A typical Ortonville-area well penetrates a sequence of unconsolidated gravel, clay, and sand layers overlying bedrock (often sandstone or limestone), with residential wells drawing from gravel or sand aquifers at moderate depths.
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Open guide →A geological estimate for the Ortonville area.
Based on synthesis of multiple well logs from the Ortonville and surrounding region (Oakland/Genesee/Lapeer counties), the most representative geological profile is as follows: The shallowest layers are typically surficial gravels (sometimes sandy or red), often up to 40-45 ft thick, underlain by varying thicknesses of clay (often brown or gray, sometimes hard, 20-60 ft), with additional water-bearing sand or sand/gravel intervals typically encountered below these clays (15-30 ft thick, often used as domestic aquifers). At greater depths (>100 ft), wells may encounter additional thick gravel/sand or transition into fractured bedrock (sandstone, limestone, granite), which serve as high-capacity aquifers. The static water level is usually between 17 and 65 ft below grade, and residential wells are most commonly completed at 70 to 120 ft for reliable yields (10-20 GPM). High-capacity/bedrock wells can extend to 180-260 ft or deeper.
| Depth (Feet) | Formation Type | Description | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 40 ft | Gravel (occas. sandy/red), locally mixed with clay | Coarse to medium gravel, sometimes sandy or reddish, forming the basal surficial layer; water may be present in basal portions. | Color: Brown-Red Hardness: Loose to medium consolidated |
| 40 – 70 ft | Clay (occas. sandy/hard/gray/red/brown) | Firm to hard clay, often brown, gray, or reddish; acts as a confining layer between aquifers. | Color: Brown-Gray-Red Hardness: Hard to very firm |
| 70 – 95 ft | Sand & Gravel (Water Bearing) | Sand and gravel (often medium to coarse), principal domestic aquifer for residential wells, generally saturated. | Color: Gray-Brown Hardness: Unconsolidated to semi-consolidated |
| 95 – 140 ft | Clay or Sandy Clay (subordinate gravel/sand layers possible) | Mostly clay; may include sandy or gravel lenses; less permeable, locally acts as aquitard. | Color: Brown-Gray Hardness: Hard |
| 140 – 200 ft | Sandstone or Sand & Gravel Transition | Coarse sand, sandstone, or mixed gravels; high-yield zones for deeper or higher capacity wells; can include transition to fractured bedrock (limestone/sandstone). | Color: Light brown, gray, tan Hardness: Consolidated (bedrock); loose before bedrock |
