UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1995 Ground water - surface water interactions in the lower Virgin River area, Arizona and Nevada Lynn Metcalf University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Metcalf, Lynn, "Ground water - surface water interactions in the lower Virgin River area, Arizona and Nevada" (1995). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 502. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/z90f-mtsv This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Ground Water - Surface Water Interactions in the Lower Virgin River Area Arizona and Nevada by Lynn Metcalf A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Water Resources Management Department of Geoscience University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1995 UMI Number: 1376193 UMI Microform 1376193 Copyright 1995, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 The thesis of Lynn Metcalf for the degree of Master of Science in Water Resources Management is approved. h ! L ^ . / j C / ) a a aJ2 Q srC\. Chairperson, Neil L. Ingraham, Ph.D. xamining Committee Member, David K. Kreamer, Ph.D. — f e n v ; <>}J Examining Committe^Mem^Sr, Steve A.Mizell, Ph.D. Grp^uate Faculty Representative, James E. Deacon, Ph.D. Interim Dean of the Graduate College, Cheryl L. Bowles, Ed. D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1995 ABSTRACT This study assessed interactions between ground water and surface water in the lower Virgin River, Arizona and Nevada, using stable isotopes and major ions as environmental tracers. The study reach starts at the Virgin River Gorge in Arizona and terminates at Lake Mead in Nevada, 80 km downstream. Discharge data showed that major sources of water for the lower Virgin River were discharge from the upper Virgin River and the Littlefield Springs, with minor amounts from Beaver Dam Wash, a perennial tributary. No strong evidence was found for ground-water seepage into the channel. In general, dissolved solids concentrations increased downstream because of water loss due to evapotranspiration. From the environmental tracer results, three general water types were identified: (1) local water including springs and streams in surrounding mountains, surface water from Beaver Dam Wash, and ground water from the Beaver Dam Wash floodplain aquifer; (2) Virgin River water consisting of surface water from the Virgin River, ground water from the Virgin River floodplain, and flow from the Littlefield springs; and (3) ground water from deep aquifers underlying the floodplain aquifers. The local water is the most isotopically enriched (SD values between -91 and -70%o) and has the lowest dissolved solids concentrations of all the waters sampled. Deep ground water is the most isotopically depleted of the waters with 6D values ranging from -106 to -99%o. Virgin River water is isotopically intermediate (5D from -97 to -87%o) but has the highest dissolved solids of all waters sampled. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TA B LE S................................................................................................. viii LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................. ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................1 Previous W ork ............................................................................................. 5 Investigations in the Study A re a ..................................................... 5 Ground Water-Surface Water Interactions .................................... 9 Stable Isotopes as Tracers ................................................... 9 Chlorides as Conservative Tracers ...................................12 CHAPTER 2 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING........................................................14 Physical Characteristics of the Study Area ............................................. 15 Physiographic Setting .................................................................... 15 Geographic Location ..........................................................15 Physiographic Location ......................................................15 C lim ate .................................................................................18 Geologic Setting .......................................................................................21 Stratigraphy .....................................................................................21 Geologic History ............................................................................ 23 S tructures .......................................................................................25 Hydrogeology ............................................................................................. 28 Unconsolidated Rocks ..................................................................29 Younger Alluvium ................................................................30 Beaver Dam Wash Aquifer ................................................. 31 Older Alluvium .................................................................... 32 Muddy Creek Formation ..................................................... 32 Consolidated Rocks ...................................................................... 34 Carbonate R o ck s ................................................................34 Noncarbonate Rocks ......................................................... 36 iv Surface Water Hydrology ........................................................................ 37 Inflows ............................................................................................. 37 Diversions ....................................................................................... 40 Water Quality - Previous Work ................................................................40 Ground W ater .................................................................................40 S prings .................................................................................40 Wells ...................................................................................43 Surface W a te r .................................................................................44 CHAPTER 3 METHODS.......................................................................................46 Physical Methods .......................................................................................46 Approach ......................................................................................... 46 Rationale ......................................................................................... 46 Methods ......................................................................................... 48 Discharge Measurements ................................................... 48 Water Quality Sampling ..................................................... 51 Flash Flood Sampling on Tributaries ................................54 Analytical Methods .....................................................................................56