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R. J. Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to R. J. Wolf.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1996

Overview of water resources in and near Indian lands in northeastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska

An overview of water resources is provided for a 4,005-square-mile area of northeastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska that includes the treatylands for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi, and the Sac and Fox Tribe ofMissouri. The only plentiful supplies of surface water are available from the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. The smallest mean streamflows for 4 consecutive months occur in November through February for most streams in the area. The smallest flows for 7 consecutive days in a year occur most often in August, September, or October. The typical seasonal distribution of streamflows indicates a pattern favorable for the same-year use of small surface-water impoundments for low-flow augmentation; large flows that could be impounded typically occur in the month shortly before augmentation is most needed. However, droughts of 2 or more consecutive years are common and would largely negate the advantage of using small impoundments except for very small water-supply needs. Alluvial deposits along the Kansas and Missouri Rivers provide the largest well yields in the study area, but these deposits are limited in areal extent. The Kansas River alluvium reaches a maximum saturated thickness of about 70 feet, and the Missouri River alluvium reaches a maximum thickness of 120 feet. Well yields in the Kansas River generally range from 300 to 1,000 gallons per minute (gal/min) but may be as large as 2,500 gal/min. Well yields in the Missouri River alluvium generally range from 150 to 2,500 gal/min but may be as large as 3,000 gal/min. Although generally capable only of small sustained yields to wells, minor aquifers are important because they are available throughout most of the study area. Within the thick, mostly fine-grained glacial deposits, isolated sand and gravel layers may yield adequate supplies for stock- watering or domestic use. Sodium concentrations exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level of 20 milligrams per liter most often in the middle Kansas and Delaware Basins. Total iron andmanganese concentrations in water generally exceed the USEPA Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels of 50 micrograms per liter for iron and 300micrograms per liter for manganese. Atrazine concentrations in surface water, primarily from post-application runoff, commonly exceed the USEPA Maximum Contaminant Level of 3.0 micrograms per liter during the months of May, June, and July. Most of the erosion and about one- half of the total sediment yield in parts of the study area may result from sheet and rill erosion and gullying on cultivated cropland. A total of 3.13 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water was used in 1990 in the Big Nemaha River Basin, 74 percent of which was derived from ground water. In the Wolf River Basin, 1.29 Mgal/d were used, 71 percent derived from ground water. The Middle Kansas River Basin had the highest water use, 83.01 Mgal/d, 67 percent of which was from surface water. A total of 4.37 Mgal/d was used in the Delaware River Basin, 55 percent from ground water.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1993

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas, geohydrology of the Great Plains aquifer system

Sedimentary rocks of Late Cambrian through Early Cretaceous age in Kansas are part of a regional flow system of hydraulically connected aquifers and confining units. Future demands for water require that these deeply buried rocks be studied to describe hydrologic properties and ground-water-flow conditions and to provide information that will serve as the basis for decisions concerning the protection and the management of the water resources contained therein, Toward this end, the U.S. Geological Survey, as a part of its Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA), began a 5-year hydrologic investigation of this regional flow system in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981). This chapter is one of nine contained in Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-722, which present a description of the physical framework (Chapters B-F) and the geohydrology (Chapters G-I} of principal aquifers and confining systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas; the stratigraphic relations of these geohydrologic systems are discussed in detail in Chapter A (Wolf and others, 1990). This chapter (G) describes the geohydrology of the Great Plains aquifer system; the physical framework of the Great Plains aquifer system is presented in Chapter B (Spinazola and others, 1992). The maps in this chapter are based on existing data from selected geophysical and lithologic logs, drill-stem tests, water-level measurements, water-quality analyses, and published maps of stratigraphically equivalent units. An index to the geohydrologic data compiled for the CMRASA in Kansas is presented in Spinazola and others (1987). For the most part, data used to construct the maps were collected over many years and do not reflect aquifer conditions for any specific time period.

Kansas↗
USGS1993

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas — Geohydrology of the lower aquifer unit in the western interior plains aquifer system

The purpose of the investigation is to provide a description of the principal geohydrologic systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. This investigation was made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for the assessment, development, and management of water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981), as shown of the envelope cover. This Hydrologic Investigations Atlas, which consists of a series of chapters, presents a description of the physical framework and geohydrology of principal aquifers and confining systems in Kansas. Chapter H presents the geohydrology of the upper aquifer unit in the Western Interior Plains aquifer system. The physical framework of the aquifer system in relation to other systems is described by maps and sections showing areal extent and the thickness of rocks that compose the unit. The physical framework of the upper aquifer unit is described in detail in chapter D of the atlas (Hansen and others, in press). The hydrology of the system in relation to that of other systems is described in this chapter by maps showing the altitude of fluid levels and the direction of water movement within the unit. The chemical composition of water in the system is described by maps that show the distribution of dissolved-solids concentrations and the differences in water types on the basis of principal chemical constituents. Chapter A of this atlas series (Wolf and others, 1990) describes the relation of principal geohydrologic systems in Kansas and presents a more detailed discussion of the methods and data used to prepare and ensure consistency among the sets of maps.

Kansas↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas — Physical framework of the Great Plains aquifer system

The purpose of this map report is to provide a description of one of the principal geohydrologic systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. The report is the result of an investigation made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for the assessment, development, and management of water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981), as shown on the envelope cover. This Hydrologic Investigations Atlas, which consists of a series of nine chapters, presents a description of the physical framework and the geohydrology of principal aquifer and confining systems in Kansas. Chapter B describes the physical framework of the Great Plains aquifer system and presents maps and a geohydrologic cross section that show the thickness, the areal extent, and the altitude and configuration of the top of the Lower Cretaceous rocks that compose the Great Plains aquifer system. The maps are based on data from selected geophysical and lithologic logs and from published maps of stratigraphically equivalent units. Maps that show the thickness and the altitude and configuration of the top of the Great Plains aquifer system have been prepared as part of a series of interrelated maps that describe the stratigraphic interval from the Precambrian surface through Lower Cretaceous rocks. A concerted effort was made to ensure that maps of each geohydrologic system are consistent with maps of underlying and overlying systems; modifications were made where necessary. Chapter A of this atlas series (Wolf and others, 1990) describes the relation of geohydrologic systems in Kansas and presents a more detailed discussion of the methods and data used to prepare and ensure consistency among the sets of maps in the series.

Kansas↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas physical framework of the western interior plains confining system

The purpose of this Hydrologic Investigations Atlas is to provide a description of the principal geohydrologic systems in the Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. This investigation was made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for assessing, developing, and managing water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981) as shown on the envelope cover.

Kansas↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas: Physical framework of the upper aquifer unit in the western interior plains aquifer system

The purpose of this Hydrologic Investigations Atlas is to provide a description of the principal geohydrologic systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. This investigation was made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for the assessment, development, and management water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981), as shown on the envelope cover. This Hydrologic Investigations Atlas, which consists of a series of nine chapters, presents a description of the physical framework and the geohydrology of principal aquifers and confining systems in Kansas. Chapter D presents maps that show the areal extent, altitude and configuration of the top, and thickness of Mississippian rocks that compose the upper aquifer unit of the Western Interior Plains aquifer system in Kansas, The chapter is limited to the presentation of the physical framework of the upper aquifer unit. The interpretation of the physical framework of the upper aquifer unit is based on selected geophysical and lithologic logs and published maps of stratigraphically equivalent units. Maps indicating the thickness and the altitude and configuration of the top of the upper aquifer unit in the Western Interior Plains aquifer system have been prepared as part of a series of interrelated maps that describe the stratigraphic interval from the Precambrian basement through Lower Cretaceous rocks. A concerted effort was made to ensure that maps of each geohydrologic unit are consistent with the maps of underlying and overlying units. Chapter A of this atlas series (Wolf and others, 1990) describes the relation of principal geohydrologic systems in Kansas and presents a more detailed discussion of the methods and data used to prepare and ensure consistency among the sets of maps.

Kansas↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas; physical framework of the confining unit in the Western Interior Plains aquifer system

The purpose of this Hydrologic Investigations Atlas is to provide a description of the geohydrologic systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. This investigation was made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for the assessment, development, and management of water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981), as shown on the envelope cover.

Hydrologic Atlas↗
USGS1990

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas with emphasis on systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks

This Hydrologic Investigations Atlas, which consists of a series of chapters, presents a description of (1) the physical frameworks and (2) the geohydrology of the principal aquifers and confining systems in Kansas. The report is the result of an investigation that has been made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer System Analysis (CMRASA), one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey to define regional aquifer systems. These regional analyses are designed to increase knowledge of major flow regimes and provide data for assessing, developing, and managing water supplies. The CMRASA is an investigation of water in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in parts of 10 Central Midwestern States, as shown by the map on the envelope cover.

Kansas↗
USGS1987

Index to selected machine-readable geohydrologic data for Precambrian through Cretaceous rocks in Kansas

Machine-readable geohydrologic data for Precambrian through Cretaceous rocks in Kansas were compiled as part of the USGS Central Midwest Regional Aquifer System Analysis. The geohydrologic data include log, water quality, water level, hydraulics, and water use information. The log data consist of depths to the top of selected geologic formations determined from about 275 sites with geophysical logs and formation lithologies from about 190 sites with lithologic logs. The water quality data consist of about 10,800 analyses, of which about 1 ,200 are proprietary. The water level data consist of about 4 ,480 measured water levels and about 4,175 equivalent freshwater hydraulic heads, of which about 3,745 are proprietary. The hydraulics data consist of results from about 30 specific capacity tests and about 20 aquifer tests, and interpretations of about 285 drill stem tests (of which about 60 are proprietary) and about 75 core-sample analyses. The water use data consist of estimates of freshwater withdrawals from Precambrian through Cretaceous geohydrologic units for each of the 105 counties in Kansas. Average yearly withdrawals were estimated for each decade from 1940 to 1980. All the log and water use data and the nonproprietary parts of the water quality , water level, and hydraulics data are available on magnetic tape from the USGS office in Lawrence, Kansas. (Author 's abstract)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1983

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifer, southeast Minnesota

The Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifer in southeast Minnesota consists of a thick sequence of sandstone that generally yields large quantities of good-quality water to wells. The aquifer is most important as a source of water supply in the Twin Cities area, where it supplies approximately 10 percent of the ground water used. It is the uppermost bedrock aquifer and, locally, the principal source of domestic supply where it is present north of the Twin Cities. Yield to wells are generally about 500 gallons per minute but may be as high as 2,000 gallons per minute. The aquifer is a good potential source of water because of (1) large quantities of water in storage, (2) adequate yields to wells, and (3) good water quality. The quality of water in the aquifer is generally acceptable for municipal, industrial, and domestic uses. The dissolved-solids concentration in water from the aquifer ranges from a minimum of 48 milligrams per liter to a maximum of 2,810 milligrams per liter. The lowest values are in the eastern and northern parts of the aquifer, where bedrock is at or close to land surface. The highest concentrations are in the southwestern part of the aquifer, where leakage from over lying Cretaceous rocks is highly mineralized water. Magnesium and sulfate concentrations are also high in the southwest. The dissolved-solids concentration generally increases with depth in the aquifer. The predominant water type in the aquifer is calcium magnesium bicarbonate, although sodium chloride waters are present at depth and in the discharge areas along large rivers. This report is one of a series of the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

Minnesota↗
USGS1983

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, Southeast Minnesota

Quality of water in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer is generally good, except for some localized contamination, Coal-tar derivatives that contaminate the aquifer in St. Louis Park, a western suburb in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, pose the most serious threat to water quality. High hardness and iron concentration limit suitability for municipal and industrial use in parts of extreme southeast Minnesota. Confining beds of bedrock and drift, however, protect most of the aquifer from surface pollutants. The Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer is part of a sequence of sedimentary bedrock units in southeast Minnesota. The Jordan Sandstone is a white to yellow, fine- to coarse-grained sandstone. The Prairie du Chien Group comprises two dolomitic formations that are vuggy and fractured and interbedded with thin layers of shale. The aquifer formations were deposited in Paleozoic seas that occupied the Hollandale embayment. The aquifer dips toward the interior of the embayment where it is as deep as 750 feet below land surface and as thick as 500 feet. Permeability is secondary in the Prairie du Chien Group because of solution cavities and fractures, and intergranular in the Jordan Sandstone. Water in the aquifer is confined except in the eastern part. Water generally flows to the north and east into the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. A ground-water divide separates part of the flow southward into Iowa. This aquifer supplies more water than any other bedrock one in the State. Calcium magnesium bicarbonate type water is most common in the aquifer. Calcium and sulfate and, to a lesser degree sodium and magnesium, increase in concentration toward the southwestern part of the study area. Bicarbonate concentration, on the other hand, decreases toward the southwestern corner of the study area. Leakage from overlying Cretaceous deposits is the source of much of the sulfate and other minerals in the southwest. This report is one of a series on the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U. S. Geological Survey. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

Minnesota↗
USGS1983

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the St. Peter aquifer, Southeast Minnesota

Quality of water in the St. Peter aquifer is generally acceptable for most uses. Sulfate concentrations increase toward the southwestern part of the aquifer because of highly mineralized leakage from overlying Cretaceous deposits. Concentrations of sodium, magnesium, and sulfate generally increase to the west, and those of calcium, bicarbonate, and chloride generally increase toward the margins of the aquifer. Calcium magnesium bicarbonate water is the most common type in the aquifer. The aquifer is well protected from surface sources of Contaminants by the overlying Decorah-Platteville-Glenwood confining bed, which overlies about 80 percent of the St. Peter aquifer. Thin drift, which overlies the east side of the aquifer, provides much less protection than the confining bed. Water in the aquifer generally flows toward the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Some water flows southward into Iowa from a ground-water divide in Dodge and Steele Counties, Well yields from the aquifer, which are generally between 100 and 250 gallons per minute, are generally adequate for most uses. This report is one of a series on the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

Minnesota↗
USGS1983

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Upper Carbonate aquifer, Southeast Minnesota

The Upper Carbonate aquifer is part of a sequence of sedimentary bedrock units deposited in Paleozoic seas that occupied a depression known as the Hollandale embayment. The aquifer is comprised of four formations, which, in ascending order, are the Galena Dolomite, Dubuque Formation, Maquoketa Shale, and Cedar Valley Limestone. Total thickness of the aquifer is as much as 650 feet. Yields from wells in the aquifer range from about 100 to 500 gallons per minute. Water flows mostly through fractures and solution channels toward the periphery of the aquifer and, locally, toward river and bedrock valleys. The quality of water in the Upper Carbonate aquifer is suitable for most uses. However, the water is susceptible to contamination in karst areas because sinkholes and disappearing streams provide direct passageways for entry of contaminants into the aquifer. Calcium magnesium bicarbonate type waters are most common. Concentrations of dissolved solids and some major ions, specifically magnesium, sodium, bicarbonate, and sulfate, are generally highest in the southwestern part of the study area.

Minnesota↗
USGS1982

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Ironton-Galesville aquifer, southeast Minnesota

Quality of water in the Ironton-Galesville aquifer is generally acceptable for all kinds of uses. Calcium magnesium bicarbonate type water is most common. The dissolved-solids concentration ranges from about 200 to 1,000 milligrams per liter. The lowest values are in the northern part of the aquifer, where the bedrock is at or close to land surface, and the lowest ones are in the southwestern part, where leakage into the aquifer from overlying Cretaceous deposits is highly mineralized water. The concentrations of the major ions, except for bicarbonate and chloride, also increase toward the southwest. Confining beds protect the aquifer from surface pollutants, but high sulfate and iron concentrations and hardness degrade water quality locally in some places. The aquifer was deposited from Paleozoic seas that occupied a shallow depression known as the Hollandale embayment. The surface of the Ironton-Galesville aquifer dips toward the interior of the embayment. The aquifer is as deep as 1,000 feet below land surface and as thick as 325 feet. The Ironton and Galesville Sandstones are both white and medium grained. The aquifer is used mainly in the northern and western parts of the study area, where it is the uppermost bedrock aquifer, This report is one of a series on the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

Minnesota↗