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Hydraulic Conductivity and Transmissivity Estimates from Slug Tests in Wells Within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Arkansas and Mississippi, 2020

Scientific Investigations Report 2023-5101
Water Availability and Use Science Program
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235101

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Abstract

During the spring and summer of 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted single-well slug tests on selected observation wells within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain in Arkansas and Mississippi to estimate hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity values for the Mississippi River Valley alluvial and middle Claiborne aquifers. Well and aquifer data were collected from field measurements, well-construction reports, and published aquifer-thickness information. A total of 324 slug-in and slug-out tests were conducted on 48 wells by using mechanical slugs to displace the water column and submersible pressure transducers to record changes in water levels in the wells. Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifers in which the wells are screened was estimated by curve fitting the water-level-change data using aquifer test analysis software. Estimates of aquifer transmissivity were made by multiplying the estimated hydraulic conductivity value by the aquifer thickness at well locations. Mean hydraulic conductivity estimates for 44 observation wells screened in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer range from 3 to 401 feet per day, and mean transmissivity estimates range from 285 to 80,559 feet squared per day. Mean hydraulic conductivity estimates for four observation wells screened in units of the middle Claiborne aquifer range from 0.14 to 183 feet per day, and mean transmissivity estimates range from 55 to 67,913 feet squared per day. The results from these tests can be used to improve the understanding of water availability and groundwater migration, to refine groundwater models, and to ultimately provide stakeholders and decisionmakers better information for management of the groundwater resources within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.

Suggested Citation

Pugh, A.L., 2025, Hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity estimates from slug tests in wells within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Arkansas and Mississippi, 2020: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5101, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235101.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Hydrogeologic Setting
  • Well Descriptions
  • Downhole Equipment—Transducers and Slugs
  • Field Methods
  • Analytical Methods for Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity
  • Analytical Methods for Estimating Transmissivity
  • Limitations and Assumptions
  • Hydraulic Conductivity and Transmissivity Estimates
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity estimates from slug tests in wells within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Arkansas and Mississippi, 2020
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2023-5101
DOI 10.3133/sir20235101
Publication Date July 02, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Description Report: iv, 17 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Arkansas, Mississippi
Other Geospatial Mississippi Alluvial Plain
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details