Ohio State University Extension

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Water Resources of Madison County

AEX-480.49

Michael J. Estadt
Karen T. Ricker
Larry C. Brown

Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Madison County. The county's population of 38,952 (1992 Ohio Department of Development estimate) is predominantly rural, and 100 percent of the households rely on ground water for their water supply. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Madison County's water resources, and is intended to help increase public awareness and understanding about this vital resource. By understanding where water is obtained and how it is used in the county, residents can gain a better appreciation for their water supply. Water resources terminology used in this publication is included in Surface and Ground Water Terminology, Fact Sheet AEX 460, which provides a listing of generally accepted water resource definitions. Ohio State University Extension publications are available through all Ohio county Extension offices.

Precipitation

An average of approximately 38 inches of precipitation falls on Madison County annually. Figure 1 illustrates the average monthly precipitation for the county for the period 1961 to 1990. Based on this 30-year record, the average precipitation is 3.2 inches per month, with January (2.0 inches) typically being the driest month, and May (4.0 inches) the wettest. However, there can be extreme variations in some years and in certain months within a year. Such seasonal and yearly extremes may have serious consequences and are not always apparent from the long-term precipitation information.

Figure 1. Average monthly precipitation (in inches) in Madison County, Ohio (1961-1990); data collected at London.

Surface-Water Resources

Madison County surface water is drained by three major watersheds. The northern third of the county is drained by the Darby Creek Watershed. This system consists of the Big Darby Creek, Little Darby Creek, Spring Fork, Barrons Run, Worthington, Yutzy, and Fitzgerald Ditches and others. Portions of the Big and Little Darby Creeks have been designated as Federal Scenic rivers. These streams have also been declared as "Last Great Places" by The Nature Conservancy for their unique biological diversity, including several species of endangered fish and mollusks.

The Deer Creek Watershed, originating in western Madison County, drains about half the county. From its headwaters in Sommerford Township it flows through the central and southeastern parts of the county. Major streams in this watershed include Deer Creek, Oak Run, Walnut Run, and Bradford Creek. The southwestern part of Madison County is drained by Paint and Rattlesnake Creeks, Hertstein Ditch, and North Fork; all are part of the Paint Creek Watershed. A small portion (less than one percent) of the county drains to the Little Miami River. A generalized surface-water map of Madison County is given in Figure 2.

Surface waters are affected by soil type, geology, the topography of adjacent land, and the way people use the land. Land use, such as residential development and agricultural production, may increase the amount of sediment and other pollutants entering a body of water. The soils and terrain also influence the amount of runoff because of infiltration, percolation, and water holding characteristics. With some soils, rainfall is more likely to run off, while other soils allow water to infiltrate more readily.

The county contains approximately 296,320 land acres, of which 91 percent is farmland. Thirty-one soil types have been identified in the county and vary in drainage quality from very poorly drained to well drained. A large portion (42.6%) of the soils are Crosby-Lewisburg silt loams. Thirty-three percent of the county consists of Kokomo silt loam. The Lewisburg-Celina series comprises the third largest percentage (6.6%) of the county's soils. The Crosby and Kokomo soils are associated with nearly level, very poorly drained soils formed in glacial till. The Lewisburg-Celina series is associated with gently sloping to very steep, moderately well drained and well drained soils formed in glacial till.

The county water acreage consists of about 289 acres of lakes. Lake Choctaw and Madison Lake make up the majority of these acres. The county contains approximately 337 linear miles of major streams and rivers [estimated from river basin maps, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water]. In addition, 150 miles of county-maintained ditches and numerous miles of privately-maintained ditches are used for land drainage.

Figure 2. Surface-water resources in Madison County, Ohio (adapted from ODNR Division of Water river basin maps; illustration prepared by K. A. Weber).

Ground-Water Resources

Madison County's primary ground-water source is the carbonate bedrock aquifer of limestone and dolomite. Limestone is composed of calcium carbonate, while dolomite is composed of calcium-magnesium carbonate. Together they form a popular construction material that most Ohioans refer to as limestone. In most of the county, the carbonate bedrock aquifer is capable of yielding 100 to 500 gallons per minute (gpm) from depths less than 350 feet. Yields sufficient for domestic use are often obtained at depths less than 150 feet. In southwestern Madison County, this aquifer yields up to 100 gpm.

An unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifer in found in west-central Madison County. Yields of 100 to 500 gpm can be obtained from sand and gravel outwash deposits underlying flood plains, and from deposits in buried valleys. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Madison County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.49.

The yield of a well will vary considerably depending on the age and depth of the well, well construction, the diameter of the casing, pump capacity and age, and more importantly, properties of the geologic formation. Specific information on ground-water availability and wells can be obtained by contacting the ODNR Division of Water.

Where Does the Water Go?

Based on long-term statewide weather records, Ohio receives an average of 38 inches of precipitation per year. These 38 inches move through a complex path called the hydrologic cycle. Of these 38 inches, about 10 inches (26 percent) become runoff, which moves immediately to surface-water bodies such as streams and lakes. Two inches are retained at the ground surface and evaporate back into the atmosphere in a relatively short period of time. Twenty-six of the 38 total inches enter the soil surface through infiltration. Twenty of these 26 inches go into soil storage and later are returned to the atmosphere by the combination of evaporation and transpiration (evapotranspiration). The remaining 6 inches of precipitation (16 percent of the total) have the potential to recharge the ground-water supply. Two of these 6 inches eventually move to springs, lakes, or streams as ground-water discharge. The remaining 4 inches either return to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration or are withdrawn to supply water needs. For more information, please refer to Ohio's Hydrologic Cycle, AEX 461.

Statewide averages applied to the county's average annual precipitation provide a rough estimate of how many inches will result in runoff and how many inches have the potential to reach aquifers. Based on statewide averages of runoff and ground-water recharge, Madison County's 38 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 10 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 6 inches have the potential to recharge aquifers annually. Values for particular locations will differ according to local conditions.

Water Use

Water use for each of Madison County's public water supply systems is given in Table 1. For each water system, this table presents an estimate of the population served, water source, estimated daily usage and treatment plant capacity. The county's largest public water system is the City of London that uses four wells for its supply.

Ground water is the only water source for rural households in Madison County. Approximately 30 percent of all households obtain their water from private wells. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 877,575 gallons per day (gpd) from private wells are used. Additional private water uses include industry (270,000 gpd) and livestock use (394,660 gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining 70 percent of households use public water supplies, as identified in Table 1.

Some water users in Ohio must register their withdrawals with the ODNR Division of Water. Through the Water Withdrawal Facility Registration Program, owners of facilities capable of withdrawing 100,000 gpd (70 gpm) or more must register those facilities. Information collected through this program includes withdrawal capacity, ground- or surface-water sources, location and type of water use, and location of discharge points. The program is for registration only, and not for allocation or permission. Registered withdrawers file annual reports of their water use. This information helps planners at ODNR to determine the availability of water for projected needs and to better manage and protect Ohio's water resources. Documenting water use also provides official records for individual uses. For more information, contact the ODNR Division of Water.

Table 1. Water Use in Madison County, Ohio.1
Public Water System	Population Served	Primary Water Source	Water Usage (GPD)2	Treatment Plant Capacity (GPD)
London	8,239	Groundwater	750,000	1,500,000
London Corr. Inst.	5,789	Ground Water	869,000	1,000,000
West Jefferson	4,669	Ground Water	400,000	1,500,000
Plain City	2,363	Ground Water	220,000	432,000
Mount Sterling	1,745	Ground Water	240,000	900,000
Lake Choctaw	1,450	Ground Water	170,000	400,000
South Solon	379	Ground Water	60,000	122,400
Darby Crest Civic Assoc.	137	Ground Water	10,000	266,400
Other3	2,480	Ground Water	245,900	N/A
1 Estimates from Ohio EPA using adjusted 1994 data; information is based on data available at time of publication.
2 GPD = gallons per day.
3 Includes mobile home parks; treatment plant capacity figure not available.

Water Quality

Human activities and natural processes affect the quality of our water supplies. Throughout Ohio, human activities contribute to both point and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution is the introduction of impurities into water (ground water or surface water) from an identifiable, known location. Examples of point sources can include industrial factories, power plants, commercial businesses, and wastewater treatment facilities.

Nonpoint source pollution also involves the introduction of impurities into a surface-water body or an aquifer, except the route is usually non-direct and the sources are diffuse in nature. A major portion of the sediment, nutrients, acids and salts, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and pathogens enter the state's water resources through nonpoint source pollution, affecting both ground and surface water. Examples include automobile emissions, runoff from parking lots, and runoff and drainage from agricultural fields, feedlots, home lawns and gardens, residential development, construction, mining, and logging activities.

Natural processes such as precipitation also have an impact on surface water and, to a lesser extent, ground water. For example, rainfall that is acidic ("acid rain") may alter the quality of a stream, lake, or other water resource that receives the rainfall.

Ground Water

As water moves through the aquifers underlying Madison County, it dissolves the minerals contained in these formations and carries them in solution. Publication AEX-490.49 summarizes some of the county's natural ground-water quality aspects.

Human activities, such as agricultural production, domestic waste disposal, and lawn and turf care, may have some influence on the county's ground-water quality. In a 1987 study by Heidelberg College, 109 wells in the county were sampled for nitrate-nitrogen content, an indicator of water quality. Results showed that 100 wells (92 percent of total) contained nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the range of 0 to 0.3 parts-per-million (ppm). This range is assumed to represent natural background levels. Four wells (4 percent) tested in the range of 0.3 to 3.0 ppm, values that may or may not indicate human influence. The 4 wells (4 percent) that tested in the range of 3.0 to 10 ppm may indicate elevated concentrations resulting from human activities. Only 1 well (1 percent) tested at more than 10 ppm nitrate-nitrogen, which exceeds the safe drinking-water standard. The average nitrate-nitrogen concentration for the 109 wells tested was 0.38 ppm. The design, location, and condition of a well, combined with the characteristics of the soils and geologic formations in which the well is constructed, influence the potential for pollutants to enter the well. The Madison County Department of Health provides bacteriological water sampling for local citizens, and results of these tests generally indicate acceptable drinking water in the county.

Surface Water

Runoff and sediment from residential development, construction sites and agricultural lands may enter the county's streams and lakes. Also, runoff may carry other pollutants, such as lawn and agricultural chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers), effluent from septic systems, oil and gas from spills, and industrial wastes.

Through the State of Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment and the Water Resources Inventory, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has identified 13,000 stream miles in Ohio that have been affected by nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Based on the findings of the Assessment and Inventory, the Ohio Nonpoint Source Management Program has been implemented to help improve the quality of the state's waters.

Water quality monitoring indicates that all or parts of the following Madison County streams are affected by NPS pollution: Little Darby Creek (Treacle Creek to Big Darby Creek), Deer Creek (Oak Run to Sugar Run), Jones Ditch, and Sugar Creek. These streams are affected by one or more of the following NPS pollution categories: agriculture; crop production; livestock; pasture; urban; construction sites; surface runoff; on-site waste water treatment systems; and bridge construction. Other county streams are affected by point source pollution (municipal and/or industrial). Point source affected streams include Little Darby Creek (headwaters to Treacle Creek), Big Darby Creek (Sugar Run to Fitzgerald Ditch), Oak Run, and Children's Home Ditch. Madison County also contains streams that have good water quality and are attaining chemical and biological water quality standards. Monitoring has shown that all or parts of the following streams have good water quality: Big Darby (Fitzgerald Ditch to Little Darby Creek), Spring Fork, and Deer Creek (headwaters to Oak Run; Bradford/Sugar Creek to Deer Creek Reservoir). For specific information about the streams listed in the Assessment and Inventory documents, and details about the Nonpoint Source Management Program, contact the Ohio EPA Central District Office (3232 Alum Creek Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43207-3417). Information about nonpoint source pollution is also discussed in Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer, AEX 465, available from your county Extension office.

It is important to note that as of June 1995 less than half of Ohio's streams have been evaluated by the Assessment. As water quality monitoring continues statewide, the list of Madison County affected streams and streams with good water quality will change. Residents have a major responsibility to protect Madison County's water resources from pollutants that could affect the quality of the water supply.

Summary

Water availability and quality are important public concerns. Water problems can be both costly and inconvenient. While the present availability of water is good for Madison County, water is a precious resource that must be conserved and protected. We must all work together to maintain an adequate supply of good quality water.

This fact sheet provided information about the water resources in Madison County. For more information concerning water resources and drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Madison County office of Ohio State University Extension (217 Elm St., P.O. Box 230, London, OH 43140; 614-852-0975). In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Madison Soil and Water Conservation District; Madison County Health Department; ODNR Division of Water (Fountain Square, Columbus, OH 43224); U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio District (975 W. Third Ave., Columbus, OH 43212); Ohio EPA (P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049); and Ohio Department of Health (ODH; PO Box 118, Columbus, OH 43226).

Bibliography

1990 Census and 1992 Estimates of Ohio's Population: State, Counties, Cities, and Villages. 1994. Ohio Department of Development.

Doane's Agricultural Report. 1992. Farm Water Systems.

Estimated Water Use in Ohio, 1990, Public Supply Data. 1993. USGS. Open-File Report 93-72.

Gazetteer of Ohio Streams. 1960. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 12. ODNR Div. of Water.

Ground-Water Resources of Madison County. 1994. Michael Hallfrisch ODNR Div. of Water. (map).

Hydrologic Atlas for Ohio: Average Annual Precipitation, Temperature, Streamflow, and Water Loss for the 50-Year Period 1931-1980. 1991. L.J. Hartstine. Water Inventory Report No. 28. ODNR Div. of Water.

Inventory of Municipal Water-Supply Systems by County, Ohio. 1977. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 24. ODNR Div. of Water.

Inventory of Ohio's Lakes. 1980. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 26. ODNR Div. of Water.

Madison County, Ohio Soil Survey. 1979. USDA-NRCS.

Madison County Ground-Water Resources. 1995. M.J. Estadt, A.W. Jones, L.C. Brown and K.T. Ricker. AEX-490.49. Ohio State University Extension.

Madison Soil and Water Conservation District Resources Inventory. 1986. USDA-NRCS.

Monthly Station Normals of Temperature, Precipitation, and Heating and Cooling Degree Days, 1961-90, Ohio. 1992. Climatology of the United States, No. 81 (by state). NOAA.

Nitrate and Pesticides in Private Wells of Ohio: A State Atlas. 1989. Water Quality Laboratory, Heidelberg College.

Nitrate In Drinking Water. 1987. K.M. Mancl. Bulletin No. 744. Ohio State University Extension.

Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer. 1993. R. Leeds and L.C. Brown. AEX 465. Ohio State University Extension.

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Private Water Systems Handbook. 1987. MWPS-14. Midwest Plan Service, Ames, IA.

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Surface and Ground Water Terminology. 1990. L.C. Brown and L.P. Black. AEX 460. Ohio State University Extension.

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Acknowledgments

This publication was produced through the Ohio Water Resources Education Project, in cooperation with: ODNR Division of Water; Ohio EPA; USGS, Ohio District; and ODH. Project leaders are Larry C. Brown and Karen T. Ricker. Partial financial support for this publication was provided by these cooperating agencies and programs: Madison County office of OSU Extension; Overholt Drainage Education and Research Program; and the Ohio Management Systems Evaluation Area Project (USDA Extension Service Grant No. 90-EWQI-1-9018).

The project leaders express appreciation to the following reviewers: Michael Laughrey (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Madison County), A. Wayne Jones, David Cashell and Leonard Black (ODNR Division of Water); Scott Golden (Environmental Health, ODH); Steve Hindall (USGS, Ohio District); Anthony J. Kramer (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Office, Columbus); Jay Fleming (Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters); and Larry Antosch, Rich McClay, and Mark Wilson (Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water). A special thanks to Kim Wintringham, Associate Editor (Section of Communications and Technology, Ohio State University Extension), for editorial and graphic production.