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Access a legend for the map below
Source of Map: Water Resources Inventory of CT, Part 6, Upper Housatonic River Basin, by the
U. S. Geological Survey and the CT Department of Environmental Protection, 1972.

THIS IS AN EARLY (1972) GENERALIZED MAP OF ESTIMATED AQUIFER BOUNDARIES ONLY
COMPARE IT TO LATER DATE USGS SURFICIAL MATERIALS MAP

TWO AQUIFERS ARE SHOWN BELOW: THE TITICUS VALLEY AQUIFER IS IN
THE UPPER LEFT AND THE UPPER TITICUS AQUIFER IS AT LOWER RIGHT

HISTORIC BASE LINE DATA: 1980 HVCEO
REPORT ON TITICUS VALLEY AQUIFER
Located between North Salem and Mopus Bridge Roads in Ridgefield, and adjacent to the New York line, this small (0.55 square mile) aquifer is a broad wetland valley along the Titicus River and is tributary to the Titicus Reservoir in North Salem, N.Y., 3 miles downstream.

While USGS estimates well yield under 100 gallons per minute, nearby stream and 2 lakes may recharge. At present, immediate area is lightly developed - Ridgefield High School (adjacent), extensive wetland, widely dispersed low density residences - and is quite well protected by zoning (Residential RAA - 2 acre - and RAAA - 3 acre), and by wetlands regulations.

No known water quality problems at present, open space and wetland preservation would be effective control measures. Site appears attractive for small-scale, local water source.

EXCERPT ON THE UPPER AND LOWER TITICUS
AQUIFERS (SAME TEXT FOR BOTH) FROM A 1995
RIDGEFIELD PZC CONSULTANT’S STUDY
These aquifers are beneath the Titicus River, a westward flowing river that is a tributary to the Croton River, which in turn is a tributary to the Hudson River. The hydrogeology of the Upper and Lower Titicus aquifers was adequately characterized by the USGS investigation.

Twenty-two well completion reports on file at the Ridgefield Health Department supplement the USGS data. The aquifer is up to 80 feet thick and is composed of fine-grained sediments (silt and clay) in many areas. Interbedded within the aquifer are zones of coarse sand and gravel.

The total areal extent of the combined aquifers is about 1.2 square miles. Generally, the sand directly overlies bedrock, but occasionally is separated from bedrock by a layer of till.

The potential capacity of wells is unclear, because although the aquifer is relatively thick, its fine-grained nature would limit the yields. Portions of the aquifer are mapped with coarser-grained material, which should yield usable quantities of water to a well.

Analyses of water samples include organic compounds, and indicate the water is suitable for consumption; however, manganese has been detected above recommended limits. LBG's search of the CT DEP's records did not reveal any significant threat to water quality.

The USGS estimated that 0.4 to 0.6 million gallons per day are available from recharge to the aquifers from a total watershed area of about 9.8 square miles. This is consistent with our low-flow calculations of 0.3 to 0.6 million gallons per day, depending on the method utilized.