Geology Reports⌕ Search

Geology topics

Arnold J. Boettcher

Publications and source records attributed to Arnold J. Boettcher.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1981

Changes in quality of ground water in the Lincoln area, Montana, 1974-79

Water samples from representative shallow wells in the vicinity of Lincoln, Montana, were collected during March and June 1979 for analysis to evaluate changes in quality since 1974-75 and possible contamination by domestic or agricultural waste. All samples were suitable for drinking water with respect to the constituents tested. Tests for fecal coliform bacteria were negative. The concentrations of dissolved solids, composed mainly of calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and sulfate, were less than 300 milligrams per liter. Concentrations of sodium, potassium, and chloride were 3.5 milligrams per liter or less. From March to June, the maximum concentration of nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen decreased from 0.57 to 0.29 milligram per liter and the mean concentrations decreased from 0.16 to 0.11 milligram per liter, probably as a result of dilution of ground water by snowmelt. The concentrations in samples from the same wells generally were less during 1979 than during 1974-75. Isolation of sewage effluent in shallow zones by hardpan, consumption of nutrients by abundant phreatophytes, filtration of bacteria by the soil or aquifer, and dilution by underflow and recharge evidently combine to maintain the quality of the well waters within acceptable limits.

Montana↗
USGS1977

Ground-water resources in the Libby area, northwestern Montana

Glacial deposits and alluvium form the major aquifer in the Libby area. The glacial deposits are composed of Precambrian rocks that were broken and crushed, and then deposited as till by moving ice. The alluvium is composed of reworked glacial deposits that have been deposited by water, thereby sorting and increasing the permeability of the deposits. Ground water is generally available for domestic use throughout the Libby area. Wells tapping the glacial deposits commonly yield less than 30 gallons per minute. Wells tapping the alluvium often yield more than 500 gallons per minute; however, yields of less than 100 gallons per minute are more common. Water levels in wells tapping the glacial deposits and the alluvium along the Kootenai River and Libby Creek valleys respond rapidly to changes in stream stages. During the January 1974 flood, the water level in a well west of Libby rose 4 feet in 3 days. The chemical quality of the ground water is satisfactory for drinking. Dissolved-solids concentration of the water ranges from 32 to 370 milligrams per liter; the major constituents are calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. Areas where the nitrate (as N 3 O) concentration in ground water equals or exceeds 1.5 milligrams per liter are considered to be affected by septic-tank effluent.

Montana↗
USGS1973

Evaluation of the ground-water supply at eight sites in Glacier National Park, northwestern Montana

Seven of eight test holes drilled in Glacier National Park derive water from the Quaternary alluvial or glacial deposits. The eighth test hole was dry. Aquifer tests indicated that production wells at the seven sites will yield enough water for domestic or campground uses. Estimated maximum pumping rates range from 4 to 50 gallons per minute (0.2 or 3.2 liters per second). The water is of excellent chemical quality and generally the major dissolved constituents are calcium and bicarbonate.

Montana↗
USGS1966

Ground-water development in the high plains of Colorado, with a section on chemical quality of the ground water

The High Plains of Colorado includes all or part of 11 counties and has an area of about 9,500 square miles. The land surface slopes eastward and in most areas is gently rolling owing to erosion by ephemeral streams. The Ogallala Formation, of Pliocene age, is the principal aquifer. In pierces it is overlain by dune sand, alluvium, or loess. The Ogallala is semiconsolidated and consists of sand, gravel, silt, clay, and caliche. The Ogallala Formation is recharged by precipitation at a rate of about 0.85 inch per year. The water table slopes generally eastward. The major use of ground water is for irrigation. About 72,500 acre-feet of water was pumped from 428 wells to irrigate about 56,600 acres in 1962. Estimates of consumptive use made by the Blaney-Criddle method show that the optimum amount of water is being used to irrigate parts of the High Plains. At the end of the 1963 irrigation season, 525 irrigation wells each pumped more than 300 gallons per minute. Water levels decline as much as 10 feet in some places during the irrigation season but return almost to normal at the completion of pumping. By prorating transmissibility on the basis of lithologic descriptions from well logs, the average permeability of the Ogallala Formation in various places can be estimated. Most water from the Ogallala Formation in the High Plains is a calcium bicarbonate solution having a dissolved-solids content ranging from 100 to 600 parts per million. The water is generally hard; its calcium carbonate hardness ranges from 100 to 350 parts per million. Except for some ground water in the area south of the Cheyenne-Kiowa County line, the ground water analyzed was suitable for all uses.

Colorado↗