Supplemental Hydrogeologic Study for the New River Aqua Fria Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project
Location
Glendale, Arizona, USA
Client
Salt River Project
Project Description
Three multiple-completion groundwater monitoring wells were designed and installed to evaluate the recharge potential of a proposed underground storage and recovery project. GSA used medium and large scale in-situ testing methods to characterize subsurface lithologies and hydraulic conductivities. Lithologic logs and materials analyses were combined with atmospheric pressure wave and borehole permeameter testing to provide an integrated estimate of hydraulic conductivity within unsaturated basin-fill deposits. The study determined that favorable units within the top 100 feet of the basin fill deposits would accept infiltration of several feet per day, but rates would be reduced in deeper, fine-grained and cemented units, possibly resulting in deep perching conditions.
Project Highlights
- 75,000 acre-ft/yr groundwater recharge site
- Design and installation of vadose zone monitoring wells to characterize subsurface lithologies and measure in-situ hydraulic conductivities.
- Integrated estimate of subsurface hydraulic properties and the effect of fine-grained and cemented units on recharge
