Geology topics

M.L. Strobel

Publications and source records attributed to M.L. Strobel.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1998

Hydrogeologic and water-quality data, Lower Sioux Indian Community, southwestern Minnesota, 1995-97

This report presents hydrogeologic and water-quality data for the Lower Sioux Indian Community during 1995-97, collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Lower Sioux Indian Community. The data collected include: (1) water levels, temperature, and dissolved oxygen of Larson Lake, including a vertical profile of temperature and dissolved oxygen near the center of the lake; (2) lake depths of Larson Lake; (3) water level in the Columbus wetland; (4) geologic logs at 13 sites; (5) texture analysis of selected samples from auger cuttings at 5 sites; (6) water levels in 13 observation wells; (7) specific conductance, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and hardness in 15 ground-water sites and 6 surface-water sites; (8) major and minor ions, and trace-metal concentrations of water at 15 ground-water sites and 5 surface-water sites; (9) fecal coliform and fecal streptococcal bacteria colony counts in water at 6 ground-water sites; (10) nutrient concentrations of water at 13 ground-water sites and 4 surface-water sites; and (11) pesticides in water at 4 ground-water sites and 1 surface-water site.

Minnesota↗

USGS1997

Effects of the 1993 flood on water levels and water quality in the Sheyenne Delta Aquifer, southeastern North Dakota, 1993-94

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of precipitation and flooding on water levels in the Sheyenne Delta aquifer and to evaluate the variations in water quality that are related to the precipitation and flooding. Water-level, streamflow, and water-quality data collected before July 1993 were assumed to be representative of pre-flood conditions, and data collected from July 1993 through May 1994 were used to evaluate the ground-water response. Water levels in 49 wells were measured every 3 weeks, when possible, between November 1993 and May 1994. Water samples were collected from 16 of the wells during November 1993 and March, April, and May 1994 and analyzed for major ions, nutrients, selected trace elements, and pesticides. The water-level and water-quality data collected during the study, along with similar data collected during previous investigations and during the National Water-Quality Assessment study, provided the basis for describing the general characteristics of the hydrology and water quality of the Sheyenne Delta aquifer. Generally, precipitation and flooding affect water levels in the aquifer. The largest water-level rise occurs in low-relief areas, and water subsequently moves down-gradient toward the river. Topography strongly affects the focus of recharge in the aquifer. During high stage in the river, ground-water flow gradients near the river can reverse, and water flows from the river into the aquifer. Water in the Sheyenne Delta aquifer before and after the 1993 flood generally was a calcium bicarbonate type. Little variation exists between pre-flood and post-flood water-quality conditions in the aquifer. Water quality in the aquifer is affected mainly by precipitation, evapotranspiration, inflow from adjacent ground water, and inflow from the Sheyenne River.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1997

Hydrogeology and water quality of the Shell Valley Aquifer, Rolette County, North Dakota

The Shell Valley aquifer is the sole source of water for the city of Belcourt and the primary source of water for most of the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians is concerned about the quantity and quality of water in the Shell Valley aquifer, which underlies about 56 square miles in central Rolette County and has an average saturated thickness of about 35 feet. Water levels across most of the Shell Valley aquifer fluctuate with variations in precipitation but generally are stable. Withdrawals from the north well field decreased slightly during 1976-95, but withdrawals from the south well field increased during 1983-95. Water levels in the south well field declined as withdrawals increased. The average decline during the last 8 years was about 1.75 feet per year. The water level has reached the well screen in at least one of the production wells. Most of the water in the aquifer is a bicarbonate type and has dissolved-solids concentrations ranging from 479 to 1,510 milligrams per liter. None of the samples analyzed had detectable concentrations of pesticides, but hydrocarbons were detected in both ground- and surfacewater samples. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were the most frequently detected hydrocarbons. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) also were detected. Generally, the Shell Valley aquifer is an adequate source of water for current needs, but evaluation of withdrawals in relation to a knowledge of aquifer hydrology would be important in quantifying sustainable water supplies. Water quality in the aquifer generally is good; the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians filters the water to reduce concentrations of dissolved constituents. Hydrocarbons, although present in the aquifer, have not been quantified and may not pose a general health risk. Further analysis of the quantity and distribution of the hydrocarbons would be useful to understand their sources and implications for water use.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1996

Analysis of hydrogeologic properties in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, southeastern Minnesota

The Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer is a major source of water for many communities in southeastern Minnesota. The water-supply well for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community derives water from the Jordan part of the aquifer. An aquifer test in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer in the area of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community was completed in November 1995. The test consisted of pumping water from a public works well open to the Jordan part of the aquifer and measuring drawdown in this well and two observation wells. This was followed by measuring recovery in the wells after the pumping was terminated. The Neuman (1974) method for unconfined aquifers was used to analyze data collected from the two observation wells during the drawdown and recovery periods, resulting in a range of estimated aquifer hydraulic properties. Aquifer transmissivity ranged from 4,710 to 7,660 ft 2 /d and aquifer storativity ranged from 8.24 x 10 -5 to 1.60 x 10 -4 . These values are generally in close agreement for all four sets of data, given the limitations of the test, indicating that the test results are accurate and representative of the aquifer hydrogeologic properties. The lack of late-time data made it impossible to accurately assess aquifer specific yield.

Minnesota↗

USGS1995

Salinity in surface water in the Red River of the North basin, northeastern North Dakota

Saline ground-water discharge from bedrock aquifers collects in wetlands that drain into tributaries of the Red River of the North (Red River). The Turtle, Forest, and Park Rivers are the major contributors of salinity to the Red River. These three rivers drain areas of wetlands affected by ground-water discharge from bedrock and by direct evapotranspiration. This report describes the effect of tributaries in northeastern North Dakota on the quality of water in the Red River and examines the possible processes that affect salinity in tributaries and wetlands in the area. Streamflow and specific-conductance measurements were made at the mouths of the three tributaries and at streamflow-gaging stations on the Red River at Grand Forks and at Drayton during the fall and winter of 1992-93. During this low-flow period, the three tributaries accounted for about 1.2 percent of the total Streamflow in the Red River at Drayton, yet contributed an average of 17 percent (at times up to 43 percent) of the dissolved-solids load. Long-term Streamflow records at Grand Forks and at Drayton show that less than 15 percent of the annual Streamflow in the Red River at Drayton occurs during November through February. However, long-term specific-conductance measurements show an increase in dissolved-solids concentrations during this period. In addition, records indicate that there is an average increase in dissolved-solids load in the Red River between Grand Forks and Drayton of 35 percent during November through February. This increase is attributed to inflow from the Turtle, Forest, and Park Rivers. The salinity in the Turtle, Forest, and Park Rivers may be attributed to natural ground-water discharge and flowing wells, leaching of surface sediments, and contributions from wetlands that have large dissolved-solids concentrations because of evapotranspiration.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1993

Hydraulic properties of three types of glacial deposits in Ohio

The effects of thickness, grain size, fractures, weathering, and atmosphericconditions on vertical ground-water flow in glacial deposits were studied at three sites that represent ground moraine, end moraine, and lacustrine depositional environments. Vertical hydraulic conductivities computed from pumped-well tests were 3.24 x 10-1 to 6.47 x 10-1 ft/d (feet per day) at the site representing end moraine and 1.17 ft/d at the site representing lacustrine deposits. Analysis of test data for the ground moraine site did not yield estimates of hydraulic conductivities, but did indicate that ground water flows through the total thickness of deposits in response to discharge from a lower gravel unit. Vertical hydraulic conductivities computed from pumped-well tests of nested wells and data from drill-core analyses indicate that fractures affect the migration of ground water downward through the glacial deposits at these sites. Flow through glacial deposits is complex; it is controlled by fractures, gram-size distribution, clay content, thickness, and degree of weathering, and atmospheric conditions.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1991

Areal extent, hydrogeologic characteristics, and possible origins of the carbonate rock Newburg Zone (Middle-Upper Silurian) in Ohio

The zone occurs in carbonate rocks of Middle to Late Silurian age across much of Ohio. Known also to well drillers as the "Second Water' in the "Big Lime' carbonate sequence, the Newburg zone is a source of hydrocarbons in northeast Ohio, brines in southeast Ohio, and a widespread source of water over much of west-central Ohio. Close to recharge areas, the quality of the water is comparable to that of the overlying carbonate rocks; thus, the Newburg zone warrants further investigation as a source of water for domestic use. Theories for the porosity and permeabilty of the Newburg zone include: 1) deposition of carbonate or quartz sand along an erosional surface and later lithified to porous and permeable sandstone; 2) dissolution of fossils within Silurian reef complexes; 3) fracture-induced porosity along thrust faults developed during the Alleghenian orogeny; and 4) a combination of these processes. -from Authors

Ohio Journal of Science↗