Figure 1. Average monthly precipitation (in inches) in Morrow County, Ohio (1961-1990); data collected at Mt. Gilead Lake State Park.
Larry C. Brown
Karen T. Ricker
Chad D. Ruhl
Water is a resource often taken for granted. In recent years, water availability and quality have become important public concerns in Morrow County. The county's population of 27,749 (1990 census data) is predominantly rural, and 100 percent of the households rely on ground water for their water supply. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of Morrow County's water resources, and is intended to help increase public awareness and understanding about this vital resource. By understanding where water is obtained and how it is used in the county, residents can gain a better appreciation for their water supply. The water resources terminology used in this publication is included in Surface and Ground Water Terminology, Fact Sheet AEX 460, which provides a listing of generally accepted water resource definitions. Ohio State University Extension publications are available through all Ohio county Extension offices.
An average of approximately 39 inches of precipitation falls on Morrow County annually. Figure 1 illustrates the average monthly precipitation for the county for the period 1961 to 1990. Based on this 30-year record, the average precipitation is 3.3 inches per month, with January and February (2.1 inches each) typically being the driest months, and May and July (4.3 inches each) the wettest. However, there can be extreme variations in some years and in certain months within a year. Such seasonal and yearly extremes may have serious consequences, and are not always apparent from the long-term precipitation information.
Figure 1. Average monthly precipitation (in inches) in Morrow
County, Ohio (1961-1990); data collected at Mt. Gilead Lake State
Park.
Morrow County has four major drainage basins: Olentangy River, Big Walnut Creek, Kokosing River, and Clear Fork River. Whetstone Creek, the county's largest creek, empties into the Olentangy River. Tributaries leading to Whetstone Creek drain most of the western part of the county and include Claypole Run, Mitchell Run, Shaw Creek, Mud Run, Big Run, Pugh Ditch, Sam's Creek, and East Branch. The northern tip of the Big Walnut Creek basin is drained mainly by Alum Creek and Big Walnut Creek. Two tributaries of Alum Creek that originate in Morrow County are Indigo Creek and Bunkey Run. Big Walnut Creek's tributaries in Morrow County include Reynolds's Run, Mill Creek, Castro Run, and Hayes Ditch. The Kokosing River basin in Morrow County is drained by South Branch and Sylvester Run, which flow to the Kokosing River. A portion of the Clear Fork Reservoir is located in the county, and Morrow County contributes to the draining of this basin. Some tributaries of Cedar Creek, which eventually joins the Clear Fork River, also flow from Morrow County.
Most of the western half of Morrow County lies in the eastern part of the 536 square mile Olentangy River basin. The basin boundary begins in southern Crawford County, just southwest of Galion, and runs south into Delaware County where it feeds into Delaware Reservoir. The Olentangy River then continues down to Columbus, where it enters the Scioto River. The northern tip of the Big Walnut Creek basin, located in south central Morrow County, encompasses about 25 percent of the county's surface area. The basin drains approximately 557 square miles and stretches from the Mt. Gilead area south to I-270 near Shadesville, where it joins the Scioto River. The southeastern part of the county lies in the Kokosing River Basin. The Kokosing River flows east out of Morrow County to the Walhonding River and eventually turns south as it contributes to the formation of the Muskingum River. The Clear Fork basin (approximately 218 square miles) stretches down into the northeastern corner of the county.
The major lake in the basin is Clear Fork Reservoir, which lies in both Morrow and Richland Counties, and covers about 997 surface acres. Clear Fork basin stretches eastward across northern Richland County and southern Ashland County, where it joins the Black Fork to form the Mohican River. A generalized surface-water map of Morrow County is given in Figure 2.
Surface waters are affected by the soil type and topography of the land adjacent to them, and the way humans use the land. Land use, such as residential development, construction, and agricultural production, can increase the amount of sediment entering a body of water. The type of soils in an area also influences surface water because of the soil's infiltration and water holding characteristics. With some soils, rainfall is more likely to run off, while other soils allow water to infiltrate more readily.
The county contains approximately 258,112 land acres, of which 71 percent is farmland. Twenty-four soil types have been identified in the county and vary in drainage ability from very poorly drained soils formed in moderately clayey glacial till in the western part of the county, to well drained soils in moderately clayey and loam glacial till in the east. A large portion of the soils in central Morrow County are a combination of moderately well drained and somewhat poorly drained soils formed in loam glacial till.
The county water acreage consists of about 558 acres of lakes, including approximately 178 acres of Clear Fork Reservoir, nine private lakes and ponds that range in size from 5 to 30 acres, as well as the 200-acre private Candlewood Lake, and approximately 575 smaller ponds (estimated from Soil Conservation Service aerial photo maps). The county contains approximately 295 linear miles of major streams and rivers [estimated from river basin maps, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water]. In addition, 10 miles of county maintained ditches and numerous miles of privately maintained ditches are used for land drainage. This availability lends itself to many uses by both communities and individuals.
Figure 2. Surface-water resources in Morrow County, Ohio
(adapted from ODNR Division of Water river basin maps, illustration
prepared by H. Landfried).
Morrow County has three major ground-water sources and varying geologic conditions across the county. A sandstone aquifer, which is composed mostly of quartz cemented by calcite, silica, iron, and clay is located in Mt. Gilead. Unconsolidated sand and gravel deposits make up the primary water source in the central and southeastern parts of the county, and a shale aquifer composed primarily of shale and sandy shale is located in western Morrow County.
The most productive aquifer in the county is the sand and gravel deposits in buried valleys located in central and southeast Morrow County. Yields over 100 gallons per minute (gpm) have been recorded from this aquifer in the Mt. Gilead and Candlewood Lake areas. Wells developed in the sandstone aquifer in eastern Morrow County typically yield 10 to 25 gpm.
Residents living west of Mt. Gilead try to obtain ground water from either the shale bedrock or shallow sand and gravel deposits above the shale. Wells in this area, when not dry, have developed yields of less than two gpm. The sand and gravel lenses may yield up to 10 gpm. An overview of the ground-water resources in the county is given in Morrow County Ground-Water Resources, AEX-490.59.
The yield of a well will vary considerably depending on the age and depth of the well, well construction, the diameter of the casing, pump capacity and age, and more importantly, properties of the geologic formation. Specific information on ground-water availability and wells can be obtained by contacting ODNR Division of Water.
Based on long-term weather records, Ohio receives an average of 38 inches of precipitation per year. These 38 inches move through a complex path called the hydrologic cycle. Of these 38 inches, about 10 inches (26 percent) become runoff, which moves immediately to surface-water bodies such as streams and lakes. Two inches are retained at the ground surface and evaporate back into the atmosphere in a relatively short period of time. Twenty-six of the 38 total inches enter the soil surface through infiltration. Twenty of these 26 inches go into soil storage and later are returned to the atmosphere by the combination of evaporation and transpiration (evapotranspiration). The remaining 6 inches of precipitation (16 percent of the total) have the potential to recharge the ground-water supply. Two of these 6 inches eventually move to springs, lakes, or streams as ground-water discharge. The remaining 4 inches either return to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration or are withdrawn to supply water needs. For further reading, refer to Ohio's Hydrologic Cycle, AEX 461.
Statewide averages applied to the county's average annual precipitation, provide a rough estimate of how many inches will result in runoff and how many inches have the potential to reach aquifers. Based on statewide averages of runoff and ground-water recharge, Morrow County's 39 inches of average annual precipitation result in about 10.1 inches of runoff to streams and lakes, and about 6.2 inches have the potential to recharge aquifers annually. Values for particular locations will differ according to local conditions.
Water use for each of Morrow County's public water-supply systems is given in Table 1. For each water system, this table presents an estimate of the population served, water source, estimated daily usage and treatment plant capacity.
The county's largest public-water system is the Village of Mt. Gilead, which uses five wells for its supply. The Village of Cardington receives its water from seven wells in Marion County, and treats the water in its own facility. Morco, a water supply company whose water source is in Delaware County, sells treated water to the residents of various rural communities in southern Morrow County including the Villages of Chesterville, Sparta, Fulton, and Marengo.
Ground water is a major water source for rural households in Morrow County. Approximately 80 percent of all households obtain their water from private wells. Based on an estimated usage of 75 gallons per person per day, 1,661,175 gallons per day (gpd) from private wells are used. Additional private water uses include industry (140,000 gpd) and livestock use (283,000 gpd), mostly from ground-water supplies. The remaining 20 percent of households use public-water supplies with ground water as the source, as identified in Table 1.
Some water users in Ohio must register their withdrawals with the ODNR Division of Water. Through the Water Withdrawal Facility Registration Program, owners of facilities capable of withdrawing 100,000 gpd (70 gpm) or more must register those facilities. Information collected through this program includes withdrawal capacity, ground- or surface-water sources, location and type of water use, and location of discharge points. The program is for registration only, and not for allocation or permission. Registered withdrawers file annual reports of their water use. This information helps planners at ODNR to determine the availability of water for projected needs, and to better manage and protect Ohio's water resources. Documenting water use also provides official records for individual uses. For more information, contact ODNR Division of Water.
| Table 1. Water Use in Morrow County, Ohio.1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Water System | Population Served | Primary Water Source | Water Usage (GPD)2 | Treatment Plant Capacity (GPD) |
| Cardington3 | 1,665 | Ground Water | 145,000 | 498,000 |
| Candlewood Lake | 230 | Ground Water | 25,000 | 104,000 |
| Mt. Gilead | 3,000 | Ground Water | 405,000 | 500,000 |
| Other4 | 646 | Ground Water | 91,900 | N/A |
| 1 Estimates from Ohio EPA using adjusted 1993 data; information is based on data available at time of publication. | ||||
| 2 GPD=gallons per day. | ||||
| 3 Supplied by Grand Lake St. Marys. | ||||
| 4 Includes mobile home parks and nursing homes; total treatment plant capacity figure not available. | ||||
Natural processes and human activities affect the quality of our water supplies. Throughout Ohio, human activities contribute to both point and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution is the introduction of impurities into a water supply source (ground water or surface water) from an identifiable, known location. Examples of point sources can include industrial plants, power plants, commercial businesses, and wastewater treatment facilities.
Nonpoint source pollution also involves the introduction of impurities into a surface-water body or an aquifer, except the route is usually non-direct and the sources are "diffuse" in nature. A major portion of the sediment, nutrients, acids and salts, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and pathogens enter the state's water resources through nonpoint source pollution, affecting both ground and surface water. Examples include automobile emissions, runoff from parking lots, and runoff and drainage from agricultural fields, feedlots, home lawns and gardens, residential development, construction, mining, and logging activities.
As water moves through the shale, sand and gravel, and sandstone aquifers underlying Morrow County, it dissolves the minerals contained in these formations and carries them in solution. Publication AEX-490.59 summarizes some of the county's natural ground-water quality aspects.
Human activities, such as agricultural production, domestic waste disposal, and lawn and turf care, may have some influence on the county's ground-water quality. In a 1987 cooperative study by Heidelberg College, Morrow County Extension, and the local Soil and Water Conservation District, 70 wells in the county were sampled for nitrate-nitrogen content, of which 60 (86 percent of total) contained nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the range of 0 to 0.3 parts-per-million (ppm). This range is assumed to represent natural background levels. Seven wells (10 percent) tested in the 0.3 to 3.0 ppm range; these values may or may not indicate human influence. One well tested in the range of 3.0 to 10 ppm and may indicate elevated concentrations resulting from human activities. Only 2 wells (3 percent) tested at over 10 ppm for nitrate-nitrogen, which exceeds the safe drinking-water standard.
The average test value for the 70 wells sampled was 0.80 ppm. Design, location, and condition of a well, combined with the characteristics of the soils and geologic formations in which the well is constructed, influence the potential for pollutants to enter the well. Bacterial counts are another indicator of ground-water quality. The Morrow County Department of Health tests water samples for concerned citizens, and results of these tests generally indicate safe drinking water in the county.
Runoff and sediment from residential development, construction sites and agricultural lands may enter the county's streams and lakes. Also, runoff may carry other pollutants, such as lawn and agricultural chemicals (pesticide and fertilizers), effluent from septic systems, oil and gas from spills, and industrial wastes.
Through the Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment and Water Resources Inventory, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and ODNR have identified 13,000 stream miles in Ohio that have been affected by nonpoint source pollution. Morrow County contains portions of several streams and their tributaries that have been classified by the Assessment as being affected by nonpoint source pollution. Based on the findings of the Assessment and Inventory, the Ohio Nonpoint Source Management Plan has been implemented to help improve the quality of the state's waters. For specific information about the streams and tributaries listed in the Assessment and details of the Management Plan for the county, contact the Ohio EPA Central District Office (2305 Westbrooke Drive, Bldg. C, P.O. Box 2198, Columbus, OH 43266-2198).
Overall, Morrow County has a safe supply of water. County citizens have a major challenge to protect water resources from pollutants that could affect the quality of the water supply. For more information about nonpoint source pollution, refer to Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer, AEX 465, available from your county Extension office.
Water availability and quality are important public concerns. Water problems can be both costly and inconvenient. While the present and future availability of water is good for Morrow County, water is a precious resource that must be conserved and protected. We must all work together to maintain an adequate supply of good quality water.
This fact sheet provides information about the water resources in Morrow County. For more information concerning water resources or drinking-water quality in the county, contact the Morrow County office of Ohio State University Extension (3272 State Route 95 West, Mt. Gilead, OH 43338). In addition, the following agencies may be able to provide information on other water resources topics in the county: Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District; Morrow County Health Department; ODNR Division of Water (Fountain Square, Columbus, OH 43224); US Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio District (975 W. Third Ave., Columbus, OH 43212); Ohio EPA (1800 WaterMark Dr., Columbus, OH 43215-1099); and Ohio Department of Health (ODH; P.O. Box 118, Columbus, OH 43226).
Dairy Housing and Equipment Handbook. 1985. Midwest Plan Service No. 7. Iowa State University.
Doane's Agricultural Report. 1992. Farm Water Systems.
Estimated Water Use in Ohio, 1990, Public Supply Data. 1993 USGS Open-File Report 93-72.
Flood of July 1-2, 1987 in North-Central Ohio. 1989. R. I. Mayo and J. P. Mangus. USGS Open-File Report 89-376.
Gazetteer of Ohio Streams. 1960. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 12. ODNR Div. of Water.
Ground-Water Resources of Morrow County. 1981. Richard J. Kostelnick. ODNR Div. of Water. (map).
Hydrologic Atlas for Ohio: Average Annual Precipitation, Temperature, Streamflow, and Water Loss for the 50-Year Period 1931-1980. 1991. L. J. Hartstine. Water Inventory Report No. 28. ODNR Div. of Water.
Inventory of Municipal Water-Supply Systems by County, Ohio. 1977. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 24. ODNR Div. of Water.
Inventory of Ohio's Lakes. 1980. Ohio Water Inventory Report No. 26. ODNR Div. of Water.
Marion County Water Resources. 1992. D. J. Breece, K. M. Boone, L. C. Brown. AEX-480.57. Ohio State University Extension.
Monthly Station Normals of Temperature, Precipitation, and Heating and Cooling Degree Days, 1961-90, Ohio. 1992. Climatology of the United States, No. 81 (by state). NOAA.
Morrow County, Ohio Soil Survey. 1979. USDA-SCS.
Morrow County Ground-Water Resources. 1994. S. D. Ruhl, A. W. Jones, L. C. Brown, and K. T. Ricker. AEX-490.59. Ohio State University Extension.
Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District Resources Inventory. 1986. USDA-SCS.
Nitrate and Pesticides in Private Wells of Ohio: A State Atlas. 1989. Water Quality Laboratory, Heidelberg College.
Nitrate In Drinking Water. 1987. K. M. Mancl. Bulletin No. 744. Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Nonpoint Source Pollution: Water Primer. 1993. R. Leeds and L. C. Brown. AEX 465. Ohio State University Extension.
Ohio Ground-Water Quality. USGS National Water Summary-Ohio. 1986. USGS Water-Supply Paper 2325.
Ohio Ground-Water Resources. USGS National Water Summary-Ohio. 1984. USGS Water-Supply Paper 2275.
Ohio Nonpoint Source Management Program. 1993. ODNR.
Ohio Population by Governmental Unit. 1991. Ohio Data Users Center, Ohio Department of Development.
Ohio Surface-Water Resources. USGS National Water Summary-Ohio. 1985. USGS Water-Supply Paper 2300.
Ohio Water Firsts. 1985. S. L. Frost and W. S. Nichols. Water Resources Foundation of Ohio, Inc.
Ohio Water Resource Inventory: Executive Summary and Volumes 1-4. 1992. Ohio EPA.
Ohio's Hydrologic Cycle. 1990. L. C. Brown and K. M. Coltman. AEX 461. Ohio State University Extension.
Private Water Systems Handbook. 1987. MWPS-14. Midwest Plan Service, Ames, IA.
Southwest Ohio Water Plan. 1976. ODNR Div. of Water. Richland County Water Resources. B. W. Ward, K. M. Boone, L. C. Brown. AEX-480.70. Ohio State University Extension.
Sheep Pocket Guide. 1990. Roger G. Haugen. North Dakota State University Extension Service.
State of Ohio Nonpoint Source Assessment: Volumes 1-6. 1990. Ohio EPA.
Swine Housing and Equipment Handbook. 1983. Midwest Plan Service No. 8. Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University.
Surface and Ground Water Terminology. 1990. L. C. Brown and L. P. Black. AEX 460. Ohio State University Extension.
Water-Ohio's Remarkable Resource. 1982. ODNR Div. of Water.
Withdrawal and Distribution of Water By Public Water Supplies in Ohio, 1985. 1989. USGS Open-File Report 89-423.
This publication was produced through the Ohio Water Resources Education Project, in cooperation with: ODNR Division of Water; Ohio EPA; USGS, Ohio District; and ODH. Project leaders are Larry C. Brown and Karen T. Ricker. Partial financial support for this publication was provided by these cooperating agencies and programs: Morrow County office of OSU Extension; Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District; Overholt Drainage Education and Research Program; and the Ohio Management Systems Evaluation Area Project (USDA Extension Service Grant No. 90-EWQI-1-9018).
The project leaders express appreciation to the following reviewers: Dan Barker (Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District); Jim Overmoyer (USDA Soil Conservation Service, Morrow County); Charles J. Reutter (The Ohio State University); James M. Raab, David Cashell and Leonard Black (ODNR Division of Water); Scott Golden (Environmental Health, ODH); Steve Hindall (USGS, Ohio District); Robert Burris (USDA Soil Conservation Service, State Office, Columbus); Jay Fleming (Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Waters); and Larry Antosch (Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water).
A special thanks to Michelle Roby (Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Associate) for help in manuscript and illustration preparation, and Kurt E. Bullock and Kim Wintringham, Associate Editors (Section of Communications and Technology, Ohio State University Extension), for editorial and graphic production. Steve D. Ruhl Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources Morrow County
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868