Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Water Resources of Athens County

AEX-480.05-97

Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Athens County. The county's population of 60,061 (1992 Ohio Department of Development estimate) is a mixture of rural and urban, and approximately 60 percent of the residents rely on ground water for their water supply. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Athens 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 40 inches of precipitation falls on Athens 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 3.3 inches per month, with January (2.5 inches) typically being the driest month, and July (4.4 inches) 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 Athens County, Ohio (1961-1990); data collected at Athens.

Surface-Water Resources

Athens County's largest watershed, the Hocking River, drains the majority of the county including the north, central, and much of the east. The Hocking River flows from Nelsonville southeast and joins the Ohio River at the Athens-Meigs County border. The south-central portion of the county drains into the Shade River which flows through eastern Meigs County and into the Ohio River. A small portion in the southwest part of the county drains into Leading Creek which flows into the Ohio River at the Meigs-Gallia county border. The far western portion of the county drains into Raccoon Creek which flows to the Ohio River at Gallipolis. A small corner in the northeast flows to Wolf Creek in the Muskingum River basin. The eastern portion of Troy Township in the eastern part of the county flows into the Ohio River via the Little Hocking River. A generalized surface-water map of Athens County is given in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Surface-water resources in Athens County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Division of Water river basin maps: illustration prepared by M. Trefz).

Surface waters are affected by the 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. Residential and urban areas contain many impervious surfaces, such as streets and parking lots, that increase the amount of runoff. 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 322,560 land acres, of which 27 percent is farmland and 64 percent is forest. Thirty-six soil types have been identified in the county and can be grouped into seven soil associations. These soil types are all moderately well drained to well drained soils. Westmoreland-Guernsey-Upshur and Westmoreland-Guernsey-Dekalb associations comprise 63 percent of the soils in Athens County's high hills, ridges and hillsides.

The county water acreage consists of Burr Oak Lake, a 664-acre lake (approximately 160 acres in Athens County); Dow Lake, 161 acres; Lake Snowden, 131 acres, and Fox Lake, 48 acres. There are also 11 other private lakes totalling about 182 acres and numerous private ponds throughout the county. The county contains approximately 613 linear miles of major streams and rivers [estimated from river basin maps, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water].

Ground-Water Resources

Athens County's highest yielding ground-water source is an unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifer along the Hocking and Ohio Rivers. This aquifer runs diagonally through the county from the northwest to the southeast. Sand and gravel aquifers are commonly the highest yielding aquifers in Ohio, and the same is true for Athens County. Properly constructed wells in this aquifer have potential yields in excess of 500 gallons per minute (gpm). The most common ground water source is a shaly sandstone and shale sedimentary bedrock aquifer. This is the principal aquifer for virtually all of the county except along the Hocking and Ohio Rivers and a small area near The Plains. It has alternating layers of shale and thin sandstone which yields less than one gallon of water per minute at depths of less than 125 feet. Deeper drilling is not recommended and dry holes are common. Wells in the county range in depth from 55 to 110 feet with the average of about 80 feet. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Athens County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.05.

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 like 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 further reading, 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 may result in runoff and how many inches have the potential to reach aquifers. Based on statewide averages of runoff and ground-water recharge, Athens County's 40 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 10 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 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 Athens 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 City of Athens which uses seventeen wells for its supply. Other major water systems are the Le-Ax Regional Water District which obtains its water from Lake Snowden and the City of Nelsonville which uses the Hocking River and two wells. In addition, Burr Oak State Park supplies surface water for six systems in Athens County.

Ground water is a limited water source for rural households in Athens County. Less than 5 percent of the population obtains their water from private wells, cisterns, springs, ponds, and hauled water. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 268,600 gallons per day (gpd) from these sources are used. Additional private water uses include industry livestock use (211,200 gpd), mostly from surface-water supplies. The remaining households use public-water supplies, as identified in Table 1.

Table 1. Water Use in Athens County, Ohio.1
Public Water System	Population Served	Primary Water Source	Water Usage (GPD)2	Treatment Plant Capacity (GPD)
City of Athens	21,265	Ground Water	3,120,000	4,697,000
Le-Ax Water Co.	9,960	Surface Water	876,000	1,040,000
Nelsonville	9,850	Ground & Surface Water	799,000	1,080,000
Tupper Plains/ Chester Water Dist.3	3,750	Ground Water	59,000	63,000
The Plains	3,000	Ground Water (Athens)	234,000	566,000
Sunday Creek	3,000	Surface Water	191,000	04
Glouster	2,400	Surface Water	162,000	04
Chauncey	1,170	Ground Water	117,000	267,000
Little Hocking Water Association, Inc.5	1,032	Ground Water	76,000	1,200,000
Bishopville	1,020	Surface Water	30,000	04
Albany	990	Surface Water	73,000	06
Jacksonville	795	Surface Water	40,000	04
Coolville7	663	Ground Water	59,000	63,000
Trimble	489	Surface Water	25,000	04
Hollister Wtr.	345	Surface Water	20,000	04
Amesville	250	Ground Water	21,000	34,000
ODNR-Burr Oak State Park	250	Surface Water	1,195,000	1,505,000
1 Estimates from Ohio EPA 1996; information is based on data available at time of publication. The population figures reported here do not equal the county population due to differences in population estimates per water connection.
2 GPD = gallons per day.
3 This system is located in Meigs County, and serves an estimated 3,750 Athens County residents.
4 Water is obtained from ODNR-Burr Oak State Park; water already treated.
5 This system is located in Washington County and serves an estimated 1,032 Athens County residents.
6 Water is obtained from Le-Ax Water Company.
7 Water is purchased from Tupper Plains/Chester Water District, Meigs County.

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, type of water sources, location and 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.

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 plants, 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 pollution sources, affecting both ground and surface water. Examples include automobile emissions, runoff from parking lots, and 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 shaly sandstone and shale sedimentary bedrock underlying Athens County, it dissolves the minerals contained in these formations and carries them in solution. Publication AEX-490.05 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 1992 study by Heidelberg College, 23 wells in the county were sampled for nitrate-nitrogen content, an indicator of water quality. Results showed that 14 wells (61 percent of the 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. Five wells (22 percent) tested in the range of 0.3 to 3 ppm, values that may or may not indicate human influence. The three wells (13 percent) that tested in the range of 3 to 10 ppm, may indicate elevated concentrations resulting from human activities. Only one well tested over the safe drinking-water standard of 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen; the average nitrate-nitrogen concentration for this well was 11.33 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 Athens County Department of Health provides bacteriological water sampling for local citizens, and results of these tests generally indicate that the water meets current bacteriological standards. Since 1991, 191 reportable samples of private water sources consisting of wells, ponds, cisterns, dug wells and springs have been tested for coliform bacteria. In 1995, well samples indicated that 70 percent (14 out of 20 wells) tested negative for coliform bacteria. In 1994, 81 percent (21 of 26 wells) tested negative, one cistern sample tested negative and one cistern tested positive. In 1993, 67 percent (14 of 21 wells) tested negative, two cistern samples tested positive, and three cistern samples tested negative. In 1992, 45 percent (20 of 44 wells) tested negative, and one cistern tested positive. In 1991, 51 percent (20 of 39 wells) tested negative.

Dug wells and springs may pose a greater chance of coliform bacteria contamination due to the shallow depths of the water source. Shallow water offers an easy pathway for contaminants to reach the water. For example, from 1991-1995, eight dug well samples were tested by the Athens County Department of Health and all tested positive for coliform bacteria. In addition 15 out of 22 samples (68 percent) from springs tested positive for coliform bacteria. For more information contact the county health department (278 W. Union St., Athens, OH; 614-592-4431).

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 pollutants, such as lawn and agricultural chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers), oil and gas from spills, and industrial wastes.

Through the Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment and 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 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 Athens County streams are affected by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution: Hocking River, Monday Creek, Sunday Creek, Federal Creek (McDougall Branch to Hocking River), Hewett Fork, and Carbondale Creek. These streams are affected by one or more of the following NPS pollution categories: on-site wastewater treatment systems, surface and subsurface coal mining, streambank modification, oil and gas production, urban runoff, and channelization. Most of the remaining streams are believed to be affected by NPS pollution; the primary sources of pollution are from failing septic systems and coal mining. Athens County also contains streams that have good water quality and are attaining chemical and biological water quality standards. Monitoring has shown that all or parts of the following streams have good water quality: West Branch Sunday Creek, Hocking River (Scott Creek to Monday Creek), Sharps Fork, Sulpher Run, McDougall Branch, and Federal Creek (Hyde Fork to McDougall Branch). For specific information about the streams listed in the Assessment and Inventory documents, and details about the Nonpoint Source Management Program for the county, contact the Ohio EPA Southeast District Office (2195 Front Street, Logan, Ohio, 43138). 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 1996 less than half of Ohio's streams have been evaluated by the Assessment. As water quality monitoring continues statewide, the list of Athens County affected streams and streams with good water quality will change. Residents have a major challenge to protect 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 Athens 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 Athens County. For more information concerning water resources and drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Athens County office of Ohio State University Extension (614-593-8555). In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Athens Soil and Water Conservation District; Athens City-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; P.O. 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.

Athens County, Ohio Soil Survey. 1985. USDA-SCS.

Athens County Ground-Water Resources. 1997. C. D. Penrose, A. W. Jones, L. C. Brown and K. T. Ricker. AEX-490.05. Ohio State University Extension.

Athens County Health Department. 1991-1995. Results of Water Testing for Bacteria.

Athens County Nitrate Well Testing Program. 1992. Heidelberg College.

Athens Soil and Water Conservation District Resources Inventory. 1982. USDA-SCS.

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

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

Ground-Water Resources of Athens and Meigs County. 1985. J. J. Schmidt. 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.

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 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 Resources. USGS National Water Summary--Ohio. 1984. USGS. Water-Supply Paper 2275.

Ohio Nonpoint Source Management Program. 1993. ODNR.

Ohio Surface-Water Resources. USGS National Water Summary--Ohio. 1985. USGS. Water-Supply Paper 2300.

Ohio Water Firsts. 1985. S. L. Frost and W. S. Nichols. Water Resources Foundation of Ohio, Inc.

Ohio Water Resource Inventory: Executive Summary and Volumes 1-4. 1992. Ohio EPA.

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.

State of Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment: Volumes 1-6. 1990. Ohio EPA.

Surface and Ground Water Terminology. 1990. L. C. Brown and L. P. Black. AEX 460. 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 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: Athens County office of OSU Extension; Overholt Drainage Education and Research Program; and the Ohio Management Systems Evaluation Area Project (USDA CREES Grant No. 94-EWQI-1-9057). The authors also express their appreciation to the Athens County Farm Bureau for their significant financial support.

The project leaders express appreciation to the following reviewers: Lawrence Bean (Athens City-County Health Department), Mary Ann Hawk (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service), A. Wayne Jones, David Cashell and Leonard Black (ODNR Division of Water); Scott Golden (Bureau of Local Services, ODH); Steve Hindall (USGS, Ohio District); Anthony J. Kramer (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Office, Columbus); Ray Shesky and Julie Gillenwater (Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters); and Larry Antosch and Richard McClay (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.