Water samples from about 100 wells in Carlton County and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation will be collected and analyzed for general and trace chemistry over the next two months by hydrogeologists from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Samples will also be tested to learn how long the water has been underground.
The data are being collected for the Carlton County Geologic Atlas, a cooperative effort involving staff from the Minnesota Geological Survey, DNR Waters Division, the county, and the Fond du Lac Band. The Minnesota Geological Survey has already published Part A of the atlas, which details the county's geology. DNR Waters will publish the ground-water portion of the atlas (Part B) in 2011.
DNR Waters staff will contact residents to request permission for well sampling, which involves collecting a water sample and measuring the depth to water in each well. The selection of wells for sampling will be based on geology, location, well depth, and well construction. Water sampled will come from wells drawing water from aquifers at varying depths. Owners of wells that are sampled will receive a report of the laboratory results for their well.
The present plan for the Part B report will include three plates: maps and descriptions of the hydrogeology, cross sections illustrating ground-water conditions, and the pollution sensitivity of ground water in the county.
Preserving the long-term quality of the region's surface and ground water resources requires that policy makers have access to accurate information based on sound scientific principles. A county geologic atlas is a valuable tool that county planners, resource managers, and other local government staff can use when making general planning, land use management, and water resource protection decisions.
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A description of the county geologic atlas program and status reports for atlas products can be viewed at DNR Web site.
For information, contact Jan Falteisek, DNR Waters county geologic atlas program supervisor, at 651-259-5665 or Jim Berg, project hydrogeologist, at 651-259-5680.
