Clarke County Aquifer Appraisal
The objective of this study was to better characterize the aquifer systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and provide relevant hydrogeologic information that could be used to guide the ongoing development and management of these water resources in Clarke County.
Current Water Conditions for Clarke County
Water managers depend on timely and up-to-date data. View all of the currently-active surface water and groundwater monitoring stations in Clarke County, Virginia through the USGS National Water Dashboard.
Download Water Quality Data for Clarke County
All water quality sampling data for Clarke County is available through the Water Quality Portal.
Problem
The Northern Shenandoah Valley is underlain by karst and fractured-rock aquifers that are increasingly being relied upon to supply water to local communities and individual residences. This is an area with an expanding economy and a growing population. To meet future water needs, these aquifers are likely to be developed to supplement current withdrawals.
The prolonged droughts focused attention in Clarke County, Virginia, specifically on the quantity and sustainability of the ground-water resources. An improved understanding of these complex aquifer systems was required to effectively develop and manage them as sustainable water supplies. In order to assess current and future hydrologic conditions within the County, a long-term monitoring network was implemented.
The study area encompassed both the carbonate and non-carbonate rocks in Clarke County, Va.
Findings
The objective of this study was to better characterize the aquifer systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and provide relevant hydrogeologic information that can be used to guide the development and management of these water resources in Clarke County. Findings of this study can be found in the USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5112: Hydrogeology and Groundwater Availability in Clarke County, Virginia. This publication can be read below:
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Hydrogeology and groundwater availability in Clarke County, Virginia
The prolonged drought between 1999 and 2002 drew attention in Clarke County, Virginia, to the quantity and sustainability of its groundwater resources. The groundwater flow systems of the county are complex and are controlled by the extremely folded and faulted geology that underlies the county. A study was conducted between October 2002 and October 2008 by the U.S. Geological Survey, in...
Other relevant publications can be found on the publications tab.
Relevance and Benefits
This study provided hydrogeologic information and data on the aquifer systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to our partners and the public. Water-resources information from this study will be used by multiple parties for planning and operational purposes. Additionally, this study, in conjunction with the on-going studies in Frederick and Warren Counties, Virginia, will be the foundation for a future regional assessment of the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Approach
This study was be conducted as a long-term appraisal of the Northern Shenandoah Valley aquifer systems in Clarke County with two major components: long-term monitoring and hydrogeologic assessment.
The first component consisted of the design and implementation of a long-term network to monitor ground-water levels, streamflow, and spring discharge. The second component consisted of a hydrogeologic assessment of the water resources in the County. Six major work elements were included in the assessment:
- Hydrogeologic Framework
- Ground-Water Flow System
- Water Budget
- Water Quality (including aquifer susceptibility)
- Geographic Information System Coverages
- Information Assessment.
For more information, please consult the methods section of USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5112: Hydrogeology and Groundwater Availability in Clarke County, Virginia.
Estimating Recharge to Heterogeneous Fractured-Rock and Karst Aquifer Systems in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and West Virginia
This poster was presented at the U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 27-29, 2008
Impact of 1998-2002 drought on the karst aquifers of Clarke County in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
This poster was presented at the U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 27-29, 2008
The objective of this study was to better characterize the aquifer systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and provide relevant hydrogeologic information that could be used to guide the ongoing development and management of these water resources in Clarke County.
Current Water Conditions for Clarke County
Water managers depend on timely and up-to-date data. View all of the currently-active surface water and groundwater monitoring stations in Clarke County, Virginia through the USGS National Water Dashboard.
Download Water Quality Data for Clarke County
All water quality sampling data for Clarke County is available through the Water Quality Portal.
Problem
The Northern Shenandoah Valley is underlain by karst and fractured-rock aquifers that are increasingly being relied upon to supply water to local communities and individual residences. This is an area with an expanding economy and a growing population. To meet future water needs, these aquifers are likely to be developed to supplement current withdrawals.
The prolonged droughts focused attention in Clarke County, Virginia, specifically on the quantity and sustainability of the ground-water resources. An improved understanding of these complex aquifer systems was required to effectively develop and manage them as sustainable water supplies. In order to assess current and future hydrologic conditions within the County, a long-term monitoring network was implemented.
The study area encompassed both the carbonate and non-carbonate rocks in Clarke County, Va.
Findings
The objective of this study was to better characterize the aquifer systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and provide relevant hydrogeologic information that can be used to guide the development and management of these water resources in Clarke County. Findings of this study can be found in the USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5112: Hydrogeology and Groundwater Availability in Clarke County, Virginia. This publication can be read below:
-
Hydrogeology and groundwater availability in Clarke County, Virginia
The prolonged drought between 1999 and 2002 drew attention in Clarke County, Virginia, to the quantity and sustainability of its groundwater resources. The groundwater flow systems of the county are complex and are controlled by the extremely folded and faulted geology that underlies the county. A study was conducted between October 2002 and October 2008 by the U.S. Geological Survey, in...
Other relevant publications can be found on the publications tab.
Relevance and Benefits
This study provided hydrogeologic information and data on the aquifer systems in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to our partners and the public. Water-resources information from this study will be used by multiple parties for planning and operational purposes. Additionally, this study, in conjunction with the on-going studies in Frederick and Warren Counties, Virginia, will be the foundation for a future regional assessment of the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Approach
This study was be conducted as a long-term appraisal of the Northern Shenandoah Valley aquifer systems in Clarke County with two major components: long-term monitoring and hydrogeologic assessment.
The first component consisted of the design and implementation of a long-term network to monitor ground-water levels, streamflow, and spring discharge. The second component consisted of a hydrogeologic assessment of the water resources in the County. Six major work elements were included in the assessment:
- Hydrogeologic Framework
- Ground-Water Flow System
- Water Budget
- Water Quality (including aquifer susceptibility)
- Geographic Information System Coverages
- Information Assessment.
For more information, please consult the methods section of USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5112: Hydrogeology and Groundwater Availability in Clarke County, Virginia.
Estimating Recharge to Heterogeneous Fractured-Rock and Karst Aquifer Systems in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and West Virginia
This poster was presented at the U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 27-29, 2008
Impact of 1998-2002 drought on the karst aquifers of Clarke County in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
This poster was presented at the U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 27-29, 2008