Hydrogeology and Groundwater Quality in the Snake River Alluvial Aquifer at Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming, 2011–20

Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5006
Prepared in cooperation with the Jackson Hole Airport Board
By:  and 

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Abstract

The Snake River alluvial aquifer underlying the Jackson Hole Airport (JHA) in northwest Wyoming is an important source of water used for domestic, commercial, and irrigation purposes by the airport and nearby residents. The U.S. Geological Survey, in response to previously identified water-quality concerns in the area, monitored and evaluated changes in hydrogeologic characteristics and groundwater-quality conditions of the alluvial aquifer during 2011–20. During that period, the Jackson Hole Airport made several changes that potentially improved water quality at and downgradient from the airport. Well, water level, and hydrogeologic data were collected from the alluvial aquifer to identify hydrogeologic characteristic and groundwater quality changes. Additionally, results of statistical tests were applied to water-quality results to evaluate trends in selected physical properties and constituent concentrations with time. The trends of those data show that water quality did improve overall during the study period compared to previously collected data. Presumably, these trends are in response to the changes in the aircraft deicing/anti-icing fluid (ADAF) formulation used by the JHA, the many JHA infrastructure improvements made during 2011–20, the degradation of existing ADAFs in subsurface soils and groundwater, or some combination of these possibilities.

Suggested Citation

Wright, P.R., and Bartos, T.T., 2025, Hydrogeology and groundwater quality in the Snake River alluvial aquifer at Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming, 2011–20: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5006, 80 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255006.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Study Design
  • Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
  • Hydrogeology Results and Discussion
  • Water-Quality Results and Discussion
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Supplemental Data Tables
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrogeology and groundwater quality in the Snake River alluvial aquifer at Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming, 2011–20
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2025-5006
DOI 10.3133/sir20255006
Publication Date June 05, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Description Report: x, 80 p.; Appendix; Dataset
Country United States
State Wyoming
Other Geospatial Jackson Hole Airport
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details