Geology topics

L. R. Larson

Publications and source records attributed to L. R. Larson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1988

Coal-spoil and ground-water chemical data from two coal mines; Hanna Basin and Powder River basin, Wyoming

Data are presented describing chemical and mineralogical composition of spoil material and chemical quality of groundwater at 2 Wyoming mine sites. Samples were collected at Medicine Bow-Seminoe Number 1 mining area in the Hanna basin and at the Cordero Mine in the Powder River basin. The data collected from these sites, along with similar data from other coal-mining states in the West, are used to evaluate methods used in predicting post-mining groundwater quality. The data include mineral-composition analyses, paste-extract analyses, and sulfur-forms analyses of coal spoil, chemical analyses of water from batch-mixing experiments; and analyses of water samples collected from wells in the coal aquifers and from wells in the saturated spoils. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

USGS1985

Water quality of the North Platte River, east-central Wyoming

This report is a statistical summary of 40 different constituents and physical characteristics that describe the water quality of the North Platter River between Alcova Dam and Orin, Wyoming, a distance of 143 river miles. Data from seven stations are summarized for 1970-79. Water entering the North Platte River upstream from Casper generally is more mineralized and degraded than the water in the North Platte River or in the tributaries entering the river downstream from Casper. The average dissolved solids concentration was about 320 mg/L at the upper sampling station and about 430 mg/L just downstream from Casper. This increase is typical of many other constituents. The mean fecal-coliform concentration at the upper station was about 8 colonies/ml and about 4,000 colonies/100 ml at the station downstream from Casper. Concentrations of some constituents periodically were greater than maximum recommended for drinking water supplies. About 24% of the dissolved solids concentrations were more than 500 mg/L. Some selenium concentrations exceeded the limit of 10 micrograms/L mandated for public water supplies. Large concentrations of copper, zinc, and ammonia indicate that these constituents might be a problem for sensitive aquatic life. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1984

Ground-water-quality data from the Powder River structural basin and adjacent areas, northeastern Wyoming

Water-quality data for wells and springs in the Powder River basin in northeastern Wyoming are presented in three tables. The first table lists results of analyses of common constituents for 748 ground-water sites. The second table presents dissolved-trace-metal data for 220 ground-water sites. Radiochemical data are listed in the third table for 65 ground-water sites. The locations of the sites listed in the tables are shown on a map of the area.

Wyoming↗

USGS1984

Ground-water quality in Wyoming

This report graphically summarizes ground-water quality from selected chemical-quality data for about 2,300 ground-water sites in Wyoming. Dissolved-solids, nitrate, fluoride, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, iron, and manganese concentrations are summarized on a statewide basis. The major chemical-quality problem that limits the use of Wyoming ground-water is excessive dissolved-solids concentrations. The aquifers with the best quality water, based on the lowest median dissolved-solids concentration of water in aquifers with 20 or more sampled sites, are Holocene lacustrine deposits, the upper Testiary Ogallala Formation and Arikaree Formation, and the Mississippian Madison Limestone. The counties with the best quality water, based on the lowest median dissolved-solids concentrations are Teton County and Laramie County. Hot Springs County and Natrona County have the highest median dissolved-solids concentrations. About 3 percent of the nitrate concentrations of ground-water samples exceeded the national primary drinking-water standard of 10 milligrams per liter. Fluoride concentrations exceeded the national primary drinking-water standard in 14 percent of the ground-water samples. Except for selenium, toxic trace elements generally have not been found in concentrations in excess of the drinking-water standards. About 19 percent of the iron and about 30 percent of the manganese concentrations in ground-water samples exceeded the national secondary drinking-water standards. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1982

A plan for hydrologic investigations of in situ, oil-shale retorting near Rock Springs, Wyoming

The recovery of shale oil by the in-situ retort process may cause hydrologic impacts, the most significant being ground-water contamination and possible transport of contaminants into surrounding areas. Although these impacts are site-specific, many of the techniques used to investigate each retort operation commonly will be the same. The U.S. Geological Survey has begun a study of hydrologic impacts in the area of an in-situ retort near Rock Springs, Wyoming, as a means of refining and demonstrating these techniques. Geological investigations include determining the areal extent and thickness of aquifers. Emphasis will be placed on determining lithologic variations from geophysical logging. Hydrologic investigations include mapping of potentiometric surfaces, determining rates of ground-water discharge, and estimating aquifer properties by analytical techniques. Water-quality investigations include monitoring solute migration from the retort site and evaluating sampling techniques by standard statistical procedures. A ground-water-flow and solute-transport model will be developed to predict future movement of the water plume away from the retort. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗