Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Logan County Water Resources

AEX-480.46

Chuck Gamble
Kristina M. Boone
Larry C. Brown

Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Logan County. The county's population of 42,310 (1990 census data) is predominantly rural, and virtually all households rely on ground water for their water supply. By understanding where water is obtained and how it is used in the county, residents can gain a better appreciation for their water. Providing a brief overview of Logan County's water resources, this fact sheet is intended to help increase public awareness and understanding of water resources. 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 36 inches of precipitation falls on Logan 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 3.0 inches per month, with February (1.9 inches) typically being the driest month, and May (4.0 inches) the wettest. There can be, however, extreme variations in some years and in certain months within a year. Such seasonal and yearly extremes, which may have serious consequences, often are not apparent from the long-term precipitation information.

Figure 1. Average monthly precipitation (in inches) in Logan County, Ohio (1961-1990).

Surface-Water Resources

The western two-thirds of the county lies in the Great Miami River basin, which flows south to the Ohio River. Indian Lake, located in northwest Logan County, provides the headwaters for the Great Miami River. The watershed of the Mad River, a cold-water habitat tributary, also is located in the county. The eastern third of Logan County drains into tributaries that feed the Scioto River and ultimately the Ohio River. A generalized surface-water map of Logan County is given in Figure 2.

Surface waters are affected by the soil type and topography of the land adjacent to them, and the way humans use the land. Land use, such as residential development, construction, and agricultural production, can increase the amount of sediment entering a body of water. The type of soils in an area also influences surface water because of the soil's infiltration capacity. With some soils, rainfall is more likely to run off, while other soils allow water to infiltrate more readily.

The county contains approximately 292,900 land acres, of which 78 percent is farmland. Fifty-one 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 poorly drained. The county water acreage consists of about 5,422 acres of lakes, including the 5,104-acre Indian Lake, 28 private lakes and ponds of 5 to 35 acres in size, and numerous smaller ponds. Originally used as a feeder reservoir for Ohio's Miami-Erie canal, Indian Lake now is used for recreational purposes. The county contains approximately 234 linear miles of major streams and rivers (estimated from ODNR Div. of Water river basin maps). In addition, 40 miles of county maintained ditches and numerous miles of private maintained ditches are used for land drainage. This availability lends itself to many uses by both communities and individuals.

Figure 2. Surface-water resources in Logan County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Division of Water river basin maps; illustration prepared by R. A. Roberts).

Ground-Water Resources

Logan County's primary ground-water source is the carbonate aquifer composed of limestone and dolomite bedrock. Limestone is composed of calcium carbonate, while dolomite is composed of calcium and magnesium carbonates. Together they form a popular construction material that most Ohioans refer to as limestone.

In the western half and extreme eastern parts of the county, yields of greater than 400 gallons per minute (gpm) have been developed from wells penetrating fractured zones in the carbonate bedrock. Farm and domestic supplies of 10 to 15 gpm may be developed at depths less than 125 feet. Deposits of sand and gravel, interbedded with silt and clay above the limestone may produce ample amounts of water at depths of 25 to 75 feet.

The limestone aquifer located east of Bellefontaine generally yields 10 to 100 gpm. This aquifer is noted for lower yields of water, because non-water-bearing shale is present.

Properly screened wells near the Mad River around West Liberty have provided yields in excess of 500 gpm from relatively thick permeable deposits of sand and gravel at depths of less than 100 feet.

A buried valley unique to the western part of the county exists at depths up to 400 feet. Thick deposits of fine sand, silt, and clay interbedded with areas of permeable sand and gravel yield 5 to 15 gpm for domestic usage. Properly screened wells yield as much as 500 gpm at depths of about 100 feet.

Ground-water supplies in the county, whether they are developed from bedrock or glacial deposits, have a high natural mineral content resulting in hard water. This water usually is treated for domestic use. Varying amounts of iron are found, and objectionable amounts of hydrogen sulfide generally increase with the depth drilled. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Logan County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.46.

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 Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Div. of Water.

Where Does the Water Go ?

Based on long-term 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 will result in runoff and how many inches have the potential to reach aquifers. Based on statewide averages of runoff and ground-water recharge, Logan County's 36 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 9 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 Logan 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 Bellefontaine, which uses seven wells for its supply. The incorporated villages of Belle Center, DeGraff, Lakeview, Quincy, Rushsylvania, Russells Point, West Liberty and West Mansfield, as well as numerous other public systems, use ground water.

Ground water is the major water source for rural households in Logan County. Approximately 49 percent of all households obtain their water from private wells. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 1.5 million gallons per day (gpd) from private wells is used. Additional private water uses include industry (440,000 gpd) and livestock use (910,000 gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining 51 percent of households use public-water supplies with ground water as the source, as identified in Table 1.

Some water users in Ohio must register their withdrawals with the ODNR Div. of Water. Through the Water Withdrawal Facility Registration Program, owners of facilities that could withdraw 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 determine the availability of water for projected needs and better manage and protect Ohio's water resources. Documenting water use also provides official records for individual uses. For more information, contact ODNR, Div. of Water.

Logan County also has 10 non-transient non-community public water supplies. Non-transient non-community systems are small public supplies, such as some schools and industries, that serve more than 25 of the same people for six months of the year. In Logan County, 5,822 people are served by non-transient non-community systems, and the total usage is 402,000 gallons per day.

Table 1. Water Use in Logan County, Ohio.1
Public Water System	Population Served	Primary Water Source	Water Usage (GPD)2	Treatment Plant Capacity (GPD)
Belle Center	784	Ground Water	68,000	216,000
Bellefontaine	12,142	Ground Water	1,975,000	1,440,000
De Graff	1,376	Ground Water	156,000	245,0003
Lakeview	1,080	Ground Water	102,000	1,500,0004
Logan Acres	220	Ground Water	20,500	172,800
Quincy	675	Ground Water	80,900	88,000
Rushsylvania	580	Ground Water	38,500	240,000
Russells Point	1,300	Ground Water	186,000	430,000
West Liberty	1,600	Ground Water	306,000	432,000
West Mansfield	800	Ground Water	62,300	173,000
Other5	1,266	Ground Water	162,700	392,000
1 Estimates from Ohio EPA using 1993 data, adjusted by Leonard Black, ODNR Div. of Water.
2 GPD = gallons per day.
3 Shared with Village of Quincy.
4 Shared with Village of Russells Point.
5 Other includes mobile home parks, hospitals, investors, etc.

Water Quality

Natural processes and human activities affect the quality of our water supplies. Throughout Ohio, human activities contribute to nonpoint source pollution, through which a major portion of the sediment, nutrients, acids and salts, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and pathogens enter the state's water resources. Nonpoint source pollution is the introduction of impurities into a surface-water body or an aquifer, usually through a non-direct route and from sources that are "diffuse" in nature. This type of pollution affects both ground and surface water. Examples include automobile emissions, runoff from parking lots, runoff and drainage from agricultural fields, feedlots, and home gardens, and runoff and drainage from construction, mining and logging.

Ground Water

As water moves through the fractured limestone and unconsolidated material underlying Logan County, it dissolves and carries in solution minerals contained in these formations. AEX-490.46 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, 86 wells in the county were sampled for nitrate content, of which 74 (86 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. Six wells (7 percent) were tested in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 ppm; these values may or may not indicate human influence. The 5 wells (6 percent) that tested in the range of 3.0 to 10 ppm, may indicate elevated concentrations resulting from human activities. Only 1 well (1 percent) tested at over 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen, which exceeds the safe drinking-water standard. The average test value for the 86 wells tested was 0.61 ppm. Design, location, and condition of a well, as well as the characteristics of the soils and geologic formations in which the well is constructed, influence the potential for pollutants to enter the well. Bacterial counts are another indicator of ground-water quality. The Logan County Department of Health tests water samples for concerned citizens, and results of these tests indicate safe drinking water in the county generally.

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. In 1989, the Indian Lake Hydrologic Unit Area (HUA) Project was implemented to reduce the amount of sediment deposited in Indian Lake. Dredging activities have been in operation for years but were not making progress. This program has encouraged conservation tillage on agricultural land to decrease the sedimentation problem.

Through the Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment and Water Resources Inventory, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and ODNR have found that 13,000 stream miles in Ohio have been affected by nonpoint source pollution. Logan County contains portions of several streams and their tributaries that have been classified by the Assessment as being affected by nonpoint source pollution. Based on the findings of the Assessment and Inventory, the Ohio Nonpoint Source Management Plan has been implemented to help improve the quality of the state's waters. For specific information on results of the Assessment and details of the Management Plan for the county, contact the Ohio EPA Southwest District Office (40 S. Main St., Dayton, OH 45402).

Overall, Logan County has a safe supply of water. County citizens have a major challenge to protect water resources from pollutants that could affect the quality of the water supply. For more information about nonpoint source pollution, refer to Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer, AEX 465, available from your county Extension office.

Summary

Water availability and quality are important public concerns. Water problems can be both costly and inconvenient. While the present and future availability of water is good for Logan 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 on water facts for Logan County. For more information on water resources and drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Logan County office of Ohio State University Extension (121 South Opera Street, Room 12, Bellefontaine, OH, 43311). In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Logan Soil and Water Conservation District; Logan County Health Department; ODNR Div. of Water (Fountain Square, Col., OH 43224); U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio District (975 W. Third Ave., Col., OH 43212); Ohio EPA (1800 WaterMark Dr., Col., OH 43266); and Ohio Department of Health (PO Box 118, Col., OH 43226).

Bibliography

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 Logan County. 1983. 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.

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

Logan County Ground-Water Resources. 1993. C.H. Gamble, A.W. Jones, L.C. Brown and K.M. Boone. AEX-490.46. Ohio State University Extension.

Logan Soil and Water Conservation District Resources Inventory. 1986. USDA-SCS.

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. Fountain Square, Col., OH 43224-1387.

Ohio Population by Governmental Unit. 1991. Ohio Data Users Center, Ohio Department of Development.

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, Incorporated.

Ohio Water Resource Inventory: Executive Summary and Volumes 1-4. 1992. Ohio EPA. Col., OH 43266-0149.

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. Southwest Ohio Water Plan. 1976. ODNR Div. of Water.

State of Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment: Volumes 1-6. 1990. Ohio EPA. Col., OH 43266-0149.

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

Underground Water Resources, Upper Miami River Basin. 1960. A.C. Walker. ODNR Div. of Water. (map).

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

Acknowledgments

This publication was produced through the Ohio Water Resources Education Project, in cooperation with: ODNR Div. of Water; Ohio EPA; USGS, Ohio District; and Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Project leaders are Larry C. Brown and Kristina M. Boone. Support was provided, in part by: the cooperating agencies; Logan County office of OSU Extension; Logan County Commissioners; Greater Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce; Logan County Farm Bureau; Logan County Health Department; Logan Soil and Water Conservation District; Logan County Schools (Benjamin Logan, Indian Lake and Riverside); Overholt Drainage Education and Research Program; and USDA Extension Service grants Nos. 90-EWQI-1-9018 and 90-EHUA-1-0020.

The project leaders express appreciation to the following reviewers: William A. Verbsky (Logan County Health Commissioner); Rita Edwards and Rebecca Newland (Logan County District Library); James M. Raab, David Cashell and Leonard Black (ODNR Div. of Water); Scott Golden (Environmental Health, ODH); Steve Hindall and Ron Veley (USGS, Ohio District); James Wade (USDA-SCS); Rich Bendula (Ohio EPA, Southwest District); Jay Fleming (Ohio EPA Div. of Drinking and Ground Water); and Larry Antosch (Ohio EPA Div. of Surface Water).

A special thanks to Michelle Roby and Ross A. Roberts (Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Assistants) for help in manuscript and graphics preparation, and Judy Kauffeld, Publications Editor (Section of Communications and Technology, OSU), for editorial and graphic production.