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

U.S. Geological Survey

Programs in Indiana

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To make wise management decisions for 

the people of Indiana regarding the natural 

resources of the State, policymakers require 

accurate and objective geologic, topographic, 

biological, and hydrologic information. The 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a primary 

source of earthquake information, mineral 

data, energy sources, satellite imagery, and 

high-quality maps and maintains readily 

accessible data bases on surface and ground 

waters and water quality. Through cooperative 

work with local, State, and other Federal 

agencies, the USGS fulfills the need for this 

unbiased information.

In Indiana, the USGS has participated in 

studies that address the availability of ground 

water for public supplies, agriculture, and 

industry; locations and quality of mineral 

resources; flood-risk issues associated with 

land-use decisions; the effect of water shortages and drought; sources and amounts of sediments that flow in rivers and streams; rates at 

which selected lakes are being filled by sediments; amounts of pesticides and other chemicals that are reaching water supplies; and the 

extent of ground-water flow systems and the 

effects of those systems on pollutant migration 

and Indiana water supplies.

National Water-Quality 

Assessment Program

In 1991, the USGS began a study of the 

White River Basin in Indiana as part of the 

National Water-Quality Assessment 

(NAWQA) Program (fig. 1). The goal of the 

study is to determine water-quality conditions 

and trends in the surface and ground waters of 

the 11,349-square-mile Basin and to understand the factors that affect water quality. In 

particular, a wide variety of pesticides used in 

agriculture and urban areas is being monitored 

in surface and ground waters to determine concentrations and the frequency of their occurrence. Nitrogen and phosphorous also are 

being studied to determine if the major sources 

of these nutrients are agricultural or are discharges from sewage-treatment plants or combined-sewer overflows. The NAWQA Program 

is producing a wealth of water-quality information that is useful to policymakers and water 

managers at local, State, and national levels. 

Topographic Mapping

Cooperative mapping programs between 

the USGS and the State of Indiana began in 

the 1920’s. Among the most popular products are the topographic maps at the scale of 

1:24,000 (1 inch on the map represents 2,000 

feet on the ground). These maps depict basic 

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. Indiana, 

which is covered by 710 maps at this scale, 

was the first State under the program to have 

complete coverage. The maps are used not 

only by engineers, scientists, and resource 

managers, but also by the general public who 

enjoy hiking, exploring, and other outdoor 

activities.

The current program emphasis is on converting the Indiana primary map series to a 

digital format for the growing number of 

computer applications, which include the 

State’s digital data base. Digital map products have been developed by the USGS 

for Indiana at a scale of 1:100,000. These 

digital files are available by computer and are 

used by local, State, Federal, and private 

entities in resource assessments, technical 

investigations, and planning.

Indiana Ground-Water Atlas

In Indiana, about 200 billion gallons of 

ground water are withdrawn each year for 

drinking water, energy production, and 

industrial, agricultural, and commercial uses. 

To address the need for a comprehensive 

publication that details information on waterbearing units in the State, the USGS published an atlas of aquifers in 1994. The atlas 

was a cooperative effort by the USGS, the 

Indiana Department of Environmental 

Management (IDEM), and the Indiana 

Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), 

Division of Water. 

Ground-Water Studies

The St. Joseph aquifer system, which is 

the only sole-source aquifer in Indiana, was 

the focus of a cooperative study by the USGS 

and the IDNR. A sole-source aquifer is one 

that supplies 50 percent or more of the drinking water for an area and for which there are 

no reasonably available alternative sources 

should it become contaminated. In addition 

to collecting data to define the geology of the 

system, the investigation included development of a computer model to determine 

ground-water flow paths and to predict 

changes in water levels that result from 

Index of Subjects

National Water-Quality Assessment Program

Topographic Mapping

Indiana Ground-Water Atlas

Ground-Water Studies

Ecology of Aquatic and Terrestrial 

Ecosystems

Southern Shore of Lake Michigan

Collection of Continuous Hydrologic Data

Effects of Wastewater Treatment on the 

White River

Environmental and Industrial Uses of Mineral 

Resources

Oil and Gas Resources

Coal Mining

State Cooperatives in Coal-Resources Data

Earthquake Hazards

Earth Science Information Center

Juday Creek Sediment Study

Lost River Investigation

Cooperative Programs

Figure 1. The White River Basin study area for 

the National Water-Quality Assessment Program.

Earth Science in the Public Service
theoretical increased withdrawals. A groundwater-quality investigation includes comparisons of samples from the deep and shallow 

parts of the aquifer.

The disposal of refuse and treated waste is 

an issue that confronts citizens of Indiana and 

the Nation. The USGS, in cooperation with the 

Indianapolis Department of Public Works, 

investigated ground-water flows at landfills in 

Marion County. In one study, ground-water 

flow models were calibrated with data collected at the sites to determine the amount of 

water that flows through the landfills and if the 

leachate was reaching shallow aquifers and 

nearby streams. Another study focused on 

ground-water flow and water quality beneath 

sewage-sludge lagoons.

The USGS has conducted extensive studies 

on ground-water availability throughout the 

State, as well as studies that define regional 

ground-water flow systems. In a cooperative 

study, the USGS, the city of Elkhart, and the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(USEPA) used a computer model to investigate 

the ground-water flow system that is accessed 

for Elkhart’s public water supply. Results of the 

study indicated the extent to which adjacent 

commercial and industrial sites affect the 

ground-water flow system. In another study, the 

USGS, in cooperation with the IDNR, used a 

three-dimensional digital computer model to 

investigate the ground-water flow systems of a 

heavily irrigated area in Newton and Jasper 

Counties. Results of the study indicated that a 

clay confining unit is the most important component that controls the rate of recharge to the 

bedrock aquifer. Results also indicated that irrigation pumpage did not exceed recharge, even 

during dry years such as 1988, but may cause 

drawdowns that lead to conflict among groundwater users. The information gained from these 

types of studies was useful to water-resource 

planners and managers in the development of 

regional water-management policies.

Ecology of Aquatic and 

Terrestrial Ecosystems

The USGS’s Biological Resources Division 

(formerly the National Biological Service) 

provides scientific data on Indiana’s parks, 

beaches, and savannas to those Federal and 

State agencies responsible for managing these 

areas. The Lake Michigan Ecological Station 

in Porter, which is a field station of the Great 

Lakes Science Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan), 

conducts research on the effects of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, principally on 

macroinvertebrate, plant, and animal communities. Studies are being conducted in several 

national parks, which include the Cuyahoga 

and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverways 

and the Grand Calumet Lagoons.

Current studies include investigations of 

the sources, extent, and fate of bacterial contamination, which has caused occasioal closures of some beaches in Indiana, and 

associated health-related problems. Oak 

savannas, which were once an extensive vegetation zone between prairie and forest across 

the Midwest, have been affected by human 

activity and altered by fire suppression. Studies are focusing on gathering information 

needed to determine the influence of fire on 

the savannas and to restore them on Lake 

Michigan dunes. The results of these research 

activities will provide information to enable 

managers of natural areas to understand better 

the relation between various factors within 

complex biological systems.

Southern Shore of Lake Michigan

In northwestern Indiana on the southern 

shore of Lake Michigan is a complex area of 

dunes, beaches, and wetlands. This area is 

adjacent to a highly industrialized zone. 

Because of the environmental stress created 

by the industrial activities, the zone is recognized by the International Joint Commission 

and the USEPA as one of the principal areas 

of concern in the Great Lakes Basin. For environmental managers and community planners 

to make knowledgeable decisions related to 

industrial, urban, and environmental issues, 

there is a need for an increased understanding 

of the hydrological, geological, and biological 

processes that occur in the lake shore area. To 

fulfill this need, cooperative studies have been 

conducted by many local, State, and Federal 

agencies. For example, in one cooperative 

study, the National Park Service (NPS) and 

the USGS investigated the hydrogeology and 

hydrochemistry of the dunes and wetlands.

The USGS and the IDEM cooperated on a 

number of studies in the industrial lakeshore 

area to address contamination issues and to 

define the complex interaction between ground 

and surface waters. In cooperation with the 

USEPA, ground-water-level and water-quality 

data have been collected to evaluate those 

interactions in areas of extensive industrial and 

waste-disposal activities.

The USGS operates acoustical velocity 

meters to monitor the flows at Burns Ditch at 

Portage, the Indiana Harbor Canal at East Chicago, and Trail Creek Harbor at Michigan City. 

By using acoustical technology, flow data can 

be collected even during periods of complex 

backwater conditions. Regulators and industrial site managers need the data to determine 

possible contaminant loads into the lake.

The quality and quantity of rain, snow, 

sleet, dew, or hail, in the Grand Calumet River 

watershed in northwestern Indiana was the 

focus of another study by the USGS and the 

IDEM. Selected major ions and trace metals 

were monitored by collecting weekly precipitation samples at the Gary Regional Airport 

from June 1992 through August 1993. Additional samples were collected from October 

1995 through December 1996.

Coastal wetlands of Lake Michigan aid in 

protecting the drinking water and the shoreline communities of Indiana. Many physical, 

chemical, and man-made processes have 

interacted to cause the deterioration of these 

wetlands ever since the glaciers melted. A 

geographic information system (GIS) is being 

used to prepare maps that describe the development and history of wetlands. In addition 

to helping scientists understand geological 

limits on biodiversity, these maps are used to 

monitor the changes over time and to provide 

a predictive tool for the land-use planners, 

resource managers, and political representatives who are responsible for determining 

best-management practices. These investigations have required close cooperation 

between the USGS, the Indiana Geological 

Survey, the NPS, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Collection of Continuous 

Hydrologic Data

In response to the water-information needs 

of the individuals and agencies required to 

make important economic, environmental, 

and regulatory decisions, the USGS has been 

developing a long-term base of waterresources data in Indiana since the early part 

of the 20th century. In 1996, continuousrecord data were collected at 166 streamflowgaging stations (fig. 2), 6 stage-only stations, 

80 lakes, and 94 ground-water observation 

wells. The IDNR, Division of Water, is the 

principal State agency that cooperates in 

USGS data-collection programs. Currently, 

more than 80 percent of the continuous 

hydrologic data-collection activity is maintained through efforts cooperatively funded 

by the IDNR and the USGS. Other cooperators in the data program include the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the 

IDEM, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Indianapolis Department of 

Public Works. 

Effects of Wastewater Treatment 

on the White River

The USGS and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works have cooperated in 

numerous water-quality investigations of the 

White River and its major tributaries near 

Indianapolis. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, data 

collected before and after the construction of 
advanced wastewater-treatment systems were 

analyzed to determine the effects of the 

improved treatment on the quality of the 

White River. In the late 1980’s, the effects of 

storm runoff on water quality were investigated; one study focused on the effects of 

combined-sewer overflows on the water quality of the Fall Creek, which is a tributary to 

the White River. Current studies focus on 

examining the populations of selected 

aquatic organisms. Results of the studies 

complement earlier efforts to examine trends 

in water quality and aquatic ecosystem 

health of the White River.

Environmental and Industrial 

Uses of Mineral Resources

Economic growth and development in 

Indiana depend on continued availability of 

industrial minerals for use in construction, 

industry, manufacturing, and the maintenance 

and upgrading of the State's infrastructure. 

Limestone and dolomite, which are the 

leading mineral commodities produced in the 

State, are rich sources of calcium and magnesium, respectively. In raw and unrefined form, 

these products have many environmental 

uses, particularly in cleaning smokestack 

emissions of coal-fired power stations. In 

addition, they are vital to medicine, agriculture, and residential consumption. Indiana is 

one of the Nation's leading producers of 

masonry cement from limestone. The USGS 

has begun an assessment of the undiscovered 

limestone and dolomite resources in Indiana 

and other States.

Oil and Gas Resources

Part of Indiana is underlain by the petroleum-producing Illinois Basin. Because the 

production history is well documented in this 

Basin, the amount of petroleum that has been 

produced can be compared with the potential 

total amount contained in source rocks. This 

information helps in estimating how much 

more petroleum can be produced. The USGS 

works closely with State agencies throughout 

the country in acquiring the data necessary to 

make such determinations. The USGS Energy 

Resources Program has published a National 

Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas 

Resources in a series of three CD–ROM’s in a 

Digital Data Series. In this series, information 

on Indiana oil and gas resources can be downloaded for use in a spreadsheet or a GIS.

Coal Mining 

The Nation depends on coal as a major 

source of energy. Coal usage accounts for 

one-third of the total energy and more than 

one-half of the electricity generated in the 

United States. The use of coal is expected to 

increase during the next century to offset 

dependence on foreign oil and to sustain environmentally sound economic growth. Coal 

mining has an important role in the economy 

of southern Indiana. 

The effects of coal mining on water quality 

and storm runoff have been studied in cooperative efforts between the USGS and the IDNR, 

Division of Water. The results of these studies 

have assisted resource managers in identifying 

and instituting responsible mining practices.

As part of a cooperative geological mapping program, the USGS is assisting the Indiana Geological Survey in mapping minable 

low-sulfur coal resources in the State. As part 

of the mapping program, the USGS also is 

assisting in the identification of coal beds and 

associated horizons by means of analyses of 

their microfossil content.

State Cooperatives in 

Coal-Resources Data 

Resource managers, scientists, industry, 

and other government agencies require current 

standardized information on the location, 

quantity, and quality of coal resources. A joint 

venture between the USGS and the State Geological Surveys was initiated in 1975 to 

develop the National Coal Resources Data 

System (NCRDS). Currently, cooperative 

projects are ongoing with the 22 States that 

represent 98 percent of U.S. coal production. 

A cooperative project between the USGS 

and the Indiana Geological Survey began in 

1982 to collect, evaluate, and correlate drillhole, mine, and outcrop data; to encode and 

enter geologic and geochemical data into the 

NCRDS; and to access the NCRDS data 

bases and software to generate new maps, 

reports, and resource assessments. Continued 

data collection and support of the NCRDS 

data bases provide baseline information that 

can be accessed for annual State resource 

updates and to meet data needs as they arise.

Earthquake Hazards 

In the past decade, there has been increasing awareness that the seismic hazard in the 

Eastern United States could be greater than 

the historic earthquake record suggests. Since 

1875, this region has experienced at least 40 

earthquakes that could be felt by residents. 

Recent discoveries have shown evidence of at 

least seven strong prehistoric earthquakes. An 

earthquake that had a magnitude of more than 

7-1/2 struck about 6,000 years ago in the 

Wabash River Valley near the Indiana–Illinois 

border. Numerous prehistoric earthquakes of 

magnitude 6 to 7 have struck southern Indiana 

and Illinois. Geologic evidence of these earthquakes in the form of liquefaction-induced 

intrusions of sand and gravel in river sediments has been discovered at more than 100 

widespread sites in the Wabash River Valley 

and along the River's tributaries. These intrusions permit the use of geologic, archaeological, and engineering techniques to determine 

when the earthquakes occurred, as well as 

their epicenters and approximate magnitudes. 

This work has been carried out in cooperation 

with the Indiana Geological Survey and archeologists from Indiana University.

Information about today’s earthquake 

activity also is important to the citizens of 

Indiana. The National Earthquake Information 

Center, which is located in Golden, Colorado, 

collects, processes, and distributes information from more than 20,000 seismic events 

each year. This information is distributed in 

the form of alerts, bulletins, and routine catalogs to emergency-management officials at 

Federal and State levels, operators of critical 

facilities, the news media, the general public, 

and the earthquake-research community.

Earth Science Information Center

The Earth Science Information Centers 

(ESIC’s) provide information to the public 

about USGS programs and products. The 

ESIC in West Lafayette was established under 

a cooperative agreement between the USGS 

and the Laboratory for Applications of 

Remote Sensing at Purdue University. As part 

of the national ESIC network, this office provides information on cartography, geography, 

Figure 2. Locations of streamflow-gaging 

stations in Indiana in 1996.
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Mitchell

Orleans

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Lawrence County

Orange County

Orangeville Rise

Twin Caves Hamer Cave

Rise of Lost River

Spring Mill State Park

Flood 

Flood Creek Sink

Creek

Su pl hur Creek

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Cave

Spring

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digital data, remote sensing, and land use. 

These types of information are useful to citizens throughout Indiana who are involved in 

land planning, resource management, and 

environmental monitoring and analysis.

Juday Creek Sediment Study

Juday Creek is a tributary of the St. Joseph 

River in St. Joseph County. With its low water 

temperatures, sand and gravel beds, and clear 

water, it is one of the few streams in Indiana 

that can support a brown trout population. 

Since the early 1980’s, however, a decline in 

indicator insect species has caused concern 

about changes in the stream-water quality. In 

1993 and 1994, the USGS, in cooperation with 

the IDNR and the St. Joseph County Drainage 

Board, conducted a study of these changes. 

Results indicated that although the observed 

amounts of suspended sediments would have 

no direct adverse effects on the trout, the 

movement of sand and gravel, which commonly are called bed-load materials, along the 

river bed, could be a threat to spawning and 

food supplies.

Lost River Investigation

The Lost River is one of the most fascinating hydrologic systems in the State (fig. 3). 

Above the Orangeville Rise, the River drains 

163 square miles of scenic hills. The Lost 

River is characterized by sinkholes and 

streambed swallow holes into which most of 

the headwaters “disappear” near the central 

part of the watershed. The water that leaves the 

surface through these natural openings travels 

underground through fractures and joints of 

the limestone. Most of the water returns to the 

surface at the Orangeville Rise. The remaining 

water resurfaces at Twin Caves, Hamer Cave, 

Rise of Lost River, and other springs.

 The Lost River Basin has been the subject 

of numerous studies for many decades. In 

1993 and 1994, the USGS and the USACE 

conducted an investigation to define the 

ground-water drainage boundaries of the Basin 

better and to increase the understanding of the 

hydrogeology near the town of Orleans, which 

is subject to frequent flooding. Nontoxic fluorescent dyes were injected into the groundwater system at selected locations, and their 

reappearance was observed. On the basis of 

these observations, drainage boundaries were 

delineated, and the directions of underground 

flows were determined. In addition, hydrologic 

factors that contribute to flooding at Orleans 

were determined. This information can be useful to water-resource managers and planners in 

future flood-control designs.

Cooperative Programs

The USGS cooperates with numerous 

local, State, and Federal agencies to conduct 

a wide range of scientific investigations. 

When local and State agencies are involved, 

activities typically are funded on a matchingfunds basis. In addition to agencies already 

mentioned, the USGS has conducted cooperative studies with the town of Carmel, the cities of Indianapolis, Muncie, and Seymour; 

the St. Joseph River Basin Commission; the 

Indiana Department of Highways; the U.S. 

Department of Defense; and others.

USGS State representative

5957 Lakeside Boulevard

Indianapolis, IN 46278

(317) 290-3333

Fax: (317) 290-3313

Email: dc_in@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-014-96 Figure 3. The Lost River study area.