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Ground-penetrating radar study of the thickness and extent of sediments beneath Silver Lake, Berlin and Meriden, Connecticut

Water-Resources Investigations Report 85-4108
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri854108

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Abstract

A short-pulse ground-penetrating radar system was used to determine the extent and thickness of organic-rich lake-bottom sediments in Silver Lake in south-central Connecticut. Four mi of ground-penetrating radar profiles were obtained along traverses of the frozen lake during March 1984. The radar waves penetrated 6 inches of snow, 1 ft of ice, an average of 4 to 5 ft of water, and 5 ft of soft organic and inorganic deposits. A large area of the lake bottom is underlain by soft sediment exceeding 5 ft in depth. No radar reflections were obtained from the hard subbottom in these areas because the overlying sediment probably contains large proportions of silt and clay that are relatively impervious to radar. Coring along two radar profile lines confirmed the depths of soft sediment calculated from the radar data. Boring logs around the perimeter of the lake indicate that the eastern side may be underlain by till or poorly-sorted sand and gravel, and that the rest of the lake is probably underlain by fine sands and silts with some discontinuous layers of sand and gravel. (USGS)

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-penetrating radar study of the thickness and extent of sediments beneath Silver Lake, Berlin and Meriden, Connecticut
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 85-4108
DOI 10.3133/wri854108
Year Published 1987
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Office of Ground Water
Description v, 19 p.
Country United States
State Connecticut
County New Haven County, Hartford County
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