List of Figures

Figure 1 Location of Active Surface-Water Gaging Stations

Figure 2 Location of Active Surface-Water-Quality Stations

INTRODUCTION

This report includes records of discharge, stage, and water quality for streams and contents, stage, and water quality for lakes and reservoirs. Specifically, it contains records of water discharge for 101 streamflow-gaging stations; stage only for 23 river-stage stations; contents and/or stage for 13 lake or reservoir stations; annual maximum discharge for 36 crest-stage stations; and water quality for 92 streamflow-gaging stations, 3 river-stage stations, 9 river sites, 11 lake or reservoir stations, 3 miscellaneous sample sites on rivers and 53 miscellaneous sample sites on lakes and wetlands. Locations of these stations are shown in figures 1 and 2 except for the miscellaneous water-quality sites. Data are included for 11 water-quality monitor sites on streams and for 2 precipitation-chemistry stations. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in North Dakota.

This series of annual reports for North Dakota began with the 1961 water year with a report that contained only data relating to the quantities of surface water. For the 1964 water year, a similar report was introduced that contained only data relating to water quality. For the l975-95 water years, the report format was changed to present, in one volume, data on quantities of surface water, quality of surface and ground water, and ground-water levels. Beginning with the 1996 water year, ground-water levels and ground-water quality data have been published in a separate volume for North Dakota.

Prior to introduction of this series and for several water years concurrent with it, water-resources data for North Dakota were published in U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers. Data on stream discharge and stage and on lake or reservoir contents and stage, through September 1960, were published annually under the title "Surface-Water Supply of the United States, Parts 5 and 6." For the 1961 -70 water years, the data were published in two 5-year reports. Data on chemical quality, temperature, and suspended sediment for the 1941-70 water years were published annually under the title "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States," and ground-water levels for the 1935-74 water years were published under the title "Ground-Water Levels in the United States. " The above mentioned Water-Supply Papers may be consulted in the libraries of the principal cities of the United States and may be purchased from U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Information Services, Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225-0286.

Publications similar to this report are published annually by the U.S. Geological Survey for all States. These official Survey reports have an identification number consisting of the two-letter State abbreviation, the last two digits of the water year, and the volume number. For example this volume is identified as "U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report ND-99-1." For archiving and general distribution, the reports for l971-74 water years also are identified as water-data reports. These water-data reports are for sale in paper copy or in microfiche by the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.

Additional information, including current prices, for ordering specific reports may be obtained from the District Chief at the address given on the back of the title page or by telephoning (701) 250-7406.

COOPERATION

The U.S. Geological Survey and agencies of the State of North Dakota have had cooperative agreements for the collection of streamflow records since 1903, ground-water levels since 1937, and water-quality records since 1946. Organizations that assisted in collecting the data in this report through cooperative agreement with the Survey are: North Dakota State Water Commission, D. A. Sprynczynatyk, State Engineer; North Dakota Department of Health, Murray Sagsveen, State Health Officer; Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource Board, Don Lee, Chairman; Lower Heart River Water Resources District, W. S. Russell, Chairman; Morton County Water Resources District, A. C. Mork, Chairman; Oliver County Water Resources District, Duane Bueligen, Chairman; Red River Joint Water Resource Board, John Galegher, Chairman; Red River Watershed Management Board, Donald Ogaard, Executive Director; Southeast Cass Water Resources District, James. R. McLaughlin, Chairman; City of Minot, Carroll Erickson, Mayor; North Dakota Department of Transportation, Marshall Moore, Director; Cass County Joint Water Resource District, James R. McLaughlin, Chairman; Pembina County Water Resource District, Lee Laxdal, Chairman; Nelson County Water Resource District, Ben Varnson, Chairman; Three Affiliated Tribes, Tex G. Hall, Tribal Chairman; Spirit Lake Sioux Nation, Myra Pearson, Tribal Chairperson.

Assistance with funds or services was given by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 28 streamflow-gaging stations, 17 river-stage stations, 4 reservoir stations, 3 crest-stage gages, and water quality for 9 streamflow-gaging stations; the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for 4 streamflow-gaging stations, 1 river-stage station, 2 reservoir stations, and water quality for 2 streamflow-gaging stations and for 2 lake or reservoir stations; International Joint Commission of the U.S. State Department for 3 streamflow-gaging stations and 1 reservoir station; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 5 streamflow-gaging stations and water quality for 2 reservoir stations; the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for 1 streamflow-gaging station and water-quality for 1 streamflow-gaging station; and other U.S. Department of the Interior agencies concerned with the Missouri River Basin for 7 streamflow-gaging stations, 2 river-stage stations, 3 reservoir stations, and water quality for 3 streamflow-gaging stations and 1 river-stage station.

Certain stations are maintained under agreement with Canada and the records are obtained and compiled in a manner equally acceptable to both countries. Most of these are designated as "international gaging stations."

Organizations that provided data are acknowledged in station descriptions.

Figure 1. Location of active surface-water gaging stations

Figure 2. Location of active surface-water-quality stations

Return to 1999 Data Report

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