USGS Science⌕ Search

Geology topics

Research about Indiana

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Indiana.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
USGS1977

Nature and extent of ground-water-quality changes resulting from solid-waste disposal, Marion County, Indiana

Studies of seven landfills in the Indianapolis, Indiana, area indicate that in five of the landfills movement of ground water is from the deep aquifers into the uppermost aquifer. In the other two landfills, movement of ground water is from the shallow aquifers to the deeper aquifers, so that leachate is transported into the deeper aquifers. In all the landfills, the predominant direction of ground-water movement is lateral. Placing solid waste into the landfills has occasionally altered the local, but not the regional, flow patterns. Ground-water mounding at shallow depths beneath two of the landfills has caused flow toward the edges of the two fills. Leachate at these fills is moving downward and outward and has affected water quality at shallow depths. Pumping near two other landfills has reversed the direction of regional ground-water flow, allowing leachate to move toward the pumping wells. Leachate at the three remaining landfills is moving downgradient and is discharging into single streams adjacent to each landfill. (Woodard-USGS)

Indiana↗
USGS1977

Indiana stream-temperature characteristics

Periodic stream-temperature data have been collected at 280 different sites in Indiana by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Indiana State Board of Health. These data have been analyzed using a simple-harmonic curve-fitting procedure. When the equation coefficients are known, calculations can be made for a given stream to estimate the maximum and minimum temperatures, the temperature on a given day, the day a given temperature is expected, or the length of time temperatures will exceed, or be less than, a specific. The calculated harmonic coefficients were related to 23 topographic, basin, and climatic characteristics, and were analyzed by multiple-regression analysis techniques. The regional regression analysis for the harmonic- mean stream temperature, M, resulted in the following arithmetic function of station latitude (LAT). M = 41.36 - 0.7166 (LAT) The multiple correlation coefficient (r) was .72. Poor correlations were found for the harmonic phase-angle and amplitude coefficients, C and A, respectively. Constants of 4.32 radians for C and 11.27° Celsius for A are suggested as average statewide values in Indiana streams. The mean temperature of the White River at Indianapolis was raised 3.5° Celsius above expected ambient levels caused by climatic conditions alone, primarily as a result of discharges from powerplants. In general, the harmonic coefficients depicting annual variability in stream temperatures, generated from the Indiana State board of Health data collected every 2 weeks, are the same as coefficients generated from the U.S. Geological Survey date collected every 4-6 weeks.

Indiana↗
USGS1976

Water resources data for Indiana, water year 1975

Water resources data for the 1975 water year for Indiana consist of records of streamflow or reservoir storage at gaging stations, partial-record stations, miscellaneous sites, and records of water-quality data on the chemical and physical characteristics of surface water, and water levels of wells. Records for a few pertinent streamflow and water-quality stations in bordering states are also included. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. 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 Indiana.

Indiana↗
USGS1976

Statistical summaries of Indiana streamflow data

Complete statistical analyses are presented in tabular form for all gaging stations in Indiana, regardless of length of record. Each station analysis includes lowest and highest mean daily discharges, flow duration, statistics on normal monthly means, statistics on normal annual means, statistics on log monthly means, statistics on log annual means, and annual peak discharges.

Indiana↗
USGS1976

Availability of ground water near Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana

A study of the hydraulic characteristics of the unconsolidated glacial deposits near the city of Carmel in central Indiana shows that 21.3 million gallons per day (933 litres per second) of additional water could be withdrawn from the aquifer for an indefinite period of time . This pumpage is approximately 5 million gallons per day (219 litres per second) above the projected water needs of Carmel for 1990. Saturated thickness, transmissivity , and storage coefficient of the outwash aquifer along the White River east of Carmel were determined , using available data supplemented by test drilling. The saturated thickness of the aquifer ranges from 10 to 110 feet (3 to 34 metres); transmissivity ranges from 1 , 000 feet squared per day (93 metres squared per day) to 24,000 feet squared per day (2,230 metres squared per day); and the average storage coefficient is 0 . 11. Seepage from the aquifer into the White River was estimated in November 1974, using data from u.S. Geological Survey gaging stations. Water- level information was obtained from a network of observation wells at that same time. Flow in the unconsolidated glacial deposits near the city of Carmel in central Indiana was simulated by a digital-computer model in a study of hydraulic characteristics of the deposits. The study shows that 21.3 million gallons per day (933 litres per second) of additional water could be withdrawn from the aquifer for an indefinite period of time. This pumpage is approximately 5 million gallons per day (219 1itres per second) above the projected water needs of Carmel for 1990. Saturated thickness, transmissivity, and storage coefficient of the outwash aquifer along the White River east of Carmel were determined, using available data supplemented by test drilling . The saturated thickness of the aquifer ranges f r om 10 to 110 feet 0 to 34 me tres); transmissivity ranges from 1,000 feet squared per day (93 metres squared per day) to 24 ,000 feet squared per day (2 ,230 metres squared per day); and the average storage coefficient is 0.11.

Indiana↗
USGS1976

Digital-model analysis to predict water levels in a well field near Columbus, Indiana

Columbus, Indiana, obtains its water supply from six municipally owned wells southwest of the city. The wells are screened in an outwash sand and gravel aquifer that was deposited by glacial melt water in a preglacial bedrock valley. The well field is midway between the East Fork White River and the western edge of the valley. A digital model was used to determine the effects of two pumping plans on the outwash sand and gravel aquifer. In pumping plan 1, a continuous pumping rate of 1,400 gallons per minute (88 litres per second) for 10 years in each of the city's six existing wells was simulated with the model. Model results of plan 1 indicate that the water levels in the area of the well field would be lowered more than 20 feet (6 metres) and that drawdowns in the wells would approach 35 feet (11 metres) after 10 years' pumping. Pumping plan 2 had two stages of pumping. In the first, a continuous pumping rate of 1,400 gallons per minute (88 litres per second) for 5 years in each of the city's six existing wells was simulated with the model; the second stage of pumping plan 2 differed from stage 1 only in that five planned wells were added to the six existing wells. Model results of plan 2 indicate that water levels in the area of the well field would be lowered as much as 40 feet (12 metres). Drawdown at two of the well sites would approach 60 feet (18 metres), leaving less than 15 feet (5 metres) of the initial 70 feet (21 metres) of saturated thickness at the two wells after 10 years' pumping.

Indiana↗
USGS1976

Model analysis of effects on water levels at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore caused by construction dewatering

Two computer models were developed to investigate possible hydrologic effects within the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore caused by planned dewatering at the adjacent Bailly Nuclear Generator construction site. The dewatering, which is scheduled to last for about 18 months, would cause ground-water levels to be drawn down 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 metres) to an elevation of 4 ft (1.2 m) below Lake Michigan datum under the approximately 7-acre (2.8-square hectometre) construction site, which is about 800 ft (245 m) west of the Lakeshore property. The results of this study have been used by the National Park Service to help evaluate the environmental impact of the dewatering, particularly the effects on the ecosystem of the lakeshore. The aquifer underlying the area is about 50 ft (15 m) thick and is composed of fine sand with layers of medium sand and gravel. All natural ponds in the area are separated from the aquifer by a low-permeability layer of silty organic muck and clay that ranges from about 1 to 4 ft (0.3 to 1.2 m) in thickness. This pond-bottom material acts only to retard the flow of water either to or from the aquifer beneath the ponds, depending upon the relative head in the pond and the aquifer. Elsewhere, the aquifer is under water-table conditions. The model analysis indicates that the planned dewatering would cause a drawdown of about 4 ft (1.2 m) under the westernmost pond of the Lakeshore and that this drawdown would cause the pond to go almost dry--less than 0.5 ft (0.15 m) of water remaining in about 1 percent of the pond--under average conditions during the 18-month dewatering period. When water levels are below average, as during late July and early August 1974, the pond would go dry in about 5 1/2 months. However, the pond may not have to go completely dry to damage the ecosystem. If the National Park Service's independent study determines the minimum pond level at which ecosystem damage would be minimized, the models developed in this study could be used to predict the hydrologic conditions necessary to maintain that level.

Indiana↗
USGS1976

A technique for estimating the time of travel of water in Indiana streams

Estimates of the traveltime of waterborne particles in streams is important for pollution studies and in the event of spills of contaminants. This report provides data for the 16 Indiana streams on which time-of-travel information has been obtained and a means for estimating the velocity of any naturally flowing stream in Indiana with a drainage area of 80 square miles (210 square kilometres) or more. Measured velocity rates compiled from the time-of-travel data collected in Indiana are releated to 25, 50, 100, and 200 percent of the average discharge of streams shown in this report. Velocities at these discharges are significantly related to their respective watershed characteristics (average discharge and slope). Generalized relations of the velocities as functions of the streams' watershed characteristics are developed as multivariate regression equations using the data from each of the measured streams. Examples of uses and applications of the measured data and the predictive equations are given.

Indiana↗
USGS1975

Availability of ground water in Marion County, Indiana

County constitute the most extensive aquifers in the county. Four areally distinct sand and gravel aquifers were mapped in the drift during the course of this study. The aquifer of greatest economic importance consists of sand and gravel deposits of glacial-outwash origin which coincide with the courses of the White River and Fall Creek. Ground water in this aquifer is generally unconfined. Three thin, areally discontinuous, sheetlike deposits of sand and gravel situated one above the other occur in the till-plain area of the county. These deposits coalesce in some areas, but generally are separated by beds of silt and clay of varying thickness which cause the ground water in the till-plain aquifers to be semiconfined. The uppermost 100 feet (30 metres) or so of limestone and (or) dolomite underlying the glacial drift constitutes an aquifer of secondary importance in the county. This aquifer is separated from the unconsolidated aquifers either by silt and clay or by shale. The present movement of ground water through these aquifers is generally toward the White River, Fall Creek, Eagle Creek or Buck Creek. Based on seepage data, water levels in the aquifers in April and May 1974, and subsequent electric-analog-model analysis, discharge of ground water by seepage into the streams in the glacial outwash averages about 42 cubic feet per day per foot (3.9 cubic metres per day per metre) of channel length. A four-layer electric-analog model incorporating the geometry and hydraulic characteristics of the aquifers, the confining beds and the stream- aquifer connection was constructed to determine the feasibility and hydrologic results of proposed plans for future ground-water development. Three large well fields were simulated in the model of the glacial-outwash aquifer, with pumping nodes situated so as to take advantage both of high transmissivity areas in the aquifer, and of recharge from the streams. A series of model experiments were carried out to test the capacity of the aquifers to sustain increases in pumpage. In all of these, a new equilibrium was established within 6 years of simulated pumpage. In two of these experiments, water levels in the discharging wells were allowed to draw down to approximately half of the saturated thickness of the glacial-outwash aquifer. At this drawdown limit, the total discharge of wells in the system was found to be 59 million gallons per day (2.6 cubic second) assuming that the streams were fully connected to the upper third of the glacial-outwash aquifer. In two other experiments, discharging wells were allowed to drawdown an average of two-thirds of the saturated thickness of the glacial-outwash aquifer. At this limit, the total discharge was found to be 72 million gallons per day (3.2 cubic metres per second) using the conservative stream-aquifer connection, and 103 million gallons per day (4.5 cubic metres per second) assuming a full connection. Some dewatering of the aquifer was associated with the 72 million gallons per day (3.2 cubic metres per second) discharge. In all experiments, the amount that could be pumped from the confined aquifers without disturbing existing domestic wells was found to be small.

Indiana↗
USGS1975

A water-quality assessment of the Jordan Creek watershed, Warren County, Indiana

A water-quality assessment of the Jordan Creek watershed was made September 24 and 25, 1974. Surface waters within the watershed were calcium bicarbonate types with very similar concentrations of major dissolved constituents and specific conductance values. Streamwaters contained less than 0.26 milligram per litre dissolved nitrate (as N), 0.03 milligram per litre or less dissolved phosphate (as P), and from 4.8 to 5.9 milligrams per litre dissolved organic carbon. Fecal coliform bacteria concentrations were between 220 and 1,400 colonies per 100 millilitres and fecal streptococci concentrations ranged between 85 and 330 colonies per 100 millilitres. Bed material in lower Jordan Creek contained dieldrin, DDD, and DDE in concentrations less than 0.6 microgram per kilogram. A reasonably good biologic diversity index of 2.9 was found in a lower Jordan Creek sampling site. The benthic community was dominated by midge larvae. Phacus sp (flagellate) and Navicula sp (diatom) dominated the lower Jordan Creek phytoplankton community and Cladophora sp (green algae) was the dominant periphyton.

Indiana↗
USGS1975

A water-quality assessment of the Rock Creek (Cass) watershed, Cass and Carroll counties, Indiana

A water-quality assessment of the Rock Creek (Cass) watershed was made June 12 and 13, 1974. Nutrients were resampled November 7, 1974. Surface waters within the watershed were calcium bicarbonate types with very similar concentrations of major dissolved constituents. Samples collected June 13 contained between 7.4 and 14 milligrams per litre dissolved nitrate (as N), between 0.05 and 1.3 milligrams per litre dissolved phosphate (as P), and between 2.3 to 4.0 milligrams per litre dissolved organic carbon. Samples collected November 7 contained less than 0.22 milligrams per litre dissolved nitrate (as N). The concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria ranged from 450 to 14,000 colonies per 100 millilitres. The concentrations of fecal streptococci bacteria ranged from 600 to 8,500 colonies per 100 millilitres. The bed materials of an upper Rock Creek site contained moderately high concentrations of dieldrin and chlordane (17 and 19 micrograms per kilogram, respectively) and also contained less than 6 micrograms per kilogram aldrin, DDD, heptachlor epoxide, and PCB's. Bed materials in a lower Rock Creek site contained less than 4.2 micrograms per kilogram of all the above compounds except PCB's. Biologic diversity indices of 2.7 and 2.2, which do not typify healthy benthic communities, were found in the upper and lower Rock Creek sampling sites, respectively. The benthic communities were dominated by midge larvae at both sites. Diatoms (Navicula sp) dominated the phytoplankton communities at both sites.

Indiana↗