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Baseline Groundwater Hydrology and Water Quality In and Around Bluff, Utah

Open-File Report 2019-1076
Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191076

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Abstract

Southeastern Utah has a long history of oil and gas production. Two new hydrocarbon extraction wells have been proposed several miles northeast of the town of Bluff, Utah. In response to concern about the impacts of oil and gas extraction in the area on drinking-water quality, this study provides groundwater quality and hydrologic baseline data obtained before drilling the new hydrocarbon extraction wells. Data from future monitoring can be compared to these baseline water-quality data to identify changes in water quality. The quality of drinking water in Bluff is generally good, making changes in water quality more easily identifiable. Potential degradation of water quality from the proposed production wells could take hundreds to thousands of years to reach public-supply wells. Because of the limited water supply in this area, high-quality groundwater will continue to be an important resource into the foreseeable future.

Suggested Citation

Miller, O.L., 2019, Baseline groundwater hydrology and water quality in and around Bluff, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019–1076, 24 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191076.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Groundwater Hydrology and Water Quality
  • Conclusions and Future Monitoring
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Baseline groundwater hydrology and water quality in and around Bluff, Utah
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2019-1076
DOI 10.3133/ofr20191076
Publication Date July 30, 2019
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Utah Water Science Center
Description viii, 24 p.
Country United States
State Utah
City Bluff
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details