Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in 

the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District, Eastern Nebraska, July Through 

September 1992

By I.M. Verstraeten and MJ. Ellis

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4197

Prepared in cooperation with the 

PAPIO-MISSOURI RIVER NATURAL RESOURCES 

DISTRICT and the 

NEBRASKA NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Lincoln, Nebraska 

1995

OCT 2 IMS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GORDON P. EATON, Director

For additional information write to:

District Chief 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Room 406, Federal Building 

100 Centennial Mall North 

Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

Copies of this report can be 

purchased from:

U.S. Geological Survey 

Earth Science Information Center 

Open-File Reports Section 

Box25286, MS 517 

Denver Federal Center 

Denver, Colorado 80225
CONTENTS

Abstract.....................................................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................................2

Purpose and Scope..........................................................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgments............................................................

Description of Study Area .......................................................................................................................................................2

Location and Landforms.................................................................................................................................................2

Climate...............................................................................................^

Soils................................................................................................................................................................................4

Hydrogeology .................................................................................................................................................................6

Hydrogeologic Units in Surficial Deposits...........................................................................................................6

Elkhorn River Valley Alluvial Aquifer.......................................................................................................6

Missouri River Valley Alluvial Aquifer .....................................................................................................6

Platte River Valley Alluvial Aquifer........................................................................................................ 10

Upland Area Alluvial Aquifers.................................................................................................................11

Bedrock Hydrogeologic Units............................................................................................................................ 11

Cretaceous Confining Unit....................................................................................................................... 14

Dakota Aquifer.........................................................................................................................................15

Paleozoic Confining Unit.......................................................................................................................... 16

Lower Paleozoic Aquifer System.............................................................................................................16

Precambrian Confining Unit.....................................................................................................................16

Land Use.......................................................................................................................................................................16

Water Use..........................................._

Previous Water-Quality Investigations................................................................................................................................... 19

Sample Collection and Laboratory Procedures ......................................................................................................................24

Well Selection...........................................................^

Water-Quality Sampling...............................................................................................................................................26

Laboratory Procedures..................................................................................................................................................26

Quality Control and Quality Assurance........................................................................................................................27

Data-Analysis Procedures...........................................................-..........................................................-...............^

Ground-Water (^aUty...........................~

Nitrate and Selected Herbicides ...................................................................................................................................28

Nitrate...............................................................................................................................................................28

Selected Triazine and Acetanilide Herbicides ....................................................................................................29

Properties, Dissolved Solids, Major Ions, and Water Types.........................................................................................32

Specific Conductance and Dissolved Solids.......................................................................................................32

pH and Dissolved Oxygen..................................................................................................................................35

Major Ions and Water Types...............................................................................................................................35

General Statistical Results"........................................................................................................................35

Summary of Water Chemistry and Water Types by Aquifer....................................................................40

Elkhorn River Valley Alluvial Aquifer...........................................................................................40

Missouri River Valley Alluvial Aquifer .........................................................................................40

Platte River Valley Alluvial Aquifer ..............................................................................................42

Upland Area Alluvial Aquifers.......................................................................................................42

Dakota Aquifer...............................................................................................................................42

Selected Metals and Trace Elements............................................................................................................................42

Radionuclide Activity or Concentration.......................................................................................................................46

Gross Alpha and Beta Activities ........................................................................................................................47

Radon-222 Activity............................................................................................................................................47

Contents III
Ground-Water Quality Continued

Radionuclide Activity or Concentration Continued

Radium-226 Activity...........................................................................:.............................................................. 5

Total Uranium Concentration and Uranium Activity Ratio 234:238................................................................. 51

Summary and Conclusions...................................................^

References..............................................................................................................^^

FIGURES

1. Map showing location of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.............................. 3

2. Map showing generalized soil associations in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern 

Nebraska..... ................................................................................................................................................................^

3. Generalized geologic section A-A' showing lithology of the undifferentiated Quaternary deposits in selected

wells or test holes in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.................................... 10

4. Generalized geologic section B-B} showing lithology of the undifferentiated Quaternary deposits in selected

wells or test holes in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.................................... 11

5. Map showing generalized distribution of Quaternary alluvial aquifers and areas where Quaternary deposits are

thin or absent in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska........................................... 12

6. Map showing generalized bedrock surface geology of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District,

eastern Nebraska........................................................................................................................................................... 13

7. Generalized geologic section A-A' showing principal bedrock geologic units in selected wells or test holes in

the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska..................................................................... 14

8. Generalized geologic section B-B' showing principal bedrock geologic units in selected wells or test holes in

the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska..................................................................... 15

9-12. Map showing:

9. Land use in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1983-84 ........................... 18

10. Location of wells registered with the Nebraska Department of Water Resources in the Papio-Missouri

River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1992..................................................................................... 23

11. Location of sampled wells in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July

through September 1992.........................................................................................................................................25

12. Dissolved-nitrate concentrations in ground water in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District,

eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992.................................................................................................... 30

13. Graphs showing distribution of dissolved-nitrate concentrations and well depth by aquifer in the PapioMissouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992..................................... 31

14. Map showing location of sampled wells and wells with ground water containing detectable concentrations of 

alachlor, atrazine, cyanazine, deisopropylatrazine, deethylatrazine, metolachlor, metribuzin, prometon, or 

simazine in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992.33

15-19. Graphs showing:

15. Distributions of specific conductance and dissolved-solids concentrations in ground-water samples by 

aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 

1992, and relation between dissolved-solids concentrations and specific conductance......................................... 34

16. Distributions of field pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, hardness, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, 

sodium, sodium-adsorption ratio, potassium, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, and silica by aquifer in the PapioMissouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992.............................. 36

17. Ionic compositions of ground water by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District,

eastern Nebraska.....................................................................................................................................................41

18. Distributions of selected metals and trace elements by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural

Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992 ....................................................................43

19. Distributions of radionuclide activity or concentration by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural

Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992.................................................................... 48

20. Map showing radon-222 activities in water from sampled wells in the Papio-Missouri River Natural

Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992........................................................................... 50

IV Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
TABLES

1. Summary of hydrogeologic units in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.............. 7

2. Summary of land-use acreage in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern 

Nebraska, 1983-84.........................................................^

3. Major crops planted, by county, eastern Nebraska, 1990 ............................................................................................. 19

4. Fertilizer purchased, by county, eastern Nebraska, 1990.............................................................................................. 20

5. Most frequently applied herbicides by major crop in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District,

eastern Nebraska ...........................................................................................................................................................20

6. Most frequently applied insecticides by major crop in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District,

eastern Nebraska...........................................................................................................................................................21

7. Estimated major water use for public and self supply in and around the Papio-Missouri River Natural

Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1990.................................................................................................................. 22

8. Number of wells sampled, by aquifer ..........................................................................................................................26

9. Summary of water-quality analyses for physical properties of water and concentrations of nitrogen species and 

herbicides in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through 

September 1992..................................................................................................................^^

10. Summary of water-quality analyses for hardness, alkalinity, calculated dissolved-solids, major ions, major 

metals, trace elements, and radionuclide activity or concentration in the Papio-Missouri River Natural 

Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992........................................................................... 62

11. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 

eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water 

regulations.................................................................~

12. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of

samples from the Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 

eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water 

regulations.................................................................^

13. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of 

samples from the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

drinking-water regulations ............................................................................................................................................75

14. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of 

samples from the Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 

eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water 

regulations.................................................................--.-.......-.-......-.... --.......................................... ............................78

15. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of 

samples from the upland area alluvial aquifers in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 

eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water 

regulations.................................................................................................................................................................^

16. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of 

samples from the Dakota aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 

July through September 1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water regulations .................... 84

17. Results of Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests to determine differences in water chemistry or 

other characteristics among the aquifers in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern 

Nebraska........................................................................................................................................................................87

18. Statistically significant results (alpha = 0.05) of the Tukey's test to test for differences in median

concentrations or values of water-quality constituents or other characteristics among the aquifers in the 

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.......................................................................... 89

Contents
CONVERSION FACTORS AND VERTICAL DATUM

Multiply

acre

foot

gallon per minute

inch

inch per hour

 mile

pound

square mile

ton

By

4,047

0.3048

0.06308

25.4

25.4

1.609

453.6

2.590

0.9072

To obtain

square meter

meter

liter per second

millimeter

millimeter per hour

kilometer

gram

square kilometer

megagram

To be convert degree Fahrenheit (°F) to degree Celsius (°C) use the 

following equation:

°C = 5/9 (°F - 32).

Sea level: In this report, "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic 

Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD of 1929) a geodetic datum derived 

from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of both the 

United States and Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.

VI Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the 

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 

Eastern Nebraska, July Through September 1992

By Ingrid M. Verstraeten and Michael J. Ellis

Abstract

A reconnaissance of ground-water quality 

was conducted in the Papio-Missouri River 

Natural Resources District of eastern Nebraska. 

Sixty-one irrigation, municipal, domestic, and 

industrial wells completed in the principal 

aquifers the unconfined Elkhorn, Missouri, and 

Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers, the upland 

area alluvial aquifers, and the Dakota 

aquifer were selected for water-quality sampling during July, August, and September 1992. 

Analyses of water samples from the wells included determination of dissolved nitrate as nitrogen 

and triazine and acetanilide herbicides. Waterquality analyses of a subset of 42 water samples 

included dissolved solids, major ions, metals, 

trace elements, and radionuclides.

Concentrations of dissolved nitrate as nitrogen in water samples from 2 of 13 wells completed in the upland area alluvial aquifers exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Maximum Contaminant Level for drinking water 

of 10 milligrams per liter. Thirty-nine, percent of 

the dissolved nitrate-as-nitrogen concentrations 

were less than the detection level of 0.05 

milligram per liter. The largest median dissolved 

nitrate-as-nitrogen concentrations were in water 

from the upland area alluvial aquifers and the 

Dakota aquifer.

Water from all principal aquifers, except 

the Dakota aquifer, had detectable concentrations 

of herbicides. Herbicides detected included alachlor (1 detection), atrazine (13 detections),

cyanazine (5 detections), deisopropylatrazine 

(6 detections), deethylatrazine (9 detections), 

metolachlor (6 detections), metribuzin 

(1 detection), prometon (6 detections), and 

simazine (2 detections). Herbicide concentrations 

did not exceed U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency Maximum Contaminant Levels for 

drinking water. In areas where the hydraulic 

gradient favors loss of surface water to ground 

water, the detection of herbicides in water from 

wells along the banks of the Platte River indicates 

that the river could act as a line source of 

herbicides.

Water from the alluvial and bedrock aquifers generally was a calcium bicarbonate type and 

was hard. Two of nine water samples collected 

from the Dakota aquifer contained calcium sulfate 

type water. Results of analyses of 42 groundwater samples for major ions, metals, trace elements, and radionuclide constituents indicated 

that statistically at least one principal aquifer had 

significant differences in its water chemistry. In 

general, the water chemistry of the Dakota aquifer 

was similar to the water chemistry of the upland 

area alluvial aquifers in areas where there was a 

hydraulic connection. The water from the Dakota 

aquifer had large dissolved-solids, calcium, sulfate, chloride, iron, lithium, manganese, and 

strontium concentrations in areas where the 

aquifer is thought not to be in hydraulic connection with the Missouri River Valley and 

upland area alluvial aquifers.

Abstract 1
Ground-water quality in the Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources District is generally 

suitable for most uses. However, the numerous 

occurrences of herbicides in water of the Elkhorn 

and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers, especially near the Platte River, are of concern 

because U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Maximum Contaminant Levels could be exceeded. Concentrations in three of nine water samples collected from wells completed in the Dakota 

aquifer exceeded the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant 

Levels or Secondary Maximum Contaminant 

Levels for gross alpha activity, radon-222 activity, 

dissolved solids, sulfate, or iron. Also of concern 

are the exceedances of the U.S Environmental 

Protection Agency proposed Maximum 

Contaminant Level for radon-222 activity.

INTRODUCTION

The State of Nebraska has been divided into 

23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD's) to address the 

natural-resource issues of soil and water-resources 

management. As required by the 1984 Nebraska 

Ground Water Management and Protection Act 

(GWMPA), the Papio-Missouri River NRD submitted 

a ground-water management plan to the Nebraska 

Department of Environmental Quality in December 

1989 (Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District, 1989). Under 1991 Nebraska LawLB51, each 

NRD was required to amend the water-quality section 

of their ground-water management plan by July 1, 

1993, to "...identify levels and sources of groundwater contamination and to recommend practices that 

would stabilize, reduce, or prevent to the extent possible additional spread and increases of ground-water 

contamination."

Information on quality of ground water in the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD was sparse and was 

limited to major-ion chemistry (U.S. Department of 

Energy, 1981; Engberg, 1984), dissolved nitrite-plusnitrate-as-nitrogendata(Exner, 1980; Spalding, 1990), 

and agriculture-related chemicals and uranium data 

(Spalding, 1990). In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) entered into a cooperative agreement with the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD to conduct a groundwater-quality study for the purpose of developing

detailed information on the water quality of the principal aquifers within the NRD.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to describe the 

water quality of the principal aquifers in the study area 

(fig. 1). Wells representative of the geology and land 

use in the study area were selected for water-quality 

sampling. Constituent concentrations are compared 

with current (1993) U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations. Variations in constituent concentration among aquifers are 

discussed. The report describes the spatial distributions of dissolved nitrite-plus-nitrate as nitrogen and 

triazine and other acetanilide herbicides and evaluates 

the effects of cropland application of nitrogen and 

herbicides on the ground-water quality within the 

study area. The report also summarizes the concentrations of dissolved major and trace constituents 

including radionuclide activity and concentration.

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully thank well owners in the 

study area for granting permission to sample their 

wells and for their assistance in the field.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

Location and Landforms

The Papio-Missouri River NRD encompasses 

about 979 square miles in the eastern part of Burt and 

Thurston Counties, southeastern part of Dodge 

County, and all of Dakota, Douglas, Sarpy, and 

Washington Counties in eastern Nebraska (fig. 1). 

Major cities in the study area are, in order of decreasing population, Omaha, Bellevue, Blair, South Sioux 

City, Dakota City, and Tekamah.

The study area is bounded on the east by the 

Missouri River and on the south and part of the west 

by the Platte River (fig. 1). The Elkhorn River is a 

major tributary of the Platte River, which in turn flows 

into the Missouri River south of Bellevue in southeastern Sarpy County. In addition, Papillion and Bell 

Creeks and many smaller streams drain the uplands.

The study area is part of the Dissected Till 

Plains Section of the Central Lowland physiographic

Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
42°30' - SOUTH DAKOTA

KANSAS

Index map

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

WASHINGTONvt. / 5

CO. \ / <

w

Study 

area

IOWA 

MISSOURI

41 C

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100.000,1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°, central meridian - 96° 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 1. Location of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.

Description of Study Area
province, which constitutes the central part of the 

loess-covered Central United States. The area is a 

glaciated region with submature to mature, dissected 

till plains and exposed pre-Illinoian glacial drift 

generally covered by loess (Fenneman, 1938; 

Fenneman and Johnson, 1946). The principal physiographic features include nearly flat valley lands along 

the major rivers separated by bluffs and escarpments 

with very steep and irregular slopes. On the uplands, a 

series of small ridges and valleys is present, reflecting 

the presence of former glaciers (Conservation and 

Survey Division, 1986). These glaciers created the 

southeast trending Papillion Creek and other smaller 

tributaries probably consequent to the pre-Illinoian 

drift (Fenneman, 1938; Wayne, 1985).

Climate

The climate in the Papio-Missouri River NRD is 

continental and temperate, with large seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation. From 1951 

through 1980, mean annual precipitation was 

28.79 inches at the Blair weather station, Washington 

County (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1982). Mean monthly precipitation varied 

from 4.33 inches in June to 0.68 inch in January. 

Typically, most precipitation occurs between May and 

September. During the sampling period, July through 

September 1992, precipitation was frequent and 

totaled 12.82 inches at the Blair weather station 

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

1992).

Soils

The major soil associations in the PapioMissouri River NRD (fig. 2) are shown on a generalized soil map of Nebraska (Conservation and Survey 

Division, 1990), and their respective average permeability is discussed by Dugan (1984). More detailed 

information on the physical and chemical characteristics of each soil series is given in soil survey reports 

(Bartlett, 1975; Damoude, 1980; Greenawalt and 

McKenzie, 1964; Slama and others, 1972,1976). 

Eight soil associations exist in the area.

The Albaton-Haynie-Sarpy Association occurs 

on the bottom land along the Missouri and Platte 

Rivers. This deep, nearly level association consists of 

poorly to well-drained clayey to silty soils and well- to 

excessively drained sandy soils formed in alluvium on

the bottom lands. Permeability is generally less than 

1 inch per hour, except in sandy soils close to the 

Missouri River where permeability is significantly 

larger. These soils generally have a large lime but a 

small organic matter content. They are formed in 

recent clayey alluvium and are not as affected by 

soil-forming processes as other soils in the PapioMissouri River NRD. Therefore, the soil chemistry of 

this association mainly reflects the geochemistry of the 

geologic strata they are derived from Carlile and 

Graneros Shale (Conservation and Survey Division, 

1990).

The Shell-Muir-Hobbs and GibbonGothenburg-Platte Associations occur on the bottom 

land, mainly along Bell Creek and east of the Elkhorn 

River, and occur with deep, nearly level, well-drained, 

silty soils formed in alluvium. These soil associations 

have permeability values generally ranging from 5 to 

10 inches per hour (Conservation and Survey 

Division, 1990).

The Monona-Ida Association exists on the uplands in the Missouri and Platte River Basins. This is a 

deep to very deep association with strongly to steepsloping, well- to excessively drained silty soil. Permeability values generally range between 1 and 2 inches 

per hour (Conservation and Survey Division, 1990).

The Nora-Moody-Judson and Marshall-Ponca 

Associations occur on the uplands, with very deep, 

nearly level to moderately steep soils. The NoraMoody-Judson Association exists in Burt, Dakota, and 

Thurston Counties, and the Marshall-Ponca Association exists mainly in the western part of the study area. 

These soils consist of well-drained silty soils formed 

in loess and colluvium. Permeability values generally 

range between 1 and 2 inches per hour (Conservation 

and Survey Division, 1990).

The Nora-Crofton-Moody and CroftonAlcester-Nora Associations exist on the uplands, 

mainly in Dakota County. These soils consist of very 

deep, gently sloping to very steep, well- to excessively 

drained silty soils formed in loess. Permeability 

values generally are as much as 2 inches per hour.

Soils with the greatest potential for leaching of 

contaminants to the ground water are the Shell-MuirHobbs and Gibbon-Gothenburg-Platte Associations, 

which generally have substantially larger permeability 

values and smaller organic-matter concentrations than 

soils on the bottom land along the Missouri River.

Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
42°301 -

EXPLANATION

Soil associations

Albaton-Haynie-Sarpy Association

Shell-Muir-Hobbs and Gibbon-GothenburgPlatte Associations

Monona-Ida Association 

Nora-Moody-Judson Association 

Marshall-Ponca Association

Nora-Crofton-Moody and CroftonAlcester-Nora Associations

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100.000.1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°. central meridian - 96°

10 

I

15

i

20 MILES

10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 2. Generalized soil associations in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska (modified 

from Conservation and Survey Division, 1990).

Description of Study Area
Hydrogeology

This description of the hydrogeology of the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD is based on geologic and 

hydrologic information contained in published and 

unpublished reports that are available in the files of the 

Conservation and Survey Division (CSD), Institute of 

Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of 

Nebraska-Lincoln, and the USGS. The geologic units 

that comprise the unconsolidated surficial deposits and 

bedrock beneath the Papio-Missouri River NRD and 

corresponding aquifers, aquifer systems, and confining 

units are summarized in table 1.

Few geologic and hydrologic studies have been 

published that are specific to the Papio-Missouri River 

NRD, and most of these contain information about the 

geology or about a single aquifer in a limited part of 

the study area. The earliest such studies (Condra, 

1908; Todd, 1908) include information on the geology 

and water resources of Dakota County. A variety of 

subsequent reports have been written, but for the 

purposes of this investigation, the most useful were 

geologic reports about the Omaha area by Miller 

(1964) and the Missouri River Valley alluvium and 

bedrock by Burchett (1965), logs of test holes drilled 

as part of a cooperative program between the CSD and 

the USGS (Burchett and Smith 1989a, 1989b, 1989c, 

1991a, 1991b, 1992), and hydrogeologic reports on 

the Dakota Sandstone by O' Connor (1987) and the 

Paleozoic rocks in the Omaha area by Condra and 

others (1931, p. 52-70).

Most of the hydrogeologic information used in 

the preparation of this report was contained in reports 

that have a statewide or regional scope. These reports 

include geologic maps by Burchett and others (1975, 

1988); hydrogeologic maps prepared jointly by the 

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and 

CSD(1980a, 1980b, 1980c, 1980d, 1980e, 1980f); 

descriptions of the Pleistocene deposits in Nebraska 

by Reed and Dreeszen (1965), Dreeszen (1970), and 

Wayne (1985); reports on the hydrogeology of the 

Dakota Sandstone by Ellis (1984, 1986) and Lawton 

and others (1984); and descriptions of the Paleozoic 

formations in Nebraska by Condra and Reed (1959), 

Carlson (1970), and Burchett (1983).

Hydrogeologic Units in Surficial Deposits

Quaternary deposits of alluvial, eolian, and 

glacial origin blanket the entire Papio-Missouri River

NRD, except in small local areas where the bedrock 

crops out. The lithologic composition of the - 

Quaternary deposits is variable both vertically and 

horizontally and ranges from relatively impermeable 

clay and silt to permeable sand-and-gravel deposits 

(figs. 3 and 4). In this study only the sand-and-gravel 

deposits are considered to be aquifers. Some domestic 

and stock wells in the study area probably are completed in silt deposits, but yields from these wells 

generally are very small and the deposits are not 

considered significant sources of water.

Because of potential variations in water yield 

and quality that can be the result of differences in 

lithology, sources of recharge, and land use, the 

Quaternary sand-and-gravel deposits were divided 

into the four areally restricted aquifers shown in figure 

5. These aquifers are composed primarily of alluvial 

sand-and-gravel deposits along the Elkhorn, Missouri, 

and Platte River Valleys, and the scattered alluvial 

sand-and-gravel deposits that exist in the upland parts 

of the Papio-Missouri River NRD. Sufficient data are 

not available to accurately map the thickness of the 

Quaternary deposits throughout the study area.

Elkhorn River Valley Alluvial Aquifer

Most of the deposits in this aquifer consist of 

coarse-grained alluvial deposits beneath the flood 

plain and low terraces along the Elkhorn River Valley. 

In northwestern Sarpy and western Douglas Counties, 

however, the aquifer includes alluvial deposits under 

the bottom land between the Platte and Elkhorn 

Rivers. Most of these deposits are permeable sand and 

gravel, but clay and silt are intermixed and interbedded with the sand and gravel. Recharge to the aquifer 

is from infiltration of precipitation through the permeable soils, infiltration of runoff from upland areas, and 

infiltration from the adjacent Elkhorn and Platte 

Rivers when river stage is higher than ground-water 

levels.

Missouri River Valley Alluvial Aquifer

This aquifer consists of coarse-grained 

Quaternary deposits that exist beneath the flood plain 

and low terraces along the Missouri River. The 

coarse-grained deposits generally contain more sand 

than gravel and often are intermixed and interbedded 

with silt and clay. Many deposits in the Missouri 

River Valley were deposited by floods. The aquifer is 

recharged by infiltration of precipitation, infiltration of

Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
03 ^

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I-H *J <fJ *7" iSli

Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
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Description of Study Area
FEET 

1,600-i

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FEET 

-1,600

-1,500

-1,400

-1,300

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-1,100

-1,000

-900

S

EXPLANATION

Undifferentiated Quaternary 

deposits

li'STl Silt and loess

! ' : .'-''| Sand

t0°o*°'J Sand and gravel

jjjl^l Bedrock

(2) Well or test hole number 

Shown in figure 7

0 5 10 KILOMETERS

VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY EXAGGERATED

' DATUM IS SEA LEVEL

Figure 3. Generalized geologic section A~A showing lithology of the undifferentiated Quaternary deposits in selected wells or 

test holes in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.

runoff from the adjacent upland areas, and infiltration 

from the Missouri River when the river stage is higher 

than ground-water levels.

Platte River Valley Alluvial Aquifer

This aquifer is composed of coarse-grained 

alluvial deposits that exist beneath the flood plain and 

low terraces along the Platte River Valley from downstream of the mouth of the Elkhorn River to the mouth

10 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
I

FEET 

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1,200-

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Trace of section shown in figure 5 o 5 10 MILES

I 1 ' 1 ' 

0 5 10 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Undifferentiated Quaternary 

deposits

(2) Well or test hole number 

Shown in figure 8

VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY EXAGGERATED 

DATUM IS SEA LEVEL

Figure 4. Generalized geologic section B-B showing lithology of the undifferentiated Quaternary deposits in selected wells or 

test holes in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.

of the Platte River. Most of the deposits are very 

permeable, coarse-grained sand and gravel. Clay and 

silt usually exist only in thin surficial deposits. Most 

recharge to the aquifer is by infiltration from the Platte 

River; the valley is very narrow and recharge from 

infiltration of runoff and precipitation has a limited 

area in which to occur.

Upland Area Alluvial Aquifers

These aquifers consist of the coarse-grained 

alluvial deposits that exist beneath the silt and clay 

beds that cover the upland parts of the Papio-Missouri 

River NRD. Available data indicate large variations in 

the thickness and in vertical and horizontal distribution of these isolated sand-and-gravel deposits (figs. 3

and 4). The available data, however, are not adequate 

to define and delineate the occurrence and distribution 

of these sand-and-gravel deposits, and in this study 

they are considered together as discontinuous aquifers. 

Almost all recharge to these aquifers is from the 

infiltration of precipitation.

Bedrock Hydrogeologic Units

The Papio-Missouri River NRD is underlain 

by bedrock formations ranging in age from Cretaceous 

through Precambrian; formations of Jurassic, Triassic, 

and Permian age are not present in the NRD. A bedrock geologic map of the Papio-Missouri-River NRD 

(fig. 6) shows that formations of Cretaceous and 

Pennsylvanian age directly underlie the unconsoliDescription of Study Area 11
42°30'rEXPLANATION

I I Elkhom River Valley alluvial aquifer

HI Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer

HHIfei Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer

K"j%1 Upland area alluvial aquifers

H Area where Quaternary deposits 

are thin or absent

Contact between Quaternary 

alluvial aquifers

A' Trace of generalized geologic

section Shown in figures 3 and 4

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

30 H

41°

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100.000.1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°. central meridian - 96°

10 15 20 MILES

10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 5. Generalized distribution of Quaternary alluvial aquifers and areas where Quaternary deposits are thin or absent in 

the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska (area where the Quaternary deposits are thin or absent 

from Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and Conservation and Survey Division, 1980c, 1980d).

12 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
42°30' -

EXPLANATION 

Cretaceous bedrock

Carlile Shale, Greenhorn 

Limestone, and Graneros 

Shale, undifferentiated

Dakota Sandstone 

Pennsylvanian bedrock

Shawnee, Douglas, Lansing, 

Kansas City, and Marmaton 

Groups, undifferentiated

Geologic contact

Trace of generalized geologic 

section Shown in figures 7 

and 8

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100.000,1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45". central meridian - 96°

10 

I

15 20 MILES

I 

10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 6. Generalized bedrock surface geology of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska 

(geology modified from Burchett and others, 1975, 1988).

Description of Study Area 13
dated surficial deposits. Two generalized geologic 

sections (figs. 7 and 8) show the vertical distribution 

and relations of the unconsolidated deposits and the 

bedrock of Cretaceous, Pennsylvanian, and 

Mississippian-Cambrian age. For the purposes of this 

investigation, the bedrock underlying the study area 

has been divided into five hydrogeologic units 

(table 1) Cretaceous confining unit, the Dakota aquifer, the Paleozoic confining unit, the Lower Paleozoic 

aquifer system, and the Precambrian confining unit.

Cretaceous Confining Unit

The Cretaceous confining unit consists of shale 

and limestone formations that overlie the Dakota 

aquifer in some areas. These formations, in descending order, are the Carlile Shale, Greenhorn Limestone, 

and Graneros Shale. The confining unit exists only in 

parts of Dakota and Thurston Counties. The general 

distribution of these formations is shown in figure 6. 

Figure 7 illustrates the general stratigraphic relations 

of the confining unit with the underlying Dakota

Trace of section shown in figure 6 0

10 KILOMETERS

VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY EXAGGERATED 

DATUM IS SEA LEVEL

EXPLANATION

Era System

Cenozoic \ Quaternary

Mesozoic < Cretaceous

Geologic Description 

unit

r I CS | Undifferentiated Carlile Shale, 

Greenhorn Limestone, and 

Graneros Shale

L I D 1 Dakota Sandstone

f Mississippian- f I M-C | Undifferentiated limestone,

dolomite, s 

shale beds

Paleozoic \ Cambrian, undif- \ dolomite, sandstone, and 

V ferentiated V

(4)

Well or test hole Number is same as used for lithologic logs in figure 3

Figure 7. Generalized geologic section A-A showing principal bedrock geologic units in selected wells or test holes in the 

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.

14 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
Trace of section shown in figure 6 0

10 KILOMETERS

Era

VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY EXAGGERATED 

DATUM IS SEA LEVEL

EXPLANATION

System Geologic Description 

unit

Cenozoic | Quaternary | ' 

Mesozoic < Cretaceous

Undifferentiated Holocene 

and Pleistocene deposits

Dakota Sandstone

Paleozoic

Pennsylvanian P I Undifferentiated limestone, 

shale, and sandstone beds

Mississippian- j I M-C | Undifferentiated limestone,

Cambrian, undif- { dolomite, sandstone, and

Vferentiated ^ shale beds

(4)

I Well or test hole Number is same as used for lithologic logs in figure 4

Figure 8. Generalized geologic section B-B showing principal bedrock geologic units in selected wells or test holes in the 

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska.

Sandstone and the overlying unconsolidated 

Quaternary deposits.

Dakota Aquifer

The Dakota aquifer consists of the saturated 

sandstone in the Dakota Sandstone and commonly is 

used as a source of water for domestic, municipal, and

irrigation supplies in those parts of the Papio-Missouri 

River NRD where the aquifer is present (fig. 6). 

Because the Dakota Sandstone is comprised of sand, 

silt, and clay of fluvial origin, large, abrupt horizontal 

and vertical lithologic variations are common. The 

Dakota aquifer directly underlies Quaternary deposits 

in most of the study area.

Description of Study Area 15
Paleozoic Confining Unit

Most rocks that compose the Paleozoic confining unit in the Papio-Missouri River NRD are of 

Pennsylvanian age. They are generally impermeable 

shale and dense limestone. None of the formations can 

be considered a significant source of water. However, 

some domestic and stock wells in the Papio-Missouri 

River NRD may be completed in water-yielding zones 

near the top of the confining unit where secondary 

porosity has developed. The secondary porosity 

generally is the result of fracturing and enlargement of 

the fractures by solution. The northern limit of the 

confining unit, which includes all Pennsylvanian rocks 

in the study area, is approximately parallel to and a 

few miles south of the Burt-Thurston County line. 

The general relation of the Paleozoic confining unit to 

overlying and underlying formations is shown in 

figure 8.

Lower Paleozoic Aquifer System

Available data indicate that saturated Lower 

Paleozoic carbonate rocks, sandstone, and shale 

underlie the entire study area at depths ranging from 

about 500 to 2,400 feet. In this report, these saturated 

deposits are considered to be the Lower Paleozoic 

aquifer system. The only significant use of the Lower 

Paleozoic aquifer system as a source of water within 

the Papio-Missouri River NRD existed in the Omaha 

area, where wells completed in the Lower Paleozoic 

aquifer system were a common source of water for 

industrial use from about 1870 to 1970. At the present 

time, however, most water for industrial use is from 

municipal supplies obtained from surface water and 

shallow aquifers in Quaternary alluvial deposits. 

Because of the variety of methods used to complete 

wells in the Lower Paleozoic aquifer system and the 

small amount of available data, it is not possible to 

make a detailed characterization of the water-bearing 

properties of any single aquifer or confining unit in the 

Lower Paleozoic aquifer system.

Precambrian Confining Unit

Because only a few wells in the northeastern 

part of Nebraska have been drilled into Precambrian 

rocks, sufficient data are not available to describe the 

hydrogeology of the Precambrian confining unit. 

Most of the Precambrian rocks are relatively dense, 

impermeable igneous and metamorphic rocks. This

confining unit underlies all water-yielding formations 

found within the Papio-Missouri River NRD.

Land Use

Land use by type is summarized in table 2 and 

illustrated in figure 9. About 71 percent of the land in 

the Papio-Missouri River NRD is cropland. Only 

about 9 percent of this cropland is irrigated; less than 

7 percent is used as pastureland. Burt and Washington 

Counties have the largest percentage of cropland 

(81 percent), whereas Dakota County has the largest 

percentage of pastureland (13 percent). Irrigation 

exists mainly along the Missouri River Valley in the 

east and along the Platte and Elkhorn River Valleys in 

the west (fig. 9).

The number of feedlots in Nebraska and 

specifically in the Papio-Missouri River NRD, has 

declined since 1980 (Nebraska Department of 

Agriculture, 1993). The largest number of hogs 

(67,000 head) and milk and beef cattle (36,000 head) 

in the NRD in 1993 were found in Washington 

County, which also had the largest number of farms 

(780) (Nebraska Department of Agriculture, 1993). 

Feedlots can affect the quality of the local ground 

water (Freeze and Cherry, 1979) through the addition 

of nitrogen and other constituents typical of feedlot 

operations.

Major crops in the study area are corn 

(52 percent) and soybeans (36 percent), with lesser 

amounts of hay (10 percent), sorghum (1 percent), and 

wheat (1 percent) (table 3). Minor crops not listed in 

table 3 include rye, potatoes, and winter wheat. Overall, Burt County has the most acres assigned to corn 

and soybean production (only 56 percent of Burt 

County is located within the Papio-Missouri River 

NRD). The main crop-production areas are found 

along the Missouri River, with smaller amounts on the 

upland areas to the west. Land in Douglas and Sarpy 

Counties is used the least for agricultural purposes. 

The smaller amount of agriculture in these counties is 

associated mainly with urbanization.

Before development, the study area consisted 

largely of prairie, with trees covering the steeper 

slopes (Fenneman, 1938). More recently, forest land 

occurs in areas along the Missouri River in Thurston 

County, in southeastern Washington County, in northeastern Sarpy County, and along bluffs and 

escarpments (fig. 9).

Table 4 presents fertilizer-use data in the PapioMissouri River NRD. Total nitrogen purchases in 1990 

were largest in Sarpy County and smallest in Douglas

16 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
to 

o2. a § 

aCO Q.

iD)

Table 2. Summary of land-use acreage1 in the Papio-Missouri River

[acreages from Mahendra Bansall, Nebraska Natural Resources Commission, written commun.

Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1983-84

,1993]

Land-use type

Non irrigated cropland

Surface-irrigated cropland

Sprinkler-irrigated croplandNonirrigated pasturelandRangeland 

Forest land

Water

Other

Total irrigated croplandTotal cropland

Total pasturelandTotal irrigated land

Total nonirrigated landTotal land

Burt 

County

109,645

18,566

19,688

20,711

2,114 3,120

2,352

7,176

38,254

147,899

20,711

38,254

145,118

183,372

Dakota 

County

111,701

768

10,588

22,655

9,326 

5,740

1,330

8,354

11,356

123,057

22,655

11,356

159,106

170,462

Dodge 

County

496

44

4

00 

456

48

5248

544

0

48

1,052

1,100

Douglas 

County

97,328

7,720

1,272

5,688

0 

13,888

5,136

87,704

8,992

106,320

5,7209,008

209,728

218,736

Sarpy 

County

101,032

4,608

1,752

2,928

0 

16,432

5,624

26,344

6,360

107,392

2,928

6,360

152,360158,720

Thurston 

County

121,973

0

982

12,712

0 

21,881

2,634

3,850

982

122,955

12,712

982

163,050

164,032

Washington 

County

194,262

6,2084,168

8,900

i 0 

18,338

3,194

16,73610,376

204,638

8,900

10,376

241,430251,806

Total

736,437

37,914

38,454

73,594

11,440 

79,855

20,318

150,216

76,368

812,805

73,62676,384

1,071,8441,148,228

'Only 56 percent of Burt County and 61 percent of Thurston County are within the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.
42°30' -

EXPLANATION

Land use

!- '1 Nonirrigated cropland

! Irrigated cropland

V//A Pasture-rangeland

1=1 Forest land

I I Urban, other rural land, water

/Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Land-use information from:

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and 

Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture

Burt County. 1983

Dakota County. 1984

Dodge County, 1983

Douglas County, 1983

Sarpy County. 1983

Thurston County, 1984

Washington County, 1983

41

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100.000.1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°, central meridian - 96° 10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 9. Land use in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1983-84.

18 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
Table 3. Major crops planted, by county, eastern Nebraska, 19901

[data, in thousands of acres, from Nebraska Department of Agriculture, 1992]

County

Burt

Dakota

Douglas

Sarpy

Thurston

Washington

Total

Corn

116.0

54.0

50.0

46.0

80.0

91.0

437.0

Hay2

14.5

11.0

13.0

12.0

8.8

22.0

81.3

Sorghum

0.9

.5

1.1

1.1

1.3

2.2

7.1

Soybeans

99.0

36.0

28.0

34.0

44.0

68.0

309.0

Wheat

2.0

.2

.8

1.1

.1

2.1

6.3

Total3

232.4

101.7

92.9

94.2

134.2

185.3

840.7

'Only 56 percent of Burt County and 61 percent of Thurston County are included in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District. Data listed are for the entire counties. 

2Hay includes alfalfa, tame hay, and wild hay.

3Total does not include acres planted in other crops.

County. Total phosphorus and lime purchases were 

largest in Dakota and Burt Counties and smallest in 

Douglas and Sarpy Counties. These fertilizer data are 

not necessarily a direct measure of fertilizer applied, 

but they provide an approximation of fertilizer use in 

the counties in the study area.

Table 5 lists the herbicides most frequently used 

on alfalfa, corn, soybeans, and pastureland in the study 

area, and table 6 lists the insecticides most frequently 

used on alfalfa, corn, and soybeans. Insecticides 

generally are not used on pastureland. Statistics on the 

quantity of herbicides and insecticides used in the 

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District are 

not available.

Water Use

The estimated ground- and surface-water use in 

the study area for 1990 is shown in table 7 (Zachary 

Hill, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., 1993). 

The smallest amount of ground and surface water was 

used in Thurston County (3 percent of the total water 

use in the study area), and the largest amount of 

ground and surface water was used in Douglas County 

(51 percent of the total water use), the county with the 

largest population. Self-supplied irrigation used the 

most ground and surface water (27 percent of the total 

water use) followed by public-supply domestic uses 

(24 percent of the total water use). Public-supply 

water used for commercial and industrial purposes 

accounted for 21 percent of all water use. Smaller 

amounts of ground and surface water were used for 

self-supplied livestock, mining, domestic, and 

industrial purposes. Self-supplied surface water was

used mainly for mining (63 percent of self-supplied 

surface water) and irrigation (34 percent of 

self-supplied surface water).

Most surface water was used in Douglas and 

Sarpy Counties. Surface-water use is regulated by the 

Nebraska Department of Water Resources. The 

surface-water supplies mainly are obtained, directly or 

indirectly, from the Missouri and Platte Rivers. The 

City of Omaha obtains most of its drinking water from 

the Missouri River. The City of Papillion and the 

Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) obtain 

most of their drinking water from well fields along the 

Platte River. The City of Omaha also is constructing 

additional well fields near the Elkhorn and Platte 

Rivers.

Ground water was used mainly for irrigation 

and domestic purposes. Figure 10 shows the location 

of the 1,058 wells registered with the Nebraska 

Department of Water Resources, located within the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD as of 1992. The most 

intense ground-water use was in western Douglas and 

Sarpy Counties and in eastern Burt and Dakota 

Counties. Of the registered wells, about 83 percent 

were irrigation wells, 10 percent were municipal 

wells, 4 percent were industrial wells, and 4 percent 

were other wells (such as domestic wells). Most 

domestic wells are not registered.

PREVIOUS WATER-QUALITY 

INVESTIGATIONS

The general ground-water quality in Nebraska 

has been discussed by Engberg and Spalding (1979), 

Engberg (1984), the Conservation and Survey

Previous Water-Quality Investigations 19
Table 4. Fertilizer purchased, by county, eastern Nebraska, 19901

[data, in tons purchased, from Nebraska Department of Agriculture, 1992]

County

Burt

Dakota

Douglas

Sarpy

Thurston

Total

Total 

nitrogen

5,670

5,305

1,790

7,597

3,790

24,152

Total 

phosphorus 

(P205)

2,026

3,363

303

598

1,091

7,381

Phosphate

893

241

70

109

490

1,803

Potash

965

1,499

2

104

268

2,838

Total 

potassium 

(K20)

705

925

108

81

490

2,309

Lime

77

476

0

0

0

553

'Only 56 percent of Burt County and 61 percent of Ihurston County are included in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District. Data listed are for the entire counties. Data for Washington County do not exist.

Table 5. Most frequently applied herbicides by major crop in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District, eastern Nebraska

[information from James Peterson, John Wilson, Franklin Morse, Monty Stauffer, County Extension Agents of Burt, Dakota, Douglas, Sarpy, 

Thurston, and Washington Counties, oral commun., 1993; -, not used; X, used]

Herbicides 

(chemical compound) Alfalfa Corn Soybeans Pastureland

Alachlor

Acifluorfen, sodium salt

Atrazine

Benefin, benfluralin

Bentazon

Butylate

Clomazone

Cyanazine

2,4-D

Dicamba

EPIC

Fluazifop-butyl

Metolachlor

Metribuzin

Pendimethalin

Picloram

Pursuit1

Sethoxydim

Trifluralin

X

-

X

X

_.

X

-

X

X

__

X

__

X

X

-

__

-_

X -

X

~

X

-

X

-

X

-

-

~

»

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

-

X

-

~

~

~

-

X

X

~

»

~

X

~

-

^e use of brand names is for descriptive purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Division (1986), and Engberg and Druliner (1987). Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington Counties (Leonard

Statistical analyses of water quality of the major and others, 1983; Ellis, 1984; O'Connor, 1987;.

ground-water basins in Nebraska were discussed by Spalding, 1990). The USGS data base (WATSTORE)

Engberg (1973). Previous ground-water-quality contains historical ground-water-quality data collected

investigations in the study area are restricted mainly to prior to this investigation. Dissolved solids for sam20 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
Table 6. Most frequently applied insecticides by major 

crop in the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District, 

eastern Nebraska

[information from James Peterson, John Wilson, Franklin Morse, Monty 

Stauffer, County Extension Agents of Burt, Dakota, Sarpy, Thurston, and 

Washington Counties, respectively, oral commun., 1993; X, used; , not

used]

Insecticide 

(common name) Alfafa Corn Soybeans

Carbaryl, Sevin

Carbofuran

Chlorpyrifos

Malathion

Parathion

Permethrin

Phorate

Terbufos

X

X

X

X

X

X

~

--

-

X

X

~

X

X

X

X

X

--

X

"

-

X

--

-

pies collected from 13 wells completed in Paleozoic 

rocks from 1945-71 and from drill-stem test 

recoveries of an oil-test well completed in 1953 also 

are included in this report.

Concentration maps of dissolved nitrate as 

nitrogen (NC^-N) in ground water for the Fremont 

quadrangle (1x2 degree series) also have been 

published (Exner, 1980). These maps show that 

NC>3-N concentrations in ground water from the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD in 1980 generally were 

smaller than 7.6 mg/L (milligrams per liter). 

Occasionally concentrations exceeded this level.

A report on the water quality in the Platte River 

Basin evaluated the potential for ground-water pollution in the lower Platte Valley and provides information on ground-water quality with emphasis on 

NC>3-N, soluble herbicides, and distribution of uranium isotopes in surface water (Spalding, 1990). The 

report includes maps indicating the pollution potential 

for Sarpy, Washington, and part of Douglas Counties. 

Using DRASTIC, a computer program, the investigator concluded that the areas considered most vulnerable to contamination are located between the Elkhorn 

and Platte Rivers from southeast Dodge County (west 

of the study area) to the rivers' confluence in northwest Sarpy County. Another area of relatively large 

vulnerability for contamination was identified in the 

bottom land near the confluence of the Missouri and 

Platte Rivers. The study by Spalding (1990) showed 

that about 5 percent of all ground-water samples collected in the Papio-Missouri River NRD had NO3-N 

concentrations greater than the USEPA Maximum

Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 mg/L (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 199la), mainly in water 

from household wells. The areas that were thought to 

be vulnerable to contamination did not show large 

NC>3-N concentrations. Presence of atrazine and 

highly fractionated N-15 values indicated that denitrification in the saturated or unsaturated zone occurred 

in the Papio-Missouri River NRD (Spalding, 1990). 

Five samples had detectable amounts of atrazine 

[more than 0.05 |ig/L (micrograms per liter)]. Atrazine 

in ground water was found to be induced from the 

Platte River in a large well field located along the 

banks of the Platte River west of the Papio-Missouri 

River NRD boundary near Gretna (Duncan and others, 

1991; Davis, 1992). The concentration of atrazine in 

the ground water apparently was affected by time of 

year and amount of precipitation in the Platte River 

Basin.

The hydrogeology of the Dakota aquifer in 

Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington Counties was investigated by O'Connor (1987). He described the ground 

water within the Dakota aquifer as having generally 

small NO3 -N concentrations. Ground water was 

predominantly a calcium bicarbonate type, with a 

calcium sulfate type water in deeper wells located in 

Washington County. O'Connor (1987) concluded that 

concentrations of sodium, sulfate, and chloride ions in 

ground water appeared to increase toward the northwest and found that the water generally was saturated 

with respect to calcite. He found dissolved-solids concentrations generally less than 500 mg/L and suggested that recharge to the Dakota aquifer was predominantly from precipitation with some recharge 

from the underlying Lower Paleozoic aquifer system.

A regional investigation of the hydrogeology of 

the Dakota aquifer in eastern Nebraska also was done 

by Lawton and others (1984). As part of the USGS's 

Central Midwest Regional Aquifer System Analysis 

(RASA), ground-water quality data were assembled 

for the Dakota and deeper regional aquifer systems in 

the study area; Leonard and others (1983) and Ellis 

(1984) described water from the Dakota aquifer as a 

calcium bicarbonate type, with dissolved-solids concentrations generally less than 1,000 mg/L.

Water-quality data, such as specific conductance, major ions, and trace elements including 

uranium and thorium, were collected under the 

National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) 

project (U.S. Department of Energy, 1981). The 

NURE study indicated that the largest uranium conPrevious Water-Quality Investigations 21
Table 7. Estimated major water use for public and self supply in and around the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

Nebraska, 1990

Reconnaissance ofGround-Water Quality inthePapio-Missouri RiveNatural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July

Through September 1992

[water-use data from Zachary Hill, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., 1993; population data from U.S. Department of Commerce, 1991; water deliveries by 

gallons per day; GW, ground water; SW, surface water]

Public-supply water use by county

County

Burt 1 

Dakota 

Douglas 

Sarpy 

Thurston 1 

Washington 

Total

Commercial Domestic

0.21 0.51 

.31 1.41 

23.56 34.91 

1.23 4.5 

.10 .34 

.32 .95

25.73 42.62

Self-supply water use by count

Irrigation

Industrial

0.07 

.16 

9.20 

.74 

.06 

.10

10.33

Total GW

0.79 17.36 

1.88 5.09 

67.67 6.88 

6.47 3.95 

.50 2.98 

1.37 6.53

78.68 42.79

SW Total

1.98 19.34 

.10 5.19 

.09 6.97 

.24 4.19 

.55 3.53 

2.20 8.73

5.16 47.95

Livest

GW SW

0.92 0.11 

.31 .05 

.40 .07 

1.11 .1

.68 ' .0

.87 .1

4.29 .5

Self-supply water use by county Continued

County

Burt1 

Dakota 

Douglas 

Sarpy 

Thurston 1 

Washington

Total 1

Mining

GW SW Total

00 0 

00 0 

0 5.55 5.55 

0 4.02 4.02 

00 0 

0 .13 .13

0 9.70 9.70

GW

0.26 

.23 

6.90 

4.78 

.38 

.73

13.28

Domestic

SW Total GW

0 0.26 0 

0 .23 2.51 

0 6.90 1.28 

0 4.78 16.44 

0 .38 0 

0 .73 .01

0 13.28 20.24

Industrial

SW Total

0 0 

0 2.51 

0 1.28 

0 16.44 

0 0 

0 .01

0 20.24

Total self supplied

GW SW T

18.54 2.09 20.

8.14 .15 8.

15.46 5.71 21.

26.28 4.36 30.

4.04 .64 4.

8.14 2.43 10.

80.60 15.38 95.

1 Water-use data for Burton and Thurston Counties reflect water use for the entire county, not just the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District.
42°30

EXPLANATION 

 Registered well

. 1.

; WASHINGTON ITS 

' . 'CO. V

X

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Believue

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000, 1985 0 5

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°, central meridian -96°

20 MILES

| - 1 p | 

0 5 10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 10. Location of wells registered with the Nebraska Department of Water Resources in the Papio-Missouri River 

Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1992.

Previous Water-Quality Investigations 23
centrations are associated with surficial Quaternary 

alluvial and glacial deposits.

Additional water-quality data such as nitrogen, 

herbicides, trace elements, and volatile organic compounds, have been collected from municipal water 

supplies by the Nebraska Department of Health (Scott 

Peterson, Nebraska Department of Health, written 

commun., 1992). Volatile organic compounds detected 

in municipal water supplies within the study area 

include bromodichloromethane, bromoform, carbon 

tetrachloride, chloroform, chloromethane, dibromochloromethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, and 

1,2,4-trimethylbenzene.

Schuett (1964) and Barnes and Bentall (1968) 

described the water-mineral relations of Quaternary 

fill deposits in the Platte Valley. Schuett (1964) 

focused on carbonate and partial pressure of carbon

dioxide (Prn Vdissolved oxygen and ground-water

I LU2J

sulfate-ion relations. He suggested that a hydraulic 

connection with the overlying Quaternary deposits 

exists and that the ground-water quality is a result of 

mixing of ground, surface, and rain water. In addition, 

Engberg (1973) discussed the presence of selenium in 

the ground water of Nebraska.

Pipes (1987) studied the hydrogeology of the 

aquifers in Paleozoic rocks in the southern part of the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD. Pipes suggested that the 

water quality of these aquifers in Douglas, Sarpy, and 

Washington Counties is suitable for most uses with the 

exception of water from the Mississippian rocks, and 

that water from these aquifers is generally a sodium 

sulfate and sometimes a sodium bicarbonate type.

SAMPLE COLLECTION AND 

LABORATORY PROCEDURES

This section presents an overview of wellselection procedures used in this investigation, standard USGS procedures for ground-water sampling and 

laboratory analyses, and generally describes standard 

and project-specific quality-assurance measures.

Well Selection

Sixty-one wells were selected for sampling to 

describe the ground-water quality of the principal 

aquifers in the study area (fig. 11). The wells were 

selected on the basis of their areal distribution, completion zones in the principal aquifers, and availability

for sampling. Ground water from the following five 

aquifers was collected:

(1) Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer,

(2) Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer,

(3) Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer,

(4) upland area alluvial aquifers, and

(5) Dakota aquifer.

Because of the lack of information about wells 

completed in the upper and lower part of the Paleozoic 

confining unit and because the unit is not a significant 

source of ground water, no water samples were collected from the Paleozoic rocks for chemical analysis 

as part of this study.

It has been a common well-drilling practice to 

complete wells in both the surficial deposits and the 

Dakota aquifer when an adequate supply of water cannot be obtained from the surficial deposits alone. 

Therefore water samples were collected from wells 

screened only in a surficial aquifer or the Dakota 

aquifer.

A stratified (by aquifer) random approach was 

used to select 100 primary wells, 100 alternate wells, 

and a subset (42 wells) of the 100 primary wells completed in the primary aquifers for water-quality sampling. From each aquifer, an equal number of wells 

(20) was selected (when enough wells were present), 

and a subset of these was selected for more detailed 

water-quality analyses. From the available pool of 

registered wells, all wells completed in the Dakota 

aquifer were identified. The remaining wells were 

divided into four groups, completed in the four alluvial 

aquifers, on the basis of their location (fig. 5). Primary 

wells located in the same township and range were 

avoided, when possible, unless completed in different 

aquifers or if less than 20 wells were completed in the 

aquifer of interest at different township and range 

locations.

Because of wet-weather conditions that limited 

the number of active irrigation wells in the study area 

during the summer of 1992, numerous deviations in 

the sampling scheme were necessary. These changes 

included sampling a smaller number of wells and 

wells other than those previously selected. The number of wells sampled was reduced from 100, as originally planned, to 61. Forty-two of the 61 wells were 

selected for more detailed analyses using the wellselection approach just described. A listing of the 

number of wells sampled in each aquifer is given in 

table 8. Of the 61 wells from which water samples 

were collected, 25 were irrigation wells, 22 were

24 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
South

U1

EXPLANATION

Well Letter indicates aquifer in which well

is completed:

E, Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer 

M, Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer 

P, Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer 

U, upland area alluvial aquifers 

D, Dakota aquifer

Number is sequence number used

in tables 9 and 10

'.DAKOTA CO. Ml./ o/' Dakota * 

yHubbard Cify M2

BURT 5

CO. IS.

D5 N

\ WASHINGTON \ a 

ICO.

Fort

Calhoun

rjington \ U6. c M9 

U7 U8. |S

LANCASTER

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000,1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°, central meridian - 96°

0 10 

i

15 

i

20 MILES

0 5 10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 11. Locations of sampled wells in the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through 

September 1992.

Sample Collection and Laboratory Procedures 25
Table 8. Number of wells sampled, by aquifer

Dissolved nitrate as 

nitrogen, triazine

herbicide

enzyme-analyses,

and field

Constituents

Aquifer measurements

Major ions,

metals, trace elements,

and radionuclide

analyses2

Quantitative triazine

and acetanilide 

herbicide analyses3

Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer

Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer

Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer

Upland area alluvial aquifers

Dakota aquifer

Total

12

13

10

13

13

61

9

10

8

6

9

42

8

2

7

2

1

20

Specific number of wells with well depth and dissolved-oxygen data are listed in tables 11 through 16.

2Specific number of wells with alkalinity, dissolved-solids, percent sodium, potassium, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, arsenic, boron, silver, 

radon-222, and uranium activity ratio data are listed in tables 11 through 16.

3Specific number of wells with cyanazine, deisopropylatrazine, deethylatrazine, prometon, prometryn, and simazine data are listed in tables 

11 through 16.

municipal wells, 8 were domestic wells, and 6 were 

industrial wells (table 9 at end of the report).

Water-Quality Sampling

Water samples from the 61 wells were collected 

from July through September 1992 (fig. 11 and 

table 9). Onsite observations included well integrity, 

potential point sources of contamination, prevalent 

land use, and determination of land-surface altitudes at 

each sampling site. The altitudes (land-surface datum) 

for all well sites were determined from USGS 7.5- 

minute topographic maps (scale 1:24,000) with 5- or 

10-foot contour intervals. Apparent potential point 

sources of contamination, such as septic tanks, feedlots, and other industrial activities, within a 1-mile 

radius of the sample location were noted on the fielddata sheets to aid in the interpretation of anomalous 

water chemistry.

Water was collected from each well as close to 

the wellhead as possible. By using a flow-through 

chamber, specific conductance, pH, water temperature, 

and dissolved oxygen (when possible) were measured 

onsite at 5-minute intervals. A water sample was collected after the field measurements indicated that 

water-quality properties had stabilized (after pumping 

the well for more than 15 minutes). The properties 

were considered stable on the basis of three tolerances: 

specific conductance within 5 percent; pH within 0.1 

standard units; and water temperature within 0.2 °C.

These procedures ensured that water collected for 

analyses were representative of the aquifer surrounding the well screen.

A water sample from each of the wells was 

filtered through a 0.45-micrometer membrane filter 

immediately, preserved, and kept chilled at 4 °C for 

analyses of dissolved nitrate (NO3) plus nitrite (NO2). 

At each site, an additional water sample was collected 

in an amber-glass bottle and chilled for triazine 

herbicide analysis. Additional water samples were 

collected for detailed chemical analyses of the ground 

water. A water sample for radon-222 analysis was 

obtained using a syringe method. All water samples 

were filtered and preserved onsite as described in Pritt 

and Jones (1989). A list of chemical constituents is 

given in tables 9 and 10.

Laboratory Procedures

Analyses for dissolved NC>2 plus N(>3 as N, 

major ions, and trace elements were performed at the 

USGS National Water Quality Laboratory in Arvada, 

Colorado, in accordance with the standard methods 

described by Fishman and Friedman (1989). 

Dissolved-solids concentration in water was determined mathematically by totalling the concentrations 

of individual constituents of major ions and is referred 

to as dissolved solids. Analyses for alpha and beta

T^f^ radioactivity and radium-226 (Ra ) were completed 

in accordance with USEPA methods 900.0 and 903.1.

26 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
The analyses for radon-222 (Rn222) were done by 

scintillation (Whittaker and others, 1989). The concentrations of dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, considered 

to be mainly nitrate in ground water and reported as 

nitrogen (N), are referred to as such in the tables 9 

through 17 included at the end of the report and are 

referred to as NO3-N or nitrate in the remainder of this 

report. Analyses for uranium (U) concentrations and 

isotopic ratios of uranium-234 to uranium-238 

(234U:238U) were performed at the USGS laboratory 

in Reston, Virginia, using an isotope-dilution method 

(Thatcherand others, 1977).

Concentrations of herbicides were determined 

using a two-tiered approach to decrease analytical 

cost. Total triazine herbicide content was estimated 

qualitatively using an enzyme-assay test and a 

differential photometer. If a water sample contained 

more than 0.10 jug/L triazine compounds according to 

the enzyme-assay test, the sample was sent to the 

USGS National Water Quality Laboratory for quantitative analysis of triazine and other acetanilide herbicides using solid-phase extraction and GC/MS (gas 

chromatography/mass spectrometry). Twenty water 

samples were analyzed,for triazine and other acetanilide herbicides at the laboratory (table 9). The 

quantitative herbicide analyses included the compounds: alachlor, ametryn, atrazine, cyanazine, deisopropylatrazine and deethylatrazine (degradation products of atrazine), metolachlor, metribuzin, prometon, 

prometryn, propazine, and simazine.

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

The possibility of contamination of the waterquality samples, including bottles and preservatives, 

was evaluated through quality-control measures in the 

field and in the laboratory. The quality-assurance program at the laboratory includes participation in the 

USGS and USEPA interlaboratory evaluations and 

submission of blind, standard-reference water samples 

(Friedman and Fishman, 1982; Jones, 1987). In addition, cation-anion balances were calculated for each 

complete analysis to ensure internally consistent data. 

The cation-anion balances were within 10 percent for 

all samples.

More than 20 percent of all enzyme-assay tests 

were repeated on another aliquot of water sample as a 

measure of the test's reproducibility. The reproducibility was more than 90 percent. In addition, one blank 

was sent to the laboratory for analysis of triazine and

other acetanilide herbicides to test for contamination 

during the sample collection and analysis process 

(table 9). Also, one blank and three duplicates were 

analyzed for all nonherbicide constituents. All blanksample analytical results (table 9) were below the 

detection level for herbicides and below or near the 

detection level for all nonherbicide constituents. 

Duplicate samples showed a small percentage difference in results. In the laboratory, quality control and 

quality assurance for the GC/MS analyses included 

use of standard matrix spikes, blanks, and internal 

blanks.

DATA-ANALYSIS PROCEDURES

This section generally describes the statistical 

procedures used in this report. Statistical analyses of 

water-quality data are useful in identifying potential 

environmental water-quality problems. Statistical 

analysis could indicate variations, among and within 

the aquifers, in geology, mineralogy, hydrology, and 

the effect of point and nonpoint sources of contamination. The data were grouped for the Wilcoxon 

Rank-Sum test (Helsel and Hirsch, 1992) to illustrate 

water-quality patterns in terms of the aquifers, geographic regions, and land use. In addition to the statistical analyses, three maps are included in this report 

that illustrate the spatial distribution and regional variations of selected constituents.

The Shapiro-Wilk test (Helsel and Hirsch, 1992) 

rejected (alpha = 0.05) the hypothesis of normality for 

all water-quality variables of interest to this study 

except for barium and the ratio of uranium 234:238. 

Therefore, nonparametric statistical analyses, which 

generally are not sensitive to outlying values and 

require less stringent assumptions, were used for data 

analyses. Nonparametric hypothesis tests on ranks 

were used to determine whether differences in medians between aquifers could be explained by random 

variability alone. The tests involved the formulation 

of null and alternate hypotheses, where the null hypothesis was that the populations were identical.

The Spearman rank correlation (Helsel and 

Hirsch, 1992), a nonparametric correlation procedure 

that involves ranks of data rather than the actual data 

values, was used to identify the degree of association 

among water-quality constituents in all aquifers. By 

using an alpha level of 0.001, the significance level, 

Spearman correlation coefficients (r) larger than 0.53 

and smaller than -0.53 for a sample size of 35 and

Data-Analysis Procedures 27
larger than 0.41 and smaller than -0.41 for a sample 

size of 59 were considered significantly correlated.

The large-sample-approximation KruskalWallis test (Helsel and Hirsch, 1992) was used to 

determine whether differences existed between the 

water-quality variables in this study. The probability 

that represents the attained significance level (p value) 

is presented in the first column of table 17 at the end of 

the report. If the p value is smaller than or equal to a 

selected alpha value, the null hypothesis is rejected; 

hence, the distribution of concentrations was not the 

same in all aquifers. An alpha level of 0.05 for data 

interpretation is used in this report, except when 

otherwise noted.

Multiple-comparison procedures are used to 

compare all possible combinations of group medians, 

ranking the medians in order and indicating which are 

similar to or different from others. They are used only 

after the null hypothesis of distributions of concentrations of the Kruskal-Wallis test has been rejected. 

Thus, to determine which aquifers had differences in 

water-quality concentrations and to ensure unbiased 

selection of groups of aquifers for further testing, the 

nonparametric Tukey's test (Helsel and Hirsch, 1992), 

a multiple-comparison procedure, was used (table 18 

at the end of the report).

Because Tbkey's test considers data from all 

aquifers and groups these data without recognition of 

actual differences in hydrogeological conditions, the 

Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test was performed on data 

collected from groups of aquifers on the basis of 

Tukey's test and known geohydrologic differences 

between the aquifers (last four columns in table 17).

Other analyses included in this report are statistical summaries and boxplots. The boxplots are used 

to summarize graphically the variability of the constituents by aquifer. Skewness of the nonparametric data 

observed in the boxplots illustrates the asymmetric 

distribution of the data around a mean or median. 

Outliers, values located outside the boxes and 

whiskers of the boxplots, can be significant indicators 

of water quality because they could reflect unusual 

hydrologic conditions. A simple substitution method 

was used to include censored data, also called "less 

than," in the statistical analyses. All values less than 

the detection level were considered to be zero for the 

statistical summaries and boxplot illustrations. A 

computerized geographic information system was 

used to aid in the interpretation of the data and to 

display the spatial distributions of the data.

GROUND-WATER QUALITY

This section addresses the water quality 

(including selected nutrients, herbicides, major ions, 

metals, trace elements, and radionuclide activity or 

concentration) of principal aquifers used in the study 

area. The discussion focuses on the areal and vertical 

differences in water quality and describes suitability of 

use for drinking water and irrigation. To a limited 

extent the discussion also relates chemistry of the 

water to the minerals and organic material present in 

the soil and unsaturated and saturated deposits.

All water-quality data are reported in tables 9 

and 10 at the end of the report. A statistical summary 

of the data by aquifer, using all parameters except 

ametryn, prometryn, and propazine data (analytes not 

detected in the water samples), is given in tables 11 

through 16 (at the end of the report). Maximum 

Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and Secondary 

Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) established 

by the USEPA also are included in tables 11 through 

16. The water-quality data collected as part of this 

investigation are contained in the US OS's National 

Water Information System (NWIS) and WATSTORE 

data bases.

Nitrate and Selected Herbicides

Nitrate

Part of the purpose of the reconnaissance study 

was to evaluate the effects of cropland application of 

nitrogen and herbicides on the water quality within the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD. NO3-N, an anion prone to 

leaching, commonly is used as an indicator of groundwater contamination in areas of intensive agriculture 

because nitrogen fertilizer commonly is applied on 

agricultural land to enhance crop production. In addition, nitrogen fertilizer is used in urban areas on lawns 

and golf courses. Natural sources of NO3-N are soil, 

organic nitrogen, animal and human wastes, roots, and 

plant residues. NO3-N concentrations in water are 

affected by the reducing-oxidizing conditions existing 

in the aquifer. Under reducing conditions, denitrification could occur. Occurrences of denitrifying conditions have been suggested by Gormly and Spalding 

(1979) and Tanner and Steele (1991) in ground water 

along the Missouri River and by Spalding (1990) in 

ground water along the Elkhorn and Platte Rivers and 

the bottom lands between the Platte and Elkhorn 

Rivers in Douglas County. Spalding (1990) suggested

28 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
that the presence of a large percentage of clay and 

carbon content indicated that denitrification, at least 

partially, affects the fate of nitrogen in the unsaturated 

zone even in areas with a shallow aquifer system. The 

presence of small dissolved-oxygen concentrations 

(less than 2 mg/L) in ground water of the Elkhorn, 

Missouri, and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers (see 

section on "pH and dissolved oxygen") indicates that 

the conditions in the aquifer are favorable for 

denitrification.

The NO3 -N concentrations in this study varied 

from less than the detection level (0.05 mg/L) to 30 

mg/L, with a median of 0.07 mg/L (table 11). The 

areal distribution of NO3-N concentrations is illustrated in figure 12. Boxplots of the NO3-N concentration distributions and well-depth distributions by 

aquifer are shown in figure 13. The summary statistics 

of NO3-N concentrations for each aquifer and 

respective well depths are given in tables 11 through 

16.

In general, NO3 -N concentrations in water 

sampled during this study were small. However, larger 

NO3 -N concentrations sometimes are found in shallow 

domestic wells (Conservation and Survey Division, 

1986). Thirty-nine percent of the NO3 -N concentrations were less than the detection level of 

0.05 mg/L. The smallest median NO3-N concentration 

was in the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer 

(median concentration, less than 0.05 mg/L; maximum 

concentration, 1.4 mg/L). The Elkhorn River Valley 

alluvial aquifer (median NO3-N concentration, 0.12 

mg/L; maximum concentration, 1.9 mg/L) and the 

Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer (median NO3-N 

concentration, 0.14 mg/L; maximum concentration, 

1.5 mg/L) also had relatively small NO3-N concentrations. Larger NO3 -N concentrations were detected in 

the upland area alluvial aquifers (median concentration, 0.20 mg/L; maximum concentration, 30 mg/L) 

and in the Dakota aquifer (median concentration, 

0.80 mg/L; maximum concentration, 6.4 mg/L), even 

though they had the largest median well depths, 

144 feet and 238 feet, respectively (tables 15 and 16). 

Significant differences in NO3-N concentrations 

among the principal aquifers of the study area do not 

exist as determined by the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Ground water containing small NO3-N concentrations also exhibited small dissolved-oxygen concentrations (less than 2 mg/L). This indicates that 

denitrification conditions could exist in some parts of 

aquifers. Pollution-potential maps (Spalding, 1990)

indicate a large potential for nonpoint-source contamination near the confluence of the Platte and Missouri 

Rivers, along the western edge of Douglas and Sarpy 

Counties, and in southwestern and northeastern 

Washington County and a moderate potential for 

contamination along Papillion Creek, Bell Creek, and 

the Missouri River. These pollution-potential maps do 

not account for reducing-oxidizing and other chemical 

conditions in saturated and unsaturated sediment 

profiles.

The water-quality results of this reconnaissance 

study indicate that areas where large contamination 

potentials have been identified do not coincide with 

areas having large or moderate NO3-N concentrations 

in ground water, a finding similar to that of Spalding 

(1990). Wells with water containing NO3 -N greater 

than 5 mg/L were located in areas of irrigated cropland 

on or near the upland areas. These areas were identified as moderately to slightly susceptible to NO3 -N 

contamination because they are found in areas with 

soil-permeability values generally as large as 2 inches 

per hour.

A positive correlation exists between NO3-N 

and uranium (r=0.57, N=35 samples). In contrast, a 

negative correlation exists between NO3-N and sulfate 

(r=-0.66, N=35 samples). These correlations could be 

associated with sediment and water interactions, local 

reducing-oxidizing conditions, agricultural practices 

such as addition of fertilizers, or could be coincidental.

The USEPA MCL of 10 mg/L for NO3-N 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 199la) was 

exceeded in water obtained from wells U5 (17 mg/L) 

and Ull (30 mg/L), both irrigation wells completed in 

the upland area alluvial aquifers. Water from well U9, 

a domestic well, had a NO3-N concentration of 

9.90 mg/L. These three wells vary from a depth of 

56 (well U9) to 198 feet (well Ull). The relatively 

large NO3-N concentration in water from well Ull 

could indicate leakage of nitrogen species into the well 

because of failing well construction or could reflect 

nonpoint- or point-source contamination in the area 

(table 9).

Selected Triazine and Acetanilide Herbicides

Enzyme-assay testing for triazine and acetanilide herbicides and degradation products (61 water 

samples) resulted in detections in water samples from 

22 wells. Follow-up quantitative analyses for the herbicides and degradation products resulted in herbicide 

detections in water from 16 wells (6 irrigation,

Ground-Water Quality 29
42°30' -

, South 

I Sioux 

fCHy

EXPLANATION

Nitrate concentration, 

in milligrams per liter

 Less than 5.0

 5.0 to 10.0 

Greater than 10.0

, i? , . 1 \l \

L^N. "S Kcnnard \ 

\ \ \ Ns« >

=^=4§!f^r<^S*

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Bellevue

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100.000,1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°, central meridian - 96°

0 20 MILES

0 5 10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 12. Dissolved-nitrate concentrations in ground water in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern 

Nebraska, July through September 1992.

30 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
=

en

2- 3 

II

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9 municipal, and 1 industrial well) (fig. 14 and table 

9). These were:

One alachlor detection, with a concentration of 

0.05 u.g/L;

Thirteen atrazine detections, with a maximum 

concentration of 1.8 |lg/L;

Five cyanazine detections, with a maximum 

concentration of 1.0 H-g/L;

Six deisopropylatrazine detections, with a 

maximum concentration of 0.29 |ig/L;

Nine deethylatrazine detections, with a 

maximum concentration of 0.26 u,g/L;

Six metolachlor detections, with-a maximum 

concentration of 0.24 fig/L;

One metribuzin detection, with a concentration 

of0.07ug/L;

Six prometon detections, with a maximum 

concentration of 0.44 |lg/L; and

Two simazine detections, with a maximum 

concentration of 0.07 |lg/L.

Summary statistics of all herbicides detected in 

at least one sample are listed in table 11. The minimum and median concentrations of all herbicides, 

except atrazine (median concentration is 0.14 |lg/L), 

were less than the detection levels. All detections were 

less than the USEPA proposed MCLs of 2.0 u,g/L for 

alachlor, 3.0 p,g/L for atrazine, and 4.0 p,g/L for simazine (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991a). 

The USEPA has not established MCLs for the 

remainder of the herbicides detected.

Herbicide detections were restricted to wells 

less than 100 feet deep, except well P10 with a depth 

of 126 feet, well M7 with a depth of 168 feet, and well 

Ull with a depth of 198 feet. Detections of herbicides 

appear to be restricted mainly to the Elkhorn and 

Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers, especially in 

wells near the river. In addition, prometon was 

detected in water from two wells (M6 and M7) completed in the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer 

and in water from one well (Ull) completed in the 

upland area alluvial aquifers (table 9).

Herbicide concentrations detected in well water 

along the banks of the Platte River indicate that, at 

least locally, the Platte River could act as a line source 

of herbicides in areas where the hydraulic gradient 

favors loss of surface water to ground water in areas 

with extensive ground-water withdrawals near the well 

fields of the Omaha MUD and the City of Papillion. 

The areas where the Elkhorn and Platte River Valley 

alluvial aquifers are found are described as vulnerable

to contamination by Spalding (1990). Information on 

actual herbicide inputs to the surface- and groundwater system would be important in helping to assess 

the potential for future herbicide contamination in 

these areas of the Papio-Missouri River NRD.

Detections of herbicides in water typically were 

not associated with occurrences of large NO3-N concentrations in water from the same wells. This could 

be related to denitrification, which could have affected 

the NO3-N concentrations in water samples from the 

Elkhorn and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers but 

not the concentrations of the herbicides. Therefore, in 

this study area, the presence and concentration of 

herbicides especially atrazine, its degradation products, metolachlor, and prometon could be a better 

indication of the presence and extent of nonpointsource contamination than concentrations of NO3-N.

In water samples from wells having detections 

of atrazine and its degradation products, the concentrations of atrazine generally were the largest with 

intermediate deethylatrazine concentrations and small 

deisopropylatrazine concentrations. Both degradation 

products of atrazine are microbially mediated. The 

larger number of detections and the larger concentrations of deethylatrazine as compared to deisopropylatrazine are related to the relative stability of these 

degradation products under aqueous conditions.

Properties, Dissolved Solids, Major Ions, and 

Water Types

Specific Conductance and Dissolved Solids

Specific conductance of samples from all 

aquifers varied from 417 to 1,800 u,S/cm (microsiemens per centimeter at 25 °C) (table 11), with a 

median of 710 u,S/cm. Dissolved-solids concentration 

varied from 278 to 1,240 mg/L, with a median of 

416 mg/L (table 11). Dissolved-solids concentration is 

a summation of concentrations of all constituents 

dissolved in water and is positively correlated with 

specific conductance (r=0.94) (fig. 15). Increased 

dissolved-solids concentration can arise from 

(1) mineral dissolution through increased leaching in 

irrigated areas, (2) dissolution of minerals in sediment 

and rocks that make up the aquifer, or (3) other 

unknown sources. Large specific conductance and 

dissolved-solids concentrations frequently were found 

in water from wells completed in the Missouri River

32 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
South 

k Sioux 

'City

EXPLANATION

Well Herbicides not detected 

Well Herbicides detected

DAKOTA CO.

Dakota 

Hubbard

THURSTON \

CO. o \Winncbago

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Bellevue

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000.1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°, central meridian - 96°

10 

I

20 MILES i

T

10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 14. Location of sampled wells and wells with ground water containing detectable concentrations of alachlor, atrazine, 

cyanazine, deisopropylatrazine, deethylatrazine, metolachlor, metribuzin, prometon, or simazine, in the Papio-Missouri River 

Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992.

Ground-Water Quality 33
A|np

qBnojqj.

CONCENTRATION, DISSOLVED-SOLIDS 

LITER PER MILLIGRAMS IN 

MICROSIEMENS IN CONDUCTANCE, SPECIFIC 

CELSIUS DEGREES 25 AT CENTIMETER PER 

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Valley alluvial aquifer and the Dakota aquifer 

(tables 13 and 16).

Specific conductance and dissolved-solids concentrations were positively correlated with alkalinity 

(r=0.63 and ^=0.71), calcium (r=0.88 and r=0.83), 

magnesium (r=0.82 and r=0.79), and sulfate (r=0.54 

and ^=0.59) concentrations. Water from the Elkhorn 

and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers (data combined) had significantly different median values of 

specific conductance (less than /?=0.0001) and 

dissolved-solids concentration (p=0.0014) compared 

to water from the other principal aquifers (table 17). 

Water from the Missouri River Valley alluvial-aquifer 

also had significant different median values of specific 

conductance (p=0.0001) and dissolved-solids concentrations (p=0.0029) compared to water in the other 

principal aquifers.

Water from a total of 10 wells completed in the 

Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer (Ml, M2, M9, 

Mil, and Ml2), the upland area alluvial aquifers (U5), 

and the Dakota aquifer (Dl, D2, D3, and D8), 

exceeded the SMCL of 500 mg/L for dissolved-solids 

concentration (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

1991d) (table 10). Water with dissolved-solids concentration greater than 1,000 mg/L (wells Dl, D2, and 

D3) can adversely affect crops (Hem, 1985). These 

wells, located in Dakota and Thurston Counties, are 

completed in the Dakota aquifer in locations where 

this aquifer is thought to be hydraulically isolated 

from the Missouri River Valley or upland area alluvial 

aquifers based on well-log information. Also, water 

from these three wells had relatively larger calcium, 

chloride, iron, lithium, manganese, and strontium 

concentrations than water samples from the other 

principal aquifers.

pH and Dissolved Oxygen

pH in water from the principal aquifers varied 

from 6.3 to 7.9, with a median of 7.1 (table 11) 

(fig. 16). pH is an indication of the acidity of the water. 

Ground water with a pH from 6.5 to 7.8 is considered 

neutral (Hem, 1985). Water collected from municipal 

well P7 had an alkaline pH (pH = 7.9), and water 

collected from irrigation well E3 had an acidic pH 

(pH = 6.3) (table 9). One exceedance of the USEPA 

SMCL for pH of 6.5-8.5 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 199Id) was detected in water from well 

E3.

Water from the Elkhorn and Platte River Valley 

alluvial aquifers had significantly different median

field pH values (p=0.0067) than water from other 

aquifers (table 17). The smallest median pH was in 

water from the Dakota aquifer (pH=7.0) (table 16). A 

negative correlation of pH exists with calcium and 

magnesium (r=-0.58 and r=-0.54, respectively).

Dissolved-oxygen concentrations varied from 

0.1 to 8.9 mg/L, with a median of 2.4 mg/L (table 11) 

(fig. 16). The smallest median dissolved-oxygen concentration was measured in water from the Missouri 

River Valley alluvial aquifer (0.2 mg/L) (table 13). 

The largest median dissolved-oxygen concentration 

was measured in water from the Dakota aquifer 

(4.0 mg/L) (table 16).

Dissolved oxygen was negatively correlated 

with sodium (r=-0.53, N=35 samples), sulfate 

(r=-0.73, N=35 samples), and positively with NC^-N 

(r=0.51, N=39 samples). Thus, water with small 

dissolved-oxygen concentrations generally had small 

NC>3-N but large sulfate concentrations. Sulfate can 

form hydrogen sulfide gas under extreme reducing 

conditions. Apparently, extreme reducing conditions 

are not present in the aquifers studied.

Major Ions and Water Types

General Statistical Results

General statistical analyses, such as Spearman 

rank correlations, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Tukey's 

multiple-comparison test, provide information about 

the relations among water-quality variables and about 

water-quality differences among the aquifers. Significant positive relations (N=35 samples) among the 

major ions were found for hardness, alkalinity, and 

magnesium with calcium (r=0.98, n=0.75, and r=0.86, 

respectively); alkalinity and hardness with magnesium 

(r=0.84 and r=0.93, respectively); sodium-adsorption 

ratio, potassium, sulfate, and chloride with sodium 

(r=0.94, r=0.58, ^=0.74, and r=-0.54, respectively); 

sodium-adsorption ratio, sulfate, and chloride with 

potassium (r=0.60, r=0.60, r=0.66 respectively); 

hardness with alkalinity (r= 0.81); sulfate with chloride (r=0.56); and sodium-adsorption ratio with sulfate 

(r=0.58). Constituents with negative correlations were 

percent sodium with calcium (r= -0.56) and NC^-N 

with sulfate (r= -0.66).

Significant positive and negative correlations 

among major ions result from interactions between 

solid and liquid phases in saturated and unsaturated 

media (Hem, 1985). The relation between the chemistry of liquid (water) and solid (geologic media)

Ground-Water Quality 35
poo qin

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Reconnaissance ofGround-Water Quality inthePapio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Neb

Through September 1992

12 13 TlO 13 X 13

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EXPLANATIO

12 Number of samples

x Outlier 

t IQR - - Upper inner fence 

cr- - J i 75th percentile (Q3)

tile

ige Median (Q^ 

iR) _ _._ 25th percentile (Qi)

IQR -*- Lower inner fence

AQUIFERS

Figure 16. Distributions of field pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, hardness, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sodium

suifate, chloride, fluoride, and silica by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through 
it <n 

CONCENTRATION, CALCIUM 

LITER PER MILLIGRAMS IN 

MILLIGRAMS IN HARDNESS, TOTAL 

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sulfate, chloride, fiuoride, and silica by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July throug
66

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phases depends upon the chemical and physical conditions present. For example, the negative correlation 

between NC^-N and sulfate probably reflects the 

intensity of oxidizing or reducing conditions in the 

aquifers. Geochemical modeling, not within the scope 

of this study, would be useful to further address these 

relations.

The Kruskal-Wallis test indicates that at least 

one aquifer has different distributions of alkalinity 

(p=0.0001), dissolved solids (£=0.0093), calcium 

(p=0.0017), and magnesium (p=0.0001). Tukey's 

multiple-comparison test indicates that the upland area 

alluvial aquifers and the Dakota aquifer tend to have 

larger alkalinity than the other principal aquifers and 

that water from the Missouri River Valley and upland 

area alluvial aquifers and the Dakota aquifer tend to 

have larger dissolved-solids concentrations, calcium, 

and magnesium concentrations than the remaining 

principal aquifers. Grouping of the data and analyses 

with the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test indicates that the 

Elkhorn and Platte (smallest medians) and the 

Missouri (largest median) River Valley alluvial 

aquifers have significantly different concentrations of 

dissolved solids, calcium, and magnesium.

Summary of Water Chemistry and 

Water Types by Aquifer

Water types are used in this report to designate 

differences in the ionic composition of water of the 

principal aquifers in this study. The chemistry of the 

water changes as it moves from recharge areas through 

the ground-water-flow system and interacts with sediment. Dissolved-solids concentrations tend to increase 

with the length of the flow paths and the age of the 

water. Dissolved-solids concentrations also tend to 

increase in irrigated areas because of the effects of irrigation return flow, especially concentrations of sulfate 

and chloride (Hem, 1985). The trilinear diagrams in 

figure 17 reflect the predominant cation(s) and 

anion(s) of the principal aquifers in the study area 

(Piper, 1944). In general, water from the principal 

aquifers in the study area was a calcium bicarbonate 

type and was hard [median hardness value, 320 mg/L 

as CaCO3 (calcium carbonate)] (table 11).

The following sections describe the water 

quality by aquifer and include a summary of water 

chemistry, water types, and number of constituent 

concentrations that exceed MCLs and SMCLs. A 

summary of the constituents discussed in this section 

and number of constituent concentrations that exceed

MCLs and SMCLs are given in tables 11 through 16. 

Boxplots that show the distributions of pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, hardness, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sodium-adsorption ratio, 

potassium, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, and silica are 

given in figure 16.

Elkhorn River Valley Alluvial Aquifer

Water in the Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer was a calcium bicarbonate type (fig. 17A). Water 

collected from this aquifer had the largest median 

silica concentration (34 mg/L as SiC^) but the smallest 

median hardness value (230 mg/L as CaCC^). Water 

from both the Elkhorn and Platte River Valley alluvial 

aquifers had the largest median potassium concentrations (7.9 and 8.0 mg/L, respectively).

Water from the Elkhorn and Platte River Valley 

alluvial aquifers had similar calcium and magnesium 

chemistry as indicated by the boxplots in figure 16 and 

by multiple-comparison procedures (tables 17 and 18). 

In addition, water from the Elkhorn and Platte River 

Valley alluvial aquifers (data combined) had significantly different hardness (p=0.0001), alkalinity (less 

thanp=0.0001), dissolved solids (p=0.0014), calcium 

0=0.0003), magnesium (less than/?=0.0001), and 

silica (p=0.005) than water from the other aquifers in 

this study (table 17). The smaller concentrations of 

calcium and magnesium in the Elkhorn and Platte 

River Valley alluvial aquifers can be related to the 

sand and gravel matrix of these aquifers. These aquifers have limited amounts of calcite cement, and water 

in these aquifers has a relatively small residence time 

as compared to the other principal aquifers.

Missouri River Valley Alluvial Aquifer

As discussed by Tanner and Steele (1991), the 

Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer tends to have a 

different aqueous chemistry than other shallow aquifers in eastern Nebraska. The water from this aquifer 

generally was a calcium bicarbonate type and, locally, 

a calcium magnesium bicarbonate type (fig. 16B).

Water from the Missouri River Valley aquifer 

had the largest median hardness value (500 mg/L as 

CaCO3), alkalinity value (438 mg/L as CaCO3), and 

calcium (135 mg/L), magnesium (40 mg/L), sodium 

(32 mg/L), and sulfate (99 mg/L) concentrations. 

Water from wells Ml, M2, M9, and Ml 1 had sulfate 

concentrations greater than 100 mg/L (200, 140, 110, 

and 160 mg/L, respectively). One large chloride concentration in water from well Mil (210 mg/L) is

40 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
A. Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer B. Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer

CHLORIDE. FLUORIDE. NITRATE AS 

NITROGEN

* % % * 

CALCIUM CHLORIDE. FLUORIDE. NITRATE AS 

NITROGEN

C. Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer D. Upland area alluvial aquifers

\

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CHLORIDE. FLUORIDE, NITRATE AS 

NITROGEN

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CHLORIDE, FLUORIDE, NITRATE AS 

NITROGEN

£. Dakota aquifer

 b t>

CALCIUM CHLORIDE, FLUORIOE. NITRATE AS 

PERCENT NiTROGEN

PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL, IN MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER

Figure 17. Ionic compositions of ground water by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 

eastern Nebraska.

Ground-Water Quality 41
noteworthy. This well is an industrial well used for 

cooling. A salt and sand company is located 1,000 

feet northwest of this well.

The large calcium and, to some extent, magnesium concentrations in water from the Missouri River 

Valley alluvial aquifer could be related to the abundance of lime in many soil profiles of the AlbatonHaynie-Sarpy Association along the Missouri River or 

in the aquifer materials. Significant differences exist in 

hardness values (p=0.0005), alkalinity values 

(p=0.0001), and dissolved-solids (p=0.0029), calcium 

(p=0.0009), and magnesium (p=0.0001) concentrations as compared to the chemistry of water from the 

other aquifers (table 17).

Platte River Valley Alluvial Aquifer

As mentioned previously, the Elkhorn and Platte 

River Valley alluvial aquifers exhibited similar calcium and magnesium water chemistry. Water from the 

Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer was a calcium 

bicarbonate type (fig. 17C). Water from this aquifer 

had the largest median pH (7.5) and fluoride 

(0.40 mg/L) concentration and the smallest median 

alkalinity value (204 mg/L as CaCO3) and calcium 

(72mg/L) concentration. Alkalinity values and 

dissolved-solids, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in water from the Platte and Elkhorn River 

Valley alluvial aquifers differ significantly from the 

water of the other principal aquifers hi the area 

(table 17).

Upland Area Alluvial Aquifers

Generally, the upland area alluvial aquifers have 

a major ion chemistry similar to the water collected 

from the Dakota aquifer, except where the Dakota 

aquifer is not in hydraulic connection with the upland 

area alluvial aquifers, such as in northern Dakota 

County. The water from these aquifers was generally 

a calcium bicarbonate type (fig. 17D). Water from the 

upland area alluvial aquifers had the smallest median 

sodium-adsorption ratio (0.4), and smallest median 

concentrations of sodium (19 mg/L), potassium (3.0 

mg/L), and chloride (6.2 mg/L) as compared to the 

water from the other principal aquifers (tables 12-16). 

Statistically significant differences were not noted in 

the water quality from this aquifer as compared to the 

other principal aquifers.

Dakota Aquifer

The Dakota aquifer has a variable major ion 

chemistry. Although most samples collected from the 

Dakota aquifer contained a calcium bicarbonate type 

water, two samples (from wells D2 and D3) contained 

a calcium sulfate type water, and one sample (from 

well Dl) exhibited an intermediate chemistry 

(fig. 17E). Three samples from the Dakota aquifer 

(from wells Dl, D2, and D3) had sulfate concentrations of 470, 590, and 560 mg/L. These samples 

exceeded the USEPA SMCL for sulfate of 250 mg/L 

(table 10) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

1991d).

Water from the Dakota aquifer had the largest 

median dissolved-oxygen concentration (4.0 mg/L) 

and water temperature (13.0 °C) and the smallest 

median sulfate (27 mg/L) and silica (24 mg/L) concentrations of all aquifers sampled. Statistically significant differences were not noted in the water quality 

from this aquifer as compared to the other principal 

aquifers, except for silica (p=0.0295).

Selected Metals and Trace Elements

Metals and trace elements in ground water can 

be attributed to both natural and human sources. 

Potential natural sources of metals and trace elements 

are sediment, precipitation, and surface water. Potential human sources are acid rain, fertilizers and pesticides, and industry-related activities. Trace elements 

were not detected in many water samples (table 10). 

Boxplots showing the distribution of arsenic, barium, 

boron, iron, lithium, manganese, selenium, strontium, 

and zinc concentrations are given in figure 18.

Arsenic concentrations varied from less than 1 

to 14 u.g/L in water from all aquifers, and iron concentrations varied from less than 3 to 17,000 |ig/L, with a 

median concentration of 130 jig/L (table 11). The 

smallest arsenic concentrations were detected in water 

from the upland area alluvial and Dakota aquifers and 

varied from less than 1 to 2 Jig/L. The smallest iron 

concentrations were detected in water from the upland 

area alluvial aquifers and varied from less than 3 to 

66 u.g/L. The largest median and maximum arsenic 

and iron concentrations (5 and 14 jig/L and 6,000 and 

17,000 |ig/L) were found in water from the Missouri 

River alluvial aquifer. The Platte River Valley alluvial 

aquifer also had a median arsenic concentration of 

5 jig/L. Water from the Dakota aquifer tended to have 

small barium concentrations, and water from the

42 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
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Figure 18. Distributions of selected metals and trace elements by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eas

September 1992.
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2 Figure 18. Distributions of selected metals and trace elements by aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, e

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September 1992 Continued.
upland area alluvial aquifers tended to have small 

arsenic, iron, and manganese^ but large selenium 

concentrations (fig. 18). Water from the Missouri 

River Valley alluvial aquifer had the largest median 

concentrations of lithium (62 H-g/L) and strontium 

(1,200 jigflL).

The USEPA MCLs for arsenic (50 u.g/L), 

barium (2,000 M-g/L), beryllium (4 u.g/L), cadmium 

(5 n,g/L), chromium (100 u.g/L), nickel (100 M-g/L), 

and selenium (50 )0,g/L) (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 199la) were not exceeded. The 

USEPA SMCL of 300 ^ig/L for iron (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 199 Id) was-exceeded in 

19 of 42 samples. Exceedances of the SMCL for iron 

were found in 4 of 9 samples collected from wells 

completed in the Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer, 

in all 10 samples from wells completed in the Missouri 

River Valley alluvial aquifer, in 3 of 8 samples collected from wells completed in the Platte River Valley 

alluvial aquifer, in none of the 6 samples from the 

upland area alluvial aquifers, and in 2 of 9 samples 

collected from wells completed in the Dakota aquifer 

(tables 10,12-16).

The USEPA SMCL of 50 p,g/L for manganese 

was exceeded in 29 of 42 samples (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991d). Exceedances of 

this SMCL were found in all 9 samples collected from 

wells completed in the Elkhorn River Valley alluvial 

aquifer, all 10 samples from wells completed in the 

Missouri River Valley aquifer, 5 of 8 samples collected 

from wells completed in the Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer, 1 of 6 wells completed in the upland area 

alluvial aquifers, and 4 of 9 samples collected from 

wells completed in the Dakota aquifer (tables 10, 

12-16).

Spearman rank correlation analyses indicate a 

positive correlation among concentrations of iron, 

lithium, manganese, selenium, and strontium. NC^-N 

concentrations were correlated negatively with iron 

(r=Q.12\ lithium (/^-0.54), and manganese (r=-0.73) 

concentrations and positively correlated with selenium 

(M).81) concentrations. These relationships are to be 

expected as iron and manganese tend to be in solution 

under reducing conditions when dissolved-nitrate 

concentrations are small and selenium tends to be in 

solution under oxidizing conditions when dissolvednitrate concentrations are large.

Nonparametric analysis of the metals and trace 

elements (alpha=0.05) by aquifer with the KruskalWallis test snowed that at least one aquifer had different distributions of arsenic (p=0.0007), barium 

(p=0.0372), iron (p=0.0002), lithium (p=0.0067), 

manganese (p=0.0007), selenium (p=0.0259), and 

strontium (p=0.0067) between aquifers. Differences in 

water quality by aquifer (table 17) also were found in 

water from:

The Elkhorn and Platte River Valley alluvial 

aquifers, which had significantly different arsenic 

(p=0.0090), manganese (p=0.0285), and strontium 

(p=0.0404) concentrations than the other aquifers; 

The Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer, 

which had significantly different concentrations of arsenic (p=0.0461), iron (less than 

p=0.0001), lithium (p=0.0007), manganese 

(p=0.0239), selenium O=0.0425), and 

strontium (p=0.0007) than the other aquifers; 

The upland area alluvial aquifers, which had 

significantly different concentrations of 

arsenic (p=0.0309), iron (p=0.0225), manganese (p=0.0153), and selenium (p=0.0076) 

than the other aquifers; and 

The Dakota aquifer, which had significantly 

different concentrations of arsenic 

(p=0.0016), barium (p=0.0058), iron 

(p=0.0344), and manganese (p=0.0038) than 

the other aquifers.

Radionuclide Activity or Concentration

Radionuclides are chemical elements that 

undergo a spontaneous nuclear decay process. These 

changes produce alpha, beta, and gamma types of 

ionizing radiation. Variations in the distribution of 

radionuclides in ground water are related not only to 

the natural presence of radionuclides in sediment but 

also are affected by human factors. Human factors 

include coal, oil-and-gas, and nuclear-power combustion or production; mining; chemical fertilizer application (especially phosphates); and transport and disposal of radioactive materials. Fertilizer can be 

enriched with uranium and potassium salts 

(Meriwether and others, 1988). Radionuclide concentrations in water are determined by many factors, 

including the radionuclide concentration and distribution in the source rock; its chemical form; water chemistry such as pH, oxidation-reduction potential, and 

presence of complexing agents; microbial activity; 

half-life of the nuclide (which is the time required for 

one-half of the amount of nuclide to decay); and the 

presence of sorptive materials (Hem, 1985).

46 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
Radionuclide activity generally is expressed in 

pCi/L (picocuries per liter). One curie is defined as 

3.7 x 10 10 disintegrations per second. A picocurie is

v!2 10 curies. This study reports gross alpha (a) 

activity (alpha activity from all sources) as if it is 

thorium-230 (230Th), gross beta (p) activity (betaQn activity from all sources) as if it is strontium-90 ( Sr),

radon-222 (222Rn) activity, radium-226 (226Ra) 

activity, total uranium concentration, and the ratio of 

uranium-238 (238U) activity to uranium-234 ( U) 

activity. Summary statistics for the radionuclide data 

are given in tables 11 through 16 and illustrated in 

figure 19. Selected significant (p less than 0.001) 

Spearman correlation coefficients are listed m the text.

Significant correlations (N=35 samples) existed 

for sodium, sodium-adsorption ratio, potassium, sulfate, and chloride with gross beta activity (r=0.60, 

r=0.64, n=0.60, ^=0.61, and r=0.59, respectively), for 

uranium with gross alpha activity (r=0.72), for specific 

conductance with radium-226 (r=0.57), and for 

NO3 -N with total uranium (r=0.57). Further examination of these relations could be accomplished through 

geochemical modeling.

Gross Alpha and Beta Activities

The gross alpha activity in ground-water samples from all principal aquifers in the study area varied 

from 0.8 to 16 pCi/L as 230Th, and gross beta activity 

varied from 3.2 to 30 pCi/L as 90Sr (table 11). The 

Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test indicates that the gross alpha 

activity in water from the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer (p=0.0044) and from the Dakota aquifer 

(p=0.0480) differed significantly from that in the other 

principal aquifers and that gross beta activity in water 

from the Elkhorn and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers (p=0.0129) and the upland area alluvial aquifers 

(p=0.0097) also differed significantly from that in the 

other principal aquifers (table 17).

Water from the Dakota aquifer had the largest 

median gross alpha activity (5.7 pCi/L as 230Th) and 

the largest gross alpha activity (16 pCi/L as 230Th). 

Water from the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer 

had the smallest median gross alpha activity 

(2.7 pCi/L as 230Th). Water from the upland area 

alluvial aquifers had the smallest median gross beta 

activity (4.5 pCi/L as 90Sr). Water from the Elkhorn 

and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers had the largest 

median gross beta activities (9.9 and 9.4 pCi/L as 9 Sr, 

respectively). The largest gross beta activities were

found in water from wells D2 and D3 completed in the 

Dakota aquifer (both with 30 pCi/L as 90Sr).

Water from one well exceeded the USEPA MCL 

of 15 pCi/L for gross alpha activity (well D2 with 

16 pCi/L as 230Th) (U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 199la). These results might indicate that, in 

areas where the Dakota aquifer is not in hydraulic 

connection with the upland area alluvial aquifers, 

water from the Dakota aquifer locally could exceed 

the MCL for gross alpha activity.

Radon-222 Activity

Radon-222 is a naturally occurring, radioactive 

gas, which is a degradation product in the 

uranium-238 decay chain. Radon-222 has a half-life of 

3.8 days (Hem, 1985). The mobility of radon-222 is 

affected by physical processes. It can be adsorbed by 

organic matter and is soluble in water and organic 

liquids, but it readily degases from water into the 

atmosphere because of its small partial pressure in air.

The activities of radon-222 measured in this 

study varied from 97 to 1,200 pCi/L as 222Rn, with a 

median activity of 360 pCi/L as 222Rn (table 11, 

fig. 20). Statistically, radon-222 activities of water 

from the aquifers did not differ (table 17).

Water from 26 of 40 wells (tables 12-16) completed in all aquifers exceeded the proposed USEPA 

MCL for radon-222 of 300 pCi/L as 222Rn 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 199le). 

These exceedances included:

Six of nine wells completed in the Elkhorn 

River Valley alluvial aquifer (wells El, E6, 

E8,E9,Ell,andE12);

Three of nine wells completed in the Missouri 

River Valley alluvial aquifer (wells Ml, M2, 

andMlO);

Six of eight wells completed in the Platte River

Valley alluvial aquifer (wells PI, P3, P5, P6,

P7, and P10); 

All six wells completed in the upland area

alluvial aquifers (wells U2, U5, U8, U9,

Ull,andU13);and

Five of eight wells completed in the Dakota 

aquifer (wells D6, D8, D9, Dll, D12).

The largest radon-222 activities were found in 

water from wells U2 and U5 in the upland area alluvial aquifers (1,200 and 900 pCi/L as 222Rn) 

(table 10).

Ground-Water Quality 47
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September 1992.
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September 1992 Continued.
42"3Q' -

South 

| Sioux 

'City

EXPLANATION

250* Well Letter indicates aquifer in which well 

is completed:

E, Elkhom River Valley alluvial aquifer 

M, Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer 

P, Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer 

U, upland area alluvial aquifers 

D, Dakota aquifer

Upper number is sequence number used 

in table 10; lower number indicates 

radon-222 activity, in picocuries per liter

THURSTON \ r-Q oiWinnebago n 

 ZP »Q3 S,> 

190

Boundary of Papio-Missouri 

River Natural Resources 

District

Beltevue

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1.100.000,1985

Albers Equal Area projection

Standard parallels 29°30' and 45°, central meridian - 96°

15

I

20 MILES

10 15 20 KILOMETERS

Figure 20. Radon-222 activities in water from sampled wells in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern 

Nebraska, July through September 1992.

50 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
Radium-226 Activity SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Radium-226 and radium-228 are naturally 

occurring, radioactive isotopes. Radium-226 is of 

special concern because of its long half-life 

(1,600 years). Radium also tends to become 

concentrated in bones, in a manner similar to calcium. 

Radium tends to react similar to alkaline earth elements and can form strong complexes with carbonate 

and sulfate and weaker complexes with NC^-N and 

chloride (Hem, 1985; Agency for Toxic Substances 

and Disease Registry, 1990).

The 42 water samples analyzed for radium-226 

contained activities ranging from 0.07 to 3.9 pCi/L as 

226Ra, with a median activity of 0.46 pCi/L as 226Ra 

(table 11). The USEPA proposed MCL of 5 pCi/L for 

radium-226 was not exceeded (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 199la, 1991e). The largest activity 

of radium-226 was found in water from wells Dl, D2, 

and D3 completed in the Dakota aquifer (2.2, 3.9, and 

3.9 pCi/L as 226Ra, respectively). Radium-226 activities in the aquifers were not significantly different 

from each other (table 17).

Total Uranium Concentration and Uranium Activity 

Ratio 234:238

In the Earth's crust, uranium exists in the forms 

of uranium-238, uranium-235, and uranium-234. 

Uranium-235 is not considered herein because of its 

relative lack of abundance in natural systems. In this 

report, uranium results are presented as total uranium 

(U-238 plus U-234) in micrograms per liter and the 

ratio of the activities of the two isotopes uranium-234 

to uranium-238. The total uranium concentration in 

ground water varied from less than 0.1 to 7.7 \ig/L as 

U, with a median of 2.0 u.g/L as U (table 11). The 

uranium 234:238 activity ratios varied from 1.1 to 2.1.

The smallest median total uranium concentration by aquifer was found in water from the 

Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer (1.3 |ig/L). The 

small total uranium concentrations, especially in water 

from the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer, could 

be the result of reducing conditions in the geologic 

strata, which could cause precipitation of dissolved 

uranium, or a general lack of uranium in the geologic 

strata. Exceedances of the USEPA MCL of 20 u.g/L 

for uranium (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

199la) were not found. Statistical differences in uranium concentrations of the five aquifers were not noted.

The ground-water quality of the Papio-Missouri 

River NRD in eastern Nebraska was evaluated statistically on the basis of data collected from July through 

September 1992. Water samples were collected from 

61 selected wells completed in the Elkhorn, Missouri, 

and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers, the upland 

area alluvial aquifers, and the Dakota aquifer. Of these 

61 wells, 25 were used for irrigation, 22 for municipal, 

8 for domestic, and 6 for industrial purposes.

Thirty-nine percent of the NC^-N concentrations were less than the detection level of 0.05 mg/L. 

Small NC>3-N concentrations, especially in the alluvial 

aquifers, could be caused by denitrifying conditions in 

the aquifers, especially in the Missouri River Valley 

alluvial aquifer. The largest median NC^-N concentrations were in water from the upland area alluvial aquifers and the Dakota aquifer.

Herbicide detections were found in water samples from all principal aquifers except the Dakota 

aquifer, including alachlor (1 detection), atrazine 

(13 detections), cyanazine (5 detections), deisopropylatrazine (6 detections), deethylatrazine 

(9 detections), metolachlor (6 detections), metribuzin 

(1 detection), prometon (6 detections), and simazine 

(2 detections). These herbicide detections appear to be 

restricted mainly to water from wells completed in the 

Elkhorn and Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers. 

Herbicide concentrations in water from wells along 

the banks of the Platte River indicate that, at least 

locally, the Platte River acts as a line source of herbicides where the hydraulic gradient is from surface 

water to ground water. Consequently, the presence and 

concentrations of herbicides especially atrazine, its 

degradation products (deisopropylatrazine and deethylatrazine), metolachlor, and prometon could be a 

better indication of the presence and extent of 

nonpoint-source contamination in ground water in the 

Papio-Missouri River NRD than NC^-N concentrations. Herbicide concentrations did not exceed U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency MCL's for drinking 

water.

The results of analyses of 42 ground-water samples showed statistically that at least one aquifer had 

significant differences in the concentrations of major 

ions, metals, trace elements, and radionuclide 

constitu- ents among the principal aquifers. In general, 

the water in all principal aquifers was a calcium bicarbonate type, and the water was hard. Two samples

Summary and Conclusions 51
from the Dakota aquifer indicated a calcium sulfate 

type water.

Water from the upland area alluvial aquifers had 

a major-ion chemistry similar to the water collected 

from the Dakota aquifer in areas where there is a 

hydraulic connection between the aquifers. In areas 

where the Dakota aquifer is thought not to be in 

hydraulic connection with the overlying Missouri 

River Valley alluvial aquifer or upland area alluvial 

aquifers, the Dakota aquifer had large dissolvedsolids, calcium, sulfate, chloride, iron, lithium, manganese, and strontium concentrations.

The smallest median dissolved-oxygen concentration was found in water from the Missouri River 

Valley alluvial aquifer, which also was the aquifer with 

smallest median NO3-N concentration (less than 

0.05 mg/L as N) and the largest sulfate concentrations. 

Water with dissolved-solids concentrations greater 

than 1,000 mg/L was present in wells completed in the 

Dakota aquifer in Dakota and Thurston Counties 

where the Dakota aquifer probably is not in hydraulic 

connection with the Missouri River Valley alluvial 

aquifer or the upland area alluvial aquifers.

Water from the Elkhorn and Platte River Valley 

alluvial aquifers had similar calcium and magnesium 

concentrations. The large concentrations of calcium in 

water from the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer 

could be associated with the abundance of lime in 

many soil profiles of the Albaton-Haynie-Sarpy soil 

association along the Missouri River or in the aquifer 

materials.

Compared to the aqueous chemistry of water 

from the other aquifers, statistical analyses of metals 

and trace elements indicate that water from:

The Elkhorn and Platte River Valley alluvial 

aquifers had significantly different arsenic, 

manganese, and strontium concentrations;

The Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer had 

significantly different arsenic, iron, lithium, 

manganese, selenium, and strontium 

concentrations;

The upland area alluvial aquifers had significantly different arsenic, iron, manganese, 

and selenium concentrations; and

The Dakota aquifer had significantly different 

arsenic, barium, iron, and manganese 

concentrations.

The largest radon-222 activities were found in 

water from wells completed in the upland area alluvial aquifers, whereas the largest radium-226 activities

were found in water from three wells completed in the 

Dakota aquifer. In general, the small total uranium 

concentrations, especially in water from the Missouri 

River Valley alluvial aquifer, could be either the result 

of reducing conditions in the geologic strata that cause 

precipitation of dissolved uranium or a general lack of 

uranium in the geologic strata. In areas where the 

Dakota aquifer is thought to be not in hydraulic 

connection with the overlying Missouri River Valley 

or upland area alluvial aquifers, the Dakota aquifer 

locally might have large gross alpha activities.

Compared to the chemistry of water from the 

other principal aquifers, statistical analyses indicate 

different median gross alpha activities in water from 

the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer and the 

Dakota aquifer and different median gross beta activities in water from the Elkhorn and Platte River 

Valley alluvial aquifers and the upland area alluvial 

aquifers.

Ground-water samples collected during this 

study did not contain concentrations that exceed the 

USEPA MCLs for herbicides but exceeded the MCL 

of 10 mg/L for NC^-N in two wells completed in the 

upland area alluvial aquifers. Other USEPA MCL and 

SMCL exceedances included:

(1) The dissolved-solids SMCL of 500 mg/L 

was exceeded in water from 10 of 40 wells 

completed in all aquifers in 5 of 8 wells in 

the Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer, 1 

of 9 wells in the upland area alluvial 

aquifers, and 4 of 9 wells in the Dakota 

aquifer.

(2) The sulfate SMCL of 250 mg/L was exceeded in water from three wells completed in 

the Dakota aquifer.

(3) The iron SMCL of 300 jig/L was exceeded 

in water from 18 of 42 wells completed in 

all aquifers in 3 of 9 wells in the Elkhorn, 

10 of 10 wells in the Missouri, 3 of 8 wells 

in the Platte River Valley alluvial aquifers, 

and 2 of 9 wells in the Dakota aquifer.

(4) The manganese SMCL of 50 p.g/L was 

exceeded in water from 28 of 42 wells 

completed in all aquifers in 9 of 9 wells in 

the Elkhorn, 10 of 10 wells in the Missouri, 

and 5 of 8 wells in the Platte River Valley 

alluvial aquifers, 1 of 6 wells in the upland 

area alluvial aquifers, and 3 of 9 wells in the 

Dakota aquifer.

52 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
(5) The MCL for adjusted gross alpha activity of 

15 pCi/L was exceeded in water from 1 of 9 

wells completed in the Dakota aquifer.

(6) The proposed MCL for radon-222 activity of 

300 pCi/L was exceeded in water from 26 of 

40 wells completed in all aquifers 6 of 9 

wells in the Elkhorn, 3 of 9 wells in the 

Missouri, and 6 of 8 wells in the Platte River 

Valley alluvial aquifers, 6 of 6 wells in the 

upland area alluvial aquifers, and 5 of 

8 wells in the Dakota aquifer. 

Thus, the water quality of the principal aquifers 

used in the Papio-Missouri River NRD is generally 

suitable for most uses. However, the numerous occurrences of herbicides in water of the Elkhorn and Platte 

River Valley alluvial aquifers, especially near the 

Platte River, are of concern because U.S. Environmental Protection Agency MCLs could be exceeded. 

Concentrations in three of nine water samples 

collected from wells completed in the Dakota aquifer 

exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

MCLs or SMCLs for gross alpha activity, radon-222 

activity, dissolved solids, sulfate, or iron. Also of 

concern are the exceedances of the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency proposed MCL for radon-222 

activity.

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Resource Atlas 3, 38 p.

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Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of 

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54 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
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56 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
Table 9. Summary of water-quality analyses for physical properties of water and concentrations of nitrogen species and h

Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992

[u.S/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 °C; °C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; ng/L, micrograms per liter; --, not analyzed; <, less than, d, detected; n, 

duplicate sample]

c

3

0)

Well identification number1 (fig. 11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet below land surface 

Well type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Triazine enzyme- assay result

Alachlor, dissolved

Ametryn, dissolved

Atrazine, dissolved

Cyanazine, dissolved

Deisopropylatrazine, dissolved

Deethylatrazine, dissolved

Metolachlor, dissolved

Metribuzin, dissolved

Prometon, dissolved

Prometryn, dissolved

Propazine, dissolved

Simazine, dissolved

Unit of 

measurement

US/cm

standard

units

°C

mg/L

mg/L

Hg/L

H-g/L

Hg/L

H-g/L

H-g/L

Hg/L

M-g/L

Hg/L

M-g/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

M-g/L

Reporting 

level

1.0

.1

.5

.1

.05

.01

.05

.05

.05

.20

.-05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

E1 

055 

91 

M 

7/23/92

511

7.4

12.5

2.4

.68

d

<.05

<.05

.32

<.20

<.05

.11

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

E2 

055 

91 

M 

7/23/92

548

7.5

12.5

2.5

.21

d

<.05

<.05

.32

<.20

<.05

.10

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

E3 

055 

39

7/21/92

417

6.3

15.0

7.1

.06

n

-

-

-

-

--

--

-

--

-

-

-

--

E4 

055 

98 

D 

7/16/92

505

7.4

23.5

3.5

1.90

d

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.20

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

E5 

055 

52 

1 

8/17/92

606

6.9

13.0

6.6

.16

d

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.20

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

E6 

055 

70 

1 

8/17/92

733

7.3

12.5

1.3

<.05

n

--

-

--

-

-

-

--

--

--

-

--

-

E7 

055 

58

7/22/92

614

7.3

13.0

6.0

.07

d

<.05

<.05

.06

<20

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

E8 

055 

60

8/20/92

570

6.9

12.0

2.9

.48

n

-

~

-

--

-

-

-

--

--

-

--

--

E9 

055 

87 

1 

8/17/92

725

6.9

12.5

2.8

.06

n

-

--

-

--

-

-

--

-

--

-

--

--

E10 

055 

50 

M 

7/23/92

563

7.4

15.5

3.0

<.05

d

<.05

<.05

.09

<.20

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<05

<.05

E11 

055 

65 

M 

7/16/92

560

7.5

13.5

.7

' .06

d

<.05

<.05

.27

<.20

<.05

.11

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

O

S

D)

I

W
H 30

Table 9. Summary of water-quality analyses for physical properties of water and concentrations of nitrogen species and he

Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992 Continued

onnaissance of>ugh Septembel

-£?

(0 3

Q.

3?

S?

o

c

SL §'

5"

(D

TJ 

D> o

1

8

o

3D

1

Z 

D>

2.

30

M

o

C

(DM

O5"

f

m 

|

3

(D

IT

5

i

Well Identification number1 (fig. 11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet below land surface 

Well type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Triazine enzyme-assay result

Alachlor, dissolved

Ametryn, dissolved

Atrazine, dissolved

Cyanazine, dissolved

Deisopropylatrazine, dissolved

Deethylatrazine, dissolved

Metolachlor, dissolved

Metribuzin, dissolved

Prometon, dissolved

Prometryn, dissolved

Propazine, dissolved

Simazine, dissolved

Unit of 

measurement

US/cm

standard

units

°C

mg/L

mg/L ,

Mg/L ,

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

M4 

173 

Report- 93 

Ing 1 

level 7/20/92

1.0 875

.1 7.1

.5 11.0

.05 .2

.10 .05

.05 n

.05

.20

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

MS M6 

021 021 

115 95 

1 1 

7/21/92 8/17/92

900 790

7.0 7.1

11.0 12.0

.3 .2

.06 .29

n d

<.05

<-05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<05

<.05

.10

<.05

<05

<.05

M7 

021 

168

8/16/92

756

6.8

13.5

5.5

1.40

d

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<05

<.05

.20

<-05

<.05

<.05

M8 M9 M10 M11 M12 M13 P1 

177 177 177 055 153 153 153 

63 82 - 80 103 97 64 

Ml D N M N I 

7/15/92 8/13/92 8/19/92 7/16/92 8/13/92 7/15/92 7/21/92

671 1,400 786 1,680 1,090 1,030 579

7.2 7.1 7.2 6.9 7.0 7.4 7.4

13.0 12.0 12.5 14.0 13.5 15.0 12.5

3.9 .2 .1 .5 .2 8.1 .6

<05 <.05 <.05 <05 <.05 <.05 <.05

n n n n n n n

U.05

<.05

 » .. .ID

<2o

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<05

<.05

- <05

8

7
Table 9. Summary of water-quality analyses for physical properties of water and concentrations of nitrogen species and he

Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992 Continued

Well Identification number1 (fig. 11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet below land surface Unit of ReportWell type3 measure- ing 

Date sampled, month/day/year ment level

V)

c

3

3

0)

 3

a

1-I

oc

SL

3

D)

 <

(0

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Triazine enzyme-assay result

Alachlor, dissolved

Ametryn, dissolved

Atrazine, dissolved

Cyanazine, dissolved

Deisopropylatrazine, dissolved

Deethylatrazine, dissolved

Metolachlor, dissolved

Metribuzin, dissolved

Prometon, dissolved

Prometryn, dissolved

Propazine, dissolved

Simazine, dissolved

u.S/cm 1.0

standard .1

units

°C .5

mg/L .1

mg/L .05

|ig/L .10

ug/L .05

ug/L .05

ug/L .05

ug/L .20

ug/L .05

ug/L .05

ug/L .05

ug/L .05

ug/L .05

(ig/L .05

(ig/L .05

ug/L .05

P6 

153 

52 

M

7/14/92

504

7.8

22.0

.5

.72

d

<.05

<.05

1.8

1.0

.19

.24

.24

<.05

.06

<.05

<.05

.07

P7 P8 

153 153 

62 46 

M M 

7/14/92 7/1 4/92

511 605

7.9 7.6

23.5 13.0

1.1 2.9

1.10 1.30

d d

<.05 <.05

<.05 <.05

1.8 .58

.60 .30

.29 .09

.26 .10

.18 .09

.07 <.05

.05 <.05

<.05 <.05

<.05 <.05

.07 <.05

P9 P10 U1 U2 

153 153 173 173 

60 126 37 100 

M N M D 

7/14/92 7/15/92 7/14/92 7/20/92

655 659 1,020 683

7.4 7.6 7.1 7.1

12.5 11.5 12.0 12.5

1.1 .1 2.3

.07 <.05 <.05 6.7

d d n n

<.05 <.05

<.05 <05

.47 .38

.20 .30

.08 .05

.12 .10

.05 .07

<05 <.05

<05 <.05

<05 <.05

<05 <.05

<05 <.05

U3 U4 US U6 

177 177 177 177 

155 131 164 330 

Ml 1 D 

7/14/92 8/19/92 7/22/92 7/20/92 

826 958 891 715 

7.1 7.4 6.9 7.5 

12.0 12.5 12.0 17.5 

8.6 3.1 2.4 1.2 

<.05 <.05 17 <.05 

nnnnd

j - 

en 

to
Table 9. Summary of water-quality analyses for physical properties of water and concentrations of nitrogen species and her

Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992 Continued

onnaissance jugh Septemi

§a

lo

<§ 9 i5 C ** 3

| ^

0

c

5L

3

5°

0

7 a

iw w0

2

1

z 

ft

5

ffw0

c

a

ft

mB»

ft

8f

Well Identification number1 (fig. 11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet below land surface 

Well type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Triazine enzyme-assay result

Alachlor, dissolved

Ametryn, dissolved

Atrazine, dissolved

Cyanazine, dissolved

Deisopropylatrazine, dissolved

Deethylatrazine, dissolved

Metolachlor, dissolved

Metribuzin, dissolved

Prometon, dissolved

Prometryn, dissolved

Propazine, dissolved

Simazine, dissolved

Unit of Report! 

measure- ng 

ment level

US/cm 1.0

standard .1

units

°C .5

mg/L .1

mg/L r .05

|ig/L .10

(ig/L .05

|ig/L .05

|ig/L .05

jig/L .20

(ig/L .05

(ig/L .05

(ig/L .05

(ig/L .05

Hg/L .05

(ig/L .05

Hg/L .05

jig/L .05

U11 U12 U13 D1 D2 D3 

153 153 153 043 043 173 

198 206 66 270 625 325 

I M N M D M 

9/01/92 7/30/92 7/29/92 7/21/92 7/21/92 7/14/92

795 623 532 1,570 1,780 1,800

6.5 7.6 7.3 7.0 7.1 7.1

12.5 17.0 22.0 12.0 15.0 12.0

8.5 .2 6.3 .4 .4 .1

30 <.05 2.40 <.05 .09 <05

d n n n n n

<.05

<.05

.11

<.2Q

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

.14

<.05 ..____

<.05

<.05

D4 D5 D6 

173 021 021 

300 172 133 

D M I 

7/15/92 7/14/92 7/15/92

719 787 659

7.0 7.0 7.1

13.5 12.5 13.5

.1 4.0 3.0

<.05 6.40 2.80

n n d

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.20

<05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

D7 

177 

172 

D 

7/30/92

741

7.7

13.5

.2

.19

n

-

--

-

_

..

-

--

--

..

-

-

D8 

055 

325 

M 

7/15/92

861

7.1

16.0

4.3

<.05

n

L

-

-.

..

_

..

-

-

--

..

-

-

7/

6
8 8 8. 8 

v v v v

V) »/"> ""> O

O O 0 o)

V V V V

8 8 O 8 

V V V V

8 8 8.

V V V

q q V V

8 8.

V V V

v v

8 8 8 q q q

o o q

f

Summary of Water-Quality Analyses 61
8 Table 10. Summary of water-quality analyses for hardness, alkalinity, calculated dissolved solids, major ions, major meta

a radionuclide activity or concentration in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July throu

o [mg/L, milligrams per liter; °C, degrees Celsius; ug/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; --, not analyzed; <, less than]

inaissance ofG

gh September 1

<O o

IO

ig

s

o

c

SL

f

5*

(D

TJ

 D

6*

S5*

(0

O

C

3)

I

z

Z?

S.

3Dm(0

o

c

§(0

q5"

o"

CO

*

3

o

cr

3

(0

F

c.

c_

Well Identification number1 (flg.11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet 

Well type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lead, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Nickel, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based on thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on strontium- 90 curve

Radon-222 activity, dissolved

Radium-226 activity, dissolved

Uranium, total

Uranium activity ratio, uranium- 234:238

Unit of 

measurement

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

^

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

Ug/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

Ug/L

234U:238U

ReportIng 

level

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

2

.5

10

1.0

5

3

10

3

10

4

1

10

10

1

1.0

1

6

3

.6

.6

80

0.02

.1

-

E1 

055 

91 

M

7/23/92

180

165

329

54

9.8

33

28

1

9.3

74

11

.40

35

7

130

.9

70

1

<5

<3

<10

6

<10

17

110

<10

<10

1

<1

310

<6

7

6.4

12

500

0.49

7.1

1.64

E5 

055 

52

8/17/92

260

232

348

82

14

7.6

6

.2

8.9

26

19

.20

33

4

530

<.5

50

3

<5

<3

<10

14,000

<10

24

2,300

<10

<10

<1

3

400

<6

220

4.6

9.6

97

0.50

.3

1.11

E6 

055 

0

8/17/92

320

232

449

99

17

25

14

.6

7.8

88

35

.30

34

3

350

<.5

160

<1

<5

<3

<10

2,400

<10

26

740

<10

<10

<1

2

570

<6

6

3.4

9.7

400

0.56

.8

1.34

E7 

055 

58

7/22/92

230

208

397

72

13

34

23

1

8.9

90

17

.20

35

3

240

<.5

70

1

<5

<3

<10

100

<10

20

1,100

<10

<10

<1

<1

430

<6

7

4.0

9.9

170

0.42

3.4

1.57

E8 

055 

60

8/20/92

230

212

366

73

12

27

20

.8

7.5

70

15

.30

29

3

420

<.5

230

<1

<5

<3

<10

98

<10

19

1,300

<10

<10

<1

<1

400

<6

<3

5.6

11

330

0.46

5.3

1.51

E9 

055 

87

8/17/92

330

120

342

100

19

20

11

1-5

7.7

71

14

.40

35

2

190

<5

60

<1

<5

<3

<10

1,100

<10

25

540

<10

<io

<1

<1

630

<6

4

5.1

10

400

0.57

1.7

1.67
CO

S E 0) 0)

E

4-I 

CO

i> CO

o o "of+jE-2 ^ L_

co" to §b"7" co

S.8 of i= c ^ 

c o

- CO

CO O

32 CC

S a

 o 3

CD "cO 1?8 §

s? 2 D

CO o

u w o w

1 !

^ 5^-2 Q.

S£1 »

CO *-

- c

CO 

CO C

8.1

-0 G3-0 

CO -^ CD

JZ c 3

^ r» 8-E O ^

Sec

co R o

CD o O

2.S 1 

« ^Sl C ~ O) 

CO > f

>>or i= co a)

CO a> XJ § 11 C. o a>

CD 3 Q.

 J5 C CD

5 .2 C/D > -a ,-

tc o£ CO "t^D)

^E 1

a Sfi

Sumr Table10. elements, trace 

Nebraska, July

"* t <M 2t S t S - <2

23

CM 

i^_ ®

sES = g

N

1S»-|

S

SSin T- "S10 5

CM

" 5£8-o £? «o §

N

8! N 3 S fc S 2 O N S °- §

 <- Q P* §

S

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3^h1*

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CM in 5

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S.2

&£

*- 4

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3 c « c 1 fc

^

ai ». 

S- >-* S4l

-* t

A «

i i

Well Identification ni 

2 County

Well depth, fet

3 Well type

sampled, Date mont

O t~- <f) O " 

>O * « OO V> 55 vo oo « 

O P- co <-« co 

cs c-J p o c-J

CO CO Tf

O oo p- O O 

 co Ov O c-J

CO CO Tf 

O j ; O ts 

5! ' ' =*

O ! O O N fN CO

^° ' *

p vo c-J p o O ^f oo vo co in <r> p- i 

p co o pp *{ O VO Tf 35 Tt- rO P- i O >/ >

u-> vo ;3 o <s 

ro co Tf 

0 0

J J J J J

ob bb bb bb bb

ESSES

"8

>

ll -^ CO

Hardness, total 

Alkalinity, d laboratory, Dissolved solids, calcul: 

Calcium, dissolved 

dissolved Magnesium, 

os oo

vo v> ° vd o

*" "" M

 * 

P- O ' Tf VO

»- »- CO

vo 

P- Tf Tf 00 - 

C-J 00

Tf

oo ! ' j !

 *

oo i : :

°i

oo \r> c-J p ^ ^* *-< ^

O

r- p- oo p

V~l O

ts

 *

p- o >/ > 

 CO

o 22

d g ! <J sJ

CM) t-> bO W) E 8. E s

i-

 8 

dissolved Sodium, 

sodium, dissolv Percent rati< Sodium-adsorption 

dissolved Potassium, 

Sulfate, dissolved

S

 O "* O 

 < co <r> CO

oo?

oo co N t O

-a

§ -p- ' 10 O

- N a

! j O ' O ' co ' r 

1 ! ""> ! ° 1 ' c-J oo

CO

0

^

 * fS CO CO

 CO « >O

o

CO

O ' * \O CO 

(S (S PtS CO

CO >T) CO O CO O

o o o

' (S

M oh U) U) OB SEE =L=L

Chloride, dissolved dissolved Fluoride, 

Silica, dissolved Arsenic, dissolved dissolved Barium, 

>/ >

V P *- "1 to 5 v v v

P-;

O \r> >o 

oo v V

>n 

V O >n co 

OS V V V

>n

v . ^-^^

>n

V ; - vtvo

IT)

V ' O <T) CO cs v v v

>o

o >n o

^ V V CS V V

"1

V O « >n co

gv V V V

>n O 

O -- >n co " 

bb bb bb bb ob

dissolved Beryllium, 

dissolved Boron, 

dissolved Cadmium, dissolved Chromium, 

Cobalt, dissolved

o p o o p * « o *-^ *O O

V O V oo oC

o p o < o

 O < (S CO V vi v oo

O O O P- O 

» i OO » « CO CO

V w> V ^

O Q O vo O 

 Q >n r 

V cK V <^

>TI

O p O (S O

»- 0 i * PV V *0

VO

o o o m o 

V§ v^^

>o

o p o o o

 < O ~ 00 < V P^ V *o

</f

o o o o o "v ~ ~ 2

O co O Tf .

ob bb bb bb w)

dissolved Copper, dissolved Iron, dissolved Lead, 

dissolved Lithium, dissolved Manganese, 

p

O O co p

V *V oo.

O

o o « p w w Ov 

V V v>

O

o o 'g

V V w5

o

22 ' ^ §

V V ON

o

22 i -^g

V V Po

o o -^ p

V V oo

0

22-V-78

v PX

o

o o I o

"v "v fO

o

o o ~ - 

bO ob bb DO bb

dissolvec Molybdenum, 

dissolved Nickl, 

dissolved Selenium, 

Silver, dissolved 

Strontium, dissolved

C-J O

>O CO tS P^ O 

V P- C-J

\r> c-J

>o ts c-i * o 

vrs r^

 r) <f)

vo >n co ^' o V 0

CO

 C-J

>o VD c-i * o V <f) C-J

CO (S

VO VO * <> p

CO

pVO V) wS C-J O

CO

CO

>O P^ co O O

^

C-J CO

vo ov vd p- o

«

vq vo

VO CO ' O

oo

llttt

ll1 3 ° s

f» OS

E E

11 a jg § il 8-5-i

Vanadium, dissolved 

Zinc, dissolved 

activity alpha ba; Gross beta activity Gross base dis: Radon-222 activity, 

(S P- \r> o\ p

CO C-» 

CO * ^f

C-J f-J 

CO O ^f 

 <N «

 pt-; Tf CS

VD 00

un i co co

~ ->

C-J

 * O «D

ts 

OV ^ CO

 ~ 

to CO * Tf

»-; wS -^

o SJ .

1

00 

CO

4S5 a. ^

00 

COts

s

T3 E

1 -1 o a % 3

activity, Radium- 226di

Uranium, total 

Uranium rato, acivity 

Summary of Water-Quality Analyses 63
2

0) 5"

to <o o »

13

S a

lo

I

5 

o 

g

f

5"

(D

 g. 

o 

S 5" 

|

3D

I

i

3D

£ 

O

I

a 

«r

=f

s

m

(D

er 

3

(0

e_

c

Table 10. Summary of water-quality analyses for hardness, alkalinity, calculated dissolved solids, m

ions, major metals, trace elements, and radionuclide activity or concentration in the Papio-Missouri 

Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1 992 Continued

Well Identification number1 (fig.11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet 

Well type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved 

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lead, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Nickel, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based on thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on strontium-90 curve

Radon-222 activity, dissolved

Radium-226 activity, dissolved

Uranium, total

Uranium activity ratio, uranium- 234:238

Unit of Reportmeasure- ing 

ment level

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

Hg/L

234U:238U

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

2

.5

10

1.0

5

3

10

3

10

4

1

10

10

1

1.0

1

6

3

.6

.6

80

.02

.1

-

M10 

177

D 

8/19/92

340

433

467

100

21

37

19 

0.9

3.6

.8

5.9

.20

34

<1

250

<.5

220

<1

<5

<3

<10

2,900

<10

21

430

<10

<10

<1

<1.0

420

<6

140

.8

4.6

350

.32

.1

-

M11 

055 

80 

N 

7/16/92

740

346

965

210

52

65

16

1

8.3

160

210

.20

32

10

340

<.5

160

3

<5

8

<10

17,000

<10

93

1,300

<10

<10

<1

<1.0

1,600

<6

5

2.8

10

230

.53

.5

1.47

M12 P1 

153 153 

103 84 

M 1 

8/13/92 7/21/92

550

479

610

150

41

25

9 

.5

6.2

55

.8

.30

32

3

400

<.5

130

2

<5

<3

<10

9,400

<10

67

1,100

<10

<10

<1

3.0

1,400

<6

17

1.4

7.8

.65

.4

1.42

260

202

353

79

14

23

16 

.6

5.8

59

12

.30

37

4

160

<.5

50

2.0

<5

<3

<10

690

<10

17

310

<10

<10

<1

<1

380

<6

7

1.0

6.2

480

.52

.7

1.24

P2 

153 

43

8/19/92

310

263

465

96

18

25

14 

.6

7.6

110

12

.30

35

6

250

<.5

50

<1

<5

<3

<10

1,500

<10

25

550

<10

<10

<1

<1

520

<6

8

2.4

9.1

300

.44

.7

1.43

P3 

153 

74 

M 

7/20/92

240

205

362

66

19

25

18 

.7

6.7

75

21

.30

23

3

150

<.5

60

<1

<5

<3

<10

11

<10

15

1,100

<10

<10

<1

<1

320

<6

6

5.0

7.7

340

.20

3.7

1.4

P4 

153 

52 

I 

8/20/92 8/

320

255

477

97

18

28

16

i '7

8.4

120

13

.40

34

2

270

<.5

60

<1

<5

<3

<10

3,500

<10

25

1,200

<10

<10

<1

1

530

<6

<3

3.0

9.7

220

.46

.3

1.29
a £

Table 10. Summary of water-quality analyses for hardness, alkalinity, calculated dissolved solids, m

ions, major metals, trace elements, and radionuclide activity or concentration in the Papio-Missouri 

Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992 Continued

Well Identification number1 (flg.11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet 

Well type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodiuni dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lead, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Nickel, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based on thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on strontium-90 curve

Radon-222 activity, dissolved

Radium-226 activity, dissolved

Uranium, total

Uranium activity ratio, uranium-234:238

P6 P7 P10 

153 153 153 

Unit of Report- 52 62 126 

measure- ing M M N 

ment level 7/14/92 7/14/92 7/15/92

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent -

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Ug/L

Hg/L

H&/L

\lf/L

Hg/L

H&/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

H&/L

H&/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

Hg/L

234U:238U

111

.10

.10

.10

1-

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

12

.5

10

1.0 53

103

1041

10

101

1.0 163

.6

.6

SO

02

.1

--

170

157

308

50

12

29

251

11

60

24

.40

245

91

.8

70

<1

<5

<3

<10

<3

<10

16

11

<10

<103

<1

320

<64

2.1

13

450

.09

5.2

1.71

170

163

318

47

12

35

301

11

55

29

.40

255

90

.8

70

<1

<5

<3

10

<3

<10

172

<10

<104

<1

31096

6.8

10

310

.07

2.6

1.88

180

179

399

52

12

59

402

8.6

79

54

.40

259

210

.8

70

<1

<5

<3

<10

180

<10

19

850

<10

<10

<1

<1

340

<63

4.9

11

470

.45

3.1

1.65

U2 US U8 U9 

173 177 177 55 

100 164 144 56 

D I I D 

7/20/92 7/22/92 8/13/92 7/21/92 

370

319

427

100

28

106

.2

2.4

39

1.9

.40

241

160

<.5

50

<1

<5

<3

<10

<3

<10

211

<10

<10

12

<1.0

460

<6

38

8.7

5.3

1,200

.66

6.4

1.2

410

302

557

120

27

209

.4

8.9

77

18

.40

28

<1

180

<.5

80

<1

<5

<3

<10

66

<10

38

410

<10

<101

<1.0

840

<6

32

2.8

8.4

900

.73

2.2

1.19

320

314

406

94

21

18

11

.4

2.2

17 !

1.9

.20

241

150

<.5

40

<1

<5

<3

<10

16

<10

18

10

<10

<102

2.0

380

<6

<3

2.3

3.6

430

.14

2.1

1.69

350

312

454

96

26

17

10

.4

1.8

39

16

.30

261

290

<.5

30

<1

<5

<3

<104

<10

13

27

<10

<104

<1.0

360

<6

47

5.5

4.5

420

.15

7.7

1.28
Table 10. Summary of water-quality analyses for hardness, alkalinity, calculated dissolved solids, ma

ions, major metals, trace elements, and radionuclide activity or concentration in the Papio-Missouri R

Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992 Continued

TJ at

Is

I? 2, 

lo

g° 

*»i

a

I

O

TJ

0)

 a

M 

q

I

S1

(D 

CT

Well identification number1 (fig.11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet

Weii type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorptiorl ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lead, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Nickel, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based on thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on strontium-90 curve

Radon-222 activity, dissolved

Radium-226 activity, dissolved

Uranium, total

Uranium activity ratio, uranium-234:238

Unit of Reportmeasure- ing 

merit level

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

--

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

MMHg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

MHg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

MHg/L

Hg/L

MHg/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

M234U:238U

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

-

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

2

.5

10

1.0

5

3

10

3

10

4

1

10

10

1

1.0

1

6

3

.6

.6

80

.02

.1

~

U13 

153 

66 

N 

7/29/92

240

277

329

68

17

21

16

.6

3.5

9.6

6

.30

25

<1

160

<.5

730

<1

<5

. <3

210

<3

<10

12

6

<10

<10

2

2

260

<6

460

4.4

4.3

440

.26

2

1.38

D1 

043 

270 

M 

7/21/92

700

382

1,110

200

49

84

20

1

12

470

43

.40

16

<1

20

<.5

210

<1

<5

<3

<10

1,300

<10

73

440

<10

<10

<1

<1

2,100

<6

3

11

19

-

2.2

1.0

2.12

D2 

043 

625 

D 

7/21/92

650

221

1,240

200

35

140

31

2

22

590

100

1.8

9.1

1

14

<-5

490

<1

<5

<3

<10

160

<10

190

77

<10

<10

<1

<1

4,500

<6

19

16

30

280

3.9

.1

-

D3 

173 

325 

M

7/14/92

680

230

1,220

210

36

130

29

2

21

560

110

1.3

11

1

21

.6

370

<1

<5

6

<10

2,200

<10

160

170

<10

<10

<1

<1

4,100

<6

8

13

30

190

3.9

<.l

-

D6 DB D9 

021 055 055 D

133 325 238 

I M M 

7/15/92 7/15/92 7/23/92 7/2

320

334

402

91

22

14

9

.3

2.4

26

8.5

.30

24

<1

230

.8

60

<1

<5

<3

<10

4

<10

22

2

<10

<10

4

<1

380

<6

7

4.0

4.1

370

.28

4.0

1.6

380

361

518

110

26

39

18

.9

3.8

80

16

.30

25

<1

58

.7

120

<1

<5

<3

10

5

<10

33

200

<10

<10

<1

<1

610

<6

12

6.4

5.1

420

.31

4.8

1.9

310

317

426

92

20

20

12

! "5

'6.4

24

16

.30

34

2

210

<.5

50

<1

<5

<3

<10

<3

<10

14

<1

<10

<10

5

<1

340

<6

6

5.7

9.2

350

.27

7.2

1.22

2

2
v>II

Table 10. Summary of water-quality analyses for hardness, alkalinity, calculated dissolved 

solids, major ions, major metals, trace elements, and radionuclide activity or concentration 

in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through 

September 1992 Continued

Well identification number1 (fig.11) 

County2 

Well depth, feet 

Well type3 

Date sampled, month/day/year

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lead, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Nickel, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based on thorium- 230 curve

Gross beta activity based on strontium-90 curve

Unit of 

measurement

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

--

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

HS/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Rg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

Reporting 

level 111

.10

.10

.10 1~

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

12

.5

10

1.0 53

103

1041

10

101

1.0 163

.6

.6

D11 

153 

315 

M 

7/23/92

280

306

386

84

16

25

16

.7

4.1

27

5.6

.20

32

<1

99

<.5

50

<1

<5

<3

<103

<10

17

<1

<10

<1051

370

<67

4.9

7.4

D12 

153 

134 

N 

7/29/92

210

245

278

56

16

20

17 !

.6 '

2.2

4.6

3.7

.20

24

<1

150

<.5

550

<17

<3

40

<3

<108

<1

<10

<10

<1

<1

220

<6

48

1.6

3.2
g Table 10. Summary of water-quality analyses for hardness, alkalinity, calculated dissolved

solids, major ions, major metals, trace elements, and radionuclide activity or concentration

? g in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through 

i§ September 1992 Continued

§8

a

I

D 

o>

(D 

TJ 

0 

 O

I

(0 

(0

o

3. 

30

I

o

£ 

o

S1

5

(0

Well identification number1 (fig.11)

County2 

Well depth, feet 

Well type3 Unit of Reporting 

Date sampled, month/day/year measurement level

Radon-222, dissolved pCi/L 

Radium-226, dissolved pCi/L 

Uranium, total |ig/L 

Uranium activity ratio, uranium-234:238 234U:238U

'Well screened in: 

E Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer 

M Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer 

P Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer 

U upland area alluvial aquifers 

D Dakota aquifer

80 

.02 

.1

2Counties: 

021 Hurt 

043 Dakota 

055 Douglas 

153 Sarpy 

173 Thurston 

177 Washington

D11 D12 

153 153 

315 134 

M N 

7/23/92 7/29/92

460 390 

.49 .18 

4.8 1.6 

1.44 1.53

Well type: 

D domestic 

I irrigation 

M municipal j 

N industrial
Table 11. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses from the Papio-Missouri River Natural District, eastern Nebraska, J

1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water regulations

[^S/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (°C), °C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; \LgfL, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; I

P, proposed; R, under review; **, copper action level (1,300 |ig/L), lead action level (15 Hg/L) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, I991a); ***, the Maximum Conta

particle and photon activity is 4 millirems per roentgen (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991); --, not applicable]

I

5-

o

c

3

i

3

^

a

6c

a

3

3

f

W

O

 o

 o 

o'

o

c

2.

30

1

Z

1

si

3D

(0

to

o

c

to

35" g

1

Constituent

Well depth

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Unit of

measurement

feet

u.S/cm

standard units

°C

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

--

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

jig/L

Reporting

level

1.0

1.0

.1

.5

.1

.05

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

--

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

Number 

of

samples

analyzed

60

61

61

61

60

61

42

40

40

42

42

42

40

42

40

40

40

40

42

40

Minimum

37

417

6.3

11

.1

<.05

170

120

278

47

9.8

7.6

6

.2

1.8

.80

.8

.20

9.1

<1

Values

Median

99

710

7.1

12.5

2.4

.07

320

275

416

95

21

25

16

.7

7.2

65

14.5

.30

30

2

USEPA drinkin

regulatio

Maximum

625

1,800

7.9

23.5

8.9

30

740

647

1,240

210

52

140

40

2

22

590

210

1.8

37

14

Standard

deviation MCLG

100

318

.29

3.0

2.6

4.70 10

160

110

249

45

12

16

7

.4

4.4

140

38

.30

6.3

3

MCL 

--

i ..

..

-

F 10 

--

-

-

-

..

--

--

_.

F 50 

<n

CO
Table 11. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern N

Reconnaissance of

Through Septembe

10

S c

3

±

!

0

c

SL

3"

 D

fit

TJ 

9

2

w(0

o

c

a

1

z

a> 

c

3

I

o

c

o

(D

10

2

$

a

m0> 

M

(D

3

Z

(D

CT

s

(0

September 1992, ana u.b. fc

Constituent

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lead, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Nickel, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based on

thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on

strontium-90 curve

:nvironmentai m

Unit of

measurement

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

ug/L

pCi/L

pCi/L

Dtecnon P

Reporting

level

2

.5

10

1.0

5

3

10

3

10

4

1

10

10

1

1.0

10

6

3

.6

.6

vgency anni

Number 

of

samples

analyzed

42

42

40

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

40

42

42

42

42

42

42

King-wate

Minimum

14

<.5

30

<1.0

<5

<3

<10

<3

<10

8

<1

<10

<10

<1

<1.0

220

<6

<3

0.8

3.2

>r reguiaiu

Values

Median

190

<.5

70

<1.0

<5

<3

<10

130

<10

21

360

<10

<10

<1

<1.0

410

<6

7

4

8.5

Dns uoritmuea

USEPA drinkin

regulation

Maximum

530

.9

730

3.0

7

10

210

17,000

<10

190

2,300

10

<10

12

3.0

4,500

9

460

16

30

Standard

deviation

120

.3

170

.8

1

3

33

3,900

--

39

530

2

-

2

.9

930

1

79

3.1

5.7

MCLQ

2,000

4

5

100

_

1,300

0

--

200

100

50

--

--

~

0

0

MCL

F 2,000

F4

F5

IF 100

__

FIT**

FIT**

-

R

-

F100

F50

-

._

F15

p ***
Table 11. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern 

September 1992, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water regulations Continued

c 

m

 2

o

ti

at 

 a 

o'

Constituent

Radon-222 activity, dissolved

Radium-226 activity, dissolved

Uranium, total

Uranium activity ratio, uranium234:238

Alachlor

Atrazine

Cyanazine

Deisopropylatrazine

Deethylatrazine

Metolachlor

Metribuzin

Prometon

Simazine

Unit of Reportmeasure- ing 

ment level

pCi/L 80

pCi/L .02

fig/L .1

234U:238u

Hg/L .05

|0.g/L .05

jig/L .20

p.g/L .05

Hg/L .05

Hg/L .05

Hg/L .05

Hg/L .05

Hg/L .05

Number 

of 

samples 

analyzed

40

42

42

39

20

20

19

19

19

20

20

19

19

Minimum

97

.07

<.l

1.1

<.05

<.05

<.20

<.05

<.05

<0.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

Values

Median

360

.46

2.0

1.4

<.05

.14

<.20

<.05

<.05

<0.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

USEPA drink

regulati

Maximum

1,200

3.9

7.7

2.1

.05

1.8

1.0

.29

.26

.24

.24

.44

.07

Standard 

deviation MCLG

188 0

.82 0

2.3 0

.20

<.05 0

.54 3

.27

.08

.08

.07

0.02

0.11

.02 4

MCL 

P 300 

P5 

F 2

, "

F2

F3

-

-

-

-

-

F 4.0 

'MCLG, Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that is protective of adverse health effects and allows a

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991b, 1991e, 1992).

MCL, Maximum Contaminant Level, maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water that is delivered to any user of a public-water system (U.S. Environmenta

1991c, 1991e, 1992).

SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that can adversely affect the odor or appearance of 

Protection Agency, 199Id).
72 Reconnaissance 

Through Septem

of Ground-V iber 1992

a»

<j?

0

_

5"

CD

TO1

I

CO 

CO

0

3)

1

Z

a

i

30

CD 

CO

o

o

CD

CO

O

a=t

s

m

0) 

CO

3

Z

CD 

CT

5

CO

f

e_

c

v«;

Table 12. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples 

Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 199

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations

[jiS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (°C), °C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; jig/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; TT

P, proposed; R, under review; **, copper action level (1,300 ug/L), lead action level (15 u,g/L) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991a); ***, the Maximum Contam

beta particle and photon activity is 4 millirems per roentgen (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991); --, not applicable]

Constituent

Well depth

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Unit of

measurement

feet

US/cm

standard units

°C

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L as CaCC>3

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

-

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

Ug/L

Hg/L

M-g/L

Hg/L

M-g/L

Hg/L

Reporting level

1.0

1.0

.1

.5

.1

.05

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

--

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

2

.5

10

1.0

5

Number

of

samples

analyzed

12

12

12

12

12

12

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

Concentrations

Minimum

39

417

6.3

12.0

.6

<.05

180

120

329

54

9.8

7.6

6

.2

5.0

26

3.2

.20

29

<1

94

<.5

50

<1.0

<5

Median

63

567

7.3

12.8

2.9

.12

230

212

363

73

14

25

17

.7

7.9

71

16

.30

34

3

240

<.5

70

<1.0

<5

Maximum

98

733

7.5

23.5

7.1

1.9

350

367

449

100

25

35

28

1

9.3

95

35

.40

35

7

530

.9

590

3.0

<5

USEPA drinkin

regulatio

Standard

deviation MCLG

19

96

.40

3.2

2.2

.55 10

61

69

44

18

4.8

9.0

8

.3

1.3

27

8.4

.1

2.2

2

140 2,000

.4 4

170

1.0 5

100

MCL

i __

-

~

~

-

F10

~

-

-

-

-

-

-

--

..

-

F50

F 2,000

F4

~

F5

F100
Table 12. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samp

Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through Septembe

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations Continued

CO

a

1

CO

c

3

1

a

i(D

I

1

3

m_

(0

O

3 

m

sr3-

0

3

(D

1

n

>

c

£

>

E.

3

 g

Unit of 

measureConstituent ment

Cobalt, dissolved ug/L

Copper, dissolved ug/L

Iron, dissolved ' ug/L

Lead, dissolved ug/L

Lithium, dissolved ug/L

Manganese, dissolved Hg/L

Molybdenum, dissolved Hg/L

Nickel, dissolved ug/L

Selenium, dissolved ug/L

Silver, dissolved ug/L

Strontium, dissolved ug/L

Vanadium, dissolved ug/L

Zinc, dissolved u^g/L

Gross alpha activity based on pCi/L

thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on pCi/L

strontium-90 curve

Radon-222, dissolved pCi/L

Radium-226, dissolved pCi/L

Uranium, total ug/L

Uranium activity ratio, uranium- 23\J:238U

234:238

Alachlor ug/L

Atrazine ug/L

Cyanazine ug/L

Deisopropylatrazine ug/L

Deethylatrazine ug/L

Metolachlor ug/L

Number 

of 

Report- samples 

ing level analyzed

3

10

3

10

4

1

10

10

1

1.0

10

6

3

.6

.6

80

.02

.1

-

.05

.05

.20

.05

.05

.05

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

8

8

8

8

8

8

Concentrations

Minimum Median

<3

<10

6

<10

17

110

<10

<10

<1

<1.0

310

<6

<3

1.6

7.3

97

.26

.3

1.1

<.05

<.05

<.20

<.05

<.05

<.05

<3

<10

100

<10

20

740

<10

<10

<1

<1.0

400

<6

7

5.1

9.9

400

.49

3.4

1.5

<.05

.08

<.20

<.05

<.05

<.05

Maxi- Standard 

mum deviation

<3

<10

14,000

<10

26

2,300

<10

<10

1

3.0

630

<6

220

6.4

12

530

1.3

7.1

1.7

<.05

.32

<.20

.12

.11

<.05

4,500

_

3

740

._

.4

1.2

100

71

1.6

1.4

150

.30

2.7

.2

_

.15

..

.04

.05

_.

USEPA dr

regu

MCLG

1,300

o

200

_

100

50

--

_

__

0

0

0

0

0

-_

0

3

__

__

_

M

FTT

FTT

R 

F10

F50

 

F15

F **

P30

P5

F20

_

F2

F3

_

-

-- 
H 31

II

to 55'

o w O Q)

3

 o 

9

5"

8

Table 12. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples 

Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 19

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations Continued

Constituent

Metribuzin 

Prometon 

Simazine

Unit of 

measurement

Hg/L 

Hg/L

Reporting level

0.05 

.05 

.05

Number 

of 

samples 

analyzed

8 

8 

8

USEPA drink

Concentrations regulati

Minimum

<0.05 

<.05 

<.05

Median

<0.05 

<.05 

<.05

Maxi- Standard 

mum deviation MCLG MCL

<0.05 

.44 0.16 

<05 -- 4 F4

'MCLG, Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that is protective of adverse health effects and allows 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991b, 1991e, 1992).

MCL, Maximum Contaminant Level, maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water that is delivered to any user of a public-water system 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991a, 1991c, 1991e, 1992).

SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that can adversely affect the odor or appearance 

Protection Agency, 1991d).

Z 

&

i

31

5

(0
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LL

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O

1

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CO C

co o

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to" CO

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fli f* f*. «* *

o -^

c ,2

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2*O CJ (A -'£ c

C w .O

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§" to £

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m ^

10 3 '-^

>» co .E -^" ^y * CO <^ -7^

co c5 ^

>s >

iS CC QJ §-c co

'-'" o

*~ ^ >s

CO ^5 £^ 

^E i 03 

M O D5 O 'o "^

^» CO i" cB ^~ .2

P ® ^j E£ ®

3 C O (A """* ^*

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Statistic: 13.Table aquif alluvial Valley U.S. Environmenta

1-a

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ttf E

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c "S

s ^

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l|

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and photon particle beta ai

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c £ ® (/) .£

z * « D>°

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< £

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(A

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0)

1

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z

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DC

C

v_ O

CD IS

*j* (Q 5 "5

£

0

(A

_J 

o

s

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o

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(Q

0)

 i E

H i

CO TJ 

0) Q)

CO C

u co

??

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^-

0) <*> c

2111

0)

E

*-

Constitue

' ' O

s°?

1 ! i

! ! !

_

! ! !

^H

rj- «n

en O\

CS

rt

OO O f~ 

VO OO

I C

, 1

S

o t-^

r-, S

oq

en *-< vd 

^O ^*

cs en en

00 

~« --H

c«

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T3

-t2 =J. to

2

13<a

Well depth 

conductance, Specific 

pH, field

i

' 

!

'

en

p

in

O

cs

p

en

>n

0

T3

fieWater temperature, 

i

j

i

1

VO

CS

 H

06

CS

en

^

i

s

13

fie dissolved, Oxygen, 

o j

: s

o ! 

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u2 !

^^

^f' o

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*f

-^ 0

t~>

sV 8

in

8

V c^

en

en O

p

< i

O

rt

U

ca

s e

c

U)

2

Nitrite nitrate plus as r

total Hardness, 

j »n j

: 8 i

tu

1 1 1

1 1 1

2 S S ~4 CS

t~> >n o

 ** vo »- 1

\O O\ CS

oo vo in 

en O\ en

t~» en < < cs o o\ en 3-

OO OO O

o

rt <

O

ra

U

ca 

"5b "bb bb

ess

T3

U

"S T3

c^ 1>

.-. n

laboratory, Alkalinity, calci solids, Dissolved 

dissolved Calcium, 

i i i i i

i ! ! i I

i i i i i

i : : : i

en ON

» i oo en ' oi

cs «n o\ "i cs

oo v>

o cs »n ^o rj- en ~*

^ ^O

'-^ t~> o\ 'en

CS '-i

O O oo O oo

O 0 0

* « !

wj"5b j- w» S S a : S

"O

5.2

dissolved Magnesium, 

dissolved Sodium, 

dissol sodium, Percent Sodium-adsorption rat 

dissolved Potassium, 

0 0 O i 0

°> °> <"* i '

CS CS Q.J

fT 4 fT t

1 1 ! 1 S

H,

: i i ! :

o

r- o ' en »n vO t*»

O t

8

0 ' Tj- Tt 

' i en i

cs cs

o

ON cs O >n O\ -H en

O 0 0 

OO OO CS

en * i 

cs V

OO OO OO O OO

0 O 0 0

" '

"bb w> bb bb bb

e e e e =*.

dissolved Sulfate, Chloride, dissolved Fluoride, dissolved 

Silica, dissolved dissolved Arsenic, 

O O i O O

1 1 1 1 1

0 tL, ' PU ®

2

§

 <* ! Xt Q 

O

cs"

en

 ' 0 i i 

cs vo 1 1

r**

O O en »o

CS

>n

O V O <-i «n 

rj- in V V

in

en V O - i >n 

vo oo V V

O O oo O O

»n p

cs o * « in

bO bb bb WJ bO

:i :± =J. :i =i

dissolved Barium, dissolved Beryllium, 

dissolved Boron, 

dissolved Cadmium, dissolved Chromium, 

Statistical Summary of Water-Quality Analyses From Missouri River Valley Alluvial Aquifer 75
o>

if

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3

O

V)

V) I

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£ 0)

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0)

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cE i

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ca a 2

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tn CC 5

« 2 £? w2'-|

(Q 0) "-^~

£» QL

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CO f rt

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Q/ CO S^^

CQ 2 C 

^ 6 O)

o 'o.^

^» CB c

£ J| t>

E *"* Pr

3 C g

w 'i_ QL

Statistical Table13. aquife alluvial Valley Environmental U.S. 

"5 w SI* A, i. s .E < g>

A S* o> ui 2

C C yj CO £

3 M X "^ "^"

9^ flt ^^

s

,^

ll

= 1

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< £

Ul

CO

0) V

(5

P-S 

c o

3

z

r

o 

a

v

DC

C

L. pO

f

jo"5

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V"

5

CO

J

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ii

si

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c "5 5 c

CO (0

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V

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V

Constituen

j O O | j

^H

!§8 ! <-^ m

& [L!

4 #

tu tu

! g ! 0 ! 

en

-* i 8 ' &

-*

O O § O in ~* v 8 v ^

,_|

m O O O cs 

v o "v ^

(T> O O O V "* 00 -< CS V «n V

O O O O O

<^> O c*^ O ^

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w) bi) bi) bi) bi)

dissolved Cobalt, dissolved Copper, dissolved Iron, dissolved Lead, dissolved Lithium, 

O ! O O O *-H

8 ! ' ! §

B- fc

rt j 8^ !

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q

O r""> j J ^

q

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cs V V

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o

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60 W) W) W) W)

dissolved Manganese, 

dissolved Molybdenum, 

dissolved Nickl, 

dissolved Selenium, 

dissolved Silver, 

! j 0 0 i

: ,§ : «n

Ui ! j in *

^ IX,

! ! j O O

o\

O ' CS ' CS 

«n ' rr

<r>

8

VO O Tf CS 

00 V 2

r~; o\

§

^D ^D C1*! f"^1 

v

cs^ v

00 CS

O *O C*^ O "^

CS V

o o o o o

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f^ v^ p*^ "~*

wi wi wi n n

i i i Q, o,

c

o c

S -a

dissolved Strontium, dissolved Vanadium, 

dissolved Zinc, 

alphactivity bas Gross thorium-230 curve activity baseeta Gross strontium-90 curve

en o o j o

i i : i

o >n o j cs

CL, Ctc

O O O O O

o\

« \o ^

° !

ON O in O

O ' CS -^ V 

00

en

>n en ^

8 '^^ :

cs m en «-H »-< o

0 ' ' V

en 

cs

O\ O O O\ CS

cs >n

^^ f N ^^

O ' ' '

OO

OOD

fl 

(S

E

9

1

V-c

n

Radon-222, dissolved dissolved Radium-226, 

Uranium, total 

activity ratio, Uranium i

234:238 

Alachlor

o j j i

i i i i

m ! ! !

Bm ' ' '

ill!

in O >n in 

O CS O O

V V V V

1 1 1 1

S

O in »n CS O O

V V V V

CS CS CS CS

vo o in »n 

q cs q q

W) W) W) W)

i =L i i

Atrazine Cyanazine 

Deisopropylatrazine 

Deethylatrazine

76 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992
>

D)

Table 13. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples 

Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations Continued

S55'

=r. 

J>

</>

c

3

Constituent

Metolachlor

Metribuzin

Prometon

Simazine

ReportUnit of ing

measurement level

^ig/L 0.05

|ig/L .05

Hg/L .05

|ig/L .05

Number

of

samples

analyzed

2

2

2

2

USEPA drinkin

Minimum

<0.05

<.05

.10

<.05

Values regulatio

Maxi- Standard

Median mum deviation MCLG MCL

<0.05

<.05

.21

<.05 -- 4 i F4

'MCLG, Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that is protective of adverse health effects and allows 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991b, 1991e, 1992).

MCL, Maximum Contaminant Level, maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water that is delivered to any user of a public-water system 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991a, 1991c, 1991e, 1992).

SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that can adversely affect the odor or appearance o

Protection Agency, 199Id).
78 Reconnaissaru 

Through Septe

ce of Ground-W smber 1992

1

O

SL

 ?

5'

o

"0

0) 5.

1CO 

(0

o

2. 

3

 ^

1

i.

if

o

c

s

(0

as*

5.

m

1

»

3

z

§ 

5

(0

Table 14. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of sample

Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations

[jtS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (°C), °C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; ng/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; 

proposed; R, under review; **, copper action level (1,300 ug/L), lead action level (15 jig/L) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991a); ***, the Maximum Contam

particle and photon activity is 4 milh'rems per roentgen (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991); -, not applicable]

Constituent

Well depth

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory,

dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Unit of

measurement

feet

H.S/cm

standard units

°C

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L as CaCC>3

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

-

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

^g/L

ReportIng level

1.0

1.0

.1

.5

.1

.05

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

-

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

Number 

of

samples

analyzed

10

10

10

10

9

10

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Minimum

43

504

7.1

11.5

.1

<.05

170

157

308

47

12

17

12

.5

3.0

24

1.1

.30

23

2

Values

Median

61

592

7.5

12.5

1.1

.14

250

204

358

72

16

27

17

.7

8.0

68

17

.40

28

5

USEPA drinkin

regulation

Maximum

126

736

7.9

23.5

5.1

1.5

320

284

477

97

19

59

40

2

11

120

54

.40

37

9

Standard

deviation MCLG MCL

24 - | -

78

.2

4.5

1.8

.61 10 F 10

61

48

63

20

3.2

13

10

.5

2.7

40

16

.1

5.6

2 - F 50
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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

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CSB- d, S

ft- ft,

g* i mo

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ON V) V V

oo oo oo oo oo

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cs O <' >n

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dissolved Barium, dissolved Beryllium, 

dissolved Boron, 

Cadmium, dissolved Chromium, dissolved

! O m j j

! 8 8 ! ! O m

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dissolved Strontium, dissolved Vanadium, 

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alpha ba Gross activity thorium-230 curve Gross activity bas<eta strontium-90 curve

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dissolved Radon-222, Radium-226, dissolved 

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Uranium ratoactivity, 

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Statistical Summary of Water-Quality Analyses From Platte River Valley Alluvial Aquifer 79
m 

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(0

Table 14. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples 

Valley alluvial aquifer in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 19

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations Continued

inaissance c 

igh Septemb

<D =i,

1C)

(O o

{§ <= " 3

1

I

O

c 

at

f

3

«-» 

?

0)

 0

i

Constituent

Atrazine

Cyanazine

Deisopropylatrazine

Deethylatrazine

Metolachlor

Metribuzin

Prometon

Simazine

Unit of

measure- Reportment ing level

fig/L 0.05

Hg/L .20

Hg/L .05

Hg/L ' .05

|ig/L .05

|ig/L .05

jig/L .05

jig/L .05

Number

of

samples

analyzed

7

6

6

6

7

7

6

6

USEPA drinking

Minimum

0.16

<.20

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

<.05

Values

Median

0.58

.30

.09

.11

.09

<.05

<.05

<.05

Maximum

1.8

1.0

.29

.26

.24

.07

.06

.07

regulation

Standard

deviation MCLG MCL

0.67 3 F 3

.35

.11

.10 - ,-

.09

.03

.03

.04 4 F4

, Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that is protective of adverse health effects and allows a

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991b, 1991e, 1992).

MCL, Maximum Contaminant Level, maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water that is delivered to any user of a public-water system (U.S. Environmenta

1991c, 1991e, 1992).

SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that can adversely affect the odor or appearance o

Protection Agency, 1991d).

f
Table 15. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples 

area alluvial aquifers in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 199

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations

[uS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (°C), °C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; ug/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; T

F, final; P, proposed; R, under review; **, copper action level (1,300 ug/L), lead action level (15 ug/L) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991a); ***, the Maximum 

(MCL) for total beta particle and photon activity is 4 millirems per roentgen (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991); , not applicable]

'§

A 

U>

to

c

O

oc

D>

o

c

1D_

n>

a 

o.

a>

09

Constituent

Well depth

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Unit of

measurement

feet

H-S/cm

standard units

°C

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

--

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

ug/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

Hg/L

^g/L

Reporting

level

1.0

1.0

.1

.5

.1

.05

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

--

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

2

.5

10

1.0

5

Minimum

37

532

6.5

12.0

.1

<.05

240

210

329

68

17

10

6

.2

1.8

9.6

1.9

.20

24

<1

150

<.5

30

<1.0

<5

Values

Median

144

720

7.1

12.5

3.1

.20

340

310

436

95

24

19

11

.4

3.0

29

6.2

.30

26

1

170

<.5

55

<1.0

<5

USEPA drinking-water 

regulation1 

Maximum

330

1,020

7.6

22.0

8.6

30

410

320

557

120

28

25

16

.7

8.9

77

18

.40

32

2

290

<.5

730

<1.0

<5

Standard

deviation

89

138

.3

3.1

3.0

9.0

62

40

74

18

4.3

5.0

4

.2

2.6

25

7.0

.1

3.1

.8

52

--

280

-

--

MCLG1 MCL2

..

-

-

~

10 F10

..

-

-

..

_.

-

..

..

F50

2,000 F 2,000

4 F4

..

5 F5

100 F100

SMC

..

1

F 6.5

-

-

F500 

-

..

-

--

F250 

F250 

R2 

..

-
8 Table 15. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples f

33 area alluvial aquifers in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 199

§ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations Continued

naissance ofGrgh September 1!

1

SJ

o

B>

f5'

(D

 o

 8

i

o

c

30

I

I

C

i.

30

8>

Constituent

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lead, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Nickel, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based on

thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on

strontium-90 curve

ReportUnit of ing

measurement level

n.g/L 3

\Lg/L * 10

Hg/L 3

Hg/L ' 10

Hg/L 4

Hg/L 1

Hg/L 10

Hg/L 10

Hg/L 1

Hg/L 1.0

Hg/L 10

Hg/L 6

(ig/L 3

pCi/L .6

pCi/L .6

Minimum

<3

<10

<3

<10

12

<1

<10

<10

1

<1.0

260

<6

<3

2.3

3.6

Values

Median

<3

<10

6

<10

16

8

<10

<10

2

<1.0

370

<6

35

3.6

4.5

USEPA drinking-water 

regulation1

Maximum

<3

210

66

<10

38

410

<10

<10

12

2.0

840

<6

460

8.7

8.4

Standard

deviation

86

25

10

160

4

1

210

180

2.4

1.7

MCLG1

1,300

-

0

-

200

~

100

50

-

«

._

0

0

MCL2

~

FTT**

-

FTT**

--

R

--

F100

F50

~

F15

p ***

SMC

--

F 1,000

F300

1 "

F50

-

F100

..

F 5,000

-

--

o 

I

I-' 

m

Radon-222, dissolved 

Radium-226, dissolved 

Uranium, total 

Uranium ratio activity,

uranium-234:238 

Alachlor

Atrazine

Cyanazine

Deisopropylatrazine

Deethylatrazine

Metolachlor

pCi/L 

pCi/L

80)

.02

.1

390

.14

2.0

1.2

440

.46

2.3

1.3

1,200

.94

7.7

1.7

340

.34

2.5

.20

0

0

0

P300

P5

F20

[Lg/L

V-S/L 

Hg/L

.05

.05 

.20 

.05 

.05 

.05

<.05

<.05 

<.20 

<.05 

<.05 

<.05

<.05

.11 

<.20 

<.05 

<.05 

<.05

F2 

F3
St.

<n

CO

c

B)

I

6

B)

Table 15. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples 

area alluvial aquifers in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water regulations Continued

Constituent

Metribuzin

Prometon

Simazine

ReportUnit of ing

measurement level

\ig/L 0.05

|ig/L .05

\i g/L .05

Values

Minimum Median

<0.05

<.05

<.05

USEPA drinking-wate

regulation1 

Maximum

<0.05

.14

<.05

Standard

deviation MCLG1

4

MCL2

~

F4

SM

..

'MCLG, Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that is protective of adverse health effects and allows 

of safety (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991b, 1991e, 1992).

MCL, Maximum Contaminant Level, maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water that is delivered to any user of a public-water system (U.S. Environmen

Agency, 1991a, 1991c, 1991e, 1992).

SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that can adversely affect the odor or appearance 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991d).

o

c 

 u.

B)

3 

Q.
Table 16. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples 

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, July through September 1992, and U.S. Environmenta

drinking-water regulations

[uS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (°C), °C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; u.g/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; 

proposed; R, under review; **, copper action level (1,300 u,g/L), lead action level (15 u,g/L) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991a); ***, the Maximum Contam

and photon activity is 4 millirems per roentgen (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991); , not applicable]

is

CL

D

c

 a 

o'

I

5,

3)

o 

o

(D 

(0

q

51 

I

3

Constituent

Well depth

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Percent sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Unit of

measurement

feet -

u.S/cm

standard units

°C

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L as CaCO3

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

percent

-

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

Rg/L

Rg/L

Rg/L

Rg/L

Mg/L

Mg/L

Reporting

level

1.0

1.0

.1

.5

.1

.05

1

1

1

.10

.10

.10

1

-

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

1

2

.5

10

1.0

5

Number 

of

samples

analyzed

13

13

13

13

13

13

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

Minimum

133

445

6.9

12

.1

<.05

210

221

278

56

14

14

9

.3

2.2

4.6

3.7

.20

9.1

<1

14

<.5

50

<1

<5

Values

Median

238

719

7.0

13

4

.80

320

306

426

92

22

25

17

.7

4.1

27

16

.30

24

<1

99

<.5

120

<1

<5

USEPA drin

regula

Maximum

625

1,800

7.7

16

8.9

6.4

700

382

1,240

210

49

140

31

2

22

590

110

1.8

34

2

230

.8

550

2

7

Standard

deviation MCLG MCL

129

482 -- '

.2

1.2

2.9

2.1 10 F 10

200

58

407

61

12

51

8

.6

7.8

260

42

.57

9.0

1 F 50

85 2,000 F 2,000

.4 4 F4

200

1 5 F5

2 100 F 100
jjj '5

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ca ,h w i" "oCO

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Statistical Table 16.Papio-Missoui the in(USEPA) dri Agency 

^_ (0 ssfgi-fel flsslil

I«I 3 5 I

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%

S

0)*C

.£ .2

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I°I1

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Constituent

J 0 CN j !

i§8 i 

-J co

tu tu

1 * 1 * 1 1 * 1 * 1

fT, _fT l

; § i o :

*^

^2g : S

O O Q O O

CN"

co o in O CN V -« i cN

V V

ro o co O oo w ^ y _!

v v v

ON ON ON ON ON

ro O co O ^t

5b W) W) w) W) i i i i 3L

dissolved Cobalt, dissolved Copper, 

Iron, dissolved dissolved Lead, dissolved Lithium, 

 "t j O O O

O ! ! ! Q «n ' ' o

It, 71

tt.

oi ! § o j

""* fc

It,

8

! <^ (^ ' c^5 ^o

CN -«

co 

co co

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q

t

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0

Tt o o -;

rt ^ y y

V V

O

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v "v v v v

ON ON ON ON ON

0

 c o o *-;

W> W) W) W) W) A A i i A

dissolved Manganese, Molybdenum, dissolvec 

dissolved Nickl, 

dissolved Selenium, 

dissolved Silver, 

I ! O i

iiii .

in

It,

; | ! m *

tu *

IL.

i : i o o

in ON

8

! Tt -^ O 

 .-,

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8

vO OO vO O V ^f « ' co in

r- ^t

o vo oo in r-' 

oo v

co

vq CN

O vO co "^ co

CN V 

CN

ON ON ON ON ON

vq vq

O vO co

~Bb bb w> U O i =L i O, (X

0 C

"S -S

dissolved Strontium, dissolved Vanadium, 

dissolved Zinc, 

bas activity Gross alpha thorium-230 curve Gross activity baseeta strontium-90 curve

>n o o j o

: i : : :

o in O j CN

co °- ^ tt0-

O O O ! O

vo in co

g - cs

ON CN ^

o co r-' CN j

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ro CN in o

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ro

00 

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0 ' V - i ON

00 ON ON t~ -*

CN m

S c^j v^ CO ' ' i

ooD

J J ^ 

U U obj^ w> CX, CX ic^i i

Radon-222, dissolved dissolved Radium-226, 

Uranium, total 

activity, Uranium rato

uranium-234:238 

2Alachlor

o i j | |

, , , , ,

co j j i i

tu

co | j j j

i : i : :

IIII!

O CN* O O O

V V V V V

i ! i : :

*O c^ lo ^O "^

O C^ O O O

^^^^^

i i i i i

2 Atrazine 2 Cyanazine

2 Deisopropylatrazine

2 Deethylatrazine

2Metolachlor

Statistical Summary of Water-Quality Analyses From Dakota Aquifer 85
Table 16. Statistical summary of water-quality analyses, except ametryn, prometryn, and propazine herbicides, of samples f

H 30

ST O

Ji

3- g

SP8 -S S

is 

I sCO "i

to

11

o

SL 

.3-"

in the Papio-Missouri River Nati

Agency (USEPA) drinking-water

iral Resources District, eastern f1

regulations Continued

Number 

Report- of

Unit of ing samples

Constituent measurement level analyzed

Metribuzin2 Hg/L

Prometon Hg/L

Simazine2 Hg/L

0.05 1

.05 I

.05 1

Nebraska, July throu

Values

Minimum Median

<0.05

<.05

<.05

gh September 1 992, and U.S. Environm

USEPA drinkin

regulatio

Maxi- Standard

mum deviation MCLG MCL 

__

4 F4

o

2"

'MCLG, Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that is protective of adverse health effects and allows an ade

Environmental Protection Agency, 1991b, 1991e, 1992).

MCL, Maximum Contaminant Level, maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water that is delivered to any user of a public-water system (U.S. Environmental P

1991c, 1991e, 1992).

SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, a nonenforceable concentration of a drinking-water contaminant that can adversely affect the odor or appearance of wa

Protection Agency, 1991d).

Concentrations of triazine herbicides are shown for one sample; therefore, no minimum, maximum, or median exists, and the actual concentration is listed under median.

f

c_ 

c
Table 17. Results of Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests to determine differences in water 

chemistry or other characteristics among the aquifers in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District, eastern Nebraska

[__, indicates significant differences at an alpha level of 0.05 if the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance among all aquifers was 

significantly different; E, Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer; P, Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer; M, Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer; 

U, upland area alluvial aquifers; D, Dakota aquifer]

p-values of differences

Water-quality constituent,1 

property, or physical 

characteristic

Well depth

Specific conductance, field

pH, field

Water temperature, field

Oxygen, dissolved, field

Nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, lab, dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Sodium, dissolved

Sodium-adsorption ratio

Potassium, dissolved

Sulfate, dissolved

Chloride, dissolved

Fluoride, dissolved

Silica, dissolved

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved

Beryllium, dissolved

Boron, dissolved

Cadmium, dissolved

Chromium, dissolved

Cobalt, dissolved

Copper, dissolved

Iron, dissolved

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Molybdenum, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved

Silver, dissolved

Strontium, dissolved

Vanadium, dissolved

Zinc, dissolved

KruskalWallis test

<0.0001

<.OOQ1

.0061

.3393

.0573

.1813

.0005

.0001

.0093

.0017

.0001

.2216

.2090

.0981

.2853

.5042

.8705

.0126

.0007

.0372

.7410

.0602

.7855

.9925

.2626

.7282

.0002

.0067

.0007

.9942

.0259

.6877

.0067

.9900

.3678

EandP 

versus 

other 

aquifers

<0.0001

<.OOQ1

.0067

.7468

.4711

.9521

.0001

<.OOQ1

.0014

.0003

<.OOQ1

.8376

.2650

.0429

.5472

.0364

.4436

.0050

.0090

.2385

.4574

.2287

.7102

.8276

.1913

.5556

.8577

.0837

.0285

.8276

.3739

.6724

.0404

.7487

.2285

M

versus 

other 

aquifers

0.7055

.0001

.1367

.0860

.0064

.0211

.0005

.0001

.0029

.0009

.0001

.2556

.9765

1.0000

.2048

.7480

.4368

.8710

.0461

.1246

.6901

.0235

.4785

.8826

.0248

.4603

<.OOQ1

.0007

.0239

.6366

.0425

.9765

.0007

.8826

.6578

U 

versus 

other 

aquifers

0.5801

.4078

.8464

.8671

.2508

.3240

.7463

.6769

.8055

.9284

.4612

.0325

.0247

.0124

.0447

.0994

.8202

.2356

.0309

.7737

.2809

.1501

.3883

.9141

.5176

.7737

.0225

.0668

.0153

.9141

.0076

.6662

.1835

.9141

.2972

D 

versus 

other 

aquifers

<0.0001

.6407

.1344

.2415

.4565

.2111

.3343

.3907

.4662

.3343

.5001

.5603

.5398

..7956

.8332

.7831

.9742

.0295

.0016

.0058

.6567

.6271

.6567

.6130

.8301

.2202

.0344

.9146

.0038

.8903

.4761

.3993

.9511

.8903

.3118

Results of Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Tests 87
Table 17. Results of Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests to determine differences in water 

chemistry or other characteristics among the aquifers in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources 

District, eastern Nebraska Continued

p-values of differences

Water-quality constituent,1 

property, or physical 

characteristic

Gross alpha activity based on thorium230 curve

Gross beta activity based on strontium90 curve

Radon-222 activity, dissolved 

Radium-226 activity, dissolved 

Uranium, total

Uranium ratio activity, 

uranium-234:238

KruskalWallis test

0.0242

.0382_

.0949 

.2756 

.1103

.2207

EandP 

versus 

other 

aquifers

0.4122

.0129

.6517 

.1869 

.3630

.6302

M

versus 

other 

aquifers

0.0044

.4785

.0775 

.2317 

.0142

.2787

U 

versus 

other 

aquifers

1.0000

.0097

.0189 

.8433 

.1058

.1554

D 

versus 

other 

aquifers

0.0480

0.9756

.4171 

.8782 

.9389

.0570

AH concentrations of nickel and lead were less than the detection level.
Table 18. Statistically significant results (alpha = 0.05) of the Tukey's test to test for differences in median 

concentrations or values of water-quality constituents or other characteristics among the aquifers in the 

Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska

[Group medians with boxes shaded along the same row are not significantly different and illustrate the pattern of concentration levels of the data; 

E, Elkhorn River Valley alluvial aquifer; M, Missouri River Valley alluvial aquifer; P, Platte River Valley alluvial aquifer; U, upland area alluvial 

aquifer; D, Dakota aquifer]

Water-quality constituent,

property, or physical

characteristic1

Aquifers

Well depth

E M P U D

Specific conductance, field

pH, field 

Hardness, total

Alkalinity, laboratory, 

dissolved

Dissolved solids, calculated 

Calcium, dissolved

Magnesium, dissolved

Silica, dissolved 

Arsenic, dissolved

Barium, dissolved 

Boron, dissolved

Statistically Significant Results of Tukey's Test 89
Table 18. Statistically significant results (alpha = 0.05) of the Tukey's multiple-comparison procedure to 

test for differences in median concentrations of water-quality constituents among the aquifers in the PapioMissouri Natural Resources District Continued

Water-quality constituent,

property, or physical

characteristic1

Cobalt, dissolved 

Iron, dissolved 

Lithium, dissolved

Manganese, dissolved

Selenium, dissolved 

Strontium, dissolved

Gross alpha activity based 

on thorium-230 curve

Gross beta activity based on 

strontium-90 curve

Aquifers

1 Significant differences were not noted for water temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen, sodium, percent sodium, sodiumadsorption ratio, potassium, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, molybdenum, nickel, silver, vanadium, zinc, 

radon-222, radium-226, and total uranium.

90 Reconnaissance of Ground-Water Quality in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Eastern Nebraska, July 

Through September 1992

* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1995 658-896