Sand and Gravel Aquifer Maps - A Work in Progress

The Maine Geological Survey's (MGS) sand and gravel aquifer maps have constantly improved over the years. Starting in 1978, MGS began publishing reconnaissance sand and gravel aquifer maps at a scale of 1:50,000. The base maps were a mix of 15-minute and 7.5-minute USGS topographic maps scaled to size. Geologic interpretation of the aquifers was based on the occurrence of sand and gravel units on reconnaissance surficial geologic maps. Data relating to ground water levels was sparse. Beginning in 1985, the significant aquifer map series started to replace the original sand and gravel aquifer maps. These maps were still at a scale of 1:50,000, but aquifer boundaries were more precisely located and additional subsurface information about the aquifers was portrayed. While these maps covered a large area, they lacked the detail needed by State, municipalities, water districts, and private consulting firms. In 1992, MGS began to publish significant aquifer maps at a detailed scale of 1:24,000, using the 7.5-minute USGS topographic map as a base. Added well data and seismic information increased the accuracy of aquifer boundary portrayal. Starting in 1998, the maps were generated in color which further improved readability by professionals and lay-people alike. Revision of the older 1:50,000 scale maps has been an ongoing process and involves compilation of all earlier collected data as well as newly acquired field and well inventory information (see Figure 1).

The delineation of sand and gravel aquifers involves compiling all stratigraphic and water level data that can be gleaned from pit exposures, well, test boring and test pit logs, well yield, springs, stream and road cuts, bedrock outcrops and seismic refraction surveys. Locations are plotted on 7.5-minute topographic bases and digitized. Aquifers are identified based upon well yield or anticipated well yield of 10 gallons per minute or more. Also, a minimum saturated thickness of 10 feet is used in the identification process. All of this information is used in conjunction with surficial geologic and soils maps, aerial photographs, and topography to identify areas that should be classified as aquifers.

Despite our best efforts in the mapping of sand and gravel aquifers, areas where more data are collected sometimes result in the need to modify our maps. Between 1998 and 2000, Cherryfield Foods, Inc.(CFI), a blueberry grower and processer based in Cherryfield, Maine drilled over 100 wells and borings in search of ground water for use in irrigating their crop. This work initially involved the installation of 2.5-inch wells, preliminary pump testing, and where results were favorable, larger 8 to 24-inch wells were drilled and longer term pump testing was conducted.

A site investigated by CFI in T24 MD BPP in Washington County revealed the need for further aquifer map revision (Refer to Figure 2). The sand and gravel aquifer map identified the area as underlain by aquifer capable of yields of greater than 10 gallons per minute (gpm) as well as greater than 50 gpm (Refer to Figure 3). Wells were drilled at 12 locations, but at three of the locations, the wells were pulled because the material was considered overly fine-grained (Refer to Figure 4). A schematic geologic cross-section, A-A' utilizing TW-23, TW-22 (adjacent to the 8-inch well), and TW-21 illustrates the vertical as well as horizontal extent of the aquifer (Refer to Figure 5). It is important to note here that the test drilling data used in this cross-section does not support the concept that the aquifer extends east to the Pleasant River nor does it appear that coarse-grained, water-saturated sand and gravel occurs a great distance to the west.

In addition to the test drilling data, a three-day pumping test conducted on an 8-inch well appears to further support the presence of low permeability hydraulic boundaries or a limited aquifer. A semi-log plot of the time-drawdown data for the 8-inch pumping well and other nearby observation wells is shown in Figure 6. The water level in the pumping well (pumping at 302 gpm) dropped about 12 feet quickly, and then began a slow decay that increased after about 1000 minutes of pumping. Drawdown in the adjacent observation wells was less, but showed a similar pattern. At 2950 minutes, the pumping rate was reduced to 273 gpm which resulted in a steady, logarithmic drawdown rate of 3.7 feet per log-cycle of time until pumping ceased at 4310 minutes. The three-day pump test indicates that the 8-inch well has a sustainable yield of about 273 gallons per minute. Also, for irrigation seasons spanning up to about 70 days, the well may be pumped at rates of 350 to 400 gpm.

Figure 6

section of 2000 Northeast Bluff aquifer map showing possible modifications

Figure 7

Based upon test drilling and well pump testing, it appears that the aquifer boundaries identified by the Maine Geological Survey at this site require modification. Figure 7 depicts a possible revision to the map. The Maine Geological Survey always welcomes new data whether the data supports our interpretations or not. The more information that we have, the more refined our maps become.

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge Dr. W. Bradford Caswell, Environmental Manager, Cherryfield Foods, Inc. for the use of their data which has greatly enhanced the State's knowledge of water resources and sand and gravel aquifers in Washington County.

References

Cherryfield Foods, Inc., 2001, Worcester lot 8-inch diameter test well and proposed 18-inch diameter irrigation well, hydrogeologic analysis: Cherryfield Foods, Inc., Cherryfield, Maine.

Neil, C. D., 2000, Significant sand and gravel aquifers of the Northeast Bluff quadrangle, Maine: Maine Geological Survey, Open-File Map 00-182.

Originally published on the web as the June 2001 Site of the Month.

Last updated on October 6, 2005