U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

USGS Integrated Science –In and Beyond Maine Waters

Maine Water ConferenceAugusta, ME

March 19, 2008

Mark MyersDirector

U.S. Geological Survey

USGS Integrated Science –In and Beyond Maine Waters

Maine Water ConferenceAugusta, ME

March 19, 2008

Mark MyersDirector

U.S. Geological Survey

Water – the common threadWater – the common thread

A shared element of air, land, sea A shared element of air, land, sea

A limited resource, global issueA limited resource, global issue

Humans now use 54% of the available fresh water on the globe Humans now use 54% of the available fresh water on the globe

Water availability diminished by Water availability diminished by

climate change, population growth, agricultural useclimate change, population growth, agricultural use

Water studies provide insight for integrated science issues Water studies provide insight for integrated science issues

Science in the reallocation of waterScience in the reallocation of water

Mytilene AqueductAqueduct, Greece, 3rd century A.D.

Hoover Dam, Colorado River, 1935Hoover Dam, Colorado River, 1935

Ecosystem requirementsEcosystem requirements

Now a major driver of changes in water allocationNow a major driver of changes in water allocation

Urban

Thermal

Farming

Urban

Farming Thermal

Ecosystem

The Story of the Water PieThe Story of the Water Pie Shrinking or Growing?Shrinking or Growing?

Urban

Farming Thermal

Ecosystem

FactorsFactors Withdrawal rateWithdrawal rate Recharge rate Recharge rate Changes in ground-surfaceChanges in ground-surface

water dynamicswater dynamics Climate changeClimate change

Seeking synergysynergy in scienceSeeking synergysynergy in science

Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative - New York TimesFebruary 8, 2006By LAURIE GOODSTEINDespite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century

Copper prices set another recordBy Dale Funk, Contributing EditorApr 1, 2006 12:00 PMWhile most wire and cable industry veterans and commodity analysts expected 2006 to be a year of moderation for copper prices, when copper jumped 9.45 cents to nearly $2.36 a pound on March 17 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, it set another record.

A British experts report on climate change warns that failure to curb global warming could trigger worldwide economic devastation, with poor countries hit first and hardest.  Prime Minister Tony Blair called for urgent international action.

USGS Science Strategy DirectionsUSGS Science Strategy Directions

Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystem Change

Climate Variability and Change

Energy and Minerals for America’s Future

A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program

The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health

A Water Census of the United States

Data Integration and Beyond

USGS Science Strategy Directions – Maine FocusUSGS Science Strategy Directions – Maine Focus

Understanding Ecosystems, Predicting Ecosystem Change

Climate Variability and Change

Energy and Minerals for America’s Future

A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program

The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health

A Water Census of the United States

Data Integration and Beyond

Congressional Support for Water Census – since 2002Congressional Support for Water Census – since 2002

“The [House Appropriations] Committee is concerned about the future of water availability for the Nation. ...

The Committee directs that the USGS prepare a report … of the efforts needed to provide periodic assessments … of freshwater resources.”

Directive from Congress to USGS, FY 2002

“The [House Appropriations] Committee is concerned about the future of water availability for the Nation. ...

The Committee directs that the USGS prepare a report … of the efforts needed to provide periodic assessments … of freshwater resources.”

Directive from Congress to USGS, FY 2002

Administration Support for Water CensusAdministration Support for Water Census

USGS gaging station on Sebago Lake, USGS gaging station on Sebago Lake, principal water supply for greater Portland principal water supply for greater Portland areaarea

““The United States has a strong need for an ongoing censusThe United States has a strong need for an ongoing censusof water that describes the status of our Nation’s water resourceof water that describes the status of our Nation’s water resourceat any point in time and identifies trends over time.”at any point in time and identifies trends over time.”

President’s FY 2009 Budget President’s FY 2009 Budget supports the Water Census supports the Water Census

National Science and Technology Council report,National Science and Technology Council report,A Strategy for Federal Science and Technology to Support Water AvailabilityA Strategy for Federal Science and Technology to Support Water Availabilityand Quality in the United Statesand Quality in the United States (September 2007) (September 2007)

Census activities Census activities will be organized will be organized around the 21 around the 21 Water Resource Water Resource Regions Regions established in established in Circular 1223Circular 1223

Water Census: Nationwide Study PlansWater Census: Nationwide Study Plans

Report to Congress: Concepts for National Assessment of Water Report to Congress: Concepts for National Assessment of Water Availability and Use, U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1223, 2002Availability and Use, U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1223, 2002

A synthesis of water flow, water use, land use, water quality informationA synthesis of water flow, water use, land use, water quality information

Use Recommendations of theUse Recommendations of theNational Research Council ReportNational Research Council Report

Ability to track water fromAbility to track water frompoint of withdrawal thru to point of withdrawal thru to return of flow.return of flow.

Develop water useDevelop water usecharacteristics by types characteristics by types of land useof land use

Water Census BenefitsWater Census Benefits

Understanding Ecosystems andUnderstanding Ecosystems and

Predicting Ecosystem ChangePredicting Ecosystem Change

Climate Variability and ChangeClimate Variability and Change

USGS Science DirectionsUSGS Science DirectionsInteractions in MaineInteractions in Maine

WinterWinter

SpringSpring

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

Year

Mar

11

Mar

21

Mar

31

Apr

10

Apr

20

Apr

30

May

10

LOESS smooths of winter/spring center of volume dates for 13 longest-record rivers in New England

Da

te

1-2 Week Earlier Streamflow Timing

•Earlier streamflow timingEarlier streamflow timing•Earlier iceout dates & thinner iceEarlier iceout dates & thinner ice•Fewer ice-affected days at gagesFewer ice-affected days at gages•Greater rain/snow ratiosGreater rain/snow ratios•Smaller snowpacksSmaller snowpacks•Warmer spring water temperatureWarmer spring water temperature

Hydrologic changes in NE states due to climate change Hydrologic changes in NE states due to climate change Similar to NW statesSimilar to NW states

TrendsTrendsin the timing ofin the timing ofwinter-springwinter-springflowsflows

1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

Year

102

103

5

678

2

3

4

5

678

2

3

4

March mean flows for 11 rivers in northern and mountainous New England

Riv

er

flo

ws

(ft3 /s

)

~50% to 150% increases

Time Period

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

Nu

mb

er

of

sig

nif

ica

nt

tre

nd

s (

p<

0.1

)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun JulAug Sep

Oct

NovDec Annual

Number of significant trends for mean flows for all sites27 trend tests per month

Oct

(Zero)

Increasing flows

Decreasing flows

Ocean Action Plan – Maine FeaturesOcean Action Plan – Maine Features

President’s Ocean Action Plan calls for President’s Ocean Action Plan calls for understanding processes that affect understanding processes that affect ocean health by studying water from the ocean health by studying water from the oceans to the headwaters of rivers and oceans to the headwaters of rivers and streams.streams.

A fundamental principle of the Ocean A fundamental principle of the Ocean Action Plan – Action Plan – Think nationally, but act regionally.Think nationally, but act regionally.

Penobscot River and Bay is a prime Penobscot River and Bay is a prime study area.study area.

Penobscot Dam RemovalPenobscot Dam Removal

USGS scientists have discovered USGS scientists have discovered pock marks, probably from gas pock marks, probably from gas seeps in the study area.seeps in the study area.

Sediment monitoring station Sediment monitoring station installed north of Bucksport to installed north of Bucksport to baseline current (pre-dam baseline current (pre-dam removal) sediment transport removal) sediment transport conditions. conditions.

Gulf of Maine CouncilGulf of Maine Council

Mapping Penobscot Bay is a Mapping Penobscot Bay is a small piece of Gulf of Maine small piece of Gulf of Maine Mapping Initiative (GOMMI) –a Mapping Initiative (GOMMI) –a transboundary effort of thetransboundary effort of theGulf of Maine Council.Gulf of Maine Council.

USGS active in Council USGS active in Council activities, especially habitat activities, especially habitat monitoring and ecosystem monitoring and ecosystem indicators partnership.indicators partnership.

Ecosystem Indicators PartnershipEcosystem Indicators Partnership

Transboundary leaders in developing ecosystem indicators for aquatic habitat, climateclimate change, coastal development and contaminants.

Learn more about the ESIP Committee at www.gulfofmaine.org/esip

USGS biologist Adria Elskus studies USGS biologist Adria Elskus studies contaminant levels in fishes and contaminant levels in fishes and invertebrates in the Penobscot and other invertebrates in the Penobscot and other rivers in the Gulf of Maine watershed. rivers in the Gulf of Maine watershed.

Indicator Reporting ToolIndicator Reporting Tool Just released (March 4, 2008)Just released (March 4, 2008)

Access through ESIP Webpage: www.gulfofmaine.org/esip

NROC – Northeast Regional Ocean CouncilNROC – Northeast Regional Ocean Council

The council seeks to be compatible with The council seeks to be compatible with existing regional efforts.existing regional efforts.

Four main interests:Four main interests:

Ocean and coastal ecosystem Ocean and coastal ecosystem healthhealth

Render New England a “Coastal Render New England a “Coastal Hazards Ready” RegionHazards Ready” Region

Ocean energy planning and Ocean energy planning and managementmanagement

Maritime security in New Maritime security in New EnglandEngland

Penob3.riv

Water – the key to lifeWater – the key to life

Contour study of the Contour study of the Penobscot River at Penobscot River at Veazie DamVeazie Dam

Water – the common thread in MaineWater – the common thread in Maine

A shared element of air, land, sea A shared element of air, land, sea

As in other places, Maine waters are affectedAs in other places, Maine waters are affected

by population growth and agricultural use, by population growth and agricultural use,

but particularly here, by climate change.but particularly here, by climate change.

Maine water studies provide important regional insight Maine water studies provide important regional insight

for integrated science at national and global levels. for integrated science at national and global levels.