Hydrogeology of aquifers in Cretaceous and younger rocks in the vicinity of Onslow and southern Jones counties, North Carolina
Water-Resources Investigations Report
89-4128
By: W.L. Lyke and M. D. Winner Jr.
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Abstract
Unconsolidated sediments in Onslow and Jones Counties, North Carolina overlie crystalline basement rocks and range in thickness from about 700 ft to more than 1,800 ft, thickening toward the east. This material is composed of permeable sand and limestone interlayered with relatively impermeable clay and silt beds. Sediments are divided into two groups: aquifers in Quaternary-, and Tertiary-aged rocks and aquifers in Cretaceous-aged rocks. Aquifers in the Cretaceous rocks provide most of the groundwater for public supplies and are the focus of this report. The aquifers in Cretaceous rocks are the Peedee, Black Creek, upper Cape Fear, and lower Cape Fear aquifers, which are composed of beds or groups of beds of sand and gravel. Each aquifer is overlain by a clay and silt bed, that impedes the flow of water between aquifers. The thickness of Cretaceous hydrogeologic units ranges from about 700 ft to more than 1, 300 ft. Hydrogeologic units are correlated using 60 geophysical logs and accompanying drillers ' logs along with water level and water quality data. Three hydrogeologic sections demonstrate the continuity of the aquifers and confining units, show water levels and chloride concentration in water from test intervals, and delineate where chloride concentration in water exceeds 250 mg/L within each aquifer. Maps of each aquifer in Cretaceous rocks show altitude of its top, thickness, sand percentage, and the transition from freshwater to saltwater. Maps of the confining units show thickness and sand percentage of each.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Hydrogeology of aquifers in Cretaceous and younger rocks in the vicinity of Onslow and southern Jones counties, North Carolina |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 89-4128 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri894128 |
| Edition | - |
| Year Published | 1990 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey ; Books and Open-File Reports Section [distributor], |
| Contributing office(s) | South Atlantic Water Science Center |
| Description | v, 49 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm. |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Jones County, Onslow County |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |