• IUB Newsroom »
• Indiana Geological Survey report explores hidden water resources

Indiana Geological Survey report explores hidden water resources

• Feb. 4, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Abandoned coal mines scattered across southwestern Indiana may be a future source of valuable groundwater that could be used for a variety of purposes, according to a new report published by the Indiana Geological Survey.

More than 194,000 acres of Indiana are underlain by underground coal mines, and the amount of groundwater that fills the voids of these abandoned mines may be as much as 172 billion gallons, the report says. These potentially high-yielding coal-mine aquifers may represent resources of significant public and commercial value.

“Abandoned underground coal mines have often been forgotten once their intended purpose has been exploited,” said John C. Steinmetz, director of the Indiana Geological Survey. “Now, however, with this study, a potential new resource has been revealed. Not only does it document a source of water in the state that has heretofore not even been considered, but it opens possibilities for such other purposes as renewable geothermal heat-pump and cooling systems, and even for energy storage.”

At the same time, little is known about the quality of water within flooded coal mines, the mechanisms of recharge and discharge, or the hydrodynamics of individual mine pools. The report, "Characterization of Groundwater in the Coal-Mine Aquifers of Indiana," summarizes the limited data specific to Indiana that are available, and suggests lines of research that promote the future use -- and remediation, where necessary -- of this potentially valuable resource. 

Authors of the report are Indiana Geological Survey researchers Denver Harper, Tracy D. Branam and Greg A. Olyphant. It is available from the Indiana Geological Survey Bookstore.

The Indiana Geological Survey is a research institute of Indiana University that receives support, in part, from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at IU Bloomington; its mission is to provide geologic information and counsel that contribute to the wise stewardship of the energy, mineral, and water resources of the state. Since 1837, the health, safety and welfare of Indiana’s citizenry have benefited through a combination of Indiana Geological Survey activities: Focused research initiatives and cooperative investigations with governmental agencies, businesses and industries, and educational organizations; geologic sample and data collection and archiving; and dissemination of information in many forms, including published maps, reports, databases and educational outreach programs.