STATE OF MARYLAND BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, MINES AND WATER RESOURCES Joseph T. Singewald, Jr., Director BULLETIN 8 THE WATER RESOURCES OF CALVERT COUNTY SURFACE-WATER RESOURCES by V. R. Bennion and D. F. Dougherty GROUND-WATER RESOURCES by Robert M. Overbeck BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 1951 COMPOSED AND PRINTED AT THE VVAVERLY PRESS, INC. BALTIMORE, MD., U.S.A. COMMISSION ON GEOLOGY, MINES AND WATER RESOURCES Arthur B. Stewart, Chairman Baltimore G. Victor Cushwa Williamsport Harry R. Hall Hyattsville Joseph C. Lore, Jr Solomons Island MerviN A. Pentz Denton PREFACE The Calvert County report in the series of county reports was published in 19()7, long before a systematic study of the water resources of the State was undertaken. In 1945, investigations of the groundwater resources of Southern Maryland were initiated. The results of the investigations in Charles County were published in 1948 in the Charles County report, and those in Anne Arundel County were published in 1949 in Bulletin 5. This bulletin on the Water Resources of Calvert County supplements the 1907 Calvert County report. The bulletin is based on investigations conducted jointly by the United States Geological Survey and the Maryland Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources and is published with the permission of the United States Geological Survey. The section on Surface-Water Resources was prepared by Mr. V. K. Reunion, former District Engineer, and Mr. D. F. Dougherty, of the United States Geological Survey, in charge of cooperative surface-water measurements in Maryland. The section on Ground-Water Resources was prepared by Dr. Robert M. Overbeck of the cooperative ground-water staff. The descriptions of the sub-surface formations may be supplemented by the more comprehensive descriptions of these formations in the previously pub- lished systematic reports. These are in descending order of the formations, the Pliocene and Pleistocene (1906), the Miocene (1904), the Upper Cretaceous (1916), and the Lower Cretaceous (1911). More recent information on these formations is in a report on Cretaceous and Tertiary Subsurface Geology (Bulletin 2, 1948). Additional information on the Eocene is contained in a report on Eocene Stratigraphy and Aquia Foraminifera (Bulletin 3, 1948). The areal distribution of the formations is shown on the geologic map of Calvert County published in 1903. Surface elevations are shown on the county topographic map published in 1949. The report lists and gives the locations of over 200 artesian wells in Calvert County. Data on the sub-surface formations and the water-bearing beds are presented in the drillers' logs of 52 wells and in the descriptions of well cuttings from 18 wells. The quality of the water in the water-bearing sands is shown in 11 water analyses. The data presented in this report enable a well driller and a prospective well owner to determine the depths at which ground-water may be obtained, the quantity of water obtainable, and the probable quality of the water. However, the Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources can be called upon at any time for such information. Joseph T. Singewald, Jr., Director. CONTENTS Preface v The Surface-Water Resources. By V. R. Bennion and D. F. Dougherty. General Discussion 1 Surface-water resources of Calvert County 3 Streams in Calvert County 3 The Ground-Water Resources. By Robert M. Over beck. Abstract Introduction 4 Location of area 4 Purpose and scope of the investigation 6 Physical features 6 Climate 7 Population and industries 8 Previous ground-water investigations 8 Acknowledgments 9 Maps 9 General principles of ground-water occurrence 9 Geologic formations and their water-bearing properties 10 General statement 10 Basement complex 10 Cretaceous system 10 Lower Cretaceous series 10 Upper Cretaceous series 13 Tertiary system 13 Eocene series 13 Paleocene rocks 13 Aquia greensand IS Quality of water 18 Nanjemoy formation 19 Quality of water 22 Salt water encroachment 22 Rocks of Jackson age 23 Quality of water 24 Miocene series (Chesapeake group) 24 Calvert formation 24 Choptank formation 25 St. Marys formation 25 Quaternary system 26 Pleistocene series 26 Terrace deposits 26 Quality of water 27 Water-level fluctuations 28 Well logs 42 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Geologic formations in Calvert County 11 2. Records of wells in Calvert County 30 VUl Contents 3. Drillers' logs of wells in Calvert County 42 4. Logs of wells in Calvert County from which well-cutting samples were obtained 53 5. Chemical analyses of ground water in Calvert County 95 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Outline map of Maryland, showing the location of Calvert County, the physiographic provinces, and the Fall Line 5 2. Cross-section, Indian Head to Ocean City, showing probable position of the top of the Basement Complex 12 3. Outcrop distribution of the Eocene formations of Maryland 14 4. Section A-A' through Calvert County showing approximate positions of geologic for- mations 15 5. Section B-B' through Calvert County showing approximate positions of geologic for- mations 17 LIST OF PLATES Plate 1. Map of Calvert County showing location of water wells and section lines A-A' and B-B' In pocket 2. Map of Calvert County showing by contour lines the approximate altitude of the bottom of the Calvert formation In pocket 3. Map of Calvert County showing by contour lines the approximate altitude of the top of the Aquia formation In pocket THE SURFACE-WATER RESOURCES OF CALVERT COUNTY GENERAL DISCUSSION BY V. R. BENNION Water is the natural resource most vital to man's existence. It determines those places on the face of the earth where he can live. If there is insufficient water, as in the desert, he cannot live, or if there is too much water or a con- tinual threat of it, as in the flood plains of the streams, he cannot live except in fear of his life. Without water the average man would live but a few days, and most of the modern industrial processes would cease operation immediately. Many of the people of this country, and especially those in the eastern sec- tion, seem to assume that the water supply is inexhaustible. Actually the water supply is definitely limited and already in many places its scarcity has become an acute problem and it has been necessary to establish laws governing the use and conservation of this valuable resource. The quantity of available water in any region varies from year to year, month to month, and day to day. It cannot be adequately determined by measurements covering a period of only a few months or even of a few years. The immediate source of nearly all water is precipitation from the clouds, and the wide variations in this factor are known to all. The relation between rainfall and the resulting surface-water and ground-water supplies is also variable and complex; therefore, the records of rainfall alone do not serve as a measure of the water supply available for use. The earth has a fixed amount of water, which circulates in an endless cycle maintained in approximate balance by several processes, the principal of which are precipitation, evaporation, transpiration from vegetation, and runoff in streams. This vast movement of water from the atmosphere to the land, from the land to the ocean, and from land and ocean back to the atmosphere is known as the hydrologic cycle. The water resources of principal concern to man may be classified as surface water and ground water. Surface water is the water present on the earth's solid surface, such as streams, lakes, and ponds. Ground water is the water that accumulates in the ground in the zone of saturation. Although both surface water and ground water originate from precipitation, there is a distinct difference in their occurrence and behavior. The methods and science involved in their investigation and utilization are also distinctive. Ground-water investi- gation and utilization are discussed in another section of this report. Surface water is easily accessible and has a wide variety of uses, including 1 2 Water Resources of Cat,vert County production of power. The force of gravity causes surfacc water to flow along the path of least resistance, so long as the ground surface is sloping or until it is halted by some barrier to form a lake or pond. Essential to considering the utilization of surface water is a knowledge of the quantity and quality of the water, the topography of the drainage basin, the type of soil, and the land-use practices. The development of any region is directly dependent upon the availability of an adequate water supply. The history of any country or community shows the importance of water resources, and the future development and expansion will depend to a great extent on the wise use of those resources. Generally, as a community develops in density of population and scope of industry, little thought is given to the prospect that there may not be sufficient water in nearby streams to satisfy the demands. It then becomes' necessary to extend the water supply system to more distant streams. Many of the larger cities of the country are faced with an acute water problem today, whch threatens to stall their future development. Streams may serve a community in several ways. Many streams are used as a municipal water supply, as a source of water for industrial uses, and for sewage disposal. Streams have an important role in the conservation of fish and wild- life. Improvement of streams and adjacent areas and the construction of arti- ficial ponds and pools contribute to the program of recreation as well as to the conservation of fish and wildlife.