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Frequently Asked Questions

    Water Issues

  1. How can I obtain current streamflow data?
  2. Where can I get river stage forecasts?
  3. How can I get information on flood plains?
  4. Where can I get information about the North Carolina public water supply and water-quality standards?
     
    Where can I find more information on ground water? (new page)

    Maps/USGS Products

  5. How do I order a USGS publication?
  6. How do I find and order geologic maps of North Carolina (including USGS topographic maps)?
  7. How do I find and order other USGS map products, such as aerial photographs, satellite images, or DLMs?
  8. How do I get general data on USGS map products, such as topographic symbols or map projections?

    North Carolina Environmental Data

  9. How can I get information on earthquakes?
  10. Where can I get climate (precipitation and temperature) data?
  11. Where can I get data on soils?
  12. How do I get information on wetlands?
  13. Where can I get information on tides and nautical charts?
  14. Where can I get information on benchmarks?

Further information is available through the USGS Frequently Asked Questions. For questions that aren't covered, you may want to try Ask-A-Geologist or Ask USGS. Specific questions for North Carolina information can be directed to the District Information Officer.

1. Streamflow data

Much of the current and historical data for stations in North Carolina can be accessed through the Current Available Data page. The USGS Real-Time Water Data page gives further information as well as links to stations across the nation.
 
Limited statistics, involving low-flow or flood conditions, are published in the annual data reports entitled "Water Resources Data North Carolina Water Year 19__", which are published in two volumes (Volume 1.--Surface-Water Records and Volume 2.--Ground-Water Records). If you would like more information, call or write the District Information Officer:


          U.S. Geological Survey, WRD
          3916 Sunset Ridge Road
          Raleigh, NC 27607
          (Tel: 919-571-4000)
          (Fax: 919-571-4041)


2. River stage forecasts

River stage forecasts for North Carolina are available from NOAA. For the Southeastern United States, forecasts are available via the NOAA Southeast River Forecast Center offices in Atlanta, GA.


3. Flood plains and flood plain maps

For local flood plain information, contact the National Flood Insurance Program, North Carolina Division of Emergency Management at (919) 715-8000, extension 282. The NC Division of Emergency Management keeps reference copies of the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood-frequency maps.

To obtain FEMA hardcopy map products call 1-800-358-9616, visit the Map Service Center, or contact:

Map Service Center
P.O. Box 1038
Jessup, Maryland 20794-1038
Tel: (800) 358-9616
Fax: (800) 358-9620
To contact FEMA, call 1-800-427-4661 or call the Region IV FEMA Mitigation Section at (770) 220-5400.


4. Public Water Supply and water-quality standards

North Carolina water-quality standards for streams are published in the North Carolina Code, T15A: 002B.0200, Classifications and Water Quality Standards Applicable to Surface Waters of North Carolina(requires Adobe Acrobat to view) . Additional information can be found through the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. If you are interested, you might also consider adopting a waterway through NC Stream Watch.
 
For general information on drinking water health issues, call the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
 
North Carolina regulations for the public water supply can be found through the State Division of Environmental Health, Public Water Supply. If you have specific concerns, you may call them at (919) 733-2321 and assisst you in having your water supply tested (for a fee). To have water from a private water supply tested, contact the Environmental Health Offices in your county. Their fees may vary from county to county. An alternative plan would be to contact local laboratories to arrange for water testing.


5. Ordering USGS publications

To find publications, you can search the North Carolina Online Bibliography or the USGS Online Bibliography.
 
For information on obtaining publications please refer to Ordering and Availability.


6. North Carolina geologic maps

7.5-minute topographic maps and the state index maps may be ordered online through the USGS Store. Maps may also be purchased from local business partners or ordered from: 

          USGS Information Services
          Box 25286
          Denver Federal Center
          Denver, CO 80225
          (Tel: 888-ASK-USGS or 303-202-4700)
          (FAX 303-202-4693)

The North Carolina Geological Survey sells USGS and non-USGS maps. You can get more information through their North Carolina Maps page and order products from: 

          NC Geological Survey
          Division of Land Resources
          1612 Mail Service Center
          Raleigh, NC 27699-1612
          ATTN: Sales Office
          (Telephone: (919) 715-9718)
          (Facsimile: (919) 733-0900)
          E-mail: Paula.Maynor@ncmail.net


7. Other USGS map products

Search USGS Global Land Information System (GLIS), call 1-888-ASK-USGS, or contact: 

          Customer Services
          USGS
          EROS Data Center
          Sioux Falls, SD 57198
          (Tel: 605-594-6151)


8. Map Information

The Topographic Mapping page answers many general questions about various USGS maps. Map Projection Publications lists publications that deal specifically with map projections. Specific information about many USGS map products, including geologic maps, is at USGS Maps.


9. Earthquakes

Historical data on major earthquakes in the U.S. (including North Carolina) 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)
          http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/
General historical information is available from North Carolina Seismicity.


10. Climate

Extensive climate data is available from the National Climatic Data Center. 

          National Climatic Data Center
          Room 120
          151 Patton Avenue
          Asheville, NC 28801-5001
          (Tel: 828-271-4800)
          (Fax: 828-271-4876)


11. Soils

Information about the Soil Survey program of North Carolina, including a list of published soil surveys, is available from the Natural Resource Conservation Service.


12. Wetlands

For North Carolina-specific information or regulations regarding wetlands, you can contact:

The USF&W National Wetlands Inventory page has extensive information about wetlands in addition to their National Wetland Inventory maps. You can order hard copies of the NWI maps from thier page or use their Wetlands Interactive Mapper to make and print custom wetlands maps.

Other national resources for wetlands information (some with North Carolina specific programs) include:


13. Tides and charts

CO-OPS, The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, provides both predictions (through Water Leval Tidal Predictions) and current data (through Tides Online). Further information about tide data from the National Ocean Service is avaible through their Tides and Currents page and their Tides and Water Levels tutorial.

Nautical charts are available from the Office of Coast Survey and NOS MapFinder. Further information about charting and navigation from the National Ocean Service is availble through their Shoreline Mapping and Marine Navigation pages.

Information about the North Carolina coastal areas is available from the Division of Coastal Management.

14. Benchmarks

Benchmark elevations are available through both the National Geodetic Survey and the North Carolina Geodetic Survey.

National Geodetic Survey - Datasheets
North Carolina Geodetic Survey - Station Search

If you have recovered a benchmark or may disturb a benchmark, you need to contact the North Carolina Geodetic Survey at (919) 733-3836 or Gary.Thompson@ncmail.net. You may also fill out their Station Recovery Form.

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Last update: Thursday, May 20 2004, 09:56:20 AM