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Ground-water pumpage and water-level declines in the Peedee and Black Creek aquifers in Onslow and Jones Counties, North Carolina, 1900-86

Water-Resources Investigations Report 89-4197
By W.L. Lyke and A.R. Brockman

Abstract

Two aquifers in sediments of Cretaceous age, The Peedee and Black Creek aquifers, have become a major source of freshwater in Onslow and Jones Counties in North Carolina since about 1960. Prior to 1960, most water systems in this area withdrew water from younger sand or limestone beds that overlie the Peedee and Black Creek aquifers. Water-quality and economic considerations related to the treatment of water from these shallower aquifers led to increased use of the Peedee and Black Creek aquifers. Water withdrawals from the Black Creek and Peedee aquifers were about 10,000 gallons per day in 1933. By 1986, total withdrawals were about 7.8 million gallons per day, about 90 percent of which was supplied from the Black Creek aquifer. As a result of these withdrawals, ground-water levels have declined throughout Onslow and Jones Counties. The average rate of decline in static water levels in the Peedee aquifer is about 0.6 feet per year in central Jones County and about 1.4 feet per year in northern Onslow County. Rates of water level decline in the Black Creek aquifer average about 8.3 feet per year in Jones County to about 12 feet per year in northern Onslow County. Water levels in the Peedee aquifer have declined as much as 40 feet in Jones County and 80 feet in northern Onslow County since about 1900. During the same period, water levels in the Black Creek aquifer have declined as much as 120 and 160 feet in Jones and northern Onslow Counties, respectively.

Lyke, W.L., and Brockman, A.R., 1990, Ground-water pumpage and water-level declines in the Peedee and Black Creek aquifers in Onslow and Jones Counties, North Carolina, 1900-86: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 89-4197, 32 p.