![[ USGS,MD-DE-DC ]](urban_banner.gif)
Name: Michael A. Hansen
Gary T. Fisher
Robert W. James, Jr.
Richard W. Saffer
Joseph M. Fisher
William C. Lewis
USGS operates 6 stream-gaging stations using full or partial NSF funding that provide part of the base infrastructure for physical investigations by BES. In addition, USGS operates 5 additional stations in the Gwynns Falls watershed and 30 other stations in the Baltimore region using USGS and cooperator funding.
USGS provided funding in Federal Fiscal Year 2004 to investigate alternative, cost-effective approaches to high-flow measurements at urban storm-sewer outfalls. This work is storm dependent and is ongoing. USGS also continued investigations of urban ground-water hydrology in the Gwynns Falls. An understanding of the urban subsurface environment is essential to determining an accurate urban water balance and to investigating urban water-quality processes. The presence of water-supply and sewerage infrastructure in urban ecosystems provides for unique and relatively unstudied problems, particularly in older urban settings such as BES.
Using supplemental funding from NSF, the stream-gaging station on Gwynns Falls at Villa Nova has been upgraded to include an automatic water sampler, real-time streamflow, and real-time water-quality data. This is being coordinated with a planned similar but expanded upgrade by Baltimore City of the downstream Gwynns Falls at Washington Blvd. station. The Villa Nova station is being developed as a platform for testing and demonstration of new hydrologic instrumentation. Equipment has also been installed to provide real-time streamflow data at several BES stations.
USGS provided funding to purchase and evaluate a prototype hydroacoustic device for streamflow measurements in shallow and slow-moving urban streams. Evaluation is continuing, with a conference paper presented in July 2002.
USGS provided supplemental funding in Federal Fiscal Year 2002 for an undergraduate student to evaluate the quality of precipitation data collected by BES and to develop protocols for continued data collection, management, and quality assurance. USGS assumed responsibility for BES precipitation data beginning in Federal Fiscal Year 2003.
USGS, in cooperation with Baltimore City, has continued an investigation of impacts of leaking water infrastructure on water resources, with an emphasis on two major tributaries to the lower Gwynns Falls. Two additional stream-gaging stations were established using joint funding. Baltimore City continued to fund these stream-gaging stations in Federal Fiscal Year 2003.
USGS, in cooperation with USEPA, has continued an investigation of the relationship of stream restoration and riparian zones and their impact on water quality, with an emphasis on nutrients. Work was conducted in Minebank Run, which is just east of Gwynns Falls and close to the U.S. Forest Service air monitoring tower. One additional stream-gaging station was established.
USGS has collaborated on the Baltimore Flash Flooding project with other BES investigators and the National Weather Service.
Work continued to evaluate hydrology of a constructed tidal wetland near the mouth of Gwynns Falls, in cooperation with the National Aquarium in Baltimore. A proposal for an expanded analysis will been submitted in 2005 to the National Park Service and USGS. HERE
Primary product is a continuous data stream, published annually, with some station data available in near real time.
Other work mentioned is ongoing.
Streamflow data provided on regular basis and on special request to individual investigators. USGS scientists have participated on a continuing basis in all appropriate BES planning and scientific meetings, including the BES Steering Committee. USGS is providing leadership in general hydrologic investigations in cooperation with other Principal Investigators and Collaborators and is providing particular leadership in ground-water and subsurface geophysical investigations.
USGS data and products are widely used in the geosciences and natural-resources management communities.
USGS provides regular development opportunities to its scientists and technicians through its National Training Center, other training, and conference attendance. Cooperators, including BES investigators, are eligible to participate in USGS training programs on a space-available basis.
Stream measurements and sampling were conducted in October 2001 to provide information on the urban ground-water flow system, with follow-up in February 2003.
USGS is striving to add real-time capabilities to all stream-gaging stations to provide flood warning and a regular data stream for recreation, education, and water-resources management applications.