Groundwater Hydrology
Thisd Edition
David Keith Todd
University of California, Berkeley
and
Todd Engincers
Larry W. Mays
Arizona State University
®
WILEY
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On the Cover: Comal Springs. The highly productive Edwards aquifer, the first aquifer to be desig-
nated asa sole source aquifer under the Safe Drinking Water Act, isthe source of water for more than
| million people in San Antonio, Texas, some military bases and small towns, and for south-central
‘Texas farmers and ranchers. The aquifer also supplies water to sustain threatened and endangered
species habitat associated with natural springs in the region and supplies surface water to users down-
stream from the major springs. These various uses ae in direct competition with ground-water devel-
‘opment and have created challenging issues of ground-water management inthe region.
Photo and description from the USGS website:
hup/watecusgs.gov/pubs/ciclcire1 186.html/gw_effect html
isk id ma i pp:
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PREFACE to the 3rd Edition
Water is essential for life on Barth, and the largest source of fresh water lies under the Earth's surface.
Increased demands for water have stimulated efforts to further develop, and in many cases over develop,
‘our groundwater resources. In addition we have created pollution problems resulting from over develop-
‘ment of groundwater resources and the mismanagement of wastes. As a result investigations of the occur-
rence and movement of groundwater have advanced, drilling equipment has improved, new models have
been developed, techniques for managing groundwater have advanced, and research has extended our
understanding of the resource.
Intended Audience and Introduction
‘This book is intended for a groundwater hydrology course in civil and environmental engineering, geol-
ogy, or hydrogeology. It is appropriate for either a one or two term course atthe junior, senior, or gradu-
ate level
‘The first edition of this book by David K. Todd was published in 1959 and the second edition was
published in 1980, This third edition of Groundwater Hydrology has the same purpose as the previous
‘wo editions, to present the fundamentals of groundwater hydrology in a manner understandable to those
‘most concerned with such knowledge. Few people specialize in the subject, yet, because groundwater is
‘a major natural resource, the subject becomes important for students and professionals in many fields:
water supply, the environment, agriculture, economics, mining, and the law, to name only the obvious
‘ones. Although itis impossible to presenta subject fitted to such a diversity of students the common need
is an understanding of the fundamental principles, methods, and problems in the groundwater field.
‘Thus, this book endeavors to make available a unified presentation of groundwater hydrology.
Since the earlier editions of this book, the groundwater resource field has made tremendous strides,
Awareness of the environment, concems and competition for water supplies, contamination of ground-
‘water, and enhanced regulation of water resources have all focused attention on the subject. As a result
cducational programs, research funding, and professionals actively involved in developing and managing
groundwater have grown dramatically. The National Ground Water Association together with journals
such as Ground Water and Water Resources Research has been instrumental in advancing groundwater
knowledge.
‘New to this edition
‘We have attempted to develop this book, not only as a stand-alone work, but in partnership withthe Inter-
net to serve as a portal to the vast resources on groundwater hydrology that now exist on the Internet.
Hopefully this book will help guide the student, the professional, and the researcher to the general doc-
uments and other publications, program plans, field project details, software, and other information
found on the Internet.vi Preface
Internet References
“Most of the web sites in the book are maintained by government agencies and nongovernmental organi
zations so that they will tey continue in the future. Several end-of-chapter problems throughout the book
are based upon Internet exercises.
+ Example Problems, Case Studies, Problem Sets The most significant change in ths edition has
been the addition of example problems and case studies inthe text, and the addition of problem
sets atthe end of each chapter. For educational purposes these problems enable a student to apply
‘material in the text to realistic everyday situations
+ Modeling with MODFLOW The second most noticeable change has been an entirely new chapter
‘on modeling (Chapter 9) featuring the U. S. Geological Survey MODFLOW model, which has
become the standard modeling tool in the groundwater field. Chief among the new developments in
the groundwater field is the role of computers, not only for organizing data and solving problems but
also in managing groundwater resources on a basin-wide basis for known or anticipated inputs and
outputs,
‘+ New Figures and Photos We have included over 300 new figures and photos. Many of the new
figures and tables within the book have been taken from various Web pages, in particular the U.
8. Geological Survey. These items not only provide specific information but serve as samples of
«graphics and tabulations available on the Internet making the style of this book mote variable than
that of most textbooks.
+ References References have been updated and selected on the basis of significance and avail-
ability
+ Metric and US. Units Both metric and U. S. customary units have been used in the example
problems. Metric units are used in keeping with their growing acceptance in the United States as
well asin recognition of the wide use of this book throughout the World. U. S. customary units
have also been used because ofthe continued use by many in the United States.
‘Student and Instructor Resources
‘The website for the book, located at www.wiley.com/college/todd, includes resources for both students,
‘and faculty: corrections tothe book, updates on changes in web addresses and new web pages used in the
book, and other updates on material inthe book that are of value to students and faculty. These resources.
are also included on the author's website at www.public.asu.edu/-lwmays/. Larry Mays can be contacted
at mays@asuedu
For instructors who have adopted the book for their course, a complete Solutions Manual for all
homework problems in the text is available for download. Selected figures from the tex, in PowerPoint
format, are also available for easy creation of lecture slides. Visit the Instructor Companion Site portion.
of the book's website to register for a password for these assets available only to instructors,
For instructors who have adopted the book for their course, a complete Solutions Manual forall
‘homework problems in the text is available for download. Selected figures from the text, in PowerPoint
format, are also available for easy creation of lecture slides. Visit the Instructor Companion Site portion
‘of the book’s website to register for a password for these assets available only to instructors.
Acknowledgements
We are indebted to personnel of the U. S. Geological Survey for their numerous excellent publica-
tions on so many aspects of groundwater from which we have borrowed freely. We are deeply indebted
to Sukru Ozger who prepared many of the problems and their solutions forthe solutions manual. Students
at Arizona State University have been exposed to advanced drafts of this new edition and offered severalani-
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Preface vil
constructive comments. We want to thank the reviewers Scott Wolcott of Rochester Institute of Technol-
ogy, Rameshwar Singh of San Jose State University, Rao S. Govindaraju of Purdue University, Albert J
Valocchi ofthe University of Iinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jeffrey D. Caulfield ofthe University of Mis-
sour at Rolla, and Mark Widdowson of Virginia Tech. for their helpful comments and suggestions
David W. Abbott, Maureen Reilly, and Dan Rothman, PE. provided useful reviews of selected chapters.
David Keith Todd Larry W. Mays
Piedmont, California Scottsdale, ArizonaContents
Introduction 1
LL Scope 1
1.2 Historical Background 2
121 Qanats 2
1.22 Groundwater Theories 2
1.23. Recent Centuries 4
1.3 Trends in Water Withdrawals and Use 5
14 Utilization of Groundwater 9
15 Groundwater in the Hydrologic Cycle 13
15.1 Hydrologic Cycle 13,
1.52 The Groundwater System in the Hydrologic Cycle. 15,
16 Hydrologic Budget 20
LT Publication Sources. 27
1.7.1 Intemet Resources. 27
1.72 US. Geological Survey Publications 27
173. Publications — 29
18 DataSources 29
18.1 NWISWeb Data forthe Nation 30
182 RealTime Data 31
Problems 32
References 33,
Example Publications of Organizations and Government Agencies 34
2 Occurrence of Groundwater 35
21 Origin and Age of Groundwater 35
22 Rock Properties Affecting Groundwater 36
221 Aquifers 36
222 Porosity 37
223° SoilClassifiction 40
2.24 Porosity and Representative Elementary Volume 41
225. Specific Surface 42
23. Vertical Distribution of Groundwater 45
24 Zone of Aeration 46
24.1. Soil-Water Zone 46
24.2 Inermediate Vadose Zone 46
243. Capillary Zone 47
244 Measurement of Water Content 49
245 Available Water 50
25 Zone of Saturation 50
25.1 SpecificRetention 50
252 SpecificYield 50
2.6 Geologic Formations as Aquifers 52
26.1 Alluvial Deposits 52
262 Limestone 53
263 Volcanic Rock 55
264 Sandstone 55X Contents
265. Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks 55
266 Chay 55
2.7 ‘Types of Aquifers 56
27.1 Unconfined Aquifer 56
212 Confined Aquifers 56
273 Leaky Aquifer 57
274 Wdealized Aquifer 57
28 Storage Coefficient 58
2.9 Groundwater BasinsRegional Groundwater Flow Systems 59
29.1 High Plains Aquifer 59
29.2 Gulf Coastal Plain Aquifer System 61
210 Springs 67
210.1 What Are Springs? 67
2.10.2. Edwards Aquifer—Discharge of Springs 70
2.11 Hydrothermal Phenomena 73
211.1 Thermal Springs 73
2.11.2 Geothermal Energy Resources _ 75
2.12 Groundwater in Permafrost Regions 76
2.13 Groundwater inthe United States 77
Problems 83
References 84
3. Groundwater Movement 86
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
3.10
Darcy’sLaw 86
3.1.1 Experimental Verification 86
3.1.2 Darcy Velocity 89
3.13 Validity of Darcy's Law 90
Permeability 91
3.2.1 Intrinsic Permeability 91
3.2.2 Hydraulic Conductivity 91
3.2.3 Transmissivity 92
3.24 Hydraulic Conductivity of Geologic Materials 92
Determinat 94
33.1 Formulas 94
33.2 Laboratory Methods 95
33.3. TracerTests 98
334 AugerHole Tests 99
33.5 Pumping Tests of Wells 100
Anisotropic Aquifers 100
Groundwater Flow Rates 103
Groundwater Flow Directions 105
36.1 FlowNets 105
3.6.2 Flow in Relation to Groundwater Contours 106
3.63 Flow Across WaterTable 112
3.64 Flow Across a Hydraulic Conductivity Boundary 114
3.65 Regional Flow Patters 115
Dispersion 119
37.1 Concept 119
3.2. Dispersion and Groundwater Hydrology 121
Groundwater Tracers 122
General Flow Equations 122
Unsaturated Flow 125
3.10.1 Flow Through Unsaturated Soils 126
3.10.2 Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity 128
ail
3.12
Prot
Rele
a\s
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
4.10
Prob
Refe
53
SA3.103 Vertical and Horizontal Fiows 133,
3.1 Kinematic Wave 133
3.12 Infiltration: The Green-Ampt Method 134
Problems 140
References 142,
4 Groundwater and Well Hydraulics 146
Contents xi
4.1 Steady Unidirectional Flow 146
4.1.1 Confined Aquifer 146
4.12 Unconfined Aquifer 147
4.13 Base Flow toa Stream 149
42 Steady Radial Flow toaWell 152
42.1 Confined Aquifer 152
42.2 Unconfined Aquifer 156
42.3 Unconfined Aquifer with Uniform Recharge
43° WellinaUniformFlow 161
44 Unsteady Radial Flow ina Confined Aquifer 163
44.1 Nonequilibrium Well Pumping Equation 163
44.2 Theis Method of Solution 168
4443 Cooper-Jacob Method of Solution 167
444 Chow Method of Solution 169
445 Recovery Test 170
45. Unsteady Radial Flow in an Unconfined Aquifer 172
4.6 Unsteady Radial Flow ina Leaky Aquifer 177
4.7 Well Flow Near Aquifer Boundaries 180
47.1 WellFlow Near a Stream 180
4.7.2 Well Flow Near an Impermeable Boundary 186
4.73. Well Flow Near Other Boundaries 189
4.74 Location of Aquifer Boundary 191
48 Multiple Well Systems 192
49. Partially Penetrating Wells 195,
4.10 Well Flow for Special Conditions 198
Problems 198
References 204
5 Water Wells 206
159
5.1 Test Holes and Well Logs 206
5.2. Methods for Constructing Shallow Wells 206
52.1 DugWells 208
522 Bored Wells 209
523 DrivenWells 211
5.24 Jetted Wells 212
5.3 Methods for Drilling Deep Wells 214
53.1 Cable Tool Method 218
53.2 RotaryMethod 20
533 AirRotary Method — 220
534 Rotary-Percussion Method 221
53.5 Reverse-Circulation Rotary Method 222
54 Well Completion 222
S41 WellCasings 222
542 Cementing 223
543 Screens 223
544 Gravel Packs 226Contents
55 Well Development 228
35.1 Pumping 228
552 Surging 228
55.3. Surging with Air 228
554 Backwashing with Air 228
555 Hydraulic Jeting 230
556 Chemicals 231
55.7 Hydraulic Fracturing 231
558 Explosives 231
56 Testing Wells for Yield 232
5.7 Pumping Equipment 232
57.1 Total Pumping Head 232
57.2. Pumps for Shallow Wells 232
54.3 Pumps for Deep Wells 232
58 Protection of Wells 234
58.1 Sanitary Protection 234
582. Frost Protection 236
583. Abandonment of Wells 237
59 Well Relabilitaion 237
5.10 Horizontal Wells 239,
5.10.1 Inflation Galleries 239
5.102 Horiontal Pipes 240
5.103 Collector Wells 240
SIL Characteristic Well Losses 242
S11 Well Losses 242
5.11.2 Evaluation of Well Loss 243
5.12. Specific Capacity and Well Eficiency 248
5.13. Slug Tests 250
5.13.1 Definition 250
5.13.2 Design Guidelines 250
5.133 Performance of Slug Tests 251
5.1344 Methods for Analyzing Slug Test Data 253
5.14 Slug Tests for Confined Formations 255
5.14.1 Cooper, Bredehoef, and Papadopulos Method 255
5.142 Hvorslev Method 259
5.15. Slug Tests for Unconfined Formations 261
5.15.1 Bouwerand Rice Method 262
5.15.2 Dagan Method 268
5.153 KGS Model 271
5.16 Slug Tests for High Conductivity Formations 272
5.17 Well'Skin Effect 273,
Problems 273
References 716
6 Groundwater Levels and Environmental Influences 279
6. Time Variations of Levels. 279
6.1.1 Secular Variations 279
6.12 Seasonal Variations 280
6.1.3. Short-Term Variations 280
62. Stwamfiow and Groundwater Levels 284
621 Bank Storage 285
622 Base Flow 286
623. Base Flow Recession Curve 289
63 Fluctuations Due to Evapotrnspication 29163.1. Evaporation Effects 291
63.2 Transpiration Effects 291
63.3 Evapotranspiration Effects 292
64 Fluctuations Due to Meteorological Phenomena 295
64.1 Atmospheric Pressure 295
642 Rainfall 297
643 Wind 298
644 Frost 298
65 Fluctuations Due toTides 299
65.1 OceanTides 299
65.2 EathTides 302
66 Urbanization 303
67 Earthquakes 306
68 Extemal Loads 308
69 Land Subsidence and Groundwater 308
69.1 Lowering of Piezometric Surface 311
69.2 Hydrocompaction 315
69.3 Dewatering of Organic Soils 317
694 Sinkhole Formation 317
695. Crustal Uplift 319
69.6 Monitoring of Land Subsidence 319
(6.10. Effects of Global Climate Change on Groundwater 321,
Problems 324
References 325
7 Quality of Groundwater 329
741 Natural Groundwater Quality 329
72 Sources of Salinity 330
73. Measures of Water Quality 335,
74 Chemical Analysis 337
74. Concentrations by Weight 337
742 Chemical Equivalence 338
743 Toa Dissolved Solids by Electrical Conductance 339
744 Hardness 339
15 Graphic Representations 340
76 Physical Analysis 345
7.7 Biological Analysis 345
78 Groundwater Samples 345
719 Water Quality Criteria 346
79. Drinking Water Standards 346
79.2 Industrial Water Criteria 346
79.3 ligation Water Criteria 347
7.10 Changesin Chemical Composition 348
TAL Dissolved Gases 349
712 Temperature 351
7.13. Saline Groundwater 354
Problems 356
References 357
8 Pollution of Groundwater 359
8.1 Pollution in Relation to Water Use 359
8.2 Municipal Sources and Causes 361,
82.1 SewerLeakage 361xiv
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
8.10
al
Contents
8.2.2 Liquid Wastes 361
82.3 Solid Wastes 362
Industrial Sources and Causes 364
83.1 Liquid Wastes 364
83.2 Tankand Pipeline Leakage 364
833° Mining Activities 364
834 Oil-Field Brines 366
Agricultural Sources and Causes. 367
84.1 Irrigation Retum Flows 367
84.2 Animal Wastes 367
843 Fentlizersand Soil Amendments 367
844 Pesticides, Insecticides, and Herbicides 368
Miscellaneous Sources and Causes 368
85.1 Urbanization 368
85.2 Spills and Surface Discharges 370
853. Stockpiles 370
854 Septic Tanks and Cesspools 370
85.5 Roadway Deicing 370
85.6 Saline Water Intrusion 371
85.7 Interchange through Wells 372
85.8 Surface Water 372
Attenuation of Pollution 373
861 Filtration 373
86.2 Sorption 373,
863 Chemical Processes 374
864 Microbiological Decomposition 374
865 Dilution 374
Distribution of Pollution Underground 375
87.1 Hanford Site in Richland, Washington 377
‘Mass Transport of Pollutants 378
8.8.1 Transport Processes 378
88.2 _Advection-Dispersion Equation for Solute Transport in Saturated Porous Media 382
883 Analytical Procedure 384
8.84 Transport of Reactive Pollutants 385
Monitoring Groundwater Quality 386
Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater 392
8.10.1 Remediation Goals 392
8.10.2 System Design 394
8.103 Hydraulic Containment of Groundwater 304
8.104 Groundwater Extraction Systems 396
8.105 Treatment of Contaminated Groundwater 396
Conventional Pump-and-Treatment Systems 401
8.11.1 Pump-and-Treat Remediation Suategies 401
8.11.2 Characterizing Sites for Pump and Treatment Design 403
8.11.3 Capture Zone Analysis 406
8.114 Extraction/Injection Scheme Design 407
Problems 407
References 409
9 Groundwater Flow Modeling Techniques 413
9
92
93
94
Why Develop Groundwater Models? 413
‘Types of Groundwater Models 414
‘Steps in the Development of « Groundwater Model 415.
‘Simulation of Two-Dimensional Groundwater Systems 415
9.4.1 Governing Equations 415
a
98
99.
9
94
Ret
0
102
102
104
10s
106
10796
91
98
99
9.10
9.
94.2. Finite Difference Equations 417
943 Solution 419
944 Case Study 419
‘Three-Dimensional Groundwater Flow Model 420
95.1 Derivation of Finite Difference Equations 420
952 Simulation of Boundaries 427
953 Vertical Discretzation 427
954 Hydraulic Conductance Equations 429
MODFLOW-2000 Description 431
9.6.1 Model Introduction 431
9.62 Space and Time Discretization 432
9.63 External Sources and Stresses 433,
9.644 Hydraulic Conductance—Layer-Property Flow Package (LPF)
9.65 SolverPackages 440
9.66 Telescopic Mesh Refinement 440
Case Study: Using MODFLOW: Lake Five-O, Flora 444
9.1.1 Finite Difference Grid and Boundary Conditions 444
97.2 Model Calibration and Sensitivity Analysis 444
9.73 Model Results 448
Particle Tracking—MODPATH 449
98.1 Whats Particle Tracking? 449
9.8.2 Particle Tracking Analysis—An Application 449
Example Applications and Input of MODFLOW 450
Solute Transport Modeling—MOC3D 455
9.10.1 Solute Transport Equation 455
9.102 MOC3D Model 456
Groundwater Modeling Software Support 459
9.11.1 US. Geological Survey 459
9.112 U.S. EPA Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM)
9.113 Intemational Groundwater Modeling Center (IGWMC) 459
9.114 Processors for MODFLOW 459
Problems 460)
References 461
10
10.1
102
103
104
105
106
107
Management of Groundwater 464
Concepts of Basin Management 464
10.1.1 Managing Groundwater Resources 465
Groundwater Basin Investigations and Data Collection 466
102.1 Topographic Data 467
10.22 Geologic Data 468
102.3 Hydrologic Data 468
Yield 469
103.1 Alternative Basin Yields 469
10.3.2 Evaluation of Perennial Yield 471
CConjunctive Use and Watershed Management 473
Groundwater Management: Water Laws and Policies 477
105.1 Water Law and Policy 477
10.5.2 Arizona's Groundwater Management Code 477
1053 Texas GroundwaterLaw 478
‘Case Study: Groundwater Management: Examples 479
106.1 Edwards Aquifer Management 479
10.62 High Plans Aquifer: Conjunctive Water Use on the High Plains
Groundwater Management Using Models 481
10.7.1 What Are Groundwater Management Models? 481
436
459
480
Contentsxvi Contents
10.7.2 Optimization Methods 482
10.7.3. Types of Groundwater Management Models 482
108 Groundwater Management Modeling: Hydraulic Management Models 484
10.8.1 Steady-State One-Dimensional Problems for Confined Aquifers 484
10.8.2 Steady-State One-Dimensional Problems for Unconfined Aquifers 486
10.8.3 Steady-State Two-Dimensional Model for Confined Aquifers 487
10.84 Transient One-Dimensional Problem for Confined Aquifers 489
10.8.5 Steady-State Two-Dimensional Problem for Unconfined Aquifers 490
10.9 Policy Evaluation and Allocation Models: Response Matrix Approach 492
10.10 Optimal Control Groundwater Management Modeling 495,
10.11 Case Studies: Groundwater Management Modeling Applications 496
10.11.1 Optimal-Control Model for Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer, Texas 496
10.11.2 Heuristic Optimization-Simulation Model for Groundwater Remediation Design:
N-Springs Site, Hanford, Washington 497
10.11.3 Groundwater Management Model Using Response Matrix Approach:
‘Santa Clara-Calleguas Basin, Califomia 499
Problems S04
References 506
11__Surface Investigations of Groundwater 509
111 Geologic Methods 509
112 Remote Sensing $10
113 Geophysical Exploration 512
114 Electrical Resistivity Method 513.
115 Seismic Refraction Method $17
11.6 Gravity and Magnetic Methods 520
Problems 520
References S21
12 _ Subsurface Investigations of Groundwater 523,
121 Testing 523
12.1.1 Geologic Log 524
12.12 Driling-Time Log 525
122 WaterLevel Measurement 526
123 Geophysicel Logging 527
124 Resistivity Logging 529
125. Spontaneous Potential Logging 533,
12.6 Radiation Logging 533
126.1 Natural-Gamma Logging 533
12.62 Gamma-Gamma Logging 534
1263 Neutron Logging 535
127 Temperature Logging 535
128 Caliper Logging 536
129 Fluid-Conductivty Logging 537
12.10 Fluid-Velocity Logging 537
12.11 Miscellaneous Logging Techniques 538
1211.1 Television Logging 538
12112 Acoustic Logging 538
12.113 Casing Logging $39
12.12 Other Subsurface Methods 539
12.13 Case Study: Oasis Valley, Nevada 539
Problems S41
References 54513._ Artificial Recharge of Groundwater 547
IB.L Concept of Artificial Recharge $47
13.2. Recharge Methods $48
13.2.1 Methods 548
13.22 Recharge Rates 556
133 Wastewater Recharge for Reuse 559
13.4 Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) Systems 560
134.1 What Are SAT Systems? 560
1342 Operation of SAT Systems $63,
13.43 Modeling SAT Systems 565
135. Recharge Mounds 567
135.1 Perched Groundwater Mounds 567
1352 Steady-State Equations for Groundwater Mounds
135.3 Hantush Equation 570
1346 Stormwater Infiltration Basin Mound Development 576
136.1 Potential Flow Model fora Trench S76
13.62 Potential Flow Model for Circular Basin S78
13.63 Mound Growth 580
13.64 Mound Recession 582
137 Innovative Approaches $83,
1321 Wildwood, New Jersey 583
13.22 Orange County, California 584
13113 Long Island, New York 584
1374 Orlando, Florida 584
1375 Dayton, Ohio $84
138 Induced Recharge 584
Problems 585
References 986
14 Saline Water Intrusion in Aquifers 589
14.1 Occurrence of Saline Water Intrusion 589
14.2 Ghyben-Herzberg Relation Between Fresh and Saline Waters
143. Shape of the Fresh-Salt Wate Interface 592
144° Structure ofthe Fresh-Salt Water Interface 596
145 Effect of Wells on Seawater Intrusion 597
14.6 Upconing of Saline Water 600
147 Fresh-Salt Water Relations on Oceanic Islands 603
148 Seawater Intrusion in Karst Terains 605
149 Control of Saline Water Intrusion 606
14.10 Examples of Seawater Intrusion 608
14.10.1 Long Island, New York 608
14.102 Southern California 608
Problems 611
References 612
Appendix A 615
Appendix B 619
Appendix C 620
Index 625
Contents xvii
590Chapter 1
Introduction
Groundwater hydrology may be defined as the science of the occurrence, distribution, and
‘movement of water below the surface of the earth. Geohydrology has an identical connotation,
and hydrogeology differs only by its greater emphasis on geology. Utilization of groundwater
dates from ancient times, although an understanding of the occurrence and movement of sub-
surface water as part of the hydrologic cycle is recent.
‘The US. National Research Council (1991) presented the following definition of hydrology:
Hydrology is the science that eas the waters ofthe Earth, their occurence, circulation, and
distribution, their chemical and physical propetes and their reaction withthe environment,
including the relation o living things. The domain of hydrology embraces the ul life history
of water on Barth
Section 1.5 describes in further detail the concepts ofthe hydrologic cycle.
‘The importance of groundwater (hydrology) in the hydrologic cycle has been the subject of
extensive technical research and publishing by many investigators over the past decades. Many
‘of these publications are introduced inthis book. Also, many books written on the subject ofthe
fate of water have caught the attention of the general public, especially those interested in saving
‘our resources. These include books by Carson'® and de Villiers* among others.
1.1 SCOPE
Groundwater (ceferred to without further specification) is commonly understood to mean water
‘occupying all the voids within a geologic stratum. This saturated zone is to be distinguished
from an unsaturated, ot aeration, zone where voids are filled with water and air. Water con-
tained in saturated zones is important for engineering works, geologic studies, and water sup-
ply developments; consequently, the occurrence of water in these zones will be emphasized
here. Unsaturated zones are usually found above saturated zones and extend upward to the
‘ground surface; because water here includes soil moisture within the root zone, itis @ major
cconcem of agriculture, botany, and sol scence. No rigid demarcation of waters between the two
zones is possible, for they possess an interdependent boundary, and water can move from zone
to zone in either direction. The interelationships are described more fully in Chapter 2.
Groundwater plays an important part in petroleum engineering. Two-fluid systems,
involving ol and water, and thee-fluid systems, involving gas, ol, and water, occur frequently
in development of petroleum. Although the same hydrodynamic laws gover flows of these
systems and groundwater, the distinctive nature of water in petroleum reservoirs ses it apart
from other groundwater. Major differences exist in water quality, depth of occurrence, and
methods of development and utilization, all of which contribute toa separation of interests and
12° Chapter | Introduction
applications. Therefore, groundwater in petroleum reservoirs will not be treated specifically in
this book. It should be noted, however, that groundwater hydrology has gained immeasurably
from research conducted by the petroleum industry.
1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
12.1 Qanats
Groundwater development dates from ancient times.°*""The Old Testament contains numerous
references to groundwater, springs, and wells. Other than dug wells, groundwater in ancient
times was supplied from horizontal wells known as qanats.' These persist to the present day and
can be found in a band across the arid regions of Southwestem Asia and North Africe extending
from Afghanistan to Morocco. A cross section along a ganat is shown in Figure 1.2.1. Typically,
a gently sloping tunnel dug through alluvial material leads water by gravity flow from beneath
the water table a its upper end to a ground surface outlet and irrigation canal at its lower end.!°
Vertical shafis dug at closely spaced intervals provide access to the tunnel. Qanats are labori-
‘ously hand constructed by skilled workers employing techniques that date back 3,000 years.*
Tran possesses the greatest concentration of qanats; here some 22,000 qanats supply 75
percent ofall water used in the county. Lengths of qanats extend up to 30 km, but mast are
Jess than 5 kan.'* The depth of the qanat mother well (see Figure 1.2.1) is normally ess than
50 m, bat instances of depths exceeding 250 m have been reported. Discharges of qanats vary
seasonally with water table fluctuations and seldom exceed 100 m'fhr. Indicative of the den-
sity of qanats is the map in Figure 1.2.2. Based on aerial photographs of the Varamin Plain,
Jocated 40 km southeast of Tehran, this identifies 266 qanats within an area of 1,300 km?,
1.2.2 Groundwater Theories
Utilization of groundwater greatly preceded understanding of its origin, occurrence, and move-
‘meat, The writings of Greek and Roman philosophers to explain origins of springs and ground-
Endof Irigate|
qanat Surface isles
anal
Figure 1.2.1. Vertical cross section slong a qanat (after Beaumont"),
* Supeseripc numbers efer to references atthe end of th chapter
* Qanar comes from a Semitic word meaning “to dig” There are several variants of teams including hare fg-
ara, nd fla depending on locaton in to, there are numerous dereces i pling.
+ nastrave of te tremendoas human effort expended to construct a gaat is 2 clalton by Beaumont.” The
longest qarat ear Zaren, Ian, i 29 kong witha mther wel depth of 96m and with 96 has long its
Feng he oa volume of materi excavate is estimated 75,400lyin
ably
‘ous
jent
jing
ally,
zath
a0
ori.
5
han
ay
‘en-
ain,
ve
nd
1.2. Historical Background 3
water contain theories ranging from fantasy to neatly correct accounts.® As late asthe sev-
centeenth century it was generally assumed that water emerging from springs could not be
derived from rainfall, for it was believed that the quantity was inadequate and the earth too
impervious to permit penetration of rainwater far below the surface. Thus, eatly Greek philoso-
phers such as Homer, Thales, and Plato hypothesized that springs were formed by seawater
conducted through subterranean channels below the mountains, then purified and raised to the
surface. Aristotle suggested that air enters cold dark caverns under the mountains where it con-
denses into water and contributes to springs.
‘The Roman philosophers, including Seneca and Pliny, followed the Greek ideas and con-
tributed litte tothe subject. An important step forward, however, was made by the Roman archi-
tect Vitruvius. He explained the now-accepted infiltration theory thatthe mountains receive large
amounts of rain that percolate through the rock strata and emerge at their base to form streams.
Figure 1.2.2 Map of qanats on the Varamin Plain, Iran (after Beaumont),4 Chapter!
Introduction
‘The Greek theories persisted through the Middle Ages with no advances until the end of
the Renaissance. The French potter and philosopher Bemard Palissy (c. 1510-1589) reiterated
the infiltration theory in 1580, but his teachings were generally ignored. ‘The German
astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was @ man of strong imagination who likened the
arth to a huge animal that takes in water of the ocean, digests and assimilates it, and i
charges the end products of these physiological processes as groundwater and springs. The
seawater theory of the Greeks, supplemented by the ideas of vaporization and condensation
processes within the earth, was restated by the French philosopher René Descartes
(1596-1650).
‘A clear understanding of the hydrologic cycle was achieved by the latter part ofthe sev-
centeenth century. For the first time, theories were based on observations and quantitative data.
‘Three Europeans made notable contributions, although others contributed to and supported
these advances. Pierre Perrault’ (1611-1680) measured rainfall during three years and esti-
mated runoff of the upper Seine River drainage basin, He reported in 1674 that precipitation
‘on the basin was about six times the river discharge, thereby demonstrating as false the early
assumption of inadequate rainfall” The French physicist Edme Mariott (c. 1620-1684) made
measurements of the Seine at Paris and confirmed Perraut’s work. His publications appeared
in 1686, after his death, and contained factual data strongly supporting the infiltration theory.
Meinzer™ once stated, “Mariotte . . . probably deserves more than any other man the distine-
tion of being regarded as the founder of groundwater hydrology, perhaps I should say of the
centite science of hydrology.” The third contribution came from the English astronomer
‘Edmund Halley (1656-1742), who reported in 1693 on measurements of evaporation, demon-
trating that sea evaporation was sufficient to account for all springs and stream flow.
1.2.3 Recent Centuries
During the eighteenth century, fundamentals in geology were established that provided a basis,
for understanding the occurrence and movement of groundwater. During the first half of the
nineteenth century many artesian wells were drilled in France, stimulating interest in ground
water. The French hydraulic engineer Henry Darcy (1803-1858) studied the movement of
‘water through sand. His treatise of 1856 defined the relation, now known as Darcy's law, gov-
ceming groundwater flow in most alluvial and sedimentary formations. Later European contri-
butions of the nineteenth century emphasized the hydraulics of groundwater development.
Significant contributions were made by J. Boussinesg, G. A. Daubrée, J. Dupuit, P. Forch-
hheimer, and A. Thiem. In the twentieth century, increased activity in all phases of groundwa-
ter hydrology occurred. Many Europeans have participated with publications of either
specialized or comprehensive works. There are too many people to mention them all, but R.
Dachler, E. Ibeaux, K. Keilhack, W. Koehne, J. Kozeny, E, Prinz, H. Schoeller, and G, Thier
are best known in the United States.
+ Pieme Perrault was a lawyer by profession and held administrative and financial poston inthe French gover-
‘ment ence hes ot wellknown in scientific circles. His interest in groundwater, leading to publication of
De Origine des Fntanes in 1674, canbe taced to the stimulus of te Dutch mathematician, astronomer, and
physicist, Christian Huygens, who was ten living in Paris and to whom te book is dedicated. Also, ere
Perrault soften overshadowed by is fur dsinguished brothers: Jean c, 1610-1669), lawyer; Nicolas
(1624-162), ote theologian; Claude (1613-1688, a physician, architect, nd scientist, who is regarded as one
ofthe most eminent French scholars of his time; and Chares (1628-1703, author and cic, whois best known for
bis Mother Goose ary ales.lof
van
the
lis.
che
tes
ev
ver
13. Trends in Water Withdrawals and Use S
American contributions to groundwater hydrology date from near the end of the nine-
teenth century. Inthe past 110 years, tremendous advances have been made. Important early
theoretical contributions were made by A. Hazen, FH. King, and C.S. Slichter, while detailed
field investigations were begun by men such as T. C. Chamberlin, N. H. Darton, W. T. Lee, and
W. C. Mendenhall, O. E. Meinzer, through his consuming interest in groundwater and his
dynamic leadership of groundwater activities ofthe U.S. Geological Survey, stimulated many
individuals in the quest for groundwater knowledge. In recent decades the publications of
M.S. Hantush, C. E. Jacob, G. B, Maxey, C. L. MeGuinness, and R. W. Stallman are nate-
‘worthy. Within the ast 40 years the surge in university research on groundwater problems, the
establishment of professional consulting firms specializing in groundwater, the advent of the
digital computer, and the extensive development of computer software have jointly produced
competence for development and management of groundwater resources.
1.3. TRENDS IN WATER WITHDRAWALS AND USE
‘The U.S. Geological Survey® estimated the total fresh and saline withdrawals in the United
States during 1995 to have been 402,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) for all off-tream
water-use categories (public supply, domestic, commercial, irigation, livestock, industrial,
‘mining, thermoelectric power). This estimate is nearly two percent less than the withdrawal
estimate for 1990. Table 1.3.1 and Figure 1.3.1 provide a comparison of total water with-
drawals by water-resources region. This comparison indicates that the California, South
Atlantic-Gulf, and Mid-Atlantic regions account for one-third of the total water withdrawn in
the United States.
‘National water-use compilations began in 1950 and are conducted at five-year intervals.
Estimates in Table 1.3.2 and Figure 1.3.2 summarize the water use—withdrawals, source of
water, reclaimed wastewater, consumptive use, and in-tream use (hydroelectric power)—at
five-year intervals. Figure 1.3.3 illustrates the trends in water withdrawals by water-use cate-
gory and total withdrawals for 1960-1995. Table 1.3.2 also illustrates the percentage change
in the 1990 and 1995 summary estimates. Estimates indicate thatthe general increase in water
use from 1950 to 1980 and the decrease from 1980 to 1995 can be attributed in part tothe fol-
lowing major factors:
‘+ Most of the increases in water use from 1950 to 1980 were the result of expansion of
intigation systems and increases in energy development.
+ The development of center-pivot irigation systems and the availability of plentiful and
inexpensive groundwater resources supported the expansion of irigation systems.
+ Higher energy prices in the 1970s, and large drawdown in groundwater levels in some
areas increased the cost of irigation water. Inthe 1980s, improved application tech-
niques, increased competition for water, and a downturn in farm economy reduced
demands for irigation water
‘+ The transition from water-supply management to water-demand management encour-
aged more efficient use of water.
+ New technologies in the industrial sector that require less water, improved plant effi-
ciencies, increased water recycling, higher energy prices, and changes in laws and reg-
Ulations to reduce the discharge of pollutants resulted in decreased water use and less
water being retumed to natural systems after use.
+ ‘The enhanced awareness by the general public of water resources and the active con-
servation programs in many states have contributed to reduced water demands.6 Chapter | Introduction
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1.3 Trends in Water Withdrawals and Use 78 Chapter 1 introduction
‘Table 1.3.2 Trends of Estimated Water Use in the United States, 1950-95
Percentage
Year change
loso! 1955! 1960" 1965 1970" 1975* 1980" 1985* 1990 1995" 1990-95
Population (illions) ‘150.7 1640 1793«1938 «2089-2164 «9G © A453 HT
Offseeam use
Total withdrawals 1802402701037 aag 99 wes
Public supply a 17 mK G5 RS OD
Rural domestic 36 «3636 4S AD 5H 779789889
and livestocle
Irsigation 9 10 0m 30h
Industrial
Thermorlecric = 4072172002187 S DB
pomeruse
Other induswinluse 37-398 GSS BOSD
Source of water
‘Ground
Fresh co a7 50 ao 6B 2 83 B2 94 64 4
Saline Oo 6 4 $s 1 1 9 62 Im om 9
‘Sustace
Fre 40 180190210250 200 HHS] kD
Saline re
Rechimedvasewaer = 89-2 6 TS SSS LRH
Consumptive use © © 8 7 BF 96 He? 923" 4? 0? as
Taseam use
Hydcoeecrc power 1,100 1500 2,000 2300-2800 3300-300 30503290 3,160
' 48 States and District of Columbia * Revised
? 50 States and District of Columbia * Data not available.
3 50 States and District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico ” Freshwater only
“© 50 States and District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Isinnds
Source: Solley®
POPULATION (WILLIONS)
WITHDRAWALS (THOUSANDS OF
Matron GALLONS PER DAY)
49501985 a0 "1965" 70 "1995" vasa aos "3000 ras
Figure 1.3.2, ‘Trends in fresh groundwater and surface-water withdrawals, and population, 1950-95.tage
95
36
14 Utilization of Groundwater 9
0
i =i
ie wh
£8 we 92
u fa i
e* 35
e wo 5
vwea "1965. 979" 9075 90" has 1990 HS
Figure 1.33, Trends in water withcrawals (fresh and saline) by water-use category and total (fresh
and saline) withdrawals, 1960-95 °°
1.4 UTILIZATION OF GROUNDWATER
Groundwater isan important source of water supply throughout the word. Its use in irrigation,
industries, tounicipalites, and rural homes continues to increase. Fighre 1.4.1 strikingly illus-
trates the dependence of an Indian village on its only water source—groundwater from a sin-
gle dug well. Cooling and airconditioning have made heavy demands on groundwater because
of its characteristic uniformity in temperature. Shortages of groundwater in areas where exces-
sive withdrawals have occurred emphasize the need for accurate estimates ofthe available sub-
surface resources and the importance of proper planning to ensure the continued availability
of water supplies.
There is a tendency to think of groundwater as being the primary water source in arid
regions and of surface water in humid regions. But a study of groundwater use in the United
States, for example, reveals that groundwater serves as an important resource in all climatic
Figure 1.4.1. Villagers laboriously lifting and carrying water from deep dug well in northem India
(photo by David K. Todd).10° Chapter 1 Introduction
zones.* Reasons for this include its convenient availability near the point of use, its excellent
quality (which typically requires lite treatment), and its relatively low cost of development.
Furthermore, in humid locales such as Barbados, Jamaica, and Hawaii, groundwater predom-
inates as the water source because the high infiltration capacity of the soils sharply reduces sur
face ninofl,
Figure | 42 illustrates the relative proportion of water source and disposition and the gen-
ral distribution of water from source to disposition for 1995. Table 1.4.1 ists the total off-
stream water use by state for 1995—breaking down the withdrawals into groundwater and
surface water and subdividing these into fresh and saline water. The total groundwater with-
drawal was 77,500 Mgalid and the total surface-water withdrawal was 324,000 Mga. Table
1.4.2 lists the groundwater withdrawals by water-use category and water-resources region for
1995. The significant proportion of groundwater used for irrigation purposes is clearly indi-
cated by the fact that 49,000 Mgal/¢ of the total 77,500 Mgalid is used for irrigation,
SOURCE USE DISPOSITION
Figure 142. Soarce, use, nd
disposition of freshwater in the
United States, 1995. For each
‘ater ase category, his diagram
shows the relative proportion of
voter source and dspesiton and
the general distibution of water
from source to disposition. The
lines and arows indicate the dis
bution of water from source to dis-
postion foreach category; for
example, surface water was 77.6
percent of toa feeshwater with
draw, ad going from “Souree" to
“Use columns, te ine fom the
surface-wate block othe domes-
tic and commercial block indicates
thet 08 percent ofall surfce water
withdrawn was the source for 48
percent of total water (sefsup-
plied withrawals, public-suply
elvis for domestic and com-
mercial purposes. Inston,
soing from the “Use” to
“Disposition” columns, he line
fom the domestic and commercial
‘block tothe consumplive use block
indicates that 19.2 percent ofthe
‘water for domestic and commercial
purposes was consumptive use;
this represents 8.0 percnt of total
consumptive use by all water use
categories
‘Table 1.4.1 Total Offstream Water Use by State, 1995,14 Utilization of Groundwater 11
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S66 “ans Aa asf eM URANSO [HAL (PIRUAUOD) THT aqEL,15. Groundwater in the Hydrologic Cycle 13
‘Table 1.4.2 Groundwater Withdrawals by Water-Use Category and Water-Resoutces Region, 1995
Public Commer Live Theme
Region supply Domestic cial nigaton stock Industrial Mining cece
Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh Fresh Saline Fresh Saline. Fresh Fresh Saline
New England 3B A 20S
Mid-Atantic 120 4852178]
South Adanic-Gulf 2760 71914228088 8TH
Great Lakes re a
bio so ww] THRO
Tennessee ms 4 36 8S a7 0 Bo
Upper Mississippi 1503119480 IG KR
Lower Mississippi 74)—=s BS 69] MDG 31000 ®t
Souris-Red-Rainy 3417 2 8 1 woo 4 o uso
Missouri Basin 63 B79 80% 283K DD
Arkansas-WhiteRed 378 105166660980 7B 87a
Texas-Gulf os IS M4 SMH 505.9503
Rio Grande 36ST S88
Upper Colorado 3 oo sé B42 kta
LowerColoado = 46 ## 2D HS 8000
Great Basin 30309 TID
PacificNonhwest 917283374000 w#SIS 65 0S Ss
California 2m 127 gsm SO 1615136 14600 BS
Alaska wo 83 1 138 0 0% 42 BOS
Haat m 24s 3% 8 5 0 6 3S 6
Caribbean 9 64 13 BS Kk 2
Tal 15100 3350 939490002260 409 151070101065. 764400 1,110
Figures may not add to ttals because of independent rounding Al values in milion gallons per day
Source: Solley*
1.5 GROUNDWATER IN THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
15.1 Hydrologic Cycle
‘The central focus of hydrology isthe hydrologic cycle consisting of the continuous processes
shown in Figure 1.5.1. Water evaporates from the oceans and land surfaces to become water
‘vapor that is carried over the earth by atmospheric circulation. The water vapor condenses and
precipitates on the land and oceans. The precipitated water may be intercepted by vegetation,
become overland flow over the ground surface, infiltrate into the ground, flow through the soil
as subsurface flow, ot discharge as surface runoff Evaporation from the land surface comprises
evaporation directly from soil and vegetation surfaces, and transpiration through plant leaves.
Collectively these processes are called evapotranspiration. infiltrated water may percolate
deeper to recharge groundwater and later become springflow or seepage into streams to also
become streamflow.
‘The largest single demand for groundwater is itigation, amounting to 67.3% percent of
all groundwater used in 1995, More than 90 percent of this water is pumped in the western
states, where arid and semiarid conditions have fostered extensive irigation development.14 Chapter 1 Introduction
u
160
Ai
29 7)
Moisture
overland
Preciptaton on land
] 285
‘ Precipitation
§ ‘on ocean
Evaporation
‘tom land
Evaporation ang
cevapatranspiation ‘et
Evaporation
‘rom ocean,
SS t Groundwater
Figure 1.5.1. Hydrologic cycle with global annual average water balance given in units relative to a value af 100 for the rate of
precipitation on land.”
A hydrologic system is defined as a structure or volume in space, surrounded by a bound-
ary, that accepts water and other inputs, operates on them internally, and produces them as out-
puts2!?? The structure (for surface or subsurface flow) or volume in space (for atmospheric
‘moisture flow) isthe totality of the flow paths through which the water may pass as through-
put from the point it enters the system tothe point it leaves. The boundary is a continuous sur-
face defined in three dimensions enclosing the volume or structure. A working medium enters
the system as input, interacts withthe structure and other media, and leaves as output. Physi-
cal, chemical, and biological processes operate on the working media within the system; the
most common working media involved in hydrologic analysis are water, air, and heat energy.
The global hydrologic cycle can be represented as a system containing three subsystems:
the atmospheric water system, the surface water system, and the subsurface water system as
shown in Figure 1.5.2. Another example is the storm-rainfall-runoff process on a watershed,
which can be represented as a hydrologic system, The input is rainfall distributed in time and
space over the watershed and the output is streamflow at the watershed outlet. The boundary
is defined by the watershed divide and extends vertically upward and downward to horizontal
planes,
Drainage basins, catchments, and watersheds are three synonymous terms that refer to the
topographic area that collects and discharges surface streamflow through one outlet or mouth,
Catchments are typically referred to as small drainage basins but no specific area limits have
been established. The drainage basin divide, watershed divide, or catchment divide is the line
dividing land whose drainage flows toward the given stream from land whose drainage flows
away from that stream. Think of drainage basin sizes ranging from the Mississippi River
drainage basin toa small urban drainage basin in your local community or some small valleynas
tal
uth,
ave
line
ver
ley
‘Atmespheric
water
‘Subsurface
water
15 Groundwater in the Hydrologic Cycle 15
$$$} evaporation
Interception
>| Transpiration
unof to steams
‘and oovan
1
' ‘
I
Al o| Subsutace || 2
initration peuface 1 .
I
I
|
| I
Groundwater | Groundwater ||
recharge tow ft
'
Figure 1.82, Block-dagram representation ofthe global hydrologic system?
1.5.2. The Groundwater System in the Hydrologic Cycle
Groundwater constitutes one portion of the earth’s water circulatory system known as the
hydrologic cycle. Figure 1.5.1 illustrates some of the many facets involved inthis cycle, Water-
bearing formations of the earth's crust act as conduits for transmission and as reservoirs for
storage of water. Water enters these formations from the ground surface or from bodies of sur-
face water, after which it travels slowly for varying distances until it returms to the surface by
action of natural flow, plants, ot humans. The storage capacity of groundwater reservoirs com-
‘bined with small flow rates provide large, extensively distributed sources of water supply.
Groundwater emerging into surface stream channels aids in sustaining streamflow when sur-
face runoff is low or nonexistent. Similarly, water pumped from wells represents the sole
water source in many regions during much of every year.
Practically all groundwater originates as surface water. Principal sources of natural
recharge include precipitation, streamflow, lakes, and reservoirs. Other contributions, known
as artificial recharge, occur from excess irigation, seepage from canals, and water purposely
applied to augment groundwater supplies. Even seawater can enter underground along coasts
where hydraulic gradients slope downward in an inland direction. Water within the ground
‘moves downward through the unsaturated zone under the action of gravity, whereas inthe sat-
urated zone it moves in a direction determined by the surrounding hydraulic situation,
Discharge of groundwater occurs when water emerges from underground. Most natural
discharge occurs as flow into surface water bodies, such as streams, lakes, and oceans; flow to16 Chapter 1
Introduction
the surface appears as a spring. Groundwater near the surface may return directly to the
atmosphere by evaporation from within the soil and by transpiration from vegetation, Pumpage
from wells constitutes the major artificial discharge of groundwater.
In this section we will discuss in general some ofthe aspects of the movement of ground
‘water in the hydrologic cycle. The groundwater flow system comprises the subsurface water,
the geologic (porous) media containing the water, the low boundaries, the sources (outcrop
areas, streams for recharge tothe aquifer), and the sinks (springs, interaquifer flow, and wells
for flow from the aquifer). Water flows through and is stored within the groundwater system.
Under natural conditions, the travel time of groundwater can range from less than a day to
‘more than a million years. The age of the water can range from recent precipitation to water
trapped in sediments that were deposited in geologic time. Chapter 3, Groundwater Movement,
discusses the mechanics of groundwater movement
‘The water that is withdrawn from a groundwater system initially comes from storage. The
effects ofthe withdrawal from storage are propagated through the system, overtime, as water
heads (the water table) decrease at greater distances from the point of withdrawal. Ulkimately,
the effect of the withdrawal reaches a boundary such as a stream. At the stream, either
increased recharge (water added) to the groundwater system occurs or increased discharge
from the system occurs, Figure 1.5.3 shows the sources of water supplying pumpage from ten
major regional aquifer systems in the United States. The figure illustrates the variability of
aquifer response to long-term pumping and the extent to which changes in recharge and dis-
charge can exceed changes in storage. Ii important to quantify recharge, despite the difficulty
of that undertaking
‘Typically, most water from precipitation that infiltrates does not become recharge, but
instead is stored in the soil zone and is eventually returned to the atmosphere by evaporation
and plant transpiration? The percentage of precipitation that becomes diffuse recharge is
highly variable and depends upon many factors, such as depths tothe water table, properties
of surface soils, aquifer properties, and many other factors.
Interactions of surface-water systems with groundwater systems depend upon many fac-
tors, including positions of the surface-water systems relative to the groundwater systems;
characteristics of the surface-water systems and their underlying materials; and the climate set-
ting.*®” Figure 1.5.4 illustrates the effect of transient recharge from precipitation on the con-
figuration of a water table and the associated groundwater flow. The exchange of water across
the interface between surface water and groundwater can result from downstream movement
of water in and out of streambeds and banks, a illustrated in Figure 1.5.5. Other exchanges
result from tides, wave action, filling or draining of reservoirs, and transpiration from vegeta-
tion atthe edges of wetlands and other surface water sources. Most studies of exchanges have
focused on streams.
Flows within groundwater systems can be on a local, intermediate, and regional basis, as
illustrated in Figure 1.5.6. The recharge and discharge areas in a local system of groundwater
flow are adjacent to each other. The recharge and discharge in an intermediate groundwater
‘low system ate separated by one or more topographic high and low. In regional groundwater
‘low systems, recharge areas are along groundwater divides and discharge areas are located at
the bottom of major drainage divides. Not every aquifer has each of these types of flow sys-
tems." In an aquifer system, the largest amount of groundwater flow is commonly in the
local flow systems which are mostly affected by seasonal variations in recharge. Recharge
areas ofthese local systems make up the largest part ofthe surface ofa drainage basin, are rel-
atively shallow, and have transient conditions. Regional groundwater flow systems are less
transient than local and intermediate flow systems.
‘A conceptual model of an aguifer system, as illustrated in Figure 1.5.6 for the Midwest-
em Basins and Arches aquifer system (see Figure 1.5.7 for location), i a simplified qualitative
Fo
ter
So
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ret
8vot
dis.
ulty
tion
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ties
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ter
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ys
the
15 Groundwater in the Hydrologic Cycle 17
Great Pine 23
Easton Snake Northern Midwest
fine Pain
Catlorna
Conta! valoy “Coal”
EswardeTenty
ult Coastal Plain Coastal Plan
Increased recharge Decreased dlacharge
HI induced recharge
Wi vttaien otivonson *
Figure 1.53, Sources of water that supply withdrawals from major aquifer systems in the United States are highly variable, as
shown by these rests from model simulations for various periods Jolston, 1997). Tae Floridan and Edwards—Trinity aquifer sys-
tems, which equilibrate rapidly after pumping, were simulated as steady-state with no long-term change in storage. In contrast, the
‘Souterm High Plains (with most natural discharge oecuting fer ftom pumping wells) and the deeply buried Great Plans aquifer
system have had substantial changes in groundwater storage. The distinction between changes in recharge and changes in discharge
is a function of how the system was defined (.e, again to one system may result ina loss from an adjining system). For exemple,
sroundwater withdrawal from confined aquifers (Northem Atantic Cosstal Plain, Gulf Coastal Plan) can eause flow tobe diverted
(techarged) into the deeper regional flow regime that would otherwise discharge to streams in the outcrop areas or cause vertical
leakage across confining units. Groundwater recharge ina region canbe increased as2reslt of human modifications, such as
retum flow of excess irigation water (California Central Valley). Noe that the areal extent of the Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer
system overlaps the areal extent ofthe Flocdan and Gulf Coastal Plain aquifer systems ”18 Chapter | Introduction
description of the physical system.*? Conceptual models may include a description of the
aquifers and confining units that make up the aquifer system, the boundary conditions, flow
regimes, sources and sinks of water, and general directions of the groundwater flow
Conon eae agen Sne gsr
an aaa ee a °
wc
- «
“
Se} tnt ge ea cent Ware ma ae
net rot tie
U| SEEEEEESSCesE
wy
we
-_ B
ts of cage oe oll ne le isa
oo 7 | cleat tegen ae en,
oS ipl pone cee ie
J N
t aL
sn -_
e
Conditions aftereffects of recharge event Grutor
ichags to sree water des
a
- +
D
Pests gna oe = ac a cil hin
lees ‘goundeater foe eters "
2 aero!
Figure 1.54, Diagrams showing the efect of transient recharge from precipitation on the configuration of a water table and assoc- Figur
ated groundwater flow.”? with 1the
15 Groundwater in the Hydrologic Cycle 19
Direction of
ee)
ine Sa a
Figure 15.5. Local goomorpic features such as streambed topogrephy, streambed roughness, mean
‘ering, and heterogeneities in sediment hydraulic conductivities can give nie to localized flow sys-
tems within sueambeds ad banks. The nea-steam subsurface envionment with active exchange
‘erweensuriace water and groundwater is commonly referred to a the hyporteic zone, although the
‘ransiton between grounduater and surface water represents a hydrologic continuum, preventing a
soe | oe | | | | | dt |
Noto scale
[Bi ciecial deposts — Local groundwater fw path
arbenateock aquler «+= Intamediate groundvater fow path
Hi bse conning unit ~<— Ragionel groundvate flow path
“= Incstes flow simulated by the regional groundwater
“<= fiow model constructed for his investigation
Figure 1.86. Diagrammatic conceptual model ofthe Midwestem Basins and Arches aquifer system showing flow paths associated
with local, intermediate, and regional flow systems” and low systems simulated bythe regional groundwater flow model. ®20. Chapter | troduction
Lake
Michigan
chicago
i Stuy area
= Boundary of modeled ares
Figure 1.5.7, Midwestern Basin and Arches aquifer system in Paris of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Iinos.?®
1.6 HYDROLOGIC BUDGET
A hydrologic budget, water budget, ot water balance is a measurement of continuity of the
flow of water, which holds true for any time interval and applies fo any size area ranging from
local-scal areas to regional-scale areas or from any drainage area tothe earth asa whole. The
hydrologists usually must consider an open system, for which the quantification ofthe hydro-
aBSN
cm SS
“
‘Stream
inflow OH"
eanonar
‘ome
Guns
on
fthe
from
The
idto-
16 Hyicologic Budget 21
Figure 16.1. Componeas of hydrologic
cycle in au open system: the major inflows
and outflows of water from a parcel of land
Source: WM. Marsh and J, Dozer,
Landscope: An Introduction to Physical
Geography. Copyright © 1986 by Wiley.
Groundwater Reprinted by permission of Joka Wiley &
cation Sons In.
logic cycle for that systean becomes a mass balance equation in which the change of storage
cof water (dS/dt) with respect to time within that system is equal to the inputs (P to the systern
minas the outputs (0) from the system.
‘Considering the open system in Figure 1.6.1, the water balance equation can be expressed
for the surface water system and the groundwater system in units of volume per nit time sep-
stately, or for a given time period and area, in depts.
Surface Water System Hydrologic Budget
P+0.,- Oo + Q,-
where P is the precipitation, Oy isthe surface water flow into the system, Qay is the surface
‘water flow out of the system, Q, isthe groundwater flow into the stream, E, is the surface evap-
oration, 7; isthe transpiration, fs the infiltration, and AS, isthe change in water storage ofthe
surface water system,
1,
AS, (16.1)
Groundwater System Hydrologic Budget
14 Gy Gog Op Ep T= Sy (1.62)
where Gi isthe groundwater flow into the system, Gog is the groundwater flow out of the sys
tem, and AS, is the change in groundwater storage. The evaporation, E,, and the transpiration,
Ty can be significant ifthe water table is near the ground surface.
‘System Hydrologic Budget
‘The system hydrologic budget is developed by adding the above two budgets together:
Pou ~ Og) — (E, + By) ~ (1, + Ty) ~ Gour~ Ga) = MS, + 5) (1.63)
Using net mass exchanges, the above system hydrologic budget can be expressed as
P-Q-G-E-T=aS (164)22 Chapter 1 Introduction
EXAMPLE 1.6.1
SOLUTION
EXAMPLE 1.6.2
SOLUTION
@
oie wwe Figure 1.6.2 Diagrams ilusrating water
>, eae cre budgets for a groundwater system for
ey predevelopment and development cond
tions. (a) Predevclopment water budget
ciagram illustrating that inflow equals
ution. (6) Water-badget diagram show:
ing changes in flow fora groundwater
system being pumped. The sources of
0 bere ‘water forthe pampage ere changes in
recharge, discharge. and the araount of
sr < Some water stored. The nial redevelopment
values donot directly enter the bodget
= Sows
| Repiteat
eat p
calculation.
Hydrologic budgets can be used for numerous studies related to groundwater including
+ Estimating groundwater exchange with lakes "+9 44.68.6872
+ Estimating surface water and groundwater interaction 2
* Computing recharge from a well-hydrograph data."
A diagram illustrating water budgets for a groundwater system for predevelopment and
development conditions is presented in Figure 1.6.2. A groundwater budget for part of Nasse
and Suffolk Counties, Long Island, New York, is shown in Figure 1.6.3. Both of these water
budgets assume equilibrium conditions with litle or no change in storage
During 1996, the water budget terms for Lake Annie in Florida"? included precipitation (P) of 43 ineh/yr,
evaporation (E) of 53 inch/y, surface water inflow (Q,) of 1 inchly, surface outflow (Qgy) of 173
{nh/yr, and change in lake volume (AS) of -2ineh/yr. Determine the net groundwater flow (the ground:
‘water inflow minus the groundwater outflow).
the water budget equation (1.64) to define the net groundwater flow forthe ake is
G=AS-PHE-Oy + ou
Assuming
43453-14173
= 180inchiyr .
During Janvary 1996, the water budget terms for Lake Annie in Florida! included precipitation (P) of 1.9
inch, evaporation (E} of 1.5 inch, surface water inflow (Q,) of inch, surface outflow (Q,,) of 17.4 inch,
and change in lake volume (AS) of O inch, Determine the net groundwater flow for Fanvary 1996 (the
groundwater inflow minus the groundwater outflow)
‘The water budget equation to define the net groundwater flow for the lake is
G=AS~P+E~Qq+ Ogg = 0-19 +15~0+ 17.4 = 17 inch for January 1996 .
Fy
Ish
buwand
assau
water
ely,
173
“ound.
eis
of 19
inch,
S (he
16 Hydrologic Budget 23
OVERALL PREDEVEL OPMENT ‘GROUNO-WATER PREDEVELOPMENT
WATER BUDGET ANALYOSS ‘WATER SUDGET ANALYSIS
fretonro Lon a0 auc) [reiowrorowsismn | URE
Montes avs Ears [Groowe ore ears
pros} 2a 7 Gad 12
‘uTFLoW Frou Lona AND UTRLOH row Loss
once srs SmuNouareR Sara |
7 Beparmagnin oesoion 7 Gomi dae bans | 20
5 Genoa owe [etme acts been 7a
[Santon acura [ie Eerrecnon pn wie) 25
5 tment ol ponds pes =
Teal aaion
Figure 1.63. Groundwater budget for part of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Loag Island, New York.’ Block diagram of Long.
Islend, New York, and tables listing the overall water budget and groundwater budget under predevelopment conditions. Both water
‘odgets assume equilibrium conditions with litle or no change in storage.
‘The components of hydrologic budgets are either measured, calculated, or estimated
Evaporation, for example, may be obtained from measured pan evaporation data or calculated
from the energy balance method, the aerodynamic method (such as the Thomthwaite-Holz-
‘man equation), ora combination ofthese methods (such as the Priestley~Taylor evaporation
method), Detailed discussions of these methods are presented in References 22, 49, and 52
Precipitation data are measured or is obtained from recorded data, and in some cases are esti-
tmated based upon recorded data for other time periods of interest. Depending upon the time
period of the budget, average monthly values could also be used. Inthe case when the hydro-
logic budgets are of lakes, lake volume changes are needed and they can be computed using
actual jake-stage measurements and relationships between lake stage and lake volume. Using
estimates of lake volume changes, evaporation, and precipitation, estimates of net groundwa-
ter flow to a lake can be made. The individual components of net groundwater flow are the24 Chapter 1 Introduction
groundwater inflow to the lake and the leakage from the lake, which can be determined
through groundwater simulation models. Groundwater simulation models (Chapter 9), how:
ever, need to be calibrated, which requires the monitoring of groundwater levels (hydraulic
heads, Chapter 2), lithographic data (Chapter 12), results (hydraulic conductivities) from pump
tests (Chapter 4), of slug tests (Chapter 5). With a calibrated groundwater flow model, the
groundwater flow into a lake and the leakage from a lake can be determined using simulated
‘groundwater flow fields,
CASE STUDY Lake Five-O, Florida
Grubbs" deserbed the bydeologic budgetary analysis that was
performed for Lake Five-O (a seepage Take), located in Bey
County in norhwestem Focda (ee Figures 1.6.4 and | 6.5). This
hydrologic badget (Table 1.6.1 and Figure 1.66) was determined
using both collected data and mode simulation resus (see Chap
ter) Lake Five is leate in an area characterized by coastal
terace depesis that have been modified by extensive kerst devel-
‘opment Sos in the area ae deep, excessively étsined, and con-
sist of very permeable, Lakeland series sands, Maximum lake
depth range from 13.5 m to 15.4 m. Surface are ranged from
104 to 11.3 hectares, and the lke volume ranged fom 9.09 x 10°
to LILx 10a
The net groundvater Now (groundwater inflow minus leak:
age) was determined by the water balance approach utilizing
measurements of precipitation, lke evaporation was determined
using the energy budget method, and lake volume changes were
estimated from lake-stege measurements and a relationship
‘between lake stage and lake volume. The analysis was utilized to
_make qualitative assessmens ofthe signiicence of lake-ground
water exchanges during the study period. A groundwater simula
‘ion model was used to determine the groundwater inflows and
seepage from the lake, The simulation model was developed using
lithographic data to define the three geohydologic units, # net
‘work of monitoring wells to define the hydraulic heads over the
time ofthe hydrologic budget, previously published data, and lia-
ited slug tests to elp determine hydraulic conductivities. The
analysis made it possible to develop quantitative estimates of mis
imum groundwater inflow and leakage rates not only during the
study period, but also for long-term average concitions
‘The hydrologic budget for Lake Five-O is expressed as
As.
B+, Ona
The hytrologic budget by Grubbs?” showed thatthe ground.
‘water inflow tothe ake and leakage from the lake tothe ground-
water system are the dominant components respectively, in total
inflow (precipitation plus groundwater inflow) aod total outflow
(evaporation plus leakage) budgets ofthe Take, The groundwater
‘movement, including the head distribution and groundwater flow
‘near Lake Five-O, is discussed in Section 3.6.6
LOCATION OF
BAY COUNTY
Figure 1.64. Location of Lake Five-O study area.”
0 | wxnomereRs:ow.
lic
amp
the
and
sing
et
the
The
the
and.
and-
total
ater
ow
+ STAFF CAGE
ELEVATION REFERENCE
Pont
ok WELL AND OENTIRER.
4 camare sranion
‘conrmous ecornen
620 END OENTIFER
‘ wine
——
obs mucwerens
sw sey
1.6 Hydrologic Budget 25
Figure 1.6.5. Location of data-
‘collection sites in the Lake Five-O
study area.”
Table L641 Monty Net Groundwater Flow to Lake Five-O, 1989-90
Standard |
deviation (percent
‘Average lake Change intake Net groond- Standard of net ground
Month volume, volume Precipitation Evaporation water low deviation __water flow)
1989
Jan. 989,200 26,100 3.800 3.200 26.700 2.300 9
Reb, 94,000 21,900 6,900 4100 24.700 2,600 10
Mar. 943,300 -13,900 17;700 7900 23,700 3,300
Apr. 935,200 8,700 10600 11,000 8.300 2,800 4
May 922,500 14,700 8.900 13,800 -9,500 2,900 2
June 945,600 68,100 56,800 12,000 24,400 9300 38
July 1,024,800 66,700 26.300 13,300 53,100 5.400 10
‘Aug. 1,068,400 26,200 20900 12,300 17,600 3,700 2
Sept. 109,800 22,300 21,500 16,800 17700 3,700 2
Oc. 1,103,400 3.100 15,100 13,000 1,000 2,700 20
Nov. 1,108,200 4,100 13,800 9.400 00 2,300 70
Dee. 1,102,700 1,000 13,500 7,900 4,500 2,300 50
(continues)26 Chapter 1
Introduction
‘Table 1.6.1 (continued) Monthly Net Groundwater Flow to Lake Five-O, 1989-90
Standard
Aeviation (percent
‘Average lake Change in lake Net ground: Standard of net ground
Month volume volume Precipitation Evaporation water flow eviation water flow)
1990
Jan, 1,107,000 3,100 3,800 3,300 -3,500 1,500 43
Feb, 1,108,000 4800 5,100 4800 5.800 1,300 2
Mar. 1,092,000, 9,600 8600 16,500 2,000 2
Ape 1,076,100 12,000 11,100 -18,700 2,400 B
May 1,058,600 9,400 15100 16,300 2,400 15
June 1,041,300 23,700 14,300 -18,500, 4.200 B
July 1,046,400 31,300 15,000 1,600 5,300 330
Aug, 1,055,600 16,000 15,600 -2800 3,600 130
Sept 1,033,300, 3,900 17900 21,600 2,900 B
ct. 998,600 9500 15400 25,200 2,800 n
Now. 963,200 800 11300 25,100 2,600 10
Dee. 932,000 7,000 7400 28,500 2,600 9
‘All units are in cubic meters, unless oerwise ated. Standard deviation isthe eror component ofthe wet groundwater Now estite, Negative
‘values of net groundwater fw indicate that leakage exceeded groundwater inflow,
pied
‘VOLUME (CUBE METERS)
‘VOLUME (cuBe METERS)
i
5
5
®
5
i
‘988 1990
Figure 1.6.6. Monthly hydrologic budget compo-
nents for Lake Five-O, 1989-90.”
uy
47.cont
&
1.7.2 US. Geologi
1.7 Publication Sources 27
‘The components of a hydrologic budget, whether they are measured or calculated, have
associated errors. These errors are based on the degree of uncertainty of the measurements,
limitations of methods, and the assumptions made to calculate the values. In many situations
information on the rainfall, surface outflow, and withdrawal for supply may be the most reli
able, Calculated values of lake evaporation and lake storage may be less reliable because off-
site pan evaporation and estimated pan coefficients are used, Lake stage data may be less
reliable because of the uncertainty in assessing the surface area of the lake, Groundwater flow
is typically the least reliable. When the messured or calculated components are used in the
budget calculations, imbalances between the inflow and outflow components, called residuals,
occur. The residual term in a hydrologic budget is an accumulation of all the errors in the com
ponents ofthe budget. The previous hydrologic budget equations do not reflect residual terms;
however, the analysis by Grubbs* describes the residuals in detail.
1.7 PUBLICATION SOURCES
1.7.1 Internet Resources
‘The Internet has changed the availability of sources of information on groundwater hydrology.
Now we can access many types of data and publications very rapidly through the use of a com-
puter. Appendix A provides a list of U.S. government and nongovernmental organizations’
Web sites
“Much of this book has been developed to serve asa portal to the vast resources on ground-
\water hydrology that now exist on the Intemet, Hopefully this book will help guide the student,
the professional, and the researcher to the general documents, program plans, field project
details, software, and other information found on the Internet. Many of the new figures and
tables in this edition have been taken from various Web sites in particular the U.S. Geologi-
cal Survey site, These items not only provide specific information but also serve as samples of,
‘graphics and tabulations available onthe Internet, making the style ofthis book more variable
than that of most textbooks. The majority of Web sites referenced inthis book are maintained
by government agencies and established organizations, and therefore should be accessible for
‘many years to come. Several end-of-chapter problems throughout the book are based upon
Intemet exercises.
1 Survey Publications
In the United States, « majority of the field measurements and investigations of groundwater
have been conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Most work has been on a coop-
erative basis with individual states, Results are published by the Survey as circulars, digital
data series, fat sheets, hydrologic atlases, open-file reports, techniques of water-resources,
‘water data reports, water-resources investigation reports, professional papers, and water-sup-
ly papers. Table 1.7.1 describes the various types of U.S. Geological Survey reports, and
Table 1.7.2 describes how to find and reference on-line USGS water resources reports. Since
1935 records of groundwater measurements in key observation wells have been published in
‘water-supply papers under the title Groundwater Levels in the United States. The U.S. Geo-
logical Survey publishes at imegular intervals other papers on the geology and groundwater
resources of local areas. Invariably, these intensive investigations concer areas containing
‘important groundwater problems and are carried out in cooperation with local agencies.28 Chapter 1 Introduction
‘able 1.7. Types of U.S. Geological Survey Reports
Circulars—Purpose: To present to general or scientific audiences short summaries or articles of short-term, popular or local interest.
Digital Data Series—The Digital Data Series encompasses a broad range of digital data including computer programs, interpreted
results of investigations, comprehensive reviewed databases, spatial datasets, digital images and animation, and multimedia presen-
{ations that are not intended for printed release. Scientific reports in this series cover a wide variety of subjects and facets of U.S.
Geological Survey investigations and research that are of lasting scientific interest and value. Releases in the Digital Data Series
offer access to scientific information that is availabe in digital form; the information is primarily for viewing, processing, and (0)
analyzing by computer
Fact Sheets—Purpose: To describe Water Resources Division (WRD) programs, projects, products, and watertesources topics to
either a general or professional audience. Water Fact Sheets are concise and timely publications that increase the understanding and
visibility of WRD activities and accomplishments.
Hydrologic Atlases—Purpose: To present reports on hydrology or geohy ology in map format to a wide range of hydrologically ori-
ented audiences.
Open-File Reports—Purpose: To make available (1) data reports, (2) reports preliminary findings that would be of interest to few
persons other than the cooperating agency, (3) reports and maps pending publication elsewhere but requiring immediate release, and
(4) timely information describing programs, project, products, and water-resources topics
Professional Papers—Purpose: To present comprekensive or topical reports on any field inthe earth sciences. This series is com- 1
‘monly used for summaries of wide popular, scientific, or geographic interest, and for significant scientific contibutions—generally
on fopies other than hydrology.
Techniques of Water Resources—Purpose: To present fo technically oriented audiences reports on methods and techniques used in
collecting, analyzing, and processing hydrologic data,
Water Data Reports—A series of annual report thet document hydrologic data gathered from the U.S. Geological Survey's and
‘cooperating agencies" surface and groundwater data-collection networks in each state, Puerto Rico, and Trust Territories. These
records of streamflow, groundwater levels, and water quality provide the hydrologic information needed by state, local, and federal
agencies, and the private sector for developing and managing our Nation’ land and water resources.
Water-Resources Imestigations Reports—Purpose: To (a) present to interdiscipinary audiences comprehensive or topical interpre
tive reports and maps that are mainly of loal or shor-term interest; (b) provide a medium of release for repots and maps that would
not be feasible in any other series or journal or that would be published quickly.
Water-Supply Papers—Purpose: To present significant interpretive results of hydrologic investigations of broader than local interests.
Water Errata Sheets—Changes made to reports after publication
sat
lene
‘Source: hapvatec uss gowpub hi
‘Table 1.7.2 How to Find and Reference Online USGS Water Resources Reports
Many USGS reports on water resources topics are now being served online. You can access them by their series and number. For
‘example, to see Circular 1123, you should enter CIR 1123 in the search box at the following URL: hitp:/water.usgs.govipubs.
Constructing a reference
‘Use one of these prefixes for the report series, followed by the report number. Dashes and underlines are permitted (and ignored), but
blanks are not allowed. Case is insensitive.
Report Series Preferred Prefix Altemate Prefix(es) Allowed
Fact Sheet FAC FS FACT FS_
Open File Report FR OF
Water Resources Investigation WRI WRWRIR
Professional Paper PRO PROF PP
Water-Data Report WOR WDDATA ua
Circular cR circc
‘Water-Supply Paper ‘wsP ws
Bulletin BUL BULL
‘Techniques of Water-Resouroes Investigations TWRI TWRI18 Data Sources 29
Table 1.72 continued) How to Find and Reference Online USGS Water Resources Repors
ind
wuld
but
Referencing pars of a document
Using only the series and number will reference the home page (index.html) of the document. You also can reference a specific part
cof adocument in html format even if i's not on the home page. For example, to find the section named HRD4 ina file of Circular
1123 called overview hom, use this URL: ttp:lipubs water usgs.govicirl 123/overview.html#HDRA, This technique will work for any
sub-page or figure ofthe hum document
‘The “pubs water usgs.gov” reference is persistent!
‘The USGS is committed to supporting ths referencing system forthe indefinite future. This means you can safely incorporate a
“pubs. water usgs gov” reference in your Web pages and even in your printed documents and it will tll work many years later.
‘When viewing @ document, your browser's location may show you another URL that corresponds tothe current physical location of
the document. Do not use this physical location asa “persistent” reference! As our system grows, thse locations will change bu the
“pubs. water usgs.gov” reference will no
‘Source: pater uses gow/ubstefrencing nl
1.73 Publications
‘The following journals provide articles on various topics of groundwater:
Environmental Science and Technology, American Chemical Society
Ground Water, National Ground Water Association
Groundwater Management, Water Well Journal Publishing Co.
Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, Groundwater Publishing Company
Hydrological Science and Technology, American Institute of Hydrology
Journal of the American Water Resources Association, American Water Resources
Association
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Elsevier Scientific Publishers
Journal of Hydraulics, American Society of Civil Engineers
Journal of Hydrology, Bisevier Scientific Publishers
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, American Society of Civil Engineers
‘There have been many books published on the subject of groundwater Earlier books include
References 4, 5,7, 17, 19, 23, 26, 2-31, 40,41, 43, 6, 8, 59, 61, 67, 70, 73, and 74
‘Over the past three decades there are several previous books that have been published on
groundwater including Applied Hydrogeology"; Aquifer Hydraulics", Contaminant Hydroge-
‘ology™; Groundwater; Ground Water Contamination: Transport and Remediation,
Groundwater Engineering**; Groundwater Hydrology'®, Groundwater Hydrology; Ground-
water Hydraulics and Pollutant Transpor™; Groundwater Mechanics; Groundwater Sci-
ence**; Groundwater Systems Planning and Management"; The Handbook of Groundwater
Engineering"; Hydraulics of Groundwater'®, Manual of Applied Field Hydrogeology"®; Mod-
eling Groundwater Flow and Pollution''; Principles of Groundwater Engineering"®, and
Quantitative Hydrogeology.*'
1.8 DATA SOURCES
‘Table 1.8.1 lists the principal types of data and data compilations that are required for the
analysis of groundwater systems, The lists are for the physical framework, hydrologic budg-
ets and stresses, and the chemical framework. One of the sources of data used frequently by
groundwater hydrologists isthe U.S. Geological Survey NWIS system.30 Chapter 1 Inroduetion
‘Table 1.8.1 Principal Types of Data and Data Compilations Required for Analysis of Groundwater Systems
Physical framework
‘Topographic maps showing the stream drainage network, surface-water bodies, landforms, cultural features, and locations of strue-
tures and activities related to water
Geologic maps of surficial deposits and bedrock
Hydrogeologic maps showing extent and boundaries of aquifers and confining units
Maps of tops and bottoms of aquifers and confining units
‘Saturated-thickness maps of unconfined (water-table) and confined aquifers
‘Average hydraulic conductivity maps for aquifers and confining units and transmissivity maps for aquifers
‘Maps showing variations in storage coefficient for aquifers
[Estimates of age of groundwater at selected locations in aquifers
Hydrologic budgets and stresses
Precipitation data
Evaporation data
Streamflow data including measurements of gain and loss of streamflow between gaging stations
“Maps ofthe stream drainage network showing extent of normally perennial flow, normally dry channels, and normally seasonal flow
Estimates of total groundwater discharge to streams
Measurements of spring discharge
‘Measurements of surface-water diversions and retum flows
‘Quantities and locations of intesbasin diversions
History and spatial distribution of pumping rates in aquifers
‘Amount of groundwater consumed for each type of use and spatial distribution of return flows
‘Well ydrographs and historical head (water-level) maps for aquifers
Location of recharge areas (areal recharge from precipitation, Iosing streams, irrigate areas, recharge basins and recharge wells),
and estimates of recharge
(Chemical framework
Geochemical characteristics of earth materials and naturally occurring groundwater in aquifers and confining units
Spatial distribution of water quality in aquifers, both areally and with depth
‘Temporal changes in water quality, particularly for contaminated or potentially vulnerable unconfined aquifers
Sources and types of potential contaminants
‘Chemical characteristics of artificially introduced waters or waste liquids
Maps of land cover/iand use at different scales depending on study needs
Streamflow quality (water-quality sampling in space and time), particularly during periods of low flow
Source: Alley eal?
1.8.1 NWISWeb Data for the Nation
‘The U.S. Geological Survey isthe principal federal water data agency in the United States. The
USGS collects and disseminates about 70 percent of the water data currently being used by
numerous state, local, private, and other federal agencies to develop and manage water
resources. The National WATer Data STOrage and REtrieval System (WATSTORE) was estab-
lished in 1972 to provide an effective and efficient means for the processing and maintenance
‘of water data collected through the USGS and to facilitate release ofthe data tothe public. In
1976, the USGS opened WATSTORE to the public for direct access.
‘The US.GS. National Water Information System (NWIS) has replaced WATSTORE and
is referred to as NWISWeb (http://waterdata.usgs.govinwis). NWIS is a very large collection of
data and information onthe water resources of the United States. This database contains current
and historical water data from more than 1.5 million locations across the nation. The data cate
1.8218 DataSources 31
‘gore are real-time data, ste information, surface water data, groundwater data, and water qual
ity, Real-time data includes data transmitted from selected groundwater sites. Site information
includes descriptive site infotmation, inchuding latitude, longitude, well depth, aquifer, and site
use. The groundwater database includes groundwater site inventory, groundwater level data, and
water-quality data, The groundwater site inventory consists of more than 850,000 records of
‘wells springs, test holes, tunnels, drain, and excavations inthe United States. The groundwater
date can be obtained at hitp://waterdata.usgs govinwis/gw.
1.8.2 Real-Time Data
Real-time groundwater data include data that are automatically collected, transmited, and made
available tothe public atleast once a day according to the U.S.GS. Fact Sheet 090-01, Decem
ber 2001). These data can be transmitted by land-lined telephone, celfular telephone, land-
based radio frequency (RF) technology, satellite telemetry, or a combination of these
technologies: Within the U.S.G.S., satellite telemetry isthe most common method for real-time
data transmission. Water levels are the most common data transmiited in real time by the USGS.
Figure 1.8.1 illustrates a real-time data collection and transmission system. With this method,
water-level data are recorded by a data-collection playform (DCP) (see Figure | 8.2) and trans-
mitted, often on a four-hour schedule, by satellite telemetry to a US.GS. ground station. The
data are then displayed at hitp:/vater usgs.gov/nwisvgw.
Real-time data have many inberent advantages over data collected and distributed by t2-
ditional means, including timeliness, data quality, data availability, and cost. Additional infor-
mation on real-time groundwater data can be obtained at hitp:/waterusgs.gov/nwislgw or
from the following address: Office of Groundwater, U.S. Geological Survey, 411 National
Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20192, 703-648-5001
GOES
PP
can
U.S. Geological
Retires
Ltt
Ground
et
eed ett) Sci)
platform
arse Cel
Figure 1.8.1. Real-time data collection and ansmission system.32. Chapter 1 Introduction
Figure 18.2. Multiple sensor data-collection platform (DCP) installation in Kansas *
PROBLEMS
1.631 Using the data for Lake Five-O in Table 16.1, show tat the
x groundwater flow for December 1989 is 4,00 cubic meters.
1.62 Using the data for Lake Five-O in Table 16.1, show that the
net groundwater flow for December 1990 is 28,50 cue meters.
1.63 Determine curlatie net groundwater low for Lake Five-
0 during 1989.
1.64 Determine cumulative net groundwater flow for Lake Fve-
0 daring 1990.
1.7.1 Pesforma search of the U.S. Geological Survey online pub-
lications (including circulars, fact sheets, qpenfle reports, pro-
fessional paps, water resources investigation reports, and water
supply papers) to determine what studies, if any, have been per-
formed onthe regional aquifer system closest where you live.
1.12 Develop an inventory of wells the county where you lve
using the USGS datasources for your sate, Select a well that has
4.Gme history of water levels ar print the hydrograp
1.7.3 Pesform 2 search of U.S.G.S. publications for the topic
“ydrologic budget and water budget." To perform the search, go
tohitpsfusgs-georef.cos.com. How many publications are listed?
1.74 Perform a search of U.S.G.S. publications for the High
Plains Aquifer. To perform the search, go to hitpi/usgs-geo
tef.cos.com. How many publications are listed?
1.78 Perform a search of U.S.G.S. publications forthe Edwards
‘Aquifer To perform the search, goto hitp/usgs-geore.cos.com.
How many publications ae listed?
1.76 Perform a search of U.S.G-S. publications for the topic of
karst terrains. To perform the search go to hitp:/fusgs-geo
ref.cos.com. How many publications ar listed?
1.7.7 Go wo the site hup:/fwatercusgs gov/software and obtain a
list of the groundwater software thal the U.S.GS. has availble
1.78 Write a description of the U.S.G.S. Ground-Witer Resources
Program. Use the ste hup/waterusgs govlogwiGWRPhim).
LA
2A
song
3A
gov
4A
Eng
5. Ar
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References 33
REFERENCES
1. Adams, FD, Origin of springs andivers-an historical review, Fema,
50, 0, 1, 16. 1928
2. Alley, W.M, R. W. Healy, J. W. LaBaugh, and: E. Reilly, Flow and
"orage in groundwater systems, Science, v.206, lune 14, 2002
3, Alles, W.M, T-E. Reilly, and O.L Franke, Sutanabily of Ground
‘water Resources, US. Geological Survey cireulr 1186, hipwater usps.
_govlpubsirlie 186, U.S. Geological Survey, Dever, CO, 1999
4. Ames. Soe. Civil Engrs. (ASCE), Ground Water Management, Mamal
Bagg, Practice 40, New York, 216 pp, 1972
5. American Water Works Assoc. (AWWA), Ground Water, AWWA Man
‘tal M21, New York, 130 p, 1973
6, Baker, M. N., and R. E, Horton, Historical development of ideas
regarding the origin of springs and ground-water, Trans. Amer. Geophys
cal Union v.17, pp. 395-0, 1936,
1, Baldwin, G. V, and C. L, McGuinness, A Primer on Ground Water,
US. Geological Survey, 26 p., 1963
8, Batu, V, Aquifer Hydraulics, Wiley Interscience, New York, 1998.
9. Bear, J, Dynamics of Fluids in Porous Media, Ames. Elsevie, New
York, 1972.
10, Beas J, Hydraulics of Groundwater, MeGraw-Hill, New York, 1999.
11 Bear, and A. Vera, Modeling Groundwater Fow and Polaion,
‘Reidel, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1987
12. Beaumont, P, Qanat onthe Vata Plain, Ian, Tans. Inst. British
Geographers, Publ no 45, pp 169-199, 1968,
1. Beaumont, P, Quat systems in an Bull. Ini. Asso. Se. Hydrology,
1.16, pp. 39-80, 971
14, Bodient, PB, H.S. Rf, and C.J. Newell, Ground Water Contam
ation: Transport and Remediation, Prentice Hall, Englewood Clif, NI,
194,
15. Biswas, A. K, History of Hydrology, Amer. Elsevier, New York,
348 pp. 1970,
16, Bouwer, H, Groundwater Hydrology, MCraw-Hil, New Yor, 1978
17, Bureau of Reclamation, Ground Water Manual, US. Dept. Interior,
480 pp, 1977
18, Carson, R, The Silent Spring, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1962
19, Cedergren, H.R, Seepage, Drainage, and Flow Net, 2nd ed, John
Wiley & Sons, New York, 534 pp. 1977
20, Charbeneau,R1, Groundwater Hydraulics and Plltant Transport,
Prentice Hal, Upper Sade River, NJ, 2000.
21. Chow, V.7 (ed), Handbook of Applied Hydrology, McGraw-Hill,
[New York, 1453 pp, 1964
22. Chow, VT, D. R. Madent, and L. W. Mays, Applied Hydrology,
‘MeGraw-Hil, New York, 1988,
23. Collin, RE, Fow of Fluids through Porous Materials, Reinhold,
‘New York 270 pp. 1961
24, Cressey, G.B., Qanats, are and fogaras, Geog: Review, v.48, pp.
714, 1958.
28, Cunningham, WL, Real-Time Ground-Water Data for the Nation,
US. Geologial Fat Sheet 090-01, Dee. 2001
26, Davi, §. N, and R. J. M. DoWiest, Hydrogeology, John Wiley &
Sons, New Yk, 463 pp, 1966,
27, Daler). We, The Handbook of Groundwater Engineering, CRC
Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1999.
28. De Villiers, M, Water: The Fate of Our Most Precious Resource,
Mariner Books, Hooghion Mifi, Boston 2000.
29. DeWiest RJ. M, Geoldology, fbn Wiley & Sons, New York, 366
pp 1968
30. DeWiest RJ M.(e), Flow hough Porous Media, Academic, New
York, $30 pp, 1969.
31, Domenico, P.A., Concepts and Model in Groundwater Hydrology,
“MeGiaw-Hil, New York, 45 pp, 1972
32, Duwelius, RP, Hydrologic data and hydrologic budge fer Sumit
Lake Reservoir, Henry County, east-cenal Indiana, water years 1989 sd
1990, 1993.
33. Bhers $. M, and L.L. George, Regional Groundwater Flow and
Geochemistry in the Miieste Basins and Arches Aquifer System in
Parts of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Minos, US. Geological Survey
Professional Paper 1423-C, 200.
34, Fer, C. W, Contaminant Hydrogeology, 2nd eto, Prentice Hal,
Upper Sale River, NI, 1999,
35. Fetter, C. W, Applied Hydrogeology, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle
Rive, NI 2001
36, Fits, C.R., Growsdwater Scene, Academic Press, San Diego, 2002
37, Freeze, RA, and JA. Chery, Groundwater, Pretice Hal, Engle
‘wood Cis, NI 604 pp, 1979.
238, Gronberg, JA. Mc, and K.R, Belz, Estimation ofa Water Budget for
‘the Central Far of he Westen San Joaquin Valley, Calfornia, US. Geo-
logical Survey Water Resources Investigation, WRL91-4192, 1992
28. Grubbs J. W, Bialuation of Groundwater Flow and Hydrologic Bud-
{for Late Five-O, A Seepage Late in Northwestem Florida, US. Geo-
logical Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4145, 1995,
40. Harr, ME, Groundwater and Seepage, McGraw-Hill, New York,
315 pp, 1962.
4, Heath, RC. and FW. Trainer, Intraducton to Groundwater Hydra
‘ogy, Fon Wiley & Sons, New York, 284 pp, 1968.
42, Hedman, E.R, and Jorgenson, Surface- and Ground-water Interac
‘ion and Hydrologic Budget of the Missouri River Valley Aquifer Berween
Yankton, South Dakota and St. Lows, Missouri, US. Geological Survey
Hydrologic investigations Atlas, HA-OT2, 1990,
43, Huisman, L,, Groundwater Recovery, Winchester Press, New Yotk,
336 pp, 1972,
4, Tohaston, RH, Hydrologic Budgets of Regional Aquifer Sytems of
the United States—Predeelopment and Development Conditions, US.
Geological Survey Profesional Paper No, 1425, 1997.
45, Kashef, A.A, Groundwater Engineering, McGraw-Hill, New York,
1986,
46, Lee, T.M, and A. Swancar, The Influence of Evaporation, Grown
‘water and Uncertainty nthe Hydrologic Budge of Lake Lucerne, Seep-
‘age Lake in Polk Coun; Florida, US. Geological Survey Water Supply
Paper 49,197.
47, Lightfoot, D.R, The origin and difasion of ganas in Arabi: New
evidence from the nothem and soubem peninsula, Geogr Jou, v.16,
pp. 215-226, 2000.
48. MacKichan,K A. Estimated use of water inthe United Sates, 1955,
Jour Amer Water Works Asso. v.49, pp. 369-391, 1957
49, Maidment,D.R, ed, Handboot of Hydrology, MeGraw-Hil, New
York, 1993,34° Chapter 1 Introduction
50, Mars, W. M, and J. Dozier, Landscape: An Introduction to Phys
‘al Geography John Wily & Sons, New Yor, 1986
51. Masily, de G., Quamtiarve Hydrogeology, Academic Press, New
York, 1986.
‘52. Mays, LW. (ed), Water Resouces Handbook, McGraw-Hill, New
‘York, 1986
53. Mays, L. W, Water Resouces Engineering, Joho Wiley & Sons,
[New York, 2001
54, Meinze, 0. The history and development of groundwater hydro
gy, Jour Washington Acad. Sci ¥. 24, pp. 6-32, 1934
58. Muray,C.R. and EB. Reeves, Estimated Use of Water the United
States in 1975, U.S. Geological Survey Civcalar 765,39 pp. 1977
56. Muskat, M, The Flow of Homogeneous Fluide through Porous
Media, McGraw Hil, New York, 763 pp. 1987,
57. Perrault, P, On the Origin of Springs, tans. by A. LaRocque, Hater,
New York, 209 pp, 1957
58. Polubarinova-Kochina, PY, Theory of Groundwater Movement,
Princeton Univ. Pres, Princeton, NJ 613 pp, 1962.
59, Raudlivi,A.J,and R.A. Callander, Analysis of Groundwater Flow,
John Wiley & Sons, New York, 214 pp, 1976
60, Sacks, LA.,A. Swancar, and T. M. Lee, Erimating Groundwater
Exchange with Lakes Using Water Budget and Chemical Mass Balance
‘Approaches for Ten Lakes in Ridge Areas of Polk and Highlands Cour
ties, Florida, US. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations
Report, WRI SE-A133, 1958,
GL. Scheidegge, A.B, The Physics of Flow through Porous Media, 3rd
4, Univ of Toronto, Toros, 353 pp, 1974
62. Shade, P.1, Water Budget forth Lahaina District, Island of Maxi,
Hewat, U.S. Geological Survey Water sestigations Report, WRIS6-
4238, 1996,
(63. Skrobialowski, S.C. and M.J Pocazi, Hydrologic Characteristics
‘and Wer Budgets for Swift Creek Reser, Virginia, 1996, US. Geo-
logical Survey Open Fie Report 97.0229, 1997.
64, Skrbialowski S.C, Hydrologic Characteristics and Water Budget
{for Swift Creek Reservoir, Virginia, 1997, US. Geological Survey Water
Resources vestigations, WRL98-8122, 1998,
65, Soley, W. B, Preliminary Estimates of Water Use in the United
States, 195, US. Geological Survey Open-File Revor 97-0645, Reston,
Va, 1997.
(6, Suack, 0. DL, Growndwoter Mechanics, Premtice Hall, Engle
woods Cliffs, NI, 1989.
(61, Thomas, HB, The Conservation of Ground Water, McGraw-Hil
Neve York, 327 pp. 1951
(68. Tuner A. Hydrogeologie, Springs, Vienna, 350 pp, 1967
(68, Todd, D.K., Groundwater Hydrology, 2nd ed, John Wiley & Sons,
‘New York, 1980.
70. Tolman, C.F, Ground Wier, MeGraw-Hil, New York, 593 pp, 1937,
71. Toth A theoretical analysis of groundwater in small drainage
basins, Jour Geophys. Res, v.68, pp 4795-4812, 1963.
172. Tromme, J.T, M.J-DelCharco, and BR Leweling, ater Budget
and Water Quality of Ward Late, Flow and Water- Quality Characteristics
ofthe Braden River Estuary and the Esfectsof Ward Lake onthe Bde
logie System, West-Cenral Florida, US. Geological Survey Water
Resources Investigations Report 98-4251, 199,
173, Veriljt,A., Theory of Groundwater Flow, Gordon and Breach, New
York, 190 pp, 1970.
74, Walton, W. C., Groundwater Resource Evaluation, McGraw-Hill,
New York, 64 pp, 1970,
75, Walton, W.C, Principles of Groundwater Engineering, Lewis Pob
Tishes, Chelsea, MI, 199,
16, Weight, W.D., and J. L. Sonderegger, Manual of Applied Feld
‘Hydrogeology, MeGraw-Hil, New York, 201
77, Willi, R, and W. W-G. Yeh, Groundwater Systems Planning and
Moragemens, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cis, NS, 1987.
78. Winter. C, Uncerainces in etimatng the water balance of aks,
Water Resources Bll, ¥. 17, p. 82-115, 1981,
79, Winter, T. C., The interactions of lakes with variably saturated
porous media, Water Resources Research v.19, pp. 1203-1218, 1985.
80. Winter, .C, J.W. Harvey, 0. L. Franke, and W.M. Alley, Ground
water and Surface Water: A Single Source, US. Geological Survey Cir
cular 139, hp:vater uses golpubscitlciel139, Denver, CO, 1988.
81, Wulf, H.B, The ganas of Iran, Sei. Amer, v. 218, pp. 94-100, 105,
1968,
EXAMPLE PUBLICATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
American Water Works Assocation, AWWA Standard for Disinfection of
War Wells, ANSUAWWA C554, Denver, CO.
‘American Water Works Association, AWWA Standard for Water Wells,
ANSUAWWA A100, Denver, CO.
American Water Works Association, Manual 21, Groundwater, Dever,
C0, 1989
orc, M.A. S.A. Smith, and L.N, Noble, Evaluation and Restoration
‘of Water Supply Wels, American Wate Works Associaton and Amed-
‘can Water Works Association Research Foundation, Denver, CO, 1983.
US. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Drinking Water, Local
‘Fnancing for Welltead Protection, Washington, D.C, 1989.
US. Environmental Proetion Ageney, Office of Drinking Wate, Cit
‘21n's Guide 1 Ground- Water Proection, Washington, DC, 1990
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Drinking Water, Guide
10 Ground-Water Supply Contingency Planning for Local and State
Governments, Washington, DC, 1991
US. Environmental Protection Agency, Otice of Drinking Water, Pro
tecting Local Ground Water Supplies Through Wellhead Protection,
Washington, DC, 1991,
1a
24il,
Sons,
1937,
inage
sdget
ro
‘wer.
New
Hil,
Pub.
Field
cit.
Side
Sta
Pro
Chapter 2
Occurrence of Groundwater
To describe the occurrence of groundwater necessitates a review of where and how ground-
water exists; subsurface distribution, in both vertical and areal extents, needs to be considered
‘The geologic zones important to groundwater must be identified, as well as their structure in
terms of water-holding and water-yilding capabilites. I hydrologic conditions furnish water
to the underground zone, the subsurface strata gover its distribution and movement; bence the
important role of geology in groundwater hydrology cannot be overemphasized. Springs,
hydrothermal phenomena, and water in permanently frozen ground constitute special round-
water occurrences.
2.1 ORIGIN AND AGE OF GROUNDWATER
‘Almost all groundwater can be thought of asa part ofthe hydrologic cycle, including surface
and atmospheric (meteoric) waters. Relatively minor amounts of groundwater may enter this
cycle from other origins.
‘Water that has been out of contact with the atmosphere for atleast an appreciable part of
a geologic period is termed connate water; essentially, it consists of fossil interstitial water that
‘has migrated from its original burial location.” This water may have been derived from
‘oceanic or freshwater sources and, typically, is highly mineralized.” Magmatic water is water
derived from magma; where the separation is deep, the term plutonic water is applied, while
volcanic water designates water from relatively shallow depths (perhaps 3 to 5 km)" New
water of magmatic or cosmic origin that has not previously been a part ofthe hydrosphere is
referred to as juvenile water And finally, metamorphic water is water that is or has been asso-
ciated with rocks during their metamorphism. The diagram in Figure 2.1.1 illustrates te inter-
relations of these genetic types of groundwater
‘The residence time of water underground has always been a topic of considerable specu
lation. But with the advent of radioisotopes, determinations of the age of groundwater have
become possible. Hydrogen-3 (trum) and carbon-I4 are the two isotopes that have proved
‘most useful. Tritium with a half-life of 12.33 years is produced in the upper atmosphere by
‘cosmic radiation; caried to earth by rainfall and hence underground, this natural level of tr-
tium begins to decay as a function of time, such that
A=A,e™ QL.)
‘where A is the observed radioactivity, A, is the activity tthe time the water entered the aquifer,
‘Lis the decay constant, and tis the age of the water. Carbon-14 has a halflife of 5,730 years
ands also produced at an established constant level in the atmosphere. This isotope is present
in groundwater as dissolved bicarbonate originating from the biologically active layers of the
3836 Chapter 2 Occurrence of Groundwater
vane water
(Cnau” water
Magmate water
(octrom magma:
Plutonic i deo:
volar ehalon)
cwancua Fo low Meuse wae
cancer toreentyton fe _,(earastes
‘he atmosphere) certian
Carns water
(fossil water
cerry et
ones)
Figure 2.1.1. Diagram illustrating relationships of genetic types of water (courtesy The Geological
Society of America, 1957)
soil where CO, is generated by root respiration and the decay of humus.® Tritium is appli-
cable for estimating groundwater residence times of upto 50 years, while carbon-14 spans the
age bracket ofa several hundred to about 50,000 years.
Applications of the age-dating techniques have revealed groundwaters ranging in age
from a few years or less to many thousand years.” Measurements of water samples taken from
deep wels in deserts ofthe United Arab Republic and Saudi Arabia indicate ages of 20,000 to
30,000 years.** This period is compatible with the Wisconsin ice ag, when these desert areas
last possessed a high rainfall capable of recharging the underlying major aquifers
2.2 ROCK PROPERTIES AFFECTING GROUNDWATER
22.1 Aquifers
Groundwater occurs in many types of geologic formations; those known as aquifers are of
‘most importance. An aguifer may be defined as a formation that contains sufficient saturated
permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs." This implies
an ability to store and to transmit water; unconsolidated sands and gravels are a typical exam-
ple, Furthermore, it is generally understood that an aquifer includes the unsaturated portion of
the permeable unit. Synonyms frequently employed include groundwater reservoir and water-
bearing formation. Aquifers are generally areally extensive and may be overlain or underlain
‘The fallout of bomb ium and C-14in precipitation since the advent ofnclear weapon testing in 1952 has
really complicated much ofthe dating of groundwater because recent evels realy exceed the prebomb level,
22val
pli-
age
om
9t0
es
22.2 Porosity
22 Rock Properties Affecting Groundwater 37
by a confining bed, which may be defined as a relatively impermeable material stratigraphi-
cally adjacent to one or more aquifers. Clearly, there are various types of confining beds; the
following types are well established inthe literature:
1, Aquiclude—A saturated but relatively impermeable material that does not yield apprecia-
ble quantities of water to wells; clay is an example.
2. Aquifiege—A relatively impermeable formation neither containing nor transmitting water,
solid granite belongs inthis category.
3. Aquitard—A saturated but poorly permeable stratum that impedes groundwater movernent
and does not yield water freely to wells, that may transmit appreciable water to or from
adjacent aquifers and, where sufficiently thick, may constitute an important groundwater
‘storage zone; sandy clay is an example."
‘Those portions of a rock or soil not occupied by solid mineral matter can be occupied by
groundwater. These spaces are known as voids, interstices, pores, or pore space. Beceuse intr-
stices serve as water conduits, they are of fundamental importance to the study of groundwater.
‘Typically, they are characterized by their size, shape, irregularity, and distribution. Original
interstices were created by geologic processes governing the origin of the geologic formation
and are found in sedimentary and igneous rocks. Secondary interstices developed after the rock
‘was formed; examples include joins, fractures, solution openings, and openings formed by
plants and animals. With respect to size, interstices may be classed as capillary, supercapillary,
and subcapillary. Capillary interstices are sufficiently small that surface tension forces will hold
‘water within them; supercapillary interstices are those larger than capillary ones; and subcapil-
lary interstices are so small that water is held primarily by adhesive forces. Depending on the
connection of interstices with others, they may be classed as communicating or isolated.
‘The porosity of a rock or sil is « measure of the contained interstices or voids expressed
as the ratio of the volume of interstices to the total volume. If cis the porosity, then
y_V-¥,
(2.24)
voy
where V, isthe volume of interstices (voids), Vis the volume of solids, and V isthe total vol-
‘ume (bulk volume). Porosity may also be expressed by
(2.2.2)
Pm
‘where Pais the density of mineral particles (grain density)" and p, isthe bulk density
‘The term effective porosity refers to the amount of interconnected pore space available for
fluid flow and is expressed as a ratio of interconnected interstices to total volume. For uncon
solidated porous media and for many consolidated rocks, the two porosities are identical
Porosity may also be expressed as a percentage by multiplying the right-hand side of Equa-
tions 2.2.1 oF 2.2.2 by 100. The terms primary and secondary porosity ate associated with orig-
inal and secondary interstices, respectively.
“The word aquifer canbe traced ots Latin ergin. Agi is combining frm of agua wats”) and fer comes
from fer ("to beat). Hence, an aguifer is a water bear The sufi clude of aquclude i derived from the Latin
claudere to shut or close”). Silay, the sufi fue of aqufuge comes fom fugee ("to dive avay"), while he
suffix tard of aqutard follows fom the Latin aru slow”)
"The densi of oid ock vais with he tye of mineral For alluvium where quarts the predominant mineral,
value of 2.65 pe’ is typical imestone and grant fal in the range 27-2. gfe’, and basal can agprosch 3.0 cm.38. Chapter 2 Occurrence of Groundwater
@
sow
o “e
te EXAl
©
0
Figure 2.21. Examples of tock interstices and the relation of rock texture to porosity a) Well-soried
sedimentary deposit hing high porosity. (5) Poorly sorted sedimentary deposit having low porosity
(6) Well sone sedimentary deposit consisting of pebbles that ae themselves porous, 50 thatthe
deposit as a whole has a very high porosity. (2) Well-srted sedimentary deposit whose porosity has
been diminished bythe deposition of mineral mati inthe interstices. (c) Rock rendered porous by
solution. () Rock rendered porous by facturing
Figure 2.2 shows several types of interstices and their relation to porosity, In tems of :
groundwater supply, grenular sedimentary deposits are of major importance. Porosities in
these deposits depend on the shape and acrangement of individual particles, distribution by
size, and degree of cementation and compaction, In consolidated formations, removal of min-
eral matter by solution and degree of fracture are also important. Porosities range from near
2zer0 to moce than 50 percent, depending on te above factors and the type of material. Repre-
sentative poraity values for various geologic materials are listed in Table 2.2.1. It should be
recognized that porosities fora particular soil or rock can vary considerably from these values.
In sedimentary rocks subject to compaction, measurements show that porosity decreases
with depth of burial >” Thus, a typical relation has the form
o,=0,6% (223)
Table 2.2.1 Representative Values of Porosity (after Morris and Johnson’)
Material Porosity, percent Material Porosity, percent
Gravel, coarse 28 Loess ry
Gravel, medium at Peat a
Gravel, fine 3a Schist. 38
Sand, coarse 8 Siltstone 35
Sand, medium 6 CCaystone 8
Sand, fine 43 Shale 6
silt 46 Till, predominantly silt 4
chy 2 Till, predominantly sand 31
Sandstone, fine grained 3B Tuff 41
Sandstone, medium grained 37 Basalt a
Limestone 0 Gabbro, weathered a
Dolomite %6 Granite, weathered 45
Dune sand 45
These values ae for epacked samples all ater re unditrbed,red
iy.
sof
sin
nin-
EXAMPLE 2.2.1
SOLUTION:
22 Rock Properties Affecting Groundwater 39
‘where isthe porosity at depth zy, is the porosity atthe surface, a is a constant, and eis the
base of Naperian logarithms.
‘An undisturbed sample of a medium sand weighs 484.68 g. The core ofthe undisturbed sample is 6 em
in diameter and 10.61 cm high. The sample is oven-dried for 24 hrat 110°C to remove the water content
‘Atte end of the 24 hr, the core sample weighs 447.32 g. Determine the bulk density, void ratio, water
content, porosity, and saturation percentage ofthe sample,
‘The dry weight of the sample is W, = 447.32 g and the total weight is W; = 484.68 g. The total volume
ofthe undisturbed sample is
V,= Rh = (3 cm)"(10.61 cm) = 300em*
“The bulk density is defined as the density of solids and voids together, after drying. Thus,
Wy _ 44732
Savant Siedem
Pes
Assuming quartz isthe predominant mineral in the sample, then py = 2.65 gfem?
‘Thus, the volume V, of the solid phase of the sample is
W,_ 47328
Pn 2.65 fem:
1688.¢m?
“Thus, the toma volome of voids in the sample is
‘With tis information, we can calculate the void ratio ¢ of the sample is
¥,_13120m*
V,~ 168.8em'
™m
‘The volumetric water content of a sample isthe volume of the water divided by the volume of the sample
(W-Wa)/Pence _ 484.68 p~ 447.329
vy 300m?
Nig lem’
‘where W, isthe total weight ofthe undisturbed sample before drying,
‘The gravimetric water content ofthe sample is
We Wy 9p - 884.68 8447.32 09g 355)
47
100
‘The porosity ofthe sample is
300.cm?—168.8cm?
Sem" <100=43.73%
300em
Finally, the saturation percentage of a sample is defined asthe percentage of the pore space thats filled
by wate,
%100= 28.47%40 Chapter2- Occurrence of Groundwater
‘EXAMPLE 2.2.2
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
‘The void ratio ofan unconsolidated clay sample i 1.19, Determine the porosity of the sample.
and substituting V, = V,~ Vy,
‘ 19
100 = 109-5434
OTe 14119 TSH
‘The porosity of a quartz sand sample is 38.41%, Determine the bulk density ofthe sample.
‘The bulk density and porosity of an undisturbed sample are defined as p,
ae
Srning ey wiht fa aml W, pn he bk deseo ee
al epost
For quart sand, p, =2.65 fem? the bulk density is
A
».=09I- 2}
2.2.3 Soil Classification
‘Unconsolidated geologic materials are normally classified according to thei size and distri-
bution, A commonly employed system based on particle, or grin, size is listed in Table 2.2.2
Evaluation of the distribution of sizes is accomplished by mechanical analysis. This involves
sieving particles coarser than 0.05 mm and measuring rates of settlement for smaller particles
in suspension. Results are ploted on a particle-size distribution graph such as that shown in
Figure 2.2.2. The percentage finer scale on the ordinate shows the percentage of material
smaller than that of a given size particle on a dry-weight bass.
‘The effective particle size isthe 10 percent finer than value (d,. The distribution of par-
ticles is characterized by the uniformity coefficient U, as
U.= deldyy (2.2.4)
where dg is the 60 percent finer than value, A uniform material has a low uniformity coefii-
‘cient (the dune sand in Figure 2.2.2), while a well-graded material has a high uniformity coef-
ficient (the alluvium).
2.2.4x100,
e have
distri.
22.2.
volves
ticles
wn in.
aerial
par
22. Rock Properties Affecting Groundwater 41
‘Table 2.2.2 Soil Classification Based on Particle
Size (after Mortis and Johnson*®)
Material Particle size, mm
chy <0.004
silt 0.004— 0.062,
Very fine sand 0.062 0.125
Fine sand 0425-025
Medium sand 025-05
Coarse sand 05-10
Very coarse sand 10-20
Very fine gravel 20-40
Fine gravel 40-80
Medium gravel 80-160
Coarse gravel 160~32.0
Very coarse gravel 320-640
109)
20] ‘hvium
60)
Percent finer
40}
20)
ot pe,
ot 002 005 010 020 060 .100 200 600 100 200 5.00
Partie size, mm
Figure 2.2.2. Paricle-size dstibution graph for three geologic samples (data from U.S. Geological
Suneey).
‘The texture ofa soil is defined by the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay present in
the particle-size analysis, This can be expressed by the soil-textural triangle in Figure 2.2.3
Note, for example, that a soil composed of 30 percent clay, 60 percent silt, and 10 percent sand
constitutes a silty clay loam.
2.2.4 Porosity and Representative Elementary Volume
‘We can define porosity in a spatial field asa function, o(2), at any point x using spatial averag-
ing over a representative elementary volume (REV). Consider a porous medium with diferent
sizes of averaging volumes, V*, centered at point . The point value of potosity (volumetric
Porosity) is associated with an averaging volume centered at that point, expressed as!*
ie 24)2
Chapter 2 Occurrence of Groundwater
igure 2.2.3, Triangle of sil textures for describing various combinations of sand sit, and clay
(ater Soil Survey Saf,
where X() is an indicator function for void space: X(f) = 0 if point is located in the solid
space or X(f) = 1 if point x is located in the void space. V* is the averaging volume centered
on the point, with the estimated porosity value as a function of averaging volume size. Ifthe
volume is too smal, the average value is not well defined and the limit approaches either 0 or
1. There may be a range of volumes surrounding point for which the average is well defined,
and if the averaging volume is too large, then soils with different textures may be included,
resulting in a deviation from the average.
2.25 Specific Surface
‘The water retentive property ofa soil or rock is markedly influenced by its surface area. This area
depends on particle size and shape and on the type of clay minerals present. The term specific
surface refers tothe area per unit weight of the material, usually expressed as mig, Relative
‘methods for measuring specific surface are based on retention of a polar organic molecule such
as ethylene glycol; these have been related to absolute values derived from statistical calculations
of surface area.° Clay particles contribute the greatest amount of surface area in unconsolidated
formations. Nonswelling clays such as kaolinite have only an extemal surface and exhibit spe-
cific surfaces inthe range of 10-30 mg; however, swelling clays such as montmorillonite and
vermiculite have internal and external surfaces that yield specific surface values near 800 mg.
‘An illustration ofthe importance of particle size to specific surface is presented in Table
2.23. Here, considering only uniform spheres, it can be seen that when a given volume is
transformed into 100 small spheres totaling the same volume, the specific surface increases by
«factor of 100, Furthermore, itcan be shown that when the volume is deformed into rod, disk,
or plate shapes, specific surface increases even more.*
SOLty
\isarea
pecific
elative
such
lations
lidated
it spe-
ite and
wig
Table
ame is
ses by
+ disk,
2.2 Rock Properties Affecting Groundwater 43
‘Table 2.2.3 Relation of Surface Area to Particle Size for Uniform Spheres
Diameter of Soil Namberof Teal surface
particle, mm classification particles per em? area, om?
0 Medium gravel 1 34
i Coarse snd bei? 34
01 Ver ie sand L108 aia
am Sit 125x108 1570
0.002 Clay 1.25 x 10"! 15,700
‘Nore: Rectangular packing i assumed ina cubic entane 1 em on a side o that
the total volume, and weigh, of spheres remains constant at m6 cn’
EXAMPLE 224 Using the tabulated results ofa grain size distribution test on afield sample, perform the following tasks:
(8) Prepare a grain size distribution curve fortis sample,
(b) Is this a well-graded or poorly graded sample?
(©) Classify the sample using Table 2.2.2.
(@) What would be reasonable porosity values fr this sample?
US. Standard Sieve Number Mas retained (g)
38 4995
4 26.70
8 25.29
16 5058
30 nst
40 25.50
109 33.60
200 133
Pan (passes through #200 sieve) 828
‘Total sample weight 300.00
SOLUTION () The given data are analyzed as shown inthe table below. Note that the particle size (sieve opening)
corresponding to each US. Standard Sieve number is given in the table. Te results yield the grain-
size distribution curve shown in Figure 2.24
Sieve Grain size (mm) Mass retained (g) Percent finer by mass
38 95 49.95 83.35
4 475 26.10 7445
8 2.36 25.29 66.02
16 118 50.58 49.16
i 30 06 7257 97
| 40 0.425 25.0 1647
100 01s 33.60 S27
| 200 0075 133 216
| Pan <0.015 8.28
‘Total sample weight, 30044° Chapier2. Occurence of Groundvater
% T
0
7 rh
2 oo |
Fal If
ay
Fo} + - ++
fx
10 | Figure 22.4
9 | Graisizedssibu-
bor 7 10° tiomeurve for
20,00 Exunple 224
{b) From the grain-size dstibation curve:
Jo 16mm — and dp =0.23 mm
From Equation 2.2.4, the uniformity coeficient is
dg 16mm _ 4
dy 023 mm
Since U, > 6, the sample can be described as well graded (Le, Jow uniformity).
(©) The percentage of clay and silt in the sample is approximately 2-3 percent, while about 60 percent
‘of the sample is sand, The remaining 37-38 percent is composed of very fine to coarse gravel
(©) The porosity of the sample could be somewhere between 20 and 35 percent based on our classifica
tion in part (), 7
‘The following data ae obtained from ahydromter tit to determine the gradation ofa sample of fine
sediments
(@) Prepare a grain size distribution curve for this sample
(©) Isthisa wel-graded or poorly graded sample?
(©) Classify the sample using Table 2.2.2
(8) What would be reasonable porosity values for his sample?
escent finer than
100.00
98.90
88.50
19.40
1030
090
0.125 000
0.088 oe
0.0625 0.00
(@) Using the given data, the grain size distribution curve is plotted for this sample in Figure 2.25stribu-
>ercent
L
ssifica-
.
of fine
23. Vertical Distribution of Groundwater 45
ETT
yt =/ela]
[ss ea]
alm a
Figure 225, Gain
9.100 1,000 size distribution curve
Peril size, mm for Example 2.2.5,
Percent finer
oSBBERSIBE
M
(b) From Figure 2.25, dj = 0.36 mm and dy
tion 2.24
25 mm, the uniformity coefficient is given by Equa
036 mm
0.25 mm
Lad
Since U, <4, the sample can be classified as poorly graded (ie, highly uniform).
() From the given data and the soil classifications of Table 2.2.2, the sample consists of 11.5 percent
coarse sand, 78.2 percent medium sand, and 10:3 percent fine sand. Thus, the sample can be classi
fied asa medium sand with some proportions of coarse and fine sand,
(@) Based on the classification in part (c), the porosity of the sample would be inthe range of 35 to 45
percent. .
2.3 VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF GROUNDWATER
‘The subsurface occurrence of groundwater may be divided into zones of aeration and satura-
tion. The zone of aeration consists of interstices occupied partially by water and partially by
ait In the zone of saturation, all interstices are filled with water under hydrostatic pressure, On
‘most of the land masses of the cath, a single zone of aeration overlies a single zone of satu-
ration and extends upward tothe ground surface, as shown in Figure 2.3.1
In the zone of aeration, vadose water’ occurs. This general zone may be further subdi-
vided into the soil water zone, the intermediate vadose zone, and the capillary zone (Fig
ure 23.1)"
‘The saturated zone extends from the upper surface of saturation down to underlying
impermeable rock. Inthe absence of overlying impermeable strata, the water table, or phreatic
surface, forms the upper surface of the zone of saturation. This is defined as the surface of
atmospheric pressure and appears a the level at which water stands in well penetrating the
aquifer. Actually, saturation extends slightly above the water table due to capillary attraction;
however, water is held there a less than atmospheric pressure. Water occurring in the zone of
saturation is commonly referred to simply as groundwater, but the term phreatic water is also
employed.
“Vadose is derived from the Latin vadosus shall").
"Phreatc is derived from the Grek phrar,-atas (a wel)46 Chapter2 Occurrence of Groundwater
Ground sutace
3) semaine 3
3 vase g
: = i
ater
toe
waterue ||
g 2
3 as
3 aa
5 3!
§ | oS
seme
| Impemeabierock |
i ' 2.4.3
Figure 2.3.1. Divisions of subsurface water
24 ZONE OF AERATION
24.1 Soil-Water Zone
‘Water in the soil-water zone exists at less than saturation except temporarily when excessive
water reaches the ground surface as from rainfall or irrigation, The zone extends from the
ground surface down through the major oot zone. Is thickness varies with soil type and vege-
tation. Because of the agricultural importance of soil water in supplying moisture to roots, agri-
cultursts and soil scientists have studied soil moisture distribution and movement extensively.
‘The amount of water present in the soil-water zone depends primarily onthe recent expo-
sure of the soil to moisture. Under hot, arid conditions, a water-vapor equilibrium tends to
become established between the ambient air and the surfaces of fine-grained soil particles. As
a result, only thin films of moisture—known as hygroscopic water—remain adsorbed on the
surfaces. For coarse-grained materials and where additional moisture is available, water also
forms liquid rings surrounding contacts between grains, as sketched in Figure 2.4.1, This
‘water is held by surface tension forces and is sometimes referred to as capillary water. Tem-
porarily, the soil-water zone may contain water in excess of capillary water from rainfall or
irrigation; this gravitational water drains through the soil under the influence of gravity.
2.4.2 Intermediate Vadose Zone
‘The intermediate vadose zone extends from the lower edge ofthe soil-water zone tothe upper
limit ofthe capillary zone (Figure 2.3.1). The thickness may vary from zero, where the bound-cessive
om the
I vege-
s,agri-
sively.
expo-
nds to
les. As
on the.
also
This
Tem-
fall or
upper
ound-
24 Zone of Aeration 47
243. Capillary Zone
Figure 241, Ilustation of vadose water held at
contact points of particles in the unsaturated
ing zones merge with a high water table approaching ground surface, to more than 100 m
under deep water table conditions. The zone serves primarily asa region connecting the zone
near ground surface with that near the water table through which water moving vertically
downward must pass. Nonmoving vadose water is held in place by hygroscopic and capillary
forces. Temporary excesses of water migrate downward as gravitational wate,
‘The capillary zone (or capillary fringe) extends from the water table up tothe limit of capil-
lary rise of water. Ifa pore space could be idealized to represent a capillary tube, the capillary
rise h, (Figure 24.2) can be derived from an equilibrium between surface tension of water and
the weight of water raised. Thus,
cosh eat)
‘wheres surface tension, ys the specific weight of water, isthe ube radius, and is the angle
‘of contact between the meniscus and the wall ofthe tube. For pure water in a clean glass, 2.= O,
and at 20° C, t= 0.074 gicm and y= 1 g/cm’, so that for r in cm, the capillary rise (in cm) is
ous 242)
Itfollows from Equation 2.4.2 that the thickness of the capillary zone will vary inversely
with the pore size of a sol or rock. Measurements of capillary rise in unconsolidated materi-
als shown in Table 2.4.1 bear out this relationship. Furthermore, for a material containing
innumerable pores of a wide range in size the upper boundary of the zone will form a jagged
limit when studied microscopically. Taken macroscopically, however, a gradual decrease in
‘water content results with height, That is, just above the water table almost all pores contain
capillary water; higher, only the smaller connected pores contain water; and stil higher, only
the few smallest connected pores contain water lifted above the water table. Ths distribution
of water above the water table is shown in Figure 2.4.3 from a drainage test on a sand, The
visual capillary rise is invariably less than the actual capillary zone as defined in Figure 2.4.3.48 Chapter? Occureace of Groundwater
SOLUTION
60) T TT
I
° '
: Introd
lrmedite |
i ‘ates
Eat| ‘om id
a \
g
i+ |
Figure242. Riseof = 244
water in a capillary tube
pilley ‘Figure 2.4.3. Distribution
010 2030
Percont moisture
‘content by volume
0 of water in a coarse sand
above the water table after
rainage (after Pri”)
‘able 241 Capillry Risen Samples of Uncosoated Mates (fer Lohman?)
Material Grain size (mm) Capillary rise (erm)
Fine gravel 52 25
Very coarse sand el 65
Coarse sand 1-05 BS
‘Medium sand 05-02 m6
Fine sand 02-01 28
silt 01-0005 105.5
Sil 095-002 200"
‘Note Capillary se measured afer 72 days; all samples Bave vitally the same porosity
oF Al percent.
stil rising after 72 days
‘Assuming uniform spherical grain of evbic packing, approximate the capillary rise ina sil sa function
ofthe grain diameter. Using this relationship, estimate te capillary rise for each material io Table 2.4.1
‘The accompanying figure shows atypical arrangement of cubical packing with spherical grains of equal
ameter. It can be shown, using geometry, thatthe radius ofthe pore space between the grains is 0.2
times the grain diameter,
Assuming that this poe space could be idealized to represent a capillary tbe, r = 0200 can be
substuted into Equation 2.42 yieding h, = 245-045. 3action
241
equal
i802
can be
244
24 Zone of Aeration 49
Material Grain size (mm) Estimated capillary Actual capillary
rise (cm) rise (em) _
Fine gravel 52 15.3.5 25
Very coarse sand 2 315-15 65
‘Coarse sand 1-05 75-15 IBS
Medium sand 05-02 15375 246
Fine sand 02-01 315-15 428
silt 1-005 75-150 0s.s
silt 0.05-0.02 150-375 200 .
Measurement of Water Content
Determination of the water content of soils can be accomplished by various direct methods
based on removal of the water from a sample by evaporation, leaching, or chemical reaction,
followed by measurement of the amount removed." Thus, the gravimetric method involves
‘weighing a wet soil sample, removing the water by oven-drying it and reweighing the sample.
Indirect methods consist of measuring some soil property affected by soil-water content.
Specifically, electrical and thermal conductivity and electrical capacitance of porous materials
vary with water content,
Another useful instrument for measuring soil moisture is the neutron probe. When low
ered in a small-diameter tube in the ground, determination of soil moisture can be made as a
function of depth. The instrument contains a radium-beryllium source of fast neutrons and a
detector for slow neutrons. The fast neutrons are slowed by collisions with hydrogen, and
because most ofthe hydrogen in soil is associated with water, the intensity of slow neutrons
measured yields, after calibration, the local soil moisture content.°
Within the vadose zone a negative-pressure head of water exists, often referred to as suc-
tion, oF tension ina positive sense. This tension can be measured by a tensiometer; Figure 2.4.4
shows a tensiometer installed in a soil column, The depression Ad in water level measures the
local soil tension. Such instruments function in the range from atmospheric pressure (near
1,000 cm of water) to about 200 cm of water (800 cm water tension). Calibration data for soil
suction and water content reveal that the relation between the two variables isnot single valued;
instead, sol structure and compaction, as well as effects of wetting or drying, influence the
results
Suction head,
tone
Unsaturated
porous medium
Figure 2.44, Mlustation of a
tensiometer for measuring water
tension in unsaturated porous
media,50 Chapter2. Occurrence of Groundwater
24.5. Available Water
Soils absorb and retain water, which may be withdrawn by plants during periods between rain-
fall ot irigations. This water-holding capacity is defined by the available water, which is the
range of plant-available water, the moist end being the field capacity and the dry end the wilting
point, Field capacity can be defined as the amount of water held in a soil after wetting and after
subsequent drainage has become negligibly small. The negligible drainage rate is often assumed
after two days; however, different sols possess varying drainage rates so that quantitative values
may not be comparable. The wilting point defines the water content of soils when plants grow-
ing in that soil are reduced to a permanent wilted condition. Because factors such as soil type,
volume, plant type, and age influence wilting point, this moisture content can also be variable.
2.5 ZONE OF SATURATION
In the zone of saturation, groundwater fills all ofthe interstices; hence, the (effective) poros-
ity provides a direct measure ofthe water contained per unit volume. A portion of the water can
bbe removed from subsurface strata by drainage or by pumping of a well; however, molecular
‘and surface tension forces hold the remainder of the water in plac.
25.1 Specific Retention
2.5.2. Specific Yield
‘The specific retention $, ofa soil or rock isthe ratio ofthe volume of water it will retain after
saturation against the force of gravity to its own volume. Thus,
(25.1)
‘here w, isthe volume occupied by retained water’ and V, is the bulk volume of the soil or rock,
‘The specific yield S, ofa soil or rock isthe ratio of the volume of water tha, after saturation,
‘can be drained by gravity to its own volume."” Therefore,
(2.5.2)
where w, is the volume of water drained. Values ofS, and S, can also be expressed as percent-
ages. Because w, and w, constitute the total water volume in a saturated material, it is appar-
ent that
253)
or
(254)
where all pres are interconnecting.
Values of specific yield depend on grain size, shape and distribution of pores, compaction
of the stratum, and time of drainage.*” Representative specific yields for various geologic
materials are listed in Table 2.5.1; individual values fora soil or rock can vary considerably
from these values. It should be noted that fine-grained materials yield litle water, whereas
‘coarse-grained materials permit a substantial release of water and hence serve as aquifers. In
should be noted that he terms field capacity and retained water refer to the same water content but ifr bythe
‘zone in which they ocr.
SOLsnrain-
vis the
wilting
dafter
‘sumed
values
Hype,
iable.
poros-
‘eran
ecular
1 after
25.1)
ation,
15.2)
cent
par-
53)
54)
ation
ogic
ably
s.In
SOLUTION
25 Zone of Saturation SI
‘Table 25.1 Representative Values of Specific Vield (after Johnson?)
Material Specific yield (percent)
Gravel, coarse 23
Gravel, medium m4
Gravel, fine 25
Sand, coarse a
Sand, medium 2%
Sand, fine B
silt 8
Chy 3
Sandstone, fine grained 2
Sandstone, medium grained 2
Limestone 4
Done sand 38
Loess 18
Peat “
Schist 6
Siltstone 2
‘Til, predominantly silt 6
‘Til, predominantly sand 16
‘Tl, predominantly gravel 16
Tutt a
‘general, specific yields for thick unconsolidated formations tend to fallin the range of 7 to 15
percent, because of the mixture of grain sizes present in the various strata; furthermore, they
‘normally decrease with depth due to compaction.
Specific yield can be measured by a variety of techniques involving laboratory, field, and
estimating techniques. 7° Methods based on well-pumping tests, described in Chapter 4,
generally give the most reliable results for field measurements.
Estimate the average drawdown over an area where 25 million m? of water has been pumped through a
‘number of uniformly distributed wells. The area is 150 km? and the specific yield of the unconfined
aquifer is 25 percent.
‘The volume of water drained is w, = 25 x 10m. Bq. 25:2 sued to determine the blk volume, V, of
the aquifer to exact this volume of water:
25x10° m* an?
0252 Ey,
urden,
static
‘quifer
dition,
water-
quite
com
ough a
water
ficient
iteon-
essure
soefii-
water
d.
chum
28.1)
2s
Md, as
29° Groundwater Basin/Regional Groundwater Flow Systems $9
Unit cross-sectional area
Unitdeatne of
piezometic surface
Piezometic
surace
Unit deine of Unit e0ss-setonal area
water table | Water table
—
Impermeable|
@
$14
Aquiter ‘Aquite
Impermeable defining the storage coeicient of (a)
o ‘confined and (b) unconfined aquifers.
2.9 GROUNDWATER BASINS/REGIONAL
GROUNDWATER FLOW SYSTEMS
A groundwater basin may be defined asa hydrogeologic unit containing one large aquifer or
several connected and interrelated aquifers. Such a basin may or may not coincide with a
physiographic unit. In a valley between mountain ranges, the groundwater basin may occupy
only the central portion ofthe stream drainage basin. In limestone and sandhill areas, drainage
and groundwater basins may have entirely different configurations. The concept ofa ground-
water basin becomes important because ofthe hydraulic continuity that exists forthe contained
‘groundwater resource. In order to ensure continued availability of subsurface water, basin-
‘wide management of groundwater, which is described in Chapter 10, becomes essential.
‘A regional groundwater flow system can be comprised of subsystems at different scales and
a complex hydrogeologic framework, illustrated in Figure 2.9.1. The Edwards Aquifer, ilustrated
in Figure 2.6.2, i a regional groundwater flow system, Two regional groundwater flow systems,
the High Plains Aquifer and the Gulf Coastal Plain Aquifer system, ae illustrated in Figure 2.9.2.
2.9.1 High Plains Aquifer
An example ofa groundwater basin isthe High Plains Aquifer (Figures 2.9.2 and 2.9.3), which
underlies an area of about 174,000 square miles extending through parts of Colorado, Kansas,
Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Approximately 20,
percent ofthe irrigated agricultural land in the United States overlies the High Plains aquifer,
“Inprastice the term groundwater basin is loosely defined; however, it implies an area containing groundwater
‘reservoir capable of furnishing substantial water supply60 Chapter2. Occurrence of Groundwater
Unsaturated zone
Surtace-water body
Figun
EBB Hoh hyarausc-concuetivty aquitor @® Local groundwater subsystem
Low tyra conduetaty contning unt . ot
(7Very low hydrautie-conductivity bedrock @ su rogoralgroundater subsystem
= Diecton of goundate few @ agonal goundwatesubystom
Figure 2.9.1. A regional groundwater flow system that comprises subsystems at different scales and a complex hydrogeologic
framework (modified from Sun”),
Significant featuces of this depiction of part of a regiousl groundwater flow system include (1) local groundwater subsystems in
tho upper water-table aquifer that discharge to the nearest surface-water bodies (lakes or streams) and are separated by groundwater
divides beneath topographically high areas; (2) a subregional groundwater subsystem in the water-table aquifer in which flow paths
originating atthe water table do not discharge into the nearest surface-water body but into a moze distant one; and (3) a deep,
regional groundwater flow subsystem that lies beneath the water-able subsysteras and is hydraulically connected to them. The
hhydrogeologic framework of the flow system exhibits a complicated spatial arrangement of high hydraulic-conductivity aquifer
units and low hy¢raulic-conduetivity confining units. The horizontal scale of the figure could range from tens to hundreds of miles,
and about 30 percent of the groundwater used for icigationis withdrawn from the aquifer (U.S.
Geological Survey", The aquifer boundary approximates the boundary of the Great Plains
Physiographic Province, which is characterized by 2 fiat to gently rolling land surface and
‘moderate precipitation, The region is underlain by sedimentary rocks that dip gently tothe east
and are uptumed with their contact withthe Rocky Mountains and other dome mountains, such
asthe Black Hills. Figure 2.9.3 shows the regional subdivisions ofthe High Ptains Aquifer: the
Northern High Plains, the Central High Plains, and the Southern High Plains.
‘The altitude and configuration of the water table in the High Plains Aquifer is affected
mostly by the altitude and configuration of the underlying bedrock surface, the transmissivity
of the aquifer, and the rate and distribution of recharge and discharge, Large areas of the
aquifer are not continuously saturated or ae saturated only in isolated channels in the bedrock
surface. The water table in other parts of the aquifer is continuous and slopes eastward at gra-
29229 Groundwater Basins/Regional Groundwater Flow Systems 61
Figure 2.9.2. Location ofthe High Plains Aquifer andthe Gulf Coastal Plain Aquifer system*®
10mss
‘Second 1-10 mss,
Third Ol mis
Fourth 10-1008
Fifta 110 Us
Sixth Os
Seventin 10-100 mils
iehth