USGS Science⌕ Search

Geology topics

S.E. Norris

Publications and source records attributed to S.E. Norris.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2006

Use of type curves developed from electric analog studies of unconfined flow to determine the vertical permeability of an aquifer at Piketon, Ohio

A type ‐ curve method for determining anisotropy of unconfined aquifers, developed from electric analog simulation, is applied to drawdowns observed near, a well pumping from a glacial outwash aquifer at Piketon , Ohio . The coefficient of vertical permeability , P z'averaged 365 gpd per square foot. Computed drawdown for the pumped well, based on this value, differed by only a small amount from the observed drawdown. The coefficient of storage, determined from type curves for an image well system, averaged 0.20, typical of unconfined aquifers. Application of the method required a thorough knowledge of geohydrologic controls operating at the test site.

Ohio↗
USGS2006

Effects on ground‐water quality and induced infiltration of wastes disposed into the Hocking River at Lancaster, Ohio

Watercourse aquifer systems in many areas are adversely affected by wastes disposed into surface‐ water sources, resulting in either reduced streambed permeability, infiltration of wastes into the aquifer, or both. These conditions are illustrated at Lancaster , Ohio , where low streambed permeability in the vicinity of the municipal well field, resulting from the discharge of wastes to the Hocking River , seriously retards the infiltration of surface water and lessens the available yield of the wells. The wastes consist of brine and iron‐laden effluent from the municipal treatment plant, discharged within the area of influence of the pumped wells to a stream already carrying much organic waste and other debris. Upstream from the discharge sewer, muck and organic debris have accumulated thickly on the streambed, while downstream from the sewer the streambed sediments have become tightly cemented by iron and other constituents in the waste water . There is evidence that, despite reduced streambed permeability, wastes have entered the aquifer and have materially contributed to declines in well efficiency and to recurring problems of well maintenance. Conditions such as those illustrated at Lancaster occur also at Dayton and are not uncommon elsewhere in Ohio . Indirect contamination of aquifers and adverse physical and chemical alteration of streambed sediments, resulting from surface‐ water waste disposal, may in many places pose a threat to the ground ‐ water supply. This fact should not be overlooked in determining water ‐ quality standards to be established under the Water Quality Act of 1965.

Ohio↗
USGS1989

Ground-water levels and flow near the industrial excess landfill, Uniontown, Ohio

Under an interagency contractual agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registration, the U.S. Geological Survey evaluated geologic and hydrogeologic data available for the Industrial Excess Landfill (IEL) site in Uniontown, Ohio. During previous studies, ground-water contaminations was detected in observation wells installed at the site and in residential wells near the site. Water levels recorded on drillers' logs from 279 wells were used to characterize the regional ground-water flow system in the area of the IEL site. On the basis of the gross lithologic differences between the unconsolidated glacial-drift material and the indurated bedrock, and the inferred differences in their hydraulic properties, the flow system in the area of the IEL site was divided into two regional aquifers: a shallow, unconfined glacial-drift aquifer and a deeper, semiconfined bedrock aquifer. About 33 percent of the drillers' logs were from wells completed in the glacial-drift aquifer, whereas 67 percent were from wells completed in the bedrock aquifer. A composite potentiometric-surface map of the glacial drift aquifer shows that the IEL site appears to straddle a prominent ground-water ridge that trends northeast-southwest. Ground water flows radially away from this ridge, primarily to the northwest and to the southeast; as a result flow in the glacial-drift aquifer as the IEL site moves in a radial pattern away from the site in all directions. A composite, regional potentiometric-surface map of the bedrock aquifer shows a similar shows a similar elongated ground-water ridge trending northeast-southwest across the north-western corner of the IEL site; however, it does not appear that the IEL site straddles the ground-water ridge in the bedrock potentiometric surface. As a consequence of the radial-type of flow pattern in the glacial-drift aquifer at the IEL site, the direction of potential off-site movement of a contaminant at the IEL site, This radial type of flow pattern may explain the nonuniform distribution of some of the contaminants detected in observation wells and residential wells, particularly if specific contaminants were not disposed of uniformly across the site. Available data also indicate a downward flow component within the glacial-drift aquifer, as manifested by a reduction of hydraulic heads with increasing depth of wells near the site. Such downward flow is consistent with the presence of the ground-water ridge, which would serve as a local recharge area within the regional flow system. Consequently, contaminants present at the site will flow both laterally within the local flow patterns and vertically downward within the flow system.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Water resources of the Black Hand Sandstone Member of the Cuyahoga Formation aquifers of Mississippian age in southeastern Ohio

The Black Hand Sandstone Member of the Cuyahoga Formation and associated acquifers of Mississippian age, including the Allensville Conglomerate Member of the Logan Formation, (both members of the local usage) were investigated in a 1 ,500-square-mile area in southeastern Ohio. These aquifers are the chief sources of water beneath the coal-bearing rocks of the Pennsylvanian System and are widely use for farm and home requirements. The aquifers crop out in the western part of the area and dip southeastward 35 feet per mile. At Lake Hope, in northeastern Vinton County, the aquifers are the deepest sources of ground water in Ohio, occurring at depths locally exceeding 700 feet. At McArthur, in Vinton County, the aquifers yield about 300,000 gallons per day for municipal and industrial use, but withdrawal has been accompanied by declining ground-water levels during the past 10 years in a 10-square-mile area. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗