From introduction: The objective of this study are to (1) determine the areal extent and thickness of the Buffalo aquifer and the general occurrence of deeply buried aquifers, (2) determine the potential for development of water supplies from wells in the Buffalo aquifer, (3) investigate and discuss annual recharge to the Buffalo aquifer and the potential for artificially recharging the aquifer, (4) determine the chemical quality of water in the aquifer and in area streams, (5) establish a network of observation wells for monitoring water levels and water quality in the aquifer, (6) determine the relationship between the aquifer and the adjacent streams, and (7) update the information on the flow characteristics of the streams. The main focus of this study is on water in the Buffalo aquifer and on flow characteristics of streams.

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: 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.

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

Abstract: Seven test holes drilled in the Glacial Lake Agassiz Peatlands indicate that the thickness of surficial materials along a north-south traverse parallel to Minnesota Highway 71 ranges from 163 feet near Blackduck, Minnesota to 57 feet about 3 miles south of Upper Red Lake. Lenses of sand and gravel occur immediately above bedrock on the Itasca moraine and are interbedded with lake clay and till under the peatlands. Vertical head gradients measured in a piezometer nest near Blackduck on the moraine are downward, indicative of recharge to the regional ground-water-flow system. Vertical head gradients are upward in a piezometer nest on a sand beach ridge in the peatlands 12 miles north of Upper Red Lake. Numerical sectional models indicate that this discharge probably comes from local flow systems recharge from ground-water mounds located under large raised bogs.