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Ground-water conditions in southern Utah Valley and Goshen Valley, Utah

The investigation of ground-water conditions in southern Utah Valley and Goshen Valley, Utah, was made by the U. S. Geological Survey as part of a cooperative program with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, to investigate the water resources of the State. The purposes of the investigation were to (1) determine the occurrence, recharge, discharge, movement, storage, chemical quality, and availability of ground water; (2) appraise the effects of increased withdrawal of water from wells; and (3) evaluate the effect of the Central Utah Project on the ground-water reservoir and the water supply of Utah Lake. This report presents a description of the aquifer system in the two valleys, a detailed description of the ground-water resources, and conclusions about potential development and its effect on the hydrologic conditions in the valleys. Two supplementary reports are products of the investigation. A basic-data release (Cordova, 1969) contains most of the basic data collected for the investigation, including well characteristics, drillers' logs, water levels, pumpage from wells, chemical analyses of ground and surface waters, and discharge of selected springs, drains, and streams. An interpretive report (Cordova and Mower, 1967) contains the results of a large-scale aquifer test in southern Utah Valley.

Utah↗

Assessment of ground-water withdrawals at municipal industrial parks in Puerto Rico, 2000

An assessment of ground-water withdrawals at municipal industrial parks throughout Puerto Rico was conducted to investigate the effect of ground-water usage on nearby surface- and ground-water resources. Water-bearing strata were divided into four generalized hydrogeologic units: (1) fissured aquifers (including karst and non-karst limestone); (2) intergranular aquifers; (3) intergranular aquifers overlying fissured rock units; and (4) strata with local or limited ground-water resources. Approximately 49 percent of the municipal industrial parks are located in areas with local or limited ground-water resources, 29 percent overlie intergranular aquifers, 13 percent overlie fissured aquifers, and 9 percent overlie intergranular units that overlie fissured rock units. Hydrogeologic data for the generalized hydrogeologic units were compiled from published U.S. Geological Survey reports. Depths to ground water near industrial parks range from approximately 20 to 400 feet in the fissured aquifers, 6 to 65 feet in coastal intergranular aquifers, 3 to 30 feet in intergranular aquifers overlying fissured rock units, and 1 to 100 feet in strata with local or limited ground-water resources. Aquifer transmissivities near industrial parks range from approximately 100,000 feet squared per day in the fissured aquifers to less than 100 feet squared per day in the strata with local or limited ground-water resources. Well construction data were compiled from published U.S. Geological Survey reports, drillers? logs, and unpublished reports. Specific capacity for wells near industrial parks ranges from approximately 100 gallons per minute per foot of drawdown in the fissured aquifer at Manati to approximately 0.1 gallon per minute per foot of drawdown in strata with local and limited ground-water resources at Bayamon. Reported well yields near industrial parks ranges from 2,800 gallons per minute in the intergranular aquifer at Santa Isabel to approximately 3 gallons per minute in strata with local and limited ground-water resources at Adjuntas. Historical ground-water-level data from U.S. Geological Survey observation wells were used to define ground-water levels trends in the vicinity of industrial parks. Areas showing ground-water level declines, and therefore possible aquifer over-development, are located in Barceloneta and Guayama. Rising ground-water levels were noted in the vicinity of industrial parks at Florida, Ponce, and Yauco. Ground-water withdrawal data were compiled from site visits to the industrial facilities and from information provided by Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Total ground-water withdrawal at the municipal industrial parks was estimated to be 1.6 million gallons per day. Most withdrawals were from intergranular coastal aquifers, which accounted for about two thirds of the ground-water withdrawals. Municipal industrial parks with substantial ground-water withdrawals are located in Bayamon, Caguas, Humacao, and Ponce.

Scientific Investigations Report↗

Temporal trends in nitrate and selected pesticides in mid-atlantic ground water

Evaluating long-term temporal trends in regional ground-water quality is complicated by variable hydrogeologic conditions and typically slow flow, and such trends have rarely been directly measured. Ground-water samples were collected over near-decadal and annual intervals from unconfined aquifers in agricultural areas of the Mid-Atlantic region, including fractured carbonate rocks in the Great Valley, Potomac River Basin, and unconsolidated sediments on the Delmarva Peninsula. Concentrations of nitrate and selected pesticides and degradates were compared among sampling events and to apparent recharge dates. Observed temporal trends are related to changes in land use and chemical applications, and to hydrogeology and climate. Insignificant differences in nitrate concentrations in the Great Valley between 1993 and 2002 are consistent with relatively steady fertilizer application during respective recharge periods and are likely related to drought conditions in the later sampling period. Detecting trends in Great Valley ground water is complicated by long open boreholes characteristic of wells sampled in this setting which facilitate significant ground-water mixing. Decreasing atrazine and prometon concentrations, however, reflect reported changes in usage. On the Delmarva Peninsula between 1988 and 2001, median nitrate concentrations increased 2 mg per liter in aerobic ground water, reflecting increasing fertilizer applications. Correlations between selected pesticide compounds and apparent recharge date are similarly related to changing land use and chemical application. Observed trends in the two settings demonstrate the importance of considering hydrogeology and recharge date along with, changing land and chemical uses when interpreting trends in regional ground-water quality. Copyright ?? 2008 by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. All rights reserved.

Conference Paper↗

Ground water in the Yelm area, Thurston and Pierce counties, Washington

This report presents the results of an investigation of the ground-water resources of the Yelm area, Pierce and Thurston Counties, Wash. It was made at the request of the Division of Water Resources, Washington State Department of Conservation and Development, for the purpose of determining the availability of ground water for irrigation to replace surface water that is no longer available as a result of the abandonment of the Yelm Irrigation Ditch.

Washington↗

Reversal of declining ground-water levels in the Chicago area

Abundant water resources have been an important part of the economic development of the Chicago area for more than a century. The city of Chicago, Ill., and other lakefront towns have used Lake Michigan as a water supply. Where water from Lake Michigan was not available or a need for supplemental water supplies was present, deep wells (generally greater than 700 feet) provided a clean, reliable, and abundant water supply from the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer. Public water suppliers withdraw the most ground water in the eight-county Chicago area (Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties). This report describes a reversal in the trend of declining ground-water levels in the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer in the Chicago area as public water suppliers have converted from the withdrawal of ground water from wells to the withdrawal of surface water from Lake Michigan.

Illinois↗

Lithologic and ground-water data for monitoring wells in the Santa Clara-Calleguas ground-water basin, Ventura County, California, 1989-95

Twenty-three multiple-well (nested) monitoring sites were constructed in the western part of the Santa Clara-Calleguas Hydrologic Unit and ground-water basin between October 1989 and May 1994. This report is a compilation of the data collected at these sites from October 1989 through April 1995 and includes location and design of the monitoring sites, lithologic data, geophysical logs, ground-water-level measurements, and water-quality analyses. Grain-size distribution and mineralogical analyses also are included. Ninety-nine piezometers were installed at the 23 sites to enable collection of depth-dependent data. Lithologic logs were compiled from descriptions of drill cuttings for each site and from observations recorded during logging. Generalized stratigraphic columns were compiled by grouping similar lithologic units. Grain-size and mineralogical analyses were used to identify and characterize the various lithologic units and to distinguish changes among them. Geophysical logs provided information on the character of the lithologic units and on the presence and chemical characteristics of ground water. Water levels were measured periodically during 1989-94. Water-quality data were collected periodically during 1989-95.

Open-File Report↗

Gaining, losing, and dry stream reaches at Bear Creek Valley, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March and September 1994

A study was conducted to delineate stream reaches that were gaining flow, losing flow, or that were dry in the upper reaches of Bear Creek Valley near the Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The study included a review of maps and discharge data from a seepage investigation conducted at Bear Creek Valley; preparation of tables showing site identification and discharge and stream reaches that were gaining flow, losing flow, or that were dry; and preparation of maps showing measurement site locations and discharge measurements, and gaining, losing, and dry stream reaches. This report will aid in developing a better understanding of ground-water and surface-water interactions in the upper reaches of Bear Creek.

Tennessee↗

Simulation of ground-water flow in glaciofluvial aquifers in the Grand Rapids area, Minnesota

A calibrated steady-state, finite-difference, ground-waterflow model was constructed to simulate ground-water flow in three glaciofluvial aquifers, defined in this report as the upper, middle, and lower aquifers, in an area of about 114 mi2 surrounding the city of Grand Rapids in north-central Minnesota. The calibrated model will be used by Minnesota Department of Health and communities in the Grand Rapids area in the development of wellhead protection plans for their water supplies. The model was calibrated through comparison of simulated ground-water levels to measured static water levels in 351 wells, and comparison of simulated base-flow rates to estimated base-flow rates for reaches of the Mississippi and Prairie Rivers. Model statistics indicate that the model tends to overestimate ground-water levels. The root mean square errors ranged from +12.83 ft in wells completed in the upper aquifer to +19.10 ft in wells completed in the middle aquifer. Mean absolute differences between simulated and measured water levels ranged from +4.43 ft for wells completed in the upper aquifer to +9.25 ft for wells completed in the middle aquifer. Mean algebraic differences ranged from +9.35 ft for wells completed in the upper aquifer to +14.44 ft for wells completed in the middle aquifer, with the positive differences indicating that the simulated water levels were higher than the measured water levels. Percentage errors between simulated and estimated base-flow rates for the three monitored reaches all were less than 10 percent, indicating good agreement. Simulated ground-water levels were most sensitive to changes in general-head boundary conductance, indicating that this characteristic is the predominant model input variable controlling steady-state water-level conditions. Simulated groundwater flow to stream reaches was most sensitive to changes in horizontal hydraulic conductivity, indicating that this characteristic is the predominant model input variable controlling steady-state flow conditions.

Minnesota↗

Water resources data for Maine, water year 1971

Water resources data for the 1971 water year for Maine including records of streamflow or reservoir storage at gaging stations, partial-record stations, and miscellaneous sites, records of water-quality data on the chemical and physical characteristics of surface- and ground-water, and records of ground-water levels in index wells are given in this report. Records for a few pertinent gaging stations in bordering States and Provinces are also included. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of G. S. Hayes, District Chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Maine.

Maine↗

Water resources data for Maine, water year 1973

Water resources data for the 1973 water year for Maine including records of streamflow or reservoir storage at gaging stations, partial-record stations, and miscellaneous sites, records of water-quality data on the chemical and physical characteristics of surface- and ground-water, and records of ground-water levels in index wells are given in this report. Records for a few pertinent gaging stations in bordering States and Provinces are also included. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of G. S. Hayes, District Chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Maine.

Maine↗

Water resources data, Maine, water year 1992

The Water Resouces Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State, Federal, and other local governmental agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Maine each year. These data, accumulated during the many water years, constitute a valuable data base for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the State. Water resources data for the 1992 water year for Maine consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; water levels of ground-water wells; and precipitation amounts at selected sites. This report contains discharge records for 49 gaging stations; stage records for 2 lakes; month-end contents for 17 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality data for 12 gaging stations; water levels for 31 ground-water wells; and daily precipitation totals at 1 site. Additional water data were collected at other sites, not part of the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements.

Maine↗

Water resources data, Maine, water year 1993

The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State, Federal, and other local governmental agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Maine each year. These data, accumulated during the many water years, constitute a valuable data base for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the State. Water-resources data for the 1993 water year for Maine consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; water levels of ground-water wells; and precipitation amounts at selected sites. This report contains discharge records for 47 gaging stations, stage records for 1 lake; month-end contents for 17 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality data for 12 gaging stations; water levels for 30 ground-water wells; and daily precipitation totals at 1 site. Additional water data were collected at other sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements.

Maine↗

Water resources data, Maine, water year 1994

The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State, Federal, and other local governmental agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Maine each year. These data, accumulated during the many water years, constitute a valuable data base for developing an improved understanding of the water resources of the State. Water-resources data for the 1994 water year for Maine consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; water levels of ground-water wells; and precipitation amounts at selected sites. This report contains discharge records for 48 gaging stations, stage records for 1 lake; month-end contents for 15 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality data for 14 gaging stations; water levels for 31 ground-water wells; and daily precipitation totals at 1 site. Additional water data were collected at other sites, not part of the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements.

Maine↗

Water resources data for West Virginia, water year 1974

Water resources data for the 1974 water year for West Virginia including records of streamflow or reservoir storage at gaging stations, partial-record stations, and miscellaneous sites, records of water-quality data on the chemical and physical characteristics of surface water, and records of ground-water levels at index wells are given in this report. In Part 1, records are included for 131 gaging stations of which 124 are streamflow discharge stations, 1 is stage only streamflow station, and 6 are reservoir or lake stations; also included are records for 12 low-flow partial-record stations, 38 crest-stage partial-record stations and 13 miscellaneous sites. Locations of gaging stations are shown in Figure 1, and location of partial-record stations are shown in Figure 2. In Part 2, data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals, such as once daily, weekly, monthly, or less frequently, and at some sites data were recorded on punched paper tape at 15-, 30-, or 60-minute intervals. Records are given for 42 sampling stations of which 30 are continuous record stations, and 12 are partial-record stations. Locations of water-quality stations are shown in Figure 1. A few pertinent stations (not included above) in bordering States are also included in this report. In Part 3, records are included for 37 observation wells of which 8 are equipped with water-level recorders that give a continuous graph of the fluctuations, 3 are equipped with digital recorders that punch the water level on a tape at hourly intervals, at 26 manual reading are made with a steel tape by observers on the days indicated. Locations of index wells are shown in Figure 2. The records were collected and computed by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of Edwin E. Harris, district chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in West Virginia. Beginning with the 1961 water year, streamflow records and related data have been released by the Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-boundary basis. Water-quality records beginning with the 1964 water year have been similarly released either in separate reports or in conjunction with streamflow records. These reports are for limited distribution and are designed primarily for rapid release of data shortly after the end of the water year. Records of discharge and stage of streams, and contents and stage of lakes and reservoirs are published in a series of U.S. Geological Survey water-supply papers entitled, "Surface Water Supply of the United States." Through September 30, 1960, these water-supply papers were in an annual series and since then are in a 5-year series. Records of chemical quality, water temperatures, and suspended sediment have been published since 1941 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." More information is given under the headings "Publications" on page 24. Records of ground water levels are published in a series of water supply papers entitled, "Ground-water Levels in the United States". Through 1955 these were in an annual series but are now in a 5-year series. More information is given under the heading "Publications" on page 25.

West Virginia↗

Water-table contours, directions of ground-water movement, and measurements of inflow to American Falls Reservoir, southeastern Idaho, April 1984

In 1978 the U.S. Geological Survey began a 5-year study of the High Plains regional aquifer system to provide hydrologic information for evaluating the effects of long-term development of the aquifer and to develop a capability for predicting aquifer response to alternative changes in ground-water management. By use of a digital model, this report presents a quantitative description of the High Plains aquifer in Oklahoma. The High Plains aquifer consists predominantly of the Tertiary Ogallala Formation and overlying Quaternary alluvium and terrace deposits which are hydraulically connected to the High Plains aquifer. Much of the aquifer is underlain by formations of Permian through Cretaceous age, which generally have very small hydraulic conductivities. In some areas parts of underlying Triassic, Jurassic, or Cretaceous rocks are hydraulically connected with the aquifer. The High Plains aquifer is a water-table aquifer in which water moves generally to the east-southeast. Before the beginning of extensive irrigation of the 1960's, the aquifer was essentially in dynamic equilibrium with recharge from precipitation balanced by natural discharge from the aquifer. Ground-water discharge appeared in streams leaving the area or was returned to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. Accurate records of irrigation pumpage are not available from the High Plains. In order to estimate irrigation pumpage, published records of crop distribution were used and a consumptive use was assigned to each principal irrigated crop. This method gave an estimated irrigation demand. Pumpage was taken as a percentage of the total irrigation demand. Irrigation has decreased ground-water discharge from the High Plains aquifer. Ground-water discharge was estimated as approximately 118 cubic feet per second in 1980. A finite-difference digital model was used to simulate flow in the High Plains aquifer. The recharge was adjusted so that 1980 ground-water discharge was 118 cubic feet per second, the estimated ground-water discharge for 1980. Recharge in the eastern half of the modeled area was 0.45 inch per year; one-half this value was used in the western half of the modeled area. Hydraulic conductivity was divided into three zones: 19.3 feet per day in the eastern zone; 16.2 feet per day in the central zone; and 8.28 feet per day in the western zone. A specific yield of 14.7 percent was used in the model. Using all these parameters, the model was calibrated so that the mean difference between predevelopment modeled and measured head was -0.044 foot. Following the calibration procedure, the model was used to predict the volumes of water in storage and distribution of saturated thickness in 1993 and 2020 using the 1980 pumping rates. The calculated quantity of water in storage in the aquifer in 1941 (predevelopment) was approximately 135.2 million acre-feet; in 1980, approximately 121.9 million acre-feet; in 1993 approximately 112.7 million acre-feet; and in 2020, approximately 96.2 million acre-feet. The High Plains aquifer in Oklahoma will continue to be an important source of water past the year 2000. As withdrawals continue from the aquifer at the present rate, the water table will continue to decline and when the water table drops below the streambed in any part of the area, ground-water discharge to streams will cease in that area. Based on the calculated volumes of water in storage, the volume of water remaining in storage as compared to the predevelopment volume is as follows: 90 percent in 1980, 83 percent in 1993, and 71 percent in 2020.

Idaho↗

Hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow at Arnold Air Force Base, Coffee and Franklin counties, Tennessee

The U.S. Air Force at Arnold Air Force Base (AAFB), in Coffee and Franklin Counties, Tennessee, is investigating ground-water contamination in selected areas of the base. This report documents the results of a comprehensive investigation of the regional hydrogeology of the AAFB area. Three aquifers within the Highland Rim aquifer system, the shallow aquifer, the Manchester aquifer, and the Fort Payne aquifer, have been identified in the study area. Of these, the Manchester aquifer is the primary source of water for domestic use. Drilling and water- quality data indicate that the Chattanooga Shale is an effective confining unit, isolating the Highland Rim aquifer system from the deeper, upper Central Basin aquifer system. A regional ground-water divide, approximately coinciding with the Duck River-Elk River drainage divide, underlies AAFB and runs from southwest to northeast. The general direction of most ground-water flow is to the north- west or to the northwest or to the southeast from the divide towards tributary streams that drain the area. Recharge estimates range from 4 to 11 inches per year. Digital computer modeling was used to simulate and provide a better understanding of the ground-water flow system. The model indicates that most of the ground-water flow occurs in the shallow and Manchester aquifers. The model was most sensitive to increases in hydraulic conductivity and changes in recharge rates. Particle-tracking analysis from selected sites of ground-water contamination indicates a potential for contami- nants to be transported beyond the boundary of AAFB.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Salinity in surface water in the Red River of the North basin, northeastern North Dakota

Saline ground-water discharge from bedrock aquifers collects in wetlands that drain into tributaries of the Red River of the North (Red River). The Turtle, Forest, and Park Rivers are the major contributors of salinity to the Red River. These three rivers drain areas of wetlands affected by ground-water discharge from bedrock and by direct evapotranspiration. This report describes the effect of tributaries in northeastern North Dakota on the quality of water in the Red River and examines the possible processes that affect salinity in tributaries and wetlands in the area. Streamflow and specific-conductance measurements were made at the mouths of the three tributaries and at streamflow-gaging stations on the Red River at Grand Forks and at Drayton during the fall and winter of 1992-93. During this low-flow period, the three tributaries accounted for about 1.2 percent of the total Streamflow in the Red River at Drayton, yet contributed an average of 17 percent (at times up to 43 percent) of the dissolved-solids load. Long-term Streamflow records at Grand Forks and at Drayton show that less than 15 percent of the annual Streamflow in the Red River at Drayton occurs during November through February. However, long-term specific-conductance measurements show an increase in dissolved-solids concentrations during this period. In addition, records indicate that there is an average increase in dissolved-solids load in the Red River between Grand Forks and Drayton of 35 percent during November through February. This increase is attributed to inflow from the Turtle, Forest, and Park Rivers. The salinity in the Turtle, Forest, and Park Rivers may be attributed to natural ground-water discharge and flowing wells, leaching of surface sediments, and contributions from wetlands that have large dissolved-solids concentrations because of evapotranspiration.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗