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Geohydrologic setting of and seepage from a water-supply canal, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

January 1, 1979

The Indianapolis Water Company Canal is underlain by alluvial and outwash deposits. The water level in the canal on July 21, 1978, was above the water table along the entire reach of the canal upstream from the Fall Creek aqueduct, and, therefore, water was seeping downward from the canal into these deposits along this entire reach. Because of the highly variable lithology of the deposits underlying the canal, the seepage rate was probably also highly variable. Discharge measurements were made at selected points along the canal, and differences between successive measurements were calculated to determine the rate of water loss. The differences were smaller than the potential error in any of the measurements, however, and thus do not directly substantiate that water is being lost. The rate of water loss over the Fall Creek aqueduct by the skimming process could be as high as 43 cubic feet per second, assuming a 5% potential error for discharge measurements made at both ends of the aqueduct. Lower stages and water temperatures would decrease the rate of water loss. Observed ground-water levels were above the canal bottom at three locations along the canal. Lowering these levels below the bottom would increase seepage by approximately 9 cubic feet per second.

Publication Year 1979
Title Geohydrologic setting of and seepage from a water-supply canal, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
DOI 10.3133/wri79115
Authors William R. Meyer
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series Number 79-115
Index ID wri79115
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Indiana Water Science Center