Ground Water Flow Model at Fort Devens, Massachusetts
Abstract
The objective of this project was to develop a regional ground water flow model to assist in determination of cumulative impacts to ground water quality from the multiple contaminated sites at Fort Devens. Fort Devens is a U.S. Army post in Worcester and Middlesex counties in central Massachusetts. There are a number of contaminated and potentially contaminated areas on the post that are currently being studied. The geology of Fort Devens was chiseled by the continental glaciers of the Pleistocene epoch. The glaciers deepened existing river valleys by eroding the bedrock and depositing till (poorly sorted clay, silt, and sand), glacial outwash (well sorted, sandy deposits from rivers and melting glaciers), drumlins (hills of till), kames (hills of sand), kettles (depressions caused by buried blocks of ice that melt), and other landforms characteristic of glacial terrain. The bedrock beneath the unconsolidated glacial sediments consists primarily of metamorphic rocks (old crystalline rocks). Ground water exists at Fort Devens in two geologic formations. The primary aquifer is the glacial drift that overlies the bedrock. This aquifer consists of well sorted sands and gravels, fine sands, silt, and clay; and is known as the glacial outwash aquifer. It is capable of supplying large quantities of water. The aquifer is used by Fort Devens and nearby municipalities for water supply.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 24, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA473374