Groundwater Flow and Distribution of Subsurface Materials in the Immediate Vicinity of Clear Lake, Wisconsin

Event Center A&B

Clear Lake and three kettle lakes in the glaciated terrain of Rock County, in southern Wisconsin experienced long-term flooding after record precipitation that occurred between 2006 and 2008.water levels of the lake continued to rise in 2009, long after the heavy precipitation ceased. A project was undertaken by the Keck Geology Consortium to determine why this is occurring at this location but not at other nearby locations. That groundwater is the controlling factor in this sustained flooding is a hypothesis proposed by the project’s founder, Dr. Susan Swanson of Beloit College. Research was conducted by the Keck group at Clear Lake, in July of 2012, which included geochemical and biological analyses to help determine paleoclimate as it relates to current lake flooding. Data were gathered to determine a hydrological budget of Clear Lake. Hydrogeologic data were gathered by drilling and monitoring wells, and from data collected from private wells in the area. Three-dimensional hydrologic models are being produced in order to gain a better understanding of the behavior of groundwater in the area. All subprojects are still ongoing at this time (December 2012). Results of hydrogeologic research conducted thus far indicate that Swanson’s hypothesis appears correct. Groundwater is coming into the area from three directions and is flowing out to the north. It is proposed that clay layers are the primary factor causing groundwater retention.