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Research about Indiana

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Indiana.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
USGS1993

Sedimentation in Whitewater Lake, Union County, east-central Indiana, 1959-88

Sedimentation has had little effect on the storage capacity or surface area of Whitewater Lake. The lake was constructed by damming Silver Creek in 1949 and was dredged during 1978-81 and 1984-88. At the dam, the drainage area of Silver Creek is 19.2 square miles. Locations where the largest amount of sediment has accumulated for the 29-year period 1959-88 are in the upper part of the lake where Silver Creek enters. In general, except for the upper part of the lake, there has been little sediment accumulation in most of the lake. The surface area of the lake was 7,580,000 square feet (174 acres) in 1959 and 6,590,000 square feet (151 acres) in 1988. In 1959, the volume of water in Whitewater Lake was 138,000,000 cubic feet; in 1988, the volume was 132,000,000 cubic feet. The amount of sediment that accumulated in the lake from 1959-88 was 6,000,000 cubic feet. In 1988, the volume of water remaining in the lake was 95.6 percent of the 1959 volume, and 4.4 percent of the 1959 lake volume had filled with sediment. The total amount of sediment that accumulated in Whitewater Lake from 1959-88 (10,350,000 cubic feet) was determined by adding the amount of sediment that accumulated in the lake from 1959-88 (6,000,000 cubic feet) and the amount of sediment that was dredged from the lake during 1978-81 and 1984-88 (4,350,000 cubic feet). Thus, the annual rate of sediment accumulation in the lake from 1959-88 was 357,000 cubic feet per year. Potential decreases in the storage capacity of Whitewater Lake based on whether dredging is continued or discontinued were estimated for the 29-year period 1989-2017. If dredging is continued, the potential for future decreases in the storage capacity of the lake is small. If dredging is discontinued, the volume of water in the lake in 2017 is estimated to be 88.2 percent of the 1959 volume; 11.8 percent of the 1959 volume of the lake would be filled with sediment.

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USGS1993

Geohydrology and water quality of the Calumet aquifer, in the vicinity of the Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal, northwestern Indiana

The water-table configuration of the Calumet aquifer in the vicinity of the Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal in Lake County, northwestern Indiana, reflects the complexity of the shallow ground-water-flow system. Large depressions in the water table in sewered areas interrupt broad ground-water divides between rivers. The aquifer/stream interactions along the Grand Calumet River/ Indiana Harbor Canal are directly related to Lake Michigan water levels because of a direct connection of the Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal to the lake. Fluctuations in lake levels and evapotranspiration result in reversals in ground-water flow near the river and canal that last from several hours to several months. Most of the water from the Calumet aquifer discharges into sewers, the Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal, Lake Michigan, and Silurian carbonate bedrock. Model simulations of ground-water flow for the study area indicate that the Calumet aquifer discharges about 15 ft 3 /s (cubic feet per second) of ground water to sewers, about 10 ft 3 /s to the Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal, and about 4 ft 3 /s to Lake Michigan along a 25-mile section of shoreline. Estimates of groundwater flow from the Calumet aquifer to the bedrock range from 0 to 10 ft 3 /s. Results of analyses of water samples collected from wells in five land-use types steel industry, petrochemical industry, commercial and light industry, residential, and parks were compared. The highest median concentrations of inorganic ions and the most detections of organic compounds generally occurred in water samples from wells on the steel and petrochemical land-use areas. Water samples collected from wells on the commercial and light industrial land-use areas generally had lower median chemical concentrations than the samples from the steel and petrochemical land-use areas and greater median concentrations than the samples from the residential and park land-use areas. Seven of 52 acid-extractable and base/neutralextractable organic compounds and 17 of 36 volatile organic compounds analyzed were detected in a total of 35 wells. Only 4 of the 88 organic analytes phenols, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, benzene, and toluene were detected in more than 5 of the 35 wells. A comparison of primarily inorganic-constituent data from the five land-use groups to inorganic-constituent data from sites known to be contaminated shows that constituent concentrations in ground waters from wells in the land-use areas generally are lower than those in ground water from contaminated areas. Abstract 1 Likewise, a comparison of inorganic-constituent data from the land-use groups to inorganic-constituent data from areas relatively unaffected by human presence shows that constituent concentrations in ground water from wells in the land-use areas generally are greater than those in ground water from the unaffected areas. Some documented but unaccounted for chemical loads in the Grand Calumet River are from ground water. Ground water probably contributes more than 10 percent of the total chemical load of ammonia, chromium, and cyanide to the Grand Calumet River. In comparison, about 1 to 3 percent of the total streamflow in the Grand Calumet River is from ground water. Of the four major groundwater sinks in the aquifer, the east branch of the Grand Calumet River and the Indiana Harbor Canal generally receive the greatest chemical loads from ground water, whereas Lake Michigan generally receives the smallest loads.

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USGS1993

Effects of advanced treatment of municipal wastewater on the White River near Indianapolis, Indiana: Trends in water quality, 1978-86

The City of Indianapolis has constructed state-of-the-art advanced municipal wastewater-treatment systems to enlarge and upgrade the existing secondary-treatment processes at its Belmont and Southport treatment plants. These new advanced-wastewater-treatment plants became operational in 1983. A nonparametric statistical procedure--a modified form of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test--was used to test for trends in time-series water-quality data from four sites on the White River and from the Belmont and Southport wastewater-treatment plants. Time-series data representative of pre-advanced- (1978-1980) and post-advanced- (1983--86) wastewater-treatment conditions were tested for trends, and the results indicate substantial changes in water quality of treated effluent and of the White River downstream from Indianapolis after implementation of advanced wastewater treatment. Water quality from 1981 through 1982 was highly variable due to plant construction. Therefore, this time period was excluded from the analysis. Water quality at sample sites located upstream from the wastewater-treatment plants was relatively constant during the period of study (1978-86). Analysis of data from the two plants and downstream from the plants indicates statistically significant decreasing trends in effluent concentrations of total ammonia, 5-day biochemical-oxygen demand, fecal-coliform bacteria, total phosphate, and total solids at all sites where sufficient data were available for testing. Because of in-plant nitrification, increases in nitrate concentration were statistically significant in the two plants and in the White River. The decrease in ammonia concentrations and 5-day biochemical-oxygen demand in the White River resulted in a statistically significant increasing trend in dissolved-oxygen concentration in the river because of reduced oxygen demand for nitrification and biochemical oxidation processes. Following implementation of advanced wastewater treatment, the number of river-quality samples that failed to meet the water-quality standards for ammonia and dissolved oxygen that apply to the White River decreased substantially.

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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.

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USGS1992

Water resources data, Indiana, water year 1991

Water resources data for the 1991 water year for Indiana consist of records of discharge, stage, and water quality of streams and wells; reservoir stage and contents; and water levels in lakes and wells. This report contains records of discharge for 183 stream-gaging stations, stage for 7 stream stations, stage and contents for 1 reservoir, water quality for 3 streams, and water levels for 80 lakes and 95 observation wells. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in Indiana in cooperation with State and Federal Agencies.

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USGS1992

Description and effects of 1988 drought on ground-water levels, streamflow, and reservoir levels in Indiana

Documentation of the 1988 drought in Indiana was undertaken to aid water-management agencies and planners concerned with periods of below-normal precipitation and their effect on commercial, agricultural, and residential water use. Precipitation, temperature, Palmer Drought Severity Indices, and ground- and surface-water levels from water years 1988 and 1989 were compared to the historical record to evaluate severity, extent, and duration of the 1988 drought in Indiana. Three types of drought-climatological, hydrologic, and agricultural--occurred in most of Indiana during water years 1988 and 1989. The drought began toward the end of calendar year 1987 as annual precipitation decreased to 4.6 inches below the long term mean. By the end of September 1988, statewide precipitation deficits had increased to almost 8 inches below normal. High temperatures during the summer months increased the stress on crops, livestock, and people. Northwest Indiana experienced the second warmest June-August on record. Palmer Drought Severity Indices indicated that a moderate-to-severe drought had occurred in Indiana during most of 1988. Ground-water levels were affected substantially in many areas of the State. Record low-water levels were observed at 12 of the 20 monitoring wells included in this report. A go-day ground-water emergency was declared in parts of northwestern Indiana. Streamflow throughout the State was affected to varying degrees by the drought. Annual mean discharge in some rivers was only slightly less than the mean annual discharge, while others flowed at less than half that value. The effects of low streamflows were felt by many as electric power plants reduced or ceased production and public-water utilities requested conservation measures by their customers. Major reservoirs in the State approached or reached record low levels, causing water supplies as well as recreational activities to be diminished. Most major crops produced in Indiana were affected by the dry conditions. Average yields in 1988 ranged from 50 to 86 percent of 1987 yields.

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USGS1992

Feasibility of using portable, noninvasive pipe flowmeters and time totalizers for determining water use

The feasibilityty of using noninvasive flowmeters for determining water use was investigated by attempting, and at some sites repeating, instantaneous pipe-flow measurements at 45 water-withdrawal sites by use of four portable noninvasive pipe flowmeters. The flowmeters measure flow in pipes; this flow is related to water use. Because actual water use can differ from the total flow in the pipe, water use is not, in itself, measured by the flowmeters. The transit-time flowmeter successfully measured flow on 81 of 88 measurement attempts. The time-of-flight flowmeter successfully measured flow on 85 of 93 measurement attempts. One reflective-doppler flowmeter successfully measured flow on 71 of 75 measurement attempts. Another type of reflective-doppler flowmeter, which required air bubbles or paniculate matter in the flow, successfully measured flow on 19 of 92 measurement attempts. Flows at most water-withdrawal sites selected for this study did not include paniculate matter. At 10 site visits where inline flowmeter measurements were available for comparison and where three of the four selected portable flowmeters were successful, the transit-time flowmeter measurements had a mean log-percent difference from the inline measurements of 2.8 and a standard deviation of 3.7. The time-of-flight flowmeter measurements had a mean log-percent difference of 7.5 and a standard deviation of 7.6. The reflective-doppler flowmeter measurements had a mean log-percent difference of -14 and a standard deviation of 18. The feasibility of using time totalizers for determining water use was investigated by observing seven vibration time totalizers (VTT's) mounted at five sites. None of the units exhibited adverse effects from the heat, precipitation, or humidity associated with Indiana summers. One VTT was mounted at a public water-supply site where inductive time-totalizer measurements were available for comparison. The VTT agreed within 8 hours of the inductive time totalizer after 2,340 hours of pump operation. There were no mechanical prpblems with the VTT units used in this study.

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USGS1992

Suspended sediment in Trail Creek at Michigan City, Indiana

Trail Creek is a small (54.1-square-mile drainage area) tributary of Lake Michigan located in northwestern Indiana. A harbor at the mouth of the stream has experienced excessive sediment deposition. A study was done to investigate the suspended-sediment characteristics of Trail Creek. The study included analysis of suspended-sediment concentration and particle-size data, and estimates of annual suspended-sediment load. Suspended-sediment concentrations ranged from only a few milligrams per liter at low flows to about 300 milligrams per liter at high flows. At low flows, the suspended sediment was mostly silt- and clay-sized material (less than 0.062 millimeter). The percentage of silt- and clay-sized material gradually decreased to about 50 percent of the suspended sediment at high flows. Estimates of the annual suspended-sediment load for the 1981-90 water years were calculated by the flow-duration, rating-curve method. Annual loads ranged from 3,690 to 8,250 tons. The average annual load for the 10-year period was 6,180 tons. Annual suspended-sediment yield (load per unit drainage area) averaged 114 tons per square mile; this value is within the range of values from 14 other previously investigated streams in northern Indiana. Average annual yields of these 14 streams ranged from 11 to 152 tons per square mile; the median annual yield was 56 tons per square mile.

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USGS1992

Recovery of benthic-invertebrate communities in the White River near Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, following implementation of advanced treatment of municipal wastewater

The City of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, completed construction of advanced-wastewater-treatment systems to enlarge and upgrade existing secondary-treatment processes at the City’s two municipal wastewater-treatment plants in 1983. These plants discharge their effluent to the White River. A study was begun in 1981 to evaluate the effects of municipal wastewater on the quality of the White River near Indianapolis. As part of this study, benthic-invertebrate samples were collected from one riffle upstream and two riffles downstream from the treatment plants annually from 1981 through 1987 (2 times before and 5 times after the plant improvements became operational). Samples were collected during periods of late-summer or early-fall low streamflow with a Surber sampler. Upstream from the wastewater-treatment plants, mayflies and caddisflies were the predominant organisms in the benthic-invertebrate community (from 32 to 93 percent of all organisms; median value is 67 percent) with other insects and mollusks also present. Before implementation of advanced wastewater-treatment, the benthic-invertebrate community downstream from the wastewater treatment plants was predominantly chironomids and oligochaetes (more than 98 percent of all organisms)-organisms that generally are tolerant of organic wastes. Few intolerant species, such as mayflies or caddisflies were found. Following implementation of advanced wastewater treatment, mayflies and caddisflies became numerically dominant in samples collected downstream from the plants. By 1986, these organisms accounted for more than 90 percent of all organisms found at the two downstream sites. The diversity of benthic invertebrates found in these samples resembled that at the upstream site. The improvement in the quality of municipal wastewater effluent resulted in significant improvements in the water quality of the White River downstream from Indianapolis. These changes in river quality, in turn, have resulted in a shift from mostly pollution-tolerant to mostly pollution-intolerant organisms in the benthic-invertebrate community of the White River downstream from Indianapolis. The recovery was not immediate, however, with one of the downstream sites requiring 3 years before pollution-intolerant organisms became numerically dominant.

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USGS1991

Inorganic ground-water chemistry at an experimental New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian) in situ gasification site

Experimental in situ gasification of New Albany Shale (Devonian-Mississippian) has been conducted in Clark County. Analyses of ground water sampled from a production well and nine nearby monitoring wells 3 months after a brief in situ gasification period revealed changes in water chemistry associated with the gasification procedure. Dissolved iron, calcium and sulphate in ground water from the production well and wells as much as 2 m away were significantly higher than in ground water from wells over 9 m away. Dissolved components in the more distant wells are in the range of those in regional ground water. Thermal decomposition of pyrite during the gasification process generated the elevated levels of iron and sulphate in solution. High concentrations of calcium indicate buffering by dissolution of carbonate minerals. While iron quickly precipitates, calcium and sulphate remain in the ground water. Trends in the concentration of sulphate show that altered ground water migrated mostly in a south-westerly direction from the production well along natural joints in the New Albany Shale.

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USGS1991

Water resources data, Indiana, water year 1990

Water resources data for the 1990 water year for Indian consist of records of discharge, stage, and water quality of streams and wells; reservoir stage and contents; and water levels in lakes and wells. This report contains records of discharge for 181 stream-gaging stations, stage for 7 stream stations, stage and contents for 1 reservoir, water quality for 3 streams and 5 observation wells, and water levels for 80 lakes and 95 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are shown as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the national Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in Indiana in cooperation with State and Federal agencies.

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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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USGS1991

Sedimentation in Versailles Lake, Ripley County, southeastern Indiana, 1956-88

Sedimentation has affected the storage capacity and surface area of Versailles Lake. The lake was constructed by damming Laughery Creek in 1956. At the dam, the drainage area of Laughery Creek is 168 square miles. Locations where the largest amount of sediment has accumulated for the 32-year period 1956-88, are in the upper end of the lake where Laughery Creek enters and in the middle part of the lake; however, sediment has also accumulated in the rest of the lake. The surface area of the lake for 1956 was 10,400,000 square feet (239 acres) and for 1988 was 9,700,000 square feet (223 acres). In 1956, the volume of water in Versailles Lake was 115,000,000 cubic feet; in 1988, the volume was 73,400,000 cubic feet. The amount of sediment accumulation in the lake during 1956-88 was 41,600,000 cubic feet. In 1988, the volume of water remaining in the lake was 63.8 percent of the 1956 volume; 36.2 percent of the 1956 lake volume had filled with sediment. The annual rate of sediment accumulation in the lake during 1956-88 was 1,300,000 cubic feet per year. Potential decreases in the storage capacity of Versailles Lake for the 32-year period 1989-2020 were estimated. The percentage volume of water in the lake in 2020 is expected to be 28 percent of the 1956 volume; 72 percent of the lake is expected to be filled with sediment. Physiographic data indicate no distinct source areas in the drainage basin of Laughery Creek that are contributing unusually large amounts of sediment to Versailles Lake.

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USGS1991

Method for estimating low-flow characteristics of ungaged streams in Indiana

Equations for estimating the 7-day, 2-year and 7oday, 10-year low flows at sites on ungaged streams are presented. Regression analysis was used to develop equations relating basin characteristics and low-flow characteristics at 82 gaging stations. Significant basin characteristics in the equations are contributing drainage area and flow-duration ratio, which is the 20-percent flow duration divided by the 90-percent flow duration. Flow-duration ratio has been regionalized for Indiana on a plate. Ratios for use in the equations are obtained from the plate. Drainage areas are determined from maps or are obtained from reports. The predictive capability of the method was determined by tests of the equations and of the flow-duration ratios on the plate. The accuracy of the equations alone was tested by estimating the low-flow characteristics at 82 gaging stations where flow-duration ratio is already known. In this case, the standard errors of estimate for 7-day, 2-year and 7-day, 10-year low flows are 19 and 28 percent. When flow-duration ratios for the 82 gaging stations are obtained from the map, the standard errors are 46 and 61 percent. However, when stations having drainage areas of less than 10 square miles are excluded from the test, the standard errors decrease to 38 and 49 percent. Standard errors increase when stations with small basins are included, probably because some of the flow-duration ratios obtained for these small basins are incorrect. Local geology and its effect on the ratio are not adequately reflected on the plate, which shows the regional variation in flow-duration ratio. In all the tests, no bias is apparent areally, with increasing drainage area or with increasing ratio. Guidelines and limitations should be considered when using the method. The method can be applied only at sites in the northern and central physiographic zones of the State. Low-flow characteristics cannot be estimated for regulated streams unless the amount of regulation is known so that the estimated low-flow characteristic can be adjusted. The method is most accurate for sites having drainage areas ranging from 10 to 1,000 square miles and for predictions of 7-day, 10-year low flows ranging from 0.5 to 340 cubic feet per second.

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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)

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