Groundwater in Bayfield County Presented to Bayfield County Large Scale Livestoc Study Committee April 23, 2015 Madeline Gotowitz Hydrogeologist
Groundwater in Bayfield County Groundwater basics Hydrogeology across Wisconsin Hydrogeology in Bayfield County Mapping groundwater features
Wisconsin s Water Cycle
Groundwater discharge to Honey Cree is baseflow
Hydrogeology: Groundwater flows through roc and sediment Water under the ground, within an aquifer; porous sand, gravel and roc holds water
Groundwater in dolomite and Distribution limestone of carbonate is vulnerable roc to contamination. Legend Silurian Su dolomite Sinnipee Os dolomite Prairie Opc du Chien dolomite
Bedroc within 50 feet of surface
Distribution of carbonate roc within 50 feet of surface
Calumet and Brown Counties
Wisconsin s groundwater contamination issues are significant The left jar contains brown water contaminated by manure. Both samples are from the same well.
Karst features can be easy to see Sinnipee Dolomite: Dane and Iowa Counties
Hydrogeology in Bayfield County
Hydrogeologic cross section U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014 5007 http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2014/5007/pdf/sir2014 5007.pdf
Glacial geologic formations sandy till Courtesy of USGS
Thicness of glacial deposits Courtesy of USGS
Glacial geology Clayton, L., 1984. Pleistocene Geology of the Superior Region, Wisconsin. Information Circular C46 Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. http://wgnhs.uwex.edu/publications/?adv_search=wc&post_type=product&relation=and&tax[0]=none&op[0]=in&s=pleistocene%20geology%20of%20the%20superior%20region
Bedroc Geology Chequamegon Sandstone Sims, P.K., 1993. Geologic map of Precambrian rocs, southern Lae Superior region, Wisconsin and northern Michigan. U.S. Geological Survey, IMAP 2185 Freda Sandstone http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/i2185 volcanics
Orienta Sandstone Amnicon Falls State Par Photo: E. Stewart, WGNHS
Wisconsin Groundwater Susceptibility Map Depth to bedroc, bedroc type, depth to water table, surficial geology, soil type http://wi.water.usgs.gov/gwcomp/find/bayfield/susceptibility.html
Wisconsin Groundwater Susceptibility Map Depth to bedroc, bedroc type, depth to water table, surficial geology, soil type http://wi.water.usgs.gov/gwcomp/find/bayfield/susceptibility.html
Example groundwater study Town of Byron Fond du Lac County
Depth to bedroc Town of Byron - Example
Water table elevation Town of Byron - Example
Groundwater recharge Town of Byron - Example Estimate accounts for: - Historical climate data - Soil moisture capacity - Soil type - land-use type
Groundwater contaminant susceptibility Combination of factors - Depth to bedroc - Bedroc type - Depth to water table - Recharge rate Town of Byron - Example
Town of Byron - Example Hydrogeologic cross sections
0.0-2.0 2.1-10.0 10.1-33.5 Iowa County Groundwater: susceptibility versus contamination Susceptibility Least susceptible Moderately susceptible Highly susceptible Most susceptible Nitrate, mg/l 893 wells tested 14 % > 10 mg/l NO 3 46 % > 2 mg/l NO 3 Data from Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center and UW Extension.
Next steps: questions and discussion Collect, compile and analyze data: Depth to the water table Depth to bedroc Glacial deposits (sandy till versus clay till) Bedroc type (sandstone or basalt) Map of groundwater recharge rates Develop a groundwater susceptibility map Facilitate use of this information through educational and outreach efforts in Bayfield County Cost and schedule