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Exploration for areas suitable for ground-water development, central Connecticut Valley lowlands, Massachusetts

Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4106
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844106

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Abstract

Drilling and geophysical borehole logs for a 25-sq-mi section of the Connecticut River valley lowlands area of Amherst, Hadley, and Sunderland, Massachusetts, indicate that the area is mostly underlain by fine-grained lacustrine deposits. Nine test wells ranging in depth from 100 to 303 ft completely penetrate the unconsolidated valley fill. Geophysical logs indicate that the lacustrine deposits grade from clay to slightly coarser silt or fine sand with increasing depth. Seismic-refraction surveys indicate bedrock surfaces ranging from 138 to 476 ft below land surface. Interpretation of a continuous seismic-reflection profile on 10.8 mi of the Connecticut River indicates some areas where coarse deposits may underlie the fine-grained lake deposits. These deposits appear to range in thickness from 0 to 165 ft. Bedrock surfaces with elevations down to 190 ft below sea level also were indicated. Water is presently being withdrawn from limited and irregularly distributed sand and gravel deposits for municipal supplies. These deposits may be continuous with previously mapped surficial ice-contact sand and gravel deposits. Areas that are most favorable for future groundwater exploration are mainly in the southern part of the area, between the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Range. (USGS)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Exploration for areas suitable for ground-water development, central Connecticut Valley lowlands, Massachusetts
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 84-4106
DOI 10.3133/wri844106
Edition -
Year Published 1986
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description 37 p. :ill., maps (1 col.) ;28 cm.
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