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j <br /> 11 <br /> Conclusions <br /> Although a great deal of data and information is generated and used in the creation of this report, <br /> several basic findings can be highlighted from the report: <br /> • Approximately 41%of County residents depend on ground water for their <br /> drinking water supply. <br /> • Most of the ground water in Orange County is found in a geologic zone of <br /> weathered bedrock and soil,termed the"regolith" <br /> • The recharge to the ground water system is highest along a north-south zone in <br /> the center of the County,and lowest in the western and southeastern(Triassic <br /> basin)portions of the County. The Haw River basin in western Orange has the <br /> lowest mean recharge with 311 gallons/day/acre,while the Morgan Creek basin <br /> upstream of Chapel Hill has the highest rate at 477 gallons/day/acre. <br /> • A significant portion of streamflow in Orange County streams is ground water <br /> "baseflow",ranging from 48%in Morgan Creek upstream from Chapel Hill to <br /> 32% in New Hope River(Bolin Creek and the areas draining to Jordan Lake). <br /> • Mean recharge rates and recharge duration statistics(the percentage of time <br /> during which ground water flow meets or exceeds a specified amount)can be <br /> used for ground water management planning.Two examples are provided that <br /> illustrate ways data could be used to estimate a required recharge area.However, <br /> a number of assumptions are utilized in this approach that may be open to <br /> interpretation.The examples are provided as illustrations of ways that data can <br /> be used for planning purposes,rather than a standard template for application in <br /> review of individual sites. <br /> • Overall,there is considerable ground water available in Orange County,to <br /> varying degrees in the different basins.These resources can be relied upon to <br /> provide potable water to a significant part of the County's population,through <br /> careful planning and application of sound hydrogeologic principles. <br /> 8 <br />