Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Water Resources of Henry County

AEX-480.35-97

Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Henry County. The county's population of 29,452 (1992 Ohio Department of Development estimate) is predominantly rural, and 60 percent of the residents rely on ground water for their water supply. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Henry 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 34.7 inches of precipitation falls on Henry 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 July (3.9 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 Henry County, Ohio (1961-1990); data collection at Napoleon.

Surface-Water Resources

Henry County's surface waters ultimately flow into Lake Erie through the Maumee River. The northwest corner of the county drains westerly through the Tiffin River basin which enters the Maumee River upstream from Defiance. The southeast corner of the county (near Deshler) drains northeast through Beaver Creek entering the Maumee River on the western edge of Wood County. The south central area of the county drains north through South Turkeyfoot Creek into the Maumee River near Texas. The north central area of the county drains south through Turkeyfoot and Bad Creek into the Maumee River also near Texas. Various smaller streams enter directly into the Maumee River at various points. A U.S. Geological Survey Stream Gauging Station is located on the Maumee River at the State Highway 64 bridge at Waterville. Continuous records since 1939 indicate the maximum monthly mean discharge in cubic feet per second (cfs) occurred in March 1982 with 38,210 cfs and the minimum monthly mean discharge occurred in October 1964 with 95.5 cfs. During June 1988 the monthly mean discharge was 231 cfs. A generalized surface-water map of Henry County is given in Figure 2.

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 266,240 land acres, of which 95 percent is farmland. Ninety-five soil types have been identified in the county; however, 53.6 percent of the soil is mapped as Hoytville clay. Henry County can be grouped into 10 soil associations, the majority being Hoytville, Hoytville-Nappanee, and Millgrove-Mermill-Haskins. The drainage quality for these associations ranges from very poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained soils on nearly level slope. The Hoytville association was part of the Black Swamp that the early settlers saw. The soils are naturally wet in winter and spring, but artificial drainage has helped to lower the seasonal high water table. Maintenance of artificial drainage systems is the major management need in this association. This soil is productive farm land when the water table is low in summer. Slow permeability and high seasonal water tables, including problems with septic tank leaching systems and wet basements, limit non-farm use on these soils.

There are no natural lakes in Henry County. The county water acreage consists of the 23-acre City of Deshler Reservoir and Gould Inc. Lake which is five acres in size. There are numerous farm and residential ponds that are less than one acre which provide recreation or potable water resources for residents. The county contains approximately 374 linear miles of major streams and rivers [estimated from river basin maps, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water]. In addition, 364 miles of county-maintained ditches and numerous miles of privately-maintained ditches are used for land drainage.

Ground-Water Resources

Henry County's primary ground-water source is the carbonate aquifer which is composed of limestone and dolomite. This aquifer is located beneath 40 to 85 feet of glacial drift. Wells developed at depths exceeding 200 feet may yield in excess of 150 gallons per minute (gpm) in the southern and eastern parts of the county. The second most common ground-water source is the sand and gravel aquifer which is productive in the central and northwest parts of the county. In this region, thin lenses of sand and gravel are located beneath thick layers of fine sand and silty clay; well yields are less than 10 gpm. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Henry County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.35.

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, Henry County's 34.7 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 9 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 5 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 Henry 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 Napoleon, which uses water from the Maumee River for its supply. The City of Napoleon supplies water to other villages in the county including Liberty Center, Florida, and Malinta. The Village of McClure uses water from the Maumee River through its own intake. The remaining public water systems in the county utilize ground water to supply water needs.

Ground water is a major water source for rural households in Henry County. Approximately 45 percent of the population obtains their water from private wells. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 1,009,800 gallons per day (gpd) from private wells are used. Additional private water uses include livestock use (220,000 gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining households use public-water supplies, as identified in Table 1.

Campbell Soup Company (located in Napoleon) uses large amounts of water. Their normal usage exceeds 8 million gpd which is drawn from the Maumee River. During vegetable processing season in late summer, daily water usage may exceed 12 million gpd. Nearly all of the remaining industrial water needs in Henry County are supplied through the City of Napoleon water system.

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 limestone underlying Henry County, it dissolves the minerals contained in these formations and carries them in solution. Publication AEX-490.35 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, 82 wells in the county were sampled for nitrate-nitrogen content, an indicator of water quality. Results showed that 68 wells (83 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. Ten wells (12 percent) tested in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 ppm, values that may or may not indicate human influence. The 2 wells (2 percent) that tested in the range of 3.0 to 10 ppm, may indicate elevated concentrations resulting from human activities. Only 2 wells (2 percent) tested over the safe drinking-water standard of 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen. The average nitrate-nitrogen concentration for the 82 wells tested was 0.74 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 Henry 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. For more information contact the county health department (104 E. Washington St., Suite 302, Napoleon, OH 43545).

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 Henry County streams are affected by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution: Lost Creek and the Maumee River. These streams are affected by one or more of the following NPS pollution categories: agriculture, crop production, urban runoff, and hydromodification. Other county streams are affected by point source pollution (municipal and/or industrial wastewater). Point source affected streams include: Bad Creek, North Turkeyfoot Creek, and the Maumee River. Henry County also contains streams that have good water quality and are attaining chemical and biological water quality standards. Monitoring has shown that Brush Creek (headwaters to Jackson Cutoff Ditch) has good water quality. 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 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 1996 less than half of Ohio's streams have been evaluated by the Assessment. As water quality monitoring continues statewide, the list of Henry 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 Henry 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 Henry County. For more information concerning water resources and drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Henry County office of Ohio State University Extension (104 E. Washington St., Suite 107, Napoleon, Ohio 43545). In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Henry Soil and Water Conservation District; Henry 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 43266).

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.

Ground-Water Resources of Henry County. 1982. J. J. Schmidt. ODNR Div. of Water. (map).

Henry County, Ohio Soil Survey. 1979. USDA-SCS.

Henry County Ground-Water Resources. 1997. A. P. Sundermeier, J. M. Raab, L. C. Brown and K. T. Ricker. AEX-490.35. Ohio State University Extension.

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 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.

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.

Water--Ohio's Remarkable Resource. 1982. ODNR Div. of Water.

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: Henry 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 project leaders express appreciation to the following reviewers: Roger L. Noblit (City of Napoleon); Jon Scott and Mike Maringer (Campbell Soup Company); 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); 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.