NCD981927502_19891201_Geigy Chemical Corporation_FRBCERCLA RA_US Geological Survey Work Plan-OCR

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
WORK PI.AN
Hydrology of the Sand Hills Aquifer and.Identification
of Sources of Water Pumped from Municipal Wells
in the Aberdeen Area, North Carolina
December 1989
Prepared by
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division
Nortl1 Carolina District
Post Office Box 2857
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
Prcpari2d for
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30365
, I
Introduction
Problem statement
Background.
Location.
History of waste disposal
Hydrologic conditions
Study objectives
Scope
Work plan.
CONTENTS
Characterization of ground-water flow
Determine the effects of pumping wells on the ground-water
flow ..
Determine if ground water can move from the west side of
Aberdeen Creek to municipal wells on the east side.
Determine the source areas for water withdrawn from the
contaminated Aberdeen municipal wells
Reports.
Funding.
Relation to WRD programs
Manpower
Time lines
Figure 1.
2.
3.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Location map ....
Area of primary data collection.
A generalized cross section from West End in Moore County
to Ashley !!eights in Hoke County ..
Proposed model area for regional model
2
Page
3
3
·3
3
5
8
10
11
12
12
16
20
21
23
23
24
25
Page
4
6
9
17
·\.· .·. I ~ ,,,
,.c;I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated an area
around Aberdeen, North Carolina (fig. 1), that has been found to have ground
water contaminated with pesticides, as a high priority location for study
and remediation. Because of uncertainties about the movement of ground
water and contaminants in the Aberdeen area, EPA, within the terms of the
Interagency Agreement between EPA Region IV and the Southeast Region of the
Water Resources Divis_ion of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), requested the
USGS investigate the ground-water conditions in the Aberdeen area.
Prohle,n Statement
The source of cont~rnination by pesticides of water withdrawn from
several municipal wells at Aberdeen, North Carolina, is unclear because the
ground-water flow system for tht:: area is inadequately understood.
BACKGROUND
Lor:c1tion
The study area is approximately 100 square miles and centers on thu
town of Aberdeen in southeastern Moore County, North Carolina (fig. 1). It
is entirely within the Sand Hills section in the southwestern part of the
North Carolina Coastal Plain.
3
',
• • M -~• f ··?"'' .·,::,
I
:I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Model Area I
RJCHMON K E
I
I
Figure 1. Location map I
I
4
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
History of Waste Disposal
Unauthorized and unregulated pesticide disposal sites in and around
Aberdeen were first discovered in August 1984, The problem area, known as
the Aberdeen Pesticide Dumps site, initially consisted of a chemical plant
site and four.noncontiguous disposal areas (fig. 2). Pesticide
manufacturing and blending operations took place from 1939 to 1984 at the
Farm Chemicals site. The four disposal areas ;are Fairway Six, Twin Sites,
i
Mciver, and Route 211. Fairway Six, Twin Sites, Mciver, and Farm Chemicals
sites are in the west part of town and lie west of Aberdeen Creek; the Route
211 site is in the eastern part of town.
The disposal areas at these five sites were commonly burial trenches
filled with discarded pesticide bags and in some cases pure pcsticid~
product. EPA has conducted emergency removals of soil and debris at the
Fairway Six, Twin Sites, Mciver, and Route 211 sites. Pesticide
contamin.:ited wastes have been excavated at the Fairway Six and Mclvcr sites
and are_ stockpiled on site encased in a top and bot torn liner. The chemicc:als
of concern are halogenated organic compounds, including aldriu, <lit:! ldr in,
endosulfan, BHC and i t:s isomers, DDT, DDD, DDE, chlordane,, heptachlor, and
toxaphene.
In addition to the Aberdeen Pesticide Dumps Superfund site, a second
Superfund site exists in Aberdeen, the Geigy Chemical site which is in the
east part of to1,,,n and northeast of the 211 site. It is the location of a
former pesticide manufacturer/foriuulator. Contamination at tl1e site is the
5
- -
O 3000 ft
Scale
O Fairway Six Site
Farm
EXPLANATION
o Pesticide site
0
LO ' LO
a: ..
1 1
Giegy Site
e9 r~unicipal well and number
- -- -
Figure 2. --A.rea of primary data collec,tion, . :••r - - - - - ---·.,_.•-•cc
/
11!!!!1
/
/
/
~~~.;
1111111
/
/
. ! : - -
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
result of nwnerous spills of chemicals throughout the years of operation.
The plant was in operation from 1947 to 1984. Chemicals of concern are
aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan, BHC, DDT, DDD, DDE, chlordane, heptachlor and
toxaphene.
In 1986 it was discovered that some of the Aberdeen Municipal wells
were contaminated with gamma-BHC (lindane) and alpha-BHC. Since that time
municipal well no. 1 has been taken off line due to levels of lindane
greater than the 4.0 ug/L (micrograms per liter) maximum contaminant level
(nCL) in the water from that well.
The remedial investigation for the Aberdeen Pesticide Dumps site is
currently ongoing, and it and the feasibility study are expected to be
completed by mid 1990. A Record of Decision for re1nedial action at tl1is
site is targeted for the end of December 1990.
The Geigy Chemical site, proposed for the NPL, is a Responsible Party
lead site. A work plan is being developed, and the remedial investignciorL
is expected to begin la tc 1989 or early 1990. The Res pons ib le-P:.n ies
conducted a re1noval at the sita i11 February 1989 and excavac2d 462 to11s of
pesticide concami11atC::d m:1ti:;rL-.ls.
Because of uncertainties about the movement of ground water and
contaminants in the Aberdeen area, EPA, within the terms of the Interagency
Agreement between EPA Region IV and the Southeast Region of the Water
Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), requested the USGS
7
I'
' ,
investigate the ground-water c·onditions in the Aberdeen area and to
determine the source of the water withdrawn from the Aberdeen municipal
wells.
Hydrologic Conditions
The hydrogeologic system, as defined by ~he North Carolina Department
of Natural Resources and Community Development (1980), consists of the Sand
Hills aquifer, composed of the Pinehurst and Middendorf formations,
underlain by the Cape Fear formation,·which is in turn underlain by the
fractured metamorphic basement rocks.
A cross section is shown in figure 3 from West End in Moore County to
Ashley Heights in Hoke County. As shown by this section, the Sand Hills
aquifer is deeply dissected by streams in the Aberdeen area. In addition,
there are permeable zones within the upper Cape Fear confining unit that
contain sand or a 111ixture of sand and clay that is intermediate bet~een
aquifer and confining-bed properties.
The Sand Hills aquifer ranges in thickness from less thau 50 ft (fret)
in the Aberdeen Creek Valley to more than 300 ft beneath high hills east of
Aberdeen. The Pinehurst formation is of limited areal extent and caps many
of the hills in the area. The Middendorf is the major aquifer unit. The
Cape Fear foruwtion has been considered a confining unit, but rcccut ~tu<lie~~
indicate it, too, is an aquifer (Winner and Coble, 1989). The metamorpl1ic
bedrock is not tapped for water supply in this area.
8
I
'.,(1
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
FEET
'"
eoo
"'
"'
'"
'"
A
West Eno
88
~
0
0
IO MILES
10 KILOiolETERS
VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY E.I.ACCiERATED
ft BG Pinehurst
-' iryj' r
87
----~
12..:
ll
-. ·----s r-_ , ,
-ii,,,fc11 , , , C
EXPL,\fll,T!ON
n1.,11 •~c1,un ,nd 1,1no,Jou,c ,111•,~•~i.ouon
fla••~l~r,~• C~•••(/\}
L1lt10lOG1C 11,TCi'IPHET,.l,Oh
Location
6
Figure 3.·~A generalizE:d cross section from Hcst End in Moore County
to Ashley Heights in Hoke County,
9
·0~ ,·Jico
; L
,l
.1 l• jJ~; . ':,,~ .
The above hydrogeologic framework would suggest that because the
Middendorf formation is less than 50 ft thick in the Aberdeen Creek Valley,
there is limited hydraulic connection between the east and west sides of
town. Preliminary examination of borehole ge~physical logs and construction
records of some of the municipal wells reveals, however, that at least two
wells (no's. 2 and 7), which produce from 150 to 200 gal/min (gallons per
minute) each, are screened almost entirely within the Cape Fear formation,
indicating that the Cape Fear in this area is not a·uniform confining unit
but is also an aquifer and may represent a significant ground-water
hydraulic connection beneath the valley and between the east and west sides
of town.
STUDY OBJECTIVES
The details of the hydrogeology and flow through the ground-water
system is insufficiently known to allow an analysis of the system adequate
to answer quc:stions ask~d by EPA which concern the ground-water flow in the
Aberdeen area, the potential for ground-water 111ove11ient fro1u the west side of
the town to the east side beneath Aberdeen Creek, and the source of water
moving to the municipal wells.
/
10
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Specific items to be addressed relate to the questions posed by EPA and
must be addressed in order to determine the effects of the ground-water
contamination in the Aberdeen area. The objective items are:
1. Characterize the ground-water flow in the vicinity of Aberdeen,
2. Determine the effects of pumping wells (specifically municipal
wells) on the ground-water flow,
3. Determine if ground-water can move from the west side of Aberdeen
Creek to municipal wells on the east side, and
4. Determine the source areas for water withdrawn from the Aberdeen
municipal wells.
Scope
This study will be limited geographically to the Aberdeen area with
most effort expended near dump sites, near municipal wells, and in the
Aberdeen Creek area. Emphasis stratigraphically will be on the S.1nd Hills
aquifer and tl1e Cap8 Fear for111ation. The study will b~ conduct~d f1~0111
January to September 1990 and will involve examination nnd a.n~ly~:.is of
existinr, data from various agencies' files and from the numerous report:!;
completed for EPA on the Aberdeen Pesticides Dump sites. It will involve,
field work, including construction of piezometers and production and
observation wells, conducting aquifer tests, construction of ground-water
flow models, and preparation and approval of a report.
1 1
,,._•;.
. '•· .
':,. 1,!, ..
WORK PLAN
The study will address the four items listed under "Study Objectives."
The approaches used to address them are not necessarily _exclusive in that
approaches for one item are used in part to address one or more of the
others.
Characterization of Ground-Water Flow
In order to characterize the direction of ground-water flow, two
potentiometric-surface maps for the area will be constructed; an area-wide
map will allow characterization of horizontal ground-water flow in tha
entire study area, and one will allow detailed analysis of flow near the
contaminated municipal wells. In order to produce these maps, measurement
of water levels in many wells in the Aberdeen area will be ·required. The
study area showing locations of Pesticide Dump sites and municipal wells is
shown in figure 2. T11e greatest need for data will be in the ar~n betwee11
the Geigy and 211 sites and municipal wells on the east side of town and th•
Mc Iver and Fairwe1y Six sites on the west side. Data-collection for one m.:ip
~ill cover tl1e entire study area and that for tl1e other will focus on tile
region shown in figure 2 that contains the ·Pesticide Dwup sites, the
contaminated wells, and the majority of the municipal supply ~ells. D3ta
from other municipal wells which are located outside of the designatf!d <.ll"Ca
(fig. 2) will be included in the model analyses.
12
I
--1
·I
•·, -::~.
I
·I
. ,;;''·_,.g , __ q'.
I
I
I
II
I
I
I
I
I,
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Existing wells within this area of data collection will be inventoried.
Existing wells include current and abandoned municipal wells, private water-
supply wells for residences and industry, and private contractor installed
' monitoring wells. Available data from the USGS; EPA; North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (EHNR); and
Aberdeen municipal files will be examined.
A well inventory consists of the collection of all available data for
each well that may be pertinent to the study. These data include: well
owner, well location (latitude and longitude), land surface altitude,
topographic setting, drainage basin, date of construction, site land use
since construction, water use, hole depth, well depth, water levels and
dates, well construction data, contractor name, method of construction, type
of well finish, type of well seal, method and length of well development,
casing depth, diameter, and type, open hole diameter, open-hole depcl1, pu,up
depth, pumping water level, pumping rate, geophysical log data, and water-
quality data. Not all of these data are generally available for each well.
The data are obtained from interviews with W8ll owners, examination of Seate
'v.'ell records, well driller's ri::cords, and some measurements and observ.:i.tions
1nade during site visits. This information will be coded and entered into
the USGS computerized ground-water site inventory (GWSI) system. Wells will
be plotted on the most current USGS topographic maps and latitude Elnd
longitude deteiwined on these maps; land-surface at well sites will be
detc~rmin~d from thc2se map.s.
jJ
Those wells found in this survey that are suitable for measurement will
be included in the water-level measurement network. Up to five wells will
be instrumented with water-level data recorders. These continuous recorders
will provide data on the range of seasonal water-level variation, as well as
provide basic data for model calibration.
If not enough wells are available to provide area-wide coverage
suitable for mapping the potentiometric surface, additional piezometers will
be installed in critical areas. Available geologic, hydrologic,
geophysical, and chemical data will be reviewed to determine the exact
locations and number of piezometers to be drilled; up to 15 piezometer wells.
will be drilled. Drilling will be coordinated with other ongoing area
investigations to share information and minimize expense where possible.
These wells will be installed according to the safety guidelines specifie·d
in the site safety plan. Piezometer boreholes will be constructed so that
screens are opposite permeable zones in the Middendorf or upper Cape Fear
aquifers. Two-inch diameter PVC well casing will be used for all sites.
Construction of the piezometers will include, as appropriate:
a. Collection of split-spoon samples of ~quifer and confining-bed
m?terials as deep as possible with the hollow-stein auger and exa,uination of
selected sampl~s to estimate hydraulic characteristics. Hydraulic rotary
methods will be used as necessary for depths too deep for augering 111ethod~.
14
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
b. Obtaining borehole geophysical logs _in the drill holes and wells
including: resistivity, spontaneous potential, and gamma-ray logs. These . data will offer the opportunity for a better definition of the hydrogeologic
units.
Land-surface altitudes for inventoried and newly constructed wells will
be obtained using the best available means. ~xisting topographic m~ps will
be used to obtain elevations for wells without previously surveyed levels.
Once the well inventory is complete, the water-level recorders
installed, and the piezometers constructed, a water-level survey will be
conducted by measuring water levels using steel tape, electric line, or air
lines. This survey will provide the information needed to construct a
potentiometric-surface map of the Middendorf aquifer. This map will in turn
be used to characterize the horizontal direction of ground-water flow.
To assess the potential for vertical flow of ground water between the
Middendorf formation and the Cape Fear formation, separate piezo1neters will
b2 installed in the two forn1ations at each of at least three differ~nt
locations (6 wells). A co1nparison of tl10 water level in Midde11dorf
for,nation to ct1e water l~vel in the Cape Fear formation at eac11 ~it~ will
give a measure of the direction of potential ground-water 1novement between
the two units.
15
The detailed map in and around the municipal wells will no doubt
require more data than will be available from existing wells and the
piezometers used for the area-wide map. As many as 15 additional
piezometers will be constructed in this area. Piezometer construction and
data-collection techniques will be the same as those employed in
constructing the piezometers for the area•wide potentiometric•surface
mapping.
Determine the Effects of Pumping Wells on the Ground-Water Flow
To determine the effects of pumping wells on ground-water flow, a
ground-water flow model will be constructed that will allow assessment of
the hydraulic head changes due to withdrawals from municipal wells. The
initial modeled area (fig. 4) will include the entire Aberdeen study area,
and the east and west boundaries will include the divides between Aberdeen
and Deep Creeks on the west and Aberdeen and Juniper Creeks on the east;
north and south boundaries will bE: flow lines and perenniril stre.:1111s.
The construction of a finite-difference eround-wntcr flow niod~l of th~
Aberdeen area will require four steps:
1. Design the grid for the modeled area and determine the boundary
conditions
1 6
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I 1/
\ I I
)
_I
I
I
I
I
I
I
/
' . ' 8 I
' ! . .,._........___
-0 • ... :
0
Scale
0 "' ' "'
ii:
/
/
/
/
Figure 4.--Proposed model area
l 7
(
\
..
.. . '
_2. Discretize appropriate maps of aquifer and confining-bed
characteristics (including structure tops, thicknesses, hydraulic
conductivity, and po_tentiometric surfaces)
3. Develop a steady-state digital model for unstressed (pre-pumping)
conditions ..
4. Develop a transient digital model simulating the stressed (pumping)
conditions through present time.
The initial model will be a 3-D, finite-difference model with node
spacing of about 1,000 ft. Data requirements for the model are
potentiometric-surface data and water-use data for individual wells,
transmissivity and storativity for the aquifers, and vertical hydraulic
conductivity for confining units. The potentiometric-surface map for
objective item 1 will be used to provide the required model data for water
levels. Ground-water use data will be compiled during the well inventory
(objective item 1.) to provide the required model water-use data.
Aquifer tests will be needed for both the Middendorf and Cape Fear
formations to obtain estimates of crans1nissivity and storativity for the
aquifers and vertical hydraulic conductivity for the confining units. The
files of the USGS, EPA, EHNR, and Aberdeen municipal water department "ill
be· searched for aquifer-test and well acceptance-test data chat might be
used to determine those hydrogeologic hydraulic parameters. We expect,
however, to need to perform aquifer tests specifically for this study; ·one
test for the Middendorf aquifer and one for the Cape Fear. One test site
will be near the line of municipal wells between wells 2 and 8 (Middendorf)
and one near Aberdeen Creek (Cape Fear).
18
->; I ......
I
n
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
To accomplish these tests:
a. Specific locations of the test wells will be determined using
information obtained from the well inventory. We will attempt to perform
the tests as near as possible to a line drawn.between the pesticide sites on
the west side of Aberdeen Creek and municipal wells 1, 2, and 4. If
possible, a preexisting municipal well will be used as the pumped well. If
an existing well is not satisfactory for the aquifer test, a production well·
will be constructed specifically for this test. It will be 4 inches in
diameter so as to accommodate a small submersible pump. Three observation
wells will be used for the test; if existing wells are not available, 2-inch
diameter wells with PVC casing and screen will be constructed for this
purpose.
b. A pumping well will be constructed for the aquifer test of the Cape
Fear for1nation. It will be a 4-incl1 well. Tl1ree observation wells will be
used for this test also.
c. Ground·W..'.iter samples for lindane will b~ collected from the pumping
wells Lefore and after the aquifer tests.
l 9
Determine if Ground Water Can Move From the West Side
of Aberdeen Creek to Municipal Wells on the East Side
i The transient 3-D digital model developed, in objective item 2 will be
used to determine flow paths of ground water to the municipal wells. To do
i
this:
a. The amount of water pumped from the modeled municipal wells will be
varied in the model to simulate the effects on the flow system of different
levels of pumping stress. Pumping levels will be varied through a range
from natural conditions (0 pumpage) to well above current pumpage levels
(approximately 0.6 million gallons per day). Pumping schemes will also be
varitd to apply the most stress on municipal wells nearest Aberdeen Creek
and on tl1ose wells producing water containing pesticides.
b. Values of hydraulic parameters (aquifer transmissivity and
storativity and confining-unit vertical hydraulic conductivity) used in the
model will be varied over. a reasonable range of values centering on the
values determined from the aquifer tests (objective item 2).
By manipulating simulated pumping rates and aquifer parameters over
ranges of induced stress and hydraulic parameters, the model can be used to
see under what conditions ground water will move from west to east under
Aberdeen Creek.
20
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Determine the Source Areas for Water Withdrawn From
the Contaminated Aberdeen Municipal \.Jells
Additional water-level and aquifer-characteristics data will be
required to detail the flow system in the vicinity of wells 1, 4, 9, and 13.
Additional work includes:
a. Construction of additional piezometers (up to 15) in the vicinity
of the four wells to refine the potentiometric-surface maps around
the contaminated wells.
b. Collection of split-spoon samples of aquifer materials at specified
depth intervals during piczometer construction.
c. Making geophysical logs in the piezometer boreholes including:
resistivity, spontaneous potential, and gamma-ray logs.
To detern1ine the source areas for municipal well water, data and
a11alyses needed to addreEs all the previous objective ite1ns (l-3) must be
utili:.:.ed ~ind combi.nctl ,1ith additio11ul infonuation gai11t.:J. T!1e prL:Vi.UU!,;
..1.n..1.lysl;!.. will tel 1 us the gl!ncr.:il ground-wattr flow patterns in tht; Abf;rdl.'.c:n
atea under various real and sim~lated conditions. In order to determine the
source of water withdrawn from the municipal wells, specifically wells 1, 4,
9, and 13 which have produced contaminated water, a second ground-water flow
model will be constructed. This one will be the same type as the i11itial
n1od(!l but will covtr a smalle:r area (fig. 4) and will have,: ;1 smaller node
spacing (probably on the order of 250 ft near the affected municipal wells)
than the initial model in order to detail the potentiometric surface and
ground-water flow patterns near the three wells.
Water levels obtained from the new piezometers will be used to produce
detailed potentiometric-surface maps to aid in calibration of the detailed
model. The initial model (objective item 2) will be used to produce
boundary conditions for the more detailed model.
The detailed, 3-D finite-difference model produced will be:
a. Run using a range of degrees and patterns of simulated pumpine
stress from the municipal wells.
b. ·rested for sensitivity by variation of model hydraulic para111eters
over a reasonable range of values.
Finally, cross section models will be constructed which will include
the four contaminated wells to estimate tht flow paths of water entering thE:
screened sections of those three wells. Cross-sectional models are post
processors of the 3-D finite-difference model that can be used co show the
move1nent of a part~cle of ~acer along vertical and horizontal flow paths
along specified lines of section.
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
REPORTS
Results of this study will be docwnented in a final teport approved by
the Survey's Director. A review copy of this report will be provided to
U.S. EPA according to the requirements of the project deadlines. Study
analysis may also be the subject of one or more journal articles or
conference abstracts and a graduate thesis.
23
.I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
RSL~TION TO \,/RD PROGRAHS
This s;:udy addresses the priority issue for FY 1990 (WRD Mernorandi...::r,
89.34, attached) concerning ground-water quality relating to remediation of
existing contamination problems. This study is also obviously of concern to
EPA which has included the Aberdeen Pesticides Dump Site and the Geigy Site
in the Supe:rfund program and has requested the Survey to conduct. chis study.
l1ANPOHER
Staff for :he invesc~gacion will consist. of:
Hydrologist, GS-13, p:-ojecc chic:f, 4 months
Hydrologis~, GS-12, model~r, 7 months
Technician, GS-10, 2 n1onths
-
N
""
------TIME LINES
1. D irection of ground-vater flov
a. vell inventory
b. construct piezometers
c. water-level measurements
d. construct. potentiometric-surface map
2. E ffects of pumping vells on ground-water flov
a. aquifer tests
1. select 2 sites, obtain leases
2. construct 1 pumping vell and
3 observation wells at each site
3. conduct tests
---4. analyJ:e test r<>sults
b. construct initial ground-water flov model
c. run several scenarios
3. G round-water flow beneath creek
a. run scenarios. on initial model
4. Source of water to municipal vells
a. Construct piezometers
h. construct detailed ground-water flow model
c. Make simulations
5. Prepare report
a. vrite report
b. review, revise and obtain approval
---------

-
JAN FEB HAR APR MAY JUN AUG SEP
--
-
,--
--
~ -
----
United States Department of the Interior
GEOLOGICAL .SURVEY
RESTON, VA 22092
In Reply Refer To:
WGS-Mail Stop 441
WATER RESOURCES DIVISION MEMORANDUM NO. 89.34
i
TAXI PtllDEIN AMERICA
Subject: PROGRAMS AND PLANS--Priority Issues for the Federal-
State Cooperative Program, Fiscal Year (FY) 1990 WArrn ,1llSGs ,, souRct
This memorandum presents a listing of priority issues for guidance of Water s u:nsiu;;
Resources Division (WRD) Regional and District OHices in planning and formulating
the FY 1990 Federal-State Cooperative Program of water-resources investigations.
The issues were identified through consultation with Federal, State, and local agency
otticials by the District Chiefs and other senior managers of WRD. They represent a
national perspective of priority issues that should be addressed in the Federal-State
Cooperative Program to serve the Federal interest as well as State and local needs.
The priority issues continue to reflect the strong interdependence of the
Cooperative Program, the Federal Program, and the program activities funded by
other Federal agencies. The National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program
is building on information derived from data collection and studies conducted
within the Cooperative Program. Data-collection efforts supported by the Federal
Program and other Federal agencies augment the Cooperative Program network.
Ground-water contamination studies funded by military and civilian Federal
agencies are providing valuable hydrologic information and research in basic
physical processes. The National Research Program develops and improves
hydro logic principles and methods for use in the Federal-State Cooperative Program,
which in turn provides a setting for application of new scientific methods. These are
but a few examples of that interdependence for the priority issues listed below.
Ground-Water Quality--Concern over the quality of the Nation's ground-water
resources continues to create demands for studies relating to both management of
available supplies and remediation of existing contamination problems. Studies are
needed to define present water quality as a baseline for evaluating future changes
and for implementing programs to manage the ground-water resource. Of equal
importance are studies of the movement and fate of contaminants in ground-water
systems. Studies should address flow dynamics and solute-transport processes with
emphasis on those geochemical processes that influence the suitability of water for
use--particularly those uses that could affect human health. These include natural
processes as well as those related to human activities that act to alter, add, or
remove contaminants. Also needed are studies of the environmental impacts of
waste disposal, contamination by nonpoint sources, and salt-water encroachment.
Water Supply and Demand--lncreasin~ diversion, withdrawal, and use of water
places stress on the quantity and quality of existing supplies, thereby raising costs of
delivery and treatment and presenting ever more difficult problems of allocation
and quality management. Information defining present water use is required to
quantify such stresses over time and space. Topical studies are needed to improve
estimates of water use in categories outlined in the National Water-Use Program.
Emphasis also should be placed on the identification of aquifers that are major
• -I
;);I
· ..
'.:1
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
J
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
WRD Memorandum No. 89.34 2
sources for water supply. Flow-system definition and simulation is essential to .
anticipate stress response and for management by regulatory agencies, especially for
stream-aquifer systems. Topics for study should include streamflow response to
drought conditions and system response both to projected uses and supply
augmentation schemes. · ·
Stream Quality--Appraisals ofthe water quality of the Nation's streams continue to
be a high-priority need both in areas where contamination has been documented
. and in areas where contamination may or may not be a problem. Studies are needed
of stream quality and sediment chemistry as related to land-use and land-use
changes, stream biota, ground-water contribution of contaminants, and overland
runoff. Particular emphasis should be given to the occurrence and transport of toxic
substances and the impact of contamination on the stream environment.
Cooperative investigations supporting and complementing the NAWQA Program
should be given priority consideration in program formulation.
Hydro logic Hazards--Economic losses from floods, drought, rising lake levels,
mudflows, debris flows, sedimentation, and other hydrologic hazards amount to
billions of dollars annually. These hazards are related not only to meteorlogical
conditions, but to such phenomena as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and
earthquakes. Studies are needed to define the magnitude and probability of
occurrence of hazardous hydrologic events and to improve understanding of the
processes which cause them.
· Wetlands, Lakes, and Estuaries--These valuable ecosystems deserve special
consideration because of their importance as habitats for fish and wildlife, sources of
water supply, and recreational activities. These areas are particularly sensitive to
human encroachment, but are increasingly serving as sinks for waste products.
Studies should address the availability, movement, and quality of water including ,
surface/ground-water interactions. Emphasis should be placed on physical, chemical,
and biological processes, particularly on waste-assimilation studies.
Hydrology and Chan\ling Climate or Atmospheric Chemistry--Scientific evidence is •
accumulating regarding the effects of man's activities on the chemical composition
of the Earth's atmosphere and consequent effects on the worldwide hydrologic
regimen. Specific issues of immediate concern include acid precipitation, airborne
transport and deposition of toxic substances, changing ocean and lake levels, and
long-term climate change. Studies of the effects of the chemistry of precipitation on
stream quality and the interaction of acid rain with biological systems should
· continue to receive priority attention in terranes that have limited ability to buffer
ground and surface water, and in urban settings that produce large loads of
atmospheric pollutants. In addition to the damage associated with rising lake levels,
other impacts that should be investigated include extreme fluctuations in water :
availability and water-quality changes resulting from intrusion of salt water or other
highly mineralized water. Studies designed to increase understanding of the long-,
term effects of climate change on the Nation's water resources are highly
encouraged for inclusion in the Federal-State Cooperative Program. ,
Hydrologic Effects of Fossil Fuel and Mineral Extrilction--The mineral extraction
industries, oil and \las production and processing, solid-fuel mining and processing
(such as coal and oil shale), and metallic and nonmetallic mining, greatly affect
hydrologic systems. Effects may relate to a wide spectrum of hydrologic ·
phenomena, including interaction of subsurface fluids having different chemical anp
physical characteristics, large-scale aquifer dewatering to permit mining, disruption'
· WRD Memorandum No. 89.34 .
of surface drainage, and disturbance of geochemical equilibria. Investigations
should include studies of the hydrologic effects of land reclamation, mining, and
waste disposal. :
3
The hydrologic data program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) continues to
provide the foundation of ongoing and future interpretive studies. The NAWQA
Program will rely heavily on past, present, and future data to assess the quality of
the Nation's water resources. Conflicts between Federal and State agencies about
Federal reserved water rights, particularly Indian water rights, require large amounts
of data and specialized interpretations. The increasing importance of accurate and
reliable data to Federal, State and local agencies was emphasized in the language of
the USGS FY 1989 appropriation bill. The enhancement of the hydrologic-data
program should be a high-priority effort in the Cooperative Program.
Research studies in District programs leading to the development of new technology
continue to be encouraged. Innovation and dedication on the part of District·
managers and project personnel have traditionally played a large role in the
scientific growth of WRD and will continue to result in improved project design and
better scientific products.
Looking to the future, WRD is preparing a program initiative for FY 1991 on climate
change hydrology. Consideration should be given during FY 1990 to the
development of a program in this important segment of hydrology.
As in past years, Districts should review ongoing programs with cooperators to seek
opportunities for redirecting funds and manpower to address emerging higher
priority activities. .~~
Chief Hydrologist
Distribution: A, B, S, FO, PO
I
I
I
' ....
I
I
u
I
I
•
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I