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Gary T. Fisher
Robert H. Pentz
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 2005 to implement StreamStats in the Patapsco and Gunpoowder Hydrologic Units. StreamStats is a GIS-based system for estimating basin characteristics and streamflow statistics at any point in a stream network. StreamStats provides a basic infrastructure for analysis and interpretation of hydrologic data, scaling, and regional transferability.
USGS also provided funding in 2005 to continue investigations started during previous years. These include investigations of 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.
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.
USGS is also collaborating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Montgomery County (Maryland) to investigate impacts of urbanization on stream ecology in the Clarksburg Special Protection Area. A unique element of this work includes partial operation of streamgaging stations by County staff using USGS protocols, and the refinement of stanadard operating procedures to ensure data quality to meet USGS standards.
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.