Ground‐Water Flow Related to Streamflow and Water Quality

Abstract

A ground‐water flow system in southwestern Minnesota illustrates water movement between geologic units and between the land surface and the subsurface. The flow patterns indicate numerous zones of ground‐water recharge and discharge controlled by topography, varying thicknesses of geologic units, variation in permeabilities, and the configuration of the basement rock surface. Variations in streamflow along a reach of the Yellow Medicine River agree with the subsurface flow system. Increases and decreases in runoff per square mile correspond, apparently, to ground‐water discharge and recharge zones. Ground‐water quality variations between calcium sulfate waters typical of the Quaternary drift and sodium chloride waters typical of the Cretaceous rocks are caused by mixing of the two water types. The zones of mixing are in agreement with ground‐water flow patterns along the hydrologic section.

Hydrologic setting of wetlands in the Cottonwood Lake area, Stutsman County, North Dakota

“…To develop a general concept of ground-water flow in the Missouri Coteau region near the study site, data from the Stutsman County (Huxel and Petri, 1963) and Kidder County (Randich and others, 1962) ground-water studies were used to construct a hydrologic profile through the part of the Coteau shown in figures 3 and 4. Similar types of regional analyses have been done by Meyboom (1963), Maclay andothers (1972), andVan Voast andNovitzki (1968).…”

The relationship between coastal plain pond vegetation and environment at local and broad spatial scales

“…Indicator species analysis for elevation, geology, hydrology, and specific conductance. (Van Voast and Novitzki 1968). Differences in hydroperiod between permanent and ephemeral ponds also influenced species composition, as has been documented in other wetland systems such as semi-permanent prairie wetlands (Poiani and Johnson 1989).…”