iii

CONTENTS

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

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

Objective and scope of work .........................................................................................................................................2

Geologic setting.............................................................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgments .........................................................................................................................................................2

Lithologic coring ....................................................................................................................................................................6

Lithology of the hoverprobe sites..................................................................................................................................6

Lithology of the monitor well sites................................................................................................................................8

New York Avenue bridge well site .......................................................................................................................9

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens well site..................................................................................................................9

Anacostia Park well site......................................................................................................................................11

Summary and conclusions....................................................................................................................................................11

References cited ...................................................................................................................................................................12

Appendix 1: Lithologic logs from hoverprobe and well sites near the Anacostia River, Washington, D.C., July 2002....13

Figures

1a. Map showing location of the Anacostia River watershed and the lower Anacostia tidal watershed

study area in Washington, D.C.............................................................................................................................3

1b. Map showing detailed view of the Anacostia River watershed, the lower Anacostia tidal

watershed study area in Washington, D.C., and location of monitor wells and hoverprobe boring sites............4

2. Geologic map of Coastal Plain deposits in the lower Anacostia tidal watershed study area, Washington, D.C......5

3. Conceptualization of stratigraphic relations in the Anacostia River valley, Washington, D.C................................6

4. Map showing location of monitor wells, hoverprobe boring sites, and trace of lithologic section A–A′

along the Anacostia River, Washington, D.C., July 2002...................................................................................7

5. Photograph showing U.S. Geological Survey hoverprobe and support craft on a tidal flat in the

Anacostia River north of Benning Road, Washington, D.C., July 2, 2002.........................................................8

6. Photograph showing example of lithologic core collected from hoverprobe boring site DCHP01 on a

tidal flat in the Anacostia River north of Benning Road, Washington, D.C., July 2, 2002 ................................9

7. Lithologic section A–A′ along the Anacostia River, Washington, D.C. ................................................................10

Conversion Factors and Vertical Datum

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Multiply By To obtain

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vertical datum: In this report, “sea level” refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929—a geodetic datum 

derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of the United States and Canada, formerly called 

Sea Level Datum of 1929.
Abstract 1

Lithologic Coring in the Lower Anacostia Tidal Watershed, 

Washington, D.C., July 2002

By Frederick J. Tenbus

Abstract

Little is known about the volumetric flux of ground water to the lower tidal Anacostia River, 

or whether ground-water flow is an important component of the contaminant load in this part of 

the Anacostia River. The watershed is in the eastern part of Washington, D.C., and has been 

subjected to over 200 years of urbanization and modifications of the river channel and nearby 

land areas. These anthropogenic factors, along with tidal fluctuations in the river, make groundwater data collection and interpretations difficult.

The U.S. Geological Survey is cooperating with the District of Columbia Department of 

Health, Environmental Health Administration, Bureau of Environmental Quality, Water Quality 

Division, in a study to assess nonpoint-source pollution from ground water into the lower tidal 

Anacostia River. Lithologic cores from drilling activities conducted during July 2002 in the 

study area have been interpreted in the context of geologic and hydrogeologic information from 

previous studies in the lower Anacostia tidal watershed. These interpretations can help achieve 

the overall project goals of characterizing ground-water flow and contaminant load in the study 

area.

Hydrostratigraphic units encountered during drilling generally consisted of late Pleistocene to 

Holocene fluvial deposits overlying Cretaceous fluvial/deltaic deposits. Cores collected in 

Beaverdam Creek and the Anacostia River indicated high- and low-energy environments of 

deposition, respectively. Two cores collected near the river showed different types of 

anthropogenic fill underlain by low-energy deposits, which were in turn underlain by sand and 

gravel. A third core collected near the river consisted primarily of sand and gravel with no 

artificial fill.
2 Lithologic Coring in the Lower Anacostia Tidal Watershed, Washington, D.C., July 2002

Introduction

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is cooperating 

with the District of Columbia Department of Health, 

Environmental Health Administration, Bureau of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division (DC DOH), in a 

study to assess nonpoint-source pollution from ground water 

into the lower tidal Anacostia River. The study area is 

within Washington, D.C. in the lower Anacostia tidal watershed adjacent to and in the channel of the Anacostia River 

(figs. 1a and 1b). Little is known about the volumetric flux 

of ground water to the lower tidal Anacostia River, or 

whether the ground water represents a contaminant source to 

the river. Assessing the ground-water flux and possible contaminant sources is difficult for several reasons. First, the 

river within the study area is subject to tidal fluctuations of 

2 to 3 feet, which makes measuring discharge to the river 

problematic. Second, because of the urban nature of the 

study site, access to potential drill sites is difficult, which 

means that data-collection possibilities are limited. Finally, 

the study area has been altered by over 200 years of anthropogenic modifications such as dredging, filling, and urbanization, resulting in hydrogeologic characteristics that are 

spatially variable in ways that are difficult to predict. Information obtained from USGS fieldwork during summer 2002 

(Miller and Klohe, 2003), along with interpretations of available subsurface data from this study and from other sources, 

can provide insight for ground-water investigations in the 

lower tidal Anacostia River.

Objective and Scope of Work

The objective of this report is to present the results of the 

lithologic coring and well installation in the lower Anacostia 

tidal watershed in July 2002 within the context of the geologic and hydrogeologic framework of the area. A USGS 

drilling team collected geologic cores during the drilling of 

five monitor wells at three locations (near the New York 

Avenue bridge, in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and in 

Anacostia Park). In addition, the USGS collected cores 

at two sites within the Anacostia river channel (north of 

Benning Road) and Beaverdam Creek (about 150 feet above 

its confluence with the Anacostia River) using the USGS 

hoverprobe, which consists of a vibracore drill rig mounted 

on a hovercraft (Phelan, Senus, and Olsen, 2001).

Geologic Setting

Washington, D.C. is situated on both sides of the 

Fall Line, which is the boundary between two physiographic 

provinces—the Piedmont, which is west of the Fall Line, and 

the Coastal Plain, east of the Fall Line (figs. 1a and b). In 

the study area, the Piedmont consists of deeply weathered 

metamorphic and igneous rocks dipping to the southeast at 

about 125 feet per mile (Darton, 1950), overlapped by an 

eastward thickening wedge of unconsolidated Coastal Plain 

sediment (Johnston, 1964). The lower Anacostia tidal 

watershed is in the eastern part of Washington, D.C. and in 

Prince Georges County, Maryland, entirely within the 

Coastal Plain (figs. 1a and 1b). 

The Coastal Plain consists of layers of sedimentary 

deposits in this area, ranging in age from Cretaceous to 

Recent (Cooke, 1952). Surficial deposits near the 

Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. (fig. 2) consist primarily of the Arundel Clay and Patapsco Formation of the 

upper Potomac Group (primarily Cretaceous nonmarine clay 

with sandy clay and sand), Pleistocene terrace gravels,

Pleistocene and Holocene alluvium, and artificial fill derived 

from local deposits or dredge spoils (Johnston, 1964; 

Froelich and Hack, 1976). A conceptualization of the stratigraphic relations of these units in the lower tidal Anacostia 

River valley is shown in figure 3.

Descriptions of the unconsolidated geologic units in 

Washington, D.C. are available in Darton (1950), Cooke 

(1952), Johnston (1964), Froelich and Hack (1976), 

Fleming, Drake, and McCartan (1994), Davis and others 

(2001), and other published and unpublished sources (such 

as CH2M HILL, 2002). The Arundel Clay generally consists of dark gray massive clay that is overlain by the 

Patapsco Formation’s massive maroon clay and sand and 

clay of various colors (Johnston, 1964). In the area adjacent 

to the Anacostia River, these units are unconformably overlain by Pleistocene channel-flood plain fluvial deposits 

consisting of gravel, sand, and silt, along with Holocene 

alluvium and artificial fill (Johnston, 1964).

A complicating factor in the geologic setting of the study 

area is that for the past 200 or more years, the river has been 

subjected to major sedimentation as the watershed changed 

from forest to agriculture to urban and suburban land uses 

(Williams, 1977). In addition, various dredging and filling 

activities have altered the natural morphology of the channel 

and the adjacent areas. The sediment deposited during 

urbanization probably was deposited in a fining-upward 

sequence, which resulted in much of the modern river channel being filled with soft organic silt and clay (Hill and 

McLaren, 2000), underlain by coarser-grained sediment. 

Much of the fill material in areas adjacent to the Anacostia 

River probably came from dredge spoil, most of which is 

fine-grained. The source of the fill material in many areas is 

not known with certainty, however, so particle size can be 

variable, consisting of clay-sized particles to boulders, along 

with manmade materials such as brick, concrete, and glass.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank several people who 

contributed to this report. Michael Herder, a contractor for 

the USGS, was the driller and hoverprobe operator. Daniel 

Phelan of USGS coordinated and led the drilling and hoverprobe efforts, served as the driller’s helper, and described 

the lithologic cores with the author. David Powars (USGS), 

Earl Greene (USGS), and Diane Douglas of the DC DOH 

provided technical reviews of the report. In addition, 

David Powars reviewed the lithologic core descriptions 

by comparing the descriptions to the original cores. Timothy 

Auer (USGS) did the illustrations in the report, and Valerie 

Gaine (USGS) did an editorial review.
Introduction 3
4 Lithologic Coring in the Lower Anacostia Tidal Watershed, Washington, D.C., July 2002
Introduction 5
6 Lithologic Coring in the Lower Anacostia Tidal Watershed, Washington, D.C., July 2002

Lithologic Coring

As part of the current study, lithologic cores were collected from three locations near the Anacostia River and two 

within the Anacostia River and the mouth of Beaverdam 

Creek (fig. 4). Cores at the three locations near the river 

were collected with a truck-mounted drill rig that had vibracore and augering capabilities. Cores at the two withinchannel sites were collected using the USGS hoverprobe 

(fig. 5), which consists of a vibracore drill rig mounted on a 

hovercraft (Phelan, Senus, and Olsen, 2001). 

At each site, lithologic samples were collected in 5-footlong core barrels. Core barrels were advanced one at a time, 

the depth to the top of the core in the drill string was measured with a weighted tape, and the amount of recovery in 

each core was calculated before advancing the next core 

barrel. Core barrels were advanced without retrieval until it 

was determined that the percentage of core recovery was too 

small. When this happened, all of the core barrels were 

pulled out of the hole, and the core in each of the barrels was 

vibrated out into plastic trays for logging and archiving. 

The coring process was then repeated until refusal, which 

generally occurred about 30 to 40 feet below land surface. 

Monitor wells were installed at the three onshore sites, 

and the target depth was sometimes deeper than could be 

accomplished with the vibracore. In these holes, a solidstem auger was used to attain the desired depth after refusal 

with the vibracore. In some cases, it was possible to obtain 

samples of clay and silt because the material stuck to the 

auger flights; however, the depth of the sample could only be 

estimated. Coarser-grained material (sand and gravel) did 

not stick to the augers and was therefore not sampled. 

Although samples of silt and clay from the auger flights were 

of poorer quality than those from the vibracore, auger sampling provided information about the subsurface that was 

useful to this investigation. The lack of discrete sampling 

by use of this method, however, limits the possible interpretive results. 

Lithologic cores were placed in wax-coated cardboard 

core boxes (fig. 6) and labeled with well or hoverprobe site 

number and depth below land or riverbed surface. Brief 

descriptions of the core material were made onsite. At a 

later date, more detailed descriptions using the Unified Soil 

Classification System (Casagrande, 1948) for grain size and 

Munsell Soil Color Charts (Munsell Color, 1990) for color 

descriptions were made of the boxed cores at the USGS 

office in Baltimore, Maryland. A lithologic section showing 

the relative location of the sediment encountered in each 

borehole is shown in figure 7 (note that lithologic units 

between boreholes were not correlated on the cross section 

because the units are not believed to be continuous at the 

scale shown). The lithologic descriptions are listed in 

Appendix 1.

Lithology of the Hoverprobe Sites

Lithologic cores were obtained from two sites in the 

lower Anacostia tidal watershed using the USGS hoverprobe. One site (DCHP01) was on a tidal flat within the 

Anacostia channel about 1,700 feet north of Benning Road 
Lithologic Coring 7
8 Lithologic Coring in the Lower Anacostia Tidal Watershed, Washington, D.C., July 2002

on the east side of the river (fig. 4). The other site 

(DCHP02) was upstream near the Washington, D.C. boundary, within Beaverdam Creek, about 150 feet from its confluence with the Anacostia River (fig. 4). The lithology at each 

of these sites (Appendix 1) reflects the different depositional 

environments of these parts of the river system.

The surficial sediment on the tidal flat north of Benning 

Road was deposited in a low-energy environment, as indicated by the fine-grained texture. All but 2 of the top 20 feet 

of sediment in the DCHP01 corehole consisted of silt or clay, 

much of it dark gray (fig. 6). The only sandy material in the 

top 20-foot interval was a dark gray fine sand from 5.5 to

7.5 feet below land surface. The color, texture, and stratigraphic position of this unit indicate that it is Holocene alluvium. Between about 20 and 30 feet below land surface, 

mixtures of gravel, sand, silt, sandy clay, and fine sand dominate. The sediment encountered in this 10-foot unit is similar to a sand and gravel unit described in many boreholes at 

the Washington Navy Yard (CH2M HILL, 2002). The bottom of the DCHP01 corehole, which was at 30.5 feet below 

land surface, was in a very stiff clay with red and olive marbling. The clay is consistent with the description of clay in 

the Patapsco Formation and Arundel Clay, which crops out 

on each side of the Anacostia River valley in this area 

(Johnston, 1964).

In contrast to core collected in the tidal flat at hoverprobe 

site DCHP01, the core collected from the mouth of Beaverdam Creek (DCHP02) mainly consisted of gravel and sand. 

This is consistent with findings by Hill and McLaren (2000), 

who report that although most of the bottom sediment in the 

Anacostia River at the Washington, D.C.–Maryland border is 

sandy mud, at the point where Beaverdam Creek enters the 

Anacostia, the bottom sediment is sand and gravel. In Beaverdam Creek, core was collected with the hoverprobe to a 

depth of 27.9 feet below the streambed, and the only finegrained material consisted of two silty clays—one from 3.5 

to 6.8 feet, and another from 8.7 to 9.1 feet below the 

streambed. The rest of the material consisted of gravel and 

sand, which indicates that the material was deposited in a 

moderate- to high-energy environment. In the upper layer 

of gravel and sand (0 to 2.8 feet below the streambed), several glass fragments were found, which appeared to be from 

a windshield. This would indicate that the time of deposition or reworking of the associated sediment was within the 

last 100 years. The deeper sand (from about 13 to 28 feet 

below land surface) was pale and poorly graded, with subrounded grains. This sand probably was deposited in an 

estuarine environment or a stream channel (David Powars, 

U.S. Geological Survey, oral commun., 2002). 

Lithology of the Monitor Well Sites

The three monitor well sites where lithologic cores were 

collected during July 2002 (fig. 4) are on the southwestern 

side of the New York Avenue bridge, in Kenilworth Aquatic 

Gardens, and in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia Park 

Pavilion. The lithology of these sites can be interpreted 

with regard to dredging and filling activities, as well as 
Lithologic Coring 9

natural depositional environments. The lithologic descriptions are listed in Appendix 1.

New York Avenue Bridge Well Site The northernmost 

monitor well site in the study area is at the New York Avenue 

bridge on the western shore of the Anacostia River. This 

site is about 500 feet west-northwest of hoverprobe site 

DCHP02 (fig. 4), at an elevation of about 13 feet above sea 

level. Two monitor wells were installed at this site about

8 feet apart, with screen depths of 15 to 25 feet (well 

DCMW001-02) and 22 to 32 feet below land surface (well 

DCMW004-02). Lithologic samples were collected with 

vibracore (to 32.9 feet below land surface) and augering 

methods (a single sample from about 60 to 62 feet below 

land surface).

The recent depositional history of this site can be 

inferred from available maps and literature. In the mid1700s, a port north of the current Washington, D.C. boundary reportedly had water depths of 40 feet (Port Towns 

Community Development Corporation, [n.d.]). Williams 

(1977) states that the Anacostia was navigable north of the 

Washington, D.C. boundary by cargo ships until at least 

1800, and that heavy sedimentation coincided with increased 

agriculture and development in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

An early topographic map (U.S. Geological Survey, 1904) 

shows a wetland on the western shore of the Anacostia River 

on the northeastern boundary of Washington D.C. at the end 

of the 19th century. Darton (1950, plate 1) shows that the 

wetland still existed in the early to middle part of the 20th

century. By 1965, a topographic map (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 1979) indicates that the New York Avenue bridge 

had been built, and the land surface had been altered by artificial fill in the area of the drill site.

Field observations are consistent with the artificial 

fill and wetland sediment shown on the maps. The shallowest material (from 0 to about 8 feet) is artificial fill. Below 

this interval (from about 8 to18 feet below land surface), 

sediment consists mainly of dark gray clay and silty clay 

(Appendix 1), which might be dredge spoil from the 

Anacostia or low-energy alluvial or wetland deposits. Dark 

silt from about 18 to 23 feet below land surface appears to be 

alluvium deposited in a low-energy environment below 

present-day sea level. The shallow fine-grained deposits at 

this site probably represent either recent alluvium deposited 

from deforestation and urbanization during the 19th and 

20th centuries, or possibly fill from nearby navigational 

dredging during the same time period.

Beneath the silt is a somewhat thicker sequence of 

fining-upward gravel, sand, and silty sand (Appendix 1). 

This coarser-grained sediment was deposited in a higherenergy environment than the overlying silt. Because the 

sediment is below the present-day sea level, it likely represents a fluvial paleochannel deposit from the Pleistocene 

epoch, when sea level was lower than today. The bottom of 

the coarse-grained sediment could not be determined at this 

location because sample recovery was very poor below a 

depth of 33 feet. One sample was collected at the bottom of 

the auger flights from about 60 to 62 feet below land surface. 

This sample consisted of very stiff clay, which is consistent 

with the Patapsco Formation and Arundel Clay of 

Cretaceous age (Johnston, 1964).

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Well Site This site is about 

2,200 feet south-southeast of the New York Avenue bridge 

well site (fig. 4). The drilling site is east of the Kenilworth 

Aquatic Gardens ponds, at an altitude of about 19 feet above 

sea level. Two monitor wells were installed adjacent to one 

another at this site. One well (DCMW002-02) is screened 

from 12.6 to 22.6 feet below land surface, and the other (well 

DCMW003-02) is screened 36.3 to 46.3 feet below land 

surface. Lithologic samples were collected using the vibracore (to 37.2 feet below land surface) and augering methods 

(limited sampling to 57 feet below land surface).

The surficial material at this site is coarse-grained and 

appears to have been deposited naturally. The soil map of 
10 Lithologic Coring in the Lower Anacostia Tidal Watershed, Washington, D.C., July 2002
Summary and Conclusions 11

Washington D.C. shows the drill site on a natural soil 

described as “excessively well drained” (Smith, 1976). The 

surficial sediment at this site represents an outcrop of a 

Pleistocene terrace deposit as mapped by Johnston (1964).

The material encountered during drilling at this site was 

mostly coarse-grained. The top 23 feet of sediment consisted almost entirely of gravel, sand, and gravelly sand, with 

a thin layer or lens of organic silty clay at 19 feet below land 

surface. Silt and clay sediment, most of which was brown, 

dominated the interval from 23 to 37 feet below land surface. 

This sediment was underlain by 10 feet of sandy sediment 

(from 37 to 47 feet below land surface) that is probably a 

Pleistocene fluvial-estuarine deposit. Below this deposit is 

at least 10 feet of silt and clayey silt (from 47 to 57 feet 

below land surface) that may be Cretaceous or Quaternary 

(David Powars, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., 

2003).

Anacostia Park Well Site The southernmost well site 

is in Anacostia Park on the east side of the river near the 

Anacostia Park Pavilion (fig. 4). Much if not all of

Anacostia Park consists of land that was reclaimed by filling 

in wetlands or tidal flats within the former river channel. 

Based on historical maps (U.S. Geological Survey, 1904; 

Darton, 1950), the land was reclaimed during the first half of 

the 20th century. Williams (1977) concurs with this, stating 

that a dredging and reclamation project from the Washington 

Navy Yard northward to the Washington, D.C. boundary 

started in 1912, and continued through the 1940s and 1950s.

The well site is situated on level ground within the 

reclaimed land next to a recreational sports field, a skating 

rink (the Anacostia Park Pavilion), and basketball courts at 

an altitude of about 14 feet above sea level. A single monitor well (DCMW005-02) was installed at this site with a 

screen depth of 38.5 to 48.5 feet below land surface. Lithologic samples were collected with vibracore (to a depth of 

38.5 feet below land surface) and auger methods (limited 

sampling to the bottom of the hole at 57 feet below land surface).

The lithologic material encountered during the drilling 

at this site is consistent with the history of land reclamation 

at Anacostia Park. The first 14.4 feet of sediment encountered was fill material that consisted of dry, stiff clay mixed 

with various stones, brick fragments, and debris. The fill 

material is underlain by fine-grained material (primarily 

inorganic and organic clay and silty clay) to a depth of about 

42 feet below land surface. Beneath that is a sand that continues to the bottom of the hole at 57 feet below land surface.

Johnston (1964) mapped the surficial sediment in much 

of Anacostia Park as an undifferentiated unit consisting of 

Holocene and Pleistocene alluvium. Because the description of this unit (Johnston, 1964) includes areas of artificial 

fill, the description is consistent with observations of the 

material encountered during drilling and coring at the 

Anacostia Park well site. The inorganic and organic clay 

and silty clay encountered between 14.4 and 42 feet below 

land surface may have resulted from natural deposition in 

quiet tidal waters, from anthropogenic fill placement during 

navigational dredging, or from high sedimentation rates during deforestation and urbanization within the watershed. On 

the USGS (1904) topographic map, the area was shown as 

open water, whereas upstream locations were mapped with 

considerable wetlands. The lower part of the clay (from 

about 39 to 42 feet below land surface) is much stiffer than 

the rest, indicating that it is a possible Cretaceous deposit, 

although it is also possible that it may be Pleistocene 

(David Powars, U.S. Geological Survey, oral commun., 

2002). If it is Cretaceous, then the coarser-grained material 

below the depth of 42 feet also would be Cretaceous.

Summary and Conclusions

The U.S. Geological Survey is cooperating with the 

District of Columbia Department of Health, Environmental 

Health Administration, Bureau of Environmental Quality, 

Water Quality Division, in a study to assess nonpoint-source 

pollution from ground water into the lower tidal Anacostia 

River. Lithologic cores from drilling activities conducted in 

July 2002 in the study area have been interpreted in the context of geologic and hydrogeologic information from previous studies in the lower Anacostia tidal watershed. This 

report presents the results of the coring and well installation 

in the lower Anacostia tidal watershed during July 2002 

within the context of the general geologic framework of the 

area.

Lithologic cores were collected with vibracore methods 

during the drilling of five monitor wells at three locations 

(near the New York Avenue bridge, in Kenilworth Aquatic 

Gardens, and in Anacostia Park). In addition, cores were 

collected at two sites within the Anacostia river channel 

(north of Benning Road) and Beaverdam Creek (about 

150 feet above its confluence with the Anacostia River) 

using the U.S. Geological Survey hoverprobe, which consists of a vibracore drill rig mounted on a hovercraft.

The lithology of each of the core sites reflected the 

depositional environment for the sediment, which was determined from geologic literature, historical maps and documents, and examination of the core. For example, most of 

the sediment recovered from the hoverprobe sampling site 

on the tidal flat north of Benning Road was fine-grained, 

dark colored, and appeared typical of the alluvium described 

in previous investigations. This sediment was deposited in a 

low-energy environment. In contrast, sediment from the 

Beaverdam Creek site primarily was coarse-grained and 

indicative of a high-energy depositional environment. At 

the New York Avenue bridge well site, the surficial sediment 

appeared to consist of fill material underlain by dark, silty 

wetland deposits. These deposits were in turn underlain by 

sand and gravel, which was in turn underlain by a very stiff 

clay that appeared to be from the Potomac Group. At Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, much of the sediment was sand and 

gravel, which may have been deposited during the Pleistocene epoch. Some clay units were interbedded with the 
12 Lithologic Coring in the Lower Anacostia Tidal Watershed, Washington, D.C., July 2002

sand and gravel, and the bottom of the hole appeared to be in 

a clay unit. Sediment from the well at Anacostia Park consisted of almost 40 feet of clay and silt, much of which likely 

was deposited in dredging operations and natural channel fill 

(alluvium). This sediment was underlain by coarser-grained 

material (probably sand) to a depth greater than 57 feet 

below land surface.

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Soil Conservation Service, 194 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1904, Washington topographic 

quadrangle, Maryland–District of Columbia–Virginia, 

scale 1:62,500, 1 sheet.

_____ 1979, Washington East topographic quadrangle, 

Washington, D.C.–Maryland, scale 1:24,000, 1 sheet.

Williams, G.P., 1977, Washington, D.C.’s vanishing springs 

and waterways: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 752, 

19 p.
USGS CORING LOG 

Appendix 1. Lithologic logs from hoverprobe and well sites near the Anacostia River, 

Washington D.C., July 2002. 

EXPLANATION 

Gravel. Includes Unified Soil Classification System letter symbols GP (poorly graded gravel), GW 

(well graded gravel), GM (silty gravel), and GC (clayey gravel).

Sand. Includes Unified Soil Classification System letter symbols SP (poorly graded sand), SW (well 

graded sand), SM (silty sand), and SC (clayey sand). 

Silt. Includes Unified Soil Classification System letter symbols ML (inorganic silt, very fine sand, and 

clayey silt) and OL (organic silt and organic clayey silt). 

Clay. Includes Unified Soil Classification System letter symbols CL (inorganic clay, silty clay, and

sandy clay), OH (organic clay).

Fill. Includes material from clay size to boulders, as well as man-made material such as brick,

concrete, and glass. 

The following table can be used to cross reference District of Columbia Department of Health (DC DOH) site

names with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) station names and site identifiers: 

DC DOH USGS USGS Location and relative depth

Site name Station name Site identifier 

DCHP01 WE Ca 30 385406076573401 Anacostia River near Benning Road

DCHP02 WE Cb 7 385500076563401 Beaverdam Creek near mouth

DCMW001-02 WE Bb 3 385504076563801 New York Avenue Bridge (shallow)

DCMW002-02 WE Cb 5 385443076562801 Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (shallow)

DCMW003-02 WE Cb 6 385443076562802 Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (deep)

DCMW004-02 WE Bb 4 385504076563802 New York Avenue Bridge (deep)

DCMW005-02 WE Ca 29 385238076581501 Anacostia Park near Pavilion

13 
USGS CORING LOG 

Total depth 30.5 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Remarks: Site was on a mud flat on the eastern bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., 

north of the Benning bridge. Land-surface elevation was estimated from tide table and visual 

observations at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction or stretching of cores; 

accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 11.8 ft is archived in

core box 1.

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP01 Date described 7/15/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 05.8” / 076o 57’ 34.2” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 2.75 feet (ft) above sea level Interval 0.0 to 5.0 ft

Interval—0.0 to 3.1 ft below land surface. Clayey silt (ML), dark greenish gray 

(5Y 4/1), with thin, nearly black streaks of organic silt (OL) from 0.3 to 1.5 ft. 

Interval—3.1 to 4.0 ft below land surface. Organic silt (OL), very dark gray

(2.5Y 3/0), soft, seems to have a faint organic or petroleum odor. 

Interval—4.0 to 5.3 ft below land surface. Clayey silt (ML), dark gray 

(5Y 4/0). 

0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 

OL 

ML 

ML 

14 
USGS CORING LOG 

15 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP01 Date described 7/15/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 05.8” / 076o 57’ 34.2” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 2.75 ft above sea level Interval 5.0 to 10.0 ft

Total depth 30.5 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Remarks: Site was on a mud flat on the eastern bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., 

north of the Benning bridge. Land-surface elevation was estimated from tide table and visual 

observations at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction or stretching of cores; 

accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 11.8 ft is archived in

core box 1.

(Continued from last page to 5.3 ft below land surface). 

Interval—5.3 to 5.5 ft below land surface. Silt with fine sand (ML), dark gray 

(5Y 4/0). 

Interval—5.5 to 7.5 ft below land surface. Fine sand (SP), dark gray (5Y 5/2), 

some lignite at 7.5 ft. 

Interval—7.5 to 9.5 ft below land surface. Silt to clayey silt (ML), dark gray (5Y 

5/2), slight color change at 8.5 ft to dark gray (5Y 4/1). 

Interval—9.5 to 11.8 ft below land surface. Silty clay (CL), dark gray (5Y 4/0). 

5.0

Depth 

(ft) 

ML 

ML 

SP 

ML 

CL 

10.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0
USGS CORING LOG 

16 

(Continued from last page to 11.8 ft below land surface). 

Interval—11.8 to 12.0 ft below land surface. Sandy clay (SC), same as above

with medium sand. 

Interval—12.0 to 13.5 ft below land surface. Silty clay (CL), gray (5Y 6/0), stiff, 

with a gradual transition to very stiff from 13.0 to 13.5 ft. 

Interval—13.5 to 18.0 ft below land surface. Silty clay (CL), marbled olive and

brown, dry, very stiff, becomes hard clay from 17.9 to 18.0 ft. 

SC 

CL 

CL 

CL 

15.0

14.0

13.0

12.0

11.0

10.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 

Remarks: Site was on a mud flat on the eastern bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., 

north of the Benning bridge. Land-surface elevation was estimated from tide table and visual 

observations at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction or stretching of cores; 

accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 11.8 ft is archived in

core box 1; core from 11.8 to 18.0 ft is in core box 2. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP01 Date described 7/15/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 05.8” / 076o 57’ 34.2” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 2.75 ft above sea level Interval 10.0 to 15.0 ft

Total depth 30.5 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 
USGS CORING LOG 

17 

(Continued from last page to 18.0 ft below land surface). 

Interval—18.0 to 19.8 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), gray (5Y 6/0), medium

stiff. 

Interval—19.8 to 24.5 ft below land surface. (See description next page). 

CL 

CL 

GM 

18.0

19.0

20.0

17.0

16.0

15.0

Graphic 

log 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

Remarks: Site was on a mud flat on the eastern bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., 

north of the Benning bridge. Land-surface elevation was estimated from tide table and visual 

observations at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction or stretching of cores; 

accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from11.8 to 18.0 ft is archived in 

core box 2; core from 18.0 to 27.5 ft is archived in core box 3.

Total depth 30.5 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP01 Date described 7/15/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 05.8” / 076o 57’ 34.2” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 2.75 ft above sea level Interval 15.0 to 20.0 ft
USGS CORING LOG 

18 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP01 Date described 7/15/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 05.8” / 076o 57’ 34.2” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 2.75 ft above sea level Interval 20.0 to 25.0 ft

Total depth 30.5 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Remarks: Site was on a mud flat on the eastern bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., 

north of the Benning bridge. Land-surface elevation was estimated from tide table and visual 

observations at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction or stretching of cores; 

accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 18.0 to 27.5 ft is archived in

core box 3.

(continued from last page to 24.5 ft below land surface). Gravel, sand, and silt 

mixture (GM), variegated color, top is reddish yellow (7.5 YR 6/8), color 

changes to pale olive (5Y 6/3) from 21.0 to 24.5 ft. Contains cobbles as large as 

60 millimeters in diameter. 

Interval—24.5 to 24.8 ft below land surface. Sandy clay (SC), variegated. 

Interval—24.8 to 25.0 ft below land surface. Clay, sand, and gravel mix (GC), 

light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/4), gravel sizes to 25 millimeters.

GM 

SC 

GC 

25.0

24.0

23.0

22.0

21.0

20.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 
USGS CORING LOG 

Remarks: Site was on a mud flat on the eastern bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., 

north of the Benning bridge. Land-surface elevation was estimated from tide table and visual 

observations at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction or stretching of cores; 

accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 18.0 to 27.5 ft is archived in

core box 3; core from 27.5 to 30.5 ft is in core box 4.

Total depth 30.5 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP01 Date described 7/15/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 05.8” / 076o 57’ 34.2” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 2.75 ft above sea level Interval 25.0 to 30.5 ft

Interval—25.0 to 26.5 ft below land surface. Sandy clay (SC), pale olive 

(5Y 6/2). 

Interval—26.5 to 29.5 ft below land surface. Poorly graded fine sand (SP), pale 

olive (5Y 6/2). 

Interval—29.5 to 30.5 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), red and olive marbled,

very stiff. 

BOH at 30.5 ft below land surface. 

CL 

SP 

SC 

30.0

29.0

28.0

27.0

26.0

25.0

Graphic 

log 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

19 
USGS CORING LOG 

Remarks: Site was near the southern bank of the Beaverdam Creek stream channel about 150 ft from

its confluence with the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Land-surface elevation was estimated 

from tide table and depth measurements at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction 

or stretching of cores; accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to

9.1 ft is archived in core box 1.

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP02 Date described 7/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 59.5” / 076o 56’ 34.0” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 0.25 ft below sea level Interval 0.0 to 5.0 ft

Total depth 27.9 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Interval—0.0 to 1.7 ft below land surface. Gravel and sand mixture (GP), light 

yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/3). Sand is coarse, subrounded, with cobbles up to 35

millimeters. Occasional small (~5 millimeters) anthropogenic glass fragments 

noted. 

Interval—1.7 to 2.8 ft below land surface. Gravel, sand, and silt mixture (GM), 

light yellowish brown (2.5Y 5/3), cobbles up to 50 millimeters. Small glass 

fragment near 2.8 ft. 

Interval—2.8 to 3.5 ft below land surface. Fine poorly graded sand (SP), same

color as above (2.5Y 5/3). 

Interval—3.5 to 6.8 ft below land surface. Silty clay (CL), grayish brown 

(2.5Y 5/2), soft. 

SW 

GP

GM 

CL 

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 

20 
USGS CORING LOG 

21 

5.0

Graphic 

log 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

(Continued from last page to 6.8 ft below land surface). 

Interval—6.8 to 8.1 ft below land surface. Fine silty sand (SM), color not 

uniform, generally dark gray to dark olive. Predominantly very dark gray

(5Y 3/0). 

Interval—8.1 to 8.7 ft below land surface. Medium clean sand (SP) with lignite 

chunks (possibly old leafy material), light gray (5Y 7/2). 

Interval—8.7 to 9.1 ft below land surface. Silty clay (CL), very dark gray 

(5Y 3/0), some lignite. 

Interval—9.1 to 12.0 ft below land surface. Gravel-sand mixture (GW), no silt, 

color is variable shades of brown and gray, cobbles up to 50 millimeters. 

CL 

GW

SP 

SM 

CL 

8.0

9.0

10.0

7.0

6.0

Remarks: Site was near the southern bank of the Beaverdam Creek stream channel about 150 ft from

its confluence with the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Land-surface elevation was estimated 

from tide table and depth measurements at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction 

or stretching of cores; accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to

9.1 ft is archived in core box 1; core from 9.1 to 16.5 ft is in core box 2.

Total depth 27.9 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP02 Date described 7/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 59.5” / 076o 56’ 34.0” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 0.25 ft below sea level Interval 5.0 to 10.0 ft
USGS CORING LOG 

22 

(Continued from last page to 12.0 ft below land surface). 

Interval—12.0 to 13.0 ft below land surface. Gravel-sand mixture (GW), same as 

above, red (2.5YR 4/8) mixed with pale yellow (2.5Y 7/4).

Interval—13.0 to 25.2 ft below land surface. Fine poorly graded sand (SP), very

pale brown (10YR 7/3), no clay or silt, subrounded grains, with a thin layer of

fine sand and gravel, red (2.5YR 4/8) from 14.0 to 14.1 ft below land surface. 

10.0

Graphic 

log 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

SP 

GW

GW

12.0

13.0

14.0

15.0

11.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP02 Date described 7/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 59.5” / 076o 56’ 34.0” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 0.25 ft below sea level Interval 10.0 to 15.0 ft

Total depth 27.9 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Remarks: Site was near the southern bank of the Beaverdam Creek stream channel about 150 ft from

its confluence with the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Land-surface elevation was estimated 

from tide table and depth measurements at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction

or stretching of cores; accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 9.1 to

16.5 ft is archived in core box 2.
USGS CORING LOG 

23 

(Continued from last page to 25.2 ft below land surface). 

15.0

16.0

17.0

18.0

19.0

20.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 

SP 

Total depth 27.9 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Remarks: Site was near the southern bank of the Beaverdam Creek stream channel about 150 ft from

its confluence with the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Land-surface elevation was estimated 

from tide table and depth measurements at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction 

or stretching of cores; accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 9.1 to

16.5 ft is archived in core box 2; core from 16.5 to 22.5 ft is in core box 3.

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP02 Date described 7/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 59.5” / 076o 56’ 34.0” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 0.25 ft below sea level Interval 15.0 to 20.0 ft
USGS CORING LOG 

24 

(Continued from last page to 25.2 ft below land surface). 

SP 

25.0

24.0

20.0

21.0

22.0

23.0

Graphic 

log 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP02 Date described 7/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 59.5” / 076o 56’ 34.0” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 0.25 ft below sea level Interval 20.0 to 25.0 ft

Total depth 27.9 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Remarks: Site was near the southern bank of the Beaverdam Creek stream channel about 150 ft from

its confluence with the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Land-surface elevation was estimated 

from tide table and depth measurements at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction

or stretching of cores; accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 16.5

to 22.5 ft is archived in core box 3; core from 22.5 to 27.9 ft is in core box 4.
USGS CORING LOG 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/2/2002 

Site name DCHP02 Date described 7/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 59.5” / 076o 56’ 34.0” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 0.25 ft below sea level Interval 25.0 to 30.5 ft

Total depth 27.9 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore 

Remarks: Site was near the southern bank of the Beaverdam Creek stream channel about 150 ft from

its confluence with the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Land-surface elevation was estimated 

from tide table and depth measurements at the time of drilling. Vibracore method can cause compaction

or stretching of cores; accuracy of depths in the descriptions is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 22.5

to 27.9 ft is archived in core box 4.

(Continued from last page to 25.2 ft below land surface). 

Interval—25.2 to 25.7 ft below land surface. Same material as above, color 

includes reddish brown mottles (2.5YR 5/3). 

Interval—25.7 to 27.9 ft below land surface. Fine poorly graded sand (SP), very

pale brown (10YR 7/3), no clay or silt, subrounded grains

BOH at 27.9 ft below land surface. 

25.0

26.0

27.0

28.0

29.0

30.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 

SP 

SP 

SP 

25 
USGS CORING LOG 

Interval—0.0 to 2.9 ft below land surface. Fill, dry, clayey, reddish 

brown. 

Interval—2.9 to 3.4 ft below land surface. Clay, silty and sandy (CL), 

brick red (7.5YR 6/8) to gray (5Y 5/1) mix. 

Interval—3.4 to 7.9 ft below land surface. No recovery. Some red clay 

probable (based on material found on auger during drilling of well 

DCMW001-02). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 0.0 to 5.0 ft

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of

cores, and the accuracy of depths in the descriptions to 32.9 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 22.9 ft is

archived in core box 1. 

0

1.0

2

3

4

5

.0

.0

.0

.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

CL FILL 

2-inch PVC casing 2-inch PVC casing 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

26 
USGS CORING LOG 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of

cores, and the accuracy of depths in the descriptions to 32.9 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 22.9 ft is

archived in core box 1. 

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 5.0 to 10.0 ft

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, Well log, 

DCMW001-02 DCMW004-02 

Depth 

(ft) 

5.0

2-inch PVC casing 2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 7.9 ft below land surface). 

No recovery. 

Interval—7.9 to 17.9 ft below land surface. Interbedded silty clay (CL) 

and clay (CL), stiff, dark gray (5Y 4/1), with rare fine gravel about 15

millimeters in diameter. 

CL 

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

27 
USGS CORING LOG 

28 

(Continued from last page to 17.9 ft below land surface). 

Slight color change to very dark gray (5Y 3/1) at 12.0 ft below land

surface. 

Color change to olive (5Y 5/3) at 12.9 ft below land surface (continues to 

17.9 ft below land surface). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 10.0 to 15.0 ft

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of

cores, and the accuracy of depths in the descriptions to 32.9 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 22.9 ft is

archived in core box 1. 

2-inch PVC casing 2-inch PVC casing 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

11.0

12.0

13.0

14.0

15.0

10.0

CL 
USGS CORING LOG 

29 

(Continued from last page to 17.9 ft below land surface). 

Found hairy root-like material at 17.9 ft below land surface.

Interval—17.9 to 23.3 ft below land surface. Silt (ML), dry, tight, very 

dark gray (5Y 3/1). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 15.0 to 20.0 ft

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of

cores, and the accuracy of depths in the descriptions to 32.9 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Well DCMW001-02 is screened

at a depth of 15 to 25 ft below land surface. Duplicate soil samples (NYASOIL001-02 and NYASOIL002-02) were

collected at a depth of 18 to 23 ft below land surface for chemical quality analysis. Core from 0 to 22.9 ft is archived in

core box 1.

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

2-inch PVC casing 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, Well log, 

DCMW001-02 DCMW004-02 

15.0

16.0

17.0

18.0

19.0

20.0

ML 

CL 
USGS CORING LOG 

30 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

24.0

25.0

23.0

20.0

21.0

22.0

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of

cores, and the accuracy of depths in the descriptions to 32.9 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Well DCMW001-02 is screened

at a depth of 15 to 25 ft below land surface, and well DCMW004-02 is screened at a depth of 22 to 32 ft below land 

surface. Duplicate soil samples (NYASOIL001-02 and NYASOIL002-02) were collected at a depth of 18 to 23 ft below 

land surface for chemical quality analysis. Core from 0 to 22.9 ft is archived in core box 1; core from 22.9 to 32.9 ft is 

archived in core box 2. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 20.0 to 25.0 ft

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

2-inch PVC casing 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

 (Continued from last page to 23.3 ft below land surface). 

Interval—23.3 to 27.9 ft below land surface. Sand, fine, silty (SM), light

yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/3) and dark gray (5Y 4/1). 

SM 

ML 
USGS CORING LOG 

31 

(Continued from last page to 27.9 ft below land surface). 

Interval—27.9 to 30.0 ft below land surface. Sand, medium (SP), light

yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/3). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 25.0 to 30.0 ft

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of

cores, and the accuracy of depths in the descriptions to 32.9 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Well DCMW004-02 is screened

at a depth of 22 to 32 ft below land surface. Core from 22.9 to 32.9 ft is archived in core box 2. 

25.0

26.0

27.0

28.0

29.0

30.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

SM 

SP 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

Well log, 

DCMW001-02 DCMW004-02 
USGS CORING LOG 

32 

Interval—30.0 to 32.9 ft below land surface. Gravel, well graded (GW), 

with pebbles up to 50 millimeters, rounded to subrounded. 

Vibracore hit refusal at 32.9 ft below land surface. Switched to augers. 

No recovery from 33 to 60 ft below land surface. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

Depth 

(ft) 

35.0

34.0

33.0

32.0

31.0

30.0

GW

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of

cores, and the accuracy of depths in the descriptions to 32.9 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Augers were used below 32.9 ft;

no sample was recovered between 33 and 60 ft below land surface. Well DCMW004-02 is screened at a depth of 22 to 32

ft below land surface. Core from 22.9 to 32.9 ft is archived in core box 2; no core sample was recovered from 33 to 60 ft.

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 30.0 to 35.0 ft
USGS CORING LOG 

33 

No recovery from 33 to 60 ft below land surface. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 35.0 to 40.0 ft

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; augers were used below that depth. No sample was 

recovered between 33 and 60 ft below land surface. 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

38.0

39.0

40.0

35.0

36.0

37.0
USGS CORING LOG 

34 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

Depth 

(ft) 

40.0

41.0

42.0

43.0

44.0

45.0

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; augers were used below that depth. No sample was 

recovered between 33 and 60 ft below land surface. 

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 40.0 to 45.0 ft

No recovery from 33 to 60 ft below land surface. 
USGS CORING LOG 

35 

No recovery from 33 to 60 ft below land surface. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 45.0 to 50.0 ft

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; augers were used below that depth. No sample was 

recovered between 33 and 60 ft below land surface. 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

45.0

46.0

47.0

48.0

49.0

50.0
USGS CORING LOG 

36 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

55.0

54.0

50.0

51.0

52.0

53.0

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; augers were used below that depth. No sample was 

recovered between 33 and 60 ft below land surface. 

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 50.0 to 55.0 ft

No recovery from 33 to 60 ft below land surface. 
USGS CORING LOG 

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; augers were used below that depth. No sample was 

recovered between 33 and 60 ft below land surface. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 55.0 to 60.0 ft

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

55.0

No recovery from 33 to 60 ft below land surface. 

56.0

57.0

58.0

59.0

60.0

37 
USGS CORING LOG 

Remarks: Site was uphill of the west bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., where New York Avenue

crosses the river. Vibracore method was used until refusal at 32.9 ft; augers were used below that depth. Lithologic 

description is based on a sample collected from the auger at a depth between 60 and 62 ft below land surface. Core from 

60 to 62 ft is archived in core box 2.

Total depth 62 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW001-02 and DCMW004-02 (NYAve) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 55’ 03.6” / 076o 56’ 37.7” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 13.1 ft above sea level Interval 35.0 to 40.0 ft

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW004-02 

Well log, 

DCMW001-02 

Depth 

(ft) 

60.0

Approximate interval—60 to 62 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), very 

stiff, reddish brown (5YR 4/3). Material collected from auger. 

Bottom of hole at 62 ft below land surface. 

CL 61.0

62.0

63.0

64.0

65.0

38 
USGS CORING LOG 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 0.0 to 5.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. A soil sample (KAGSOIL001-02) was collected at the 

surface below the sod layer. Core from 0 to 8.7 ft is archived in core box 1. 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

Depth 

(ft) 

0

.0

2

3

4

5

.0

.0

.0

1.0

GP

2-inch PVC casing (flush mounted at surface) 2-inch PVC casing (flush mounted at surface) 

Interval—0.0 to 1.3 ft below land surface. Fine to medium sand (SM) 

with some silt and pebbles up to 30 millimeters (subrounded to angular), 

pale yellow (2.5Y 7/4). 

Interval—1.3 to 3.2 ft below land surface. Sand (SW), pale yellow (2.5Y 

7/4), fining upward, with pebbles up to 30 millimeters. 

Interval—3.2 to 4.5 ft below land surface. Gravel-sand mixture (GW), 

reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/6), little or no fines. 

Interval—4.5 to 8.7 ft below land surface. Gravel-sand mixture (GP), 

reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/6), little or no fines. 

GW

SW 

SM 

39 
USGS CORING LOG 

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 8.7 ft is archived in core box 1; core from

8.7 to 23.2 ft is archived in core box 2. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 5.0 to 10.0 ft

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

5.0

2-inch PVC casing 2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 8.7 ft below land surface). 

Interval—8.7 to 17.5 ft below land surface. Gravel-sand mixture (GW), 

same color as above, gets coarser with depth to 17.5 ft. 

GW

GP

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

40 
USGS CORING LOG 

41 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

Depth 

(ft) 

15.0

14.0

13.0

12.0

11.0

10.0

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. A soil sample (KAGSOIL002-02) was collected in the 

interval from 10 to 11 ft below land surface. Well DCMW002-02 was installed with a screened interval of 12.6 to 22.6 ft

below land surface. Core from 8.7 to 23.2 ft is archived in core box 2. 

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 10.0 to 15.0 ft

GW

2-inch PVC casing 

2-inch PVC casing 2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 17.5 ft below land surface). 

Color change at 10.5 ft. Reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/8). Continues except as

noted to 17.5 ft below land surface. 

Color change from 13.2 to 13.3 ft. Black coating (7.5YR 2/0) on fine

sand. 

Back to reddish yellow (7.5YR 7/8) to 17.5 ft below land surface. 
USGS CORING LOG 

42 

(Continued from last page to 17.5 ft below land surface). 

Interval—17.5 to 18.2 ft below land surface. Fine sand (SP), brownish 

yellow (10YR 6/8). 

Interval—18.2 to 19.0 ft below land surface. Gravel-sand mixture (GW), 

pebbles to 30 millimeters, well rounded. 

Interval—19.0 to 19.5 ft below land surface. Organic silty clay (OH), 

medium stiff, medium plasticity, dark gray (2.5Y 4/0). 

Interval—19.5 to 23.2 ft below land surface. Almost no recovery. 

Appears to be fine silty sand (SM), olive yellow (2.5Y 6/6). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

SM 

GW

2-inch PVC casing 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

15.0

16.0

17.0

18.0

19.0

20.0

GW

SP 

OH 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Well DCMW002-02 was installed with a screened interval 

of 12.6 to 22.6 ft below land surface. Core from 8.7 to 23.2 ft is archived in core box 2. 

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 15.0 to 20.0 ft
USGS CORING LOG 

43 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

20.0

21.0

22.0

23.0

24.0

25.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 20.0 to 25.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Well DCMW002-02 was installed with a screened interval 

of 12.6 to 22.6 ft below land surface. Core from 8.7 to 23.2 ft is archived in core box 2; core from 23.2 to 32.2 ft is 

archived in core box 3. 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 23.2 ft below land surface). 

Interval—23.2 to 28.2 ft below land surface. Only 1.3 ft of recovery in

this interval. Top part of interval contained inorganic silty clay (CL), light 

gray (2.5Y 7/2), stiff. 

SM 

CL 
USGS CORING LOG 

44 

(Continued from last page to 28.2 ft below land surface). 

UNCERTAIN CONTACT DUE TO LIMITED RECOVERY 

Interval—23.2 to 28.2 ft below land surface, continued. Only 1.3 ft of

recovery in this interval. Bottom part of interval contained clayey silt with

abundant organic chunks (OL), dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2). 

Interval—28.2 to 29.0 ft below land surface. Gravel-sand-clay mixture 

(GC), with one 80-millimeter cobble in the core, color is a variegated

reddish brown, brown, and gray. 

Interval—29.0 to 30.6 ft below land surface. Silt (ML), coarse, strong

brown (7.5YR 5/6). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

2-inch PVC casing 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

25.0

26.0

27.0

28.0

29.0

30.0

ML 

OL 

GC 

CL 

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 23.2 to 32.2 ft is archived in core box 3. 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 25.0 to 30.0 ft
USGS CORING LOG 

45 

(Continued from last page to 30.6 ft below land surface). 

Interval—30.6 to 31.2 ft below land surface. Clayey silt (ML), strong

brown (7.5YR 5/6). 

Interval—31.2 to 31.6 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), reddish brown 

(5YR 4/4), stiff. 

Interval—31.6 to 33.8 ft below land surface. Silt (ML), coarse, strong

brown (7.5YR 5/6), same as 29.0 to 30.6 interval above. 

Interval—33.8 to 34.5 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), reddish brown 

(5YR 4/4), stiff, same as 31.2 to 31.6 interval above. 

Interval—34.5 to 35.6 ft below land surface. Clayey silt (ML), strong

brown (7.5YR 5/6), same as 30.6 to 31.2 interval above. Gets coarser at

the bottom of the interval. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 30.0 to 35.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

2-inch PVC casing 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

33.0

34.0

35.0

32.0

31.0

30.0

ML 

CL 

ML 

CL 

ML 

ML 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 23.2 to 32.2 ft is archived in core box 3; core 

from 32.2 to 37.2 ft is archived in core box 4. 
USGS CORING LOG 

46 

(Continued from last page to 35.6 ft below land surface). 

Interval—35.6 to 36.0 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), reddish brown 

(5YR 4/4), stiff, same as 31.2 to 31.6 and 33.8 to 34.5 intervals above. 

Interval—36.0 to 37.2 ft below land surface. Silt (ML), coarse, strong

brown (7.5YR 5/6), same as 29.0 to 30.6 and 31.6 to 33.8 intervals above. 

Vibracore hit refusal at 37.2 ft below land surface. Switched to augers. 

Break in sampling interval because of vibracore refusal at 37.2 ft below

land surface. General descriptions are provided below based on material

found on the augers between 37.2 and the bottom of hole at 57 ft below 

land surface. 

Approximate interval—37 to 47 ft below land surface. Runny sand. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 35.0 to 40.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore

method was used until refusal at 37.2 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy of

depths in the descriptions to 37.2 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Well DCMW003-02 was installed with a screened interval 

of 36.3 to 46.3 ft below land surface. Core from 32.2 to 37.2 ft is archived in core box 4; no samples from 37.2 to 47 ft

were collected for archiving.

35.0

36.0

37.0

38.0

39.0

40.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

CL 

ML 

ML 

2-inch PVC casing 

0.75-inch prepacked 10-slot PVC screen 
USGS CORING LOG 

47 

(Continued from last page to about 47 ft below land surface). 

Runny sand. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 40.0 to 45.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Lithologic 

descriptions are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 37.2 ft and the bottom of the hole at 57 ft below 

land surface. Well DCMW003-02 was installed with a screened interval of 36.3 to 46.3 ft below land surface. No samples 

from 37.2 to 47 ft were collected for archiving.

0.75-inch prepacked 10-slot PVC screen 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

43.0

44.0

45.0

42.0

41.0

40.0
USGS CORING LOG 

48 

(Continued from last page to about 47 ft below land surface). 

Runny sand. 

Approximate interval—47 to 57 ft below land surface. Silt and clayey silt 

(ML), reddish brown (5YR 4/4). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 45.0 to 50.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Lithologic 

descriptions are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 37.2 ft and the bottom of the hole at 57 ft below 

land surface. Well DCMW003-02 was installed with a screened interval of 36.3 to 46.3 ft below land surface. No samples 

from 37.2 to 47 ft were collected for archiving; auger sample from 47 to 57 ft is archived in core box 5.

0.75-inch prepacked 10-slot PVC screen 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

50.0

49.0

48.0

45.0

46.0

47.0

ML 
USGS CORING LOG 

49 

(Continued from last page to bottom of hole at 57 ft below land surface). 

Silt and clayey silt (ML), reddish brown (5YR 4/4). 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 50.0 to 55.0 ft

50.0

51.0

52.0

53.0

54.0

55.0

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description 

ML 

Well log, Well log, 

DCMW002-02 DCMW003-02 

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Lithologic 

descriptions are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 37.2 ft and the bottom of the hole at 57 ft below 

land surface. Auger sample from 47 to 57 ft is archived in core box 5. 
USGS CORING LOG 

Remarks: Site was in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (KAG) near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Lithologic 

descriptions are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 37.2 ft and the bottom of the hole at 57 ft below 

land surface. 

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/25/2002 

Site name DCMW002-02 and DCMW003-02 (KAG) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 54’ 43.5” / 076o 56’ 28.4” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 19.5 ft above sea level Interval 55.0 to 57.0 ft

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW003-02 

Well log, 

DCMW002-02 

Depth 

(ft) 

55.0

No sample collected 

(Continued from last page to bottom of hole at 57 ft below land surface). 

Silt and clayey silt (ML), reddish brown (5YR 4/4). 

Bottom of hole at 57.0 ft below land surface. 

ML 

56.0

57.0

58.0

59.0

60.0

50 
USGS CORING LOG 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 0.0 to 5.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. A soil sample (APSOIL001-02) was 

collected at the surface below the sod layer. Core from 0 to 14.7 ft is archived in core box 1.

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

0

2-inch PVC casing (flush mounted at surface) 

FILL 

Interval—0.0 to 14.4 ft below land surface. Probable fill. Mostly clay 

mixed with stones, bricks, and debris. Clay is very stiff and dry. 

1.0

2

3

4

5.0

.0

.0

.0

51 
USGS CORING LOG 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 5.0 to 10.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 14.7 ft is archived in core

box 1.

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

5.0

2-inch PVC casing 

FILL 

(Continued from last page to 14.4 ft below land surface). 

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

52 
USGS CORING LOG 

53 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

15.0

14.0

13.0

12.0

11.0

10.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 10.0 to 15.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 0 to 14.7 ft is archived in core

box 1; core from 14.7 to 28.5 ft is archived in core box 2.

2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 14.4 ft below land surface). 

Interval—14.4 to 20.5 ft below land surface. Clay or silty clay (CL), 

interbedded grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) to very dark gray (5Y 3/1). CL FILL 
USGS CORING LOG 

54 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

20.0

19.0

18.0

17.0

16.0

15.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 15.0 to 20.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 14.7 to 28.5 ft is archived in

core box 2.

2-inch PVC casing 

CL 

(Continued from last page to 20.5 ft below land surface). 
USGS CORING LOG 

55 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

25.0

24.0

22.0

23.0

20.0

21.0

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 14.7 to 28.5 ft is archived in

core box 2.

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 20.0 to 25.0 ft

2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 20.5 ft below land surface). 

Interval—20.5 to 25.0 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), grayish brown

(2.5 Y 5/2), soft. Some silty clay and organic matter (sticks) in middle of

interval. Sticks are black, but not really decayed or fossilized. 

CL 

CL 
USGS CORING LOG 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 25.0 to 30.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 14.7 to 28.5 ft is archived in

core box 2; core from 28.5 to 42 ft is archived in core box 3.

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

25.0

26.0

27.0

28.0

29.0

30.0

2-inch PVC casing 

OH 

Interval—25.0 to 38.5 ft below land surface. Organic clay (OH), dark 

olive gray (5Y 3/2), stiff, appears to be low plasticity (fell apart into

chunks). 

56 
USGS CORING LOG 

57 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

35.0

34.0

33.0

30.0

31.0

32.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 30.0 to 35.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Core from 28.5 to 42 ft is archived in core

box 3. 

OH 

2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 38.5 ft below land surface). 
USGS CORING LOG 

58 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

40.0

39.0

38.0

37.0

36.0

35.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 35.0 to 40.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Vibracore method

was used until refusal at 38.5 ft; this method can cause compaction or stretching of cores, and the accuracy 

of depths in the descriptions to 38.5 ft is estimated to be + 0.3 ft. Lithologic descriptions in below 38.5 ft are 

based on incomplete samples found on augers. Well DCMW005-02 was installed with a screened interval 

of 38.5 to 48.5 ft below land surface. A soil sample (APSOIL002-02) was collected in the interval from 37.5 

to 38.5 ft below land surface. Core from 28.5 to 42 ft is archived in core box 3. 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

2-inch PVC casing 

(Continued from last page to 38.5 ft below land surface). 

Vibracore hit refusal at 38.5 ft below land surface. Continued with augers. 

Break in sampling interval because of vibracore refusal at 38.5 ft below

land surface. General descriptions are provided below based on material

found on the augers between 38.5 and the bottom of hole at 57 ft below 

land surface. 

Approximate interval—39 to 42 ft below land surface. Clay (CL), olive 

yellow and red (2.5Y 6/6 and 2.5YR 4/6), very stiff. 

CL 

OH 
USGS CORING LOG 

59 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

45.0

40.0

41.0

42.0

43.0

44.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 40.0 to 45.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Lithologic 

descriptions in this interval are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 38.5 ft and the 

bottom of the hole at 57 ft below land surface. Well DCMW005-02 was installed with a screened interval 

of 38.5 to 48.5 ft below land surface. Core and auger sample from 28.5 to 42 ft is archived in core box 3; no

lithologic samples below a depth of 42 ft were archived. 

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

(Continued from last page to 42 ft below land surface). 

Approximate interval—42 to 57 ft below land surface. Sand. 

CL 
USGS CORING LOG 

60 

Depth 

(ft) 

Graphic 

log 

Lithologic description Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

48.0

49.0

50.0

45.0

46.0

47.0

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Well DCMW005-02

was installed with a screened interval of 38.5 to 48.5 ft below land surface. Lithologic descriptions in this

interval are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 38.5 ft and the bottom of the hole at 57 ft

below land surface. No lithologic samples below a depth of 42 ft were archived. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 45.0 to 50.0 ft

2-inch 10-slot PVC screen 

(Continued from last page to 57 ft below land surface). 
USGS CORING LOG 

61 

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

55.0

54.0

53.0

51.0

52.0

50.0

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 50.0 to 55.0 ft

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Lithologic 

descriptions in this interval are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 38.5 ft and the 

bottom of the hole at 57 ft below land surface. No lithologic samples below a depth of 42 ft were archived. 

(Continued from last page to 57 ft below land surface). 
USGS CORING LOG 

Total depth 57 ft below land surface Drilling method Vibracore / auger 

Remarks: Site was in Anacostia Park near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Lithologic 

descriptions in this interval are based on incomplete samples found on augers between 38.5 ft and the 

bottom of the hole at 57 ft below land surface. No lithologic samples below a depth of 42 ft were archived. 

Project Anacostia Ground Water Date drilled 7/29/2002 

Site name DCMW005-02 (Anacostia Pk) Date described 8/16/2002 

Latitude / Longitude 38o

 52’ 38.4” / 076o 58’ 15.3” Described by Phelan / Tenbus 

Land-surface elevation 14.2 ft above sea level Interval 55.0 to 60.0 ft

Graphic 

log 

Well log, 

DCMW005-02 

Depth Lithologic description 

(ft) 

55.0

(Continued from last page to 57 ft below land surface). 

Bottom of hole at 57 ft below land surface. 

56.0

57.0

58.0

59.0

60.0

62