Piezometric levels and shallow aquifers, Dillon and Meramec Spring quadrangles, Missouri

Author

James Hugh Crouch

Abstract

"Little is known about groundwater in carbonate rock; quantitative data about limestone and dolomite aquifers are almost non-existent. Objectives of this study are: identification of shallow aquifers, and yield, occurrence, and piezometric level of groundwater in cherty dolomitic rocks in eastern Phelps County, Missouri. Area studied comprises of the 7.5-minute Dillon and Meramec Spring Quadrangles. The data used were derived from water well logs, interviews with well drillers and owners, and a previously available geologic map.

The Jefferson City, Roubidoux, and Gasconade formations are aquifers. Groundwater in the Jefferson City formation is perched. West and north of Dry Fork creek, groundwater occurs throughout the Roubidoux formation; yields average 17.6 gallons per minute. The Gasconade formation yields groundwater throughout the area. Two units comprise this formation; yield in the upper averages 25.7 gpm. Lower unit yields average 19.5 gpm.

Groundwater occurs in joints, bedding planes, and solution cavities and channels. Groundwater in drilled wells in the Roubidoux and Gasconade formations rises above the level at which it is encountered, indicating confinement. Open joints and bedding planes in these formations indicate they are only semiconfined.

The Roubidoux-Gasconade surface, and piezometric levels, were contoured from available well data. Because data were not adjusted for changes in water levels since data of measurement, or for depth of casing and depth of well, the piezometric map is preliminary, subject to revision. An east-west piezometric trough coincides with a long, broad, structural ridge. Crestal fracturing along the structural ridge can explain the groundwater trough.

The piezometric map shows the Dry Fork and Little Dry Fork to be influent streams along their upper reaches, and effluent along their lower reaches. Major streams in the area are believed to contain underflow in the thick alluvium in their channels. The drainage basin of Meramec Spring was not determinable from the piezometric map. According to this map, groundwater flows toward the Spring from the north-west and west, and toward the eastern border of the map"--Abstract, pages ii-iii.

Advisor(s)

Maxwell, James C.

Committee Member(s)

Gevecker, Vernon A. C., 1909-1992
Beveridge, Thomas R. (Thomas Robinson), 1918-1978
Fry, Thomas S.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geological Engineering

Sponsor(s)

University of Missouri (System). Water Resources Research Grant

Publisher

University of Missouri at Rolla

Publication Date

1965

Pagination

viii, 77 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-56).

Geographic Coverage

Phelps County, Missouri

Rights

© 1965 James Hugh Crouch, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Aquifers -- Missouri -- Phelps CountyAquifers -- Missouri -- Phelps County -- MapsGeology -- Missouri -- Phelps County

Thesis Number

T 1769

Print OCLC #

5968700

Electronic OCLC #

840664785

Recommended Citation

Crouch, James Hugh, "Piezometric levels and shallow aquifers, Dillon and Meramec Spring quadrangles, Missouri" (1965). Masters Theses. 7008.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/7008