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Data Series Report 640

Prepared in cooperation with Faulkner County

Geophysical Characterization of the Lollie Levee near Conway, Arkansas, using Capacitively Coupled Resistivity, Coring, and Direct Push Logging

By Jonathan A. Gillip and Jason D. Payne

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (3.71 MB)Abstract

A geophysical characterization of Lollie Levee near Conway, Arkansas, was conducted in February 2011. A capacitively coupled resistivity survey (using Geometric’s OhmMapper) was completed along the top and toe of the 6.7-mile levee. Two-dimensional inversions were conducted on the geophysical data. As a quality-control measure, cores and direct push logs were taken at approximately 1-mile intervals along the levee.

The capacitively coupled resistivity survey, the coring, and the direct push logs were used to characterize the geologic materials. Comparison of the cores and the direct push log data, along with published resistivity values, indicates that resistivity values of 200 Ohm-meters or greater represent relatively clean sand, with decreasing resistivity values occurring with increasing silt and clay content. The cores indicated that the levee is composed of a heterogeneous mixture of sand, silt, and clay. The capacitively coupled resistivity sections confirm that the levee is composed of a heterogeneous mixture of high and low resistivity materials and show that the composition of the levee varies spatially. The geologic materials underlying the levee vary spatially as a result of the geologic processes that deposited them. In general, the naturally deposited geologic materials underlying the levee contain a greater amount of low resistivity materials in the southern extent of the levee.

First posted October 11, 2011

For additional information contact:
Director, Arkansas Water Science Center
401 Hardin Rd. Little Rock, AR 72211-3528

http://ar.water.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Gillip, J.A., and Payne, J.D., 2011, Geophysical characterization of the Lollie Levee near Conway, Arkansas, using capacitively coupled resistivity, coring, and direct push logging: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Report 640, 27 p.



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Geophysical Investigation Methods

Results

Summary

References