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Comparison of Hydrologic Data and Water Budgets Between 2003–08 and 2018–23 for the Eastern Part of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, South-Central Oklahoma

Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5011
Prepared in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oka’ Institute
By: , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255011

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Abstract

The Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer is divided spatially into three parts (eastern, central, and western). The largest groundwater withdrawals are from the eastern part of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer, which provides water to approximately 39,000 people in Ada and Sulphur, Oklahoma, and surrounding areas. The Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer, including the eastern part, is designated a sole source aquifer for its service area. Based primarily on data collected between 2003 and 2008, a series of comprehensive hydrologic studies of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer was published to provide the information necessary to perform groundwater-flow model simulations so that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board could determine how much water could be withdrawn from the aquifer while maintaining flow to springs and streams. As part of the Phase 1 studies, an aquifer water budget was developed from a numerical model for the period 2003–08. For this report, Phase 1 refers to the 2003–08 data collection period, although for some of the analyses, data collected prior to 2003 were used to inform model development work. Allocation of water from this aquifer was then established by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in 2013. Additional well-spacing rules were also established by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for sensitive sole source groundwater basins. To determine how the water budget for the eastern part of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer has changed over time, recently collected hydrologic data (2018–23) were compared to data collected during 2003–08. The analysis of changes in the aquifer water budget from 2003–08 to 2018–23 could help resource managers better understand changes in the overall balance of water in storage and the potential effects on streamflow, changes in groundwater levels, and the effects of different water uses in the aquifer area on available water in the eastern part of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer and streams overlying the eastern part of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer.

Suggested Citation

Mashburn, S.L., Fetkovich, E.J., Lockmiller, H.A., Codner, C., Kirby, E.A., Dale, I.A., and Baciocco, C.A., 2025, Comparison of hydrologic data and water budgets between 2003–08 and 2018–23 for the eastern part of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer, south-central Oklahoma: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5011, 61 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255011.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Hydrologic Data Comparison: Phase 1 to Phase 2
  • Water-Budget Comparison: Phase 1 to Phase 2
  • Future Studies and Monitoring Data
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Spring Discharge Measured in the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Comparison of hydrologic data and water budgets between 2003–08 and 2018–23 for the eastern part of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer, south-central Oklahoma
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2025-5011
DOI 10.3133/sir20255011
Publication Date March 14, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
Description Report: x, 61 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Other Geospatial eastern part of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details