Geology and ground-water conditions in the southern part of the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, Morrison County, Minnesota

Water Supply Paper 1669-A
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. National Guard Bureau
By: , and 

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Abstract

The southern part of the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, in central Minnesota, includes an area of about 20 square miles. This investigation was conducted to assist the U.S. National Guard Bureau in locating adequate water supplies for expansion and standby needs.

Bedrock in the area consists of Precambrian phyllite which is equivalent to the Virginia slate. The area is covered largely by Pleistocene deposits in the form of moraines, ice-contact features, outwash plains, and the valley train of the Mississippi River. Almost all the surface deposits consist of outwash-plain and valley-train sediments that are generally permeable. Test drilling and an electrical-resistivity survey indicate that the post area, in the southeast part of the reservation, is underlain by about 50 to 115 feet of glacial drift. The west side of the post area is underlain by a bedrock valley filled in part by permeable glaciofluvial deposits in which there is a narrow, highly permeable channel deposit of sand and gravel. Aquifers of this type are probably the most important source of ground water in the area, although substantial quantities of water also may be obtained from other types of glacial aquifers. Properly constructed and developed wells tapping the channel deposits should yield 2,000 to 3,000 gallons per minute, or more.

Recharge to the aquifers in the reservation is derived from the downward percolation of local precipitation. Most recharge occurs during the spring breakup when accumulated winter snows melt and during the warmer months when the heaviest rains occur.

Sufficient water is stored in sands and gravels in the area to support substantial water-supply developments for several years, even without normal recharge.

The water is harder than is desirable for domestic uses, and it is relatively highly colored, probably owing to the presence of iron. Otherwise, the water is satisfactory for most domestic purposes as it contains only about 250 parts per million of dissolved solids.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geology and ground-water conditions in the southern part of the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, Morrison County, Minnesota
Series title Water Supply Paper
Series number 1669
Chapter A
DOI 10.3133/wsp1669A
Year Published 1963
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Contributing office(s) Minnesota Water Science Center
Description Document: iv, 32 p.; 3 Plates: 17.00 x 25.85 inches or smaller
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Contributions to the hydrology of the United States, 1962
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Morrison County
Other Geospatial Camp Ripley Military Reservation
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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