Hydrogeologic Framework and Ground Water in Basin-Fill Deposits of the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada
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Prepared in cooperation with Eureka, Lander, and Nye Counties, Nevada and the State of Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources Hydrogeologic Framework and Ground Water in Basin-Fill Deposits of the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5249 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover. View looking south from the north end of southern Monitor Valley. Top photo: cover of Rush, F.E. and Everett, D.E., 1964, Ground-water appraisal of Monitor, Antelope, and Kobeh Valleys, Nevada: Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Ground-Water Resources - Reconnaissance Report 30. Bottom photo: same view, 2006. Hydrogeologic Framework and Ground Water in Basin- Fill Deposits of the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada By Mary L. Tumbusch and Russell W. Plume Prepared in cooperation with Eureka, Lander, and Nye Counties, Nevada and the State of Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5249 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark D. Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Carson City, Nevada: 2006 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS--the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 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Suggested citation: Tumbusch, M.L., and Plume, R.W., 2006, Hydrogeologic framework and ground water in basin-fill deposits of the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5249. iii Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Background................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and Scope ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Approach ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Description of Study Area .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Well Designations ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Geologic Setting .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Hydrogeologic Units .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Carbonate Rocks ................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Siliciclastic Sedimentary Rocks ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Igneous Intrusive Rocks .................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Volcanic Rocks .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Basin-Fill Deposits ............................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Structural Features .................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Ground Water in Basin-Fill Deposits ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 Occurrence and Movement ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Historical Water-Level Changes.............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Phase Two ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Summary............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 References Cited................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Appendix 1. Selected drillers’ logs for wells in Monitor, Kobeh, and Antelope Valleys, central Nevada ...................................... 23 Appendix 2. Selected well and water-level data for Kobeh, Monitor, Antelope, and Diamond Valleys, for period of record .... 25 Plate [in pocket at back of report] 1. Hydrogeologic framework and ground-water levels in basin-fill deposits of the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada Figures 1. Map showing locations of hydrographic areas, weather stations, and selected wells in the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 2. Graphs showing annual precipitation at weather stations at Eureka and Austin, Nevada, 1971–2000, and at Diamond Valley, 1979–2000 ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 3. Hydrogeologic map and ground-water levels in Diamond Valley, central Nevada, 1950...................................................... 14 4. Map showing locations of wells and water-level declines 1948–2005 in Diamond Valley, central Nevada ...................... 16 5. Graphs showing depth to water at wells in (A, B, C) Diamond Valley, (D, E) Kobeh Valley, (F) Monitor Valley, and (G) Antelope Valley .................................................................................................................................................................... 17 iv Tables 1. Hydrographic areas of the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada .............................................................................. 3 2. Lithology, thickness, extent, and water-bearing characteristics of hydrogeologic units in Monitor, Kobeh, Antelope, and Diamond Valleys and Stevens Basin, central Nevada ...................................................................................... 6 3. Hydrogeologic units penetrated by 14 oil exploration wells in Diamond, Kobeh, Antelope, and Monitor Valleys, central Nevada .................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 4. Summary, from previous studies, of estimated ground-water inflow, ground-water outflow, and ground water in storage in the upper 100 feet of the aquifer, 1962–68, in Antelope, Diamond, Kobeh, and Monitor Valleys and Stevens Basin, central Nevada ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Conversion Factors and Vertical Datum Multiply By To obtain Length inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter foot (ft) 0.3048 meter mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer Area acre 4,047 square