GEOLOGIC MAPPING FOR GROUNDWATER APPLICATIONS IN SOUTHERN KANE COUNTY, IL

Projected water shortages have prompted Kane County to seek the assistance of the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) and Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) to assess groundwater resources for the county and surrounding areas. The ISGS is currently developing several map products, including surficial geology, drift thickness, aquifer sensitivity and lithology and a 3-D geologic model, which the ISWS will use to produce potentiometric surface maps and a regional groundwater flow model.

A summary of current ISGS mapping activities in portions of southern Kane County will be discussed, including data from adjacent townships in DeKalb, DuPage, Kendall, and Will Counties. Methods and techniques for data acquisition, organization, and interpretation will be discussed. Updates to current understanding of bedrock topography and 3-D interpretation of quaternary geology will be presented.

Use of a relational database for this project has allowed for an increased focus on aquifer properties based on lithology, independent of stratigraphy. As a result, 3-D grids of both stratigraphic units and lithologic units can be produced, allowing a more detailed approach to mapping potential aquifer materials. A pilot effort is also currently underway to develop a database of hydraulic conductivity values for near surface materials in Kane County.