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T. W. Danielson

Publications and source records attributed to T. W. Danielson.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1982

Hydrology of coal-resource areas in the southern Wasatch Plateau, central Utah

The study defines the surface and groundwater hydrology of coal-resources areas in the Southern Wasatch Plateau in Central Utah and, where possible, predicts the hydrologic impacts of underground mining. Discharge data at four streamflow gaging stations indicated that from 5 to 29% of the average annual precipitation on a drainage runs off streams, mainly during the snowmelt period (spring and summer). Most of the base flow of streams originates as spring discharge in the higher altitudes of drainages. Peak flows, average 7-day flood flows, and flood depths were related to basin characteristics in order to develop flood equations for ungaged sites. Chemical quality of surface water was suitable for most uses. Dissolved-solids concentrations ranged from 97 to 835 milligrams per liter in 61 samples collected throughout the area. Data from wells and coal-test holes, and a comprehensive spring inventory indicate that groundwater occurs in all geologic units exposed in the study area. The coal-bearing Blackhawk Formation and underlying Star Point Sandstone are saturated in most areas. Some future mining operations would require dewatering of the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer. Most of the springs issue from the Flagstaff Limestone and North Horn Formation above the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer. It is not known whether water in the Flagstaff and North Horn is perched. Dissolved-solids concentrations in groundwater ranged from 105 to 1,080 milligrams per liter in 87 analyzed samples. Water levels in wells, the discharge of springs, benthic invertebrates in streams, and quantity and quality of mine effluents all need to be monitored in order to detect changes in the hydrologic system caused by coal mining. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1981

Hydrology of the coal-resource areas in the upper drainages of Huntington and Cottonwood creeks, central Utah

The hydrology of coal-resource areas in the upper drainages of Huntington and Cottonwood Creeks in central Utah was studied in order to better define the hydrologic system, to identify the hydrologic effects of underground coal mining, and to devise methods to detect the effects. Discharge records from gaging stations in this mountainous area indicated that there are large differences in the annual discharge of streams per unit area of drainage. These differences are attributed to differences in precipitation, differences in evaporation and sublimation of the snowpack, and to subsurface movement of water out of some basins. Surface waters sampled during 1977-79 were of good chemical quality; dissolved-solids concentrations rarely exceeded 500 milligrams per liter. The Star Point Sandstone and the lower coal-bearing part of the Blackhawk Formation, both of Cretaceous age, are saturated in some areas, and the aquifer yields water to underground coal mines. Most of the larger discharging springs in the study area issue from the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer where faulted. Ground water also occurs in several water-bearing zones above the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer. It is not known whether the water in these overlying units is part of a continuous zone of saturation or whether unsaturated zones occur between units and some water is perched. Dissolved-solids concentrations in water from about 140 springs ranged from 50 to 750 milligrams per liter. The chemical characteristics of water from the water-bearing zones of different formations usually were very similar. Dewatering of underground coal mines was the largest manmade discharge from the Star Point-Blackhawk aquifer in the study area during 1979. The dewatering of mines has decreased the amount of water in storage in the aquifer, but water-level data were not available to define the extent of the depletion. Other possible impacts due to mine dewatering include the diminution of spring flows and increases in ground-water recharge, both of which are more likely to occur where rocks have been fractured due to subsidence above mines. Also, the flows of streams that receive water discharged from mines probably have increased accordingly. The discharge of mine water into streams causes some degradation in surface-water quality, but the quality of ground water is probably not adversely affected by mining. Some environmental changes associated with underground mining are difficult to detect without data collected over a long period. With respect to the ground-water system, the year-to-year similarity of spring-discharge recession curves may provide a method to detect some of these changes. Changes in the benthic-invertebrate population may help detect pollution of surface waters. Comprehensive studies of the ground-water system are needed in conjunction with hydrologic monitoring in order to fully assess the hydrologic impacts of the underground coal mining.

Utah↗
USGS1981

Bedrock aquifers in the lower Dirty Devil River basin area, Utah, with special emphasis on the Navajo sandstone

The lower Dirty Devil River basin area in southeastern Utah has an area of about 4,300 square miles (11,140 square kilometers) and ranges in altitude from about 3,700 to more than 11,000 feet (1,130 to 3,350 meters) above mean sea level. Precipitation, the main source of water in the area, ranges from slightly less than 6 inches (152 millimeters) per year in the lowlands to more than 30 inches per year (762 millimeters) in the Henry Mountains and along the western boundary.

Utah↗
USGS1979

Bedrock aquifers in the lower Dirty Devil River Basin area, Utah, with special emphasis on the Navajo sandstone

The lower Dirty Devil River basin area in southeastern Utah has an area of about 4,300 square miles (11,1140 square kilometers) and ranges in altitude from about 3,700 to more than 11,000 feet (1,130 to 3,350 meters) above mean sea level. Precipitation, the main source of water in the area, ranges from slightly less than 6 inches (152 millimeters) per year in the lowlands to more than 30 inches per year (762 millimeters) in the Henry Mountains and along the western boundary. Rocks that crop out in or underlie the area range from the Precambrian to the Holocene in age. The thickness of the composite section of sedimentary rocks ranges from about 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) to about 23,000 feet (7,000 meters). The Entrada, Navajo, Wingate, and Coconino Sandstones and rocks of Mississippian age are considered major aquifers because of their large areal extent or thickness or their known locally large yields to wells. The chemical quality of the water in these aquifers ranges from fresh to briny. The permeability of the aquifers in the area is affected by folding, faulting, and igneous intrusion. These geologic processes have locally enhanced ground-water circulation by fracturing or impeded circulation by offsetting permeable beds or sealing some zones with rocks of lower permeability. The total hydrologic system in the lower Dirty Devil River basin has estimated long-term average annual inflow and outflow of about 1.6 million acre-feet (1,970 cubic hectometers), of which about 1.55 million acre-feet (1,910 cubic hectometers) is derived from precipitation. An estimated 96 percent of the water available to the area is consumed by evapotranspiration. The estimated gross annual average ground-water recharge is 34,000 acre-feet (42 cubic hectometers), of which 5,000 acre-feet (6.2 cubic hectometers) recharges the Navajo Sandstone. Recoverable fresh to moderately saline water stored in the Navajo, Wingate, and Coconino Sandstones is estimated to be 210 million acre-feet (259,000 cubic hectometers), of which 89 million acre-feet (110,000 cubic hectometers) is stored in the Navajo alone. Long-term large withdrawals from the Navajo Sandstone are feasible. Withdrawal of 12,000 gallons per minute (757 liters per second) over a period of about 36 years probably would diminish the amount of water in storage by less than 1 percent. The withdrawals, would eventually diminish the average annual discharge of the Dirty Devil River by possibly as much as 13 cubic feet per second (0.37 cubic meter per second). A change of this magnitude on the flow of the Colorado River would be too small to measure.

Utah↗
USGS1979

Aquifer tests of the Navajo Sandstone near Caineville, Wayne County, Utah

Ground water in the Navajo Sandstone near Caineville, Wayne County, Utah, was studied during 1975-77 as part of an investigation of water in bedrock in the lower Dirty Devil River basin area. The purpose of the study near Caineville was to determine the water-bearing properties of the Navajo by utilizing data obtained mainly during test drilling and aquifer testing by the Intermountain Power Project.

Utah↗
USGS1975

Lakes in the greater Denver area, Front Range urban corridor, Colorado

The many lakes in Colorado's semiarid Front Range Urban Corridor have an especially high value. In the past they were used primarily to store water for irrigation and domestic uses. Some were used for recreation. Today, rapid suburban development in the Front Range Urban Corridor is accompanied by a shift of the principal use of many lakes to recreation and to centers of real estate developments. These same lakes are threatened with a general deterioration of chemical and biological quality caused by heavy use and development of the surrounding area. The purpose of this report is to present the results of an inventory of the lakes in the central one-third of the Colorado Front Range Urban Corridor. This inventory provides information that might be helpful in planning the best and most beneficial use of lakes in an area of rapid population growth. The report includes data on lake size and water quality. Size data are included on most of the lakes of 2 hectares (20,000 m 2 , or about 5 acres) or greater, and water-quality data are provided on most lakes larger than 10 hectares (about 25 acres). Bodies of water resulting form excavation of gravel (borrow pits) were generally not included in the inventory.

Colorado↗