Geologic and hydrologic data collected at test holes NC-4 and NC-14, Manati and Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Test holes NC-4 and NC-14 were drilled in the municipalities of Manati and Vega Baja, respectively, in northern Puerto Rico as part of a study of the ground-water resources in the Northern Coastal Province of Puerto Rico. This study was conducted from 1986 to 1988 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources. Test holes NC-4 and NC-14 were drilled to depths of 1,898 and 1,837 feet below land surface, respectively. Geologic and hydrologic data collected during drilling included continuous core lithology, water-quality measurements, water levels, and estimates of aquifer yields from the water-bearing zones. Detailed petrological and microfaunal analyses of the cores were used to determine the mineralogical content, ages, and paleoenvironments of deposition. Analysis of the core recovered from test hole NC-4 indicated that four geologic formations of middle Tertiary age were penetrated, these were in descending order: the Aymam6n Limestone, the Los Puertos Limestone, the Cibao Formation, and the Lares Limestone. The Tertiary formations are capped by surficial deposits of Quaternary age. Test hole NC-14 penetrated rocks of middle Tertiary age that included three geologic formations, these were in descending order: the AymamOn Limestone, the Los Puertos Limestone, and the Cibao Formation. These formations are overlain by surficial deposits of Quaternary age. In both test holes the Cibao Formation consisted of the undifferentiated Quebrada Arenas and the Rio Indio Limestone Members of the Cibao Formation and an unnamed mudstone unit. Test hole NC-4 penetrated three water-bearing units: a water-table aquifer and two artesian aquifers. The specific conductance in the water-table aquifer ranged from 500 to 38,000 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius. The specific conductance ranged from 740 to 800 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius in the two artesian aquifers. The relative yield ranged from 120 to 195 gallons per minute in the water-table aquifer and from 60 to 195 gallons per minute in the artesian aquifers. The water level ranged from 81 to 89 feet below land surface in the water-table aquifer. In the artesian aquifers, water levels ranged from 22 feet below land surface to 88 feet above land surface. Test hole NC-14 penetrated four water-bearing units: a water-table aquifer and three artesian aquifers. The specific conductance in the water-table aquifer ranged from 590 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius at a depth of 40 feet to 49,500 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius at 1,010 feet below land surface. In the artesian aquifers specific conductance was about 700 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius. The relative yield ranged from 58 to 370 gallons per minute in the water-table aquifer, and from 15 to 60 gallons per minute in the artesian aquifers. The water level in the water table aquifer ranged from 20 to 32 feet below land surface. In the artesian aquifers the water levels ranged from 18 feet below land surface to 19 feet above land surface.