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Groundwater Potentiometric-Surface Altitude in 2022 and Groundwater-Level Changes Between 1968, 1991, and 2022, in the Alluvial Aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, South-Central Idaho

Scientific Investigations Map 3509
Prepared in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3509

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Idaho Department of Water Resources measured groundwater levels during spring 2022 and autumn 2022 to create detailed potentiometric-surface maps for the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley in south-central Idaho. Wells were assigned to shallow, intermediate, and deep water-bearing units based on well depth, groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude, and hydrogeologic unit. Potentiometric-surface contours were created for each of the three water-bearing units for spring 2022 and autumn 2022. Groundwater flow generally follows topography down valley to the south. The groundwater-level data also were used to calculate changes in groundwater levels from spring to autumn 2022 and from historical measurement events in 1968 and 1991 to 2022. Groundwater levels declined at most wells from spring 1968 to spring 2022 and from spring 1991 to spring 2022. Although groundwater-level changes are sensitive to interannual wet and dry periods, long-term groundwater-level declines suggest that recharge and down-valley groundwater flows are insufficient to fully recover groundwater-level declines from pumping in some parts of the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley.

Suggested Citation

Ducar, S.D., and Zinsser, L.M., 2023, Groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022, in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Idaho: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3509, 1 sheet, scale 1:150,000, 11-p. pamphlet, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3509.

ISSN: 2329-132X (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Discussion
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022, in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Idaho
Series title Scientific Investigations Map
Series number 3509
DOI 10.3133/sim3509
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Idaho Water Science Center
Description Pamphlet: viii, 11 p.; Map: 22.51 × 30.00 inches
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Big Lost River Valley
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details