Simulation of ground-water flow in the St Peter aquifer in an area contaminated by coal-tar derivatives, St Louis Park, Minnesota

Water-Resources Investigations Report 90-4150
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By:  and 

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Abstract

A model constructed to simulate ground-water flow in part of the Prairie du Chien-Jordan and St. Peter aquifers, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, was used to test hypotheses about the movement of ground water contaminated with coal-tar derivatives and to simulate alternatives for reducing the downgradient movement of contamination in the St. Peter aquifer. The model, constructed for a previous study, was applied to simulate the effects of current ground-water withdrawals on the potentiometric surface of the St. Peter aquifer. Multiaquifer wells served as conduits for vertical exchange of water from the St. Peter aquifer to the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer. Model simulations predict that the multiaquifer wells have the potential to limit downgradient migration of contaminants in the St. Peter aquifer caused by cones of depression created around the multiaquifer wells. Differences in vertical leakage to the St. Peter aquifer may exist in areas of bedrock valleys. Model simulations indicate that these differences are not likely to affect significantly the general patterns of ground-water flow.

Model simulations also indicated that drawdown caused by pumping two wells, each pumping at 75 gallons per minute and located about 1 mile southeast of the source of contamination, would be effective in controlling movement and volume of contaminated ground water in the immediate area of the source of contamination. Some contamination may already have moved beyond the influence of these wells, however, because of a complex set of hydraulic conditions.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Simulation of ground-water flow in the St Peter aquifer in an area contaminated by coal-tar derivatives, St Louis Park, Minnesota
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 90-4150
DOI 10.3133/wri904150
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location St. Paul, MN
Contributing office(s) Minnesota Water Science Center
Description v, 37 p.
Country United States
State Minnesota
City St. Louis Park
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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