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Reconnaissance of the quality of surface water in the upper Virgin River Basin, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, 1981-82

G. W. Sandberg·LaVerne G. Sultz
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Abstract

This report on the quality of surface water in the Virgin River basin from the headwaters near Navajo Lake, Utah, to Littlefield, Ariz., was prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Division of Water Rights, Utah Department of Natural Resources. The objectives of the study leading to the report were to obtain information on general chemical characteristics of surface water and to determine effects of the natural environment and water use on these characteristics. The scope of the study did not include an intensive investigation of the effects of man's activities on water quality.

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90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 36.27527883184338° to 37.65120864327176° latitude; -114.2083740234375° to -112.51922607421875° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeXRIS

G. W. Sandberg, LaVerne G. Sultz. 1985. Reconnaissance of the quality of surface water in the upper Virgin River Basin, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, 1981-82. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70178913

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USGS2003

Hydrology and simulation of ground-water flow in Kamas Valley, Summit County, Utah

Kamas Valley, Utah, is located about 50 miles east of Salt Lake City and is undergoing residential development. The increasing number of wells and septic systems raised concerns of water managers and prompted this hydrologic study. About 350,000 acre-feet per year of surface water flows through Kamas Valley in the Weber River, Beaver Creek, and Provo River, which originate in the Uinta Mountains east of the study area. The ground-water system in this area consists of water in unconsolidated deposits and consolidated rock; water budgets indicate very little interaction between consolidated rock and unconsolidated deposits. Most recharge to consolidated rock occurs at higher altitudes in the mountains and discharges to streams and springs upgradient of Kamas Valley. About 38,000 acre-feet per year of water flows through the unconsolidated deposits in Kamas Valley. Most recharge is from irrigation and seepage from major streams; most discharge is to Beaver Creek in the middle part of the valley. Long-term water-level fluctuations range from about 3 to 17 feet. Seasonal fluctuations exceed 50 feet. Transmissivity varies over four orders of magnitude in both the unconsolidated deposits and consolidated rock and is typically 1,000 to 10,000 feet squared per day in unconsolidated deposits and 100 feet squared per day in consolidated rock as determined from specific capacity. Water samples collected from wells, streams, and springs had nitrate plus nitrite concentrations (as N) substantially less than 10 mg/L. Total and fecal coliform bacteria were detected in some surface-water samples and probably originate from livestock. Septic systems do not appear to be degrading water quality. A numerical ground-water flow model developed to test the conceptual understanding of the ground-water system adequately simulates water levels and flow in the unconsolidated deposits. Analyses of model fit and sensitivity were used to refine the conceptual and numerical models.

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