Water-table altitude in Kings and Queens Counties, New York, in March 1997

Abstract

Kings and Queens Counties, on western Long Island, N.Y. (fig. 1), obtain nearly all potable water from an extensive upstate reservoir system. The possibility that this source will be inadequate during future droughts, or during infrastructure repairs or other emergencies, has prompted consideration of using the underlying aquifer system as a supplemental source of water. In 1992, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, began a long-term study of the aquifer system beneath Kings and Queens Counties to determine the feasibility of using ground water to supplement a possible shortfall in the city's reservoirwater-supply system. As part of this study, an observation-well network has been established to monitor water levels in the upper glacial. Magothy, and Lloyd aquifers. This fact sheet depicts the configuration of the water-table altitude in March 1997 as inferred from waterlevel measurements at selected observation wells.