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Availability and chemistry of ground water on the Bruneau Plateau and adjacent eastern plain in Twin Falls County, south-central Idaho

Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4065
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844065

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Abstract

The Bruneau plateau in south-central Idaho consists of about 889 ,600 acres of potentially irrigable land. About 112,200 of these acres have been developed for agriculture; 11,200 acres are irrigated with ground water, and the remaining acreage is irrigated with water from the Snake and Bruneau rivers and Salmon Falls Creek. On the basis of present usage, about 158,000 acre-feet of water per year are needed to develop an additional 63,000 acres. About 438,000 acre-feet per year are needed to irrigate existing and newly developed lands in dry years when streamflow in the Snake River at Milner Dam is inadequate to meet appropriated needs. Pumping lifts of about 400-600 feet and low well yields on the Bruneau plateau probably preclude large-scale irrigation development solely from local ground-water resources. However, supplemental sources of irrigation water are available from a perched-water aquifer, a thermal aquifer, and the regional aquifer adjacent to the plateau. About 100,000-115,000 acre-feet per year of water probably could be withdrawn from the perched and regional aquifers and conveyed to the plateau without serious impact on local ground-water resources. The amount of water that could be safely withdrawn from the thermal aquifer was not determined. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Moffatt, R.L., Jones, M., 1984, Availability and chemistry of ground water on the Bruneau Plateau and adjacent eastern plain in Twin Falls County, south-central Idaho: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4065, vi, 43 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844065.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Availability and chemistry of ground water on the Bruneau Plateau and adjacent eastern plain in Twin Falls County, south-central Idaho
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 84-4065
DOI 10.3133/wri844065
Year Published 1984
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vi, 43 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details