Aquifer diffusivity of the Ohio River alluvial aquifer by the flood-wave response method

Harold H. Zehner; Hayes F. Grubb

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USGS · 70161907

Aquifer diffusivity of the Ohio River alluvial aquifer by the flood-wave response method

Harold H. Zehner·Hayes F. Grubb

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Abstract

Aquifer diffusivity (T/S) was calculated for 10 sites in the alluvial aquifer adjacent to the Ohio River by observing the response of the aquifer to a flood wave in the river. The calculated type curves matched the observed aquifer response reasonably well at eight of the 10 sites. The diffusivities ranged from 0.4 ft 2 sec -1 to 10.3 ft 2 sec -1 and were generally in agreement with diffusivity values calculated from pump-test methods at two of the sites. Interference from pumping 1/2 mile upstream from one site and localized aquifer inhomogeneity at another site precluded calculation of diffusivity. Determining the shape of the ground-water recession curve may be difficult, but it can be done satisfactorily by collecting water-level data during an extended period of ground-water discharge and transposing the average recession curve to the flood period being analyzed. The flood-wave response method for estimating aquifer diffusivity provides a relatively inexpensive technique for obtaining a significant part of the data needed to predict the aquifer's response to river and pumping stresses.

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Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 36.1733569352216° to 41.590796851056005° latitude; -90.10986328125° to -79.56298828125° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Harold H. Zehner, Hayes F. Grubb. 1973. Aquifer diffusivity of the Ohio River alluvial aquifer by the flood-wave response method. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70161907

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