Water Quality Atandard Mainbodyofreport-3 PDF

Table 4.
Water-quality criteria, standards, or recommended limits for selected properties and constituents
[All standards are from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1994a) unless noted. MCL, Maximum Contaminant Level; SMCL, Secondary Maximum
Contaminant Level; USEPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; mg/L, milligrams per liter; µS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius;
µg/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; --, no limit established]
Constituent
Standard Significance
or property
Specific conductance -- A measure of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current; varies with temperature.
Magnitude depends on concentration, kind, and degree of ionization of dissolved constit-
uents; can be used to determine the approximate 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
SMCL values smaller than 7.0 indicate acidity, pH values larger than 7.0 indicate alkalinity.
Water generally becomes more corrosive with decreasing pH; however, excessively
alkaline water also may be corrosive.
Temperature -- Affects the usefulness of water for many purposes. Generally, users prefer water of uni-
formly low temperature. Temperature of ground water tends to increase with increasing
depth to the aquifer.
Dissolved oxygen -- Required by higher forms of aquatic life for survival. Measurements of dissolved oxygen
are used widely in evaluations of the biochemistry of streams and lakes. Oxygen is sup-
plied to ground water through recharge and by movement of air through unsaturated
material above the water table (Hem, 1985).
Carbon dioxide -- Important in reactions that control the pH of natural waters.
Hardness and noncar- -- Related to the soap-consuming characteristics of water; results in formation of scum when
bonate hardness (as soap is added. May cause deposition of scale in boilers, water heaters, and pipes. Hard-
mg/L CaCO3) ness contributed by calcium and magnesium, bicarbonate and carbonate mineral species
in water is called carbonate hardness; hardness in excess of this concentration is called
noncarbonate hardness. Water that has a hardness less than 61 mg/L is considered soft;
61-120 mg/L, moderately hard; 121-180 mg/L, hard; and more than 180 mg/L, very hard
(Heath, 1983).
Alkalinity -- A measure of the capacity of unfiltered water to neutralize acid. In almost all natural waters
alkalinity is produced by the dissolved carbon dioxide species, bicarbonate and carbon-
ate. Typically expressed as mg/L CaCO3.
Dissolved solids 500 mg/L The total of all dissolved mineral constituents, usually expressed in milligrams per liter. The
SMCL concentration of dissolved solids may affect the taste of water. Water that contains more
than 1,000 mg/L is unsuitable for many industrial uses. Some dissolved mineral matter is
desirable, otherwise the water would have no taste. The dissolved solids concentration
commonly is called the water’s salinity and is classified as follows: fresh, 0-1,000 mg/L;
slightly saline, 1,000-3,000 mg/L; moderately saline, 3,000-10,000 mg/L; very saline,
10,000-35,000 mg/L; and briny, more than 35,000 mg/L (Heath, 1983).
Calcium plus magne- -- Cause most of the hardness and scale-forming properties of water (see hardness).
sium
Sodium plus potassium -- Large concentrations may limit use of water for irrigation and industrial use and, in combi-
nation with chloride, give water a salty taste. Abnormally large concentrations may indi-
cate natural brines, industrial brines, or sewage.
Sodium-adsorption ratio -- A ratio used to express the relative activity of sodium ions in exchange reactions with soil.
(SAR) Important in irrigation water; the greater the SAR, the less suitable the water for irriga-
tion.
Bicarbonate -- In combination with calcium and magnesium forms carbonate hardness.
46 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

Table 4. Water-quality criteria, standards, or recommended limits for selected properties and constituents–Continued
Constituent
or property
Sulfate 250 mg/L Sulfates of calcium and magnesium form hard scale. Large concentrations of sulfate have a
SMCL laxative effect on some people and, in combination with other ions, give water a bitter
taste.
Chloride 250 mg/L Large concentrations increase the corrosiveness of water and, in combination with sodium,
SMCL give water a salty taste.
Fluoride 4.0 mg/L Reduces incidence of tooth decay when optimum fluoride concentrations present in water
MCL consumed by children during the period of tooth calcification. Potential health effects of
2.0 mg/L long-term exposure to elevated fluoride concentrations include dental and skeletal fluo-
SMCL rosis (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1994b).
Nitrite (mg/L as N) 1.0 mg/L Commonly formed as an intermediate product in bacterially mediated nitrification and den-
MCL itrification of ammonia and other organic nitrogen compounds. An acute health concern
at certain levels of exposure. Nitrite typically occurs in water from fertilizers and is found
in sewage and wastes from humans and farm animals. Concentrations greater than
1.0 mg/L, as nitrogen, may be injurious to pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
Nitrite plus nitrate 10 mg/L Concentrations greater than local background levels may indicate pollution by feedlot run-
(mg/L as N) MCL off, sewage, or fertilizers. Concentrations greater than 10 mg/L, as nitrogen, may be
injurious to pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
Ammonia -- Plant nutrient that can cause unwanted algal blooms and excessive plant growth when
present at elevated levels in water bodies. Sources include decomposition of animal and
plant proteins, agricultural and urban runoff, and effluent from waste-water treatment
plants.
Phosphorus, orthophos- -- Dense algal blooms or rapid plant growth can occur in waters rich in phosphorus. A limiting
phate nutrient for eutrophication since it is typically in shortest supply. Sources are human and
animal wastes and fertilizers.
110
Arsenic µg/L No known necessary role in human or animal diet, but is toxic. A cumulative poison that is
MCL slowly excreted. Can cause nasal ulcers; damage to the kidneys, liver, and intestinal
walls; and death. Recently suspected to be a carcinogen (Garold Carlson, U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency, written commun., 1998).
Barium 2,000 µg/L Toxic; used in rat poison. In moderate to large concentrations can cause death; smaller con-
MCL centrations can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, and nerves.
Boron -- Essential to plant growth, but may be toxic to crops when present in excessive concentra-
tions in irrigation water. Sensitive plants show damage when irrigation water contains
more than 670 µg/L and even tolerant plants may be damaged when boron exceeds
2,000 µg/L. The recommended limit is 750 µg/L for long-term irrigation on sensitive
crops (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986).
Cadmium 5 µg/L A cumulative poison; very toxic. Not known to be either biologically essential or beneficial.
MCL Believed to promote renal arterial hypertension. Elevated concentrations may cause liver
and kidney damage, or even anemia, retarded growth, and death.
Copper 1,300 µg/L Essential to metabolism; copper deficiency in infants and young animals results in nutri-
(action level) tional anemia. Large concentrations of copper are toxic and may cause liver damage.
Moderate levels of copper (near the action level) can cause gastro-intestinal distress. If
more than 10 percent of samples at the tap of a public water system exceed 1,300 µg/L,
the USEPA requires treatment to control corrosion of plumbing materials in the system.
Ground-Water Characteristics 47
Constituent
or property
Iron 300 µg/L Forms rust-colored sediment; stains laundry, utensils, and fixtures reddish brown. Objec-
SMCL tionable for food and beverage processing. Can promote growth of certain kinds of
bacteria that clog pipes and well openings.
Lead 15 µg/L A cumulative poison; toxic in small concentrations. Can cause lethargy, loss of appetite,
(action level) constipation, anemia, abdominal pain, gradual paralysis in the muscles, and death. If 1 in
10 samples of a public supply exceed 15 µg/L, the USEPA recommends treatment to
remove lead and monitoring of the water supply for lead content (U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 1991).
Lithium -- Reported as probably beneficial in small concentrations (250-1,250 µg/L). Reportedly may
help strengthen the cell wall and improve resistance to genetic damage and to disease.
Lithium salts are used to treat certain types of psychosis.
Manganese 50 µg/L Causes gray or black stains on porcelain, enamel, and fabrics. Can promote growth of cer-
SMCL tain kinds of bacteria that clog pipes and wells.
Mercury (inorganic) 2 µg/L No known essential or beneficial role in human or animal nutrition. Liquid metallic mer-
MCL cury and elemental mercury dissolved in water are comparatively nontoxic, but some
mercury compounds, such as mercuric chloride and alkyl mercury, are very toxic.
Elemental mercury is readily alkylated, particularly to methyl mercury, and concentrated
by biological activity. Potential health effects of exposure to some mercury compounds
in water include severe kidney and nervous system disorders (U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 1994b).
Nickel -- Very toxic to some plants and animals. Toxicity for humans is believed to be very minimal.
Selenium 50 µg/L Essential to human and animal nutrition in minute concentrations, but even a moderate
MCL excess may be harmful or potentially toxic if ingested for a long time (Callahan and
others, 1979). Potential human health effects of exposure to elevated selenium concentra-
tions include liver damage (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1994b).
Silver 100 µg/L Causes permanent bluish darkening of the eyes and skin (argyria). Where found in water is
SMCL almost always from pollution or by intentional addition. Silver salts are used in some
countries to sterilize water supplies. Toxic in large concentrations.
Strontium -- Importance in human and animal nutrition is not known, but believed to be essential. Toxic-
ity believed very minimal—no more than that of calcium.
Zinc 5,000 µg/L Essential and beneficial in metabolism; its deficiency in young children or animals will
SMCL retard growth and may decrease general body resistance to disease. Seems to have no ill
effects even in fairly large concentrations (20,000-40,000 mg/L), but can impart a metal-
lic taste or milky appearance to water. Zinc in drinking water commonly is derived from
galvanized coatings of piping.
Gross alpha-particle 15 pCi/L The measure of alpha-particle radiation present in a sample. A limit is placed on gross
activity MCL alpha-particle activity because it is impractical at the present time to identify all alpha-
particle-emitting radionuclides due to analytical costs. Gross alpha-particle activity is a
radiological hazard. The 15 pCi/L standard also includes radium-226, a known carcino-
gen, but excludes any uranium or radon that may be present in the sample. Thorium-230
radiation contributes to gross alpha-particle activity.
Beta-particle and 4 millirem/yr The measure of beta-particle radiation present in a sample. Gross beta-particle activity is a
photon activity MCL radiological hazard. See strontium-90 and tritium.
(formerly manmade (under review)
radionuclides)

Constituent
or property
Radium-226 & 228 5 pCi/L Radium locates primarily in bone; however, inhalation or ingestion may result in lung
combined MCL cancer. Radium-226 is a highly radioactive alkaline-earth metal that emits alpha-particle
radiation. It is the longest lived of the four naturally occurring isotopes of radium and is a
disintegration product of uranium-238. Concentrations of radium in most natural waters
are usually less than 1.0 pCi/L (Hem, 1985).
Radon2 300 or 4,000 Inhaled radon is known to cause lung cancer (MCL for radon in indoor air is 4 pCi/L).
pCi/L Ingested radon also is believed to cause cancer. A radon concentration of 1,000 pCi/L in
proposed MCL water is approximately equal to 1 pCi/L in air. The ultimate source of radon is the radio-
active decay of uranium. Radon-222 has a half-life of 3.8 days and is the only radon iso-
tope of importance in the environment (Hem, 1985).
Strontium-90 Gross beta- Strontium-90 is one of 12 unstable isotopes of strontium known to exist. It is a product of
(contributes to beta- particle activity nuclear fallout and is known to cause adverse human health affects. Strontium-90 is a
particle and photon (4 millirem/yr) bone seeker and a relatively long-lived beta emitter with a half-life of 28 years. The
activity) MCL USEPA has calculated that an average annual concentration of 8 pCi/L will produce a
total body or organ dose of 4 millirem/yr (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1997).
Thorium-230 15 pCi/L Thorium-230 is a product of natural radioactive decay when uranium-234 emits alpha-
(contributes to gross MCL particle radiation. Thorium-230 also is a radiological hazard because it is part of the
alpha-particle uranium-238 decay series and emits alpha-particle radiation through its own natural
activity) decay to become radium-226. The half-life of thorium-230 is about 80,000 years.
Tritium (3H) Gross beta- Tritium occurs naturally in small amounts in the atmosphere, but largely is the product of
(contributes to beta- particle activity nuclear weapons testing. Tritium can be incorporated into water molecules that reach the
particle and photon (4 millirem/yr) Earth’s surface as precipitation. Tritium emits low energy beta particles and is relatively
activity) MCL short-lived with a half-life of about 12.4 years. The USEPA has calculated that a concen-
tration of 20,000 pCi/L will produce a total body or organ dose of 4 millirem/yr (CFR 40
Subpart B 141.16, revised July 1997, p. 296).
Uranium 30 µg/L Uranium is a chemical and radiological hazard and carcinogen. It emits alpha-particle radi-
MCL ation through natural decay. It is a hard, heavy, malleable metal that can be present in
(under review) several oxidation states. Generally, the more oxidized states are more soluble. Uranium-
238 and uranium-235, which occur naturally, account for most of the radioactivity in
water. Uranium concentrations range between 0.1 and 10 µg/L in most natural waters.
1
USEPA currently is implementing a revised MCL for arsenic from 50 to 10 µg/L; public-water systems must meet the revised MCL by January
2006 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2001).
2
USEPA currently is working to set an MCL for radon in water. The proposed standards are 4,000 pCi/L for States that have an active indoor air pro-
gram and 300 pCi/L for States that do not have an active indoor air program (Garold Carlson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, oral commun.,
1999). At this time, it is not known whether South Dakota will participate in an active indoor air program (Darron Busch, South Dakota Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, oral commun., 1999).
General Characteristics for Major Aquifers Geologic units that contain little carbonate
material, such as the Precambrian rocks, generally con-
A summary of water-quality characteristics from
tain water with lower carbonate hardness and alkalinity
Williamson and Carter (2001) for the major aquifers in
than geologic units that are composed primarily of car-
the study area (Deadwood, Madison, Minnelusa,
bonate rocks. Water in the Madison, Minnelusa, and
Minnekahta, and Inyan Kara aquifers) is presented in
Minnekahta aquifers generally is hard to very hard
this section. Characteristics for the Precambrian
because these units consist primarily of carbonate
aquifer also are included in this section because rocks. Water in the Deadwood aquifer also is hard to
numerous wells are completed in this aquifer in the very hard because this unit consists primarily of sand-
crystalline core of the Black Hills. stone with a calcium carbonate cement. The Inyan Kara
Most pH values for the major aquifers are within aquifer may yield soft water, with hardness generally
the specified range for the SMCL (6.5 to 8.5 standard decreasing with increasing distance from the outcrop
units). About 13 percent of the samples from wells (fig. 33). Although concentrations of dissolved solids
completed in Precambrian rocks had pH values less in the Inyan Kara aquifer actually increase with
than the lower limit specified for the SMCL, which increasing distance from the outcrop, hardness
indicates acidity. In general, pH values are lower in decreases because calcium and bicarbonate are
wells completed in Precambrian rocks than in the other replaced by sodium and sulfate as water moves down-
major aquifers, which is indicative of a unit containing gradient.
little carbonate material. In the Black Hills area, water from the major
Water temperatures generally increase with well aquifers generally is low in dissolved solids in and near
depth. The deepest wells in the study area are com- outcrop areas. The Madison, Minnelusa, and Inyan
pleted in the Madison aquifer; thus, measured temper- Kara aquifers may yield slightly saline water (dis-
atures in the Madison aquifer generally are the warmest solved solids concentrations between 1,000 and
of the major aquifers. The Madison aquifer is the 3,000 mg/L) at distance from the outcrops, especially
primary source of water to warm artesian springs in the in the southern Black Hills. The water in these aquifers
southern Black Hills, where water temperatures may be generally is highly mineralized outside of the Black
influenced by factors other than aquifer depth (Whalen, Hills area, as previously described and shown in
1994). figure 17 for aquifers in the Paleozoic units.
Williamson and Carter (2001) quantified rela- Many of the major aquifers yield a calcium
tions between dissolved solids and specific conduc- bicarbonate type water in and near outcrop areas, with
tance concentrations for the major aquifers. The r2 concentrations of sodium, chloride, and sulfate
(coefficient of determination) values are high for all of increasing with distance from outcrops. High concen-
the major aquifers (fig. 31); thus, the equations pro- trations of sodium, chloride, and sulfate occur in the
Madison aquifer (fig. 34) in the southwestern part of
vided could be used confidently for estimating dis-
the study area relative to the rest of the study area.
solved solids concentrations from specific conductance
These high concentrations could be due to long resi-
measurements.
dence times, long flowpaths associated with regional
Specific conductance generally is low in water flow from the west (Wyoming), or greater amounts of
from the Precambrian, Deadwood, and Minnekahta evaporite minerals, such as anhydrite and gypsum,
aquifers. Dissolved constituents tend to increase with available for dissolution (Naus and others, 2001). In the
residence time as indicated by the general increase in southern part of the study area, the common-ion chem-
specific conductance in the Madison aquifer with dis- istry of the water in the Minnelusa aquifer also is char-
tance from the outcrop (fig. 32). Generally, water from acterized by higher concentrations of sodium and
the Inyan Kara aquifer is high in specific conductance chloride (fig. 35). The high chloride concentrations in
even in some outcrop areas and is higher in specific this area could reflect hydraulic connection between
conductance than the other major aquifers due to the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers (Naus and others,
greater amounts of shale within the Inyan Kara Group. 2001). The dissolution of evaporite minerals and long
Water obtained from shales may contain rather high residence time also are possible explanations for the
concentrations of dissolved solids (Hem, 1985) and, occurrence of this water type in the Minnelusa aquifer
hence, high specific conductance. (Naus and others, 2001).

Precambrian aquifer Deadwood aquifer
800 500
S = 0.6151K - 14.42 S = 0.5792K - 1.93

r2 = 0.91 r2 = 0.97
N = 39 400 N = 33
600
300
400
200
200
100
0 0
0 500 1,000 1,500 0 200 400 600 800 1,000
DISSOLVED SOLIDS (S), IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER
Madison aquifer Minnelusa aquifer

2,000 4,000
S = 0.6091K - 3.73 S = 1.0070K - 215.09

r2 = 0.98 r2 = 0.98
N = 91 N = 159
1,500 3,000
1,000 2,000
500 1,000
0 0
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000
Minnekahta aquifer Inyan Kara aquifer

2,500 4,000
S = 0.8860K - 177.62 S = 0.7842K - 98.49

r2 = 0.99 r2 = 0.95
2,000
N = 25 N = 85
3,000
1,500
2,000
1,000
1,000
500
0 0
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE (K), SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE (K),
IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER
Figure 31. Relations between dissolved solids and specific conductance for the major aquifers.
104o 45' 103o30' EXPLANATION
Indian OUTCROP OF MADISON LIME-
Hors
o Belle Fourche
44 45' Reservoir Cr STONE (from Strobel and
Owl
e
Newell
BE
LL
Cr
eek Cr
others, 1999)
E ee
Nisland k
F
OU
MADISON LIMESTONE ABSENT
BELLE FOURCHE
RC
HE RIVER (from Carter and Redden,
ek
Hay Cre
1999d)
V ER
BUTTE CO Vale
ER RI MEADE CO
R E D W AT LAWRENCE CO SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE OF
k
Cree
Cox
Lake
Saint SAMPLE, IN MICROSIEMENS
Cr Onge
ow PER CENTIMETER AT 25
Cree
lch reek DEGREES CELSIUS--Circle

Gu Spearfish C
30'
k
size increases with increasing

h
m
Gulc
Botto
Whitewood
ek
concentrations
Cre
d
oo
se eek
Bear
Higgins
Cr
ew
Fal
tte Less than 500

fish
hit
Bu
W
ear
Cr
Squ STURGIS Creek

Central
Sp
Tinton 500 to 1,000

aw
Cr CityCr li
Iron
er
ood DEADWOOD lka 103o

15'
v
Bea
dw
A
Cr ar
Cr
1,000 to 1,500
a
Be
De
Lead
Cr
h nie Cr
An
ail
Strawberry
s
Little Spearfi
i t et
Cr Cr Tilford
ee Greater than 1,500
Wh
k k
El
ee k
Little
Cr
Roubaix Cree
El reek Elk k
15' k
C
N. F
Bo
ish xe Piedmont
o rk
f
ld
Spear
er Ellsworth
R api
S. F Air Force
ork Nemo Base
Rap
d Cr
id C Blackhawk
Cr
Cold Sp r
r
Cree in
eek
k Box Elder
For
gs
Rochford
LIMESTONE PLATEAU
k
s
adN. Fo
rk Rap
o
Cas
Rh
tl id
eC
r RAPID CITY
Beav
Ca
Ra
stl
Pactola Creek
er
C ree
k
pid
e
C Cr
stle
ee Reservoir
Cre
reek
eek
Ca
Vi ek
k
Cr
Deerfield ct o ria
S. F Reservoir Spring
44o
r
ork
e C
C astl Rockerville
ek Sheridan Cr
Cre Lake ee
k
Hill City
Mt. Rushmore
National Keystone
ing
Memorial
Spr
anyon Harney
Peak
Hayward
C
Canyon
PENNINGTON CO x
Batt
C anyon
Spoka le Hermosa
CUSTER CO n e C
reek Cr
ee
es
k
k
Bea
Bol
ee
bird
r ulch
Gr
Cr
te Fre G
nch CUSTER
ac
let
Red
l
e
Gi ge
C o o li d
45'
Cr
Jewel Cave CUSTER

eek
SOUTH DAKOTA
National
Monument
STATE
Beaver
Fre Fairburn
Canyon
nch
WYOMING
PARK k
ee
Cr
on
ny
Highla
Ca
Lam
nd
Creek
Pringle Wind Cave
e
National Park
Cr
ee
k
Wind Jo
Cave hn
Beav ny
Dewey er
d
Re
R
VE
Hell
Cre RI
Buffalo Gap ek
30'
Cre
FALL RIVER CO H n
nyo
e
o t Brook
k
Ca HOT SPRINGS
Minnekahta Fa
ll Oral
R
CH
EY
EN
Cascade
N
E
Springs
Edgemont Ho
rse
he
eek Angostura ad
o Cr Reservoir
43 15' od
Cr
ee
k
wo
k
on
ee
Cott
Igloo
Cr
Provo
t
Ha
0 10 20 MILES
Base modified from U.S. Geological Survey digital data,
1:100,000, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985
Rapid City, Office of City Engineer map, 1:18,000, 1996 0 10 20 KILOMETERS
Universal Transverse Mercator projection, zone 13
Figure 32. Distribution of specific conductance in the Madison aquifer (modified from Williamson and Carter, 2001).

OUTCROP OF INYAN KARA
Indian
Hors
Belle Fourche
44o45' Reservoir Cr GROUP (from Strobel and
Owl
e
BE Cr
eek
Newell others, 1999)
LL Cr
E ee
F
Nisland k INYAN KARA GROUP ABSENT
OU
BELLE FOURCHE
RC
HE RIVER (from Carter and Redden,
ek
Hay Cre 1999a)
V ER
BUTTE CO Vale
ER RI MEADE CO WATER HARDNESS, IN
R E D W AT LAWRENCE CO
k
MILLIGRAMS PER LITER
Cree
Cox Saint
Lake Cr Onge
ow Very hard (greater than 180)
Cree
lch reek
Gu Spearfish C Hard (121 to 180)
30'
k
h
m
Gulc
Botto
Whitewood
ek
Moderately hard (61 to 121)

Cre
d
oo
se eek
Bear
Higgins
Cr
ew
Fal
te Soft (less than 61)

fish
hit
t
Bu
W
ear
Cr
Squ STURGIS Creek

Central
Sp
Tinton
WELL COMPLETED IN INYAN
aw
Cr CityCr li
Iron
er

15'
v
Bea
dw
A
Cr ar KARA AQUIFER FOR WHICH
Cr
Be
De
Lead
Cr
h nie Cr
An THERE IS A HARDNESS
ail
Strawberry
s
Little Spearfi
i t et
Cr Cr Tilford
ee ANALYSIS
Wh
k k
El
ee k
Little
Cr
Roubaix Cree
El reek Elk k
15' k
C
N. F
Bo
ish xe Piedmont
o rk
f
ld
Spear
er Ellsworth
R api
S. F Air Force
ork Nemo Base
Rap
d Cr
Cold Sp id C Blackhawk
Cr
r r
Cree in
eek
k Box Elder
For
gs
Rochford
k
s
LIMESTONE PLATEAU
d
a N. Fo
rk Rap
o
Cas
Rh
tl id RAPID CITY
eC
Beav r
Ca
Ra
stl
Pactola Creek
er
C ree
k
C pid
e
Cr
stle
ee Reservoir
reek
Cre
eek
Ca
Vi ek
k
Cr
Deerfield ct o ria
o Reservoir Spring
44 S. F
r
e C
ork
C astl Rockerville
ek Sheridan Cr
Cre Lake ee
k
Hill City
Mt. Rushmore
National Keystone
ing
Memorial
Spr
anyon Harney
Peak
Hayward
C
Canyon
PENNINGTON CO x
Batt
C anyon
Spoka le Hermosa
CUSTER CO n e C
re Cr
ek ee
es
k
k
Bea
Bol
ee
bird
r ulch
Gr
Cr
Fre G
tte nch CUSTER
ac
Red
e
ill
e
G ge
C o o li d
45'
Cr
Jewel Cave CUSTER

eek
SOUTH DAKOTA
National
Monument
STATE
Beaver
Fre Fairburn
Canyon
nch
WYOMING
PARK k
ee
Cr
on
ny
Highla
Ca
Lam
nd
Creek
Wind Cave
e
Pringle National Park

Cr
ee
k
Wind Jo
Cave hn
Beav ny
Dewey er
d
Re
R
VE
Hell
Cre RI
Buffalo Gap ek
30'
Cre
FALL RIVER CO H n
nyo
ek
o t Brook
Ca HOT SPRINGS
Minnekahta Fa
ll Oral
R
CH
Cascade
EY
Springs
EN
N
E
Edgemont Ho
rse
k he
ee Angostura ad
o Cr Reservoir
43 15' od
Cr
ee
k
wo
eek
on
Cott
Igloo
Cr
Provo
t
Ha
0 10 20 MILES
1:100,000, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985
Figure 33. Distribution of hardness in the Inyan Kara aquifer (modified from Williamson and Carter, 2001).
104o 45' 103o30'
EXPLANATION
Indian
OUTCROP OF THE MADISON LIME-
Hors
Belle Fourche
44o45' Reservoir Cr
Owl STONE (from Strobel and others,
e
Cr Newell
BE eek
LL
E
Cr
ee
k
1999)
Nisland
F
BELLE FOURCHE OU
RC
HE RIVER MADISON LIMESTONE ABSENT
ek
Hay Cre (from Carter and Redden, 1999d)
V ER
BUTTE CO Vale
ER RI MEADE CO
R E D W AT LAWRENCE CO STIFF DIAGRAM--
k
Cree
Cox Saint
Lake Sodium + Potassium Chloride + Fluoride
Cr Onge
ow
Calcium Bicarbonate + Carbonate
Cree
h eek
G ulc Spearfish Cr Magnesium Sulfate
30'
k
h
m
10 0 10
Gulc
Botto
Whitewood
ek
CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER

Cre
d
oo
se eek
Bear
Higgins
Cr
ew
Fal
te WELL COMPLETED IN THE

fish
hit
t
Bu
W
ear
Cr
STURGIS Creek
Squ
Central MADISON AQUIFER
Sp
Tinton
aw
Cr CityCr li
Iron
er

15'
v
LIMESTONE HEADWATER SPRING

Bea
dw
A
Cr ar
Cr
Be
De
Lead
Cr
h nie Cr
An
ail
Strawberry
s
ARTESIAN SPRING
Little Spearfi
i t et
Cr Cr Tilford
ee
Wh
k k
El
ee k
Little
Cr
Roubaix Cree
El reek Elk k
15' k
C
N. F
Bo
ish xe Piedmont
o rk
f
ld
Spear
er Ellsworth
R api
S. F Air Force
ork Nemo Base
Rap
d Cr
Cold Sp id C Blackhawk
Cr
r r
Cree in
eek
k Box Elder
gs
For Rochford
k
LIMESTONE PLATEAU
ds
a N. Fo
rk Rap
o
Cas
Rh
tl id RAPID CITY
eC
Beav r
Ca
Ra
stl
Creek
er
C ree Pactola
k
C pid
e
Cr
stle
ee Reservoir
reek
Cre
eek
Ca
Vi ek
k
Cr
Deerfield ct o ria
o S. F Reservoir Spring
44
r
ork
e C
C astl Rockerville
ek Sheridan Cr
Cre Lake ee
k
Hill City
Mt. Rushmore
National Keystone
ing
Memorial
Spr
anyon Harney
Peak
Hayward
C
Canyon
PENNINGTON CO x
Batt
C anyon
Spoka le Hermosa
CUSTER CO n e C
re Cr
ek ee
es
k
k
Bea
Bol
ee
bird
r ulch
Gr
Cr
Fre G
tte nch CUSTER
ac
Red
e
ill
e
G ge
C o o li d
45'
Cr
Jewel Cave CUSTER

eek
SOUTH DAKOTA
National
Monument
STATE
Beaver
Fre Fairburn
Canyon
nch
WYOMING
PARK k
ee
Cr
on
ny
Highla
Ca
Lam
nd
Creek
Wind Cave
e

Cr
ee
k
Wind Jo
Cave hn
Beav ny
Dewey er
d
Re
R
VE
Hell
Cre RI
Buffalo Gap ek
30'
Cre
FALL RIVER CO H n
nyo
ek
o t Brook
Ca HOT SPRINGS
Minnekahta Fa
ll Oral
R
CH
Cascade
EY
Springs
EN
N
E
Edgemont Ho
rse
k he
ee Angostura ad
Cr
43o15' od
Reservoir Cr
ee
k
wo
k
on
ee
Cott
Igloo
Cr
Provo
t
Ha
0 10 20 MILES
1:100,000, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985
Figure 34. Stiff diagrams (Stiff, 1951) showing the distribution of common-ion chemistry in the Madison aquifer (from
Naus and others, 2001).

104o 45' 103o30'
EXPLANATION
Indian
Hors
o
44 45' Belle Fourche
Reservoir Cr OUTCROP OF MINNELUSA
Owl
e
BE Cr Newell FORMATION (from Strobel and
eek Cr
LL
E ee
k
others, 1999)
Nisland
F
BELLE FOURCHE OU
RC
HE RIVER MINNELUSA FORMATION ABSENT
ek
Hay Cre (from Carter and Redden, 1999c)
V ER
BUTTE CO Vale
ER RI MEADE CO
R E D W AT LAWRENCE CO ESTIMATED SULFATE CONCEN-
k
Cree
Cox Saint
TRATIONS IN MINNELUSA
Lake Cr
ow Onge AQUIFER, IN MILLIGRAMS PER
LITER
Cree
lch reek
Gu Spearfish C
30'
k
Less than 250

h
m
Gulc
Botto
Whitewood
ek
Cre
250 to 1,000
d
oo
se eek
Bear
Higgins
Cr
ew
Fal
tte
fish
hit
Bu
Greater than 1,000
W
ear
Cr
Squ STURGIS Creek

Central
Sp
Tinton
aw
Cr CityCr li
Iron
er

15'
v
Bea
dw
A
Cr ar STIFF DIAGRAM--
Cr
Be
De
Lead
Cr
h nie Cr
An
ail
Strawberry Sodium + Potassium Chloride + Fluoride

s
Little Spearfi
i t et
Cr Cr Tilford
ee
Wh
k k Calcium Bicarbonate + Carbonate

El
k
Magnesium Sulfate
ee
Little
Cr
Roubaix Cree
El reek Elk k 10 0 10
15' k
C
N. F
Bo
ish xe CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER
Piedmont
o rk
f
ld
Spear
er Ellsworth
R api
S. F Air Force
ork
Rap
Nemo Base
WELL COMPLETED IN THE
d Cr
id C Blackhawk
Cold Sp MINNELUSA AQUIFER
Cr
r r
Cree in
eek
k Box Elder
gs
For Rochford
k
s LIMESTONE HEADWATER SPRING

LIMESTONE PLATEAU
adN. Fo
rk C Rap
o
Rh
a s tl e id RAPID CITY
Cr
Beav ARTESIAN SPRING
Ca
Ra
stl
Creek
er
C ree Pactola
k
C pid
e
Cr
stle
ee Reservoir
reek
Cre
eek
Ca
Vi ek
k
Cr
Deerfield ct o ria
o S. F Reservoir Spring
44
r
ork
e C
C astl Rockerville
ek Sheridan Cr
Cre Lake ee
k
Hill City
Mt. Rushmore
National Keystone
ing
Memorial
Spr
anyon Harney
Peak
Hayward
C
Canyon
PENNINGTON CO x
Batt
C anyon
Spoka le Hermosa
CUSTER CO n e C
re Cr
ek ee
es
k
k
Bea
Bol
ee
bird
r ulch
Gr
Cr
Fre G
tte nch CUSTER
ac
Red
e
ill
e
G ge
C o o li d
45'
Cr
Jewel Cave CUSTER

eek
SOUTH DAKOTA
National
Monument
STATE
Beaver
Fre Fairburn
Canyon
nch
WYOMING
PARK k
ee
Cr
on
ny
Highla
Ca
Lam
nd
Creek
Wind Cave
e

Cr
ee
k
Wind Jo
Cave hn
Beav ny
Dewey er
d
Re
R
VE
Hell
Cre RI
Buffalo Gap ek
30'
Cre
FALL RIVER CO H n
nyo
e
o t Brook
k
Ca HOT SPRINGS
Minnekahta Fa
ll Oral
R
CH
Cascade
EY
Springs
EN
N
E
Edgemont Ho
rse
k he
ee Angostura ad
o Cr Reservoir
43 15' od
Cr
ee
k
wo
eek
on
Cott
Igloo
Cr

Provo
1:100,000, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985
Rapid City, Office of City Engineer map, 1:18,000, 1996 0 10 20 MILES
t
Ha
0 10 20 KILOMETERS
Figure 35. Stiff diagrams (Stiff, 1951) showing the distribution of common-ion chemistry in the Minnelusa aquifer.
Approximation location of anhydrite dissolution front showing transition between low and high sulfate concentrations
also is shown (from Naus and others, 2001).
Sulfate concentrations in the Minnelusa aquifer proposed MCL of 4,000 pCi/L for radon in States with
are dependent on the amount of anhydrite present in the an active indoor air program. Samples from the Dead-
Minnelusa Formation. Near the outcrop, sulfate con- wood aquifer have lower uranium concentrations rela-
centrations generally are low (less than 250 mg/L) tive to the other major aquifers, which may be due to
because anhydrite has been removed by dissolution. An the reducing conditions of the Deadwood aquifer
abrupt increase in sulfate concentrations occurs down- (Rounds, 1991).
gradient, where a transition zone surrounds the core of Uranium deposits have been mined in the Inyan
the Black Hills. This transition zone is the area within Kara Group in the southern Black Hills. Uranium may
which the sulfate concentrations range from 250 to be introduced into the Inyan Kara Group through
1,000 mg/L (fig. 35) and marks an area of active upward leakage of water from the Minnelusa aquifer
removal of anhydrite by dissolution. Downgradient (Gott and others, 1974). As water in the Inyan Kara
from the transition zone, sulfate concentrations are aquifer migrates downgradient, geochemical condi-
greater than 1,000 mg/L, which delineates a zone in tions favor the precipitation of uranium (Gott and
which thick anhydrite beds remain in the formation. others, 1974). Some water from the Inyan Kara aquifer,
The transition zone probably is shifting downgradient especially in the southern Black Hills, contains rela-
over geologic time as the anhydrite in the formation is tively high concentrations of radionuclides. Almost
dissolved (Kyllonen and Peter, 1987). 20 percent of the samples collected from the Inyan
Figures 34 and 35 also show Stiff diagrams Kara aquifer exceeded the MCL for the combined
(Stiff, 1951) for artesian springs in the Black Hills area, radium-226 and radium-228 standard; all but one of
most of which probably originate from the Madison these samples exceeding the MCL were from wells in
and/or Minnelusa aquifers (Naus and others, 2001). the southern Black Hills. About 4 percent of the
Artesian springs with high sulfate concentrations prob- samples exceeded the MCL for uranium; all these
ably are influenced by anhydrite in the Minnelusa samples exceeding the MCL were from wells located in
Formation. Artesian springs with low sulfate concen- the southern Black Hills.
trations occur only upgradient from the transition zone
(fig. 35). Additional discussions regarding potential General Characteristics for Minor Aquifers
sources of artesian springs are presented in subsequent Water-quality characteristics were summarized
sections of the report. by Williamson and Carter (2001) for various minor
Concentrations and variability of many trace aquifers. The minor aquifers in the study area include
elements are small in the major aquifers. Strontium the Newcastle aquifer and alluvial aquifers. Local aqui-
generally has higher concentrations than other trace fers do exist in the various semiconfining and confining
elements, but is not harmful. Similarly, barium, boron, units. Water-quality data also were summarized for
iron, manganese, lithium, and zinc concentrations also several of these local aquifers, which included the
may be high in comparison to other trace elements. Spearfish, Sundance, Morrison, Graneros, and Pierre
Most naturally occurring radionuclides in water aquifers.
are the result of radioactive decay of uranium-238, Relations between dissolved solids and specific
thorium-232, and uranium-235, with uranium-238 pro- conductance concentrations are presented in figure 37
ducing the greatest part of the radioactivity observed for the minor aquifers with sufficient data, which
(Hem, 1985). In general, gross alpha-particle activity, include the Sundance, Morrison, Newcastle, and
gross-beta activity, and radium-226 concentrations, are alluvial aquifers. The r2 values are consistently high,
higher in the Deadwood and Inyan Kara aquifers than indicating strong correlations for these aquifers.
in the Madison, Minnelusa, and Minnekahta aquifers. Water in many of the minor aquifers can be very
In the Deadwood aquifer, more than 30 percent hard and high in dissolved solids concentrations. Most
of the samples analyzed for radium-226 or radium-226 samples from the Sundance aquifer indicate slightly
and radium-228 exceeded the MCL of 5 pCi/L for the saline water. Sulfate concentrations also can be high in
combined radium-226 and radium-228 standard. the minor aquifers, such as the Spearfish aquifer where
Almost 90 percent of the samples from the Deadwood high sulfate concentrations can result from dissolution
aquifer exceeded the proposed MCL of 300 pCi/L for of gypsum. Both dissolved solids and sulfate concen-
radon in States without an active indoor air program; trations are low in the Newcastle aquifer. A variety of
several of these samples (fig. 36) also exceeded the water types can occur within and among the minor

Indian
Hors
o
44 45' Belle Fourche
Reservoir Cr OUTCROP OF DEADWOOD
Owl
e
BE Cr Newell FORMATION (from Strobel
LL eek Cr
E ee
k
and others, 1999)
Nisland
F
BELLE FOURCHE OU
RC RIVER
DEADWOOD FORMATION
HE
ek ABSENT (from Carter and
Hay Cre
V ER
BUTTE CO Vale
Redden, 1999e)
ER RI MEADE CO
R E D W AT LAWRENCE CO
k
RADON CONCENTRATION--
Cree
Cox Saint
Lake Cr
ow Onge Number is radon concentration
in picocuries per liter. Circle
Cree
lch reek
Gu Spearfish C
30' size increases with increasing
k
h
m
Gulc
Botto
Whitewood concentrations
ek
Cre
d
oo
se eek
Bear
Higgins
Cr Less than 300
ew
Fal
tte
fish
hit
u 80
W
1,600 B
ear
Cr
Squ STURGIS Creek

Central
Sp
Tinton 300 to 3,000

aw
Cr CityCr li
Iron
er

15'
v
500
Bea
dw
A
920Cr ar
Cr
800 Be
De
Lead 5,300
Cr
h nie Cr
An Greater than 3,000
ail
Strawberry
s
Little Spearfi
i t et
6,600 Cr Cr Tilford
ee
Wh
k k
El 5,300
ee k
Little
Cr
Roubaix Cree
El reek Elk k
15' k
C
N. F
Bo
ish xe Piedmont
o rk
f
ld
Spear
er Ellsworth
R api
S. F Air Force
ork Nemo Base
Rap
d Cr
Cold Sp id C 560 Blackhawk
Cr
r r
Cree in
eek
k Box Elder
gs
For Rochford
k
s
LIMESTONE PLATEAU
d
a N. Fo
rk Rap
o
Cas 80
Rh
tl id RAPID CITY
eC
Beav r
Ca
Ra
stl
Creek
er
C ree Pactola
k
C pid
e
Cr
stle
ee Reservoir 900 5,800

reek
Cre
eek
Ca
1,300
Vi ek
k
Cr
Deerfield ct o ria 1,500

o Reservoir 690 Spring
44 S. F
r
220
e C
ork
C astl 1,400 1,100
ek Sheridan Cr
Cre Lake
Rockerville ee
k
Hill City
Mt. Rushmore
National Keystone
ing
Memorial
Spr
anyon Harney
Peak
Hayward
C
2,700
Canyon
PENNINGTON CO x
Batt
C anyon
Spoka le Hermosa
CUSTER CO n e C
re Cr
ek ee
es
k
k
Bea
Bol
ee
bird
r ulch
Gr
Cr
Fre G
tte nch CUSTER
ac
Red
e
ill
e
G ge
C o o li d
45'
Cr
Jewel Cave CUSTER

eek
SOUTH DAKOTA
National
Monument
STATE
Beaver
Fre Fairburn
Canyon
nch
WYOMING
PARK k
ee
Cr
on
ny
Highla
Ca
Lam
nd
Creek
Wind Cave
e

Cr
ee
k
Wind Jo
Cave hn
Beav ny
Dewey er
d
Re
R
VE
Hell
Cre RI
Buffalo Gap ek
30'
Cre
FALL RIVER CO H n
nyo
e
o t Brook
k
Ca HOT SPRINGS
Minnekahta Fa
ll Oral
R
CH
Cascade
EY
Springs
EN
N
E
Edgemont Ho
rse
k he
ee Angostura ad
o Cr Reservoir
43 15' od
Cr
ee
k
wo
eek
on
Cott
Igloo
Cr
Provo
t
Ha
0 10 20 MILES
1:100,000, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985
Figure 36. Distribution of radon concentrations in the Deadwood aquifer (from Williamson and Carter, 2001).
Sundance aquifer Morrison aquifer
2,000 1,000
S = 0.7986K - 129.34 S = 0.7601K - 66.71

r2 = 0.98 r2 = 0.98
N = 10 800 N=7
1,500
600
1,000
DISSOLVED SOLIDS (S), IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER
400
500
200
0 0
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 0 500 1,000 1,500
Newcastle aquifer Alluvial aquifers

1,000 2,500
S = 0.7105K - 67.20 S = 0.8302K - 105.62

r2 = 0.98 r2 = 0.96
800 N=8 2,000 N = 64
600 1,500
400 1,000
200 500
0 0
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE (K), SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE (K),

IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER
Figure 37. Relations between dissolved solids and specific conductance for the minor aquifers.
aquifers. In general, the dominance of sodium and sul- from the core of the Black Hills, which is largely due to
fate increases with increasing amounts of shale present contact of the water with underlying geologic units and
in the formations due to the large cation-exchange to the composition of alluvial deposits. Wells com-
capabilities of clay minerals (generally sodium concen- pleted in alluvial deposits that do not overlie Creta-
trations increase) and due to the reduced circulation of ceous shales generally yield fresh water of a calcium
water through the shale (Hem, 1985). The dominance bicarbonate or calcium magnesium bicarbonate type.
of calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate increases with Wells that are completed in alluvial deposits that
increasing amounts of sandstone (where calcium car- overlie the Cretaceous shales generally yield slightly
bonate commonly is the cementing material) and saline water in which sodium and/or sulfate is domi-
carbonate rocks present in the geologic units. The nant. Water from alluvial aquifers may be high in ura-
Sundance aquifer has the highest selenium concentra- nium concentrations, especially in the southern Black
tions of all aquifers considered in this report. Hills. About 17 percent of the samples exceeded the
Concentrations of common ions in alluvial proposed MCL for uranium, and all samples exceeding
aquifers generally increase with increasing distance this MCL were from wells in the southern Black Hills.

Susceptibility to Contamination and sewage, on the land surface or in the soil zone.
The Black Hills Hydrology Study focused pri- Nitrite plus nitrate concentrations for most samples in
marily on determination of natural water-quality char- the Black Hills area generally are low (fig. 38); how-
acteristics, and investigation of contamination ever, samples approaching or exceeding the national
potential was not an objective of the study. The suscep- nitrate background concentration of 2.0 mg/L (U.S.
tibility of the aquifers to contamination in the study Geological Survey, 1999) may provide indications of
area is an important issue, however, and can be possible human influence in a variety of land-use set-
addressed to some extent. tings. The extreme values for nitrite plus nitrate in
Nitrite plus nitrate concentrations for various figure 38 are unusually high and may reflect poor well
aquifers (fig. 38) can provide a general indication of construction and surface contamination as opposed to
possible human influence. Although nitrogen is essen- aquifer conditions.
tial for plant growth, high concentrations of nitrite plus The potential for contamination of ground water
nitrate can cause excessive plant growth and can be in the Black Hills area can be large because many
harmful to livestock and humans. Excessive concentra- aquifer outcrops can be subject to various forms of land
tions of nitrite plus nitrate in drinking water are a health development. Rapid ground-water velocities also are
concern for pregnant women, children, and the elderly possible in many aquifers because of high secondary
(may cause methemoglobinemia (blue-baby syn- permeability. Contamination of ground water by septic
drome) in small children). Nitrite plus nitrate in ground tanks has been documented for wells in the Blackhawk,
water can originate from natural processes or as con- Piedmont, and Sturgis areas (Bartlett and West
tamination from nitrogen sources, such as fertilizers Engineers, Inc., 1998).
40/8 8/4 74/14 157/29 23/4 81/29 9/0 6/4 70/9 EXPLANATION
65
114/15 Number of samples/Number of
samples with concentrations
below the laboratory reporting
limit
NITRITE PLUS NITRATE, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER
60 Outlier data value more than 3

times the interquartile range
outside the quartile
Outlier data value less than or

equal to 3 and more than 1.5
20
times the interquartile range
Data value less than or equal to
1.5 times the interquartile range
15
75th percentile
10 Median
25th percentile
Highest reporting limit

5
Maximum Contaminant Level
(U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 1994a)
0
Precambrian Madison Minnekahta Sundance Alluvial
Deadwood Minnelusa Inyan Kara Newcastle
AQUIFER
Figure 38. Boxplots of concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate for selected aquifers (modified from Williamson and
Carter, 2001).
Maps showing sensitivity of ground water to use. Water from the Madison aquifer is hard to very
contamination were produced by Putnam (2000) for hard and may require special treatment for certain uses.
Lawrence County and by Davis and others (1994) for In downgradient wells (generally deeper than 2,000 ft),
the Rapid Creek Basin. The most sensitive hydrogeo- concentrations of dissolved solids and sulfate also may
logic units are limestones, unconsolidated sands and deter use from this aquifer. Hot water from deep wells
gravels, and sandstones (Putnam, 2000). The least sen- and in the Hot Springs area, may not be desirable for
sitive units include shales or units with interbedded some uses. Radionuclide concentrations in the
shales. The Madison, Minnelusa, and Minnekahta Madison aquifer generally are acceptable.
aquifers are especially sensitive to contamination The principal properties or constituents that may
because of high secondary permeability and potential hamper the use of water from the Minnelusa aquifer
for streamflow recharge. include hardness and high concentrations of iron and
manganese. Generally, downgradient wells (generally
Summary Relative to Water Use deeper than 1,000 ft) also have high concentrations of
Concentrations of various constituents dissolved solids and sulfate. Hot water, from deep
exceeding SMCL’s and MCL’s affect the use of water wells, may not be desirable for some uses. Arsenic con-
in some areas for many aquifers within the study area. centrations in the Minnelusa aquifer exceed the revised
Most concentrations exceeding standards are for var- MCL of 10 µg/L in some locations. Only a few samples
ious SMCL’s and generally affect the water only aes- exceeded the MCL’s for various radionuclides.
thetically. Radionuclide concentrations can be high in Samples from the Minnekahta aquifer are avail-
some of the major aquifers, especially in the Deadwood able only from shallow wells near the outcrop. Water
and Inyan Kara aquifers, and may preclude the use of from the Minnekahta aquifer is harder than that from
water in some areas. Hard water may require special any of the other major aquifers in the study area, and
treatment for certain uses. Other factors, such as the may require special treatment for certain uses. Water
sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and specific conduc- generally is suitable for all water uses; few samples
tance, affect irrigation use. exceeded SMCL’s and no samples available for this
The general suitability of ground water for irri- study from the Minnekahta aquifer exceeded drinking-
gation in the study area can be determined by using the water standards for any radionuclides.
South Dakota irrigation-water diagram (fig. 39). The The use of water from the Inyan Kara aquifer
diagram is based on South Dakota irrigation-water may be hampered by high concentrations of dissolved
standards (revised January 7, 1982) and shows the solids, iron, sulfate, and manganese. In the southern
State’s water-quality and soil-texture requirements for Black Hills, radium-226 and uranium concentrations
the issuance of an irrigation permit. The adjusted SAR also may preclude its use. Hard water from wells
for each aquifer was calculated according to Koch located on or near the outcrop of the Inyan Kara Group
(1983) from the mean concentrations of calcium, mag- may require special treatment.
nesium, sodium, and bicarbonate for each aquifer. The use of water from the minor aquifers
Water from all aquifers, with the exceptions of the (Spearfish, Sundance, Morrison, Pierre, Graneros,
Pierre and Sundance aquifers, generally is suitable for Newcastle, and alluvial aquifers) may be hampered by
irrigation, but may not be in specific instances if either hardness and concentrations of dissolved solids and
the specific conductance or the SAR is high. sulfate. Concentrations of radionuclides, with the
High concentrations of iron and manganese exception of uranium, generally are at acceptable levels
occasionally can hamper the use of water from the in samples from the minor aquifers. Selenium concen-
Precambrian aquifer. None of the reported samples trations in some places are an additional deterrent to the
from the Precambrian aquifer exceeded drinking-water use of water from the Sundance aquifer.
standards for radionuclides. Water from alluvial aquifers generally is very
The principal deterrents to use of water from the hard and may require special treatment for certain uses.
Deadwood aquifer are high concentrations of radionu- High concentrations of dissolved solids, sulfate, iron,
clides, including radium-226 and radon. In addition, and manganese may limit the use of water from alluvial
concentrations of iron and manganese can be high. aquifers that overlie the Cretaceous shales. In the
Water from the Madison aquifer can contain high southern Black Hills, uranium concentrations in
concentrations of iron and manganese that may deter its alluvial aquifers can be high in many locations.

3,100 EXPLANATION
SOIL TEXTURE
3,000 A1 A2 A1 A2 A1 A2 A Sand
B Loamy sands, sandy loams
2,900 C Loams, silts, silt loams
D Sandy clay loams, silty clay
SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER AT 25o CELSIUS
2,800 B1 loams, clay loams

E Silty clays, sandy clays, clays
(ECx106 AT 25o C) ADJUSTED FOR CALCIUM, SULFATE, AND RAINFALL
2,700
DEPTH BELOW LAND SURFACE
2,600 C1 TO A MORE-PERMEABLE OR
LESS-PERMEABLE MATERIAL
2,500 B2 B1 1 40 inches or less to a more-
permeable material
2,400 2 40 to 72 inches to a more-
permeable material
2,300 C1 B2 3 20 to 60 inches to a less-
permeable material
2,200 C2 B1
SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE
D1 Maximum values are based on
2,100
12 inches or less average
B3 B2 rainfall during the frost-free
2,000
season. For each additonal
1,900 D2 E1 C2 C1 inch of rainfall, the maximum
values of conductance may be
1,800 C3 D1 increased by 100 microsiemens
per centimeter at 25ºC. Average
1,700 D3 E2 E1 B3 growing season rainfall for the
# Black Hills area is 14 inches, so
1,600 D2 the conductance of each plotted
value has been reduced by 200
1,500 E3 E2 C2 microsiemens per centimeter at
25ºC.
1,400 B3 For water having more than
200 milligrams per liter of
1,300 C3 calcium and more than 960
milligrams per liter of sulfate,
1,200 D3 the maximum conductance
# value may be increased by 400
1,100 E3 C3 microsiemens per centimeter at
25ºC.
1,000
AVERAGE CHEMICAL QUALITY OF
900 MAJOR AQUIFERS
800
** Precambrian
Deadwood
700 x Madison
x Minnelusa
600 x Minnekahta
Inyan Kara
500
x AVERAGE CHEMICAL QUALITY OF
400 MINOR AQUIFERS
Spearfish
300
# Sundance
200 * # Morrison
100 * Graneros
Pierre
0 3 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
ADJUSTED SODIUM-ADSORPTION RATIO (SAR) Newcastle
Alluvial
MULTIPLIED BY 0.7
Figure 39. South Dakota irrigation-water classification diagram for selected aquifers (from Williamson and Carter,
2001). This diagram is 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).

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Table 4.

Carbon dioxide -- Important in reactions that control the pH of natural waters.

Bicarbonate -- In combination with calcium and magnesium forms carbonate hardness.

46 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

48 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

50 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

S = 0.6151K - 14.42 S = 0.5792K - 1.93

Madison aquifer Minnelusa aquifer

S = 0.6091K - 3.73 S = 1.0070K - 215.09

Minnekahta aquifer Inyan Kara aquifer

S = 0.8860K - 177.62 S = 0.7842K - 98.49

lch reek DEGREES CELSIUS--Circle

size increases with increasing

tte Less than 500

Squ STURGIS Creek

Tinton 500 to 1,000

ood DEADWOOD lka 103o

Jewel Cave CUSTER

52 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

Moderately hard (61 to 121)

te Soft (less than 61)

Squ STURGIS Creek

ood DEADWOOD lka 103o

Jewel Cave CUSTER

Pringle National Park

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER

te WELL COMPLETED IN THE

ood DEADWOOD lka 103o

LIMESTONE HEADWATER SPRING

Jewel Cave CUSTER

Pringle National Park

54 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

Less than 250

Squ STURGIS Creek

ood DEADWOOD lka 103o

Strawberry Sodium + Potassium Chloride + Fluoride

k k Calcium Bicarbonate + Carbonate

s LIMESTONE HEADWATER SPRING

Jewel Cave CUSTER

Pringle National Park

Base modified from U.S. Geological Survey digital data,

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, zone 13

56 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

Cr Less than 300

Squ STURGIS Creek

Tinton 300 to 3,000

ood DEADWOOD lka 103o

Cold Sp id C 560 Blackhawk

ee Reservoir 900 5,800

Deerfield ct o ria 1,500

Jewel Cave CUSTER

Pringle National Park

S = 0.7986K - 129.34 S = 0.7601K - 66.71

Newcastle aquifer Alluvial aquifers

S = 0.7105K - 67.20 S = 0.8302K - 105.62

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE (K), SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE (K),

58 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

60 Outlier data value more than 3

Outlier data value less than or

Highest reporting limit

60 Hydrology of the Black Hills Area, South Dakota

2,800 B1 loams, clay loams

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