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Access a legend for the map below
Source of Map: Water Resources Inventory of CT, Part 4, Southwestern Coastal River Basins,
by the U. S. Geological Survey and the CT Department of Environmental Protection, 1970.

THIS IS AN EARLY (1970) GENERALIZED MAP OF ESTIMATED AQUIFER BOUNDARIES ONLY;
COMPARE IT TO LATER DATE USGS SURFICIAL MATERIALS MAP

HISTORIC BASE LINE DATA: 1980 HVCEO
REPORT ON UPPER SAUGATUCK AQUIFER
Situated at the southern end of the wide north-south limestone valley which is a central geologic feature of the entire Region, this 1.5 square mile aquifer extends along the Saugatuck River just east of the center of West Redding (Route 53, Side Cut and Station Roads). USGS data indicates an inferred coarse-grained structure, bedrock contact lines within aquifer, and a possible maximum depth of 70 feet.

Lightly developed, this area has extensive wetland, a small retail shopping area at its west end and scattered low-density residences. protection is presently provided by wetlands regulations, low-density residential zoning (2-acre minimum), and several reserved parcels owned by Bridgeport Hydraulic Co. Well surveys and records compiled by U.S. Geological Survey indicate the existence of one well with "impaired" quality water presently in this aquifer, and 8 wells which have been contaminated upstream 4 miles away Fox Hill and Wataba Lakes); no test wells to determine yield have been established.

Vigilant enforcement of on-site sewage disposal standards is the most important control measure needed to protect this aquifer, which has significance for future local-area water supply by virtue of aquifer’s capacity, estimated yield and relatively good protection.

UPPER SAUGATUCK AQUIFER
IN 1982 U.S. ARMY CORPS STUDY
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Housatonic River Basin Urban Study” of 1982 offered some perspective on the Upper Saugatuck Aquifer. According to that study: “The Upper Saugatuck Aquifer which is located in the northern portion of Redding has approximately a 1.5 square mile area. The area is lightly developed including extensive wetlands, a small retail shopping area at the west end and scattered low density residential.

The aquifer has a potential safe yield of 0.5 million gallons per day. The cost of the wellfield, pump station and transmission main to transport this water 5.5 miles to the Ridgefield System is $717,000. An 8 inch force main would be required as in the Sugar Hollow Aquifer alternative.

The Upper Saugatuck Aquifer, like the Sugar Hollow Aquifer, is also located in the watershed of the Saugatuck Reservoir. If 0.5 million gallons per day is drawn from the aquifer, it may decrease the safe yield of the Saugatuck Reservoir by that much.”