ATLAS OF GROUND-WATER RESOURCES IN PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS By Thalia D. Veve and Bruce E. Taggart (editors) U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4198 Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY San Juan, Puerto Rico 1996 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBIT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Gordon P. Eaton, Director For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: Caribbean District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science Information Center GSA Center Open-File Reports Section, MS 517 651 Federal Drive, Suite 400-15 Box 25286, Denver Federal Center ! San Juan, Puerto Rico 00965 Denver, CO 80225 CONTENTS Abstract................................................................................................................................................................1 2.1.3.E Ground-water levels and movement ........................................................................... 37 Acknowledgement................................................................................................................................................1 2.1.3.F Soil permeability .......................................................................................................... 38 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................1 ! 2.1.4 Bayamón-Loíza Region............................................................................................................ 40 ! Thalia D. Veve José M. Rodríguez and Thalia D. Veve 1.1 Purpose and scope ...............................................................................................................................1 2.1.4.A Location and major geographic features ..................................................................... 40 1.1.A Location and major geographic features ........................................................................................... 2 2.1.4.B Population and estimated ground-water use............................................................... 40 1.1.B Population and estimated ground-water use .....................................................................................2 2.1.4.C Geologic setting .......................................................................................................... 42 1.1.C Geologic setting.................................................................................................................................3 2.1.4.D Hydrogeology .............................................................................................................. 44 1.1.D Hydrogeology ....................................................................................................................................3 2.1.4.E Ground-water levels and movement ........................................................................... 46 1.1.E Ground-water levels and movement..................................................................................................3 2.1.4.F Soil permeability .......................................................................................................... 47 1.1.F Soil permeability.................................................................................................................................3 2.2 South Coast Area ............................................................................................................................... 49 1.2 Description of the area.......................................................................................................................... 3 2.2.1 Santa Isabel-Patillas Region .................................................................................................... 50 ! 1.3 General land-use patterns in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands ................................................. 6 Orlando Ramos-Ginés 1.3.A North Coast Area...............................................................................................................................6 2.2.1.A Location and major geographic features ..................................................................... 50 1.3.B South Coast Area ..............................................................................................................................6 2.2.1.B Population and estimated ground-water use............................................................... 51 1.3.C West Coast Area ...............................................................................................................................6 2.2.1.C Geologic setting .......................................................................................................... 53 1.3.D East Coast Province.......................................................................................................................... 8 2.2.1.D Hydrogeology .............................................................................................................. 54 1.3.E East Central Area ..............................................................................................................................8 2.2.1.E Ground-water levels and movement ........................................................................... 56 1.3.F Puerto Rico Offshore Islands: Isla de Culebra and Isla de Vieques ..................................................8 2.2.1.F Soil permeability .......................................................................................................... 57 1.3.G U.S. Virgin Islands.............................................................................................................................8 2.2.2 Juana Díaz-Ponce Region ....................................................................................................... 59 ! 2.0 Ground-water resources areas in Puerto Rico............................................................................................11 Orlando Ramos-Ginés 2.1 North Coast Area ................................................................................................................................11 2.2.2.A Location and major geographic features ..................................................................... 59 2.1.1 Aguadilla-Hatillo Region ...........................................................................................................12 ! 2.2.2.B Population and estimated ground-water use............................................................... 59 Patrick Tucci 2.2.2.C Geologic setting .......................................................................................................... 61 2.1.1.A Location and major geographic features .....................................................................12 2.2.2.D Hydrogeology .............................................................................................................. 62 2.1.1.B Population and estimated ground-water use ...............................................................13 2.2.2.E Ground-water levels and movement ........................................................................... 64 2.1.1.C Geologic setting...........................................................................................................14 2.2.2.F Soil permeability .......................................................................................................... 65 2.1.1.D Hydrogeology ..............................................................................................................16 2.2.3 Peñuelas-Guánica Region ....................................................................................................... 66 ! 2.1.1.E Ground-water levels and movement............................................................................17 Orlando Ramos-Ginés 2.1.1.F Soil permeability ..........................................................................................................18 2.2.3.A Location and major geographic features ..................................................................... 66 2.1.2 Arecibo-Manatí Region.............................................................................................................20 ! 2.2.3.B Population and estimated ground-water use............................................................... 67 Angel Román-Más 2.2.3.C Geologic setting .......................................................................................................... 68 2.1.2.A Location and major geographic features .....................................................................20 2.2.3.D Hydrogeology .............................................................................................................. 69 2.1.2.B Population and estimated ground-water use ...............................................................20 2.2.3.E Ground-water levels and movement ........................................................................... 71 2.1.2.C Geologic setting...........................................................................................................20 2.2.3.F Soil permeability .......................................................................................................... 73 2.1.2.D Hydrogeology ..............................................................................................................21 2.3 West Coast Area................................................................................................................................