Element Definition
Saline springs are defined as natural discharge points where groundwater with elevated salinity emerges at the land surface. For this element, saline springs include only locations identified and documented as saline springs in authoritative hydrogeologic datasets compiled by state or federal agencies. Springs not classified as saline or occurrences inferred without documented observation are not included.
Mapped Feature Description
This element is displayed as point features representing the reported surface locations of documented saline springs in Illinois. Each point corresponds to a recorded occurrence in the source dataset. The map does not depict spring discharge rates, water chemistry variability, subsurface flow paths, contributing aquifers, or temporal variability beyond the reported location.
Suitability Classifications
See how to use suitability classifications.
| Classification | Criteria (Distance, Miles) |
|---|---|
| Less Suitable | N/A |
| Suitable | 0-0.5 |
| More Suitable | 0.5-2.5 |
| Most Suitable | >2.5 |
| More Information Needed | N/A |