Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2006ND125B

Effect of flow path processes on the geochemistry and quality of water discharged along the seepage face at Pigeon Point, Sheyenne delta aquifer, Ransom County, North Dakota

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2006 Start Date: 2006-03-01 End Date: 2007-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $2,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $4,000

Principal Investigators: Phil Gerla

Project Summary: This research focuses on the relationship between land use, infiltration processes, and the quality of water discharged along the expansive seepage face at Pigeon Point, an area of springs and fens in the Sheyenne delta aquifer. Specifically, the study will characterize the infiltration characteristics of soils in the recharge/capture zone, document the changes in the composition of infiltrating water as a function of depth, soil type/geomorphology, and land cover, and explain the reason for spatial variability of hydrogeochemistry across the site.Benefits will include better understanding of physical and geochemical processes operative in this portion of the Sheyenne delta aquifer, and how these may influence the water quality within both the Sheyenne River and the Sheyenne delta aquifer.