Groundwater Conditions in the Virgin River Basin

Major aquifers, well yields, estimated natural recharge, estimated water in storage, number of index wells and date of last water-level sweep are shown in Table 6.6-6.  Figure 6.6-7 shows aquifer flow direction and water-level change between 1990-1991 and 2003-2004.  Figure 6.6-8 contains hydrographs for selected wells shown on Figure 6.6-7.  Figure 6.6-9 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 6.6-6 and Figure 6.6-7.

• Major aquifers in the basin include basin fill and sedimentary rock (Muddy Creek Formation).

• Flow direction is generally toward the west following Beaver Dam Wash and the Virgin River drainages.

Well Yields

• Refer to Table 6.6-6 and Figure 6.6-9.

• As shown on Figure 6.6-9, well yields in this basin range from less than 100 gallons per minute (gpm) to greater than 2,000 gpm.

• One source of well yield information, based on 53 reported wells, indicates that the median well yield in this basin is 650 gpm.

Natural Recharge

• Refer to Table 6.6-6.
• The natural recharge estimate for this basin is greater than 30,000 acre-feet per year.

Water in Storage

• Refer to Table 6.6-6.

• The storage estimate for this basin is is 1.7 million acre-feet (maf) of water in storage to a depth of 1,200 feet.

Water Level

• Refer to Figure 6.6-7. Water levels are shown for wells measured in 2003-2004.
• The Department annually measures six index wells in this basin. Hydrographs for five of these wells and one other well are shown on Figure 6.6-8.  Index well hydrographs are: A, B, D and E.
• There is one ADWR automated groundwater level monitoring device located near Littlefield. Information on the index wells and automated groundwater site in this basin can be accessed through the Department's GWSI webpage.
• The deepest recorded water level in the basin is 380 feet in the northern portion of the basin and the shallowest is 57 feet north of Beaver Dam.

Click for Table 6.6-6 Groundwater Data for the

Virgin River Basin

Click for Figure 6.6-7 Virgin River Basin Groundwater Conditions

Click for Figure 6.6-8 Virgin River Basin Hydrographs Showing Depth to Water in Selected Wells

Click for Figure 6.6-9 Virgin River Basin Well Yields

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