Geology topics

Richard R. Luckey

Publications and source records attributed to Richard R. Luckey.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2006

Water-management studies of a stream-aquifer system, Arkansas River Valley, Colorado

A mathematical model was developed and used to simulate the stream-aquifer system in the Arkansas River valley in southeastern Colorado, from Pueblo to the Colorado-Kansas State line. The model simulates the interrelations among ground water and surface water including reservoirs, losses, and transmountain diversions, utilizing various water-distribution rules. The model was used to analyze 24 water-management plans designed to reduce shortages in the irrigation supply. One management plan simulated salvage of water from phreatophyte evapotranspiration, different reservoir operation regulations, use of imported ground and surface water, a new reservoir, additional ground-water use, and application of excess streamflow. The resulting annual dependable supply was increased from 610,000 acre-feet to 870,000 acre-feet in relation to an annual demand of 1,100,000 acre-feet. The model can be used as a tool to analyze other water-management plans.

Colorado↗

USGS2000

Water flow in the high plains aquifer in Northwestern Oklahoma

The High Plains is a major agricultural area, supported primarily by water from the High Plains aquifer, which is used to irrigate wheat and corn and to raise cattle and swine. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) began a study of the High Plains aquifer in 1996. One purpose of the study was to develop a ground-water flow model that the OWRB could use to allocate the amount of water withdrawn from the a aquifer. The study area in Oklahoma covers all or parts of Beaver, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Texas, and Woodward Counties. To provide appropriate hydrologic boundaries for the ground-water flow model, the study area was expanded to include parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas.

Oklahoma↗

USGS1984

PROJECTED EFFECTS OF GROUND-WATER DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS OF TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO.

A digital ground-water flow model of the southern High Plains of Texas and New Mexico has been constructed. The calibrated model with the 1980 water level as the initial condition was used to project water levels to 2020. Estimated future pumpage based on the U. S. Economic Development Administration's economic study of the High Plains region was used in the model. Pumpage estimates were made for three assumed management strategies: (1) continuation of existing governmental influence on irrigation; (2) voluntary reduction in water use; and (3) mandatory reduction in water use.

Conference Paper↗

USGS1982

Method for estimating historical irrigation requirements from ground water in the High Plains in parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming

Historical information on ground-water pumpage for irrigation is required for use with a computer model of the High Plains aquifer. Available historical data on ground-water pumpage in the High Plains were inadequate for use with the computer model. Consequently, a method was developed to estimate historical pumpage data. Two principal components were used to develop estimates of ground-water pumpage: (1) Acreage irrigated; and (2) irrigation demand. The Blaney-Criddle formula was used to calculate consumptive-use requirements for irrigated crops grown on the High Plains. The irrigation demand for each crop was estimated by subtracting precipitation available to the crop from the consumptive-use requirement of the crop. Irrigation demands were combined with irrigated acreages to estimate the volume of irrigation water required for areas in the High Plains. Estimates of irrigation water requirements were compiled for 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, and 1978. Irrigation pumpage for use with the computer model can be estimated from the irrigation water requirements by applying a factor to account for irrigation system efficiency.

Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, ↗

USGS1980

Hydrogeologic data for the Mississippi Embayment of southeastern Missouri

The Mississippi embayment of southeastern Missouri is a 4 ,000-square-mile agricultural area that is presently (1979) undergoing rapid development for irrigation. In July 1974, a project was initiated to evaluate the water resources of the area, determine the extent of irrigation, and to assess the future potential for irrigation supplies. This report provides well drillers, well owners, water users, and potential irrigators with the basic hydrologic data collected during the project. The 10 tables and eight figures show the location of irrigation wells, water-level networks to monitor ground-water and surface-water conditions, a pumpage network to estimate amounts of water used for irrigation, geologic data, municipal-well data, and water-quality data for selected wells. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

USGS1980

Evaluating methods for determining water use in the High Plains in parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, 1979

The volume and areal distribution of ground-water withdrawals (pumpage) for irrigation during 1980 are required for the High Plains Regional Aquifer-System Analysis. In 1979, approaches and instrumentation that might be suitable for application to 1980 water-use determinations were tested. Pumpage was sampled by monitoring time of operation and discharge of irrigation wells during the growing season. The total volume pumped during the irrigation season was compared to the crop type and acreage irrigated. This comparison provided a means of extending sampled pumpage information to unmonitored areas using irrigated cropland maps. A transient-time flowmeter and a vibration-sensitive timing device proved to be reliable in providing discharge and time of operation information, respectively. Statistical analysis of comparisons between pumpage and irrigated cropland indicated that significant differences existed in the amounts of water applied between flood and sprinkler irrigation systems. However, statistical analyses of differences in amounts of water applied for different crop types and for selected climatic factors were inconclusive. A variety of approaches were tested to develop the irrigated cropland maps needed to extend sampled pumpage data. Of the methods tested, only Landsat data proved to be effective for application to an area as large as the High Plains. The results obtained in the 1979 evaluation of instrumentation and pumpage sampling approaches have been used to formulate a strategy for monitoring irrigation water use in the High Plains in 1980. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1980

Calibration and testing of selected portable flowmeters for use on large irrigation systems

Existing methods for measuring discharge of irrigation systems in the High Plains region are not suitable to provide the pumpage data required by the High Plains Regional Aquifer System Analysis. Three portable flowmeters that might be suitable for obtaining fast and accurate discharge measure-ments on large irrigation systems were tested during 1979 under both laboratory and field conditions: propeller type gated-pipe meter, a Doppler meter, and a transient-time meter. The gated-pipe meter was found to be difficult to use and sensitive to particulate matter in the fluid. The Doppler meter, while easy to use, would not function suitably on steel pipe 6 inches or larger in diameter, or on aluminum pipe larger than 8 inches in diameter. The transient-time meter was more difficult to use than the other two meters; however, this instrument provided a high degree of accuracy and reliability under a variety of conditions. Of the three meters tested, only the transient-time meter was found to be suitable for providing reliable discharge measurements on the variety of irrigation systems used in the High Plains region.

High Plains Aquifer↗

USGS1975

Hydrologic effects of reducing irrigation to maintain a permanent pool in John Martin Reservoir, Arkansas River Valley, Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey has evaluated a plan by the Colorado Division of Wildlife to maintain a permanent pool of 10,000 acre-feet (1.2x10 7 cubic metres) in John Martin Reservoir on the Arkansas River. The proposed pool would be maintained through the use of water formerly diverted by the Catlin Canal Company to irrigate land in the Arkansas River valley. This plan was evaluated using a mathematical simulation model developed to test management alternatives in a stream-aquifer system. A 25-year period from 1949 through 1973 was simulated using monthly time intervals. Based on this simulation, it is concluded that (1) the proposed change in water use would be adequate to maintain a permanent pool of the proposed size, (2) surface-water diversions by most other canals in the study area would increase slightly under the proposed plan, (3) the flow of the Arkansas River at the Colorado-Kansas State line would increase slightly under the proposed plan, and (4) the ground-water system would not be significantly affected by the proposed change in water-use plan.

Colorado↗