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Ground-water reconnaissance of the Sailor Creek area, Owyhee, Elmore, and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho

Open-File Report 62-34
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr6234

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Abstract

This reports evaluates the ground-water resources of about 1,000 square miles in the semiarid uplands south of the Snake River between Bruneau River and Salmon Falls Creek. The outcropping rocks are the Idavada Volcanics of Pliocene age, and the Idaho Group of Pliocene and Plieistocene age, consisting of the Banbury Basalt of middle Pliocene age and overlying predominantly sedimentary deposits of middle Pliocene through middle Pleistocene age. These rocks dip gently northward. The volcanic rocks are the best aquifers, but the yield of water from the sedimentary deposits is adequate for domestic and stock use. About 6,000 acre-feet of water is withdrawn annually from the Idavada Volcanics by 9 irrigation wells to irrigate about 3,000 acres. Only a few tends of acre-feet of water withdrawn from the other formations. The regional dip of the rocks induces weak artesian conditions in the volcanic rocks and somewhat higher artesian head in the sedimentary rocks. Estimated depth to water ranges from less than 250 feet to more than 750 feet, as shown in an accompanying map. The eastern part of the area appears to be more favorable for the development of ground water for irrigation than the western part because of better aquifers at shallower depth.

Suggested Citation

Crosthwaite, E., 1962, Ground-water reconnaissance of the Sailor Creek area, Owyhee, Elmore, and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 62-34, Report: ii, 53 p.; 3 Plates: 32.94 x 21.57 inches and smaller, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr6234.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-water reconnaissance of the Sailor Creek area, Owyhee, Elmore, and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 62-34
DOI 10.3133/ofr6234
Year Published 1962
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Idaho Water Science Center
Description Report: ii, 53 p.; 3 Plates: 32.94 x 21.57 inches and smaller
Country United States
State Idaho
County Elmore County;Owyhee County;Twin Falls County
Other Geospatial Sailor Creek Area
Additional publication details