Characterization of a buried valley aquifer: North fork of the Licking River, St. Louisville, Ohio

The ODNR, Div. of Water, Ground Water Resources Section characterized the geology, hydrogeology, and water quality of the buried valley system underlying the North Folk of the Licking River near St. Louisville. Cross-sections were constructed from logs of 80 private wells, field observations, resistivity runs, and 15 test holes drilled by ODNR, Div. of Geological Survey. Water level data were obtained from private wells and from monitor wells installed in the test holes. Water samples taken from private wells, monitor wells and streams were analyzed for NO sub(3), NO sub(2), NH sub(3), SO sub(4), C1, SiO sub(2), SRP (Phosphorous) and specific conductance. Select samples were analyzed for Ca, Mg, K, Na, HCO sub(3) and Fe, screened for pesticides, and scanned for presence of optical brighteners. A 72 hr pumping test, including stream-bed permeability measurements, was conducted at the Newark Wellfield to quantify hydraulic parameters. The impact, source, and transport of Non-Point Source (NPS) contaminants were evaluated for the aquifer system. Appropriate best management practices (BMPs) were recommended.