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Regional assessment of ground water quality in the
New England Crystalline-Rock Aquifers

Map of New England Crystalline-rock aquifers.

The New York-New England crystalline-rock aquifers are a group of aquifers that cover parts of New England and New York. The scope of NAWQA studies is only in the New England part of this aquifer group so, hereafter, the group will be referred to as the New England crystalline-rock aquifers.

The New England crystalline-rock aquifers are comprised of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Where glacial deposits are thin or non-existent, the crystalline rocks are the primary source of water.

The New England crystalline-rock aquifers are the sole source of water for up to 50 percent of the inhabitants in northern New England and are increasingly being tapped for new water supplies in areas where existing water-supply systems are fully utilized.  

Topics selected for the assessment of water quality in the New England Crystalline-Rock Aquifers:

  • Lithochemical framework of the New England Crystalline-Rock Aquifers describes major geologic and geochemical features related to the bedrock geologic setting of the aquifer
  • Major ions and redox conditions may control the fate and transport of common contaminants of concern for the New England Crystalline Aquifer system in the context of the lithogeochemical framework
  • Uranium and radon in ground water—how geology affects concentrations (SIR 2007-5037)

Featured Publications
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  • The occurrence of uranium and radon can be largely anticipated in certain geologic settings (SIR 2007-5037)

General Information

Detailed information on the hydrogeology of the New England Crystalline-Rock Aquifers can be accessed through the USGS Ground Water Atlas of the United States

For more information, contact:
Kelly Warner, Hydrologist

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Page Last Modified: 10:26:19 Wed 27 Aug 2008