PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1418 USGS cience for a changing world AVAILABILITY OF BOOKS AND MAPS OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Instructions on ordering publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, along with prices of the last offerings, are given in the current- year issues of the monthly catalog "New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey." Prices of available U.S. Geological Survey publica­ tions released prior to the current year are listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List." Publications that may be listed in various U.S. Geological Survey catalogs (see back inside cover) but not listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List" may be no longer available. Order U.S. Geological Survey publications by mail or over the counter from the offices given below. BY MAIL OVER THE COUNTER Books Books and Maps Professional Papers, Bulletins, Water-Supply Papers, Tech­ Books and maps of the U.S. Geological Survey are available niques of Water-Resources Investigations, Circulars, publications over the counter at the following U.S. Geological Survey Earth of general interest (such as leaflets, pamphlets, booklets), single Science Information Centers (ESIC's), all of which are authorized copies of Preliminary Determination of Epicenters, and some mis­ agents of the Superintendent of Documents: cellaneous reports, including some of the foregoing series that have gone out of print at the Superintendent of Documents, are ANCHORAGE, Alaska Rm. 101,4230 University Dr. obtainable by mail from LAKEWOOD, Colorado Federal Center, Bldg. 810 U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services MENLO PARK, California Bldg. 3, Rm. 3128, 345 Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 MiddlefieldRd. RESIGN, Virginia USGS National Center, Rm. 1C402, Subscriptions to Preliminary Determination of Epicenters 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr. can be obtained ONLY from the SALT LAKE CITY, Utah Federal Bldg., Rm. 8105, 125 Superintendent of Documents South State St. Government Printing Office SPOKANE, Washington U.S. Post Office Bldg., Rm. 135, Washington, DC 20402 West 904 Riverside Ave. WASHINGTON, D.C. Main Interior Bldg., Rm. 2650,18th (Check or money order must be payable to Superintendent of Documents.) and C Sts., NW. Maps Only Maps Maps may be purchased over the counter at the following For maps, address mail orders to U.S. Geological Survey office: U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 ROLLA, Missouri 1400 Independence Rd. Hydrogeologic Framework of the Michigan Basin Regional Aquifer System By D.B. WESTJOHN and T.L. WEAVER REGIONAL AQUIFER-SYSTEM ANALYSIS MICHIGAN BASIN AQUIFER SYSTEM U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1418 1998 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Gordon P. Eaton, 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. Government. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Westjohn, D.B. (David B.) Hydrogeologic framework of the MicMgan basin regional aquifer system / by D.B. Westjohn and T.L. Weaver. p. cm. (Regional aquifer-system analysis Michigan Basin aquifer system) (U.S. Geological Survey professional paper ; 1418) Includes bibliographical references (p. - ). Supt.ofDocs.no.: I 19.16:1418 1. Hydrogeology Michigan Basin (Mich. and Ont.) 2. Hydrogeology Michigan. 3. Aquifers Michigan Basin (Mich. and Ont.) 4. Aquifers Michigan. I. Weaver, T.L. (Thomas Lynn), 1954- . II. Title. III. Series. IV. Series: U.S. Geological Survey professional paper ; 1418. GB1025.M5W47 1997 551.49'09774 dc21 97-34036 CDP ISBN 0-607-88068-6 For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 FOREWORD THE REGIONAL AQUIFER-SYSTEM ANALYSIS PROGRAM The RASA Program represents a systematic effort to study a number of the Nation's most important aquifer systems, which, in aggregate, underlie much of the country and which represent an important component of the Nation's total water supply. In general, the boundaries of these studies are identified by the hydrologic extent of each system and, accordingly, tran­ scend the political subdivisions to which investigations have often arbi­ trarily been limited in the past. The broad objective for each study is to assemble geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical information, to analyze and develop an understanding of the system, and to develop predictive capabili­ ties that will contribute to the effective management of the system. The use of computer simulation is an important element of the RASA studies to develop an understanding of the natural, undisturbed hydrologic system and the changes brought about in it by human activities and to provide a means of predicting the regional effects of future pumping or other stresses. The final interpretive results of the RASA Program are presented in a series of U.S. Geological Survey Professional Papers that describe the geology, hydrology, and geochemistry of each regional aquifer system. Each study within the RASA Program is assigned a single Professional Paper number beginning with Professional Paper 1400. Thomas J. Casadevall Acting Director CONTENTS Page Page Foreword................................................................................................... Ill Hydrogeology of Aquifers and Confining Units Continued Abstract..................................................................................................... 1 Saginaw Aquifer Continued Introduction.............................................................................................. 1 Area, Thickness, and Surface Configuration......................... 22 Regional Geologic Setting...................................................................... 2 Hydraulic Properties................................................................. 22 Previous Geologic Investigations................................................... 2 Saginaw Confining Unit.................................................................. 22 Depositional Setting......................................................................... 2 Parma-Bayport Aquifer................................................................... 22 Structures........................................................................................... 3 Area, Thickness, and Surface Configuration......................... 22 Geology of Mississippian and Younger Geologic Units.................... 5 Hydraulic Properties................................................................. 27 Coldwater Shale................................................................................ 6 Michigan Confining Unit................................................................ 27 Marshall Sandstone.......................................................................... 6 Area, Thickness, and Surface Configuration......................... 27 Michigan Formation........................................................................ 12 Hydraulic Properties................................................................. 27 Bayport Limestone........................................................................... 13 Marshall Aquifer.............................................................................. 27 Parma Sandstone.............................................................................. 13 Area, Thickness, and Surface Configuration......................... 31 Saginaw and Grand River Formations.......................................... 14 Hydraulic Properties................................................................. 31 Jurassic "Red Beds".......................................................................... 14 Coldwater Confining Unit.............................................................. 31 Pleistocene Glacial Deposits........................................................... 15 Area and Surface Configuration.............................................. 31 Hydrogeology of Aquifers and Confining Units................................ 16 Relations of Stratigraphic Units to Aquifers and Confining Hydraulic Properties................................................................. 35 Units......................................................................................... 16 Base of Freshwater.................................................................................. 35 Methods of Investigation................................................................ 16 Compilation and Analysis of Water-Quality Data...................... 35 Glaciofluvial Deposits...................................................................... 17 Collection and Analysis of Geophysical Logs............................. 37 Area, Distribution, and Thickness........................................... 17 Geologic Controls of Distribution of Freshwater ............................... 37 Hydraulic Properties................................................................. 19 Glacial Deposits................................................................................ 37 Glacial Lacustrine/Glacial Till Confining Units.......................... 19 Saginaw Aquifer............................................................................... 39 Jurassic "Red Beds" Confining Unit.............................................. 19 Parma-Bayport Aquifer................................................................... 39 Area, Thickness, and Surface Configuration........................