Proposal title: ohios FY2025 statemap contributions 20252027PROJECT period: 08 18 2025 08 17 2027 purpose the purpose of this award is to conduct geologic mapping in both williams county, ohio and the…

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources received an $850,564 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Geological Survey under the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP), CFDA 15.810, effective August 18, 2025, through August 17, 2027. Under this State Component (STATEMAP) award, the Ohio Geological Survey will conduct comprehensive geologic mapping in Williams County and across the entire state of Ohio to support economic development and infrastructure planning. The project employs traditional field mapping techniques, including core drilling to collect subsurface samples, outcrop characterization, soil pit excavations, hand augering, and geophysical surveying to measure depth-to-bedrock. Additionally, the survey will utilize field mapping and remote sensing to identify and document karst hazards, particularly sinkholes, throughout Ohio.

The deliverables include five new geologic data products: three traditional geologic maps depicting glacial geology and bedrock topography of Williams County plus statewide karst hazard potential; one digital data file map; and one technical report documenting drilling findings. These products will provide essential geologic information to support groundwater resource identification and site selection for new manufacturing and infrastructure development projects across Ohio.

Proposal title: ohios FY2025 statemap contributions 20252027PROJECT period: 08 18 2025 08 17 2027 purpose the purpose of this award is to conduct geologic mapping in both williams county, ohio and the entire state of ohio. This mapping data supports the economic development of the state of ohio by providing geologic information to companies who seek to develop new american manufacturing and infrastructure projects. These projects rely on the availability of groundwater, which can be better identified using the data created through this project. Activities the ohio geological survey will employ traditional and proven geologic field mapping techniques to create and collect new map data to support all projects. Project #1 will use core drilling to collect a continuous core sample of the thickest layers of unconsolidated materials found in williams county. For project #1, survey geologists will visit field sites where outcrops, or exposures of subsurface geologic units, are available to describe the geologic relationships and characterize the characteristics of these sediments. Where outcrops are not available, survey geologists will conduct subsurface investigations by digging soil pits or hand augering to describe and characterize sediments. Geophysical techniques will be used to measure the depth-to-bedrock throughout williams county and across the state to support projects #1 and #3. Geologists will utilize both field mapping and remote sensing techniques to document the occurrence of karst (sinkhole) landforms across the entire state of ohio to support work for project #2. Deliverables and outcomes the ohio geological survey will publish 5 new geologic data products, which include 3 traditional geologic maps, 1 digital data file map, and 1 report on drilling activities findings. These maps will depict the glacial geology of williams county, the bedrock topography of williams county, the statewide potential for karst (primarily sinkholes) hazards, and the statewide bedrock topography. The report on drilling activity and findings will be published based on the coring work done in williams county, which supports the mapping projects. Maps for the glacial geology and bedrock topography of williams county will be published at a 1:62,500 scale, while statewide bedrock topography and karst susceptibility maps will be published at a 1:500,000 scale. Intended beneficiary(IES) the primary intended beneficiaries of this work are corporations and local (municipal and county) governments that can use these data to develop natural resources for economic development and infrastructure improvements. Citizens who rely on private water wells for groundwater supply also will benefit from better mapping of the geology in williams county. Statewide maps of bedrock topography and karst susceptibility will help business and government leaders to drive economic development to appropriate locations within ohio.