CHARACTERIZATION AND GROUND-WATER FLOW MODELING OF THE MINT WASH / WILLIAMSON VALLEY AREA, YAVAPAI COUNTY By Luis Fernando Navarro A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geology Northern Arizona University May 2002 Approved: Abraham E. Springer, Ph.D., Chair Paul J. Umhoefer, Ph.D. Charles M. Schlinger, Ph.D. ABSTRACT CHARACTERIZATION AND GROUND-WATER FLOW MODELING OF THE MINT WASH / WILLIAMSON VALLEY AREA, YAVAPAI COUNTY LUIS FERNANDO NAVARRO The characterization of the Mint Wash / Williamson Valley System (MWWVS) is a combination of geological and hydrogeological characterization of the Mint Wash / Williamson Valley area. The characterization was used to construct a ground-water flow model, used to research the water supply of the area. The geological characterization included data from previous investigations as well as data gathered through this study. The results include a geologic map, cross sections throughout the site, a synopsis of the known geological history of the area, including the identification of lithologies, and a description of the tectonic history of the area. The hydrogeological characterization included analyses of existing data, and collection and analyses of new data. A conceptual model was developed from preliminary analyses of data, then modified as more data was gathered. The characterization was used in the development of a three-dimensional finite- difference ground-water flow model. The model was calibrated to both the steady-state and transient conditions. The calibrated model was used to simulate MWWVS using several different water use scenarios and to compare these scenarios to the concept of sustainable ii yield. Sustainable yield was defined as yield that would not significantly affect the availability of ground water to riparian habitat and perennial springs. The results of the model indicates that the system currently does not exceed sustainable yield. Some of the water use scenarios that represent regulatory limits as well as potential future water use in the MWWVA did exceed the sustainable yield criteria. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Steven Maslansky of Maslansky GeoEnvironmental, Inc., E. Stanley Hobbs Jr., the Friday Luch Clubbe (FLC), the Salt River Project (SRP), the National Forest Service (NFS), Southwest Groundwater Consultants, Inc. specifically Bill Wellendorf, and the residents of the Mint Wash and Williamson Valley area for financial and logistical support for this thesis. Also, I would like to thank my advisor and committee members: Dr. Abraham Springer, Dr. Paul Umhoefer and Dr. Charlie Schlinger for their time, advice and input. Additionally, Beth Boyd from the Yavapai County Community College and Bev Eberson from the NFS provided advice and data. Thank you to J.J. Smith, Steve Andareise, and Doug Vandergon for their GIS support. This project would not have been possible without the help of several undergraduate and graduate students from Northern Arizona University who volunteered their time to assist during field trips. In particular, I would like to thank James “Jazzmaster Flex” Kessler who participated in most of the field trips. I would like to especially thank Steve M. and Abe who helped me develop this study, and believed in me as well as this project through challenging times including financial and physical hardships. I could not have completed this thesis without your support. Most of all, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my family, Angel, Eileen, Ana Elena, Juan Carlos, Diana Leonor, Jessica Ashley, Michele Cristina, and everyone else (you know who you are). You provided the heart and soul of this thesis. You are my inspiration, and there is no way I could have done this without you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES ..........................................................................................................ix LIST OF FIGURES .........................................................................................................xi LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................xiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................1 Purpose and Objectives .......................................................................................1 Location ..............................................................................................................2 Significance of Problem .....................................................................................3 Previous Invesigations ........................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2: GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION...............................................8 Purpose and Objectives.......................................................................................8 Introduction.........................................................................................................9 Methods...............................................................................................................9 Geologic Map..........................................................................................9 Cross Sections........................................................................................10 Fracture Orientation..............................................................................11 Stream Bed Mapping..............................................................................12 Results................................................................................................................14 Geologic Map.........................................................................................14 v Cross Sections........................................................................................16 Fracture Orientation..............................................................................18 Stream Bed Mapping..............................................................................23 Conclusions........................................................................................................23. CHAPTER 3: HYDROGEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION................................28 Purpose and Objectives.......................................................................................28 Introduction.........................................................................................................28 Background.........................................................................................................30 Methods...............................................................................................................31 Well Network Monitoring........................................................................31 Potentiometric Surface Map....................................................................32 Permeability.............................................................................................33 Aquifer Tests............................................................................................34. Water Budget...........................................................................................35 Results.................................................................................................................39. Hydrographs...........................................................................................39 Potentiometric Surface Map...................................................................40 Permeability............................................................................................41 Aquifer Tests...........................................................................................51 Water Budget..........................................................................................53 CHAPTER 4: GROUND-WATER FLOW MODELING..............................................56 vi Model Purpose....................................................................................................56 Model Objectives.................................................................................................57 Methods...............................................................................................................57 Conceptual Model...................................................................................57 Water Budget...........................................................................................59 Software Selection...................................................................................60 Spatial Descritization..............................................................................62 Boundaries...............................................................................................63 Parameter Values - Hydraulic Conductivity............................................65 Parameter Values - Recharge..................................................................66 Parameter Values - Storage/Specific Yield/Porosity...............................68 Parameter Values - Evapotranspiration..................................................68 Parameter Values - Drains.......................................................................69