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Simulated water-level and water-quality changes in the bolson-fill aquifer, Post Headquarters area, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico

Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4152
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874152

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Abstract

The quantity of freshwater available in the Post Headquarters well field, White Sand Missile Range, New Mexico, is limited and its quality is threatened by saltwater enroachment. A three-dimensional, finite-difference, groundwater flow model and a cross-sectional, density-dependent solute-transport model were constructed to simulate possible future water level declines and water quality changes in the Post Headquarters well field. A six-layer flow model was constructed using hydraulic-conductivity values in the upper 600 ft of saturated aquifer ranging from 0.1 to 10 ft/day, specific yield of 0.15, and average recharge of about 1,590 acre-ft/yr. Water levels simulated by the model closely matched measured water levels for 1948-82. Possible future water level changes for 1983-2017 were simulated using rates of groundwater withdrawal of 1,033 and 2 ,066 acre-ft/year and wastewater return flow of 0 or 30% of the groundwater withdrawal rate. The cross-sectional solute-transport model indicated that the freshwater zone is about 1,500 to 2,000 ft thick beneath the well field. Transient simulations show that solutes probably will move laterally toward the well field rather than from beneath the well field. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Risser, D.W., 1988, Simulated water-level and water-quality changes in the bolson-fill aquifer, Post Headquarters area, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4152, viii, 71 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874152.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Simulated water-level and water-quality changes in the bolson-fill aquifer, Post Headquarters area, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 87-4152
DOI 10.3133/wri874152
Year Published 1988
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description viii, 71 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details