Two of at least 15 geologic formations below the Outer Coastal Plain section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The upper sand formations are the Kirkwood and the Cohansey. The older Kirkwood formation underlies the Cohansey formation on top. The Cohansey aquifer, a water table reservoir (water at or near the surface), feeds the bogs, marshes, streams, and swamps of the Pine Barrens.

Together the Cohansey and Kirkwood aquifers contain a potable water supply estimated at 17 trillion gallons. Through the conservation efforts of the Pinelands preservationists, this water reserve is intact and relatively clean.  Recent testing by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), however, has shown disturbing levels of mercury, radon,  and other contaminants in some wells in the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifers.
 
 

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