Prepared in cooperation with the 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Groundwater Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, 

New York, 2009

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2011–1180
Cover. View of Lake Champlain from the west shore of the lake
Prepared in cooperation with the

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

Groundwater Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, 

New York, 2009 

By Elizabeth A. Nystrom

Open-File Report 2011–1180

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
ii

U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2011

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its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment:

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Suggested citation:

Nystrom, E.A., 2011, Groundwater quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2011-1180, 42 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1180/.

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.
iii

Contents

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

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................... 1

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

Hydrogeologic Setting................................................................................................................................................ 2

Methods of Investigation ................................................................................................................................................ 4

Well Selection ............................................................................................................................................................ 4

Sampling Methods ....................................................................................................................................................10

Analytical Methods....................................................................................................................................................11

Quality Control Samples ...........................................................................................................................................12

Groundwater Quality.....................................................................................................................................................12

Physiochemical Properties........................................................................................................................................12

Major Ions .................................................................................................................................................................13

Nutrients and Organic Carbon ..................................................................................................................................14

Trace Elements.........................................................................................................................................................15

Pesticides..................................................................................................................................................................15

Volatile Organic Compounds ....................................................................................................................................17

Radionuclides ...........................................................................................................................................................17

Bacteria.....................................................................................................................................................................17

Wells Sampled in 2004 and 2009 .............................................................................................................................18

Summary ......................................................................................................................................................................18

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................................19

Appendix 1: Results of Water-Sample Analyses...........................................................................................................22

Appendix 2: Comparison of Data from 2004 and 2009.................................................................................................37

Figures

Maps showing:

1. Principal hydrologic and geographic features of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York. ............................... 3

2. Topography of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of wells sampled in 2009..................... 5

3. Land use and land cover of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of wells sampled in 2009. 6

4. Generalized bedrock geology of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of bedrock wells 

sampled in 2009. .............................................................................................................................................. 7

5. Generalized surficial geology of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of sand and gravel 

wells sampled in 2009. ..................................................................................................................................... 8

Tables

1. Previous USGS 305(b) groundwater-quality sampling and reports................................................................... 2

2. Information on wells from which water samples were collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

3. Summary of information on wells from which water samples were collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, 

New York, 2009................................................................................................................................................ 9

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

the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009. ..................................................................................................13
5. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions in filtered groundwater 

samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.............................................................................14

6. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in filtered groundwater 

samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.............................................................................15

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

samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.............................................................................16

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

from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009. ..........................................................................................18

Appendix 1

1-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New 

York, 2009. ......................................................................................................................................................23

1-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

........................................................................................................................................................................25

1-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

2009. ...............................................................................................................................................................27

1-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2009. ...................................................................................................................................29

1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

2009. ...............................................................................................................................................................30

1-6. Concentrations of pesticides and pesticide degradates detected in groundwater samples collected in the Lake 

Champlain Basin, New York, 2009. .................................................................................................................33

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

Champlain Basin, New York, 2009. .................................................................................................................34

1-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009. ..........35

1-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009............................36

Appendix 2

2-1. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater samples 

collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009.................................................................38

2-2. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009. ...................................................................................................................39

2-3. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004 

and 2009..........................................................................................................................................................40

2-4. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009. ...................................................................................................................42

iv
v

Conversion Factors, Datums, 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 (mi

)

2

) 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

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

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

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

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

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). 

Radon-222 activities are given in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). 
vi

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

cICP-MS

-triazine

Collision/reaction cell inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

E. coli

GC-MS

Escherichia coli

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

GPS Global positioning system

HPLC-MS High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

ICP-AES Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

ICP-MS Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

ICP-OES Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

LRL Laboratory reporting level

MCL Maximum contaminant level

MTBE Methyl tert

NWQL

-butyl ether

USGS National Water Quality Laboratory

NYSDEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

NYSDOH New York State Department of Health

PVC Polyvinyl chloride

RIBS Rotating Integrated Basin Studies

SDWS Secondary drinking-water standards

THM Trihalomethane 

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

VOC Volatile organic compound
Groundwater Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, 

New York, 2009 

By Elizabeth A. Nystrom

Abstract

Water was sampled from 20 production and domestic wells from August through November 2009 

to characterize groundwater quality in the Lake Champlain Basin in New York. Of the 20 wells sampled, 

8 were completed in sand and gravel, and 12 were completed in bedrock. 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.

Water quality in the study area is generally good, but concentrations of some constituents equaled 

or exceeded current or proposed Federal or New York State drinking-water standards; these were color (1 

sample), pH (3 samples), sodium (3 samples), total dissolved solids (4 samples), iron (4 samples), 

manganese (3 samples), gross alpha radioactivity (1 sample), radon-222 (10 samples), and bacteria (5 

samples). The pH of all samples was typically neutral or slightly basic (median 7.1); the median water 

temperature was 9.7°C. The ions with the highest median concentrations were bicarbonate [median 158 

milligrams per liter (mg/L)] and calcium (median 45.5 mg/L). Groundwater in the study area is soft to 

very hard, but more samples were hard or very hard (121 mg/L or more as CaCO3) than were moderately 

hard or soft (120 mg/L or less as CaCO3); the median hardness was 180 mg/L as CaCO3. The maximum 

concentration of nitrate plus nitrite was 3.79 mg/L as nitrogen, which did not exceed established drinkingwater standards for nitrate plus nitrite (10 mg/L as nitrogen). The trace elements with the highest median 

concentrations were strontium (median 202 micrograms per liter [μg/L]), and iron (median 55 μg/L in 

unfiltered water). Six pesticides and pesticide degradates, including atrazine, fipronil, disulfoton, 

prometon, and two pesticide degradates, CIAT and desulfinylfipronil, were detected among five samples 

at concentrations of 0.02 μg/L or less; they included herbicides, herbicide degradates, insecticides, and 

insecticide degradates. Six VOCs were detected among six samples; these included a solvent, the gasoline 

additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and four trihalomethanes. The highest radon-222 activities were 

in samples from crystalline bedrock wells (maximum 4,100 picocuries per liter [pCi/L]); half of all 

samples exceeded a proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drinking-water standard of 

300 pCi/L. Total coliform bacteria were detected in five samples, fecal coliform bacteria were detected in 

one sample, and Escherichia coli (E. coli

Introduction 

) were not detected in any sample. 

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 USGS 305(b) waterquality monitoring program parallels the NYSDEC Rotating Integrated Basin Studies program (RIBS), 

which evaluates surface-water quality in 2 or 3 of the 14 major river basins in the State each year. The 
2 

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 represented 

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 2009 in the Lake Champlain Basin and the Susquehanna River Basin; these basins also were 

sampled in 2004 as part of this study. 

Table 1. Previous USGS 305(b) groundwater-quality sampling and reports.

Study Area Year USGS 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

Purpose and Scope

This report presents the findings of the 2009 study in the Lake Champlain Basin, in which 20 

groundwater-quality samples were collected from August through November 2009. This report (1) 

describes the hydrogeologic setting and the methods of site selection, sample collection, and chemical 

analysis, (2) discusses the analytical results for physiochemical properties and concentrations of major 

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

indicator bacteria, and (3) compares the results of this study to results at selected wells that were sampled 

in 2004 (Nystrom, 2006). Information about the sampled wells and results of the analyses are presented. 

Hydrogeologic Setting 

The Lake Champlain Basin encompasses 8,250 mi2 in New York, Vermont, and Quebec, Canada. 

This study addressed the 3,050-mi2 part of the Lake Champlain Basin that lies within New York (hereafter 

referred to as the “study area”; fig. 1). The study area contains parts of five counties, including Clinton, 

Essex, Franklin, Warren, and Washington Counties (fig. 1). Major tributaries to Lake Champlain in New 

York include the Ausable River, Saranac River, Great Chazy River, Boquet River, La Chute, and the 

Mettawee River; large lakes in the Basin include Lake Champlain and Lake George. The Champlain 

Canal connects Lake Champlain to the Hudson River at Fort Edward.
3 

Lake George

Lake Champlain

!

!

!

!

!

!

Lake Placid

ESSEX

FRANKLIN

CLINTON

WARREN

HAMILTON

WASHINGTON

SARATOGA SARATOGA

QUEBEC

VERMONT

NEW YORK

Great Chazy River

Saranac River

Salmon River

Champlain

Canal

Boquet River

Ausable River

La Chute River

! Ticonderoga

74°30'W 74°0'W 73°30'W

45°0'N

44°30'N

44°0'N

43°30'N

Glens Falls

Queensbury

Plattsburgh

Bolton Landing

Lake George

Fort Edward

Hudson River

River

! City

County boundary

State/Province boundary

Study area

EXPLANATION

Lake

LOCATION MAP

New York

Penns.

Mass.

N.J.

Vt. N.H.

Conn.

Ontario

Quebec

Lake

Champlain

Basin

Study

Area

0 10 20 5 MILES

0 10 20 5 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. geological Survey digital data, 1983, 1:100,000 Hydrology from National Hydrography Dataset

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Figure 1. Principal hydrologic and geographic features of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York.
4 

The highest elevations in the study area are more than 5,000 ft above sea level (the North 

American Vertical Datum of 1988 [NAVD 88] along the western edge of the basin, in the Adirondack 

Mountains (fig. 2); the lowest elevations in the basin occur at Lake Champlain (about 100 ft above NAVD 

88). The study area is predominantly forested, especially in upland areas, with urban and agricultural uses 

mainly in valleys and other low-lying areas (Vogelmann and others, 2001) (fig. 3). Urban centers and 

adjacent developed areas in the study area include Glens Falls, Queensbury, and Plattsburgh (fig. 1). 

Bedrock in the study area (fig. 4) is mainly crystalline rock with smaller areas of carbonate rock, 

sandstone, shale, and other rocks. The Adirondack Mountains are underlain mainly by crystalline 

metamorphic rock, including granitic gneiss, metanorthosite, and olivine metagabbro (Isachsen and others, 

2000). The Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys are underlain by sandstone, carbonate rocks (including 

limestone and dolostone), shale, and other metamorphic clastic rocks (Isachsen and others, 2000). Yields 

from bedrock wells in the study area vary greatly, but the carbonate units generally produce the greatest

yields, and the crystalline units generally produce the smallest (Giese and Hobba, 1970).

The surficial material 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 most of the study area (fig. 5); alluvial, outwash, and ice-contact sand and 

gravel deposits occur mainly in valleys. Glacial till generally yields low amounts of water, whereas sand 

and gravel deposits can form the most productive aquifers in the study area (Giese and Hobba, 1970).

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; the USGS Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory (CFCL) in Reston, VA; Eberline 

Services in Richmond, CA; and a New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)-certified laboratory. 

Well Selection

Wells were selected to provide adequate spatial coverage of the study area; areas of greatest 

groundwater use were emphasized. 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 20 wells selected for sampling 

represent forested, developed, and agricultural areas (fig. 3). The characteristics of the wells sampled and 

the type of land cover surrounding each well are listed in table 2. The depths of the wells, the geologic 

units from which samples were collected, and the numbers of production and domestic wells are 

summarized in table 3. Four wells sampled in 2009 (CL149, EX155, EX535, and W534) were also 

sampled in 2004 (Nystrom, 2006).
5 

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!<

!<

!<

!

!<

!<

ESSEX

FRANKLIN

CLINTON

WARREN

HAMILTON

WASHINGTON

SARATOGA

SARATOGA

FULTON

W534

WR86

W1145

EX378

CL665

CL149

EX169

W1066

EX535

EX155

CL151

EX589

CL154

W1544

EX664

EX1013

CL1500

WR1433

WR1671

WR1326

QUEBEC

VERMONT

NEW YORK

Adirondack

Mountains

St Lawrence Valley

Champlain Valley

Champlain Valley

74°30'W 74°0'W 73°30'W

45°0'N

44°30'N

44°0'N

43°30'N

0 10 20 5 MILES

0 10 20 5 KILOMETERS

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

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Elevations from National Elevation Dataset, 2005

5,335 feet

0 (NAVD 88)

Elevation

!<

CL151 !

CL149 Bedrock well sampled

Sand and gravel well sampled

County boundary

State/Province boundary

Study area

EXPLANATION

Lake

Lake Champlain

Figure 2. Topography of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of wells sampled in 2009.
6 

74°30'W 74°0'W 73°30'W

45°0'N

44°30'N

44°0'N

43°30'N !<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!<

!<

!<

!

!<

!<

QUEBEC

VERMONT

NEW YORK

ESSEX

FRANKLIN

CLINTON

WARREN

HAMILTON

WASHINGTON

SARATOGA

SARATOGA

FULTON

W534

WR86

W1145

EX378

CL665

CL149

EX169

W1066

EX535

EX155

CL151

EX589

CL154

W1544

EX664

EX1013

CL1500

WR1433

WR1671

WR1326

0 10 20 5 MILES

0 10 20 5 KILOMETERS

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

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Land cover from Vogelmann and others, 2001

County boundary

State/Province boundary

Study area

EXPLANATION

Open water

Developed

Forested

Agricultural

Wetlands

Bedrock well sampled

Sand and gravel well sampled

!<

CL151 !

CL149

Land use and land cover

Lake Champlain

Figure 3. Land use and land cover of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of wells sampled in 2009.
7 

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

!<

<!

!<

!<

!<

!<

QUEBEC

VERMONT

NEW YORK

ESSEX

FRANKLIN

CLINTON

WARREN

HAMILTON

WASHINGTON

SARATOGA

SARATOGA

FULTON

WR86

W1145

EX378

CL665

CL149

EX169

CL154

W1544

EX664

WR1433

WR1671

WR1326

74°30'W 74°0'W 73°30'W

45°0'N

44°30'N

44°0'N

43°30'N

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

0 10 20 5 MILES

0 10 20 5 KILOMETERS

Bedrock well sampled

County boundary

State/Province boundary

Study area

EXPLANATION

Crystalline

Meta-clastic

Sandstone

Carbonate

Black shale

Shale and sandstone

Bedrock geology unknown

Generalized bedrock geology

CL149 !<

Lake Champlain

Figure 4. Generalized bedrock geology of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of bedrock wells 

sampled in 2009.
8 

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

ESSEX

FRANKLIN

CLINTON

WARREN

HAMILTON

WASHINGTON

SARATOGA

SARATOGA

W534

W1066

EX535

EX155

CL151

EX589

EX1013

CL1500

QUEBEC

VERMONT

NEW YORK

74°30'W 74°0'W 73°30'W

45°0'N

44°30'N

44°0'N

43°30'N

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

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 18

Geology modified from Cadwell, 1991

0 1 5 0 20 MILES

0 10 20 5 KILOMETERS

County boundary

State/Province boundary

Study area

EXPLANATION

Lakes

Alluvium

Outwash

Ice contact deposits

Lacustrine and marine sand and gravel

Till

Bedrock

Lacustrine and marine silt and clay

CL151 ! Sand and gravel well sampled

Surficial deposits

Lake Champlain

Figure 5. Generalized surficial geology of the Lake Champlain Basin in New York, and locations of sand and gravel 

wells sampled in 2009.
9

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

2009. [--, 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 figure 2.]

Well 

number Date sampled 1

Well 

depth, feet 

below land 

surface

Casing 

depth, feet 

below land 

surface

Well 

type Bedrock type

Land cover2

D

, percentage by 

category, within 0.5-mile radius 

surrounding the well

F A W WL

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 8/27/2009 78 -- P

CL1500 9/29/2009 125 125 D

EX155 8/31/2009 57 -- P

EX535 9/2/2009 128 128 P

EX589 9/21/2009 67.1 55 P

EX1013 10/19/2009 154 130 D

W534 9/15/2009 140 -- P

W1066 9/22/2009 147 147 D

Bedrock wells

CL149 10/5/2009 137 -- P Sandstone

CL154 9/16/2009 -- -- P Carbonate

CL665 10/20/2009 225 56 D Sandstone

EX169 9/28/2009 300 -- P Crystalline

EX378 10/21/2009 400 20 D Crystalline

EX664 9/30/2009 460 37 D Crystalline

W1145 10/28/2009 385 38 D Shale

W1544 9/15/2009 300 20 D Carbonate

WR86 11/4/2009 198 -- P Crystalline

WR1326 9/14/2009 265 20 D Crystalline

WR1433 8/26/2009 600 28 D Crystalline

WR1671 9/14/2009 540 40 P Carbonate

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

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

Table 3. Summary of information on wells from which water samples were collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, 

New York, 2009.

Type of Well

Number of wells

Production Domestic Total

Wells completed in sand and gravel (57 to 154 feet deep) 5 3 8

Wells completed in bedrock (137 to 600 feet deep) 5 7 12

Carbonate bedrock 2 1

Shale bedrock

3

0 1

Sandstone bedrock

1

1 1

Crystalline bedrock

2

2 4

Total number of wells

6

10 10 20

3

8

4

4

12

7

4

17

68

31

84

72

45

57

57

68

27

52

4

10

5

37

5

36

7

2

8

13

17

2

21

4

2

7

57

10

3

6

5

13

3

3

26

4

20

55

9

36

85

94

33

21

87

38

58

96

18

8

59

61

1

57

1

10

30

51

2

2

33

3

9

4

5

8

3

15

52

6
10

The 10 domestic wells were selected from an inventory of about 3,000 wells in the NYSDEC 

Water Well program database, which contains information on wells drilled since 2000. Well owners who 

granted permission were contacted by phone to verify well information and to arrange a convenient time 

for sampling.

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. 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).

Sampling Methods

The 20 wells were sampled from August through November 2009, and samples were collected and 

processed in accordance with documented USGS standard operating procedures (U.S. Geological Survey, 

variously dated). Water samples from the domestic wells were collected before any water-treatment 

system to be as representative of the aquifer water quality as possible. Water samples from production 

wells were collected at the spigot or faucet used for collection of raw-water samples by water managers.

Typically, samples were collected from one or more 10-ft lengths of Teflon tubing attached to the

spigot. Domestic wells were purged after the tubing was connected by running to waste for at least 20 

minutes at pumping rates ranging from about 2 to 5 gal/min, or until at least one well-casing volume of 

water had passed the sampling point. Wells that had been used recently required removal of less than 

three well-casing volumes (U.S. Geological Survey, 2006). Domestic wells were actively pumped during 

sampling. At least three well-casings of water were pumped from production wells before sampling; 

several were pumped for 1 hour or more prior to sampling, typically at rates of about 100 gal/min. During 

well purging, notes about the well and surrounding land and land use were taken, including a global 

positioning system (GPS) measurement of latitude and longitude. After the well was purged, field 

measurements of water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen concentration were 

recorded at regular intervals until these values had stabilized, after which the sample was collected (U.S. 

Geological Survey, variously dated).

The flow rate for sample collection was adjusted to less than 0.5 gal/min when possible. 

Equipment for filtration of pesticide samples was rinsed with methanol as described in Wilde (2004). 

Samples were collected and preserved in the sampling chamber according to standard USGS procedures. 

Samples for nutrient, major-ion, and some trace-element analyses were filtered through disposable (onetime use) 0.45-μm-pore-size polyether sulfone capsule filters that were preconditioned in the laboratory 

with 3 L of deionized water the day of sample collection. Samples for pesticide analyses were filtered 

through baked 0.7-μm-pore-size glass fiber filters. Acid preservation was required for trace element, 

VOC, major-cation analyses, and some radiochemical analyses. Acid preservative was added after the 

collection of other samples to avoid the possibility of cross contamination by the acid preservative; for 

example, samples preserved with nitric acid were acidified after the collection of samples for nutrient 

analysis. Bacterial samples were collected in accordance with NYSDEC and NYSDOH protocols, except 

that the tap from which each water sample was collected was not flame sterilized. Water samples for 

radon analysis were collected through a septum chamber with a glass syringe according to standard USGS 

procedures. Water samples for dissolved gas analyses were filled and sealed while submerged in a beaker 

of water to prevent exposure to the atmosphere. Water samples analyzed by NYSDOH-certified 

laboratories were collected in bottles provided by the analyzing laboratory. After collection, all water

samples except those for radiochemical analyses were chilled to 4°C or less and were kept chilled until 

delivery to the analyzing laboratory. Bacterial samples were hand-delivered to the analyzing laboratory 

within 6 hours of collection; all other samples were shipped by overnight delivery to the designated 

laboratories.
11

Most sampling sites had easy access to a garden-hose type spigot; however, some supply wells did 

not. Wells CL149, CL151, EX169, and EX589 (fig. 2 and table 1) were sampled from smooth-ended taps 

at which water-system personnel routinely collect raw-water samples. The syringe for radon-222 sample 

collection at these sites was inserted directly into the flowing water in the throat of the tap to minimize 

sample exposure to the atmosphere.

Analytical Methods

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

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

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

conductance were measured at the sampling site using a multiparameter meter; the multiparameter meter 

was contained in a flow cell at sites with garden-hose type spigots. 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. Select dissolved gases (argon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane)

were analyzed at the USGS CFCL in Reston, VA. Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities were 

analyzed at Eberline Services in Richmond, CA. Indicator bacteria were analyzed at the NYSDOHcertified Darrin Fresh Water Institute in Bolton Landing, NY.

Anion concentrations were measured by ion-exchange chromatography, and cation concentrations 

were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), as described in 

Fishman (1993). Nutrients were analyzed by colorimetry, as described by Fishman (1993), and Kjeldahl 

digestion with photometric finish, as described by Patton and Truitt (2000). Total organic carbon samples 

collected on or before September 22, 2009 were analyzed by wet oxidation (method O-3100-83) for 

measurement by infrared detection (Wershaw and others, 1987); samples collected after this date were 

analyzed by high temperature combustion and catalytic oxidation for measurement by infrared detection

according to Standard method 5310 (American Public Health Association, 1998). Mercury concentrations 

were measured through cold vapor–atomic fluorescence spectrometry according to methods described by 

Garbarino and Damrau (2001). Arsenic, chromium, and nickel samples were analyzed by use of

collision/reaction cell inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (cICP-MS), as described by 

Garbarino and others (2006). The remaining trace elements were analyzed by ICP-AES (Struzeski and 

others, 1996), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and inductively 

coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Garbarino and Struzeski, 1998). Procedures for in-bottle 

digestions for trace-element analyses described by Hoffman and others (1996) were followed. Radon-222 

activities were measured through liquid-scintillation counting (ASTM International, 2006). Samples for 

pesticide analyses were processed as described by Wilde and others (2004) and were analyzed using gas 

chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass 

spectrometry (HPLC-MS), as described by Zaugg and others (1995), Sandstrom and others (2001), and 

Furlong and others (2001). VOCs were analyzed by GC-MS using methods described by Connor and 

others (1998).

Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities were measured through gas flow proportional counting 

according to USEPA method 900.0 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1980). Carbon dioxide and 

methane concentrations were measured through gas chromatography with flame ionization detection; 

dissolved nitrogen gas and argon concentration were measured through gas chromatography with thermal 

conductivity detection. Indicator bacteria samples were tested for total coliform, fecal coliform, and 

Escherichia coli (E. coli) using membrane filtration through Standard Method 9222 (American Public 

Health Association, 1998); a heterotrophic plate count test (SM 9215 B) also was done.
12

Quality Control Samples

In addition to the 20 groundwater samples, one blank sample and one concurrent replicate sample

were collected for quality assurance. Nitrogen-purged VOC/pesticide-grade blank water and inorganicgrade blank water supplied by the USGS-NWQL were used for a laboratory equipment blank sample. The 

water for unfiltered constituents was run through a piece of the Teflon tubing used for sampling; water for 

filtered-water constituents was pumped through the Teflon tubing into cleaned, preconditioned filters. 

Quality-assurance samples were acidified in the same manner as environmental well-water samples. The 

only property that exceeded laboratory reporting levels (LRLs) in the blank was sample color, which was 

measured at 2 platinum-cobalt (Pt-Co) units (LRL 1 Pt-Co unit). The concentration differences between 

the replicate sample and the corresponding environmental sample were 5 percent or less for all 

constituents detected above the LRL in both samples, except for methane, arsenic, gross beta radioactivity, 

radon-222, and the heterotrophic plate count, which were detected in the replicate sample at levels close to 

the LRL; small differences in concentration result in large relative percent-concentration differences. No 

VOCs or pesticides were detected in the replicate sample.

Groundwater Quality 

The 20 samples were analyzed for 147 constituents and physiochemical properties. Most (77) of 

these were not detected above the LRLs in any sample (appendix table 1-1). Results for the remaining 70

constituents and properties that were detected are presented in appendix 1 (tables 1-2 through 1-9). Some 

concentrations are reported as “estimated.” Concentrations are reported as estimated where 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 of public water supplies; they are not enforceable for 

private homeowner wells but are presented here as a standard for evaluation of the water-quality results. 

SDWS are nonenforceable drinking-water standards that typically relate to aesthetic concerns such as 

taste, odor, or staining of plumbing fixtures.

Physiochemical Properties 

The color of samples ranged from less than (<) 1 to 20 Pt-Co units; the median sample color was 

<2 Pt-Co units (table 4 and appendix table 1-2). The color of one sample from a bedrock well, 20 Pt-Co 

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

concentration ranged from <0.1 to 13.6 mg/L and was generally greater in samples from sand and gravel 

wells (median 7.0 mg/L) than in samples from bedrock wells (median 1.6 mg/L). Sample pH was 

typically near neutral or slightly basic (median 7.1 in all wells) and ranged from 5.9 to 8.5. The pH of 

three samples was lower than the USEPA SDWS range for pH (6.5 to 8.5); all three samples were from 

bedrock wells. Specific conductance ranged from 65 to 1,310 μS/cm at 25°C, the median conductance 

was 412 μS/cm at 25°C. Water temperature ranged from 7.9 to 15.1°C; the median temperature was 

9.7°C. The concentration of carbon dioxide ranged from 0.5 to 61.1 mg/L and was generally greater in 

samples from bedrock wells (median 10.0 mg/L) than in samples from sand and gravel wells (median 3.2 

mg/L). Argon concentrations ranged from 0.72 to 0.96 mg/L, with a median of 0.80 mg/L. Nitrogen gas 

concentrations ranged from 20.18 to 32.98 mg/L with a median concentration of 22.60 mg/L. Methane 

was detected in five samples with a maximum concentration of 0.072 mg/L.
13

Table 4. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for physiochemical properties of groundwater samples 

from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[All concentrations in unfiltered water except as noted; --, not applicable; <, less than; E, estimated concentration; Pt-Co units, 

platinum-cobalt units; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; --, not applicable]

Summary statistics and concentrations

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Median 

(all 

samples)

Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers

(8 samples) (12 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Color, filtered, Pt-Co units 115 1 <2 <1 2 5 <1 <1 20

Carbon dioxide, mg/L -- 7.6 .5 3.2 11.8 1.4 10.0 61.1

Dissolved oxygen, mg/L -- 2.7 1.6 7.0 13.6 <.1 1.6 10.0

pH, unfiltered 16.5-8.5 3 7.1 6.8 7.4 8.5 5.9 6.8 7.7

Specific conductance, μS/cm -- 412 65 234 482 139 480 1,310

Temperature, oC -- 9.7 7.9 8.6 13.5 8.7 9.9 15.1

Argon, mg/L -- .80 .72 .79 .96 .74 .82 .94

Nitrogen gas, mg/L -- 22.60 20.18 21.66 29.53 21.22 23.10 32.98

Methane, mg/L -- .000 .000 .000 .002 .000 .000 .072

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

Major Ions 

The anions detected in the highest concentrations were bicarbonate (median concentration 158

mg/L estimated, maximum concentration 413 mg/L) and sulfate (median concentration 17.6 mg/L, 

maximum concentration 239 mg/L) (table 5 and appendix table 1-3). The cation detected in the highest 

concentration was calcium (median concentration 45.5 mg/L, maximum concentration 149 mg/L). The 

median concentrations of most ions were greater in samples from bedrock wells than in samples from sand 

and gravel wells.

The concentration of sodium in three samples from bedrock wells exceeded the USEPA 

nonregulatory drinking-water advisory taste threshold of 60 mg/L; the maximum concentration of sodium 

was 148 mg/L. Concentrations of chloride, fluoride, and sulfate did not exceed established drinking-water 

standards in any of the samples.

Water hardness ranged from 31 to 490 mg/L as CaCO3, with a median value of 180 mg/L as 

CaCO3. Three samples were soft (0 to 60 mg/L as CaCO3), 5 samples were moderately hard (61 to 120 

mg/L as CaCO3), 2 samples were hard (121 to 180 mg/L as CaCO3), and 10 samples were very hard (181 

mg/L as CaCO3 or more; Hem, 1985). The median hardness in samples from bedrock wells was 215 

mg/L as CaCO3 (very hard); the median in samples from sand and gravel wells was 126 mg/L as CaCO3

(hard). Alkalinity ranged from 26 to 340 mg/L as CaCO3; the median was 130 mg/L of CaCO3. The 

median alkalinity of samples from bedrock wells (154 mg/L as CaCO3) was higher than the median 

alkalinity of samples from sand and gravel wells (96 mg/L as CaCO3). Dissolved solids, dried at 180°C, 

ranged from 49 to 779 mg/L with a median of 218 mg/L. The dissolved solids in samples from four 

bedrock wells exceeded the USEPA SDWS for total dissolved solids of 500 mg/L.
14

Table 5. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of major ions in filtered groundwater

samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[All concentrations are in milligrams per liter; --, not applicable; <, less than; E, estimated concentration; oC, degrees Celsius]

Summary statistics and concentrations

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Median (all 

samples)

Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers

(8 samples) (12 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Cations

Calcium -- 45.5 8.68 33.2 57.1 15.4 53.5 149

Magnesium -- 13.8 2.37 9.98 27.0 3.67 16.0 56.0

Potassium -- .88 .33 .78 .96 .24 1.20 11.0

Sodium 160 3 6.34 1.79 3.44 6.55 2.10 19.2 148

Anions

Bicarbonate -- E 158 E 32 E 116 277 E 54 187 413

Chloride 2,3250 0 6.66 .43 1.49 26.5 .89 20.0 210

Fluoride

4

4.0

2

2.2

3

0

2

0

0

.10 <.08 E .06 .10 E .08 .20 .80

Silica -- 13.8 9.52 15.2 19.0 5.57 11.0 18.7

Sulfate 2,3250 0 17.6 5.96 9.67 29.6 8.01 21.2 239

Hardness as CaCO3 180 31 126 250 55 215 490

Alkalinity as CaCO3 130 26 96 228 44 154 340

Dissolved solids, dried 

at 180oC

3

500 4 218 49 148 268 81 289 779

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

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 Maximum Contaminant Level.

Nutrients and Organic Carbon

The dominant nutrient detected was nitrate, reported as nitrate plus nitrite, as nitrogen (N) in this 

report. Concentrations of ammonia ranged from <0.020 to 0.474 mg/L as nitrogen (N). Nitrite was 

detected in only one sample at a concentration of 0.002 mg/L as N; the concentration of nitrite did not 

exceed the USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs (1 mg/L as N) in any sample. Concentrations of nitrate ranged 

from <0.04 to 3.79 mg/L as N (table 6 and appendix table 1-4); the median nitrate concentration was 0.15

mg/L as N. None of the water samples equaled or exceeded the USEPA and NYSDOH MCL of 10 mg/L 

for nitrate-N. Orthophosphate was detected in all samples; concentrations ranged from an estimated 

concentration of 0.004 to 0.086 mg/L as phosphorus (P). Total organic carbon was detected in 15

samples; the maximum concentration was 1.5 mg/L.
15

Table 6. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of nutrients in filtered groundwater

samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[All concentrations in milligrams per liter. 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

(8 samples) (12 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Ammonia plus organic N, as N -- <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 0.53

Ammonia (NH3), as N -- <.020 <.020 <.020 E .014 <.020 <.020 .474

Nitrate plus nitrate (NO2 + 

NO3), as N

1,210 0 .15 <.04 .18 3.79 <.04 .06 2.33

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

Orthophosphate (PO4), as P -- .010 E .004 .014 .050 E .005 E .008 .086

Total organic carbon (TOC), 

unfiltered -- .6 <.6 E.5 .8 <.6 .6 1.5

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

2 New York State Department of Health Maximum Contaminant Level.

Trace Elements

The highest median concentrations for the trace-element samples were of strontium (median 202

μg/L), iron (median 55 μg/L in unfiltered water; 4 μg/L in filtered water), barium (median 14.6 μg/L), 

boron (median 8.4 μg/L), and manganese (median 5.1 μg/L in unfiltered water and 3.6 μg/L in filtered 

water) (table 7 and appendix table 1-5). The highest detected trace-element concentration (3,020 μg/L)

was for strontium in a sample from a bedrock well. The concentration of iron in four unfiltered samples 

from three bedrock wells and one sand and gravel well, and one filtered sample from a sand and gravel 

well exceeded the USEPA SDWS and NYSDOH MCL for iron of 300 μg/L. The concentration of 

manganese in three unfiltered and three filtered samples from bedrock wells 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 aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, 

selenium, silver, thallium, and zinc were not exceeded in any of the water samples. Antimony, mercury,

and thallium were not detected in any of the samples (appendix table 1-1).

Pesticides

Pesticides were rarely detected in the water samples and all detected concentrations were in the 

hundredths or thousandths of a microgram per liter. Six pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected 

in five samples (appendix table 1-6). Three of the pesticides detected are broadleaf herbicides or their 

degradates; three are insecticides or their degradates. Pesticides were detected in two samples from sand 

and gravel wells and in three samples from bedrock wells. The highest pesticide concentration (maximum 

0.02 μg/L) was for disulfoton. 

CIAT (2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine, or deethyl atrazine), a degradate product of 

triazine herbicides including atrazine, was detected in four samples with an estimated maximum 

concentration of 0.003 μg/L, and the herbicide atrazine was detected in two samples with an estimated 

maximum concentration of 0.002 μg/L. The remaining four pesticides—desulfinylfipronil (an insecticide 

degradate), disulfoton (an insecticide), fipronil (an insecticide), and prometon (an herbicide)—were 

detected in one sample each. One sample (EX378) had detections of four pesticides and another sample 
16

(W1544) had detections of three pesticides. No pesticide concentrations exceeded established drinkingwater standards; pesticide degradates are not currently regulated.

Table 7. Drinking-water standards and summary statistics for concentrations of trace elements in groundwater

samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; <, 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

(8 samples) (12 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Aluminum, unfiltered, μg/L 350-200 0 <6 <6 <6 9 <6 <6 12

Antimony, unfiltered, μg/L 1,26 0 <.4 <.4 <.4 <.4 <.4 <.4 <.4

Arsenic, unfiltered, μg/L 1,210 0 .62 .20 .58 .97 .26 .72 5.4

Barium, unfiltered, μg/L 1,22,000 0 14.6 1.5 10.4 14.2 <.6 37.1 120

Beryllium, unfiltered, μg/L 1,24 0 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04 .03

Boron, filtered, μg/L -- -- 8.4 E 1.5 4.2 8.7 4.3 16 184

Cadmium, unfiltered, μg/L 1,25 0 <.06 <.04 <.06 <.06 <.04 <.06 E .03

Chromium, unfiltered, μg/L 1,2100 0 <.42 <.40 E .36 1.3 <.40 <.42 .54

Cobalt, unfiltered, μg/L -- -- <.10 <.10 <.10 .12 <.04 <.10 .92

Copper, unfiltered, μg/L 3

1,000 0 3.0 <1.4 <4.0 25.9 <1.4 E 4.8 37.1

Iron, filtered, μg/L 2,3300 1 4 <4 E 5 573 <4 4 154

Iron, unfiltered, μg/L 2,3300 4 55 <14 33 649 <9 78 519

Lead, unfiltered, μg/L 415 0 .24 <.06 E .11 .35 <.10 .54 3.26

Lithium, unfiltered, μg/L -- -- 1.4 <.3 E .07 1.7 .7 4.2 62.7

Manganese, filtered, μg/L

2

300

3

0

50 3 3.6 <.2 3.6 15.9 <.2 3.9 135

Manganese, unfiltered, μg/L

2

300

3

0

50 3 5.1 <.4 5.1 15.8 <.8 4.6 205

Mercury, unfiltered, μg/L 1,22 0 <.010 <.010 <.010 <.010 <.010 <.010 <.010

Molybdenum, unfiltered, μg/L -- -- .8 .2 .2 1.8 .2 2.0 7.3

Nickel, unfiltered, μg/L -- -- .18 <.20 <.20 1.3 <.20 E .28 3.4

Selenium, unfiltered, μg/L 1,250 0 <.12 <.12 <.12 E .12 <.10 <.11 .41

Silver, unfiltered, μg/L 2,3100 0 <.06 <.02 <.06 <.06 <.02 <.06 E .01

Strontium, unfiltered, μg/L -- -- 202 32.0 90.6 253 75.8 262 3,020

Thallium, unfiltered, μg/L 1,22 0 <.12 <.12 <.12 <.12 <.12 <.12 <.12

Zinc, unfiltered, μg/L 2,35,000 0 3.4 <2.0 2.2 8.4 E 1.5 8.7 360

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.
17

Volatile Organic Compounds 

Six VOCs were detected in untreated water samples from six wells—one sand and gravel well and 

five bedrock wells (appendix table 1-7). Four wells had detections of one VOC each, one well (CL154) 

had detections of four VOCs, and one well (CL149) had detections of five VOCs. The VOCs detected 

include 1,1-dichloroethene, detected in one sample with a concentration of 0.3 μg/L; methyl tert

Radionuclides

-butyl 

ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive, detected in two samples with a maximum concentration of 6.0 μg/L; 

and four trihalomethanes (THMs). THMs are byproducts that form when chlorine or bromine are used as 

disinfectants; they are also used as solvents. Bromodichloromethane was detected in two samples; the 

maximum concentration was 4.4 μg/L. Tribromomethane was detected in two samples; the maximum 

concentration was 11.8 μg/L. Dibromochloromethane was detected in two samples; the maximum 

concentration was 7.8 μg/L. Trichloromethane (chloroform) was detected in four samples; the maximum 

concentration was 5.0 μg/L. The USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs for total THMs, 80 μg/L, was not 

exceeded in any sample; the maximum total THM concentration was 21.6 μg/L in the sample from well 

CL149.

Gross alpha-particle radioactivity ranged from non-detectable levels to 15 pCi/L; the median 

activity was 1.2 pCi/L (table 8 and appendix table 1-8). The gross alpha radioactivity in one sample 

equaled the USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs for gross alpha of 15 pCi/L. Gross beta-particle radioactivity 

ranged from non-detectable levels to 9.7 pCi/L. The USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs for gross beta 

radioactivity are expressed as a dose of 4 millirem per year. Radon-222 activities in the water samples 

ranged from 19 to 4,100 pCi/L; the median was 240 pCi/L. The median radon-222 activity was 155 pCi/L 

in samples from sand and gravel wells and was 355 pCi/L 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 community drinking-water systems: (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 10 (half) of the samples exceeded the proposed 

MCL. The activity in one sample exceeded the proposed AMCL; this sample was from a bedrock well. 

The maximum concentration of uranium was 6.41 μg/L in a sample from a bedrock well; the 

concentration of uranium did not exceed the USEPA and NYSDOH MCLs of 30 μg/L in any sample. The 

two wells with the highest uranium concentrations also had the highest radon-222 activities. The median 

activities or concentrations of all four measured radionuclides were higher in samples from bedrock wells 

than in samples from sand and gravel wells.

Bacteria 

Coliform bacteria were detected in five samples (appendix table 1-9). Fecal coliform bacteria were 

detected in one sample. E. coli were not detected in any sample. The NYSDOH and USEPA MCL for 

total coliform bacteria is exceeded when five percent of samples of finished water collected in one 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). The heterotrophic plate 

count ranged from < 1 colony-forming unit (CFU) per milliliter (mL) to 34 CFU/mL. The USEPA MCL 

for the heterotrophic plate count is 500 CFU/mL; this limit was not exceeded in any sample.
18

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

samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[pCi/L, picocuries per liter, mrem/yr, millirem per year; --, not applicable; <, less than]

Summary statistics and concentrations

Drinkingwater 

standard

Number of 

samples 

exceeding 

standard

Median 

(all 

samples)

Sand and gravel aquifers Bedrock aquifers

(8 samples) (12 samples)

Constituent Minimum Median Maximum Minimum Median Maximum

Gross alpha radioactivity, 

unfiltered, pCi/L

1,215 0 1.2 <0.55 <1.3 2.0 <.81 1.3 15

Gross beta radioactivity, 

unfiltered, pCi/L

1,2

-- 4 

mrem/yr 1.2 <.82 <1.1 1.1 <1.1 2.2 9.7

Radon-222, unfiltered, pCi/L

3

300 410

4,000 1 240 72 155 380 19 355 4,100

Uranium, unfiltered, μg/L 1,230 0 .470 E .012 .236 .585 .069 2.20 6.41

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.

Wells Sampled in 2004 and 2009

Four of the wells sampled in 2009 (wells CL149, EX155, EX535, and W534) were sampled 

previously in 2004 as part of this study. Of the 147 constituents and physiochemical properties for which 

samples were analyzed in 2009, 140 were common to 2004 and 2009 analyses (appendix tables 2-1 

through 2-4). The differences between 2004 and 2009 results for a single well were typically smaller than 

those between the results from different wells.

Summary 

Groundwater samples were collected from August through November 2009 from 8 wells 

completed in sand and gravel and 12 wells completed in bedrock to characterize the groundwater quality 

in the Lake Champlain Basin in New York State. The sand and gravel wells sampled ranged from 57 to 

154 ft in depth; the bedrock wells ranged from 137 to 600 ft in depth and were typically completed in 

crystalline bedrock. Ten of the 20 wells sampled were production wells and 10 were domestic wells. Of 

the 147 major ion, nutrient, trace-element, pesticide, VOC, radionuclide, and bacteria constituents, 77

were not detected in any of the samples.

The samples generally indicated good water quality, although properties and concentrations of 

some constituents—color, pH, sodium, total dissolved solids, iron, manganese, gross alpha-particle

radioactivity, radon-222, and bacteria—equaled or exceeded primary, secondary, or proposed drinkingwater standards. The constituents most frequently detected in concentrations exceeding drinking-water 

standards were radon-222 (10 samples had concentrations greater than the USEPA proposed MCL of 300 

pCi/L), coliform bacteria (5 samples with detections), iron (4 unfiltered samples with concentrations 

greater than the USEPA SDWS and NYSDOH MCL of 300 μg/L), and total dissolved solids (4 samples 

with dissolved solids greater than the USEPA SDWS of 500 mg/L).

Sample pH was typically near neutral or slightly basic. 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, calcium, and sulfate. The dominant nutrient was nitrate, but concentrations of nitrate 

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 completed
19

in crystalline rock (maximum 4,100 pCi/L). Six pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in five

samples—two samples from sand and gravel wells and three from bedrock wells—most were trace-level 

detections of broadleaf herbicides, insecticides, or their degradates. Six VOCs were detected in six

samples, including MTBE and four trihalomethanes (disinfection byproducts). Coliform bacteria were 

detected in five samples. Fecal coliform bacteria were detected in one sample, and E. coli bacteria were 

not detected in any sample.

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22

Appendix 1: Results of Water-Sample Analyses

The following tables summarize results of the chemical analyses of the 20 samples collected in 

the Lake Champlain Basin of eastern New York from August through November 2009. 

1-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New 

York, 2009. ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

1-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

2009................................................................................................................................................................ 25

1-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

2009................................................................................................................................................................ 27

1-4. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2009. .................................................................................................................................. 29

1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New 

York, 2009. ..................................................................................................................................................... 30

1-6. Concentrations of pesticides and pesticide degradates detected in groundwater samples collected in the 

Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009. ....................................................................................................... 33

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

Champlain Basin, New York, 2009. ................................................................................................................ 34

1-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009........... 35

1-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009........................... 36
23

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

New York, 2009.

[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 Laboratory reporting level

parameter code Constituent WY09 WY10

Trace elements in unfiltered water, micrograms per liter

01097 Antimony 0.4 0.4

71900 Mercury .010 .010

01059 Thallium .12 .12

Pesticides in filtered water, micrograms per liter

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline .006 .006

49260 Acetochlor .010 .010

46342 Alachlor .008 .008

34253 alpha-HCH .008 .004

82686 Azinphos-methyl .120 .120

82673 Benfluralin .014 .014

04028 Butylate .002 .004

82680 Carbaryl .200 .060

82674 Carbofuran .060 .060

38933 Chlorpyrifos .010 .010

82687 cis-Permethrin .014 .014

04041 Cyanazine .040 .022

82682 DCPA .006 .008

39572 Diazinon .005 .005

39381 Dieldrin .009 .009

82668 EPTC .002 .002

82663 Ethalfluralin .009 .006

82672 Ethoprop .016 .016

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide .029 .029

62167 Fipronil sulfide .013 .013

62168 Fipronil sulfone .024 .024

04095 Fonofos .010 .004

39341 Lindane .014 .004

82666 Linuron .060 .060

39532 Malathion .020 .016

82667 Methyl parathion .008 .008

39415 Metolachlor .014 .014

82630 Metribuzin .016 .012

82671 Molinate .002 .003

82684 Napropamide .018 .008

34653 p,p'-DDE .003 .002

39542 Parathion .020 .020

82669 Pebulate .016 .016

82683 Pendimethalin .012 .012
Table 1-1. Constituents that were not detected in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, 

New York, 2009.—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 Laboratory reporting level

parameter code Constituent WY09 WY10

Pesticides in filtered water, micrograms per liter

82664 Phorate 0.020 0.020

82676 Propyzamide .004 .004

04024 Propachlor .012 .006

82679 Propanil .014 .010

82685 Propargite .02 .02

04035 Simazine .010 .006

82670 Tebuthiuron .02 .03

82665 Terbacil .040 .024

82675 Terbufos .02 .02

82681 Thiobencarb .016 .016

82678 Triallate .006 .006

82661 Trifluralin .012 .018

Volatile organic compounds in unfiltered water, 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

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

34475 Tetrachloroethene .1 .1

32102 Tetrachloromethane .2 .2

34010 Toluene .1 .1

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

39180 Trichloroethene .1 .1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane .2 .2

39175 Vinyl chloride .2 .2

24
Table 1-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

2009.

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, 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 figure 2.]

Color, Carbon Dissolved pH, Specific 

platinum-cobalt dioxide, oxygen, standard conductance, 

Well units mg/L mg/L units μS/cm

1 number (00080) (00405) (00300) (00400) (00095)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 2 2.5 11.0 7.4 353

CL1500 <1 2.0 5.1 7.7 94

EX155 <1 8.7 5.4 7.0 95

EX535 2 11.8 1.6 7.0 482

EX589 <1 1.1 9.7 7.7 115

EX1013 5 .5 13.6 8.5 65

W534 2 11.5 3.3 6.8 422

W1066 2 3.8 8.6 7.5 403

Bedrock wells

CL149 20 16.2 .3 7.2 1,250

CL154 5 11.9 .2 6.7 1,220

CL665 <1 2.6 1.5 7.0 274

EX169 <1 5.1 7.2 7.5 241

EX378 <1 19.5 2.1 6.6 531

EX664 <1 1.4 1.8 7.2 221

W1145 <1 40.9 <.1 6.4 827

W1544 2 61.1 1.7 6.2 761

WR86 <1 1.9 10.0 7.7 428

WR1326 2 26.0 3.8 5.9 139

WR1433 <1 7.3 .1 7.4 1,310

WR1671 5 8.0 .6 6.7 427

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

25
Table 1-2. Physiochemical properties of groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

2009. —Continued

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, 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 figure 2.]

Dissolved 

Water Argon, nitrogen gas, Methane,

temperature, unfiltered, unfiltered, Hydrogen unfiltered,

Well degrees Celsius mg/L mg/L sulfide odor mg/L

1 number (00010) (82043) (00597) (71875) (76994)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 8.5 0.80 22.95 Absent 0.000

CL1500 8.4 .75 20.18 Absent .000

EX155 7.9 .75 20.21 Absent .000

EX535 13.5 .96 29.53 Absent .000

EX589 8.3 .77 21.14 Absent .002

EX1013 8.8 .81 22.69 Absent .000

W534 9.8 .72 20.23 Absent .000

W1066 10.8 .80 22.18 Absent .000

Bedrock wells

CL149 9.0 .74 21.22 Absent .030

CL154 9.9 .86 25.80 Absent .072

CL665 9.6 .82 22.90 Absent .000

EX169 8.7 .78 21.25 Absent .000

EX378 9.3 .82 23.78 Absent .000

EX664 15.1 .82 23.58 Absent .000

W1145 9.9 .94 32.98 Present .006

W1544 10.2 .76 21.32 Absent .000

WR86 8.7 .81 23.30 Absent .000

WR1326 10.1 .79 22.51 Absent .000

WR1433 14.3 .80 22.30 Absent .002

WR1671 12.2 .82 25.83 Absent .000

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

26
Table 1-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New 

York, 2009.

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

System parameter code. Bold values exceed one or more drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figure 2.]

Alkalinity, 

Acid filtered, 

neutralizing incremental 

Hardness, capacity, titration,

filtered, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, unfiltered, field, 

mg/L as filtered, filtered, filtered, filtered, mg/L as mg/L as 

Well CaCO3 mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L CaCO3 CaCO3

1 number (00900) (00915) (00925) (00935) (00930) (90410) (39086)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 170 44.1 13.9 0.95 6.13 121 115

CL1500 73 19.4 5.91 .83 2.66 76 62

EX155 31 8.68 2.37 .54 2.25 28 26

EX535 250 57.1 27.0 .78 3.61 194 228

EX589 81 22.4 6.07 .43 3.27 79 77

EX1013 40 11.4 2.83 .33 1.79 38 30

W534 210 55.9 16.6 .79 3.72 190 170

W1066 190 50.9 14.2 .96 6.55 148 145

Bedrock wells

CL149 320 69.2 35.0 8.85 125 264 230

CL154 240 60.6 21.8 11.0 148 262 228

CL665 130 29.0 13.7 2.08 3.71 126 111

EX169 86 26.6 4.73 .83 9.94 72 70

EX378 280 60.1 30.4 .69 19.4 273 243

EX664 90 30.1 3.67 .57 5.23 80 64

W1145 440 84.7 56.0 2.44 20.1 383 340

W1544 360 135 5.53 .24 19.1 211 301

WR86 120 38.9 4.87 .94 33.8 69 56

WR1326 55 15.4 4.00 1.03 2.10 51 44

WR1433 490 149 28.4 1.66 67.9 148 151

WR1671 190 46.9 18.4 1.37 7.31 166 158

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

27
Table 1-3. Concentrations of major ions in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

2009.—Continued

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

System parameter code; oC, degrees Celsius; <, less than; E, estimated concentration. Bold values exceed one or more 

drinking-water standards. Well locations are shown in figure 2.]

Bicarbonate, 

filtered, Dissolved 

incremental solids,

titration, Chloride, Fluoride, Silica, Sulfate, dried at 180oC, 

field, filtered, filtered, filtered, filtered, filtered, 

Well mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L

1 number (00453) (00940) (00950) (00955) (00945) (70300)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 E 139 26.5 E 0.06 12.6 8.54 196

CL1500 E 75 .43 .10 17.4 6.14 101

EX155 E 32 1.67 <.08 18.4 7.90 65

EX535 277 .74 E .07 15.4 29.6 268

EX589 E 93 1.31 E .06 19.0 10.8 100

EX1013 E 36 1.15 <.08 15.0 5.96 49

W534 207 6.46 E .08 10.5 23.2 236

W1066 176 18.1 E .05 9.52 17.6 211

Bedrock wells

CL149 280 193 .15 8.68 89.4 700

CL154 278 210 .22 6.96 44.2 677

CL665 134 .97 .49 10.8 13.1 144

EX169 E 85 18.3 E .08 18.7 11.4 135

EX378 295 4.26 .19 15.6 19.6 320

EX664 E 77 1.03 .80 8.61 24.4 132

W1145 413 6.86 .13 16.2 74.7 501

W1544 E 367 31.7 E .08 5.57 22.7 431

WR86 67 91.6 .41 10.4 8.01 258

WR1326 E 54 .89 E .09 16.6 11.1 81

WR1433 183 170 .36 17.4 239 779

WR1671 192 21.8 .25 11.1 17.6 226

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

28
29

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

Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[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 figure 2.]

Well 

number

Ammonia plus

organic-N, 

filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00623) 1

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

CL151 <0.10 <0.020 1.67 <0 .002 0.019 E 0.4

CL1500 <.10 <.020 .19 <.002 .035 <.6

EX155 <.10 E .014 .15 <.002 .009 .7

EX535 <.10 <.020 <.04 <.002 .009 E .5

EX589 <.10 <.020 .12 <.002 .050 .6

EX1013 <.10 <.020 .17 <.002 .039 <.6

W534 <.10 <.020 .23 <.002 .009 E .5

W1066 <.10 <.020 3.79 <.002 E .004 .8

Bedrock wells

CL149 <.10 <.020 <.04 <.002 .086 1.3

CL154 <.10 <.020 <.04 <.002 E .005 E 1.3

CL665 <.10 <.020 .29 <.002 .010 <.6

EX169 <.10 <.020 .37 <.002 .020 1.5

EX378 E .07 <.020 2.33 <.002 E .007 .7

EX664 <.10 <.020 E .03 <.002 E .005 <.6

W1145 .53 .474 <.04 <.002 .010 E .3

W1544 E .07 <.020 .68 <.002 E .006 1.1

WR86 <.10 <.020 .06 <.002 E .005 E .4

WR1326 <.10 <.020 .15 <.002 .010 .6

WR1433 <.10 <.020 E .02 <.002 E .005 .7

WR1671 .26 .023 .06 .002 .011 <.6

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.
30

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

York, 2009. [μg/L, micrograms per liter; (01105), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less

than; E, estimated concentration. Well locations are shown in figure 2.]

Well 

number

Aluminum,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(01105) 1

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

CL151 <6 0.67 12.2 <0.02 2.8 <0.06 1.3

CL1500 <6 .34 9.0 <.02 4.1 <.06 .47

EX155 <6 .20 1.5 <.02 4.3 <.06 <.40

EX535 9 .92 11.8 <.02 E 1.9 <.06 <.40

EX589 E 4 .89 2.8 <.02 8.7 <.06 .51

EX1013 E 4 .50 2.2 <.04 E 1.5 <.04 .87

W534 <6 .97 13.8 <.02 7.9 <.06 <.40

W1066 <6 .31 14.2 <.02 8.2 <.06 E .24

Bedrock wells

CL149 <6 1.2 86.9 <.04 110 <.04 E .27

CL154 <6 .87 103 E .01 98 <.06 <.40

CL665 <6 .49 120 <.04 14 <.04 .54

EX169 <6 .44 14.9 <.02 10 <.06 E .39

EX378 <6 .56 <.6 <.04 16 <.04 .50

EX664 12 .29 25.0 .03 26 <.06 <.40

W1145 <6 1.6 53.7 <.04 33 <.04 <.42

W1544 8 1.9 30.5 <.02 4.3 E .03 <.40

WR86 E 5 .30 3.4 <.04 5.9 <.04 <.42

WR1326 E 3 .26 44.7 <.02 7.0 <.06 E .23

WR1433 <6 1.6 29.1 <.02 184 <.06 <.40

WR1671 E 4 5.4 43.7 <.02 16 <.06 <.40

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.
Table 1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New 

York, 2009.—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 

figure 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

1 number (01037) (01042) (01046) (01045) (01051) (01132) (01056) (01055)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 <0 .10 <4.0 <4 <14 0.35 E0 .4 <0.2 <0.4

CL1500 <.10 E 2.3 6 75 E .07 1.0 14.7 15.0

EX155 <.10 25.9 25 42 .24 <.6 4.7 4.3

EX535 .12 <4.0 573 649 .16 1.2 15.9 15.8

EX589 E .08 6.7 <4 <14 <.10 <.6 E .2 E .3

EX1013 E .02 <1.4 46 198 <.06 <.3 2.4 5.9

W534 <.10 <4.0 <4 <14 .15 1.2 8.3 11.0

W1066 <.10 16.8 E 4 24 E .07 1.7 .3 .5

Bedrock wells

CL149 <.04 <1.4 46 519 E .04 14.0 135 205

CL154 <.10 6.8 116 328 2.52 15.8 7.3 17.2

CL665 <.04 10.4 <6 E 5 E .05 3.3 <.2 <.8

EX169 <.10 <4.0 5 <14 <.10 1.7 7.2 6.8

EX378 E .03 2.2 <6 <9 .26 1.1 <.2 <.8

EX664 <.10 E 3.7 6 E 11 .83 11.5 .4 2.3

W1145 E .04 E 1.2 154 161 .24 33.1 117 130

W1544 .92 16.2 <4 89 3.26 1.2 E .1 .6

WR86 <.04 <1.4 <6 68 .30 4.8 .2 1.8

WR1326 E .09 24.9 E 2 E 10 2.13 .7 .6 .8

WR1433 <.10 37.1 4 215 .97 62.7 9.9 11.6

WR1671 E .07 6.0 13 382 .77 3.6 59.0 56.4

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

31
Table 1-5. Concentrations of trace elements in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New 

York, 2009.—Continued

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

than; E, estimated concentration. Well locations are shown in figure 2.]

Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Zinc, 

unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, 

Well μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L

1 number (01062) (01067) (01147) (01077) (01082) (01092)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 0.2 <0.20 <0.12 <0.06 126 3.1

CL1500 .2 <.20 <.12 <.06 49.8 2.1

EX155 .2 <.20 <.12 <.06 32.0 8.4

EX535 1.8 .36 <.12 <.06 118 E 1.4

EX589 .4 1.3 E .06 <.06 63.2 2.3

EX1013 .2 E .19 E .07 <.02 35.2 <2.0

W534 .3 <.20 E .12 <.06 236 E 1.0

W1066 .3 E .13 E .09 <.06 253 2.3

Bedrock wells

CL149 4.3 .78 <.10 <.02 1,160 14.5

CL154 3.9 .30 <.12 <.06 1,100 360

CL665 3.1 <.36 E .09 <.02 282 3.6

EX169 .2 E .18 <.12 <.06 177 2.5

EX378 2.1 <.36 .41 <.02 226 4.7

EX664 7.3 <.20 <.12 <.06 129 40.9

W1145 1.9 E .28 <.10 E .01 3,020 E 1.5

W1544 .3 3.4 .18 <.06 495 17.4

WR86 1.2 <.36 <.10 <.02 168 32.3

WR1326 .2 .71 <.12 <.06 75.8 6.8

WR1433 1.2 .54 E .12 <.06 1,280 10.6

WR1671 5.7 .29 <.12 <.06 243 2.5

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

32
Table 1-6. Concentrations of pesticides and pesticide degradates detected in groundwater samples collected in 

the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[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; --, no data; M, presence verified but not 

quantified. Well locations are shown in figure 2.]

CIAT, Atrazine, Desulfinylfipronil, Disulfoton, Fipronil, Prometon,

filtered, filtered, filtered, filtered, filtered, filtered,

Well μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L μg/L

1 number (04040) (39632) (62170) (82677) (62166) (04037)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 <0.014 <0.007 <0.012 <0.04 <0.040 <0.01

CL1500 E.002 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

EX155 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

EX535 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

EX589 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

EX1013 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.018 <.01

W534 E.001 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

W1066 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

Bedrock wells

CL149 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.018 <.01

CL154 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

CL665 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.018 <.01

EX169 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

EX378 E.002 E.002 E.001 <.04 E.002 <.01

EX664 -- -- -- -- -- --

W1145 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.018 <.01

W1544 E.003 E.002 <.012 <.04 <.040 M 

WR86 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.018 <.01

WR1326 <.014 <.007 <.012 E.02 <.040 <.01

WR1433 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

WR1671 <.014 <.007 <.012 <.04 <.040 <.01

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

33
34

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

Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; (34501), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter code; <, less

than. Well locations are shown in figure 2.]

Well number

1,1-

Dichloroethene,

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(34501) 1

Bromodichloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32101)

Tribromomethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32104)

Dibromochloromethane,

unfiltered,

μg/L

(32105)

Methyl tert Trichloromethane,

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(32106)

-

butyl ether,

unfiltered, 

μg/L

(78032)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 <0.1 <0.1 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.1

CL1500 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

EX155 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

EX535 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

EX589 .3 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

EX1013 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

W534 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

W1066 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

Bedrock wells

CL149 <.1 1.7 11.8 7.8 .9 .3

CL154 <.1 4.4 2.4 4.5 <.2 5.0

CL665 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

EX169 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

EX378 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

EX664 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

W1145 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

W1544 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 .3

WR86 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 .3

WR1326 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

WR1433 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.1

WR1671 <.1 <.1 <.2 <.2 6.0 <.1

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.
Table 1-8. Activities of radionuclides in groundwater samples from the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[pCi/L, picocuries per liter; μg/L, micrograms 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 figure 2]

Gross alpha Gross beta 

radioactivity, radioactivity, Radon-222, Uranium, 

unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, unfiltered, 

Well pCi/L pCi/L pCi/L μg/L

1 number (01519) (85817) (82303) (28011)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 1.6 1.1 151 0.466

CL1500 .7 1.1 370 .158

EX155 <.55 <.88 72 E .012

EX535 2.0 .9 143 .585

EX589 <.56 <.85 159 .222

EX1013 <.57 <.82 86 .045

W534 <1.3 <1.2 340 .475

W1066 1.2 <.93 380 .249

Bedrock wells

CL149 3.1 9.3 154 .439

CL154 15 9.7 320 3.07

CL665 1.3 2.9 550 2.60

EX169 <.81 1.6 159 .173

EX378 <1.2 <1.1 19 1.81

EX664 10.6 1.9 1,230 6.41

W1145 1.3 7.9 108 4.12

W1544 <1.6 1.5 390 .388

WR86 5.3 4.4 4,100 4.80

WR1326 1.1 <1.1 820 .069

WR1433 <2.2 1.3 34 .602

WR1671 7.5 2.5 700 2.61

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.

35
36

Table 1-9. Bacteria in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009.

[CFU, colony-forming unit; mL, milliliter; (31691), U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System parameter

code; <, less than. Bold

Well 

number

values indicate detections of coliform bacteria. Well locations are shown in figure 2]

Escherichia 

coli, 

unfiltered, 

CFU/100mL

(31691) 1

Fecal coliform, 

unfiltered, 

CFU/100mL

(61215)

Heterotrophic

plate count,

unfiltered, 

CFU/mL

(31692)

Total coliform, 

unfiltered, 

CFU/100mL

(61213)

Sand and gravel wells

CL151 <1 <1 2 <1

CL1500 <1 <1 8 <1

EX155 <1 <1 3 <1

EX535 <1 1 23 <1

EX589 <1 <1 9 <1

EX1013 <1 <1 34

W534

42

<1 <1 5 <1

W1066 <1 <1 25 <1

Bedrock wells

CL149 <1 <1 7 <1

CL154 <1 <1 2 <1

CL665 <1 <1 8 <1

EX169 <1 <1 13 <1

EX378 <1 <1 5

EX664

4

<1 <1 11 <1

W1145 <1 <1 <1 <1

W1544 <1 <1 7

WR86

3

<1 <1 <1 <1

WR1326 <1 <1 11 <1

WR1433 <1 <1 8

WR1671

1

<1 <1 18 <1

1 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County.
Appendix 2: Comparison of Data from 2004 and 2009 

The following tables summarize results of the chemical analyses of the samples collected in 2004 

and 2009 from four wells in the Lake Champlain Basin of eastern New York. 

2-1. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater samples 

collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009.................................................................38

2-2. Concentrations of trace elements and radionuclides in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009. ...................................................................................................................39

2-3. Concentrations of pesticides in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004 

and 2009..........................................................................................................................................................40

2-4. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009. ...................................................................................................................42

37
Table 2-1. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of major ions, nutrients, and bacteria in groundwater 

samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009.

[NWIS, National Water Information System; wu, unfiltered water; wf, filtered water; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per 

centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; oC, Celsius; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; CFU, colony-forming unit; mL, 

milliliter; <, less than, E, estimated concentration; lab, laboratory] 

U.S. Geological Well EX 155 Well EX 535 Well W 534 Well CL 149

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent 2004 2009 2004 2009 2004 2009 2004 2009

00080 Color, wf, platinum-cobalt units 2 <1 18 2 2 2 15 20

00300 Dissolved oxygen, wu, mg/L 4.0 5.4 <.1 1.6 5.3 3.3 1.0 .3

00400 pH, wu 6.6 7.0 7.3 7.0 7.2 6.8 7.4 7.2

00095 Specific conductance, wu, μS/cm 112 95 478 482 453 422 1,090 1,250

00010 Temperature, wu, degrees Celsius 6.8 7.9 9.8 13.5 9.0 9.8 9.0 9.0

00900 Hardness, wf, mg/L as CaCO3 50 31 290 250 250 210 310 320

00915 Calcium, wf, mg/L 14.5 8.68 66.6 57.1 67.5 55.9 65.8 69.2

00925 Magnesium, wf, mg/L 3.33 2.37 30.2 27.0 19.6 16.6 35.8 35.0

00935 Potassium, wf, mg/L .47 .54 .86 .78 .97 .79 9.25 8.85

00930 Sodium, wf, mg/L 2.74 2.25 3.87 3.61 3.05 3.72 127 125

Acid neutralizing capacity, wu, 

90410 fixed end point, lab, mg/L as 34 28 179 194 146 190 244 264

CaCO3

Alkalinity, wf, fixed end point, 29801 34 29 235 216 210 192 253 264 laboratory, mg/L as CaCO3

Bicarbonate, wf, fixed end point, 29805 41 35 287 264 256 234 309 322 laboratory, mg/L

00940 Chloride, wf, mg/L 8.29 1.67 .76 .74 4.67 6.46 189 193

00950 Fluoride, wf, mg/L <.17 <.08 <.17 E .07 <.17 E .08 <.17 .15

00955 Silica, wf, mg/L 22.1 18.4 18.0 15.4 12.3 10.5 9.19 8.68

00945 Sulfate, wf, mg/L 7.33 7.90 30.7 29.6 31.5 23.2 97.6 89.4

Dissolved solids, 70300 82 65 289 268 264 236 703 700 dried at 180oC, wf, mg/L

Ammonia + organic-N, wf, mg/L 00623 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 .12 <.10 as N

00608 Ammonia, wf, mg/L as N <.04 E .014 <.04 <.020 <.04 <.020 .07 <.020

00631 Nitrate plus nitrite, wf, mg/L as N .06 .15 <.06 <.04 .55 .23 <.06 <.04

00613 Nitrite, wf, mg/L as N <.008 <.002 <.008 <.002 <.008 <.002 <.008 <.002

00671 Orthophosphate, wf, mg/L as P <.02 .009 <.02 .009 <.02 .009 <.02 .086

00680 Organic carbon, wu, mg/L 1.35 .7 E 1.42 E .5 1.21 E .5 2.01 1.3

Escherichia coli, wu, CFU per 31691 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 100 mL

Fecal coliform, wu, CFU per 100 61215 <1 <1 <1 1 <1 <1 <1 <1 mL

Heterotrophic plate count, wu, 31692 1 3 1 23 8 5 3 7 CFU per mL

Total coliform, wu, CFU per 100 61213 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 mL

38
Table 2-2. Concentrations of trace elements and radionu

Champlain Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009.

[NWIS, National Water Information System; wu, unfiltered water; wf,

<, less than, E, estimated concentration] 

U.S. Geological Well EX 155

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent 2004 2009

01105 Aluminum, wu, μg/L <2 <6 

clides in groundwate

 filtered water; μg/L, mi

Well EX 535

2004 2009

2 9 

r samples collected i

crograms per liter, pCi/L,

Well W 534

2004 2009

<2 <6 

n the Lake 

 picocuries per liter; 

Well CL 149

2004 2009

E 2 <6 

01097 Antimony, wu, μg/L <.2 <.4 <.2 <.4 <.2 <.4 <.2 <.4

01002 Arsenic, wu, μg/L <2 .20 <2 .92 <2 .97 <2 1.2

01007 Barium, wu, μg/L 1.9 1.5 11.6 11.8 15.4 13.8 65.9 86.9

01012 Beryllium, wu, μg/L <.06 <.02 <.06 <.02 <.06 <.02 <.06 <.04

01020 Boron, wf, μg/L 8.5 4.3 E 4.4 E 1.9 E 6.6 7.9 115 110

01027 Cadmium, wu, μg/L <.04 <.06 <.04 <.06 <.04 <.06 E .02 <.04

01034 Chromium, wu, μg/L E .4 <.40 <.8 <.40 <.8 <.40 <.8 E .27

01037 Cobalt, wu, μg/L .047 <.10 .312 .12 .249 <.10 .397 <.04

01042 Copper, wu, μg/L 2.5 25.9 1.5 <4.0 1.6 <4.0 1.4 <1.4

01046 Iron, wf, μg/L 7 25 662 573 <6 <4 543 46

01045 Iron, wu, μg/L 41 42 616 649 <9 <14 544 519

01051 Lead, wu, μg/L .62 .24 .16 .16 .09 .15 <.06 E .04

01132 Lithium, wu, μg/L <.6 <.6 .9 1.2 1.2 1.2 12.5 14.0

01056 Manganese, wf, μg/L <.8 4.7 16.9 15.9 9.5 8.3 172 135

Manganese, wu, 01055 <1.2 4.3

μg/L 16.1 15.8 15.3 11.0 176 205

71900 Mercury, wu, μg/L <.018 <.010 <.018 <.010 <.018 <.010 <.018 <.010

Molybdenum, wu, 01062 <.2 .2

μg/L 1.7 1.8 .3 .3 4.1 4.3

01067 Nickel, wu, μg/L .23 <.20 .76 .36 .63 <.20 2.09 .78

01147 Selenium, wu, μg/L <.4 <.12 <.4 <.12 <.4 E .12 E .3 <.10

01077 Silver, wu, μg/L <.16 <.06 <.16 <.06 <.16 <.06 <.16 <.02

01082 Strontium, wu, μg/L 49.0 32.0 125 118 280 236 1,090 1,160

01059 Thallium, wu, μg/L <.18 <.12 <.18 <.12 <.18 <.12 <.18 <.12

01092 Zinc, wu, μg/L 10 8.4 <2 E 1.4 E 1 E 1.0 <2 14.5

Radon-222, wu, 82303 100 72 pCi/L 160 143 400 340 230 154

28011 Uranium, wu, μg/L .018 E .012 .531 .585 .512 .475 .309 .439

39
Table 2-3. Concentrations of pesticides in groun

2004 and 2009.

[NWIS, National Water Information System; wf, filtered w

value indicates detected concentration.] 

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline, wf, μg/L

dwater samples col

ater; μg/L, microgram

Well EX 155

2004 2009

<0.006 <0.006

lected in the Lak

s per liter, <, less tha

Well EX 535

2004 2009

<0.006 <0.006

e Champlain Basin, New York, 

n, E, estimated concentration. Bold

Well W 534 Well CL 149

2004 2009 2004 2009

<0.006 < .006 <0.006 <0.006

2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino- 04040 s-triazine (CIAT), wf, μg/L <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014 <.006 E .001 <.006 <.014

49260 Acetochlor, wf, μg/L <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010 <.006 <.010

46342 Alachlor, wf, μg/L <.004 <.008 <.004 <.008 <.004 <.008 <.004 <.008

34253 alpha-HCH, wf, μg/L <.005 <.008 <.005 <.008 <.005 <.008 <.005 <.004

39632 Atrazine, wf, μg/L <.007 <.007 <.007 <.007 <.007 <.007 <.007 <.007

82686 Azinphos-methyl, wf, μg/L <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120 <.050 <.120

82673 Benfluralin, wf, μg/L <.010 <.014 <.010 <.014 <.010 <.014 <.010 <.014

04028 Butylate, wf, μg/L <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.004

82680 Carbaryl, wf, μg/L <.041 <.200 <.041 <.200 <.041 <.200 <.041 <.060

82674 Carbofuran, wf, μg/L <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060 <.020 <.060

38933 Chlorpyrifos, wf, μg/L <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010

82687 cis-Permethrin, wf, μg/L <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014 <.006 <.014

04041 Cyanazine, wf, μg/L <.018 <.040 <.018 <.040 <.018 <.040 <.018 <.022

82682 DCPA, wf, μg/L <.003 <.006 <.003 <.006 <.003 <.006 <.003 <.008

62170 Desulfinylfipronil, wf, μg/L <.004 <.012 <.004 <.012 <.004 <.012 <.004 <.012

39572 Diazinon, wf, μg/L <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005

39381 Dieldrin, wf, μg/L <.005 <.009 <.005 <.009 <.005 <.009 <.005 <.009

82677 Disulfoton, wf, μg/L <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04 <.02 <.04

82668 EPTC, wf, μg/L <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002

82663 Ethalfluralin, wf, μg/L <.009 <.009 <.009 <.009 <.009 <.009 <.009 <.006

82672 Ethoprop, wf, μg/L <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide, wf, μg/L <.009 <.029 <.009 <.029 <.009 <.029 <.009 <.029

62167 Fipronil sulfide, wf, μg/L <.005 <.013 <.005 <.013 <.005 <.013 <.005 <.013

62168 Fipronil sulfone, wf, μg/L <.005 <.024 <.005 <.024 <.005 <.024 <.005 <.024

62166 Fipronil, wf, μg/L <.007 <.040 <.007 <.040 <.007 <.040 <.007 <.018

04095 Fonofos, wf, μg/L <.003 <.010 <.003 <.010 <.003 <.010 <.003 <.004

39341 Lindane, wf, μg/L <.004 <.014 <.004 <.014 <.004 <.014 <.004 <.004

82666 Linuron, wf, μg/L <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060 <.035 <.060

39532 Malathion, wf, μg/L <.027 <.020 <.027 <.020 <.027 <.020 <.027 <.016

40
Table 2-3. Concentrations of pesticides

2004 and 2009. —Continued

[NWIS, National Water Information System; wf, 

values indicate detections.]

U.S. Geological 

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent

82667 Methyl parathion, wf, μg/L

 in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 

filtered water; μg/L, micrograms per liter, <, less than, E, estimated concentration. Bold

EX 155 EX 535 W 534 CL 149

2004 2009 2004 2009 2004 2009 2004 2009

<.006 <.008 <.006 <.008 <.006 <.008 <.006 <.008

39415 Metolachlor, wf, μg/L <.013 <.014 <.013 <.014 <.013 <.014 <.013 <.014

82630 Metribuzin, wf, μg/L <.006 <.016 <.006 <.016 <.006 <.016 <.006 <.012

82671 Molinate, wf, μg/L <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.002 <.003

82684 Napropamide, wf, μg/L <.007 <.018 <.007 <.018 <.007 <.018 <.007 <.008

34653 p,p'-DDE, wf, μg/L <.003 <.003 <.003 <.003 <.003 <.003 <.003 <.002

39542 Parathion, wf, μg/L <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020 <.010 <.020

82669 Pebulate, wf, μg/L <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016 <.004 <.016

82683 Pendimethalin, wf, μg/L <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012 <.022 <.012

82664 Phorate, wf, μg/L <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020 <.011 <.020

04037 Prometon, wf, μg/L <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01

82676 Propyzamide, wf, μg/L <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004 <.004

04024 Propachlor, wf, μg/L <.010 <.012 <.010 <.012 <.010 <.012 <.010 <.006

82679 Propanil, wf, μg/L <.011 <.014 <.011 <.014 <.011 <.014 <.011 <.010

82685 Propargite, wf, μg/L <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02

04035 Simazine, wf, μg/L <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010 <.005 <.010 <.005 <.006

82670 Tebuthiuron, wf, μg/L <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.03

82665 Terbacil, wf, μg/L <.034 <.040 <.034 <.040 <.034 <.040 <.034 <.024

82675 Terbufos, wf, μg/L <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02

82681 Thiobencarb, wf, μg/L <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016 <.005 <.016

82678 Triallate, wf, μg/L <.002 <.006 <.002 <.006 <.002 <.006 <.002 <.006

82661 Trifluralin, wf, μg/L <.009 <.012 <.009 <.012 <.009 <.012 <.009 <.018

41
42

Table 2-4. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds in groundwater samples collected in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2004 and 2009.

[NWIS, National Water Information System; wu, unfiltered water; μg/L, micrograms per liter;<, less than. Bold values indicate detected 

concentrations.] 

U.S. Geological EX 155 EX 535 W 534 CL 149

Survey NWIS 

parameter code Constituent 2004 2009 2004 2009 2004 2009 2004 2009

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, wu, μg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1

1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-

77652 trifluoroethane (CFC-113), wu, <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

μg/L

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34030 Benzene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32101 Bromodichloromethane, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 1.7

32104 Tribromomethane, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 11.8

34301 Chlorobenzene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

77093 cis-1,2-Dichloroethene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32105 Dibromochloromethane, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 7.8

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34423 Dichloromethane, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

81576 Diethyl ether, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

81577 Diisopropyl ether, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34371 Ethylbenzene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

85795 m- + p-Xylene, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

77135 o-Xylene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

77128 Styrene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

50004 tert-Butyl ethyl ether, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

78032 Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), <.2 wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 .7 .9

34475 Tetrachloroethene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

32102 Tetrachloromethane, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

34010 Toluene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34546 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

39180 Trichloroethene, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), <.2 wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2

32106 Trichloromethane, wu, μg/L <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 <.1 .3

39175 Vinyl chloride, wu, μg/L <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 <.2
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
Nystrom—Groundwater Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2009—Open-File Report 2011-1180