Investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah

Investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah

Author: Paul Inkenbrandt

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2014-03-12

Total Pages: 122

ISBN-13: 1557918910

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This 116-page report presents the results of an investigation by the Utah Geological Survey of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah. Basin-fill sediments of the Cedar Valley Aquifer contain a high percentage of fine-grained material susceptible to compaction upon dewatering. Groundwater discharge in excess of recharge (groundwater mining) has lowered the potentiometric surface in Cedar Valley as much as 114 feet since 1939. Groundwater mining has caused permanent compaction of fine-grained sediments of the Cedar Valley aquifer, which has caused the land surface to subside, and a minimum of 8.3 miles of earth fissures to form. Recently acquired interferometric synthetic aperture radar imagery shows that land subsidence has affected approximately 100 miĀ² in Cedar Valley, but a lack of accurate historical benchmark elevation data over much of the valley prevents its detailed quantification. Continued groundwater mining and resultant subsidence will likely cause existing fissures to lengthen and new fissures to form which may eventually impact developed areas in Cedar Valley. This report also includes possible aquifer management options to help mitigate subsidence and fissure formation, and recommended guidelines for conducting subsidence-related hazard investigations prior to development.


Analysis of Septic-tank Density for Three Areas in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah

Analysis of Septic-tank Density for Three Areas in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah

Author: Mike Lowe

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 73

ISBN-13: 1557916500

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The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of septic tank soil-absorption systems on ground-water quality for three areas in Cedar Valley where septic tank soil-absorption systems are typically used for wastewater disposal. These areas have some existing development, but we anticipate that there will be additional development in the future. The Utah Geological Survey evaluated the potential impact of the projected potential development on ground-water quality based on septic-tank-system densities using a mass-balance approach similar to an analysis conducted by Hansen, Allen, and Luce for Heber and Round Valleys, Wasatch County, Utah. The selection of the evaluated areas was made in consultation with local government officials. This study may be used as a model for other evaluations of the impact of proposed subdivision site(s) on ground-water quality and allow planners to more effectively determine appropriate development densities.


Hydrogeology and Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Cedar Valley, Utah County, Utah

Hydrogeology and Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Cedar Valley, Utah County, Utah

Author: Juliette Lucy Jordan

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 1557918686

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This CD contains a 125-page comprehensive study of the hydrogeology of Cedar Valley, Utah County, located in north-central Utah. The report includes 72 figures; two plates, one of which is a potentiometric map of the basin-fill, bedrock, and several perched aquifers; and seven appendices of data. Field investigations included groundwater chemistry sampling, regular water-level monitoring, and multiple-well aquifer testing. The field data were incorporated into a 3D digital groundwater flow model using MODFLOW2000. Seventy percent of the recharge to the Cedar Valley aquifer system is from precipitation in the Oquirrh Mountains. Groundwater generally flows from west to east and exits the aquifer system mostly as interbasin flow through bedrock to the northeast and southeast. The groundwater model showed a 39-year (1969-2007) average recharge to the Cedar Valley groundwater system of 25,600 acre-feet per year and discharge of 25,200 acre-feet per year. A significant volume of precipitation recharge (perhaps 4300 acre-feet per year) does not interact with the basin-fill aquifer but travels within bedrock to discharge to adjacent valleys or as bedrock well discharge. 125 pages + 2 plates


Hydrogeology of Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Utah

Hydrogeology of Morgan Valley, Morgan County, Utah

Author: Janae Wallace

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2012-01-16

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13: 1557918538

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This report characterizes the relationship of geology to groundwater occurrence and flow, with emphasis on determining the thickness of the valley-fill aquifer and water yielding properties of the fractured rock aquifers. Develops a water budget for the drainage basin and classifies the groundwater quality and identifies the likely sources of nitrate in groundwater.


The Geology of the Central Virgin River Basin, Southwestern Utah, and Its Relation to Ground-water Conditions

The Geology of the Central Virgin River Basin, Southwestern Utah, and Its Relation to Ground-water Conditions

Author: Hugh A. Hurlow

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 1998-01-01

Total Pages: 65

ISBN-13: 1557916144

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This report describes the geology of the central Virgin River basin in southwestern Utah, and characterizes the structure and lithology of the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone and the thickness and stratigraphy of Quaternary-late Tertiary unconsolidated deposits, the two main aquifers in the region. Southwestern Utah has experienced rapid population growth and increased demand on water supplies during the past 15 years, and the purpose of this report is to better define the ground-water resources of the area. Ground water provides approximately half of the public water supply in southwestern Utah, so future decisions regarding water use must be based on careful geologic characterization of the aquifers and their relation to the regional hydrologic system. The results of this study will be applied to ground-water modeling, evaluating regional and local hydrogeologic conditions, and assessing sites for development of ground water. 53 pages + 7 plates


The Hydrogeology of Moab-Spanish Valley, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah, with Emphasis on Maps for Water-resource Management and Land-use Planning

The Hydrogeology of Moab-Spanish Valley, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah, with Emphasis on Maps for Water-resource Management and Land-use Planning

Author: Mike Lowe

Publisher: Utah Geological Survey

Published: 2007-01-22

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 1557917647

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The purpose of this study is to provide tools for water-resource management and land-use planning; to accomplish this purpose we (1) characterize the relationship of geology to ground-water conditions in the Glen Canyon and the unconsolidated valley-fill aquifers, (2) classify the groundwater quality of the Glen Canyon (east of the valley only) and valley-fill aquifers to formally identify and document the beneficial use of ground-water resources, and (3) apply a ground-water flow model using a mass balance approach to determine the potential impact of projected increased numbers of septic-tank systems on water quality in the valley-fill aquifer and thereby recommend appropriate septic-system density requirements to limit water-quality degradation


A Case Study of the Newcastle Geothermal System, Iron County, Utah

A Case Study of the Newcastle Geothermal System, Iron County, Utah

Author: Robert E. Blackett

Publisher:

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13:

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Past exploration in low- and moderate-temperature systems of the Great Basin shows that the relatively small area associated with fluid upflow and elevated temperatures is often difficult to detect by drilling widely spaced temperature-gradient holes or by other methods. By studying the Newcastle geothermal system, we hoped to develop a basic understanding of the concealed hydrothemlal system as a tool for assessing other geothermal areas of the Great Basin. The emphasis of our work centered on determining (1) the distribution of subsurface heat and the movement of thermal fluid, (2) the location and geometry of bedrock structures that might control fluid movements, (3) the chemical character of the geothermal water, and (4) the geometry of the bedrock beneath the Escalante Desert. Field studies included: (1) drilling and monitoring temperatures in shallow themlal-gradient boreholes, (2) mapping geologic units and performing structural studies in the adjacent mountains, (3) conducting detailed gravity surveys, (4) conducting electrical resistivity and self-potential (SP) surveys, (5) collecting water samples for detennining major ions and light stable isotope analyses, and (6) mapping Quaternary units.