Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Water Resources of Fulton County

AEX-480.26

Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Fulton County. The county's population of 39,709 (1992 Ohio Department of Development estimate) is predominantly rural, and 53 percent of the households rely on ground water for their water supply. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Fulton County's water resources, and is intended to help increase public awareness and understanding about this vital resource. By understanding where water is obtained and how it is used in the county, residents can gain a better appreciation for their water supply. Water resources terminology used in this publication is included in Surface and Ground Water Terminology, Fact Sheet AEX 460, which provides a listing of generally accepted water resource definitions. Ohio State University Extension publications are available through all Ohio county Extension offices.

Precipitation

An average of approximately 35 inches of precipitation falls on Fulton County annually. Figure 1 illustrates the average monthly precipitation for the county for the period 1961 to 1990. Based on this 30-year record, the average precipitation is 2.9 inches per month, with February (1.7 inches) typically being the driest month, and June and July (3.6 inches each) the wettest. However, there can be extreme variations in some years and in certain months within a year. Such seasonal and yearly extremes may have serious consequences and are not always apparent from the long-term precipitation information.

Figure 1. Average monthly precipitation (in inches) in Fulton County, Ohio (1961-1990); data collected at Wauseon.

Surface-Water Resources

Fulton County surface waters ultimately flow into Lake Erie through the Maumee or Ottawa rivers. The western half of the County drains southwesterly through the Tiffin River basin which enters the Maumee upstream from the City of Defiance. Turkeyfoot Creek and Dry Creek drain Clinton and York townships to the south and both creeks enter the Maumee southeast of Liberty Center. Bad Creek drains eastern Dover, Pike and northern York townships entering the Maumee near Texas. Swan Creek drains Fulton and Swan Creek townships to the east entering the Maumee in Toledo. Eastern Chesterfield, Royalton and Amboy townships drain to the east through Ten Mile Creek entering the Ottawa River in Lucas County. A generalized surface-water map of Fulton County is given in Figure 2.

Surface waters are affected by soil type, geology, the topography of adjacent land, and the way people use the land. Land use, such as residential development and agricultural production, may increase the amount of sediment and other pollutants entering a body of water. The soils and terrain also influence the amount of runoff because of infiltration, percolation, and water holding characteristics. With some soils, rainfall is more likely to run off, while other soils allow water to infiltrate more readily.

The county contains approximately 260,000 land acres, of which 80 percent is farmland. Twelve soil associations have been identified in the county and vary in drainage quality from very poorly drained to well drained. A majority of these soils are categorized as poorly drained. The county water acreage consists of about 450 acres of lakes. The largest single body of water is 96-acre Harrison Lake. Other large bodies of water are community water reservoirs or borrow pits created during the construction of the Ohio Turnpike. A number of small ponds dot the county providing recreation or potable water resources for residents. The county contains approximately 315 linear miles of major streams and rivers [estimated from river basin maps, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water]. In addition, approximately 450 miles of county-maintained ditches and numerous miles of privately-maintained ditches are used for land drainage.

Figure 2. Surface-water resources in Fulton County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Division of Water river basi maps; illustration by K. A. Weber).

Ground-Water Resources

Fulton County's ground water resources are provided almost entirely from sand and gravel deposits situated above the shale bedrock. The thickness and permeability of the sand and gravel aquifers varies greatly from west to east. A course sand and gravel aquifer in the northwestern part of the county generally has plentiful water supplies. Properly developed wells in this area may yield as much as 500 or more gallons per minute (gpm). The eastern and southern portions of the county have a sand and gravel aquifer that consists of finer materials such as clay and silt resulting in poor groundwater yields. Well yields in this region are less than 10 gpm. A small portion of eastern Swan Creek township on the Fulton-Lucas county line has a limestone aquifer which can provide ample water for many purposes. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Fulton County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.26.

The yield of a well will vary considerably depending on the age and depth of the well, well construction, the diameter of the casing, pump capacity and age, and more importantly, properties of the geologic formation. Specific information on ground-water availability and wells can be obtained by contacting the ODNR Division of Water.

Where Does the Water Go?

Based on long-term statewide weather records, Ohio receives an average of 38 inches of precipitation per year. These 38 inches move through a complex path called the hydrologic cycle. Of these 38 inches, about 10 inches (26 percent) become runoff, which moves immediately to surface-water bodies such as streams and lakes. Two inches are retained at the ground surface and evaporate back into the atmosphere in a relatively short period of time. Twenty-six of the 38 total inches enter the soil surface through infiltration. Twenty of these 26 inches go into soil storage and later are returned to the atmosphere by the combination of evaporation and transpiration (evapotranspiration). The remaining 6 inches of precipitation (16 percent of the total) have the potential to recharge the ground-water supply. Two of these 6 inches eventually move to springs, lakes, or streams as ground-water discharge. The remaining 4 inches either return to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration or are withdrawn to supply water needs. For more information, please refer to Ohio's Hydrologic Cycle, AEX 461.

Statewide averages applied to the county's average annual precipitation provide a rough estimate of how many inches will result in runoff and how many inches have the potential to reach aquifers. Based on statewide averages of runoff and ground-water recharge, Fulton County's 35 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 9 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 5.6 inches have the potential to recharge aquifers annually. Values for particular locations will differ according to local conditions.

Water Use

Water use for each of Fulton County's public water supply systems is given in Table 1. For each water system, this table presents an estimate of the population served, water source, estimated daily usage and treatment plant capacity. The county's largest public water system is the Village of Archbold that uses surface water from two upground reservoirs for its supply. The majority of the county's public water systems utilize surface water to supply drinking water needs.

Ground water is a major water source for households in Fulton County. Approximately 53 percent of all households obtain their water from private wells. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 1,410,000 gallons per day (gpd) from private wells are used. Additional private water uses include industry (120,000 gpd) and livestock use (645,000 gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining 47 percent of households use public-water supplies with surface water as the primary source, as identified in Table 1. New industrial development near Delta will change water needs for Wauseon and Delta during 1996. The combined water needs of these industries will be nearly 3.6 million gpd. To meet this new demand, a raw water line will be developed between Wauseon and Napoleon to utilize the Maumee River as a water source.

Some water users in Ohio must register their withdrawals with the ODNR Division of Water. Through the Water Withdrawal Facility Registration Program, owners of facilities capable of withdrawing 100,000 gpd (70 gpm) or more must register those facilities. Information collected through this program includes withdrawal capacity, ground- or surface-water sources, location and type of water use, and location of discharge points. The program is for registration only, and not for allocation or permission. Registered withdrawers file annual reports of their water use. This information helps planners at ODNR to determine the availability of water for projected needs and to better manage and protect Ohio's water resources. Documenting water use also provides official records for individual uses. For more information, contact the ODNR Division of Water.

Table 1. Water Use in Fulton County, Ohio.1
Public Water System	Population Served	Primary Water Source	Water Usage (GPD)2	Treatment Plant Capacity (GPD)
Wauseon	6,300	Ground & Surface Water	941,000	3,000,000
Archbold	3,970	Surface Water	1,460,000	5,184,000
Swanton	3,463	Surface Water	426,000	778,000
Delta	3,000	Surface Water	309,000	1,037,000
Fayette	1,252	Ground Water	162,000	360,000
Metamora	725	Surface Water	87,657	108,000
Lyons	625	Ground & Surface Water3	47,000	N/A
Other4	473	Ground Water	38,000	N/A
1 Estimates from Ohio EPA using adjusted 1994 data; information is based on data available at time of publication.
2 GPD = gallons per day.
3 Surface water is purchased from Wauseon; treatment plant capacity figure not available.
4 Includes mobile home parks, trailer courts, and Pettisville Waterworks; treatment plant capacity figure not available.

Water Quality

Human activities and natural processes affect the quality of our water supplies. Throughout Ohio, human activities contribute to both point and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution is the introduction of impurities into water (ground water or surface water) from an identifiable, known location. Examples of point sources can include industrial factories, power plants, commercial businesses, and wastewater treatment facilities.

Nonpoint source pollution also involves the introduction of impurities into a surface-water body or an aquifer, except the route is usually non-direct and the sources are diffuse in nature. A major portion of the sediment, nutrients, acids and salts, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and pathogens enter the state's water resources through nonpoint source pollution, affecting both ground and surface water. Examples include automobile emissions, runoff from parking lots, runoff and drainage from agricultural fields, feedlots, home lawns and gardens, residential development, construction, mining, and logging activities.

Natural processes such as precipitation also have an impact on surface water and, to a lesser extent, ground water. For example, rainfall that is acidic ("acid rain") may alter the quality of a stream, lake, or other water resource that receives the rainfall.

Ground Water

As water moves through the aquifer underlying Fulton County, it dissolves the minerals contained in these formations and carries them in solution. Publication AEX-490.26 summarizes some of the county's natural ground-water quality aspects.

Human activities, such as agricultural production, domestic waste disposal, and lawn and turf care, may have some influence on the county's ground-water quality. In a 1987 study by Heidelberg College, 167 wells in the county were sampled for nitrate-nitrogen content, an indicator of water quality. Results showed that 118 wells (71 percent of total) contained nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the range of 0 to 0.3 parts-per-million (ppm). This range is assumed to represent natural background levels. Fifteen wells (9 percent) tested in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 ppm, values which may or may not indicate human influence. The 17 wells (10 percent) that tested in the range of 3.0 to 10 ppm may indicate elevated concentrations resulting from human activities. Only 17 wells (10 percent) tested at more than 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen, which exceeds the safe drinking-water standard. The average nitrate-nitrogen concentration for the 167 wells tested was 2.32 ppm. The design, location, and condition of a well, combined with the characteristics of the soils and geologic formations in which the well is constructed, influence the potential for pollutants to enter the well. The Fulton County Department of Health provides bacteriological water sampling for local citizens, and results of these tests generally indicate acceptable drinking water for deep wells in the county. Screen point wells common in certain parts of the county do cause a concern because of their potential for contamination.

Surface Water

Runoff and sediment from residential development, construction sites and agricultural lands may enter the county's streams and lakes. Also, runoff may carry other pollutants, such as lawn and agricultural chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers), effluent from septic systems, oil and gas from spills, and industrial wastes.

Through the State of Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment and the Water Resources Inventory, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has identified 13,000 stream miles in Ohio that have been affected by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Based on the findings of the Assessment and Inventory, the Ohio Nonpoint Source Management Program has been implemented to help improve the quality of the state's waters.

Water quality monitoring indicates that all or parts of the following major Fulton County streams are affected by NPS pollution: Brush Creek, Bad Creek, and Ten Mile Creek. These streams are affected by one or more of the following NPS pollution categories: agriculture, channelization, silviculture, and waste-water treatment. Other county streams are affected by point source pollution (municipal and/or industrial wastewater). Point source affected streams include Bad Creek and North Turkeyfoot Creek. For specific information about the streams listed in the Assessment and Inventory documents, and details about the Nonpoint Source Management Program, contact the Ohio EPA Northwest District Office, 347 Dunbridge Road, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402. Information about nonpoint source pollution is also discussed in Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer, AEX 465, available from your county Extension office.

It is important to note that as of June 1995 less than half of Ohio's streams have been evaluated by the Assessment. As water quality monitoring continues statewide, the list of Fulton County affected streams and streams with good water quality will change. Residents have a major responsibility to protect Fulton County's water resources from pollutants that could affect the quality of the water supply.

Summary

Water availability and quality are important public concerns. Water problems can be both costly and inconvenient. While the present availability of water is good for Fulton County, water is a precious resource that must be conserved and protected. We must all work together to maintain an adequate supply of good quality water.

This fact sheet provided information about the water resources in Fulton County. For more information concerning water resources and drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Fulton County office of Ohio State University Extension. In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Fulton Soil and Water Conservation District; Fulton County County Health Department; ODNR Division of Water (Fountain Square, Columbus, OH 43224); U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio District (975 W. Third Ave., Columbus, OH 43212); Ohio EPA (P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049); and Ohio Department of Health (ODH; PO Box 118, Columbus, OH 43226).

Bibliography

1990 Census and 1992 Estimates of Ohio's Population: State, Counties, Cities, and Villages. 1994. Ohio Department of Development.

Doane's Agricultural Report. 1992. Farm Water Systems.

Estimated Water Use in Ohio, 1990, Public Supply Data. 1993. USGS. Open-File Report 93-72.

Fulton County, Ohio Soil Survey. 1979. USDA-NRCS.

Fulton County Ground-Water Resources. 1995. G. A. La Barge, J. M. Raab, L. C. Brown and K. T. Ricker. AEX-490.26. Ohio State University Extension.

Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District Resources Inventory. 1986. USDA-NRCS.

Gazetteer of Ohio Streams. 1960. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 12. ODNR Div. of Water.

Ground-Water Resources of Fulton County. 1991. A. C. Walker ODNR Div. of Water. (map).

Hydrologic Atlas for Ohio: Average Annual Precipitation, Temperature, Streamflow, and Water Loss for the 50-Year Period 1931-1980. 1991. L. J. Hartstine. Water Inventory Report No. 28. ODNR Div. of Water.

Inventory of Municipal Water-Supply Systems by County, Ohio. 1977. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 24. ODNR Div. of Water.

Inventory of Ohio's Lakes. 1980. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 26. ODNR Div. of Water.

Monthly Station Normals of Temperature, Precipitation, and Heating and Cooling Degree Days, 1961-90, Ohio. 1992. Climatology of the United States, No. 81 (by state). NOAA.

Nitrate and Pesticides in Private Wells of Ohio: A State Atlas. 1989. Water Quality Laboratory, Heidelberg College.

Nitrate In Drinking Water. 1987. K. M. Mancl. Bulletin No. 744. Ohio State University Extension.

Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer. 1993. R. Leeds and L. C. Brown. AEX 465. Ohio State University Extension.

Ohio Ground-Water Quality. USGS National Water Summary-Ohio. 1986. USGS. Water-Supply Paper 2325.

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Ohio's Hydrologic Cycle. 1990. L. C. Brown and K. M. Coltman. AEX 461. Ohio State University Extension.

Private Water Systems Handbook. 1987. MWPS-14. Midwest Plan Service, Ames, IA.

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Surface and Ground Water Terminology. 1990. L. C. Brown and L. P. Black. AEX 460. Ohio State University Extension.

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Withdrawal and Distribution of Water By Public Water Supplies in Ohio, 1985. 1989. USGS. Open-File Report 89-423.

Acknowledgments

This publication was produced through the Ohio Water Resources Education Project, in cooperation with: ODNR Division of Water; Ohio EPA; USGS, Ohio District; and ODH. Project leaders are Larry C. Brown and Karen T. Ricker. Partial financial support for this publication was provided by these cooperating agencies and programs: Fulton County office of OSU Extension; Fulton County Commissioners, Overholt Drainage Education and Research Program; and the Ohio Management Systems Evaluation Area Project (USDA Extension Service Grant No. 90-EWQI-1-9018).

The project leaders express appreciation to the following reviewers: Lynn Stuckey and Mike Weaver (Fulton Soil and Water Conservation District); Jame M. Raab, David Cashell and Leonard Black (ODNR Division of Water); Scott Golden (Environmental Health, ODH); Steve Hindall (USGS, Ohio District); Anthony J. Kramer (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Office, Columbus); Jay Fleming (Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters); and Larry Antosch, Rich McClay, and Mark Wilson (Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water). A special thanks to Kim Wintringham, Associate Editor (Section of Communications and Technology, Ohio State University Extension), for editorial and graphic production.