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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
USGS1975

Hydrologic reconnaissance of the southern Uinta basin, Utah and Colorado

This report summarizes the findings of an investigation of the water resources of the southern Uinta Basin conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the water resources of the southern Uinta Basin on a reconnaissance level and to provide information to assist in future planning and development of the water and related land resources.

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USGS1987

Base of moderately saline ground water in the Uinta Basin, Utah, with an introductory section describing the methods used in determining its position

The base of the moderately saline water (water that contains from 3,000 to 10,000 milligrams per liter of dissolved solids) was mapped by using available water-quality data and by determining formation-water resistivities from geophysical well logs based on the resistivity-porosity, spontaneous potential, and resistivity-ratio methods. The contour map developed from these data showed a mound of very saline and briny water, mostly of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate type, in most of that part of the Uinta Basin that is underlain by either the Green River or Wasatch Formations. Along its northern edge, the mound rises steeply from below sea level to within 2,000 feet of the land surface and, locally, to land surface. Along its southern edge, the mound rises less steeply and is more complex in outline. This body of very saline to briny water may be a lens; many wells or test holes drilled within the area underlain by the mound re-entered fresh to moderately saline water at depths of 8,000 to 15,000 feet below lam surface.

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USGS1990

Ground-water resources and simulated effects of withdrawals in the East Shore area of Great Salt Lake, Utah

The ground-water resources in the East Shore area of Great Salt Lake, Utah, were studied to better define the ground-water system; to document changes in ground-water levels, quality, and storage; and to simulate effects of an increase in ground-water withdrawals. The East Shore aquifer system is in basin-fill deposits, and is primarily a confined system with unconfined parts near the mountain front. Recharge to and discharge from the East Shore aquifer system were estimated to average about 160,000 acre-feet per year during 1969-84, with minor amounts of water being removed from storage during that period. Major sources of ground-water recharge are seepage from surface water in natural channels and irrigation canals, and subsurface inflow from consolidated rock to the basin-fill deposits. Discharge of ground water is primarily to wells, water courses, springs, and as diffuse seepage to Great Salt Lake. Average annual surface-water inflow to the study area was estimated to be 860,000 acre-feet for the period 1969-84. Annual withdrawal of ground water for municipal and industrial use increased from about 10,000 acre-feet in 1960 to more than 30,000 acre-feet in 1980 to supply a population that increased from 175,000 in 1960 to 290,000 in 1980. Long-term trends of ground-water levels indicate a steady decline at most observation wells since 1952, despite near normal or increased precipitation since the late 1960's. Water levels declined as much as 50 feet near the principal pumping center in the east-central part of the study area. They declined as much as 35 feet more than five miles from the pumping center. The increase in withdrawals and subsequent water-level declines have caused about 700 wells within 30 square miles to cease flowing since 1954. A numerical model of the East Shore aquifer system in the Weber Delta area was constructed and calibrated using water-level data and changes in ground-water withdrawals for 1955-85. Predictive simulations were made based on doubling the 1980-84 rate of municipal and industrial withdrawals for 20 years, and using both average and below-average recharge rates. The simulations indicated water-level declines of an additional 35 to 50 feet near the principal pumping center; a decrease in natural discharge to drains, evapotranspiration, and Great Salt Lake; and a decrease in ground-water storage of 80,000 to 115,000 acre-feet after 20 years.

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USGS1990

Base of moderately saline ground water in San Juan County, Utah

The base of moderately saline ground water (water that contains from 3,000 to 10,000 milligrams per liter of dissolved solids) was delineated for San Juan County, Utah, based on water-quality data and on formation-water resistivities determined from geophysical well logs using the resistivity-porosity, spontaneous-potential, and resistivity-ratio methods. These data and the contour map developed from them show that a thick layer of very saline to briny ground water (water that contains more than 10,000 milligrams per liter of dissolved solids) underlies the eastern two-thirds of San Juan County. The upper surface of this layer is affected by the geologic structure of the area, but it may be modified locally by recharge mounds of less saline water and by vertical leakage of water through transmissive faults and fractures. The highest altitude of the base of moderately saline water is west of the Abajo Mountains where it is more than 6,500 feet above sea level. The lowest altitude is in the western part of the county and is below sea level: depressions in the base of moderately saline water in recharge areas in the La Sal and Abajo Mountains also may be that low. The base of moderately saline water commonly is in the Permian Cutler Formation or the Pennsylvanian Honaker Trail Formation of the Hermosa Group, but locally may be as high stratigraphically as the Triassic (?) and Jurassic Navajo Sandstone north of the Abajo Mountains and in the Jurassic Morrison Formation south of the mountains.

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USGS1991

Ground-water resources and simulated effects of withdrawals in the Bountiful area, Utah

Ground-water resources in the Bountiful area, Utah, were studied to document changes in ground-water conditions and to simulate the effects of increased ground-water withdrawals and changes in recharge. The aquifer system is in basin-fill deposits and is primarily a confined system with unconfined parts along the mountain front. Recharge to the aquifer system was estimated to range from about 22,000 to 32,000 acre-feet per year during 1947-85. Discharge was estimated to range from 26,000 to 30,000 acre-feet per year during 1947-85. Long-term trends of ground-water levels indicate a steady decline at most observation wells from 1952 to 1962. Importation of surface water for irrigation in 1962 resulted in decreased ground-water withdrawals, causing water levels to rise. Water levels fluctuated from 1962 to 1985, depending on changes in withdrawals and precipitation. A computer model of the aquifer system was constructed and calibrated using water-level data from 1946 and changes in ground-water withdrawals from 1947-86. Simulations of aquifer responses to projected withdrawals were based on a 50-percent increase in the 1981-85 rate of municipal and industrial withdrawals for 20 years using both average and less-than-average recharge rates. The simulations indicated water-level declines between 5 and 50 feet; a decrease in natural discharge to drains, by evapotranspiration, and to Great Salt Lake; and a decrease of ground water in storage after 20 years between 25,000 acre-feet using the average recharge rate, and 70,000 acre-feet using the less-than-average recharge rate.

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USGS1991

Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Sevier Lake area, west-central Utah

The hydrologic system of the Sevier Lake area, at the terminus of the Sevier Lake drainage basin in west-central Utah, was studied during 1987-88 to determine baseline hydrologic conditions prior to anticipated development. Sevier Lake was reestablished during 1983-87 on the normally dry playa as a result of record volumes of surface-water runoff, but the lake was receding during the study. In June 1985, the lake reached a maximum depth of about 13 feet, with a water-surface altitude of 4,527 feet above sea level. The basin-fill aquifer includes a coarse-grained facies at higher altitudes of the alluvial slopes, and a fine-grained facies at lower altitudes around Sevier Lake. Water levels indicate a potential for lateral groundwater movement away from the lake and toward the northwest, west, and south. Transmissivity of the coarse-grained facies, determined from one well, was 4,120 feet squared per day. Transmissivity values for the fine-grained facies ranged from 1 X 10 -3 to 5 X 10 -2 foot squared per day, determined from slug tests of shallow wells near the shoreline of the lake, and 5.2 feet squared per day determined from a well in the lakebed. The predominant constituents of water sampled in the Sevier Lake area are sodium, sulfate, and chloride. The concentration of dissolved solids ranges from 480 to 120,000 milligrams per liter. Smaller concentrations of dissolved solids were determined for water from wells completed in the coarse-grained facies, and larger concentrations were determined for water from wells completed in the fine-grained facies.

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USGS1989

Seepage study of the South Bend, Richfield, and Vermillion Canals, Sevier County, Utah

A seepage investigation was made in 1987 on selected reaches of the South Bend, Richfield, and Vermillion Canals in Sevier County, Utah, to determine gains or losses in discharge. Fluctuations in discharge were adjusted using information from stage recorders operated at selected locations during each set of discharge measurements. The investigation showed a net gain of 0.2 cubic foot per second in the South Bend canal: the upper reach gained 1.5 cubic feet per second, the two middle reaches together lost 2.5 cubic feet per second, and the lower reach gained 1.2 cubic feet per second. The Richfield Canal showed a net loss of 2.4 cubic feet per second: the two upper reaches together lost 4.4 cubic feet per second and the two lower reaches together gained 2.0 cubic feet per second. The Vermillion canal showed a net loss of 0.2 cubic foot per second: the upper reach gained 2.3 cubic feet per second and the lower reach lost 2.5 cubic feet per second.

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USGS1990

Ground-water hydrology of Pahvant Valley and adjacent areas, Utah

The primary ground-water reservoir in Pahvant Valley and adjacent areas is in the unconsolidated basin fill and interbedded basalt. Recharge in 1959 was estimated to be about 70,000 acre-feet per year and was mostly by seepage from streams, canals, and unconsumed irrigation water and by infiltration of precipitation. Discharge in 1959 was estimated to be about 109,000 acre-feet and was mostly from springs, evapotranspiration, and wells. Water-level declines of more than 50 feet occurred in some areas between 1953 and 1980 because of less-than-normal precipitation and extensive pumping for irrigation. Water levels recovered most of these declines between 1983 and 1986 because of reduced withdrawals and record quantities of precipitation. The quality of ground water in the area west of Kanosh has deteriorated since large ground-water withdrawals began in about 1953. The cause of the deterioration probably is movement of poor quality water into the area from the southwest and possibly the west during periods of large ground-water withdrawals and recycling of irrigation water. The quality of water from some wells has improved since 1983, due to increased recharge and decreased withdrawals for irrigation. Water-level declines of m:>re than 80 feet in some parts of Pahvant Valley are projected if ground-water withdrawals continue for 20 years at the 1977 rate of about 96,000 acre-feet. Rises of as much as 58 feet and declines of as much as 47 feet are projected with withdrawals of 48,000 acre-feet per year for 20 years. The elimination of recharge from the Central Utah Canal is projected to cause water-level declines of up to 8 feet near the canal.

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USGS1994

Ground-water hydrology of Ogden Valley and surrounding area, eastern Weber County, UT, and simulation of ground-water flow in the Valley-fill aquifer system

The ground-water resources in Ogden Valley, eastern Weber County, Utah, were the subject of a study to provide a better understanding of the hydrologic system in the valley and to estimate the hydrologic effects of future ground-water development. The study area included the drainage basin of the Ogden River upstream from Pineview Reservoir dam and the drainage basin of Wheeler Creek. Ogden Valley and the surrounding area are underlain by rocks that range in age from Precambrian to Quaternary. The consolidated rocks that transmit and yield the most water in the area surrounding Ogden Valley are the Paleozoic carbonate rocks and the Wasatch Formation of Tertiary age. Much of the recharge to the consolidated rocks is from snowmelt that infiltrates the Wasatch Formation, which underlies a large part of the study area. Discharge from the consolidated rocks is by streams, evapotranspiration, springs, subsurface outflow, and pumping from wells. Water in the consolidated rocks is a calcium bicarbonate type and has a dissolved-solids concentration of less than 250 milligrams per liter.

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USGS1990

Ground-water conditions in the Grand County area, Utah, with emphasis on the Mill Creek-Spanish Valley area

The Grand County area includes all of Grand County, the Mill Creek and Pack Creek drainages in San Juan County, and the area between the Colorado and Green Rivers in San Juan County. The Grand County area includes about 3,980 square miles, and the Mill Creek-Spanish Valley area includes about 44 square miles. The three principal consolidated-rock aquifers in the Grand County area are the Entrada, Navajo, and Wingate aquifers in the Entrada Sandstone, the Navajo Sandstone, and the Wingate Sandstone, and the principal consolidated-rock aquifer in the Mill Creek-Spanish Valley area is the Glen Canyon aquifer in the Glen Canyon Group, comprised of the Navajo Sandstone, the Kayenta Formation, and the Wingate Sandstone. Recharge to the Entrada, Navajo, and Glen Canyon aquifers typically occurs where the formations containing the aquifers crop out or are overlain by unconsolidated sand deposits. Recharge is enhanced where the sand deposits are saturated at a depth of more than about 6 feet below the land surface, and the effects of evaporation begin to decrease rapidly with depth. Recharge to the Wingate aquifer typically occurs by downward movement of water from the Navajo aquifer through the Kayenta Formation, and primarily occurs where the Navajo Sandstone, Kayenta Formation, and the Wingate Sandstone are fractured.

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USGS1991

Hydrology of Heber and Round Valleys, Wasatch County, Utah, with emphasis on simulation of ground-water flow in Heber Valley

An investigation of the hydrologic system in Heber and Round Valleys was conducted to improve understanding of the surface-water and ground-water hydrology and the effects caused by changes in recharge. Ground water is present in consolidated rocks and in unconsolidated valley-fill deposits, but the principal ground-water reservoir is in the unconsolidated valley-fill deposits. Recharge to the unconsolidated valley-fill deposits in Heber Valley from unconsumed irrigation water, stream infiltration, subsurface inflow from consolidated rocks, and precipitation is estimated to be 154 cubic feet per second. Discharge is by leakage to Deer Creek Reservoir, by springs and seeps, by seepage to the Provo River and other streams, by evapotranspiration, and by pumping from wells. Recharge to the unconsolidated valley-fill deposits in Round Valley from stream infiltration, precipitation, unconsumed irrigation water and subsurface inflow from consolidated rocks is estimated to be 11 cubic feet per second. Discharge is by springs and seeps, by evapotranspiration, and by pumping from wells. Seasonal water-level fluctuations of up to 30 feet occur primarily because of changes in recharge from unconsumed irrigation water. Water levels generally are highest during June or July when recharge from irrigation is at a maximum and lowest during the winter when irrigation is absent and recharge is at a minimum. Water levels in wells near Deer Creek Reservoir respond to changes in the reservoir level. A modular, three-dimensional, finite-difference ground-water flow model developed by McDonald and Harbaugh (1988) was used to simulate the hydrologic system in the unconsolidated valley-fill deposits of Heber Valley. Model simulations indicate that decreased recharge to the unconsolidated valley-fill deposits causes a decrease in discharge to springs and seeps, streams, and leakage to Deer Creek Reservoir. Future decreases in ground-water recharge caused by changing from flood- to sprinkler-irrigation methods will cause future decreases in ground-water discharge that will be offset to some extent by increased surface-water flows.

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USGS1993

Ground-water hydrology of the upper Sevier River Basin, south-central Utah, and simulation of ground-water flow in the valley-fill in Panguitch Valley.

The ground-water hydrology of the upper Sevier River basin, primarily of the unconsolidated valley-fill aquifers, was studied from 1988 to 1989. Recharge to the valley-fill aquifers is mostly by seepage from surface-water sources. Changes in soil-moisture content am water levels were measured in Panguitch Valley both at a flood-irrigated and at a sprinkler-irrigated alfalfa field to quantify seepage from unconsumed irrigation water. Lag time between irrigation and water-level response decreased from 6 to 2 days in the flood-irrigated field as the soil-moisture content increased. Water levels measured in the sprinkler-irrigated field did not respond to irrigation. Discharge from the valley-fill aquifer to the Sevier River in Panguitch Valley is about 53,570 acre-feet per year. Water levels measured in wells from 1951 to 1989 tend to fluctuate with the quantity of precipitation falling at higher elevations. Ground-water discharge to the Sevier River in Panguitch Valley causes a general increase in the specific conductance of the river in a downstream direction. A three-layered ground-water-flow model was used to simulate the effects of changes in irrigation practices am increased ground-water withdrawals in Panguitch Valley. The establishment of initial conditions consisted of comparing simulated water levels and simulated gains and losses from the Sevier River and selected canals with values measured during the 1988 irrigation season. The model was calibrated by comparing water-level changes measured from 1961 to 1963 to simulated changes. A simulated change from flood to sprinkler irrigation resulted in a maximum decline in water level of 0.9 feet after the first year of change. Simulating additional discharge from wells resulted in drawdowns of about 20 feet after the first year of pumping.

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USGS1995

Hydrology of the Sevier-Sigurd ground-water basin and other ground-water basins, central Sevier Valley, Utah.

The hydrologic system in the central Sevier Valley, and more specifically the Sevier-Sigurd basin, is a complex system in which surface- and ground-water systems are interrelated. Seepage from an extensive irrigation system is the primary source of recharge to the basin-fill aquifer in the Sevier-Sigurd basin. Water-quality data indicate that inflow from streams and subsurface inflow that intersect evaporite deposits in the Arapien Shale does not adversely affect ground-water quality in the Sevier-Sigurd basin. Stable-isotope data indicate that large sulfate concentrations in water from wells are from the dissolution of gypsum within the basin fill rather than inflow from the Arapien Shale. A ground-water-flow model of the basin-fill aquifer in the Sevier-Sigurd basin was calibrated to steady-state conditions and transient conditions using yearly water-level changes from 1957-88 and monthly water-level changes from 1958-59. Predictive simulations were made to test the effects of reduced recharge from irrigation and increased well discharge. To simulate the effects of conversion from flood to sprinkler irrigation, recharge from irrigated fields was reduced by 50 percent. After twenty years, this reduction resulted in water-level declines of 1 to 8 feet in most of the basin, and a reduction in ground-water discharge to the Sevier River of 4,800 acre-ft/yr. Water-level declines of as much as 12 feet and a reduction in recharge to the Sevier River of 4,800 acre-ft/yr were the result of increasing well discharge near Richfield and Monroe by 25,000 acre-ft/yr.

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USGS1992

Seepage study of the Timpanogos, Wasatch, Sagebrush and Spring Creek, Upper Charleston, and Lower Charleston Canals, Wasatch County, Utah.

A seepage study was made during 1989 on selected reaches of the Timpanogos, Wasatch, Sagebrush and Spring Creek, Upper Charleston, and Lower Charleston Canals in Wasatch County, Utah, to determine gains or losses in discharge. Fluctuations in discharge were adjusted using information from water-stage recorders operated at selected locations during each set· of measurements. The investigation showed a net loss of about 14.9 cubic feet per second in the Timpanogos Canal: the upstream reach gained about 2.0 cubic feet per second, the two middle reaches together lost about 14.1 cubic feet per second, and the downstream reach lost about 2.8 cubic feet per second. The Wasatch Canal showed a net loss of about 8.2 cubic feet per second: the upstream reach lost about 3.7 cubic feet per second, the middle reach showed no gain or loss, and the downstream reach lost about 4.5 cubic feet per second. The Sagebrush and Spring Creek Canal showed a net loss of about 0.5 cubic foot per second: the upstream reach gained about 0.6 cubic foot per second, the middle reach showed no gain or loss, and the downstream reach lost about 1.1 cubic feet per second. The Upper Charleston Canal showed a net gain of about 4.0 cubic feet per second: the upstream reach gained about 5.0 cubic feet per second, and the down-stream reach lost about 1.0 cubic foot per second. The Lower Charleston Canal showed a net gain of about 1.8 cubic feet per second: the upstream reach gained about 2.2 cubic feet per second, and the downstream reach lost about 0.4 cubic foot per second.

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USGS1992

Seepage study of the Bear River including Cutler Reservoir in Cache Valley, Utah and Idaho

A study was made during 1990 on selected reaches of the Bear River including Cutler Reservoir in Cache Valley, Utah and Idaho, to detem1ine gains or losses of flow from seepage in those reaches. The study showed a net gain of 23.5 cubic feet per second in the Riverdale, Idaho, to Smithfield, Utah, section of the Bear River. The upstream reach of this section of the river had a gain of 13.7 cubic feet per second, the middle reach had a gain of 2.1 cubic feet per second, and the downstream reach had a gain of 7.7 cubic feet per second. The Cutler Reservoir section of the Bear River (Smithfield to Wheelan, Utah) had a net gain of 79.0 cubic feet per second.

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USGS1995

Seepage study of the Virgin River from Ash Creek to Harrisburg Dome, Washington County, Utah

A study was done during 1994 on selected reaches of the Virgin River from Ash Creek to Harrisburg Dome in the central Virgin River area, Washington County, Utah, to determine gain or loss of flow in the river from seepage. There was a net gain of 10.7 cubic feet per second in the selected 14-mile section of the Virgin River near Hurricane, Utah. The two upstream reaches of this section of the river had a gain of 7.2 cubic feet per second, the two middle reaches had a gain of 3.5 cubic feet per second, and the two downstream reaches had no substantial gain or loss.

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USGS1994

Hydrology and potential for ground-water development in southeastern Tooele Valley and adjacent area in the Oquirrh Mountains, Tooele County, Utah

Communities in southeastern Tooele Valley, Utah, are growing, and future demand for water is expected to increase. To prepare for this demand, local surface- and ground-water resources were evaluated. Average streamflow in Settlement, Middle, and Soldier Canyons is about 6,000, 2,100, and 3,900 acre-feet per year, respectively. The combined average perennial streamflow of Pine, Pole, Swensons, Leavetts, and Pass Canyons is about 700 acre-feet per year. Average ground-water recharge to basin-fill deposits in southeastern Tooele Valley is about 44,000 acre-feet per year. Discharge approximately equals recharge. Specific capacity of wells in the basin fill ranges from less than 1 to 180 gallons per minute per foot of drawdown, and dissolved-solids concentration ranges from 363 to 1,550 milligrams per liter. Stream-channel deposits are recharged mainly by streamflow losses and subsurface inflow. Average discharge from stream-channel deposits in Settlement and Middle Canyons is about 2,100 and 3,400 acre-feet per year, respectively. Specific capacity of wells in the stream-channel deposits ranges from less than 1 to 45 gallons per minute per foot of drawdown, and dissolved-solids concentration ranges from 320 to 350 milligrams per liter. Average ground-water recharge to consolidated rock is about 42,000 acre-feet per year. Discharge, mainly by subsurface outflow to southeastern Tooele Valley, approximately equals recharge. Locations of springs in consolidated rock are not correlated with known topographic or geologic features. Specific capacity of wells in the consolidated rock ranges from less than 1 to 97 gallons per minute per foot of drawdown, and dissolved-solids concentration ranges from 220 to 1,400 milligrams per liter. Areas southwest of Tooele City and near Lincoln are considered to have potential for additional ground-water withdrawal.

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USGS1995

Water budget and simulation of one-dimensional unsaturated flow for a flood- and a sprinkler-irrigated field near Milford, Utah

Ground-water recharge to basin-fill aquifers from unconsumed irrigation water in the western United States is being reduced as irrigators convert to more efficient irrigation systems. In some areas, these changes in irrigation methods may be contributing to ground-water-level declines and reducing the quantity of water available to downgradient users. The components of the water budget were measured or calculated for each field for the 1992 and 1993 irrigation seasons. Precipitation was about 6.5 cm (2.6 inches) both years. The flood-irrigated field received 182 and 156 centimeters (71.6 and 61.4 inches) of irrigation water in 1992 and 1993, and the sprinkler-irrigated field received 52.8 and 87.2 centimeters (20.8 and 34.3 inches) of water, respectively. Evapotranspiration for alfalfa was calculated using the Penman-Monteith combination equation and was 95.4 and 84.3 centimeters (37.2 and 33.2 inches) for 1992 and 1993, respectively. No runoff and no significant change in soil moisture in storage was observed from either field. Recharge to the aquifer from the flood-irrigated field was 93.3 and 78.1 centimeters (36.7 and 30.7 inches) in 1992 and 1993 and from the sprinkler-irrigated field was -35.9 and 9.3 centimeters (-14.1 and 3.7 inches), respectively. The daily water budget and soil-moisture profiles in the upper 6.4 meters (21 feet) of the unsaturated zone were simulated with an unsaturated flow model for average climate conditions. Simulated recharge was 57.4 and 50.5 percent of the quantity of irrigation water applied to the flood-irrigated field during 1992 and 1993, respectively, and was 8.7 and 13.8 percent of the quantity of irrigation water applied to the sprinkler- irrigated field.

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