). The number of surface-water quality 

sites shown in figure 4 does not agree with the 

total of the numbers shown in figure 6 because 

more than one type of data is collected at many 

sites. Water temperature is measured onsite at 

nearly every station. Commonly, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen are measured onsite also. Major inorganic constituents, the major 

nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, and often trace 

metals and organic compounds are determined in 

8 

most samples. Samples for determination of 

suspended-sediment concentration are taken at 

some of the same stations. In recent years, 

analyses for pesticide and radiochemical constituents have been increased in response to the growing awareness and concern about these potential 

sources of contamination. Fecal coliform and fecal 

streptococcus counts are obtained at several hundred stations, and samples for phytoplankton identification and counting are commonly collected 

from lakes and reservoirs. 

Surface water is generally sampled more frequently than ground water because contaminants 

are transmitted and dispersed more quickly in surface water. Some surface-water stations are 

equipped with automatic sampling or onsite 

monitoring devices. Others are sampled manually 

at intervals ranging from daily to annually. The 

use of automatic monitoring facilitates the collection and dissemination of important water-quality 

information. Some of the characteristics that the 

monitors can automatically measure, record, and 

store are temperature, pH, specific conductance, 

and dissolved oxygen. 

Selected chemical constituents in ground-water 

samples are measured as part of the observationwell network (fig. 5), although far fewer wells are 

sampled for water quality than are measured for 

water level. Wells typically are sampled only once 

or twice a year. 

Water-quality data are used in an increasing 

number of ways by Federal, State, and local agencies and by private organizations. This information 

is essential for planning and managing municipal 

and industrial waste-treatment facilities, designing cooling equipment, determining suitability of 

water supplies for domestic and recreational purposes, and monitoring water-quality impacts on 

the environment. 

SEDIMENT 

Suspended-sediment data on concentration, 

load, or particle size are collected at approximately 

2,800 stream-gaging sites, partly as background 

information and for investigative purposes (fig. 6). 

In some instances, the data are needed in planning 

for adequate storage of sediment in proposed 

reservoirs, identifying areas of erosion to evaluate 

the feasibility of remedial treatment, and 

establishing a sedimentation baseline for future 

comparison. Quantities of sediment transported 
~ 

L':,4 

4 45 .v--- ... __ L'> 11 o 2 I ~"''~t. \ WASH ..... ___ .. 441 •2 :

6

10\ L':, 10 6

43 !'fMriNT'------ n o2 o1o )466;>' 4101 4 117 ' ------------------- ' • 9 

0 31 : ) 6 1 48 IN OAK 6 1 58 'i MINN ---...... ...,__ "" 0 0 """- '--' \~ ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ • 5 I \ 4 1 48 I 4 205 .. 6 56 -~~I; \0 2 0 7 

i____ o 4 , ....., o 89 I o 65 \ 4 17o ~-~ '{ \ r , _ _____________ , ' 7 I • 8 ' 0 21 I l, ' \ A 6 

DREG' 5 • 1 ~ 1w1s ---.__ 1 . c <-> 

620 ) <..'1 02 1----~~------:·~4 ."' 6 10 "'i MiC11 o28\ 't~~..f 418 4 7 0 / 6 1 2 9 ). I SOAK 6 2 2 ( O l 4 1 30 • 3 \~1'-SS _ 0 5 

oa ': 4409 \.-...,.--"fWv0---------/ 4112 l l .. _ 017 6127. 661 03 ~(;~-~-;;\ • ~> e5 

e5 1 024 IDAHo• 6134 1 o12 ! '-- • 3 4160 4]_5.----...,, \c ~ Rl oo 

-- o 1 : • 20 I 4 141 I e11 I ------\ o 2 o 2 ----- 1-·- 6 64 

c

1

ni'F---- ___ ! o 23 : 87 I o 1 ~low..\6 11 \ __ • 24 ~'" 6 600 • 23 ~ 6110 4 78 

7NEV -------- I 0 'NEBR----------..,.-,__. 4 17 ""'="_--- Ill g_2 - I 4 630 0 1 /-1 j 4 166 01 

6125 / l""(jfA·H--, • 30 /1 695 \ o19 ) -,No \ot~ID6147 \ 0534 -· 0165 e2o 

4219 , 624 1 1 029 , 4102 ': • 1 ~..-~6223 \ 65 \ 4565 h _ -~~;ro- \ ... __ • 54 01 o 11 o , 4 72 , L________ I o 16 ~ o 1 ~ 4 287 ' 4 186 \ o 19 .J ~-":t>· rh \. DEL o 2 

e24 I 015 1' ;coLO -------1•9 (r--------.y o 204 \ 

62 

1 e14 ,.,..w.o20· 'Jr>. 

o 7 \' 6 6 9 f 1 o 1 \ MO \. • 3 I 0 L. o 1 r) e1 o 0 1 · 6 1 9 

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\ o2 1 087 , 4241 "1 4 53 f /- r.J' o245 4,.,_. _ _,615801___ 4 170 01 

\ : •a 1 e22 1 o72 1015 t.,_ v"-"',::, 28 e6 / -~-~29--- o9 •o \ I 023 I o27 I •4 :e25 11_,~ 4245o3_~---J'Nc o25 e3 oo ' ~----- I 1 o 1 I o o .) ----------- r 6 25 ea 02 \ fARIZ -----+---------- _j_ ____________ , __ , ___ .. 

6 9 e1 0 ,.../' 4 25 02 \ -v INMEX : f'B7 OKLAL.----- .JTENN 2710 1 r -----.._-·, '! I ,------, ., \ARK .... 1 4 r_...,..·scL'>14 '·- \; 6 75 , 6 87 :rExAs ,I 4 87 \ 6 84 < CUJ9--rG~- ..... 4 23 e3 

\ 475 , 87 1 o5o , 4125 fMiss-~",ALi>. ... "-.. o9 o2 

> 0 2 I 4 : : • 6 i 0 36 j I \ 6 1 52 ...... "" .. • 7 I 0 85 I ~...... 0 1 : • 6 ,~ 'i L'> 210 \ 4 17 4 ·. / 04 II e10 , ·-........ "''-tr"Vv-·--" ... 1 03 ~635 4210 'o67 

---( o 11 j ~-------'~435 : 00 >•3 

... : I 6 436 ! lA6144 )0 21 I • 2 :) 0 3 ........... / ' 4 753 ' -~ e18 \ ' r '', r--r--------J o 169 ~ 4146 I o 1 'o 3-------\-------oj ----L._ ""\"' e 149 ')0 53 ·----z in.~•- ~ _FLA •• 029 :e107 · 

' \ ,-... ~95 ..... ,l " '·· \ ' '\ 

\ .... .......... 

{

t>63 

465 

Puerto Rico o 61 

e27 

00 

{

610 

4109 

Hawaii o 2 

e2 

01 

{

683 

4137 

Alaska o 80 

e3 

04 

0 200 400 600 800 1 000 

MILES 

FIGURE 6.-Number of sites, by State, at which selected types of surface-water quality information were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in fiscal year 1980. Data for 

New Mexico are from fiscal year 1979. Numbers associated with open triangles represent chemical quality; solid triangles, water temperature, pH, and (or) specific conductance; 

open squares, sediment; solid circles, pesticide; open circles, radiochemical constituents. 
are determined by measuring sediment concentration in streams and relating these measurements 

to concurrent streamflow. Thus, this technique requires stream-gaging stations to provide flow data 

to determine sediment transport. 

WATER USE 

The Geological Survey started a water-use information program in 1978 to provide for the comprehensive and systematic collection, storage, 

analysis, and dissemination of water-use data and 

information throughout the United States. 

Statistics on domestic, industrial, and agricultural 

water use are required for the planning, management, and development of the Nation's water 

resources and to provide information necessary to 

identify and resolve critical water problems 

relating to water quality, residuals, environmental 

impacts, energy development, and resource allocations. The Geological Survey is designing and 

managing the program and is developing the 

system in stages in cooperation with State and 

Federal agencies. The manpower-intensive collection of data at the field level is done by State or 

local agency personnel. 

The aggregated water withdrawal, use, and 

return data are furnished to the Survey for central 

computer storage. The detailed information is held 

at the local level by collaborating agencies. Inasmuch as the water-use data activity is not fully 

implemented as yet, the availability of information 

is not at design levels. 

SPECIAL-PURPOSE NETWORKS 

The Geological Survey operates two specialpurpose data networks-the National Stream 

Quality Accm~nting Network (NASQAN) (Ficke 

and Hawkinson, 1975) and the Hydrologic BenchMark Program (Cobb and Biesecker, 1971). 

NASQAN comprises more than 500 stations at 

which samples for chemical analyses are taken at 

fixed frequencies to determine the water quality of 

the Nation's streams. Design of the network 

specifies measurements of a broad range of waterquality characteristics which were selected to meet 

many of the information needs of those involved in 

planning and management on a national or 

regional scale. The primary objectives are to account for the quantity and quality of water moving 

10 

within and from the United States, to depict areal 

variability in stream quality, to detect changes in 

stream quality, and to lay the groundwork for 

future assessments of changes in stream-water 

quality. Data of this type are needed to determine 

long-term trends and the physical, chemical, and 

biological characteristics of the Nation's surface 

waters. The network began in 1973 with 50 stations, expanded to 345 stations by 1975, and 

reached its current level of 516 stations in 1978. 

The Hydrologic Bench-Mark Program was established in 1958 to collect data in selected areas 

where water resources were known to be minimally affected by man and where, it is anticipated, 

that land use and land cover will remain unchanged. Data obtained from this network can be 

used to document changes, largely unaffected by 

man, in hydrologic characteristics with time. The 

goal is to provide a better understanding of the 

hydrologic structure of natural basins and to provide a comparative base for studying the effects of 

man on the hydrologic environment. The network 

includes 57 stations located in 37 States. 

Hydrologic variables measured in the bench-mark 

basins include continuous streamflow and water 

quality at most sites, with observations of groundwater levels, precipitation, and stream temperatures at some sites. Data are also obtained on 

radioactivity levels, pesticide concentrations, 

nutrients, and biota in many of the basins. 

REPORTING AND AVAILABILITY OF DATA 

The Survey disseminates water data and results 

of investigations and research through reports, 

maps, computerized information services, and 

other forms of public releases. 

Information collected from hydrologic-data sites 

is stored in the Survey's National Water Data 

Storage and Retrieval System (W ATSTORE) and 

is available on request. These computerized data 

files include a Daily Values Files that contains 

more than 200 million daily observations of 

streamflow, water-quality, sediment-discharge, 

and ground-water level data; a Water Quality File 

that contains more than 1.8 million chemical 

analyses of both surface and ground water; a Peak 

Flow File that contains over 400,000 annual peak 

observations of streamflow and river-stage data; 

and a Ground Water Site Inventory File that contains inventory information for over 700,000 wells. 
These data can be retrieved in machine-readable 

form or as computer-printed tables, graphs, or 

results of statistical analyses. 

Inquiries regarding the information in 

W ATSTORE and other program activities should 

be referred to the Water Resources Division office 

for the pertinent State, as identified in the list at 

the end of this report. Technical and policy questions may be addressed to the Chief Hydrologist or 

to the appropriate Regional Hydrologist. 

The Geological Survey publishes hydrologic data 

in an annual series of reports for each State (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 1980) and catalogs these 

reports in the monthly list of Survey publications. 

Other reports are published by cooperating agencies or in technical journals. These can also be 

located by contacting the offices described above. 

REAL·TIME DATA 

Generally, because of the many operations required to collect, analyze, and process hydrologic 

data, it takes 4-6 weeks for the data to be made 

available to the user. However, reliable hydrologic 

data are often required on a more timely basis for a 

variety of purposes; for example, flood warnings, 

irrigation-water allocations, water-supply forecasting, reservoir management, water-quality 

monitoring, hydropower generation, management 

of navigational waters, and allocation of urban 

water supplies. 

Telemetry of data from remote data-collection 

sites can greatly reduce time for delivery of the 

data to the user and can be accomplished by a 

variety of mechanisms. Conventional methods include landlines (telephone) and high-frequency and 

ultrahigh-frequency (microwave line of sight) 

radios. Extraterrestrial methods include meteorburst and satellite data-collection systems. 

Telemetry can also provide benefits to the data collector, including reduction of field travel costs, 

remote monitoring of instrumentation functions, 

and automated data handling. 

The telephone and radio telemetry systems work 

satisfactorily but have the disadvantages of high 

cost, limited flexibility, and reliability problems, 

which are typically caused by storm damage. Of 

the extraterrestrial methods, the Geostationary 

Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), a 

Government-owned system of two operational inorbit space satellites operated by the National 

11 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, seems 

to offer the greatest potential at this time for realtime telemetry (Shope and Paulson, 1980). 

There are three basic elements of any satellite 

data-collection system. The first is a field radio, 

usually called a data-collection platform (DCP), 

which is connected to a hydrologic sensing device 

such as a water-stage recorder. The second element is a radio transponder, consisting of a 

receiver and transmitter on the satellite, that can 

receive data from a large number of DCP's. The 

third element is the Earth receiving station where 

data are retrieved from the satellite and disseminated to users. 

The Geological ·Survey currently operates over 

250 DCP's using the GOES satellite; as a test, a 

contractor who also uses the GOES satellite 

operates another 105 sites for the Geological 

Survey. Satellite data telemetry has already proven to be a reliable and, for many applications, a 

cost-effective tool for the acquisition of remote 

hydrological data. A significant expansion of the 

existing satellite telemetry network now depends 

on a more complete evaluation of the needs for and 

benefits of having real-time hydrologic data for 

water-resources management. 

NETWORK ANALYSIS 

Hydrologic network analysis is a process for 

determining the locations at which data are to be 

collected, the types of data that are to be collected 

at each site, the frequency of collection of each 

type of data at each site, and the duration of each 

data-collection activity. These are the design 

variables that must be defined in some optimal 

sense to meet the information need most efficiently. 

Interest in hydrologic network analysis received 

added impetus in the United States by the passage 

of Public Law 92-500 which mandated establishment of networks to monitor the quality of the Nation's waters. The need for network analysis has 

been widely recognized only within the past few 

decades and, thus, the process is still in a rather immature stage. 

With respect to Geological Survey programs, 

hydrologic data-collection networks can be classified as surface water, surface-water quality, ground 

water, and ground-water quality. 

The techniques associated with the design and 

analysis of surface-water data-collection networks 
are the most advanced. The object of many surfacewater data networks is to provide hydrologic information at ungaged sites. Regression analysis is the 

mechanism most often used to transfer information 

from gaged sites to ungaged sites (Matalas and 

Gilroy, 1968). Moss and Karlinger (1974) developed 

an operational technique for network evaluation, 

given that regression analysis is the transfer 

mechanism. 

A study recently completed in Arizona (Moss and 

Gilroy, 1980) presents methods for determining the 

uncertainty or potential error in computations of 

annual mean discharges for sites in a network as a 

function of the number of discharge measurements 

made in a year. These uncertainty relations have 

been used with cost data to determine cost-effective 

stream-gaging strategies for the Lower Colorado 

River Basin. 

The objectives in the design of surface-water 

quality networks are to characterize stream-water 

quality, to provide information needed to enforce 

stream standards, and to detect long-term trends. 

Sampling frequency is highly important in the 

design of a water-quality monitoring network. The 

multivariate nature of water-quality data complicates the design of water-quality data-collection 

networks. 

Observation well networks are used to determine 

the hydraulic and hydrologic characteristics of 

aquifers. One of the basic objectives of collecting 

water-level data is to reduce the uncertainty in the 

decisionmaking process. The observation network 

needs to be designed so that the available funds are 

used in such a manner as to obtain the most information. 

Inherent inhomogeneity of natural ground-water 

systems makes the objective design of ground-water 

quality monitoring networks difficult. The design of 

ground-water quality networks today relies heavily 

on subjective judgments. 

Periodic reappraisals of networks are desirable 

for bringing about improvements to keep pace with 

changing needs and conditions. A reluctance to 

change prevailing practices can lead to overcollection of some records and failure to begin other 

records needed for the future. From 1968 to 1970, 

the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a nationwide 

evaluation of its surface-water network. In 1981, 

the surface-water data networks in Idaho, Iowa, 

Maine, and Pennsylvania are being reviewed, using 

the techniques described by Moss (1976). The techniques developed in the Arizona study to determine 

12 

cost-effective stream-gaging strategies for the 

Lower Colorado River Basin (Moss and Gilroy, 

1980) are also being tested in these four States to 

determine their applicability in diverse hydrologic 

environments. 

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CREDIBILITY 

Over the years, the Water-Data Program has 

achieved a high degree of credibility, as the 

resulting information has been used and tested by 

many organizations and individuals in both government and private sectors. In large measure, this is 

the result of continuous efforts to ensure that data 

are collected, analyzed, and disseminated through 

thoroughly proven methods and techniques under 

rigorous standards of quality control. Because 

more and more organizations are entering the 

water-data activity, in terms of collectors and 

users of data, it is essential for communication to 

be improved to assure data compatibility and 

uniformity whenever possible. Moreover, standard 

techniques need to be documented and made available so as to promulgate quality control, and 

linkages need to be maintained between those who 

need data and those who collect data. 

Toward this goal, the Survey is working with 

Federal agencies and the non-Federal community 

to publish the "National Handbook of Recommended Methods for Water Data Acquisition." This national handbook identifies methods for collecting a 

wide variety of data-surface water, ground 

water, chemical and biological water quality, sediment, soil moisture, drainage-basin characteristics, evaporation and transpiration, snow and 

ice, and hydrometeorology (Johnson, Knapp, and 

Kapinos, 1978). This can be a strong step to continued quality assurance but only if data-collection 

agencies at all levels subscribe to these methods 

and require their use. 

Viewed from today's perspective of environmental concerns, technologic change, resource depletion, and population stress, the Survey's WaterData Program is the foundation for many decisions 

involving water and related resources. The program's success in anticipating and responding to 

changing priorities and emergencies stems directly 

from its effective blending of Federal, State, and 

local inputs. In this activity, the Survey carries out 

a scientific information service which is directly 

related to water-resources conservation, development, and management responsibilities appropri-
ate to all levels of government. It shares with nonFederal cooperators both the cost and the responsibility for the design and management of the 

system. It provides advisory services, but it does 

not arbitrate nor does it take adversary positions 

with respect to governmental policy or action. As a 

result of these and other characteristics, it has acquired an unusual record of scientific objectivity 

which is especially significant in assessing the environmental impacts of water-resource developments and control measures. 

Water issues often arouse intense public feelings. Yet, what is often missed in these public 

postures are the complex sets of facts involved. In 

such situations, the impartial fact finder can be a 

harmonizing influence which allows the adversaries to concentrate on the policy issues. 

COORDINATION AND EXCHANGE 

OF WATER DATA 

Federal agencies acquire water data used by 

literally hundreds of State and local agencies and 

by the private sector and other Federal agencies. 

Furthermore, many State and other non-Federal 

governmental organizations, universities, and 

private companies also acquire water data. In an 

effort to meet the needs for water data in the most 

efficient and economical way possible, the Bureau 

of the Budget (now t~e Office of Management and 

Budget) issued, in 1964, Circular A-67 prescribing 

guidelines for the coordination of water-data acquisition activities by the more than 30 Federal 

agencies involved directly or indirectly in acquiring 

and using water data. Included in such activities 

are processing, storing, and disseminating data 

and collecting quantitative and qualitative data on 

the Nation's streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, 

and ground water. 

Circular A-67 assigns the task of coordinating 

water-data acquisition activities to the Department 

of the Interior. The Department's Geological 

Survey was selected as the lead agency; in October 

1964, the Office of Water Data Coordination 

(OWDC) was established within the Survey (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 1979). 

To provide advice and assistance to OWDC in 

carrying out the program, the Secretary of the Interior established two advisory committees-the 

Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data 

and the Advisory Committee on Water Data for 

13 

Public Use. The Interagency Advisory Committee 

is composed of representatives of Federal agencies 

concerned with acquiring or using water data and 

represents their interest in the coordination effort. 

The Advisory Committee on Water Data for Public 

Use represents the interests of State, local, and 

private organizations. These two committees and 

their subgroups have made valuable contributions 

to the coordination effort. 

As a result of coordination activities and a proposal by a task group of the Federal Interagency 

Advisory Committee on Water Data, the National 

Water Data Exchange (NA WDEX) was established 

by the Geological Survey in 1976. NA WDEX is anational confederation of water-oriented organizations working together to improve access to 

water data (Edwards, 1977). Its primary objective is 

to assist users of water data in the identification, 

location, and acquisition of needed data. 

NA WDEX consists of member organizations 

from the water-data community. The water-data 

holdings of these members are linked so that they 

may be readily exchanged for maximum use. A central program office, located administratively within 

the U.S. Geological Survey, coordinates this linkage 

and provides overall management of the program. 

The office provides data-exchange policy and 

guidelines to all participants in the NA WDEX program. 

The program office operates in four major areas 

by: 

(1) Providing central access to automated data-processing facilities for maintenance and use of its information files, 

(2) Indexing water data held by participating organizations, 

(3) Providing facilities and personnel for responding 

to requests for water data, and 

( 4) Formulating recommended water-data handling 

and exchange methods. 

Membership in NA WDEX is open to any wateroriented organization that wishes to take an active 

role in the program. Current membership includes 

organizations from the Federal, State, interstate, 

local government; academic; and private sectors of 

the water-data community. No dues or fees are 

associated with becoming a member. Members are 

required, however, to sign a memorandum of 

understanding with the program office that 

defines a member's general commitment to take an 
active role in NAWDEX activities, to provide information on its data holdings for indexing purposes, and to provide data from its holdings upon 

request. 

For users' convenience, NA WDEX services are 

available through a nationwide network of 63 

assistance centers, located in 45 States and Puerto 

Rico. The centers provide direct access to 

NA WDEX and make local expertise available to 

aid in identifying and locating needed data. The 

Survey supports this activity by providing assistance center services in 52 of its district and subdistrict offices. 

NA WDEX is not a repository of water data. It 

provides indexes of the data held by NAWDEX 

members and participants as a central source of information about water data available from a large 

number of organizations. This information is in 

both computerized and noncomputerized form. 

SUMMARY 

The U.S. Geological Survey has collected 

hydrologic data for the Nation since 1888. Today, 

the Survey maintains a system of stream-gaging 

stations, ground-water observation wells, and sites 

where the quality of the Nation's surface or ground 

waters is monitored. These activities are carried 

out in each State, Puerto Rico, and the Trust Territories, with the participation of agencies at all 

governmental levels. 

As part of its responsibilities, the Survey coordinates water-data acquisition with Federal, State, 

and local agencies and with the private sector, and 

the Survey makes hydrologic information available 

through reports and computer output and in 

response to individual requests. Because of a 

rigorous systf~m of quality control developed over 

many years, the user community views these 

water-resource data with considerable credibility. 

The Geological Survey modifies the data-collection programs as needed to facilitate shifts in focus 

due to emerging needs and changing conditions. In 

addition, full advantage is taken of available 

technology to insure use of the most economical 

and efficient techniques of data collection. Current 

activities include testing and evaluation of data 

14 

transmission by satellite and potential improvements in automated data-collection systems. 

The Water-Data Program is a principal part of 

the U.S. Geological Survey's water-resources investigations, in which many Federal, State, and 

local agencies cooperate. The program is designed 

to gain basic information about water as it occurs 

naturally and as it is influenced by man. The 

Water-Data Program is important not only to 

water development and water management, but 

also to research, which will lead to a better 

understanding of water in the atmosphere, on the 

Earth's surface, and beneath the ground. 

REFERENCES CITED 

Cobb, E. D., and Biesecker, J. E., 1971, The national 

hydrologic bench-mark network: U.S. Geological Survey 

Circular 460-D, 38 p. 

Edwards, M. D., 1977, The national water data exchange 

(NAWDEX): U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 

77-259, 5 p. 

Ficke, J. F., and Hawkinson, R. 0., 1975, The national 

stream quality accounting network (NASQAN)-some questions and answers: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 719, 

23 p. 

Johnson, A. 1., Knapp, G. L., and Kapinos, F. P., 1978, 

Recommended methods for water data acquisition- A 

Federal/non-Federal activity to develop standard 

methodology: Proceedings, 4th Joint Conference on Sensing 

Of Environmental Pollutants, November 6-11, 1977; 

American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., p. 351-353. 

Matalas, N. C., and Gilroy, E. J., 1968, Some comments 

on regionalization in hydrologic studies: Water Resources 

Research, Vol. 4, No.6, p. 1361-1370. 

Moss, M. E., 1976, Design of surface water data networks 

for regional information: Hydrological Sciences Bulletin, 

Vol. XXI, No. 1, p. 113-127. 

Moss, M. E., and Gilroy, E. J., 1980, Cost effective 

stream-gaging strategies for the lower Colorado River 

Basin; the Blythe field office operations: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 80-1048, 112 p. 

Moss, M. E., and Karlinger, M. R., 1974, Surface water network 

design by regression analysis simulation: Water Resources 

Research, Vol. 10, No.3, p. 427-433. 

Shope, W. G., and Paulson, R. W., 1980, Real-time data collection via satellite for water management: American Society of Civil Engineers Preprint 80-561, 14 p. 

U.S. Geological Survey, 1979, Water-data coordination: U.S. 

Geological Survey Report, 12 p. 

--, 1980, Water resources data for Louisiana, Vol. 1, 

Central and Northern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water Data Report LA 80-1, 526 p. 
LISTS OF SELECTED U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

WATER RESOURCES DIVISION OFFICES 

Inquiries about water-resources information for a particular State should be referred to the U.S. Geological Survey, Water 

Resources Division, at the appropriate address, as shown below. Questions regarding multi-State programs or policy matters 

should be addressed to one of the regional offices shown at the end of this list. 

ALABAMA 

P.O. Box V, Oil & Gas Board Building 

University, AL 35486 

ALASKA 

733 West 4th Avenue, Suite 400 

Anchorage, AK 99501 

ARIZONA 

Federal Building 

301 West Congress Street, FB-44 

Tuscon, AZ 85701 

ARKANSAS 

Federal Office Building, Room 2301 

700 West Capitol A venue 

Little Rock, AR 72201 

CALIFORNIA 

855 Oak Grove A venue 

Menlo Park, CA 94025 

COLORADO 

Box 25046, Mail Stop 415 

Denver Federal Center, Building 53 

Lakewood, CO 80225 

CONNECTICUT 

135 High Street, Room 235 

Hartford, CT 06103 

DELAWARE 

See MARYLAND Listing 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

See MARYLAND Listing 

FLORIDA 

325 John Knox Road, Suite F -240 

Tallahassee, FL 32303 

GEORGIA 

6481 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite B 

Doraville, GA 30360 

HAWAII 

P.O. Box 50166 

300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 6610 

Honolulu, HI 96850 

IDAHO 

Room 365, 550 West Fort Street 

Boise, ID 83724 

ILLINOIS 

Champaign City Bank Plaza 

102 E. Main Street, 4th Floor 

Champaign, IL 61801 

INDIANA 

1819 North Meridian Street 

Indianapolis, IN 46202 

15 

IOWA 

P.O. Box 1230, Federal Building 

Room 269, 400 South Clinton Street 

Iowa City, lA 52244 

KANSAS 

1950 Avenue A-Campus West 

University of Kansas 

Lawrence, KS 66045 

KENTUCKY 

Federal Building, Room 572 

600 Federal Place 

Louisville, KY 40202 

LOUISIANA 

P.O. Box 66492, 6554 Florida Boulevard 

Baton Rouge, LA 70896 

MAINE 

See MASSACHUSETTS listing 

MARYLAND 

Carroll Building, Room 208 

8600 LaSalle Road 

Towson, MD 21204 

MASSACHUSETTS 

150 Causeway Street, Suite 1001 

Boston, MA 02114 

MICHIGAN 

6520 Mercantile Way, Suite 5 

Lansing, MI 48910 

MINNESOTA 

Post Office Building, Room 702 

Saint Paul, MN 55101 

MISSISSIPPI 

Federal Office Building, Suite 710 

100 West Capitol Street 

Jackson, MS 39201 

MISSOURI 

1400 Independence Road, Mail Stop 200 

Rolla, MO 65401 

MONTANA 

Drawer 10076 

Helena, MT 59626 

NEBRASKA 

Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 

Room 406, 100 Centennial Mall North 

Lincoln, NE 68508 

NEVADA 

Federal Building, Room 229 

705 North Plaza Street 

Carson City, NV 89701 
NEW HAMPSHIRE 

See MASSACHUSETTS listing 

NEW JERSEY 

430 Federal Building 

402 East State Street 

Trenton, NJ 08608 

NEW MEXICO 

P.O. Box 22659, 

Western Bank Building 

505 Marquette, North West 

Albuquerque, NM 87125 

NEW YORK 

P.O. Box 1350, 236 U.S. Post Office and 

Courthouse Building 

Albany, NY 12201 

NORTH CAROLINA 

P.O. Box 2857, Century Station 

Post Office Building, Room 436 

Raleigh, NC 27602 

NORTH DAKOTA 

821 East Interstate Avenue 

Bismarck, ND 58501 

OHIO 

975 West Third Avenue 

Columbus, OH 43212 

OKLAHOMA 

215 Dean A. McGee Street 

Room 521 

Oklahoma City, OK 73102 

OREGON 

P.O. Box 3202 

830 Northeast Holladay Street 

Portland, OR 97208 

PENNSYLVANIA 

P.O. Box 1107, Federal Building 

4th Floor, 228 Walnut Street 

Harrisburg, P A 17108 

PUERTO RICO 

G.P.O. Box 4424, Building 652 

Fort Buchanan 

San Juan, PR 00936 

RHODE ISLAND 

See MASSACHUSETTS listing 

SOUTH CAROLINA 

Strom Thurmond Federal Building, Suite 658 

1835 Assembly Street 

Columbia, SC 29201 

SOUTH DAKOTA 

200 Fourth Street, South West 

Federal Building, 317 

Huron, SD 57350 

TENNESSEE 

Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 

Room A-413 

Nashville, TN 37203 

TEXAS 

Federal Building, Room 649 

300 East Eighth Street 

Austin, TX 78701 

i6 

UTAH 

Administrative Building, Room 1016 

1745 West 1700 South 

Salt Lake City, UT 84109 

VERMONT 

See MASSACHUSETTS listing 

VIRGINIA 

200 West Grace Street, Room 304 

Richmond, VA 23220 

WASHINGTON 

1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 600 

Tacoma, W A 98402 

WEST VIRGINIA 

Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse 

Room 3017, 500 Quarrier Street, East 

Charleston, WV 25301 

WISCONSIN 

1815 University Avenue 

Madison, WI 53706 

WYOMING 

P.O. Box 1125 

J. C. O'Mahoney Federal Center 

Room 5017, 2120 Capitol Avenue 

Cheyenne, WY 82001 

NORTHEASTERN REGION 

Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, 

Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, 

Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, 

New Jersey, New York, Ohio, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, 

Virginia, Washington, D.C., West 

Virginia, Wisconsin 

433 U.S. Geological Survey National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive 

Reston, VA 22092 

SOUTHEASTERN REGION 

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 

Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto 

Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands 

Richard B. Russell Federal Building 

75 Spring Street, South West 

Suite 772 

Atlanta, GA 30303 

CENTRAL REGION 

Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, 

New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 

Texas, Utah, 

Wyoming 

Mail Stop 406, Box 25046 

Denver Federal Center 

Lakewood, CO 80225 

WESTERN REGION 

Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, 

Oregon, Washington 

345 Middlefield Road, Mail Stop 66 

Menlo Park, CA 94025 

-k U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1982- 361-614/131