Regionalization of low-flow characteristics of Arkansas streams
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Geology topics
Publications and source records attributed to A. H. Ludwig.
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The Arkansas River basin in Arkansas lies almost entirely within the Interior Highlands physiographic division. The Interior Highlands consist of hilly to mountainous terrain underlain by sandstone, shale, limestone, and dolomite. That part of the basin southeast of Little Rock lies within the Gulf Coastal Plain and is characterized by flat to hilly topography. Significant water-yielding units within the Arkansas River basin include subsurface Paleozoic units such as the Eminence and Potosi Dolomites, the Gasconade Dolomite, and the Van Buren Formations, and Roubidoux Formation as well as outcrops of Paleozoic rocks, the Sparta Sand, and Quaternary deposits. The quality of groundwater withdrawn from the various aquifers in the study area is generally suitable for most uses, although commonly very hard and highly mineralized. Only the Sparta Sand yields a soft, less mineralized water. Yields from the different water-bearing units are highly variable. Several of the subsurface Paleozoic rocks rarely yield more than 10 gal/min. In the Coastal Plain, the Sparta Sand and the Quaternary deposits yield as much as 2,000 and 2,500 gal/min, respectively. Several studies have indicated substantial bacterial contamination of both wells and springs in this part of the study area. Also, nitrate concentrations that exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency primary drinking water standards occur in some areas. (USGS)
The Red River Waterways Project provides for the construction of five locks and dams on the Red River from the Mississippi River to Shreveport, La. The methodology used by the U.S. Geological Survey in studying the effects of the navigation pools on the ground-water-flow regime involved digital modeling of steady- and nonsteady-state conditions. The steady-state model, GWFLOW, computes the head response in an aquifer due to various boundary conditions. The nonsteady-state model, SUPERMOCK, was designed to simulate transient stress and response in an alluvial-flow system. In addition to the simulation models several computer programs were developed during the study to aid in the preparation of field data for input to the models and in the calibration of the models. Calibration techniques unique to each of the models were developed for the investigation. (USGS)
Proposed construction of a series of locks and dams in the Red River in Louisiana will cause a permanent increase in average river stage. The potentiometric surface of the shallow alluvial aquifer and the water table in the fine-grained material confining the aquifer will be affected. The purpose of this study using digital-modeling techniques, was to predict the average postconstruction potentiometric surface (steady state) and the water table (nonsteady state) so that potential effects of the water-level changes could be evaluated. Plans for lock and dam 2 at mile 87 (kilometer 140) above the mouth of the Red River call for a pool elevation of 58 feet (17.7 meters) and will cause an average increase in river stage of 12.5 feet (3.8 meters). As a result, ground-water levels will be raised 1 foot (0.3 meter) or more within 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of the river and will be near land surface in low areas. The potentiometric surface may be as much as 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 meter) above land surface south of Latanier along Chatlin Lake Canal and south of the Annandale area of Alexandria. The magnitude of ground-water-level fluctuations near the river will be reduced.
Proposed construction of a series of locks and dams in the Red River in Louisiana will cause a permanent increase in average river stage. The potentiometric surface of the shallow alluvial aquifer and the water table in the fine-grained material confining the aquifer will be affected. The purpose of this study, using digital-modeling techniques, was to predict the average postconstruction potentiometric surface (steady state) and the water table (nonsteady state) so that potential effects of the water-level changes could be evaluated. Plans for lock and dam 3 at realined mile 111 (kilometer 179) above the mouth of the Red River call for a pool elevation of 87 feet (27 meters) and will cause an average increase in river stage ranging from 21 to 3.5 feet (l.4 to 1.1 meters). As a result, ground-water levels will be raised to near land surface in low areas east of the river from the damsite to Aloha and in a 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) strip along the west side extending 9 miles (14 kilometers) above the dam. The potentiometric surface may be above land surface locally near the dam. The magnitude of ground-water-level fluctuations near the river will be reduced to less than half the preconstruction range.
Proposed construction of a series of locks and dams in the Red River in Louisiana will cause a permanent increase in average river stage. The potentiometric surface of the shallow alluvial aquifer and the water table in the fine-grained material confining the aquifer will be affected. The purpose of this study, using digital-modeling techniques, was to predict the average postconstruction potentiometric surface (steady state) and the water table (nonsteady state) so that potential effects of the water-level changes could be evaluated. Plans for lock and dam 4 at realined mile 154 (kilometer 250) above the mouth of the Red River call for a pool elevation of 115 feet (35 meters) and will cause an average increase in river stage ranging from 24 to 4.5 feet (7 to 1.4 meters). As a result, ground-water levels will be raised 1 foot (0.3 meter) or more between the Red River and Bayou Pierre from the dam to Coushatta , and below Campti, east of the river. The potentiometric surface may be at or near land surface in low areas between the Red River and Bayou Pierre, and above land surface locally upstream from the dam. The magnitude of ground-water-level fluctuations near the river will be reduced to less than half the present range.
Proposed construction of a series of locks and dams in the Red River in Louisiana will cause a permanent increase in average river stage. The potentiometric surface of the shallow alluvial aquifer and the water table in the fine-grained material confining the aquifer will be affected. The purpose of this study, using digital-modeling techniques, was to predict the average postconstruction potentiometric surface (steady state) and the water table (nonsteady state) so that potential effects of the water-level changes could be evaluated. Plans for lock and dam 5 at mile 243 (kilometer 390) above the mouth of the Red River call for a pool elevation of 145 feet (44 meters) and will cause an average increase in river stage of 23 feet (7.0 meters). As a result, ground-water levels in the pool area will be raised to near land surface in much of the area between the river and Bayou Pierre and as much as 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) east of the river from the dam upstream to realined mile 220 (kilometer 350). Areas of Barksdale Air Force Base where levels are now near land surface would be enlarged and extend downstream along Flat River to near Curtis. The potentiometric surface may be above land surface near Howard, Anderson Island, and Dixie Gardens. (Woodard-USGS)
The feasibility of developing lignite resources in south-central Arkansas is an important question at the present time (1978). Part of the concern is related to the possible impacts that mining and processing of lignite will have on water resources. Not only will the disturbance caused by excavating affect the quantity and quality of surface and ground water but, the mining, processing, and conversion processes will require the use and consumption of significant quantities of water. In order to assess the magnitude of the effects of strip mining upon both surface and ground water, baseline conditions (hydrologic conditions in the area prior to mining) must be well defined. A thorough data file and literature search was made so that baseline conditions in the area could be defined. In addition, data-collection networks have been established for the collection of quantitative and qualitative information on streamflow and water levels in the aquifers. Data collected to date at these sites are included in the report. Collection of data at these sites will continue through at least September 1979. Information presented in this report can be used to estimate the quantities of water available for use and the possible effects of mining and associated dewatering on water resources.
Chemical analyses of water samples from 296 wells in the Red River alluvial aquifer indicate that the ground water in the valley is generally hard (more than 120 milligrams per liter) and has a high iron concentration (greater than 6,000 micrograms per liter). The predominant ions found in the water were calcium and bicarbonate. However, in places in the vicinity of Natchitoches, saline water, probably from underlying formations, has infiltrated the aquifer and sodium and chloride are the principal constituents.
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