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An appraisal of groundwater for irrigation in the Appleton area, west-central Minnesota

Open-File Report 75-32
Prepared in cooperation with the WesMin Resource Conservation and Development Project Committee and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Waters, Soils and Minerals
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr7532

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Abstract

Supplemental irrigation of well-drained sandy soils has prompted an evaluation of ground water in the Appleton area. Glacial drift aquifers are the largest source of ground water. The surficial outwash sand and gravel is the most readily available and a really extensive drift aquifer and underlies much of the sandy soil area. Saturated thickness of the outwash is more than 80 feet (24 metres) in places and potential well yields may exceed 1,200 gallons per minute (76 litres per second) in some areas. In about 17 percent of the area, yields of more than 300 gallons per minute (19 litres per second) are obtainable.

Recharge to the outwash aquifer occurs primarily during the spring thaw and averages about 5 inches (12.7 centimetres) annually. Most discharge from the aquifer appears as base flow in the Pomme de Terre River. Despite dissolved-solids concentrations ranging from 280 to 1,350 milligrams per litre the water is chemically suitable for irrigation.


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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title An appraisal of groundwater for irrigation in the Appleton area, west-central Minnesota
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 75-32
DOI 10.3133/ofr7532
Year Published 1975
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 84 p.; 9 Figures: 15.04 x 17.27 inches or smaller
Country United States
State Minnesota
City Appleton
Other Geospatial west-central Minnesota
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