groundwater assessment and recommendations …€¦ · 5/13/2008 · county, new york, prepared...

GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENTAND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

for theBlack River Watershed

Prepared by:

B E R G M A N Nassociates

September 2008

INTERIM WORKING DRAFT REPORT

Draft Groundwater Assessment and Recommendations Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................11.1 Project Description............................................................................................11.2 Black River Watershed Description...................................................................1

2.0 Black River Watershed Groundwater Evaluation ....................................................2

3.0 Black River Watershed Municipal Systems ..............................................................33.1 Municipal Water Supply Systems......................................................................33.2 Black River Watershed Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants.............................53.3 Waste Sites within the Black River Watershed ..................................................6

4.0 Geologic Setting ..........................................................................................................74.1 Overburden Deposits......................................................................................... 74.2 Bedrock Geology ..............................................................................................8

5.0 Black River Watershed Aquifers ...............................................................................95.1 Overburden Aquifers.........................................................................................9

5.1.1 Tug Hill Plateau Sole Source Aquifer (Designated Aquifer 1) ............. 105.1.2 Watertown Area Lacustrine Delta (Designated Aquifer 2) ................... 115.1.3 Black River Recent Alluvium (Designated Aquifer 3) ......................... 115.1.4 Eastern Lewis County Gravel Outwash (Designated Aquifer 4) ........... 115.1.5 Boonville-Woodgate Kame Delta (Designated Aquifer 5) ................... 115.1.6 Minor Lacustrine Outwash Sand & Gravel Deposits

(Designated Aquifer 6) ........................................................................ 12

6.0 Bedrock Aquifers...................................................................................................... 136.1 Watertown Area Bedrock Limestone Aquifer.................................................. 136.2 Lewis County Limestone Aquifer.................................................................... 13

7.0 Potential Utilization and Protection of Groundwater Resources............................ 14

8.0 Potential for Expanded Utilization and Protection of Groundwater Resources .... 158.1 Future Development Considerations................................................................ 168.2 Designated Sole Source Aquifers Federal Criteria ........................................... 17

9.0 References ................................................................................................................. 18


TABLES

Table 1: Black River Sub Watershed Segments...............................................................1

Table 2: Black River Watershed Municipal Water Supply Systems and Daily Use..........4

Table 3: Black River Watershed Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants.............................5

Table 4: Identified Waste Sites within the Black River Watershed ..................................6

Table 5: Overburden Deposits within the Black River Watershed ...................................7

Table 6: Unconsolidated Aquifers within the Black River Watershed..............................9

Table 7: Identified Aquifers within Black River Sub Watersheds .................................. 10

Table 8: Bedrock Aquifers within the Black River Watershed....................................... 13

Table 9: Lewis County Favorable Zones for Groundwater Development....................... 16

FIGURES

Figure 1: Project Area Location Map …………………………………………….… …...19

Figure 2: Subwatershed Map……………………………………………………… .…….20

Figure 3: Waste Site Location Map.....................................................................................21

Figure 4: Surface Geology Map……………………………………………………….….22

Figure 5: Bedrock Geology Map…………………………………………………….…...23

Figure 6: Aquifers Map………………………………………………………………..….24

Figure 7: Map of Favorable Zone A………………………………………………..…….25

Figure 8: Map of Favorable Zones B and C……………………………………..……….26

Figure 9: Map of Favorable Zone D…………………………………………….……….27

Figure 10: Map of Favorable Zones E and F ………………………………………..……28


Page 1 Draft - September 2008

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Project Description

This report provides a summary of identified aquifers, utilization of groundwater resources andan evaluation of future expansion and protection for groundwater resources within the BlackRiver Watershed. This report was prepared by Bergmann Associates for the Town of Greig andother parties as part of a resource evaluation of the Black River Watershed.

1.2 Black River Watershed Description

The Black River Watershed is located in upstate New York and encompasses approximately1.218 million acres of coverage. The watershed is located on the western portion of theAdirondack Mountains Uplift Physiographic Province in the eastern portion of the Tug HillPlateau Province. The Black River divides the watershed into a western and eastern portion. TheBlack River is located along the western foothills of the Adirondack Uplift and splits thewatershed into the western and eastern portions. Figure 1 shows the location of the watershedarea. The watershed is comprised of 19 subwatersheds, shown in Figure 2, with no singlesubwatershed greater than 11.1 percent of the total watershed area. The watershed drainsapproximately 1.2 million acres and comprises a mix of land uses, the majority of which isforested. Approximately 56 percent of the watershed is located in the Adirondack Park. Thesubwatersheds are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 - Black River Subwatershed Segments

Subwatershed Acres Percent of Total

Beaver River 98,761 8.1%Crystal Creek 17,085 1.4%Cummings Creek 14,212 1.2%Deer River 62,270 5.1%Fish Creek 14,966 1.2%Independence River 61,074 5.0%Lower Black River 39,532 3.2%Lower Middle Black River 51,985 4.3%Middle Black River 8,153 6.7%Middle Branch Moose River 94,880 7.8%Mill Creek 22,512 1.8%Moose River 46,711 3.8%Otter Creek 42,181 3.5%South Branch Moose River 135,713 11.1%Stillwater Reservoir 109,992 9.0%Sugar River 44,732 3.7%Upper Middle Black River 102,016 8.4%Upper Black River 115,439 9.5%Woodhull Creek 62,661 5.1%

Black River Watershed 1,218,075 100%



2.0 Black River Watershed Groundwater Evaluation

Existing literature, published maps, and reports were obtained that provided data on identifiedaquifers and utilization of groundwater in the Counties and municipalities within the Black RiverWatershed. Unconsolidated and bedrock aquifers that serve as viable aquifers were identified.These aquifers comprise approximately 585,460 acres, or 40 percent of the total watershed area.Specific resources are summarized in Section 9 of this Report. Reviewed literature, maps andreports included the following:

Water Resources of the Black River Basin, New York, Black River Basin Regional WaterResources Planning Board, 1975. This report contained data on water use as of 1964.This report was utilized to determine municipal water supply systems, surface water andaquifer sources and flow rates. The supply rates in million gallons per day (mgpd) havebeen updated via verbal communications with municipalities and other reports.

Groundwater availability in the Black River Basin, New York, USGS Water ResourcesInvestigations Report 86-4040, prepared in 1984. This report consists of three mapsshowing wells, springs and overburden and bedrock aquifers in the Black River Basin.

Favorable Zone Delineation for Development of New Groundwater Sources, LewisCounty, New York, prepared for Lewis County by HydroSource Associates, May 2008.This report summarized groundwater resources, existing utilization and potential areasfor development for Lewis County. This report was the most recent at the time thisevaluation was prepared.

Mapping of Potential Yields of Wells In Unconsolidated Aquifers In Upstate, New York:Adirondack Sheet, Finger Lakes Sheet and Hudson Mohawk Sheet.

Identification of Sole Source-Principal Aquifers, from the New York State Department ofEnvironmental Conservation website.



3.0 Black River Watershed Municipal Systems

The Black River Watershed encompasses portions of five Upstate New York State Counties:Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, and Oneida. These communities provide a variety ofmunicipal services including municipal water systems and sanitary sewage treatment anddischarge. Aquifers serve as water supply systems for several municipalities within the BlackRiver Watershed. Several reservoirs, bodies of water, and local supply wells also servemunicipal water systems.

3.1 Black River Watershed Municipal Water Supply Systems

Municipalities within the Black River Watershed utilize a mix of surface water and groundwatersources as potable water supplies. Identified municipal water supply systems within the BlackRiver Watershed are summarized in Table 2.



Table 2 - Black River Watershed Municipal Water Supply Systems and Daily Use*DRAFT: To Be Completed

Municipality Groundwater Surface Water Both RemarksHamilton County (Inlet Area)

Neodak Shores 0.004South Shore 0.008Industrial --- ---Other 0.19

Herkimer CountyOld Forge No dataThendra 0.420Industrial --- ---Other .056

Jefferson CountyVillage Black River 0.35Brownville 0.100Carthage 0.800Deferit 0.100Dexter 0.100Harrings 0.002Watertown 4.500West Carthage 0.500Fort Drum 0.150 As of 1964Industrial 4.886 34.244Other 0.773

Lewis CountyCastorland 0.050Constableville 0.030Copenhagen 0.200Croghan-Beavers Falls 0.500Glenfield 0.010Greig 0.050Lowville 0.500Lyonsdale 0.020Lyons Falls 0.125Martinsburg 0.020Port Leyden 0.070Turin 0.020Industrial 0.263 10.728Other 0.996

Oneida CountyBoonville 0.400Forestport 0.040Industrial 0.026 0.509Other 0.192Totals 8.081 mgpd 52.750 mgpd 0.930 mgpd

*Source: Water Resources of the Black River Bain, New York, BRB-1, 1975Values in million gallons per day (mgpd)



3.2 Black River Watershed Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants

Sewage treatment plant outfalls can impact surface water quality and the recharge to aquifersystems. Future development of water supply systems that utilize unconsolidated aquifers thatare recharged by direct surface waters may be adversely impacted by point discharges of treatedeffluent from sewage plants. Identified municipal and publicly owned sewage treatment plants(POTWs) within the Black River Watershed are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3 - Identified Black River Watershed Municipal Sewage Treatment PlantsDRAFT: To Be Completed

Municipality County Outfall Location

Watertown JeffersonOld Forge HerkimerGreg LewisCastorland LewisConstableville LewisCopenhagen LewisCroghan LewisMartinsburg LewisLowville LewisLyons Falls LewisPort Leyden Lewis



3.3 Waste Sites within the Black River Watershed

A review was conducted of readily available NYSDEC and U.S. EPA environmental waste siteregistries. These types of waste sites can present potential adverse impact by release ofcontaminants to the subsurface or aquifer systems that are in direct contact with surface water ornear-surface groundwater. The locating and development of groundwater systems can beimpeded by existence of waste sites that have the potential to contaminate groundwater.Identified waste sites within the Black River Watershed are summarized in Table 4. These wastesites are shown graphically in Figure 2.

Table 4 - Identified Waste Sites within the Black River Watershed

Site No. Side Code Name Program County1 E633067 E-Z Stop ERP Oneida2 B00201 Thibado Property ERP Herkimer3 B00155 Bush's General Store ERP Lewis4 E625012 Former Gas Station ERP Lewis5 625005 Payne Jones HW Lewis6 625008 AMF: Trinity Avenue HW Lewis7 625009 Village of Lowville Dump HW Lewis8 V00022 McAlpine Street (Alaskan Oil) VCP Lewis9 E623014 Former AFMC Inc,Petrol. Bulk Storage Facility ERP Jefferson10 E623021 Sewall's Island ERP Jefferson11 E623025 Watertown Center Expressmart ERP Jefferson12 623003 New York Air Brake Company HW Jefferson13 623005 DEC Brownville Pesticide Building HW Jefferson14 623006 Abe Cooper Surplus Company HW Jefferson15 623007 SMI/Caelter Industries HW Jefferson16 623009 Bomax Manufacturing HW Jefferson17 623010 Crown Cleaners Inc. (dba Nu-Art Cleaner) HW Jefferson18 623011 NM - Engine St - Watertown MGP HW Jefferson19 623012 Carthage Machine Company HW Jefferson20 V00019 54 West Church Street (Alaskan Oil) VCP Jefferson21 V00027 1289 Arsenal Street (Alaskan Oil) VCP Jefferson22 V00030 23179 Rte. 342 (Alaskan Oil) VCP Jefferson23 V00031 804 State Street (Alaskan Oil) VCP Jefferson24 V00032 1200 Washington Street (Alaskan Oil) VCP Jefferson25 V00033 I-81 Center Property (Alaskan Oil) VCP Jefferson26 V00034 6391 Coffeen Street (Alaskan Oil) VCP Jefferson27 V00143 Carthage Machine Company VCP Jefferson28 V00201 Brewster Automotive & Marine VCP Jefferson29 V00473 NM - Anthony St. - Watertown MGP VCP Jefferson30 V00525 FiberMark DSI Inc.(Former REXAM DSI Inc) VCP Jefferson

ERP = Environmental Restoration ProgramHW = NYSDEC Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Dispsoal SitesVCP = Voluntary Cleanup Program



4.0 Geologic Setting

The Black River Watershed is located in central New York State east of the Ontario LakeLowlands with approximately 1.218 million acres of coverage. The watershed traverses theeastern portion of the Ontario Lake Lowlands and extends to the western portion of theAdirondack Park Highlands. The Black River along the western Adirondack Park divides theWatershed into the western Lowlands and eastern Adirondack Highlands provinces.

4.1 Overburden Geology

Overburden deposits within the Watershed are comprised of glacial deposits, outwash andlacustrine deposits, and exposed bedrock (Adirondack Uplift). Overburden deposits consist of avariety of unconsolidated sediments derived from glacial deposits, river or lake deposits orweathered bedrock. The type, relative porosity, thicknesses and potential for hydraulic rechargeare elements that determine applicability of surface deposits as aquifers. The type and extent ofsurface materials within the Black River Watershed are summarized in Table 5 and Figure 3.

Table 5 - Overburden Deposits within the Black River Watershed

Overburden DepositName and abbreviation

Acres in Black RiverWatershed

Percentage of Cover

Recent Alluvium (al) 48,000 3.9%Alluvium Fan (alf) 1,190 0.1%Alluvial Inwash (Ali) 433 <1%Dunes (d) 406 <1%Fluvial deltaic sand (fds) 8,650 0.7 %Fluvial Sand and/or gravel (fg) 418 <0.1%Open water (H20) 12,300 1.0%Kame Deposts (k) 61,900 5.1%Kame Morane (km) 11,400 0.9%Lacustrine Beach (lb) 812 0.1%Lacustrine Delta (ld) 61,500 5.0%Lacustrine Sand (ls) 79,300 6.5%Lacustrine Silt and Clay (lsc) 32,100 2.6%Outwash sand and gravel (og) 64,600 5.3%Swamp deposits (pm) 6,560 0.5%Exposed bedrock (t) 90,450 7.4%Glacial Till (t) 717,000 58.9%Ablation Moraine (ta) 5,640 0.5%Till Moraine (tm) 15,700 1.3%

Total 1,220,000 acres 100 %



4.2 Bedrock Geology

The bedrock basement deposits underlying the Black River Watershed consists of two differenttypes of geologic deposits. The Black River valley divides the Watershed into the westernportion composed of sedimentary rocks and the eastern portion composed of high grademetamorphic and igneous rocks.

Western portion of the watershed bedrock consists of sedimentary deposits mapped as varioussedimentary and limestone deposits. The sedimentary rocks consist of Ordovician agesedimentary rocks deposited in a marine environment and form a sequence of rocks that dip tothe southwest. The Black River Group, Trenton Group, and Utica Shale are major units inwestern portion of the watershed. The bedrock beneath the portion of the watershed within theAdirondack Park consists of various metamorphic and igneous crystalline deposits. The extent ofbedrock deposits are depicted on Figure 4.



5.0 Black River Watershed Aquifers

5.1 Unconsolidated Aquifers

A variety of unconsolidated-unconfined, confined and consolidated-bedrock aquifers have beenidentified within the Black River Watershed, as depicted in Figure 5. Available geologicresources and mapping was used to compile the aquifers within the Watershed.

For purposes of evaluation, this report has sub-divided the unconsolidated overburden aquifersinto six categories, based on the nature of the depositional environment that created the deposits,geographic location, and type of aquifer. The systems identified within the Black RiverWatershed as potential unconsolidated aquifer sources are summarized in Table 6. The aquifersare divided by the 19 subwatersheds in Table 7.

One of the identified groundwater aquifers, Tug Hill Plateau, is designated by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a sole source aquifer, and as a NYS Department ofEnvironmental Conservation (DEC) Principal Aquifer. None of the remaining aquifer systemsare designated U.S. EPA (sole source) or NYSDEC (principal or primary) aquifers.

Table 6 - Unconsolidated Aquifers within the Black River Watershed

Aquifer Designation AquiferDesignation

Area(Acres)

% of BlackRiver

Watershed

Type Potential Yield

Tug Hill PlateauU.S. EPA Sole SourceAquifer

1 3,370 0.3 % UnconsolidatedSole Source Aquifer

10 to 100 gpm

Watertown AreaLacustrine Delta

2 21,870 1.7 % Lacustrine DeltaPortions are confined

More than 100 gpm

Black River ValleyRecent Alluvium

3 73,450 5.7% Recent Alluvium Deposits,Unconfined aquifer

10 to 100 gpm

Lewis CountyGravel OutwashDeposits

4 204,030 16.0 % Gravel OutwashUnconfined aquifer

10 to 100 gpm

Boonville-WoodgateArea Kame Delta

5 10,630 0.8 % Kame DeltaUnconfined Aquifer

More than 100gallons per minute

Minor LacustrineOutwash Sand andGravel Deposits

6 160,990 12.6 % Sand & Gravel DepositsIsolated UnconfinedAquifers

10 to 100 gpm

Bedrock Aquifers-Limestone

7 11,120 0.9% Consolidated Limestone 1 to 500 gpm

gpm = Gallons per Minute



Table 7 - Identified Aquifers within Black River Sub Watersheds

Acres per Designated AquifersSub Watershed 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total Aquifer

coverage (acres)Beaver River 0 0 5,470 49,530 0 0 140 55,140

Crystal Creek 0 0 4,930 9,080 0 0 220 14,220

Cummings Creek 0 0 0 9,950 0 1,200 0 11,160Deer River 0 370 4,570 0 0 0 0 4,940

Fish Creek 0 0 500 9,670 0 220 0 10,390

Independence River 0 0 1,640 33,740 0 3,850 20 39,250Lower Black River 3,370 4,740 0 0 0 0 0 8,110Lower Middle Black River 16,740 810 0 0 0 0 17,550Middle Black River 0 20 20,050 2,090 0 0 6,930 29,090Middle Branch Moose River 0 0 0 0 0 32,720 0 32,720Mill Creek 0 0 3,850 0 0 0 60 3,910

Moose River 0 0 480 13,980 0 14,180 0 28,640

Otter Creek 0 0 500 15,490 0 9,660 0 25,650

South Branch Moose River 0 0 0 0 0 47,620 0 47,620Stillwater Reservoir 0 0 0 980 0 30,140 0 31,120Sugar River 0 0 10,910 0 0 0 0 10,910

Upper Black River 0 0 0 14,300 10,270 10,470 0 35,040Upper Middle Black River 0 0 19,740 21,870 360 1,830 3,750 47,550Woodhull Creek 0 0 0 23,350 0 9,100 0 32,450

19 Sub Watershed Segments 3,370 21,870 73,450 204,030 10,630 160,990 11,120 485,460

5.1.1 Tug Hill Plateau US EPA Sole Source Aquifer (Designated Aquifer 1)

The Northern Tug Hill Glacial Aquifer, designated Aquifer 1, consists of a crescent shapedglacial outwash and stratified drift deposits of sand and gravel along the west and southwestflanks of the Tug Hill Plateau. This aquifer encompasses approximately 21 miles. This aquiferlies entirely within the Lower Black River subwatershed. The aquifer underlies approximately3,370 acres.

As a result of its highly permeable soil characteristics the aquifer is susceptible to contaminationthrough its recharge zone as the top of the aquifer is at land surface. The primary land useactivity in the Northern Tug Hill Glacial Aquifer area is agriculture.



The Northern Tug Hill Glacial Aquifer currently serves as the “sole source” of drinking water forapproximately 4,970 persons in the defined service area, which includes the Hamlet of AdamsCenter, Hamlet of Pierrepont Manor, Village of Adams, Village of Lacona, Village ofMannsville, and Village of Sandy Creek.

The area in which Federal financially assisted projects will be subject to review is the portion ofthe Northern Tug Hill Glacial Aquifer in Jefferson, Lewis, and Oswego Counties area, therecharge zone and the streamflow source zone.

5.1.2 Watertown Area Lacustrine Delta (Designated Aquifer 2)

The area north of the City of Watertown, including the Fort Drum Area is underlain by anextensive lacustrine outwash deposits. This area is designated Aquifer 2 and encompassesapproximately 21,870 acres. These deposits consist of saturated sands and gravels with variablethicknesses and have been determined to have a yield greater than 100 gallons per minute.

The Fort Drum area, which extends beyond the Black River Watershed, has been the focus ofseveral groundwater availability investigations. Since the late 1980s utilization of this aquiferhas expanded to accompany the development at Fort Drum.

5.1.3 Black River Recent Alluvium (Designated Aquifer 3)

Deposits along the Black River channel and adjacent terraces to the Black River have beenmapped as recent alluvium deposits (unconsolidated sediments of various texture and thickness)that are generally less than 15,000 to 10,000 years old. These sediments are in direct contactwith the Black River and are hydraulically recharged by the Black River and by tributaries neartheir Black River confluences. These deposits have been designated Aquifer 3 and encompassesapproximately 73, 450 acres or 5.7 % of the Black River Watershed.

5.1.4 Lewis County Gravel Outwash (Designated Aquifer 4)

The overburden deposits in the eastern portion of Lewis County, east of the Black River andadjacent to the Adirondack Uplift, consist of various outwash deposits that comprise unconfinedaquifers. This area forms the largest aerial extent of unconsolidated aquifer systems in the BlackRiver Basin, covering approximately 204,030 acres. These deposits cover approximately 16.0 %of the Watershed. These unconfined deposits can yield 10 to 50 gallons of water per minute.Portions of these aquifers merge easterly to isolated sand gravel and deposits that have developedalong valleys, stream outfalls, and lakes on the Adirondack Uplift Province.

5.1.5 Boonville-Woodgate Kame Delta (Designated Aquifer 5)

In the vicinity of Boonville and Woodgate in Oneida County an extensive glacial deposit, a kamedelta has been mapped. This deposit consists of various thicknesses of sand and gravel depositsthat encompass approximately 10,630 acres in Oneida County along the Upper Black River andUpper Middle Black River subwatersheds. The sediments in this formation form an unconfinedaquifer.



5.1.6 Minor Lacustrine Outwash Sand & Gravel Deposits (Designated Aquifer 6)

The majority of the Black River Watershed overlying the Adirondack Uplift in Herkimer andHamilton Counties consists of glacial till with minimal porosity and poor yield. Areas ofexposed bedrock also occur in this area. Limited occurrences of outwash sand and graveldeposits have developed along streams and lakes. These deposits can serve as local groundwatersources. Although generally isolated from each other, these deposits together comprise 160,990acres within the Black River Basin, comprising approximately 12.6 % of the total watershed.These aquifers trend in a general southwest to northeast pattern along valleys and lake systems(such as the Fulton Chain of Lakes).



6.0 Black River Watershed Bedrock Aquifers (Designated Aquifer 7)

The Black River Watershed encompasses geologic deposits that include sedimentary units thathave been developed as aquifers and water supply sources. Based on mapping of GroundwaterAvailability in the Black River Watershed (Walker, USGS 86-4040) a band of limestone extendsfrom Watertown to the southeast, following the Black River valley. Consolidated aquiferscomprise approximately 11,120 acres. Two major bedrock aquifers have been identified with thewatershed. The bedrock aquifers and potential yield are summarized in Table 8.

6.1 Black River Group Limestone, Watertown Area

The limestone bedrock underlying the vicinity of Watertown in Jefferson County has beenmapped as a productive bedrock aquifer. This unit consists of limestone mapped as providing apotential 51 to 500 gallons per minute (gpm).

6.2 Trenton Group Limestone, Lewis County

The Trenton Group Limestone forms a linear formation extending in a general northwest tosoutheast band in Lewis County. This consists of limestone mapped as providing 1 to 50gallons per minute (gpm).

Table 8 - Bedrock Aquifers within the Black River Watershed

Formation Location Potential Yield Comments

Black River Limestone Jefferson County, Watertownarea

51 to 500 gallons per minute May present potential fordevelopment as significant

water supplyTrenton Group Limestone Jefferson County-Lewis

County, follows Black RiverValley

1 to 50 gallons per minute May supply local springs andseeps



7.0 Existing Utilization of Groundwater within the Black River Watershed

Existing utilization of groundwater and aquifer systems within the Black River Watershed wasdetermined from review of existing literature, groundwater reports and direct contact withmunicipalities. In addition to municipal water sources, private and residential utilization ofgroundwater occurs throughout the Black River Watershed. Municipalities that utilizegroundwater are listed in Table 2.

Existing utilization of groundwater within the Black River Watershed includes the following:

Municipal Water Supply Systems that utilize aquifers.

Industrial sources that utilize aquifers.

Private water supply systems that utilize wells and springs.

Agricultural and farms that utilize groundwater.

Tug Hill Plateau Sole Source Aquifer.

Watertown Area Lacustrine Delta.



8.0 Potential for Expanded Utilization and Protection of Groundwater Resources

Adirondack Uplift Region-Herkimer and Hamilton Counties

Expanded development of groundwater resources in the eastern portion of the Black River Basinmay be restricted to the Minor Lacustrine Outwash Sand & Gravel Deposits (designated Aquifer6) that have formed in isolated valleys and adjacent to lake outfalls. The underlying bedrock inthis portion of the Black River Watershed in the Adirondack Uplift region consists of relativelyimpermeable igneous and metamorphic deposits that have minimal permeability and very lowgroundwater yield potential. Available bedrock groundwater resources are limited to secondaryporosity from joints and fractures in the bedrock.

Surface deposits consist primarily of glacial till with various permeability and exposed bedrock.Limited occurrence of lacustrine sand and gravel deposits do occur. The lacustrine sand andgravel deposits in this vicinity may be limited to localized utilization of the relatively minor sandand gravel deposits.

Eastern Lewis County Gravel Outwash Deposits

The gravel outwash deposits in eastern Lewis County present a significant potential for futuredevelopment for groundwater resources. These deposits are variable in thickness and have beendetermined to be permeable with a significant potential yield.

Lewis County Favorable Zones for Development

The May 2008 Phase I Report on Favorable Zone Delineation for Development of NewGroundwater Sources in Lewis County prepared by HydroSource Associates for Lewis Countyidentified six separate zones that may present favorable potential for further development. Thesezones include both unconsolidated-overburden deposits and bedrock deposits. These zones aresummarized in Table 9.



Copies of the maps delineating the six favorable Zones in Lewis County, as identified in theHydroSource Associates May 2008 report, are included as Figures 7 thru 10 within this report.

Table 9 - Lewis County Favorable Zones for Groundwater Development

Zone Location Description Aquifer Type

Zone A Hamlet of Watson along River Road Unconsolidated sediments,Sand and Gravel Deposits


Zone B New Bremen, north of Crystal CreekEast of Black River

Unconsolidated sediments,Sand and Gravel Deposits


Zone C New Bremen, south side of CrystalCreek along Wagner Road

Unconsolidated sediments,Sand and Gravel Deposits

Lewis CountyGravel Outwash Deposits

Zone D Current Village of LowvilleCurrent water supply

Combined springs and 2 wells Combined unconsolidated,bedrock and surface water

Zone E West of Hamlet of Deer River Bedrock aquifer withsubstantial fracturing indicated

Confined Bedrock, BlackRiver Group Limestone

Zone F Village of Copenhagen Bedrock aquifer withsubstantial fracturing indicated

Confined Bedrock, TrentonGroup Limestone

Reference: Phase I Report, Favorable Zone Delineation for Development of New Groundwater Sources, Lewis County, New York, prepared byHydroSource Associates, Inc. May 13, 2008

8.1 Future Groundwater Development Considerations

A variety of criteria has been developed for consideration of future groundwater development inthe Black River Watershed. These criteria include potential for future yields, accessibility,wellhead protection and groundwater quality. These criteria include:

Expanded use of known aquifers, including identified areas in Lewis County. Thisexpansion can utilize the identified six zones of favorable delineation as identified in theHydroSource Associates May 2008 Report;

Establish groundwater and aquifer protective measures;

Establish municipal supply wellhead protection controls;

Limiting development within immediate area of municipal supply wells;

Locating future Sewage Treatment Plants (POTWs) or industrial discharge outfalls down-gradient from unconsolidated aquifer recharge areas and municipal water supplywellheads.

This section to be further expanded upon.



8.2 US EPA Sole Source Aquifer Federal Criteria

All Federal financially assisted projects constructed in the Northern Tug Hill Glacial AquiferArea (Designated Aquifer 1) and its stream flow source zone (upstream portions of the drainageWatershed) will be subject to EPA review to ensure that these projects are designed andconstructed so they do not create a significant hazard to public health.



9.0 References

Groundwater Availability in the Black River Watershed, United States Department of theInterior Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 86-4040, 1986, by Roger M.Waller

Hydrogeology of the Fort Drum Area, Jefferson, Lewis, and St Lawrence Counties, New York,by Richard J. Reynolds, United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4119, in cooperation with the Department of the Army, 1986

New York State Museum Map and Chart Series #15, “Geologic Map of New York, Adirondack,Finger Lakes and Hudson-Mohawk Sheets, Isachen Y. W. and Fischer, D. W., 1970

New York State Museum Map and Chart Series #40, “Surficial Geologic Map of New York,Adirondack, Finger Lakes and Hudson-Mohawk Sheets, 1988

Phase I Report, Favorable Zone Delineation for Development of New Groundwater Sources,Lewis County, New York, prepared by HydroSource Associates, Inc. May 13, 2008

Potential Yields of Wells in Unconsolidated Aquifers in Upstate New York – Adirondack Sheet,United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Water Resources InvestigationsReport 87-4276, Edward F. Bugliosi and Ruth A. Trudell, prepared in cooperation with the NewYork State Department of Environmental Conservation, 1988

Potential Yields of Wells in Unconsolidated Aquifers in Upstate New York – Finger LakesSheet, United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Water ResourcesInvestigations Report 87-4122, Todd S. Miller, prepared in cooperation with the New York StateDepartment of Environmental Conservation, 1987

Potential Yields of Wells in Unconsolidated Aquifers in Upstate New York – Hudson MohawkSheet, United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey Water ResourcesInvestigations Report 87-4275, Edward F. Bugliosi and Ruth A. Trudell, prepared in cooperationwith the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 1988

Water Resources of the Black River Basin, New York, Black River Basin Regional WaterResources Planning Board, BRB-1, Prepared by United State Department of the InteriorGeological Survey in cooperation with the New York State Department of EnvironmentalConservation, 1975



Figure 1 – Watershed Project Location Map



Figure 2 – Subwatersheds



Figure 3 – Waste Sites Location Map



Figure 4 – Surface Geology Map



Figure 5 – Bedrock Geology Map



Figure 6 – Aquifers Map


Page 25

Figure 7 – Map of Favorable Zone A


Page 26

Figure 8 – Map of Favorable Zones B & C


Page 27

Figure 9 – Map of Favorable Zone D


Page 28

Figure 10 – Map of Favorable Zones E & F

groundwater assessment and recommendations …€¦ · 5/13/2008 · county, new york, prepared...

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