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Geology topics

J. O. Helgesen

Publications and source records attributed to J. O. Helgesen.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1997

Geohydrology and simulation of steady-state flow conditions in regional aquifer systems in Cretaceous and older rocks underlying Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming

Three regional aquifers systems are the basis for describing the geohydrology of bedrock aquifers in the central United States. The Great Plains aquifer system, composed of Lower Cretaceous sandstone, generally contains brackish water (1,000 to 10,000 milligrams per liter dissolved solids); the Western Interior Plains aquifer system of lower Paleozoic rocks contains saline water and is laterally adjacent to the freshwater-bearing Ozark Plateaus aquifer system composed of rocks of the same age.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1996

Analysis of regional aquifers in the central Midwest of the United States in Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming: Summary

Large quantities of ground water are available for use from three regional aquifer systems in the central Midwest of the United States. Parts of the lowermost aquifer contain nearly immobile brine and may be hydrologically suitable for material storage or waste disposal. Results of numerical modeling and geochemical analyses confirm general concepts of ground-water flow in the regional aquifer systems.

Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ne↗
USGS1977

Geology and water-supply potential of the Anoka Sand Plain aquifer, Minnesota

Intensified land development on the Anoka sand plain necessitates a better understanding of the hydrogeology of the surficial outwash deposits of the area. The Anoka sand-plain aquifer consists of outwash attributable to two different ice lobes. Predominant grain size of the upper outwash decreases and sorting coefficient increases from west to east. Till or lake deposits underlie most of the surficial outwash. In some areas, these deposits are absent and the aquifer is directly underlain by bedrock, mainly sandstone. Preliminary study indicates that parts of the aquifer may yield several hundred to more than 1,000 gallons of water per minute to properly developed large-diameter wells. Storage in the aquifer is estimated to be 2,000 billion gallons and annual withdrawals approaching 250 billion gallons may be sustained. More detailed analysis is essential for proper management and optimum use of the resource.

Minnesota↗
USGS1974

Water resources of the Snake River watershed, east-central Minnesota

Glacial drift overlies sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks in the Snake River watershed. The Snake River, which drains an area of about 1,030 square miles, originates in an extensive area of peat bogs in the northern part of the watershed. It flows southward across gently rolling glacial terrain in which the major relief is near the river. Near the southern boundary of the watershed, the Snake River turns eastward to its confluence with the St. Croix River. The northwest half of the watershed is heavily forested, whereas much of the southeast half has been cleared. The largest communities in the watershed, Mora and Pine City, had 1970 populations of 2,582 and 2,143, respectively.

Minnesota↗
USGS1974

Water resources of the lower St. Croix river watershed, east-central Minnesota

The lower St. Croix River watershed is an elongate area of about 930 square miles bounded on the east by the St. Croix River. The St. Croix River forms the Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary along the eastern side of the watershed. Additional drainage to the St. Croix River includes areas of about 2,500 square miles upstream in Minnesota and about 4,340 square miles in Wisconsin. At the southern tip of the watershed, the St. Croix joins the Mississippi River. Because part of the St. Croix River is deeply entrenched, topography in the watershed ranges from relatively rugged in highly dissected areas near the river to nearly flat in the west-central area. In the southern third of the watershed and along the St. Croix River, many outcrops of Ordovician, Cambrian, and Precambrian bedrock occur. The remainder of the watershed is covered by glacial deposits whose maximum thickness is about 400 feet. Much of the original forest cover, primarily hardwoods, has been removed; the largest concentrations remaining are long the St. Croix River and in the west-central area. The proximity of the watershed to the expanding Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area emphasizes the importance of defining water resources essential for future growth.

Minnesota↗
USGS1972

Water resources of the Crow Wing River watershed, central Minnesota

The Crow Wing River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, drains an area of about 3,760 square miles, essentially all of which is covered by glacial deposits. Topography of most of the watershed is slightly- to moderately-undulating and has local relief of up to about 50 feet. The margin of the watershed, particularly the southwestern and northwestern parts, is higher and has local relief often exceeding 150 feet. The higher areas contain numerous lakes and, in the extreme north and east parts of the watershed, are heavily forested.

Minnesota↗