DGS reports on hydrogeology of southern New Castle County

The Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) at the University of Delaware has released a new technical report on the hydrogeology of southern New Castle County that documents results of an intensive review and analysis of published information and existing geologic and hydrologic data obtained from DGS borehole records and sample library.

The results are presented in illustrative cross sections, structure contour and thickness maps of geologic and aquifer units, and tables of interpreted hydrologic data.

The report, "Hydrogeologic Framework of Southern New Castle County," was authored by Bailey Dugan, Mark Neimeister and A. Scott Andres, all of DGS, and provides a hydrogeologic framework for future evaluation of water resources in the shallow aquifer systems in this rapidly developing part of Delaware.

The report, also known as DGS Open File Report No. 49, provides information that will be useful in guiding anticipated growth and economic development and developing and protecting water resources. It also identifies specific types of information necessary to complete professional, state of the practice assessments of water availability and impacts of water use and waste water on aquifers and streams.

The report also concluded that geologic and hydrologic information are sparse for the deeper aquifer systems and identified the need for additional test drilling and geophysical logging.

Ground water provides nearly all fresh water for public, domestic, commercial, irrigation and industrial uses in Delaware south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and about 25 percent north of the canal.

The report is part of the Delaware Geological Survey's ongoing mission to understand hydrologic systems and to advise, inform and educate Delawareans about the results of such investigations for use in such areas as water resources, agriculture, public health, economic development, land-use planning, geologic hazards, environmental protection, energy and mineral resources, emergency management and recreation.

Open File Report No. 49 is available in PDF format.

For questions and information, contact DGS at
delgeosurvey@udel.edu, 302-831-2833