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Delineation and hydrologic effects of a gasoline leak at Stovepipe Wells Hotel, Death Valley National Monument, California

Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-45
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8245

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Abstract

Ground water is the only local source of water available to the Stovepipe Wells Hotel facilities of the Death Valley National Monument, California. A leak in a service station storage tank caused the formation of a gasoline layer overlying the water table, creating the potential for contamination of the water supply. The maximum horizontal extent of the gasoline layer was mathematically estimated to be 1,300 feet downgradient from the leaky gasoline tank. Exploratory drilling detected the gasoline layer between 900 and 1,400 feet downgradient and between 50 and 150 feet upgradient from the source. Traces of the soluble components of gasoline were also found in the aquifer 150 feet upgradient, and 250 feet distant from the source perpendicular to the direction of ground-water movement. The gasoline spill is not likely to have an effect on the supply wells located 0.4 mile south of the leak source, which is nearly perpendicular to the direction of ground-water movement and the primary direction of gasoline movement in the area. No effect on phreatophytes 2 miles downgradient from the layer is likely, but the potential effects of gasoline vapors within the unsaturated zone on local xerophytes are not known. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Buono, A., Packard, E.M., 1982, Delineation and hydrologic effects of a gasoline leak at Stovepipe Wells Hotel, Death Valley National Monument, California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-45, iv, 23 p. , https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8245.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Delineation and hydrologic effects of a gasoline leak at Stovepipe Wells Hotel, Death Valley National Monument, California
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 82-45
DOI 10.3133/wri8245
Year Published 1982
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description iv, 23 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Death Valley National Monument
Additional publication details