U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2006-1088

Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2004

In cooperation with

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
This page has been left blank intentionally. 
Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain 

Basin, New York, 2004

By Elizabeth A. Nystrom

In cooperation with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Open-File Report 2006-1088

U.S. Department of the Interior

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

P. Lynn Scarlett, Acting Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006

For more information on the USGS--the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, 

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

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Nystrom, E.A., 2006, Ground-water quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2006-1088, 22 p., online only.
iii

Tables

1. Information on wells from which ground-water samples were collected in the 

Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004 ..............................................................................................5

2. Compounds for which ground-water samples collected from the Lake Champlain basin, 

New York, were analyzed but not detected and their analytical detection limits.......................8

3. Physical properties of ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, 

New York, 2004......................................................................................................................................12

4. Concentrations of inorganic constituents in ground-water samples from the 

Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004 ............................................................................................13

5. Concentrations of nutrients in ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, 

New York, 2004......................................................................................................................................15

6. Concentrations of metals and radon-222 in ground-water samples from the 

Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004 ............................................................................................16

7. Concentrations of selected pesticides in filtered ground-water samples from the 

Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004 ............................................................................................18

Figures

1. Location and major features of the Lake Champlain basin in New York.......................................2

2. Topography and locations of wells sampled in the Lake Champlain basin in New York............4

Contents

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

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

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................1

Hydrologic Setting ................................................................................................................................1

Methods ..........................................................................................................................................................3

Site Selection.........................................................................................................................................3

Sampling and Analytical Methods.....................................................................................................3

Sampling Methods.......................................................................................................................6

Analytical Methods .....................................................................................................................6

Quality Assurance........................................................................................................................7

Ground-Water Quality ...................................................................................................................................7

Physical Properties...............................................................................................................................7

Inorganic Constituents.........................................................................................................................7

Nutrients...............................................................................................................................................14

Metals and Radionuclides.................................................................................................................14

Pesticides ............................................................................................................................................17

Volatile Organic Compounds and Phenolic Compounds..............................................................17

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

Summary........................................................................................................................................................20

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................21
iv

Conversion Factors, Abbreviations, and Datum

Multiply By To obtain

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

foot (ft) 0.3148 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

square miles (mi2) 2.589 square kilometers (km2)

inch per year (in/yr) 2.54 centimeters per year (cm/yr)

gallons per minute (gal/min) 3.785 liters per minute (L/min)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (oC) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (oF) as follows:

oF = (1.8 × oC) + 32

Other abbreviations used in this report

micrometers (μm)

micrograms per liter (μg/L)

microseimens per centimeter at 25° Celsius (μS/cm)

milligrams per liter (mg/L)

picoCuries per liter (pCi/L)

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

8. Concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phenolic compounds 

in ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004 ..............................19

9. Concentrations of bacteria in ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, 

New York, 2004......................................................................................................................................19
Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, 

New York, 2004

Elizabeth A. Nystrom

Abstract

Water samples were collected from 11 production wells 

and 11 private domestic wells in the Lake Champlain basin in 

New York during the fall of 2004 to characterize the chemical 

quality of ground water. Wells were selected for sampling 

based on location and focused on areas of greatest groundwater use. Samples were analyzed for 216 physical properties 

and constituents, including inorganic compounds, nutrients, 

metals, radionuclides, pesticides and pesticide degradates, 

volatile organic compounds, and bacteria.

Sixty-eight constituents were detected at concentrations 

above laboratory reporting levels. The cation and anion with 

the highest median concentration were calcium (34.8 mg/L) 

and bicarbonate (134 mg/L), respectively. The predominant 

nutrient was nitrate, which was detected in 14 (64 percent) 

of the 22 samples. The two metals with the highest median 

concentrations were iron (175 μg/L) and strontium (124 μg/L); 

concentrations of iron, manganese, aluminum, and zinc 

exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency secondary 

drinking-water standards in one or more samples. Radon 

concentrations were less than 1,000 picocuries per liter 

(pCi/L) in most samples, but concentrations as high as 

6,930 pCi/L were detected and, in eight samples, exceeded 

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed 

maximum contaminant level (300 pCi/L) for radon. The most 

frequently detected pesticides were degradates of the broadleaf 

herbicides metolachlor, alachlor, and atrazine. Volatile organic 

compounds were detected in only three samples; those that 

were detected typically were fuel oxygenates, such as methyl 

tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Coliform bacteria were detected in 

four samples, two of which also tested positive for Escherichia 

coli. 

Introduction

The Federal Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 

require that States monitor and report biennially on the 

chemical quality of surface water and ground water within 

their boundaries (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

1997. Section 305(b)). In 2002, the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the New York State 

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) 

and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 

developed a continuing program to evaluate ground-water 

quality throughout selected river basins in New York State. 

This program parallels the NYSDEC Rotating Intensive 

Basin Study program, which evaluates surface-water quality 

in two or three of the State’s 14 river basins per year. The 

first basin in which ground-water quality was studied in 

compliance with Section 305(b) was the Mohawk River basin 

in 2002; the second was the Chemung River basin in 2003 

(Hetcher-Aguila, 2005). The third basin to be studied was 

the Lake Champlain basin, the subject of this report. The 

Lake Champlain basin lies partly in New York, Vermont, and 

Quebec, Canada; but this study addressed only the part of the 

basin that lies in New York (fig. 1). Twenty-two samples were 

collected in the basin during fall of 2004. 

Purpose and Scope

This report (1) describes the methods of site selection, 

sample collection, and chemical analysis, and (2) discusses the 

results by category–physical properties, inorganic constituents, 

nutrients, metals and radionuclides, pesticides, volatile organic 

compounds, and bacteria. Results are presented in tables. 

Hydrologic Setting

The Lake Champlain basin encompasses 8,250 mi2, 

mostly along the boundary between northeastern New York 

and western Vermont (fig. 1) (Seaber and others, 1987). 

About 37 percent (3,050 mi2) of the basin lies in New York, 

56 percent (4,600 mi2) in Vermont, and 7 percent (600 mi2) 

is in Canada (New York State Department of Environmental 

Conservation, 1996). The main hydrologic feature of the basin 

is Lake Champlain, which has an area of 490 mi2 (Butch and 

others, 2004).

The Lake Champlain basin in New York contains two 

principal physiographic regions—the Champlain Valley 

lowlands in the east and north, and the Adirondack Mountains 
Figure 1. Location and major features of the Lake Champlain basin in New York.

Location Map

New York

Lake Champlain basin Study Area boundary

!

Whitehall

Mount Marcy

Glens Falls

Plattsburgh

Lake Placid

Bolton Landing

ESSEX

FRANKLIN

HAMILTON

CLINTON

WARREN

WASHINGTON

SARATOGA

FULTON

ST LAWRENCE

74°30' 74° 73°30' 73°

43°30'

44°

44°30'

45° Quebec

New York

Lake Champlai

n

Adirondack Park

Vermont

0 5 10 20 30 Miles

0 5 10 20 30 Kilometers

Figure 1. Location and major features of the Lake Champlain basin in New York.

Base from National Hydrography Dataset, 1999, 1:100,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 18

EXPLANATION

Basin Boundary

River

   Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
in the west; these regions can be generally identified by 

elevation (fig. 2). The Champlain Valley extends about 

120 mi along the lake and is generally narrow throughout 

(at some points only 12 mi wide) whereas the lowlands 

extend across the entire northern end of the basin. Altitudes 

in the valley typically range from 100 to 500 ft (Giese and 

Hobba, 1970). The valley is underlain by shale, limestone, 

dolomite, and sandstone of late Cambrian to late Ordovician 

age (Ellis and others, 1977). The Adirondack Mountain part 

of the basin, in contrast, has a maximum elevation of 5,344 ft 

along the western boundary of the basin at Mount Marcy, the 

highest point in the State (fig.1), and is underlain by mostly 

crystalline metamorphic rock of Precambrian age such as 

granitic gneiss, metanorthosite, and olivine metagabbro 

(Isachsen and others, 2000). 

Surficial deposits throughout the basin are the result of 

the Wisconsin glaciation, which covered most of New York 

State during the Pleistocene epoch. Till is present throughout 

the basin; thicker, stratified deposits of silt and clay, sand, and 

sand and gravel are found in the valleys (Giese and Hobba, 

1970). The surficial deposits in the Adirondack Mountains 

typically are coarser than those in the Champlain Valley 

lowlands (Isachsen and others, 2000). 

The two physiographic regions also differ in climate 

and precipitation—precipitation in the warmer Champlain 

Valley lowlands averages about 35 in/yr, and that in the 

cooler Adirondack Mountains averages about 45 in/yr (Giese 

and Hobba, 1970). Land use throughout the basin varies, 

from sparsely populated, forested areas in New York State’s 

Adirondack Park (fig.1) to agricultural areas in the Champlain 

Valley lowlands and northern part of the basin, and small 

towns along the lake and in southern parts of the basin. The 

largest population centers in the basin are Plattsburgh and 

Glens Falls (fig. 1). 

Additional information on the Lake Champlain basin, 

including hydrology, surface-water quality, population, and 

land use, is available in the publications of the NYSDEC 

Rotating Intensive Basin program (New York State 

Department of Environmental Conservation, 1996) and from 

the Lake Champlain Basin Program (www.lcbp.org). 

Methods 

The following sections describe the well-selection 

criteria, sampling procedures, and analytical methods. Watersample collection and processing was conducted in accordance 

with standard USGS procedures (U.S. Geological Survey, 

variously dated). 

Site Selection

Well selection was based on location, with emphasis 

on areas of greatest ground-water use; availability of 

hydrogeologic information about the well; and whether 

the well was finished in sand and gravel or bedrock. The 

22 domestic and production wells selected for sampling 

represented forested, rural, residential, urban, and agricultural 

areas. Locations of the wells are shown in figure 2, and the 

predominant land use surrounding each is listed in table 1. 

The project did not target specific municipalities, industries, or 

agricultural practices. 

The 11 domestic wells were selected based on 

information from the NYSDEC Water Well program, which 

began in 2000 and requires that licensed well drillers file a 

report with NYSDEC containing basic information about each 

well drilled—such as well and casing depth and diameter, 

yield, and hydrogeologic log. Inspection of well-completion 

reports indicated 100 to 120 wells as potential sampling 

locations. The well owners were sent a letter that included a 

request for permission to sample the well, and a questionnaire 

asking the location of the well, the most convenient times for 

sampling, and other well-related information. Well owners 

who gave permission were contacted later by phone to clarify 

well information and arrange a sampling time. 

The 11 production wells were identified through the New 

York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Public Water 

Supply databases and the USGS Ground-Water Site Inventory 

(GWSI). Town officials and (or) water managers were sent 

letters and questionnaires similar to those sent to residentialwell owners. Follow-up phone calls were used in a manner 

similar to that used for residential wells. Well information 

such as well depth and bedrock lithology was provided by 

water managers; in addition, hydrogeologic logs were obtained 

for six of the production wells sampled. 

Two of the 11 domestic wells were screened in sand 

and gravel, and 9 were finished in bedrock. Eight of the 11 

production wells were screened in sand and gravel and 3 were 

finished in bedrock. Characteristics of the wells are listed in 

table 1. The sand and gravel wells ranged from 34 to 140 ft 

deep; the bedrock wells ranged from 120 to 705 ft deep and 

typically were finished in fractured granitic gneiss, sandstone, 

or shale.

Sampling and Analytical Methods

Ground-water samples from the 22 wells were collected 

and processed by standard USGS methods (U.S. Geological 

Survey, variously dated). Samples were analyzed for 216 

physical properties and constituents, including inorganic 

constituents, nutrients, metals, radionuclides, pesticides and 

their degradates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 

bacteria. Physical properties such as water temperature, pH, 

and specific conductance were measured at the sampling 

site. The chemical analyses were done at four laboratories, 

including the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory 

(NWQL) in Denver, Colo., the USGS Organic Geochemistry 

Research Laboratory (OGRL) in Lawrence, Kans., the Darrin 

Methods 
Figure 2. Topography and locations of wells sampled in the Lake Champlain basin in New York. Well information is in table 1.

ESSEX

FRANKLIN

HAMILTON

CLINTON

WARREN

WASHINGTON SARATOGA

FULTON

ST LAWRENCE

74°30' 74° 73°30' 73°

43°30'

44°

44°30'

45°

Quebec

New York

Lake Champlai

n

Adirondack Park

Vermont

Adirondack Mountains

F58

W534

F654

F533

EX67

WR956

WR702

WR481

WR202

W1684

EX590

EX535

EX331

EX156

EX155

EX153

EX151

CL928

CL655

CL321

CL316

CL149

Location Map

New York

Lake Champlain basin Study Area boundary

0 5 10 20 30 Miles

0 5 10 20 30 Kilometers

Base from National Elevation datset, 2005, 1 arc-second resolution

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 18

EXPLANATION

Wells sampled

Well finished in bedrock

Well finished in sand and gravel

Elevation (feet)

High : 5,344

Low : 0

Champlain Valley lowlands

Basin Boundary

EX535

CL928

   Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
Table 1. Information on wells from which ground-water samples were collected in the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[Dash (--) indicates unknown depth. Well locations are shown in figure 2]

Well number1 Date sampled Well type Location Aquifer

Depth (feet 

below land 

surface)

Predominant land use 

within 0.5 mile of well

CL 149 9/14/2004 production Champlain Valley bedrock (sandstone) 140 residential, forested

CL 316 9/14/2004 domestic Champlain Valley bedrock (sandstone) 180 residential, agricultural

CL 321 11/1/2004 domestic Champlain Valley sand & gravel 80 agricultural

CL 655 9/20/2004 domestic Champlain Valley sand & gravel 70 residential, agricultural

CL 928 10/19/2004 domestic Champlain Valley bedrock (shale) 575 residential, agricultural

EX 67 11/3/2004 production Adirondack Mts. bedrock (crystalline) 148 forested, residential

EX 151 9/27/2004 production Adirondack Mts. sand & gravel 80 forested

EX 153 8/25/2004 production Champlain Valley sand & gravel 34 mixed

EX 155 9/21/2004 production Adirondack Mts. sand & gravel -- forested

EX 156 10/18/2004 production Adirondack Mts. sand & gravel 80 forested, residential

EX 331 8/31/2004 domestic Adirondack Mts. bedrock (crystalline) 305 forested

EX 535 9/22/2004 production Champlain Valley sand & gravel 128 residential

EX 590 10/13/2004 production Adirondack Mts. sand & gravel 56 forested

F 58 9/29/2004 production Adirondack Mts. sand & gravel 42 forested, airport

F 533 8/30/2004 domestic Adirondack Mts. bedrock (shale) 185 forested

F 654 8/30/2004 domestic Adirondack Mts. bedrock (crystalline) 503 forested

W 534 9/28/2004 production Champlain Valley sand & gravel 140 forested

W 1684 8/25/2004 domestic Champlain Valley bedrock (shale) 705 residential

WR 202 10/12/2004 production Champlain Valley bedrock (crystalline) 263 residential

WR 481 12/1/2004 domestic Adirondack Mts. bedrock (crystalline) 617 forested, residential

WR 702 9/13/2004 domestic Adirondack Mts. bedrock (sandstone) 350 forested, residential

WR 956 9/13/2004 domestic Champlain Valley bedrock (sandstone 

& limestone)

120 dense residential

1

 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; F, Franklin County; W, Washington County; WR, Warren County. Number is local well-identification number 

assigned by U.S. Geological Survey.

Methods    
Fresh Water Institute in Bolton Landing, N.Y., and the Severn 

Trent Laboratories in Newburgh, N.Y.

Sampling Methods

The 22 wells were sampled from August through 

December 2004. Water samples from domestic wells were 

collected from a tap between the well and pressure tank, 

where possible, and before any water-treatment system so 

that they would be most representative of the water quality of 

the aquifer. Most production wells were sampled at a valve or 

a faucet used for collection of raw-water samples by watermanagers. 

One or two wells were sampled per day. An initial 

examination of the well plumbing was made, after which a 

10-foot length of Teflon tubing was attached to the spigot, 

and the well was allowed to run to waste for at least 20 

minutes to purge the well and pressure tank (if necessary) and 

rinse the tubing. The pumps in most of the production wells 

had been running for more than 1 hour before arrival at the 

site, typically at pumping rates on the order of 100 gal/min. 

Domestic wells were purged at pumping rates on the order 

of 5 gal/min; recent usage was taken into account in the 

purging. Notes about the well and the area surrounding 

the well (including land use) were taken at this time and 

a global positioning system (GPS) reading of latitude and 

longitude was made. While the well pump was running, water 

was directed from the Teflon tubing into the flow-through 

chamber that contained a combination meter with temperature, 

pH, specific conductance, and dissolved-oxygen probes at 

approximately 2 to 3 gal/min. The combination-meter readings 

were allowed to equilibrate while other sampling equipment 

was assembled and organized. Once the values of temperature, 

pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen concentration, and 

dissolved oxygen saturation had stabilized, the values were 

recorded.

The Teflon sampling tube was then disconnected 

from the combination meter and connected to a sampling 

chamber constructed of a PVC frame and a clear plastic bag. 

The flow volume was adjusted, typically to approximately 

1 to 2 gal/min. The sampling chamber was placed on a plasticbox table with a built-in drain. The Teflon tubing and spigotattachment equipment were cleaned in the laboratory before 

each day of sampling with a dilute Liquinox solution followed 

by tap-water and deionized-water rinse, and were cleaned in 

the same manner in the field between sampling sites. A fresh 

sampling-chamber bag was used at each site. Samples were 

collected and preserved in the sampling chamber according to 

standard USGS sampling methods (U.S. Geological Survey, 

variously dated). Sample bottles for nutrient, major-ion, and 

some trace-element analyses were filled with water filtered 

through disposable 0.45-μm pore-size cellulose ester cartridge 

filters that were pre-cleaned in the laboratory with deionized 

water the day of sample collection. Acid preservation was 

required for trace-metals, VOCs, and major ion analyses. Acid 

preservation was done only after collection of other samples 

to avoid the possibility of cross contamination by the acid 

preservative; for example, samples preserved with nitric acid 

were collected and preserved after the collection of samples 

for nutrient analysis. Water samples that were analyzed by 

non-USGS laboratories were collected in bottles provided by 

the analyzing laboratory. Samples for radon analysis were 

collected through a septum chamber with a glass syringe 

according to standard USGS procedures (U.S. Geological 

Survey, variously dated). 

Samples for bacteriological analysis were collected 

in sterile containers provided by the NYSDOH-certified 

analyzing laboratory. These samples were collected directly 

from the spigot where possible; otherwise (such as if the 

spigot was too close to the floor to permit sampling), the 

sample was collected from the Teflon line after collection of 

the other samples was completed. 

Most sampling sites had easy access to a spigot, but 

three production wells (CL 149, EX 151, and EX 590, 

fig. 2) did not have spigot-type attachments; therefore, the 

sample was obtained from a hydrant like device. Physical 

properties were measured with the combination meter in 

a bucket after flow adjustment to avoid air entrainment; 

however, air entrainment could not be avoided at EX 151, and 

therefore, dissolved oxygen concentration was not recorded 

at this site. The syringe for radon-222 sample collection at 

these sites was inserted directly into the flowing water in 

the throat of the hydrant to minimize sample exposure to 

the atmosphere. In addition, a domestic well (WR 702) did 

not have a sampling spigot between the well and pressure 

tank; therefore, the sample was collected from just after 

the pressure tank. Another domestic well (F 654) had 

anomalously high initial bacterial count. The initial bacterial 

count for the water sample from well F 654 was unusually 

high; therefore, the well was resampled.

All samples except those for radiological analysis 

were chilled to less than 4 oC after collection. Samples for 

bacterial analysis were hand delivered to a NYSDOH-certified 

laboratory in Bolton Landing, N.Y. (fig. 1), within 6 hours 

of collection; the remainder of the samples were transported 

to the USGS office in Troy, N.Y. for overnight shipping to 

the designated laboratories. Samples for pesticide analysis 

were filtered with a 0.7-μm pore size glass-fiber filter in 

the laboratory at the USGS office in Troy. Filter plates and 

ceramic-piston pumps were pre-cleaned with a dilute Liquinox 

soap solution followed by tap- and deionized-water rinses, 

finally followed by a methanol rinse. 

Analytical Methods

Most analyses were done at the USGS NWQL in 

Denver, Colo.; other analyses were done at the USGS 

OGRL in Lawrence, Kans. and NYSDOH-certified 

laboratories. Nutrient analyses were done by colorimetry, 

as described by Fishman (1993) and by Kjeldahl digestion 

with photometric finish, as described by Patton and Truitt 

 Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
(2000). Anion concentrations were determined by ionexchange chromatography, and cation analyses were done 

through inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission 

spectrometry (ICP-AES), as described in Fishman (1993). 

Trace-element analyses were done through ICP-AES as 

described in Struzeski and others (1996), and through 

inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry 

and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, as 

described by Garbarino and Struzeski (1998). In-bottle 

digestions for trace-element analyses were done as described 

by Hoffman and others (1996). Mercury analysis was done 

through cold vapor–atomic fluorescence spectrometry 

according to methods described by Garbarino and Damrau 

(2001). VOC analyses were done by gas chromatography/

mass spectrometry through methods described by Connor 

and others (1998). Radon-222 was measured through liquidscintillation counting.

Samples for pesticide analyses were processed as 

described by Shelton (1994). Pesticide and pesticidedegradate analyses were done at the NWQL through gas 

chromatography-mass spectrometry as described by Zaugg 

and others (1995), Sandstrom and others (2001), and 

Furlong and others (2001). Acetamide parent compounds 

and degradation-product analyses were done by liquid 

chromatography-mass spectrometry at the USGS OGRL 

according to methods described by Lee and others (2001) and 

Ferrer and others (1997). 

Bacteriological analyses were completed at a NYSDOHcertified laboratory within the Lake Champlain basin. The 

samples were collected and processed in accordance with 

NYSDEC and NYSDOH protocols, except that the tap from 

which the water sample was collected was not flame sterilized. 

Samples were tested for total and fecal coliform through 

Standard Methods 9222 B and D (American Public Health 

Association, 1998). Where total coliform was detected, a 

Lauryl Tryptose/Brilliant Green test (SM 9222 B) was used 

to confirm the presence of total coliform, and a MUG test 

(SM 9222 G) was used to check for Escherichia coli (E. coli). 

A heterotrophic plate count test (SM 9215 B) also was 

conducted. 

Total organic carbon and total phenols analyses were 

done by a NYSDOH-certified laboratory. Total organic 

carbon analyses were done through method SM18 5310 C 

(American Public Health Association, 1998), and total phenols 

analyses were done by method LAC 10-210-00-1-A, which 

is equivalent to EPA method 420.1 (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 1983).

Quality Assurance

One ambient field blank sample and 1 concurrentreplicate sample were collected for quality assurance in 

addition to the 22 ground-water samples. Sample containers 

for the blank sample were filled in the field with nitrogenpurged VOC/pesticide-grade universal blank water supplied by 

the USGS NWQL. Sample bottles for raw-water constituents 

were filled directly from the blank-water bottles; water for 

filtered-water constituents was pumped through pre-cleaned 

filters. Samples were acidified in the same manner as 

environmental samples. The blank contained no constituent 

concentrations above the laboratory reporting levels. The 

percent-concentration differences from the concurrentreplicate sample were less than 5 percent for 19 of the 29 

constituents detected in the replicate sample. The largest 

percent differences between concentration in the ground-water 

sample and the replicate sample were in acid-neutralizing 

capacity, alkalinity, residue on evaporation, and five low 

concentration metals (concentrations near or below the 

reporting level for the compounds). 

Ground-Water Quality

The 22 ground-water samples and 2 quality-assurance 

samples were analyzed for 216 different properties and 

constituents. More than half (148) of the compounds were 

not detected in any sample (table 2). Concentrations of some 

constituents exceeded maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) 

or secondary drinking-water standards set by USEPA (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 2003) or NYSDOH (New 

York State Department of Health, 1998), as noted in the 

following sections.

Physical Properties

The physical properties of the ground-water samples 

are listed in table 3. Sample color ranged from less than 1 

to 25 platinum-cobalt units; the color of samples from three 

wells equaled or exceeded the USEPA secondary standard 

of 15 platinum-cobalt units. The median dissolved oxygen 

concentration was 1.6 mg/L, or about 14 percent of saturation. 

Samples from all but two of the wells were within the USEPA 

secondary drinking-water standards pH range of 6.5 to 8.5. 

Specific conductance ranged from 71 to 1,090 μS/cm in the 

field and from 73 to 1,350 μS/cm at the laboratory. Water 

temperature ranged from 6.8 to 12.5 oC. 

Inorganic Constituents

Acid-neutralizing capacity of unfiltered samples ranged 

from 33 to 244 mg/L as calcium carbonate (table 4). Acidneutralizing capacity of filtered samples (alkalinity) ranged 

from 34 to 274 mg/L as calcium carbonate. Noncarbonate 

hardness ranged from 1 to 100 mg/L as calcium carbonate. 

Hardness ranged from 29 to 380 mg/L as calcium carbonate. 

Alkalinity was lowest in samples from wells finished in 

or underlain by crystalline bedrock and highest in those 

finished in or underlain by carbonate bedrock, as indicated 

in the alkalinity table on p. 14. Alkalinity in the Adirondack 

Ground-Water Quality 
Table 2. Compounds for which ground-water samples collected from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, were analyzed but not 

detected and their analytical detection limits.

[WY, water year, the 12-month period from October 1 through September 30 of the following year]

NWIS 

 code1 Compound

Laboratory reporting level2

(micrograms per liter execpt as noted)

WY 2004 WY 2005 Oct 18-19, 2005

Nutrients (milligrams per liter as Nitrogen)

00613 Nitrite 0.008 0.008 0.008

Metals

01012 Beryllium .06 .06 .06

71900 Mercury .02 .01 .01

01077 Silver .16 .16 .16

01059 Thallium .2 .2 .2

Pesticides

04040 2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine .006 .006 .006

50470 2,4-D methyl ester .009 .016 .016

38746 2,4-DB .02 .02 .02

82660 2,6-Diethylaniline .006 .006 .006

62850 2-[(2-Ethyl-6-methylphenyl)amino]-2-oxoethanesulfonic acid .02 .02 .02

49308 3-Hydroxy carbofuran .006 .008 .008

50295 3-Ketocarbofuran .01 .02 .02

61029 Acetochlor ethanesulfonic acid .02 .02 .02

61030 Acetochlor oxanilic acid .02 .02 .02

62847 Acetochlor sulfynilacetic acid .02 .02 .02

49260 Acetochlor .006 .006 .006

49315 Acifluorfen .007 .028 .028

62848 Alachlor sulfynilacetic acid .02 .02 .02

46342 Alachlor .004 .004 .005

49313 Aldicarb sulfone .02 .02 .02

49314 Aldicarb sulfoxide .008 .022 .022

49312 Aldicarb .04 .04 .04

34253 alpha-HCH .005 .005 .005

39632 Atrazine .007 .007 .007

82686 Azinphos-methyl .050 .050 .050

50299 Bendiocarb .03 .02 .02

82673 Benfluralin .010 .010 .010

50300 Benomyl .004 .022 .022

61693 Bensulfuron .02 .02 .02

38711 Bentazon .01 .01 .01

04029 Bromacil .03 .02 .02

49311 Bromoxynil .02 .03 .03

04028 Butylate .002 .002 .004

82680 Carbaryl .041 .041 .041

49309 Carbofuran .020 .020 .020

61188 Chloramben methyl ester .02 .02 .02

50306 Chlorimuron .010 .032 .032

49306 Chlorothalonil .04 .04 .04

38933 Chlorpyrifos .005 .005 .005

82687 cis-Permethrin .006 .006 .006

49305 Clopyralid .01 .02 .02

   Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
Table 2. Compounds for which ground-water samples collected from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, were analyzed but not 

detected and their analytical detection limits.—Continued

NWIS 

 code1 Compound

Laboratory reporting level2

(micrograms per liter execpt as noted)

WY 2004 WY 2005 Oct 18-19, 2005

Pesticides—Continued

04041 Cyanazine 0.018 0.018 0.018

04031 Cycloate .01 .01 .01

49304 Dacthal monoacid .01 .03 .03

82682 DCPA .003 .003 .003

62170 Desulfinyl fipronil .004 .004 .012

39572 Diazinon .005 .005 .005

38442 Dicamba .01 .04 .04

49302 Dichlorprop .01 .03 .03

39381 Dieldrin .005 .005 .009

61951 Dimethenamid ethanesulfonic acid .02 .02 .02

62482 Dimethenamid oxanilic acid .02 .02 .02

61588 Dimethenamid .02 .02 .02

49301 Dinoseb .01 .04 .04

04033 Diphenamid .03 .01 .01

82677 Disulfoton .02 .02 .02

49300 Diuron .01 .01 .01

82668 EPTC .002 .002 .004

82663 Ethalfluralin .009 .009 .009

82672 Ethoprop .005 .005 .005

49297 Fenuron .03 .02 .02

62169 Desulfinylfipronil amide .009 .009 .029

62166 Fipronil .005 .005 .013

62167 Fipronil sulfide .005 .005 .024

62168 Fipronil sulfone .007 .007 .016

62481 Flufenacet .02 .02 .02

61952 Flufenacet ethanesulfonic acid .02 .02 .02

62483 Flufenacet oxanilic acid .02 .02 .02

61694 Flumetsulam .01 .04 .04

38811 Fluometuron .03 .02 .02

04095 Fonofos .003 .003 .003

50407 Imazethapyr .02 .04 .04

39341 Lindane .004 .004 .004

38478 Linuron .035 .035 .035

39532 Malathion .027 .027 .027

38482 MCPA .02 .03 .03

38487 MCPB .01 .01 .01

38501 Methiocarb .008 .010 .010

49296 Methomyl .004 .020 .020

82667 Methyl parathion .006 .006 .015

39415 Metolachlor .013 .013 .006

82630 Metribuzin .006 .006 .006

61697 Metsulfuron .03 .03 .03

82671 Molinate .002 .002 .003

61692 N-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N’-methylurea .02 .04 .04

Ground-Water Quality   
NWIS 

 code1 Compound

Laboratory reporting level2

(micrograms per liter execpt as noted)

WY 2004 WY 2005 Oct 18-19, 2005

Pesticides—Continued

82684 Napropamide 0.007 0.007 0.007

49294 Neburon .01 .01 .01

50364 Nicosulfuron .01 .04 .04

49293 Norflurazon .02 .02 .02

49292 Oryzalin .02 .01 .01

38866 Oxamyl .01 .03 .03

34653 p,p’-DDE .003 .003 .003

39542 Parathion .010 .010 .010

82669 Pebulate .004 .004 .004

82683 Pendimethalin .022 .022 .022

82664 Phorate .011 .011 .011

49291 Picloram .02 .03 .03

04037 Prometon .01 .01 .01

82676 Propyzamide .004 .004 .004

04024 Propachlor .05 .05 .05

62766 Propachlor ethanesulfonic acid .02 .02 .02

62767 Propachlor oxanilic acid .010 .010 .025

82679 Propanil .011 .011 .011

82685 Propargite .02 .02 .02

49236 Propham .010 .030 .030

50471 Propiconazole .02 .01 .01

38538 Propoxur .008 .008 .008

38548 Siduron .02 .02 .02

04035 Simazine .005 .005 .005

50337 Sulfometuron .009 .038 .038

82670 Tebuthiuron .02 .02 .02

82665 Terbacil .034 .034 .034

82675 Terbufos .02 .02 .02

82681 Thiobencarb .005 .005 .010

82678 Triallate .002 .002 .006

49235 Triclopyr .02 .03 .03

82661 Trifluralin .009 .009 .009

Volatile Organic Compounds

34506 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 0.1 0.1 0.1

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

34496 1,1-Dichloroethane .1 .1 .1

34501 1,1-Dichloroethene .1 .1 .1

34536 1,2-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1 .1

32103 1,2-Dichloroethane .2 .2 .2

34541 1,2-Dichloropropane .1 .1 .1

34566 1,3-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1 .1

34571 1,4-Dichlorobenzene .1 .1 .1

34030 Benzene .1 .1 .1

32101 Bromodichloromethane .1 .1 .1

Table 2. Compounds for which ground-water samples collected from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, were analyzed but not 

detected and their analytical detection limits.—Continued

10 Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
NWIS 

 code1 Compound

Laboratory reporting level2

(micrograms per liter execpt as noted)

WY 2004 WY 2005 Oct 18-19, 2005

Volatile Organic Compounds—Continued

34301 Chlorobenzene 0.1 0.1 0.1

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

32105 Dibromochloromethane .2 .2 .2

34668 Dichlorodifluoromethane .2 .2 .2

34423 Dichloromethane .2 .2 .2

81576 Diethyl ether .2 .2 .2

81577 Diisopropyl ether .2 .2 .2

34371 Ethylbenzene .1 .1 .1

50005 Methyl tert-pentyl ether .2 .2 .2

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

77135 o-Xylene .1 .1 .1

77128 Styrene .1 .1 .1

34475 Tetrachloroethene .1 .1 .1

32102 Tetrachloromethane .2 .2 .2

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

32104 Tribromomethane .2 .2 .2

39180 Trichloroethene .1 .1 .1

34488 Trichlorofluoromethane .2 .2 .2

32106 Trichloromethane .1 .1 .1

39175 Vinyl chloride .2 .2 .2

1

USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code.

2

Laboratory reporting levels are reevaluated annually based on quality-assurance data, and may vary daily based on laboratory instrument operating conditions 

(Childress and others, 1999).

Table 2. Compounds for which ground-water samples collected from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, were analyzed but not 

detected and their analytical detection limits.—Continued

Ground-Water Quality 11
Table 3. Physical properties of ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[Pt-Co, platinum-cobalt; 00080, USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; mg/L, milligrams per liter; 

μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; <, less than; --, no data; Well locations are shown in table 1]

Sample1

Color, 

filtered, 

Pt-Co units

(00080)

Dissolved 

oxygen, 

mg/L

(00300)

pH, 

unfiltered, 

field, 

standard units

(00400)

Specific 

conductance, 

unfiltered, field, 

μS/cm

(00095)

Temperature, 

degrees Celsius

(00010)

CL 149 15 1.0 7.4 1090 9.0 

CL 316 5 3.5 6.6 345 8.7 

CL 321 2 .0 7.2 677 9.4 

CL 655 8 .0 7.1 325 9.4 

CL 928 <1 -- 7.4 273 10.0 

EX 67 <1 .1 7.9 167 9.0 

EX 151 5 -- 8.2 112 7.8 

EX 153 2 10.3 7.4 382 9.2 

EX 155 2 4.0 6.6 112 6.8 

EX 156 <1 1.2 7.0 98 8.0 

EX 331 2 .1 8.2 188 10.0 

EX 535 18 .0 7.3 478 9.8 

EX 590 2 2.1 6.3 149 9.2 

F 58 5 6.8 8.4 99 9.8 

F 533 5 .1 7.6 140 8.9 

F 654 25 4.6 8.6 88 9.8 

W 534 2 5.3 7.2 453 9.0 

W 1684 5 .5 7.7 495 11.1 

WR 202 2 1.1 7.8 259 11.0 

WR 481 -- 2.9 6.6 237 9.3 

WR 702 8 9.8 7.9 71 12.5 

WR 956 8 2.4 7.7 366 11.7 

1

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

12 Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
Table 4. Concentrations of inorganic constituents in ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[ANC, acid-neutralizing capacity; mg/L, milligrams per liter; 90410, USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; 

°C, degrees Celsius; <, less than; --, not analyzed]

Sample1

ANC, 

unfiltered, fixed 

end point, lab, 

mg/L as CaCO3

(90410)

Alkalinity, 

filtered, fixed 

end point, lab, 

mg/L as CaCO3

(29801)

Hardness, 

mg/L as CaCO3

(00900)

Noncarbonate 

hardness, 

mg/L as CaCO3

(00905)

Calcium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00915)

Magnesium, filtered, 

mg/L

(00925)

Potassium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00935)

CL 149 244 253 310 59 65.8 35.8 9.25 

CL 316 111 111 140 26 40.5 8.66 2.83 

CL 321 209 274 380 100 111 23.9 1.45 

CL 655 168 167 190 18 37.7 22.1 1.96 

CL 928 226 209 240 35 54.3 26.4 1.59 

EX 67 90 89 120 30 32.0 9.47 .59 

EX 151 50 49 50 1 14.8 3.25 .22 

EX 153 165 165 200 31 52.5 15.7 .87 

EX 155 34 34 50 16 14.5 3.33 .47 

EX 156 36 36 75 38 23.1 4.15 .29 

EX 331 94 94 82 -- 26.4 3.78 .69 

EX 535 179 235 290 56 66.6 30.2 .86 

EX 590 47 48 63 15 18.7 3.90 .87 

F 58 47 47 46 -- 13.9 2.78 .50 

F 533 64 65 58 -- 16.2 4.19 .32 

F 654 33 34 33 -- 12.2 .635 .17 

W 534 146 210 250 39 67.5 19.6 .97 

W 1684 121 156 180 20 52.6 10.7 2.64 

WR 202 108 109 100 -- 28.9 7.74 1.24 

WR 481 117 124 150 23 47.2 6.93 1.80 

WR 702 35 35 29 -- 8.51 1.88 .69 

WR 956 110 152 180 24 45.4 15.2 .77 

Sample

Sodium, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00930)

Bicarbonate2, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(29805)

Chloride,

 filtered, 

mg/L

(00940)

Fluoride, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00950)

Silica, 

filtered,

mg/L

(00955)

Sulfate, 

filtered, 

mg/L

(00945)

Residue on 

evaporation at 180°C, 

filtered, mg/L

(70300)

CL 149 127 309 189 <.2 9.19 97.6 703 

CL 316 13 135 26.5 <.2 11.8 14.2 194 

CL 321 9.59 334 25.9 .1 19.7 68.4 426 

CL 655 5.43 204 -- <.2 15.7 -- 190 

CL 928 30.6 255 6.54 .2 14.1 59.4 332 

EX 67 8.43 109 19.3 <.1 20.3 10.4 159 

EX 151 2.46 60 .89 <.2 17.8 7.2 83 

EX 153 7.11 201 14.6 <.2 8.24 17.0 212 

EX 155 2.74 41 8.29 <.2 22.1 7.3 82 

EX 156 7.38 44 32.7 <.1 17.3 6.6 121 

EX 331 8.87 115 2.23 <.2 19.9 1.5 114 

EX 535 3.87 287 .76 <.2 18.0 30.7 289 

EX 590 5.06 59 11.4 <.1 18.0 6.9 101 

F 58 2.03 57 .28 .2 18.7 5.3 73 

F 533 6.92 79 .47 .9 13.6 4.8 83 

F 654 4.62 41 1.01 <.2 12.7 6.7 65 

W 534 3.05 256 4.67 <.2 12.3 31.5 264 

W 1684 27.3 190 39.8 <.2 13.5 18.5 258 

WR 202 15.3 133 11.1 .4 14.8 11.6 151 

WR 481 9.2 151 29.6 .2 12.2 10.3 208 

WR 702 2.75 43 .67 <.2 18.2 .8 61 

WR 956 8.08 185 16.0 <.2 14.9 18.1 216 

1

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

2

 Bicarbonate values calculated from alkalinity.

Ground-Water Quality 13
Mountain part of the basin was lower than in the Champlain 

Valley lowlands. Water hardness and acid-neutralizing 

capacity showed similar lithographic and geographic patterns.

Alkalinity as CaCO3 in mg/L

Crystalline Silicate 

Sedimentary Carbonate

Minimum 34 35 152

Median 48 156 188

Maximum 124 253 274

The two cations with the highest median concentrations 

were calcium (34.8 mg/L) and sodium (7.2 mg/L) (table 4); 

these cations also had the highest measured concentrations, 

111 mg/L and 127 mg/L, respectively. The anion with the 

highest median concentration was bicarbonate (134 mg/L); 

median chloride and sulfate concentrations (11.1 mg/L 

and 10.4 mg/L, respectively) were much lower. No ion 

concentrations exceeded established MCLs. 

Concentrations of calcium and magnesium were higher 

in samples from wells finished in, or underlain by, carbonate 

bedrock (median concentrations 56.4 mg/L and 20.8 mg/L, 

respectively) than crystalline bedrock (median concentrations 

18.7 mg/L and 3.9 mg/L); sulfate concentrations were higher 

in samples from wells finished in or underlain by sedimentary 

bedrock (median concentration 18.1 mg/L) than crystalline 

bedrock (7.2 mg/L). The Champlain Valley lowlands tended to 

have higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium, 

sodium, and sulfate than the upland (Adirondack Mountain) 

part of the basin, as shown below.

Median ion concentrations by region in mg/L

Adirondack 

Mountains Champlain Valley

Calcium 16.2 52.6

Magnesium 3.78 19.6

Potassium .50 1.45

Sodium 5.06 9.59

Sulfate 6.7 18.5

Concentrations of silica ranged from 8.24 mg/L 

to 22.1 mg/L with a median of 15.3 mg/L, and median 

concentrations were slightly higher in the Adirondack 

Mountain portion of the basin (18 mg/L) than in the 

Champlain Valley (14.1 mg/L). Residue on evaporation at 

180 °C ranged from 61 mg/L to 703 mg/L and was higher 

in the Champlain Valley lowlands (median concentration 

258 mg/L) than in the Adirondack Mountains (median 

concentration 53 mg/L).

Nutrients

Ammonia plus organic nitrogen (N) was detected in 36 

percent (eight) of the samples; the maximum concentration 

was 0.2 mg/L as N (table 5). Ammonia plus organic 

nitrogen was detected in 70 percent of samples (7 of 10) 

from agricultural areas and 8 percent of samples (1 of 12) 

from non-agricultural areas. The predominant nutrient was 

nitrate; nitrate was detected in 64 percent of the samples (14). 

Concentrations of nitrate ranged from < 0.06 to 2.3 mg/L as N; 

all were well below the MCL of 10 mg/L and generally within 

the range considered to be naturally occurring (Madison and 

Brunett, 1985; Mueller and Helsel, 1996). Nitrate was detected 

in 40 percent of samples (4 of 10) from agricultural areas 

and in 83 percent of samples (10 of 12) from nonagricultural 

areas; the highest concentrations of nitrate were in samples 

from bedrock wells. Nitrite was not detected above the 

minimum reporting limit of 0.008 mg/L in any sample. Total 

organic carbon was detected in 50 percent of samples (11) and 

concentrations ranged from less than 1 mg/L to 2.18 mg/L. 

Metals and Radionuclides

The metals with the highest concentrations were iron 

and strontium; their median concentrations were 175 μg/L 

and 124 μg/L, respectively (table 6). The two metals with 

the highest single concentrations were zinc (10,800 μg/L) 

and strontium (3,230 μg/L). Concentrations of most metals 

were higher in samples from wells finished in bedrock 

than in samples from wells finished in sand and gravel. 

Concentrations of chromium and zinc were highest in wells 

finished in crystalline bedrock. Concentrations of lithium and 

strontium were highest in wells finished in shale.

Concentrations of several metals exceeded secondary 

drinking-water standards. Concentrations of iron in unfiltered 

water equaled or exceeded the secondary standard of 300 μg/L 

in 9 of 22 samples and were as high as 1,820 μg/L; those 

concentrations in filtered water exceeded the secondary 

standard in 5 of 22 samples. Concentrations of manganese in 

filtered and unfiltered water exceeded the secondary standard 

of 50 μg/L in three samples, and exceeded 170 μg/L in one 

sample. Concentrations of aluminum exceeded the secondary 

standard (50 to 200 μg/L) in two samples, and zinc exceeded 

the secondary standard (5,000 μg/L) in one sample. 

The concentration of zinc in one sample was unusually 

high—10,800 μg/L. This value was 2.5 to 3 orders of 

magnitude greater than the concentrations of zinc in the 

other samples and much higher than any expected natural 

zinc concentrations (Hem, 1985). The sample was collected 

through the house plumbing, and the concentrations were 

measured in unfiltered samples, thus including any particulates 

in the sample. Therefore, the high zinc concentration probably 

reflects the plumbing associated with the well, and not 

ambient ground-water conditions.

 Concentrations of radon-222 ranged from 40 to 

6,930 pCi/L. Nineteen (86 percent) of the samples had 

radon concentrations less than 1,000 pCi/L, and twelve had 

concentrations less than 250 pCi/L. USEPA does not currently 

regulate radon in drinking water, but has proposed an MCL of 

300 pCi/L and an Alternative MCL (AMCL) of 4,000 pCi/L 

14 Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
Table 5. Concentrations of nutrients in ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; N, Nitrogen; 00623, USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; P, Phosphorus; <, less than; 

E, estimated value]

Sample1

Ammonia + organicN, filtered, mg/L as N

(00623)

Ammonia, filtered, 

mg/L as N

(00608)

Nitrite + nitrate, 

filtered, mg/L as N

(00631)

Orthophosphate, 

filtered, mg/L as P

(00671)

Organic carbon, 

unfiltered, mg/L

(00680)

CL 149 0.12 0.07 <0.06 <0.02 2.01 

CL 316 E.07 <.04 2.30 E.01 2.18 

CL 321 E.06 E.04 <.06 <.02 1.35 

CL 655 <.10 <.04 <.06 <.02 1.22 

CL 928 E.06 E.03 <.06 <.02 <1.00 

EX 67 <.10 <.04 2.20 <.02 <1.00 

EX 151 <.10 <.04 .08 .03 1.09 

EX 153 <.10 <.04 .43 <.02 <1.00 

EX 155 <.10 <.04 .06 <.02 1.35 

EX 156 <.10 <.04 .27 <.02 <1.00 

EX 331 .20 .19 <.06 .05 <1.00 

EX 535 <.10 <.04 <.06 <.02 E1.42 

EX 590 <.10 <.04 1.14 <.02 <1.00 

F 58 <.10 <.04 .06 .03 <1.00 

F 533 <.10 <.04 .14 .03 <1.00 

F 654 <.10 <.04 .66 .06 <1.00 

W 534 <.10 <.04 .55 <.02 1.21 

W 1684 .18 .15 <.06 <.02 1.17 

WR 202 <.10 <.04 <.06 <.02 <1.00 

WR 481 E.07 <.04 1.42 <.02 1.85 

WR 702 <.10 <.04 .13 .14 <1.00 

WR 956 E.07 <.04 .12 <.02 1.14 

1

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

Ground-Water Quality 15
Table 6. Concentrations of metals and radon-222 in ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[All values are in micrograms per liter except Rn-222 (radon-222) in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Rec., recoverable; 00105, USGS National Water Information 

System (NWIS) parameter code. E, estimated value; <, less than]

Sample1

Aluminum, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01105)

Antimony, 

unfiltered

(01097)

Arsenic, 

unfiltered

(01002)

Barium, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01007)

Boron, 

filtered, 

(01020)

Cadmium, 

unfiltered

(01027)

Chromium, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01034)

Cobalt, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01037)

Copper, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01042)

Iron, 

filtered

(01046)

Iron, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01045)

CL 149 E2 <0.2 <2 66 115 E0.02 <0.8 0.397 1.4 543 540 

CL 316 E2 <.2 <2 154 25 <.04 <.8 .497 11.2 E5 130 

CL 321 <2 <.2 <2 219 9.2 <.04 <.8 .496 2.9 1,890 1,820 

CL 655 37 <.2 <2 27 22 <.04 1.0 .242 2.3 305 390 

CL 928 E1 <.2 <2 50 71 <.04 <.8 .248 1.2 1,500 1,460 

EX 67 2 <.2 <2 3 12 <.04 3.6 .183 1.7 <6 70 

EX 151 52 <.2 E1 1 E4.3 <.04 1.1 .090 3.0 <6 50 

EX 153 <2 <.2 <8 11 E5.4 <.04 <3.2 .227 31.0 <6 <9.0 

EX 155 <2 <.2 <2 2 8.5 <.04 E.4 .047 2.5 7 40 

EX 156 2 <.2 <2 3 E6.5 <.04 <.8 .096 .8 E4 10 

EX 331 5 <.2 <2 19 79 <.04 <.8 .110 1.0 37 270 

EX 535 2 <.2 <2 12 E4.4 <.04 <.8 .312 1.5 662 620 

EX 590 <2 <.2 <2 3 11 <.04 <.8 .122 1.3 7 10 

F 58 5 <.2 <2 2 10 <.04 E.8 .051 .9 <6 10 

F 533 E1 <.2 <2 M 21 <.04 <.8 .080 .8 8 220 

F 654 8 <.2 <2 M 15 <.04 1.1 .111 2.9 130 940 

W 534 <2 <.2 <2 15 E6.6 <.04 <.8 .249 1.6 <6 <9.0 

W 1684 180 E.1 3 136 52 <.04 <.8 .350 1.7 E6 1,000 

WR 202 E1 <.2 <2 16 52 <.04 <.8 .142 .7 <6 20 

WR 481 E2 <.2 <2 9 E6.4 .05 1.6 .345 82.2 11 20 

WR 702 41 <.2 <2 12 E4.0 <.04 1.3 .077 2.9 37 300 

WR 956 12 <.2 <2 6 19 <.04 E.6 .247 5.0 <6 310 

Sample 

Lead, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01051)

Lithium, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01132)

Manganese, 

filtered

(01056)

Manganese, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01055)

Molybdenum, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01062)

Nickel, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01067)

Selenium, 

unfiltered

(01147)

Strontium, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01082)

Zinc, 

unfiltered, 

Rec.

(01092)

Rn-222, 

unfiltered, 

pCi/L

(82303)

Uranium, 

natural, 

unfiltered

(28011)

 CL 149 <0.06 12.5 172 176 4.1 2.09 E0.3 1,090 <2 230 0.309 

 CL 316 1.49 1.1 7.8 7.6 .9 1.10 E.3 184 6 6,930 4.91 

 CL 321 .07 4.4 59.0 57.9 1.1 .77 <.4 953 E1 130 .253 

 CL 655 3.80 1.0 19.9 19.2 .9 1.35 E.3 167 E1 240 .501 

 CL 928 .09 8.2 24.0 22.9 2.5 .99 E.3 508 E1 40 .217 

 EX 67 .59 .9 <.6 E.6 E.1 2.34 <.4 79.2 2 120 .090 

 EX 151 1.53 <.6 E.8 1.8 .2 .23 <.4 51.3 4 260 .092 

 EX 153 1.67 1.1 <.8 <1.2 .7 2.88 .5 205 6 300 .351 

 EX 155 .62 <.6 <.8 <1.2 <.2 .23 <.4 49.0 10 100 .018 

 EX 156 2.00 <.6 E.5 2.3 <.2 .47 .5 59.5 5 80 .023 

 EX 331 .11 .7 13.2 14.5 1.3 .84 E.3 124 <2 180 .130 

 EX 535 .16 .9 16.9 16.1 1.7 .76 <.4 125 <2 160 .531 

 EX 590 .28 E.5 E.6 <.6 <.2 .41 E.3 65.7 31 280 .018 

 F 58 .07 E.5 <.8 E.9 .5 E.13 <.4 40.3 <2 190 .164 

 F 533 .43 3.1 1.5 3.2 5.3 .49 .4 32.2 <2 740 .512 

 F 654 .38 <.6 7.8 12.2 E.2 .78 .4 57.6 65 190 .066 

 W 534 .09 1.2 9.5 15.3 .3 .63 <.4 280 E1 400 .512 

 W 1684 2.40 38.1 124 136 1.8 1.59 E.2 3,230 E1 890 .119 

 WR 202 .08 7.1 1.7 1.3 1.8 .50 .5 174 <2 220 1.11 

 WR 481 6.43 1.4 8.0 7 .5 .94 .5 115 10,800 1,150 1.45 

 WR 702 .28 E.5 12.9 16.3 1.1 .21 <.4 41.1 E1 2,290 .044 

 WR 956 1.58 1.2 14.0 18.6 1.4 .73 <.4 240 <2 890 .329 

1

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

16  Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999). The AMCL 

would be in effect in states that have established Multimedia 

Mitigation (MMM) programs to address radon in indoor air. 

Eight samples had concentrations that exceeded the proposed 

MCL for radon; the concentration in one of these samples also 

exceeded the proposed AMCL of 4,000 pCi/L. The highest 

concentrations of radon-222 were in samples from wells 

finished in sandstone bedrock.

Pesticides 

Thirteen pesticides and their degradates were detected 

in the ground water samples (table 7). Most were degradates 

(also referred to as metabolites or transformation products) 

of herbicides such as metolachlor, alachlor, and atrazine, that 

are used to control broadleaf weeds. Two other herbicides 

(2,4-D and imazaquin) were detected, and two insecticides 

(carbaryl and imidacloprid) were detected. The only fungicide 

detected was metalaxyl. All of the pesticide detections were 

at concentrations of 0.2 μg/L or less, except 2-hydroxy-4-

isopropylamino-6-ethylamino-s-triazine (OIET), detected in 

one sample slightly above 1 μg/L. Pesticides were detected in 

samples from seven wells, two of which were finished in sand 

and gravel and five of which were finished in bedrock; two of 

the seven wells were production wells. At least one pesticide 

was detected in each of the five wells sampled in Clinton 

County; all of those wells are in areas with at least some 

agriculture within 1 mi of the well and are in the Champlain 

Valley. Caffeine, which was included in the pesticide analysis, 

was detected in samples from two sites in concentrations of 

hundredths of a microgram per liter. 

Volatile Organic Compounds and Phenolic 

Compounds

VOCs were detected in three of the samples (table 8). 

Toluene was detected in one sample at a concentration of 

0.1 μg/L; the MCL for toluene is 1,000 μg/L. Toluene is a 

solvent and is used in the manufacture of chemicals; it is also 

used as a fuel oxygenate. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was 

detected in two samples at a concentration of 0.7 μg/L, and 

ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) was detected in one of those 

samples at a concentration of 0.5 μg/L. MTBE and ETBE are 

fuel oxygenates that are added to gasoline to increase octane 

rating. MTBE and ETBE do not have established MCLs, but 

the USEPA has suggested a limit of 20 to 40 μg/L for MTBE 

on the basis of taste and odor.

Total phenolic compounds were detected in four 

samples. Concentrations ranged from 0.006 to 0.027 mg/L, 

but the quality-assurance blank sample had a concentration 

of 0.010 mg/L; therefore, the results for those four samples 

should be interpreted with caution.

Bacteria

All 22 samples were tested for total coliform, 20 

of which also were tested for fecal coliform (table 9). If 

either was detected, the sample was tested for E. coli. A 

heterotrophic plate count test was also performed. Four of the 

22 samples tested positive for total coliform; the maximum 

concentration was 11 colonies per 100 mL of sample. Two 

of the four samples that tested positive for total coliform also 

tested positive for E. coli. Any positive result is considered 

to be above the MCL for total coliform and E. coli. All four 

samples that tested positive for total coliform were from 

domestic wells, three of which were in mainly residential or 

agricultural areas. The owners of the wells were notified of 

the results upon receipt from the laboratory. Fecal coliform 

was not detected (< 1 colony-forming unit per 100 mL of 

sample) in any of the 20 samples tested. Bacterial colonies 

formed in 14 of the 22 heterotrophic plate count tests, and 

the counts ranged 1 to 103 colonies per 1 mL of sample. The 

samples with the highest number of colonies per 1 mL were 

those from domestic wells (maximum 103 colonies per 1 

mL). The maximum concentration in production well samples 

was 8 colonies per mL. No samples exceeded the MCL of 

500 colonies per 1 mL.

Ground-Water Quality 17
Table 7. Concentrations of selected pesticides in filtered ground-water samples from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[All values are in micrograms per liter. 39732, USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; CEAT, 2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-amino-striazine; OIET, 2-hydroxy-4-isopropylamino-6-ethylamino-s-triazine; SA, secondary amide; ESA, ethanesulfonic acid; OA, oxanilic acid; E, estimated value; 

<, less than]

 Sample1 2,4-D

(39732) 

CEAT

(04038)

OIET

(50355)

Alachlor SA

(62849)

Alachlor ESA

(50009)

Alachlor OA

(61031)

Caffeine

(50305)

CL 149 <0.02 <0.01 <0.008 0.03 0.17 <0.02 <0.010 

CL 316 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

CL 321 <.04 <.08 <.032 <.02 <.02 .02 <.018 

CL 655 .08 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 E.041 

CL 928 <.04 <.08 <.032 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.018 

EX 67 <.04 E.04 1.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.018 

EX 151 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

EX 153 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

EX 155 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

EX 156 <.04 <.08 <.032 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.018 

EX 331 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

EX 535 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

EX 590 <.04 <.08 <.032 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.018 

F 58 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

F 533 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

F 654 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

W 534 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

W 1684 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

WR 202 <.04 <.08 <.032 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.018 

WR 481 <.04 <.08 <.032 <.02 <.02 <.02 E.008 

WR 702 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

WR 956 <.02 <.01 <.008 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.010 

 Sample Carbaryl

(49310)

Chlorodiaminos-triazine

(04039)

Imazaquin

(50356)

Imidacloprid

(61695)

Metalaxyl

(50359)

Metolachlor 

ESA

(61043)

Metolachlor 

OA

(61044)

CL 149 <0.03 <0.04 <0.02 <0.007 <0.02 0.08 0.09 

CL 316 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 .03 <.02 

CL 321 <.02 <.04 <.04 <.020 <.01 <.02 <.02 

CL 655 .03 <.04 E.02 .166 E.01 <.02 <.02 

CL 928 <.02 <.04 <.04 <.020 <.01 .03 <.02 

EX 67 <.02 E.14 <.04 <.020 <.01 <.02 <.02 

EX 151 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

EX 153 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

EX 155 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

EX 156 <.02 <.04 <.04 <.020 <.01 <.02 <.02 

EX 331 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

EX 535 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

EX 590 <.02 <.04 <.04 <.020 <.01 <.02 <.02 

F 58 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

F 533 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

F 654 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

W 534 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

W 1684 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

WR 202 <.02 <.04 <.04 <.020 <.01 <.02 <.02 

WR 481 <.02 <.04 <.04 .022 <.01 <.02 <.02 

WR 702 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

WR 956 <.03 <.04 <.02 <.007 <.02 <.02 <.02 

1

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

18 Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
Table 9. Concentrations of bacteria in ground-water samples 

from the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[31684, USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) parameter code; 

<, less than; mL, milliliters; --, not analyzed]

Sample1

Escherichia 

coli (E. coli)

(positive or 

negative)2

(31684)

Heterotrophic 

bacteria 

(colonies 

per mL)

(78943)

Total 

coliform 

(colonies 

per 100 mL)

(31501)

Fecal 

Coliform 

(colonies 

per 100 mL)

(31616)

CL 149 -- 3 < 1 < 1

CL 316 -- 4 < 1 < 1

CL 321 negative 2 11 < 1

CL 655 negative 73 5 < 1

CL 928 -- 58 < 1 < 1

EX 67 -- < 1 < 1 < 1

EX 151 -- < 1 < 1 < 1

EX 153 -- < 1 < 1 --

EX 155 -- 1 < 1 < 1

EX 156 -- 1 < 1 < 1

EX 331 -- < 1 < 1 < 1

EX 535 -- 1 < 1 < 1

EX 590 -- < 1 < 1 < 1

F 58 -- < 1 < 1 < 1

F 533 -- 14 < 1 < 1

F 654 -- < 1 < 1 < 1

W 534 positive 7 4 < 1

W 1684 positive 103 2 --

WR 202 -- < 1 < 1 < 1

WR 481 -- 8 < 1 < 1

WR 702 -- 4 < 1 < 1

WR 956 -- 55 < 1 < 1

1

 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; F, Franklin County; W, 

Washington County; WR, Warren County.

2

 Positive indicates E. coli detected; negative indicates E. coli not detected.

Table 8. Concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds 

(VOCs) and phenolic compounds in ground-water samples from 

the Lake Champlain basin, New York, 2004.

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; 50004, USGS National Water Information 

System (NWIS) parameter code; <, less than]

Sample1

Ethyl 

tert-butyl 

ether, μg/L

(50004)

Methyl 

tert-butyl 

ether, μg/L

(78032)

Toluene, 

μg/L

(34010)

Phenolic 

compounds2, 

μg/L

(32730)

 CL 149 <0.1 0.7 <0.1 0.006 

 CL 316 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 CL 321 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 CL 655 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 CL 928 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 EX 67 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 EX 151 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 EX 153 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.010 

 EX 155 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 EX 156 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 EX 331 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 EX 535 <.1 <.2 <.1 .008 

 EX 590 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 F 58 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 F 533 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 F 654 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 W 534 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 W 1684 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.010 

 WR 202 <.1 <.2 <.1 <.005 

 WR 481 .5 .7 <.1 .027 

 WR 702 <.1 <.2 <.1 .006 

 WR 956 <.1 <.2 .1 <.005 

1

 CL, Clinton County; EX, Essex County; F, Franklin County; W, 

Washington County; WR, Warren County.

2

 Phenolic compounds were detected in the quality-assurance blank sample 

at a concentration of 10 micrograms per liter.

Summary 19
Summary

Water samples were collected from 11 production wells 

and 11 domestic wells during the fall of 2004 for analysis to 

characterize the chemical quality of ground water in the Lake 

Champlain basin in New York State. Samples were analyzed 

for 216 physical properties and constituents, including 

inorganic compounds, nutrients, metals, radionuclides, 

pesticides and pesticide degradates, volatile organic 

compounds, and bacteria. Sixty-nine percent (148) of the 

constituents were not detected in any sample; the other 31 

percent (68 constituents) were detected at concentrations 

above laboratory reporting levels. 

The color of samples from three wells equaled or 

exceeded the USEPA secondary standard of 15 platinumcobalt units. The pH of samples from two wells exceeded 

the range of the USEPA secondary drinking-water standards 

(6.5 to 8.5). Alkalinity and water hardness in the Adirondack 

Mountain part of the basin was lower than in the Champlain 

Valley lowlands. The cation with the highest concentrations 

was calcium; the anion with the highest concentrations was 

bicarbonate. No cation or anion concentrations exceeded 

MCLs. The predominant nutrient was nitrate, but no samples 

exceeded the 10 mg/L MCL. The metals with the highest 

concentrations were iron and strontium. Concentrations of 

several metals exceeded secondary drinking-water standards, 

including iron (300 μg/L or greater in samples from 9 of 

the 22 wells), manganese (50 μg/L or greater at 3 wells), 

aluminum (50 to 200 μg/L and greater at 2 wells), and zinc 

(5,000 μg/L or greater at 1 well). Concentrations of radon-222 

ranged from 40 to 6,930 pCi/L; samples from eight wells had 

concentrations that exceeded the proposed MCL for radon 

(300 pCi/L). Thirteen pesticides and their degradates were 

detected in the samples; most were degradates of broadleaf 

herbicides such as metolachlor, alachlor, and atrazine. Three 

VOCs were detected—toluene, methyl tert-butyl ether 

(MTBE), and ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE); all of which are 

used as gasoline additives. None of the pesticides or VOCs 

detected exceeded established MCLs. Samples from four 

wells tested positive for total coliform; two of these also tested 

positive for E. coli. Any positive sample is considered to be 

above the MCL for total coliform and E. coli. The samples 

with the highest bacterial concentrations in a heterotrophic 

plate count test were from domestic wells; but no sample 

exceeded the MCL of 500 colonies per mL. 

20 Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
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22 Ground-Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004
For additional information write to: 

New York Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey

425 Jordan Road 

Troy, NY 12180

Information requests:

(518) 285-5602

or visit our Web site at:

http://ny.water.usgs.gov
Ground-Water Nystrom Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin, New York, 2004 OFR 2006-1088