Hydrogeologic Controls and Geochemical Indicators of Groundwater Movement in the Niles Cone and Southern East Bay Plain Groundwater Subbasins, Alameda County, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | January 1st, 2018

Beginning in the 1970s, Alameda County Water District began infiltrating imported water through ponds in repurposed gravel quarries at the Quarry Lakes Regional Park, in

Beginning in the 1970s, Alameda County Water District began infiltrating imported water through ponds in repurposed gravel quarries at the Quarry Lakes Regional Park, in the Niles Cone groundwater subbasin, to recharge groundwater and to minimize intrusion of saline, San Francisco Bay water into freshwater aquifers. Hydraulic connection between distinct aquifers underlying Quarry Lakes allows water to recharge the upper aquifer system to depths of 400 feet below land surface, and the Deep aquifer to depths of more than 650 feet. Previous studies of the Niles Cone and southern East Bay Plain groundwater subbasins suggested that these two subbasins may be hydraulically connected. Characterization of storage capacities and hydraulic properties of the complex aquifers and the structural and stratigraphic controls on groundwater movement aids in optimal storage and recovery of recharged water and provides information on the ability of aquifers shared by different water management agencies to fulfill competing storage and extraction demands. The movement of recharge water through the Niles Cone groundwater subbasin from Quarry Lakes and the possible hydraulic connection between the Niles Cone and the southern East Bay Plain groundwater subbasins were investigated using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), water-chemistry, and isotopic data, including tritium/helium-3, helium-4, and carbon-14 age-dating techniques.

Hydrogeologic Evaluation - Proposed Regional Recharge and Recovery Project Mojave River Chanel Area

Mojave Water Agency (MWA) | August 15th, 2008

Provided in this report are the findings and conclusions of our hydrogeologic evaluation of the proposed Regional Recharge and Recovery Project (known herein as the R3 Pr

Provided in this report are the findings and conclusions of our hydrogeologic evaluation of the proposed Regional Recharge and Recovery Project (known herein as the R3 Project) that is to be located along/near the channel of the Mojave River in the vicinity of Hesperia, San Bernardino County, California. The R3 Project is to ultimately involve the construction of a put-and-take series of wells and transmission pipelines and the use of existing and proposed artificial spreading basins (mainly along the upper reach of the Mojave River).

Hydrogeologic Investigation Arroyo Seco Cone

Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) | April 15th, 1994

This report presents the findings, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations developed as part of an investigation to characterize the hydrogeology of the Arroyo Seco Co

This report presents the findings, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations developed as part of an investigation to characterize the hydrogeology of the Arroyo Seco Cone area of the Salinas Valley. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the feasibility of developing a seasonal surface water spreading operation utilizing water diverted from the Arroyo Seco in order to enhance ground water recharge in the area. The goal of a project to store water in the ground for subsequent pumping and use is to increase the yield of the Salinas Basin. This investigation defines the hydrogeologic characteristics of the Arroyo Seco Cone area, characterizes the hydrology of the Arroyo Seco and the availability of divertable flows, and estimates the annual recharge that could be achieved through the development of spreading basins.

Hydrogeology and Geochemistry of Aquifers Underlying the San Lorenzo and San Leandro Areas of the East Bay Plain, Alameda County, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | June 7th, 2003

Hydrogeology and Simulation of Groundwater Flow in the Lucerne Valley Groundwater Basin, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | June 28th, 2022

The Lucerne Valley is in the southwestern part of the Mojave Desert and is about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. The Lucerne Valley groundwater basin encom

The Lucerne Valley is in the southwestern part of the Mojave Desert and is about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. The Lucerne Valley groundwater basin encompasses about 230 square miles and is separated from the Upper Mojave Valley groundwater basin by splays of the Helendale Fault. Since its settlement, groundwater has been the primary source of water for agricultural, industrial, municipal, and domestic uses. Groundwater withdrawal from pumping has exceeded the amount of water recharged to the basin, causing groundwater declines of more than 100 feet between 1917 and 2016 in the center of the basin. The continued withdrawal has resulted in an increase in pumping costs, reduced well efficiency, and land subsidence near Lucerne Lake. Although the volume of pumping has declined in recent years, there is concern that new agricultural growth and limits on imported water will continue to strain the sustainability of the groundwater system.

Hydrogeology and Water Resources of the Los Osos Valley Ground-Water Basin, San Luis Obispo County, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 18th, 1988

The Los Osos Valley ground-water basin is located on the coast of central California. It extends about 3 miles inland and an unknown distance offshore, where it is in h

The Los Osos Valley ground-water basin is located on the coast of central California. It extends about 3 miles inland and an unknown distance offshore, where it is in hydraulic connection with the Pacific Ocean. Its maximum onshore depth is about 1,000 feet. Ground-water flow in the basin was investigated using existing data, geologic mapping, drilling and measurements of potentiometric head, water quality, and streamflow. The basin is underlain largely by relatively impermeable rocks of the Franciscan Complex. Basin fill consists of unconsolidated, complexly layered sediments of Miocene age or younger. Individual beds are generally thin and discontinuous. A three-dimensional digital model of the basin was developed and calibrated to match potentiometric heads and head-dependent flows during water years 1970-77 and 1986. The model simulated poorly the steep vertical potentiometric heads, and it could not simulate perched water tables. In other respects, model results were good and not highly sensitive to likely errors in input data. Infiltrated rainfall contributes about 80 percent of annual recharge to the ground-water basin, and ground-water inflow accounts for almost all the remainder. Net recharge from Los Osos Creek is small. In water year 1986, outflow from the basin consisted of net municipal pumpage (24 percent), net agricultural pumpage (25 percent), net outflow across the ocean boundary (26 percent), perched-water runoff (16 percent), and phreatophyte transpiration (9 percent). During water years 1970-77 net municipal pumpage and net agricultural pumpage accounted for only 10 and 22 percent of total outflow, respectively. The population of Los Osos Valley is expected to increase by about 20,000 people by the year 2010, and municipal water use is expected to increase by about 1,700 acre-feet per year. The model was used to simulate the effects of various future water-supply and wastewater-disposal alternatives on the  ground-water system. Results indicated that if wastewater is centrally treated and recharged to the ground-water basin, the entire projected municipal water demand can be met with locally pumped ground water without inducing seawater intrusion, even during droughts lasting 1 to 3 years. If wastewater is exported from the basin, however, large amounts of seawater intrusion are likely to occur even if nearly half of the municipal water demand is met with imported water.

Hydrogeology and Water Supply of Salinas Valley

Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) | June 15th, 1995

The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) convened a panel of 10 geologists, hydrogeologists, and engineers familiar with Salinas Valley ground water basin to at

The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) convened a panel of 10 geologists, hydrogeologists, and engineers familiar with Salinas Valley ground water basin to attempt to reach agreement on the basic physical characteristics of the basin, and the surface and ground water flow within the basin. Agreement on the completeness and accuracy of existing data and previous hydrogeological studies was seen as an important first step in identifying and implementing a technically sound solution acceptable to the public that would stop seawater intrusion that began some 60 years ago. Mike Armstrong, General Manager of MCWRA, instructed the panel to review and, if possible, reach consensus on the hydrogeological characteristics of the basin, define clearly the water resources problems in the basin, and determine surface water and ground water flow within the basin. We were not requested to discuss specific local projects or political and institutional aspects of the problems. The panel met in a closed-door session in Monterey on May 24 and 25, 1995. The session was closed to the public and the press to enable the panelists to discuss and explore ideas and opinions freely without worrying about statements, questions, and hypotheses being repeated out of context. Members of the panel believe the process worked very well. This report presents our findings, conclusions, and recommendations. We were able to achieve more than our original scope of work. There was remarkable unanimity of opinion on our understanding of the physical characteristics of the basin, the hydrologic system, the interaction between surface water and ground water, and definition of the specific ground water problems in the basin. In summary, the facts we agreed upon point so compellingly toward an already identified regional solution to the Valley's ground water resources problems that the panel has included a potential solution. We have included a strong recommendation in this White Paper for implementing that regional solution.

Hydrogeology of Lower Amargosa Valley and Groundwater Discharge to the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River, Inyo and San Bernardino Counties, California, and Adjacent Areas in Nye and Clark Counties, Nevada

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | February 7th, 2019

In 2009, Congress designated certain reaches of the Amargosa River in Inyo County, California between the town of Shoshone and Dumont Dunes as a Wild and Scenic River. As

In 2009, Congress designated certain reaches of the Amargosa River in Inyo County, California between the town of Shoshone and Dumont Dunes as a Wild and Scenic River. As part of the management of the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River, the Bureau of Land Management cooperated with the U.S. Geological Survey to assess the surface and groundwater resources of the Tecopa basin. Groundwater is the primary source of water to the perennial reaches of the Amargosa River. The U.S. Geological Survey studied the surface and groundwater systems in the basin, and assessed the sources and volume of groundwater discharging into the perennial reaches of the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River. The springs within the Tecopa basin (and the greater Lower Amargosa Valley Hydrographic Area) can be generally grouped by spring type and geographic location. There are four types of groundwater discharge points in the Tecopa basin—regional carbonate-rock springs and seeps, Tecopa Hills springs and seeps, thermal springs and seeps, and Amargosa Canyon hillslope springs and seeps. Results of chemical analysis indicate that water from all of these springs in the Lower Amargosa Valley and particularly in the Tecopa basin, is sourced in the carbonate-rock aquifer, with a local component of recharge. Groundwater is recharged in the Spring Mountains and moves through and around the Nopah and Resting Spring Ranges and into the Tecopa basin. A small (less than 1 cubic foot per second [ft3/s] or 500 acre‑feet per year) component of flow from the Amargosa Desert moves through the river channel alluvium and basin fill from the north. The location and type of spring appear to be controlled by the geology and geologic structure of the Lower Amargosa Valley. The regional springs (such as Shoshone and Borax Springs) and associated seeps tend to occur along the west side of the basin whereas other carbonate-rock aquifer springs discharge from adjacent mountain ranges, such as the Resting Spring Range, and as a result of low-permeability barriers, such as the Tecopa Hills. The thermal springs and seeps discharge from an area near the town of Tecopa, California. The Amargosa Canyon hillslope springs and seeps discharge directly into the river. Salt-crusted soils adjacent to the river indicate additional areas of diffuse discharge where groundwater is being evaporated. Perennial flow in the main channel of the Amargosa River appears to originate in an area of thermal springs near Tecopa. Persistent groundwater-fed pools begin to appear along the river channel just to the south of the Tecopa Hills. Flow between these pools is evident, but difficult to measure. During the synoptic seepage measurement survey in February 2014, flow in the Amargosa River at the Tecopa streamgage (U.S. Geological Survey site 10251300, Amargosa River at Tecopa, California) was approximately 1 ft3/s. Just to the south of the Tecopa streamgage, a line of cooler water springs (the Amargosa Canyon hillslope springs) emerges east of the river channel and continues for approximately 1 mile along the Amargosa Canyon wall. At the end of the spring reach, the flow in the river increased to just over 4 ft3/s. Flow then decreased to approximately 3 ft3/s at the confluence of Willow Creek, approximately 3.5 miles downstream. Downstream from the confluence of Willow Creek, the river consistently loses water and was dry just north of Dumont Dunes during the February 2014 synoptic seepage measurement survey.

Hydrogeology of the Sutter Basin, Sacramento Valley, California

University of Arizona | March 23rd, 1971

A mound of saline water exists in continental sediments between two fresh water rivers in the Sutter Basin of the Sacramento Valley, California. This saline water has mov

A mound of saline water exists in continental sediments between two fresh water rivers in the Sutter Basin of the Sacramento Valley, California. This saline water has moved from the marine sediments, at depth, upward along the Sutter Basin Fault and then through 2,000 feet of alluvium.

Hydrogeology, Hydrologic Effects of Development, and Simulation of Groundwater Flow in the Borrego Valley, San Diego County, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | November 24th, 2015

The Borrego Valley is a small valley (110 square miles) in the northeastern part of San Diego County, California. Although the valley is about 60 miles northeast of city

The Borrego Valley is a small valley (110 square miles) in the northeastern part of San Diego County, California. Although the valley is about 60 miles northeast of city of San Diego, it is separated from the Pacific Ocean coast by the mountains to the west and is mostly within the boundaries of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. From the time the basin was first settled, groundwater has been the only source of water to the valley. Groundwater is used for agricultural, recreational, and municipal purposes. Over time, groundwater withdrawal through pumping has exceeded the amount of water that has been replenished, causing groundwater-level declines of more than 100 feet in some parts of the basin. Continued pumping has resulted in an increase in pumping lifts, reduced well efficiency, dry wells, changes in water quality, and loss of natural groundwater discharge. As a result, the U.S. Geological Survey began a cooperative study of the Borrego Valley with the Borrego Water District (BWD) in 2009. The purpose of the study was to develop a greater understanding of the hydrogeology of the Borrego Valley Groundwater Basin (BVGB) and to provide tools to help evaluate the potential hydrologic effects of future development. The objectives of the study were to (1) improve the understanding of groundwater conditions and land subsidence, (2) incorporate this improved understanding into a model that would assist in the management of the groundwater resources in the Borrego Valley, and (3) use this model to test several management scenarios. This model provides the capability for the BWD and regional stakeholders to quantify the relative benefits of various options for increasing groundwater storage. The study focuses on the period 1945–2010, with scenarios 50 years into the future.