Background
Since 1980 the U.S. Geological Survey has conducted a Detailed Aquifer Mapping Program in upstate New York, first in cooperation with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and later in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Water. The objective of this program is to define the hydrogeology of important stratified-drift aquifers in upstate New York, and to present the information as individual sets of maps at a 1:24,000 scale. Each published report from this program describes the hydrogeology of a specific aquifer or section of aquifer, and depicts selected hydrogeologic characteristics. These reports form the foundation of NYSDEC's wellhead protection program in upstate New York.
Objectives - The immediate objective of this project in the Aquifer Mapping Program is to complete the mapping of the Norwich area by mapping the 10-mile section from Green to Kattelville, N.Y. The maps, once published, will complete an unbroken chain of aquifer maps that stretches along the Chemung River drainage system from Cohocton to Waverly, and up along the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers to Smyrna, N.Y. The main difference between the current program and previous Detailed Aquifer Mapping Program is the emphasis on electronic release of completed reports, rather than as conventional published paper reports. Digital release of the maps will provide a highly versatile and usable product.
Approach - Draft versions of earlier maps of well locations and surficial geology exist for the Chenango County area, along with several geologic sections. Data from previous USGS studies the area will be incorporated into the report. Text will be written to accompany all maps. The USGS ground-water site inventory (GWSI) database in New York and Pennsylvania will be updated with new well data that are acquired for this area from homeowners and local well drillers. A water-table map for the surficial aquifer will be constructed. The electronic Greene-Kattelville aquifer report will contain maps showing:
- Surficial geology and geologic sections
- Hydrogeologic units and locations of wells and test holes
- Water table altitude and ground-water flow directions
Benefits - The continuation of the Detailed Aquifer Mapping Program will advance the knowledge of the regional hydrologic system by providing State, county, and local water-resources managers with a summary of the hydrogeology of selected stratified-drift aquifers within New York State. The availability of detailed aquifer maps at 1:24,000 in an electronic format will serve to support many activities within the Division of Water including: delineation of ground water contributing areas as part of the Source Water Assessment Program, assessing potential threats to stratified-drift aquifers from both point and non-point sources, responding to contaminant spills or leaks from fuel-storage facilities, and providing hydrogeologic information to aid in assessing the need to permit new or expanded public water supplies. On a Federal level, this study will provide valuable information on the hydrogeology of selected stratified-drift aquifers in New York State and will contribute to the body of literature concerning the study of stratified-drift aquifers in the glaciated northeast.
Project
Location by County
Broome County, NY, Chenango County, NY
