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publications > water resources investigations > report 78-36


U.S. Department of the Interior
US Geological Survey
WRI 78-36

Effects of Bottom Sediments on Infiltration From the Miami and Tributary Canals to the Biscayne Aquifer Dade County, Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 78-36

By

Wesley L. Miller

ABSTRACT

Infiltration from the Miami Canal and its tributaries is a major source of recharge to the Biscayne aquifer in the Miami Springs-Hialeah well-field area. In the late 1940's when average pumpage was less than 50 million gallons per day, canal infiltration contributed an estimated 80 to 100 percent of the dry season pumpage. Between 1970 and 1973, average daily pumpage increased 18 percent but the canal infiltration capacity decreased 6 percent. In May 1973, about 50 percent of the well field's peak pumpage of 120 million gallons per day was attributed to canal infiltration. Steadily increasing withdrawals have caused deepening and broadening of the well field's cone of depression thereby increasing the threat of saltwater intrusion during dry, peak demand periods.

Canal water levels were consistently higher than the water table in 1973. Canal-bottom sediments impede downward infiltration from the canals. Filtration through bottom sediments reduces concentrations of coliform bacteria, pesticides, PCB's, metals, and suspended materials. Filtrations by the sandy upper part of the aquifer further reduces concentrations of these constituents as infiltrating water moves toward the pumping zone. The quantitative effects on ground-water quality resulting from the removal of the canal-bottom sediments cannot be adequately predicted from present data.
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Last updated: 04 January, 2005 @ 02:52 PM (KP)