Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Ironton- Galesville aquifer, southeast Minnesota

Ruhl, J. F.; Wolf, R. J.; Adolphson, D. G.

Abstract:

The (Franconia)-Ironton-Galesville aquifer is part of a sequence of sedimentary bedrock units in southeast Minnesota. The aquifer was deposited from Paleozoic seas that occupied a shallow depression known as the Hollandale embayment. The surface of the Ironton-Galesville aquifer dips toward the interior of the embayment. The aquifer is as deep as 1,000 feet below land surface and as thick as 325 feet. The Ironton and Galesville Sandstones are white and medium grained. They are the most productive units of the aquifer throughout the area. The Franconia Formation is a coarse grained sandstone and interbedded shale. The Franconia Formation is water bearing primarily in the northern and western parts of the area; where it is the uppermost bedrock aquifer, elsewhere it yields little water. Its water quality is generally acceptable for all types of use. Calcium magnesium bicarbonate type water is most common. Confining beds protect the aquifer from surface pollutants, but the water is degraded locally in some places. Dissolved solids are as high as 1,000 mg/L in the southwest because of highly mineralized recharge water from Cretaceous deposits. (USGS)

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

44525

Citation Author:

Ruhl, J. F.; Wolf, R. J.; Adolphson, D. G.

Citation Contributing Office:

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

ENGLISH

Citation Larger Work Title:

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

14 maps ; on 2 sheets 89 x 102 cm. folded to 26 x 23 cm. in envelope

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Citation Series Code:

WRI

Citation Series Number:

82-4080

Citation Search Results Text:

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Ironton- Galesville aquifer, southeast Minnesota; 1982; WRI; 82-4080; Ruhl, J. F.; Wolf, R. J.; Adolphson, D. G.

Citation Start Page:

Citation Volume:

Citation Year:

1982

Type:

citation/reference

Text:

Hydrogeologic and water-quality characteristics of the Ironton- Galesville aquifer, southeast Minnesota; 1982; WRI; 82-4080; Ruhl, J. F.; Wolf, R. J.; Adolphson, D. G.