Geophysical Log Analysis of Selected Test Holes and Wells in the High Plains Aquifer, Central Platte River Basin, Nebraska

Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5033
Prepared in cooperation with the Central Platte Natural Resources District
By: , and 

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Central Platte Natural Resources District is investigating the hydrostratigraphic framework of the High Plains aquifer in the Central Platte River basin. As part of this investigation, a comprehensive set of geophysical logs was collected from six test holes at three sites and analyzed to delineate the penetrated stratigraphic units and characterize their lithology and physical properties. Flow and fluid-property logs were collected from two wells at one of the sites and analyzed along with the other geophysical logs to determine the relative transmissivity of the High Plains aquifer units. The integrated log analysis indicated that the coarse-grained deposits of the alluvium and the upper part of the Ogallala Formation contributed more than 70 percent of the total transmissivity at this site. The lower part of the Ogallala with its moderately permeable sands and silts contributed some measureable transmissivity, as did the fine-grained sandstone of the underlying Arikaree Group, likely as a result of fractures and bedding-plane partings. Neither the lower nor the upper part of the siltstone- and claystone-dominated White River Group exhibited measurable transmissivity. The integrated analysis of the geophysical logs illustrated the utility of these methods in the detailed characterization of the hydrostratigraphy of the High Plains aquifer.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geophysical log analysis of selected test holes and wells in the High Plains Aquifer, Central Platte River Basin, Nebraska
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2009-5033
DOI 10.3133/sir20095033
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Office of Ground Water, U.S. Geological Survey
Description iv, 17 p.
Country United States
State Nebraska
Online Only (Y/N) Y
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