Geology topics
Research about Mississippi
Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Mississippi.
Potentiometric map of the Gordo aquifer in northeastern Mississippi, November and December 1982
The Paleozoic rocks that outcrop in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, supply water to public, industrial, and domestic wells in two counties in the northeastern part of the State. Paleozoic rocks in the area consist mostly of beds of sandstone, shale, and limestone which dip about 30 feet per mile to the southwest. The potentiometric surface of the Paleozoic aquifer slopes generally to the west away from the area of outcrop and is strongly affected by large groundwater withdrawals at Corinth. The water level at Corinth has declined about 160 feet from 1954 to 1974 and recovered about 45 feet by 1982. Wells that were near the center of the cone of depression have been replaced by new wells located away from the center.
Characterization of aquifers designated as potential drinking-water sources in Mississippi
The Environmental Protection Agency has established that all ground water having a dissolved-solids concentration of less than 10,000 milligrams per liter is to be protected from injection of waste material. The Underground Injection Control program is intended to protect aquifers that are possible future sources of drinking water. Fourteen aquifers in Mississippi have been studied and their downdip limits for water containing 10 ,000 milligrams per liter dissolved solids have been delineated. Maps have been prepared showing the top, bottom, thickness, and potentiometric surface of the aquifers.
Hydrologic monitoring in the area of the proposed Yazoo River navigation project, west-central Mississippi, 1978-80
The ground—water level data presented in this report were collected in conjunction with a study of the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer in part of the Yazoo River Basin. Funding for the collection of water—level data was provided by the Vicksburg District, Corps of Engineers, who also drilled the observation wells and surveyed elevations of the top of the casing of each well. The wells were drilled to obtain data on seasonal changes in ground—water levels, areas of recharge and/or discharge, and on direction of movement of water in the alluvial aquifer. This report is intended to document the data.
Quality of water in Luxapallia Creek at Columbus, Mississippi
A quality-of-water study was conducted on September 9-12, 1979, on Luxapallila Creek and its tributaries, Magby and McCrary Creeks. The short term study indicated that the water in Luxapallila, Magby, and McCrary Creeks is suitable for many purposes. The dissolved-oxygen concentration, temperature, and pH of the water in Luxapallila Creek changed little downstream from site 1 to site 5. The mean specific conductance increased from 25 micromhos per centimeter at site 1 to 46 micromhos per centimeter at site 5. The concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus species, densities of fecal bacteria and 5-day biochemical-oxygen-demand load in Luxapallila Creek also increased downstream. The maximum BOD 5 increased from 0.7 mg/L at the upstream site to 2.6 mg/L at the most downstream site. The maximum total nitrogen concentration increased from 0.71 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L. The maximum ammonia nitrogen concentration increased from 0.08 mg/L to 0.50 mg/L. Maximum nitrate plus nitrite concentrations increased from 0.13 mg/L to 0.15 mg/L and the maximum organic nitrogen concentrations increased from 0.53 mg/L to 1.6 mg/L. Maximum total phosphorus concentrations increased from 0.04 mg/L at the upstream site to 0.30 mg/L at the downstream site. The fecal coliform to fecal streptococcus ratio of three of five samples collected at site 5 was greater than 4.0 strongly suggesting the presence of human wastes at the downstream sites during the study.
Quality of water and time of travel in Bakers Creek near Clinton, Mississippi
A short-term intensive quality-of-water study was conducted during a period of generally low streamflow in Bakers Creek and its tributary, Lindsey Creek, near Clinton, Mississippi. During the September 15-18, 1980 study, dissolved oxygen concentrations in Bakers Creek were less than 5 milligrams per liter. The specific conductance, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, nutrient concentrations, and bacteria densities in Bakers Creek decreased downstream through the study reach. The mean specific conductance decreased from 670 micromhos per centimeter to 306 micromhos per centimeter. The 5-day biochemical oxygen demand decreased from 19 milligrams per liter to 2.8 milligrams per liter. The mean total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations decreased from 10 and 7.1 milligrams per liter to 1.0 and 0.87 milligram per liter, respectively. The maximum fecal bacteria decreased from 7,200 colonies per 100 milliliter to 400 colonies per 100 milliliter. The concentrations of mercury (0.4 micrograms per liter), iron (3,400 micrograms per liter), and manganese (1,100 micrograms per liter) in a sample collected at the downstream site exceeded recommended limits. Diazinon (0.01 micrograms per liter) and 2,4-D (0.02 micrograms per liter) were also present in the water. A bottom material sample contained DDD (2.5 micrograms per kilogram), DDE (2.7 micrograms per kilogram), and DDT (.3 micrograms per kilogram). The tributary inflow from Lindsey Creek did not improve the water quality at downstream sites on Bakers Creek. The dissolved oxygen concentrations were generally less than 5.0 milligrams per liter at the sampling site on Lindsey Creek. The 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, the mean specific conductance, and fecal coliform densities were greater in the tributary than at the downstream site on Bakers Creek. The average rate of travel through a 1.8 -mile reach of Bakers Creek was 0.06 foot per second or 0.04 miles per hour.
Water-level maps of the alluvial aquifer, northwestern Mississippi, September 1981
The study area, locally known as "the Delta", covers the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain in northwestern Mississippi. The Delta is a nearly flat southward sloping surface characterized by oxbow lakes, abandoned stram channels, natural levees, backswamp areas, and bayous. The accompanying maps were prepared to show the effects of ground-water withdrawal on the alluvial aquifer during the growing season of 1981 and to compare water levels in September 1980. The maps are based on water-level measurements made in over 400 wells that tap the alluvial aquifers, the principal source of water supply for crop irrigation and fish farming in the Delta. Water levels in April 1981 were lower than normal as a result of less-than-normal rainfall, low stream stages, and residual drawdown caused by pumping for irrigation during 1980. Water levels in September 1981 were lower than in September 1980 because levels were lower than normal at the beginning of the irrigation season, drought conditions continued, and pumping increased. The increase in pumping was caused by the increase in rice acreage and catfish farming and by supplemental irrigation of row crops affected by the drought.
Water resources data Mississippi, water year 1981
Water resources data for the 1981 water year for Mississippi consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report contains records of water discharge at 82 gaging stations; stage records for 18 of these gaging stations; stage only at 4 gaging stations; contents for 4 lakes; water quality for 33 gaging stations, and 123 wells; and water levels for 324 observation wells. Also included are peak-discharge data for 91 crest-stage partial-record stations and water quality data at 18 partial-record or miscellaneous sites. Locations of these sites are shown on Figures 3-5. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Mississippi.
Water-level maps of the alluvial aquifer, northwestern Mississippi April 1982
Water levels were measured in about 500 wells in the Mississippi River valley alluvial aquifer in northwestern Mississippi during the period April 12-23, 1982. The water-level change from April 1981 to April 1982, showed a general decline, but the water-level change from September 1981 to April 1982 showed some recovery. Water levels in the Delta were higher along the Mississippi River and Bluff Hills. Historically, water levels decline and rise as the amount of precipitation decreases or increases. Recently, continuous heavy pumping for irrigation has caused general water-level declines in the alluvial aquifer.
Quality of water and time of travel in Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks near Magee, Mississippi
An intensive quality-of-water study was conducted during a period of generally low streamflow in Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks near Magee, Miss. During the August 12-14, 1980, study, the mean specific conductance of the water at all sites was less than 59 micromhos per centimeter; the dissolved-oxygen concentrations were greater than 5.0 milligrams per liter: pH values ranged from 6.0 to 6.8, and the mean water temperature ranged from 23.0 to 27.0 Celsius. The biochemical oxygen demand and nutrient concentrations at the downstream sampling sites were higher in Goodwater Creek than in Okatoma Creek. The maximum 5-day biochemical oxygen demand was 2.7 milligrams per liter in Goodwater Creek and 1.5 milligrams per liter in Okatoma Creek. The mean concentration of total nitrogen was 1.0 and 0.71 milligrams per liter and the mean total phosphorus concentration was 0.26 and 0.10 milligrams per liter at the downstream sites on Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks, respectively. Fecal coliform densities generally were high at all sites, exceeding 4,000 colonies per 100 milliliters in both Goodwater and Okatoma Creeks. Objectionable concentrations of total cadmium, mercury, iron, and phenol were present in a sample of water. Dieldrin, chlordane, DDD, DDE, and DDT were present in a sample of bottom material collected at the downstream site of Okatoma Creek. The peak concentration of dye injected into Goodwater Creek traveled through a 1.7-mile reach at a rate of 0.3 mile per hour.
Potentiometric map of the Cockfield Aquifer in Mississippi, fall, 1980
This potentiometric map of the Cockfield aquifer is the eleventh in a series of maps, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources , Bureau of Land and Water Resources, delineating the potentiometric surfaces of the major aquifers in Mississippi. In the outcrop area of the Cockfield quifer the potentiometric surface is strongly affected by recharge from precipitation, by topography, and by drainage of the aquifer by streams. The potentiometric surface slopes downward generally to the west away from the area of outcrop and is strongly affected by large ground-water withdrawals in the Jackson and Greenville areas. Historically, water levels in or near the outcrop of the Cockfield aquifer have shown little or no long-term changes, but in much of the confined part of the aquifer during the past 20 years, water levels have declined from 1 to 2 feet per year.
Water-level map of the Mississippi delta alluvium in northwestern Mississippi, April 1981
The water-level map on the left was prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Mississippi Bureau of Land and Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources. The map represents the surface of the ground water as it was measured in 454 wells in the alluvial aquifer during April 13-24, 1981. The measurements were made near the beginning of the 1981 planting season after a year-long drought.
Quality of water in James Creek, Monroe County, Mississippi
A short-term quality-of-water study of James Creek near Aberdeen, Mississippi was conducted on November 14-16, 1978, during a period of low streamflow. During the study, the water in the 2.6-mile stream reach was undesirable for many uses. Wastewater inflow immediately upstream of the study area contributed to the dissolved-solids load in James Creek. The specific conductance of the water ranged from 775 to 890 micromhos at the head of the study reach and from 650 to 750 micromhos at the end of the study reach. A substantial biochemical oxygen-demand was evident in James Creek. Five-day biochemical oxygen demand values downstream of a sewage disposal pond outfall ranged from 8.3 to 11 milligrams per liter and dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 4.5 milligrams per liter. Nitrogen and phosphorus compounds and fecal bacteria densities were highest downstream. Total ammonia nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the water leaving the study area ranged from 0.29 to 1.4 milligrams per liter and from 0.65 to 1.7 milligrams per liter, respectively. Fecal coliform densities exceeding 50,000 colonies per 100 milliliters of sample were observed in the study area. The median fecal coliform density of the water leaving the study area was 2,800 colonies per 100 milliliters.
Quality of water in Tibbee Creek and tributaries near West Point, Mississippi
An intensive water-quality study was conducted on Tibbee Creek and two of its tributaries, Town Creek and Catalpa Creek, on June 19-22, 1979. The data were collected during a period of low discharge and high air temperatures. The water in Tibbee Creek and Catalpa Creek was of much better quality than water in Town Creek. Large quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved solids and high densities of fecal coliform were present in Town Creek. The five-day biochemical oxygen demand values averaged 14 mg/L, and the mean total nitrogen concentration was 56 mg/L. The mean concentrations of ammonia, nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen, and organic nitrogen were 1.8 mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 3.7 mg/L, respectively. A total phosphorus load of more than 400 pounds per day, more than 91 percent of the total phosphorus load leaving the study area, was carried by Town Creek into Tibbee Creek. Total phosphorus concentrations averaged 14 mg/L in Town Creek and 0.11 and 0.12 mg/L in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks respectively. Bacterial densities were higher at site 2 in Town Creek than at sites 1 and 3 in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks respectively. The median fecal coliform bacterial density was 25,000 col/100 mL (colonies per 100 milliliters) in Town Creek and less than 200 col/100 mL in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks. Median fecal streptococcal densities were 1,000 col/100 mL in Town Creek, 210 col/100 mL in Tibbee Creek, and 800 col/100 mL in Catalpa Creek. Fecal coliform to fecal streptococcal ratios were greater than 4.0 in Town Creek, indicating wastes of human origin were probably present during the study. Ratios were less than 0.7 in Tibbee and Catalpa Creeks, indicating human wastes were probably absent during the study.
Background hydrologic information in potential lignite mining areas in Mississippi, August 1980
The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with Mississippi Bureau of Geology is conducting a hydrologic data-collection program in the potential lignite-producing areas in Mississippi. During the week of August 25-28, 1980, hydrologic data on channel characteristics were collected at 15 sites on small streams draining potential lignite mining areas in east-central Mississippi. Streamflow measurements were made and water-quality samples were collected at 11 of the 15 sites. Main channel widths at the 15 sampling sites in east-central Mississippi ranged from 126 feet on Sucarnoochee Creek to 15 feet on Houston Creek. Maximum water depth ranged from 7 feet on Pawticfaw Creek and Tallahatta Creek to one-half foot on Okatibbee Creek. The maximum stream discharge measured was 56 cubic feet per second on Pawticfaw Creek. Four sites had no discharge. Specific conductance at sampling sites ranged from 115 micromhos on Ponta Creek to 26 micromhos on Sucarnoochee Creek. The dissolved-oxygen concentration was 5.7 milligrams per liter or higher at all sites. The concentration of suspended sediment was not greater than 38 milligrams per liter at any site. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfate were less than 10 milligrams per liter in all samples, but were highest at site 10 on Ponta Creek. Bottom-material samples commonly contained iron, manganese, and zinc.
Quality of water and time of travel in part of Tillatoba Creek basin, Mississippi, October 1974 to September 1980
A 6-year quality of water and time-of-travel study was conducted during the construction phase of a flood-water protection and flood prevention project in a 118 square mile area of Tillatoba Creek basin in northwest Mississippi. Weekly suspended sediment, daily discharge, time of travel, nutrient, biochemical oxygen demand, bacteria and field data were collected. The study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. The results of the study are presented in graphs and tables in this report without interpretation.
Water resources data for Mississippi, water year 1979
Water resources data for the 1979 water year for Mississippi consist of records of stage and discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels of wells. This report contains discharge records for 80 gaging stations; stage records for 17 of these gaging stations; stage only for 3 gaging stations; contents for 4 lakes; water quality for 25 gaging stations, and 162 wells; and water levels for 360 observation wells. Also included are data for 94 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional Water data were collected at various sites, not part of the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Mississippi.