U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Hydrogeology and Simulation of Ground-Water Flow in the Aquifers Underlying Belvidere, Illinois By P.C. Mills (U.S. Geological Survey), J.E. Nazimek (U.S. Geological Survey), K.J. Halford (U.S. Geological Survey), and D.J. Yeskis (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4100 In cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Urbana, Illinois 2002 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GALE A. NORTON, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Charles G. Groat, Director The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services 221 N. Broadway Avenue Box 25286 Urbana, IL 61801 Denver, CO 80225-0286 CONTENTS Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose and Scope....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Previous Investigations ................................................................................................................................................ 6 Description of Study Area ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Methods of Investigation ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Hydrogeology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Physiography and Drainage......................................................................................................................................... 12 Geology ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Lithology and Stratigraphy................................................................................................................................ 17 Fractures and Porosity ....................................................................................................................................... 30 Hydrology.................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Precipitation and Streamflow ............................................................................................................................ 32 Aquifers and Confining Units............................................................................................................................ 33 Hydraulic Properties.......................................................................................................................................... 39 Recharge and Ground-Water Withdrawals ........................................................................................................ 42 Ground-Water Levels and Response to Withdrawals ........................................................................................ 46 Ground-Water Flow ........................................................................................................................................... 51 Ground-Water Quality ....................................................................................................................................... 57 Simulation of Ground-Water Flow ........................................................................................................................................ 62 Model Design .............................................................................................................................................................. 63 Model Calibration........................................................................................................................................................ 72 Sensitivity Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 83 Model and Data Limitations........................................................................................................................................ 85 Summary................................................................................................................................................................................ 89 References Cited.................................................................................................................................................................... 91 Appendix 1. Water levels in selected streams and wells in Belvidere, Illinois, 1993–99 ..................................................... 97 Appendix 2. Field-determined characteristics of ground-water quality at selected wells in Belvidere, Illinois, 1998–99 ................................................................................................................................................................... 99 Appendix 3. Concentrations of metals, cyanide, and tritium in ground water at selected wells in Belvidere, Illinois,1998–99....................................................................................................................................................... 100 Appendix 4. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in ground water at selected wells in Belvidere, Illinois, 1998–99 .................................................................................................................................... 102 Contents III FIGURES 1. Maps showing the study area in the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois: (A) hazardous-waste-disposal and industrial sites, municipal water-supply wells, selected private wells, and lines of section A-A´, B-B´, and C-C´, (B) sites of surface-geophysical surveys and lines of section D-D´, E-E´, and F-F´, and (C) sites of surface-water-level and streamflow measurement ................................................................................... 3 2. Diagram showing classification of (A) rock-stratigraphic and hydrogeologic units and (B) detailed stratigraphy of units of Quaternary age in the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois ............................................................. 7 3. Map showing shaded relief (A) and contours (B) of land-surface topography in the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois ..... 13 4. Map showing geology and topography at the surface of selected bedrock units: (A) stratigraphic units that compose the bedrock surface, (B) topography of the bedrock surface, (C) shaded relief of the bedrock surface, and (D) topography of the St. Peter Sandstone surface in the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois ....................... 14 5-11. Diagrams showing: 5. Hydrogeologic section A-A´ through the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois................................................................. 18 6. Hydrogeologic section B-B´ through the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois ................................................................. 19 7. Hydrogeologic section C-C´ through the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois ................................................................. 20 8. Hydrogeologic section D-D´ through the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois................................................................. 21 9. Hydrogeologic section E-E´ through the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois.................................................................. 22 10. Hydrogeologic section F-F´ through Belvidere, Illinois, showing rock-stratigraphic units and principal intervals of ground-water flow in the Galena-Platteville aquifer, as indicated by vertical distribution of horizontal hydraulic conductivity, natural-gamma activity, and secondary porosity....................................... 23 11. Diagram of an acoustic-televiewer log showing secondary-porosity features in municipal well BMW2, Belvidere, Illinois........................................................................................................................................................ 27 12. Map showing generalized distribution of unconsolidated deposits in the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois.......................28 13. Graphs showing streamflow in the Kishwaukee River at Belvidere, Illinois: (A) hydrographs for water years 1993 and 1999, and (B) flow duration for water years 1940–2000................................................................... 35 14. Maps showing potentiometric levels and horizontal-flow directions in the (A) glacial drift and (B) Galena- Platteville aquifers underlying