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Groundwater Quality and Groundwater Levels in Dougherty County, Georgia, April 2020 Through January 2023

Open-File Report 2024-1060
Prepared in cooperation with Albany Utilities
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20241060

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Abstract

The Upper Floridan aquifer is the uppermost reliable groundwater source in southwest Georgia. The aquifer lies on top of the Claiborne, Clayton, and Cretaceous aquifers, all of which exhibited water-level declines in the 1960s and 1970s. The U.S. Geological Survey has been working cooperatively with Albany Utilities to monitor groundwater quality and availability in these aquifers since 1977.

Flow direction in the Upper Floridan aquifer is to the south and toward the Flint River. During the past 3 years, water levels varied above and below period-of-record median values. Water levels in the Upper Floridan aquifer were primarily above or at median levels during 2020 and 2021 and at or below median levels during 2022. Water levels in the Claiborne aquifer were above median levels, whereas water levels in the Clayton aquifer were at or below median levels, and in the Cretaceous aquifer system were close to median levels.

During January 2021, eight wells were sampled for major ions, including nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen (N). Nitrate plus nitrite as N concentrations ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 milligrams per liter (mg/L). During December 2021, seven wells were sampled for major ions, including nitrate plus nitrite as N. Nitrate plus nitrite as N concentrations ranged from 3.9 to 9.9 mg/L. During November 2022, eight wells were sampled for major ions, including nitrate plus nitrite as N. Nitrate plus nitrite as N concentrations ranged from 3.9 to 10.0 mg/L. Two wells were also sampled for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances during November 2022.

Suggested Citation

Gordon, D.W., 2024, Groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Dougherty County, Georgia, April 2020 through January 2023: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2024–1060, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20241060.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Groundwater Levels
  • Groundwater Quality
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Dougherty County, Georgia, April 2020 through January 2023
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2024-1060
DOI 10.3133/ofr20241060
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 14 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Georgia
County Dougherty County
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details