Generalized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States

Abstract

For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit https://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS.For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit https://store.usgs.gov.Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation:Reeves, H.W., Bayless, E.R., Dudley, R.W., Feinstein, D.T., Fienen, M.N., Hoard, C.J., Hodgkins, G.A., Qi, S.L., Roth, J.L., and Trost, J.J., 2017, Generalized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017-5015, 49 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175015. AbstractThe glacial aquifer system groundwater availability study seeks to quantify (1) the status of groundwater resources in the glacial aquifer system, (2) how these resources have changed over time, and (3) likely system response to future changes in anthropogenic and environmental conditions. The glacial aquifer system extends from Maine to Alaska, although the focus of this report is the part of the system in the conterminous United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The glacial sand and gravel principal aquifer is the largest source of public and self-supplied industrial supply for any principal aquifer and also is an important source for irrigation supply. Despite its importance for water supply, water levels in the glacial aquifer system are generally stable varying with climate and only locally from pumping. The hydrogeologic framework developed for this study includes the information from waterwell records and classification of material types from surficial geologic maps into likely aquifers dominated by sand and gravel deposits. Generalized groundwater budgets across the study area highlight the variation in recharge and discharge primarily driven by climate.

Water Well Record Databases and Their Uses

“…Well record databases are also used for a wide variety of scientific purposes by professional geoscientists and researchers. These databases serve as a critical tool for hydrogeologists to develop a three-dimensional understanding of the hydrogeologic system for studies of aquifer vulnerability (e.g., Stempvoort et al, 1992), aquifer mapping (e.g., Reeves et al, 2017) or groundwater flow modeling (e.g., Camp and Brown, 1993).…”

Hydrogeology and groundwater geochemistry of two glacigenic aquitard/aquifer systems in north-central and south-central Minnesota

“…Buried sand and gravel aquifers of glacial origin are one of those aquifers (Adolphson et al 1981). Many of these sand and gravel aquifers are part of the larger glacial aquifer system (as defined by the USGS) deposited during the Quaternary period in North America (Reeves et al 2017). The glacial aquifer system spans from west to east from Washington to Maine, and from north to south from Alaska to almost the southern tip of Illinois (Warner and Ayotte 2014).…”