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Research about Uinta Basin

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Uinta Basin.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1981

Geochemistry of spring water, southeastern Uinta Basin, Utah and Colorado

The chemical quality of water in the southeastern Uinta Basin, Utah and Colorado, is important to the future development of the abundant oil-shale resources of the area. This report examines the observed changes in chemistry as water circulates in both shallow and deep ground-water systems. Mass-balance and mass- transfer calculations are used to define reactions that simulate the observed water chemistry in the mixed sandstone, siltstone, and carbonate lithology of the Green River Formation of Tertiary age. The mass-transfer calculations determine a reaction path particular to this system. The early dominance of calcite dissolution produces a calcium carbonate water. After calcite saturation, deeper circulation and further rock-water interaction cause the reprecipitation of calcite, the dissolution of dolomite and plagioclase, and the oxidation of pyrite; all combining to produce a calcium magnesium sodium bicarbonate sulfate water. The calculations suggest that silica concentrations are controlled by a kaolinite-Ca-montmorillonite phase boundary. Close agreement of mineral-saturation indices calculated by both an aqueous-equilibrium model and the mass-transfer model support the selection of reactions from the mass-transfer calculations.

Colorado, Utah↗
USGS1979

Vegetation map of the southeastern Uinta Basin, Utah and Colorado

This map has been prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of a hydrologic investigation of the southeastern Uinta Basin in cooperation with the Utah State Engineer and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The map defines the extent of dominant types of vegetation within the study area prior to proposed oil-shale development. The information presented will be helpful for estimating runoff and ground-water recharge and for identifying large scale vegetation modifications which could result from environmental changes.

Colorado, Utah↗
USGS1979

Maps showing generalized structure contours on the tops of the Wasatch and Green River Formations, geologic sections, and contours of thickness of the Green River Formation, southeastern Uinta Basin, Utah and Colorado

These maps were prepared as part of a hydrologic investigation in the southeastern Uinta Basin, Utah and Colorado. (See index map.) Most of the study area of 2,350 square miles is underlain by consolidated rocks of Tertiary age – the Wasatch, Green River, and Uinta Formations. The Green River Formation contains thick beds of oil shale, which are of considerable economic importance as a potential source of petroleum products. Cashion (1967, pl. 1) showed detailed structure contours on the top of the thickest of the oil-shale beds – the Mahogany bed. The generalized structure contours shoe=wn on sheet 1 for the tops of the Wasatch and Green River Formations were prepared to serve as a guide to further data acquisition. Structural high or low areas, which could affect the direction of ground-water movement, would be considered in planning future test wells. The generalized map of the Green River formation (sheet 2) could be an indication of changes in aquifer thickness, and this would also serve as a guide for future test drilling.

Colorado, Utah↗
USGS1978

Water resources of the northern Uinta Basin area, Utah and Colorado, with special emphasis on ground water supply

The northern Uinta Basin area covers about 5,200 square miles (13,470 square kilometers) in northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado. Much of the lowlands are arid to semiarid, but the highest parts of the Uinta Mountains have a humid climate. During 1941-70, the average annual precipitation ranged from less than 8 inches (203 millimeters) in the lowest part of the area at the Green River to more than 38 inches (965 millimeters) in the high west-central Uinta Mountains.

Colorado, Utah↗
USGS1976

Selected hydrologic data, Uinta Basin area, Utah and Colorado

The Uinta Basin area in northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado covers an area of slightly more than 10,000 mi 2 (25,900 km 2 ). More than 95 percent of the basin is in Utah, thus most of the data in this report apply to Utah. Most of the water wells are concentrated in populated areas along the lower parts of the basin; records of only a representative number of these water sources are included in this report. This report presents consolidated listings of data selected for use in hydrologic studies in the Uinta Basin area through June 1974. The data are principally taken from three studies made during 1971-74 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights. Also incorporated in this report are data collected since 1935 by the Geological Survey and other organizations. This report is intended to make data conveniently available and to supplement interpretive reports that will be published separately. For some data sites, the volume of data is too great for complete inclusion here. For these sites, data summaries are provided, and for greater detail the reader is referred to the sources listed under Selected references.

Colorado, Utah↗