U.S. Geological Survey

Cover image from FS-054-03 (click for enlargement, 71 KB) Hydrogeology and Simulation of Ground-Water Flow in a Glacial-Aquifer System at Cortland County, New York

by Todd S. Miller

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Fact Sheet FS-054-03


ABSTRACT

The City of Cortland and surrounding communities obtain water from a highly productive glacial-aquifer system that underlies the western part of Cortland County. The study area encompasses about 12 square miles and includes the Otter Creek-Dry Creek valley and parts of the West Branch, East Branch, and Tioughnioga River valley and surrounds the bedrock hill in Cortland upon which the State College campus stands.  

This aquifer system has been designated as a Primary Aquifer by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and as a Sole Source Aquifer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The upper (unconfined) aquifer is highly permeable and close to land surface, which makes it highly susceptible to contamination. Potential sources of contamination include leaking petroleum product storage tanks, leachate from landfills and septic systems, road-deicing salts, agricultural pesticides and fertilizers, and chemical spills (such as solvents and degreasers) at commercial and industrial facilities. Protection of this aquifer system from contamination is critical to ensure a safe drinking-water supply for the area.  

In 1989, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Cortland County Departments of Health and Planning, began a 3 1/2-year study to define the hydrogeology of the glacial aquifer. The results of the study were published in Miller and others (1998). This Fact Sheet summarizes the results of that study and depicts the stratigraphy and model-generated areas that contribute ground water to wells.  


Citation: Miller, T.S., 2004, Hydrogeology and Simulation of Ground-Water Flow in a Glacial-Aquifer System at Cortland County, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-054-03, 6 p., 6 figs.

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