Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Ground-Water Resources of Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson Counties

AEX-490.89

Water stored under the earth's surface is a plentiful, yet precious, resource in most areas of Ohio. Many human activities may affect the quality and quantity of ground water. However, the availability and quality of this resource are influenced directly by the properties of the geologic formations which hold water. The chemical and physical nature of these formations varies from area to area, creating a wide range of water yields and quality at different depths. This publication contains information about the ground-water resources underlying Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson counties. Its purpose is to help the reader better understand the factors that influence the quantity and quality of ground water. An overview of water resources in the three-county area is provided in the publication Water Resources of Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson Counties, AEX-480.89.

Much of the water resource and water quality terminology used in this publication is described in Extension Fact Sheets AEX 460 and 465. Ohio Extension publications are available through offices of Ohio State University Extension in Carrollton, Cadiz and Wintersville.

Aquifers

Geologic formations (e.g., sand, gravel, limestone, sandstone) have the ability to receive, store and transmit water. In general, if a formation is capable of yielding enough water to support a well or spring, it is called an aquifer. The material from which the formation originally was made influences its ability to store and transmit water. For example, sand and gravel allow water to flow through easily. By comparison, shale, which originated from compacted layers of mud and clay, generally allows very little water to flow through it unless the shale is highly fractured.

The primary geologic formation that yields ground water in the Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson county area is the consolidated bedrock aquifer, which consists of shale, coal, clay, siltstone, thin limestone, and sandstone. This bedrock aquifer dates from the Pennsylvanian age, and is dominated by low-yielding shales and shaly sandstones that also include numerous coal-bearing strata. Although this aquifer is considered a relatively poor source of ground water, with small well yields, it is a very important source of domestic water supply in the three-county area.

Other aquifers along the Sandy Creek in northwestern Carroll County and along the Ohio River in Jefferson County, consisting of deposits of sand, gravel, silt and clay, yield larger ground-water supplies. These sand and gravel aquifers have the potential for greater yields simply because of their ability to store and transmit water in the pore spaces between these materials. Also, the amount of recharge to these aquifers may affect potential yields. Contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Geological Survey, for information on Ohio's geologic formations (Fountain Square, Columbus, OH 43224-1362).

Well Yield

The actual yield of a well, in gallons per minute (gpm), will vary considerably depending on the age and depth of the well, the diameter of the casing, well construction, pump capacity and age, and most importantly, properties of the geologic formation. The exact yield and depth of each well will depend on the properties of the geologic formation at the specific location of the well.

Ground-Water Availability

To support the development of ground-water availability assessments in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Water, maintains a statewide database of more than 700,000 well logs. The Ground-Water Resources Section of the Division manages this valuable database, which includes some information collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). Since 1948, well-log information has been collected to increase the understanding of the ground-water resources in Ohio. Geologists and hydrogeologists continue to study the state's ground-water resources. As a result, Ohio is one of only a few states that has been completely mapped for ground-water availability (mapped by river basin, from 1959 to 1962).

Estimates of the size, shape, geologic make-up and yields of aquifers are being mapped county by county. Most of Ohio's counties have a completed map. The maps presented in Figure 1 are generalized representations of the water-bearing formations underlying Carroll (a), Harrison (b) and Jefferson (c) counties (adapted from maps by Walker, 1990 and 1991, and Crowell, 1980, respectively). These illustrations are based on a hydrogeologic interpretation of well-log data from Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson counties and surrounding areas. The information in Figure 1 should be used only as a guide to understanding the ground-water resources in the three-county area. The section below provides a brief description of the types of aquifers illustrated on the maps in Figure 1.

Note: The reader may notice in Figure 1 that, in some cases, the lines denoting the aquifers that cross county boundaries may not line up. This results from the fact that each of the three original ground-water resources maps (Walker, 1990 and 1991, and Crowell, 1980) were developed as independent projects, and were based on the well-log data available at the time of development for each original map. For example, the Carroll County map was developed based upon the interpretation of data from approximately 7,000 well logs; for Harrison County the number of well logs was approximately 1,500.

Figure 1. Ground-water resources of Carroll (a), Harrison (b) and Jefferson (c) counties, Ohio (adapted from Ground-Water Resources of Carroll County map, A. C. Walker, 1991; Ground-Water Resources of Harrison County map, K. Crowell, 1980; and Ground-Water Resources of Jefferson County map, A. C. Walker, 1990; ODNR Division of Water; illustrations prepared by J. Humphreys).

Figure 1 (B). Ground-water resources of Harrison County

Figure 1 (C). Ground-water resources of (C) Jefferson County

AREA A: Permeable Sand and Gravel

Area A in Figure 1 consists of permeable sand and gravel deposits suitable for industrial and municipal well-field development. In Carroll County, these deposits underlie the Sandy Creek basin in the vicinity of Malvern and Minerva. Wells constructed along this basin may supply sustained yields of several hundred gallons per minute. In Jefferson County, these sand and gravel deposits are found along the Ohio River, and are hydraulically connected to the river. Horizontal collector wells may yield up to 1000 gpm. Wells in this area supply much of Jefferson County through regional water systems. Figure 2 is a generalized cross section of the Ohio River valley. This figure illustrates the relationship of the sand and gravel deposits and the surrounding bedrock formations beneath the Ohio River near Brilliant, Ohio.

Figure 2. Generalized cross section of the Ohio River valley, Jefferson County, near Brilliant, Ohio (adapted from Underground Water Resources map S-3, ODNR Division of Water; illustration prepared by R. Roberts).

AREA B: Sand, Gravel, Silt and Clay

Interbedded deposits of sand, gravel, silt and clay are denoted as Area B. These deposits may provide small industrial supplies of 25 to 100 gpm. The thickness of these valley fill deposits range from 35 to 180 feet. In Carroll County, these areas border the Sandy Creek in Brown Township and the Still Fork in Augusta Township; they are also found along the Ohio River in Jefferson County.

AREA C: Sandstone and Sandy Shales

Ground water is obtained from sandstone and sandy shales in the area delineated as Area C. Yields of 10 to 25 gpm have been recorded from wells drilled to an average depth of 135 feet. These areas are found only in parts of northwestern and western Carroll County (Augusta, Brown, Center, Harrison, Monroe, Orange, Perry, Rose, Union, and Washington townships).

AREA D: Thin Sand and Gravel

Area D delineates areas where stream valley fill (which ranges from 40 to 150 feet deep) contains deposits of sand and gravel of limited thickness and areal extent. Wells drilled into these lenses of sand and gravel yield adequate domestic supplies of 10 to 25 gpm. Wells not encountering sand and gravel are usually drilled into the poorer yielding bedrock formations underlying these deposits. These sand and gravel deposits occur in some stream valleys in Augusta, Brown, Harrison, Monroe, Orange, and Rose townships in Carroll County. The generalized cross section in Figure 3 illustrates the composition of a portion of the Conotton Creek basin in adjacent Tuscarawas County. However, it is characteristic of portions of the Conotton Creek basin in southwestern Carroll County. In Jefferson County, these deposits can be found along some stream valleys in Cross Creek, Mount Pleasant, Smithfield, Steubenville, and Warren townships.

Figure 3. Generalized cross section of the Conotton Creek basin in Tuscarawas County, Ohio (adapted from Underground Water Resources map P-8, ODNR Division of Water; illustration prepared by R. Roberts).

AREA E: Sandstones and Shales

In Area E, wells are developed in interbedded sandstones and shales of Pennsylvanian age. Wells drilled from 40 to 275 feet deep in this area generally yield adequate domestic supplies in the range of 3 to 10 gpm. These sandstone and shale formations can be found in northwestern Harrison County (Monroe, North and Franklin townships), and in all but three townships in Carroll County.

Area F: Sand, Silt and Clay

Area F consists largely of silt and clay, with thin lenses of sand and gravel along some of the stream and creek valleys in all three counties. Well yields of 3 to 10 gpm, adequate for domestic supplies, can be obtained from the sand and gravel deposits.

AREA G: Shale, Sandstone, Coal and Limestone

Very limited ground-water supplies are available in the area delineated as Area G, where the geologic materials consist of alternating layers of shale, sandstone, limestone and coal. These formations underlie a majority of Jefferson and Harrison counties, and portions of Carroll County. Wells drilled into these formations range from 50 to as much as 400 feet deep, although the average depth is less than 200 feet. Well yields seldom exceed 3 gpm, often resulting in inadequate domestic supplies. Very localized deposits of sand and silt may be present in some of the small creek valleys. However, yields are typically less than 3 gpm.

Ground-Water Levels

The water level in any well does not remain constant, but changes in response to several factors. Rainfall distribution and amount may affect ground-water recharge and discharge, and subsequently may affect the water level in area wells. Also, wells that are hydraulically connected to a stream may show fluctuations in the water level as the stream level changes. In some cases, depending upon the hydraulic properties of the geologic formation, the intense pumping of a well, or number of wells, may cause the water level in some nearby wells to be lowered.

The ODNR Division of Water monitors one well (noted as Observation Well C-1 on Figure 1) in Carroll County. This well, along with other wells throughout east-central Ohio, is used to monitor the natural seasonal fluctuation of water levels in the regional bedrock aquifer. Observation Well C-1, located along the eastern edge of Harrison Township, is 70 feet deep and was constructed in the sandstone aquifer. Continuous water-level measurements have been made at C-1 since August 1951. The lowest level recorded at C-1 was 40.8 feet below land surface in December 1991; the highest level recorded was 7.2 feet below land surface in January 1971. There are no ODNR observation wells in either Harrison or Jefferson counties.

Ground-Water Quality

Various state and federal agencies have participated in programs to determine the ground-water quality in Ohio. Water-quality data were available from the ODNR Division of Water for four wells in Carroll County, five wells in Harrison County, and five wells in Jefferson County. In Figure 1, these wells are noted (across all three counties) as Chemical Analysis Sites 1 through 14. These sites represent municipal, industrial and private domestic wells.

The results from some of the chemical tests performed on these 14 wells are given in Table 1. The chemical constituents listed are total dissolved solids, hardness (as CaCO₃), iron, manganese, chloride, sulfate, fluoride, calcium and magnesium. For comparison purposes, secondary drinking water-quality standards for these chemical constituents also are shown. These standards are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for public water systems for aesthetic reasons (taste, odor, appearance, etc.), and are not enforceable. These chemical constituents do not pose a risk to human health (see notes in Table 1). For private wells, there are no legally enforceable drinking water-quality standards other than total coliform, which is an indicator of bacteriological quality.

Ground water, whether obtained from bedrock or glacial deposits, may require some treatment. All 14 wells in Table 1 contained minerals that contribute to hard water conditions (i.e., calcium carbonate concentrations greater that 180 ppm). Five of the 14 wells had iron concentrations exceeding 0.3 ppm. Water containing calcium carbonate, and iron concentrations greater than 0.3 ppm, may require treatment for some uses (see notes in Table 1). Wells drilled into shale or limestone may produce water that contains objectionable quantities of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg or sulfur odor). In general, the probability of obtaining sulfur in objectionable amounts increases with the depth drilled.

The information in Table 1 can be used as a guide to what one might expect from an existing or new well developed in similar geologic materials in the area. This information provides a general representation of the quality of the water at the time of sampling, which was not the same for all wells. In most cases, the data provided in Table 1 was taken from a water sample obtained just after the well was put into operation. All of these wells were developed in the range of 22 to 205 feet deep. Even though six wells were developed in sand and gravel formations in the range of 22 to 70 feet deep, some variation exists in the concentrations of each of these chemical constituents. Just as well yields differ, water quality will vary depending on aquifer properties at the specific location of each well. One should not forget that many human activities also affect the quality of ground water (see AEX 465).

Table 1. Chemical constituents of selected Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson County wells1.
	Carroll				Harrison					Jefferson
Well No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	WQ Std2
Well Depth (feet)	130	22	205	76	108	63	147	125	85	66	39	175	32	70
Capacity (GPM)	-3	80	50	15	15	20	-	-	-	2000	-	-	-	-
Water Bearing Formation4	SS	SG	SS	SS	SS	SG	SS	SS/SH	SS	SG	SG	SS/SH	S	SG
Depth to Bedrock (feet)	29	ne5	25	5	37	43	61	72	6	69	ne	10	30	70
Chemical Constituents6
Total Dissolved Solids	294	318	284	272	254	485	245	283	1610	590	1366	nt7	nt	nt	500
Hardness (as CaCO3)	139	nt	nt	nt	160	330	156	56	34	378	814	370	nt	244	none8
Iron	0.45	0.24	0.28	0.76	1.6	1.9	2.7	0.3	0.05	0.29	0.1	0.18	0.08	0	0.3
Manganese	nt	0.02	0.05	0.02	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	0.18	0.03	0.26	0.05
Chloride	3.0	33	<10	27	0.0	23	7	55	650	40	50	45	130	24	250
Sulfate	nt	62	34	35	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	177	461	166	250
Fluoride	nt	0.06	0.36	0.22	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	0.12	0.06	0.22	2
Calcium	nt	69	36	60	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	101	203	94	none
Magnesium	nt	13.2	13.1	14.7	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	nt	47	25	14	none
1 Data on well 1 taken from underground water resources map P-7; wells 2-4 from map by Walker, 1991; wells 5-6 from underground water resources map P-9; wells 7-8 from underground water resources map P-8; wells 9 and 11 from underground water resources map S-3; well 10 from underground water resources map S-2; wells 12-14 from map by Walker, 1990; general location of each well is shown on Figure 1.
2 USEPA Secondary Water Quality Standard.
3 Data not available.
4 SS-Sandstone; SH-Shale; SG-Sand and Gravel; S-Sand.
5 ne = well constructed in this formation did not encounter bedrock.
6 Units are parts-per-million, ppm; Comments as per Interpreting Your Water Test Report (1988); TDS Concentrations above 500 ppm may cause adverse taste and deteriorate domestic plumbing and appliances. Use of water containing 500 ppm is common. Hardness: Primary concerns are that more soap is required for effective cleaning, a film may form on fixtures, fabrics may yellow, and scales may form in boilers, water heaters, and cooking utensils. Iron and Manganese: Iron concentrations greater than 0.3 ppm and manganese concentrations greater than 0.03 may cause brown or black stains on laundry, plumbing fixtures and sinks. Metallic taste may be present which may affect the taste of beverages made from the water. Chloride: High concentrations may result in an objectionable, salty taste to water and the corrosion of plumbing in the hot water system. Sulfate: Concentrations in excess of 250 ppm may have laxative effect on persons unaccustomed to the water. Also affects the taste of water and will form a hard scale in boilers and heat exchangers. Fluoride: At concentrations greater than 1.5 ppm, fluorosis (mottling) of teeth may occur. USEPA Primary Standard is 4 ppm. Calcium and Magnesium: Main constituents of hardness. Primary concerns with hardness are that more soap is required for effective cleaning, a film may form on fixtures, fabrics may yellow, and scales may form in boilers, water heaters, and cooking utensils.
7 nt = not tested.
8 No USEPA Secondary Standard.

Summary

Ground-water resources in Carroll, Harrison and Jefferson counties are valuable assets to the area's citizens and economy. The availability and quality of these resources are directly influenced by the properties of the geologic formations underlying the three-county area. The sand and gravel formations adjacent to the Ohio River in Jefferson County, and along the many stream and creek valleys throughout all three counties, have the potential to provide water adequate for domestic and agricultural uses, and many municipal uses. By understanding the physical and chemical nature of these resources, better decisions can be made about ground-water protection, management and use. This publication provides an overview of the ground-water resources in the three-county area. It should be used as a guide, and not as a substitute for detailed information and professional advice when drilling a well.

Where to Get More Information

Offices of Ohio State University Extension in Carrollton, Cadiz and Wintersville can provide other publications on the water resources of Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties. Your Extension agent, your county health department, and the Ohio EPA (Southeast District Office-SEDO, 2195 Front Street, Logan, OH 43138 for Harrison and Jefferson Counties; Northeast District Office-NEDO, 2110 E. Aurora Road, Twinsburg, OH 44087 for Carroll County) can provide information on well-water testing and drinking-water quality. The ODNR Division of Water-Ground-Water Resources Section (Fountain Square, Columbus, OH 43224) is an excellent source of information on ground water. Some of the information in this publication was summarized from ODNR's county ground-water resources maps, and other information available through the Division of Water. These maps contain more detailed information than that given in Figure 1, and the Ground-Water Resources Section can provide detailed information on ground-water availability and wells. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio District (975 W. Third Ave. Columbus, OH 43212), also provides information concerning ground water in Ohio.

Bibliography

Ground-Water Resources of Carroll County. 1991. A. C. Walker. ODNR Division of Water. (map).

Ground-Water Resources of Harrison County. 1980. K. Crowell. ODNR Division of Water. (map).

Ground-Water Resources of Jefferson County. 1990. A. C. Walker. ODNR Division of Water. (map).

Interpreting Your Water Test Report. 1988. D. Lundstrom and S. Fundingsland. AE-937, No. 13-AENG-10. North Dakota State University Extension Service.

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. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2325.

Ohio Ground-Water Resources. USGS National Water Summary-Ohio. 1984. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2275.

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

Underground Water Resources (maps of various river basins). 1958-1962. ODNR Division of Water.

Water Resources of Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties. 1993. M. Hogan, K. M. Boone and L. C. Brown. AEX-480.89. Ohio State University Extension.

Water Testing. 1988. K. Mancl. AEX 314. Ohio State University Extension.

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 Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Project leaders are Larry C. Brown and Karen T. Ricker. Partial support for this publication was provided by these cooperating agencies and programs: Ohio State University Extension, Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties; Carroll County Commissioners; Harrison County Commissioners; Jefferson County Commissioners; USDA Water Quality Initiative Funds; 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 acknowledge the following reviewers: Connie Little and Tom Konst (Carroll District Health Department); Ken Simeral (OSU Extension); Tom Perrin and Ray Rummell (USDA-Soil Conservation Service); Charles Harrah (Harrison District Health Department); Rich Kelly (Jefferson District Health Department); Mark Swiger (Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District); Scott Golden (Environmental Health, ODH); Steve Hindall (USGS, Ohio District); and Michael B. Preston (Ohio EPA, SEDO).

A special thanks to Michelle Roby, Ross Roberts, and John Humphreys (Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Assistants) for help in illustration and manuscript preparation, and Kim Wintringham and Ted Hattemer, Associate Editors (Section of Communications and Technology, Ohio State University Extension), for editorial and graphic production.