Daniel Arthur Davis | USGS Science

USGS1977

Record of ground-water exploration and development, 1975-76, Moen, Truk, eastern Caroline Islands

The exploration for and development of ground water described in this report consisted of the drilling and testing of 22 holes and the conversion of 8 of the holes into production wells on the island of Moen, Truk Islands, in the period November 1975 to July 1976. The objective of the program was to find sources of water to provide an improved supply for the reservoirs and pipelines of the Moen water system. The bulk of the report consists of records collected at the drilling sites during drilling and testing. Given for each test hole are a description of the drilling operation; a record of development of the hole; a record of each pumping test; and a log of the hole giving a summary description of rock units penetrated by the bit. For wells, there are records, where they are available, of the reaming of test holes to production-well diameter; data on casing, screens, gravel pack, and grout seal; and records of pumping tests. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗

USGS1963

Ground-water reconnaissance of American Samoa

The principal islands of American Samoa are Tutuila, Aunuu, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u, which have a total area of about 72 square miles and a population of about 20,000. The mean annual rainfall is 150 to 200 inches. The islands are volcanic in origin and are composed of lava flows, dikes, tuff. and breccia, and minor amounts of talus, alluvium, and calcareous sand and gravel. Tutuila is a complex island formed of rocks erupted from five volcanoes. Aunuu is a tuff cone. Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u are composed largely of thin-bedded lava flows. Much of the rock of Tutuila has low permeability, and most of the ground water is in high-level reservoirs that discharge at numerous small springs and seeps. The flow from a few springs and seeps is collected in short tunnels or in basins for village supply, but most villages obtain their water from streams. A large supply of basal ground water may underlie the Tafuna-Leone plain at about sea level in permeable lava flows. Small basal supplies may be in alluvial fill at the mouths of large valleys. Aunuu has small quantities of basal water in beach deposits of calcareous sand and gravel. Minor amounts of high-level ground-water flow from springs and seeps on Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u. The generally permeable lava flows in the three islands contain substantial amounts of basal ground water that can be developed in coastal areas in wells dug to about sea level.

Water Supply Paper↗