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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1981

Preliminary map showing availability of water from glacial-drift aquifers in Towner County, north-central North Dakota

This preliminary map is the first product of the ground-water resources study of Towner County, which has an area of 1,049 mi 2 (2,717 km 2 ) in north-central North Dakota (see location map). The study is part of a statewide program to determine the location, extent, chemical quality, and hydrologic characteristics of the ground-water reservoirs (aquifers) in North Dakota. The study was made by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North Dakota State Water Commission, the North Dakota Geological Survey, and the Towner County Water Management District.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Preliminary map showing availability of ground water from glacial-drift aquifers in Logan County, south-central North Dakota

This preliminary map is the first product of the ground-water resources study of Logan County, which has an area of 1,015 mi 2 (2,629 km 2 ) in south-central North Dakota (see location map). This study is part of a statewide program to determine the location, extent, chemical quality, and hydrologic characteristics of the ground-water reservoirs (aquifers) in North Dakota. The study was made by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North Dakota State Water Commission, North Dakota Geological Survey, and Logan County Water Management District.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1929

Geology and ground-water resources of North Dakota, with a discussion of the chemical character of the water

Water is the most valuable of the mineral resources. The study of ground waters is therefore clearly within the field of economic geology and constitutes an important part of the work of the geological surveys, both State and national, as defined by law. In the spring of 1911 the investigation of the ground waters of North Dakota was begun by the North Dakota Geological Survey, and the work was assigned to the author of this paper. During each of the three summers 1911, 1912, and 1913 several weeks were devoted by the author to the field work of a general survey. A report on the ground waters of the State was then prepared by him and was transmitted by the director of the North Dakota Geological Survey to the State printing commission for publication. However, owing to lack of available funds the report was not published. A portion of the summer of 1914 was given to a study of artesian conditions in the Souris River Basin. Since that time considerable work has been done in connection with detailed surveys made for a number of cities and villages in an effort to obtain the best available supply of water for public use. During the summer of 1920 arrangements were made by the United States Geological Survey with the North Dakota Geological Survey whereby the author completed the work as fully as possible by correspondence and brought the report up to date. In the spring of 1921 samples of water from 196 sources were collected by the author and J. H. Buchanan and were sent to the United States Geological Survey for analysis. Most of these samples were analyzed by H. B. Riffenburg, who has used the analyses for a description of the chemical character of ground waters in the State. In addition to the analyses of samples collected in connection with the preparation of this report, over 700 partial analyses from different sources were examined. These analyses are not given in this paper, because the location of many of the wells was not stated definitely, and most of the analyses were incomplete. They were useful, however, in confirming the conclusions based on the analyses that are printed, particularly for counties where only a few samples were collected for this report.

North Dakota↗
USGS1997

Strontium isotopic geochemistry of the Devils Lake drainage system, North Dakota: A preliminary study and potential paleoclimatic implications

A series of water samples (precipitation, surface water and ground water) from the Devils Lake drainage basin in central North Dakota have been analyzed for their ??180 and ??D and 87Sr/86Sr. The ??180 and ??D of snow and most ground water samples fall near the meteoric water line, with the ground water being isotopically heavier than the snow, indicating that a portion of the recharge must come from non-winter precipitation events. One ground water and all the surface water samples fall below the meteoric water line, demonstrating extensive evaporation. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the snow is more radiogenic than those of the ground water samples, indicating that the ground water has increased its 86Sr content by the dissolution of mafic rock in the aquifer. Stump Lake has a much inure radiogenic Sr isotopic ratio than the waters of Devils Lake suggesting a source of water different from that of Devils Lake. The East Stump Lake water, on the other hand, appears to be either a mix of Devils Lake and Stump Lake waters, or Devils Lake water diluted with precipitation.

Journal of Paleolimnology↗
USGS1995

Similar agricultural areas, different ground-water quality, Red River of the North Basin, 1993-95

The U.S. Geological Survey has studied the ground-water quality within two areas of the Red River of the North Basin in southeastern North Dakota and west-central Minnesota. Although both areas are underlain by sandy surficial aquifers over which intensive irrigated agriculture dominates the land use, their ground-water quality differs. Ground water from the eastern study area has significantly higher concentrations of nitrate and agricultural herbicides than does ground water from the western area. Major differences in rainfall and minor differences in soils, depth to ground water, and agricultural practices between these two areas can account for the differences measured in ground-water quality. These same factors may indicate changes in ground-water quality from agricultural land uses in other surficial aquifers in the Red River of the North Basin.

Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota↗
USGS2007

Characterization of ground-water flow and water quality for the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers in northern Lawrence County, South Dakota

The Madison and Minnelusa aquifers are used extensively for water supplies for the city of Spearfish and other users in northern Lawrence County, South Dakota. Ground water in the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers in the study area generally flows north from outcrop areas where recharge from sinking streams and infiltration of precipitation occurs. Ground water that moves northward and eastward around the Black Hills enters the study area from the west and results in hydraulic heads that are several hundred feet higher on the western side of the study area than on the eastern side. The estimated average recharge rate of 38 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) on outcrops of the Madison Limestone and Minnelusa Formation is less than the total estimated average spring discharge rate of 51 ft3/s in the northwestern part of the study area. Sixteen pounds of fluorescein dye were injected into Spearfish Creek on March 25, 2003, when streamflow was 6.6 ft3/s. The dye was detected in water samples from four wells completed in the Madison aquifer ranging from 2.6 to 4.5 miles north of the injection site. First arrival times ranged from 5 to 169 days, and ground-water velocities ranged from about 0.1 to 0.5 mile per day. Sixty-four pounds of Rhodamine WT was injected into Spearfish Creek at the same location on May 9, 2003, when streamflow was 5.6 ft3/s. Rhodamine WT dye concentrations measured in samples from the same four wells were about an order of magnitude less than measured fluorescein concentrations. Oxygen- and deuterium-isotope values for samples from Cox Lake and McNenny Pond springs indicated a probable component of spring discharge that originates from outcrops of the Madison Limestone and Minnelusa Formation on the Limestone Plateau south of the study area. Oxygen- and deuterium-isotope values for samples from Mirror Lake spring indicated possible contributions from overlying aquifers and local recharge. Oxygen- and deuterium-isotope values for the combined springflow contributing to Crow Creek in the northwestern part of the study area indicated that the primary source of water is the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers. Oxygen- and deuterium-isotope values for Old Hatchery and Higgins Gulch springs, located north of Spearfish, indicated a source water originating from the outcrops of the Madison Limestone and Minnelusa Formation within the study area. Concentrations of three chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113) were used to characterize ground-water residence times in the study area. For the four wells where dye was detected, CFC-11 apparent ages ranged from 12 to 26 years, indicating that the wells contained months-old water mixed with years- to decades-old water. Logarithmic regression analysis of the CFC-11 apparent ages for water from 10 wells and distance to a possible conduit trending north through the area where dye was detected, yielded an r2 value of 0.71. Straight-line regression analysis of the CFC-11 apparent ages for the six wells closest to the possible conduit had an r2 value of 0.96. Two wells located relatively close to the outcrop areas had no or very low tritium values indicating relatively long residence times and diffuse ground-water flow. The tritium value of 7.2 TU in water from well COL where dye was detected, indicated that the water probably is a bimodal mixture, with a substantial portion that is older than 50 years. Water from well ELL, where dye was detected, had a tritium value of 19.7 TU and a CFC apparent age of 15 years, indicating that the sample from this well probably is a unimodal mixture with very little water older than 50 years. Comparison of the CFC apparent age for three spring sites (Cox Lake, 26 years; McNenny Pond, 26 years; Mirror Lake, 13 years) also indicated that Mirror Lake spring probably has a component of local recharge from formations that overlie the Minnelusa Formation. In the Madison aquifer, specific conductance ranges from 18 to 945 microsiemens per cen

South Dakota↗
USGS2007

Estimated ground-water use in Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, and Wilkin Counties, Minnesota, for 2030 and 2050

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, is studying six alternatives for delivering water to the Red River of the North Valley in North Dakota and to the cities of Breckenridge, Moorhead, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. In order to evaluate these alternatives the Bureau of Reclamation needs estimates of ground-water use for 2030 and 2050 for six counties in Minnesota: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, and Wilkin Counties. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, conducted a study to estimate ground-water use in these counties for 2030 and 2050. This report (1) describes the methods used to estimate ground-water use for the years 2030 and 2050 for six Minnesota counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, and Wilkin Counties, (2) presents the estimated domestic, commercial, industrial, and irrigation ground-water use for the years 2030 and 2050 for these six counties, and (3) compares the estimated ground-water use with published estimates of recharge to three surficial aquifers: Buffalo, Otter Tail surficial, and Pelican River sand plain. Between 74 and 82 percent of the reported ground-water use in the 6 years from 2000 to 2005 was used for irrigation of major crops. The next major use of ground-water was public water supply for domestic use, between 13 and 19 percent of the reported ground-water use. Together they account for 90 to 95 percent of the appropriated ground water in the 6-year period. The total estimated 2030 ground-water use for the six counties ranges from 27,826–36,177 million gallons per year (Mgal/yr), and the total estimated 2050 ground-water use ranges from 31,313–41,746 Mgal/yr. The estimated recharge to the Buffalo aquifer, Otter Tail surficial aquifer, and Pelican River sand-plain aquifer is 3,707, 51,000, and 4,900–8,900 Mgal/yr, respectively. The range of the estimated 2050 ground-water withdrawals from the Buffalo, Otter Tail surficial, and Pelican River sand-plain aquifers is 1,234–1,776 Mgal/yr from the Buffalo aquifer, 11,728–14,820 Mgal/yr from the Otter Tail surficial aquifer, and 3,385–4,298 Mgal/yr from the Pelican River sand-plain aquifer.

Minnesota↗
USGS1970

Ground-water resources of Nelson County, northeastern North Dakota

This investigation is part of a Statewide program to determine the location and extent of the ground-water reservoirs (aquifers); to evaluate the occurrence and movement of ground water within these aquifers, including the sources of recharge and discharge; and to determine the chemical quality of the ground water. Nelson County covers an area of approximately 1,000 square miles in northeastern North Dakota. The study, which began in July 1967, has been made cooperatively by the U.S. Geological Survey, the North Dakota State Water Commission, the North Dakota Geological Survey, and the Nelson County Water Management District. The final results of the study will be published in three parts by the cooperating State agencies.

Hydrologic Atlas↗
USGS1997

Ground-water sampling methods and quality-control data for the Red River of the North basin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 1993-95

Ground-water-quality samples were collected for the intensive data-collection phase of the Red River of the P Torth Basin study unit, one of 60 study units of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program throughout the United States. The sampling protocols used were designed for the NAWQA Program. The protocols include sampling equipment, cleaning procedures, sample-collection methods, and quality-control plans to monitor the accuracy of the data collected. One of the goals of the NAWQA Program was to collect data using similar methcds to build a nationally consistent water-quality data base. Quality-control data demonstrated that most constituents measured for this study yielded reproducible data, with low to undetectable contamination from the sampling and analytical procedures. Several constituents were occasionally or frequently detected in blank samples at levels similar to low-concentration ground-water-quality samples. For example, iron was detected in 75 percent of the blank samples, with a maximum concentration of 27 [ig/L, indicating that iron contamination may interfere with its determination at low levels in ground waters. Copper, aluminum, and dissolved organic carbon concentrations in blank samples overlap those determined in ground-waterquality samples, thereby precluding quantitative reporting of those constituents. Most pesticide data are reproducible, with minimal bias. Some pesticides had low but consistent recoveries; these data may be useful if spike and surrogate data are carefully considered. Data for some pesticides measured in this study should not be quantitatively reported or used, because they may underestimate the concentrations of those pesticides in ground waters.

Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota↗
USGS2004

River gain and loss studies for the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota and Minnesota

The Dakota Water Resources Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000 authorized the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive study of future water-quantity and -quality needs of the Red River of the North (Red River) Basin in North Dakota and of possible options to meet those water needs. To obtain the river gain and loss information needed to properly account for available streamflow within the basin, available river gain and loss studies for the Sheyenne, Turtle, Forest, and Park Rivers in North Dakota and the Wild Rice, Sand Hill, Clearwater, South Branch Buffalo, and Otter Tail Rivers in Minnesota were reviewed. Ground-water discharges for the Sheyenne River in a reach between Lisbon and Kindred, N. Dak., were about 28.8 cubic feet per second in 1963 and about 45.0 cubic feet per second in 1986. Estimated monthly net evaporation losses for additional flows to the Sheyenne River from the Missouri River ranged from 1.4 cubic feet per second in 1963 to 51.0 cubic feet per second in 1976. Maximum water losses for a reach between Harvey and West Fargo, N. Dak., for 1956-96 ranged from about 161 cubic feet per second for 1976 to about 248 cubic feet per second for 1977. Streamflow gains of 1 to 1.5 cubic feet per second per mile were estimated for the Wild Rice, Sand Hill, and Clearwater Rivers in Minnesota. The average ground-water discharge for a 5.2-mile reach of the Otter Tail River in Minnesota was about 14.1 cubic feet per second in August 1994. The same reach lost about 14.1 cubic feet per second between February 1994 and June 1994 and about 21.2 cubic feet per second between August 1994 and August 1995.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1997

Digital simulation of ground-water flow in the Warwick Aquifer, Fort Totten Indian Reservation, North Dakota

The demand for water from the Warwick aquifer, which underlies the Fort Totten Indian Reservation in northeastern North Dakota, has been increasing during recent years. Therefore, the Spirit Lake Sioux Nation is interested in resolving questions about the quantity and quality of water in the aquifer and in developing a water-management plan for future water use. A study was conducted to evaluate the surface-water and ground-water resources of the Fort Totten Indian Reservation and, in particular, the ground-water resources in the area of the Warwick aquifer. A major component of the study, addressed by this report, was to define the ground-water flow system of the aquifer. The Warwick aquifer consists of outwash deposits of the Warwick outwash plain that are as much as 30 feet thick and buried-valley deposits beneath the outwash plain that are as much as 200 feet thick. The aquifer is bounded on the north and west by end-moraine deposits and Devils Lake, on the south by the Sheyenne River Valley, and on the east by outwash deposits and ravines. The aquifer is underlain by Pierre Shale or by glacial till, clay, or silt. Ground-water gradients generally are small and rarely are more than 3 or 4 feet per mile. From 1982 to 1993, withdrawals from the Devils Lake well field averaged 1.5 cubic feet per second, and withdrawals from irrigation wells averaged 1.29 cubic feet per second. The combined discharge from springs may be about 3 cubic feet per second. During the early 1990s, the Warwick aquifer probably was in a steady-state condition with regard to storage change in the aquifer. A finite-difference, three-dimensional, ground-water flow model provided a reasonable simulation of ground-water flow in the Warwick aquifer. The aquifer was divided vertically into two layers and horizontally into a grid of 83 by 109 cells, each measuring 656 feet (200 meters) per side. The steady-state simulation was conducted using 1992 pumpage rates and October 1992 water levels. The mean absolute difference between simulated and derived water-level altitudes during final calibration of the model was 1.52 feet. The two transient simulations were conducted for 20 time intervals of 1 year each using both the small and large storage estimates, doubled 1992 pumpage from the Devils Lake well field, 1992 irrigation pumpage, and initial water-level altitudes simulated by the October 1992 steady-state simulation. In the simulation using the small storage estimate and doubled pumpage, model cells in the area of the well field went dry after 13 years. Assumptions made in the design of the model generally are supported by the digital simulation. Except in the area of Warwick Springs and smaller springs, lateral and basal boundaries of the aquifer are impermeable. The flow system is dominated by recharge and evapotranspiration. Recharge rates obtained during the calibration process were lower in topographically high areas than in topographically low areas. Hydraulic conductivity in the area of the Devils Lake well field was larger than that in the rest of the aquifer.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗