Geology topics

Henry G. Healy

Publications and source records attributed to Henry G. Healy.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1984

Occurrence of beds of low hydraulic conductivity in surficial deposits of Florida

The disposal of municipal and industrial wastes on or at shallow depths below land surface can result in contamination of ground water--the source of drinking water for more than 90 percent of Florida 's residents. This threat to public health has resulted in new State groundwater regulations. Knowledge of the ability of surficial deposits to retard movement of contaminants is important to the implementation of these regulations. This map report shows areas where beds of at least 10 feet thickness with a hydraulic conductivity (saturation) of less than 0.1 foot per day occur within 50 feet below land surface, based mainly on interpretations of lithology. The map is intended as a guide for making preliminary assessments and should not be considered definitive of permeability beneath a specific site. Available determinations of hydraulic conductivities of surficial deposits in Florida are shown in table format. (USGS)

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USGS1980

Water levels in artesian and nonartesian aquifers of Florida, 1977-78

During 1977 and 1978, water levels in the Floridan aquifer throughout most of north and central peninsular Florida rose 1 to 3 feet, based on water levels measured in 380 wells selected from a network of about 5,000 observation wells for which measurements are in the files of the U.S. Geological Survey. Hydrographs of 51 wells are presented which show long-term trends of ground-water levels in selected areas of Florida. In west-central Polk County, an area of notable pumping, levels in the Floridan and other aquifers rose in response to decreased pumping of ground water for industrial use. In north Florida, levels rose from 1 to about 4 feet in Suwannee and Hamilton Counties. In northwest Florida, levels in the sand-and-gravel aquifer rose from less than 1 foot to 5 feet. Most widespread declines in ground-water levels in northwest Florida occurred in the Tallahassee area where levels declined from 1 to nearly 5 feet.

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USGS1980

Estimated water use in Florida, 1977

During 1977, an average of 21,466 million gallons of water was withdrawn daily for use in Florida--an increase of 6,153 million gallons per day since 1970. The 1977 daily use was 14,812 million gallons of saline water and 6,654 million gallons of freshwater. Most of the saline water, largely surface water, was pumped from tidal estuaries. Only 107.6 million gallons per day of saline water--less than 1 percent--was obtained from wells. Thermoelectric power generation used virtually all the saline water, 14,738 million gallons per day, whereas all other industrial uses were only 73 million gallons of saline water per day. The freshwater supply was almost equally divided between ground water (53 percent) and surface water (47 percent). Of the total freshwater used, 43 percent was for irrigation--an average of 2,873 million gallons of freshwater daily on the average. The remaining daily use of freshwater was 21 percent for thermoelectric power generation, 19 percent for public supply; 14 percent for industrial use other than thermoelectric power generation; and 3 percent for domestic and rural use. Irrigation was also responsible for the greatest consumption during 1977, with 1,255 million gallons consumed daily which also includes 192 million gallons per day conveyance loss. (Kosco-USGS)

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USGS1978

Water levels in artesian and nonartesian aquifers of Florida, 1975-76

From May 1975 through May 1976, water levels in the Floridan aquifer through most of north and central peninsular Florida declined 2 to 4 feet, on the basis of water-level measurements in 664 wells. These 664 were selected from a network of about 2,100 observation wells for which water-level measurements are in the files of the Geological Survey. Hydrographs of 60 wells show that the downward trends of groundwater levels continued in areas of heavy pumping and in some areas not affected by pumping. In west-central Polk County, the most notable area of pumping, levels in the Floridan and other aquifers declined to new record lows in 1975 but recovered 3 to 6 feet in 1976. In north Florida where fluctuations of ground-water levels are primarily influenced by changes in stage of the Suwannee River, levels declined 18 and 23 feet in Suwannee and Hamilton Counties. In northwest Florida, declines in level in the sand-and-gravel aquifer ranged from less than 1 foot to 2 feet. In Nassau County, in Northern Brevard County, and at Stuart in Martin County--in the northeastern, eastern, and southwestern coastal parts of the State--levels declined to new record lows also.

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USGS1978

Chemical and physical quality of selected public water supplies in Florida, August-September 1976

Results of a 1976 water-quality reconnaissance made by the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that, with few exceptions, all public water supplies in Florida are of high quality and meet the standards set forth in the National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Occasionally the concentrations of fluoride, turbidity, cadmium, chromium, and lead approximated, equaled, or exceeded maximum contaminant levels with exceedences occurring very infrequently. The pesticides 2,4-D and silvex, were detected in some public supplies throughout the State mainly in surface water. Although pesticides were not detected in concentrations approaching the maximum levels established in the regulations, their presence does signal that the activities of man are beginning to affect some water resources. (Woodard-USGS)

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USGS1978

Appraisal of uncontrolled flowing artesian wells in Florida

An estimated 15,000 uncontrolled flowing wells, many discharging water of poor quality are wastefully discharging about 790 million gallons per day by surface and internal flow. Internal flow in principal problem areas have been identified in Brevard, Charlotte, Clay, De Soto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Nassau, and Sarasota Counties. In many areas, uncontrolled discharge over the years has caused a decline in the potentiometric surface locally and regionally, and a deterioration of the potable water aquifers. Programs for control of flowing wells are being carried on by State, county, municipal, or Federal agencies in 21 countries. (Woodard-USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1976

Water levels in artesian and nonartesian aquifers of Florida, 1973-74

Based on measurements of water level in 675 wells selected from a network of about 1,300 observation wells, ground-water levels during May 1973 - May 1974 declined from 2 to 4 feet in the Floridan aquifer through most of north and central peninsular Florida. Hydrographs of 55 wells show the downward trends of ground-water levels continued in several areas of heavy pumping, the most notable area being in west-central Polk County where declines ranged from 18 to nearly 28 feet. In northwest Florida, declines ranged from less than 1 foot to 2 feet in the sand-and-gravel aquifer. In the southeastern coastal part of the State, levels rose 1 to 2 feet. (Woodard-USGS)

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