AQUIFER TEST AT A SITE ON THE MULLICA RIVER IN THE WHARTON TRACT, SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY

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Abstract
A pumping test was conducted along the Mullica River in the Wharton Tract, New Jersey as part of a water-resources investigation. Impermeable bog iron caps parts of the flood plain and channel so that ground-water recharge moves directly into the river. Observation wells on both sides of the river tapped water-bearing zones at 25 (shallow), 50 (medium), and 100 (deep) feet. A pumping well, screened in the medium zone, caused abrupt drawdowns which leveled off after a few minutes. Shape of the drawdown cone established early and changed little throughout the test. Piezometric surfaces were steepest on the southwest, indicating that most water came from there. Uninterrupted contour trends beneath the river show that here relatively little water entered the aquifer. Head differentials between the zones were greatest at the pumping well. Movement from the deep to medium zones was confined largely to the pumping-well vicinity. Pumping produced extensive reductions in the original areas of upward gradient between the medium and shallow zones; thus, areas of downward leakage became connected across the river. Piezometric head beneath the river was progressively lowered and caused the flood plain to dry; it became wet again when pumping stopped. The well field recovered to natural conditions in about 24 hours. Lack of hydraulic continuity between the river and aquifer results from bog iron deposits. Their removal will improve the continuity, and it appears feasible to induce river recharge to nearby pumping wells.

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