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Publication Date
June 2012
Abstract
A conceptual model of the hydrogeologic framework, geochemistry, and groundwater-flow system of the Edwards-Trinity and related aquifers, which include the Pecos Valley, Igneous, Dockum, Rustler, and Capitan Reef aquifers, was developed as the second phase of a groundwater availability study in the Pecos County region in west Texas. The first phase of the study was to collect and compile groundwater, surface-water, water-quality, geophysical, and geologic data in the area. The third phase of the study involves a numerical groundwater-flow model of the Edwards-Trinity aquifer in order to simulate groundwater conditions based on various groundwater-withdrawal scenarios. Resource managers plan to use the results of the study to establish management strategies for the groundwater system. The hydrogeologic framework is composed of the hydrostratigraphy, structural features, and hydraulic properties of the groundwater system. Well and geophysical logs were interpreted to define the top and base surfaces of the Edwards-Trinity aquifer units. Elevations of the top and base of the Edwards-Trinity aquifer generally decrease from the southwestern part of the study area to the northeast. The thicknesses of the Edwards-Trinity aquifer units were calculated using the interpolated top and base surfaces of the hydrostratigraphic units. Some of the thinnest sections of the aquifer were in the eastern part of the study area and some of the thickest sections were in the Pecos, Monument Draw, and Belding-Coyanosa trough areas. Normal-fault zones, which formed as growth and collapse features as sediments were deposited along the margins of more resistant rocks and as overlying sediments collapsed into the voids created by the dissolution of Permian-age evaporite deposits, were delineated based on the interpretation of hydrostratigraphic cross sections. The lowest aquifer transmissivity values were measured in the eastern part of the study area; the highest transmissivity values were measured in a faulted area of the Monument Draw tr
Keywords
Conceptual Model, Hydrogeologic Framework, Geochemistry, Groundwater-Flow System, Edwards-Trinity, Related Aquifers, Pecos County Region, Texas
Document Type
Article
Notes
USGS Scientific Investigations Report, Vol. 2012-5124 (2012-06-28).
Identifier
K26-05739
Recommended Citation
Bumgarner, J. R.; Stanton, G. P.; and Teeple, A. P., "A Conceptual Model of the Hydrogeologic Framework, Geochemistry, and Groundwater-Flow System of the Edwards-Trinity and Related Aquifers in the Pecos County Region, Texas" (2012). KIP Articles. 1223.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/1223
