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Scientific Investigations Report 2013–5219

Prepared in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board

Hydrogeology and Simulation of Groundwater Flow in the Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) Aquifer, Oklahoma, 1987 to 2009, and Simulation of Available Water in Storage, 2010–2059

By Shana L. Mashburn, Derek W. Ryter, Christopher R. Neel, S. Jerrod Smith, and Jessica S. Magers

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (28.9 MB)Abstract

The Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) aquifer underlies about 3,000 square miles of central Oklahoma. The study area for this investigation was the extent of the Central Oklahoma aquifer. Water from the Central Oklahoma aquifer is used for public, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and domestic supply. With the exception of Oklahoma City, all of the major communities in central Oklahoma rely either solely or partly on groundwater from this aquifer. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area, incorporating parts of Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma Counties, has a population of approximately 1.2 million people. As areas are developed for groundwater supply, increased groundwater withdrawals may result in decreases in long-term aquifer storage. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, investigated the hydrogeology and simulated groundwater flow in the aquifer using a numerical groundwater-flow model.

The purpose of this report is to describe an investigation of the Central Oklahoma aquifer that included analyses of the hydrogeology, hydrogeologic framework of the aquifer, and construction of a numerical groundwater-flow model. The groundwater-flow model was used to simulate groundwater levels and for water-budget analysis. A calibrated transient model was used to evaluate changes in groundwater storage associated with increased future water demands.

First posted February 10, 2014

Revised April 5, 2018

For additional information contact:
Director, Oklahoma Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
202 NW 66th, Bldg 7
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/ok-water//

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Suggested citation:

Mashburn, S.L., Ryter, D.W., Neel, C.R., Smith, S.J., and Magers, J.S., 2018, Hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow in the Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) Aquifer, Oklahoma, 1987 to 2009, and simulation of available water in storage, 2010–2059 (ver. 1.1, April 2018): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2013–5219, 92 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20135219.

ISSN 2328-031X (print)

ISSN 2328-0328 (online)



Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

Introduction

Geology of the Central Oklahoma Aquifer

Characteristics of the Central Oklahoma Aquifer

Hydrogeologic Framework

Groundwater-Flow Model

Model Simplifications, Assumptions, and Limitations

Summary

Selected References

Appendix 1. Aquifer Test


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