Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Water Resources of Lawrence County

AEX-480.44-97

Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Lawrence County. The county's population of 63,105 (1992 Ohio Department of Development estimate) is a mixture of rural (45.4 percent) and urban (54.6 percent). Approximately 64 percent of the residents rely on ground water from private and public systems for their water supply. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Lawrence 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 42 inches of precipitation falls on Lawrence 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 3.5 inches per month, with January (2.7 inches) typically being the driest month, and July (4.8 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 Lawrence County, Ohio (1961-1990); data collected at Ironton.

Surface-Water Resources

Lawrence County is bordered on the south and east by the Ohio River. The Symmes Creek watershed is the county's largest and drains the central area of the county from north to south. Symmes Creek flows south to join the Ohio River at Chesapeake. The western areas of the county are drained by the Pine Creek and Ice Creek watersheds, both of which flow south and join the Ohio River. The eastern portion of Lawrence County also drains into the Ohio River via Indian Guyan Creek, Federal Creek and their tributaries. A generalized surface-water map of Lawrence County is given in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Surfac-water resources in Lawrence County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Division of Water river basin maps; illustration prepared by K. A. Weber).

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 291,488 land acres, of which 21 percent is farmland. Nine general soil types have been identified in the county and vary in drainage quality from poorly drained to well drained. A large portion of the soils are in the Upshur-Gilpin and Steinburg-Shelocta associations, both of which are well drained soils formed from shale, siltstone, and sandstone.

The county water acreage consists of about 559 acres of lakes, including Timbre Ridge Lake (100 acres) and Lake Vesuvius (143 acres). According to Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) records, 376 farm ponds have been constructed in Lawrence County--a total of approximately 113 acres. This figure is for ponds constructed with assistance from the SWCD or USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The county contains approximately 450 linear miles of major streams and rivers, in addition to 43 linear miles of the Ohio River [estimated from river basin maps, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water].

Ground-Water Resources

Lawrence County's primary ground-water source is the relatively thick permeable layer of sand and gravel deposited beneath a thin layer of alluvium along the Ohio River flood plain. This thick layer of unconsolidated materials occurs in a broad valley formed by the preglacial Teays River and can range in thickness from 75 to 100 feet. Properly constructed and located wells in this area have a potential yield in excess of 500 gallons per minute (gpm). Wells along the Ohio River provide an adequate supply of water to the Hecla Water Association and to the Villages of South Point, Proctorville, and Coal Grove. In some areas located adjacent to the Ohio River aquifer there are regionally extensive deposits of sand and gravel with potential yields of 25 to 100 gpm. This area is beyond the direct recharge influence of the Ohio River, therefore yields are unpredictable and test drilling is recommended.

Except for higher yielding areas along the Ohio River, well yields throughout the remainder of the county are extremely low. Alternating layers of shale and sandstone yield less than 3 gpm at depths of less than 125 feet. Deeper drilling commonly encounters brackish water. Cisterns and springs are used to supplement poor wells throughout most of the county. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Lawrence County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.44.

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, Lawrence County's 42.3 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 11 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 7 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 Lawrence 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 Hecla Water Association system, which uses three wells for its supply. The City of Ironton is the second largest public water system in the county and uses the Ohio River for its water supply. There are nine public water supply systems in Lawrence County and all except two use ground water for their water source.

Ground water is a major water source for rural households in Lawrence County. Approximately 9 percent of the population obtains their water from private wells, springs, and cisterns. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 422,400 gallons per day (gpd) from private wells are used. Additional private water uses include livestock use (68,424 gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining households use public-water supplies, as identified in Table 1.

Table 1. Water Use in Lawrence County, Ohio.1
Public Water System	Population Served	Primary Water Source	Water Usage (GPD)2	Treatment Plant Capacity (GPD)
Hecla Water Assoc.	22,250	Ground Water	1,713,000	1,700,000
Ironton	12,643	Surface Water	1,704,000	4,000,000
Ohio-American (Lawrence)	10,000	Surface Water	747,658	03
Coal Grove Vlg.	4,719	Ground Water	477,300	720,000
South Point	3,918	Ground Water	709,800	1,550,000
Lawrence Water Corp	2,260	Ground Water	153,400	04
Coal Grove	833	Ground Water	59,000	04
Proctorville	700	Ground Water	64,660	144,000
Ernies Mobile Home Park	150	Ground Water	10,000	N/A5
1 Estimates from Ohio EPA 1996; information is based on data available at time of publication.
2 GPD = gallons per day.
3 Water is purchased from Huntington, W.Va.
4 Water is purchased from Hecla Water Association.
5 Treatment plant capacity figure not available.

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 various deposits underlying Lawrence County, it dissolves the minerals contained in these formations and carries them in solution. Publication AEX-490.44 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 1995, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency sampled nine wells in the county for nitrate-nitrogen content, an indicator of water quality. Results showed that two wells (22 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. Seven wells (78 percent) tested in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 ppm, values that may or may not indicate human influence. The average nitrate-nitrogen concentration for the nine wells tested was 0.87 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 Lawrence 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 (2122 S. 8th St., Ironton, OH 45638).

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.

Very limited water quality monitoring has been conducted on Lawrence County streams through the Ohio EPA program. Information is currently unavailable for most streams in the county. Suspected sources of pollution in Lawrence County streams include the following: coal mining, sanitary sewers, timbering, open dumping, and agriculture. In order to protect our valuable water resources, more complete water quality monitoring must be initiated in the county.

Water quality monitoring information that is available indicates that all or parts of Painter Creek is affected by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Lawrence 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: Symmes Creek (Venisonham to Ohio River), Buffalo Creek, Indian Guyan Creek, and Pine Creek. 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 St., Logan, OH 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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence County. For more information concerning water resources and drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Lawrence County office of Ohio State University Extension (1 Veteran's Square, Ironton, OH 45638-1592). In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Lawrence Soil and Water Conservation District; Lawrence 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.

Flood Plain Information--Ohio River. 1973. Department of the Army, Huntington District Corps of Engineers. Huntington, WV.

Lawrence County Ohio Soil Survey. 1979. USDA-SCS.

Lawrence County Ground-Water Resources. 1997. D. W. Snively, A. W. Jones, L. C. Brown and K. T. Ricker. AEX-490.44. Ohio State University Extension.

Lawrence Soil and Water Conservation District Resources Inventory. 1986. 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.

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

Ground-Water Resources of Lawrence 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.

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 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: Lawrence County office of OSU Extension; Lawrence County Commissioners; Helca Water Association; Lawrence Soil and Water Conservation District; 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: Ralph E. Crawford (USDA-NRCS); Tim Dalton (Hecla Water Association); Becky Ewing (USDA Forest Service, Wayne National Forest); Margaret B. Reid (Briggs Lawrence County Public Library); 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 Peggy Reynolds (Lawrence SWCD) for help in preparing this fact sheet, and Kim Wintringham, Associate Editor (Section of Communications and Technology, Ohio State University Extension), for editorial and graphic production.