Geology Reports⌕ Search

Geology topics

John G. Newton

Publications and source records attributed to John G. Newton.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1987

Development of sinkholes resulting from man's activities in the Eastern United States

Development of induced sinkholes in carbonate terranes in the Eastern United States has resulted in costly damage and water pollution. Previously, detailed investigations of sinkholes were limited to Alabama and Missouri, with the most comprehensive being in Alabama. An investigation of the remainder of the area was made in 1981 to regionalize previous findings. More than 850 sites of sinkhole development have been identified in 19 States. It is estimated that more than 6,500 sinkholes or related features have formed at these sites. Most have occurred since 1950. Based on information available, States most impacted are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The total cost of damage and associated protective measures resulting from induced sinkholes is unknown. Costs reported for a limited number of sites were about $170 million--expended almost entirely after 1970. About $140 million were expended at five dams in four States and to repair or protect highways in two States. Sinkholes are of two types, natural and induced {accelerated or caused by man}. The sudden development of both types results from the collapse of the roof of a cavity or cavern in rock, or from the downward migration of unconsolidated deposits into solutionally enlarged openings in the top of bedrock. The occurrence of sinkholes resulting from bedrock roof collapses, in comparison with the occurrence of sinkholes resulting from downward migration of unconsolidated deposits, is rare. Induced sinkholes are of two types: those resulting from a decline in water level due to ground-water withdrawals and those resulting from construction. Sinkholes resulting from water-level declines are caused by loss of buoyant support, increase in velocity of water movement, water-level fluctuations, and induced recharge. Most induced sinkholes resulting from construction are caused by the diversion or impoundment of surface drainage over unconsolidated deposits resting on openings in the top of bedrock. Collapse mechanisms include loading, saturation, and piping. Assessment of existing or potential sinkhole problems at a site requires recognition of features associated with sinkhole development and knowledge of triggering mechanisms that cause sinkholes. Natural sinkhole development is generally not predictable. Induced sinkhole development is predictable in some instances, but is predictable only in the sense that it will occur in a particular area. The most predictable development results from dewatering by wells, quarries, and mines. Alternatives that allow avoiding or minimizing sinkhole hazards are most numerous when a problem or potential problem is recognized during site evaluation. The number of alternatives declines after the beginning of site development. Where sinkhole development is predictable, zoning of land use can minimize hazards.

Circular↗
USGS1980

Hydrology of selected basins in the Warrior coal field, Alabama — A progress report

Hydrologic data are being collected in four basins in the Warrior coal field in Alabama to provide baseline information to aid in determining the effect mining will have on water resources. Basins monitored are in two different geologic and hydrologic environments. Two basins are underlain predominantly by relatively impermeable indurated rocks in the Pottsville Formation of Pennsylvanian age. The two remaining basins are underlain predominantly by unconsolidated permeable rocks in the Coker Formation of Late Cretaceous age. Well yields from the Pottsville Formation generally range from 0 to 0.3 liter per second, whereas well yields from the Coker Formation generally range form 0.3 to 6.4 liters per second. Streamflow distribution reflects seasonal precipitation. Storm runoff is characterized by sharply concentrated flows of short duration that rapidly recede to low-flow conditions. Streams draining basins underlain chiefly by the Pottsville Formation frequently go dry, whereas those draining basins underlain chiefly by the Coker Formation have well sustained low flows. Water in the Pottsville Formation is slightly acidic and moderately hard to very hard. Dissolved solids concentrations ranged from 176 to 268 milligrams per liter. Water in the Coker Formation is soft, far less mineralized, and more acidic than water in the Pottsville. Surface water is generally soft, acidic and low in dissolved solids concentrations. Water in streams draining basins underlain chiefly by the Pottsville Formation was slightly more mineralized and less acidic than water in streams draining the Coker Formation.

Alabama↗
USGS1979

Sample descriptions for test wells penetrating deep aquifers in Dallas and Sumpter counties, Alabama

Test wells in Dallas and Sumter counties, Alabama penetrated deep Cretaceous aquifers that are sources of future ground-water withdrawals. The test well in Dallas County was drilled to a depth of 1,460 feet, and the test well in Sumter County was drilled to a depth of 2,311 feet. The deep aquifers in Sumter County are in an area of future residential and industrial development along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Descriptions of drill cuttings are given in the report.

Alabama↗
USGS1979

Effect of Surface Coal Mining on the Hydrology of Crooked and Turkey Creek Basins, Jefferson County, Alabama

Streamflow, sediment yield, and water quality were monitored from October 1975 through May 1977 to determine the impact of surface coal mining on the hydrology of Crooked and Turkey Creek basins in Jefferson County, Alabama. The basins are in the northeast part of the Warrior coal field. Coal is and has been mined from the Blue Creek, Mary Lee, and and Newcastel coal beds in the Mary Lee group. Results show water-quality degradation, increased sediment yields, and increased low flow in most tributaries draining mined areas. The impact of mine drainage and sediment yield from mined subbasins on water in the main stem of Turkey Creek was small due to the alkalinity of the water in the creek and to dilution ratios that ranged from 1:30 to 1:300. Mine drainage has affected the quality of water in Crooked Creek. The dissolved solids concentration in water downstream from the mined areas was as much as 7 times greater than that in water in unmined parts of the basin. The sediment yield to Crooked Creek was lower in the mined area than in the unmined segment of the stream. The lower yield is due, in part, to the trapping of sediment in sediment ponds in the mines and in a swamp downstream from the mines. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1977

Water and related problems in coal-mine areas of Alabama

Water-resource problems or potential problems in Alabama resulting from surface and subsurface coal mining include erosion and sedimentation, flooding, diversion of drainage, decline in water level, land subsidence, and the degradation of water quality. The degradation of water quality is the most serious and widespread coal-mine related problem in Alabama. The chemical quality of water in numerous streams draining coal-mine areas has been altered drastically. The pH of water draining from mined areas commonly ranges from 2.1 to 5.0, generally has high sulfate and dissolved solids concentrations, is hard to very hard, and may contain objectionable amounts of iron. The detrimental quality of water in some streams may persist for decades after mining has ceased. Without proper safeguards, additional mining may cause a significant deterioration in the quality of water in major streams where the more mineralized mine waters are now diluted. (Woodard-USGS)

Alabama↗
USGS1975

Water availability of Washington County, Alabama

Large quantities of ground water and surface water are available in Washington County. Major sources of ground water are the Gosport Sand and Lisbon Formation undifferentiated, the Miocene Series undifferentiated, and alluvium and low terrace deposits. The Miocene, the most productive source of ground water, will yield 0.5 to 1.0 mgd (million gallons per day) per well and is a potential source of larger supplies in most of the county. The quantity of potable water available is governed largely by geologic structures. Average flows of the Tombigbee and Mobile Rivers in the southeast corner of the county are 18,200 and 39,400 mgd. Average runoff originating in the county is about 1,100 mgd or 1 mgd per square mile. Water in aquifers tapped by wells generally contains less than 500 mg/l (milligrams per liter) dissolved solids. The water generally is soft to moderately hard. Water in streams is soft to moderately hard and low in dissolved solids. Estimated water use in 1966 was 43.5 mgd of which 10.9 mgd was ground water and 32.6 mgd was surface water.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1975

Water availability of Choctaw County, Alabama

Large quantities of ground water and surface water are available in Choctaw County. Major sources of ground water are the Nanafalia Formation, Tuscahoma Sand, Hatchetigbee Formation, and Gosport Sand and Lisbon Formation. The Nanafalia Formation is the most productive source of ground water, and individual wells will yield as much as 1.0 mgd (million gallons per day). The depths to aquifers and the quality of ground water in the south half of the county are governed in part by geologic structures. The average flow of the Tombigbee River at the southeast corner of the county is 16,500 mgd and the 7-day Q2 exceeds 1,000 mgd. Kinterbish, Tuckabum, and Okatuppa Creeks have average flows that range from 115 to 265 mgd at their confluences with the Tombigbee River and 7-day Q2's that exceed 10 mgd in their downstream reaches. Average runoff originating in the county is about 786 mgd or 0.8 mgd per square mile. Water in aquifers tapped by wells generally contains less than 500 mg/1 (milligrams per liter) dissolved solids and is soft to moderately hard. In southeastern parts of the county, in the vicinity of the Hatchetigbee anticline, wells have been abandoned because of the poor quality of water. Water in streams, with the exception of that in Okatuppa Creek and some of its tributaries near Gilbertown and Barrytown, is generally soft and contains less than 140 mg/1 dissolved solids. The quality of water in Okatuppa Creek and some of its tributaries reflects contamination by oil-field brines. Biweekly samples collected from Okatuppa Creek from September 1965 to May 1967 show an average chloride content of 312 mg/1 and specific conductances indicate an average dissolved solids content of 630 mg/ 1.

Alabama↗