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North of the Mason-Dixon Line—an update on issues and USGS work in the Great Valley in Pa.

Kevin Breen, P.G.Ground Water and Geochemistry Investigations Section

USGS Pennsylvania Districtkjbreen@usgs.gov 717-730-6970

http://pa.water.usgs.gov

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Outline of presentation

Ground-water levels on the webNitrate source tracingRechargeIssues in the Great Valley

Spring Flow Monitoring—Developing areasKarst Issues—”Bridges over troubled waters”

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New look for ICPRB-USGS Ground-water levels on the webLess Navigation to Conditions Map

Improved explanation of data

Coming soon--New W.Va. well in Mineral Co.

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http://pa.water.usgs.gov/potomac/

Current Network

Current ConditionMin-0173

Pendleton Co. in ’05

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Outline of presentation

Ground-water levels on the webNitrate source tracingRechargeIssues in the Great Valley

Spring Flow Monitoring—Developing areasKarst Issues—”Bridges over troubled waters”

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Nitrate in LimestoneLimestone AquifersWidespread contaminant

Treatment or blending to meet MCL

Source tracing study Martinsburg, Blair Co.

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Nitrate sources near supply wells

o Water Sources

--Geologic Framework

--Flow model

--Geochemicalindicators

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Nitrate source tracing

Multiple lines of evidenceMunicipal sewage least likely sourceManure and chemical fertilizer likely sources Results in USGS Report 2004-5124

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Outline of presentation

Ground-water levels on the webNitrate source tracingRechargeIssues in the Great Valley

Spring Flow Monitoring—Developing areasKarst Issues—”Bridges over troubled waters”

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Recharge for water budgets

Ground-Water Recharge Estimates

http://pa.water.usgs.gov/recharge/

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Select location of interestBerks County in Great Valley

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Select a stream gage

Maiden Creek

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Many display options

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Maiden Creek basin

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Issues in the Great ValleySpring Flow Monitoring—Developing areas

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Quarry/Aquifer/Spring Interactions

• Big Spring, Cumberland CountyDischargeTurbidity

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Karst Issues—

Northampton CountyStockertown

Sinkholes

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“Bridges over troubled waters”

Bridge failure--$10 million plusSinkholes in Bushkill Creek channel are cause of collapseStream channel lining ongoing to protect structures

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PRIORITY AREAS FOR SINKHOLE REMEDIATIONSINKHOLES FROM 2004 SURVEY IN YELLOW