Hydrogeology and Groundwater Availability in Southwest McLean and Southeast Tazewell Counties

Herzog, Beverly L.; Wilson, Steven D.; Larson, David R.; Smith, Edward C.; Larson, Timothy H.; Greenslate, Michael L.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/35244 Copy

Description

Title

• Hydrogeology and Groundwater Availability in Southwest McLean and Southeast Tazewell Counties
• Part 1: Aquifer Characterization

Author(s)

• Herzog, Beverly L.
• Wilson, Steven D.
• Larson, David R.
• Smith, Edward C.
• Larson, Timothy H.
• Greenslate, Michael L.

Contributor(s)

• Kempton, John P.
• Panno, Samuel V.
• Hackley, Keith C.
• Reed, Philip C.
• Young, Timothy C.
• Burch, Stephen L.
• Olson, Robert D.
• Holm, Thomas R.

Issue Date

1995

Keyword(s)

• Aquifer characterization
• Hydrogeology
• Groundwater Availability-McLean County
• Groundwater Availability -- Tazewell County

Geographic Coverage

• Tazewell County (IL)
• McLean County (IL)

Abstract

The confluence of the buried Mahomet and Mackinaw Bedrock Valleys, underlying southwest McLean and southeast Tazewell Counties, contains part of one of the largest sand and gravel aquifers in Illinois—the Sankoty-Mahomet Sand aquifer. This groundwater resources study was undertaken to estimate the quantity of water the Sankoty-Mahomet Sand aquifer can safely yield and to determine potential locations from which a supply of 10-15 million gallons of groundwater per day (mgd) could be developed. New data were generated from a surface geophysical survey, test drilling, mass measurements of water levels, aquifer tests, water quality samples, rain gauges, and stream measurements. These data show that, although the Sankoty-Mahomet Sand aquifer is more complex than previously thought, it is very prolific in this area. Shallow aquifers supplement the Sankoty-Mahomet Sand aquifer through leakage. The groundwater recharge rate to the Sankoty-Mahomet Sand aquifer is estimated at 200,000 gallons/day/square mile, or more than 50 mgd for the study area. Approximately 60% (30 mgd) of this volume is estimated to be available to wells. Thus, a new, large groundwater supply appears possible. An upcoming groundwater model presented in a subsequent report will address the area's potential for well-field development and suggest locations for a large well field.

Publisher

Illinois State Water Survey and the Illinois State Geological Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

Cooperative Resources Report 17

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/35244

Owning Collections