Exercise:Exercise: Water Wells & Water Wells &

LithologyLithologyBrought to you by Core Kids, Brought to you by Core Kids, WMU-MGRRE Geosciences K-WMU-MGRRE Geosciences K-

12 Outreach Program 12 Outreach Program

Exercise created by Niah Venable, Amanda Walega and Exercise created by Niah Venable, Amanda Walega and

Susan Grammer with web content by Niah VenableSusan Grammer with web content by Niah Venable

A special thanks toA special thanks to

88thth grade teacher Becky Dalecki, Portage North Middle School and to the grade teacher Becky Dalecki, Portage North Middle School and to the

88thth grade science teachers and students at Mattawan Middle School. grade science teachers and students at Mattawan Middle School.

With generous support from:

This exercise can be This exercise can be adapted for:adapted for:

High school studentsHigh school students wishing to do an wishing to do an independent project using real data from independent project using real data from their local area.their local area.

Middle school studentsMiddle school students whose teachers can whose teachers can lead them through accessing data and lead them through accessing data and constructing stratigraphic columns as a class constructing stratigraphic columns as a class according to the instructions on this website.according to the instructions on this website.

Later elementary studentsLater elementary students who can use this who can use this exercise to visualize what is underground in exercise to visualize what is underground in their area.their area.

1. Choose an area of interest (e.g. Charlotte, 1. Choose an area of interest (e.g. Charlotte, MI)MI)

2. Find the corresponding topographic map2. Find the corresponding topographic map3. Find water well data from the area of 3. Find water well data from the area of

interestinterest4. Interpret water well driller’s logs4. Interpret water well driller’s logs5. Create lithologic columns5. Create lithologic columns6. Calculate the Well Elevation6. Calculate the Well Elevation7. Create stratigraphic columns7. Create stratigraphic columns8. Create cross-sections for comparison8. Create cross-sections for comparison

Exercise StepsExercise Steps

1. Pick an Area of 1. Pick an Area of InterestInterest

For this example we will look at water For this example we will look at water wells around Charlotte, MI.wells around Charlotte, MI.

Charlotte is located in Eaton County.Charlotte is located in Eaton County. First we need to get a topographic map First we need to get a topographic map

of the area near Charlotte. This map of the area near Charlotte. This map will give us political and landform will give us political and landform information such as section numbers information such as section numbers and elevation contours for use in this and elevation contours for use in this project.project.

2. Find a Topo Map2. Find a Topo Map Browse to the State of Browse to the State of

Michigan, Department of Michigan, Department of Natural Resources homepage: Natural Resources homepage: www.michigan.gov/dnr

From there browse to From there browse to Publications and Maps, then Publications and Maps, then Online Maps. Go to Online Maps. Go to Topographic Quadrangles by Topographic Quadrangles by Location.Location.

Use the dropdown list to find Use the dropdown list to find the county, in this case it is the county, in this case it is Eaton. A quick link to this Eaton. A quick link to this page is: page is: www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10371_14793-31264--,00.html

Click Download. Click Download.

2. Find a Topo Map cont.2. Find a Topo Map cont.

The next screen The next screen shows a green and shows a green and yellow version of a yellow version of a political map with the political map with the locations of cities and locations of cities and towns with a blue grid towns with a blue grid overlay of the overlay of the quadrangle names. quadrangle names.

Click on the quad Click on the quad labeled “Charlotte” in labeled “Charlotte” in Eaton and Carmel Eaton and Carmel townships.townships.

A pdf of the A pdf of the Charlotte Charlotte quadrangle will quadrangle will open in Adobe open in Adobe Acrobat. We can Acrobat. We can save this and use save this and use as-is or copy and as-is or copy and zoom to a zoom to a portion of the portion of the map using MS map using MS Word or image Word or image handling handling software.software.

2. Find a Topo Map cont.2. Find a Topo Map cont.

3. Find Water Well Data3. Find Water Well Data Browse to the State of Browse to the State of

Michigan, Department Michigan, Department of Environmental of Environmental Quality homepage: Quality homepage: www.michigan.gov/deq

From there click Water, From there click Water, then browse to Drinking then browse to Drinking Water, to Water Well Water, to Water Well Construction, then click Construction, then click on Scanned Water Well on Scanned Water Well Record Retrieval Record Retrieval System.System.

A quick link to this page A quick link to this page is: is: www.deq.state.mi.us/well-logs/

3. Find Water Well Data 3. Find Water Well Data cont.cont.

The information used to The information used to find the topo and the map find the topo and the map itself provide the county, itself provide the county, township and section data township and section data we need to search the we need to search the well retrieval database.well retrieval database.

We are interested in We are interested in Eaton County so two Eaton County so two searches need to be done searches need to be done by township, one for by township, one for Eaton in sections 6, 18 Eaton in sections 6, 18 and 19; and one for and 19; and one for Carmel in sections 12, 13, Carmel in sections 12, 13, and 24. We will omit and 24. We will omit section 7 of Eaton section 7 of Eaton township, due to an township, due to an absence of usable logs.absence of usable logs.

After selecting the After selecting the county, township(s) and county, township(s) and section(s) of interest, we section(s) of interest, we will be able to review a will be able to review a pdf file containing the pdf file containing the scanned images of scanned images of driller’s reports from driller’s reports from each area. each area.

The pdf driller’s reports The pdf driller’s reports or logs will look like this. or logs will look like this. The number of logs The number of logs available for each available for each section varies.section varies.

3. Find Water Well Data 3. Find Water Well Data cont.cont.

4. Interpreting Driller’s 4. Interpreting Driller’s LogsLogs

The driller’s log The driller’s log header contains well header contains well location information location information and often a hand-and often a hand-drawn map with drawn map with street names, which street names, which may prove useful if may prove useful if the quarter-quarter the quarter-quarter location information location information is not recorded, or is not recorded, or recorded incorrectly.recorded incorrectly.

4. Interpreting Driller’s 4. Interpreting Driller’s Logs cont.Logs cont.

The driller’s log The driller’s log lithology information lithology information is listed by type of is listed by type of material, thickness of material, thickness of each unit, and total each unit, and total depth. The formation depth. The formation descriptions are more descriptions are more likely to be generic likely to be generic than scientific. than scientific.

The total drilled depth The total drilled depth of this well is 100 feet of this well is 100 feet below the surface.below the surface.

Other information Other information provided by the provided by the driller’s log is the driller’s log is the owner of the well, the owner of the well, the depth, the completion depth, the completion date and how the well date and how the well was completed. was completed.

It will also list possible It will also list possible sources of sources of contamination, pump contamination, pump type, and who drilled type, and who drilled the well. the well.

The static water level is The static water level is equal to the depth to equal to the depth to the water table, in this the water table, in this case it was case it was encountered 36 feet encountered 36 feet below the surface.below the surface.

4. Interpreting Driller’s 4. Interpreting Driller’s Logs cont.Logs cont.

Lithologic or Lithologic or stratigraphic columns stratigraphic columns can be created from can be created from driller’s logs using driller’s logs using the formation the formation descriptions provided descriptions provided by the driller and the by the driller and the depths to and the depths to and the thicknesses of each thicknesses of each unit.unit.

5. Creating Lithologic 5. Creating Lithologic ColumnsColumns

From 0-12 feet below the From 0-12 feet below the surface the driller surface the driller encountered clay.encountered clay.

From 12 to 16 feet below the From 12 to 16 feet below the surface they found sand.surface they found sand.

From 16 to 54 feet below the From 16 to 54 feet below the surface they found clay.surface they found clay.

From 54 to 60 feet below was From 54 to 60 feet below was gravel.gravel.

From 60 to 100 feet below the From 60 to 100 feet below the surface they found surface they found “sandrock”, most likely the “sandrock”, most likely the sandstones of the Saginaw sandstones of the Saginaw Aquifer.Aquifer.

5. Creating Lithologic 5. Creating Lithologic Columns cont.Columns cont.

A basic form created A basic form created in Excel is useful for in Excel is useful for plotting lithogy and plotting lithogy and other well information other well information for viewing as a for viewing as a lithologic or lithologic or stratigraphic column.stratigraphic column.

The lithologic key can The lithologic key can be modified depending be modified depending on the type of earth on the type of earth material encountered material encountered in the wells.in the wells.

5. Creating Lithologic 5. Creating Lithologic Columns cont.Columns cont.

Using the driller’s Using the driller’s log depths below the log depths below the surface as a guide, surface as a guide, we plot the lithologic we plot the lithologic types on the column types on the column with the lithologic with the lithologic key patterns and key patterns and colors as fill.colors as fill.

Next, we mark the Next, we mark the water level on the water level on the column using the column using the symbol from the key.symbol from the key.

Hammond

To calculate the well To calculate the well elevation values in feet elevation values in feet above sea level and to above sea level and to convert the lithogic column convert the lithogic column to a stratigraphic column, to a stratigraphic column, we must first determine the we must first determine the well surface elevation.well surface elevation.

This is done using a This is done using a topographic map since most topographic map since most of the driller’s reports do of the driller’s reports do not provide well elevations.not provide well elevations.

6. Calculate the Well 6. Calculate the Well ElevationElevation

Using the topo map of Using the topo map of Charlotte and the location Charlotte and the location information provided in the information provided in the driller’s report we find that driller’s report we find that the example well is located the example well is located here.here.

Contour lines in this area Contour lines in this area range between 910 feet and range between 910 feet and 920 feet above sea level. 920 feet above sea level. Interpolating the location Interpolating the location between the two contours between the two contours gives us a value of 918 feet gives us a value of 918 feet above sea level.above sea level.

6. Calculate the Well 6. Calculate the Well Elevation cont.Elevation cont.

6. Calculate the Well 6. Calculate the Well Elevation cont.Elevation cont.

We record the well We record the well elevation in the blank elevation in the blank to the right. And then to the right. And then place the value on the place the value on the top line of the scale on top line of the scale on the right side of the the right side of the lithology column.lithology column.

Next we subtract the Next we subtract the depths in ten foot depths in ten foot increments from the increments from the elevation value until the elevation value until the bottom of the well is bottom of the well is reached.reached.

7. Create Multiple Strat 7. Create Multiple Strat ColumnsColumns

To compare the hydrogeology from several To compare the hydrogeology from several wells around the Charlotte area we must wells around the Charlotte area we must create more stratigraphic columns.create more stratigraphic columns.

Repeat steps 3 through 6 to create these Repeat steps 3 through 6 to create these columns.columns.

For this example we will use driller’s logs For this example we will use driller’s logs from Eaton township, sections 18 and 19, and from Eaton township, sections 18 and 19, and Carmel township, sections 12, 13, and 24.Carmel township, sections 12, 13, and 24.

We will mark the locations of all the wells on We will mark the locations of all the wells on the topo map for reference.the topo map for reference.

All of the wells are now All of the wells are now marked on the marked on the topographic map for topographic map for reference.reference.

Well elevation values Well elevation values have been picked from have been picked from the map and used to the map and used to convert the lithologic convert the lithologic columns to stratigraphic columns to stratigraphic columns.columns.

7. Multiple Strat 7. Multiple Strat Columns cont.Columns cont.

Mishler

Hammond

City

Burt

Archer

Porter

7. Multiple Strat 7. Multiple Strat Columns cont.Columns cont.

Once the stratigraphic Once the stratigraphic columns are created, a columns are created, a depth datum is picked.depth datum is picked.

The depth datum is The depth datum is used to compare the used to compare the lithology and water lithology and water levels in all wells at levels in all wells at corresponding depths. corresponding depths.

Well Name and Elevation Well Name and Elevation Range:Range:Hammond: 918-818 ft.Hammond: 918-818 ft.

Burt: 890-790 ft.Burt: 890-790 ft.

City: 912-872 ft.City: 912-872 ft.

Archer: 895-775 ft.Archer: 895-775 ft.

Porter: 900-800 ft.Porter: 900-800 ft.

Mischler: 945-835 ft.Mischler: 945-835 ft. The depth datum The depth datum

should be 880 feet should be 880 feet above sea level since above sea level since all wells intersect that all wells intersect that depth.depth.

8. Cross-Section Creation8. Cross-Section Creation The geographic The geographic

area covered by area covered by the wells can be the wells can be divided into two divided into two cross-sectional cross-sectional lines running lines running approximately approximately North to SouthNorth to South

They are labeled A They are labeled A to A’ and B to B’.to A’ and B to B’.

A

A’

B’

B

8. Cross–Section 8. Cross–Section Creation cont.Creation cont. The wells in each cross-section can be compared The wells in each cross-section can be compared

by lining them up on the datum value. by lining them up on the datum value.

880 ft.

~ 1.5 mi.

~ 1 mi.

A A’

8. Cross–Section 8. Cross–Section Creation cont.Creation cont. It is important to remember the distances It is important to remember the distances

between wells when making cross-sectional between wells when making cross-sectional comparisons. comparisons.

880 ft.

~ 1.75 mi. ~ 2 mi.

B B’

9. Interpretation9. Interpretation The cross-sections combined with the well The cross-sections combined with the well

locations on the topo map give a spatial locations on the topo map give a spatial comparison of the earth materials comparison of the earth materials encountered at depth and how those encountered at depth and how those materials vary over a distance between materials vary over a distance between wells.wells.

The wells are about 1 to 2 miles apart and The wells are about 1 to 2 miles apart and the relief between the highest and lowest the relief between the highest and lowest wells is 55 feet. Static water levels range wells is 55 feet. Static water levels range between a max elevation just under 900 ft. between a max elevation just under 900 ft. to just over 875 ft. to just over 875 ft.

9. Interpretation cont.9. Interpretation cont.

The glacial sediments found above The glacial sediments found above the sandstone and shale bedrock in the sandstone and shale bedrock in this area show variation in type and this area show variation in type and thickness from well to well, which is thickness from well to well, which is typical of these kinds of materials.typical of these kinds of materials.

Generally though, the glacial deposits Generally though, the glacial deposits in the A-A’ wells consist of clay and in the A-A’ wells consist of clay and gravels, while the deposits in the B-B’ gravels, while the deposits in the B-B’ wells are mainly sand and clay.wells are mainly sand and clay.

9. Interpretation cont.9. Interpretation cont. The Charlotte wells show no The Charlotte wells show no

significant variation in static water significant variation in static water levels. Dramatic variations in static levels. Dramatic variations in static water levels could be due to draw water levels could be due to draw down effects in heavy-use areas. down effects in heavy-use areas.

The sandstone and shale bedrock The sandstone and shale bedrock elevations vary by 60 ft for all wells, elevations vary by 60 ft for all wells, but for each cross section, the but for each cross section, the variation is between 25-45 feet.variation is between 25-45 feet.

10. Summary10. Summary Topographic maps and water well Topographic maps and water well

driller’s logs can be used to examine driller’s logs can be used to examine the near-surface geology of Michigan. the near-surface geology of Michigan.

The driller’s logs are also useful for The driller’s logs are also useful for determining depth to the water table, determining depth to the water table, potential nearby contamination hazards, potential nearby contamination hazards, and other information.and other information.

The data needed for these exercises is The data needed for these exercises is readily available on the internet from readily available on the internet from State of Michigan sources. State of Michigan sources.