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U.S. EPA Water News

Fish processing plant in Haines, Alaska faces a possible $177,500 fine for discharging fish waste without a permit
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:27:58 -0400
(Haines, Alaska – Nov. 3, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed a complaint against Chilkoot Fish & Caviar, Inc. for violations of the federal Clean Water Act. The violations occurred at Chilkoot’s fish processing plant located at Mile 5 Lutak Road in Haines, Alaska
Kinnickinnic River Cleanup Means a Revitalized Milwaukee Neighborhood
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:52:03 -0400
For Immediate Release 09-OPA221 CONTACT: Karen Thompson, 312-353-8547, thompson.karen@epa.gov Kinnickinnic River cleanup means a revitalized Milwaukee neighborhood MILWAUKEE (November 2, 2009) -- U.S
EPA Adds Raritan Bay Site to Nation’s Superfund List
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:57:39 -0400
(New York, NY) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed the Raritan Bay Slag site in Sayreville and Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)
TMDL ‘Pollution Diet’ Meetings Set for W. Va.
Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:12:59 -0400
PHILADELPHIA (October 30, 2009) The U.S
EPA Requests Comments on Survey for Stormwater Rule
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 -0400
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a survey to help strengthen stormwater regulations and reduce stormwater discharges from newly developed and redeveloped sites
EPA Calls on State of Missouri to Set New Water Quality Standards for St. Louis Segment of Mississippi River
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:09:24 -0400
Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Kansas City, Kan., October 29, 2009) - EPA has determined that the State of Missouri needs new or revised water quality standards to protect a 28.6-mile segment of the Mississippi River around St

USGS Newsroom

Atlanta Floods Extremely Rare
OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:37:07 -0400
The epic flooding that hit the Atlanta area in September was so extremely rare that, six weeks later this event has defied attempts to describe it.  Scientists have reviewed the numbers and they are stunning. “At some sites, the annual chance of a flood of this magnitude was so significantly less than 1 in 500  that, given the relatively short length of streamgaging records (well less than 100 years), the U.S. Geological Survey cannot accurately characterize the probability due to its extreme rarity," said Robert Holmes, USGS National Flood Program Coordinator.  “Nationwide, given that our oldest streamgaging records span about 100 years, the USGS does not cite probabilities for floods that are beyond a 0.2 percent (500-year) flood.” “If a 0.2 percent (500-year) flood was a cup of coffee, this one brewed a full pot,” said Brian McCallum, Assistant Director for the USGS Georgia Water Science Center in Atlanta. “This flood overtopped 20 USGS streamgages – one by 12 feet. The closest numbers we have seen like these in Georgia were from Tropical Storm Alberto in 1994. This flood was off the charts.” The rains returned water levels in the region’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Lanier and Allatoona Lake, to pre-drought levels.  Lake Lanier rose by more than three feet to 1068 feet by Sept. 25 and returned to full pool in October.  Allatoona Lake rose to 853.25 feet on Sept 23, more than 13 feet over full pool of 840 feet. “The flooding in Atlanta is certainly near the top of the list of the worst floods in the United States during the past 100 years,” said Holmes. “For comparable drainage areas, the magnitude of this flood was worse than the 1977 Kansas City flood, which caused tremendous destruction and loss of life.  It is a testament to the diligence of county officials and emergency management teams that more lives were not lost in Georgia.” Significant property losses, however, were a near certainty from this event. According to the National Weather Service, some locations recorded up to 20 inches of rain from 8:00 pm on Sept. 20 to 8:00 pm the following day. Culverts and sewers are not usually designed for events of this magnitude because they are so rare and it is cost prohibitive. “Applying rainfall frequency calculations, we have determined that the chance of 10 inches or more occurring at any given point are less than one hundredth of one percent”, said Kent Frantz, Senior Service Hydrologist for the National Weather Service at Peachtree City.  “This means that the chance of an event like this occurring is 1 in 10,000.” For this analysis, USGS reviewed high-water-mark surveys and indirect peak discharge computations throughout the flood-affected region.  Scientists gather these data from the field during floods and in their immediate aftermath to supplement or in this case, to provide data after a gage is destroyed.  Some notable results: In Cobb County, Sweetwater, Noonday, Butler, and Powder Springs creeks flooded so severely that the annual chance of a worse event is far smaller than 0.2 percent (500-year) flood. On Sweetwater Creek near Austell, Ga., high-water marks showed a peak stage of 30.8 feet.  The peak flow (31,500 cubic feet per second) was more than double the previous peak flow recorded at this site during the last 73 years.  The previous peak, caused by the remnants of Hurricane Dennis in July 2005, was almost 10 feet lower at 21.87 feet. In Douglas County, the Dog River near Fairplay overtopped the USGS stream gage by 12 feet. The peak stage was 33.8 feet, with a peak discharge of 59,900 cubic feet per second.  This is well beyond the 0.2 percent annual exceedence probability (500-year) flood.   Gwinnett, DeKalb and Rockdale counties also had record flooding.  Suwanee Creek floods were beyond the 0.2 percent annual exceedence probability (500-year) flood. On the Chattahoochee, the USGS gage at Vinings reached a peak stage of 28.12 feet with 40,900 cubic feet per second, which represents between a between a 1.0 to 0.5 percent annual exceedence probability (100- to 200-year) flood. In Georgia the USGS maintains a network of nearly 300 streamgages that provide data in real time. Data from these streamgages are used by local, state and federal officials for numerous purposes, including public safety and flood forecasting by the National Weather Service. A map of these gages and graphs of discharge for the last seven days is available online. The USGS works in cooperation with other Federal, state, and local agencies, throughout Georgia that measure water level (stage), streamflow (discharge), lake levels and rainfall. Users can access current flood and high flow conditions across the country at the USGS WaterWatch Web site. More information on USGS flood-related activities is available at the USGS Surface Water Information Web site.
November Science Picks -- Hot News about Cool Science
OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0400
Did you know that that the United States uses less water today than 35 years ago and that there might be caves on Mars? In this edition of Science Picks, learn more about these stories, as well as the latest on carbon storage in the Arctic and faulty wallboard from China that may be making Florida residents sick. Also, discover why bats are dying near wind turbines and how endangered whooping cranes are being saved.     If you would like to receive Science Picks via e-mail, would like to change the recipient or no longer want to receive it, please e-mail kcapelli@usgs.gov. November Highlights: United States Using Less Water Today Caves Provide Martians (or Scientists) a New Place to Hide Thawing Arctic May Mean More Atmospheric Carbon Wallboard Woes Welcoming a New Director Wind Energy: A Scare for Bats and Birds Whooping Cranes are Flying High! Hazards Remain After the Smoke Clears Giant Snakes Threaten Ecosystems Streamgages: the Silent Superhero Why Celebrate GIS Day on Nov. 18? Sand-tastic Beach Management
United States Using Less Water than 35 Years Ago
OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications Web Group) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:44:21 -0400
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The United States is using less water than during the peak years of 1975 and 1980, according to water use estimates for 2005. Despite a 30 percent population increase during the past 25 years, overall water use has remained fairly stable according to a new U.S. Geological Survey report.

Water Resources Management

9. Sustainable Groundwater Use – Within Our Reach?
B-SPAN Washington D.C.—On February 17, 2009, the World Bank presented Water Week 2009, an annual event featuring three days of panel discussions and lectures from various sectors. The discussions covered a variety of issues, from the impact of the financial crisis on water development to the affects of the food price crisis in low income countries. The event was a collaborative effort between the Water Anchor and the Water Sector Board. This years Water Week events enabled participants to exchange experiences and knowledge in helping the World Bank achieve solutions to clients most affected by the water crisis.
12. Closing Plenary
B-SPAN Washington D.C.—On February 17, 2009, the World Bank presented Water Week 2009, an annual event featuring three days of panel discussions and lectures from various sectors. The discussions covered a variety of issues, from the impact of the financial crisis on water development to the affects of the food price crisis in low income countries. The event was a collaborative effort between the Water Anchor and the Water Sector Board. This years Water Week events enabled participants to exchange experiences and knowledge in helping the World Bank achieve solutions to clients most affected by the water crisis.
11. River Basin Management (Part 2)
B-SPAN Washington D.C.—On February 17, 2009, the World Bank presented Water Week 2009, an annual event featuring three days of panel discussions and lectures from various sectors. The discussions covered a variety of issues, from the impact of the financial crisis on water development to the affects of the food price crisis in low income countries. The event was a collaborative effort between the Water Anchor and the Water Sector Board. This years Water Week events enabled participants to exchange experiences and knowledge in helping the World Bank achieve solutions to clients most affected by the water crisis.
10. River Basin Management (Part 1)
B-SPAN Washington D.C.—On February 17, 2009, the World Bank presented Water Week 2009, an annual event featuring three days of panel discussions and lectures from various sectors. The discussions covered a variety of issues, from the impact of the financial crisis on water development to the affects of the food price crisis in low income countries. The event was a collaborative effort between the Water Anchor and the Water Sector Board. This years Water Week events enabled participants to exchange experiences and knowledge in helping the World Bank achieve solutions to clients most affected by the water crisis.
6. Improving Operational Efficiency (Part 2)
B-SPAN Washington D.C.—On February 17, 2009, the World Bank presented Water Week 2009, an annual event featuring three days of panel discussions and lectures from various sectors. The discussions covered a variety of issues, from the impact of the financial crisis on water development to the affects of the food price crisis in low income countries. The event was a collaborative effort between the Water Anchor and the Water Sector Board. This years Water Week events enabled participants to exchange experiences and knowledge in helping the World Bank achieve solutions to clients most affected by the water crisis.
5. Improving Operational Efficiency (Part 1)
B-SPAN Washington D.C.—On February 17, 2009, the World Bank presented Water Week 2009, an annual event featuring three days of panel discussions and lectures from various sectors. The discussions covered a variety of issues, from the impact of the financial crisis on water development to the affects of the food price crisis in low income countries. The event was a collaborative effort between the Water Anchor and the Water Sector Board. This years Water Week events enabled participants to exchange experiences and knowledge in helping the World Bank achieve solutions to clients most affected by the water crisis.

 

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natural resources - Information about water quality programs and related environmental concerns in Wisconsin.
Meta Description: [ UW- Extension Water Resources Education is hosted by the Environmental Resources Center to provide a gateway to educational programs, and publications. ]

Aral Sea Story - Information on the drying up of the Aral Sea which was once the fourth biggest inland sea in the world.

Asian Water Scientist Network - Includes a directory of water scientists in Asia and worldwide listings of upcoming conferences of possible interest.

Australian Water Web - A web site built by the students and teachers of Casino High School, NSW, Australia. Plan to present information about our local waterways, projects and world wide discussion forums. Topics: wetlands, platypus.
Meta Description: [ descrip ]

California Bay-Delta Authority - About programs to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive program to restore ecological health and improve water management in the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem.
Meta Description: [ Calfed Bay-Delta Program Home Page ]

404 Canada and Freshwater - Experience and Practices - 1998 report about the state of national water quantity, use, and quality. Provides an overview of sustainable water management in Canada encompassing partnerships, an ecosystem approach, and the role of science, as well as a perspective on international concerns related to freshwater.

Canada's Aquatic Environments - This large, comprehensive website details the aquatic habitats, animals and plants of Canada

Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - information about releases of pollutants into air, water and land, from Environment Canada

Christina River Basin / Watershed of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania - Information hub and method of public outreach for enhancing informed public participation in watershed management in the Christina River Basin of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Delaware's Pollution Control Strategy - Working through Tributary Action Teams it is designed to educate about water pollution prevention in Delaware's watersheds. Includes resources to learn how to be effective in preventing water pollution.
Meta Description: [ Delaware's Pollution Control Strategy is all about citizen participation in helping to improve water quality in Delaware's watersheds and the surrounding bays and ocean. ]

EDF Chemical Scorecard - Toxic Release Inventory data for the US. Sources and amounts of toxic chemicals released to air and water. Also has information on health effects and other topics.
Meta Description: [ Find environmental information about your community: learn how bad the pollution is, where the toxic chemicals come from, what the health risks are, and what actions you can take ]

Environment Canada's Freshwater Web site: Frames version - Organized by issue, the site is designed to educate us about the importance and extent of fresh water in Canada. Topics include: the nature of water, water management, policy and legislation, and water and culture. Also links to other water-related Web sites.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water - US federal agency responsible for protecting and improving water quality. Site includes details of national water programs, online library, local information, laws, and kids page.
Meta Description: [ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water Web Site. ]

GIWA - Global International Waters Assessment - Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the aim of GIWA is to produce a comprehensive and integrated global assessment of international waters. Information is available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.
Meta Description: [ Global International Waters Assessment, UNEP/GEF GIWA, is providing high quality water information and is producing a comprehensive and integrated global assessment of international waters comprising marine, coastal and freshwater areas, and surface waters as well as groundwaters. GIWA will encom... ]

Global Water Partnership - They support integrated water resources management programmes by collaboration, at their request, with governments and existing networks and by forging new collaborative arrangements.

Hillslope and Watershed Hydrology Lab, Oregon State University - Conducts research on the hydrologic cycle, particularly runoff generation processes in diverse watersheds. Includes publications and presentations, information about opportunities for students, and related links.
Meta Description: [ Hydrology ]

Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Research, training, and software for hydrologic engineering and water resources planning and management.

Hydrology-Related Internet Resources - Compiled and maintained at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories.

Institute of Hydraulic Engineering, University Stuttgart - Lists areas of research, degrees offered, and publications.
Meta Description: [ Institut für Wasserbau an der Universität Stuttgart ]

International Network on Water, Environment, and Health - Part of United Nations University. Fosters the application of appropriate technologies to meet water needs and assist environmental industries in developing countries.

Isotopes in Water and Environmental Management - Uses of isotopes (both stable and radioactive) and isotope data in hydrology. Source is IAEA.

Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program - Public education resource about watersheds, water quality, and preventing water pollution.

MedBioWorld's Hydrology Journals - Bioscience journal directory site presents hydrology, marine science, freshwater science and aquaculture journals.
Meta Description: [ Links to Hydrology, Marine Science, Freshwater Science & Aquaculture Journals ]

Netherlands Water Partnership - Water Information Network - Comprehensive database of the Netherlands water community. Includes information on organisations with their geographic/technical areas of expertise, water projects, and international water events. Describes water issues and projects in all parts of the world.
Meta Description: [ hoi ]

Resources for the Future Library: Water - Research reports (PDF format) and project summaries related to economic and policy aspects of water allocation/management and water quality improvement. Sample topics include marketing water, water as a source of international conflict, economic value of fresh water, and cross-media pollution.

404 Snow Hydrology Research Group, UC Santa Barbara - Information about research on watershed hydrology and modeling, remote sensing, and data management. Freely downloadable software for snow hydrology and hydrochemistry.

Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory - Branch of the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) collecting water resource related data to monitor the environment as it is affected by land use.

Spatial Hydrology - Internet directory for hydrologic modeling, GIS, GPS and remote sensing.
Meta Description: [ Your gateway to the world of hydrologic modeling, GIS, GPS and remote sensing., Your gateway to the world of hydrologic modeling, GIS, GPS and remote sensing. ]

The World's Water - Supplement to a book by Peter H. Gleick. Comprehensive data on worldwide freshwater resources and associated political, economic, scientific, and technological issues.

U.S. Water News On-Line - Coverage includes water supply, water quality, policy and legislation, litigation and water rights, conservation, climate, and international water news.

UCOWR: Universities Council on Water Resources - Purpose is to provide a comprehensive information resource for water professionals.

UNESCO Water Portal - Database access and worldwide news and information on fresh water topics, including scientific policies, programmes, forums, events, photos and links.
Meta Description: [ Unesco's water portal coordinates and provides database access and worldwide information on freshwater, including scientific policies, programmes, water forums, events, photos and useful links ]

University of Florida Water Resources Research Center - Funding research projects in Florida, offering descriptions of these grants, information on other water resource news and links to government and university sites.

University of Minnesota Extension Service -- Water Quality - Information for citizens interested in water quality, for water educators, and for Extension personnel. Extensive collection of links and other resources.

University of New South Wales Water Research Laboratory - Information about research and consulting in hydrology, hydraulics, groundwater, coastal engineering, and related areas.

USEPA - Biological Indicators of Watershed Health - Water quality and how aquatic life (fish, invertebrates, algae) is used to measure the overall health of the nation's waters. Lots of links to state and federal programs as well as other sites.

USGS -- Water Resources of the United States - Home page for water resources information from the U.S. Geological Survey. Topics include ground water, surface water, water use, water quality, acid rain, toxic substances hydrology.
Meta Description: [ Home page for water resources information from the US Geological Survey ]

Water - European Environmental Agency - Collection of reports, links, and data sets on European water resources topics.
Meta Description: [ Clean fresh water is essential to life. Unfortunately, since the Industrial Revolution, most of Europe's rivers have been treated more like a convenient way of transporting waste to the sea, destroying the biodiversity of thousands of kilometers of waterways, harming human health, and polluting c... ]

Water Bank - Site dedicated to creating a marketplace for buyers and sellers of water rights, water utilities and water sources such as springs.
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Water Librarians' Home Page - Resources for librarians in water agencies and similar institutions.
Meta Description: [ Resources for librarians in water agencies, water utilities, and related organizations ]

404 Water Resources Engineering Management - MSc in Water Environmental Engineering and Management. Taught by Glasgow University and Heriot-Watt University.

Water Web Consortium - Internet directory, webring, online forums, and international workshops intended to promote the sharing of information concerning water and the earth's environment.

WaterHistory.org - Articles explore prehistoric and historic water projects worldwide.
Meta Description: [ Our objective is to explore prehistoric and historic water projects worldwide. We are particularly interested in the effect that water has on the quality of life. ]

WaterModeling.org - Mailing list, technical glossary, and other information for professionals. Focused on computer modeling for hydrology and hydraulic engineering.

Waternunc.com - Portal site for water businesses and the topic of water management, particularly in France.
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Watershed Atlas of the Allegheny River - Describes what a watershed is, how a water cycle works, and shows how the last glacier shaped the western Pennsylvania/southwest New York region. Focus is on how water workes within natural systems, and how human activities can impact water quality.

World Water Conservation - Reports on the status of water supply and water-saving measures at various locations around the world.
Meta Description: [ World water Conservation deals with water, conservation, soil, pollution, waterlok, soil amendment, drought, desert, rain, lakes, rivers, solar, sea water, toxic, waste, watersheds, streams, creeks, epa, mtb, floods ]

World Water Day - Focuses on international water issues such as working to alleviate poverty and hunger, sustainable development, environmental integrity, and human health.
Meta Description: [ The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. ]

World Water Resources and Their Use - Information on quantities and forms of water worldwide, including discharge of rivers, as well as water use and demand. From UNESCO and Russian State Hydrologic Institute.