Potential Water-Bearing Fractures
in New Hampshire Bedrock
Evaluated with Geophysical Methods
Finding high-yielding wells in fractured-bedrock
aquifers requires several tools, tests, and information to help
in the search. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, has released
a report describing the results of tests of several geophysical
survey methods to test these tools at several wells in southern
New Hampshire.
"Geophysical survey results can be used to
indicate the location and orientation of fracture zones, through
which ground water may flow in crystalline rock," said Jim
Degnan, Hydrogeologist and author of the report. Until now, few
studies have been published to document the effectiveness of geophysical
tools for investigating a fractured crystalline bedrock aquifer,
especially in the Northeast. The results of this USGS study show
that some of the tools could locate areas associated with bedrock
fractures at high-yielding well sites. These tools work best when
results are examined along with geologic information and other data
such as drillers' well records.
The study results are published in Water-Resources
Investigations Report 01-4183, titled "Geophysical investigations
of well fields to characterize fractured-bedrock aquifers in southern
New Hampshire," by James R. Degnan and others, and is available
for viewing at the USGS office in Pembroke, N.H. by contacting the
Outreach Coordinator at (603) 226-7837. A paper copy can be ordered
at cost by calling the toll-free number 1-888-ASK-USGS.
As the nation's largest water, earth and biological
science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation
with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide
reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers,
planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every
state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property
from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation, economic
and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and
enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy,
and mineral resources.
* * * USGS * * *
New Hampshire/Vermont District
U.S. Department of the Interior 361 Commerce Way
U.S. Geological Survey Pembroke, NH 03275
Contact:
General: Debra Foster
Phone: (603) 226-7837
Fax: (603) 226-7894
Email: dhfoster@usgs.gov
Technical: Jim Degnan
Phone: (603) 226-7826
Email: jrdegnan@usgs.gov
Editors Note:
In-depth information about USGS programs may be
found on the USGS home page: http://www.usgs.gov
or http://water.usgs.gov.
For information on New Hampshire programs, http://nh.water.usgs.gov