Geology topics

R.F. Duwelius

Publications and source records attributed to R.F. Duwelius.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1996

Hydraulic conductivity of the streambed, east branch Grand Calumet River, northern Lake County, Indiana

Horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity of the Streambed were estimated from results of hydraulic tests along four transects across the east branch Grand Calumet River in northern Lake County, Indiana. Tests were done in two types of temporary wells installed in the Streambed 2-inch-diameter wells that had a 1- or 2-foot length of wire-wrapped screen and 3-inch-diameter wells that were open at the ends. When possible, the hydraulic tests included monitoring both falling- and rising-water levels. A total of 47 tests for horizontal hydraulic conductivity and 20 tests for vertical hydraulic conductivity were done. Data collected during the tests were analyzed by use of methods developed by earlier investigators. Horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the streambed was varied and ranged from 1.Ox1O -2 to 1.2x1O +3 feet per day. Compared to the previously reported range of horizontal hydraulic conductivity for the Calumet aquifer, 6.5X10 -1 to 3.6x1O +2 feet per day, results of 24 hydraulic tests in the streambed of the east branch Grand Calumet River were within the reported range, 18 were less than the lowest reported value, and 5 were greater than the highest reported value. Vertical hydraulic conductivity of the streambed was less varied than horizontal hydraulic conductivity and ranged from 3.Ox1O -1 to 7.3x1O +1 feet per day. The ratio between horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity calculated for each transect ranged from 1:0.09 to 1:8.5. The hydraulic conductivity of the streambed generally was dependant on the type of sediments in the part of the streambed that was tested. Although most of the streambed contained soft, fine-grained sediments, parts of the streambed also contained fill materials including coal, cinders, and concrete and asphalt rubble. The highest values of horizontal hydraulic conductivity generally were calculated from data collected at locations where the streambed contained fill materials, particularly concrete and asphalt rubble. Horizontal hydraulic conductivities determined for 11 hydraulic tests in predominantly fill materials ranged from 1.2x1O +1 to 1.2x1O +3 feet per day and averaged 5.6x1O +2 feet per day. The lowest values of horizontal hydraulic conductivity were calculated from data collected at locations where the streambed contained fine-grained sediments. Horizontal hydraulic conductivities determined for 36 hydraulic tests in predominantly fine-grained sediments ranged from 1.Ox1O -2 to 2.4x1O +2 feet per day and averaged 1.5x1O +1 feet per day.

Indiana↗

USGS1993

Hydrologic data and hydrologic budget for Summit Lake Reservoir, Henry County, East-Central Indiana, water years 1989 and 1990

Hydrologic data were collected near Summit Lake Reservoir for 2 years beginning October 1, 1988, and ending September 30, 1990. The data-collection network consisted of 1 reservoir-stage gage, 2 precipitation gages, 1 evaporation pan, 2 streamflow gages, and 13 observation wells. Stage-area and stage-storage relations for the reservoir were used in combination with the hydrologic data to determine the reservoir's annual hydrologic budgets for water years 1989 and 1990. Components of the hydrologic budget are considered either as inflow or outflow. Differences between inflow and outflow result in a change in reservoir storage. Components of inflow are direct precipitation, surface-water flow, and ground-water flow. Components of outflow are evaporation and ground-water flow. There was no surface-water outflow during the study. The hydrologic budget was calculated by use of daily, monthly, and yearly values of precipitation and surface-water flow, monthly values of ground-water flow, and yearly values of evaporation and reservoir storage. Comparison of results from different time intervals indicates there is little difference between annual volumes for components calculated from daily and monthly values. Annual volumes calculated from yearly values differ by less than 5 percent from those calculated from daily and monthly values. The total inflow to Summit Lake Reservoir was nearly identical for water years 1989 and 1990-about 10,360 acre-feet per year. Surface water was about 72 percent of the total inflow in water year 1989 and about 70 percent in water year 1990. Direct precipitation was about 18 percent of the total inflow in water year 1989 and about 23 percent in water year 1990. Ground-water inflow was about 10 percent of the total inflow in water year 1989 and about 7 percent in water year 1990. The total outflow from evaporation and ground-water flow was 5,700 acre-feet in water year 1989 and 7,710 acre-feet in water year 1990--about 19 percent evaporation and 81 percent ground-water outflow for both water years. Reservoir storage increased during both years; the change in storage was about 4,330 acre-feet in water year 1989 and about 2,890 acre-feet in water year 1990. Discrepancies between inflow, outflow, and reservoir storage reflect errors in the budget resulting from regionalization or interpretation of hydrologic data and from errors inherent in all hydrologic measurements.

Indiana↗

USGS1992

Ground-water levels and directions of flow in the vicinity of a well field, Elkhart, Indiana, December 1989

Water levels were measured in 51 observation wells in the vicinity of the Elkhart Water Works Main Street well field during 5 days of normal pumping at the well field and little or no recharge to the ground water from precipitation. Water levels were measured once each day during December 18-22, 1989. Water-level altitudes were plotted and contoured on maps to determine the distribution of ground-water levels and directions of flow in the unconfined sand and gravel aquifer tapped by the well field. Measured ground-water levels ranged from about 7.5 to 30 feet below land surface. Ground-water levels were highest north and northwest of the Main Street well field and lowest at the Main Street well field and near the St. Joseph River. Regional ground-water flow is toward the south or southeast. Ground-water levels near the river are higher than the river stage, indicating that ground water discharges to the river. As a result of pumping, three cones of depression have formed in the water table in the mapped area. A small cone of depression northwest of the Main Street well field is caused by industrial pumping. Two cones of depression have formed at the Main Street well field-one in the eastern part of the well field and one in the western part of the well field. Horizontal hydraulic gradients are variable in the study area but are largest in the eastern part of the Main Street well field and near the St. Joseph River. In general, water levels measured in seven sets of paired wells do not indicate a vertical hydraulic gradient; however, a downward gradient was measured in one set of paired wells near a pumped area at the Main Street well field.

Indiana↗

USGS1991

Ground-water levels, flow, and quality in northwestern Elkhart County, Indiana, 1980-89

Ground-water data were collected in northwestern Elkhart County, Indiana, from 1980 through 1989 to monitor hydrologic conditions and to provide information necessary for waterresources managers to evaluate the ground-water resources in this area. The area of study includes a closed industrial landfill and several areas of industrial and municipal pumping. Water levels were measured twice a year in 68 wells, and water samples were collected once a year from 32 wells. The wells were screened in unconsolidated glacial-outwash deposits primarily sand and gravel. During the study, measured ground-water levels ranged from about 6 feet above ground level to about 29 feet below ground level. The average depth to water for all wells was 10 feet, and the average water-level fluctuation for the entire study period was 4.8 feet. In the study area, ground water flows toward the St. Joseph River. Water levels near the river are higher than the stage of the river, indicating that ground water is discharged to the river. Water samples were collected and analyzed to determine concentrations of dissolved bromide. Onsite measurements of specific conductance, pH, water temperature, and concentrations of dissolved oxygen and alkalinity were made at the time of sampling. The water samples had a median specific conductance of 516 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, a median ph of 7.6, a median alkalinity of 216 milligrams per liter (as calcium carbonate), and a median dissolved-bromide concentration of 0.08 milligrams per liter. Water-quality data were grouped according to the depth and position of the wells in the flow system with respect to the closed industrial landfill. Shallow wells are those less than 100 feet deep; deep wells are those more than 100 feet deep. Comparison among groups indicates that water from shallow wells downgradient from the landfill had larger values of specific conductance, larger concentrations of alkalinity and dissolved bromide, and smaller values of pH than did water from shallow wells upgradient from the landfill and water from deep wells throughout the study area. Concentrations of dissolved bromide were used to estimate the extent of the landfill's effect on ground-water quality by plotting and contouring the concentration values on maps and hydrogeologic sections. The maps show a plume of bromide extending south of the landfill along the direction of groundwater flow. The hydrogeologic sections indicate that water containing bromide is moving vertically downward in the unconfined aquifer beneath and downgrfldient from the landfill. Maps and sections for different time periods were compared to determine how the distribution of bromide was changing. Although dissolved-bromide concentrations in water from individual wells were variable, the distribution of dissolved bromide did not change substantially during the study period. The time of peak dissolved-bromide concentrations in water from shallow wells downgradient from the landfill was used to estimate a rate of horizontal flow of water in the unconfined aquifer. The average rate of flow between shallow wells downgradient from the landfill was estimated to be 1.2 feet per day. This rate is within the range of values for ground-water flow calculated according to Darcy's law.

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USGS1990

Water-resources programs and hydrologic-information needs, Marion County, Indiana, 1987

Water resources are abundant in Marion County, Indiana, and have been developed for public and industrial supply, energy generation, irrigation, and recreation. The largest water withdrawals are from surface water, and the two largest water uses are public supply and cooling water for electrical-generating plants. Water-resources programs in the county are carried out by Federal, State and local agencies to address issues of surface and groundwater availability and quality. The programs of each agency are related to the functions and goals of the agency. Although each agency has specific information needs to fulfill its functions, sometimes these needs overlap, and there are times when the same hydrologic information benefits all. Overlapping information needs and activities create opportunities for interagency coordination and cooperation. Such cooperation could lead to a savings of dollars spent on water-resources programs and could assure an improved understanding of the water resources of the county. Representatives from four agencies-- the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, and the U.S. Geological Survey--met four times in 1987 to describe their own water-resources programs, to identify hydrologic-information needs, and to contact other agencies with related programs. This report presents the interagency findings and is intended to further communication among water resource agencies by identifying current programs and common needs for hydrologic information. Hydrologic information needs identified by the agency representatives include more precise methods for determining the volume of water withdrawals and for determining the volume of industrial and municipal discharges to surface water. Maps of flood-prone areas need to be updated as more of the county is developed. Improved aquifer maps of the inter-till aquifers are needed, and additional observation wells are needed in the inter-till and bedrock aquifers. Finally, immediate access to instantaneous precipitation data is needed to assess flooding potential. (USGS)

Indiana↗

USGS1989

Geohydrology, simulation of ground-water flow, and ground-water quality at two landfills, Marion County, Indiana

Geologic, hydrologic, and water-quality data were collected at the Julietta and Tibbs-Banta landfills in Marion County. Both landfills were closed in the mid-1970's, and sewage sludge mixed with dirt was spread on the landfills in the mid-1980's as part of a revegetation project. The landfills were constructed in unconsolidated glacial sediments that consist of sand, gravel, silt, and clay. The maximum thickness of the sediments is 180 feet at Julietta and 100 feet at Tibbs-Banta. Both landfills are underlain by sand and gravel aquifers and are adjacent to gaining streams. Ground water flows toward and into the streams at each study area. Two sand and gravel aquifers were mapped at Julietta and four were mapped at TibbsBanta. The aquifers are separated in places by discontinuous clay layers. Ground-water-flow models, calibrated to simulate steady-state low-flow conditions, indicate that about 19,000 gallons of water per day move through the refuse at Julietta and 42,000 gallons per day move through the refuse at Tibbs-Banta. The Julietta model also indicates that recharge through the surface of the landfill is less than in the surrounding natural areas, probably because of the addition and compaction of the sludge/soil mixture. Concentrations of dissolved inorganic substances in ground-water samples indicate that leachate from both landfills is reaching the shallow aquifers. The effect on deeper aquifers is small because of the predominance of horizontal ground-water flow and discharge to the streams. Increases in almost all dissolved constituents were observed in shallow wells that are screened beneath and downgradient from the landfills. Several analyses, especially those for bromide, dissolved solids, and ammonia, were useful in delineating the plume of leachate at both landfills.

Indiana↗

USGS1987

Description of the physical environment and coal-mining history of west-central Indiana, with emphasis on six small watersheds

Information on the geology, geomorphology, soils, climate, hydrology, water use, land use, population, and coal mining history of Clay, Owen, Sullivan, and Vigo Counties in Indiana is summarized. Site-specific information is given on the morphology , geology, soils, land use, coal mining history, and hydrologic instrumentation of the six watersheds which are each less than 3 sq mi in area. The Wabash, White, and Eel Rivers are the major drainages in west-central Indiana. Average annual precipitation is about 39.5 in/yr and average annual runoff is about 13 in/yr. The most productive aquifers are confined or unconfined outwash aquifers located along the major rivers. Bedrock aquifers are regionally insignificant but are the sole source of groundwater for areas that lack outwash, alluvium, or sand and gravel lenses in till. Indiana has more than 17 billion short tons of recoverable coal reserves; about 11% can be mined by surface methods. Almost half of Indiana's surface reserves are in Clay, Owen, Sullivan, and Vigo Counties. More than 50,000 acres in west-central Indiana have been disturbed by surface coal mining from 1941 through 1980. Big Slough and Hooker Creek are streams that drain unmined, agricultural watersheds. Row-crop corn and soybeans are the principal crops. Soils are moderately well drained silt loams, and the watersheds well developed dendritic drainage systems. Unnamed tributaries drain mined and reclaimed watersheds. Ridges of mine spoil have been graded to a gently rolling topography. Soils are well drained and consist of 6 to 12 inches of silt-loam topsoil that was stockpiled and then replaced over shale and sandstone fragments of the graded mine spoil. Grasses and legumes form the vegetative cover in each watershed. Pond Creek and an unnamed tributary to Big Branch are streams that drain mined and unreclaimed watersheds. Soils are very well drained shaly silty loams that have formed on steeply sloping banks. Both watersheds contain numerous impoundments of water and have enclosed areas that do not contribute surface runoff to streamflow. The ridges of mine spoil are covered with pine trees, but much of the soil surface is devoid of vegetation. (Lantz-PTT)

Indiana↗