Water Resources Related to Breccia Pipe Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region
Links
- Documents:
- Related Works:
- USGS FS 2024–3003 - Balancing natural resource use and extraction of uranium and other elements in the Grand Canyon region
- USGS SIR 2010–5025 - Hydrological, geological, and biological site characterization of breccia pipe uranium deposits in northern Arizona
- Journal Article - Anthropogenic influence on groundwater geochemistry in Horn Creek watershed near the Orphan Mine in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
- Journal Article - Utilizing anthropogenic compounds and geochemical tracers to identify preferential structurally controlled groundwater pathways influencing springs in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
- Journal Article - Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs—Assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)
- USGS SIR 2022–5037 - Conceptual models of groundwater flow in the Grand Canyon region, Arizona
- Journal Article - Rethinking groundwater flow on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, USA—Characterizing recharge sources and flow paths with environmental tracers
- Journal Article - Assessing uranium and select trace elements associated with breccia pipe uranium deposits in the Colorado River and main tributaries in Grand Canyon, USA
- Journal Article - An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Introduction
In the arid Grand Canyon region, water resources are limited to primarily the Colorado River and associated tributaries and to groundwater in the form of seeps and springs. Groundwater resources in the region supply water for human use and support diverse and rich ecosystems in the locations immediately surrounding the seeps and springs. Throughout the region, uranium resources occur and may interact with water resources in both mined and unmined uranium deposits. There is a need to better understand groundwater in the region and the effects from uranium mining in order to better manage the limited water resources in the area. This Fact Sheet summarizes results from U.S. Geological Survey studies that were conducted on this topic from 2012 to 2023.
Suggested Citation
Beisner, K.R., Siebers, B.J., Tillman, F.D., and Walton-Day, K., 2025, Water resources related to breccia pipe uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2024–3055, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20243055.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Where Does Water Occur Near the Grand Canyon?
- How Long Does It Take for the Water To Move Through the Ground?
- How Does the Water Change as It Moves Through the Ground?
- References Cited
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Water resources related to breccia pipe uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 2024-3055 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20243055 |
| Publication Date | February 12, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston VA |
| Contributing office(s) | New Mexico Water Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Other Geospatial | Grand Canyon region |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |