Water Resources of The Lake Traverse Reservation, South and North Dakota, and Roberts Co SD

U.S.
Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources of the Lake Traverse

Reservation, South and North Dakota,
and Roberts County, South Dakota
By Ryan F. Thompson
Water-Resources Investigation Report 01-4219
Prepared in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Geological Survey Program; Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe; and Roberts County
U.S. Department of the Interior
Gale A. Norton, Secretary

Charles G. Groat, Director
The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and
does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Rapid City, South Dakota: 2001
For additional information write to:

District Chief
1608 Mt. View Road
Rapid City, SD 57702
Copies of this report can be purchased from:
Information Services
Building 810
Box 25286, Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225-0286
CONTENTS
Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Purpose and Scope....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Methods of Investigation ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Physiography ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
Generalized Geology ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
Water Resources .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Precipitation................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Surface Water............................................................................................................................................................... 11
Drainage Basins................................................................................................................................................. 11
Streams .............................................................................................................................................................. 18
Lakes.................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Water Quality..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Ground Water............................................................................................................................................................... 26
Glacial Aquifers................................................................................................................................................. 26
Coteau Lakes Aquifer System ................................................................................................................. 26
Big Sioux Aquifer.................................................................................................................................... 28
Altamont Aquifer..................................................................................................................................... 33
Revillo Aquifer ........................................................................................................................................ 33
James Aquifer .......................................................................................................................................... 33
Veblen Aquifer System ............................................................................................................................ 33
Spiritwood Aquifer .................................................................................................................................. 38
Hankinson Aquifer .................................................................................................................................. 42
Rosholt Aquifer ....................................................................................................................................... 42
Milnor Channel Aquifer .......................................................................................................................... 46
Fairmount Aquifer ................................................................................................................................... 46
Bedrock Aquifer ................................................................................................................................................ 46
Outwash Deposits .............................................................................................................................................. 51
Named Outwash Deposits ....................................................................................................................... 51
Prairie Coteau Outwash Group...................................................................................................... 51
Lonesome Lake Outwash Group ................................................................................................... 51
Marday Outwash Group ................................................................................................................ 51
Eden Outwash Group..................................................................................................................... 56
Roslyn Outwash Group ................................................................................................................. 56
Wilmot Outwash Group................................................................................................................. 56
Unnamed Outwash Deposits ................................................................................................................... 56
Water Quality .................................................................................................................................................... 63
Water-Level Fluctuations................................................................................................................................... 64
Water Use............................................................................................................................................................................... 72
Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................................................................... 76
References Cited.................................................................................................................................................................... 76
Supplemental Information ..................................................................................................................................................... 79
Contents III
FIGURES
1. Index map of eastern South Dakota showing location of area discussed in this report, status of
county investigations, and locations of major physiographic divisions ................................................................... 3
2. Map showing location of study area......................................................................................................................... 4
3. Map showing locations of test holes, observations wells, other wells, and lines of hydrogeologic
section in the study area ........................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Well-numbering system............................................................................................................................................ 7
5. Map showing uppermost bedrock type within and near the study area ................................................................... 9
6. Altitude map of bedrock surface .............................................................................................................................. 10
7. Hydrogeologic section A-A showing the Roslyn outwash group and the Veblen, Milnor
Channel, Rosholt, and Fairmount aquifers or aquifer systems in glacial deposits................................................... 12
8. Hydrogeologic section B-B showing the Coteau Lakes, Eden, Roslyn, and Veblen
aquifer systems, aquifers, or outwash group in glacial deposits .............................................................................. 13
9. Hydrogeologic section C-C showing the Coteau Lakes, Prairie Coteau, Lonesome Lake,
Wilmot, and Revillo aquifer systems, outwash group, or aquifers in glacial deposits............................................. 14
10. Hydrogeologic section D-D showing the Big Sioux, Prairie Coteau, Lonesome Lake, and
Altamont aquifers or outwash groups in glacial deposits ........................................................................................ 15
11-40. Maps showing:
11. Location of precipitation stations within and near the study area .................................................................... 16
12. Drainage basins and location of active streamflow-gaging stations within and near the study area ................ 17
13. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Coteau Lakes aquifer system ................................................................... 29
14. Potentiometric surface of parts of the Coteau Lakes aquifer system for late August 1999 .............................. 30
15. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Big Sioux aquifer ..................................................................................... 31
16. Potentiometric surface of the Big Sioux aquifer in late August/early September 1999 ................................... 32
17. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Altamont aquifer ...................................................................................... 34
18. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Revillo aquifer.......................................................................................... 35
19. Potentiometric surface of the Revillo aquifer on August 1999......................................................................... 36
20. Thickness, depth, and extent of the James and Hankinson aquifers ................................................................. 37
21. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Veblen aquifer system .............................................................................. 39
22. Potentiometric surface of the Veblen aquifer in August 1999 .......................................................................... 40
23. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Spiritwood aquifer.................................................................................... 41
24. Potentiometric surface of the Spiritwood aquifer on April 6, 1999.................................................................. 43
25. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Rosholt aquifer ......................................................................................... 44
26. Potentiometric surface of the Rosholt aquifer in August 1999......................................................................... 45
27. Estimated extent of the Milnor Channel aquifer based on surface expression ................................................. 47
28. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Fairmount aquifer..................................................................................... 48
29. Potentiometric surface of the Fairmount aquifer on April 6, 1999 ................................................................... 49
30. Approximate depth to the top of the Dakota aquifer ........................................................................................ 50
31. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Prairie Coteau outwash group .................................................................. 52
32. Hydraulic head in the Prairie Coteau outwash group in late August/early September 1999............................ 53
33. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Lonesome Lake outwash group................................................................ 54
34. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Marday outwash group............................................................................. 55
35. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Eden outwash group ................................................................................. 57
36. Hydraulic head in the Eden outwash group in mid-September 1999 ............................................................... 58
37. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Roslyn outwash group.............................................................................. 59
38. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Wilmot outwash group ............................................................................. 60
39. Hydraulic head in the Wilmot outwash group in August 1999......................................................................... 61
40. Location, depth, and thickness of selected unnamed outwash deposits thicker than
5 feet in the study area ...................................................................................................................................... 62
41. Stiff diagrams showing concentrations of common ions in aquifers within the study area ..................................... 65
42. Hydrograph for observation well GT-77B in the Big Sioux aquifer ........................................................................ 67
43. Hydrograph for observation well GT-77C in the Prairie Coteau outwash ............................................................... 67
44. Hydrograph for observation well R2-85-111 in the Altamont aquifer..................................................................... 67
45. Graph showing cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Summit........................................................... 67
IV Contents
FIGURESContinued
46. Hydrograph for observation well RB-81C in the Coteau Lakes aquifer system...................................................... 68
47. Graph showing cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Waubay
National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters ................................................................................................................... 68
48. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77F in the Rosholt aquifer............................................................................ 69
49. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77H in the Fairmount aquifer ....................................................................... 69
50. Graph showing cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Victor.............................................................. 69
51. Hydrograph for observation well RB-81A in the Veblen aquifer system ................................................................ 70
52. Hydrograph for observation well R2-95-05 in the Roslyn outwash group .............................................................. 70
53. Graph showing cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Sisseton .......................................................... 70
54. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77O in the Wilmot outwash group ............................................................... 71
55. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77N in the Revillo aquifer............................................................................ 71
56. Graph showing cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Wilmot ........................................................... 71
57. Hydrograph for observation well 9249 in the Spiritwood aquifer ........................................................................... 72
58. Graph showing cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Forman, N. Dak.............................................. 72
59. South Dakota irrigation-water classification diagram.............................................................................................. 75
TABLES
1. Generalized stratigraphic column showing geologic units and their description..................................................... 8
2. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 06479438, Big Sioux River near Watertown ................................... 20
3. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05050000, Bois de Sioux River near White Rock ........................... 21
4. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05290000, Little Minnesota River near Peever ............................... 22
5. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05291000, Whetstone River near Big Stone City............................ 23
6. Dominant chemical species for selected lakes within the study area (1990, 1995) ................................................. 26
7. A summary of the characteristics of the major aquifers and outwash groups within the study area ....................... 27
8. Water withdrawals in Roberts County in 1995......................................................................................................... 73
9. Water use in Roberts County in 1995....................................................................................................................... 73
10. Use categories for selected lakes within the study area ........................................................................................... 74
11. Use categories for selected stream segments within the study area ......................................................................... 74
12. Criteria for use categories ........................................................................................................................................ 81
13. Summary of selected chemical analyses by aquifer................................................................................................. 84
14. Significance of chemical and physical properties of water ...................................................................................... 99
15. Hydrograph index by aquifer, aquifer system, or outwash group ............................................................................ 101
Contents V
CONVERSION FACTORS AND VERTICAL DATUM
Multiply By To obtain
acre 4,047 square meter
acre 0.4047 hectare
acre-foot 1,233 cubic meter
acre-foot 0.001233 cubic hectometer
cubic foot per second 0.02832 cubic meter per second
foot 0.3048 meter
inch 2.54 centimeter
inch 25.4 millimeter
inch per year 25.4 millimeter per year
mile 1.609 kilometer
square mile 259.0 hectare
square mile 2.590 square kilometer
Temperature in degrees Celsius (C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (F) as follows:
F = (1.8 C) + 32
Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (C) as follows:
C = (F - 32) / 1.8
Sea level: In this report, "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD
of 1929)a geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of both
the United States and Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.
Unless otherwise noted, all towns and counties in this report are located in South Dakota.
VI Contents
Water Resources of the Lake Traverse
Reservation, South and North Dakota,
and Roberts County, South Dakota
By Ryan F. Thompson
ABSTRACT River within the Upper Mississippi River Basin,

and the James and Big Sioux Rivers are tributaries
In 1994, the U.S. Geological Survey, in within the Missouri River Basin. Several of the
cooperation with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux larger lakes within the study area have been
Tribe; Roberts County; and the South Dakota developed for recreation, while many of the
Department of Environment and Natural smaller lakes and wetlands are used for livestock
Resources, Geological Survey Program, began a watering or as wildlife production areas. Statisti-
6-year investigation to describe and quantify the cal summaries are presented for the water-quality
water resources of the area within the 1867 data of six selected streams within the study area,
boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation and and the dominant chemical species are listed for 17
adjacent parts of Roberts County. Roberts County selected lakes within the study area.
is located in extreme northeastern South Dakota,
and the 1867 boundary of the Lake Traverse The glacial history of the study area has led
Reservation encompasses much of Roberts to a rather complex system of glacial aquifers. The
County and parts of Marshall, Day, Codington, boundaries of 11 aquifers and 6 named outwash
and Grant Counties in South Dakota and parts of groups were delineated based on hydrogeologic
Richland and Sargent Counties in southeast North cross sections, water levels, and water-quality
Dakota. This report includes descriptions of the similarities/dissimilarities. The glacial aquifers
quantity, quality, and availability of surface and include Coteau Lakes system, Big Sioux, Alta-
ground water, the extent of the major glacial and mont, Revillo, James, Veblen system, Spiritwood,
bedrock aquifers and named outwash groups, and Hankinson, Rosholt, Milnor Channel, and Fair-
surface- and ground-water uses within the 1867 mount; the bedrock aquifer included in this report
boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation and is the Dakota. Named outwash groups include the
adjacent parts of Roberts County. Prairie Coteau, Lonesome Lake, Marday, Eden,
The surface-water resources within the 1867 Roslyn, and Wilmot. A summary of the character-
boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation and istics of each of the major aquifers and outwash
adjacent parts of Roberts County include rivers, groups and a summary of selected chemical
streams, lakes, and wetlands. The Wild Rice and analyses for each aquifer and outwash group are
Bois de Sioux Rivers are tributaries of the Red presented. All aquifers and outwash groups in the
River within the Souris-Red-Rainy River Basin; study area have either moderately hard or very
the Little Minnesota, Jorgenson, and North Fork hard water and are considered fresh to slightly
Whetstone Rivers are tributaries of the Minnesota saline. One or more water samples from some of
Abstract 1
the aquifers and outwash groups have a constituent The study area includes the area within the 1867
that was above the recommended or mandatory boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation and adja-
limit for drinking water. Most aquifers and out- cent parts of Roberts County. Roberts County is
wash groups have dissolved solids and sulfate con- located in extreme northeastern South Dakota (fig. 1).
tents above the recommended levels of 500 and The 1867 boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation
250 mg/L (milligrams per liter), respectively. The (hereafter called the Lake Traverse Reservation)
Dakota aquifer was the only one to have a mean includes much of Roberts County, and parts of
chloride concentration above the recommended Marshall, Day, Grant, and Codington Counties in South
level of 250 mg/L. Nitrate concentrations greater Dakota, and parts of Sargent and Richland Counties in
than the mandatory limit of 10 mg/L were found in southeast North Dakota (fig. 2). Roberts County has an
the Big Sioux aquifer and the Coteau Lakes and area of about 1,132 square miles, with about
Veblen aquifer systems. Concentrations of arsenic 230 square miles occurring outside the Reservation
greater than 10 g/L (micrograms per liter) were boundary. The Lake Traverse Reservation has an area
found in the Coteau Lakes and Veblen aquifer of about 1,508 square miles within its boundaries, so
the study area encompasses about 1,738 square miles.
systems, and in the Rosholt and Fairmount
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2001), the pop-
aquifers.
ulation of Roberts County was 10,016 in 2000. The
Municipalities and rural water systems cur-
climate is classified as sub-humid continental, with
rently provide most of the water used in the study
temperature extremes of over 100F in the summer to
areanearly all of it from ground-water sources.
lower than -20F in the winter. The precipitation aver-
Surface-water use is limited to livestock watering.
ages about 20 inches annually in the northeast region.
About 55 percent of the total water used in Roberts Over 570,000 acres, or about 79 percent of the land use
County is for domestic purposes, with most was for agriculture in 1997. Most of the cropland was
domestic users served by a public supply system. used to grow corn, soybeans, and wheat (National
Irrigation accounts for about 10 percent of Agricultural Statistics Service, 1998).
the total water used. All major aquifers and out- The Bois des Sioux River, Mud Lake, Lake
wash groups except the Dakota and Spiritwood Traverse, and Big Stone Lake form most of the eastern
aquifers are suitable for use for irrigation based on boundary of Roberts County. The topography of the
the irrigation-water classification diagram for county varies from steep, hilly uplands, to flat river bot-
South Dakota. tomland. The drainage within the Minnesota River-
Red River lowlands generally is well developed. The
upper part of the Coteau has poorly developed internal
INTRODUCTION drainage within Roberts County, but the headwaters of
In 1994, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the Big Sioux River form near the southern edge of the
cooperation with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe county, and drainage on the coteau improves to the
(SWST), Roberts County, and the South Dakota south (fig. 2).
Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Geological Survey Program (SDGS) began a 6-year
investigation to describe and quantify the water Purpose and Scope
resources of the area within the 1867 boundary of the
Lake Traverse Reservation and adjacent parts of The results of a 6-year water-resources study of
Roberts County. This investigation was needed to pro- Roberts County and the Lake Traverse Reservation are
vide a more thorough understanding of the surface- and presented in this report. Specifically, this report
ground-water resources, which were identified in an includes descriptions of the quantity, quality, and avail-
earlier reconnaissance study of the area (Lawrence, ability of surface and ground water, the extent of the
1989). Water-resources information is needed by local, major glacial and bedrock aquifers and named outwash
county, State, and Tribal officials to develop and imple- groups, and surface- and ground-water uses in Roberts
ment safe and effective water management plans. County and the Lake Traverse Reservation.
2 Water Resources of the Lake Traverse Reservation, South and North Dakota, and Roberts County, South Dakota
100o 99o 98o 97o
CAMPBELL MC PHERSON 3 MARSHALL ROBERTS
BROWN
1 2 3
WALWORTH 7
EDMUNDS 7
DAY
4
6
GRANT
45o POTTER FAULK

SPINK CODINGTON
CLARK
DEUEL
SULLY
HAMLIN
HAND
HUGHES HYDE
BEADLE
KINGSBURY BROOKINGS
2 3
6
BUFFALO JERAULD SANBORN MOODY
44o MINER LAKE
1 AURORA
BRULE DAVISON MC COOK MINNEHAHA
HANSON
3
M
CH DOUGLAS TURNER
IS
AR HUTCHINSON
LINCOLN
SO
LE
UR
S
MI
X
I
SOUTH 6
DAKOTA 2 BON 5
HOMME
3
43o YANKTON UNION
CLAY
1
RIVER
1
0 50 MILES
0 50 KILOMETERS
EXPLANATION
PHYSIOGRAPHIC BOUNDARY STUDY AREA INCLUDES ROBERTS
COUNTY AND 1867 BOUNDARY
GREAT PLAINS PROVINCE
OF THE LAKE TRAVERSE INDIAN
1 Missouri River trench RESERVATION
2 Coteau du Missouri
INVESTIGATION COMPLETED AND
CENTRAL LOWLANDS PROVINCE REPORTS PUBLISHED OR IN PRESS
3 James River lowland INVESTIGATION NOT SCHEDULED
4 Lake Dakota plain
5 James River highland
6 Coteau des Prairies
7 Minnesota River-Red River lowlands
Figure 1. Index map of eastern South Dakota showing location of area discussed in this report, status
of county investigations, and locations of major physiographic division (physiographic divisions from
Flint, 1955).
Introduction 3
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
Rice r Tewaukon 97o15'
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Sargent Co Richland Co
Bois de Sioux River

White
lle Roberts Co South Dakota Rock T. 129 N.
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
Veblen Hammer Slough Victor
eek Claire
Cr
La Belle City New Cottonwood
Slough La Frombois Lake
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
Lake Cottonwood Knebel
Lake Slough Cottonwood
fas
Dumarce
Hill and t Slough T. 127 N.
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
South Red Whitestone La
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella Whipple Peever

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
R. 54 W. Marshall Co Village
Day Co Tahana Peever T. 124 N.
ervati
Lake son
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
45o30' Pickerel
Oneroad
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
Spring Slough Wilmot e
W
Lake Hurricane ets 96o30'

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
Bitter
Lake
45o15' T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
Day Co
Bi
g
r
R ive
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
Cottonwood
Lake
T. 119 N.
hone Cr
Ma
Riv
er
T. 118 N.
Base from U.S. Geological Survey

digital line graph 1:24,000 R. 52 W.
Figure 2. Location of study area.
Methods of Investigation of rolling morainal topography formed by deposition of
glacial debris upon a bedrock highland during the
Methods of investigation included analyses of Pleistocene Epoch. The Coteau has moderate to high
streamflow records, a well inventory, analyses of pre- relief, with numerous lakes and wetlands. Altitudes on
existing drillers logs, test drilling and observation well the Coteau range from about 1,750 feet near the North
installation, measurement of static water levels, compi- Dakota border to 2,135 feet a few miles northwest of
lation of chemical analyses of surface- and ground- the town of Summit, and back to about 1,720 feet near
water samples, and analyses of water uses. Although Lake Kampeska. The western face of the Coteau rises
all test holes drilled and observation wells installed for 600 feet above the James River lowland, and the
this study were within Roberts County, data from eastern face rises 800 feet from the Minnesota River-
existing test holes and observation wells within Cod- Red River lowlands. The Minnesota River-Red River
ington, Grant, Day, and Marshall Counties in South lowlands division is a somewhat flat ground moraine
Dakota, and Richland and Sargent Counties in North that consists of isolated areas of debris left by retreating
Dakota were included to aid in delineating boundaries glaciers. Its altitude ranges from about 980 feet near
of aquifers and outwash groups (fig. 3). Detailed infor- the shore of Lake Traverse to about 1,200 feet at the
mation on precipitation; geologic logs; water levels for town of Peever near the foot of the Coteau. About one-
ground water and lakes; stream discharge; and water half of the Lake Traverse Reservation is lowlands,
quality for ground water, streams, and lakes used for while about three-quarters of Roberts County is low-
interpretations in this report are documented in two lands.
separate USGS Open-file Reports (Carter and
Thompson, 1998; Thompson, 2000).
Surface-water quality samples were collected at Generalized Geology
15 lakes and six streams in 1995. Many ground-water
samples were collected and analyzed for this study. The geologic units within the study area fall into
Prior to 1994, nearly 200 ground-water samples were three groups based on their depositional history. From
collected for the reconnaissance study (Lawrence, oldest to youngest, the geologic units are:
1989) and are included in this study. In 1994 and 1995, (1) Precambrian-age crystalline rocks, (2) Cretaceous-
over 190 private wells were inventoried, with field age sedimentary rocks, and (3) Quaternary-age allu-
water-quality samples collected at 126 private wells. vium, glacial till, glacial-outwash deposits, and glacial
Between 1994 and 1999, 142 test holes were drilled, lake sediments. A generalized stratigraphic column
42 observation wells were installed, and water-quality showing geologic units and their descriptions is given
samples were collected at 42 observation wells. All in table 1. The depth to Precambrian-age crystalline
data-collection sites are numbered according to the rocks is known for only a few locations in the study
Federal land-survey system (fig. 4). area, but more is known outside the study area. To the
west of the study area in Marshall County, granite
occurs from 913 to 1,113 feet below land surface at an
Physiography altitude of 242 to 407 feet above sea level. To the
southeast of the study area, Precambrian rocks rise to
The Lake Traverse Reservation encompasses land surface at an altitude of 1,100 feet near Milbank in
about 1,508 square miles. About 105 square miles of Grant County. To the east in Minnesota, granite was
the Reservation are located in southeast North Dakota, found at an altitude of 563 feet at 125N49W11ABAA.
with the remainder in northeast South Dakota. Roberts Within northeast Roberts County and parts of Richland
County covers an area of about 1,132 square miles, County, North Dakota, the Precambrian surface is
with about 230 square miles of it extending beyond the found in subcrop beneath the glacial deposits at an
boundary of the Reservation. The Lake Traverse altitude of 700 to 800 feet. At a test hole in
Reservation and Roberts County are located within the 128N48W1CCDCR, the weathering surface of the Pre-
Central Lowlands physiographic province. Within the cambrian was at an approximate altitude of 700 feet. A
province, the Reservation and the county occupy two few miles west of Sisseton (126N52W25DDCDR),
physiographic divisionsthe Coteau des Prairies, or weathered granite was encountered at an altitude of
Prairie Coteau, and the Minnesota River-Red River 413 feet, and hard granite was found at an altitude of
lowlands (fig. 1). The Coteau des Prairies is a plateau 364 feet.
Introduction 5
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
Veblen
eek Claire
Hammer Slough Victor
A'
A
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve B'
Lake Lake Ri
B T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
45o30' Pickerel Oneroad
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
Spring Wilmot e
Slough
C'
W

h
CBlue Dog Lake to n e Ri

ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
ver 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake D'
D T. 120 N.
EXPLANATION
Grant Co A A'
Sio
Codington Co LINE OF HYDROGEOLOGIC SECTION

ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo TEST HOLE--Driller's logs are available
Cottonwood from the U.S. Geological Survey
Lake
T. 119 N. OBSERVATION WELL--Driller's logs are
hone Cr available from the U.S. Geological Survey
Ma
OTHER--Driller's logs are available from
Riv
the U.S. Geological Survey

er
T. 118 N.

Figure 3. Locations of test holes, observation wells, other wells, and lines of hydrogeologic section in the study area.
B
B
B C D
A
21
B CD
A
A
C
A
C
D
Well
128N50W21CCCC R
6
5
7
4
8
18
3
9
17
19
2
10
16
20
30
1
11
15
29
31
12
14
22
28
32
13
23
27
N.
33
R.
24
8
26
50
34
W. . 12
25
T
35
36
Sa rsh
rg all
M
en C
a
tC o
o
R
ic ber
n
hl ts
io
an C
t
o
va
d o
C
er
o
es
R
se
er
N uth
av
or D
Tr
So
th a
M
ke
ar ay
D ko
La
sh C
ak ta
al o
e
lC
ot
th
a
of
y
ar
nd
ou
B
67
18
T.
129
T.
N
1
28
T.
.
T.
T.
o
1
yC
R
N
1
1
26
ob
25
.
27
Da
er
N
N
ts
N
.
.
.
C
o
T.
1 24
G ngt
ra o
C
N
nt n
R
od
.
.5
C Co
i
T.
o
0
1
T.
21
1
R
23
N
T.
R
.4
.
.5
N
9
20
.
3
W
T.
W
.
1
.
.R
R
19
.4
T.
.5
8
1
2
W
18
W
.
N
.
R
.
R
.4
.5
T.
1
W
W
1
.
22
.
N
.
Figure 4. Well-numbering system. The well number consists of the township number, followed by "N," the range
number followed by "W," and the section number followed by a maximum of four uppercase letters that indicate,
respectively, the 160-, 40-, 10-, and 2 1/2-acre tract in which the well is located. These letters are assigned in a
counterclockwise direction beginning with "A" in the northeast quarter. A serial number following the last letter is
used to distinguish between wells in the same 2 1/2-acre tract. An "R" is present if the location is within the 1867
boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation.
Introduction 7
Table 1. Generalized stratigraphic column showing geologic units and their description
[Modified from Hamilton and Howells (1996)]
System Formation or deposit Description and origin

Alluvium Generally brown to gray, medium sand to silt and clay; locally may contain gravel, cobbles, or
boulders. Deposited by streams.
Till and Till is a brown to gray heterogeneous mixture of coarse material in a matrix of silt or clay.
undifferentiated Undifferentiated drift includes till and relatively fine-grained, poorly sorted, water-laid
Quaternary
drift material. Deposited from glacial ice and meltwater.

Outwash and other Brown to gray, stratified, water-laid beds of gravel, sand, silt, and clay. Mostly beds of sandy
Drift
glacio-fluvial gravel, clayey or silty sand, and sandy and silty clay. Deposited by glacial meltwater.
deposits
Lacustrine Brown to gray, fine sand to silt, commonly clayey. Deposited in lakes, primarily lakes fed by
glacial meltwater.
Pierre Shale Light-gray calcareous to blue-black or black non-calcareous shale. Commonly contains thin
layers of bentonite. Marine.
Niobrara Formation Light- to dark-gray highly calcareous shale; commonly contains abundant microfossils. Marine.
Carlile Shale Light-gray and light-blue to black non-calcareous shale. Marine.
Cretaceous
Greenhorn Limestone Fossiliferous, buff to bluish, white, or gray calcareous shale; locally may contain beds and lenses
of sandstone. Marine.
Graneros Shale Medium- to dark-gray non-calcareous shale; pyrite, marcasite, and calcareous concretions
common. Locally may contain thin beds or lenses of loose to tightly cemented sandstone.
Marine.
Dakota Formation Interbedded tan to white sandstone and dark-colored shale. Sandstone is composed of loose to
(Dakota Sandstone) well-cemented, very fine to coarse quartz sand; cement most commonly is calcium carbonate.
cambrian
Granite Red to dark-gray biotite and hornblende granite, light-colored granite, and gray mica schist.
Pre-
The Cretaceous sedimentary rocks include sand- Glacial and post-glacial unconsolidated sedi-
stone with interbedded layers of shale and siltstone ments were deposited in the area of Roberts County and
(Dakota Sandstone), interlayered beds of limestone the Reservation during the Quaternary period. The
(Niobrara and Greenhorn), and shales (Pierre, Carlile, following descriptions of generalized glacial geology
and Graneros). Undifferentiated Cretaceous regolith are derived from Flint (1955), Koch (1975), and
also was found in one test hole at 128N48W1CCDC Lindroth (1976). Glacial deposits or drift consist of till,
near Clubhouse Lake. The Dakota Sandstone directly glaciofluvial (stream) sediments, and glaciolacustrine
overlies the Precambrian crystalline rocks. The upper- (lake) sediments. Glacial till is a heterogeneous mix-
most bedrock type is shown in figure 5. This varies ture of clay, silt, sand, gravel, and boulders. Within the
somewhat from a similar map published by Lawrence Reservation, landforms such as ground, end, and stag-
(1989) in his reconnaissance study of the Lake Traverse nation moraines commonly are associated with glacial
Reservation. The depth to bedrock varies from more till. Glaciofluvial sediments include glacial-outwash
than 840 feet near North Drywood Lake, to land surface deposits of sand and gravel deposited by flowing glacial
at shale outcrops along the flank of the Coteau and meltwaters. Glacial-outwash deposits may be stratified
along the Little Minnesota River. The altitude of the to semistratified, and consist of poorly sorted fine sand
bedrock surface, which is the boundary between the to coarse gravel. Glaciolacustrine sediments are com-
bedrock formations and the overlying unconsolidated, posed of layered deposits of clay, silt, and sand trans-
Quaternary-age deposits, is shown in figure 6. The Day ported into ancient lakes by glacial meltwaters.
County portion of this contour map varies somewhat Alluvium may be found along recent flood plains or
from the bedrock surface contour map published by lake beds, and generally consists of semistratified
Leap (1988) because additional data points were deposits of silt, sand, and gravel. Alluvium is com-
available. monly found in association with humic material.
97o30' Kc T. 130 N.
Kc
Wild K?River Lake
Rice Tewaukon 97o15'
K? Kp K?
46o00 Clouds
K? White
LakeKp K?
K?Lake
Kp Kp Kp K? 97o00'
Creek
K? K?
R. 55 W.
K? 96o45' Kg
K? Kc North Dakota Kc K?
Creek
Kp Sargent Co Kp K? Richland Co Kc
Bois de Sioux River

Kc Kc Kg White
Kp lle Kn Roberts Co South Dakota Kc Kg Rock T. 129 N.
Kp Marshall Co Be Kg
La Indian Kg Clubhouse
Slough Kc Kc Kg Kg Kg LakeKr
K?tfoo
t K? Kc Kc Kc
or Kp Kc
Sh Dobberstien T. 128 N.
K? Veblen ek Kp Kc Hammer
Kc
Slough Kc Victor
Kg Kc Rosholt Kg
Kp e Claire Kc Kc Kc
Kc Cottonwood Kgh
Cr
La Belle Kp Kc
Kp
Slough La Frombois K? Kp City Kc New Kc
Lake
K? Kc Effington Kc Kc
Kc
Litt
Abraham K? K? Kc
Kp Lake Kg Kc Mud
Kc
le
Flat Kp Kc Kc
Lake Kp Kc Kc Knebel Lake
Cottonwood Kc Cottonwood Kc
Lake Kc
Slough
fas
Dumarce and t Slough Kc T. 127 N.
Kp Hill Cre
St
Lake Kc Kc
Lake Kp Kc Kc Kc
ek
Kp Kc Kc
45o45' Long Mud Kc
Mi
Lake Lake
Kc
nn
Kp Kp Kc Kp Lake Kg Kg e
ers
1867
Kp K?
eso
Kc Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear Kc Kc
Iron Lake Kp Kp
Boun
Lake Kc
Sarah Kp Kp Kc Kc
T. 126 N.
Kp Lake Sisseton Kp
dary
Kp Kc e
Kp South Red Whitestone Kc Lak
Iron Lake
of
Lake Kp Kp
Kp er
the L
Kp Kp Kp RivKc
Lake Lake Kp
Kp
Kp T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella Whipple Kp Peever

Kp Kp
Piyas Buffalo Kp Slough Kn
ravers
Lake Lakes ? Drywood Kp

K? Lakes Kn
Agency Kc
e Res
R. 54 W. Marshall Co Village Kp
Day Co K? Tahana Kc K?
Peever Kn Kc T. 124 N.
Kp Kp
ervati
Kc
Lake
en son Kp
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka Kc Kp Kc
Kp Kc
Cree
k Kc Mud
Lake K? Lake e Lake
ule
Co Kc Kn Kp Kp Kc T. 123 N.
EnemyKp Bullhead
Sto
g Kp
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
Kc
th
Lake Lake Owl

K? Kc Fo Kp
Lake
Kp rk
Kp Kp Kc
Campbell Kn Kn Lak
Kp
Spring Slough Wilmot Kc e
Kc
W

h
Kn to n e Ri Kc
Blue Dog Kp Lake ? Kp Kc ve Kc Kc
Lake Kp Kn Kc Kp Kp r T. 122 N.
Kp
Kp KpCorona Kc Kc Kc Kc
Ortley Kc Kc Kp
Kp Kp Kp Kp
R
Kc Kp
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Kp Roberts CoKpS i o Kp
Anderson
Lake Big
Kp Kp Kp 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
Bitter
Lake
o
45 15' T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
Kp Bi Kp
Day Co
g K?
ve r
Ri
Kp ian Kp
Lonesome Ind Kp
R. 53 W. Lake Kp EXPLANATION
? CONTACT BETWEEN UPPERMOST
Grant Co T. 120 N.
BEDROCK TYPES--Dashed where
Sio
Codington Co
ux
ee
k approximately located
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
Kp
Cottonwood TEST HOLE OR WELL WHERE BEDROCK
Kp
Lake WAS REACHED--Letters indicate upper-
T. 119 N. most bedrock formation
hone Cr
Ma K? Shale type not specified in
geologic log
Riv
Kp Kp
Kp Pierre Shale
er
Kn Niobrara Formation
Kp T. 118 N. Kc Carlile Shale
Kgh Greenhorn Limestone
Base from U.S. Geological Survey Kg Graneros Shale
digital line graph 1:24,000 R. 52 W. Kr Regolith
Figure 5. Uppermost bedrock type within and near the study area.
Introduction 9
97o30' 928 T. 130 N.
985 942
Wild 990 River Lake
Rice Tewaukon 97o15' 956
46o00 Clouds
1028 975 952
Lake White
998
1003Lake
971 953 941 97o00'
1500 965
Creek
1042 968
R. 55 W.
964
886 96o45' 812
958 Co North Dakota 880
Creek
1505 1265Co 1047
Sargent 970 Richland
Bois de Sioux River

867 White
lle 10 938Co
Roberts 971 Dakota
971 South 876 840 807 Rock T. 129 N.
1490 Marshall Co Be 1012 00
La Indian Clubhouse
969 889 861 90 934 Slough
ot 984 889 895 0 Lake749
tfo 1064 1042
14
or 1055 970
50
80
1161 820 Victor 871 Rosholt
90
0
1255 Veblen ek 977 Hammer Slough 879 849
0
1196 1172
14 e Claire 879
Cr
1432 La Belle 1078City 782Cottonwood 844 881
987 975 930 979 New 848
00
Slough La Frombois 833
1250 1138 Effington Lake
975 879
965 950
13
Litt
1483 Abraham 892 Mud
00
80
Lake 980
le
Flat 851
14
1387 1212 936 Lake
0
985 Knebel
11
12
Lake 830
00
Cottonwood 984
00
1053
00
1157 923 Cottonwood 864
1450
Lake Slough 941 871

fas
1330 Dumarce
Hill and t 985 Slough 900 864 T. 127 N.
Cre 1020 980 945
St
Lake 860
Lake 1124
ek
977
10
935 868 870
1227
00
45o45' Long Mud 602 613
Mi
Lake Lake 700
999 980 933
nn
1225 1105 e
13
1462 Lake
ers
600
1867
eso
00
v
North Red 1445 1425 Bdesaka ra
ta
Clear 925 938 T
Iron Lake 1013
Boun
Lake
986 990
12
Sarah 1437 1178 940 T. 126 N.

0
1380
0
11 Lake Sisseton 1066 970

dary
00 1315 975 ke
South Red 1410 La
1053 Whitestone
Iron Lake
1128 1099
of
Lake
1102 1096 er 1002
the L
1238 v
Lake Lake 1139 1063Ri
1143 Whipple1143 1064 T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella Peever
1183 1078
Buffalo Slough
Piyas 1135 1188
ravers
1048 Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes 1033 1048
00
11 Agency 996
e Res
R. 54 W. Marshall Co Village 1064

Day Co 1253 Tahana
1008 Peever1059 T. 124 N.
1013 1042
10
ervati
1108
00
0 0 1311Lake
n s on
1152 1003
12 ge
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka 1086 1030
0 997
45o30' 30 1000
1000
1 Oneroad k Mud
Pickerel 1368 1003 Cree Lake
Lake e Lake
1400
ule
110
1402 Co 1029 1120 1071 970

T. 123 N.
0 N
Enemy
11
1300 Bullhead
Sto
Swim 1399 g 1019 1025
Bi
00
Hillebrands
or
Lake 1019
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Fo
1190 1377 Lake 1044 rk
1200 Campbell 1288 1023 1097 1014
1041 Lak
Spring Slough 1022 Wilmot 1127 977 958 e
W
1014
Lake 1210 Hurricane ets 96o30'
h
Lake 1030 to n e Ri 949

1118 ve 985 958
Blue Dog 1001 1015 r T. 122 N.
Lake 1508 1046 10 1080
00 00 1124
15
14
00
1015
Corona
1094 974 905 939
1393 Ortley 1478 1027 957
1387
R
1435 1497 1050 1114 1026

Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
1436
Anderson S io
1362 1416
110
Lake Big 1300

0
Bitter 1281
Lake1368 1359 1200 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15' 1219 T. 121 N.
Day Co
Bi 1135
1375 g
Ri
1368 ian 1222
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake 1354 1326
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ree
oo C R. 51 W.
1431 S 1400 CONTOUR--Shows altitude of the bedrock
Cottonwood surface. Dashed where aproximately
Lake 1400
located. Modified from Leap (1988)
T. 119 N.
hone Cr
based on test hole data. Contour interval
Ma 50 or 100 feet where appropriate
1339
Riv
1330 TEST HOLE OR WELL WHERE BEDROCK

er
977
WAS REACHED--Number is altitude of
T. 118 N. bedrock surface in feet
1361
Figure 6. Altitude of the bedrock surface.
The Cretaceous and Quaternary lithology for the the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.
study area is illustrated in figures 7-10. Geologic logs Generally, 60 percent or more of the annual precipita-
for wells and test holes that were approximately tion comes during the growing season of May through
3 miles apart were used to draw a series of east-west September. About 5 percent of the average annual
sections over the study area. The sections were used to precipitation becomes streamflow (97,050 acre-feet);
establish the extents of the many aquifers throughout however, this quantity may vary considerably from
the study area. Four representative hydrogeologic sec- year to year and month to month depending upon
tions are presented in this report. The locations of the climatic conditions (U.S. Geological Survey, 1986).
sections are shown on figure 3. Hydrogeologic section
A-A (fig. 7) is located approximately 6 miles south of
the North Dakota-South Dakota border; section B-B Surface Water
(fig. 8) is roughly 21 miles south of the border; section
C-C (fig. 9) is about 36 miles south of the border, and The surface-water resources in Roberts County
section D-D (fig. 10) is approximately 51 miles south and the Lake Traverse Reservation include rivers,
of the border. Generally, the term aquifer refers to the streams, lakes, and wetlands. Some of the rivers within
saturated parts of the sand and gravel deposits. In the the study area are the Wild Rice River, Little Minnesota
cross sections, the units referred to as an aquifer could River, Bois de Sioux River, Jorgenson River, North
include some sand and gravel deposits that are not Fork Whetstone River, and the Big Sioux River.
saturated. A more detailed discussion of the aquifers Dozens of intermittent streams within the study area
shown in these hydrogeologic sections is presented in are tributary to these rivers. Some of the larger lakes
the ground-water section of this report. within the study area include White Lake, Lake
Traverse, Big Stone Lake, Blue Dog Lake, Enemy
Swim Lake, Drywood Lakes, Buffalo Lakes, and Clear
Acknowledgments Lake. Hundreds of smaller lakes and wetlands are also
present within the study area, and several lakes straddle
Many people have assisted with the development
the Reservation boundary.
and implementation of the study. The SDGS drilled the
test holes and installed the observation wells for the
study. Dennis Tomhave of the SDGS provided valu- Drainage Basins
able assistance in aquifer delineation and the interpre- The study area is located within parts of three
tation of geologic logs. The South Dakota Department major river basinsthe Souris-Red-Rainy, the
of Environment and Natural Resources, Water Rights Missouri, and the Upper Mississippi. Within the study
Program, provided water levels for lakes and observa- area, the Wild Rice and Bois de Sioux Rivers are tribu-
tion wells located within the study area. taries of the Red River within the Souris-Red-Rainy
River Basin; the Little Minnesota, Jorgenson, and
North Fork Whetstone Rivers are tributaries of the
WATER RESOURCES
Minnesota River within the Upper Mississippi River
Basin; and the James River Basin and Big Sioux Rivers
Precipitation
are tributaries within the Missouri River Basin.
Precipitation data are collected by the National Until recently, parts of the James and Big Sioux
Weather Service at eight sites in and near the study area River Basins within the study area were considered
(fig. 11). Monthly data for these stations through 1996 internally drained and noncontributing. However, a
are presented by Carter and Thompson (1998), and data series of climatic conditions discussed by the Northern
from 1997 through 1999 are presented by Thompson Great Plains Water Resources Research Center (1999)
(2000). Using an area-weighted average, the total caused the internally drained part of the Crow Creek
annual volume of water from precipitation in the study basin within the James River Basin to begin contrib-
area is about 1,941,000 acre-feet, corresponding to a uting in 1995. Niehus and others (1999) have modeled
mean annual rainfall of about 20.9 inches per year. the Waubay Lakes Chain closed basin within the Big
Annual precipitation over the study area varies widely Sioux Basin, which has undergone large increases in
from year to year. For instance, in 1977, 40.04 inches water level. A revised boundary between the Big Sioux
of precipitation was recorded just outside the study area and James River Basins was established by Niehus and
near Watertown, and in 1976, only 7.00 inches of others (1999) based on data from a 10-meter resolution
precipitation was recorded just outside the study area at digital elevation model (fig. 12).
Surface Water - Drainage Basins 11

12
A A'
Lake Traverse Reservation
128-54-21CCDD2 R
1867 Boundary of the
128-55-31CCBC
Water Resources of the Lake Traverse Reservation, South and North Dakota, and Roberts County, South Dakota
LaBelle Slough
FEET
2,000
MARSHALL COUNTY
ROBERTS COUNTY
1,900
1,800
1,700 Qo
1,600
Qt
128-53-14CCCC R
1,500
LaFrombois Creek
128-51-27BBBB R
128-53-25AAAA R
128-52-27BBBC R
Little Minnesota River

128-52-25AAAB R
128-50-30BABB R
1,400
128-50-21CCCC R
128-50-28AAAA R
128-48-30BBBB R
Cottonwood Lake
128-50-25AAAB R
128-49-21DDAD R
1,300
128-48-26AAAA R
1,200 Qt
Qld
Kp
Qo
Qt Qt
1,100
Kp
Qld Qt
Qo Qld
Qld Qt
1,000 Qld
Kc Qo
Qo Qt Qo
Qo Qld Qld
900 Kc
Kgh Kgh
800 Kg
Kg Kg
700
DATUM IS SEA LEVEL 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 MILES VERTICAL SCALE IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 KILOMETERS
EXPLANATION
QUATERNARY CRETACEOUS ROSLYN OUTWASH GROUP CONTACT--Dashed where inferred
Qo Glacial outwash, Kp Pierre Shale VEBLEN AQUIFER SYSTEM TEST HOLE
unnamed Kn Niobrara Formation
MILNOR CHANNEL AQUIFER
Qld Lake deposit Kc Carlile Shale
Qt Glacial till Kgh Greenhorn Limestone ROSHOLT AQUIFER
Kg Graneros Shale FAIRMOUNT AQUIFER
Figure 7. Hydrogeologic section A-A' showing the Roslyn outwash group and the Veblen, Milnor Channel, Rosholt, and Fairmount aquifers or aquifer systems in
glacial deposits. (The location of section A-A' is shown in figure 3.)
B B'
125-52-110BBBB R
125-52-16BABB R
FEET
2,100
2,000
Qo
1,900
1,800
125-51-7BBBB R
Qt
1,700
1,600
125-51-10BBBC R
1,500 Qo
125-50-6DCCC R
125-51-11BAA R
125-50-8BBBA R
125-51-11AAA R
125-50-6CCCC R
125-51-1DCCC R
Little Minnesota River

1,400
125-50-9BBBA R
Qo
125-50-12ABCC R
Qo
1,300
Qld
Qt
Qt
1,200 Qo
Kp Qt
Qo
1,100 Qt Qld
Qo
Kp Kp Qt
1,000
Kc Kn
900
DATUM IS SEA LEVEL 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 MILES
VERTICAL SCALE IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED

Surface Water - Drainage Basins
EXPLANATION
QUATERNARY COTEAU LAKES AQUIFER SYSTEM CONTACT--Dashed
Qo Glacial outwash, unnamed EDEN OUTWASH GROUP where inferred
Qld Lake deposit
ROSLYN OUTWASH GROUP TEST HOLE
Qt Glacial till
VEBLEN AQUIFER SYSTEM
CRETACEOUS
Kp Pierre Shale
Kc Carlile Shale
Figure 8. Hydrogeologic section B-B' showing the Coteau Lakes, Eden, Roslyn, and Veblen aquifer systems, aquifers, or outwash groups in
glacial deposits. (The location of section B-B' is shown in figure 3.)
13
14
C C'
123-52-21DDDD R
123-51-19CBCB R
123-52-27ABAAR R
FEET
123-52-18CCCC R
Water Resources of the Lake Traverse Reservation, South and North Dakota, and Roberts County, South Dakota
2,200
123-53-27CCCC R
123-53-13CCCC R
123-51-21DDDD R
Lake Traverse Reservation

Enemy Swim Lake
2,100
Campbell Slough
1867 Boundary of the

2,000
Qld
1,900
Qld Qt
1,800 Qt
123-51-24DDDD R
Qld
1,700
Qo Qo
1,600 Qt
North Fork Whetstone River

122-50-4AADD
Qo
1,500 Qo
123-50-36DDDD
Qo
123-49-34CCCC
1,400
122-48-6BBBA
122-48-10BABB
Qt
122-48-1DDDA
1,300 Qld Qo
Qo
1,200 Kp
Qld
Kp Qt
1,100 Qo
Kp Qo Qt Qld
Qo Qo Qt
Kp Qld
Kn Qt Qo
MARSHALL COUNTY
ROBERTS COUNTY
1,000
Kc Kc
Qo
900
Kgh Kc
800
Kg
700
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 MILES
DATUM IS SEA LEVEL VERTICAL SCALE IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED
EXPLANATION
QUATERNARY CRETACEOUS COTEAU LAKES AQUIFER SYSTEM CONTACT--Dashed
Qo Glacial outwash, Kp Pierre Shale PRAIRIE COTEAU OUTWASH GROUP where inferred
unnamed Kn Niobrara Formation
LONESOME LAKE OUTWASH GROUP TEST HOLE
Qld Lake deposit Kc Carlile Shale
Qt Glacial till Kgh Greenhorn Limestone WILMOT OUTWASH GROUP
Kg Graneros Shale REVILLO AQUIFER
Figure 9. Hydrogeologic section C-C' showing the Coteau Lakes, Prairie Coteau, Lonesome Lake, Wilmot, and Revillo aquifer system, outwash group,
or aquifers in glacial deposits. (The location of section C-C' is shown in figure 3.)
120-51-9BBBC R
D D'
120-52-5DCCD R
120-52-12AAAB R
120-52-112DDDA R
120-52-8AAAB R
FEET
120-52-11AAAA R
2,000
Indian River
Big Sioux River
1,900
Qt Qt
1,800 Qo
Qo
Qo
1,700
Qo
Qt
1,600
1,500 Qt
Qt
Qo
1,400
1,300
Kp
Kp
1,200
Kn
1,100
DATUM IS SEA LEVEL 0 1 2 3 MILES
VERTICAL SCALE IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED

Surface Water - Drainage Basins
0 1 2 3 KILOMETERS
EXPLANATION
QUATERNARY BIG SIOUX AQUIFER CONTACT--Dashed
Qo Glacial outwash, unnamed PRAIRIE COTEAU OUTWASH GROUP where inferred
Qt Glacial till
LONESOME LAKE OUTWASH GROUP TEST HOLE
CRETACEOUS ALTAMONT AQUIFER
Kp Pierre Shale
Figure 10. Hydrogeologic section D-D' showing the Big Sioux, Prairie Coteau, Lonesome Lake, and Altamont aquifers or outwash
groups in glacial deposits. (The location of section D-D' is shown in figure 3.)
15
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
Forman o
46 00 Clouds
5 SSE Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Victor 4 NNE Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
e
South Red Whitestone Lak
Iron Lake Sisseton
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake on
ens
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
ule
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk Wilmot
WaubayCampbell
National 1 ENE
Lak
Wildlife Refuge
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 47 W. Big Stone

R. 50 W. R. 49 W. R. 48 W.
City 2 NW
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big Summit 1 W
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
ux
Cr
ee
k
R. 51 W.
EXPLANATION
Soo NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Cottonwood PRECIPITATION STATION
Lake
T. 119 N.
hone Cr
Ma
Riv
er
T. 118 N.

digital line graph 1:24,000 R. 52 W. Watertown FAA AP
Figure 11. Location of precipitation stations within and near study area.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Upper
Creek
R. 55 W.
RedNorth Dakota 96o45'
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co ell
e Roberts Co South Dakota Rock T. 129 N.
B
La Indian Clubhouse
05051650 tfo
ot Slough River Lake
or 05050000
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Mud
Lake
Basin
le
Flat
Lake Cottonwood Minnesota Knebel
Cottonwood
Lake
Lake fas Slough
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' James
Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
River Lake Sisseton
dary
05289950 e
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella Whipple
River Peever
Slough 05290000
Piyas
BasinBuffalo
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake on
ens
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
45o30' Pickerel Big Oneroad 05289985reek
C
Mud
Lake
Lake
Co
ule
e Lake
Basin T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
05290300
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
Spring
SiouxHurricane
Slough Wilmot e
W
Lake ets 96o30'

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
05292000
River Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
S io
Anderson 05291000
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake 06479230 T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
06479200
Bi
g 06479240
r 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
ve
Ri
06479260
Basin
Lonesome Ind
ian
R. 53 W. Lake
06479215
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
ux
k
Cr
ee
R. 51 W.
EXPLANATION
Soo
06479350 DRAINAGE BASIN BOUNDARY
Cottonwood
Lake
CONTINUOUS-RECORD STREAMFLOW-
T. 119 N.
05050000 GAGING STATION--Number is station
hone Cr
Ma identification number
Riv
CREST-STAGE PARTIAL-RECORD
er
06479438 05290300 STREAMFLOW-GAGING STATION--

T. 118 N. Number is station identification number

Figure 12. Drainage basins and location of active streamflow-gaging stations within and near the study area.
Surface Water - Drainage Basins 17

Streams However, the peak flow in the Little Minnesota River
near Peever (8,900 cubic feet per second) is greater
Streamflow-gaging stations within the study area
than the peak flow in the Bois de Sioux River near
include eight continuous-record stations (fig. 12) and
White Rock (8,750 cubic feet per second).
seven crest-stage gages. Peak-flow information for the
12 gaging stations with 10 or more years of record as of
1996, and summary statistics for the eight continuous- Lakes
record stations are presented by Carter and Thompson Based on the USGS 1:100,000-scale Geograph-
(1998). Updated peak-flow information for the eight ical Information System water coverage of the study
active gaging stations, and updated summary statistics area, more than 830 lakes, ponds, and wetlands occur
for the two gaging stations which had less than 10 years within the study area. Some of these are intermittent
of record in 1997 are presented by Thompson (2000). and may go dry from time to time. Although lake levels
The gaging stations represent drainage areas and areas change over time in response to climatic fac-
ranging in size from less than one-half square mile to tors, the approximate mean lake areas represented in
1,160 square miles. Many of the smaller drainage areas the coverage will be used to discuss lake areas. About
are ephemeral tributary areas and flow only in direct 3.6 percent of the study area, or 63 square miles, is cov-
response to snowmelt or rainfall because base flow ered by water on a permanent or intermittent basis.
from ground water is limited. Some of the larger Most of the water bodies are fairly small with about
streams, such as the Little Minnesota River, are hydrau- 757 having an area less than one-tenth of a square mile,
lically connected to an aquifer and may receive more and about 810 having an area of less than one-half
base flow. Much of the study area is in the headwater square mile. About seven water bodies have an area
areas of the major drainage basins. Some of the head- between 1/2 and 1 square mile, and four water bodies
water areas have internal drainage or relatively unde- have an area greater than 2 square miles.
veloped drainage that may only be recognizable when Several of the larger lakes, including Traverse,
conveying water. Mean daily discharge for the eight Big Stone, and Enemy Swim, have been developed for
streams with continuous record ranges from 1.91 to recreation. Many of the smaller lakes and wetlands are
124 cubic feet per second (Carter and Thompson, 1998, used for livestock watering or wildlife production
table 4). Even though the Little Minnesota River and areas. Most of the lakes and ponds within the study
the Bois de Sioux River have the highest average daily area are found on the Coteau. Since the drainage pat-
discharge at 124 and 96 cubic feet per second, respec- terns in this area are not well developed, rising water
tively, both still have days with zero flow in their period levels on the Coteau have caused many of the lakes to
of record. Low flows less than 1 cubic foot per second merge in the last several years. Currently, the amount
are common for all stations, occurring mostly during of water in storage in lakes on the Coteau is much
late summer through winter. For example, the flow at greater than in the recent past due to increased annual
LaBelle Creek near Veblen is 1 cubic foot per second or precipitation coupled with decreased annual evapora-
less about 75 percent of the time, and the flow at tion (Emmons, 1999). For example, Niehus and others
Whetstone River near Big Stone City is 1 cubic foot per (1999) determined that there was approximately
second or less almost 10 percent of the time. Peak 10 times more water in Bitter Lake in April 1999 than
flows for all stations except the Bois de Sioux (a regu- in May 1993. Several of the other lake hydrographs
lated stream) typically are associated with early spring presented in Carter and Thompson (1998) and
snowmelt and rainfall, although some annual peaks are Thompson (2000) show similar rises with the above-
associated with major rainfall events occurring in the normal precipitation of the 1990s. Likewise, many of
summer or fall. Because the Bois de Sioux River is reg- the same hydrographs show decreasing lake levels
ulated, its peak flow is much smaller relative to its during a period of below-normal precipitation during
average flow than many of the other streams. Average 1987-88. During more normal climatic conditions, the
flow in the Little Minnesota River near Peever, at lakes generally tend to rise in the spring as a result of
48 cubic feet per second, is only one-half the average high precipitation and snowmelt, then decline over
flow in the Bois de Sioux River near White Rock. summer months when evaporation exceeds rainfall.
The two large lakes forming much of the eastern dissolved solids, in the Big Sioux River near Water-
boundary of the study area, Big Stone Lake and Lake town are noticeably less than some of the other streams.
Traverse, are manmade lakes formed by dams on the This is perhaps due to the hydraulic connection of the
Little Minnesota River near Ortonville, Minnesota, and Big Sioux River to the Big Sioux aquifer. The Big
the Bois de Sioux River near Wheaton, Minnesota, Sioux aquifer gains water from the Big Sioux River
respectively. Lake Traverse has a normal pool eleva- during times when the stage in the river is greater than
tion of 976 feet, and Big Stone Lake has a normal pool the water level in the surrounding aquifer. As the river
elevation of 966 feet. The outlets of these lakes are reg-
stage decreases to below the surrounding water table,
ulated to maintain lake levels. Therefore, water levels
the Big Sioux aquifer loses water to the river; thus, the
of these two lakes can be expected to fluctuate less than
water in the Big Sioux River is more reflective the
many of the smaller lakes on the Coteau.
water quality of the Big Sioux aquifer.
Water-quality data for 17 selected lakes within
Water Quality
the study area are presented by Carter and Thompson
Water-quality data for six selected streams (1998). Additional published and unpublished data
(stations 05289985, 06479438, 05050000, 05051650, have been summarized for some lakes in northeastern
05290000, and 05291000) within the study area South Dakota by the State Lakes Preservation Com-
(fig. 12) are presented by Carter and Thompson (1998). mittee (1977). The concentrations of the common ions
Water-quality data collected prior to this study are can be used to compare differences and similarities in
available in the USGS National Water Information the water quality of different lakes. Based on the 17
System (NWIS) water-quality data base. Statistical lake water-quality samples collected for this study, the
summaries of the available water-quality data for four dominant chemical species are listed in table 6.
of these streams (stations 06479438, 05050000,
Water quality in lakes in the study area can vary
05290000, and 05291000) are presented in tables 2-5.
significantly depending on the hydrologic setting and
In addition to the data presented by Carter and
seasonal changes in precipitation and evaporation.
Thompson (1998), the remaining two streams only had
Water quality in the lakes located on the Coteau in non-
water-quality data for specific conductance. Big
contributing drainage areas is especially prone to sea-
Coulee Creek near Peever (station 05289985) had
sonal and longer term changes. During dry cycles,
106 samples with a mean, median, minimum, and
evaporation can concentrate chemical constituents,
maximum of 1,199, 1,265, 265, and 2,690 S/cm
especially for closed basin lakes with high outlet alti-
(microsiemens per centimeter at 25C), respectively.
LaBelle Creek near Veblen (station 05051650) had 91 tudes and lakes with limited ground-water connections.
samples with a mean, median, minimum, and max- Dissolved solids from the 17 lakes sampled ranged
imum of 1,050, 1,020, 210, and 1,960 S/cm, respec- from 218 to 2,480 mg/L. The lakes with dissolved
tively. The dominant chemical species for all six solids greater than 1,000 mg/L had dominant chemical
streams are calcium, sulfate, and bicarbonate. Most species of magnesium and sulfate. Some lake water-
water-quality constituents and properties vary with the quality concentrations that are high in relation to U.S.
volume of the streamflow. For example, specific con- Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-
ductance typically shows a seasonal pattern due to vari- water standards (table 14 in the Supplemental Informa-
ations in streamflow. Specific conductance usually is tion section at the end of this report) provide some
lowest during the high flows of spring snowmelt, which additional insight on general lake water quality. Sulfate
dilutes the dissolved solids. The highest specific concentrations in Cottonwood Lake, Lake Bdesaka,
conductance usually is in late fall to winter, due to low and Piyas Lake ranged from 690 to 1,500 mg/L.
flows and ice conditions concentrating dissolved Arsenic concentrations in Cottonwood and Dry Lakes
solids. Water-quality fluctuations for some constitu- were greater than 10 g/L. Nitrate concentrations were
ents, such as specific conductance, hardness, and less than 0.2 mg/L in all the sampled lakes.
Surface Water - Water Quality 19

Table 2. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 06479438, Big Sioux River near Watertown
[Data for additional water-quality parameters from a single sample were presented in Carter and Thompson (1998). S/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at
25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; g/L, micrograms per liter; fet, fixed end point titration]
USGS
Number of
Property or dissolved constituent parameter Mean Median Minimum Maximum
samples
code
Specific conductance (S/cm) 00095 251 592 610 145 1,080
pH, whole water (standard units) 00400 6 8.25 8.15 7.2 9.5
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 00405 3 11.1 4.1 3.8 26
Alkalinity, total, whole water, fet 00410 2 289.5 289.5 266 313
(mg/L as CaCO3)
Bicarbonate, whole water, fet 00440 2 350 350 320 380

(mg/L as HCO3)
Nitrogen, nitrate + nitrite (mg/L as N) 00631 5 0.28 0.14 0.03 0.76
Phosphate, ortho, dissolved (mg/L as PO4) 00660 3 0.16 0.03 0.03 0.43
Phosphorus, total (mg/L as P) 00665 3 0.16 0.2 0.06 0.22
Phosphorus, dissolved (mg/L as P) 00666 2 0.025 0.025 0.02 0.03
Phosphorus, orthophosphate, dissolved 00671 3 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.14

(mg/L as P)
Hardness, total (mg/L as CaCO3) 00900 3 313 330 250 360
Noncarbonate hardness, total, whole, field, 00902 2 56 56 51 61

(mg/L as CaCO3)
Calcium, dissolved (mg/L as Ca) 00915 3 65 70 47 78
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L as Mg) 00925 3 36 37 31 41
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L as Na) 00930 3 13.3 13 13 14
Sodium-adsorption ratio 00931 3 0.33 0.3 0.3 0.4
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L as K) 00935 3 4.7 3.9 3.5 6.8
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L as Cl) 00940 3 6.2 5.8 5.5 7.4
Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L as SO4) 00945 3 76 68 65 95
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L as F) 00950 3 0.27 0.3 0.2 0.3
Boron, dissolved (g/L as B) 01020 3 87 90 40 130
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 70301 3 374 378 309 436
Suspended sediment concentration (mg/L) 80154 6 82 75.5 48 130
Table 3. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05050000, Bois de Sioux River near White Rock
25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; g/L, micrograms per liter; C, degrees Celsius; fet, fixed end point titration]
USGS
Number of
samples
code
Specific conductance (S/cm) 00095 16 1,346 1,240 754 2,860
pH, whole water (standard units) 00400 16 7.7 7.65 7 8.4
Alkalinity, total, whole water, fet 00410 5 254 228 184 390
(mg/L as CaCO3)
Bicarbonate, whole water, fet (mg/L as HCO3) 00440 14 306 260 220 480
Field carbonate, whole water, fet 00445 14 0.86 0 0 12
(mg/l as CO3)
Nitrogen, total (mg/L as N) 00600 4 2.38 2.45 1.9 2.7
Ammonia nitrogen, dissolved (mg/L as N) 00608 4 0.133 0.125 0.08 0.2
Phosphate, total (mg/L as PO4) 00650 12 0.47 0.41 0.06 1
Phosphorus, total (mg/L as P) 00665 4 0.332 0.312 0.256 0.45
Phosphorus, dissolved (mg/L as P) 00666 4 0.306 0.257 0.134 0.575
Hydrolizable phosphorus plus ortho, total 00680 3 17 17 15 19
(mg/L as P)
Hardness, total (mg/L as CaCO3) 00900 16 661 585 350 1,600
Noncarbonate hardness, total, whole, field, 00902 15 395 330 25 1,200
(mg/L as CaCO3)
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L as Mg) 00925 15 85 74 44 212
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L as Na) 00930 15 63 55 25 135
Sodium-adsorption ratio 00931 16 1.02 0.95 0.6 2
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L as K) 00935 15 13.8 13 7.9 21
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L as Cl) 00940 15 17.0 17 6.8 35
Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L as SO4) 00945 20 515 460 200 1,400
Silica, dissolved (mg/L as SiO2) 00955 15 18.6 20 6.8 34
Boron, total (g/L as B) 01022 6 218 205 100 320
Iron, total (g/L as Fe) 01045 6 198 55 30 950
Manganese, total (g/L as Mn) 01055 13 123 100 10 310
Aluminum, total (g/L as Al) 01105 12 367 400 100 800
Dissolved solids, residue on evaporation 70300 16 1,013 931 529 2,370
at 180C (mg/L)
Dissolved solids, sum of constituents (mg/L) 70301 15 977 828 487 2,360
Ammonia nitrogen, dissolved (mg/L as NH4) 71846 6 0.80 0.24 0.1 2.2
Nitrate nitrogen, total (mg/L as NO3) 71850 6 2.0 1.3 0.7 5.8
Nitrate nitrogen, dissolved (mg/L as NO3) 71851 16 3.0 2.3 0.7 7.3
Nitrite nitrogen, dissolved (mg/L as NO2) 71856 3 2.4 1 0.07 6
Bromide, dissolved (mg/L as Br) 71870 10 0.17 0.18 0.13 0.21
Iron (g/L as Fe) 71885 13 132 60 30 950
Suspended sediment (mg/L) 80154 3 16 18 10 19

Table 4. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05290000, Little Minnesota River near Peever
25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; g/L, micrograms per liter; C, degrees Celsius; fet, fixed end point titration]
USGS
Number of
samples
code
pH, whole water (standard units) 00400 10 7.49 7.5 6.7 8.1
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L as CO2) 00405 10 15.3 12 4.8 27
Bicarbonate, whole water, fet (mg/L as HCO3) 00440 9 259 320 86 380
Field carbonate, whole water, fet (mg/L as CO3) 00445 9 0 0 0 0

(mg/L as CaCO3)
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L as Mg) 00925 10 46.0 57 7.3 74
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L as Na) 00930 10 50.6 55.5 3.2 76
Sodium-adsorption ratio 00931 10 0.8 1 0.1 1
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L as K) 00935 10 8.6 8 6.9 11
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L as Cl) 00940 10 12.7 15.5 0 18
Silica, dissolved (mg/L as SiO2) 00955 10 16.2 18 6.7 24
Dissolved solids, residue on evaporation at 70300 10 815 931 203 1,130

180C (mg/L)
Nitrate nitrogen, total (mg/L as NO3) 71850 4 2.7 1.6 0.4 7.4
Nitrate nitrogen, dissolved (mg/L as NO3) 71851 5 2.9 2.6 0.4 7.4
Iron (g/L as Fe) 71885 5 72 30 20 180
Table 5. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05291000, Whetstone River near Big Stone City
25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; g/L, micrograms per liter; mm, millimeter; C, degrees Celsius; fet, fixed end point titration; it, incremental
titration]
USGS
Number of
samples
code
Oxygen, dissolved (mg/L) 00300 2 7.15 7.15 6.1 8.2
pH, whole water, field (standard units) 00400 30 7.82 7.85 6.6 8.5
pH, whole water, laboratory (standard units) 00403 4 7.75 7.85 7.4 7.9
Alkalinity, total, whole water, fet 00410 24 293 282 203 554
(mg/L as CaCO3)
Bicarbonate, whole water, fet 00440 29 338 340 83 680

(mg/L as HCO3)
Field carbonate, whole water, fet 00445 29 0.6 0 0 9

(mg/l as CO3)
Nitrate nitrogen, dissolved (mg/L as N) 00618 12 1.1 0.7 0 4.1
Phosphate, ortho, dissolved (mg/L as PO4) 00660 18 0.82 0.56 0.06 6.1

(mg/L as CaCO3)
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L as Mg) 00925 33 54 55 5.5 90
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L as Na) 00930 33 51 53 2.5 94
Sodium-adsorption ratio 00931 33 0.9 0.9 0.1 2
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L as K) 00935 33 8.3 8.2 5 12
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L as Cl) 00940 33 28 26 0 62
Silica, dissolved (mg/L as SiO2) 00955 26 16.6 16.5 5.3 34
Chromium, total (g/L as Cr) 01034 2 0 0 0 0
Copper, dissolved (g/L as Cu) 01040 2 0 0 0 0
Iron, dissolved (g/L as Fe) 01046 5 118 30 10 500

Table 5. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05291000, Whetstone River near Big Stone CityContinued
titration]
USGS
Number of
samples
code
Manganese, dissolved (g/L as Mn) 01056 6 225 210 90 430
Strontium, dissolved (g/L as Sr) 01080 3 547 520 360 760
Zinc, dissolved (g/L as Zn) 01090 2 90 90 40 140
Aluminum, total (g/L as Al) 01105 8 600 600 0 1,200
Lithium, dissolved (g/L as Li) 01130 3 60 60 30 90
Dissolved solids, residue on evaporation at 70300 33 816 816 140 1,350

180 C (mg/L)
Suspended sediment, percent finer than sieve 70331 2 97.5 97.5 96 99

diameter 0.062 mm
Suspended sediment, distilled water, percent 70337 4 52 55 40 57

finer than fall diameter 0.002 mm





Nitrate nitrogen, total (mg/L as NO3) 71850 7 1.7 1.3 0 5.2
Nitrate nitrogen, dissolved (mg/L as NO3) 71851 29 2.3 0.3 0 15
Iron (g/L as Fe) 71885 6 60 65 20 90
Suspended sediment (mg/L) 80154 12 229 176 9 718
Bed sediment material, distilled water, percent 80158 3 5 1 0 14




Table 5. Statistical summary of water-quality data for 05291000, Whetstone River near Big Stone CityContinued
titration]
USGS
Number of
samples
code

Bed sediment material, percent finer than sieve 80164 4 .8 0.5 0 2

diameter 0.062 mm
Bed sediment material, percent finer than sieve 80165 4 2.8 2 1 7

diameter 0.125 mm
Bed sediment material, percent finer than sieve 80166 4 8.8 7 3 19

diameter 0.250 mm
Bed sediment material, percent finer than sieve 80167 5 21 20 6 41

diameter 0.500 mm

diameter 1.00 mm

diameter 2.00 mm

diameter 4.00 mm

diameter 8.00 mm

diameter 16.0 mm
diameter 32.0 mm
Specific Conductance, at 25C (S/cm) 90095 4 1,109 1,186 542 1,520
Bicarbonate, lab, it (mg/L as HCO3) 90440 3 323 338 168 462
Carbonate, lab, it (mg/L as CO3) 90445 3 0 0 0 0

Table 6. Dominant chemical species for selected lakes within the study area (1990, 1995)
Dominant chemical species
Station Lake
Cation(s) Anion(s)
453740097171400 North Buffalo Lake Magnesium Bicarbonate
453759097160400 South Buffalo Lake Magnesium Bicarbonate
455123096492500 Cottonwood Lake Magnesium Sulfate
453547097105600 Drywood Lakes Magnesium Bicarbonate, sulfate
454539097214600 Dumarce Lake Magnesium Bicarbonate
454757097241900 Flat Lake Magnesium Bicarbonate, sulfate
454625097195900 Hill Lake Magnesium Sulfate
452404097082600 Hurricane Lake Calcium, magnesium Bicarbonate
454237096512300 Lake Bdesaka Magnesium Sulfate
453912096495000 Lake Traverse Calcium, magnesium Sulfate
454335097161700 Mud Lake Magnesium Sulfate
453057097091500 Oneroad Lake Calcium, magnesium Bicarbonate
452542097083700 Owl Lake Magnesium Bicarbonate
453525097191400 Piyas Lake Magnesium Sulfate
454107097171500 Sarah Lake Calcium, magnesium Bicarbonate
453306097124600 Tahana Lake Magnesium Bicarbonate
453803097120300 Whitestone Lake Magnesium Bicarbonate
Ground Water Coteau, especially, an uneven bedrock surface coupled

with as many as seven sand and gravel layers in a single
The boundaries of 11 aquifers and 6 named out- test hole can make aquifer delineation difficult. Addi-
wash groups were delineated based on hydrogeologic tionally, localized ground-water investigations done in
cross sections drawn from geologic logs, water levels, adjacent counties, and even specific locales within the
and water-quality similarities/dissimilarities. The study area, have given names to aquifers that may not
SDGS provided assistance in this task. Some of the match the naming convention assigned to the same
aquifers have been delineated previously in counties aquifer in another study. This is expected given the
adjacent to Roberts County, while others have not been lack of region-wide data prior to this investigation.
delineated before. Some of the outwash groups previ- However, this study attempted to resolve edge
ously were mapped as aquifers, while others have not
matching and multiple name issues involving aquifers
been delineated before. The glacial aquifers presented
that extend outside the study area. In some aquifers, the
in this report include: Coteau Lakes system, Big Sioux,
thickness of aquifer material at a specific test hole may
Altamont, Revillo, James, Veblen system, Spiritwood,
not be the same as given in a previous report. This is
Hankinson, Rosholt, Milnor Channel, and Fairmount;
the bedrock aquifer included in this report is the either due to additional data and subsequent reinterpre-
Dakota. Named outwash groups included in this report tation of cross sections, or not including adjacent out-
are the Prairie Coteau, Lonesome Lake, Marday, Eden, wash lenses as part of the aquifer.
Roslyn, and Wilmot. A summary of the characteristics
of the major aquifers and outwash groups within the Coteau Lakes Aquifer System
study area is presented in table 7. A small portion of the Coteau Lakes aquifer
system was studied near the town of Waubay by Beffort
Glacial Aquifers
and Hedges (1967), although the aquifer was not given
The glacial history of the study area has led to a a name in the report. The Coteau Lakes aquifer has
rather complex system of glacial aquifers. On the been mapped by Koch (1972) and modified by Koch
Table 7. A summary of the characteristics of the major aquifers and outwash groups within the study area
[--, not computed]
Range in Average
Areal Number of depth below depth below Range of
Max- Number of Average Artesian (A) Estimated
extent test holes Average land surface land surface water level
imum observation water level and/or volume of Suitability
within used to thick- to top of to top of above (-) or
Name thick- wells with below land water-table water in for
study area determine ness1 aquifer/ aquifer/ below land
ness recorded surface3 (WT) storage4 irrigation5
(square thickness (feet) outwash outwash surface2
(feet) water levels (feet) (primarily) (acre-feet)
miles) and depth material material1 (feet)
(feet) (feet)
Glacial Aquifers
Coteau Lakes system 102.9 56 65 25.4 0 45 7.2 20 -1.08 25.62 9.3 WT, A -- Yes
Big Sioux 61.7 57 59 22.4 09 3.1 15 -0.49 15.08 7.5 WT 88,450 Yes
Altamont 217.1 23 132 42.3 358 701 464.7 1 -- -- A -- Yes
Revillo 86.7 18 141 56.8 107 661 252.3 9 -3.5 396.66 89.4 A 315,200 Yes
James 2.0 1 108 108 -- 677 0 -- -- A 21.6 --
Veblen system 277.2 53 191 47.1 11 179 86.3 23 12.42 88.3 38.1 WT, A 835,600 Yes
Spiritwood 19.4 7 98 49 1 180 102.7 10 13.58 50.76 28.6 A 60,840 No
Hankinson 15.2 2 10 10 22 27 24.5 0 -- -- A 9,728 Yes
Rosholt 200.3 53 101 37.8 1 123 37.6 16 0.33 77.4 26.4 WT, A 480,700 Yes
Milnor Channel 54.8 0 -- -- -- -- 0 -- -- WT -- --
Fairmount 177.8 34 138 36.1 94 263 186.0 13 -1.69 79.53 26.9 A 410,800 Yes
Bedrock Aquifer
6469 6705.8
Dakota 1,738.0 88 -- -- 1,000 0 -- -- A -- No
Named, Discontinuous Outwash Groups
Prairie Coteau -- 42 45 18.5 46 278 132.4 15 -4.7 221.01 54.2 A -- Yes
Ground Water - Glacial Aquifers
Lonesome Lake -- 17 58 20.9 190 399 286.1 1 -- -- A -- Yes

Marday -- 11 47 19.6 124 377 216.7 1 -- -- A -- Yes
Eden -- 17 40 18.8 256 508 390.5 3 -- -- A -- Yes
Roslyn -- 11 40 23.8 76 627 363.9 1 -- -- A -- Yes
Wilmot -- 17 54 17.9 2 78 30.6 4 -- -- WT -- Yes
1
Arithmetic mean from test-hole data.
2A negative number indicates feet above land surface.
3
Arithmetic mean from observation-well data shown in potentiometric map.
4
Storage was estimated by multiplying average thickness by areal extent and multiplying product by specific yield of 0.10.
5Based on the South Dakota irrigation-water classification diagram (fig. 41).
6
Reported data.
27
(1975) in Marshall County. The same aquifer system Lakes aquifer system is primarily by infiltration of
was mapped as the Eastern Lakes Subsystem aquifer by rainfall and snowmelt to the aquifers and from outwash
Leap (1972, 1988) in Day County. For the purposes of hydraulically connected to the aquifers. Under certain
this report, these two aquifer systems will be identified circumstances, such as very localized and heavy rain-
as the Coteau Lakes aquifer system. The Coteau Lakes fall, it is possible that the lakes could recharge the
aquifer system is composed of glacial outwash deposits aquifer. In the south-central part of township 122,
at or near the surface and hydraulically connected to range 52, the Coteau Lakes aquifer system shares part
many of the glacial lakes on the Coteau. The aquifers of its boundary with the Big Sioux aquifer. Water
and outwash materials surrounding the lakes are con- levels indicate that the Big Sioux aquifer probably
tinuous between some, but not all lakes. Within the receives water from the Coteau Lakes aquifer system.
study area, lakes connected to aquifers in this system Discharge from the system is by domestic, stock-
include Buffalo, North and South Red Iron, and Clear watering, and irrigation wells, evapotranspiration, and
Lakes in Marshall County; Pickerel, Enemy Swim, discharge to lakes and to the Big Sioux aquifer.
Hillebrands, Spring, Blue Dog, and Bitter lakes in Day
County, and Drywood Lakes, the Oak Island area, Big Sioux Aquifer
Hurricane Lake, and Owl Lake in Roberts County.
Several other lakes with adjacent aquifers and outwash The Big Sioux aquifer has been mapped in
outside the study area to the west are also part of this Codington and Grant Counties by Hansen (1990), and
aquifer system. The aquifers surrounding the lakes are extends a few miles into southeast Roberts County
characterized by areas of surface outwash or buried (fig. 15). The aquifer is composed of poorly to well-
outwash channels extending away from the lakes and sorted surface outwash ranging from medium sand to
sometimes forming hydraulic connections with adja- medium gravel, with the outwash becoming coarser
cent lakes (Leap, 1988). This outwash often occurs at with depth. Test holes penetrating the aquifer found
higher altitudes than the lakes, and may or may not con- thicknesses from 2 to 59 feet, and generally less than
tain water. However, all the outwash near the land 10 feet below land surface in the study area. Depths
surface is capable of rapidly catching infiltrated rainfall and thicknesses of the aquifer are shown numerically in
or snowmelt and directing it towards a lake or aquifer. figure 15 and graphically in figure 10. It is limited to
the flood plain of the Big Sioux River and its tribu-
Test holes penetrating the aquifers within this
taries. The extent of the Big Sioux aquifer in
system found thicknesses varying from 3 to 65 feet
Codington and Grant Counties varies slightly from that
(fig. 13). The aquifers are found at land surface in
presented by Hansen (1990) because additional test
some areas, but are as much as 45 feet below land sur-
face in other areas. The depths to the aquifer are shown holes were available.
numerically in figure 10 and graphically in figures 8 Fifteen observation wells measured for this
and 9. The potentiometric surfaces of the aquifers in study were completed in the Big Sioux aquifer. Within
this system are complex and have the ability to change the study area, the Big Sioux is under water-table con-
rapidly over time in response to rainfall or snowmelt ditions. Its hydraulic gradient slopes to the south, and
events. Water levels may be influenced near lakes by locally towards the Big Sioux River, which flows from
lake levels, but may have water-table or artesian condi- north to south (fig. 16).
tions farther away from the lakes. Koch (1975) noted The Big Sioux aquifer is recharged by percola-
that flowing wells are even possible in certain low- tion of snowmelt and rainfall. It is connected directly
lying areas, but that water-level changes as small as to the Big Sioux River, and varying runoff and ante-
3 feet could change wells from artesian to water-table cedent moisture conditions mean the aquifer may be
conditions over large areas. Twenty observation wells discharging to, or gaining water from the river. The
monitored for this study were completed in the Coteau aquifer is underlain and flanked by till, but shares a
Lakes aquifer system. Because some of the areas in the boundary with the Coteau Lakes aquifer system and its
system have very few observation wells, the potentio- outwash areas, which may discharge ground water to
metric surface could only be characterized for areas the north edge of the Big Sioux aquifer at least some of
with adequate water-level data (fig. 14). Additional the time. Discharge from the aquifer is by municipal,
water-level maps for this aquifer system are given by domestic, stock-watering, and irrigation wells; evapo-
Leap (1988) and Koch (1975). Recharge to the Coteau transpiration; and base flow to the Big Sioux River.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
33 Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
3130Iron Lake
Boun
49
Lake
35 4 0 25 Sarah T. 126 N.
19 48 0 Lake 26 Sisseton
dary
0 0 ke
12 28
Iron Lake
of
42 8 2 Lake
31 r
the L
22 8 4 ve
Lake 45
9 2 Lake Ri
13 T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella 12
22 Whipple Peever
23 0 2 22 Slough
Piyas 42Buffalo
ravers
11 0
Drywood 18
Lake 18 2 Lakes 17
0 9 19 20 2
Lakes
3 1 Agency
e Res
R. 54 W. 1 41Co
Marshall 25 Village
Tahana Peever T. 124 N.
9 Day Co
ervati
2 5 6 20 Lake n
0 so
0 6 gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
12 8 C h e ka
3 2
45o30' Pickerel 5 4 Oneroad
Cree
k Mud
Lake 1 10 Lake e Lake
5 36 ule
2 3 Co
20 40 T. 123 N.
6 2 Enemy 41 Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands 40 Swim 1 3 Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake 0 Lake Owl

18 2 Lake Fo
1 rk
12
43 Campbell34 1 29 Lak
17
Spring Slough 1 1 35 Wilmot e
W
30
Lake Hurricane 1 ets 96o30'
h
34 1 Lake to n e Ri
0 4 Blue Dog 5
24 23 ve
2 Lake33
2 48 63 r T. 122 N.
4 2 2
7 27
0 64
0 50 39 Corona
65(2) 2 Ortley 0 2
R
5
18 30 Summit R. 47 W.
27 2 23 Co R. 50 W. R. 49 W. R. 48 W.
ux
Roberts
Anderson 0 S io
14
0 Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
EXPLANATION
Sio
Codington Co AQUIFER BOUNDARY--Dashed where approxi-

ux
k
ee mately located. Modified from Leap (1988)
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
based on surface expression and test holes
Cottonwood
Lake
BOUNDARY OF OUTWASH APRONS AS
T. 119 N. NOTED BY LEAP (1988) AND BASED ON
hone Cr
Ma SURFACE EXPRESSION
WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
Riv
65(2)
er
COTEAU LAKES AQUIFER SYSTEM--Upper

5
T. 118 N. number is thickness, in feet. Number in
parenthesis is number of layers, if more than
Base from U.S. Geological Survey one. Lower number is depth to top of Coteau
digital line graph 1:24,000 Lakes aquifer, in feet
R. 52 W.
Figure 13. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Coteau Lakes aquifer system.
Ground Water - Glacial Aquifers 29

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
1864.3 T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lakes
1966.9
Lake Drywood
Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake on
ens
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
1869.2 T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim1870.3 Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

1929.1 Lake Fo
rk
1921.8
Campbell1897.8 1904.8 Lak
1892.7 Hurricane1920 1905.2
W
Lake ets 96o30'

h
Lake1900 1903.2 to n e Ri
Blue1858.6
Dog 1880 1896.6 ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
1827.6 1842.0 1871.9
1900.9
19
Corona
00
18
Ortley
80
1884.0
R. 47 W.
18
1868.8 Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W.
R. 50 W.
60
ux
Roberts Co
1 S io
Anderson 840 1841.9
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N. EXPLANATION

Sio
Codington Co AQUIFER BOUNDARY--Dashed where approxi-

ux
k
ee mately located. Modified from Leap (1988)
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
based on surface expression and test holes
Cottonwood
Lake
BOUNDARY OF OUTWASH APRONS AS
T. 119 N. NOTED BY LEAP (1988) AND BASED ON
hone Cr
Ma SURFACE EXPRESSION
1900 POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR--Shows
Riv
er
altitude at which water would have stood

T. 118 N. in tightly cased, nonpumping wells. Contour
interval 20 feet. Dashed where approximately
Base from U.S. Geological Survey located. Datum at sea level
digital line graph 1:24,000 R. 52 W. OBSERVATION WELL--Number is hydraulic
1090.7 head of the well, in feet above sea level
Figure 14. Potentiometric surface of parts of the Coteau Lakes aquifer system for late August 1999.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
17(2) 28
2 0 Summit18 R. 47 W.
49 Roberts Co15 o 1 R. 50 W. R. 49 W. R. 48 W.
ux
1
Anderson 0 Si
29
Lake2 Big 12 23
13
33 4 0 2
Bitter20 24 1 19
Lake 1 3 4 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15' 2 5 7 T. 121 N.
Day Co
Bi 4 5
22 g
26 44 28 r 3 18 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
9 2 1 47 1 Rive 5
11 1 ian
29 2
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake 26
25 4 1
1 18
9 29 45 6
Grant
22
Co T. 120 N.
EXPLANATION
6 42 2
Sio
2 30 Codington Co AQUIFER BOUNDARY--Modified from Hansen

3 18
ux
12 2 4 Cree
k
2 30 R. 51 W. (1990) based on surface expression and test
1 So7o 12
14 1 holes
4 Cottonwood 14 10
Lake 4 2 1
2 36 WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
47 5 14 6 T. 119 N. 17(2)
1 4 4 ahone36 Cr 19 BIG SIOUX AQUIFER--Upper number
M 1 2
16
3 is aquifer thickness, in feet. Number in
9
7
18 6 parenthesis is number of layers, if more than
Riv
2 6 6 one. Lower number is depth to top of Big

er
3 2 33
42 3
22 T. 118 N. Sioux aquifer, in feet
3 3
59 15
6 9
Figure 15. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Big Sioux aquifer.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
18 0
R
18
80
6
1845.1 Summit
1883.7 R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
1836.4
1824.1 Anderson S io
1879.8, 1877.5
Lake ig 1876.4
1821.5 B 184
0
1860.4
Bitter 182
Lake 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15' T. 121 N.
Day Co
Bi
g 1800
1854.6 1800 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
ver
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
T. 120 N.
EXPLANATION
1780 Grant Co
Sio
Codington Co AQUIFER BOUNDARY--Modified from Hansen

ux
1773.1 k
ee (1990) based on surface expression and test
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
1763.6
holes
Cottonwood 1763.2
Lake
1760 1800 POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR--Shows
T. 119 N.
altitude at which water would have stood
hone Cr
1740 Ma in tightly cased, nonpumping wells. Contour
1737.6 interval 20 feet. Dashed where approximately
Riv
located. Datum at sea level

er
1744.5
T. 118 N. OBSERVATION WELL--Number is hydraulic
1854.6
head of the well, in feet above sea level. Stacked
Base from U.S. Geological Survey numbers indicate multiple wells at one location
Figure 16. Potentiometric surface of the Big Sioux aquifer in late August/early September 1999.
Altamont Aquifer metric surface slopes southward toward Wilmot. A test
The Altamont aquifer has been mapped in hole near Wilmot showed 4 feet of silty clay separating
Codington and Grant Counties by Hansen (1990). It is the Revillo aquifer from an overlying outwash lens,
composed of medium to coarse sand, with some inter- although no direct connections to other aquifers were
bedded silt and clay layers noted by Hansen (1990). found in test holes drilled for this study.
Where the Altamont aquifer extends into southwest Recharge to the Revillo aquifer possibly is from
Roberts County, no silt or clay layers were encoun- connections to overlying outwash lenses. Discharge is
tered. In the study area, test holes penetrating the from municipal, domestic, and stock-watering wells,
Altamont aquifer found thicknesses ranging from 6 to and possibly to overlying outwash lenses where
132 feet at depths of 358 to 701 feet below land surface hydraulic connections exist.
(figs. 10 and 17). In some areas it is a basal aquifer
directly overlying the bedrock surface, while in other James Aquifer
areas it extends outward onto till that has filled valleys
incised in the bedrock. The James aquifer has been mapped in Marshall
County by Koch (1972), but is present in only one test
Only one of the observation wells used in this
hole in the study area. In that test hole, two layers of
study is completed in the Altamont aquifer. Based on
the aquifer are separated by a clay layer. The sand and
the map presented by Hansen, the hydraulic gradient of
gravel layers total 108 feet in thickness (fig. 20)
the Altamont aquifer slopes downward to the south.
between altitudes of 1,176 and 1,053 feet. Adjacent
test holes as close as 2 and 3 miles away show a higher
Revillo Aquifer
bedrock surface with no James aquifer present; there-
The Revillo aquifer has been mapped in fore, the extent of the James aquifer is very limited in
Codington and Grant Counties by Hansen (1994). It is the study area.
a basal aquifer similar to and south of the Fairmount
aquifer, but test holes indicate that the two aquifers are Veblen Aquifer System
separated by a ridge of bedrock (fig. 6). The Revillo
The Veblen aquifer has been mapped in Marshall
aquifer lies in a buried preglacial bedrock valley that
County by Koch (1975). Hansen (1990) proposed that
trends roughly northwest-southeast. The Revillo
the Veblen aquifer extended from northeast Marshall
aquifer enters the study area near the center of the County across Roberts County and into Codington and
southern border of Roberts County and extends north- Grant Counties. However, drilling and water-level data
west at least to Agency Village. Test holes penetrating collected for this study indicate that it is not one contin-
the Revillo aquifer indicate thicknesses ranging from uous aquifer. Therefore, the Veblen aquifer mapped by
12 to 141 feet, averaging about 56.8 feet thick over its Hansen in Codington and Grant Counties is not the
extent within the study area. The depth from land same as the Veblen aquifer mapped by Koch in
surface to the top of the Revillo aquifer ranges from Marshall County. The Veblen aquifer mapped by
more than 660 feet to less than 110 feet. The upper Hansen does extend into southeast Roberts County, but
surface of the aquifer is at altitudes generally between it generally is very thin and may be discontinuous
1,000 and 1,100 feet. The depth and thickness of the between test holes where it is found. For this reason, it
aquifer is shown numerically in figure 18 and graphi- is mapped as outwash deposits in this report. Arm-
cally in figure 9. strong (1982) also proposed that the Veblen aquifer
Nine observation wells are completed in the extends into Sargent County, N. Dak., where it is
Revillo aquifer within the study area. Water levels at known as the Spiritwood aquifer. However, drilling
the observation wells indicate artesian conditions exist, data indicate that the Spiritwood aquifer is separated
with one observation well sometimes having water from the Veblen aquifer by a zone of lake sediments
levels above land surface. The potentiometric surface and till, and water-level data show that the two aquifers
of the Revillo aquifer, based on water-level data col- do not have a strong hydraulic connection, as the poten-
lected in August 1999, is shown in figure 19. The tiometric surface of the Spiritwood aquifer is about
potentiometric surface is at its highest in the northwest 50 feet lower than the adjacent areas of the Veblen
part of the aquifer near Agency Village. The potentio- aquifer.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
78 r T. 122 N.
553
21 18 Corona
34 416
6 Ortley 472
R
385 434 Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.

63 Roberts Co R. 50 W.
ux
416 S io 12
Anderson 65
Lake Big 473 38 562
Bitter 8 59
Lake 497 434 701 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15' T. 121 N.
132
Day Co
40 Big
420 564 ve r 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
Ri
ian 8
Lonesome
R. 53 W. Lake
58 Ind
424 43 606
438
47 35 Grant Co
433 T. 120 N.
416
Sio
42 Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
497 ree
k
28 oo C R. 51 W.
358 S AQUIFER BOUNDARY
Cottonwood 46
Lake 412 WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
T. 119 N. 38 ALTAMONT AQUIFER--Upper number
hone Cr 701 is aquifer thickness, in feet. Lower number
Ma
52 is depth to top of Altamont aquifer, in feet
413 39
Riv
363
er
T. 118 N.

Figure 17. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Altamont aquifer.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes 47
605Agency
e Res
52
ervati
Lake so n
360 gen
er
Jor
Big
48(2)
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
75 118 k 157
423 e167 Cree Mud
Lake
Lake
u l e 72 51 Lake
47
Co 265 164 107 T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
45 Lake
ne
45F
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake 155 124ork
Campbell Lak
Spring Slough 43
Wilmot e
W
Lake Hurricane 49 143 ets 96o30'

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog 44 172 ve
r T. 122 N.
Lake 300 7
303 26 Corona
Ortley 129
R
Summit 12 100 141 R. 47 W.

190 R.
11649 W. R. 48 W.
661R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo AQUIFER BOUNDARY--Dashed where approxi-
Cottonwood mately located
Lake
T. 119 N. WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
Ma
hone Cr 48(2) REVILLO AQUIFER--Upper number is aquifer
157 thickness, in feet. Number in parenthesis is
Riv
number of layers, if more than one. Lower

er
number is depth to top of Revillo aquifer, in

T. 118 N. feet

Figure 18. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Revillo aquifer.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
e
South Red Whitestone L ak
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
Day Co Tahana1263.4 1265.2Peever
T. 124 N.
ervati
Lake on
ens er
12 Jorg
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka 60
o 1176.4
45 30' Pickerel Oneroad
1260.4
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake 1240 Lake
u lee
Co 1169.6 T. 123 N.
Enemy 20 Bullhead
12
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi 1167.4

or
Lake
ne
th
Owl
0
Lake Lake
1168.9
120
Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
Spring Slough 1169.2
Wilmot e
W
Lake Hurricane 118 ets 96o30'

h
0 to n e Ri
Lake 120 ve
Blue Dog 0 r T. 122 N.
Lake
1203.8 Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Lake
T. 119 N. 1200 POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR--Shows
hone Cr altitude at which water would have stood
Ma
in tightly cased, nonpumping wells. Contour
Riv
interval 20 feet. Dashed where approximately

er
located. Datum at sea level

T. 118 N.
OBSERVATION WELL--Number is hydraulic
Figure 19. Potentiometric surface of the Revillo aquifer on August 1999.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
Rice r
97o15'
o
46 00 Clouds
Tewaukon
Hankinson
White
Lake
Lake 97o00' aquifer 10
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45' 22
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co ell
e Roberts Co South Dakota 10 Rock T. 129 N.
B 27
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
James Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
aquifer Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Ri
(Koch, 1975) Lake Lake
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
108(2) Lake Lakes Drywood

677 Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Lake
Ma
hone Cr 108(2) JAMES OR HANKINSON AQUIFERS--Upper
677 number is aquifer thickness, in feet. Number
Riv
in parenthesis is number of layers, if more

er
than one. Lower number is depth to top of

T. 118 N. James or Hankinson aquifers, in feet

Figure 20. Thickness, depth, and extent of the James and Hankinson aquifers.

The Veblen aquifer is composed of a buried River. A water-quality sample was collected from this
valley complex of glaciofluvial origin. The Veblen well on May 15, 1998, just as the Little Minnesota
aquifer was deposited in a lowland area that at times River was reaching its annual peak flow (Burr and
contained meltwater streams and other times possibly others, 1999). Flow at gaging station 05290000 (Little
large lakes. Most of the sand and gravel layers appear Minnesota River near Peever) increased from 79 cubic
to be interconnected. For this reason it is called the feet per second on May 10 to the annual peak of
Veblen aquifer system in this report. The Veblen 1,190 cubic feet per second on May 19. The resulting
aquifer system extends from the north-central part of ground-water sample (Thompson, 2000) had a high
the study area diagonally to the approximate center of
(10.5 milligrams per liter) dissolved oxygen level con-
Roberts County and southeast towards Big Stone Lake
sistent with surface-water samples, likely because the
east of Peever. In some areas the Veblen aquifer system
high stage of the Little Minnesota River had induced
is made up of two or three lake sediment separated
layers of varying thickness, while in other areas, there streamflow losses to the Veblen aquifer system in that
is a single layer as much as 191 feet thick. Test holes location. Water-quality samples from a nearby obser-
penetrating the Veblen aquifer system found it at depths vation well (126N50W21DDDDR) completed in the
ranging from 11 to 179 feet below land surface. The Veblen aquifer system had a low (0.1 milligram per
depth and thickness of the aquifer is shown numerically liter) dissolved oxygen levels (Carter and Thompson,
in figure 21 and graphically in figures 7 and 8. 1998) typically associated with ground water. Dis-
Approximately 22 observation wells are com- charge from the Veblen aquifer system is from
pleted in the Veblen aquifer system within the study municipal, domestic, and stock-watering wells, and to
area. Over much of its extent, the Veblen aquifer evapotranspiration where the aquifer and water level
system is under artesian conditions, with some obser- are near the land surface. The Veblen aquifer system
vation wells flowing on occasion. In other areas, upper may also discharge to the Milnor Channel aquifer or to
layers of the aquifer system are close to land surface springs along the Milnor Channel in the vicinity of
and are under water-table conditions. The different Lake Bdesaka. The Veblen aquifer system may also
layers of sand and gravel that compose the Veblen provide base flow to a stretch of the Little Minnesota
aquifer system appear to have a strong hydraulic con- River when the aquifer water levels are higher than the
nection over most of the aquifers extent. A pair of river stage.
nested observation wells in different layers of the
Veblen aquifer system had water levels that generally Spiritwood Aquifer
were within 0.2 feet of one another. The hydraulic
gradient of the Veblen aquifer system generally slopes The Spiritwood aquifer system has been mapped
downward to the east or southeast (fig. 22). in Sargent County, N. Dak., by Armstrong (1982). A
The Veblen aquifer system may be connected to small part of the aquifer extends into the study area.
the Brightwood aquifer as mapped by Baker and Armstrong proposed that the Spiritwood aquifer in
Paulson (1967) outside the study area in North Dakota. North Dakota was the same unit as the Veblen aquifer
Recharge of the Veblen aquifer system is by infiltration system in South Dakota. However, additional test-
of rainfall and snowmelt where the aquifer is near the hole, water-level, and water-quality data indicate that
land surface, and by hydraulic connection with the the two aquifers are distinct. The potentiometric
Little Minnesota River. In at least one area near obser- surface of the Spiritwood aquifer is about 50 feet lower
vation well R2-97-43 (125N50W12ABCC2 R), the than that of the adjacent part of the Veblen aquifer
Little Minnesota River is incised into the sands and system. The depositional history of the Spiritwood
gravels that compose the Veblen aquifer system. aquifer is thought to be glaciofluvial (Armstrong,
Evidence of this hydraulic connection can be seen by 1982), so the aquifer is actually a system of sand and
comparing water-quality parameters from this well to gravel deposits interbedded with clay and silt. Within
others completed in the Veblen aquifer system in the the study area, test holes penetrating the Spiritwood
same area. Observation well 125N50W12ABCC2 R is aquifer encountered thicknesses from 14 to 98 feet at
approximately 800 feet from the Little Minnesota depths of 1 to 180 feet below land surface (fig. 23).
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o 64
46 00 Clouds
105(3) o 92 60
White
Lake
Lake 45 82
97 00'
37(2)
Creek
30 89 59(2) 65(2) 96o45'
R. 55 W. 88 55North Dakota 11(2)
Creek
Sargent Co 120 191 Richland Co
Bois de Sioux River

lle
93 86(2)Dakota41 White
T. 129 N.
Marshall Co Be 74 Co 85
12 56(2)Roberts South Rock
La 68 11 62 81 Indian Clubhouse
110 ot 48 34 68 33Slough 30 Lake
tfo
Sh
or 69 110 112 100 124 130 Dobberstien T. 128 N.
50 114
Veblen 40 Hammer 12 Slough Victor Rosholt
120 eek Claire 110 86
Cr
La Belle
Slough La Frombois 20 City 89 New Cottonwood
72 47 78(3) 76(2) 92 Effington Lake
87 112
Litt
Abraham 88
Lake 57(3) Mud
le
Flat 46
Lake 8 99 Knebel Lake
Cottonwood
58 95 32
Lake
dfast 67 47Slough Cottonwood
Dumarce an 85 Slough T. 127 N.
Hill Cre 92
St
Lake
Lake 32 75
ek
90 108 57
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake 90(2) 55(2) Lake
nn
67 e
ers
1867
68
eso
North Red
9 Bdesaka Tr
av
ta
Clear 110
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah 12 79(2) T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton 59
12 42 15
dary
South Red a ke
Whitestone L
Iron Lake 144 12 90
of
Lake
102 r
the L
30(2) i ve
16
Lake Lake
99 9(2)R
102T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella Whipple
15Peever 66
Piyas Buffalo 6 58Slough
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood 128 2 12

Lakes
Agency 179 100
e Res
R. 54 W. Marshall Co Village 6
Peever T. 124 N.
Day Co Tahana 3 20
ervati
Lake
n s on 85
ge
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Lake
hone Cr 78(2)
Ma VEBLEN AQUIFER SYSTEM--Upper number
112 is thickness, in feet. Number in parenthesis is
Riv

er
number is depth to top of Veblen aquifer, in

T. 118 N. feet

Figure 21. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Veblen aquifer system.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
46 00o Clouds 1192.4
Lake White
Lake 1165.197o00'
1190
Creek
R. 55 W. 1185.3
1173.6 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
1189.3 lle Roberts Co Dakota
1168.5 T. 129 N.
Marshall Co Be 1191.4 1176.6 South Rock
La Indian Clubhouse
ot 119 Slough Lake
1190.2 rtf
o 0 1179.6
ho S 1188.6 Dobberstien T. 128 N.
Victor Rosholt
Veblen 80 Hammer Slough
eek 11 Claire 1159.8
Cr
La Belle Cottonwood
70
La Frombois 1176.2 City New
Slough
11
Lake
1174.2 Effington
60
1156.7
Litt
11
Abraham 1174.4
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
Lake Cottonwood 1167.1 Knebel
Lake 1157.9 Slough Cottonwood
fas
Dumarce and t Slough T. 127 N.
50
Hill
30
Cre
St
40
Lake
11
Lake
11
ek
11
45o45' Long Mud 1135.3 1118.1
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
20 Lake
ers
e
1867
11
eso
0 Bdesaka av
North Red 1 Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake 11 00
Boun
Lake
Sarah 1099.5 11 T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
10 90
South Red La
80
Whitestone
10
Iron Lake 1107.5
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri 1061.0
T. 125 N.
ake T
0
107
Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Lake
T. 119 N. 1100 POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR--Dashed where
hone Cr approximately located. Shows altitude at which
Ma
water would have stood in tightly cased, non-
Riv
pumping wells. Contour interval 10 feet

er

T. 118 N. 1061.0 head of the well, in feet above sea level.
Stacked numbers indicate multiple well at
Base from U.S. Geological Survey one location
Figure 22. Potentiometric surface of the Veblen aquifer in August 1999.
97o30'
40(2) T. 130 N.
Wild
Rice
1Rive58(2)
r
Lake
o
46o00 Clouds61 118 37 97 15'
Tewaukon
Lake 129 White 98 180

Lake 102 97o00'
14
Creek
R. 55 W. 136 35(2) North Dakota
96o45'
Sargent53
Creek
Co Richland Co
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake
ns on
rge
er
Big
Jo
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
o
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake Lake
ulee
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
e k
e
Cr R. 51 W.
Lake
hone Cr 58(2)
Ma SPIRITWOOD AQUIFER--Upper number is
118 aquifer thickness, in feet. Number in paren-
Riv
thesis is number of layers, if more than one.

er
Lower number is depth to top of Spiritwood

T. 118 N. aquifer, in feet

Figure 23. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Spiritwood aquifer.

Ten observation wells within the study area are into two parts. Both parts are still considered one unit
completed in the Spiritwood aquifer. The potentio- based on similar water levels and water-quality charac-
metric surface of the aquifer appears to slope down- teristics. The Rosholt aquifer exists as a single layer
wards towards the vicinity of Lake Tewaukon, except in some areas where two layers of sand and
although the limited extent of the aquifer within the gravel are separated by a thin layer of lake sediments.
study area may not reflect the general trend of the rest Test holes penetrating the Rosholt aquifer encountered
of the aquifer (fig. 24). Outside the study area in North
thicknesses ranging from 3 to 101 feet at depths from
Dakota, the aquifer is connected to the Brampton and
1 to 123 feet below land surface. A major dissimilarity
Englevale aquifers.
between the Rosholt aquifer and the Veblen aquifer
Recharge to the Spiritwood aquifer is from infil-
tration of rainfall and snowmelt where the aquifer is at system is the potentiometric surface. The water levels
or near land surface, and from lateral connections to the in the Rosholt aquifer are 50 to 80 feet lower than the
Englevale aquifer outside the study area. Discharge is water levels in the adjacent areas of the Veblen aquifer
to the Brampton aquifer outside the study area and as system (fig. 26), and flow directions are different
upward leakage and evapotranspiration in and around because of discharge relationships.
Lake Tewaukon. Approximately 17 observation wells are com-
pleted in the Rosholt aquifer within the study area. A
Hankinson Aquifer site roughly north of the town of Victor and near the
The Hankinson aquifer was mapped in Richland North Dakota border has observation wells in two dif-
County, N. Dak., by Powell (1956), and Baker and ferent layers of the Rosholt aquifer (site numbers 144
Paulson (1967). They described it as glaciolacustrine and 145, Thompson, 2000). At this site, the two layers
in origin. The aquifer extends into the study area in a are in hydraulic connection, and the water levels in the
small part of northeastern Roberts County (fig. 20). two wells generally are within 2 feet of one another.
Only two test holes within the study area found an Test holes show that the Rosholt aquifer system
aquifer consistent with the Hankinson aquifer as may be connected hydraulically to the Hankinson
described in North Dakota. Surrounding these two test aquifer in the extreme northeast portion of the study
holes it appears that the Hankinson aquifer either tapers area. Cross section A-A (fig. 7) also shows that a layer
out or merges with the Rosholt aquifer. The Hankinson of lake deposits separates the Rosholt aquifer from a
aquifer does not appear to be an extension of the thin, underlying outwash deposit. Depending on the
Rosholt aquifer because other layers of the Rosholt
conductivity of these lake deposits, there may be a
found in these two test holes either do not extend into
weak hydraulic connection between the Rosholt
North Dakota, or have not been mapped in previous
aquifer and the underlying outwash deposit.
studies in that area. Baker and Paulson (1967) describe
the Hankinson as a water-table aquifer, with the poten- Recharge to the Rosholt aquifer is from percola-
tiometric surface generally less than 10 feet below land tion of rainfall or snowmelt where the aquifer is near
surface. land surface, and possibly from leakage to the
The Hankinson aquifer may be connected Hankinson aquifer. Discharges from the Rosholt
hydraulically to the Rosholt aquifer. Recharge is by aquifer are from municipal, domestic and stock-
infiltration of rainfall or snowmelt, and possibly from watering wells, and possibly from leakage to the
the Rosholt aquifer. Discharge is from municipal, Hankinson aquifer. Even though the Milnor Channel
domestic, and stock-watering wells; from springs; from incises the Rosholt aquifer, water levels suggest there is
evapotranspiration; and possibly to the Rosholt aquifer. not a strong hydraulic connection between the Rosholt
and Milnor Channel aquifers. Two lakes within the
Rosholt Aquifer Milnor Channel, Cottonwood Lake and Lake Bdesaka,
The Rosholt aquifer occurs immediately to the have water levels of about 1,030 and 1,022 feet, respec-
east of the Veblen aquifer system and extends eastward tively. These lake levels are much lower than the water
to near the edge of Lake Traverse (figs. 7 and 25). It is levels in the adjacent parts of the Rosholt aquifer. The
incised by the eastern branch of the Milnor Channel, an Rosholt aquifer may, however, discharge to springs
outlet from glacial lake Agassiz, and is thus divided along Lake Traverse and the Milnor Channel.
97o30' 1148.2
1148.4 1137.5
T. 130 N.
Rive Lake
Wild
Rice
1145.3 r 1137.9 o
Tewaukon 97 15'
46o00 Clouds 1125.8
1138.1
Lake White 1130 4 0
1138.9
Lake 11 1140.1 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 1138.5 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Lake
T. 119 N. 1140 POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR--Shows
Ma
in tightly cased, nonpumping wells. Contour
Riv
interval 10 feet. Datum at sea level

er

1140.1 head of the well, in feet above sea level.
Base from U.S. Geological Survey Stacked numbers indicate multiple wells
digital line graph 1:24,000 at one location
R. 52 W.
Figure 24. Potentiometric surface of the Spiritwood aquifer on April 6, 1999.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
73(2)
Creek
9 79
R. 55 W. 110 47 96o45' 71 82
North Dakota
Creek
Sargent Co Richland Co 71(2) 45
Bois de Sioux River

lle Roberts Co South Dakota 62 55 White T. 129 N.
Marshall Co Be
24
101 122 Rock
La Indian 31 30 40 40 Clubhouse
ot Slough 26 12 16 24 18 11 19
Lake
tfo 24 51
or 27 25
Sh 10Dobberstien 20 43 61 18Rosholt 47 T. 128 N.
Veblen Hammer 116 24(2)
Slough 53 Victor 23
eek Claire 2 40 16 2 38
45
Cr
La Belle City New3 22 Cottonwood 36 90
La Frombois
Slough 6Effington
1 27
17 65 20 58
Lake 10 30
34 20 17 50 18
Litt
Abraham 11 1 19 Mud
Lake 123 58 20 50 32 46(2) Lake
le
Flat
Lake 14(2) Knebel 30 18 14
Cottonwood 88 50
Lake Slough 7
Cottonwood 55 22 20
Dumarce
Hill
fas
and t
Cre
60
Slough 32 41 33 44
T. 127 N.
25
St
Lake
Lake 12 39 28
ek
19 75 65
45o45' Long Mud 60 30 49 19 35 10
Mi
Lake Lake 28 66
nn
31 Lake e
ers
1867
eso
50 Bdesaka
12 av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear 32
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
Lake Rive
Lake
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo AQUIFER BOUNDARY
Cottonwood
Lake WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
T. 119 N. 71(2) ROSHOLT AQUIFER--Upper number is
10
hone Cr thickness, in feet. Number in parenthesis
Ma
is number of layers, if more than one.
Lower number is depth to top of Rosholt
Riv
er
aquifer, in feet
T. 118 N.

Figure 25. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Rosholt aquifer.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
1072.5
Creek
R. 55 W. 1071.6 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian
Slough
1076.2 Clubhouse
ot 1090 Lake
tfo
or 10
Sh Dobberstien 70 Rosholt T. 128 N.
Veblen Hammer Slough1083.3 Victor
eek Claire 1065.2
Cr
Slough La Frombois Lake 1075.8
Effington 1055.7
Litt
Abraham
Lake 1089.8 1074.1 1078.1 Mud
le
Flat
0
Lake
108
Cottonwood
Lake
Dumarce fas
and t
Slough
Slough
1086.6 T. 127 N.
Hill Cre
St
Lake
Lake 1071.7 1046.9
ek
1047.9
45o45' Long Mud
1055.7
Mi
Lake Lake
1050.8 60
nn
Lake 10 e
ers
1867
eso
North Red Bdesaka 1050 Tr
av
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Cottonwood
Lake 1200 POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR--Dashed
T. 119 N. where approximately located. Shows
Ma
in tightly cased, nonpumping wells.
Contour interval 10 feet
Riv
er

T. 118 N. 1076.5 head of well, in feet above sea level.
Stacked numbers indicate multiple wells
Base from U.S. Geological Survey at one location
Figure 26. Potentiometric surface of the Rosholt aquifer in August 1999.

Milnor Channel Aquifer deposits were found in the aquifer, but the Fairmount
The Milnor Channel aquifer is present within the aquifer exists as a single layer over the majority of its
study area, but was not encountered in any of the extent.
drilling completed for this study. The Milnor Channel Approximately 14 observation wells were com-
aquifer material was originally thought to be beach pleted in the Fairmount aquifer within the study area.
deposits left by a lake pre-dating glacial lake Agassiz. The aquifer is under artesian conditions and has a
According to Baker (1966), it is more likely surficial hydraulic gradient sloping downward to the east-south-
outwash deposited in an ice-marginal channel. It is east as shown in fig. 29. In the northeast part of the
composed of sand and gravel in a long, sinuous deposit aquifer, a layer of lake deposits within the aquifer
along and within the Milnor channel, which was an appears to have formed a zone of lower hydraulic con-
outlet channel from glacial lake Agassiz. The esti- ductivity because the two observation wells screened
mated extent of the Milnor Channel aquifer, based on below this layer of lake deposits have a much lower
surface expression and a map of the sands in the Milnor head than adjacent parts of the aquifer.
Channel presented by Leverett (1932), is shown in Discharge is from municipal, domestic, and
figure 27. Within the study area, the channel generally stock-watering wells, and possibly to lakes. Discharge
is less than 1 mile in width, except for an area immedi- may also occur to springs along Lake Traverse.
ately northeast of Victor. The channel itself is poorly
drained, and for much of its length is occupied by a Bedrock Aquifer
chain of lakes and sloughs. Big Slough, Cottonwood
The Dakota aquifer is the only extensively
Lake, Cottonwood Slough, and Lake Bdesaka in
developed bedrock aquifer within the study area. The
Roberts County are all found within the Milnor
Dakota aquifer is found in Codington County in one
Channel. According to Baker (1966), the sand and
well outside the study area. The top of the aquifer was
gravel composing the aquifer contain no silt or clay.
at an altitude of 589 feet and was approximately 69 feet
The presence of lakes and sloughs within the channel
thick. Outside the study area in Day County, four wells
also limits the need for any stock-watering wells.
are completed in the Dakota aquifer. The closest well
However, the Milnor Channel aquifer currently is used
encountered the Dakota aquifer at an altitude of
as a water source in at least a few areas. The City of
437 feet, where it was about 200 feet thick. Koch
Rosholt has municipal wells located in the Big Slough
(1975) mapped the altitude of the surface of the Dakota
channel. This area was studied previously by Wong
aquifer in western Marshall County. In the area closest
(1960).
to the study area, the altitude of the top of the Dakota
The Milnor Channel aquifer is most likely
aquifer ranged from about 450 to less than 350 feet.
recharged primarily from percolation of rainfall and
Baker and Paulson (1967) mapped the surface of the
snowmelt, and perhaps also by springs from aquifers
Dakota aquifer in Richland County, N. Dak. Three of
adjacent to the Milnor Channel (fig. 7). Discharge
the North Dakota wells in the Dakota aquifer were
probably is by evapotranspiration and outflow to the
within the study area, and several more were within
many lakes and sloughs found in the channel.
5 miles of the study area. Erickson (1955) described
artesian conditions in northeastern South Dakota, with
Fairmount Aquifer
most of the wells being completed in the Dakota
The Fairmount aquifer has been mapped in aquifer. Within the study area, there are many domestic
Richland County, N. Dak., by Paulson (1953) and wells completed in the Dakota aquifer. Based on wells
Baker and Paulson (1967). The Fairmount is a mostly found in the U.S. Geological Survey Ground Water Site
basal aquifer composed of glacial outwash and overlain Inventory (GWSI) Database, it appears likely that the
by till and the Rosholt aquifer. The Fairmount aquifer Dakota aquifer underlies the entire study area. Among
extends north into North Dakota, and according to the selected wells shown in figure 30, the reported
Baker and Paulson (1967), the Fairmount aquifer depth of wells in the Dakota aquifer ranged from 469 to
extends into Minnesota as well. Test holes penetrating 1,000 feet. Since the Dakota is an artesian aquifer,
the Fairmount aquifer encountered thicknesses from 3 wells have traditionally been screened at the top of the
to 138 feet thick at depths of 94 to 263 feet below land aquifer. For this reason, the depths of wells shown in
surface over much of northeast Roberts County figure 30 are also used as the depths to the top of the
(fig. 28). In a few test holes, thin lenses of till or lake aquifer in table 7.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
Cottonwood
Lake
T. 119 N.
hone Cr
Ma
Riv
er
T. 118 N.

Figure 27. Estimated extent of the Milnor Channel aquifer based on surface expression (modified from Leverett, 1932).
Ground Water - Bedrock Aquifer 47

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
11
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45' 7 153
North Dakota 223 20 (2)
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
lle Roberts Co South Dakota 26 T. 129 N. 200 Rock
Marshall Co Be 48 232
La Indian 4 8 Clubhouse
ot Slough 186 26 Lake80
tfo 194 195
Sh
or 10 Dobberstien 16 111 44 206 142
T. 128 N.
14
183 185
183Victor Rosholt
Veblen Hammer 246 Slough 202
eek Claire 138(2)
Cr
La Belle City 54 15
Cottonwood
39
Slough La Frombois 21New
Effington 26 Lake 194
10 94
202 222 263 185 101
12
Litt
Abraham
Lake
6 82(2) Mud
181
le
Flat
4 Lake
Lake Cottonwood
Lake
Knebel
152 70(2) 158 143 20
Cottonwood
Slough 180
Dumarce fas
and t Slough 15 195 T. 127 N.
Hill Cre 201
St
Lake
Lake 19
ek
3 90(2) 207
45o45' Long Mud
173 176 14
Mi
Lake Lake
54 vers200
nn
Lake e
1867
eso
North Red 112(2)
Bdesaka
206Tr
a
ta
Clear
Iron Lake 162
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Cottonwood
Lake WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
T. 119 N. 90(2) FAIRMOUNT AQUIFER--Upper number
176 is aquifer thickness, in feet. Number in
hone Cr
Ma
parenthesis is number of layers, if more
than one. Lower number is depth to top
Riv
er
of Fairmount aquifer, in feet

T. 118 N.

Figure 28. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Fairmount aquifer.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
10 50
10240
0
Creek
96o45'
10
R. 55 W. North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
lle Roberts Co South Dakota 1054.1 Rock T. 129 N.
Marshall Co Be 1055.9
La Indian Clubhouse977.6
ot Slough 1062.7
1090
Lake
tfo 1013.5
1080
or
Veblen Hammer
1090.7
Slough Victor Rosholt
eek Claire 1062.6
Cr
La Belle
Slough La Frombois City New 1073.7Cottonwood
Effington Lake
1079.0
Litt
Abraham
Mud
1060
1079.3
0
Lake
le
Flat
107
Lake
Lake
102 0
Cottonwood Knebel 1071.6
0
104
fas
Dumarce and t Slough T. 127 N.
Hill Cre 1064.8
St
Lake
Lake
ek
50 30
45o45' Long Mud 1069.9 10 10
Mi
Lake Lake
1031.6
nn
Lake rse
1867
eso
e
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
e
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake on
ens
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
ule
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Cottonwood
Lake 1000 POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR--Shows
T. 119 N. altitude at which water would have stood
Ma
hone Cr in tightly cased, nonpumping wells.
Contour interval 10 feet. Dashed where
approximatly located. Datum at sea level
Riv
er

T. 118 N. 1090.7 head of the well, in feet above sea level

Figure 29. Potentiometric surface of the Fairmount aquifer on April 6, 1999.
Ground Water - Bedrock Aquifer 49

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be 700 800
La 800 700 Indian Clubhouse
970tfoot 900 Slough Lake
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake 600 600 Mud
le
Flat 561 Lake
Lake 699 Knebel 500
Cottonwood
Lake 620Slough Cottonwood
fas 672
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake 700 584 490
Lake
ek
726 756 530
585 520
45o45' Long Mud 830
800
701
670 690 532
Mi
Lake Lake
714 500 650
nn
1000 556 e Lake
ers
1867
600 649
eso
750 757 Bdesaka av
North Red 850 830 Tr
ta
Clear 620 817 576
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake 672
Sarah 850 1000 850
500 525 T. 126 N.
Lake 800 Sisseton735 650 700 480
dary
South Red 836 840 958 565 650 L ak

e
Whitestone
Iron Lake 750 800 680 525
of
Lake 905 715 660 750 r

the L
940 ve
Lake Lake 860 Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella Whipple 860 Peever

750 500
Buffalo 859 Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lakes Drywood
560
Lake 700 800
Lakes 750 550
Agency 750
e Res
R. 54 W. 750
Marshall Co Village 469
Peever T. 124 N.
Day Co Tahana 750 700 597 525
ervati
Lake on
g ens er
Jor 735
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
o
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
ule
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake 900 Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
ux
e k
e
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
Cottonwood
Lake
T. 119 N.
hone Cr
Ma
Riv
er
T. 118 N.

Figure 30. Approximate depth to the top of the Dakota aquifer. Wells are from U.S. Geological Survey Ground
Water Site Inventory (GWSI) database.
Outwash Deposits figure 31 and graphically in figures 9 and 10). The
boundary of the Prairie Coteau outwash group should
Many sand and gravel outwash deposits were
be considered a likelihood boundary, where sand and
encountered in the glacial drift in test holes drilled for
gravel deposits are more likely to be found at the spec-
this and previous studies. Outwash deposits are not
ified depths inside the estimated boundary than outside.
considered aquifers because they often are limited in
thickness or extent and sometimes cannot be located if Fifteen observation wells within or near the
additional test holes are drilled at the same site. Out- study area were completed in the Prairie Coteau out-
wash deposits as discussed in this report are catego- wash. The hydraulic head found in some of the
rized as either named or unnamed outwash deposits. different outwash bodies is shown in figure 32. In one
Named outwash deposits are groups of outwash observation well just outside the study area in Day
deposits found within a somewhat defined areal extent County (121N54W34AADA) the water level is some-
and interval of altitude. All of the named outwash times above land surface.
deposits discussed in this report were described as
aquifers in previous investigations. Additional test- Lonesome Lake Outwash Group
hole and water-level data, however, indicate that they
The Lonesome Lake aquifer was mapped in
are simply groups of discontinuous outwash deposits.
Codington and Grant Counties by Hansen (1990,
The unnamed outwash deposits are somewhat more
1994), and in Day County as I1 by Leap (1972).
scattered and are not easily grouped with other outwash
However, the current interpretation of test-hole data
deposits within a common areal extent or interval of
indicates that the Lonesome Lake is not a continuous
altitude. Unnamed outwash deposits also have not
aquifer, but a group of discontinuous outwash deposits
been associated with an aquifer in previous investiga-
found in the 1,500 to 1,660-foot altitude interval
tions.
(figs. 9 and 10). The outwash deposits are composed
of sand and gravel. Test holes penetrating the Lone-
Named Outwash Deposits some Lake outwash found thicknesses ranging from 6
The named outwash deposits discussed in this to 58 feet at depths of 190 to 399 feet below land
report have been described as aquifers in previous surface (fig. 33).
investigations, although current interpretation is that Only one observation well installed for this study
they are instead groups of discontinuous outwash is completed in the Lonesome Lake outwash. Water
deposits. The complex glacial history of the study area levels from this well and those used by Hansen (1990)
has resulted in many instances where a layer of sand indicate that artesian conditions exist within the out-
and gravel identified in one or more test holes could not wash.
be found with additional test drilling. Thus, what was
previously thought to be an aquifer is more likely a Marday Outwash Group
group of outwash deposits present within roughly the
same interval of altitude over a given area. The Marday aquifer was mapped in Marshall
County by Koch (1975). Current interpretation of test-
hole data indicates that the Marday is not a continuous
Prairie Coteau Outwash Group
aquifer, but a group of discontinuous outwash deposits
The Prairie Coteau aquifer was mapped by found in the 1,630- to 1,780-foot altitude interval. The
Hansen in Codington and Grant Counties (1994). Marday outwash is found over part of the Coteau in the
However, current interpretation of test-hole and water- west-central portion of the study area (fig. 34). Test
level data indicates that the Prairie Coteau is not a con- holes penetrating the Marday outwash had thicknesses
tinuous aquifer, but a group of discontinuous outwash varying from 2 to 47 feet at depths from 124 to 377 feet
deposits found in the 1,610- to 1,800-foot altitude below land surface. The thicknesses presented in this
interval. The outwash deposits are composed of coarse report differ somewhat from those presented by Koch
sand to fine gravel. Depth and thickness of the outwash (1975) because Koch mapped the Marday based on
deposits vary widely over the estimated extent in the combined thicknesses. The boundary of the Marday
southern portion of study area (fig. 31). Test holes in outwash group should be considered a likelihood
the Prairie Coteau outwash encountered thicknesses boundary, where sand and gravel deposits are more
from 3 to 45 feet at depths of 46 to 278 feet below land likely to be found at the specified depths inside the
surface. Thickness and depth are shown numerically in estimated boundary than outside.
Ground Water - Outwash Deposits 51

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
e
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake on
g ens er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
ule
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim 13 Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake 46 Owl

26 Lake Fo
rk
72
Campbell 5 Lak
Spring 14 Slough 217 Wilmot e
W

h
123 Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog 9(2) ve
r T. 122 N.
Lake 88 26
13 134 20 Corona
107 Ortley 278
R
10 11
62 109 22 Summit R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
Roberts Co 144 R. 50 W. R. 49 W.
ux
Anderson 10 S
io
Lake Big 140 17 8
180 154
28
12
Bitter
96 7
Lake
172 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15' 220 T.21 121 N.
Day Co
11Big
15 7 90 38 40(2) ve r 212 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
82 89 32 144n 132 Ri
115 ia
Ind 45
Lonesome
R. 53 W. Lake 41
32 102 133
18 20(2)
124 166 T. 120 N.
Co
106 Grant
Sio
27 40 Co 13
11 Codington
EXPLANATION
ux
169 3 129ee
k 107
92 114Soo 27 Cr R. 51 W.
LIKELIHOOD BOUNDARY--Dashed where
5 135
Cottonwood
24 8 approximately located. Modifed from Hansen
133
Lake
137 180 (1990) based on test hole data
20 T. 119 N.
hone134Cr WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
Ma
16 3 40(2) OUTWASH--Upper number is outwash
124 140 132 thickness, in feet. Number in parenthesis is
Riv
9
er
131 number of layers, if more than one. Lower

T. 118 N. number is depth to top of outwash, in feet

Figure 31. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Prairie Coteau outwash group.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Fo
1855.8 Lake rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
1882.2 r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley 1804.3
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big 1858.6
1800.8 Bitter 1841.3

Lake
1826.7 T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g 1879.2
1814.4 Ri
1815.6 an
Ind
i
R. 53 W. Lonesome
Lake 1804.6
1788.1 1790.6 1798.9T. 120
Grant Co N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
1776.3 Cr R. 51 W.
Soo LIKELIHOOD BOUNDARY--Dashed where
Cottonwood approximately located. Modifed from
Lake
Hansen (1990) based on test hole data
T. 119 N.
hone Cr OBSERVATION WELL--Number is hydraulic
Ma
Riv
er
T. 118 N.

Figure 32. Hydraulic head in the Prairie Coteau outwash group in late August/early September 1999.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell 26 14 Lak
Spring Slough 215 Wilmot e
376
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog 15 10 ve
r T. 122 N.
265 333
Lake
22 Corona
15 289 Ortley
R
195 Summit R. 47 W.
R. 50 W. R. 49 W. R. 48 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
24
Bitter 288 24
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15' 399
Day Co
Bi 31 28
13 g
190 275 ver 390 0 2 4 6 8 10 KILOMETERS
Ri
ian
Lonesome 58 Ind 12
R. 53 W. 6
Lake
27 224 289 396
257
20Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
202 EXPLANATION
ux
k
10 ree
o C R. 51 W.
281 So APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF LIKELIHOOD
Cottonwood BOUNDARY
Lake
hone Cr 34 OUTWASH--Upper number is outwash
Ma 215 thickness, in feet. Lower number is depth to
top of outwash, in feet
Riv
er
T. 118 N.

Figure 33. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Lonesome Lake outwash group.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
5 Effington
Litt
124Abraham Mud
Lake
le
Flat Lake
fas
8 Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
140 Lake
ek
45o45' Long 27 Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
172
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
North Red
40 Bdesaka Tr
av
ta
Clear
Iron Lake 218
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
17 South Red ak
e
155 Iron Lake
Whitestone L
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
17 Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

166 47 Lakes
138 Agency
e Res
R. 54 W. Marshall Co 9 Village
367 Peever T. 124 N.
6 Day Co Tahana
ervati
181 2 Lake on
346 ens
er
38(2) Jor
g
Big
on
Cr
Riv
pa
C h e ka 377
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
ule
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF LIKELIHOOD
Cottonwood BOUNDARY BASED ON KOCH (1975)
Lake
AND TEST HOLES
T. 119 N.
hone Cr WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
Ma
38(2) OUTWASH--Upper number is outwash
377
Riv
thickness, in feet. Number in parenthesis is

er


Figure 34. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Marday outwash group.

Only one of the observation wells installed for Wilmot Outwash Group
this study was completed in the Marday outwash. The The Wilmot outwash group has not previously
water level was somewhat consistent with the Eden been mapped, although it has been identified in test
outwash at the same location. holes and observation wells prior to this study. It is a
narrow group of outwash deposits extending from
Eden Outwash Group about 7 miles north of Wilmot southeastward to the
The Eden aquifer was mapped in Marshall southeastern corner of Roberts County. The thickness
County by Koch (1975). Current interpretation of test- and depth are shown numerically in figure 38 and
hole and water-level data indicates that the Eden is not graphically in figure 9. Because the Wilmot is prob-
a continuous aquifer, but a discontinuous group of out- ably a group of discontinuous outwash deposits, its
wash deposits found in the altitude interval of 1,490 to boundary should be considered a likelihood boundary,
1,530 feet. Within the study area, test holes in the Eden where sand and gravel are more likely to be found at the
specified depth inside the boundary than out. Based on
outwash had thicknesses ranging from 2 to 40 feet at
some test holes, the Wilmot outwash group may be
depths ranging from 256 to 508 feet below land sur-
what Hansen (1990) mapped as the Veblen aquifer.
face. The thickness and depth is presented numerically
Test holes penetrating the Wilmot outwash had thick-
in figure 35 and graphically in figure 8. The thick-
nesses ranging from 2 to 54 feet at depths from 2 to
nesses presented in this report differ from those pre-
78 feet below land surface. Only four observation
sented by Koch (1975) because Koch mapped the Eden
wells are completed in the Wilmot outwash group, with
based on combined thicknesses. The boundary of the
three of them located in close proximity to each other.
Eden aquifer should be considered a likelihood
The hydraulic head of these wells in August 1999 is
boundary, where sand and gravel deposits are more shown in figure 39.
likely to be found at the specified depths inside the
Recharge to the Wilmot outwash is by percola-
estimated boundary than out.
tion of rainfall and snowmelt where the outwash is near
The hydraulic heads of three observation wells land surface, and discharge is from domestic and stock-
completed in the Eden outwash for this study are watering wells, and evapotranspiration where the
shown in figure 36. Koch (1975) noted a well in aquifer is near the land surface.
Marshall County that flowed at a land surface altitude
of 1,755 feet. Unnamed Outwash Deposits
Roslyn Outwash Group Many small, unnamed sand and gravel lenses
were encountered during drilling. Some were too thin
The Roslyn aquifer has been mapped and charac- or were too limited in extent to be considered an
terized in Marshall County by Koch (1975). Current aquifer. While often limited in thickness or extent, out-
interpretation of test-hole data indicates that the Roslyn wash deposits can often yield enough water for
is not a continuous aquifer, but a discontinuous group domestic or sometimes stock-watering purposes. The
of outwash deposits found in the altitude interval of city of Sisseton has some of its wells completed in an
1,400 to 1,530 feet. Test holes penetrating the Roslyn outwash deposit that has limited extent, but is as much
outwash had thicknesses ranging from 10 to 40 feet as 25 feet thick (Tipton, 1960). Another series of out-
thick at depths from 76 to 627 feet. The thickness and wash deposits was identified by Barari and Buehrer
depth is shown numerically in figure 37 and graphi- (1974) in a study conducted near the city of Peever. In
cally in figures 7 and 8. The Roslyn outwash group a few locations of the study area without mapped
extends over part of the west-central part of the study aquifers, outwash deposits may be the only ground-
area (figs. 7, 8, and 37). Its boundary should be water source available above the Dakota aquifer. For
viewed as a likelihood boundary, where sand and this reason, the location and depth of selected buried
gravel are more likely to be found at the specified depth outwash deposits with a thickness greater than 5 feet
inside the estimated boundary than outside. are presented in figure 40.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co ell
B
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
e
7 Lake
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
275 North Red Tr
ta
Clear 6
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
368
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
17 10 ke
South Red La
275 Iron Lake 466Whitestone
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
20 T. 125 N.
ake T

Piyas Buffalo 400 Slough
12
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

323 Lakes
Agency
e Res
R. 54 W. 37 Marshall Co Village
Peever T. 124 N.
256 Day Co 40 Tahana
ervati
Lake on
472 ens
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
45o30' Pickerel 4 Oneroad Cree
k Mud
Lake 450Lake ule
e Lake
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim 39 Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

404 Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
Spring Slough 16 Wilmot e
W
Lake 508Hurricane ets 96o30'

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog 25 32 ve
r T. 122 N.
Lake
413 422
10 2 Corona
336 Ortley17
368 433
R
26
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
S io
470
Anderson
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
n
India
R. 53 W. Lonesome
Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Cottonwood BOUNDARY
Lake
hone Cr 40
Ma OUTWASH--Upper number is outwash
472 thickness, in feet. Lower number is depth
Riv
to top of outwash, in feet

er
T. 118 N.

Figure 35. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Eden outwash group.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
1691.3 T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
le
Cou
T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake 1781.4 r T. 122 N.
1753.9
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo
APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF LIKELIHOOD
Cottonwood
Lake
BOUNDARY
hone Cr 1691.3 head of the well, in feet above sea level
Ma
Riv
er
T. 118 N.

Figure 36. Hydraulic head in the Eden outwash group in mid-September 1999.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
14 lle Roberts Co South Dakota Rock T. 129 N.
Marshall Co Be
216 La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
16(2) eek Claire
Cr
386 Slough La Frombois
Effington Lake
28
Litt
336Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
Lake 40Cottonwood Knebel
335
Lake fas Slough Cottonwood
39 Dumarce
Cre
St
391 Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
36(2) Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
341 North Red 23 Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake 482
Boun
Lake
Sarah 10 T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
627 ak
e
13(2) South Red
Iron Lake
Whitestone L
of
418 Lake 28 r
the L
ve
Lake Lake 76 Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
15 Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

395 Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake on
ens
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
ule
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Cottonwood BOUNDARY BASED ON KOCH (1975)
Lake
AND TEST HOLES
T. 119 N.
hone Cr WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
Ma
13(2) OUTWASH--Upper number is outwash
418 thickness, in feet. Number in parenthesis is
Riv
er


Figure 37. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Roslyn outwash group.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co Be
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake so n
gen
er 6
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka 22
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake 15
Lake le e 2
ou 9
C 10 T. 123 N.
Enemy 30 Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi 12
or
Lake
ne
9
th
Lake Lake Owl

17 Fo
Lake r 13 7
Campbell 45 5 k Lak
Spring Slough 44 35(2) 17
Wilmot e
W
Lake Hurricane 2 ets t o e 96o30'

h
Blue Dog
Lake 54 29 n 5Rive 3
20 26 r T. 122 N.
Lake 43 24 30 6 27
42 Corona
12 67 59
Ortley
78
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Lonesome Ind
R. 53 W. Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Cottonwood BOUNDARY
Lake
hone Cr 21(2) OUTWASH--Upper number
Ma
47 is outwash thickness, in feet. Number in
Riv
parenthesis is number of layers, if more

er
than one. Lower number is depth to top

T. 118 N. of outwash, in feet

Figure 38. Thickness, depth, and extent of the Wilmot outwash group.
97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
Creek
R. 55 W. 96o45'
North Dakota
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
Marshall Co ell
B
La Indian Clubhouse
ot Slough Lake
tfo
or
Sh Dobberstien
Rosholt T. 128 N.
eek Claire
Cr
Effington
Litt
Abraham
Lake Mud
le
Flat Lake
fas
Dumarce
Cre
St
Lake
Lake
ek
45o45' Long Mud
Mi
Lake Lake
nn
Lake e
ers
1867
eso
Bdesaka av
North Red Tr
ta
Clear
Iron Lake
Boun
Lake
Sarah T. 126 N.
Lake Sisseton
dary
ke
Iron Lake
of
Lake
r
the L
ve
Lake Lake Ri
T. 125 N.
ake T

Buffalo Slough
Piyas
ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood

Lakes
Agency
e Res
ervati
Lake on
ens
er
g
Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka
Cree
k Mud
Lake Lake e Lake
ule
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim Bi
or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

Lake Fo
rk
Campbell Lak
e
1168.1 1153.9
Spring Slough Wilmot
W

h
Lake to n e Ri
Blue Dog 1204.1 ve
Lake
r T. 122 N.
Corona
Ortley
1076.5
R
Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big
Bitter
Lake
T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
n
India
R. 53 W. Lonesome
Lake
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Cottonwood BOUNDARY
Lake
hone Cr 1076.5
Ma head of well, in feet above sea level
Riv
er
T. 118 N.

Figure 39. Hydraulic head in the Wilmot outwash group in August 1999.

97o30'
Lake
T. 130 N.
Wild Rive
o
46 00 Clouds
Lake White
Lake 97o00'
42,25
Creek
96o45'
R. 55 W. North Dakota 147,63 177,27 142,6
224,13
21,20 206,6
Creek
Bois de Sioux River

White
lle Roberts Co South Dakota 2,8 219,6 20,16 87,6 Rock T. 129 N.
Marshall Co Be 142,9 12,11
L a
196,7 Indian
66,42 4,16 81,6
Clubhouse
ot Slough129,15 Lake
6,54
tfo 64,6 1,7 54,8
or
Sh 114,12
Dobberstien 102,6 Rosholt T. 128 N.
Veblen Hammer Slough
36,26
Victor
168,17 50,15 18,10
eek Claire
83,9 Cottonwood 20,15 32,18
Cr
La Belle City 35,10 New
Slough La Frombois
Effington 130,72 Lake 70,8 70,7
43,11 1,9 130,10
0,30 0,10
Litt
Abraham 150,20 106,6
Lake Mud
110,12
le
Flat 177,6
Lake 85,7 Lake 118,42
Cottonwood Knebel 108,8 114,6
Lake fas Slough 108,8 Cottonwood84,14
Dumarce
Hill and t Slough 140,10 T. 127 N.
Cre
St
Lake 44,8 114,9
Lake
ek
22,9
45o45' Long Mud 116,8 122,8
180,10
Mi
Lake Lake 130,7
66,18
nn
88,7 Lake rse
1867
eso
Bdesaka 120,16a ve
North Red 100,12 r
ta
Clear T
Iron Lake 19,20
Boun
Lake 115,8
Sarah T. 126 N.
142,14
Lake Sisseton 1,6
dary
37,13 ke
South Red193,20Whitestone 42,8 112,16 La
Iron Lake
of
261,7 Lake 56,8 144,12 ive r

the L
Lake
306,6 172,12
Lake 82,25 R 28,10
107,11 Peever 2,9 28,12T. 125 N.
ake T
Isabella Whipple
Piyas Buffalo 661,15 7,10 Slough 127,6 41,12

ravers
Lake Lakes Drywood 178,12

Lakes 12,18
54,6 Agency
e Res
R. 54 W. Marshall Co Village 38,11

264,6 294,28
Tahana 54,27 58,16 Peever T. 124 N.
Day Co
ervati
290,18 Lake 239,17 s o n

688,6 ge n
47,11 er
132,8 Jor
Big
on
pa Cr
Riv
C h e ka 722,8 85,6 65,12

52,6
45o30' Pickerel 229,10
Oneroad
176,8 Creek Mud 94,6
Lake Lake Lake
u lee
6,9
Co T. 123 N.
Enemy 94,2 249,8 Bullhead
Sto
g
N
Hillebrands Swim 394,7 Bi 122,12

or
Lake
ne
th
Lake Lake Owl

467,31Lake Fo
74,19
rk 100,8
82,10
Campbell Lak
Spring Slough 10,12 71,17 Wilmot
35,7
e
W
Lake Hurricane ets

45,6 96o30'
h
Lake 50,15 190,18 to n e Ri 52,18

ve 88,14
Blue Dog 92,6 12,6 41,9 r
75,8 T. 122 N.
Lake 36,22 102,21
301,44
Corona 145,60
Ortley 70,10
26,17
R
13,8 42,9 78,14

204,39 Summit R. 49 W. R. 48 W. R. 47 W.
R. 50 W.
ux
Roberts Co
Anderson S io
Lake Big 347,17
Bitter
Lake
87,6 T. 121 N. 0 2 4 6 8 10 MILES
45o15'
Day Co
Bi
g
Ri
ian
Ind
R. 53 W. Lonesome 470,13
Lake 161,20
46,12
342,15
Grant Co T. 120 N.
Sio
Codington Co
19,11 EXPLANATION
ux
k
ee
Cr R. 51 W.
Soo WELL OR TEST HOLE THAT PENETRATED
75,8 75,8
Cottonwood OUTWASH DEPOSITS THICKER THAN
Lake
5 FEET--First number is depth to top of
120,7 T. 119 N.
hone Cr
outwash deposit. Second number is thick-
Ma ness of outwash deposit. Depths and thick-
nesses of additional outwash deposits
Riv
359,9
(where present in the same test hole or
er
well) are listed below the first outwash

T. 118 N.
deposit
Figure 40. Location, depth, and thickness of selected unnamed outwash deposits thicker than 5 feet in the study area.
Water Quality Some of the aquifers and outwash groups have
one or more samples of a given constituent that were
The chemical quality of the ground water within
above the MCL or SMCL for drinking water (table 14).
the study area varies greatly. A summary of selected
A summary of such instances follows.
chemical analyses of water for each aquifer and out-
wash group, based on data stored in the USGS NWIS
1. The Coteau Lakes and Veblen aquifer systems; the
database, is presented in table 13 in the Supplemental
Dakota and Rosholt aquifers; and the Eden out-
Information section. The significance of the chemical
wash group have some pH values outside the
and physical properties of water and any applicable
SMCL.
USEPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
and/or Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels 2. Most of the aquifers and outwash groups have
(SMCLs) are presented in table 14 in the Supplemental dissolved solids contents above the SMCL of
Information section. The MCL for a given contami- 500 mg/L.
nant is a mandatory maximum, which if exceeded, may 3. Most of the aquifers and outwash groups have
cause adverse human health problems. MCLs are many sulfate concentrations above the SMCL of
enforced by the USEPA. The SMCL for a given con- 250 mg/L. The Big Sioux aquifer and the Prairie
taminant is recommended to avoid aesthetic (taste, Coteau outwash group had some sulfate concentra-
odor, or appearance) problems it may cause. SMCLs tions over the SMCL. The Lonesome Lake out-
are not enforceable. wash group was the only one with no sulfate levels
Hardness and salinity are commonly used to exceeding the SMCL.
characterize ground water quality. Hardness is the 4. The Coteau Lakes and Veblen aquifer systems; the
presence of dissolved calcium or magnesium. Water Rosholt, Fairmount, and Spiritwood aquifers; and
that has a hardness less than 61 mg/L (milligrams per the Prairie Coteau and Roslyn outwash groups each
liter) is considered soft; 61 to 120 mg/L is considered had a few chloride values above the SMCL of
moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L is considered hard, 250 mg/L. The Dakota aquifer was the only one to
and more than 180 mg/L is considered very hard have many chloride levels above the SMCL.
(Heath, 1983). Salinity is based on the concentration of 5. Fluoride concentrations greater than the MCL of
dissolved solids. A concentration of less than 4 mg/L were found in the Coteau Lakes aquifer
1,000 mg/L is considered fresh; a concentration of system, and the Dakota and Spiritwood aquifers.
1,000 to 3,000 mg/L is considered slightly saline; 6. Nitrate concentrations greater than the MCL of
3,000 to 10,000 mg/L is considered moderately saline; 10 mg/L were found in the Big Sioux aquifer and
10,000 to 35,000 mg/L is considered very saline, and a the Coteau Lakes and Veblen aquifer systems.
concentration of more than 35,000 mg/L is considered 7. The Prairie Coteau outwash group was the only
briny (Heath, 1983). According to these classifications
one to have samples greater than the SMCL of
and the mean values for total hardness, all aquifers
50 g/L (microgram per liter) of aluminum.
presented in table 13 except the Dakota aquifer have
8. The MCL for arsenic is currently 50 g/L, but it
waters considered very hard. The water in the Dakota
has been proposed to lower the limit to 10 g/L.
aquifer is moderately hard. The calcium and magne-
sium that cause hardness are found in soil and leached Concentrations greater than 10 g/L were found in
into the water as it infiltrates. Based on their mean con- the Coteau Lakes and Veblen aquifer systems, and
centrations of dissolved solids (residue at 180C), the in the Rosholt and Fairmount aquifers.
Altamont, Big Sioux, and Rosholt aquifers; the Coteau 9. Cadmium concentrations greater than the MCL of
Lakes system; and the Lonesome Lake, Marday, and 5 g/L were found in the Veblen and Coteau Lakes
Prairie Coteau outwash groups contain fresh water. aquifer systems, but very few water samples have
The Revillo, Fairmount, and Spiritwood aquifers; the been analyzed for cadmium. Most aquifers and
Veblen system, and the Eden, Roslyn, and Wilmot out- outwash groups had no cadmium analyses on file.
wash groups are slightly saline. The Dakota aquifer is 10. All aquifers and outwash groups except for Alta-
moderately saline. The solids present in these waters mont aquifer and Lonesome Lake outwash group
are also leached from the soil as water infiltrates from had mean iron concentrations greater than the
the land surface. SMCL of 300 g/L.
Ground Water - Water Quality 63

11. The Veblen aquifer system had one sample with a how aquifers and outwash deposits respond to an actual
lead concentration greater than the SMCL of set of climatic stresses. Because longer periods of
15 g/L. Several of the aquifers and outwash water-level records are better at showing responses to
groups had no data available for lead concentra- stress, Water Rights Program observation wells were
tions.
preferentially chosen to represent aquifers and outwash
12. The Dakota aquifer and the Lonesome Lake out-
groups. References to other observation well hydro-
wash group were the only two aquifers to have
graphs presented by Carter and Thompson (1998) and
mean manganese concentrations less than the
SMCL of 50 g/L. There were no manganese data Thompson (2000) are indexed in table 15 in the
available for the Altamont aquifer. Supplemental Information section. Because the hydro-
geology of the study area was not yet determined in
As in surface water, the dominant chemical these earlier reports, preliminary aquifer designations
cations and anions found in ground water can be used for a given observation well may be superseded by the
to characterize its quality. Stiff diagrams (fig. 41) are aquifer or outwash group designations given in this
used to show the relative abundance of the common
report.
ions for each aquifer with adequate water-quality data.
Stiff diagrams give an approximate indication of total For convenience, aquifers and outwash groups
ionic content, and provide a visual way to compare the and their representative observation wells are grouped
similarities and differences of water composition by the precipitation station they are nearest to. Hydro-
among aquifers or outwash groups. For example, the graphs from observation wells in the Big Sioux and
Dakota aquifer stands out due to the high level of Altamont aquifers and the Prairie Coteau outwash
sodium and potassium present in its water. group are compared to departure-from-normal precipi-
tation at Summit. A hydrograph for an observation
Water-Level Fluctuations well in the Coteau Lakes aquifer system is compared to
Ground-water levels in glacial aquifers and out- departure-from-normal precipitation at the Waubay
wash deposits, especially those near land surface, tend National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. Hydrographs
to vary seasonally under the influences of precipitation from observation wells in the Rosholt and Fairmount
or snowmelt and evapotranspiration. They also may aquifers are compared to departure-from-normal pre-
vary due to climatic extremes and stresses induced by cipitation at Victor. Hydrographs of observation wells
development, such as pumping. Water levels in bed- in the Veblen aquifer system and the Roslyn outwash
rock aquifers generally are less directly influenced by group are compared to departure-from-normal precipi-
climatic changes because they are deeper. Pumping tation at Sisseton. The hydrograph from an observation
stresses, however, still can cause water-level fluctua- well in the Spiritwood aquifer is compared to depar-
tions in bedrock aquifers. ture-from-normal precipitation at Forman, N. Dak.
Water-level fluctuations in aquifers and outwash Hydrographs from observation wells in the Wilmot
deposits within the study area were determined by outwash group and the Revillo aquifer are compared to
recording water levels in a network of observation departure-from-normal precipitation at Wilmot. No
wells on a regular basis over a period of time. Part of
water-level data were available for the Hankinson,
the observation well network included wells installed
James, Milnor Channel, and Dakota aquifers. Only one
by the South Dakota Department of Environment and
water level was taken from the single observation well
Natural Resources, Water Rights Program. These wells
have water-level records dating back to at least the in the Marday outwash group, and two water levels
1980s, providing a longer term record than the obser- were available for the single observation wells in the
vation wells installed and measured as part of this Eden and Lonesome Lake outwash groups. More
study. A hydrograph from an observation well repre- observation wells and water-level data would be
sentative of each aquifer or outwash group can be com- needed to determine how these outwash groups
pared to departures from normal precipitation to show respond to stress.
Altamont Big Sioux Coteau Lakes
Sodium + Potassium Chloride Sodium + Potassium Chloride Sodium + Potassium Chloride
Calcium Bicarbonate Calcium Bicarbonate Calcium Bicarbonate
Magnesium Sulfate Magnesium Sulfate Magnesium Sulfate
60 0 60 60 0 60 60 0 60
CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER
Dakota Eden Fairmount

60 0 60 60 0 60 60 0 60
Lonesome Lake Marday Prairie Coteau

60 0 60 60 0 60 60 0 60
Revillo Roslyn Rosholt

60 0 60 60 0 60 60 0 60
Spiritwood Veblen Wimot

60 0 60 60 0 60 60 0 60
Figure 41. Stiff diagrams showing concentrations of common ions in aquifers within the study area.
Ground Water - Water Quality 65

Hydrographs of observation wells in the Big readily apparent because the Fairmount is a confined
Sioux aquifer (fig. 42), Prairie Coteau outwash aquifer.
(fig. 43), and Altamont aquifer (fig. 44) show correla- Hydrographs of an observation well in the
tion to cumulative departure-from-normal precipitation Veblen aquifer system (fig. 51) and in a part of the
at Summit (fig 45). The Big Sioux aquifer and Prairie Roslyn outwash group (fig. 52) correspond well with
Coteau outwash group show downward trends corre- cumulative departure-from-normal precipitation at
sponding to the somewhat drier than normal period of Sisseton (fig. 53). Water levels in the Veblen aquifer
1980-82, then upward trends corresponding to the system show an upward trend during 1986-87 corre-
somewhat wetter than normal period of 1983-87. An sponding to a short period of wetter than normal pre-
upward trend can also be seen for the Big Sioux cipitation during that same time period. The Veblen
aquifer, Prairie Coteau outwash, and Altamont aquifer aquifer system also shows an increase in water levels
corresponding with the wetter than normal period from corresponding to the above-normal precipitation
1991-99. The Big Sioux aquifer and Prairie Coteau during the 1990s. Because the potentiometric surface
outwash tend to level off towards the end of this time of the Veblen aquifer system is 70 to 85 feet below land
period, possibly because of evapotranspiration from surface, the distinct seasonal declines due to evapo-
ground water as the water table nears land surface. transpiration losses are not apparent. Although the
Both aquifers show distinct seasonal declines during Roslyn outwash has a much shorter period of water
summer; the time when evaporation typically exceeds levels, there seems to be a general rising trend corre-
precipitation. Since the Altamont aquifer is very deep, sponding to the wetter period of the 1990s. Because
its water-level rises may lag above-normal precipita- the Roslyn outwash is considered too deep to experi-
tion within the study area, or the rises may correlate to ence declines due to evaporation, the sharp decline
precipitation in areas where the aquifer is recharged from 1997 to 1998 may be due to some other stress,
outside the study area. possibly pumping.
A hydrograph of an observation well in part of
Hydrographs of observation wells in a part of the
the Coteau Lakes aquifer system (fig. 46) shows some
Wilmot outwash group (fig. 54) and in the Revillo
correlation to cumulative departure-from-normal pre-
aquifer (fig. 55) show some correlations to cumulative
cipitation at the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
departure-from-normal precipitation at Wilmot
Headquarters (fig. 47). Both are relatively steady
(fig. 56). Water levels in both follow the same trends
during the early 1980s, before rising slightly during
as cumulative precipitation, but the changes due to
the mid-1980s. A drop is also evident during 1987-88
these trends are small compared to seasonal decreases
during the short period of below-normal precipitation.
occurring in summer of most years in the Wilmot out-
The above-normal precipitation of the 1990s is not
wash group and Revillo aquifer. Because some areas of
evident in the water levels of this particular part of
the Wilmot outwash group are shallow, the seasonal
Coteau Lakes aquifer system. This is probably because
declines likely are due to the increased evapotranspira-
the selected observation well is located about 50 feet
tion during summer. Since the Revillo aquifer is
above Enemy Swim Lake and the local ground water
considered to be too deep to be affected by evapotrans-
drains toward the lake.
piration, the seasonal declines could be due to pumping
Hydrographs of observation wells in the Rosholt
stresses from municipal withdrawals.
(fig. 48) and Fairmount (fig. 49) aquifers correspond
strongly to trends in departure-from-normal precipita- A hydrograph of an observation well in the
tion at Victor (fig. 50). The hydrographs show Spiritwood aquifer (fig. 57) shows close correlation to
increasing water levels with the above-normal precipi- cumulative departure-from-normal precipitation at
tation during the 1990s. The Rosholt aquifer system Forman, N. Dak. (fig. 58). A low point in June 1997 is
begins to show distinct seasonal declines as its water visible in both plots, as well as the general upward
levels get nearer to the land surface, most likely due to trend beginning in January 1998. Even though the
evapotranspiration. The Fairmount aquifer corre- Spiritwood aquifer is close to the land surface in at least
sponds even more closely to cumulative departure- one part of its extent within the study area, the aquifer
from-normal rainfall. Even as the potentiometric is deep near the selected observation well, and it does
surface rises to within 12 feet of land surface, seasonal not show any obvious seasonal declines that are usually
declines associated with evapotranspiration are not associated with evapotranspiration losses.
8
IN FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE

9
WATER LEVEL, 10
11
12
13
14
Jan-77 Jan-79 Jan-81 Jan-83 Jan-85 Jan-87 Jan-89 Jan-91 Jan-93 Jan-95 Jan-97 Jan-99
Jan-78 Jan-80 Jan-82 Jan-84 Jan-86 Jan-88 Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98
Figure 42. Hydrograph for observation well GT-77B in the Big Sioux aquifer.
0
5
WATER LEVEL,
10
15
20
25
Figure 43. Hydrograph for observation well GT-77C in the Prairie Coteau outwash.
118.0
118.5
WATER LEVEL,
119.0
119.5
120.0
120.5
121.0
Figure 44. Hydrograph for observation well R2-85-111 in the Altamont aquifer.
90
CUMULATIVE DEPARTURE,
80
Base period 1961-90
70
60
IN INCHES
50
40
30
20
10
0
Figure 45. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Summit.
Ground Water - Water-Level Fluctuations 67

4

5
6
WATER LEVEL,
10
11
12
Jan-82 Jan-84 Jan-86 Jan-88 Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98
Figure 46. Hydrograph for observation well RB-81C in the Coteau Lakes aquifer system.
45
40
Base period 1961-90

35
30
25
IN INCHES
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
Figure 47. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Waubay National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.
10

12
14
WATER LEVEL,
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
Figure 48. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77F in the Rosholt aquifer.
10
12
14
WATER LEVEL,
16
18
20
22
24
26
Figure 49. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77H in the Fairmount aquifer.
70
60
Base period 1961-90
50
IN INCHES
40
30
20
10
-10
Figure 50. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Victor.

70

72
74
WATER LEVEL,
76
78
80
82
84
86
Jan-81 Jan-83 Jan-85 Jan-87 Jan-89 Jan-91 Jan-93 Jan-95 Jan-97 Jan-99
Figure 51. Hydrograph for observation well RB-81A in the Veblen aquifer system.
72.0
72.5
WATER LEVEL,
73.0
73.5
74.0
74.5
75.0
Figure 52. Hydrograph for observation well R2-95-05 in the Roslyn outwash group.
50
40
Base period 1961-90
30
IN INCHES
20
10
-10
-20
Figure 53. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Sisseton.
5

10
WATER LEVEL,
15
20
25
30
Figure 54. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77O in the Wilmot outwash group.
20
25
WATER LEVEL,
30
35
40
45
50
Figure 55. Hydrograph for observation well RB-77N in the Revillo aquifer.
45
40
Base period 1961-90
35
30
IN INCHES
25
20
15
10
0
Figure 56. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Wilmot.

28.5

29.0
29.5
WATER LEVEL,
30.0
30.5
31.0
31.5
32.0
32.5
Jan-97 May-97 Sep-97 Jan-98 May-98 Sep-98 Jan-99 May-99 Sep-99
Mar-97 Jul-97 Nov-97 Mar-98 Jul-98 Nov-98 Mar-99 Jul-99 Nov-99
Figure 57. Hydrograph for observation well 9249 in the Spiritwood aquifer.
20
Base period 1961-90

15
IN INCHES
10
-5
Jan-97 May-97 Sep-97 Jan-98 May-98 Sep-98 Jan-99 May-99 Sep-99
Mar-97 Jul-97 Nov-97 Mar-98 Jul-98 Nov-98 Mar-99 Jul-99 Nov-99
Figure 58. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation at Forman, N. Dak.
WATER USE (Roberts), this poses a special situation in summarizing

water use. Water-use data generally are summarized by
Historically, nearly all water was self supplied county and have already been published in the Water
because no municipal or rural water systems were Resources Reports for Marshall, Day, and Codington
present. Within the study area, water sources com- and Grant Counties in South Dakota, and for Richland
monly were wells and sometimes springs. Cisterns and Sargent Counties in North Dakota. Since SWUDS
also were used for collecting rain water to supplement
and AWUDS data are not spatially related by a detailed
inadequate wells and provide softer water for laundry
withdrawal location, it would not be possible to accu-
(Searight and Meleen, 1940a, 1940b, 1940c, 1940d,
rately summarize data for the study area. Instead, to
1940e). Today, municipalities and rural water systems
eliminate duplicated effort, water-use data are summa-
provide most of the water used in the study area, nearly
all of it from ground-water sources. rized only for Roberts County.
Water-use data included in this report are taken Withdrawal of water in Roberts County during
from the Site-Specific Water Use Database System 1995 was about 1,814 acre-feet (table 8). About
(SWUDS) and Aggregated Water Use Database 36.4 percent of the total water withdrawn was by public
System (AWUDS) for South Dakota (Frank suppliers, which includes municipalities and rural-
Amundson, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., water systems. The remainder was withdrawn by self
2001). These data are compiled every 5 years, with the suppliers, which includes any water users who have
most recent compilation summarizing the 1995 data. their own source of surface and/or ground water. Only
Because the boundary of the study area encompasses 470 acre-feet, or about 26 percent of the total water
parts of four counties in South Dakota and two counties withdrawn was from surface-water sources, with the
in North Dakota, but only one complete county remainder coming from ground-water sources.
Table 8. Water withdrawals in Roberts County in 1995
Total Public suppliers Self suppliers

Source
Acre-feet Percent Acre-feet Percent Acre-feet Percent
Ground water 1,344 100 661 49.2 683 50.8

Surface water 470 100 0 0 470 100
Total 1,814 100 661 36.4 1,153 63.6
Water use in Roberts County is summarized in example, in 1985 about 1,322 acre-feet of water was
table 9. During 1995, 3,148 acre-feet of water was used for irrigation. In 1990, irrigation use increased to
used in Roberts County. Since table 8 shows that only 1,748 acre-feet, then dropped to 325 acre-feet in 1995.
1,814 acre-feet of water was withdrawn within Roberts The State of South Dakota has a set of water-
County during 1995, this indicates that 1,334 acre-feet quality criteria for 11 different use categories of surface
of water was withdrawn outside the county. This could water. The different use categories include:
be due to municipalities near the Roberts County line (1) domestic supply, (2) coldwater permanent fish-life
having their wells located outside the county, or from propagation, (3) coldwater marginal fish-life propaga-
rural-water systems withdrawing water in an adjacent tion, (4) warmwater permanent fish-life propagation,
county and serving customers in Roberts County.
(5) warmwater semipermanent fish-life propagation,
Surface-water use is limited to livestock watering.
(6) warmwater marginal fish-life propagation,
About 55 percent of the total water used in Roberts
(7) immersion recreation, (8) limited contact recre-
County is for domestic purposes, with most domestic
ation, (9) fish and wildlife propagation, recreation, and
users served by a public-supply system. Irrigation
accounts for about 10 percent of the total water used. stock watering, (10) irrigation, and (11) commerce and
industry. The criteria for these uses are summarized in
Water-use trends in Roberts County can be noted
table 12. Use categories of some lakes (Stueven and
by comparing the 1995 water-use data to earlier compi-
Stewart, 1996), and stream segments within the study
lations. For instance, over the last 10 years, many more
people are getting water from public-supply systems. area are listed in tables 10 and 11.
The amount of water for self supplied domestic use was The suitability of water from the different
392 acre-feet in 1985, but dropped to 313 acre-feet in aquifers for irrigation based on the irrigation-water
1990, and was only 11 acre-feet by 1995. During the classification diagram for South Dakota (Koch, 1983)
same time period, there has been a decrease in water is shown in fig. 59 and summarized in table 7. The
used for livestock. In 1985, 885 acre-feet of water Dakota and Spiritwood aquifers do not appear on
were used, which decreased to 840 acre-feet by 1990, fig. 59 because their coordinates are greater than the
and 784 acre-feet by 1995. Irrigation uses tend to fluc- bounds of the diagram, indicating that their water is not
tuate over time in response to variations in rainfall. For well suited to irrigation uses.
Table 9. Water use in Roberts County in 1995
Public supplied Self supplied

Total
Domestic Commercial Industrial Domestic Livestock Irrigation
Source
Acre- Per- Acre- Per- Acre- Per- Acre- Per- Acre- Per- Acre- Per- Acre- Per-
feet cent feet cent feet cent feet cent feet cent feet cent feet cent
Ground 2,678 1100 1,736 64.8 258 9.6 34 1.3 11 0.4 314 11.7 325 12.1
water
Surface 470 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 470 100 0 0
water
Total 3,148 1100 1,736 55.1 258 8.2 34 1.1 11 .3 784 24.9 325 10.3
1Total percentage may not equal sum of components due to rounding.
Water Use 73
Table 10. Use categories for selected lakes within the study area
[From Stueven and Stewart, 1996]
County Lake Use categories County Lake Use categories
Day Blue Dog 4, 7, 8, 9 Marshall Hoop 6

Day Campbell Slough 6 Marshall Horseshoe 6
Day Enemy Swim 4, 7, 8, 9 Marshall Isabella 6
Day Pickerel 4, 7, 8, 9 Marshall Island 6
Day Anderson 6 Marshall Long 6
Grant Summit Lake 5 Marshall Martha 6
Marshall Abraham 6 Marshall Mud 6
Marshall Almos 6 Marshall Red Iron North 6
Marshall Buffalo North 5 Marshall Red Iron South 4, 7, 8, 9
Marshall Buffalo South 5, 7, 8, 9 Marshall Sarah 6
Marshall Clear 4, 7, 8, 9 Marshall Simmon 6
Marshall Cottonwood 5 Marshall Turtlefoot 6
Marshall Crystal 6 Roberts Bigstone 4, 7, 8, 9, 10
Marshall Dumarce 6 Roberts Drywood North 6
Marshall Emma 6 Roberts Drywood South 6
Marshall Flat 6 Roberts Hurricane 6
Marshall Goodbird 6 Roberts Mud 6
Marshall Grays 6 Roberts Oneroad 6
Marshall High 5 Roberts Traverse 4, 7, 8, 9, 10
Marshall Hill 6 Roberts Whitestone 5
Table 11. Use categories for selected stream segments within the study area
[From Stueven and Stewart, 1996]
River or creek From To Use categories
Jorgenson River Little Minnesota River T. 124 N., R. 50 W., Section 21 6, 8

North Fork Whetstone River Whetstone River SD Highway 15 6, 8
Substation Creek North Fork Whetstone River US Highway 81 3, 8
Little Minnesota River Big Stone Lake T. 128 N., R. 52 W., Section 15 5, 8
Sieche Hollow Creek Little Minnesota River T. 127 N., R. 53 W., Section 36 3, 8
Owens Creek Blue Dog Lake T. 122 N., R. 52 W., Section 17 4, 8
Unnamed tributary Big Sioux River US Highway 81 6, 8
Pickerel Creek Pickerel Lake Waubay Lake 6, 8
Bois de Sioux Lake Traverse South Dakota-North Dakota- 5, 8
Minnesota border
Jim Creek Lake Traverse T. 126 N., R. 50 W., Section 13 6, 8
3,100 EXPLANATION
3,000 A1 A2 A1 A2 A1 A2 SOIL TEXTURE
SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER AT 25o CELSIUS A Sand
2,900 Loamy sands, sandy loams
B
C Loams, silts, silt loams
2,800 B1
D Sandy clay loams, silty clay
(ECx106 AT 25oC) ADJUSTED FOR CALCIUM, SULFATE, AND RAINFALL
loams, clay loams

2,700 E Silty clays, sandy clays, clays
2,600 C1 DEPTH BELOW LAND SURFACE
TO A MORE-PERMEABLE OR
2,500 B2 B1 LESS-PERMEABLE MATERIAL
1 40 inches or less to a more-
2,400 permeable material
2 40 to 72 inches to a more-
2,300 C1 B2 permeable material
3 20 to 60 inches to a less-
2,200 C2 B1 permeable material
2,100 D1 SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE

Maximum values are based on
2,000 B3 B2 12 inches or less average
rainfall during the frost-free
1,900 D2 E1 C2 C1 season. For each additonal 2
inches of rainfall, the maximum
1,800 C3 D1 conductance value may be
increased by 200. Average
1,700 D3 E2 E1 B3 growing season rainfall for the
10 13 study area is about 16 inches,
1,600 D2 so the conductivity of each plotted
value has been reduced by 400
1,500 E3 E2 C2 microsiemens.
12 9
For water having more than
1,400 B3
200 milligrams per liter of
calcium and more than 960
1,300 C3
4 milligrams per liter of sulfate,
1,200 D3 the maximum conductance
5 value may be increased by 400
1,100 E3 microsiemens.
C3
1 AVERAGE CHEMICAL QUALITY OF
11
1,000 GROUNDWATER
900 1 Altamont aquifer
7 2 Big Sioux aquifer
800 3 Coteau Lakes aquifer system
3 4 Eden outwash group
700 5 Fairmount aquifer
6 Lonesome Lake outwash
600 8 7 Marday outwash group
8 Prairie Coteau outwash
500 9 Revillo aquifer
10 Roslyn outwash group
400 6 11 Rosholt aquifer
2 12 Veblen aquifer system
300 13 Wilmot outwash group
200
0 3 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
ADJUSTED SODIUM-ADSORPTION RATIO (SAR)
MULTIPLIED BY 0.7
Figure 59. South Dakota irrigation-water classification diagram (based on South Dakota standards (revised Jan. 7,
1982) for maximum allowable specific conductance and adjusted sodium-adsorption-ratio values for which an
irrigation permit can be issued for applying water under various soil-texture conditions. Water can be applied under
all conditions at or above the plotted point, but not below it, provided other conditions as defined by the State
Conservation Commission are met (from Koch, 1983)).
Water Use 75
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The depth of the bedrock aquifer ranges from 469 to
1,000 feet. Some of the aquifers and outwash groups
In 1994, the U.S. Geological Survey, in coopera- have one or more samples of a given constituent that
tion with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, Roberts were above the recommended or mandatory limit for
County, and the South Dakota Geological Survey, drinking water. Most aquifers have dissolved solids
began a 6-year investigation to describe and quantify and sulfate contents above the recommended ranges of
the water resources of the area within the 1867 500 and 250 mg/L, respectively. The Dakota aquifer is
boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation and adja- the only one to have a mean chloride concentration
cent parts of Roberts County. Roberts County is above the recommended level of 250 mg/L. Nitrate
located in extreme northeastern South Dakota, and the concentrations greater than the mandatory limit of
1867 boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation 10 mg/L are found in the Big Sioux aquifer and the
encompasses much of Roberts County and parts of Coteau Lakes and Veblen aquifer systems. The manda-
Marshall, Day, Codington, and Grant Counties in South tory maximum level for arsenic has recently been
Dakota, and parts of Richland and Sargent Counties in lowered from 50 g/L to 10 g/L by the U.S. Environ-
southeast North Dakota. This report includes descrip- mental Protection Agency. Concentrations greater than
tions of the quantity, quality, and availability of surface 10 g/L are found in the Coteau Lakes and Veblen
and ground water, the extent of the major glacial and aquifer systems, and in the Rosholt and Fairmount
bedrock aquifers and named outwash groups, and sur- aquifers.
face- and ground-water uses within the 1867 boundary Historically, nearly all water was supplied by the
of the Lake Traverse Reservation and adjacent parts of
user because no municipal or rural-water systems were
Roberts County. present. More recently, municipalities and rural-water
The surface-water resources within the 1867 systems provide most of the water used in the study
boundary of the Lake Traverse Reservation and adja- areanearly all of it from ground-water sources.
cent parts of Roberts County include rivers, streams, Surface-water use is limited to livestock watering.
lakes, and wetlands. Several of the larger lakes within About 55 percent of the total water used in Roberts
the study area have been developed for recreation, County is for domestic purposes, with most domestic
while many of the smaller lakes and wetlands are used users served by a public-supply system. Over the last
for livestock watering or wildlife-production areas. 10 years, many more people are getting water from
The glacial history of the study area has led to a public-supply systems.
rather complex system of glacial aquifers. The bound-
Irrigation accounts for about 10 percent of the
aries of 11 aquifers and 6 named outwash groups were
total water used. The suitability of water from the
delineated based on hydrogeologic cross sections,
different aquifers and outwash groups for irrigation is
water levels, and water-quality similarities/dissimilari-
based on the irrigation-water classification diagram for
ties. The South Dakota Geological Survey provided
South Dakota. All major aquifers and outwash groups
assistance in this task. The glacial aquifers presented
except the Dakota and Spiritwood aquifers are suitable
in this report include: Coteau Lakes system, Big Sioux,
for use in irrigation.
Altamont, Revillo, James, Veblen system, Spiritwood,
Hankinson, Rosholt, Milnor Channel, and Fairmount;
the bedrock aquifer included in this report is the
Dakota. Named outwash groups include the Prairie REFERENCES CITED
Coteau, Lonesome Lake, Marday, Eden, Roslyn, and
Armstrong, C.A., 1982, Ground-water resources of Ransom
Wilmot. A summary of the characteristics of each of and Sargent Counties, North Dakota: North Dakota
the major aquifers and outwash groups and a summary Geological Survey Bulletin 69, Part III, 51 p.
of selected chemical analyses for each aquifer and out- Baker, C.H., Jr., 1966, The Milnor Channel, an ice-marginal
wash group with available data are presented. Aerial course of the Sheyenne River, North Dakota: U.S.
extent of the aquifers within the study area range from Geological Survey Professional Paper 550-B, p. B77-
less than 20 square miles to over 200 square miles. B79.
Average thicknesses of the glacial aquifers range from Baker, C.H., and Paulson, Q.F., 1967, Geology and ground
10 to 56.8 feet, with localized thicknesses up to water resources of Richland County, North Dakota:
191 feet. The depth to the top of the glacial aquifers North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 46, Part III,
range from near land surface to 722 feet on the Coteau. 45 p.
Barari, Assad, and Buehrer, David, 1974, Ground-water Leap, D.I., 1972, Major aquifers and sand and gravel
investigation for the City of Peever: South Dakota resources in Day County, South Dakota: South Dakota
Geological Survey Special Report 59, 20 p. Geological Survey Information Pamphlet No. 3, 4 p.
Beffort, J.D., and Hedges, L.S., 1967, Ground water supply 1988, Geology and hydrology of Day County, South
for the City of Waubay: South Dakota Geological Dakota: South Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 24,
Survey Special Report 40, 40 p. 117 p.
Burr, M.J., Teller, R.W., and Neitzert, K.M., 1999, Water Leverett, Frank, 1932, Quaternary geology of Minnesota and
resources data, South Dakota, water year 1998: U.S. parts of adjacent states, U.S. Geological Survey
Geological Survey Water-Data Report SD-98-1, 495 p. Professional Paper 161, 146 p.
Carter, J.M., and Thompson, R.F., 1998, Selected hydrologic Lindroth, M., 1976, South Dakota water planResource
data through 1996 for the Lake Traverse Reserva- inventory of the Big Sioux Coteau: South Dakota
tion/Roberts County water-resources investigation in Department of Water and Natural Resources, v. II-B,
South Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey Open File sec. 11, 135 p.
Report 98-647, 243 p. National Agricultural Statistics Service, 1998, Crop produc-
Emmons, P.J., 1999, Prediction of lake-level change for var- tion: accessed on Dec. 7, 1999, from URL
ious climatic scenarios using a water-balance model, www.nass.usda.gov/sd/cp/cpco1098.htm
Waubay Lakes chain, northeast South DakotaTask 2
Niehus, C.A., Vecchia, A.V., and Thompson, R.F., 1999,
report: Northern Great Plains Water Resources
Lake-level frequency analysis for the Waubay Lakes
Research Center, South Dakota State University
Chain, northeastern South Dakota: U. S. Geological
[variously paged].
Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-
Erickson, H.D., 1955, Artesian conditions in northeastern 4122, 166 p.
South Dakota: South Dakota Geological Survey Report
Northern Great Plains Water Resources Research Center,
of Investigations No. 77, 39 p.
ed., 1999, History of inundation 1992-1998 Day
Flint, R.F., 1955, Pleistocene geology of eastern South
County and Waubay Lakes Chain northeastern South
Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper
Dakota, Task 1 Report [variously paged].
262, 173 p.
Paulson, Q.F., 1953, Ground water in the Fairmount area,
Hamilton, L.J., and Howells, L.W., 1996, Water resources of
Richland County, North Dakota and adjacent areas in
Spink County, South Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey
Minnesota: North Dakota State Water Conservation
Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4056, 68 p.
Commission, North Dakota Ground-Water Studies
Hansen, D.S., 1990, Water resources of Codington and Grant
No. 22, 67 p.
Counties, South Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey
Water-Resources Investigations Report 89-4147, 47 p. Powell, J.E., 1956, Geology and groundwater resources of
the Hankinson area, Richland County, North Dakota:
1994, Major aquifers in Codington and Grant
North Dakota State Water Conservation Commission,
Counties, South Dakota: South Dakota Geological
North Dakota Ground-Water Studies No. 25, 45 p.
Survey Information Pamphlet No. 47, 16 p.
Heath, R.C., 1983, Basic ground-water hydrology: U.S. Searight, W.V., and Meleen, E.E., 1940a, Rural water
Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2220, 84 p. supplies in South Dakota, Codington County: South
Dakota State College Extension Service Special
Hem, J.K., 1985, Study and interpretation of the chemical
Extension Circular No. 47, 20 p.
characteristics of natural water: U.S. Geological
Survey Water-Supply Paper 2254, 263 p. 1940b, Rural water supplies in South Dakota, Day
Koch, N.C., 1972, Major aquifers and sand and gravel County: South Dakota State College Extension Service
resources in Marshall County, South Dakota: South Special Extension Circular No. 47, 19 p.
Dakota Geological Survey Information Pamphlet 1940c, Rural water supplies in South Dakota, Grant
No. 1, 9 p. County: South Dakota State College Extension Service
1975, Geology and water resources of Marshall Special Extension Circular No. 47, 20 p.
County, South Dakota: South Dakota Geological 1940d, Rural water supplies in South Dakota,
Survey Bulletin 23, 76 p. Marshall County: South Dakota State College Exten-
1983, Irrigation-water classification diagram for sion Service Special Extension Circular No. 47, 24 p.
South Dakota: South Dakota Academy of Science 1940e, Rural water supplies in South Dakota, Rob-
Proceedings, v. 62, p. 107-114. erts County: South Dakota State College Extension
Lawrence, S.J., 1989, Water-resources appraisal of the Lake Service Special Extension Circular No. 47, 18 p.
Traverse Indian Reservation in South Dakota: U.S. State Lakes Preservation Committee, 1977, A plan for the
Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations classification, preservation, restoration of lakes in
Report 88-4031, 42 p. northeastern South Dakota: 268 p.
References Cited 77
Stueven, Eugene, and Stewart, W.C., 1996, South Dakota U.S. Census Bureau, 2001, Population for South Dakota and
lakes assessment final report: South Dakota Depart- counties, 1990 and 2000: accessed on Apr. 11, 2001,
ment of Environment and Natural Resources, 760 p. from URL http://www.usd.edu/brbinfo/
Thompson, R.F., 2000, Selected hydrologic and water-qual- U.S. Geological Survey, 1986, National water summary
ity data, 1997 through 1999, for the Lake Traverse Res-
1985hydrologic events and surface-water resources:
ervation/Roberts County water-resources investigation
U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2300,
in South Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey Open File
Report 00-445, 304 p. 506 p.
Tipton, M.J., 1960, Shallow water supply for the City of Wong, H.D., 1960, Shallow water supply for the City of
Sisseton, South Dakota: South Dakota Geological Rosholt, South Dakota: South Dakota Geological
Survey Special Report 12, 22 p. Survey Special Report 7, 16 p.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Table 12. Criteria for use categories
[mg/L, milligrams per liter; mL, milliliters; F, degrees Fahrenheit; S/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius]
Parameter Criteria Special conditions
Domestic Supply Waters (Use Category 1)
Total dissolved solids 1,000 mg/L 30-day average

1,750 mg/L Daily maximum
Nitrates as N 10 mg/L
pH 6.5-9.0 units
Total coliform 5,000 colonies/100 mL Geometric mean of a minimum of five samples

during separate 24-hour periods for a 30-day
period and may not exceed this value in more
than 20 percent of the samples examined in
the same 30-day period.
20,000 colonies/100 mL In any one sample
Barium 1.0 mg/L
Chloride 250 mg/L 30-day average

438 mg/L Daily maximum
Fluoride 4.0 mg/L
Sulfate 500 mg/L 30-day average

Total petroleum hydrocarbons 1.0 mg/L

Coldwater Permanent Fish-life Propagation Waters (Use Category 2)
Un-ionized ammonia nitrogen as N 0.02 mg/L 30-day average

1.75 mg/L times the allowable con- Daily maximum
centration of unionized percent
Chlorides 100 mg/L 30-day average

Dissolved oxygen 6.0 mg/L

7.0 mg/L In spawning areas during the spawning season.
Undisassociated hydrogen sulfide 0.002 mg/L
pH 6.6-8.6 units
Total suspended solids 30 mg/L 30-day average

Temperature 65F
Coldwater Marginal Fish-life Propagation Waters (Use Category 3)

pH 6.5-8.8 units
Temperature 75F
Supplemental Information Table 12 81

Table 12. Criteria for use categoriesContinued
Warmwater Permanent Fish-life Propagation Waters (Use Category 4)


6.0 mg/L In Big Stone Lake and Lake Traverse during
April and May.
pH 6.5-9.0 units

Temperature 80F
Warmwater Semipermanent Fish-life Propagation Waters (Use Category 5)

pH 6.5-9.0 units

Temperature 90F
Warmwater Marginal Fish-life Propagation Waters (Use Category 6)

pH 6.0-9.0 units

Temperature 90F
Immersion Recreation Waters (Use Category 7)
Fecal coliform (May 1 September 30) 200 colonies/100 mL Geometric mean based on a minimum of five
samples obtained during separate 24-hour
periods for any 30-day period, and they may
not exceed this value in more than 20 percent
of the samples examined in this same 30-day
period.
400 colonies/100 mL In any one sample
Table 12. Criteria for use categoriesContinued
Limited Contact Recreation Waters (Use Category 8)
Fecal coliform (May 1 September 30) 1000 colonies/100 mL Geometric mean based on a minimum of five
samples obtained during separate 24-hour
periods for any 30-day period, and they may
not exceed this value in more than 20 percent
of the samples examined in this same
30-day period.
2000 colonies/100 mL In any one sample
Fish and Wildlife Propagation, Recreation and Stock Watering Waters (Use Category 9)
Total alkalinity as calcium carbonate 750 mg/L 30-day average


Conductivity at 25 C 4,000 S/cm 30-day average

7,000 S/cm Daily maximum
Nitrates as N 50 mg/L 30-day average

pH 6.0 - 9.5 units
Total petroleum hydrocarbon 10 mg/L
Oil and grease 10 mg/L

Irrigation Waters (Use Category 10)
Conductivity at 25 C 2,500 S/cm 30-day average

4,375 S/cm Daily maximum
Sodium-adsorption ratio 10
Commerce and Industry Waters (Use Category 11)

pH 6.0 9.5 units

Table 13. Summary of selected chemical analyses by aquifer
[Units in micrograms per liter except as indicated. S/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; C, degrees
Celsius; ND, not detected; --, no data; <, less than; >, greater than]
Number of
Property or constituent Mean Median Minimum Maximum
samples
Altamont Aquifer
Specific conductance (S/cm) 5 1,428 1,350 1,290 1,800
pH (standard units) 1 7 7 7 7
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 0 -- -- -- --
Hardness, total, mg/L as CaCO3 6 658 685 370 960
Solids, dissolved, residue at 180C (mg/L) 1 562 562 562 562
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 4 1,050 973 813 1,430
Calcium, dissolved (mg/L) 6 161 165 95 230
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 6 61.8 65.5 32 92
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 6 36.5 26 16 88
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L) 4 9.25 8.5 4 16
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 5 377 402 280 427
Alkalinity (mg/L) 5 351 380 230 410
Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L) 6 423 445 190 770
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 6 12 7.5 5 36
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) 1 ND ND ND ND
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 1 11 11 11 11
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 5 1.04 ND ND 5.2
Phosphorus, orthophosphate (mg/L) 0 -- -- -- --
Aluminum, total 1 <10 <10 <10 <10
Arsenic, total 1 6 6 6 6
Barium, total 1 ND ND ND ND
Boron, total 1 300 300 300 300
Cadmium, dissolved 0 -- -- -- --
Chromium, total 1 <4 <4 <4 <4
Cobalt, total 1 <2 <2 <2 <2
Copper, total 1 <2 <2 <2 <2
Iron, dissolved 5 -- 0.1 ND 1
Lead, dissolved 0 -- -- -- --
Lithium, total 1 90 90 90 90
Manganese, dissolved 1 ND ND ND ND
Mercury, dissolved 0 -- -- -- --
Molybdenum, total 1 14 14 14 14
Nickel, total 1 <4 <4 <4 <4
Selenium, total 1 ND ND ND ND
Silver, total 1 <2 <2 <2 <2
Strontium, total 1 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100
Vanadium, total 1 <4 <4 <4 <4
Zinc, total 1 10 10 10 10
Table 13. Summary of selected chemical analyses by aquiferContinued
Number of
samples
Big Sioux Aquifer
Specific conductance (S/cm) 24 773 669 406 1,800
pH (standard units) 23 7.63 7.7 6.8 8.3
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 15 19.0 10 2 83
Solids, dissolved, residue as 180C (mg/L) 21 519 500 236 913
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 25 419 413 229 632
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 30 36.6 35 14 61
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L) 25 2.93 3 1 10
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 2 365 365 310 420
Alkalinity (mg/L) 1 200 200 200 200
Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L) 30 83 72.5 9.5 300
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 29 17.9 8 2 140
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) 12 0.386 0.215 0.14 1
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 4 9.73 8.85 0.2 21
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 18 4.46 0.465 ND 22.5
Aluminum, total 0 -- -- -- --
Arsenic, total 2 <1 <1 <1 <1
Barium, total 2 150 150 100 200
Boron, total 2 115 115 90 140
Cadmium, dissolved 7 -- 0.4 <.2 1.3
Cobalt, total 2 20 20 20 20
Copper, total 1 210 210 210 210
Iron, dissolved 20 622 175 ND 2,200
Lead, dissolved 5 1.62 1.3 0.9 3
Manganese, dissolved 12 374 320 0.07 1,200
Mercury, dissolved 1 ND ND ND ND
Molybdenum, total 2 <4 <4 <4 <4
Nickel, total 2 -- 5.5 <4 7
Strontium, total 2 390 390 250 530
Zinc, total 2 375 375 10 740

Number of
samples
Coteau Lakes Aquifer System
Specific conductance (S/cm) 54 1,130 931 432 3,660
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 36 16.4 8.55 2.1 153
Hardness, total, mg/L as CaCO3 79 574 430 200 2,100
Solids, dissolved, residue as 180C (mg/L) 47 744 667 264 2,230
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 29 590 389 211 2,170
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 76 377 383 39 930
Alkalinity (mg/L) 56 311 299.5 108 760
Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L) 77 268 100 5 2,200
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 72 34.8 12 ND 270
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) 18 0.879 0.3 0.12 10
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 20 9.28 1.8 ND 120
Phosphorus, orthophosphate (mg/L) 7 0.066 ND ND 0.46
Aluminum, total 6 18.3 20 10 20
Arsenic, total 13 2.38 1 1 12
Barium, total 26 65.4 ND ND 200
Boron, total 25 124 80 20 520
Cadmium, dissolved 2 10.7 10.7 1.4 20
Chromium, total 3 10 5 5 20
Cobalt, total 15 8.27 7 2 20
Copper, total 12 19.3 7 ND 77
Iron, dissolved 47 759 80 0 14,800
Lead, dissolved 3 1.8 2 1 2.4
Manganese, dissolved 35 320 10 ND 2,100
Mercury, dissolved 3 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2
Molybdenum, total 9 6.33 7 4 10
Nickel, total 3 33.3 >20 >20 60
Selenium, total 18 0.444 ND ND 1
Silver, total 27 1 2 <2 <2
Strontium, total 25 879 410 150 4,600
Vanadium, total 25 <4 <4 <4 4
Zinc, total 28 381 35 10 3,000
Number of
samples
Dakota Aquifer
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 9 7.84 6.5 3 20
Hardness, total, mg/L as CaCO3 30 83 50.5 18 470
Solids, dissolved, residue as 180C (mg/L) 10 3,408 2,745 2,450 6,720
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 9 3,470 2,570 2,420 6,910
Calcium, dissolved (mg/L) 30 18 11.5 4.6 110
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 30 9.2 4.65 1.6 59
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 30 720 575 114 2,570
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L) 9 12.3 11 8.9 23
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 5 396 390 370 430
Alkalinity (mg/L) 29 356 344 280 562
Sulfate, dissolved (mg/L) 30 1,137 1,100 430 2,000
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 30 648 485 28 2,600
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) 10 4.93 5.8 0.9 7.5
Phosphorus, orthophosphate (mg/L) 2 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.03
Aluminum, total 7 21.4 20 10 40
Boron, total 20 3,860 3,700 540 5,200
Chromium, total 19 <4 <4 <4 4
Cobalt, total 12 8.42 6.5 2 20
Copper, total 10 2.2 2 2 3
Iron, dissolved 9 807 550 40 2,300
Lead, dissolved 1 ND ND ND ND
Manganese, dissolved 9 16.7 10 ND 40
Nickel, total 5 4.8 4 4 7
Selenium, total 19 0.737 1 0 1
Silver, total 8 3.25 3.5 2 4
Strontium, total 19 637 490 320 1,200
Vanadium, total 2 5 5 4 6
Zinc, total 19 31.6 20 10 140

Number of
samples
Eden Outwash Group
pH (standard units) 4 7.2 7.2 6.4 8
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 5 1,180 1,150 935 1,440
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 8 67.4 59.5 37 133
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 8 16.5 9.3 4.6 55
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 6 410 390 305 560
Alkalinity (mg/L) 8 351 355 250 459
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 6 7 4 2 24
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 4 16 10.5 10 33
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 4 ND ND ND ND
Aluminum, total 3 <10 <10 <10 <10
Arsenic, total 3 -- <1 <1 1
Boron, total 3 153 160 60 240
Cobalt, total 3 12 4 2 30
Iron, dissolved 5 440 0.1 0 2,200
Lithium, total 3 93.3 70 40 170
Manganese, dissolved 1 280 280 280 280
Molybdenum, total 3 -- <4 <4 6
Nickel, total 3 -- <4 <4 6
Selenium, total 2 0.5 0.5 ND 1
Silver, total 3 -- <2 <2 4
Strontium, total 3 1,050 680 480 2,000
Vanadium, total 3 -- <4 <4 4
Zinc, total 3 10 10 10 10
Number of
samples
Fairmount Aquifer
Specific conductance (S/cm) 8 1,548 1,505 920 2,410
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 13 33.2 29 2.2 91
Solids, dissolved, residue as 180C (mg/L) 17 1,070 927 400 2,830
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 21 184 130 7 640
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 13 374 371 185 564
Alkalinity (mg/L) 8 401 361 266 717
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 20 88.2 37.5 1 500
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 10 24.2 28.5 10 30
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 7 1.96 0.9 0.1 8.88
Aluminum, total 2 -- -- <10 10
Boron, total 2 805 805 510 1,100
Cadmium, dissolved 1 1 1 1 1
Chromium, total 4 -- -- <1 <4
Cobalt, total 2 -- -- <2 20
Copper, total 3 -- 3 <2 33
Iron, dissolved 11 802 750 1.5 1,700
Lead, dissolved 1 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6
Lithium, total 2 145 145 130 160
Manganese, dissolved 9 103 84 0.18 242
Mercury, dissolved 1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Selenium, total 3 -- -- ND 1
Strontium, total 2 975 975 950 1,000
Zinc, total 2 135 135 110 160

Number of
samples
Lonesome Lake Outwash Group
Specific conductance (S/cm) 2 790 790 749 830
pH (standard units) 3 7.4 7.4 7 7.8
Solids, dissolved, residue as 180C (mg/L) 2 504 504 475 533
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L) 2 4.9 4.9 4.8 5
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 3 457 411 398 561
Alkalinity (mg/L) 3 374 337 326 460
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 2 2.8 2.8 2 3.6
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 1 10 10 10 10
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 2 -- <.55 <.1 <1
Aluminum, total 1 <10 <10 <10 <10
Boron, total 1 240 240 240 240
Iron, dissolved 2 -- 0.15 <.1 0.2
Manganese, dissolved 2 0.9 0.9 0.8 1
Zinc, total 1 120 120 120 120
Number of
samples
Marday Outwash Group
pH (standard units) 7 7.71 7.8 7 8
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 1 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 8 38.2 21.5 8.5 122
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 5 357 380 272 431
Alkalinity (mg/L) 8 287 291 223 353
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 5 7.12 6 3.4 16
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 5 22.5 27 9.6 28
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 6 -- 0.74 <.1 4.6
Phosphorus, orthophosphate (mg/L) 4 -- -- ND 0.01
Aluminum, total 1 <10 <10 <10 <10
Arsenic, total 1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Boron, total 1 310 310 310 310
Iron, dissolved 7 3,650 150 0.3 14,800
Manganese, dissolved 7 668 440 1 2,000
Selenium, total 0 -- -- -- --
Zinc, total 1 10 10 10 10

Number of
samples
Specific conductance (S/cm) 38 986 821 600 4,100
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 39 432 449 39 646
Alkalinity (mg/L) 37 358 368 170 530
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 16 12.9 10 6 28
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 8 1.14 0.725 0.3 3
Arsenic, total 13 -- -- <1 6
Barium, total 13 100 100 ND 200
Boron, total 13 241 200 40 440
Cadmium, dissolved 1 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31
Cobalt, total 7 9.43 9 2 30
Copper, total 3 4.33 3 2 8
Iron, dissolved 15 1,595 160 0.6 16,700
Lithium, total 13 77.7 60 20 360
Manganese, dissolved 9 299 319 ND 780
Nickel, total 6 5.67 5 4 8
Selenium, total 12 -- ND ND 1
Silver, total 13 <2 <2 <2 <2
Strontium, total 13 677 550 220 1,900
Zinc, total 13 184 20 10 830
Number of
samples
Revillo Aquifer
Solids, dissolved, residue as 180C (mg/L) 24 1,688 1,810 842 2,060
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 31 59 60 21 86
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L) 20 11 11 4 15
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 16 444 477 180 570
Alkalinity (mg/L) 26 377 379 196 545
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) 16 0 0.27 0.2 1.5
Aluminum, total 4 <10 <10 <10 <10
Arsenic, total 4 -- <1 <1 1
Boron, total 4 730 660 200 1,400
Lithium, total 4 87.5 80 80 110
Manganese, dissolved 15 129 100 ND 500
Strontium, total 4 1,208 1,250 930 1,400
Zinc, total 6 1,195 20 10 3,700

Number of
samples
Roslyn Outwash Group
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 1 118 118 118 118
Hardness, total, mg/L as CaCO3 5 1,190 720 340 2,400
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 3 1,530 969 391 3,220
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 5 126 88 33 260
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 5 42.5 31 8.6 87
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 4 340 341 253 427
Alkalinity (mg/L) 5 293 339 207 351
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 5 89.9 15 1.2 360
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 3 -- <1 0.28 7
Aluminum, total 2 -- 15 <10 20
Arsenic, total 2 1.5 1.5 1 2
Boron, total 2 260 260 180 340
Copper, total 2 301 301 2 600
Iron, dissolved 3 867 0.2 ND 2,600
Lithium, total 2 140 140 90 190
Manganese, dissolved 2 415 415 0.09 830
Nickel, total 2 -- 4 <4 4
Selenium, total 1 1 1 1 1
Silver, total 2 -- 3 <1 5
Strontium, total 2 1,730 1,730 960 2,500
Zinc, total 2 45 45 20 70
Number of
samples
Rosholt Aquifer
Specific conductance (S/cm) 50 1,349 932 300 8,480
Calcium, dissolved (mg/L) 66 117 94.5 8 610
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 66 44.9 37.5 4.8 211
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 63 62.0 13 1.3 608
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 54 353 377 112 511
Alkalinity (mg/L) 62 302 317 92 419
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) 24 0.223 0.245 ND 0.6
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 38 -- -- ND 4
Aluminum, total 17 -- <10 <10 20
Barium, total 19 32 ND ND 100
Boron, total 18 368 70 20 4,000
Cadmium, dissolved 1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Cobalt, total 8 4.38 3.5 2 10
Copper, total 3 11 12 3 18
Iron, dissolved 29 412 1.6 ND 2,100
Lead, dissolved 1 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3
Lithium, total 18 54.4 40 10 160
Manganese, dissolved 21 307 0.3 ND 1,200
Mercury, dissolved 1 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Molybdenum, total 18 -- <4 <4 12
Selenium, total 17 -- ND ND 2
Strontium, total 18 477 390 110 2,000
Zinc, total 14 265 30 10 1,200

Number of
samples
Spiritwood Aquifer
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 2 6.15 6.15 5.1 7.2
Calcium, dissolved (mg/L) 6 68 79.5 14 110
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 6 22.4 26 6.8 34
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 6 471 250 14 1,100
Potassium, dissolved (mg/L) 6 12.0 12.5 5.8 17
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 6 497 510 390 570
Alkalinity (mg/L) 6 407 419 317 465
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 6 185 81 2.4 510
Fluoride, dissolved (mg/L) 6 3 0.35 0.3 8.9
Silica, dissolved (mg/L) 6 16.5 14.5 6 29
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 6 1.17 1 1 2
Aluminum, total 0 -- -- -- --
Arsenic, total 0 -- -- -- --
Barium, total 0 -- -- -- --
Boron, total 0 -- -- -- --
Chromium, total 0 -- -- -- --
Cobalt, total 0 -- -- -- --
Copper, total 0 -- -- -- --
Iron, dissolved 6 480 380 110 1,200
Lithium, total 0 -- -- -- --
Molybdenum, total 0 -- -- -- --
Nickel, total 0 -- -- -- --
Silver, total 0 -- -- -- --
Strontium, total 0 -- -- -- --
Vanadium, total 0 -- -- -- --
Zinc, total 0 -- -- -- --
Number of
samples
Veblen Aquifer System
Calcium, dissolved (mg/L) 71 167 150 7.2 1,000
Magnesium, dissolved (mg/L) 71 64.8 50 3.1 535
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 65 126 82 6.6 745
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 53 378 403 6 650
Alkalinity (mg/L) 63 330 337 88 650
Chloride, dissolved (mg/L) 60 117 27.5 ND 2,600
Nitrogen, nitrate (mg/L) 22 4.14 0.59 ND 70
Barium, total 26 7.69 ND ND 100
Boron, total 26 725 465 40 4,700
Cadmium, dissolved 1 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5
Chromium, total 26 <4 <4 <4 4
Cobalt, total 26 -- <2 <2 20
Copper, total 26 -- <2 <2 10
Iron, dissolved 38 1,422 285 0.1 16,600
Lead, dissolved 2 11.3 11.3 1.6 21
Lithium, total 26 137 150 20 270
Manganese, dissolved 33 727 800 ND 1,720
Molybdenum, total 25 -- 5 <4 18
Nickel, total 26 <4 <4 <4 6
Selenium, total 25 -- 1 ND 3
Strontium, total 26 1,005 970 190 2,700
Vanadium, total 26 >4 >4 >4 >4
Zinc, total 23 353 200 10 1,700

Number of
samples
Wilmot Outwash Group
Carbon dioxide, dissolved (mg/L) 6 40.3 33 11 90
Solids, dissolved, sum of constituents (mg/L) 6 1,471.5 1,530 753 2,200
Sodium, dissolved (mg/L) 12 95.8 61.5 18 294
Bicarbonate (mg/L) 7 417 433 246 539
Alkalinity (mg/L) 8 364 356 252 460
Aluminum, total 4 <10 <10 <10 <10
Arsenic, total 4 -- 3.5 <1 6
Boron, total 4 322.5 315 140 520
Cobalt, total 4 -- -- <2 4
Copper, total 4 -- <2 <2 28
Lithium, total 4 97.5 90 70 140
Molybdenum, total 4 8 7.5 5 12
Selenium, total 3 -- 1 ND 1
Strontium, total 4 975 900 700 1,400
Zinc, total 2 50 50 10 90
Table 14. Significance of chemical and physical properties of water
[mg/L, milligrams per liter; g/L, micrograms per liter]
Constituent or
Limit Significance
property
Specific A measure of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current; varies with temperature.
conductance Magnitude depends on concentration, type and degree of ionization of dissolved constitu-
ents; can be used to estimate the concentration of dissolved solids. Values are reported in
microsiemens per centimeter at 25 Celsius.
pH 6.5-8.5 units A measure of the hydrogen ion concentration; pH of 7.0 indicates a neutral solution; pH values
(recommended) less than 7.0 indicate acidity, pH values greater than 7.0 indicate alkalinity. Water generally
becomes more corrosive with decreasing pH, but excessively alkaline water may also be
corrosive.
Hardness Related to the soap consuming characteristics of water. Results in formation of scum when
(as CaCO3) soap is added. May cause deposition of scale in boilers, water heaters, and pipes. Hardness
equivalent to the bicarbonate and carbonate in water is called carbonate hardness, while
hardness in excess of this amount is called noncarbonate hardness.
Dissolved solids 500 mg/L The total of all dissolved mineral constituents, usually expressed in milligrams per liter. The
(recommended) concentration of dissolved solids may affect the taste of water. Water that contains more
than 1,000 mg/L is considered unsuitable for many industrial uses. The concentration of
dissolved solids is also called a waters salinity.
Calcium plus Cause of most of the hardness and scale-forming properties of water (see hardness).
magnesium
Sodium plus Large concentrations may limit use of water for irrigation and industrial use. When present
potassium with chloride, may give water a salty taste. Unusually large concentrations may indicate
naturals brines, industrial brines, or sewage.
Bicarbonate In combination with calcium and magnesium, forms carbonate hardness.
Alkalinity A measure of the waters capacity to resist changes in pH.
Sulfate 250 mg/L Sulfates of calcium and magnesium form hard scale. Large concentrations of sulfate have lax-
(recommended) ative affect on some people. When present with certain other ions, can give water a bitter
taste.
Chloride 250 mg/L Large concentrations increase the corrosiveness of water. When present with sodium, gives
(recommended) water a salty taste.
Fluoride 4.0 mg/L Optimum concentrations can reduce tooth decay when present in water consumed by children
(mandatory) during tooth calcification. Prolonged higher concentrations can cause mottling of teeth.
2.0 mg/L
(recommended)
Silica (as SiO2) Forms hard scale in pipes and boilers and may for deposits on blades of steam turbines. Inhib-
its deterioration of zeolite-type water softeners.
Nitrate nitrogen 10 mg/L Concentrations greater than local background levels may indicate pollution by feedlot runoff,
(mandatory) sewage or fertilizers. Concentrations greater than 10 mg/L may cause methemoglobenemia
(blue-baby syndrome) in infants.
Phosphate Essential to plant growth. Concentrations greater than background levels may indicate pollu-
tion by fertilizer or sewage.
Aluminum 0.05-0.2 mg/L No known necessary role in the diet of humans or animals. Nontoxic in the concentrations
(recommended) normally found in natural waters.
Arsenic 50 g/L1 A toxic substance with no known necessary role in human or animal diet. Arsenic is a cumu-
(mandatory) lative poison that is excreted slowly from the human body. Known to cause skin cancer,
nasal ulcers, damage to the kidneys, liver and intestinal walls, and death.
Barium 2000 g/L A toxin used in rat poison. Moderate to large concentrations can cause death; smaller concen-
(mandatory) trations cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, and nerves.

Table 14. Significance of chemical and physical properties of waterContinued
[mg/L, milligrams per liter; g/L, micrograms per liter]
Constituent or
Limit Significance
property
Boron Essential to plant growth, but can be toxic to crops when present in excessive concentrations in
irrigation water.
Cadmium 5 g/L A very toxic cumulative poison. Not known to be biologically essential or beneficial.
(mandatory) Thought to promote renal arterial hypertension, and at larger concentrations, liver and kid-
ney damage, anemia, retarded growth, and death.
Chromium 100 g/L No known role in the human or animal diet. Toxic in the hexavalent form, leading to intestinal
(mandatory) damage and nephritis.
Cobalt A trace nutrient essential to plants and animals, especially ruminants. (Hem, 1985)
Copper 1,000 g/L Essential to metabolism. A copper deficiency in infants or young animals can cause nutri-
(recommended) tional anemia. Copper is toxic in large concentrations and can cause liver damage. Can
sometimes be tasted at levels as low as 1-5 mg/L.
Iron 300 g/L Forms rust colored sediment. Causes reddish-brown stains on laundry, utensils, and fixtures.
(recommended) Can promote the growth of certain kinds of bacteria that may clog pipes and well screens.
Objectionable for food and beverage processing.
Lead 50 g/L A cumulative poison which is toxic in small concentrations. Known to cause lethargy, loss of
(mandatory) appetite, constipation, anemia, abdominal pain, gradual muscle paralysis and death.
15 g/L
(recommended
Lithium Thought to be beneficial in small concentrations (250-1,250 g/L). May strengthen cell wall
and improve resistance to genetic damage and disease. Lithium salts are sometimes used to
treat certain types of psychosis.
Manganese 50 g/L Causes gray or black stains on fixtures and laundry. Can promote the growth of certain kinds
(recommended) of bacterial that may clog pipes and well screens.
Mercury 2 g/L No known beneficial or essential role in human or animal nutrition. Liquid metallic mercury
(mandatory) and elemental mercury are comparatively nontoxic when dissolved in water. However, mer-
cury compounds such as mercuric chloride and alkyl mercury are very toxic. Elemental
mercury is easily alkylated and bioaccumulates in the food chain.
Molybdenum Appears to be an essential nutrient at minute concentrations for plants and animals, but may be
toxic in large concentrations.
Nickel 100 g/L Very toxic to some plants and animals. Thought to be of minimal toxicity for humans.
(mandatory)
Selenium 50 g/L Appears to be an essential nutrient at minute concentrations, but can be harmful or potentially
(mandatory) toxic at even moderately excess levels.
Silver 100 g/L Causes permanent bluish darkening of the skin and eyes. Toxic in high concentrations. When
(recommended) present in water, it almost always from pollution or may be added intentionally in some
countries to sterilize water supplies.
Strontium Thought to be essential in animal and human nutrition. Thought to be of very low toxicity.
Vanadium Believed to be beneficial in human and animal diet in trace amounts. May be an essential trace
element for all plants. May also be toxic in high concentrations.
Zinc 5,000 g/L Essential and beneficial in metabolism. A zinc deficiency in young children or animals will
(recommended) retard growth and cause decreased resistance to disease. Seems to be relatively non-toxic
even in fairly high concentrations (20,000-40,000 mg/L), but can cause a metallic taste or
milky appearance to water.
1
It has been proposed that the limit for arsenic be lowered to 10 g/L.
Table 15. Hydrograph index by aquifer, aquifer system, or outwash group
Water level data Range of water levels Figure number

Observation
Local Number well Carter and
Begins Ends Thompson
identifier Highest Lowest Thompson
(month/year) (month/year) (2000)
(1998)
Coteau Lakes Aquifer System
122N52W2ABBBR CO-93-11 12/1996 08/1999 -0.12 2.11 B42

122N52W2BBBBR RB-77T 11/1977 10/1999 10.02 23.2 C27 B43
122N52W3ABBBR CO-93-36 12/1996 08/1999 12 16.29 B44
122N52W3CCDDR CO-93-37 12/1996 08/1999 15.13 18.08 B45
122N52W3DAAAR CO-93-35 04/1997 08/1999 13 16.81 B46
122N52W5CCCCR RB-77R 11/1977 10/1999 7.85 16.4 C28 B47
122N52W9AAAA2R CO-93-31 12/1996 08/1999 1.42 3.17 B48
122N52W12CCCCR RB-76B 12/1976 10/1999 -1.08 13 C29 B50
122N52W14BBBBR RB-76A 12/1976 10/1999 10.1 22.8 C30 B51
122N52W16BBBCR RB-82B 06/1982 10/1999 12.1 14.8 C31 B52
122N52W32AAAAR RB-77S 05/1978 10/1999 7.6 12 C33 B54
122N53W11DDDDR DA-78D 09/1978 10/1999 .99 10.5 C34 B56
123N52W6DDDAR CO-93-28 04/1997 08/1999 .08 .91 B62
123N52W8BAAAR CO-93-26 04/1997 08/1999 23.06 25.62 B63
123N52W19BABAR RB-81C 08/1982 10/1999 2.5 11.1 C38 B64
123N52W25CCCCR RB-81D 07/1982 10/1999 5.91 19.7 C39 B65
123N52W35CBBBR CO-93-33 04/1997 08/1999 -.59 6.16 B66
123N52W35CBBB2R CO-93-34 04/1997 08/1999 -.95 5.83 B67
125N52W23CCCCR CO-93-19 04/1997 08/1999 2.35 7.09 B90
125N53W12CCCCR CO-93-42 03/1997 08/1999 9.43 13.52 B91
Big Sioux Aquifer
118N52W30CDCD CD-76B 11/1976 10/1996 5.87 12.2 C2 B2

119N52W4ADDDR CD-77B 12/1977 10/1999 1.9 7.67 C3 B3
119N52W10DDDDR CD-77C 12/1977 10/1999 1 9.2 C4 B4
119N52W33DCDCR CD-60A 06/1960 10/1999 2.8 10.6 C5 B5
120N52W28DDDDR CD-56A 08/1957 10/1999 4.4 11.6 C12 B12
121N52W1CBBBR GT-57A 04/1997 10/1999 4.16 10.3 B18
121N52W2ADDDR GT-82A 06/1982 10/1999 .92 6.7 C16 B19
121N52W2BAAAR R20-84-31 04/1997 08/1999 -.49 2.07 B20
121N52W2CCCCR R20-84-26 04/1997 08/1999 .21 8.64 B22
121N52W3CCBBR R20-84-25 04/1997 08/1999 6.74 12.8 B23
121N522W4BBABR R20-84-27 12/1996 08/1999 3.1 13.81 B24
121N52W8DCCCR GT-77B 12/1977 10/1999 4.7 9.8 C17

Table 15. Hydrograph index by aquifer, aquifer system, or outwash groupContinued

Observation
(1998)
Big Sioux AquiferContinued
121N52W8DDDDR R20-84-30 04/1997 08/1999 11.39 15.08 B26

121N52W29CCBBR GT-77D 12/1977 10/1999 1.4 12.1 C21 B30
122N52W36BCCB2R R20-84-34 04/1997 08/1999 .76 4.33 B55
120N51W19BBCCR GT-77A 07/1977 10/1999 75.5 121.5 C6 B7

120N52W9BBBBR GT-79C 10/1979 10/1999 14.5 26.2 C7 B8
120N52W12AAABR GT-76C 06/1977 10/1999 50.1 97.1 C8 B9
120N52W23BBBBR GT-76B 06/1977 10/1999 6.3 65 C9 B10
120N52W27CDDDR CD-76D 06/1976 11/1999 -4.7 52.1 C11 B11
120N54W23DDDC DA-78H 10/1978 10/1999 41.7 56.2 C13 B13
121N51W29BBBBR GT-77E 05/1978 10/1999 73.5 84.72 C15 B17
121N52W2BBBAR CO-87-66 04/1997 08/1999 23.03 26.37 B21
121N52W13BBBAR GT-79A 06/1982 10/1999 66.6 85.4 C18 B27
121N52W22CCCCR GT-77C 12/1977 10/1999 2.9 20.8 C19 B28
121N52W25CCCCR GT-79B 10/1979 10/1999 51.6 84.2 C20 B29
121N54W34AADA DA-78E 09/1978 10/1999 4.5 24.7 C22 B31
122N51W27BBBB2R R2-98-27 03/1999 09/1999 220.92 221.01 B40
122N52W11BBBBR RB-93C 12/1996 10/1999 37.18 39.82 B49
123N53W13CCCC2R RO-7 04/1997 08/1999 17.72 18.8 B68
Lonesome Lake Outwash Group
122N52W27BBBB2R R2-98-30 03/1999 09/1999 51.14 51.54 B53

Marday Outwash Group
124N51W30BBBB2R R2-99-13 12/1999 12/1999 323.44 323.44 B71

Eden Outwash Group
122N51W4DDDD2R R2-99-11 04/1999 12/1999 208.35 208.73 B39

122N52W1DDCCR R2-98-31 03/1999 09/1999 164.67 164.7 B41
125N52W16BABB2R R2-99-12 09/1999 12/1999 296.57 296.95 B89
Roslyn Outwash Group
125N51W7BBBB2R R2-95-05 04/1997 08/1999 72.26 74.8 B88

Altamont Aquifer
119N53W6BBBB R2-85-111 04/1997 08/1999 118.71 120.14 B6

Observation
(1998)
Wilmot Outwash Group
122N47W35DDCD R2-85-28 12/1996 08/1999 23.53 26.82 B32

122N49W17AAAD RB-77P 11/1977 10/1999 6.7 12.1 C24 B35
122N49W18AAAA RB-770 11/1977 10/1999 8.16 25.8 C25 B36
122N50W13DDDC R2-97-46 10/1997 08/1999 19.52 21.36 B38
Revillo Aquifer
122N49W7BBBB RB-77N 11/1977 10/1999 23.74 43.2 C23 B34

122N49W30BBBB RB-77Q 11/1977 10/1999 42.02 49.1 C26 B37
123N50W22BBBB R2-94-66 12/1996 08/1999 58.59 72.95 B58
123N50W23AAAA RB-77L 11/1977 10/1999 -3.5 16 C36 B59
123N50W35AAAA RB-77M 11/1977 10/1999 39.91 59.1 C37 B60
124N50W27BBBBR R2-94-54 12/1996 08/1999 25.75 33.88 B69
124N51W25AAABR R2-94-55 12/1996 08/1999 12.52 14.32 B70
124N51W4DDDDR R2-95-01 12/1996 08/1999 156.6 161.63 B72
125N51W32CCCCR R2-96-01 04/1997 08/1999 396.69 397.66 B87
Veblen Aquifer System
126N50W21DDDDR R2-96-48 12/1996 08/1999 65.61 68.83 B94

126N50W32CCCBR RB-79D 10/1979 10/1999 52.71 60.4 C40 B95
127N50W19CCCBR LTR-2 02/1998 08/1999 40.09 42.45 B111
127N50W21DDDDR R2-96-50 04/1997 08/1999 24.63 26.69 B112
127N51W3AAAAR RB-81A 05/1981 09/1999 69.4 84.8 C51 B114
127N51W9AAAA2R R2-97-07 10/1997 08/1999 30.95 33.58 B115
127N52W7CCCDR R2-95-08 12/1996 08/1999 27.21 30.82 B117
128N51W23AABAR LTR-4 12/1996 08/1999 50.23 53.64 B133
128N51W26BBB2R 12276B 03/1997 08/1999 30.24 37.39 C65 B134
128N52W1DDDD2R R2-97-18 10/1997 08/1999 25.43 29.84 B135
128N52W3CCCB2R R2-97-17 10/1997 08/1999 12.42 16.2 B136
128N52W25AAAB2R R2-95-10 04/1997 08/1999 13.62 17.9 B137
128N52W25AAABR R2-95-09 12/1996 08/1999 13.82 18.07 B138
128N52W27BBBCR R2-97-20 10/1997 08/1999 35.78 38.85 B139
128N53W10BBBBR ML-69A 12/1969 10/1999 59.2 75.5 C56 B140
129N51W8CCCR 13037 09/1992 08/1999 31.06 43.85 C63 B147
129N51W19ABAR 13422 10/1994 08/1999 17.65 27.36 C64 B148
129N52W14AAA 13494 11/1995 08/1999 27.61 38.7 C66 B149


Observation
(1998)
Veblen Aquifer SystemContinued
129N52W21CCCR 12277 07/1991 08/1999 35.86 42.97 C67 B150

129N52W25AAAB2R R2-95-13 12/1996 08/1999 17.54 24.24 B151
129N53W27BBBBR ML-70A 06/1977 10/1999 63.2 79.6 C58 B154
129N54W25AAAAR ML-70B 06/1977 10/1999 70.4 88.3 C59 B158
125N50W12ABCC2R R2-97-43 10/1997 08/1999 56.98 59.85 B82
Spiritwood Aquifer
129N53W7BBAR 9248 03/1997 08/1999 32.54 34.46 B152

129N53W9AAAR 9249 03/1997 08/1999 29.76 31.88 B153
129N54W1AAA 13452 04/1997 04/1999 13.78 15.62 B155
129N54W1AAA2 13453 04/1997 04/1999 13.58 15.34 B156
129N54W3ADDR 12263 03/1997 08/1999 47.15 49.65 B157
130N53W4BAA 13447 04/1997 04/1999 25.47 27.18 B159
130N53W4BAA2 13448 04/1997 04/1999 25.06 26.78 B160
130N54W27CCCR 12261 03/1997 08/1999 34.69 36.64 B161
130N54W33DDDR 12262 03/1997 08/1999 19.86 21.54 B162
130N54W35CCCR 9247 03/1997 08/1999 43.17 50.76 B163
Rosholt Aquifer
126N49W7BBBB2R R2-96-56 04/1997 08/1999 47.7 48.66 B92

127N48W2BBBBR RB-77F 05/1978 10/1999 10.95 28.2 C42 B98
127N48W7BBBBR RB-77G 11/1977 10/1999 .63 13.9 C43 B99
127N48W7DDBBR RB-77A 06/1977 09/1999 12.5 32.6 C45 B101
127N48W28AAAAR R2-97-45 10/1997 08/1999 45.73 46.09 B103
127N49W10BBBB2R R2-96-53 12/1996 08/1999 11.57 18.88 B104
127N49W14DAAA2R RB-77J 11/1977 10/1999 19.8 42.5 C48 B106
127N49W29DCDC2R LTR-16 12/1996 08/1999 54.68 58.78 B108
127N49W36BBBBR RB-77K 11/1977 10/1999 56.46 77.4 C50 B109
127N50W9BBBB2R R2-97-39 10/1997 08/1999 27.9 30.3 B110
127N50W25ADAD2R R2-96-58 04/1997 08/1999 51.48 52.23 B113
128N48W20BBBBR RB-77D 11/1977 10/1999 1.14 18.6 C52 B122
128N48W29DDDDR RB-77E 05/1978 10/1999 .33 22.6 C53 B123
128N50W10BBBB2R R2-95-18 12/1996 08/1999 13.96 16.53 B127
128N50W25AAAB3R R2-97-27 10/1997 08/1999 9.69 12.08 B132

Observation
(1998)
Rosholt AquiferContinued
129N50W24DDC2R 12186B 05/1992 04/1999 16.91 21.66 C61 B144

129N50W24CCD3R 12186C 05/1992 04/1999 15.39 20.42 C62 B145
Fairmount Aquifer
126N49W11AABAR R2-97-42 10/1997 04/1999 77.92 79.53 B93

127N48W7BBBB2R RB-77H 11/1977 10/1999 8.2 20.6 C44 B100
127N48W18DDDDR RB-77B 06/1977 10/1999 32.3 44.2 C46 B102
127N49W14DAAAR RB-77I 11/1977 10/1999 36.9 51.2 C47 B105
127N49W26DDDDR RB-77C 06/1977 10/1999 54 70 C49 B107
128N48W1CCDC2R R2-96-62 04/1997 08/1999 41.68 44.91 B118
128N48W4DDDDR R2-96-63 12/1996 04/1999 20.58 33.96 B119
128N48W6BBBBR LTR-10 04/1997 08/1999 41.33 43.85 B120
128N48W19BCCCR R2-97-30 10/1997 10/1999 8.88 23.7 B121
128N49W1DDAD2R R2-97-32 10/1997 08/1999 8.64 10.28 B124
128N49W20BBBBR LTR-6 12/1996 08/1999 8.9 9.62 B125
128N49W36AAAAR LTR-21 12/1996 04/1999 -1.48 1.36 B126
128N50W21AAAAR LTR-5 12/1996 08/1999 3.02 3.79 B128
129N48W33ADDAR LTR-9 12/1996 08/1999 -1.69 -1.02 B142

Water Resources of The Lake Traverse Reservation, South and North Dakota, and Roberts Co SD

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Water Resources of The Lake Traverse Reservation, South and North Dakota, and Roberts Co SD

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U.S.

Department of the Interior

Water Resources of the Lake Traverse

Water-Resources Investigation Report 01-4219

U.S. Geological Survey

Rapid City, South Dakota: 2001

For additional information write to:

ABSTRACT River within the Upper Mississippi River Basin,

CAMPBELL MC PHERSON 3 MARSHALL ROBERTS

45o POTTER FAULK

Bois de Sioux River

Isabella Whipple Peever

Lake Lakes Drywood

Lake Lake Owl

Lake Hurricane ets 96o30'

Base from U.S. Geological Survey

Figure 2. Location of study area.

Bois de Sioux River

Isabella Whipple Peever

Lake Lakes Drywood

Lake Lake Owl

Lake Hurricane ets 96o30'

CBlue Dog Lake to n e Ri

Codington Co LINE OF HYDROGEOLOGIC SECTION

the U.S. Geological Survey

Base from U.S. Geological Survey

System Formation or deposit Description and origin

drift material. Deposited from glacial ice and meltwater.

Bois de Sioux River

Isabella Whipple Kp Peever

Lake Lakes ? Drywood Kp

Lake Lake Owl

Lake Hurricane ets 96o30'

Bois de Sioux River

1387 1212 936 Lake

Lake Slough 941 871

Sarah 1437 1178 940 T. 126 N.

11 Lake Sisseton 1066 970

1048 Lake Lakes Drywood

R. 54 W. Marshall Co Village 1064

1402 Co 1029 1120 1071 970

Lake Lake Owl

Lake 1030 to n e Ri 949

1435 1497 1050 1114 1026

Lake Big 1300

1330 TEST HOLE OR WELL WHERE BEDROCK

Figure 6. Altitude of the bedrock surface.

Surface Water - Drainage Basins 11

Lake Traverse Reservation

Little Minnesota River

Little Minnesota River

VERTICAL SCALE IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED

Lake Traverse Reservation

1867 Boundary of the

North Fork Whetstone River

VERTICAL SCALE IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED

Bois de Sioux River

Isabella Whipple Peever

Lake Lakes Drywood

Lake Lake Owl

Lake Hurricane ets 96o30'

Summit R. 47 W. Big Stone

Base from U.S. Geological Survey