MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

B244
USGS - Hydrogeology and Quality of Groundwater in Highlands
County
Critical Project Milestones Projected Amended Actual
Complete Research Existing Data and Information 10/1/07 3/1/08 2/12/08
Complete Hydrogeologic Mapping 4/1/08 2/12/08
Complete Water Quality Sampling and Analysis 10/1/08 10/1/08
Submit Report for Final Approval 10/1/09
Status As Of: August 28, 2009
More than 200 geologists' and geophysical logs were compiled to date for Highlands and adjacent counties. These data
were used to construct more highly-resolved maps depicting the thickness of the surficial aquifer; top and thickness of
the intermediate confining unit/intermediate aquifer system; and the top of the Upper Floridan aquifer in Highlands
County. The source of the logs has been primarily from the files of the FGS, USGS, SFWMD, and SWFWMD. There are
several areas of the county that contain little or no geologic data, which delayed completion of researching existing data.
To help fill the voids, about 180 drillers' logs were obtained from the SFWMD. After careful review, about 40 of the most
reliable logs were used to improve the hydrogeologic maps. Water quality sampling of wells in Highlands County began
on September 28, 2007, and 52 wells were sampled for the major cations and anions and nutrients. Eight of the wells
sampled tapped the surficial aquifer, 14 tapped the intermediate confining unit/intermediate aquifer system, and 30 wells
tapped the Upper Floridan aquifer system. Groundwater quality maps were constructed for Highlands County with the 52
wells sampled by the USGS and 82 other wells sampled by SWFWMD, SFWMD, FDEP, and Highlands County. The
maps show the areal variability of specific conductance, chloride sulfate, hardness, and nitrate in the surficial,
intermediate, and Upper Floridan aquifers.
In August 2009, the first draft of the report was submitted to the USGS supervisor and the reports specialist in Ft.
Lauderdale for review. The report currently includes 49 figures, four tables, and two appendices. After internal USGS
comments are addressed, the draft report will be submitted for District review in September.
020 - Peace River Basin 119