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

U.S. Geological Survey

Programs in New Hampshire

71°

72°

43°

44°

45°

0 10 20 MILES 

0 10 20 KILOMETERS 

Major sand and

gravel aquifers

Areas of potentially

high water yield

MASSACHUSETTSMAINE

VERMONT

CANADA

Berlin

Portsmouth

Manchester

Concord

Keene

EXPLANATION

For more than 100 years the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been assessing, 

mapping, and reporting on New Hampshire’s natural resources and natural hazards. Ongoing USGS programs in New 

Hampshire include topographic and geologic mapping, surface- and ground-water 

resource assessment and data collection, 

water-quality assessments, research on 

movement of water and toxic substances in 

aquifer systems assessment of hydrologic 

and geologic hazards, mineral exploration, 

and assessment of biologic resources. 

Through cooperative programs with many 

State and local agencies, the USGS contributes to the health, safety, and economic 

well being of New Hampshire’s citizens.

Topographic Mapping

 Maps and digital cartographic data are 

used by many people for various commercial and recreational purposes. Among the 

most popular and versatile products of the 

USGS are its 1:24,000-scale topographic 

maps (1 inch on the map represents 2,000 

feet on the ground). These maps depict 

natural and cultural features of the landscape, such as lakes and streams, highways and railroads, boundaries, and 

geographic names. Contour lines are used 

to depict the elevation and shape of the 

terrain. New Hampshire is covered by 215 

maps at this scale. 

The USGS, through its National Mapping Program, fosters partnerships with 

State and Federal agencies to improve the 

effectiveness of its data-collection activities, to share resources, and to enhance 

the availability of timely and accurate 

data. The USGS and the New Hampshire 

Office of State Planning are involved in 

two cooperative projects. The first is to 

create digital raster graphic (DRG) files 

for the entire State; DRG’s are scanned 

and digitized images of USGS topographic maps. The USGS is producing 

DRG's of the 1:24,000-, 1:100,000-, and 

1:250,000-scale topographic map series. 

The final product will be available on 

CD–ROM. The second cooperative 

project is to produce digital line graphic 

files of topography in support of the 

Route 16 Transportation Initiative. The 

USGS also provides stable base-map 

materials so that USGS base maps can be 

reproduced easily by State agencies.

Through the Competitive Cooperative 

Agreements Program, the USGS and the 

State of New Hampshire, as well as five 

other New England States, have formed a 

national spatial data base “clearinghouse.” 

This clearinghouse is located at the 

University of Massachusetts and supplies 

geographic and cartographic data from the 

States to the public through the WorldWide Web (www). Consolidated spatial 

data from this source will improve the services in such areas as emergency planning, environmental assessment, resource 

inventories, and resource-quality analyses that are provided to the residents of 

New Hampshire.

Ground-Water Resources

Increases in population and development in New Hampshire have increased 

water-supply demands. Towns and communities are interested in developing additional ground-water supplies and in 

protecting existing water resources for the 

future. In 1984, the New Hampshire 

Department of Environmental Services, 

Water Division, entered into a long-term 

cooperative program with the USGS to 

assess the State's ground-water resources. 

Under this program, the USGS has identified and described the State's principal 

sand and gravel aquifers and is currently 

(1996) assessing the ground-water supply 

potential of the fractured-bedrock aquifers. 

The areal extent, geohydrologic properties, potential water yield, and quality 

of water in sand and gravel aquifers are 

presented in a series of maps and reports 

of 13 study areas that cover the State. The 

location of major sand and gravel aquifers 

and areas of potentially high water yield 

are shown in figure 1. 

Index of Subjects

Topographic Mapping

Ground-Water Resources

Chemical Hazards

Movement of Contaminants in FracturedBedrock Aquifers

Geologic Mapping

Mineral Exploration and Information

Water Quality

Ecosystems

Stream Stability and Erosion at Bridge Sites

Water Use

Water Information

Earth Science Information Centers

Figure 1. Location of major sand and 

gravel aquifers and areas of potentially 

high water yield in New Hampshire.
Concord

Milford

NEW 

HAMPSHIRE

0

0

1000 2000 FEET

500 METERS

Souhegan River

EXPLANATION

Model boundary

Ground-water pathline

 for 1988

Active well

Former municipal

 well (1988)

Contaminant 

source

Direction of flow

 of contaminant

In 1995, the focus of the cooperative 

program shifted to an assessment of the 

State's fractured-bedrock aquifers. This 

phase of the program is designed to identify areas of potentially high water yield 

and to determine the quality of the water 

from these sources. The results of this 

study will provide information useful to 

communities and to regional and State 

planners in the development of water supplies and the management of programs to 

protect aquifers.

Chemical Hazards

At some sites in New Hampshire, 

ground water contains hazardous-waste 

chemicals in concentrations that may 

threaten human health and the environment. Federal and State agencies responsible for regulating the cleanup of these 

sites need ground-water flow information 

to predict patterns of movement and the 

ultimate fate of contaminants.

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is 

investigating the movement of contaminants in ground- and surface-water systems and is providing technical assistance 

at a number of hazardous-waste sites in 

southern New Hampshire. 

In Milford, the USGS has been studying the influence of ground-water flow on 

the movement of dissolved volatile 

organic compounds in a sand and gravel 

aquifer. Two municipal supply wells were 

closed as the result of contamination. The 

USGS has constructed computer models 

of ground-water flow to simulate various 

hydrologic conditions, such as recharge 

from precipitation, ground-water withdrawals, and streamflow. Simulations of 

variable hydrologic conditions and their 

effect on ground-water flow can assist 

Federal and State regulatory agencies 

with the management of contaminated 

water. An example of simulated paths of 

ground-water flow from a contamination 

source is shown in figure 2.

Movement of Contaminants in 

Fractured-Bedrock Aquifers

In 1990, the USGS began research 

investigations of the ground-water movement in fractured bedrock at the Mirror 

Lake watershed in Grafton County. This 

research is designed to address the Nation’s 

need for accurate and efficient methods of 

evaluating the movement of contaminants 

in fractured-bedrock aquifers. 

Because ground-water flow in bedrock 

is predominantly through fractures, there 

is a fundamental need to locate and 

describe fractures. Various tools that are 

used to describe fractures, such as borehole imaging cameras and an acoustic 

televiewer, are being tested, and the accuracy of the resulting data is being evaluated. The data collected with these tools 

are being used to develop a relation 

between the geologic characteristics of 

the surrounding rock and the hydraulic 

properties of the rock. After accurate 

methods are developed, the results can be 

used on a local scale to locate water-bearing fractures that may be capable of transporting contaminants. On a regional scale, 

such methods can be used to predict volumes and rates of ground-water flow. 

Understanding ground-water flow on a 

regional scale is important for planning 

and protecting water supplies and assessing strategies for containing and restoring 

contaminated ground water.

Geologic Mapping

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

New Hampshire Departments of 

Resources and Economic Development 

and of Environmental Services, has produced detailed maps of surficial geology 

that show the distribution of sand, gravel, 

silt, clay, and till (unsorted sand, gravel, 

silt, and clay) mostly in the southern part 

of the State. This mapping is supported 

by STATEMAP, which is an external funding opportunity of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. The 

program addresses a wide variety of economic and environmental issues by supporting geologic mapping projects in 

New Hampshire. These issues include 

forecasting resource management in the 

sand and gravel industry, ground-water 

management, transportation engineering, 

and radon distribution.

In the southern part of the State, where 

population growth has been rapid, overview maps of the sand and gravel 

resources at the 1:250,000 scale also have 

been produced. These maps are used 

extensively by State and local planning 

agencies and consultants to address environmental issues related to water supplies, 

waste disposal, construction of highways, 

and building development.

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

U.S. Department of Energy and the State 

of New Hampshire, has compiled a new 

bedrock geologic map of the State. It is 

being prepared for publication by the 

USGS and includes the bedrock geologic 

map at a scale of 1:250,000 and three geologic maps at a scale of 1:500,000.

Mineral Exploration and 

Information

The USGS is preparing an inventory of 

known mineral resources in New Hampshire and is evaluating areas for undiscovered deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, 

and zinc. Like many Eastern States, New 

Hampshire also is dependent on diminishing resources of locally derived minerals 

and materials that are required for the 

maintenance and construction of its buildings and infrastructure. The USGS is 

assessing the nonmetallic mineral 

resources of the State and providing geologic information that will assist Federal 

and State land management agencies, 

regional planners, industry, and local governments in planning for the most environmentally sound and economically 

viable minerals-related development.

The USGS has two mineral data 

bases—the Mineral Resources Data System and the Mineral Availability System, 

which was transferred from the Bureau of 

Mines—that contain information on 

Figure 2. Paths of ground-water flow in 1988 

in Milford, New Hampshire.
deposits and mineral-processing locations 

around the world. They are the principal 

tools that the USGS uses for many different types of mineral studies, which 

include resource assessments and the 

effect of abandoned mines on the environment. The data bases, which contain mineral information on about 200 sites in 

New Hampshire, are available to Federal 

and State agencies and the general public 

in CD-ROM format.

In 1995, New Hampshire ranked 47th 

in nonfuel mineral production. The leading non-fuel mineral industry, construction sand and gravel, generated $36 

million and accounted for about twothirds of the State’s production. Crushed 

stone, clay, and gemstones were included 

in the remaining one-third.

New Hampshire Water Quality

In 1991, the USGS began a National 

Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) 

Program to describe the quality of the 

Nation’s water resources and to identify 

the natural and manmade factors that 

affect it. The program provides information that is useful to water-resource policy-makers and managers at national, 

state, and local levels. 

A committee of representatives from 

Federal, State, and local agencies; universities; and the private sector works 

closely with the USGS in each NAWQA 

study unit to exchange information on 

water-quality issues and to assist in 

designing and planning project products 

to meet the needs of the States and towns 

in each study unit.

New Hampshire is included in two 

NAWQA study areas. The New England 

Coastal Basins study area encompasses 

22,900 square miles that includes central 

and eastern New Hampshire, western and 

central Maine, eastern Massachusetts, 

and most of Rhode Island. In New Hampshire, this area includes the drainage 

basins of the Merrimack, the Androscoggin, and the Saco Rivers, as well as small 

coastal drainage basins. The Connecticut 

River and Long Island Sound Coastal 

Rivers study area encompasses 15,750 

square miles that includes western New 

Hampshire, eastern Vermont, west-central Massachusetts, most of Connecticut, 

and small parts of New York and Rhode 

Island. In New Hampshire, this area 

includes the drainage basin of the Connecticut River. Most of the data have 

been collected for the Connecticut River 

study area, and examples of some of the 

findings include the following:

• Nutrient concentrations, which indicate 

the health of rivers, ponds, and lakes, 

differed among sampling locations 

but appeared neither excessive nor 

indicative of excessive levels of plant 

materials in water bodies. Nutrient 

concentrations determined for 

urban and agricultural sites were 

higher than those determined for 

undeveloped areas.

• The highest concentrations of pesticides were in storm runoff that follows spring applications; however, 

concentrations barely exceeded 

detection limits. Atrazine, which is

a common agricultural herbicide, 

was detected at 7 of the 10 sites 

sampled. Pesticides were not 

detected in undeveloped areas.

Ecosystems

The Biological Resources Division 

(formerly the National Biological Service) is participating in the Connecticut 

River Ecosystem Initiative, which highlights an ecosystem approach to resource 

management. Activities include incorporating biological data into a geographic 

information system, inventorying existing barriers to Atlantic salmon migrations, and mapping the distribution of fish 

populations. A map of the plant and animal communities in the State is being 

developed in cooperation with the New 

Hampshire Office of Special Programs, 

the White Mountains National Forest, 

and other partners.

Stream Stability and Erosion 

at Bridge Sites

The evaluation of stream stability and 

erosion at bridge sites in New Hampshire 

contributes to the improved safety of the 

State’s transportation system and 

enhances the knowledge of erosion 

processes at bridge settings typical of 

those found in the Northeast. Nationally, 

the erosion of streambeds and riverbanks 

by floodwaters is the leading cause of failures of bridges over water. 

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

New Hampshire Department of Transportation, is completing an evaluation of the 

methods used to estimate erosion potential and stream-channel stability at 48 susceptible bridge sites. The evaluation 

includes a detailed survey and an assessment of the hydrologic and geomorphologic settings of the bridges. It also 

includes an assessment of the appropriateness and accuracy of the methods, equipment, and procedures that are used to 

collect erosion data. The accuracy of predicted erosion compared with measured 

scour is being determined and alternative 

techniques of estimating erosion at the 

bridge sites are being identified. 

Water Use 

Water resources in New Hampshire are 

increasingly stressed by new demands. To 

minimize the impact of changing patterns 

of water use, available supplies and current and predicted demands need to be 

evaluated carefully. Without adequate 

information, planners are not equipped to 

resolve critical issues related to water 

supply, hydropower, snow making, 

water quality, and the potential effects 

of withdrawals on ecosystems. 

The USGS, in cooperation with the 

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Water Division, is working to improve the State’s water-use 

information. Assistance is provided to 

the State in the collection, analysis, and 

dissemination of water-use data. Work is 

underway to develop a statewide wateruse data base that includes site-specific 

data and data aggregated by county and 

major drainage basins. These data are 

used to produce reports which are distributed to Federal and State agencies, 

educators, consultants, and other organizations or individuals concerned with 

water resources. A report on wastewater 

in New England and a map report on 

freshwater withdrawals and use in New 

Hampshire have been produced as part of 

this program. A graph showing total 

freshwater use (excluding hydroelectric 

instream use) in New Hampshire is 

shown in figure 3.
For More

Municipal use, losses,

and transfers Information

(3 percent)

Thermoelectric (60 percent)

Mining (1 percent)

Domestic (18 percent) Commercial (4 percent)

Industrial (13 percent)

Agricultural (1 percent)

Water Information

The amount of water in New Hampshire's rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs is measured and monitored by the 

USGS hydrologic data-collection program. The data are used by waterresource managers and planners for forecasting floods and droughts; waterresources planning; design and operation 

of projects for water supply, hydroelectric 

power, flood control, and pollution control; designing bridges and culverts; flood 

warning; flood-plain management; and 

hydrologic research. Long-term records 

are needed to evaluate the responses of 

hydrologic systems to natural climatic 

variations and human-induced stresses so 

that potential problems can be defined 

early and appropriate planning and management actions can be taken by State 

and local agencies. Streamflow monitoring also provides baseline data on natural 

seasonal discharge variations of rivers 

and streams (fig. 4).

In New Hampshire, surface-water data 

are collected from a network of 57 stations. The ground-water monitoring network provides monthly water-level data 

at 24 wells. These networks are operated 

cooperatively by the USGS and the New 

Hampshire Department of Environmental 

Services, Water Division. Records are 

published monthly and annually. These 

data are used routinely by private consultants, residents, newspapers, colleges 

and universities, and local government 

agencies throughout the State.

Realtime streamflow data are available 

at 37 locations throughout New Hampshire by means of satellite and telephone 

telemetry. This information is critical for 

the flood forecasting and response activities of the National Weather Service and 

the New Hampshire Emergency Management Agency. Telemetry data also allow 

State personnel to monitor drought conditions and compliance of flow-regulating projects. Realtime data from some of 

the stations also are available on the 

USGS District office www home page.

Earth Science Information 

Centers

The Earth Science Information Centers (ESIC’s) provide information about 

USGS programs, products, and technological developments to the public. The 

ESIC in New Hampshire was established 

in cooperation with the Dimond Library 

of the University of New Hampshire in 

Durham. As part of the national ESIC 

network, this office provides information 

on such topics as cartography, geography, biology, digital data, remote sensing, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, 

hydrology, geohydrology, aerial photography, and land use. It is supported by the 

USGS with reference materials, technical 

assistance, training and outreach activities, and access to USGS data bases.

USGS state representative

361 Commerce Way

Pembroke, NH 03275

(603) 226-7800

Fax: (603) 226-7894

Email: dc_nh@usgs.gov

Home Page on the

World Wide Web at:

http:// bowdnhbow.er.usgs.gov/

Additional earth science

information can be found by

accessing the USGS Home Page

on the World Wide Web at

http://www.usgs.gov/

For more information on

all USGS reports and products

(including maps, images,

and computerized data), call

1-800-USA-MAPS

The USGS provides maps,

reports, and information to help

others meet their needs to manage,

 develop, and protect America’s water,

energy, mineral, biological, and land

resources. We help find the natural

resources needed to build tomorrow,

and supply the scientific understanding needed to help minimize or mitigate the effects of natural hazards

and environmental damage caused

by natural and human activities. The

results of our efforts touch the daily

 life of almost every American.

U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet FS-029-96

Figure 4. A technician measures the velocity 

and volume of streamflow in the Lamprey River.

Figure 3. Total freshwater use in New 

Hampshire by category, in 1990.