Major aquifers, well yields, estimated water in storage, number of index wells and date of last water-level sweep are shown in Table 7.2-6.  Figure 7.2-6 shows aquifer flow direction and water-level change between 1990-1991 and 2003-2004.  Figure 7.2-7 contains hydrographs for selected wells shown on Figure 7.2-6.  Figure 7.2-8 shows well yields in five yield categories.  A description of aquifer data sources and methods as well as well data sources and methods, including water-level changes and well yields are found in Volume 1, Appendix A. 

Major Aquifers

• Refer to Table 7.2-6 and Figure 7.2-6
• The major aquifer is basin fill.
• Flow direction is from north to southwest in the center of the basin and from the west to east in the northern portion of the basin. 

Well Yields

• Refer to Table 7.2-6 and Figure 7.2-8
• As shown on Figure 7.2-8, well yields are generally greater than 2,000 gallons per minute (gpm). 
• One source of well yield information, based on 242 reported wells, indicates that the median well yield is 2,700 gpm.

Natural Recharge

• Refer to Table 7.2-6
• Natural recharge estimates range from 10,000 acre-feet per year (AFA) to 37,000 AFA.
• The largest source of natural recharge in the basin occurs from Gila River flood events and infiltration of water impounded behind Painted Rock Dam (ADWR 1994b).

Water in Storage

• Refer to Table 7.2-6
• Storage estimates for this basin range from 17 million acre-feet (maf) to maf, both to a depth of 1,200 feet. 

Water Level

• Refer to Figure 7.2-6. Water levels are shown for wells measured in 2003-2004.
• The Department annually measures 30 index wells in this basin.  Hydrographs for seven index wells are shown on Figure 7.2-7. 
• The deepest water level shown on the map is 639 feet south of Maricopa Road and the shallowest is 34 feet near the western basin boundary.

Table 7.2-6 Groundwater Data for the Gila Bend Basin

Figure 7.2-6 Gila Bend Basin Groundwater Conditions

Figure 7.2-7 Gila Bend Basin Hydrographs Showing Depth to Water in Selected wells

Figure 7.2-8 Gila Bend Basin Well Yields

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References and Supplemental Reading for the Gila Bend Basin