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Geophysical data collected during the 2014 minute 319 pulse flow on the Colorado River below Morelos Dam, United States and Mexico

Open-File Report 2017-1050
Prepared in Cooperation with Universidad Autónoma de Baja California and Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171050

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Abstract

Geophysical methods were used to monitor infiltration during a water release, referred to as a “pulse flow,” in the Colorado River delta in March and April 2014. The pulse flow was enabled by Minute 319 of the 1944 United States–Mexico Treaty concerning water of the Colorado River. Fieldwork was carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada as part of a binational effort to monitor the hydrologic effects of the pulse flow along the limitrophe (border) reach of the Colorado River and into Mexico. Repeat microgravity measurements were made at 25 locations in the southern limitrophe reach to quantify aquifer storage change during the pulse flow. Observed increases in storage along the river were greater with distance to the south, and the amount of storage change decreased away from the river channel. Gravity data at four monitoring well sites indicate specific yield equal to 0.32±0.05. Electromagnetic induction methods were used at 12 transects in the limitrophe reach of the river along the United States– Mexico border, and farther south into Mexico. These data, which are sensitive to variation in soil texture and water content, suggest relatively homogeneous conditions. Repeat direct-current resistivity measurements were collected at two locations to monitor groundwater elevation. Results indicate rapid groundwater-level rise during the pulse flow in the limitrophe reach and smaller variation at a more southern transect. Together, these data are useful for hydrogeologic characterization and hydrologic model development. Electronic data files are provided in the accompanying data release (Kennedy and others, 2016a).

Suggested Citation

Kennedy, J.R., Callegary, J.B., Macy, J.P., Reyes-Lopez, J., Pérez-Flores, M., 2017, Geophysical data collected during the 2014 minute 319 pulse flow on the Colorado River below Morelos Dam, United States and Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1050, 48 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171050.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract 
  • Introduction 
  • Gravity Data 
  • Electromagnetic Induction Data 
  • Direct-Current Resistivity Data 
  • Summary 
  • References Cited 
  • Appendix 1. Electronic Data Files
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geophysical data collected during the 2014 minute 319 pulse flow on the Colorado River below Morelos Dam, United States and Mexico
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1050
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171050
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Arizona Water Science Center
Description Report: vii, 48 Pp.; Data Release
Country Mexico, United States
State Arizona, Baja California, California
Other Geospatial Colorado River, Morelos Dam
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details