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Joseph M. Spinazola

Publications and source records attributed to Joseph M. Spinazola.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1998

Ground-water quality in northern Ada County, lower Boise River basin, Idaho, 1985-96

In October 1992, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality, Boise Regional Office (IDEQ-BRO), began a comprehensive study of ground-water quality in the lower Boise River Basin. The study in northern Ada County has been completed, and this report presents selected results of investigations in that area. Results and discussion presented herein are based on information in publications listed under “References Cited” on the last page of this Fact Sheet.

Idaho↗
USGS1997

Water resources of Bannock Creek basin, southeastern Idaho

The potential for development of water resources in the Bannock Creek Basin is limited by water supply. Bannock Creek Basin covers 475 square miles in southeastern Idaho. Shoshone-Bannock tribal lands on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation occupy the northern part of the basin; the remainder of the basin is privately owned. Only a small amount of information on the hydrologic and water-quality characteristics of Bannock Creek Basin is available, and two previous estimates of water yield from the basin ranged widely from 45,000 to 132,500 acre-feet per year. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes need an accurate determination of water yield and baseline water-quality characteristics to plan and implement a sustainable level of water use in the basin. Geologic setting, quantities of precipitation, evapotranspiration, surface-water runoff, recharge, and ground-water underflow were used to determine water yield in the basin. Water yield is the annual amount of surface and ground water available in excess of evapotranspiration by crops and native vegetation. Water yield from Bannock Creek Basin was affected by completion of irrigation projects in 1964. Average 1965-89 water yield from five subbasins in Bannock Creek Basin determined from water budgets was 60,600 acre-feet per year. Water yield from the Fort Hall Indian Reservation part of Bannock Creek Basin was estimated to be 37,700 acre-feet per year. Water from wells, springs, and streams is a calcium bicarbonate type. Concentrations of dissolved nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen and fluoride were less than Maximum Contaminant Levels for public drinking-water supplies established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Large concentrations of chloride and nitrogen in water from several wells, springs, and streams likely are due to waste from septic tanks or stock animals. Estimated suspended-sediment load near the mouth of Bannock Creek was 13,300 tons from December 1988 through July 1989. Suspended-sediment discharge was greatest during periods of high streamflow.

Idaho↗
USGS1993

Geohydrology and simulation of flow and water levels in the aquifer system in the Mud Lake area of the eastern Snake River plain, eastern Idaho

Water users rely on surface water and ground water to irrigate crops and to maintain lakes on wildlife refuges in the 2,200-square-mile Mud Lake study area. Ground-water development between the late 1970's and 1989 increased withdrawals from about 240,000 acre-feet in 1983 to about 370,000 acre-feet in 1990. Concurrent with ground-water development, change from subirrigation to sprinkler irrigation was predicted to reduce recharge by 95,000 acre-feet, according to an independent study. Of the 660,000 acre-feet total estimated recharge from precipitation and irrigation in the study area in 1980, half was in the area in which irrigation methods were changed. Water managers need the ability to evaluate the effects of water-use changes on the future supply of surface water and ground water. Basalt and rhyolite predominate on the surface and in the subsurface of the study area. Total basalt thickness is less than 4,000 feet; total sediment thickness (clay, silt, sand, and gravel) is less than 1,000 feet. Basalt and sediment interbeds contribute to confined ground-water conditions and affect movement and supply of water in parts of the aquifer system. Estimated losses from and gains to perennial streams and lakes in 1980 were each about 110,000 acre-feet. Water-table altitudes ranged from about 4,500 to 6,200 feet above sea level, and water-table gradients were 3 to 120 feet per mile. Underflow from basins tributary to the study area was estimated to be about 450,000 acre-feet in 1980; measured discharge from flowing wells was about 10,000 acre-feet. A five-layer, three-dimensional, finite-difference, numerical ground-water flow model was calibrated by trial-and-error to assumed 1980 steady-state hydrologic conditions to obtain a better understanding of the geohydrology and provide a tool to evaluate water-use alternatives. Water-level gradients simulated by the model were similar to gradients measured in 1980. Simulated underflow across model boundaries for 1980 was 932,000 acre-feet. Simulated losses from and gains to most streams and lakes were within 2 percent of estimated values. Simulated discharge from flowing wells matched measurements for 1980. An attempt to calibrate the numerical model to transient hydrologic conditions in monthly increments from 1981 to 1990 was discontinued because available data did not justify changes that were indicated by model simulations.

Idaho↗
USGS1993

Simulation of changes in water levels and ground-water flow in response to water-use alternatives in the Mud Lake area, eastern Snake River plain, eastern Idaho

Water users rely on surface and ground water to irrigate crops and maintain wildlife refuges in the 2,200-square-mile Mud Lake study area. Water managers need the ability to evaluate the effects of water-use changes on the future supply of surface and ground water. A five-layer, three-dimensional, finite-difference, numerical ground-water flow model, calibrated to assumed 1980 steady-state hydrologic conditions, was used to evaluate potential effects of seven water-use alternatives on ground-water levels and on losses from and gains to streams and lakes. The model was used to simulate steady-state water levels and ground-water flow for average 1980-90 hydrologic conditions and for seven water-use alternatives that represented changes from average 1980-90 conditions. Five alternatives represented reduced withdrawals from five different sets of wells, the sixth represented increased withdrawals in areas that could potentially support additional irrigation development, and the seventh represented reduced recharge in part of the study area where change from subirrigation to sprinkler irrigation is taking place. Simulated results from each alternative were compared with results for average 1980-90 conditions. Among the five water-use alternatives in which withdrawals from wells were reduced, simulated water levels were 0.1 to 40 feet higher than average 1980-90 conditions. Simulated stream and lake losses were as much as 4,700 acre-feet less and simulated gains were as much as 19,000 acre-feet greater in response to simulated water-level rises. Simulated underflow into the study area was as much as 8,200 acre-feet less and simulated underflow out of the study area was as much as 91,000 acre-feet greater. Simulated water-level declines were as great as 15 feet for the sixth alternative (increased withdrawals) and 10 feet for the seventh (reduced recharge). Simulated stream and lake losses were as much as 5,700 acre-feet greater and simulated gains were as much as 37,000 acre-feet less for stream and lake segments due to simulated water-level declines. Simulated underflow into the study area was as much as 7,200 acre-feet greater and simulated underflow out of the study area was as much as 23,000 acre-feet less.

Idaho↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas — Physical framework of the Great Plains aquifer system

The purpose of this map report is to provide a description of one of the principal geohydrologic systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. The report is the result of an investigation made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for the assessment, development, and management of water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981), as shown on the envelope cover. This Hydrologic Investigations Atlas, which consists of a series of nine chapters, presents a description of the physical framework and the geohydrology of principal aquifer and confining systems in Kansas. Chapter B describes the physical framework of the Great Plains aquifer system and presents maps and a geohydrologic cross section that show the thickness, the areal extent, and the altitude and configuration of the top of the Lower Cretaceous rocks that compose the Great Plains aquifer system. The maps are based on data from selected geophysical and lithologic logs and from published maps of stratigraphically equivalent units. Maps that show the thickness and the altitude and configuration of the top of the Great Plains aquifer system have been prepared as part of a series of interrelated maps that describe the stratigraphic interval from the Precambrian surface through Lower Cretaceous rocks. A concerted effort was made to ensure that maps of each geohydrologic system are consistent with maps of underlying and overlying systems; modifications were made where necessary. Chapter A of this atlas series (Wolf and others, 1990) describes the relation of geohydrologic systems in Kansas and presents a more detailed discussion of the methods and data used to prepare and ensure consistency among the sets of maps in the series.

Kansas↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas physical framework of the western interior plains confining system

The purpose of this Hydrologic Investigations Atlas is to provide a description of the principal geohydrologic systems in the Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. This investigation was made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for assessing, developing, and managing water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981) as shown on the envelope cover.

Kansas↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic systems in Kansas: Physical framework of the upper aquifer unit in the western interior plains aquifer system

The purpose of this Hydrologic Investigations Atlas is to provide a description of the principal geohydrologic systems in Upper Cambrian through Lower Cretaceous rocks in Kansas. This investigation was made as part of the Central Midwest Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (CMRASA). The CMRASA is one of several major investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey of regional aquifer systems in the United States. These regional investigations are designed to increase knowledge of the flow regime and hydrologic properties of major aquifer systems and to provide quantitative information for the assessment, development, and management water supplies. The CMRASA study area includes all or parts of 10 Central Midwestern States (Jorgensen and Signor, 1981), as shown on the envelope cover. This Hydrologic Investigations Atlas, which consists of a series of nine chapters, presents a description of the physical framework and the geohydrology of principal aquifers and confining systems in Kansas. Chapter D presents maps that show the areal extent, altitude and configuration of the top, and thickness of Mississippian rocks that compose the upper aquifer unit of the Western Interior Plains aquifer system in Kansas, The chapter is limited to the presentation of the physical framework of the upper aquifer unit. The interpretation of the physical framework of the upper aquifer unit is based on selected geophysical and lithologic logs and published maps of stratigraphically equivalent units. Maps indicating the thickness and the altitude and configuration of the top of the upper aquifer unit in the Western Interior Plains aquifer system have been prepared as part of a series of interrelated maps that describe the stratigraphic interval from the Precambrian basement through Lower Cretaceous rocks. A concerted effort was made to ensure that maps of each geohydrologic unit are consistent with the maps of underlying and overlying units. Chapter A of this atlas series (Wolf and others, 1990) describes the relation of principal geohydrologic systems in Kansas and presents a more detailed discussion of the methods and data used to prepare and ensure consistency among the sets of maps.

Kansas↗
USGS1992

Geohydrologic and chemical data from wells in the Mud Lake area, eastern Idaho, 1988-91

Well information, results of test drilling, water-level measurements in observation wells, and chemical and isotopic constituents in ground-water samples were among the data collected as part of a study of the availability of ground water from the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer system in the Mud Lake area of eastern Idaho. Data from about 1,200 wells were stored in the National Water Information System ground-water data base. Test holes were drilled at eight sites. Water levels were measured in 594 wells in April or May 1989 and in 470 wells in August or September 1989. Hydrographs of water levels were constructed for 99 observation wells. Water samples were collected from nine irrigation wells and were analyzed for nutrients, common dissolved ions, stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen, trace elements, herbicides, insecticides, and polychlorinated compounds.

Idaho↗
USGS1984

Depth and thickness of selected units in Upper Permian, Upper Jurassic, and Lower Cretaceous rocks in southwestern Kansas

As ground-water reserves decline in the Ogallala aquifer in an area of about 17,400 square miles in 26 counties of southwestern Kansas, sandstone aquifers in underlying Upper Jurassic and Lower and Upper Cretaceous rocks may be developed to supplement or replace the Ogallala as a source of water for some uses. Maps show that depths from land surface to Upper Permian rocks range from 0 at the outcrop to over 2,100 feet, depths to Upper Jurassic rocks ran from 0 at the outcrop to about 2,000 feet, depths to the Cheyenne Sandstone range from about 150 to about 1 ,950 feet, and depths to the Dakota Formation range from 0 at the outcrop to about 1,650 feet. Additional maps show that the thickness of Upper Jurassic rocks, where present, ranges from less than 50 feet to about 250 feet, the thickness of the Cheyenne Sandstone, where present, ranges from about 20 feet to about 250 feet, and the thickness of the Dakota Formation, where present, ranges from about 60 feet to about 460 feet. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1984

Interpolating water-table altitudes in west-central Kansas using kriging techniques

Kriging is a regionalization technique that incorporates the autocorrelation between known data values in its estimation of values at unmeasured sites. This technique is reproducible, accepts irregularly spaced data, uses only measured values closely surrounding points at which values are estimated, is an exact interpolator at measured data points, and calculates an error of estimate. Kriging was used to interpolate water-table altitudes for 1978 and an average 1978-80 for the Ogallala aquifer in the Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1. An altitude and an error of estimate were provided at the center of each one-mile section of the district. The data were related to altitudes of the bedrock and the 1950 water table. A digital-contouring procedure was used to construct maps of the water table for 1978 and for the average 1978-80, the errors of estimate, the saturated thickness of the aquifer for 1978 and for the average 1978-80, and the percentage changes in saturated thickness since 1950. Maps made by kriging compared favorably with maps contoured manually by the point-intersection method.

Water Supply Paper↗
USGS1982

Hydrologic maps of Ogallala Aquifer, west-central Kansas, 1979-81

A mathematical technique, called kriging, was programmed for a computer to interpolate hydrologic data based on a network of measured values in west-central Kansas. The computer program generated estimated values at the center of each 1-mile section in the Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1 and facilitated contouring of selected hydrologic data that are needed in the effective management of ground water for irrigation. The kriging technique produced various maps that illustrated hydrologic conditions in the Ogallala aquifer, the principal source of water in west-central Kansas. Maps of the aquifer, which use a 3-year average, included the 1979-81 water-table altitudes, which ranged from about 2,580 to 3,720 feet; the 1979-81 saturated thicknesses, which ranged from about 0 to 250 feet; and the percentage changes in saturated thickness from 1950 to 1979-81, which ranged from about a 40-percent increase to a 100-percent decrease. A map showing errors of estimate also was provided as a measure of reliability for the 1979-81 water-table altitudes. Errors of estimate ranged from 2 to 24 feet. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Geohydrologic data from sandstone aquifers in southwestern Kansas

Data collected during a reconnaissance investigation of the geology and hydrology of sandstone aquifers provide useful information in the study of, and planning for, water-resources development in a 17,400 square-mile area in 26 counties of southwestern Kansas. The aquifers consist chiefly of saturated sandstones that occur in Upper Permian, Upper Jurassic, and Lower and Upper Cretaceous rocks. In parts of southwestern Kansas, the sandstone aquifers already serve as the principal or secondary source of ground water for irrigation and other uses. Data indicate that water may be available for development in sandstone aquifers in other parts of the study area. In still other areas, water from wells in sandstone aquifers may not be of a suitable quality for some purposes. The data provided include records of selected wells, lithologic logs of test holes and wells, selected formation surfaces and sandstone thicknesses , chemical analyses of water from selected wells, and water levels in observation wells. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1982

Hydrologic maps of the High Plains aquifer, January 1981, southwestern Kansas

The U.S. Geological Survey furnishes maps depicting saturated thickness of the High Plains aquifer to the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3 through a continuing cooperative agreement. The Groundwater Management District uses the maps to calculated a planned depletion rate of 40 percent of the saturated thickness of the aquifer in 25 years for a 13-county area. Because the information contained on the maps is used in management decisions, the Groundwater Management District is concerned with the accuracy, reliability, and consistency of the hydrologic information that the maps show. A mathematical technique, called kriging, has been used in the form of a computer program to interpolate hydrologic data based on a network of measured values (Karlinger and Skrivan, 1980). The technique has been applied to geohydrologic data in west-central Kansas with good results (Dunlap and Spinazola, 1981). The program calculates the values at the center of each 1-mile section in a predefined region and facilitates contouring of selected values. The kriging technique was used to produce the hydrologic maps in this report.

Kansas↗
USGS1981

Map of water table in Graham County, northwestern Kansas, March 1979

A map of the water table in Graham County, prepared in collaboration with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, provides current (1980) information on water levels in the unconsolidated deposits. Graham County, an area of 900 square miles in northwestern Kansas, is within the rolling, moderately to well-dissected terrain on the eastern edge of the High Plains. The eastward-flowing South Fork Solomon River separates the county into nearly equal parts. The principal source of water for domestic, stock, municipal, and irrigation use if from wells in the shallow unconsolidated deposits. The aquifers occur chiefly in the Ogallala Formation of Miocene age and in deposits of Quaternary age.

Kansas↗