thumbnail

Hydrogeologic framework of the diabase aquifer at the Boarhead Farms Superfund site, Bridgeton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4090
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri964090

Links

Abstract

The hydrogeologic investigation at the Boarhead Farms Superfund site was done to characterize the framework of the diabase aquifer underlying the site. The primary water-producing fracture system is less than 30 feet below land surface. Water-bearing fractures were not found deeper than 50 feet below land surface. The overburden soil is thin and ranges from 4 to 14 feet thick. The overburden soil acts as a confining unit for the underlying bedrock aquifer. Weathered bedrock consisting of broken diabase ranged from 2 to 15 feet thick, and in some areas, fractures in the weathered bedrock zone were filled with clay. Due to the clay-rich overburden soil and the thick, clay filled weathered bedrock zone, little ground-water storage is available to supply the shallow fracture systems.

The diabase aquifer is low yielding with low transmissivities. Five of 15 boreholes drilled as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's investigation produced no water. Estimates of transmisivity calculated from analyses of open-hole constant-discharge tests in five boreholes ranged from 3.1 to 100 square feet per day. Estimated discharge rates for these exists between boreholes. The fracture system is limited in areal extent. Dewatering of fractures supplying water to boreholes occurred during open-hole constant-discharge tests of three boreholes.

Suggested Citation

Schreffler, C.L., 1996, Hydrogeologic framework of the diabase aquifer at the Boarhead Farms Superfund site, Bridgeton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 1996–4090, 58 p., https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/wri964090.

Table of Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction 
  • Hydrogeologic framework of the diabase aquifer
  • Summary and conclusions
  • References cited
  • Appendix 1. Graphs of drawdown plots for slug tests
  • Appendix 2. Graphs of drawdown plots for isolated-zone constant-discharge tests 
  • Appendix 3. Graphs of drawdown plots for open-hole constant-discharge tests
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrogeologic framework of the diabase aquifer at the Boarhead Farms Superfund site, Bridgeton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 96-4090
DOI 10.3133/wri964090
Year Published 1996
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Description vii, 58 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details