Ground-Water Quality in Mountainous Areas

Map and Data for This Study

• Objectives:
  Provide a broad overview of the quality of ground water in the forested urbanized crystalline bedrock aquifer in the mountainous areas of the basin.
  
  Relate observed ground-water quality to overlying land use.
• Approach:
Sampled 27 domestic wells (greater than 400 feet) randomly distributed throughout the crystalline bedrock aquifer in mountainous areas.
• Timing:


March through May 1995
• Targeted Physical and Chemical Data:


Physical parameters, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dissolved organic compounds (DOC) and dissolved gasses.
• Selected Results:
Ground-water quality in the forested mountain areas generally was better than in other land-use areas studied in the basin. However, the potential for degraded ground water may increase as mountain communities grow.

Median radon concentrations were higher in ground water from the crystalline aquifer in the forested mountain areas than in the plains. High concentrations of radon in the basin were directly related to local geology.

VOCs, derived from gasoline and cleaning solvents, were detected in ground water in forested mountain areas. Ground water in crystalline bedrock may be susceptible to contamination from surface sources.