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Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Wisconsin.

At least 829 records · Page 46Linked to original sources
USGS1976

Recycling ground water in Waushara County, Wisconsin : resource management for cold-water fish hatcheries

Recycling water within the local ground-water system can increase the quantity of water available for use, control or avoid environmental pollution, and control temperature of the water supply. Pumped ground water supplied a fish-rearing facility for 15 months, and the waste water recharged the local ground-water system through an infiltration pond. Eighty-three percent of the recharged water returned to the well (recycled). Make-up water from the ground-water system provided the remaining 17 percent. Pumping 300 gallons per minute (20 litres per second), combined with recycling, resulted in water-level declines equivalent to a pumping rate of approximately 50 gallons per minute (3 litres per second). Using this effective pumping rate in the Theis nonequilibrium equation resulted in predicted drawdowns within 0.5 foot (0.2 metres) of those observed throughout the 15-month period. The concentration of nitrate in the water supply increased only slightly during the 15 months of recycling. Nitrate levels in a closed recycling system (100 percent recycling efficiency) would have reached 9 milligrams per litre, but observed levels did not exceed 4 milligrams per litre, and at the end of the recycling period they were lower than the initial levels. Mass-balance equations relate observed nitrate levels to the loading imposed on the system, the pumping rate, the volume of ground water affected by recycling, and the recycling efficiency. The equations predict nitrate concentrations (or other ions not attenuated by movement through the unsaturated part of the aquifer) within 1 milligram per litre of observed concentrations except during periods when nutrients are used in plant growth. The method does not account for nutrients utilized by aquatic vegetation in the infiltration pond, so that observed levels would usually be even lower than predicted. The predicted response of the local groundwater system to a nutrient loading equivalent to that generated by a hatchery producing approximately 100,000 pounds (50,000 kilograms) of trout and salmon per year indicates that maximum nitrate levels would remain significantly below the limit established by the State of Wisconsin (and the U.S. Public Health Service, 1962) for drinking water. The water-supply temperature can be maintained within the optimum range for trout and salmon rearing (10.0° to 15.5°C or 50° to 60°F) during recycling. Continuous recycling during the study period resulted in watersupply temperatures ranging between 7.0° and 14.0°C (45° and 57°F). Longterm continuous recycling would result in water-supply temperatures ranging between 7.0° and 14.5°C (45° and 58°F). Selective recycling (recycling water for only 8 months of the year) would provide water-supply temperatures ranging from 9.5° to 15.5°C (49° to 60°F). A permanent recharge pond with supplementary ponds would fulfill the needs of a hatchery development at the Greenwood Wildlife Refuge site, Waushara County, Wisconsin, and insure protection of the ground-water system. Eighty percent or more of the water pumped could be recycled by recharging waste water near the supply well. Selective recycling (recharging water to the ground-water system outside the zone of recycling during approximately 4 months of each year) could maintain optimum water-supply temperatures, reduce water-level declines by 50 percent (compared to no recycling), maintain nitrate levels in the water supply below limits established for drinking water supplies, and minimize the effect of water-supply development on the regional ground-water system. Other recharge-recycling schemes can also be evaluated. Estimating the recycling efficiency (of recharge ponds, trenches, spreading areas, or irrigated fields) provides a basis for predicting water-level declines, the concentration of conservative ions (conservative in the sense that no reaction other than mixing occurs to change the character of the ion being considered) in the water supply and in the regional ground-water system, and the temperature of the water supply. Hatchery development and management schemes can be chosen to optimize hatchery productivity or minimize operation costs while protecting the ground-water system.

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USGS1976

Ground-water resources and geology of Walworth County, Wisconsin

Population growth in Walworth County, Wisconsin, requires an increasing amount of ground water. Good quality water is available from the sand-and gravel, Niagara, Galena-Platteville, and sandstone aquifers in the county. As much as 15 gallons per minute (0.95 liters per second) can be obtained from individual wells almost everywhere in the county. Well yields of 1,000 gallons per minute (63 liters per second) are available from glacial drift where it contains sufficient thickness of saturated sand and gravel. The sand-and-gravel aquifer is an important source of municipal water. Estimated well yields from most of the Niagara aquifer, a Silurian age dolomite as thick as 125 feet (38.1 meters), exceed 100 gallons per minute (6.3 liters per second). The Niagara aquifer occurs in the eastern third of the county. The Galena-Platteville aquifer, chiefly dolomite, is present in the western half of the county where it is as thick as 325 feet (99.1 meters). Estimated yields from this aquifer exceed 500 gallons per minute (32 liters per second). The sandstone aquifer underlies the entire county and ranges from less than 800 feet (240 meters) thick in the northwest corner to more than 2,200 feet (670 meters) in the east. This aquifer is capable of yielding 1,000 gallons per minute (63 liters per second) to individual wells and is a principal source of municipal water.

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USGS1976

Ground-water resources and geology of St. Croix County, Wisconsin

The increasing need for good-quality ground water in St. Croix County, caused by a steadily increasing population, can be met from the sand-and-gravel and sandstone aquifers. As much as 15 gallons per minute (0.95 litres per second) can be obtained from wells almost everywhere in the county. Yields of more than 1,000 gallons per minute (63 litres per second) are available from glacial deposits and alluvium where there is sufficient thickness of saturated sand and gravel. The sandstone aquifer underlies the entire county and is more than 1,000 feet (300 metres) thick in the southwest near River Falls. In St. Croix County the sandstone aquifer is all bedrock younger than Precambrian age and includes, in ascending order, from oldest to youngest, sandstones of Cambrian age (in ascending order, the Mount Simon, Eau Claire, Galesville, and Franconia Sandstones, and the Trempealeau Formation); and the Prairie du Chien Group, St. Peter Sandstone, and Galena-Platteville unit (Platteville and Decorah Formations and Galena Dolomite, undifferentiated), all of Ordovician age. This aquifer is capable of yielding more than 1,000 gallons per minute (63 litres per second) to wells in much of the county and is the principal source of municipal water. The chemical quality of water from the two aquifers is similar. The water from both aquifers is hard to very hard, having a median hardness between 180 and 190 milligrams per litre. Iron and manganese are locally present in botherSome amounts (combined total exceeding 0.3 milligrams per litre). Nitrate is a minor problem in both aquifers, with median concentrations more than 10 milligrams per litre, possibly indicating some contamination of ground water by organic matter. About 3.83 million gallons per day (0.168 cubic metres per second) of ground water was pumped in the county in 1974, of which 94 percent was from the sandstone aquifer. About 44 percent of the total water pumped was for industrial and commercial use, 42 percent for residential

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USGS1975

Recent sedimentary history of Lake Monona, Wisconsin

Chemical analyses from two short cores in Lake Monona show that pronounced changes in chemical stratigraphy have occurred since white man moved into Madison and southern Wisconsin and began modifying the area. Since the mid to late 1800's, there has been an appreciable increase in P, Fe, Mn, Al, and K in the uppermost sediments. Maximum concentrations of P were observed near the turn of the century and in the most recent sediment layers.

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USGS1975

Water resources of Wisconsin — Upper Wisconsin River basin

Runoff is the water in a river or stream that results from precipitation falling on the drainage basin. It is the net discharge into the stream from surface-water and ground-water sources with losses occurring from evapotranspiration and other consumptive uses. Runoff can be expressed by a variety of numerical values, but average depth of water over the drainage basin, in inches per year, probably is the most widely used unit of measurement. The map of average annual runoff (fig. 1), in inches per year, shows the geographical distribution of runoff in tributary streams for the years 1951—80; it describes the magnitudes and variations of runoff nationwide. The map was prepared to reflect the runoff of tributary streams rather than in major rivers in order to represent more accurately the local or small scale variation in runoff with precipitation and other geographical characteristics. The 1951–80 period was selected to conform to the period chosen by the World Meteorological Organization for study of climatic variations. The map should not be used to estimate the streamflow for any specific site. More detailed information for a specific area can be obtained from streamflow data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, other Federal agencies, and State agencies.

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USGS1975

A digital-computer model for estimating drawdowns in the sandstone aquifer in Dane County, Wisconsin

A digital-computer program was developed to compute nonsteady and steady-state hydrologic changes caused by pumping from a confined aquifer. The program computes head changes in the confined aquifer and the rate and volume of water withdrawn from aquifer boundaries. The program was used to model the sandstone aquifer underlying Dane County, Wisconsin. The aquifer was modeled as a confined aquifer recharged by leakage from the overlying upper aquifer. The physical properties of the aquifer system needed for the model were approximated using aquifer-test data and by matching drawdowns resulting from aquifer development through 1970 with draw-downs computed by the model. The sandstone aquifer should be able to supply the water needs of Dane County well beyond 1990. Maximum regional drawdowns of approximately 40 feet (12 m) between 1970 and 1990 were computed by the model. This amount of additional drawdown would not seriously deplete the ground-water supply.

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USGS1975

Low-flow Characteristics of Eau Claire River Basin near Antigo, Wisconsin

This report presents low-flow characteristics at six sites on streams in the Eau Claire River basin near Antigo, Wis., where applications for irrigation permits were made. The low-flow characteristics presented are the annual minimum 7-day mean flows at the 2-year recurrence interval and 10-year recurrence interval. A seepage run made October 10, 1974, showed a substantial gain in discharge from site 2 (3.75 ft3/s [cubic feet per second] or 0.11 m3/s (cubic metres per second) to site 6 (30.6 ft3/s or 0.87 m3/s) on the East Branch Eau Claire River and from site 12 (3.98 ft3/s or 0.11 m3/s) to site 16 (18.1 ft3/s or 0.51 m3/s) on the West Branch Eau Claire River; a fairly constant discharge between sites 6 (30.6 ft3/s or 0.87 m3/s) and 11 (32.3 ft3/s or 0.91 m3/s) on the East Branch and sites 16 (18.1 ft3/s or 0.51 m3/s) and 20 (18.8 ft3/s or 0.53 m3/s) on the West Branch; and a substantial gain in discharge from site 23 (57.3 ft3/s or 1.62 m3/s) to site 24 (63.4 ft3/s or 1.80 m3/s) on the Eau Claire River. A gaging station was established at the downstream potential irrigation site to collect continuous stage and discharge data on streamflow to assist the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the regulation of irrigation withdrawals.

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USGS1975

Analysis of operational plan for Lake Chippewa near Winter, Wisconsin

Historical inflows into Lake Chippewa for 39 years of record were analyzed to determine the possibility of operating the flowage within a 2-foot (0.6-metre) range of stage while maintaining a minimum discharge of 57 cubic feet per second (1.6 cubic metres per second) and limiting the maximum discharge to 7,000 cubic feet per second (200 cubic metres per second). This proposed operating plan could be followed successfully most of the time. Some periods of low flow, mainly in winter, would require drawdowns below the minimum stage to maintain minimum discharge. Occasional large floods occurring about once in 5 years would require surcharges over the maximum stage to limit the maximum discharge. The flowage could be filled from minimum to maximum stage withing 45 days (frequently fewer) starting from April 1.

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USGS1975

Streamflow Characteristics of Klawitter Creek Basin near Westfield, Wisconsin

This report presents low-flow characteristics and mean annual discharge for a site on Klawitter Creek, where an application for diversion of streamflow has been made. This information will be used by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to determine the availability of irrigation water from the stream while maintaining sufficient streamflow to support fish. The study was done in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, as part of the Wisconsin low-flow program.

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USGS1975

Flow characteristics of the Lower Wisconsin River

The flow of water throughout the year and the stream gradient are necessary considerations in evaluating the recreational potential of the lower Wisconsin River. This flow is regulated in part by the dam at Prairie du Sac and influenced considerably by the 47 storage reservoirs and power dams above Lake Wisconsin. The river's gradient and flow characteristics can be illustrated by a river profile and graphs of flow durations, 7-day low flows, and flood-flow recurrence (Hindall and Borman, 1974). Sufficient streamflow data to develop meaningful graphs were available for the gaging site at Muscoda, about the midpoint of the river reach being studied.

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USGS1975

Hydrology of the Lake Wingra basin, Dane County, Wisconsin

A water budget was prepared to identify the components of the hydrologic system in the Lake Wingra basin. The Lake Wingra basin, which includes a small eutrophic lake within the city of Madison, Wis., is partly a protected area and partly an urbanized area. Measured and estimated inflow and outflow to and from the lake in 1 year (June 1972 to May 1973) was about 4.5 metres (15 feet)—approximately twice the volume of the lake. Inflow to the lake is about 25 percent from direct precipitation on the lake surface, and the rest from nearly equal amounts of surface runoff and ground-water inflow. Outflow from the lake is about 10 percent ground-water outflow, 15 percent evaporation from the lake surface, and 75 percent discharge at the surface outlet. Increased withdrawal of water from municipal and industrial wells in Madison has slowed the rate of flow through the lake. The calculated 1972 water budget for the lake showed gains of about 3,560 millimetres (140 inches) and losses of about 3,500 millimetres (138 inches). A discrepancy of about 60 millimetres (2 inches) probably was caused in part by uncertainties in ground-water inflow and outflow. Effects of evapotranspiration and ground-water inflow in the marsh area southwest of the lake also probably contribute to the discrepancy.

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USGS1975

A digital-computer model for estimating hydrologic changes in the aquifer system in Dane County, Wisconsin

The extensive use of ground water for water supply within Dane County has resulted in the need for an appraisal of the area's ground-water resources. Water-resources planners and other water-oriented groups have expressed concern over ground-water level declines and reductions in streamflow that are occurring as a result of heavy pumping. Digital-computer modeling techniques were used to estimate hydrologic changes in the aquifer system that would be caused by continued development. The system was modeled as a two-aquifer system consisting of a confined sandstone aquifer overlain by a leaky unconfined aquifer and underlain by impermeable bedrock. The physical properties of the aquifer system needed for the model were approximated using aquifer-test data and well-log data and by matching observed hydrologic changes in the system with corresponding changes computed by the model. Computed hydrologic changes do not represent a serious depletion of the available ground-water supply for the foreseeable future. Maximum added regional declines in ground-water levels (drawdowns) from 1970 to 1990 were computed to be approximately 10 feet (3 metres) in the unconfined aquifer and approximately 40 feet (12 metres) in the confined aquifer. It is computed that for the same period the average annual streamflow from the upper Yahara River basin would be reduced by approximately 29 cubic feet per second (0.82 cubic metre per second). These changes are computed based on estimated development trends for the confined sandstone aquifer.

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USGS1975

Ground-water resources and geology of Jefferson County, Wisconsin

A steadily increasing population in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, is expanding the need for good-quality ground water. This need can be met by good-quality water available from the sand-and-gravel, Galena-Platteville, and sandstone aquifers. As much as 15 gallons per minute (0.95 liters per second) can be obtained from wells almost everywhere in the county. Yields of more than 1,000 gallons per minute (63 liters per second) are available from glacial drift where it contains a sufficient thickness of saturated sand and gravel. The Galena-Platteville aquifer is a dolomite that occurs mainly in the eastern one-half of the county and is locally more than 300 feet (90 meters) thick. Estimated well yields from this aquifer exceed 500 gallons per minute (32 liters per second). The sandstone aquifer underlies nearly the entire county except for small areas in the northwest corner. It is more than 1,100 feet (330 meters) thick in the southwest along the Dane-Jefferson County line. This aquifer is capable of yielding more than 1,000 gallons per minute (63 liters per second) to wells in much of the county and is the principal source of municipal water. The chemical quality of water from the three aquifers is similar. The water is very hard, having a median hardness between 315 and 325 milligrams per liter. Median values for dissolved solids range between 325 and 349 milligrams per liter. Iron and manganese commonly are present in bothersome amounts (combined total exceeding 0.3 milligrams per liter. About 13.0 million gallons per day (0.570 cubic meters per second) of ground water was pumped in the county in 1972, 87 percent from the sandstone aquifer. About 62 percent of the total water pumped was for industrial and commercial purposes, 26 percent for residential use, and 12 percent for municipal, irrigation, and institutional use.

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USGS1975

The availability of ground water for irrigation in the Rice Lake-Eau Claire Area, Wisconsin

An abundance of ground water of excellent chemical quality for irrigating crops is available from glacial outwash sand and gravel and from the underlying sandstones in the Rice Lake-Eau Claire area. Thick deposits of glacial outwash sand and gravel in the valleys of the Red Cedar and lower Chippewa Rivers yield more than 1,000 gallons per minute (63 lit res per second) to many wells. Large tracts of irrigable soils, delineated in two subareas (Rice Lake and Cameron) in Barron County and one subarea (Menomonie) in Dunn County, lie within the outwash plains where ground water is available in large quantities. Yields are especially large in the Rice Lake and Cameron subareas where the sand and gravel is highly permeable and the thickness of saturated aquifer exceeds 250 feet (75 metres). Yields generally are less than 1,000 gallons per minute (63 litres per second) in the Menomonie subarea where large amounts of clay locally reduce the permeability of the aquifer and the thickness of saturated aquifer is less than 200 feet (60 metres). Adequate water for irrigation is available also from sandstone underlying the glacial outwash plains. Because the two aquifers generally are connected hydraulically, wells penetrating the sandstone also withdraw water indirectly from the glacial drift. Most irrigation wells in Barron County withdraw water from glacial outwash; more than half the irrigation wells in Dunn County withdraw water from sandstone. In most years, recharge to the ground-water reservoir is 6 to 8 inches (150 to 200 millimetres), which is more than ample to sustain pumping for irrigation without lowering the water table significantly. Ground water in the area is a calcium bicarbonate water that ranges in dissolved-solids concentration from 35 to 330 milligrams per litre. Concentrations of sodium and' boron are very low.

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