Geology topics

W. B. Borchert

Publications and source records attributed to W. B. Borchert.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1985

The ground-water system in the LaGrange Aquifer near LaGrange, southeastern Wyoming

Groundwater is being developed from the La Grange aquifer in southeastern Wyoming. It consists of saturated permeable alluvium that is hydraulically connected with most of the underlying White River Group. In the area of principal interest east of Horse Creek, Hawk Springs Reservoir and 14 adjacent wells used to supplement surface-water supply in the reservoir are in a natural discharge area. Upgradient of the reservoir there are 28 irrigation wells in about a 6-square-mile area. In this area, water levels declined between 3 and 12 feet from 1973 to 1978 causing concern about the effects of well pumpage on the hydrologic system. A digital model was developed and used to simulate the two-dimensional groundwater flow system in the unconfined La Grange aquifer. Transient simulations were made for 1973-78 using 12 time periods and for 1978-80 using 25 time periods. The calibrated digital model was used to simulate four 6-month pumping alternatives including three hypothetical alternatives for the area of principal interest east of Horse Creek. The reservoir altitude was held constant, approximating a reservoir volume 7,000 acre-feet. Pumping alternative 1 simulated historic conditions for 1973-78 including monthly recharge from precipitation which was included in the next three pumping alternatives. For pumping alternative 1, the calculated rate of discharge at the end of the 6-month simulation was 5.2 cubic feet per second from the aquifer to the reservoir. At the end of the 6-month simulations for pumping alternatives 2 and 3, the calculated rate of discharge to the reservoir was decreased to 0.4 cubic feet per second by pumpage from the 14 wells and to 3.8 cubic feet per second by pumpage from the 28 irrigation wells. For pumping alternative 4, pumpage from the total 42 wells resulted in a 1.0 cubic feet per second loss from the reservoir to the aquifer. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1977

Preliminary digital model of the Arikaree aquifer in the Sweetwater River basin, central Wyoming

In central Wyoming, Potentially large supplies of ground water are available in the Sweetwater River basin from the Arikaree aquifer, which consists of the upper part of the White River, the Arikaree, and the Ogallala Formations. A preliminary digital model was developed for the Arikaree aquifer using a small amount of poorly distributed data, an estimated distribution of recharge, and a conceptual model of the Arikaree aquifer flow system. Calibration of the model was based on reproduction of the potentiometric surface and the base flow of the Sweetwater River in November 1975. Calculated steady-state hydraulic heads were within 50 feet of the observed heads in about 98 percent of the nodes. The calculated leakage from the Arikaree aquifer to he Sweetwater River in the western area was within about 12 percent of the leadage determined by gain and loss studies. In order to develop a comprehensive digital model that would respond to hydraulic stress in nearly the same manner as the actual aquifer flow system, measured responses of the aquifer to stress are needed. Also needed are additional data on aquifer characteristics, recharge to the aquifer, and stream-aquifer relationships. (Woodard-USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1976

Geohydrology of the Albin and La Grange areas, aoutheastern Wyoming

The Albin and La Grange areas in southeastern Wyoming are two adjoining different hydrologic areas. Since ground water is the only source of water for irrigation in the Albin area, 34 irrigation wells have been drilled since 1968 and developed in conjunction mostly with center-pivot sprinkler systems that in 1974 irrigated about 6,980 acres. Most irrigation wells are developed in channel deposits of the Ogallala Formation of late Miocene. Water levels in parts of these channel deposits have declined about 4 to 7 feet since pumping began in 1968. In the La Grange area, lands are irrigated by surface water, ground water or a combination of both. The best producing wells are those completed in both the Brule Formation of Oligocene age and the alluvium. Secondary porosity was located and elevated in the Brule using caliper logs, an Acoustic Borehole Televiewer and geophysical logs. From the spring of 1970 to the spring of 1974, hydrographs of wells in parts of the La Grange area show water-level rises of about 5 feet resulting from the net effect of surface-water recharge and groundwater pumpage. Throughout the La Grange area no significant annual water-table declines have occurred. It is unlikely that irrigation wells pumping near Horse Creek have caused significant direct streamflow depletion.

Wyoming↗