Prepared in cooperation with the

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Groundwater Quality in the Delaware and St. Lawrence River 

Basins, New York, 2010

Open-File Report 2011–1320

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Cover. Snow geese and water towers, Malone, New York.
Prepared in cooperation with the

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

Groundwater Quality in the Delaware and St. Lawrence 

River Basins, New York, 2010

By Elizabeth A. Nystrom

Open-File Report 2011–1320

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2012 

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Suggested citation:

Nystrom, E.A., 2012, Groundwater quality in the Delaware and St. Lawrence River Basins, New York, 2010: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1320, 58 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1320/.

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.
Contents

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

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

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

Hydrogeologic Setting of the Delaware River Basin in New York............................................................................... 3

Hydrogeologic Setting of the St. Lawrence River Basin in New York......................................................................... 5

Methods of Investigation................................................................................................................................................ 5

Well Selection ............................................................................................................................................................ 5

Sample Collection and Analytical Methods ................................................................................................................ 8

Quality Control Samples ............................................................................................................................................ 9

Groundwater Quality.....................................................................................................................................................10

Groundwater Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York...................................................................................10

Physiochemical Properties ....................................................................................................................................11

Major Ions .............................................................................................................................................................11

Nutrients and Total Organic Carbon......................................................................................................................12

Trace Elements .....................................................................................................................................................13

Pesticides..............................................................................................................................................................14

Volatile Organic Compounds.................................................................................................................................15

Radionuclides........................................................................................................................................................15

Bacteria .................................................................................................................................................................16

Well sampled in 2005 and 2010 ............................................................................................................................16

Groundwater Quality in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York.............................................................................16

Physiochemical Properties ....................................................................................................................................16

Major Ions .............................................................................................................................................................17

Nutrients and Total Organic Carbon......................................................................................................................18

Trace Elements .....................................................................................................................................................19

Pesticides..............................................................................................................................................................20

Volatile Organic Compounds.................................................................................................................................21

Radionuclides........................................................................................................................................................21

Bacteria .................................................................................................................................................................21

Wells sampled in 2005 and 2010 ..........................................................................................................................22

Summary ......................................................................................................................................................................22

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................................23

Appendix 1: Results of Water-Sample Analyses in the Delaware River Basin..............................................................25

Appendix 2: Results of Water-Sample Analyses in the St. Lawrence River Basin........................................................39

Figures

Maps showing:

Figure 1. Generalized bedrock geology of the Delaware River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled in 

2010. ................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Figure 2. Generalized surficial geology of the Delaware River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled in 

2010. ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Figure 3. Generalized bedrock geology of the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled 

in 2010. ................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Figure 4. Generalized surficial geology of the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled 

in 2010. ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Tables

Table 1. Previous groundwater-quality studies and reports..................................................................................... 2

Table 2. Information on wells from which water samples were collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 

2010. ................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Table 3. Information on wells from which water samples were collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Table 4. Summary of information on wells from which water samples were collected in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Table 5. Summary of information on wells from which water samples were collected in the St. Lawrence River 

Basin, New York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................... 10

Table 6. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for physiochemical properties of groundwater samples 

from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010......................................................................................................... 11

Table 7. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions in groundwater 

samples from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. ......................................................................................... 12

Table 8. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in groundwater samples 

from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010......................................................................................................... 13

Table 9. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of trace elements in groundwater 

samples from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. ......................................................................................... 14

Table 10. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of radionuclides in groundwater 

samples from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. ......................................................................................... 15

Table 11. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for physiochemical properties of groundwater samples 

from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010................................................................................................... 17

Table 12. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions in groundwater 

samples from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010..................................................................................... 18

Table 13. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in groundwater samples 

from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010................................................................................................... 19

Table 14. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of trace elements in groundwater 

samples from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010..................................................................................... 20

Table 15. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples 

from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010................................................................................................... 21

Appendix 1

Table 1-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 26

Table 1-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 

2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 28

Table 1-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 29

Table 1-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware 

River Basin, New York, 2010....................................................................................................................................... 30

Table 1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 30

Table 1-6. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 32

Table 1-7. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in groundwater samples collected in the 

Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010....................................................................................................................... 32

Table 1-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. 33
Table 1-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. ................ 33

Table 1-10. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater 

samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010................................................................ 34

Table 1-11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples in the Delaware River 

Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. ............................................................................................................................... 35

Table 1-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2005 and 2010. .................................................................................................................................................. 36

Table 1-13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River 

Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. ............................................................................................................................... 38

Appendix 2

Table 2-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 40

Table 2-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 42

Table 2-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 44

Table 2-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence 

River Basin, New York, 2010....................................................................................................................................... 46

Table 2-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 47

Table 2-6. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River 

Basin, New York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................... 50

Table 2-7. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. ..................................................................................................................... 51

Table 2-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 52

Table 2-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. .......... 53

Table 2-10. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater 

samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. ......................................................... 54

Table 2-11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples collected in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010....................................................................................................... 55

Table 2-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2005 and 2010............................................................................................................................................................. 56

Table 2-13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence 

River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010....................................................................................................................... 58
Conversion Factors, Datum, and Acronyms

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

acre 0.004047 square kilometer (km2)

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Volume

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L) 

liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal)

Flow rate

gallon per minute (gal/min) 0.06309 liter per second (L/s)

Pressure

inch of mercury at 60oF (in Hg) 3.377 kilopascal (kPa) 

Radioactivity

picocurie per liter (pCi/L) 0.037 becquerel per liter (Bq/L) 

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the insert North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).

Elevation, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 25°C).

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given either in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or micrograms per liter (μg/L). 

Radiochemical activities are given in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). 
Acronyms used in this report

AMCL Alternative maximum contaminant level

CFCL USGS Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory

CFU Colony-forming units

CIAT 2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine

LRL Laboratory reporting level

MCL Maximum contaminant level

NAD 83 North American Datum of 1983

NAVD 88 North American Vertical Datum of 1988

NWQL USGS National Water Quality Laboratory

NYSDEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

NYSDOH New York State Department of Health

SDWS Secondary drinking-water standards

THM Trihalomethane

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

VOC Volatile organic compound
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Groundwater Quality in the Delaware and St. Lawrence 

River Basins, New York, 2010

By Elizabeth A. Nystrom

Abstract

Water samples were collected from 10 production and domestic wells in the Delaware River Basin 

in New York and from 20 production and domestic wells in the St. Lawrence River Basin in New York 

from August through November 2010 to characterize groundwater quality in the basins. The samples 

were collected and processed by standard U.S. Geological Survey procedures and were analyzed for 147 

physiochemical properties and constituents, including major ions, nutrients, trace elements, pesticides, 

volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radionuclides, and indicator bacteria. 

The Delaware River Basin covers 2,360 square miles in New York, and is underlain mainly by 

shale and sandstone bedrock with other types of bedrock present locally. The bedrock is overlain by till in 

much of the basin, but surficial deposits of saturated sand and gravel are present in some areas. Five of 

the wells sampled in the Delaware study area are completed in sand and gravel deposits, and five are 

completed in bedrock. Groundwater in the Delaware study area was typically neutral or slightly acidic; 

the water typically was soft. Bicarbonate, chloride, and calcium were the major ions with the greatest 

median concentrations; the dominant nutrient was nitrate. Strontium, barium, iron, and boron were the 

trace elements with the highest median concentrations. Radon was detected in all samples with activities 

greater than 300 picocuries per liter; the greatest radon activities were in samples from bedrock wells. 

Four pesticides, all herbicides or their degradates, were detected in four samples at trace levels; five 

VOCs, including four trihalomethanes and tetrachloromethane, were detected in two samples. Coliform 

bacteria were detected in five samples, but fecal coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were not 

detected in any samples from the Delaware study area. 

The St. Lawrence River Basin covers 5,650 square miles in New York. The St. Lawrence River 

Basin in New York is underlain by crystalline, carbonate, and sandstone bedrock. The bedrock is overlain 

by till or lacustrine and marine deposits in much of the basin. Surficial deposits of saturated sand and 

gravel are present locally, but most wells in the basin are completed in bedrock. Five of the wells sampled 

in the St. Lawrence study area are completed in sand and gravel deposits, and 15 are completed in 

bedrock. Groundwater in the St. Lawrence study area was typically neutral or slightly basic; the water 

typically was hard. Bicarbonate, sulfate, and calcium were the major ions with the greatest median 

concentrations; the dominant nutrient was nitrate. Strontium, iron, barium, and boron were the trace 

elements with the highest median concentrations. Radon was detected in two-thirds of samples with 

activities greater than 300 picocuries per liter; the greatest radon activities were in samples from bedrock 

wells. Seven pesticides, including 5 herbicides, an herbicide degradate, and an insecticide, were detected 

in 11 samples at trace levels; 3 VOCs (tetrachloroethene, toluene, and trichloromethane, or chloroform) 

were detected in 2 samples. Coliform bacteria were detected in 7 samples, and E. coli were detected in

two samples in the St. Lawrence study area.

Water quality in both study areas is generally good, but concentrations of some constituents 

equaled or exceeded current or proposed Federal or New York State drinking-water standards. The 

standards exceeded are color (one sample in the St. Lawrence study area), pH (three samples in the 

Delaware study area), sodium (one sample in the St. Lawrence study area), total dissolved solids (one

sample in the St. Lawrence study area), aluminum (one sample in the Delaware study area and one sample 
2 

in the St. Lawrence study area), iron (seven samples in the St. Lawrence study area), manganese (one 

sample in the Delaware study area and five samples in the St. Lawrence study area), gross alpha 

radioactivity (one sample in the St. Lawrence study area), radon-222 (10 samples in the Delaware study 

area and 14 samples in the St. Lawrence study area), and bacteria (5 samples in the Delaware study area 

and 10 samples in the St. Lawrence study area). E. coli bacteria were detected in samples from two wells 

in the St. Lawrence study area. Concentrations of chloride, fluoride, sulfate, nitrate, nitrite, antimony, 

arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, thallium, zinc, 

and uranium did not exceed existing drinking-water standards in any of the samples collected.

Introduction 

The Federal Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 require biennial reports from states on the 

chemical quality of surface water and groundwater within their boundaries (U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1997). In 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the New York State 

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), developed a program to evaluate groundwater 

quality throughout the major river basins in New York on a rotating basis. The program parallels the 

NYSDEC Rotating Intensive Basin Study program, which evaluates surface-water quality in 2 or 3 of the 

14 major river basins in the State each year. The groundwater-quality program began in 2002 with a pilot 

study in the Mohawk River Basin and has continued throughout upstate New York since then (table 1). 

Sampling completed in 2008 represents the conclusion of a first round of groundwater-quality sampling 

throughout New York State (excluding Long Island, which is monitored through local county programs). 

Groundwater-quality sampling was conducted in 2010 in the Delaware, Genesee, and St. Lawrence River 

Basins; these basins also were sampled in 2005 as part of this study. 

Table 1. Previous groundwater-quality studies and reports.

Study area Year Report Reference

Mohawk River Basin 2002 Water-Data Report NY-02-1 Butch and others, 2003

Chemung River Basin 2003 Open-File Report 2004-1329 Hetcher-Aguila, 2005

Lake Champlain Basin 2004 Open-File Report 2006-1088 Nystrom, 2006

Susquehanna River Basin 2004 Open-File Report 2006-1161 Hetcher-Aguila and Eckhardt, 2006

Delaware River Basin 2005 Open-File Report 2007-1098 Nystrom, 2007b

Genesee River Basin 2005 Open-File Report 2007-1093 Eckhardt and others, 2007

St. Lawrence River Basin 2005 Open-File Report 2007-1066 Nystrom, 2007a

Mohawk River Basin 2006 Open-File Report 2008-1086 Nystrom, 2008

Western New York 2006 Open-File Report 2008-1140 Eckhardt and others, 2008

Central New York 2007 Open-File Report 2009-1257 Eckhardt and others, 2009

Upper Hudson River Basin 2007 Open-File Report 2009-1240 Nystrom, 2009

Chemung River Basin 2008 Open-File Report 2011-1112 Risen and Reddy, 2011a

Eastern Lake Ontario Basin 2008 Open-File Report 2011-1074 Risen and Reddy, 2011b

Lower Hudson River Basin 2008 Open-File Report 2010- 1197 Nystrom, 2010

Lake Champlain Basin 2009 Open-File Report 2011- 1180 Nystrom, 2011

Susquehanna River Basin 2009

Purpose and Scope

This report presents the findings of the 2010 study in the Delaware River Basin, in which 10 

groundwater-quality samples were collected from August through November 2010, and in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, in which 20 groundwater-quality samples were collected from August through 

October 2010. The report (1) describes the hydrogeologic setting, sampled wells, and the methods of site 

selection, sample collection, and chemical analysis, (2) presents discussions of the analytical results for 

physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, trace elements, pesticides, volatile 

organic compounds (VOCs), radionuclides, and indicator bacteria, and (3) presents comparisons of the 
3 

results of this study with results for selected wells in the Delaware and St. Lawrence River Basins that 

were sampled in 2005 (Nystrom, 2007a and 2007b). 

Hydrogeologic Setting of the Delaware River Basin in New York

The Delaware River Basin encompasses approximately 12,700 square miles (mi2) in New York, 

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. This study addressed the 2,360-mi2 part of the Delaware River

Basin that lies within New York (hereafter referred to as the “Delaware study area”; fig. 1). The Delaware 

study area contains parts of eight counties, including most of Delaware and Sullivan Counties, part of 

Broome, Orange, and Ulster Counties, and small parts of Chenango, Greene, and Schoharie Counties (fig. 

1).

Figure 1. Generalized bedrock geology of the Delaware River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled in 

2010.

EXPLANATION

Generalized bedrock geology

Shale and sandstone

Shale

Carbonates

Black Shale

Meta-clastic

Crystalline

Bedrock well sampled

Sand and gravel well sampled

Study area

!

R

Base from U.S. geological Survey digital data, 1983, 1:100,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Geology modified from Fisher and others, 1970

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

NEW JERSEY

"

"

"

Liberty

Monticello

Port Jervis

Location map

NY

VT

PA

CT

NJ

MA

Study

area

DELAWARE

SULLIVAN

WAYNE

PIKE

ULSTER

ORANGE

OTSEGO

CHENANGO

GREENE

BROOME

SCHOHARIE

LACKAWANNA

SUSSEX

SUSQUEHANNA

0 5 10 20 MILES

0 5 10 20 KILOMETERS

75°30'W 75°00'W 74°30'W

42°30'N

42°00'N

41°30'N Delaware River

West Branch Delaware River

East Branch Delaware River

U2705

D1191

D 523

SV 555

SV2320

SV1689

SV 884

SV 551

SV 534

BM1405

D1191

SV 551

!

!

!

!

!

R

R

R

R

R
4 

The highest elevations in the Delaware study area are more than 4,000 ft above the North 

American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) along the eastern edge of the basin; the lowest elevation 

(approximately 420 ft) in the basin is at the Delaware River’s exit from New York State at Port Jervis (fig. 

1). The Delaware study area is predominantly forested, especially in upland areas, with urban and 

agricultural areas mainly in valleys and other low-lying areas (Vogelmann and others, 2001). Urban 

centers and adjacent developed areas in the Delaware study area include Port Jervis, Monticello, and 

Liberty (fig. 1).

Figure 2. Generalized surficial geology of the Delaware River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled in 

2010.

Bedrock in the Delaware study area (fig. 1) is mainly sedimentary sandstone and shale with a 

narrow (less than 10 mi wide) band of carbonate rocks that runs parallel to the southeastern edge of the 

basin. Wells completed in the sandstone and shale generally produce small to moderate yields of 10 to 

100 gal/min (Barksdale, 1970). The surficial material (fig. 2) throughout the study area was deposited 

EXPLANATION

Bedrock well sampled

Sand and gravel well sampled

Study area

Surficial material

Alluvium

Lacustrine and marine sand and gravel

Ice contact deposits

Lacustrine and marine silt and clay

Bedrock

Till

R

!

Base from U.S. geological Survey digital data, 1983, 1:100,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Geology modified from Cadwell, 1991

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

NEW JERSEY

DELAWARE

SULLIVAN

WAYNE

PIKE

ULSTER

ORANGE

OTSEGO

CHENANGO

GREENE

BROOME

SCHOHARIE

LACKAWANNA

SUSSEX

SUSQUEHANNA

0 5 10 20 MILES

0 5 10 20 KILOMETERS

75°30'W 75°00'W 74°30'W

42°30'N

42°00'N

41°30'N Delaware River

West Branch Delaware River

East Branch Delaware River

U2705

D1191

D 523

SV 555

SV2320

SV1689

SV 884

SV 551

SV 534

BM1405

D1191

SV 551

!

!

!

!

!

R

R

R

R

R
5 

primarily during the Pleistocene epoch when the Wisconsin glaciers covered most of the Northeast 

(Isachsen and others, 2000). Till was deposited by glaciers over most of the study area; alluvial, 

glaciofluvial, and ice-contact sand and gravel deposits are present mainly in valleys. Till generally has 

low yields of water, whereas the well sorted valley deposits form important aquifers in the basin that may 

produce yields of 1,000 gal/min or more (Barksdale, 1970). 

Hydrogeologic Setting of the St. Lawrence River Basin in New York

The St. Lawrence River forms the outlet of the Great Lakes Basin, the largest fresh surface-water 

system in the world (Government of Canada and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1995), draining 

296,000 mi2

 in the United States and Canada. This study addressed the 5,650-mi2 part of the St. Lawrence 

River Basin that lies downstream from Lake Ontario within New York (hereafter referred to as the “St. 

Lawrence study area”), excluding the Lake Champlain/Richelieu River Basin (fig. 3). The St. Lawrence 

study area contains all or part of eight counties, including all of St. Lawrence County, most of Franklin 

County, and portions of Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, and Lewis Counties (fig. 3). The 

highest elevations in the St. Lawrence study area are more than 4,000 ft above NAVD 88 along the 

southeastern edge of the basin in the Adirondack Mountains (fig. 3); the lowest elevations (approximately 

150 ft) are present along the northern edge of the study area in the St. Lawrence Valley. The portion of 

the St. Lawrence study area in the Adirondack Mountains is predominantly forested; agricultural and 

urban areas in the study area are present mainly in the St. Lawrence Valley (Vogelmann and others, 2001). 

Bedrock in the St. Lawrence study area (fig. 3) is mainly crystalline, but two wide bands of 

carbonate and sandstone bedrock are present along the northern edge of the basin. The surficial material 

(fig. 4) throughout the study area was deposited primarily during the Pleistocene epoch when the 

Wisconsin glaciers covered most of the Northeast (Isachsen and others, 2000). Till was deposited by 

glaciers over much of the study area, but large lacustrine and marine deposits are present, especially in the 

western part of the study area. Alluvial, glaciofluvial, and ice-contact sand and gravel deposits are present 

mainly in valleys. Sand and gravel deposits generally produce the highest yields in the St. Lawrence study 

area, but the sandstone and carbonate aquifers along the northern edge of the basin in the St. Lawrence 

Valley (fig. 3) also produce moderate yields (Great Lakes Basin Commission, 1975). The crystalline 

bedrock in the Adirondack Mountains generally produces the lowest yields of the aquifers in the basin. 

Most wells in the St. Lawrence study area are completed in bedrock; production wells are completed in

sand and gravel deposits where they are present. 

Methods of Investigation 

The methods used in this study, including (1) well-selection criteria, (2) sampling methods, and (3) 

analytical methods, were designed to maximize data precision, accuracy, and comparability. 

Groundwater-sample collection and processing followed standard USGS procedures as documented in the 

National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (U.S. Geological Survey, variously 

dated). Samples were analyzed by documented methods at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory 

(NWQL) in Denver, CO, and other laboratories. 

Well Selection

Wells were selected to provide adequate spatial coverage of the study area with emphasis on areas 

of greatest groundwater use. The final selection of each well was based on the availability of wellconstruction data and hydrogeologic information for the well and its surrounding area. The study did not 

target specific municipalities, industries, or agricultural practices. The 30 wells selected for sampling 

(figs. 1 to 4) represent forested, developed, and agricultural areas. The characteristics of the wells 

sampled and the type of land cover surrounding each well are listed in tables 2 (Delaware study area) and 

3 (St. Lawrence study area). The depths of the wells, the geologic units from which samples were 
6 

collected, and the numbers of production and domestic wells are summarized in tables 4 and 5. Five wells 

sampled in 2010 (one well, SV1689, in the Delaware study area and four wells, F543, F573, ST378, and 

ST950, in the St. Lawrence study area) were also sampled in 2005 (Nystrom, 2007a and 2007b). 

EXPLANATION

Generalized bedrock geology

Sandstone

Shale

Carbonates

Black Shale

Crystalline

Bedrock geology unknown

Bedrock well sampled

Sand and gravel well sampled

Study area

Lake Ontario and St Lawrence River

ST3322 !

ST 378

Base from U.S. geological Survey digital data, 1983, 1:100,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Geology modified from Fisher and others, 1970

St Lawrence Valley

Adirondack Mountains

Location map

NY

VT

PA

CT

NJ

MA

Study

area

0 10 20 40 MILES

0 10 20 40 KILOMETERS

76°0'W 75°0'W 74°0'W

45°0'N

44°0'N

ESSEX

ST LAWRENCE

FRANKLIN

LEWIS

JEFFERSON

CLINTON

HERKIMER HAMILTON

WARREN

OSWEGO

NEW YORK

QUEBEC

ONTARIO

St. Lawrence River

J 836

H 80

F1051

F1042

F 573

F 543

F 91 CL674

ST3322

ST3204

ST3032

ST2758

ST2584

ST2291

ST2074

ST1424 ST1426

ST 950

ST 378

J1736

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

Figure 3. Generalized bedrock geology of the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled 

in 2010.
7 

EXPLANATION

Bedrock well sampled

Sand and gravel well sampled

Study area

Surficial material

Alluvium

Lacustrine and marine sand and gravel

Ice contact deposits

Lacustrine and marine silt and clay

Bedrock

Till

Lake Ontario and St Lawrence River

!

Base from U.S. geological Survey digital data, 1983, 1:100,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Geology modified from Cadwell, 1991

ST3322

ST 378

0 10 20 40 MILES

0 10 20 40 KILOMETERS

76°0'W 75°0'W 74°0'W

45°0'N

44°0'N

ESSEX

ST LAWRENCE

FRANKLIN

LEWIS

JEFFERSON

CLINTON

HERKIMER HAMILTON

WARREN

OSWEGO

NEW YORK

QUEBEC

ONTARIO

St. Lawrence River

J 836

H 80

F1051

F1042

F 573

F 543

F 91 CL674

ST3322

ST3204

ST3032

ST2758

ST2584

ST2291

ST2074

ST1424 ST1426

ST 950

ST 378

J1736

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

Figure 4. Generalized surficial geology of the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, and locations of wells sampled 

in 2010.

The domestic wells were selected on the basis of information from the NYSDEC Water Well 

program, which began in 2000. The program requires that licensed well drillers file a report with 

NYSDEC containing basic information about each well drilled, such as well and casing depth, diameter, 

yield, and a hydrogeologic log. Inspection of well-completion reports identified about 450 wells as 

potential sampling sites. The well owners were each sent a letter that included a request for permission to 

sample the well and a questionnaire about the well. Well owners who granted permission were contacted 

later by phone to verify well information and to arrange a convenient time for sampling. 
8 

Production wells considered for sampling were identified through the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (USEPA) Safe Drinking Water Information System and the NYSDEC Water Well 

program. Town officials and (or) water managers were sent letters requesting permission to sample a 

well, and follow-up phone calls were made to arrange a time for sampling. Well information, such as 

depth, was provided by water managers if a well-completion report was unavailable. The aquifer type 

indicated for sampled wells was verified through inspection of published geologic maps, including Fisher 

and others (1970) and Cadwell (1991) 

Sample Collection and Analytical Methods

Samples were collected and processed in accordance with documented USGS protocols (U.S. 

Geological Survey, variously dated). The samples were collected before any water-treatment system to be 

as representative of the aquifer water quality as possible. Most samples from domestic wells were 

collected from a spigot near the pressure tank; samples from production wells were collected at the spigot 

or faucet used for collection of raw-water samples by water managers. Detailed sample collection 

methods are documented in Nystrom (2010). 

Samples were analyzed for 147 physiochemical properties and constituents, including major ions, 

nutrients, trace elements, pesticides and pesticide degradates, VOCs, radionuclides, and bacteria. 

Physiochemical properties such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, and specific 

conductance were measured at the sampling site. Major ions, nutrients, total organic carbon, trace 

elements, radon-222, pesticides and pesticide degradates, and VOCs were analyzed at the USGS NWQL 

in Denver, CO. Selected dissolved gases were measured at the USGS Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory 

(CFCL) in Reston, VA. Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities were measured at Eberline Services in 

Richmond, CA. Indicator bacteria were analyzed at the New York State Department of Health 

(NYSDOH) certified OCL Analytical Services, in Bloomingburg, NY and Life Science Laboratories in 

Waddington, NY. More information about the analytical methods used can be found in Nystrom (2010). 

Table 2. Information on wells from which water samples were collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. 

[--, unknown; well types: P, production; D, domestic. Land cover categories: D, developed; F, forested; 

A, agricultural; W, open water; WL, wetlands. Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2] 

Well 

number1

Date 

sampled

Well 

depth, feet 

below land 

surface

Casing 

depth, feet 

below land 

surface Well type Bedrock type

Land cover2, percentage by 

category, within 0.5-mile radius 

surrounding the well

D F A W WL

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 10/25/2010 100 100 D

D523 9/30/2010 38 28 P

SV534 10/27/2010 42 34 P 

SV555 11/15/2010 49 37 P

SV884 8/24/2010 60 57 P

Bedrock wells

D1191 8/24/2010 327 40 D Shale and sandstone

SV551 10/28/2010 550 -- P Carbonate

SV1689 10/7/2010 380 10 D Shale and sandstone

SV2320 9/27/2010 320 10 D Shale and sandstone

U2705 9/29/2010 240 40 D Shale and sandstone

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.

2 Determined from the National Land Cover Data set (Vogelmann and others, 2001).

26

8

14

67

10

57

71

51

14

53

6

30

13

37

16

1

3

1

1

14

2

5

1

2

4

15

2

93

63

96

44

88

18

18

8

6

17

22

2
9 

Quality Control Samples

In addition to the 30 groundwater samples, 1 blank sample and 2 concurrent replicate samples were 

collected for quality assurance. No constituents exceeded laboratory reporting levels (LRLs) in the blank 

sample. The variability between replicate samples was greatest for unfiltered trace elements. The only 

VOC or pesticide detected in the replicate samples was simazine, which was detected in samples from one 

well at a concentration of 0.003 micrograms per liter (μg/L) in the regular sample and 0.004 μg/L in the 

replicate sample.

Table 3. Information on wells from which water samples were collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2010. 

[--, unknown; well types: P, production; D, domestic; M, municipal. Land cover categories: D, developed; F, forested; 

A, agricultural; W, open water; WL, wetlands. Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4] 

Well 

number1

Date 

sampled

Well depth, 

feet below 

land surface

Casing depth, 

feet below land 

surface Well type Bedrock type

Land cover2, percentage by 

category, within 0.5-mile radius 

surrounding the well

D F A W WL

Sand and gravel wells 

F543 8/31/2010 90 78 M 

F573 10/18/2010 236 152 P 

J1736 8/11/2010 41 20 P

ST378 8/12/2010 65 54 P

ST2584 8/10/2010 58 60 D

Bedrock wells 

CL674 10/19/2010 90 34 D Sandstone

F91 10/19/2010 170 150 P Sandstone

F1042 8/17/2010 242 66 D Crystalline

F1051 8/31/2010 305 22 D Crystalline

H80 9/1/2010 500 -- P Crystalline

J836 8/18/2010 60 18 D Sandstone

ST950 8/18/2010 280 42 P Carbonate

ST1424 10/18/2010 182 29 P Carbonate

ST1426 8/30/2010 207 22 P Carbonate

ST2074 8/10/2010 100 20 D Crystalline

ST2291 8/11/2010 216 48 D Crystalline

ST2758 8/30/2010 80 27 P Carbonate

ST3032 8/16/2010 243 20 D Sandstone

ST3204 8/16/2010 60 49 D Carbonate

ST3322 8/17/2010 145 42 D Crystalline

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.

2 Determined from the National Land Cover Data set (Vogelmann and others, 2001)

4

13

32

7

8

70

61

13

80

60

17

8

44

5

14

1

12

6

8

6

11

8

12

1

3

4

4

8

3

14

13

35

7

1

2

5

3

71

40

6

42

63

39

43

7

8

44

50

36

72

28

64

1

40

60

27

3

48

23

60

14

34

2

1

1

59

32

9

6

4

20

6

9

40

6

1

57

16

18

11

30

23

6

10

14

11

3

9

46

4

11

8

1
10

Table 4. Summary of information on wells from which water 

York, 2010. 

samples were collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

[bls, below land surface]

Type of well

Wells completed in sand and gravel (depth 38 to 100 feet bls) 

Number of wells

Production Domestic Total

4 1 5 

Wells completed in bedrock (depth 240 to 550 feet bls) 

Carbonate bedrock

1 4 5 

1 0 1 

Shale and sandstone bedrock

Total number of wells

0 4 4 

5 5 10 

Table 5. Summary of information on wells from which water 

New York, 2010.

samples were collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

[bls, below land surface]

Number of wells

Production & 

Type of well

Wells completed in sand and gravel (depth 41 to 236 feet bls) 

municipal

4 

Domestic Total

1 5 

Wells completed in bedrock (depth 60 to 500 feet bls) 

Carbonate bedrock

6 

4 

9 15

1 5 

Sandstone bedrock 1 3 4 

Crystalline bedrock

Total number of wells

1 

10

5 6 

10 20

Groundwater Quality 

Many of the constituents for which the groundwater samples were analyzed were not detected in 

any sample. Some concentrations are reported as “estimated.” Estimated concentrations are typically 

reported when the detected value is less than the established LRL or when recovery of a compound has 

been shown to be highly variable (Childress and others, 1999). Concentrations of some constituents 

exceeded maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or secondary drinking-water standards (SDWS) set by the 

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009) or NYSDOH (New York State Department of 

Health, 2007). MCLs are enforceable standards for finished water in public water supplies; they are not 

enforceable for private homeowner wells but are presented here as a standard for evaluation of the waterquality results. SDWS are nonenforceable drinking-water standards that typically relate to aesthetic 

concerns such as taste, odor, or staining of plumbing fixtures. 

Groundwater Quality in the Delaware River Basin, New York 

The results of analyses of the 10 groundwater samples collected in the Delaware study area during 

August through November 2010 are presented in tables 1-1 through 1-9 in appendix 1. Of the 147 

constituents and physiochemical properties analyzed for, 79 were not detected at levels greater than the 

LRLs in samples from the Delaware study area (appendix table 1-1). Results for the remaining 68 

constituents and properties that were detected in the Delaware study area are presented in appendix 1, 

tables 1-2 through 1-9. 
11

Physiochemical Properties 

All of the samples from the Delaware study area had a color of less than (<) 1 platinum-cobalt (PtCo) unit (table 6 and appendix table 1-2), and none exceeded the NYSDOH MCL and USEPA SDWS of 

15 Pt-Co units. Dissolved oxygen concentration ranged from <0.3 to more than 9.6 mg/L. Sample pH 

was typically near neutral or slightly acidic (median 6.6 for all wells) and ranged from 5.6 to 7.7. The pH 

of four samples was lower than the USEPA SDWS range for pH (6.5 to 8.5); two of the samples were 

from sand and gravel wells, and one was from a bedrock well. Specific conductance ranged from 44 to 

375 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 25°C); the median conductance was 216 

μS/cm at 25°C. Water temperature ranged from 8.2 to 14.9°C; the median temperature was 10.4°C. 

Methane was detected in 4 of the 10 samples with a maximum concentration of 0.014 mg/L.

Table 6. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for physiochemical properties of groundwater samples from 

the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. [All concentrations in unfiltered water except as noted; Pt-Co units, platinum-cobalt units; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, 

microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; oC, degrees Celsius; --, not applicable; <, less than; E, estimated 

concentration] 

Summary statistics and concentrations

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Median

(all 

samples)

Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers

(5 samples) (5 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Color, filtered, Pt-Co units 1

15 0 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1

Carbon dioxide, mg/L -- -- 25.2 4.7 31.0 76.5 2.4 23.2 32.1 

Dissolved oxygen, mg/L -- -- 5.6 .5 1.6 7.2 <.3 7.2 9.6

pH 1

6.5-8.5 4 6.6 5.6 6.5 7.6 5.6 6.8 7.7

Specific conductance, μS/cm -- -- 216 176 278 355 44 99 375

Temperature, oC -- -- 10.4 9.3 11.6 14.9 8.2 9.7 12.6

Argon, mg/L -- -- .7145 .5759 .7115 .7739 .6763 .7175 .8252 

Nitrogen gas, mg/L -- -- 19.65 16.05 19.92 22.39 17.37 19.38 23.88

Methane, mg/L -- -- <.0005 <.0005 E.0002 .0010 <.0005 <.0005 .014 

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

Major Ions 

The anions detected in the highest concentrations were bicarbonate (median concentration 66 

mg/L, maximum concentration 122 mg/L) and chloride (median concentration 22.2 mg/L, maximum 

concentration 52.3 mg/L) (table 7 and appendix table 1-3). The cation detected in the highest 

concentration was calcium (median concentration 17.0 mg/L, maximum concentration 44.6 mg/L). The 

median concentrations of most major ions were greater in samples from sand and gravel wells than in 

samples from bedrock wells, especially chloride (median 31.5 mg/L in sand and gravel wells and 4.08 

mg/L in bedrock wells) and sodium (19.3 mg/L in sand and gravel wells and 3.60 mg/L in bedrock wells). 

Water samples from the Delaware study area were generally soft (0 to 60 mg/L as CaCO3; Hem, 1985) 

with a median hardness of 56.4 mg/L as CaCO3. Five samples were soft (0 to 60 mg/L as CaCO3), three 

samples were moderately hard (61 to 120 mg/L as CaCO3), and two samples were hard (121 to 180 mg/L 

as CaCO3). Alkalinity ranged from 9 to 100 mg/L as CaCO3; the median was 54 mg/L of CaCO3. 

Dissolved solids ranged from 34 to 235 mg/L with a median of 128 mg/L. The concentrations of sodium, 

chloride, fluoride, sulfate, and dissolved solids did not exceed established MCLs in any sample (table 7).
12

Table 7. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples 

from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010.

[All concentrations are in milligrams per liter in filtered water; --, not applicable; <, less than; oC, degrees Celsius; CaCO3, 

calcium carbonate] 

Summary statistics and concentrations

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Median (all 

samples)

Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers

(5 samples) (5 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Cations

Calcium -- -- 17.0 9.62 18.8 40.7 3.90 13.5 44.6

Magnesium -- -- 3.00 1.54 4.26 8.76 1.15 1.79 12.5

Potassium -- -- .96 1.03 1.58 2.79 .36 .70 .89

Sodium 4

60 0 12.4 10.9 19.3 43.2 .76 3.60 15.7

Anions

Bicarbonate -- -- 66 23 79 122 11 52 115

Chloride 2,3250 0 22.2 29.7 31.5 52.3 1.25 4.08 14.7

Fluoride

1

4.0

2

2.2

3

2 

0 .06 .04 .07 .13 <.08 .06 .11

Silica -- -- 5.62 4.04 5.78 7.89 3.30 4.52 10.6

Sulfate 2,3250 0 8.24 7.51 10.2 15.6 4.50 6.18 93

Hardness as CaCO3 -- -- 56.4 30.4 69.4 138 14.5 41.1 163

Alkalinity as CaCO3 -- -- 54 19 65 100 9 43 94

Dissolved solids, dried at 180oC 3

500 0 128 108 154 199 34 67 235

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level. 

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level. 

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard. 

4 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Drinking Water Advisory Taste Threshold. 

Nutrients and Total Organic Carbon

The dominant nutrient detected in the Delaware study area was nitrate (table 8 and appendix table 

1-4). Concentrations of ammonia ranged from <0.010 to 0.046 mg/L as nitrogen (N). Concentrations of 

nitrite plus nitrate ranged from <0.04 to 1.54 mg/L as N; the median concentration was 0.55 mg/L as N. 

The concentration of nitrate plus nitrite did not exceed the USEPA and NYSDOH MCL of 10 mg/L as N 

in any sample. Nitrite was detected in two samples with a maximum concentration of 0.009 mg/L as N; 

the concentration of nitrite did not exceed the MCL (1 mg/L as N) in any sample. Orthophosphate 

concentrations ranged from 0.009 to 0.038 mg/L as phosphorus (P). Total organic carbon was detected in 

9 of the 10 samples; the maximum concentration was 1.2 mg/L.
13

Table 8. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in groundwater samples from 

the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. [All concentrations in milligrams per liter in filtered water except as noted. N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; --, not applicable; <, 

less than; E, estimated concentration] 

Summary statistics and concentrations

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Median 

(all 

samples)

Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers

(5 samples) (5 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Ammonia plus organic 

N, as N -- -- <0.10 <0.05 <0.10 0.08 <0.05 <0.10 0.12

Ammonia (NH3), as N -- -- <.020 <.010 <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020 .046

Nitrite plus nitrate (NO2

+ NO3), as N

1,210 0 .55 .35 .70 1.54 <.04 .46 1.25

Nitrite (NO2), as N 1,21 0 <.002 <.001 <.002 .009 <.001 <.002 .004

Orthophosphate (PO4), as 

P -- -- .016 .010 .019 .034 .009 .013 .038

Total organic carbon

(TOC), unfiltered -- -- E.6 <.3 .4 1 E.4 .6 1.2

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

Trace Elements

The trace elements present in the highest median concentrations in the samples were strontium 

(median 124 μg/L), barium (median 46.3 μg/L), iron (median 28 μg/L in unfiltered water; 4 μg/L

estimated in filtered water), and boron (median 17 μg/L) (table 9 and appendix table 1-5). The highest 

detected concentration of a trace element was 3,680 μg/L for strontium in a sample from a bedrock well. 

The concentration of aluminum in one sample from a bedrock well, 200 μg/L, exceeded the low end of the 

USEPA SDWS for aluminum of 50 μg/L and equaled the high end of 200 μg/L. The concentration of 

manganese in one unfiltered sample (145 μg/L) and one filtered sample (112 μg/L) exceeded the USEPA 

SDWS of 50 μg/L; the NYSDOH MCL of 300 μg/L was not exceeded in any sample. Drinking-water 

standards for antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, 

selenium, silver, thallium, zinc, and uranium were not exceeded; additionally, mercury and thallium were 

not detected in any sample (appendix table 1-1).
14

Table 9. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples 

from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. [All concentrations in micrograms per liter in unfiltered water except as noted. <, less than; E, estimated concentration; --, not 

applicable] 

Summary statistics and concentrations

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Median 

(all 

samples)

Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers

(5 samples) (5 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Aluminum 3

50-200 1 E7 <3 E4 13 3 25 200

Antimony 1,26 0 <.4 <.2 <.4 .2 <.2 <.4 <.4

Arsenic 1,210 0 .56 .47 .54 1.5 .28 .62 1.9

Barium 1,22,000 0 46.3 42.9 51.8 138 23.1 31.6 98.1

Beryllium 1,24 0 <.04 <.02 <.04 .03 <.02 <.04 E.03

Boron, filtered -- -- 17 11 18 33 3.6 16 40

Cadmium 1,25 0 <.05 <.04 <.05 .06 <.04 <.04 <.05

Chromium 1,2100 0 <.42 <.21 <.42 .32 <.21 <.42 .58

Cobalt -- -- .02 <.04 .02 .04 <.02 .06 .14

Copper 3

1,000 0 7.3 1.2 4.5 25.5 1.2 12.7 36.8

Iron, filtered 2,3300 0 E4 <3 6 19 <6 E3 5 

Iron 2,3300 0 28 E9 24 118 10 33 271

Lead 4

15 0 .49 .05 .45 1.80 .25 .57 1.23

Lithium -- -- 2.6 E.2 2.6 11.7 1.0 8.7 14

Manganese, filtered

2

300

3

50

0 

1 3.8 1.2 11.3 112 <.2 2.1 5.3

Manganese

2

300

3

50

0 

1 7.2 1.6 12.2 145 3.4 5 11.5

Mercury 1,22 0 <.010 <.005 <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010 <.010

Molybdenum -- -- <.1 <.1 <.1 .2 <.1 .1 2.0

Nickel -- -- .27 <.12 .20 3.7 E.23 .38 .70 

Selenium 1,250 0 .11 <.05 .15 .26 <.05 .11 .29

Silver 2,3100 0 <.02 <.01 <.01 .03 <.01 E.01 .06

Strontium -- -- 124 48.5 81.1 306 20.9 246 3,680

Thallium 1,22 0 <.12 <.06 <.06 <.12 <.06 <.12 <.12

Zinc 2,35,000 0 5.2 <2.4 6.7 18.8 2.4 2.9 79.0

Uranium 1,230 0 .137 E.014 .085 .501 E.027 .311 .900

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

4 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Treatment Technique.

Pesticides

Four pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in four samples (appendix table 1-6); all 

were broadleaf herbicides or their degradates. Pesticides were detected in three samples from sand and 

gravel wells and in one sample from a bedrock well. All pesticide concentrations were in hundredths or 

thousandths of micrograms per liter; the constituent detected with the highest concentration (maximum 

0.059 μg/L) was atrazine. The most frequently detected pesticides were the herbicide degradate CIAT (2-

chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine, detected in four samples with an estimated maximum 

concentration of 0.077 μg/L) and the herbicide atrazine (detected in three samples with a maximum 

concentration of 0.059 μg/L). Simazine (an herbicide) was detected in two samples with a maximum 
15

concentration of 0.003 μg/L, and prometon (an herbicide) was detected in one sample. One sample from a 

sand and gravel well had detections of four pesticides. Another sample had detections of three pesticides, 

and a third had detections of two pesticides. The bedrock well sample in which a pesticide was detected 

had a single pesticide detection. No pesticide concentrations exceeded established drinking-water

standards; pesticide degradates currently are not regulated.

Volatile Organic Compounds 

Five VOCs were detected in samples from two wells (appendix table 1-7); one sample from a 

production well finished in sand and gravel had detections of five VOCs, and one sample from a bedrock 

well had a detection of one VOC. The VOCs detected include four trihalomethanes (THMs) and 

tetrachloromethane. THMs are byproducts that form when chlorine or bromine are used as disinfectants; 

they are also used as solvents. Trichloromethane (chloroform) was detected in two samples with a 

maximum concentration of 0.3 μg/L; the remaining THMs, including bromodichloromethane, 

tribromomethane, and dibromochloromethane, were detected in only one sample from a sand and gravel 

well. The maximum VOC concentration detected was 1.2 μg/L of dibromochloromethane. The 

concentration of total THMs did not exceed the NYSDOH and USEPA MCLs of 80 μg/L. 

Tetrachloromethane, a solvent, was detected in one sample from a sand and gravel well with a 

concentration of 0.8 μg/L, which did not exceed the NYSDOH and USEPA MCLs of 5 μg/L. 

Radionuclides

Gross alpha activity ranged from non-detectable levels to 1.7 pCi/L; the median activity was 0.7 

pCi/L (table 10 and appendix table 1-8). The gross alpha activity did not exceed the NYSDOH and 

USEPA MCLs for gross alpha of 15 pCi/L in any sample. Gross beta activities ranged from nondetectable levels to 2.5 pCi/L. The USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs for gross beta are expressed as a dose of 

4 millirem per year. Radon-222 activities in the water samples ranged from 410 to 1,670 pCi/L; the 

median was 870 pCi/L. The highest radon activities (more than 1,000 pCi/L) were in samples from 

bedrock wells. Radon is currently not regulated in drinking water; however, the USEPA has proposed a 

two-part standard for radon in drinking water: (1) a 300 pCi/L MCL for areas that do not implement an 

indoor-air radon mitigation program, and (2) an alternative MCL (AMCL) of 4,000 pCi/L for areas that do 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999). Activities in all of the samples exceeded the proposed 

MCL, but none exceeded the proposed AMCL. 

Table 10. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of radionuclides in groundwater samples 

from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. [All activities in picocuries per liter in unfiltered water except as noted. mrem/yr, millirem per year; --, not applicable; <, less 

than] 

Summary statistics and activities

Number of Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers Drinking- samples Median (5 samples) (5 samples) water exceeding (all 

Constituent standard standard samples) Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Gross alpha radioactivity 1,2

15 0 0.7 <0.67 <0.96 1.2 0.3 0.9 1.7

1,24 Gross beta radioactivity -- <.14 <1.1 2.0 2.5 <.86 <1.3 1.1 mrem/yr 3

300 10 Radon-222 4 870 410 870 930 790 1,090 1,670 4,000 0 

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Maximum Contaminant Level.

4 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level. 
16

Bacteria 

Coliform bacteria were detected in five samples (appendix table 1-9) with a maximum of 70 

colony-forming units (CFUs) per 100 mL; one of the positive results was in a presence/absence analysis 

and the remaining four were in most-probable-number defined-substrate analysis. Two samples with total 

coliform detections were from sand and gravel wells, and three were from bedrock wells. The NYSDOH 

and USEPA MCLs for total coliform bacteria are exceeded when 5 percent of samples of finished water 

collected in 1 month test positive for total coliform (if 40 or more samples are collected per month) or 

when two samples test positive for total coliform (if fewer than 40 samples are collected per month). 

Fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were not detected in any sample. The heterotrophic plate 

count ranged from <1 CFU per mL to 7,000 CFU per mL. The USEPA MCL for the heterotrophic plate 

count is 500 CFU/mL; this limit was exceeded in one sample from a sand and gravel well. 

Well sampled in 2005 and 2010

One of the wells sampled in 2010 (well SV1689) was sampled previously in 2005 as part of this 

study. Of the 147 constituents and physiochemical properties that samples were analyzed for in 2010, 140 

were common to 2005 and 2010 analyses (appendix tables 1-10 through 1-13).

Groundwater Quality in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York

The results of analyses of the 20 groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence study area 

during August through October 2010 are presented in tables 2-1 through 2-9 in appendix 2. Of the 147 

constituents and physiochemical properties analyzed, 77 were not detected at levels greater than the LRLs 

in samples from the St. Lawrence study area (appendix table 1-1). Results for the remaining 70 

constituents and properties that were detected in the St. Lawrence study area are presented in appendix 2, 

tables 2-2 through 2-9. 

Physiochemical Properties 

The color of samples ranged from <1 to 35 Pt-Co units; the median sample color was <1 Pt-Co 

units (table 11 and appendix table 2-2). The color of one sample from a bedrock well, 35 Pt-Co units, 

exceeded the NYSDOH MCL and USEPA SDWS of 15 Pt-Co units. Dissolved oxygen concentration 

ranged from <0.05 to 9.7 mg/L. Sample pH was typically near neutral or slightly basic (median 7.6 in all 

wells) and ranged from 6.5 to 8.5. All pH samples met the USEPA SDWS range for pH of 6.5 to 8.5. 

Specific conductance ranged from 75 to 1,280 μS/cm at 25°C; the median conductance was 328 μS/cm at 

25°C. Water temperature ranged from 7.3 to 13.8°C; the median temperature was 10.0°C. Methane was 

detected in nine samples with a maximum concentration of 1.49 mg/L.
17

Table 11. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for physiochemical properties of groundwater samples from 

the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. [All concentrations in unfiltered water except as noted. Pt-Co units, platinum-cobalt units; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, 

microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; oC, degrees Celsius; --, not applicable; <, less than] 

Summary statistics and concentrations

Number of Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers Drinking- samples (5 samples) (15 samples) water exceeding Median (all 

Constituent standard standard samples) Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Color, filtered, Pt-Co units 1

15 1 <1 <1 <1 2 <1 <1 35

Carbon dioxide, mg/L -- -- 7.0 2.7 9.8 30.4 .5 7.2 49.2

Dissolved oxygen, mg/L -- -- 2.3 .2 5.7 7.4 <.05 1.0 9.7

pH 1

6.5-8.5 0 7.6 6.5 7.2 8.2 6.7 7.6 8.5

Specific conductance, μS/cm -- -- 328 96 208 1,280 75 363 669

Temperature, oC -- -- 10.0 7.3 10.0 11.0 8.6 10.1 13.8

Argon, mg/L -- -- .7851 .7173 .7389 .7738 .7183 .8370 .9192

Nitrogen gas, mg/L -- -- 22.32 18.93 20.02 23.84 19.33 24.76 28.24

Methane, mg/L -- -- <.0005 <.0005 <.0005 .212 <0.0005 <.0007 1.49

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

Major Ions 

The anions detected in the highest concentrations were bicarbonate (median concentration 209 

mg/L, maximum concentration 406 mg/L) and sulfate (median concentration 16.6 mg/L, maximum 

concentration 78.5 mg/L) (table 12 and appendix table 2-3). The cation detected in the highest 

concentration was calcium (median concentration 34.6 mg/L, maximum concentration 108 mg/L). The 

median concentrations of all major ions except silica were greater in samples from bedrock wells than in 

samples from sand and gravel wells, especially sodium (median 3.53 mg/L in sand and gravel wells and 

12.54 mg/L in bedrock wells) and sulfate (9.56 mg/L in sand and gravel wells and 23.0 mg/L in bedrock 

wells). The concentration of sodium in one sample from a sand and gravel well, 105 mg/L, exceeded the 

USEPA Drinking Water Advisory Taste Threshold of 60 mg/L. Water samples from the St. Lawrence 

study area were generally hard (121 to 180 mg/L as CaCO3; Hem, 1985), with a median hardness of 145 

mg/L as CaCO3. Five samples were soft (0 to 60 mg/L as CaCO3), four samples were moderately hard (61 

to 120 mg/L as CaCO3), five samples were hard (121 to 180 mg/L as CaCO3), and six samples were very 

hard (greater than 180 mg/L as CaCO3). Alkalinity ranged from 31 to 333 mg/L as CaCO3; the median 

was 140 mg/L as CaCO3. Dissolved solids ranged from 55 to 756 mg/L with a median of 196 mg/L; the 

dissolved solids in one sample from a sand and gravel well, 756 mg/L, exceeded the USEPA SDWS of 

500 mg/L. The concentrations of chloride, fluoride, and sulfate did not exceed established MCLs in any 

sample (table 12). 
18

Table 12. Drinking-water standards Cations

from the St. Lawrence River Bas

[All concentrations are in milligra

Celsius] 

Drinkingwater 

Constituent standard

Calcium -- 

Magnesium -- 

Potassium -- 

Sodium 4

60

Bicarbonate -- 

 and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples 

in, New York, 2010. ms per liter in filtered water; --, not applicable; E, estimated concentration; oC, degrees 

Summary statistics and concentrations

Number of Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers samples (5 samples) (15 samples) exceeding Median (all 

standard samples) Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

-- 34.6 9.03 23.2 108 8.37 45.7 75.2

-- 11.2 3.21 7.77 36.2 1.69 12.8 37.9

-- 1.42 .69 .86 4.08 .43 1.45 13.8

1 8.44 2.76 3.53 105 2.21 12.4 32.2

-- 209 39 109 359 38 174 406

Chloride 2,3250 0 6.62 3.72 6.24 206 .36 7.01 58.4

Anions

1

4.0

Fluoride 2

2.2

3

2 

0 .28 E.06 .08 .57 .06 .28 .95

Silica -- -- 11.6 9.62 12.3 14.9 6.26 11.3 18.9

Sulfate 2,3250 0 16.6 7.48 9.56 78.5 2.89 23.0 49.5

Hardness as CaCO3 -- -- 145 35.8 91.8 419 29 165 344

Alkalinity as CaCO3 -- -- 140 32 89 294 31 143 333

Dissolved solids, dried 3

500 1 196 69 120 756 55 218 384 at 180oC

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant. 

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

4 Level U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Drinking Water Advisory Taste Threshold. 

Nutrients and Total Organic Carbon

The dominant nutrient detected in the St. Lawrence study area was nitrate (table 13 and appendix 

table 2-4). Concentrations of ammonia ranged from <0.010 to 0.350 mg/L as N. Concentrations of nitrite 

plus nitrate ranged from <0.02 to 3.91 mg/L as N; the median concentration was 0.09 mg/L as N. The 

concentration of nitrate plus nitrite did not exceed the USEPA and NYSDOH MCL of 10 mg/L as N in 

any sample. Nitrite was detected in five samples with a maximum concentration of 0.011 mg/L as N; the 

concentration of nitrite did not exceed the MCL (1 mg/L as N) in any sample. Orthophosphate 

concentrations ranged from an estimated concentration of 0.006 to 0.089 mg/L as P. Total organic carbon 

was detected in all but 2 of the 20 samples; the maximum concentration was 2.2 mg/L. 
19

Table 13. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in groundwater samples from 

the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. [All concentrations in milligrams per liter in filtered water except as noted. N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; --, not applicable; <, 

less than; E, estimated]

Summary statistics and concentrations

Number of Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers Drinking- samples (5 samples) (15 samples) water exceeding Median (all 

Constituent standard standard samples) Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Ammonia plus organic N, -- -- E0.06 <0.05 <0.10 E0.06 <0.05 E0.10 0.63 as N

Ammonia (NH3), as N -- -- <.020 <.010 <.020 .026 <.010 E.020 .350

Nitrite plus nitrate (NO2 + 1,210 0 .09 <.04 .23 .92 <.02 .06 3.91 NO3), as N

1,2 Nitrite (NO2), as N 1 0 <.002 <.001 <.002 E.001 <.001 <.002 .011

Orthophosphate (PO4), as P -- -- .012 E.008 .009 .015 E.006 .015 .089

Total organic carbon -- -- .6 <.3 E.4 .7 <.6 .7 2.2 (TOC), unfiltered

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

Trace Elements

The trace elements present in the highest median concentrations in the samples were strontium 

(median 210 μg/L), iron (median 116 μg/L in unfiltered water; 23 μg/L in filtered water), barium (median 

47.0 μg/L), and boron (median 20 μg/L) (table 14 and appendix table 2-5). The highest detected 

concentration of a trace element, 6,360 μg/L, was of strontium in a sample from a sand and gravel well. 

The concentration of aluminum in one sample, 1,310 μg/L, exceeded the USEPA SDWS for aluminum of 

200 μg/L. The concentrations of iron in seven unfiltered samples and three filtered samples exceeded the 

NYSDOH and USEPA MCLs of 300 μg/L. The concentration of manganese in five unfiltered samples 

and four filtered samples exceeded the USEPA SDWS of 50 μg/L; the concentration of manganese in one 

unfiltered sample exceeded the NYSDOH MCL of 300 μg/L. Drinking-water standards for antimony, 

arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, thallium, zinc, 

and uranium were not exceeded; additionally, thallium was not detected in any sample (appendix table 2-

1).
20

Table 14. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples 

from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. [All concentrations in micrograms per liter in unfiltered water except as noted. <, less than; E, estimated concentration; --, not 

applicable] 

Summary statistics and concentrations

Number of Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers Drinking- samples (5 samples) (15 samples) water exceeding Median (all 

Constituent standard standard samples) Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Aluminum 3

50-200 1 <6 <3 <6 <6 <3 <6 1,310

1,2 Antimony 6 0 <.4 <.2 <.4 <.4 <.2 <.4 E.4

Arsenic 1,210 0 .80 <.18 .46 1.4 .18 .83 2.3

Barium 1,22,000 0 47.0 8.3 19.5 103 <.6 53.8 329

1,2 Beryllium 4 0 <.04 <.02 <.04 <.04 <.02 <.04 .13

Boron, filtered -- -- 20 3.4 7.6 236 3.6 32 174

1,2 Cadmium 5 0 <.04 <.04 <.04 <.05 <.04 <.04 E.04

Chromium 1,2100 0 <.42 <.42 E.23 0.58 <.21 <.42 2.6

Cobalt -- -- <.04 <.02 <.04 0.39 <.02 .03 .81

Copper 3

1,000 0 2.0 <1.4 2.4 195 <.70 1.8 24.3

Iron, filtered 2,3300 3 23 <3 E5 100 <3 51 491

Iron 2,3300 7 116 <5 56 137 <5 274 3,910

Lead 4

15 0 .16 <.04 .16 0.49 <.04 .16 1.50 

Lithium -- -- 4.3 .5 1.3 32.8 1.1 6.0 25.7 2

300 Manganese, filtered 3

50

0 7.4 <.2 4 1.9 61.7 .2 9.2 272

2

300 Manganese 3

50

1 8.8 <.4 5 3.0 66.8 <.4 15.7 308

1,2 Mercury 2 0 <.010 <.005 <.010 <.010 <.005 <.010 E.010

Molybdenum -- -- 1.0 .1 .7 .7 .2 1.8 5.2

Nickel -- -- <.36 <.12 <.36 1.0 <.12 <.36 3.0

Selenium 1,250 0 <.10 <.10 E.05 .10 <.05 <.10 .25

Silver 2,3100 0 <.02 <.01 <.02 E.01 <.01 <.02 E.01

Strontium -- -- 210 30.2 62.7 6,360 26.8 285 2,820

1,2 Thallium 2 0 <.12 <.06 <.12 <.12 <.06 <.12 <.12

Zinc 2,35,000 0 3.0 <2.4 3.0 10.1 <2.0 3.1 23.1

Uranium 1,230 0 .387 .047 .325 .726 .050 .410 4.25

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

4 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Treatment Technique.

Pesticides

Seven pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in 11 samples (appendix table 2-6). Six of 

the pesticides detected were herbicides or their degradates, and one was an insecticide. Pesticides were 

detected in three samples from sand and gravel wells and in eight samples from bedrock wells. Most

pesticide concentrations were in hundredths or thousandths of micrograms per liter; the constituent 

detected with the highest concentration (estimated 0.11 μg/L) was disulfoton. 

The most frequently detected pesticides were the insecticide disulfoton (detected in five samples 

from bedrock wells) and the herbicide degradate CIAT (2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine, 
21

detected in four samples with an estimated maximum concentration of 0.031 μg/L). The remaining five

pesticides (atrazine, benfluralin, metolachlor, simazine, and terbacil), all herbicides, were detected in one 

sample each. Three samples had detections of two pesticides, and eight samples had detections of one 

pesticide. No pesticide concentrations exceeded established drinking-water standards; pesticide 

degradates currently are not regulated.

Volatile Organic Compounds 

Three VOCs were detected in samples from two bedrock wells (appendix table 2-7). The VOCs 

detected include tetrachloroethene, toluene, and trichloromethane. One well (H80) had detections of two 

VOCs (tetrachloroethene and toluene), and one well (F1051) had one VOC detection (trichloromethane). 

Each VOC was detected in only one sample. Tetrachloroethene, a solvent, was detected at a concentration 

of 0.1 μg/L, which did not exceed the NYSDOH and USEPA MCLs of 5 μg/L. Toluene was detected at a 

concentration of 0.1 μg/L, which did not exceed the NYSDOH MCL of 5 μg/L or the USEPA MCL of 

1,000 μg/L. Trichloromethane (chloroform), a trihalomethane, was detected at a concentration of 0.2 

μg/L, which did not exceed the NYSDOH and USEPA MCLs of 80 μg/L. 

Radionuclides

Gross alpha activity ranged from non-detectable levels to 16 pCi/L; the median activity was <1.8 

pCi/L (table 15 and appendix table 2-8). The gross alpha activity exceeded the NYSDOH and USEPA 

MCLs for gross alpha of 15 pCi/L in one sample. Gross beta activities ranged from non-detectable levels 

to 16.1 pCi/L. Radon-222 activities in the water samples ranged from 17 to 2,580 pCi/L; the median was 

520 pCi/L. The highest radon activities (over 1,000 pCi/L) were in samples from bedrock wells. 

Activities in 14 of the samples exceeded the proposed MCL for radon, but none exceeded the proposed 

AMCL.

Table 15. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from 

the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. [All activities in picocuries per liter in unfiltered water except as noted. mrem/yr, millirem per year; --, not applicable; <, less 

than]

Summary statistics and activities

Number of Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers Drinking- samples (5 samples) (15 samples) water exceeding Median (all 

Constituent standard standard samples) Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Gross alpha radioactivity 1,215 1 <1.8 <0.55 <1.8 1.2 <.39 <1.8 16

Gross beta radioactivity 1,24 mrem/yr -- 1.8 <1 .9 4.1 <.85 2.7 16.1 3

300 14 Radon-222 4 520 227 710 940 17 520 2,580 4,000 0 

1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Level.

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Maximum Contaminant Level.

4 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level

Bacteria 

Coliform bacteria were detected in seven samples (appendix table 2-9) with a maximum of more

than 200 CFU per 100 mL. One sample with total coliform bacteria detections was from sand and gravel 

wells, and six were from bedrock wells. E. coli were present in two samples. The heterotrophic plate 
22

count ranged from <1 CFU per mL to 600 CFU/mL. The USEPA MCL for the heterotrophic plate count 

is 500 CFU/mL; this limit was exceeded in two samples from bedrock wells and possibly was exceeded in 

samples from three additional wells (in which the heterotrophic plate count was quantified as greater than 

a given number). 

Wells sampled in 2005 and 2010

Four of the wells sampled in 2010 (wells F543, F573, ST378, and ST950) were sampled 

previously in 2005 as part of this study. Of the 147 constituents and physiochemical properties that 

samples were analyzed for in 2009, 140 were common to 2005 and 2010 analyses (appendix tables 2-10 

through 2-13). The differences between 2005 and 2010 results for a single well were typically smaller 

than those between the results from different wells; there were no consistent overall trends in 

concentrations. 

Summary 

Groundwater samples were collected from August through November 2010 from 10 wells in the 

Delaware River Basin and 20 wells in the St. Lawrence River Basin in New York to characterize the 

groundwater quality. Sample collection and analysis followed standard USGS procedures and other 

documented procedures. Samples were analyzed for physical properties and concentrations of major ions, 

nutrients, trace elements, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radionuclides, and bacteria. 

Many of the 147 constituents were not detected in any of the samples.

The depths of sand and gravel wells sampled in the Delaware study area range from 38 to 100 ft

below land surface; the bedrock wells are 240 to 550 ft deep and typically are completed in sandstone and 

shale bedrock. Five of the 10 wells sampled are production wells; 5 are domestic wells. The samples 

generally indicated good water quality, although properties and concentrations of some constituents—pH, 

aluminum, manganese, radon-222, and bacteria—equaled or exceeded primary, secondary, or proposed 

drinking-water standards. The constituents most frequently detected in concentrations exceeding 

drinking-water standards were radon-222 (all 10 samples had concentrations greater than the USEPA 

proposed MCL of 300 pCi/L), coliform bacteria (5 samples with detections), and pH (3 samples with pH 

lower than the USEPA SDWS). Sample pH was typically near neutral or slightly acidic. The water 

typically was soft, but hardness ranged from soft to hard. The ions detected in the highest median 

concentrations were bicarbonate, chloride, and calcium. The dominant nutrient was nitrate; concentrations 

of nitrate and nitrite did not exceed established drinking-water standards. Strontium was the trace element 

with the highest median concentrations. Radon-222 activities in all 10 samples exceeded a proposed 

MCL, but none exceeded the proposed AMCL. Four pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in 

four samples. Three samples were from sand and gravel wells, and one was from a bedrock well; all were 

trace-level detections of broadleaf herbicides or their degradates. Five VOCs were detected in two

samples, including four trihalomethanes (disinfection byproducts) and tetrachloromethane. Coliform 

bacteria were detected in five samples. Fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria were not detected in any 

sample.

The depths of sand and gravel wells sampled in the St. Lawrence study area range from 41 to 236 

ft below land surface; the bedrock wells are 60 to 500 ft deep and are completed in crystalline, carbonate, 

or sandstone bedrock. Ten of the 20 wells sampled are production or municipal wells, and 10 are 

domestic wells. The samples generally indicated good water quality, although properties and 

concentrations of some constituents—color, sodium, total dissolved solids, aluminum, iron, manganese, 

gross alpha radioactivity, radon-222, and bacteria—equaled or exceeded primary, secondary, or proposed 

drinking-water standards. The constituents most frequently detected in concentrations exceeding 

drinking-water standards are radon-222 (14 samples with concentrations greater than the USEPA proposed 

MCL of 300 pCi/L), coliform bacteria (7 samples with detections), iron (7 unfiltered samples with 

concentrations greater than the USEPA SDWS and NYSDOH MCL of 300 μg/L), and manganese (5 
23

unfiltered samples with concentrations greater than the USEPA SDWS of 50 μg/L). Sample pH typically 

was near neutral or slightly basic. The water hardness ranged from soft to very hard; more samples were 

hard than were soft. The ions detected in the highest median concentrations were bicarbonate, sulfate, and 

calcium. The dominant nutrient was nitrate; concentrations of nitrate and nitrite did not exceed 

established drinking-water standards. Strontium was the trace element with the highest median 

concentrations. The highest radon-222 activities were in samples from bedrock wells (maximum 2,580 

pCi/L). Seven pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in 11 samples; most detections were of 

broadleaf herbicides or their degradates at trace levels. Pesticides were detected in three samples from 

sand and gravel wells and eight samples from bedrock wells. Three VOCs (tetrachloroethene, toluene, 

and trichloromethane) were detected in two samples from bedrock wells. Coliform bacteria were detected 

in seven samples, and E. coli bacteria were detected in two samples. 

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Appendix 1: Results of Water-Sample Analyses in the Delaware River Basin

The following tables summarize results of the chemical analyses of the 10 samples collected in the 

Delaware River Basin in New York from August through November 2010. 

Table 1-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 26

Table 1-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 

2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 28

Table 1-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 29

Table 1-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware 

River Basin, New York, 2010....................................................................................................................................... 30

Table 1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 30

Table 1-6. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 32

Table 1-7. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in groundwater samples collected in the 

Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010....................................................................................................................... 32

Table 1-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. 33

Table 1-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. ................ 33

Table 1-10. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater 

samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010................................................................ 34

Table 1-11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples in the Delaware River 

Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. ............................................................................................................................... 35

Table 1-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2005 and 2010. .................................................................................................................................................. 36

Table 1-13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River 

Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. ............................................................................................................................... 38

25
26

Table 1-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010. [NWIS, National Water Information System; WY, water year, the 12-month period from October 1 through September 30 of 

the following year. The water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent

Laboratory reporting 

level

WY10 WY11

Trace Elements in unfiltered water, in micrograms per liter

71900 Mercury 0.010 0.005

01059 Thallium .12 .06

Pesticides in filtered water, in micrograms per liter

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline .006 .006

49260 Acetochlor .010 .010

46342 Alachlor .008 .008

34253 alpha-HCH .004 .004

82686 Azinphos-methyl .120 .120

82673 Benfluralin .014 .014

04028 Butylate .004 .004

82680 Carbaryl .060 .060

82674 Carbofuran .060 .060

38933 Chlorpyrifos .010 .004

82687 cis-Permethrin .014 .010

04041 Cyanazine .022 .022

82682 DCPA .008 .008

62170 Desulfinylfipronil .012 .012

39572 Diazinon .005 .006

39381 Dieldrin .009 .008

82677 Disulfoton .04 .04

82668 EPTC .002 .006

82663 Ethalfluralin .006 .006

82672 Ethoprop .016 .016

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide .029 .029

62167 Fipronil sulfide .013 .012

62168 Fipronil sulfone .024 .024

62166 Fipronil .018 .018

04095 Fonofos .004 .005

39341 Lindane .004 .004

82666 Linuron .060 .060

39532 Malathion .016 .016

82667 Methyl parathion .008 .008

39415 Metolachlor .014 .014

82630 Metribuzin .012 .012

82671 Molinate .003 .004

82684 Napropamide .008 .008

34653 p,p'-DDE .002 .002

39542 Parathion .020 .020

82669 Pebulate .016 .016

82683 Pendimethalin .012 .012

82664 Phorate .020 .020
27

Table 1-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010.—Continued

[NWIS, National Water Information System; WY, water year, the 12-month period from October 1 through September 30 of 

the following year. The water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent

Laboratory reporting 

level

WY10 WY11

Pesticides in filtered water, in micrograms per liter--continued

82676 Propyzamide .004 .004

04024 Propachlor .006 .006

82679 Propanil .010 .010

82685 Propargite .02 .02

82670 Tebuthiuron .03 .03

82665 Terbacil .024 .024

82675 Terbufos .02 .02

82681 Thiobencarb .016 .016

82678 Triallate .006 .005

82661 Trifluralin .018 .018

Volatile organic compounds in unfiltered water, in micrograms per liter

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane .1 .1

77652 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane .1 .1

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane .1 .1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene .1 .1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane .2 .2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane .1 .1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1

34030 Benzene .1 .1

34301 Chlorobenzene .1 .1

77093 cis-1,2-Dichloroethene .1 .1

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane .2 .2

34423 Dichloromethane .2 .2

81576 Diethyl ether .2 .2

81577 Diisopropyl ether .2 .2

34371 Ethylbenzene .1 .1

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether .2 .2

85795 m-Xylene plus p-xylene .2 .2

77135 o-Xylene .1 .1

77128 Styrene .1 .1

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether .1 .1

78032 Methyl tert-butyl ether .2 .2

34475 Tetrachloroethene .1 .1

34010 Toluene .1 .1

34546 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene .1 .1

39180 Trichloroethene .1 .1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane .2 .2

39175 Vinyl chloride .2 .2
28

Table 1-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 

2010. [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/ cm @ 25°C, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; (00080), U.S. Geological 

Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water 

standards. Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2]

Well 

number1

Color, 

platinum-cobalt 

units

(00080)

Carbon

dioxide,

mg/L

(00405)

Dissolved

oxygen, 

mg/L

(00300)

pH, 

field,

standard units

(00400)

Specific 

conductance, 

field,

μS/cm @ 25°C

(00095)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 <1 4.7 1.6 7.6 327

D523 <1 31.0 .5 6.4 278

SV534 <1 76.5 6.1 5.6 176

SV555 <1 37.2 1.1 6.5 232

SV884 <1 16.6 7.2 6.8 355

Bedrock wells

D1191 <1 23.2 5.0 6.8 200

SV551 <1 2.4 <.3 7.7 375

SV1689 <1 10.1 7.2 6.9 99

SV2320 <1 27.2 8.8 6.3 66

U2705 <1 32.1 9.6 5.6 44

Well 

number1

Water 

temperature, 

field,

degrees Celsius

(00010)

Argon,

unfiltered,

mg/L

(82043)

Dissolved 

nitrogen gas,

unfiltered,

mg/L

(00597)

Hydrogen 

sulfide odor

field,

(71875)

Methane,

unfiltered,

mg/L

(76994)

Sand and gravel wells 

BM1405 10.9 0.7739 22.39 Absent E0.0002

D523 14.9 .5759 16.05 Absent .0008

SV534 11.6 .7115 18.99 Absent <.0005

SV555 9.3 .7108 20.25 Absent <.0005

SV884 11.9 .7245 19.92 Absent .0010 

Bedrock wells

D1191 9.8 .7242 19.98 Absent <.0005

SV551 12.6 .8252 23.88 Absent .014

SV1689 9.1 .7175 19.38 Absent <.0005

SV2320 9.7 .6949 18.47 Absent <.0005

U2705 8.2 .6763 17.37 Absent <.0005

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.
29

Table 1-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 

2010. [mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; (00900), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System 

parameter code; <, less than; E, estimated concentration; °Celsius; degrees Celsius. Bold values exceed one or more drinkingwater standards. Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2] 

Well 

number1

Hardness, 

filtered, 

mg/L as 

CaCO3

(00900)

Calcium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00915)

Magnesium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00925)

Potassium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00935)

Sodium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00930)

Acid 

neutralizing 

capacity, 

unfiltered, 

mg/L as 

CaCO3

(90410)

Alkalinity, 

filtered, 

fixed endpoint,

laboratory, 

mg/L as CaCO3

(29801)

Sand and gravel wells 

BM1405 138 40.7 8.76 1.23 10.9 100 100

D523 51.4 15.2 3.23 1.94 29.6 43 43

SV534 30.4 9.62 1.54 1.58 19.3 19 19

SV555 87.1 27.9 4.26 1.03 13.6 64 65

SV884 69.4 18.8 5.42 2.79 43.2 75 75

Bedrock wells

D1191 61.4 20.0 2.78 .70 15.7 70 70

SV551 163 44.6 12.5 .89 11.3 94 94

SV1689 41.1 13.5 1.79 .73 3.60 42 43

SV2320 29.0 9.04 1.55 .52 .76 26 26

U2705 14.5 3.90 1.15 .36 1.75 10 9 

Well 

number1

Bicarbonate, 

filtered, 

fixed endpoint,

laboratory,

mg/L

(29805)

Chloride, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00940)

Fluoride, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00950)

Silica, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00955)

Sulfate,

filtered, 

mg/L

(00945)

Dissolved 

solids,

dried at 

180oC, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(70300)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 122 31.5 0.13 7.89 12.9 186

D523 52 46.3 E.05 5.47 8.97 154

SV534 23 29.7 .04 4.04 10.2 108

SV555 79 30.7 .07 5.78 7.51 139

SV884 92 52.3 .09 7.67 15.6 199

Bedrock wells

D1191 85 14.7 .09 7.46 6.18 116

SV551 115 5.63 .11 10.6 93.0 235

SV1689 52 1.25 .06 4.52 7.28 67

SV2320 32 1.30 <.08 4.28 5.80 39

U2705 11 4.08 <.08 3.30 4.50 34

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.
30

Table 1-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River

Basin, New York, 2010. [N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; mg/L, milligrams per liter; (00623), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System

parameter code; <, less than; E, estimated concentration. Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2]

Well 

number1

Ammonia plus

organic-N,

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00623)

Ammonia, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00608)

Nitrate plus 

nitrite, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00631)

Nitrite, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00613)

Orthophosphate,

filtered, 

mg/L as P

(00671)

Organic 

carbon,

unfiltered, 

mg/L

(00680)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 <0.05 <0.010 0.35 0.009 0.016 <0.3

D523 E.07 <.020 .70 <.002 .034 1.0

SV534 .08 <.010 1.54 <.001 .019 .9

SV555 <.05 <.010 .58 <.001 .010 .4

SV884 <.10 <.020 1.33 <.002 .023 E.4

Bedrock wells

D1191 <.10 <.020 1.25 .004 .009 .6

SV551 .12 .046 <.04 <.002 .013 1.2

SV1689 <.05 <.010 .46 <.001 .009 .9

SV2320 <.10 <.020 .14 <.002 .038 E.4

U2705 <.10 <.020 .52 <.002 .015 E.6

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.

Table 1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010. [μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01105), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; 

E, estimated concentration. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 1 

and 2] 

Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium,

unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, filtered, unfiltered, unfiltered,

Well μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L

number1 (01105) (01097) (01002) (01007) (01012) (01020) (01027) (01034)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 <3 0.2 1.5 51.8 <0.02 33 <0.05 0.32

D523 E5 <.4 .54 42.9 <.04 19 <.04 <.42

SV534 13 <.2 .50 102 .03 18 .06 .29

SV555 <3 <.2 .47 138 <.02 11 <.05 <.21

SV884 E4 <.4 .57 49.7 <.04 16 <.04 <.42

Bedrock wells

D1191 25 <.4 1.9 98.1 <.04 38 <.04 <.42

SV551 3 <.2 1.1 31.6 <.02 40 <.05 .22

SV1689 50 <.2 .62 23.1 <.02 16 <.05 <.21

SV2320 200 <.4 .50 31.2 <.04 3.9 <.04 .58

U2705 9 <.4 .28 41.8 E.03 3.6 <.04 <.42
Table 1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New 

York, 2010.—Continued

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01037), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; 

E, estimated concentration. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 1 

and 2] 

Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Iron, Lead, Lithium, Manganese, Manganese,

unfiltered, unfiltered, filtered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered filtered, unfiltered,

Well μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L

number1 (01037) (01042) (01046) (01045) (01051) (01132) (01056) (01055)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 0.02 1.7 <3 118 0.05 11.7 112 145

D523 E.02 4.5 E4 E9 .45 E.2 21.8 23.0

SV534 .04 25.5 13 19 1.80 .3 3.6 3.2

SV555 .03 1.2 19 24 .48 2.6 11.3 12.2

SV884 <.04 9.9 6 44 .40 2.6 1.2 1.6

Bedrock wells

D1191 .06 4.7 <6 33 .57 8.7 2.1 11.5

SV551 <.02 1.2 5 10 .25 14.0 5.3 5.0

SV1689 .08 12.7 3 84 .50 9.3 <.2 3.4

SV2320 .14 21.5 E3 271 1.23 1.7 .3 9.5

U2705 <.04 36.8 <6 11 .58 1.0 4.0 4.8

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.

Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Zinc, Uranium, 

unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, 

Well μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L

number1 (01062) (01067) (01147) (01077) (01082) (01092) (28011)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 0.2 0.20 0.15 <0.01 306 18.8 0.501

D523 <.1 E.22 .16 .03 48.5 5.2 E.014

SV534 <.1 3.7 .11 <.01 53.2 14.8 .035

SV555 <.1 <.12 <.05 <.01 166 <2.4 .094

SV884 <.1 <.36 .26 <.02 81.1 6.7 .085

Bedrock wells

D1191 2.0 E.23 .29 <.02 246 2.4 .900

SV551 .7 .47 <.05 .06 3,680 5.2 .549

SV1689 .1 .31 .11 <.01 276 2.9 .311

SV2320 <.1 .70 .11 E.01 42.1 79.0 .180

U2705 <.1 .38 E.06 E.01 20.9 2.7 E.027

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.

31
32

Table 1-6. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2010. [μg/L, micrograms per liter; CIAT, 2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine (04040), U.S. Geological Survey National

Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; E, estimated concentration; M, presence verified but not quantified. 

Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2]

Well 

number1

CIAT,

filtered, 

μg/L

(04040)

Atrazine, 

filtered, 

μg/L

(39632)

Prometon,

filtered,

μg/L

(04037)

Simazine,

filtered, 

μg/L

(04035)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 <0.006 <0.008 <0.01 <0.006

D523 E.008 E.003 M E.002

SV534 E.077 .059 <.01 .003

SV555 <.006 <.008 <.01 <.006

SV884 E.023 .009 <.01 <.006

Bedrock wells

D1191 E.003 <.007 <.01 <.006

SV551 <.006 <.008 <.01 <.006

SV1689 <.006 <.008 <.01 <.006

SV2320 <.014 <.007 <.01 <.006

U2705 <.014 <.007 <.01 <.006

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.

Table 1-7. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware 

River Basin, New York, 2010. [μg/L, micrograms per liter; (32101), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than. 

Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2]

Well 

number1

Bromodichloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32101)

Tribromomethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32104)

Dibromochloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32105)

Tetrachloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32102)

Trichloromethane,

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(32106)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 <0.1 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.1

D523 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

SV534 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

SV555 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

SV884 .5 1.0 1.2 .8 .3

Bedrock wells

D1191 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

SV551 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

SV1689 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 .1

SV2320 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

U2705 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.
33

Table 1-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. [pCi/L, picocuries per liter; (01519), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than. Bold values 

equal or exceed one or more existing or proposed drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2] 

Well 

number1

Gross alpha 

radioactivity,

unfiltered,

pCi/L

(01519)

Gross beta 

radioactivity,

unfiltered,

pCi/L

(85817)

Radon-222,

unfiltered,

pCi/L

(82303)

Sand and gravel wells 

BM1405 1.0 <1.1 930

D523 <.79 2.2 870

SV534 <.67 2.0 410

SV555 1.2 1.4 870

SV884 <.96 2.5 660

Bedrock wells

D1191 1.7 1.1 820

SV551 1.0 <1.4 790

SV1689 .9 <1 1,210

SV2320 .5 <1.3 1,670

U2705 .3 <.86 1,090

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.

Table 1-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2010. [CFU, colony-forming unit; mL, milliliter; MPN, most probable number; (99596), U.S. Geological Survey National Water 

Information System parameter code; --, not analyzed; <, less than; U, absent; M, present. Bold values indicate detections of 

coliform bacteria. Well locations are shown in figures 1 and 2]

Well 

number1

Escherichia coli, 

Colilert, 

unfiltered, 

Presence/Absence

(99596)

Escherichia 

coli, 

defined 

substrate,

unfiltered, 

MPN/100mL

(50468)

Fecal 

coliform, 

membrane 

filtration,

unfiltered, 

CFU/100mL

(61215)

Heterotrophic 

plate count, 

unfiltered, 

CFU/mL

(31692)

Total coliform,

Colilert, 

unfiltered, 

Presence/Absence

(99595)

Total 

coliform, 

defined 

substrate,

unfiltered, 

MPN/100mL

(50569)

Total 

coliform, 

membrane 

filtration,

unfiltered, 

CFU/100mL

(61213)

Sand and gravel wells

BM1405 -- <1 <5 1 -- <1 <20

D523 -- <1 <5 7,000 -- 15 50

SV534 -- <1 <5 1 -- 3 --

SV555 -- <1 <5 2 -- <1 --

SV884 U -- -- -- U -- --

Bedrock wells 

D1191 U <1 <5 <1 M -- 33

SV551 -- <1 <5 5 -- <1 --

SV1689 -- <1 <5 6 -- 70 --

SV2320 -- <1 <5 1 -- <1 <20

U2705 -- <1 <5 2 -- 3 <20

1 BM, Broome County; D, Delaware County; SV, Sullivan County; U, Ulster County.
34

Table 1-10. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater 

samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. [NWIS, National Water Information System; mg/L, milligrams per liter, μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius, CaCO3, 

calcium carbonate; oC, degrees Celsius; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; CFU, colony-forming unit; mL, milliliter; <, less than, E, estimated 

concentration; --, not analyzed; U, not detected] 

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well SV1689

2005 2010

00080 Color, filtered, platinum-cobalt units 8 <1

00300 Dissolved oxygen, unfiltered, mg/L 7.2 7.2

00400 pH, unfiltered 6.9 6.9

00095 Specific conductance, unfiltered, μS/cm 96 99

00010 Temperature, unfiltered, degrees Celsius 8.6 9.1

00900 Hardness, filtered, mg/L as CaCO3 40.1 41.1

00915 Calcium, filtered, mg/L 13.2 13.5

00925 Magnesium, filtered, mg/L 1.74 1.79

00935 Potassium, filtered, mg/L .70 .73

00930 Sodium, filtered, mg/L 4.75 3.60

90410 Acid neutralizing capacity, unfiltered, fixed end 

point, lab, mg/L as CaCO3

38 42

29801 Alkalinity, filtered, fixed end point, laboratory, 

mg/L as CaCO3

38 43

29805 Bicarbonate, filtered, fixed end point, laboratory, 

mg/L 46 52

00940 Chloride, filtered, mg/L 1.08 1.25

00950 Fluoride, filtered, mg/L E.05 .06

00955 Silica, filtered, mg/L 4.72 4.52

00945 Sulfate, filtered, mg/L 7.29 7.28

70300 Dissolved solids, dried at 180oC, filtered, mg/L 60 67

00623 Ammonia plus organic-N, filtered, mg/L as N <.10 <.05

00608 Ammonia, filtered, mg/L as N <.04 <.010

00631 Nitrate plus nitrite, filtered, mg/L as N .53 .46

00613 Nitrite, filtered, mg/L as N <.008 <.001

00671 Orthophosphate, filtered, mg/L as P <.02 .009

00680 Organic carbon, unfiltered, mg/L <1.0 .9

31691 Escherichia coli, unfiltered, CFU per 100 mL -- U 

61215 Fecal coliform, unfiltered, CFU per 100 mL <1 <5

31692 Heterotrophic plate count, unfiltered, CFU per mL 86 6 

 Total coliform, unfiltered, CFU per 100 mL 3 70
35

Table 1-11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples in the Delaware River Basin, 

New York, 2005 and 2010. [NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter, pCi/L, picocuries per liter; <, less than, E, estimated concentration] 

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well SV1689

2005 2010

01105 Aluminum, unfiltered, μg/L 1,100 50

01097 Antimony, unfiltered, μg/L E.1 <.2

01002 Arsenic, unfiltered, μg/L 1.5 .62

01007 Barium, unfiltered, μg/L 36.6 23.1

01012 Beryllium, unfiltered, μg/L .09 <.02

01020 Boron, filtered, μg/L 15 16

01027 Cadmium, unfiltered, μg/L .05 <.05

01034 Chromium, unfiltered, μg/L 1.9 <.21

01037 Cobalt, unfiltered, μg/L 2.24 .08

01042 Copper, unfiltered, μg/L 16.0 12.7

01046 Iron, filtered, μg/L E4 3 

01045 Iron, unfiltered, μg/L 2,150 84

01051 Lead, unfiltered, μg/L 4.64 .50

01132 Lithium, unfiltered, μg/L 10.5 9.3

01056 Manganese, filtered, μg/L E.4 <.2

01055 Manganese, unfiltered, μg/L 141 3.4

71900 Mercury, unfiltered, μg/L <.010 <.005

01062 Molybdenum, unfiltered, μg/L E.1 .1

01067 Nickel, unfiltered, μg/L 3.27 .31

01147 Selenium, unfiltered, μg/L E.06 .11

01077 Silver, unfiltered, μg/L <.16 <.01

01082 Strontium, unfiltered, μg/L 220 276

01059 Thallium, unfiltered, μg/L <.18 <.06

01092 Zinc, unfiltered, μg/L 12 2.9

82303 Radon-222, unfiltered, pCi/L 1,280 1,210

28011 Uranium, unfiltered, μg/L .539 .311
36

Table 1-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 

2005 and 2010. [NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter; <, less than] 

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well SV1689

2005 2010

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline, filtered, μg/L <0.006 <0.006

04040 2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-striazine (CIAT), filtered, μg/L <.006 <.006

49260 Acetochlor, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.010

46342 Alachlor, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.008

34253 alpha-HCH, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.004

39632 Atrazine, filtered, μg/L <.007 <.008

82686 Azinphos-methyl, filtered, μg/L <.050 <.120

82673 Benfluralin, filtered, μg/L <.010 <.014

04028 Butylate, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.004

82680 Carbaryl, filtered, μg/L <.041 <.060

82674 Carbofuran, filtered, μg/L <.020 <.060

38933 Chlorpyrifos, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.004

82687 cis-Permethrin, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.010

04041 Cyanazine, filtered, μg/L <.018 <.022

82682 DCPA, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.008

62170 Desulfinylfipronil, filtered, μg/L <.012 <.012

39572 Diazinon, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.006

39381 Dieldrin, filtered, μg/L <.009 <.008

82677 Disulfoton, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.04

82668 EPTC, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.006

82663 Ethalfluralin, filtered, μg/L <.009 <.006

82672 Ethoprop, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.016

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide, filtered, μg/L <.029 <.029

62167 Fipronil sulfide, filtered, μg/L <.013 <.012

62168 Fipronil sulfone, filtered, μg/L <.024 <.024

62166 Fipronil, filtered, μg/L <.016 <.018

04095 Fonofos, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.005

39341 Lindane, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.004

82666 Linuron, filtered, μg/L <.035 <.060

39532 Malathion, filtered, μg/L <.027 <.016
37

Table 1-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River Basin, New York, 

2005 and 2010.—Continued

[NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter; <, less than]

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well SV1689

2005 2010

82667 Methyl parathion, filtered, μg/L <0.015 <0.008

39415 Metolachlor, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.014

82630 Metribuzin, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.012

82671 Molinate, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.004

82684 Napropamide, filtered, μg/L <.007 <.008

34653 p,p'-DDE, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.002

39542 Parathion, filtered, μg/L <.010 <.020

82669 Pebulate, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.016

82683 Pendimethalin, filtered, μg/L <.022 <.012

82664 Phorate, filtered, μg/L <.011 <.020

04037 Prometon, filtered, μg/L <.01 <.01

82676 Propyzamide, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.004

04024 Propachlor, filtered, μg/L <.025 <.006

82679 Propanil, filtered, μg/L <.011 <.010

82685 Propargite, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.02

04035 Simazine, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.006

82670 Tebuthiuron, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.03

82665 Terbacil, filtered, μg/L <.034 <.024

82675 Terbufos, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.02

82681 Thiobencarb, filtered, μg/L <.010 <.016

82678 Triallate, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.005

82661 Trifluralin, filtered, μg/L <.009 <.018
38

Table 1-13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the Delaware River 

Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. [NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter, <, less than. Bold values indicate detected concentrations] 

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well SV1689

2005 2010

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, unfiltered, μg/L <0.1 <0.1

77652 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113), unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34030 Benzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

32101 Bromodichloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

32104 Tribromomethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

34301 Chlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

77093 cis-1,2-Dichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

32105 Dibromochloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

34423 Dichloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

81576 Diethyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

81577 Diisopropyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

34371 Ethylbenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

85795 m- + p-Xylene, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

77135 o-Xylene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

77128 Styrene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

78032 Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

34475 Tetrachloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

32102 Tetrachloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

34010 Toluene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34546 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

39180 Trichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2

32106 Trichloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 .1

39175 Vinyl chloride, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2
Appendix 2: Results of Water-Sample Analyses in the St. Lawrence River Basin

The following tables summarize results of the chemical analyses of the 20 samples collected in the 

St. Lawrence River Basin in New York from August through October 2010. 

Table 2-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 40

Table 2-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 42

Table 2-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 44

Table 2-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence 

River Basin, New York, 2010....................................................................................................................................... 46

Table 2-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

New York, 2010. .......................................................................................................................................................... 47

Table 2-6. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River 

Basin, New York, 2010. ............................................................................................................................................... 50

Table 2-7. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. ..................................................................................................................... 51

Table 2-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2010. ............................................................................................................................................................. 52

Table 2-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010. .......... 53

Table 2-10. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater 

samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. ......................................................... 54

Table 2-11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples collected in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010....................................................................................................... 55

Table 2-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2005 and 2010............................................................................................................................................................. 56

Table 2-13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence 

River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010....................................................................................................................... 58

39
40

Table 2-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

New York, 2010.

[NWIS, National Water Information System; WY, water year, the 12-month period from October 1 through September 30 of 

the following year. The water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent

Laboratory reporting 

level

WY10 WY11

Trace Elements in unfiltered water, in micrograms per liter

01059 Thallium 0.12 0.06

Pesticides in filtered water, in micrograms per liter

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline .006 .006

49260 Acetochlor .010 .010

46342 Alachlor .008 .008

34253 alpha-HCH .004 .004

82686 Azinphos-methyl .120 .120

04028 Butylate .004 .004

82680 Carbaryl .060 .060

82674 Carbofuran .060 .060

38933 Chlorpyrifos .010 .004

82687 cis-Permethrin .014 .010

04041 Cyanazine .022 .022

82682 DCPA .008 .008

62170 Desulfinylfipronil .012 .012

39572 Diazinon .005 .006

39381 Dieldrin .009 .008

82668 EPTC .002 .006

82663 Ethalfluralin .006 .006

82672 Ethoprop .016 .016

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide .029 .029

62167 Fipronil sulfide .013 .012

62168 Fipronil sulfone .024 .024

62166 Fipronil .018 .018

04095 Fonofos .004 .005

39341 Lindane .004 .004

82666 Linuron .060 .060

39532 Malathion .016 .016

82667 Methyl parathion .008 .008

82630 Metribuzin .012 .012

82671 Molinate .003 .004

82684 Napropamide .008 .008

34653 p,p'-DDE .002 .002

39542 Parathion .020 .020

82669 Pebulate .016 .016

82683 Pendimethalin .012 .012

82664 Phorate .020 .020

04037 Prometon .01 .01
41

Table 2-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

New York, 2010.—Continued

[NWIS, National Water Information System; WY, water year, the 12-month period from October 1 through September 30 of 

the following year. The water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent

Laboratory reporting 

level

WY10 WY11

Pesticides in filtered water, in micrograms per liter--continued

82676 Propyzamide .004 .004

04024 Propachlor .006 .006

82679 Propanil .010 .010

82685 Propargite .02 .02

82670 Tebuthiuron .03 .03

82675 Terbufos .02 .02

82681 Thiobencarb .016 .016

82678 Triallate .006 .005

82661 Trifluralin .018 .018

Volatile organic compounds in unfiltered water, in micrograms per liter

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane .1 .1

77652 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane .1 .1

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane .1 .1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene .1 .1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane .2 .2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane .1 .1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1

34030 Benzene .1 .1

32101 Bromodichloromethane .1 .1

32104 Tribromomethane .2 .2

34301 Chlorobenzene .1 .1

77093 cis-1,2-Dichloroethene .1 .1

32105 Dibromochloromethane .2 .2

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane .2 .2

34423 Dichloromethane .2 .2

81576 Diethyl ether .2 .2

81577 Diisopropyl ether .2 .2

34371 Ethylbenzene .1 .1

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether .2 .2

85795 m-Xylene plus p-xylene .2 .2

77135 o-Xylene .1 .1

77128 Styrene .1 .1

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether .1 .1

78032 Methyl tert-butyl ether .2 .2

32102 Tetrachloromethane .2 .2

34546 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene .1 .1

39180 Trichloroethene .1 .1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane .2 .2

39175 Vinyl chloride .2 .2
42

Table 2-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2010.

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/ cm @ 25°C, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; (00080), U.S. Geological 

Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; --, not analyzed. Bold values exceed one or more 

drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

Color, 

platinumcobalt units

(00080)

Carbon

dioxide,

mg/L

(00405)

Dissolved

oxygen, 

mg/L

(00300)

pH, 

field,

standard units

(00400)

Specific 

conductance, 

field,

μS/cm @ 25°C

(00095)

Sand and gravel wells 

F543 2 19.7 6.3 6.5 96

F573 <1 2.7 7.4 8.2 208

J1736 <1 30.4 .2 7.2 1,280

ST378 <1 2.8 3.0 8.2 197

ST2584 <1 9.8 5.7 7.2 208

Bedrock wells

CL674 <1 7.0 7.5 7.5 318

F91 <1 7.3 8.4 7.6 337

F1042 <1 1.9 9.7 8.4 80

F1051 2 .5 .1 8.4 131

H80 2 1.1 6.0 8.3 146

J836 10 49.2 1.6 6.7 438

ST950 <1 12.8 4.5 7.6 600

ST1424 <1 9.9 <.3 7.6 562

ST1426 2 13.0 <.05 7.5 655

ST2074 5 13.9 .2 7.2 393

ST2291 <1 2.4 8.3 8.5 75

ST2758 <1 2.6 <.05 8.0 363

ST3032 5 -- .1 7.4 573

ST3204 <1 39.3 .1 7.2 669

ST3322 35 1.1 1.0 8.1 98

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
43

Table 2-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2010. —Continued

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/ cm @ 25°C, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; (00080), U.S. Geological 

Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; --, not analyzed; E, estimated concentration. Bold

values exceed one or more drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

Water 

temperature, 

field,

degrees 

Celsius

(00010)

Argon,

unfiltered,

mg/L

(82043)

Dissolved 

nitrogen gas,

unfiltered,

mg/L

(00597)

Hydrogen 

sulfide odor

field,

(71875)

Methane,

unfiltered,

mg/L

(76994)

Sand and gravel wells 

F543 11.0 0.7635 20.56 Absent <0.0005

F573 7.3 .7173 18.93 Absent <.0005

J1736 10.4 .7738 23.84 Absent .212

ST378 9.0 .7234 19.58 Absent <.0005

ST2584 10.0 .7389 20.02 Absent E.0005

Bedrock wells

CL674 9.9 .8380 25.32 Present .0031 

F91 13.8 .7341 19.48 Absent <.0005

F1042 9.0 .7851 21.59 Absent <.0005

F1051 10.0 .7183 19.33 Absent .0007

H80 8.6 .8795 26.28 Absent .0015 

J836 13.1 .7958 22.32 Absent <.0005

ST950 9.3 .9029 27.76 Present <.0005

ST1424 10.1 .9129 27.76 Absent <.0005

ST1426 8.6 .8360 24.85 Absent .0045 

ST2074 10.7 .8425 24.79 Absent .0011

ST2291 12.4 .8039 22.46 Absent <.0005

ST2758 10.6 .8444 24.74 Present .873

ST3032 10.8 -- -- Absent --

ST3204 13.0 .8410 24.84 Absent 1.49

ST3322 8.9 .7561 20.44 Absent <.0005

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
44

Table 2-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010.

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; (00900), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System 

parameter code; E, estimated concentration; °Celsius, degrees Celsius. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water 

standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

Hardness, 

filtered, 

mg/L as 

CaCO3

(00900)

Calcium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00915)

Magnesium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00925)

Potassium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00935)

Sodium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00930)

Acid neutralizing 

capacity, 

unfiltered, 

mg/L as CaCO3

(90410)

Alkalinity, 

filtered, 

fixed endpoint,

laboratory, 

mg/L as CaCO3

(29801)

Sand and gravel wells

F543 35.8 9.03 3.21 0.69 3.24 32 32

F573 101 27.7 7.77 .72 3.53 98 94

J1736 419 108 36.2 4.08 105 295 294

ST378 91.8 23.2 8.22 .86 2.76 89 89

ST2584 80.9 22.9 5.77 1.68 8.95 61 62

Bedrock wells

CL674 158 41.4 13.2 1.45 3.85 146 143

F91 165 45.7 12.3 1.20 4.14 136 138

F1042 32.4 10.2 1.69 .43 3.04 31 31

F1051 53.2 18.4 1.78 .45 7.93 67 67

H80 60.4 20.6 2.19 .75 7.28 57 58

J836 169 50.8 10.2 2.94 20.8 145 144

ST950 254 53.4 29.2 4.03 29.5 240 239

ST1424 220 49.2 23.7 3.60 32.2 200 205

ST1426 299 68.4 31.1 2.33 21.2 223 218

ST2074 172 47.8 12.8 1.68 13.9 141 141

ST2291 29.0 8.37 1.97 .83 2.86 31 31

ST2758 132 27.7 15.3 4.50 25.0 155 155

ST3032 223 54.8 21.0 13.8 25.0 248 245

ST3204 344 75.2 37.9 1.39 12.4 342 333

ST3322 43.7 11.2 3.85 .54 2.21 46 45

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.

2 Bicarbonate values calculated from alkalinity. 
45

Table 2-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2010.—Continued

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; (29805), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System 

parameter code; E, estimated concentration; °Celsius, degrees Celsius. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water 

standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

Bicarbonate2, 

filtered, 

fixed 

endpoint,

laboratory,

mg/L

(29805)

Chloride, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00940)

Fluoride, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00950)

Silica, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00955)

Sulfate,

filtered, 

mg/L

(00945)

Dissolved 

solids,

dried at 180oC, 

filtered, 

mg/L 

(70300)

Sand and gravel wells 

F543 39 3.72 E0.06 14.9 7.48 69

F573 115 6.24 .08 9.62 9.96 120

J1736 359 206 .57 12.3 78.5 756

ST378 109 4.37 E.06 9.70 9.56 117

ST2584 76 19.6 .43 12.8 8.52 126

Bedrock wells

CL674 174 3.98 .12 10.1 23.0 191

F91 168 7.01 .06 12.3 16.9 201

F1042 38 .39 .36 16.2 6.80 55

F1051 82 1.00 .28 12.2 2.89 89

H80 71 1.30 .95 10.8 16.4 99

J836 176 31.2 .13 9.77 34.2 251

ST950 292 31.9 .51 11.9 46.7 352

ST1424 250 31.2 .34 7.85 49.5 304

ST1426 266 58.4 .28 10.5 37.8 372

ST2074 172 13.6 .70 14.6 40.5 242

ST2291 38 1.53 .14 18.9 5.78 59

ST2758 189 17.8 .78 10.0 14.4 218

ST3032 299 23.1 .09 6.26 23.9 320

ST3204 406 2.68 .17 15.6 38.4 384

ST3322 55 .36 .32 11.3 5.09 60

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.

2 Bicarbonate values calculated from alkalinity
46

Table 2-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence

River Basin, New York, 2010.

[N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; mg/L, milligrams per liter; (00623), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System 

parameter code; <, less than; E, estimated concentration. Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

Ammonia 

plus organicN, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00623)

Ammonia, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00608)

Nitrate plus 

nitrite, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00631)

Nitrite, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00613)

Orthophosphate, 

filtered, 

mg/L as P

(00671)

Organic 

carbon, 

unfiltered, 

mg/L

(00680)

Sand and gravel wells

F543 <0.10 <0.020 0.92 <0.002 0.011 E0.6

F573 <.05 <.010 .23 <.001 .015 <.3

J1736 E.06 .026 <.04 E.001 .008 .7

ST378 <.10 <.020 .09 <.002 .009 E.3

ST2584 E.06 <.020 .63 <.002 E.008 E.4

Bedrock wells

CL674 <.05 .017 <.02 <.001 .027 .6

F91 .06 <.010 3.91 <.001 .019 .6

F1042 <.10 <.020 .48 <.002 .035 E.3

F1051 <.10 <.020 E.03 <.002 .089 .8

H80 <.10 <.020 .10 .003 .011 E.4

J836 .11 .023 .09 <.002 E.008 2.1

ST950 .21 .130 <.04 <.002 .016 .9

ST1424 .14 .117 <.02 <.001 .007 .7

ST1426 E.10 .074 <.04 <.002 .008 E.6

ST2074 .13 E.020 .47 .005 .015 1.6

ST2291 <.10 <.020 .06 <.002 .022 <.6

ST2758 .18 .136 <.04 <.002 .024 1.4

ST3032 .63 .350 .20 .011 E.006 2.2

ST3204 .12 .046 <.04 <.002 .013 1.2

ST3322 E.05 <.020 .28 E.002 E.008 E.3

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
47

Table 2-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01105), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; 

E, estimated concentration. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 

and 4]

Well 

number1

Aluminum,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01105)

Antimony,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01097)

Arsenic,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01002)

Barium, 

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01007)

Beryllium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01012)

Boron,

filtered,

μg/L

(01020)

Cadmium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01027)

Chromium,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01034)

Sand and gravel wells 

F543 <6 <0.4 <0.18 8.3 <0.04 7.6 <0.04 <0.42

F573 <3 <.2 1.1 19.5 <.02 3.4 <.05 .58

J1736 <6 <.4 1.4 103 <.04 236 <.04 <.42

ST378 <6 <.4 .46 52.3 <.04 7.1 <.04 E.23

ST2584 <6 <.4 .32 12.8 <.04 12 <.04 E.27

Bedrock wells

CL674 <3 <.2 1.3 53.8 <.02 8.9 <.05 <.21

F91 <3 <.2 1.3 18.1 <.02 10 <.05 .69

F1042 <6 <.4 .18 <.6 <.04 5.4 <.04 .60

F1051 7 <.4 .83 E.5 <.04 32 <.04 <.42

H80 37 <.4 .19 5.4 <.04 21 <.04 <.42

J836 19 <.4 1.0 70.1 <.04 50 <.04 E.21

ST950 <6 <.4 .75 108 <.04 162 <.04 <.42

ST1424 <3 <.2 1.5 41.6 <.02 168 <.05 <.21

ST1426 <6 <.4 2.2 119 <.04 54 <.04 <.42

ST2074 1,310 <.4 .78 217 .13 174 <.04 2.6

ST2291 E5 <.4 .23 1.1 <.04 3.6 <.04 1.0

ST2758 <6 <.4 .41 329 <.04 164 <.04 <.42

ST3032 11 E.4 .93 168 <.04 50 E.04 2.5

ST3204 <6 <.4 2.3 121 <.04 20 <.04 <.42

ST3322 14 <.4 .24 1.0 <.04 4.7 <.04 E.21

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
48

Table 2-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010.—Continued

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01105), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; 

E, estimated concentration. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 

and 4]

Well 

number1

Cobalt,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01037)

Copper,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01042)

Iron,

filtered,

μg/L

(01046)

Iron,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01045)

Lead,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01051)

Lithium,

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(01132)

Manganese,

filtered,

μg/L

(01056)

Manganese,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01055)

Sand and gravel wells 

F543 <0.04 195 8 56 0.48 1.0 1.9 3.0

F573 <.02 2.4 <3 <5 <.04 1.3 .3 <.4

J1736 .39 <1.4 100 137 E.07 32.8 61.7 66.8

ST378 <.04 2.2 <6 <9 .16 .5 <.2 <.8

ST2584 <.04 48.9 E5 106 .49 2.4 1.9 3.1

Bedrock wells

CL674 .08 1.3 96 127 .04 2.2 136 142

F91 .03 24.3 <3 <5 .12 1.1 .2 <.4

F1042 <.04 1.8 <6 59 E.05 1.5 E.2 .9

F1051 E.03 4.3 <6 <9 .13 1.3 9.2 9.1

H80 <.04 <1.4 <6 52 .12 6.0 3.0 3.6

J836 .81 7.4 491 2,150 .64 6.8 29.6 33.7

ST950 <.04 2.2 36 45 .99 23.1 8.0 8.5

ST1424 <.02 <.70 195 334 <.04 20.5 29.3 32.6

ST1426 .68 <1.4 127 274 .33 8.3 112 117

ST2074 .74 11.9 51 2,500 1.03 11.9 40.2 115

ST2291 <.04 1.9 74 326 .16 1.2 1.4 5.9

ST2758 <.04 <1.4 10 15 E.05 25.7 4.5 4.8

ST3032 .41 3.1 E4 3,910 .46 5.2 272 308

ST3204 .28 <1.4 421 434 .24 6.0 24.4 26.9

ST3322 .13 <1.4 396 2,260 1.50 3.4 6.8 15.7

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
49

Table 2-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New 

York, 2010.—Continued

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01105), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; 

E, estimated concentration. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 

and 4]

Well 

number1

Mercury, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(71900)

Molybdenum, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(01062)

Nickel, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(01067)

Selenium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(01147)

Silver, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(01077)

Strontium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(01082)

Zinc, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(01092)

Uranium, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(28011)

Sand and gravel wells

F543 <0.010 0.1 E0.21 <0.10 E0.01 30.2 E1.9 0.047

F573 <.005 .7 <.12 .10 <.01 76.3 <2.4 .374

J1736 <.010 .7 1.0 E.05 <.02 6,360 3.6 .726

ST378 <.010 .5 <.36 E.08 <.02 40.3 3.0 .325

ST2584 <.010 .7 <.36 <.10 <.02 62.7 10.1 .308

Bedrock wells

CL674 <.005 2.8 <.12 <.05 <.01 214 3.1 .410

F91 <.005 .2 <.12 .06 <.01 205 23.1 .302

F1042 <.010 2.6 <.36 <.10 <.02 30.9 E1.3 .452

F1051 <.010 3.4 <.36 <.10 <.02 59.8 3.8 .946

H80 <.010 5.2 <.36 .25 <.02 202 7.6 1.07

J836 <.010 .2 2.0 E.06 <.02 285 7.0 .333

ST950 <.010 .9 <.36 <.10 <.02 2,360 3.2 .097

ST1424 <.005 4.7 <.12 <.05 <.01 2,030 <2.4 .400

ST1426 <.010 4.0 1.2 <.10 <.02 1,010 <2.0 1.62

ST2074 E.010 1.2 1.9 E.08 E.01 2,820 8.7 4.25

ST2291 <.010 .4 <.36 <.10 <.02 26.9 E1.1 .109

ST2758 <.010 .8 <.36 .25 <.02 948 E1.0 .050

ST3032 2<.010 1.2 3.0 <.10 <.02 1,160 7.1 1.86

ST3204 <.010 4.3 .76 <.10 <.02 1,280 E1.3 .468

ST3322 <.010 1.8 .39 <.10 <.02 26.8 3.0 .159

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.

2

 Mercury in ST3032 in filtered water, parameter code 71890
50

Table 2-6. Concentrations of pesticides detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, 

New York, 2010.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; CIAT, 2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine; (04040), U.S. Geological Survey National 

Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; E, estimated concentration; M, presence verified but not quantified. 

Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

CIAT, 

filtered, 

μg/L

(04040)

Atrazine, 

filtered, 

μg/L

(39632)

Benfluralin, 

filtered, 

μg/L

(82673)

Disulfoton,

filtered, 

μg/L

(82677)

Metolachlor,

filtered, 

μg/L

(39415)

Simazine,

filtered, 

μg/L

(04035)

Terbacil,

filtered, 

μg/L

(82665)

Sand and gravel wells

F543 <0.014 <0.007 <0.014 <0.04 <0.014 <0.006 <0.024

F573 <.006 <.008 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

J1736 E.001 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST378 <.014 <.007 E.001 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST2584 E.002 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

Bedrock wells

CL674 <.006 <.008 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

F91 E.003 <.008 <.014 <.04 .002 <.006 <.024

F1042 <.014 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

F1051 <.014 <.007 <.014 E.01 <.014 <.006 <.024

H80 <.014 <.007 <.014 E.01 <.014 <.006 <.024

J836 <.014 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST950 <.014 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST1424 <.006 <.008 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST1426 <.014 <.007 <.014 M <.014 <.006 <.024

ST2074 <.014 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 .003 <.024

ST2291 <.014 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST2758 <.014 <.007 <.014 E.02 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST3032 E.031 .011 <.014 <.20 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST3204 <.014 <.007 <.014 <.04 <.014 <.006 <.024

ST3322 <.014 <.007 <.014 E.11 <.014 <.006 E.007

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
51

Table 2-7. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds detected in groundwater samples collected in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (34475), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than. 

Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

Tetrachloroethene,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(34475)

Toluene,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(34010)

Trichloromethane, 

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(32106)

Sand and gravel wells

F543 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

F573 <.1 <.1 <.1

J1736 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST378 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST2584 <.1 <.1 <.1

Bedrock wells

CL674 <.1 <.1 <.1

F91 <.1 <.1 <.1

F1042 <.1 <.1 <.1

F1051 <.1 <.1 .2

H80 .1 .1 <.1

J836 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST950 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST1424 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST1426 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST2074 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST2291 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST2758 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST3032 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST3204 <.1 <.1 <.1

ST3322 <.1 <.1 <.1

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
52

Table 2-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010.

[pCi/L, picocuries per liter; (01519), USGS National Water Information System parameter code; <, less than; --, not analyzed. 

Bold values equal or exceed one or more existing or proposed drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 

and 4]

Well 

number1

Gross alpha 

radioactivity,

unfiltered,

pCi/L

(01519)

Gross beta 

radioactivity,

unfiltered,

pCi/L

(85817)

Radon222,

unfiltered,

pCi/L

(82303)

Sand and gravel wells

F543 1.0 <1 890

F573 1.2 .9 420

J1736 <1.8 4.1 227

ST378 <.55 .9 710

ST2584 <.61 1.9 940

Bedrock wells

CL674 1.1 1.7 610

F91 <.92 <1.1 390

F1042 <.39 .8 2,580

F1051 2.0 <.85 17

H80 2.1 1.4 740

J836 <1 3.6 1,020

ST950 3.0 4.4 137

ST1424 2.8 5.0 164

ST1426 6 2.7 1,440

ST2074 16 10 2,390

ST2291 <.51 .9 460

ST2758 <1.1 4.5 340

ST3032 <1.2 16.1 --

ST3204 <1.8 2.9 580

ST3322 <.54 <1.3 48

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
53

Table 2-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2010.

[CFU, colony-forming unit; mL, milliliter; (31691), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter 

code; <, less than; >, greater than; --, not analyzed. Bold values indicate detections of coliform bacteria or exceed one or more 

drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figures 3 and 4]

Well 

number1

Escherichia coli, 

unfiltered, 

Presence/Absence

(84385)

Fecal 

coliform, 

membrane 

filtration,

unfiltered, 

CFU/100mL

(61215)

Heterotrophic 

plate count, 

unfiltered, 

CFU/mL

(31692)

Total 

coliform, 

membrane 

filtration,

unfiltered, 

CFU/100mL

(61213)

Sand and gravel wells

F543 Absent <2 3 3 

F573 Absent <2 <1 <1

J1736 Absent <2 >300 <1

ST378 Absent <2 1 <1

ST2584 Absent <2 6 <1

Bedrock wells

CL674 Absent <1 150 270

F91 Absent <1 2 <1

F1042 Absent <2 600 <1

F1051 Absent <2 1 21

H80 Absent <2 10 20

J836 Present <2 29 >200

ST950 Absent <2 <1 <1

ST1424 Absent <2 <1 <1

ST1426 Absent <2 290 <4

ST2074 Present <2 >300 >200

ST2291 Absent <2 <1 <1

ST2758 Absent <2 540 20

ST3032 -- -- -- --

ST3204 Absent <2 1 <1

ST3322 Absent <2 >150 <1

1 CL, Clinton County; F, Franklin County; H, Hamilton County; J, Jefferson County; ST, St. Lawrence County.
54

Table 2-10. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater 

samples collected in the St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010.

[NWIS, National Water Information System; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; CaCO3, 

calcium carbonate; oC, degrees Celsius; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; CFU, colony-forming unit; mL, milliliter; <, less than; E, estimated 

concentration; U, not detected; lab, laboratory] 

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well F543 Well F573 Well ST378 Well ST950

2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010

00080 Color, filtered, platinum-cobalt units 5 2 2 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1

00300 Dissolved oxygen, unfiltered, mg/L -- 6.3 8.8 7.4 9.2 3.00 1.2 4.5

00400 pH, unfiltered -- 6.5 7.9 8.2 7.8 8.2 7.3 7.6

00095 Specific conductance, unfiltered, 

μS/cm 99 96 208 208 191 197 613 600

00010 Temperature, unfiltered, degrees 

Celsius 9.4 11.0 7.3 7.3 9.2 9.0 9.2 9.3

00900 Hardness, filtered, mg/L as CaCO3 41.8 35.8 99.4 101 94.4 91.8 264 254

00915 Calcium, filtered, mg/L 11.1 9.03 27.3 27.7 24.5 23.2 55.1 53.4

00925 Magnesium, filtered, mg/L 3.40 3.21 7.56 7.77 8.08 8.22 30.7 29.2

00935 Potassium, filtered, mg/L .66 .69 .66 .72 .91 .86 3.70 4.03

00930 Sodium, filtered, mg/L 2.59 3.24 3.24 3.53 2.50 2.76 25.6 29.5

90410

Acid neutralizing capacity, 

unfiltered, fixed end point, lab, 

mg/L as CaCO3

33 32 89 98 86 89 206 240

29801 Alkalinity, filtered, fixed end point, 

laboratory, mg/L as CaCO3

33 32 91 94 86 89 206 239

29805 Bicarbonate, filtered, fixed end 

point, laboratory, mg/L 40 39 111 115 105 109 251 292

00940 Chloride, filtered, mg/L 3.32 3.72 6.26 6.24 3.48 4.37 30.0 31.9

00950 Fluoride, filtered, mg/L E.07 E.06 E.06 .08 E.10 E.06 .59 .51

00955 Silica, filtered, mg/L 14.4 14.9 9.76 9.62 10.2 9.70 12.7 11.9

00945 Sulfate, filtered, mg/L 7.42 7.48 9.53 9.96 9.41 9.56 49.8 46.7

70300 Dissolved solids,

dried at 180oC, filtered, mg/L 73 69 110 120 112 117 359 352

00623 Ammonia plus organic-N, filtered, 

mg/L as N <.10 <.10 E.07 <.05 E.09 <.10 .21 .21

00608 Ammonia, filtered, mg/L as N <.04 <.020 <.04 <.010 <.04 <.020 .12 .130

00631 Nitrate plus nitrite, filtered, mg/L as 

N .93 .92 .23 .23 .17 .09 <.06 <.04

00613 Nitrite, filtered, mg/L as N <.008 <.002 <.008 <.001 <.008 <.002 <.008 <.002

00671 Orthophosphate, filtered, mg/L as P <.02 .011 <.02 .015 <.02 .009 <.02 .016

00680 Organic carbon, unfiltered, mg/L <1.0 E.6 <1.0 <.3 <1.0 E.3 1.1 .9

31691 Escherichia coli, unfiltered, CFU 

per 100 mL U U U U U U U U 

61215 Fecal coliform, unfiltered, CFU per 

100 mL U <2 U <2 U <2 U <2

31692 Heterotrophic plate count, 

unfiltered, CFU per mL 10 3 14 <1 <1 1 <1 <1

 Total coliform, unfiltered, CFU per 

100 mL U 3 U <1 U <1 U <1
55

Table 2-11. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples collected in the St. 

Lawrence River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010.

[NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter, pCi/L, picocuries per liter; <, less than, E, estimated concentration] 

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well F543 Well F573 Well ST378 Well ST950

2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010

01105 Aluminum, unfiltered, μg/L 4 <6 3 <3 E1 <6 <2 <6

01097 Antimony, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.4 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.4 <.2 <.4

01002 Arsenic, unfiltered, μg/L E.09 <.18 .46 1.1 .16 .46 .28 .75

01007 Barium, unfiltered, μg/L 7.0 8.3 18.3 19.5 45.6 52.3 97.1 108

01012 Beryllium, unfiltered, μg/L <.06 <.04 <.06 <.02 <.06 <.04 <.06 <.04

01020 Boron, filtered, μg/L E6.8 7.6 E4.2 3.4 7.2 7.1 132 162

01027 Cadmium, unfiltered, μg/L E.02 <.04 <.04 <.05 <.04 <.04 <.04 <.04

01034 Chromium, unfiltered, μg/L .43 <.42 .98 .58 .36 E.23 .11 <.42

01037 Cobalt, unfiltered, μg/L .063 <.04 .076 <.02 .088 <.04 .210 <.04

01042 Copper, unfiltered, μg/L 71.6 195 12.0 2.4 .8 2.2 1.6 2.2

01046 Iron, filtered, μg/L 7 8 <6 <3 <6 <6 48 36

01045 Iron, unfiltered, μg/L 37 56 <6 <5 E4 <9 49 45

01051 Lead, unfiltered, μg/L .22 .48 <.06 <.04 1.41 .16 E.03 .99

01132 Lithium, unfiltered, μg/L .8 1.0 1.0 1.3 E.6 .5 21.6 23.1

01056 Manganese, filtered, μg/L 3.4 1.9 <.6 .3 <.6 <.2 7.7 8.0

01055 Manganese, unfiltered, μg/L 2.8 3.0 <.6 <.4 <.6 <.8 8.1 8.5

71900 Mercury, unfiltered, μg/L <.010 <.010 <.010 <.005 <.010 <.010 <.010 <.010

01062 Molybdenum, unfiltered, 

μg/L E.2 .1 .7 .7 .5 .5 1.4 .9

01067 Nickel, unfiltered, μg/L .56 E.21 .29 <.12 .56 <.36 1.04 <.36

01147 Selenium, unfiltered, μg/L <.4 <.10 .10 .10 <.4 E.08 <.08 <.10

01077 Silver, unfiltered, μg/L <.16 E.01 <.16 <.01 <.16 <.02 <.16 <.02

01082 Strontium, unfiltered, μg/L 27.8 30.2 73.4 76.3 35.0 40.3 2,160 2,360

01059 Thallium, unfiltered, μg/L <.18 <.12 <.18 <.06 <.18 <.12 <.18 <.12

01092 Zinc, unfiltered, μg/L E1 E1.9 E1 <2.4 4 3.0 E1 3.2

82303 Radon-222, unfiltered, pCi/L 860 890 430 420 680 710 150 137

28011 Uranium, unfiltered, μg/L .042 .047 .314 .374 .285 .325 .133 .097
56

Table 2-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2005 and 2010. [NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated concentration. Bold value indicates 

detected concentration] 

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well F543 Well F573 Well ST378 Well ST950

2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline, filtered, μg/L <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 <0.006

04040 2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-aminos-triazine (CIAT), filtered, μg/L <.006 <.014 <.006 <.006 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014

49260 Acetochlor, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010

46342 Alachlor, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.008 <.005 <.008 <.005 <.008 <.005 <.008

34253 alpha-HCH, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.004 <.005 <.004 <.005 <.004 <.005 <.004

39632 Atrazine, filtered, μg/L <.007 <.007 <.007 <.008 <.007 <.007 <.007 <.007

82686 Azinphos-methyl, filtered, μg/L <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120

82673 Benfluralin, filtered, μg/L <.010 <.014 <.010 <.014 <.010 E.001 <.010 <.014

04028 Butylate, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004

82680 Carbaryl, filtered, μg/L <.041 <.060 <.041 <.060 <.041 <.060 <.041 <.060

82674 Carbofuran, filtered, μg/L <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060

38933 Chlorpyrifos, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.010 <.005 <.004 <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010

82687 cis-Permethrin, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.014 <.006 <.010 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014

04041 Cyanazine, filtered, μg/L <.018 <.022 <.018 <.022 <.018 <.022 <.018 <.022

82682 DCPA, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.008 <.003 <.008 <.003 <.008 <.003 <.008

62170 Desulfinylfipronil, filtered, μg/L <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012 <.012

39572 Diazinon, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.005 <.005 <.006 <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005

39381 Dieldrin, filtered, μg/L <.009 <.009 <.009 <.008 <.009 <.009 <.009 <.009

82677 Disulfoton, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04

82668 EPTC, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.002 <.004 <.006 <.004 <.002 <.004 <.002

82663 Ethalfluralin, filtered, μg/L <.009 <.006 <.009 <.006 <.009 <.006 <.009 <.006

82672 Ethoprop, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide, filtered, 

μg/L <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029 <.029

62167 Fipronil sulfide, filtered, μg/L <.013 <.013 <.013 <.012 <.013 <.013 <.013 <.013

62168 Fipronil sulfone, filtered, μg/L <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024 <.024

62166 Fipronil, filtered, μg/L <.016 <.018 <.016 <.018 <.016 <.018 <.016 <.018

04095 Fonofos, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.004 <.003 <.005 <.003 <.004 <.003 <.004

39341 Lindane, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004

82666 Linuron, filtered, μg/L <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060

39532 Malathion, filtered, μg/L <.027 <.016 <.027 <.016 <.027 <.016 <.027 <.016
57

Table 2-12. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in St. Lawrence River Basin, New York, 

2005 and 2010.—Continued

[NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter, <, less than; E, estimated concentration. Bold value indicates 

detected concentration]

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well F543 Well F573 Well ST378 Well ST950

2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010

82667 Methyl parathion, filtered, μg/L <0.015 <0.008 <0.015 <0.008 <0.015 <0.008 <0.015 <0.008

39415 Metolachlor, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014

82630 Metribuzin, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.012 <.006 <.012 <.006 <.012 <.006 <.012

82671 Molinate, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.003 <.003 <.004 <.003 <.003 <.003 <.003

82684 Napropamide, filtered, μg/L <.007 <.008 <.007 <.008 <.007 <.008 <.007 <.008

34653 p,p'-DDE, filtered, μg/L <.003 <.002 <.003 <.002 <.003 <.002 <.003 <.002

39542 Parathion, filtered, μg/L <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020

82669 Pebulate, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016

82683 Pendimethalin, filtered, μg/L <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012

82664 Phorate, filtered, μg/L <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020

04037 Prometon, filtered, μg/L <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01

82676 Propyzamide, filtered, μg/L <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004

04024 Propachlor, filtered, μg/L <.025 <.006 <.025 <.006 <.025 <.006 <.025 <.006

82679 Propanil, filtered, μg/L <.011 <.010 <.011 <.010 <.011 <.010 <.011 <.010

82685 Propargite, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02

04035 Simazine, filtered, μg/L <.005 <.006 <.005 <.006 <.005 <.006 <.005 <.006

82670 Tebuthiuron, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.03 <.02 <.03 <.02 <.03 <.02 <.03

82665 Terbacil, filtered, μg/L <.034 <.024 <.034 <.024 <.034 <.024 <.034 <.024

82675 Terbufos, filtered, μg/L <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02

82681 Thiobencarb, filtered, μg/L <.010 <.016 <.010 <.016 <.010 <.016 <.010 <.016

82678 Triallate, filtered, μg/L <.006 <.006 <.006 <.005 <.006 <.006 <.006 <.006

82661 Trifluralin, filtered, μg/L <.009 <.018 <.009 <.018 <.009 <.018 <.009 <.018
58

Table 2-13. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the St. Lawrence 

River Basin, New York, 2005 and 2010. [NWIS, National Water Information System; μg/L, micrograms per liter, <, less than. Bold value indicates detected concentration]

U.S. 

Geological 

Survey 

NWIS 

parameter 

code Constituent

Well F543 Well F573 Well ST378 Well ST950

2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010 2005 2010

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, unfiltered, μg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

77652 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113), 

unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34030 Benzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32101 Bromodichloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32104 Tribromomethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34301 Chlorobenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

77093 cis-1,2-Dichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32105 Dibromochloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34423 Dichloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

81576 Diethyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

81577 Diisopropyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34371 Ethylbenzene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

85795 m- + p-Xylene, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

77135 o-Xylene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

77128 Styrene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

78032 Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 .3 <.2 <.2 <.2

34475 Tetrachloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32102 Tetrachloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34010 Toluene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34546 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

39180 Trichloroethene, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

32106 Trichloromethane, unfiltered, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

39175 Vinyl chloride, unfiltered, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2
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Nystrom—Groundwater Quality in the Delaware and St. Lawrence River Basins, New York, 2010— Open-File Report 2011–1320

For more information concerning this report, contact

Director

U.S. Geological Survey

New York Water Science Center

425 Jordan Road

Troy, NY 12180-8349

dc_ny@usgs.gov

or visit our Web site at:

http://ny.water.usgs.gov