Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Water Resources of Portage County

AEX-480.67-98

Kevin O'Reilly
Extension Agent
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Portage County

N'Deye-Marie N'Jie
Graduate Associate
Environmental Science
Food, Agric. and Biol. Engineering

Larry C. Brown
Associate Professor
Extension Agricultural Engineer
Food, Agric. and Biol. Engineering

Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Portage County. The county's population of 142,585 (1990 census data) is predominantly a mixture of rural and urban, and 90 percent of the households rely on ground water for their water supply. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Portage 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 41.47 inches of precipitation falls on Portage 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 3.46 inches per month, with February (2.36 inches) typically being the driest month, and June (4.03 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.

Surface-Water Resources

Portage County is the home of two main watersheds, the Upper Cuyahoga River and the Mahoning River. State Route 44 runs north and south through the county and follows very closely to the watershed break. The Mahoning River drains almost all of the county east of SR 44, except for a few acres in the very northeast corner of Nelson Township that drain into the Grand River Basin. West of SR 44 is drained primarily by the Upper Cuyahoga River with the exception of the very southwest corner of Suffield Township which drains into the Tuscarawas River and the eastern half of Aurora City. The southwest corner also drains the western half of Mantua Township which drains into the Chagrin River. The Mahoning River flows southeast into Pennsylvania and joins the Beaver River before emptying into the Ohio River. The Cuyahoga River flows both north and south through the county before making a northward shift in Summit County and eventually emptying into Lake Erie. The Grand and Chagrin Rivers drain into Lake Erie. The Tuscarawas River flows south to Coshocton where it joins the Muskingum River on its way to the Ohio. A generalized surface-water map of Portage County is given in Figure 2.

Surface water quantity and quality are affected by the soil type, geology, the topography of adjacent land, and the way people use the land. Changes in land use, such as residential development and agricultural production, may increase the amount of sediment and other pollutants entering a body of water. 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 316,544 land acres, of which 31 percent is farmland. Fifty-three soil types have been identified in the county and vary in drainage quality from well drained to very poorly drained. A large portion of the soils are moderately well drained.

The county water acreage consists of about 10,013 acres of lakes, including Lake Rockwell (539 acres), Aurora Lake (345 acres), Michael J. Kirwan Reservoir (2,650 acres), Mogadore Reservoir (900 acres), Wingfoot Lake (262 acres), and part of Berlin Reservoir (3,590 acres), as well as 97 other lakes ranging in size from 5 to 200 acres. The county contains approximately 384.5 linear miles of major streams and rivers estimated from river basin maps, (Ohio Department of Natural Resources [ODNR] Division of Water). In addition, numerous miles of privately-maintained ditches are used for land drainage.

Ground-Water Resources

Portage County's primary ground-water source is from consolidated sandstone. The most extensive sandstone formations are the Massillon and Sharon, both of which are members of the larger Pottsville formation. This formation contains layers of sandstone and shale located beneath glacial till. Wells drilled in these areas have the potential to yield up to 100 gallons per minute (gpm) at depths of 50 to 150 feet. Bedrock is often encountered between 10 and 80 feet and most wells will only produce 25 gpm reliably.

There are numerous areas of the county that are situated over buried valleys containing deep deposits of sand and gravel. In these areas, wells can sustain yields of up to 1,500 gpm and often do not encounter bedrock. These buried valleys provide abundant sources of water for municipal and industrial use. Well field development often is concentrated in these areas. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Portage County Ground-Water Resources, AEX 490.67.

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 will result in runoff and how many inches have the potential to reach aquifers. Based on statewide averages of runoff and ground-water recharge, Portage County's 41.47 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 11.00 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 6.50 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 Portage 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 Kent system, which uses 6 wells for its supply. Other large public water systems include the Portage County Shalersville system which also supplies water to Aurora City and Streetsboro City, and the Portage County Brimfield system which also supplies Rootstown. In total there are 54 public water systems in Portage County that rely on ground water. The City of Ravenna is the only public water system in the county that uses surface water. Lake Hodgson located southwest of Ravenna is the source of this water.

Ground water is a major water source for rural households in Portage County. Approximately 51 percent of all households obtain their water from private wells. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 4,260,000 gallons per day (gpd) from private wells are used. Additional private water uses include industry (275,918 gpd) and livestock use (80,000 gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining 49 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 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, 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 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 source pollution, 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 sandstone underlying Portage County, it dissolves the minerals contained in these formations and carries them in solution. Publication AEX 490.67 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, 91 wells in the county were sampled for nitrate-nitrogen content, an indicator of water quality. Results showed that 53 wells (58 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. Eleven wells (12 percent) tested in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 ppm, values that may or may not indicate human influence. The 19 wells (21 percent) that tested in the range of 3.0 to 10 ppm, may indicate elevated concentrations resulting from human activities. Only 8 wells (8 percent) tested at over 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen, which exceeds the safe drinking-water standard. The average nitrate-nitrogen concentration for the 91 wells tested was 2.72 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 Portage County Department of Health provides bacteriological water sampling for local citizens, and results of these tests generally indicate safe drinking water in the county.

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.

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 Portage County streams are affected by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution: Plum Creek, Brimfield Ditch, and Black Brook, all in the Upper Cuyahoga River watershed. Other polluted streams include the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River, as well as Eagle Creek, Barrell Run, and the headwaters of the Mahoning River. These streams are affected by one or more of the following NPS pollution categories: urban runoff, construction sites, agriculture, dam construction, and on-site sewage treatment. Other county streams are affected by point source pollution (municipal and/or industrial wastewater). Point source affected streams include: Breakneck Creek, Wingfoot Lake Outlet, Tinkers Creek in Streetsboro, and the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River. Portage 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: Silver Creek and Camp Creek in Hiram Township, and Tinkers Creek in Nelson Township. 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 Northeast District Office 2110 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087. 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 1998 less than half of Ohio's streams have been evaluated by the Assessment. As water quality monitoring continues statewide, the list of Portage 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 Portage 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 provides information about the water resources in Portage County. For more information concerning water resources and drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Portage County office of Ohio State University Extension (6970 State Route 88, Ravenna, OH 44266). In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Portage County Soil and Water Conservation District; Portage 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

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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 Portage County. 1979. A. C. Walker. 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.

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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 N'Deye-Marie N'Jie. Partial financial support for this publication was provided by these cooperating agencies and programs: Portage County office of OSU Extension; Portage County Soil and Water Conservation District, 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 express appreciation to the following reviewers: James Bierlair, Portage County Soil and Water Conservation District; W. Jones, J. Raab, David Cashell and Leonard Black (ODNR Division of Water); Scott Golden (Environmental Health, ODH); Steve Hindall (USGS, Ohio District); Anthony J. Kramer (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Office, Columbus); Ray Shesky (Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters); and Larry Antosch (Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water). A special thanks to Kim Wintringham, Technical Editor (Section of Communications and Technology, Ohio State University Extension), for editorial and graphic production.