Characterization of Surface-Water and Groundwater Quality on the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, 2014–17

Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5020
Prepared in cooperation with the Three Affiliated Tribes
By:  and 

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Abstract

The Fort Berthold Reservation is in west-central North Dakota and home to the Three Affiliated Tribes. The primary water-resources concerns on the Fort Berthold Reservation are associated with the different types of land uses from agricultural activities and the rapid development of oil and gas resources in western North Dakota. The Three Affiliated Tribes Environmental Department identified the need for long-term water-quality monitoring throughout the Fort Berthold Reservation to better understand the potential effects on surface-water and groundwater quality and to determine if water quality is changing with time. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Three Affiliated Tribes, identified surface-water sites and groundwater wells that represent the water resources in major drainages and the most utilized aquifers on the reservation. A water-quality monitoring program was designed to address data gaps and provide consistent long-term data that can be used to identify potential effects on water quality. During 2014–17, the initial water-quality sampling efforts associated with this program were completed. The efforts provide a current (2019) characterization of water-quality conditions in surface water and groundwater and can assist in establishing a long-term water-quality monitoring program

Suggested Citation

Lundgren, R.F., and Iorio, M.J., 2020, Characterization of surface-water and groundwater quality on the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, 2014–17: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5020, 37 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205020.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Characterization of Water Quality on the Fort Berthold Reservation
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1 Quality-Assurance Data and Summary Statistics for Water-Quality Constituents in Surface Water and Groundwater
  • Appendix 2 Summary Statistics for Historical Water-Quality Constituents in Major Aquifers on Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Characterization of surface-water and groundwater quality on the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, 2014–17
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2020-5020
DOI 10.3133/sir20205020
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Dakota Water Science Center
Description Report: vii, 37 p.; 1 Table; 6 Appendix Tables
Country United States
State North Dakota
Other Geospatial Fort Berthold Reservation
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details