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Research about Ohio

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Ohio.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
USGS1980

Ground-water levels and chemical quality in Geauga County, Ohio, 1978

Most ground water used in Geauga County, Ohio, is withdrawn from bedrock aquifers, chiefly sandstones of the Pottsville and Cuyahoga Formations of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian age, respectively. Two potentiometric-surface maps were constructed from water-level measurements of 77 wells and 2 springs made in June and October 1978. The potentiometric surface did not change more than a few feet between June and October except in four distantly spaced wells where water levels changed not more than 17 feet, probably due to nearby pumping. The ground water is generally of good quality for domestic use based on guidelines set by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Some water samples contained high concentrations of dissolved iron and manganese. These metals could have been contributed by deteriorating well casings, bacteria, or iron- and manganese-rich aquifer rocks.

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USGS1980

A model for flow through a glacial outwash aquifer in southeast Franklin County, Ohio

A glacial aquifer of 70 square miles in the Scioto River valley southeast of Columbus, Ohio, was modeled as a potentially major source of water. The model was constructed from available hydrologic data: Records of precipitation, well hydrographs, well logs, two ground-water level surveys, and analyses of six aquifer tests. Utilizing this array of data, water levels determined from a series of steady-state simulations of different hydraulic conductivity distributions were calibrated against measured (December 1977) ground-water levels. The simulations that provided the best matches used two hydraulic conductivity distributions: One was an areally varying hydraulic conductivity distribution; the other an areally uniform hydraulic conductivity (40 feet per day) distribution. After these more probable hydraulic conductivity distributions were found, they were utilized in steady state maximal pumping simulations. The maximal well-field yield for these simulations was 20.5 million gallons per day for the areally varying hydraulic conductivity distribution, and 11.3 million gallons per day for the areally uniform hydraulic conductivity. Sensitivity of well yield to changes in well position and streambed leakance changes was investigated also.

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USGS1979

Seismicity map of the State of Ohio

The earthquake data shown on this map and listed in table 1 are a list of earthquakes that were originally used in preparing the Seismic Risk Studies in the United States (Algermissen, 1969) which have been recompiled and updated through 1977. The data have been reexamined and intensities assigned where none had been assigned before, on the basis of available data. Other intensity values were updated from new and additional data sources that were not available at the time of original compilation. Some epicenters were relocated on the basis of new information. The data shown in table 1 are estimates of the most accurate epicenter, magnitude, and intensity of each earthquake, on the basis of historical and current information. Some of the aftershocks from large earthquakes are listed but are incomplete in many instances, especially for ones that occurred before seismic instruments were in universal usage.

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USGS1979

The Silurian salt deposits in eastern Lake, northwestern Ashtabula, and northeastern Geauga Counties, Ohio

Five salt zones, comprising single or multiple salt beds interbedded with dolomite, dolomititc shale and anhydrite, occur in a 250-square-mile area in eastern Lake, northwestern Ashtabula, and northeastern Geauga Counties, Ohio. The aggregate thickness of salt-bearing rocks, from the base of the lowest salt to the top of the highest salt, ranges from about 300 feet in the northern part of the area to more than 450 feet in the southern part. The aggregate thickness of salt, exclusive of the intervening rocks, also increases southward, from about 100 feet to more than 200 feet. The thickest salt bed, the F1A salt, is 35 to 38 feet thick in the northeastern Geauga and southeatern Lake Counties.

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USGS1979

Chemical and biological quality of selected lakes in Ohio, 1976 and 1977

Twenty-eight Ohio lakes (14 per year) were sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the water-quality characteristics during the spring and summer of 1976 and 1977. Data items included: profiles of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conductance; physical, biological, nutrient, and organic characteristics; major and minor constituents; and physical and chemical data associated with major inflows. Light penetration (secchi disk) was greatest (21 feet) in Mogadore Reservoir and least (0.8 foot) in Stonelick Lake. Seasonal thermal gradients developed in most lakes greater than 17 feet in depth. Dissolved-oxygen saturation ranged from 220 percent in Summit Lake to zero percent in the bottom waters of all lakes having stable thermal gradients. Five-day BOD ranged from 0.3 milligrams per liter im Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir to more than 17 milligrams per liter in Nimisilia Reservoir. Anaerobic zones were frequently characterized by hydrogen sulfide and high concentrations of ammonia. All lakes had moderately hard to very hard waters. Calcium, bicarbonate, and sulfate were the principal constituents. Specific conductance ranged from 130 micromhos (Lake Logan) to 1250 micromhos (Summit Lake). Because of nutrient uptake and recycling, significant chemical and physical differences developed in different thermal strata. Pesticide residues and trace elements were not above the limits recommended by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. All counts of fecal colifrom bacteria were within State standards. Blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) dominated the phytoplankton communities of 18 lakes in spring and 26 lakes in summer. Algal counts from euphotic-zone composite samples ranged from 180 cells per milliliter in Killdeer Reservoir to 3,400,000 cells per milliliter in Kiser Lake. Maximum algal counts were greater than 100,000 cells per milliliter in 19 lakes. Streams ate a major source of macronutrients in Ohio lakes. The estimated discharge-weighted mean concentration for nitrite and total phosphorus in 62 inflow samples was 1.22 milligrams per liter as N and 0.12 milligrams per liter as P.

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USGS1979

Water-quality assessment of Rattlesnake Creek watershed, Ohio

Chemical and biological water quality in Rattlesnake Creek basin, Ohio, are evaluated. The data include field and laboratory data for eight sites during August 1976- August 1977 and summaries of earlier (1972-76) data. Streamflow was below normal during the study period. Basin waters types were calcium bicarbonate or calcium magnesium bicarbonate. Specific conductance ranged from 405 to 1,300 micromhos per centimeter. High concentrations of sodium (110-140 milligrams per liter) , nitrogen (24 milligrams per liter as N), and phosphorus (7.8 milligrams per liter as P) were observed during low flows downstream from domestic sewage facilities. Nonpoint sources contributed high concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen to all streams during the high flows of winter and spring. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the upper basin ranged from 3.2 to 18.4 milligrams per liter. Mean saturation values of dissolved oxygen were at or near 100 percent in the lower basin. Stream pH exceeded 8.4 when dissolved-oxygen saturation was above 120 percent. Bacteria and invertebrate data suggest that moderate pollution from cultural sources may exist in the upper basin. Water quality was poorest in the sluggish flows of the upper basin but improved downstream. Increases in flow velocity and stream aeration rates, dilution, and biological activity contributed to the downstream recovery. Except for' high nitrogen concentrations, water quality was best in the lower basin.

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USGS1977

Time of travel of solutes in the Tuscarawas River Basin, Ohio, August and September, 1974

A time-of-travel study was made on a 10.6-mile reach of the Tuscarawas River to determine average velocity and dispersion characteristics between selected points. The reach was divided into five subreaches, and a fluorescent dye used as a tracer material. At about the 50-percent flow-duration level, time-of-travel of the peak concentration was 137 hours.

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USGS1977

Hydraulic analysis, Mad River at State Highway 41, Springfield, Ohio

A hydraulic analysis of the lad River in a reach at Springfield, Ohio was made to determine the effects of relocating State Highway 41 in 1S76. The main channel was cleaned by dredging in the vicinity cf the new highway bridge and at the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railway bridge upstream. The new highway was placed on a high fill with relief structures for flood plain drainage consisting of a 12-foot corrugated metal pipe culvert and a bridge opening to accommodate the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railway and a property access road. The effect of the new highway embankment on drainage from the flood plain was requested. Also requested was the effect that might be expected on the elevation of flood waters above the new highway embankment if the access road through the new highway embankment were raised. The study indicates that the improvement in the capacity of the main channel to carry water was such that, up to a discharge equivalent to a 25-year frequency flood, the water-surface elevation in the reach upstream from the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railway bridge would be about 0.6 foot lower than under conditions prior to the construction on State Highway 41. Diversion through the Mad River left bank levee break above the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railway bridge to the flood Flain would be decreased about one-half in terms of rate of discharge in cubic feet per second. The maximum difference in elevation cf the flood water between the upstream and downstream side of the new State Highway 41 embankment would be about 0.2 foot, with an additional 0.4 foot to be expected if the access road were raised 1.5 feet.

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USGS1977

Limnology of selected lakes in Ohio, 1975

Water-quality reconnaissance by the U.S. Geological Survey and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, to evaluate the status of Ohio's lakes and reservoirs was begun in 1975 with studies of 17 lakes. Spring and summer data collections for each lake included: profile measurements of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conductance; field and laboratory analyses of physical, biological, chemical organic characteristics; (nutrient), and concentrations of major and minor chemical constituents from composites of the water column; and physical and chemical data from major inflows. Light penetration (secchi disk) ranged from 9.4 feet (2.9 meters) in Lake Hope to 0.4 feet (0.1 meter) in Acton Lake. Seasonal thermal stratification or stability is shown for 10 lakes deeper than 15 feet (4.6 meters). Unstable or modified temperature profiles were observed in shallow lakes (depths less than 15 feet) or lakes controlled through subsurface release valves. Dissolved oxygen saturation ranged from 229 percent (20.8 milligrams per liter) in the epilimnion of Paint Creek Lake to zero in the bottom waters of all thermally stabilized lakes. Marked chemical and physical differences and nutrient uptake and recycling developed within different thermal strata. Anaerobic zones were frequently characterized by hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Calcium was the dominant or codominant cation, and bicarbonate and(or) sulfate were the major anions in all lakes sampled. Only Hope and Vesuvius Lakes had soft water (hardness less than 61 milligrams per liter as CaCO3 ), and both lakes were further characterized by low pH (less than 7.0). Specific conductance ranged from 510 micromhos (Deer Creek and Salt Fork Lakes) to 128 micromhos (Lake Hope). Pesticide residues were detected in Acton Lake, and concentrations of one or more trace metals were at or above Ohio Environmental Protection Agency recommended limits in 11 lakes. Fecal coliform colony counts were below 400 colonies per 100 milliliters in 13 lakes; higher counts were observed in Acton, Cowan, Harrison, and Paint Creek Lakes in samples taken during runoff events. Phytoplankton densities greater than 100,000 cells per milliliter were observed in 12 lakes and reached a maximum of over 2,800,000 cells per milliliter in Grand Lake St. Marys. Summer domination of the algal community by blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) was indicated for 16 of the 17 lakes. Streams are a major source of macronutrients to Ohio's lakes. Concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate and total Phosphorus in 38 inflow samples to the 17 lakes averaged 2.17 milligrams per liter as N and 0.29 milligrams per liter as P, respectively.

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USGS1977

Time of travel of solutes in selected reaches of Ohio streams, 1973 and 1975

The basic field data for time-of-travel measurements on six streams in Ohio are presented. In general, additional data on stream cross sections, tributary inflows, and chemical analyses for mainstream and tributary flows are given. Insufficient data were obtained to establish time-distance or time-discharge relationships.

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USGS1977

Water quality of the glacial-outwash aquifer in the Great Miami River Basin, Ohio

The present water-quality conditions of the highly productive glacial-outwash aquifer in the Great Miami River basin of southwestern Ohio are documented by analyses of water from 98 sampling sites. Localized high concentrations of iron up to 5600 micrograms per liter, ammonia nitrogren as nitrogen up to 11 milligrams per liter, nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen as nitrogen up to 9.8 milligrams per liter, total organic carbon up to 71 milligrams per liter, and dissolved solids up to 1260 milligrams per liter were recorded. Chloride concentrations in the vicinity of Dayton are higher than those of the surrounding area but do not exceed 100 milligrams per liter. Changes in the chemical character of the water with time are apparent at some sites, but definitive trends are difficult to establish due to lack of consistent, documented data. Maps depicting the present distribution of dissolved solids, dissolved iron, dissolved mangenese and total organic carbon are presented.

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USGS1976

Time of travel of solutes in selected reaches of the Sandusky River Basin, Ohio, 1972 and 1973

A time of travel study of a 106-mile (171-kilometer) reach of the Sandusky River and a 39-mile (63-kilometer) reach of Tymochtee Creek was made to determine the time required for water released from Killdeer Reservoir on Tymochtee Creek to reach selected downstream points. In general, two dye sample runs were made through each subreach to define the time-discharge relation for approximating travel times at selected discharges within the measured range, and time-discharge graphs are presented for 38 subreaches. Graphs of dye dispersion and variation in relation to time are given for three selected sampling sites. For estimating travel time and velocities between points in the study reach, tables for selected flow durations are given. Duration curves of daily discharge for four index stations are presented to indicate the lo-flow characteristics and for use in shaping downward extensions of the time-discharge curves.

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