Introduction: The U.S. Geological Survey began a study in 1980 of the quality of water in the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funded the study as part of the Underground Injection Control Program, which deals with disposal of liquid wastes beneath land surface. The initial report designated the 14 aquifers and provided general information about their geologic, hydrologic, and water-quality characteristics (Adolphson and others, 1981). This report, one in a series that describes individual aquifers in more detail, concerns the Upper Carbonate aquifer.

From abstract: This report is one of a series on the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

From introduction: This report describes the quality of the waters and the potential water-quality impacts of redesigning a levee that surrounds the city of Chaska, in Carver County, Minn.

Abstract: The Viking Basin consists of six glacial outwash areas in Douglas, Ottertail, and Todd Counties, west-central Minnesota. Total area is 340 square miles (880 square kilometers). Soils are sandy and excessively well-drained. Crops grown on the outwash would benefit from supplemental irrigation. Irrigation supplies can be obtained from wells in the surface outwash aquifer in significant parts of the large outwash areas near Carlos and Parkers Prairie and the small outwash area near Clotho. Irrigation supplies are unlikely in the outwash areas near Alexandria, Urbank, and Rose City. Major use of ground water for irrigation may lower ground-water levels sufficiently to affect lake and marsh levels and streamflow out of the irrigation areas. Water from the outwash is of excellent chemical quality for irrigation.

From Purpose and Objectives: This study was made primarily to provide a means to depict and forecast stream quality based on known causative or apparent correlative factors.

This report presents the results of water sampling from three lakes in Dakota County over an eighteen-month period. The author determined that "the lakes were shallow, non-stratified, and nutrient-enriched." It includes tables and other figures.

Report outlining a survey of the Pineland Sands area in central Minnesota as well as a digital model, created to predict the development of its surficial aquifer. It contains maps, graphs, and figures.

From abstract: This report is one of a series on the hydrogeology and water quality of the 14 principal aquifers in Minnesota prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested these studies because of the need for information to develop its Underground Injection Control Program.

From abstract: This report presents data collected from four lakes in Lakeville, Minnesota to determine water-quality characteristics and evaluate "changes that may occur in the lakes because of urbanization." It contains a map, graphs, tables, and a glossary.

Abstract: Alimagnet, Farquar, and Long Lakes, in Apple Valley, Minnesota, were sampled from 1973-79 to determine their physical and chemical characteristics. A storm-sewer inlet to Alimagnet Lake was also sampled during two storms in 1978. The 1976-77 drought caused a more noticeable effect on the quality of the lakes than any other factor. Chloride concentrations were 10 to 15 milligrams per liter before the drought, but increased 2 to 4 times during the drought. Dissolved solids reacted similarly . Dissolved oxygen and pH were governed mainly by biological activity. In February 1977, dissolved-oxygen concentration was less than 0.5 milligrams per liter in the three lakes. Ratios between mean total nitrogen and mean total phosphorus ranged from 22:1 to 26:1. Tropic-state indices indicate that the lakes are eutrophic. Blue-green algae dominated the phytoplankton populations. Storms sampled at a storm-sewer inlet to Alimagnet Lake showed higher concentrations pf chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc than of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Total phosphorus for the September 1978 storm had a concentration of 1.7 milligrams per liter, which means that approximately 29 pounds entered the lake during the 5.5-hour sampling period.

From abstract: Results of a reconnaissance geochemical survey of the Eau Claire Quadrangle, Wisconsin; Minnesota are reported. Field and laboratory data are presented for 565 groundwater samples, 680 stream sediment samples, and 667 stream water samples. Statistical and areal distributions of uranium and other possible uranium-related variables are displayed. A generalized geologic map of the survey area is provided and pertinent geologic factors which may be of significance in evaluating the potential for uranium mineralization are briefly discussed.

From abstract: Detailed knowledge of the geology of the pre-Cambrian rocks of the Lake Superior region has been greatly augmented since the publication of Monograph 52 by the United States Geological Survey in 1911. The authors have attempted in the present report to assemble as much of this new information as possible, and to give the reader a birdseye view of the geology as seen in the light of all studies made there up to the present time. Detailed descriptions are not presented, and the emphasis is placed upon the major problems of correlation. A revised map of the region, with cross sections, accompanies the report, bringing up to date a knowledge of the areal geology of the region, which otherwise could be gained only by consulting some 150 maps contained in almost as many separate local reports, many of which are unpublished.

From Introduction: "The St. Cloud NTMS Quadrangle, Minnesota, was evaluated to identify and delineate areas and geologic units that have characteristics favorable for the occurrence of uranium deposits."

From Introduction: "The New Ulm 1º x 2º Quadrangle, Minnesota, was evaluated to identify and delineate areas and geologic units that have characteristics favorable for the occurrence of uranium deposits."

Purpose and scope: The Eau Claire Quadrangle, Wisconsin and Minnesota, was evaluated to identify geologic units and delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for the occurrence of uranium deposits. All geologic environments to a depth of 1500 m (5,000 ft) were evaluated by means of surface investigations and available subsurface data. Each environment was categorized as favorable, unfavorable, or unevaluated for uranium deposits based on recognition criteria contained in the study of significant uranium districts worldwide (Mickle and Mathews, eds., 1978). Evaluation of the Eau Claire Quadrangle was conducted by Golder Associates, Inc., under subcontract to Bendix Field Engineering Corporation (BFEC), for the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program, managed by the Grand Junction Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The evaluation program began February 1, 1978, and ended February 1, 1980. Time spent by Golder personnel on literature search, field work, evaluation of data, and preparation of the final report totaled approximately 3.5 man-years.

From preface: The preparation of this paper is due to the fact that the eruptive rocks occurring on Pigeon point, Minnesota, may be taken as types of similar eruptives found so widely spread over the Huronian and Keweenawan areas surrounding Lake Superior, and to the peculiar nature of the alteration these have superinduced in the fragmental rocks through which they have broken.

Second volume of a report documenting a high-sensitivity airborne radiometric and magnetic survey of the Ashland quadrangle including magnetic, ancillary and radiometric data.

This report determines the possible effects of constructing an interstate highway on the nearby Rogers Lake in Dakota County, Minnesota by testing multiple water and bed material samples. This report also includes several tables and other figures.

Purpose and scope: The purpose of this report is to describe and make preliminary interpretations of: (1) Limnological characteristics of Williams Lake, based on physical, chemical, and biological data collected in 6 days in 6 different months in 1979; (2) chemical quality of ground water near the lake, based on samples collected during the summer of 1979; and (3) mineralogy of the lake sediment cores obtained in February 1978. The period of study extended from March, when the lake was covered by ice, through the period of open water, to December, when it was again covered by ice.

From introduction: This report summarizes data currently available to obtain low-flow characteristics for Minnesota streams. The data include expected annual low-flows for specific recurrence intervals at 161 continuous-record gaging stations.

Purpose and scope: The purpose of this report is to determine, as far as possible, the occurrence of buried aquifers and to describe their hydrologic characteristics and water-yielding capability. The evaluation is based mainly on 44 test holes drilled specifically for this investigation. These test holes are too widely spaced to correlate individual aquifers. Such correlation must await more detailed closely spaced test drilling. Forty-two test holes were drilled in the Brooten-Belgrade area; hence the mapping is restricted to this part. Two test holes were drilled in the Lake Emily area, allowing only one geologic section to be presented. PIan-view mapping would require considerable additional test drilling.

From introduction: The purpose of this report is to describe the general quality and quantity of water in the principal water-supply aquifers in Minnesota.

This report uses data collected from seventeen lakes and ponds in Eagan, Minnesota from 1972 through 1978 to determine the effects of urbanization on water quality. It contains a map, graphs, and tables.

From introduction: In this report, two programs have been developed for use in managing data derived from an aquifer thermal-energy storage (ATES) project being done by the University of Minnesota. Data are generated from temperature and pressure measuring devices that are read automatically by a datalogger. Up to 100 channels can be scanned every 10 seconds and recorded on magnetic tape or printed as paper output. Time period of up to several years of data may be represented on a single tape.