Saltwater Intrusion
Saltwater Intrusion
Anywhere where coastal freshwater aquifers meet the ocean, there is the potential for saltwater intrusion. The groundwater resources in areas like coastal Virginia are vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. Salty groundwater is less useful for irrigation and drinking water. Browse the studies below to learn more about how USGS scientists are studying saltwater intrusion.
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Virginia Chloride Monitoring Network
Objectives of the program are to (1) evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of chloride concentrations in the aquifers, (2) evaluate the factors that affect the spatial and temporal distributions of chloride, and (3) assess the potential for upcoming or lateral intrusion of saline water in the aquifers.
Virginia Beach Shallow Groundwater Resources
The purpose of the Virginia Beach shallow aquifer study is to better understand the distribution of fresh groundwater, its susceptibility to contamination, and its sustainability as a long-term water supply. Virginia Beach is a growing city in southeastern Virginia with a limited supply of fresh water. Most of the city’s drinking water, up to 45 million gallons per day, comes from Lake Gaston. The...