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Ground-water resources of Griggs and Steele Counties, North Dakota

Bulletin 64-3
Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North Dakota Geological Survey, North Dakota State Water Commission, Griggs County Water Management District and the Steele County Water Management District; This report was also published as North Dakota County Ground-Water Studies 21-3
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Abstract

Griggs and Steele Counties, in east-central North Dakota, are underlain by bedrock of Ordovician, Jurassic, and Cretaceous ages. The Fall River and Lakota Formations of Cretaceous age form the Dakota aquifer. The fractured upper part of the Pierre Formation (shale), also of Cretaceous age, forms another bedrock aquifer. The Dakota aquifer, which consists mainly of interbedded shale and sandstone units, may yield as much as 500 gallons per minute (32 liters per second) of sodium sulfate water to wells at selected locations. The Pierre aquifer yields from 1 to 10 gallons per minute (0.06 to 0.63 liters per second) of sodium bicarbonate or sodium sulfate water to wells. Four major glacial-drift aquifers are present in the study area. The Spiritwood aquifer system may supply as much as 1,500 gallons per minute (95 liters per second) of water to wells. Water samples contained dissolved-solids concentrations ranging from 244 to 9,800 milligrams per liter. The Galesburg aquifer will yield as much as 1,000 gallons per minute (63 liters per second) of water to wells. Water samples contained dissolved-solids concentrations ranging from 317 to 2,170 milligrams per liter. The McVille aquifer will yield as much as 500 gallons per minute (32 liters per second) to wells. Water samples contained dissolved-solids concentrations ranging from 449 to 2,200 milligrams per liter. The Elk Valley aquifer could yield 30 gallons per minute (2 liters per second) to wells. Water samples contained dissolved-solids concentrations ranging from 397 to 2,890 milligrams per liter. Six communities in the project area use ground-water supplies. Rural water districts are being developed in the two-county area that will provide dependable ground-water supplies for many farms and small municipalities. The Spiritwood aquifer system and the McVille and Galesburg aquifers are capable of supplying the water needs of these districts and could also provide water for irrigation.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Other Government Series
Title Ground-water resources of Griggs and Steele Counties, North Dakota
Series title Bulletin
Series number 64-3
Year Published 1977
Language English
Publisher North Dakota Geological Survey
Publisher location Grand Forks, ND
Contributing office(s) North Dakota Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center
Description iii, 33 p.; Maps: 2 Sheets: 31 x 20 inches
Country United States
State North Dakota
County Griggs County, Steele County
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