Geology Reports⌕ Search

Geology topics

Research about Michigan

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Michigan.

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources
USGS1973

Water-supply development and management alternatives for Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties, Michigan

The Tri-County region, consisting of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties, is an area of 1,697 square miles in Michigan's Lower Peninsula and has as its hub the Lansing metropolitan area. The land surface ranges in altitude from about 700 to about 1,000 feet. The region receives an average of about 31 inches of precipitation each year. The population is nearing 400,000 and by 1990 will be near 600,000. Average daily water use is slightly more than 30 million gallons today; by 1980 it will be about 50 million gallons, and by 1990 it will probably be about 70 million gallons. The Tri-County region is drained by seven river systems. The median annual 7 -day mean low flows of the principal streams in these systems were measured at the point farthest downstream within the region. These values, in cubic feet per second, are as follows: Grand River, 180; Maple River, 34; Looking Glass River, 28; Red Cedar River, 30; Portage Creek, 15; Battle Creek, 20; and Thornapple River, 24-a total of 331 cubic feet per second or about 220 million gallons per day. The areal variance in 7-day low-flow runoff ranges from 0 to 0.15 cubic foot per second per square mile. The principal source of ground water in the Tri-County region is a complex aquifer system composed of the Saginaw and Grand River Formations and some of the overlying glacial sediments. This aquifer yields between 300 and 700 gallons per minute to individual wells in much of the western half of Ingham County, in the eastern half of Clinton County, in a small area in southeastern Clinton County, and in northeastern Eaton County. In some parts of the region, the glacial sediments are favorable for development of moderate to large supplies of water. Minor aquifers in the region are the Bayport, Michigan, and Marshall Formations. Providing water supplies in the future requires complete and comprehensive water-management programs. Such management programs involve determining which of several alternative water-development systems is the best. Some of the chief factors and methods that must be considered when planning these systems are combined use of ground and surface water, artificial recharge, treatment of wastes, use of storage reservoirs, and importation of water from the Great Lakes.

Michigan↗
USGS1973

Geology of part of the southern complex, Marquette district, Michigan

The southern complex, south of the Marquette synclinorium in the Marquette district of Michigan, is dominantly granitic. The granitic parts of the complex have Rb-Sr ages of about 2.5 b.y. and are classed as of Precambrian W age. The rocks are divided into two major units: (1.) Bell Creek Gneiss consisting mostly of coarse megacrystic granitic rocks and lesser amounts of mafic gneiss and metasedimentary rocks in layers concordant to the foliation of the granitic gneiss, and (2) Compeau Creek Gneiss, previously described to the east, which is mostly medium-grained granitic gneiss and lesser amounts of massive granitic rocks and locally abundant xenoliths of mafic and metasedimentary rocks. Compeau Creek Gneiss intrudes Bell Creek Gneiss throughout the area. Mafic and metasedimentary rocks in the Bell Creek Gneiss are interpreted as remnants of a greenstone belt. The granitic parts of the Bell Creek Gneiss are of problematic origin. Their composition suggests a magmatic origin, but they do not intrude any rocks with which they are in contact; they form concordant layers in all observed places. Granitic parts of the Compeau Creek Gneiss are suspected to be highly altered and partly melted sedimentary rocks. The mafic parts are probably xenoliths of mafic rocks from the Bell Creek Gneiss.

Michigan↗
USGS1973

Ground water and geology of Baraga County, Michigan

Most wells In Baraga County obtain water from beds of sand and gravel in morainal and lakebed deposits or from the Jacobsville Sandstone. Yields of wells range from a few to as much as 115 gallons per minute, but most wells probably yield less than 10 gpm. Large areas, where igneous and metamorphic rocks crop out or are covered only by thin drift, are unfavorable for obtaining enough ground water for even a domestic supply. Quality of water from most wells is satisfactory, although most water supplies are hard and some are high in iron content. Some of the deeper wells in the Jacobsville Sandstone may yield salty water. Most large public water supplies are obtained from Lake Superior, but some smaller supplies are obtained from wells and springs.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

Reconnaissance of the Manistee River, a cold-water river in the northwestern part of Michigan's Southern Peninsula

The cold-water streams of the northern states provide unique recreational values to the American people (wilderness or semi-wilderness atmosphere, fast-water canoeing, trout fishing), but expanding recreational needs must be balanced against the growing demand of water for public and industrial supplies, irrigation, and dilution of sewage and other wastes. In order to make intelligent decisions regarding use and management of water resources for recreation and other demands, an analysis of hydrologic factors related to recreation is essential. The Manistee River is one of Michigan's well-known trout streams-a stream having numerous public access sites and campgrounds. Upstream from Cameron Bridge (see location map) the Manistee is rated as a first-class trout stream but below Cameron Bridge the river is rated only as a fair trout stream by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. As a Michigan canoe trail it is second only to the Au Sable River in popularity. Esthetically, the Manistee is one of Michigan's most attractive rivers, its waters flowing cool and clean, and around each bend a pleasant wilderness scene. This report deals with that part of the river upstream from State Highway M-66 at Smithville. Several hard-surface roads give access to the upper river as shown on the location map. Numerous dirt roads and trails give access to the river at intermediate points. The recreational values of the Manistee depend on its characteristics of streamflow, water quality, and bed and banks. This atlas describes these characteristics and shows how they relate to recreational use. Much of the information presented here was obtained from basic records of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division. Additional information was obtained from field reconnaissance surveys in 1968 and 1969. The study was made in cooperation with the Michigan Geological Survey, Gerald E. Eddy, Chief. Assistance was also obtained from other sections of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

A study of the Flint River, Michigan, as it relates to low-flow augmentation

One of the uses of the Flint River is dilution of waste-water. Population and industrial growth in the Flint area hah placed new demands on the stream and emphasized the need for an analysis of the surface water resources of the basin. This report describes selected streamflow characteristics of the Flint River and its tributaries, and presents draft-storage relations for the river basin. Flow characteristics for 17 sites show that the 7-day 2-year low flow ranges from 0 to 0.17 cfs (cubic feet per second) per square mile. Draft-storage relations for the basin show that existing storage, if fully utilized, could, on an average, provide a minimum discharge at Montrose of 160 cfs in 19 out of 20 years. The discharge, in conjunction with water diverted from Lake Huron to the Flint River through the Detroit and Flint water systems (about 60 cfs in 1971), indicates that low flows would seldom be less than about 200 cfs at Montrose. Diversions from the basin for irrigation may reduce low flows by about 12 cfs. Ground-water sources offer small potential for development of large supplies of water for streamflow augmentation, although wells in the glacial deposits may provide a supplemental source of water at some locations.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

Regional draft-storage relationships for central and western Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Regional draft-storage relationships for central and western Upper Peninsula of Michigan are presented in this report. Storage requirements for the 5- and 20-year recurrence intervals were determined using the frequency-mass curve method and daily discharge records from 15 gaging stations. The relationships will be useful in making preliminary estimates of development potential and inc comparing the development possibilities of different streams. Carryover storage was investigated and was found to be unnecessary at draft rates of less than 50 percent of the mean annual flow. Carryover storage requirements are presented for the gaging station Middle Branch Escanaba River near Ishpeming.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

Water resources data for Michigan, water year 1971; Part 1, Surface water records

Surface-water records for the 1971 water year for gaging stations, partial-record stations, and miscellaneous sites within the State of Michigan are given in this report. For convenience there are also included records for a few pertinent gaging stations in bordering States. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, under the direction of T. R. Cummings, district chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Michigan. Records of discharge and stage of streams, and contents and stage of lakes or reservoirs are published in a series of U.S. Geological Survey water-supply papers entitled "Surface Water Supply of the United States." Through September 30, 1960, these water-supply papers were in an annual series and since then are in a 5-year series. Since 1951 there have been 20 volumes in the series; each volume covered an area whose boundaries coincided with those of certain natural drainage areas. The records in Michigan were contained in Part 4 of that series. Beginning with the 1961 water year, streamflow records and related data have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. Distribution of these basic-data reports is limited and primarily for local needs.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

Water resources data for Michigan, water year 1971; Part 2, Water quality records

Water resources data for the 1971 water year for Michigan include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface and ground waters. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once-daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently, and at some sites data were recorded on punched paper tape at 60-minute intervals. Records are given for 371 sampling stations, of which 41 are continuous-record stations, 24 are partial-record stations, and 306 are miscellaneous sites. Records of chemical analyses also are given for 260 ground-water sites. Locations of surface-water quality stations are shown in Figures 3 and 4. The records were collected by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of T. R. Cummings, district chief, and John J. Molloy, district chief, Water Resources Division, Columbus, Ohio. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Michigan. The Geological Survey has published records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and sediment since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 water year, water-quality records have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. These records will be published later in Geological Survey water-supply papers.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

Availability of water in Kalamazoo County, southwestern Michigan

Kalamazoo County comprises an area of 572 square miles in the southwestern part of Michigan. It includes parts of the Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Paw Paw River basins, which drain into Lake Michigan. The northern two-thirds of the county is drained by the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries. A small area in the western piart of the county is drained by the Paw Paw River, and the rest, by tributaries of the St. Joseph River. Glacial deposits, containing sand and gravel, form an upper aquifer and a lower aquifer underlying large parts of the county. Areas of high transmissibility and thick saturated deposits are sufficiently localized to be considered as separate ground-water reservoirs having limited areal extent and definite hydrologic boundaries. Ground-water runoff from the basins constitutes a large part of the streamflow. Hydrograph separation shows that ground-water runoff composed 65 and 73 percent of the discharge of Kalamazoo River at Comstock and 75 and 79 percent of the discharge of Portage River near Vicksburg in 1965 and 1966, respectively. Based on the hydrologic budgets for the same years, ground-water recharge was 9.1 and 9.0 inches in the Kalamazoo River basin and 12.2 and 11.6 inches in the St. Joseph River basin. Ground-water recharge in the Kalamazoo River basin extrapolated for the 34-year period 1933-66 ranged from 4 to 13 inches and averaged 9 inches. In the St. Joseph River basin average recharge was about 9 inches for the same period. There is a wide range in runoff in the county. Augusta Creek, Portage Creek near Kalamazoo, and Gourdneck Creek have the highest annual runoff and maintain high yields even during periods of deficient precipitation. Spring Brook also reflects large ground-water contributions to streamflow. Storage in these basins could provide additional water during low flows for municipal and industrial needs. The primary use of lakes in the county is for recreational and esthetic purposes. Maintaining lake levels is therefore of the utmost importance. Levels at Crooked and Eagle Lakes have been maintained by pumping from lower aquifers. Diversion of water from Gourdneck Creek to West and Austin Lakes has helped in maintaining levels. Several relatively undeveloped lakes could be utilized as reservoirs whose storage could be used to augment streamflow or for water supply. Water in streams is generally of good chemical quality; however, several streams, including the Kalamazoo River downstream from Kalamazoo, have been degraded by municipal and industrial waste disposal. Water in the lakes is generally of good chemical quality with the exception of Barton Lake, which has been degraded by waste disposal. There is sufficient surface water available in Kalamazoo County to meet requirements for development of large quantities of water. The total available supply (average discharge of a stream) is about 680 mgd (million gallons per day). The dependable supply (7-day Q 2 , or average 7-day low flow having a recurrence interval of 2 years) is about 303 mgd. By developing artificial recharge facilities, surface runoff during winter and spring could be utilized to recharge ground-water reservoirs. Surface-water withdrawal in 1966 was about 58 mgd, of which 33 mgd was withdrawn from the Kalamazoo River. The quantity of water now being withdrawn from the ground and surface sources is small compared to the total that may be obtained in the area through full utilization of these resources. Mathematical models were used to simulate hydrologic conditions in the ground-water reservoirs and to evaluate maximum drawdowns for periods of little or no recharge. The practical limits of development as determined for the ground-water reservoirs are estimated to be at the following average withdrawal rates: Kalamazoo, 39 .mgd; Schoolcraft, 17 mgd; Kalamazoo-Portage, 24 mgd; and several small reservoirs, 67 mgd. These total 147 mgd. Further development would require additional artificial recharge facilities. Average ground-water withdrawal in 1966 was about 54 mgd. The Kalamazoo River ground-water reservoir furnished about 28 mgd, the Kalamazoo-Portage ground-water reservoir, about 21 mgd, and the other reservoirs, about 5 mgd. Thus, further development without artificial recharge is estimated to be about 11 mgd in the Kalamazoo River reservoir, 17 mgd in the Schoolcraft reservoir, 62 mgd in the several small reservoirs, and only 3 mgd in the Kalamazoo-Portage reservoir. The ground water is generally of good chemical quality and is suitable for most uses; however, it is Usually very hard and may contain objectionable amounts of iron. Some deterioration of water quality- has .been observed in several areas because of seepage from stockpiles of industrial minerals. The presence of many inland lakes, streams having high ground-water runoff, and, in places, relatively undeveloped ground-water reservoirs provides -flexibility in water management.

Michigan↗
USGS1972

Water for a rapidly growing urban community — Oakland County, Michigan

Oakland County, an area of 899 square miles, is in southeastern Michigan. The southern part of the county is overlapped by the suburbs of the city of Detroit. In 1970, about 850,000 people were living in the county and using about 100 million gallons of water a day. More than 80 percent of the water used for large industrial and municipal supplies came from Detroit's water system. The average annual rate of streamflow from the county is about 370 million gallons per day (575 cubic feet per second). Median annual 7-day low flows range from 0 to 0.25 cfs per square mile. Low flows can be augmented by more than 60,000 acre-feet of water captured during high streamflow by construction of small reservoirs at 21 inventoried sites. Glacial deposits and the Marshall Sandstone are the prime sources of ground water. Most wells that penetrate the full thickness of glacial deposits in the northwestern part of the county will yield at least 50 gpm (gallons per minute), and many will yield more than 400 gpm. The Marshall Sandstone, which occurs only in the Holly area, is capable of yielding more than 1,000 gpm. The chemical quality of both surface and ground water is relatively good throughout the county. Only in the southern part of the county is the dissolved solids above the acceptable standard of 500 milligrams per liter.

Michigan↗
USGS1971

A paleohydrologic model for mineralization of the White Pine copper deposit, northern Michigan

Pertinent physical properties of the upper Keweenawan rocks can be measured or inferred within a sufficiently narrow range to make the quantitative evaluation of various paleohydrologic models for the origin of the White Pine copper deposit feasible. The approach is illustrated here by calculations for models that involve lateral migration of fluids through the subjacent Copper Harbor Conglomerate to the site of the deposit and stripping of copper from these solutions where they percolated upward through the Nonesuch Shale. The calculations reveal limitations to theories of origin that would not be evident from purely qualitative consideration; some of these limitations could be useful to exploration. For example, if the water was yielded by compaction of the Copper Harbor Conglomerate and contained 50 ppm Cu, there must have been significant convergence of solution paths toward White Pine. Surface water entering the Copper Harbor Conglomerate on the north limb of the Lake Superior syncline is an adequate source if it could be shown that the point of entry was once significantly higher in altitude than the water table at White Pine; this model implies a major copper deposit at great depth north of the axis of the syncline. Ground water entering the Nonesuch Shale up dip from White Pine is not a possible source of mineralizing solutions.

Michigan↗
USGS1971

Reconnaissance of the Sturgeon River, a cold-water river in the northcentral part of Michigan's southern peninsula

The cold-water streams of the northern states provide unique recreational values to the American people (wilderness or semi-wilderness atmosphere, fast-water canoeing, trout fishing), but the expanding recreational needs must be balanced against the growing demand of water for public and industrial supplies, for irrigation, and for the dilution of sewage and other wastes. In order to make intelligent decisions regarding use and management of the water resources for recreation and other demands, analysis of the hydrologic factors related to recreational values is essential. The Sturgeon River north of Gaylord, one of the best brown trout streams in Michigan, is located in the north-central part of the southern peninsula of Michigan with headwaters just north of Gaylord. The Sturgeon flows northward, generally paralleling Interstate Highway 75. The West Branch of the Sturgeon, which joins the main stem at Wolverine, was not included in this study. Exits from Interstate 75 at Gaylord, Vanderbilt, Wolverine, and Indian River provide easy access to the Sturgeon. The recreational value of a river depends on the hydrologic characteristics of the river-the streamflow, water quality, and character of bed and banks. The purpose of this atlas is to describe these characteristics and to show how they relate to recreational uses. Much of the information presented here was derived from basic records of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division. Additional information was obtained in a reconnaissance survey in May and June, 1966. The area of field study is limited to the channel, bed, and banks of the main stem from source to mouth. The study was made in cooperation with the Michigan Geological Survey, Gerald E. Eddy, Chief. Advice and assistance were also obtained from other sections of the Michigan Conservation Department. Sheet 1 of this atlas presents information on streamflow characteristics and water quality. Sheet 2 describes the physical characteristics of the stream channel and bed and banks, and shows how these physical characteristics relate to streamflow, water quality, and recreational use.

Michigan↗
USGS1971

Reconnaissance of the Black River, a cold-water river in the northcentral part of Michigan's southern peninsula

The cold-water streams of the northern states provide unique recreational values to the American people (wilderness or semi-wilderness atmosphere, fast-water canoeing, trout fishing) but the expanding recreational needs must be balanced against the growing demand of water for public and industrial supplies, for irrigation, and for the dilution of sewage and other wastes. In order to make intelligent decisions regarding use and management of the water resource for recreation and other demands, an analysis of the hydrologic factors related to recreational values is essential. The Black River north of Johannesburg in Otsego County has been rated by many fisherman as the number one brook-trout stream in the north-central part of the southern peninsula of Michigan. Headwaters are a few miles north of Johannesburg, and the Black flows northward to join the Cheboygan river a few miles south of Cheyboygan. Only the part of the Black upstream from the impoundment at Tower is included in this report. The headwaters of the Black can be reached by driving east and north from Gaylord, or east from Vanderbilt. The lower reaches included in this study can be reached from Tower or Onaway. The recreational value of a river depends on the characteristics of streamflow, water-quality, and its bed and banks. The purpose of this atlas is to describe these characteristics and to show how they relate to recreational uses. Some of the information presented here was derived from basic records of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water-Resources Division. Additional information was obtained in field reconnaissance surveys in 1966 and 1968. The study was made in cooperation with the Michigan Geological Survey, Gerald E. Eddy, Chief. Advice and assistance were also obtained from other sections of the Michigan Conservation Department. Sheet 1 of this atlas presents information on streamflow characteristics and water quality. Sheet 2 describes the physical character of the stream channel, bed and banks, and shows how it relates to streamflow, water quality, and recreational use.

Michigan↗
USGS1971

Reconnaissance of the Pere Marquette River, a cold water river in the central part of Michigan's Southern Peninsula

The cold-water streams of the northern states provide unique recreational values to the American people (wilderness or semi-wilderness atmosphere, fast-water canoeing, and trout fishing) but the expanding recreational needs must be balanced against the growing demand of water for public and industrial supplies, for irrigation, and for the dilution of sewage and other wastes. In order to make intelligent decisions regarding use and management of the water resource for recreation and other demands, an analysis of the hydrologic factors related to recreational values is essential. The Pere Marquette, an outstanding river for brown and steelhead trout fishing, is also a popular canoe trail. Larger boats, some equipped with motors, are common in the lower reaches where the river is wide and deep. Cabins are abundant on the river near Baldwin but are relatively sparse elsewhere. The broad swampy floodplain that borders most of the river between Walhalla and Ludington apparently offers few favorable cabin sites. The Pere Marquette is located in the west-central part of the Southern Peninsula of Michigan, and flows westward from the headwaters near Chase in Lake County to the mouth at Ludington, in Mason County. The river is south of, and roughly parallel to, U.S. Highway 10 from Chase to Ludington. Access to the river is by roads leading south from U.S. 10 at Nirvana, Idlewild, Baldwin, Branch, Walhalla, Scottville, and many intermediate points. The recreational value of the river depends on the streamflow characteristics, quality of water, and character of stream channel and bed and banks. The purpose of this report is to describe these characteristics and show how they relate to recreational USGS. Most of the information presented here was obtained from a field reconnaissance in July and August, 1966, and from basic records of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division. The area of field study is limited to the channel, bed, and banks of the Middle Branch and main stem of the Pere Marquette from source to mouth. The study was made in cooperation with the Michigan Geological Survey, Gerald E. Eddy, Chief. Advice and assistance were also obtained from other sections of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Sheet 1 of this atlas presents information on streamflow and quality of water. Sheet 2 describes the physical characteristics of the stream channel, and bed and banks, and shows how these characteristics relate to streamflow, water quality, and recreational use.

Michigan↗