A study of the piezometric surface of the Grand Falls formation in the Duenweg-Oronogo mining belt east of Joplin, Missouri

The Joplin area of Missouri, which includes the Duenweg-Oronogo belt, was a famous zinc and lead mining district. Many mines were abandoned after World War I and filled with water. These provide a large potential supply of ground water. Expansion of industries and population in the area since World War II has caused a demand for water. In 1964, the Ground Water Branch, Water Resources Division, of the United States Geological Survey began a project to study the surface and ground water resources of the area. As part of his work on this project, the author measured the piezometric level of the water in the area\u27s principal aquifer, the Mississippian Grand Falls Formation. Piezometric levels were measured in mine shafts and wells. Additional information was obtained through interviews with drillers and well owners, and by studying records of well logs. A map of the Grand Falls piezometric surface, drawn by interpolating between points of known piezometric elevation, revealed troughs, highs, lows, and locally steep gradients. A structure contour map of the surface of the Grand Falls Formation by Smith and Siebenthal (1906) showed similar structural features in the same areas. The association of these features led to the hypothesis that geologic structure of the Grand Falls Formation affects the permeability of this formation and the configuration of the aquifer\u27s piezometric surface. The piezometric contour map indicated that the Grand Falls aquifer is only partially confined, and that it discharges mine water to Center Creek. Quantitative estimate of permeability could not be made from the data available. Concentrations of abandoned mines, and an area of heavy pumping, affect the piezometric surface. changes of the surface in the near future are expected to be small --Abstract, page iii