USGS-South Carolina District FAQ Answers

USGS Water Resources of South Carolina

V. USGS Activities South Carolina and USGS Publications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Answers
I. Water Information
1.	How can I obtain streamflow and ground-water level data? Much of the historical data and current data for many stations in South Carolina can be accessed on the South Carolina District Public Home Page at http://sc.water.usgs.gov/. Links are provided for stations nationwide. If you do not have access to the World Wide Web, call or write the District Water Data Specialist: U.S. Geological Survey, WRD 720 Gracern Road, Suite 129 Columbia, SC 29210-7651 (Tel: 803-750-6100) (Fax: 803-750-6181) Return to FAQ
2.	How do I get low-flow and flood frequency statistics? Low-flow statistics are available online at the Drought Information Center Limited statistics are published in the annual data reports titled Water Resources Data - South Carolina Water Year 1999, 200x Additional information on hydrologic conditions in South Carolina may be found at Duration Graphs - 5 year Comparisons Streamflow Compared to Historical Streamflow Return to FAQ
3.	Where can I get precipitation data? Contact NOAA at: National Climatic Data Center Room 120 151 Patton Avenue Ashville, NC 28801-5001 Telephone: 704-271-4800) Fax: 704-271-4876) South Carolina Monthly precipitation data chart (to 1998) is available on the Web. NOTE: 1998 and later precipitation data are provided through NCDC's Climatic Data Online (CDO) system, which also has the full period of record for these data. -- look for monthly surface data. Return to FAQ
4.	Where can I get river stage forecasts? River stage forecasts for South Carolina are available from NOAA at the Southeast River Forecast Center Flood and Weather forecasts for the Midlands of South Carolina and Central Savannah River, NWS Columbia, SC, are made by the: National Weather Service, Columbia, SC National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, NOAA 2909 Aviation Way West Columbia, SC 29170-2102 Telephone: (803) 765-5501 Fax: (803) 822-8188 Flood and Weather forecasts for the Lower Coastal South Carolina, NWS Forecast Office, Charleston, SC, are made by the: National Weather Service Forecast Office, Charleston, SC National Weather Service 5777 South Aviation Avenue Charleston, SC 29406 Telephone: (843) 744-0303 Fax: (843)747-5405 Flood and Weather forecasts for the UpState South Carolina, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, are made by the: National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg, SC National Weather Service GSP International Airport 1549 GSP Drive Greer, SC 29651-9209 Telephone: (864) 848-3859 Fax: (864)848-9970 Flood and Weather forecasts for the Eastern and Coastal South Carolina (including South Santee River), NWS Wilmington, NC, are made by the: National Weather Service, Wilmington, NC National Weather Service 2015 Gardner Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 Telephone: (910) 762-4289 Return to FAQ
5.	How do I get information on wetlands? Information on Wetlands is available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at http://wetlands.fws.gov/ 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/ For hard copies of National Wetlands Inventory Maps contact: USGS/ESIC National Headquarters 507 National Center Reston, Virginia 22092 Telephone: (703) 648-6045 FAX: (703) 648-5548 TTD: (703) 648-4119 ASK-USGS 1-888-275-8747 1-888-ASK-USGS E-mail ASK-USGS or visit http://ask.usgs.gov 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/state_distribution_centers.htm State Distribution Center For South Carolina Wetlands Inventory Maps: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Map and Information Center 2221 Devine St. Suite 222 Columbia, SC 29205 Telephone: (803) 734-9108 Fax: (803) 734-6633 or contact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at its appropriate District Office: Charleston District - Tel: 843-329-8044 - Fax: 843-329-2332 ( http://www.sac.usace.army.mil/permits/index.html) Carolina Regulatory Places and Maps (http://www.sac.usace.army.mil/permits/places.html Return to FAQ
6.	Where can I get information on tides and charts? South Carolina Tides-on-line 4day Graph South Carolina Tidal Charts Charleston, South Carolina Tide Tables Nautical Charts may be ordered from: South Carolina Nautical Charts Locations Contact NOAA as follows: 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) 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 Return to FAQ
7.	How can I get information on flood plains? Federal Emergency Management Agency SC Flood Mitigation Programs and Map Information Services Call 1-877-FEMA-MAP or Map Service Center To order flood plain maps and studies, visit http://www.fema.gov/nfip/fmapinfo.htm. 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/. Return to FAQ
II. Water Quality and Health Issues
8.	Where can I get the water from my local well tested? 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 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Protection are listed at Regional Offices and Labs or Contact SC Department of Health & Environmental Control P.O. Box 72 State Park, SC 29147 Telephone: (803) 896-0970 Additional Information on well water testing may be found in the Residential Well Program. Return to FAQ
9.	Where can I get information on the health effects of radon and other substances in water? 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 South Carolina Department of Environmental Protection, Radon Division at 800-23RADON, or visit web page at EPA Ground Water and Drinking Water . Return to FAQ
10.	Where can I find water-quality standards that apply to streams in South Carolina? South Carolina water-quality standards are published in the Code of Laws for South Carolina, 1976 Title 44, Chapter 55. Information on water-quality assessment Water-quality Standards Water-quality Laws Return to FAQ
11.	Where can I find standards for drinking water in South Carolina? Drinking-water standards Safe Drinking Water Return to FAQ
12.	Where can I find consumption advisories that are in effect for fish in South Carolina? Look at DHEC Fish Consumption Advisories. Return to FAQ
III. Mapping and Related Topics
13.	How do I obtain a USGS topographic map? First identify the quadrangles you need from the state index, which can be obtained from the USGS by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS or visit the web at http://ask.usgs.gov or from the SC Department of Natural Resources by calling (803) 734-9108. Index maps for South Carolina and surrounding states are also available in local USGS offices for viewing only. Online USGS facilities to assist in finding and ordering maps are available at Map Finder South Carolina quads are available online through Department of Natural Resources Maps may be purchased locally from commercial dealers (see your yellow pages or South Carolina Dealers ). For more information or ordering assistance, contact USGS Information Services Box 25286 Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 (Tel: 1-888-ASK-USGS or 303-202-4700) (Web: http://ask.usgs.gov) (FAX 303-202-4693) Return to FAQ
14.	How do I obtain satellite images? Contact Customer Services: USGS EROS Data Center Sioux Falls, SD 57198 Telephone: (605) 594-6151 Or see the EROS Data Center's web page at http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/eros-home.html. Return to FAQ
15.	How do I obtain an aerial photograph? Visit the web at: http://ask.usgs.gov Call 1-888-ASK-USGS or contact EROS Data Center (see answer 14) Or see the EROS Data Center's web page at http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/eros-home.html. Return to FAQ
16.	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 (Contact: USGS Information Services to order this book) Also see USGS Maps National Atlas Return to FAQ
17.	Where can I get information on benchmarks? South Carolina Tidal Benchmark Locations USGS survey benchmark data is not yet complete 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 to report that a USGS Benchmark has been or is about to be destroyed call (573) 308-3808. 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 Telephone: (301) 713-3242 Fax: (301) 713-4172 (http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/ - Click on products and services) Return to FAQ
18.	Where can I get information on datums and coordinate conversions? 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://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/drg/datum_shifts.pdf http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/datum/datum_f.html http://164.214.2.59/GandG/geolay/TR80003A.HTM http://users.netonecom.net/~rburtch/geodesy/datums.html Return to FAQ
19.	Where can I get correction data for Global Positioning System (GPS) field files? The National Geodetic Service (NGS) has GPS correction data available at: http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/CORS Return to FAQ
IV. Geology and Related Topics
20.	How can I get information on earthquakes? Historical data on major earthquakes in the U.S. (including South Carolina) is published in Professional Paper 1527. For other earthquake information contact: USGS National Earthquake Information Center Box 25046, DFC, MS967 Denver, CO 80225 Telephone: (303) 273-8500 Fax: (303) 273-8450 More information is available at http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/. General historical information is available on South Carolina Seismicity Return to FAQ
21.	Where can I get data on soils? 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 Telephone: 717-237-2200 A list of published soil surveys is available from the National Soil Survey Center Return to FAQ
22.	Where can I get geologic maps? Generally, South Carolina Geological Survey Map is the best source for geological maps of South Carolina. This is out of print but available in many libraries and on the Web at South Carolina Geological Survey The South Carolina Geological Survey, 5 Geologic Road, Columbia, SC 29210-4089 Telephone: (803) 896-7708 Fax: (803) 896-7695 To order maps published by the USGS contact USGS Information Services National Geologic Map Database Return to FAQ
23.	Where can I get information on Mineral Resources? For Information on minerals visit The USGS Mineral Resources Program at http://minerals.usgs.gov Return to FAQ
24.	How do I obtain a USGS publication? A list of publications for South Carolina is available on the District Public Page - Publications. To obtain copies of South Carolina District publications How to Order For formal series publications such as Water Supply Paper, Professional Papers, and Bulletins contact USGS Information Services or Publications On-Line Search ). Return to FAQ
25.	How do I obtain information on projects and activities of the USGS in South Carolina? Programs of the USGS in South Carolina \| Activities of the USGS in South Carolina Return to FAQ
26.	How can I get information on job openings in the USGS? See the South Carolina District Public Home Page or go directly to USGS JOBS at http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/ Return to FAQ
27.	Where in South Carolina are USGS Water-Resources Discipline Offices located? The South Carolina District Office is located at: 720 Gracern Road, Suite 129 Columbia, SC 29210-7651 Telephone: (803) 750-6100 FAX: (803) 750-6181 Contacts in the South Carolina Office Directions to the USGS Office in South Carolina Field Offices are located at: Clemson Telephone: (864) 656-6777 Telephone: (864) 656-6778 FAX: (864) 656-6779 Conway Telephone: (843) 347-6748 FAX: (843) 347-6875 New Ellenton Telephone: (803) 652-3411 FAX: (803) 652-7133 Sullivan's Island Telephone: (843) 883-9104 FAX: (843) 883-9663 Return to FAQ

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Director, South Carolina Water Science Center
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USGS Water Resources of South Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Answers

I. Water Information

II. Water Quality and Health Issues

Where can I find consumption advisories that are in effect for fish in South Carolina?

III. Mapping and Related Topics

How do I get data on map projections and other data on how USGS maps are made?

IV. Geology and Related Topics

Where can I get information on Mineral Resources?

V. USGS Activities South Carolina and USGS Publications

How do I get data on map projections and other data on how
USGS maps are made?