Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Answers |
I. Water Information |
| 1. |
Much of the historical data and current data
for many stations in Pennsylvania
can be accessed on the Pennsylvania Water Science Center Public Home Page at
http://pa.water.usgs.gov/. Links are provided for stations nationwide.
If you
do not have access to the World Wide Web, call or write the
Information Specialist:
U.S. Geological Survey, WRD
215 Limekiln Road
New Cumberland, PA 17070
(Tel: 717-730-6916)
(Fax: 717-730-6997)
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| 2. |
Low-flow statistics are available online at http://pa.water.usgs.gov/pc38/flowstats/
.
Limited statistics are published in the annual data reports entitled
"Water Resources Data Pennsylvania Water Year 19__",
which are published in three volumes (Volume 1. --Delaware River
Basin,
Volume 2.--Susquehanna and Potomac River Basins, and Volume 3.--Ohio
River and
St. Lawrence River Basins). The following reports give some frequency
data and/or
explain how to estimate magnitude and frequency for ungaged areas:
Stuckey, M. H., and Reed, L. A., 2000, Techniques for Estimating
Magnitude and Frequency of Peak Flows for Pennsylvania Streams:
U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations
WRIR 00-4189
Techniques for estimating magnitude and frequency of peak flows for Pennsylvania streams
(PDF File)
Ehlke, M.H., and Reed, L.A., 1999, Comparison of methods for
computing streamflow statistics for Pennsylvania streams:
U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations
WRIR 99-4068
Comparison of methods for computing streamflow statistics for Pennsylvania streams
(PDF File)
Flippo, H.N., Jr., 1977,
Floods in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Resources Water Resources
Bulletin no. 13, 59 p.
Flippo, H.N., Jr., 1982,
Technical manual for estimating low-flow characteristics
of Pennsylvania streams: Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Resources Water Resources
Bulletin no. 15, 86 p.
Page, L.V., and Shaw, L.C., 1977,
Low-flow characteristics of Pennsylvania streams:
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
Water Resources Bulletin no. 12, 441 p.
Voytik, Andrew, 1986,
Statistical analysis of flood frequency,
low-flow frequency, and flow duration of
streams in the Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania:
U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations
Report 85-4008, 34 p.
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| 3. |
Where can I get climatic data (precipitation,
air temperature, windspeed, etc...)?
Contact NOAA at:
National Climatic Data Center
Room 120
151 Patton Avenue
Ashville, NC 28801-5001
(Tel: 704-271-4800)
(Fax: 704-271-4876)
http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html
Pennsylvania State Climatologist
503 Walker Building
University Park, PA 16802
(Tel: 814-865-8732)
(Fax: 814-865-3663)
(e-mail: pgk2@psu.edu)
http://climate.met.psu.edu/
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| 4. |
River stage forecasts for Pennsylvania are available from NOAA on-line at:
National Weather Service Forecast Office, Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
Note – Forecast for some site are issued routinely year-round, while others are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
The Ohio River Basin forecasts are made by the:
Ohio River Forecast Center
National Weather Service
1901 South State Route 134
Wilmington, OH 45177
For the Susquehanna, Potomac, and Delaware River Basins forecasts are made by the:
Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center
National Weather Service
227 West Beaver Avenue
Suite 402 State College, PA 16801
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| 5. |
For Information on wetlands, the laws that impact them, and ideas
for protecting wetlands, see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/
For information on Wetlands available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service visit http://wetlands.fws.gov/
National Wetlands Inventory Maps can be purchased through various State Distribution Centers. Currently, there are 34 Centers covering 47 States. Each Center establishes their own pricing structure, product types and order procedures. For phone numbers and addresses, go to: http://wetlands.fws.gov/distribution_ctrs.htm The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory
Center (NWI) and Earth Science Information Center (ESIC) of the
U.S. Geological Survey have a cooperative agreement for the sale
and distribution of NWI maps. ESIC offices accept orders and payment
for NWI products. Please submit your order and payment for National
Wetlands Inventory maps to one of the ESIC Offices. The orders are
processed and electronically sent to the NWI office in Saint Petersburg,
Florida, where the order is filled. For prices, payment requirements
and a list of ESIC Offices, go to http://wetlands.fws.gov/
USGS/ESIC
National Headquarters
507 National Center
Reston, Virginia 22092
(703) 648-6045
1-888-ASK-USGS/1-888-275-8747
Or contact:
State Distribution Centers
National Wetlands Inventory Maps can be purchased through various
State Distribution Centers. Currently, there are 34 Centers covering
47 States. Each Center establishes their own pricing structure,
product types and order procedures. For phone numbers and addresses,
go to http://wetlands.fws.gov/distribution_ctrs.htm
State Distribution Center For Pennsylvania Wetlands Inventory
Maps:
Earth Science Information Office
Blaisdell House, Box 30820
UMass, Amherst, MA 01003
(Tel: 413-545-0359)
Other wetlands information may be available from:
Pa Department of Environmental Protection
Div of Bureau of Water Quality Protection
Waterways, Wetlands and Erosion Control
400 Market Street
P.O. Box 8554
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8554
(Tel: 717-787-6827)
or contact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at its appropriate District
Office:
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| 6. |
Contact NOAA as follows:
For online nautical charting and navigation information and products
visit the following National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) web site: http://www.noaa.gov/charts.html
Nautical Charts may be ordered from:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Distribution Division
6501 Lafayette Avenue
Riverdale, MD 20737
(Tel: 301-436-6990)
Technical questions relating to tide and current predictions,
as well as requests for special predictions, should be addressed
to:
National Ocean Service
User Services Branch, N/CS44
1305 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(Tel: 301-713-2813)
(http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/watersupply/cwp/view.asp?a=1261&q=450642)
Technical questions relating to historical tide, actual tide observations,
tidal datums, and other information necessary for engineering projects
should be addressed to:
National Ocean Service
User Services Branch, N/CS44
1305 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(Tel: 301- 713-2877)
Technical questions relating to other publications and nautical
charts should be addressed to:
National Ocean Service
Marine Chart Division. N/CS2
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(Tel: 301-713-2732)
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| 7. |
Contact:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
105 S 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(Tel: 215-931-5512)
or contact:
Chief of Floodplain Management
Dept of Community & Economic Development
Room 318, Forum Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(Tel: 717-720-7445)
email: kwilson@doc.state.pa.us
Order flood plain maps and studies
To order flood insurance rate maps, call 1-800-358-9616 or write
to:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Map Service Canter
P.O. Box 1038
Jessup, MD 20794-1038
To create your own online hazard map available from FEMA and ESRI,
visit http://www.esri.com/hazards/.
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| 8 |
Where can I get information on Drought-related issues?
For drought monitoring conditions across the state, visit the Pennsylvania Drought Condition Monitoring website
For general drought information, please visit the following webpage: http://pa.water.usgs.gov/drought/ |
II. Water Quality and Health Issues |
| 9. |
Look under laboratories in the yellow pages of your local telephone
book for water testing services. Prices vary among companies and
will depend on the test you request. Laboratories certified by the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection are listed at
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/labs/
.
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| 10. |
Call the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit the EPA's Office of Ground Water
and Drinking Water web site at
http://www.epa.gov/safewater.
For information on radon you may also call the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection, Radon Division at 800-23RADON, or visit
their web page at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/rp/Radon_Division/Radon_Homepage.htm
.
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| 11. |
Pennsylvania water-quality standards are published in the Pennsylvania
Code, Title 25, Chapter 93. These standards are compiled in a book
available from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
at 717-783-2959. Information on water quality assessment and standards
are available on the web at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/watersupply/cwp/view.asp?a=1261&Q=449151&watersupplyNav=|30184|
.
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| 12. |
Drinking-water standards, both primary maximum contaminant levels
(MCLs) and secondary MCLs can be found on the WWW at
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/watersupply/cwp/view.asp?a=1251&Q=448745&watersupplyNav=|30131|.
Look under "Resources".
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| 13. |
Where can I find consumption advisories that
are in effect for fish in Pennsylvania?
Look on the WWW at
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/watersupply/cwp/view.asp?a=1261&q=450642.
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III. Mapping and Related Topics |
| 14. |
First identify the quadrangles you need from the state index,
which can be obtained from the USGS by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS or
from the Pennsylvania Geological Survey by calling 717-787-2169.
Index maps for Pennsylvania and surrounding states are also available
in local USGS offices for viewing only (see question26).
Online USGS facilities to assist in finding and ordering maps
are available at
http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/products/map.html.
Pennsylvania quads are available online through Penn State University
at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/maps/paptopo.htm.
Maps may be purchased locally from commercial dealers (see your yellow
pages or
http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/acis-bin/choosebylocation.pl?statechoice=none).
For more information or ordering assistance, contact
USGS Information Services
Box 25286
Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
(Tel: 888-ASK-USGS or 303-202-4700)
(FAX 303-202-4693)
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| 15. |
Contact:
Customer Services
USGS
EROS Data Center
Sioux Falls, SD 57198
(Tel: 605-594-6151)
Or see the EROS Data Center's web page at
http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/eros-home.html.
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| 16. |
Call 1-888-ASK-USGS or contact EROS Data Center (see question
14)
Or see the EROS Data Center's web page at
http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/eros-home.html.
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| 17. |
How do I get data on map projections and other
data on how
USGS maps are made?
See the book "Maps for America" published by the USGS. (See question
13 to order this book).
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| 18. |
USGS survey benchmark data is not yet available on the Internet.
For vertical and horizontal control information on all USGS survey
benchmarks in the eastern U. S., contact USGS - Rolla, MO by telephone
at (573) 308-3500 or (573) 308-3511
For control information on all USGS benchmarks in the western
U.S., contact USGS
- Denver, CO by telephone at: (303) 202-4400
If you need information on a National Geodetic Survey (formerly
Coast and Geodetic Survey [C & GS] ) benchmark contact:
National Geodetic Survey, N/NGS12
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282
(Tel: 301-713-3242)
(Fax: 301-713-4172)
(http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/ - Click on products and services)
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| 19. |
The national Geodetic Service (NGS) programs NADCOM and UTMS are
available for free downloading at:
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PC_PROD/pc_prod.shtml
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has information on coordinate
conversions and geospatial application software available at:
http://www.tec.army.mil/what_products.html
More sites with information on datums and coordinate conversions:
http://thor-f5.er.usgs.gov/drg/datum_shifts_v2.pdf
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/datum/datum_f.html
http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/geotrans/index.html
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| 20. |
The National Geodetic Service (NGS) has GPS correction data available
at:
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/CORS
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| 21. |
Where can I get information on the official
names of physical and cultural geographic features or how to have
unnamed features named?
The U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System
(GNIS) has a searchable database which contains information about
almost 2 million physical and cultural geographic features in the
United States. The Federally recognized name of each feature described
in the data base is identified, and references are made to a feature's
location by State, county, and geographic coordinates. The GNIS
is our Nation's official repository of domestic geographic names
information. Access to this database is available on-line at:
http://geonames.usgs.gov/
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) is a Federal body authorized
to establish and maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout
the Federal Government. Although established to serve the Federal
Government as a central authority to which all name problems, name
inquiries, and new name proposals can be directed, the Board also
plays a similar role for the general public. Access to information
on principles, policies, and procedures and how to have an unnamed
feature named is available on-line at:
http://geonames.usgs.gov/
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IV. Geology and Related Topics |
| 22. |
Historical data on major earthquakes in the U.S. (including Pennsylvania)
is published in Professional Paper 1527. For other earthquake information
contact:
USGS
National Earthquake Information Center
Box 25046, DFC, MS967
Denver, CO 80225
(Tel: 303-273-8500)
(Fax: 303-273-8450)
More information is available on the WWW at
http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/.
Information about the September 1998 Pymatuning Earthquake is
available at http://pa.water.usgs.gov/quake.html
.
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| 23. |
For data on trace metals in soils see USGS Professional Paper
1270; for other soils data contact the Natural Resources Conservation
Service at:
State Conservationist
1 Credit Union Place, Suite 340
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(Tel: 717-237-2200)
A list of published soil surveys is available on the WWW at
http://soils.usda.gov/survey/printed_surveys/.
A list of on-line soil surveys is available on the WWW at http://soils.usda.gov/survey/online_surveys/
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| 24. |
Generally, Pennsylvania Geological Survey Map 61 is the best source
for geological maps of Pennsylvania. This is out of print but available
in many libraries and on the WWW at
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/gismaps/index.aspx. The Pennsylvania
Geological Survey, 3240 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown, PA 17057,
Tel. 717-702-2017, Fax 717-702-2065 can provide a price list of
geological maps that can be purchased from:
The State Book Store
1825 Stanley Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17103
(Tel: 717-787-5109)
To order maps published by the USGS contact USGS Information Services
(see question 13).
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| 25. |
Where can I get information on Mineral Resources?
For Information on minerals visit The USGS Mineral Resources Program
at
http://minerals.usgs.gov |
V. USGS Activities Pennsylvania and USGS Publications |
| 26. |
How do I obtain a USGS publication?
A list of publications for Pennsylvania is available on the
Public Home Page (see question 1).
To obtain copies of Pennsylvania Water Science Center publications contact the
Information Specialist
(see question 1). For formal
series publications such as Water Supply Paper, Professional Papers,
and Bulletins contact USGS Information Services (see question13).
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| 27. |
You may request a copy of "Activities of the USGS in Pennsylvania"
from the Information Specialist
(see question 1).
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| 28. |
See the Pennsylvania Water Science Center Public Home
Page or go directly to http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/
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| 29. |
The Pennsylvania Water Science Center Office is located at:
215 Limekiln Road
New Cumberland, PA 17070
PHONE: (717) 730-6900
FAX: (717) 730-6997
Three Project Offices are located at:
Eagleview Corporate Center
770 Pennsylvania Drive, Suite 116
Exton, PA 19341-1129
PHONE: (610) 321-2434
FAX (610) 321-2509
1000 Church Hill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
PHONE: (412) 490-3800
FAX: (412) 490-3828
Hepburn Plaza
439 Hepburn Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
PHONE: (570) 323-7127
FAX: (570) 323-2137
The Office of
the Delaware River Master is located at:
Milford Professional Park
10 Buist Road
Bldg. 3, Suite 304
Milford, PA 18337
PHONE: (570) 296-7213
FAX: (570) 296-9414
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey