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Ground-water quality in unmined areas and near reclaimed surface coal mines in the northern and central Appalachian coal regions, Pennsylvania and West Virginia

Findings are presented from investigations during 1996-1998 by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Ground-water quality in 58 wells downgradient of reclaimed surface coal mines is compared to ground-water quality from 25 wells in unmined areas (background concentrations) in the bituminous coal fields of the northern Appalachian coal region (high-sulfur coal region) in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia and the central Appalachian coal region (low-sulfur coal region) in West Virginia. Ground water in the mined high-sulfur coal region has significantly greater median concentrations of sulfate, hardness, calcium, and specific conductance compared to the unmined high-sulfur coal region and to both mined and unmined areas in the low-sulfur coal region. Ground water in mined areas had median values of mine-drainage constituents (sulfate, iron, manganese, aluminum, hardness, calcium, magnesium, turbidity, and specific conductance) that were significantly greater than medians for wells in unmined areas. Mine-drainage constituents include cations such as calcium and magnesium that become elevated compared to levels in unmined areas because of exposure of acidic mine drainage to calcareous materials. The transport of pyrite-oxidation products from the mined site and subsequent neutralization reactions by calcareous materials at the mine site or along the flow path are likely processes that result in greater concentrations of mine-drainage constituents in mined areas compared to unmined areas. Mine-drainage constituents generally exceeded unmined-area background concentrations within about 500 feet of mined sites but were at or below background levels in wells more than 1,000 feet downgradient of mined sites. Concentrations of sulfate, hardness, and total dissolved solids were greatest at well depths of 50 to 150 feet but generally were less than background concentrations in wells deeper than 150 feet. Concentrations of iron, manganese, and aluminum exceeded background concentrations in many wells less than 150 feet deep. In mined areas, median ground-water ages are nearly as old in hill locations as in valley locations. Older ground-water age correlates with increased distance from mined areas. The lack of significant correlation among mine-drainage-constituent concentrations, ground-water age, distance from mined areas, and topographic locations may be the result of factors such as (1) mixing of ground-water ages in wells open to fractures with variable depths, lengths, and interconnections; (2) disturbance of rock from blasting; and (3) variations in slope and terrain relief in the study area.

Pennsylvania, West Virginia

Geohydrologic and water-quality characterization of a fractured-bedrock test hole in an area of Marcellus shale gas development, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

An integrated analysis of core, geophysical logs, gas isotopes, and specific-depth water-quality samples from the Cherry Flats test hole was used to characterize the stratigraphy, water-bearing zones, and groundwater quality at a site in southern Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The study was completed as a cooperative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey (BTGS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The multi-disciplinary characterization of the test hole provided information to aid the bedrock mapping of the Cherry Flats 7.5-minute quadrangle by BTGS, and to help quantify the depth and character of fresh and saline groundwater in an area of shale-gas exploration. The Cherry Flats test hole was cored to a depth of 1,513 feet (ft) below land surface (bls) and cased to 189 ft through the collapsed mine workings of the former Arnot No. 2 underground coal mine. The test hole penetrated 128.0 ft of Allegheny Formation and 154.1 ft of Pottsville Formation of Pennsylvanian age, 564.8 ft of Huntley Mountain Formation of Mississippian and Devonian age, and 666.3 ft of Catskill Formation of Devonian age. Core recovery was nearly 100 percent, except where complete core loss occurred from a depth of 1,231.1 to 1,240.8 ft. Several coal beds and mined-out coal horizons were penetrated in the Allegheny and Pottsville Formations. The test hole penetrated the entire thickness of the Huntley Mountain Formation and was completed in the middle part of the Catskill Formation. Bedding features penetrated by the test hole were estimated to have a strike of 021 degrees and dip about 1.7 degrees to the southeast, consistent with the test-hole location on the north limb of the Blossburg syncline. Most fractures penetrated by the test hole were parallel to bedding, with steeply dipping fractures present but much less common. Fracture density, determined from optical televiewer, acoustic televiewer, and video logs, generally increased with depth from the base of casing to about 400 ft bls, then decreased with depth to the bottom of the hole except for an increase from 506 to 568 ft bls. Very few fractures were penetrated from 600 to 850 ft. The depths of fresh and saline water-bearing zones were identified in the test hole by geophysical-log analysis and, for inflow zones, verified by specific-depth groundwater sampling by the use of a wire-line point sampler. Under ambient conditions and during pumping of the test hole, fresh water entered the hole from fractures at 567 and 580.5 ft bls, within grayish-red siltstone and greenish-gray sandstone, respectively, and flowed upward and exited at fractures from 303 to 319.5 ft; a very minor amount exited into fractures within coal beds at 240.4 and 252 ft bls. Transmissivity, estimated from analysis of the specific-capacity data and flowmeter logs, was about 18 ft2/d for the fracture zones from 567 to 580.5 ft and 6.7 ft2/d for fracture zones from 240.4 to 252 ft bls. The analysis estimated the hydraulic head of the lower zone and that of the upper flow zone was 8 ft higher and 37 ft lower than the composite water level in the test hole, respectively. Water samples of the freshwater inflow from zones at 567 to 580.5 ft bls had a total dissolved solids concentration of 577 mg/L indicating that these zone are in the lower part of the active groundwater flow system. Below the freshwater-bearing zone at 580.5 ft, the flowmeter did not detect any vertical flow in the test hole, and the gradient of the temperature log approached the geothermal gradient, indicating little ambient fluid flow and minimal fracture transmissivity below this depth. However, small seeps of saline water having total dissolved solids concentrations of greater than about 6,200 mg/L at 945 and 946 ft bls, from dark-greenish-gray to greenish-gray silty beds, were delineated by a time series of specific conductancelogs and observed on the video log. A wat

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1993. Volume 2. Susquehanna and Potomac River basins

Water resources data for the 1993 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2, includes records from the Susquehanna and Potomac River Basins. Specifically, Volume 2 contains (1) discharge records for 97 continuous-record streamflow gaging stations and 39 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 13 lakes and reservoirs; and (3) water-level records for 25 observation wells. The location of these sites is shown in figures 6-8. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1995. Volume 1: Delaware River basin

Water resources data for the 1995 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1, contains (1) discharge records for 76 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations and 9 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 13 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 20 streamflow-gaging stations and 51 ungaged stream sites; and (4) water-level records for 16 network observation wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data, together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1997. Volume 1: Delaware River basin

Water resources data for the 1997 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1 contains (1) discharge records for 75 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 7 partial-record stations and 16 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 14 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 21 gaging stations and 33 ungaged streamsites; and (4) water-level records for 37 network observation wells. Site locations are shown in figures 8-11. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1996. Volume 1. Delaware River Basin

Water resources data for the 1996 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1, contains (1) discharge records for 74 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 7 partial-record stations, and 15 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 13 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 20 streamflow-gaging stations and 51 ungaged stream sites; and (4) water-level records for 15 network observation wells. Site locations are shown in figures 6-9. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data, together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1996. Volume 2: Susquehanna and Potomac River basins

Water resources data for the 1996 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2, contains (1) discharge records for 81 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 16 partial-record stations, and 20 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 7 gaging stations and 46 ungaged stream sites; and (4) water-level records for 30 ground-water network observation wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data, together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1993: Volume 1. Delaware River Basin

Water resources dan for the 1993 waxer year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and waxer quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and waxer levels and waxer quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1, includes records from the Delaware River Basin. Specifically, Volume 1 contains (1) discharge records for 94 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations and 25 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lakes and reservoirs; and (3) waxer-quality records for 33 gaging stations and 38 ungaged streamsites; and (4) waxer-level records for 17 observation wells. The location of these sites is shown in figures 6-9. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Waxer Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1994. Volume 1: Delaware River Basin

Water resources data for the 1994 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1, includes records from the Delaware River Basin. Specifically, Volume 1 contains (1) discharge records for 81 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations and 27 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lakes and reservoirs; and (3) water-quality records for 25 gaging stations and 52 ungaged streamsites; and (4) water-level records for 17 observation wells. The location of these sites is shown in figures 6-9. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania water year 1982. Volume 1: Delaware River basin

Water resources data for the 1982 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; elevation and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and elevation of tides; and water levels of ground-water wells. This volume contains records for water discharge at 66 gaging stations; elevation and contents at 11 lakes and reservoirs; elevation of tides at 1 gaging station; water quality at 33 gaging stations; and water levels at 16 observation wells. Also included are data for 34 crest-stage, 80 low-flow, and 43 water-quality partial-record stations. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 6 through 9. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data together with the data in Volume 2 and 3 represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1992. Volume 2. Susquehanna and Potomac River basins

Water resources data for the 1992 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2, includes records from the Susquehanna and Potomac River basins. Specifically, it contains (1) discharge records for 85 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations and 38 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 13 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 12 streamflow-gaging stations and 48 ungaged streamsites; and (4) water-level records for 25 observation wells. The location of these sites is shown in the figures. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 2003—volume 3. Ohio and St. Lawrence River basins

Water resources data for the 2003 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 3 contains (1) discharge records for 61 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 5 partial-record stations and 13 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 11 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 8 lakes and reservoirs; (4) water-quality records for 23 gaging stations and 26 ungaged streamsites; (5) water-level records for 23 ground-water network observation wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 2, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Water Data Report

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1992. Volume 3: Ohio and St. Lawrence River basins

Water resources data for the 1992 water year for Pennsylvania consists of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 3, includes records from the Ohio and St. Lawrence River basins. Specifically, it contains: (1) discharge records for 69 continuous record streamflow-gaging stations and 12 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 3 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 3 streamflow-gaging stations and 36 partial-record stations; and (4) water-level records for 20 network observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 4-5. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in Volume 1 and 2, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, Local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 2003—volume 2. Susquehanna and Potomac River basins

Water resources data for the 2003 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2 contains (1) discharge records for 84 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 13 partial- record stations, 21 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation, contents, and water-quality records for 12 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 30 gaging stations and 66 ungaged streamsites; (4) water-level records for 39 network observation wells; and (5) water-quality analyses at 35 special study ground-water wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Water Data Report

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1986. Volume 1: Delaware River Basin

Water resources data for the 1986 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1, includes records from the Delaware River basins. Specifically, it contains: (1) Discharge records for 74 continuous record streamflow-gaging stations and 72 partial-record stations; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lakes and reservoirs and elevations for 4 tidal stations; (3) water-quality records for 40 streamflow-gaging stations, for 43 ungaged streamsites, and (4) water-level records for 17 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 6-9. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1997. Volume 2. Susquehanna and Potomac River basins

Water resources data for the 1997 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2, contains (1) discharge records for 85 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations and 17 partial-record stations, and 22 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 12 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 14 gaging stations and 63 ungaged streamsites; and (4) water-level records for 30 ground-water network observation wells and water-quality analyses of ground water from 8 wells. Site locations are shown in figures throughout the report. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 1 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1998. Volume 1. Delaware River Basin

Water resources data for the 1998 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 1 contains (1) discharge records for 76 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations, 5 partial record stations and 16 special study and miscellaneous streamflow sites; (2) elevation and contents records for 14 lakes and reservoirs; (3) water-quality records for 23 gaging stations and 44 ungaged streamsites; and (4) water-level records for 38 network observation wells; and (5) water-quality analyses of groundwater from 5 special-study ground-water wells. Site locations are shown in figures 6-9. Additional water data collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program are also presented. These data together with the data in Volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State, local, and Federal agencies in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania