DOCSLIB.ORG

Environmental Impacts of Oil Field Brines in Southeastern Clay County, Illinois

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Environmental Impacts of Oil Field Brines in Southeastern Clay County, Illinois 557 ILLINOIS GEOLOGICAL IL6of (\ 1989-3 SURVEY LIBRARY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF OIL FIELD BRINES IN SOUTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY, ILLINOIS Edited by; Bruce R. Kensel and Dennis P. McKenna with contributions by: J. Roger Adams (2)^ Allison R. Brigham^-^) Steven L. Burch(2) Billy K. Cook(2) Barbara R. Cline^^) Paul C. Heigold(\) Louis R. Iverson^-^) Douglas E. Laymon^-^) Edward A. Lisowski^-^) Vickie L. Poole (^-) Raman K. Raman (^) Edward C. Smith (1) John D. Steele(l) Christopher J. Stohr(l) Stephen Whitaker(^) Illinois State Geological Survey Champaign, Illinois OPEN FILE SERIES 1989-3 (^*^ Illinois State Geological Survey -^^lilinois State Water Survey (^H.llinois Natural History Survey ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 3 3051 00006 9728 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF OIL FIELD BRINES IN SOUTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY, ILLINOIS Edited by: Bruce R. Hensel and Dennis P. McKenna with contributions by: J. Roger Adams (2) ^ Allison R. Brighain(3) ^^y Steven L. Burch^^) \P ^, Billy K. Cook(2) (JC-' r^ Barbara R. Cline(l) .q"^ <^ Paul C. Heigold(l) o^ o^^^ ^ <^^ <^^^ Louis R. Iverson(3) _ Douglas E. Laymon^-^) ^v. Edward A. Lisowski^-^) ^'^ Vickie L. Poole(l) Raman K. Raman (2) Edward C. Smith (1) John D. Steele(l) Christopher J. Stohr^^) Stephen Whitaker^^) Illinois State Geological Survey Champaign, Illinois OPEN FILE SERIES 1989-3 (-'-) Illinois State Geological Survey (2) Illinois State Water Survey (^) Illinois Natural History Survey PART ONE OVERVIEW - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . ABSTRACT Brine waters, characterized by high concentrations of dissolved minerals, can be found at depth throughout the oil producing region of Illinois. Because petroleum traps commonly contain both brines and petroleum, both liquids are commonly pumped to the surface. When brine waters are allowed to come in contact with the near-surface environment, degradation of that environment occurs. The results of an investigation of the environmental impacts of oil field brines in southeastern Clay County, Illinois are presented in this report. This investigation showed that: 1) Brine has been stored and disposed in 384 holding ponds in the study area. Spillage and leakage from these ponds has rendered hundreds of acres of farm land unsuitable for crops. 2) High erosion from unvegetated brine-damaged lands and high concentrations of dissolved minerals in that runoff have increased sedimentation and caused degradation of surface water quality. However, water from the stream investigated for this study still satisfies drinking water quality standards. 3) No evidence for wide-spread degradation of groundwater resources was found. Although groundwater in the vicinity of two filled-in brine holding ponds was highly contaminated Table of Contents page Abstract 4 Section 1. Project Overview and Conclusions 6 Section 2. Description of Study Area 24 Section 3. Assessment of Groundwater Quality 44 Section 4. Assessment of Surface Water Quality 59 Section 5. Effects of Oil Brines Upon Benthic Communities in Buck Creek 7 7 Section 6. Investigations at the Origin of Domestic Well Water Contamination by Saline Waters 93 Section 7. Reclamation at Oil Brine Holding Ponds 119 Section 8. Remote Sensing 173 Section 9. Case Studies of Brine Contamination from Holding Ponds 184 Section 10. Appendices 225 Appendix 2-A. Summary of Water Quality Data Estimated from Southeastern Clay County Electric Logs 226 Appendix 3 -A. Summary of Data from Water Well Driller's Logs for Southeastern Clay County . 231 Appendix 3-B. Results of Water Quality Reconnaissance in Southeastern Clay County. 238 Appendix 3-C. Regression Analysis - Well Depth and Proximity to Brine Holding Pond vs. Conductance 255 Appendix 4-A. Water Quality Data for Buck Creek 265 Appendix 5-A. Methods Used for Assessment of c^l Brines Impacts on Aquatic Biota 270 Appendix 5-B. Benthic Macroinvertebrate, Chloride, and Stream Order Data from Wabash River Watershed, 1976 and 1977 276 Table of Contents (continued) page Appendix 5-C. Benthic Macroinvertebrates (Except Diptera and Mollusca) Collected in Buck Creek 288 Appendix 6-A. Methods Used During Investigation of Origin of Domestic Well Contamination by Saline Waters 292 Appendix 9-A. Brief Description of Analytical Procedures Performed on Water Samples Taken at Case Study Sites and Domestic Wells in Southeastern Clay County 297 Appendix 9-B. Results of Chemical Analysis on Groundwater Samples Collected at Clay County Case Study Sites 299 SECTION 1 PROJECT OVERVIEW compiled by Bruce R. Hensel and Dennis P. McKenna INTRODUCTION The production of oil and gas has been a significant part of the economy of Illinois since the discovery of oil in the Illinois Basin in 1903. In 1984, the value of crude oil produced was approximately 83 million dollars, with ten counties in southeastern Illinois producing 70% of that total (Van Den Berg et al., 1986). Direct employment by oil companies and suppliers, as well as related service industries, is a major contributor to the economic well being of this region. Environmental problems from oil and gas production may occur during drilling, production, or disposal of associated wastes. If appropriate precautions are not taken, drilling fluids and muds, acids used to increase the permeability of reservoir rocks, and corrosion inhibitors and other additives are potential sources of contamination to soils, surface water, and ground-water (Collins, 1971) . Also, losses of crude oil to the environment can occur during production, storage, and transportation. However, the greatest potential for environmental damage comes from brine waters that are produced as a waste product with oil. Brines are naturally occurring fluids, with extremely high concentrations of total dissolved solids (> 100,000 ppm. Freeze and Cherry, 1979) , which are present throughout most of the stratigraphic column throughout the world. The composition of brine varies both areally and with depth. In general, the concentration of total dissolved solids, also referred to as salinity, increases with depth. Meents et al., (1952) analyzed hundreds of samples of brines from the oil reservoirs of the Illinois Basin and found high concentrations of chloride (up to 95,000 ppm and commonly exceeding 50,000 ppm), sodium (up to 50,000 ppm), calcium (up to 18,000 ppm) and magnesium (up to 3400 ppm) . Gas, oil, and brine waters are found in subsurface stratigraphic traps. Gas, which has the lowest density of the three fluids, will fill the pores near the top of the trap, oil is typically found immediately below the gas, and the dense brines occur below the oil and gas. Due to this close association of brines and hydrocarbons, it is common to encounter and produce both in an oil well. As oil and gas are removed, the pore spaces formerly occupied by the hydrocarbons are filled with water. Consequently, a well may initially produce mostly oil; however, with increasing time, the ratio of brine to oil will increase. The Illinois Environmental . Protection Agency (1978) has estimated that 973,000 barrels of brine are disposed of daily in Illinois. Brine waters, which are highly corrosive, may cause environmental problems during (Figure 1-1) : 1) oil well drilling, when brings mixed with drilling mud are brought to the surface; 2) oil production, when the potential exists for brine leakage from pipelines, oil-brine separation tank batteries, waterflood injection wells, and when the potential exists that reservoir pressures created by waterflood operations may force brine waters to upwell through possible vertical conduits such as unsealed, abandoned boreholes; and 3) disposal or storage, when seepage can occur from holding ponds (unlined holding ponds have been banned in Illinois) Disposal of brine waters has been a problem in Illinois since the early years of oil production when they were treated as an unwanted by-product and were commonly discharged directly into streams and drainage ditches. During the 1940's, injection well technology was developed. Still, the usual method of disposal involved pumping brine into a holding pond for evaporation. However, since the net precipitation rate in Illinois exceeds the evaporation rate (Roberts and Stall, 1967) , brines stored in these ponds were infiltrating to the subsurface rather than evaporating. By the 1950 's most brine was being disposed by injection (Bell, 1957); although many brine holding ponds continued to be operated until they were phased out from 1980-1985. Currently all oil field brines must be injected, or stored in corrosion resistant tanks until they can be injected. The environmental consequences of improper brine disposal can be severe. When allowed to mix with surface and groundwaters, the high salinity of brines can make these valuable resources unpotable. One barrel of brine with a chloride concentration of 50,000 mg/L will raise the chloride content of more than 150 barrels of deionized water above the maximum recommended concentration for drinking water (250 mg/L) . The environmental consequences of brine contamination in groundwater are especially severe because the residence time is much greater than in surface water and because chloride, the dominant ion other than hydrogen and oxygen, is conservative. When brine comes into contact with the soil, the excessive sodium causes colloidal particles to disaggregate, thereby destroying the soil structure (United States Salinity Laboratory, 1969) . Thus, the soil cannot support plant growth and is easily eroded, which adds to the impact of brines on surface water systems. An estimated 28,000 to 38,000 acres of land in Illinois have been severely damaged by oil field brines (Coleman and Crandal, 1981) 8 Figure 1-1 Potential routes for oil field related brine containination of the environment. None of these occur -ences are likely if proper oil drilling and brine disposal practices are used. A) Brine and mud returned to the surface during drilling are spilled on the ground surface, contaminating soils and shallow groundwater. B) Brine leakage from a separation tank. C) Brine infiltration from an unlined holding pond (such ponds are now banned; but were common prior to 1980) .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1988007W.Pdf
    TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE LIST OF FIGURES n LIST OF TABLES w LIST OF APPENDICES iv ABSTRACT 1 INTRODUCTION 1 I OBJECTIVES OF STUDY 3 ∎ METHODS 3 I DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA 7 RESULTS 7 SPECIES ACCOUNTS 13 Federally Endangered Species 13 Federal Candidate Species 15 I Proposed State Endangered Species 15 Proposed State Threatened Species 16 Watch List Species 16 Other Species 17 I Introduced Species 33 ∎ DISCUSSION 33 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 35 LITERATURE CITED 36 I I I I LIST OF FIGURES PAGE Figure 1 . Collection sites in the Little Wabash River drainage, 1988 6 Figure 2. The Little Wabash River and its tributaries 8 Figure 3. Number of individuals collected liver per site in the Little Wabash River (main channel) in 1988 12 I Figure 4 . Number of species collected per site in the Little Wabash River (main channel) in 1988 12 I I I I I I LIST OF TABLES PAGE Table 1 . Comparison of the mussel species of the Little Wabash River reported by Baker (1906) and others [pre-1950], Fechtner (1963) [1951-53], Parmalee [1954], Matteson [1956], INHS [1957-88], and this study 4 Table 2 . Collection sites in the Little Wabash River drainage, 1988 5 Table 3 . Total,rank order of abundance and percent composition of the mussel species collected live in the Little Wabash River drainage, 1988 9 Table 4. Site by site listing of all mussel species collected in the Little Wabash River drainage, 1988 10-11 Table 5. Site by site listing of all mussel species collected by M .R . Matteson in the Little Wabash River, 1956 14 I I iii LIST OF APPENDICES PAGE Appendix I .
    [Show full text]
  • Survey of Habitat and Otter Population Status Alan Woolf Southern Illinois University Carbondale
    Southern Illinois University Carbondale OpenSIUC Final Reports Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory 7-1997 Survey of Habitat and Otter Population Status Alan Woolf Southern Illinois University Carbondale Richard S. Halbrook Southern Illinois University Carbondale D. Todd Farrand Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chad Schieler Southern Illinois University Carbondale Ted Weber Southern Illinois University Carbondale Follow this and additional works at: http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cwrl_fr W-122-R-3. Recommended Citation Woolf, Alan; Halbrook, Richard S.; Farrand, D. Todd; Schieler, Chad; and Weber, Ted, "Survey of Habitat and Otter Population Status" (1997). Final Reports. Paper 7. http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cwrl_fr/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory at OpenSIUC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Final Reports by an authorized administrator of OpenSIUC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SURVEY OF HABITAT AND OTTER POPULATION STATUS FINAL REPORT Federal Aid Project W-122-R-3 Submitted by: Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, SIUC Presented to: Division of Wildlife Resources Illinois Department of Natural Resources Principal Investigators Alan Woolf Richard S. Halbrook Graduate Research Assistants/Staff D. Todd Farrand (Graduate Assistant) Chad Schieler (Graduate Assistant) Ted Weber (Researcher II) July 1997 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES. iii LIST OF FIGURES.. v LIST OF APPENDICES. vii NEED. 1 OBJECTIVES. 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.. 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.. 10 JOB 1.1. OTTER HABITAT CRITERIA AND MONITORING.. 11 OBJECTIVES.. 11 INTRODUCTION.. 11 METHODS. 12 Habitat Characterization. 12 Otter Monitoring. 23 RESULTS. 24 Habitat Characterization. 24 Otter Monitoring. 25 DISCUSSION.
    [Show full text]
  • South Fork Sangamon River/Lake Taylorville Watershed Tmdl Report
    Illinois Bureau of Water Environmental P.O. Box 19276 Protection Agency Springfield, IL 62794-9276 December 2007 IEPA/BOW/07-027 SOUTH FORK SANGAMON RIVER/LAKE TAYLORVILLE WATERSHED TMDL REPORT Printed on Recycled Paper THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Contents Section 1 Goals and Objectives for South Fork Sangamon River/Lake Taylorville Watershed (0713000702) 1.1 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Overview............................................. 1-1 1.2 TMDL Goals and Objectives for South Fork Sangamon River/Lake Taylorville Watershed ..................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Report Overview.............................................................................................. 1-3 Section 2 South Fork Sangamon River/Lake Taylorville Watershed Description 2.1 South Fork Sangamon River/Lake Taylorville Watershed Location............... 2-1 2.2 Topography...................................................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Land Use.......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.4 Soils.................................................................................................................. 2-2 2.4.1 South Fork Sangamon River/Lake Taylorville Watershed Soil Characteristics.................................................................................... 2-3 2.5 Population .......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • EPA/600/R-06/104 September, 2006
    LEV EL III AND IV EC OR EGIONS OF ILLIN OIS by Alan J. Woods1 James M. Omernik2 Charles L. Pederson3 Brian C. Moran4 EPA/600/R-06/104 September, 2006 1Department of Geosciences, Oregon State University U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory 200 SW 35th Street Corvallis, Oregon 97333 2U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory 200 SW 35th Street Corvallis, Oregon 97333 3Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Illinois 61920 4Indus Corporation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory 200 SW 35th Street Corvallis, Oregon 97333 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................3 PRIMARY SOURCES FOR ILLINOIS ECOREGION INFORMATION ....................................................................4 REGIONAL DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................................................................................... 5-17 52. DRIFTLESS AREA ........................................................................................................................................5 52a. Savanna Section.................................................................................................................................6 52b. Paleozoic
    [Show full text]
  • Illinois Oil Field Brine Disposal Assessment
    WIS EA UBF 3 7600 0OO20 2047 Illinois Oil Field Brine Disposal Assessment ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANNING Staff Report LA* /.•:•<.<?.v 8 EMVIRO ; ' iTALfRHTECTION AGENCY STAlybr ILLINOIS SPRfNj&FflELDJLLJNOiS V P ILLINOIS OIL FIELD BRINE DISPOSAL ASSESSMENT STAFF REPORT ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 208 WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROGRAM ^ - PLANNING AND STANDARDS SECTION ->* DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL m , 2200 CHURCHILL ROAD * " SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62706 NOVEMBER, 1978 P •; r-'^m^^Y EI\Vll?ON(.r£hTALPROiECTiON.AGENCY STATE Or ILLINOIS -i SPRINGFIELDfILLlNOIS TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES 111 LIST OF FIGURES iv LIST OF PLATES .. v LIST OF APPENDICES vi Chapter FOREWORD vii INTRODUCTION 1 Initial Inquiries and Study Objectives 1 Origin of Oil Field Brine. .| 3 Oil Production ,. , 6 Fluid Injection 6 Brine Pollution 11 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS 21 Criteria 21 Location and Study of Sites 22 Investigative Procedures 23 Field Conditions 34 Evaporation/Seepage Pits 34 Injection Operations 40 Abandoned Wells 44 PRELIMINARY FINDINGS 46 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS 48 GLOSSARY 49 REFERENCES 51 APPENDICES 53 n LIST OF TABLES Table Page I. Comparison of Sea Water and Oil Field Brine 4 II. IPCB Water Quality Standards 11 III. Average Concentrations of the Major Chemical Constituents From Each Piezometer and Pit 31 m LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Geologic Structure of the Illinois Basin ... 5 2. Oil Production in Illinois 7 3. Isocon Map of Ste. Genevieve Brines & 4. Generalized Movement of Water in the Vicinity of Holding Ponds 13 5. Location Map of Study Sites. 24 6. Generalized Location of Hagarstown Member of the Glasford Formation ..
    [Show full text]
  • Greater Wabash Regional Planning and Development
    2011 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Greater Wabash Region Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission Accepted by the District CEDS Committee: February 23, 2011 Approved by the Economic Development Administration: Approved by the Board of Directors: 1 | Page Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission 10 West Main St., P.O. Box 209 Albion, IL 62806 Serving Crawford, Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties Sarah A. Mann Executive Director March 31, 2011 Mr. C. Robert Sawyer, Regional Director Economic Development Administration 111 North Canal Street Suite 855 Chicago, IL 60606-7208 Dear Mr. Sawyer: Pursuant to the requirements of the EDA 301 (b) planning grant received by Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, we are pleased to present the attached 2011 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS): Greater Wabash Region. Following approval by the EDA Chicago Regional Office, the District CEDS will be sent to all pertinent individuals within the District. The District CEDS document represents a complete update of the former CEDS published in 2009. This document incorporates all the new regulations established in 2006 by the Economic Development Administration’s Final Rule. Respectfully Submitted, Sarah A. Mann Sarah A. Mann Executive Director Phone: (618) 445-3612 Fax: (618) 445-3629 www.gwrpc.com 2 | Page 2011 CEDS Acknowledgements The Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission (GWRPC) would like to express its grateful appreciation to the following organizations and local governments for
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Chlorophyll-Aas a Criterion for Establishing Nutrient
    TECHNICAL REPORTS: SURFACE WATER QUALITY Assessment of Chlorophyll-a as a Criterion for Establishing Nutrient Standards in the Streams and Rivers of Illinois Todd V. Royer* Indiana University Mark B. David, Lowell E. Gentry, Corey A. Mitchell, and Karen M. Starks University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Thomas Heatherly II and Matt R. Whiles Southern Illinois University Nutrient enrichment is a frequently cited cause for biotic he Federal Clean Water Act requires states to identify impairment of streams and rivers in the USA. Eff orts are Timpaired water bodies and develop plans to reduce underway to develop nutrient standards in many states, but impairment. Nutrient enrichment, mainly with nitrogen (N) defensible nutrient standards require an empirical relationship between nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) concentrations and and phosphorus (P), is a frequently cited cause of impairment for some criterion that relates nutrient levels to the attainment streams and rivers (USEPA, 2000a). Nutrient loading can degrade of designated uses. Algal biomass, measured as chlorophyll-a the ecological integrity of streams and create human health (chl-a), is a commonly proposed criterion, yet nutrient–chl-a concerns. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency relationships have not been well documented in Illinois at a (USEPA) has set a drinking water standard of 10 mg NO –N L−1 state-wide scale. We used state-wide surveys of >100 stream 3 and river sites to assess the applicability of chl-a as a criterion to prevent methemoglobenemia. No drinking water standard for establishing nutrient standards for Illinois. Among all sites, exists for P; however, P enrichment can aff ect drinking water the median total P and total N concentrations were 0.185 and supplies by stimulating blooms of toxin-producing organisms, 5.6 mg L−1, respectively, during high-discharge conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • NORTH DAKOTA GAME and FISH DEPARTMENT Final Report Status of Selected Fishes with Immediate Conservation Need in North Dakota Pr
    NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT Final Report Status of Selected Fishes with Immediate Conservation Need in North Dakota Project T-14-R July 1, 2006 – December 31, 2008 Terry Steinwand Director Submitted by Michael G. McKenna Chief, Conservation and Communications Division Bismarck, ND June 2009 STATE WILDLIFE GRANT OBJECTIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS SUMMARY State Agency: North Dakota Game and Fish Department Study/Grant Number: T-14-R Status of selected fishes with immediate conservation need in North Title: Dakota Period Begin/End Dates: July 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008 Principle Investigator & Dr. Charles Berry Organization: South Dakota State University Project Summary: The goals of this report are to synthesize our study of fishes of the Red River Basin with emphasis on 17 rare species, and provide distribution maps for these species. During the summers of 2006 and 2007, we conducted 137 different sampling occasions at 125 different locations on 40 different streams. We deployed sampling gear a total of 185 times. Eight species of concern (chestnut lamprey, hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, northern redbelly dace, pearl dace, silver chub, trout-perch, and yellow bullhead) were collected in the Red River drainage. We did not find silver lamprey, blacknose shiner, blackchin shiner, carmine shiner, finescale dace, logperch, and pugnose shiner, which were historically collected in Red River tributaries. Hornyhead chub was collected at the most sites and was the most abundant, followed by trout-perch. Hornyhead chub was found in the Forest and Park rivers whereas trout-perch was collected in five watersheds. We determined that the species of stoneroller present in the Red River basin is the largescale stoneroller, Campostoma oligolepis.
    [Show full text]
  • Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan 2002
    Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan 2002 Comprehensive Conservation Plan INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND This Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) has been prepared for Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The CCP is a management tool to be used by the Refuge staff. It will help guide management decisions over the next 15 years, and set forth strategies for achieving Refuge goals and objectives within that timeframe. Overriding considerations reflected in the plan are that fish and wildlife conservation requires first priority in refuge management, and that wildlife-dependent recreation is allowed and encouraged as long as it is compatible with, or does not detract from, the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System or purposes of the Refuge. This chapter discusses the following topics: a brief description of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge and how it came into existence; the purpose of and need for the plan; the purpose and vision of the Refuge; the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, goals and guiding principles, including the legal context which guides management; and other relevant plans and partnerships that affect Refuge management. This plan details program planning levels that are above current budget allocations and, as such, are primarily for Service strategic planning and program prioritization purposes. This plan does not constitute a secure commitment for staffing increases, or funding for future refuge-specific land acquisitions, construction projects or operational and maintenance increases. Refuge Overview: History of Refuge Establishment, Acquisition, and Management The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 under authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, and was the first Refuge in West Virginia.
    [Show full text]
  • Aquatic Communities and Contaminants in Fish from Streams of the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota and North Dakota by R.M
    Aquatic Communities and Contaminants in Fish from Streams of the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota and North Dakota By R.M. Goldstein________________________________ U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4047 Contribution from the National Water Quality Assessment Program Mounds View, Minnesota 1995 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Gordon P. Eaton, Director For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science Information Center District Chief Open-File Reports Section U.S. Geological Survey Box 25286, MS 517 2280 Woodale Drive Denver Federal Center Mounds View, MN 55112 Denver, CO 80225 Information regarding the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is available on the Internet via the World Wide Web. You may connect to the NAWQA Home Page using the Universal Resource Locator (URL) at: <URL:http://wwwrvares.er.usgs.gov/nawqa/nawqa_home.html> FOREWORD Describe current water-quality conditions for a large part of the Nation's freshwater streams, rivers, and aquifers. Describe how water quality is changing over The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey time. (USGS) is to assess the quantity and quality of the Improve understanding of the primary natural earth resources of the Nation and to provide and human factors that affect water-quality information that will assist resource managers and conditions. policymakers at Federal, State, and local levels in This information will help support the making sound decisions. Assessment of water- development and evaluation of management, quality conditions and trends is an important part regulatory, and monitoring decisions by other of this overall mission.
    [Show full text]
  • Changes in Flood Response of the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota-Minnesota
    Changes in Flood Response of the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota-Minnesota United States Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2243 Prepared in cooperation with the Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission Souris- Red-Rainy Regional Committee and the North Dakota State Water Commission Changes in Flood Response of the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota-Minnesota By JEFFREY E. MILLER and DALE L. FRINK Prepared in cooperation with the Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission Souris- Red-Rainy Regional Committee and the North Dakota State Water Commission U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 2243 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WILLIAM P. CLARK, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Dallas L. Peck, Director UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1984 For sale by Distribution Branch Text Products Section U.S. Geological Survey 604 South Pickett Street Alexandria, Virginia 22304 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Miller, Jeffrey E. Changes in flood response of the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota-Minnesota. (Water-supply paper; 2243) "Prepared in cooperation with the Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission, Souris-Red-Rainy Regional Committee, and the North Dakota State Water Commission." Bibliography: p. Supt. of Docs, no.: I 19.12:2243 1. Floods Red River of the North Watershed. 2. Floods- Minnesota. 3. Floods North Dakota. I. Frink, Dale L. II. Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission. III. United States. Souris-Red-Rainy River Basins Commission. IV. North Dakota State Water Commission. V. Title.
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Report No: 17-02 Effect of Glacial Isostatic Adjust on Rivers
    Technical Report No: 17-02 EFFECT OF GLACIAL ISOSTATIC ADJUSTMENT ON RIVERS AND DRAINAGE BASINS IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA, U.S.A. by Benjamin York Philip J. Gerla Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND 58202 November 2017 North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota Technical Report No: 17-02 EFFECT OF GLACIAL ISOSTATIC ADJUSTMENT ON RIVERS AND DRAINAGE BASINS IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA, U.S.A. Benjamin York1 Philip J. Gerla2 WRRI Graduate Research Fellow1 Associate Professor, Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering2 Grand Forks, ND 58202 November 2017 The work upon which this report is based was supported in part by federal funds provided by the United States of Department of Interior in the form of ND WRRI Graduate Research Fellowship for the graduate student through the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute. Contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the US Department of Interior, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute their endorsement or recommendation for use by the US government. Project Period: March 1, 2016 – February 28, 2017 Project Number: 2016ND306B North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute Director: Eakalak Khan North Dakota State University TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .........................................................................................................................4
    [Show full text]