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In cooperation with the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District

Groundwater Environmental Tracer Data Collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper Aquifers in Montgomery County and Adjacent Counties, Texas, 2008

By Timothy D. Oden

ABSTRACT The Gulf Coast aquifer system is the primary water supply for Montgomery County in southeastern Texas, including part of the Houston metropolitan area and the cities of Magnolia, Conroe, and The Woodlands Township, Texas. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, collected environmental tracer data in the Gulf Coast aquifer system, primarily in Montgomery County. Forty existing groundwater wells screened in the Gulf Coast aquifer system were selected for sampling in Montgomery County (38 wells), Waller County (1 well), and Walker County (1 well). Groundwater-quality samples, physicochemical properties, and water-level data were collected once from each of the 40 wells during March–September 2008. Groundwater-quality samples were analyzed for dissolved gases and the environmental tracers sulfur hexafluoride, chlorofluorocarbons, tritium, helium-4, and helium-3/tritium. Water samples were collected and processed onsite using methods designed to minimize changes to the water-sample chemistry or contamination from the atmosphere. Replicate samples for quality assurance and quality control were collected with each environmental sample. Well-construction information and environmental tracer data for March–September 2008 are presented.

First posted May 26, 2011 Report PDF (1.61 MB) Appendixes excel (86.4 KB) For additional information contact: Director, Texas Water Science Center U.S. Geological Survey 1505 Ferguson Lane Austin, TX 78754-4501 http://tx.usgs.gov/ Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.

Suggested citation:

Oden, T.D., 2011, Groundwater environmental tracer data collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent counties, Texas, 2008: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 580, 37 p.

Contents

Introduction

Methods

Groundwater Environmental Tracer Data

Summary

References Cited

Appendix 1. Well-construction information for groundwater wells sampled in the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent counties, Texas, 2008

Appendix 2. Physicochemical data measured in groundwater samples collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent counties, Texas, 2008

Appendix 3. Dissolved-gas concentrations measured in groundwater samples collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent counties, Texas, 2008

Appendix 4. Sulfur hexafluoride and chlorofluorocarbons measured in groundwater samples collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent counties, Texas, 2008

Appendix 5. Tritium measured in groundwater samples collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent counties, Texas, 2008

Appendix 6. Helium-4 measured in groundwater samples collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasperaquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent counties, Texas, 2008

Appendix 7. Helium, tritium, and neon measured in groundwater samples collected from the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers in Montgomery County and adjacent county, Texas, 2008