Introduction to the U.S. Geological Survey and USGS-GCD Cooperative Studies, Johnathan Bumgarner, USGS

1. February 2014 Introduction to the U.S. Geological Survey and USGS-GCD Cooperative Studies By Johnathan R. Bumgarner

2. Outline Introduction to the USGS Groundwater studies roadmap USGS/GCD cooperative program Existing Potential

3. Introduction to USGS Dept. of Interior Founded in 1879 Six Science Themes Ecosystems Energy, Minerals and Environmental Health Core Science Systems Climate and Land-Use Change Natural Hazards Water Resources Interdisciplinary scientific monitoring, assessment, and research Employees in every state Federal Agency Scientific Mission Non-Regulatory

4. USGS Mission – Water Resources To provide hydrologic information and understanding needed by others to achieve the best use and management of the Nation’s water resources. USGS accomplishes this mission in cooperation with State, Local, and Other Federal Agencies.

5. Texas Water Science Center (TWSC) Staffing Level Austin 68 San Antonio 29 Houston 23 Fort Worth 20 San Angelo 14 Wichita Falls 7 Corpus Christi 1 Lubbock 3 Federal Occupational Series Hydrologists – Geologists – Geographers – Hydrologic Technicians Biologists – Hydraulic Engineers – Chemical Engineers – Chemists Geophysicists – Physical Scientists

6. Core Capabilities Analytical Techniques Watershed modeling Flood and low-flow frequency analysis Sediment and chemical load determination Aquatic testing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Acoustic D oppler velocity measurements Ground-water age dating Surface and borehole geophysics Evapotranspiration analysis Ground-water recharge modeling Solute-transport modeling Geochemical modeling Ground-water flow modeling Geodatabase development Flood inundation modeling Data Collection Real time streamflow data Continuous groundwater level data Water-quality data Storm Surge data collection Stream-sediment transport data Meteorological data Data Archival Web services

7. Surface Water Gaging Network 527 – Real-time Stream Gage Sites 127 – Real-time Lake Sites

8. Water Quality Activities Stream and reservoir data collection Real-time water quality monitoring Chemical/microbial source tracking Total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies Biological indicator analyses Sediment coring /Age dating Trend analysis Historical database/archival

9. Groundwater Data Collection Periodic and continuous water level monitoring Part per billion water quality sampling protocols Groundwater studies and investigations are expanding statewide

10. Geophysical Capabilities TWSC Capabilities TDEM – Time-Domain Electro-magnetics FDEM – Frequency-Domain Electro-magnetics DC – Direct-Current Resistivity CC – Capacitively Coupled Resistivity MRS – Magnetic Resonance Soundings Borehole Geophysics USGS –Denver Capabilities HEM – Helicopter Electro-magnetics (FDEM and TDEM) CSAMT – Controlled Source Audio Magnetotellurics GPR – Ground Penetrating Radar Seismic Refraction and Reflection Micro gravity station Magnetics IP – Induced Polarization SP – Spontaneous Potential 11

11. Data and Spatial Studies (DSS) Technical Capabilities Spatial Data Production Administration and management Analysis and modeling Visualization Land use / land cover mapping Watershed delineation and characterization Web mapping capabilities Custom tool development

12. Leveraging National Expertise National Laboratories Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) National Research Program (NRP) Publishing Network Discipline Office Reviews Groundwater Surface Water Water Quality Publication Safety

13. Groundwater Studies Roadmap Data compilation and management Data gap analysis Data collection Data analysis Conceptual model development Groundwater-flow modeling

14. USGS/GCD Cooperative Program: Existing Middle Pecos GCD (MPGCD) Llano Estacado UWCD (LEUWCD) Sandy Land UWCD (SLUWCD) Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) Lone Star GCD (LSGCD) Brazoria County GCD (BCGCD) Trinity Glen Rose GCD (TGRBCD) Clearwater GCD (CGCD) North Plains GCD (NPGCD) Panhandle GCD (PGCD) South Plains UWCD (SPUWCD) Wintergarden GCD (WGCD) Central Texas GCD (CTGCD) Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA)

15. PGCD Roadmap elements: Data compilation and management Geodatabase and data-entry software development Status: Complete

16. WGCD Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, and gap analysis Completed a well inventory and developed a geodatabase for data management. Currently compiling existing hydrogeologic data and completing a field reconnaissance of some inventoried wells. Status: Ongoing

17. SPUWCD, LEUWCD, MPGCD Roadmap elements: Data collection and analysis Borehole geophysical log data are being collected and used to assess well construction, geologic properties, stratigraphic unit depth and thickness, water quality of wellbore fluid, and hydraulic properties such as ambient flow direction and porosity Status: Complete

18. LSGCD Roadmap elements: Data collection and analysis Provide an initial geochemical baseline to characterize water quality of groundwater obtained from multiple public supply wells screened in the Catahoula Sandstone aquifer Using geochemical data collection and analytical techniques to quantify recharge rates Status: Ongoing

19. HGSD, FBSD, LSGCD, BCGCD Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, gap analysis, collection, analysis Collection and analysis of water-level altitudes and changes and compaction data in the aquifer system to assess the rate and magnitude of subsidence and the relation of subsidence to groundwater management activities Status : Ongoing

20. LEUWCD, SLUWCD Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, gap analysis, collection, analysis; and conceptual model development Develop conceptual models of the Ogallala and Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) aquifers Assess if declines in the saturated thickness increase the potential for groundwater-quality degradation Status : Ongoing

21. MPGCD Roadmap elements: Data compilation, management, gap analysis, collection, analysis; conceptual model development, and groundwater-flow modeling Multi-phase study to evaluate the potential effects of changes in groundwater withdrawals and/or distribution Status: Complete

22. USGS/GCD Cooperative Program: Potential Brackish water resources Surface water data collection Spring flows Recharge studies Groundwater modeling Groundwater/surface-water interaction

23. Thank You Bob Joseph Director Texas Water Science Center 512.927.3502 rljoseph @usgs.gov John Bumgarner, P.G. Chief, Hydrologic Studies South Texas Program Office 210.691.9219 [email protected] Greg Stanton Deputy Director of Studies Texas Water Science Center 512.927.3558 gstanton @usgs.gov George Ozuna Senior Program Manager Texas Water Science Center 210.691.9225 gbozuna @usgs.gov