Movement of water through the thick unsaturated zone underlying Oro Grande and Sheep Creek Washes in the western Mojave Desert, USA
Hydrogeology Journal
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Abstract
Previous studies indicate that a small quantity of recharge occurs from infiltration of streamflow in intermittent streams in the upper Mojave River basin, in the western Mojave Desert, near Victorville, California. Chloride, tritium, and stable isotope data collected in the unsaturated zone between 1994 and 1998 from boreholes drilled in Oro Grande and Sheep Creek Washes indicate that infiltration of streamflow occurs to depths below the root zone, and presumably to the water table, along much of Oro Grande Wash and near the mountain front along Sheep Creek Wash. Differences in infiltration at sites along each wash are the result of hydrologic variables such as proximity to the mountain front, quantity of streamflow, and texture of the subsurface deposits. Differences in infiltration between the washes are the result of large-scale geomorphic processes. For example, Oro Grande wash is incised into the Victorville fan and infiltration has occurred at approximately the same location over recent geologic time. In contrast, Sheep Creek Wash overlies an active alluvial fan and the stream channel can move across the fan surface through time. Infiltration does not occur to depths below the root zone at control sites outside of the washes.
Suggested Citation
Izbicki, J., Radyk, J., and Michel, R.L., 2002, Movement of water through the thick unsaturated zone underlying Oro Grande and Sheep Creek Washes in the western Mojave Desert, USA: Hydrogeology Journal, v. 10, no. 3, p. 409-427, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-002-0194-8.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Movement of water through the thick unsaturated zone underlying Oro Grande and Sheep Creek Washes in the western Mojave Desert, USA |
| Series title | Hydrogeology Journal |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10040-002-0194-8 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication Date | April 24, 2002 |
| Year Published | 2002 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | California Water Science Center |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Hydrogeology Journal |
| First page | 409 |
| Last page | 427 |