Water-Level, Water-Quality and Land-Subsidence Studies in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins Active
Groundwater has been the primary source of domestic, agricultural, and municipal water supplies in the southwestern Mojave Desert, California, since the early 1900s. The population of the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins has grown rapidly during the last several decades, increasing from an estimated population of almost 273,000 in 1990 (Mojave Water Agency, 2004) to more than 453,000 in 2010 (Mojave Water Agency, 2014). Increased demands on water supplies have caused groundwater-level declines of more than 100 feet (ft) in some areas of this desert between the 1950s and the 1990s (Stamos and others, 2001; Sneed and others, 2003).
Groundwater Levels
Regional water-table maps of the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins have been published in reports by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) every two years since 1992. The water-level studies include water-level contour maps drawn from data measured from wells during each study. Most of the studies demonstrate water-level changes by hydrographs that show long-term and short-term water-level changes, and by maps that compare water levels at individual wells between two consecutively published reports.
>> Mojave Groundwater-Level Studies
Groundwater Quality
Since 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected water-quality data annually from a network of wells and has provided quality-assurance for Mojave Water Agency (MWA) data that are stored in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) database. The USGS compiled maps and time-series plots of concentrations of selected water-quality constituents (arsenic, boron, chromium-6, total chromium, dissolved oxygen, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitriate plus nitrite as nitrogen, total dissolved solids, uranium, and vanadium) in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins using data collected by the USGS and MWA from 2000 to 2012.
>> Mojave Groundwater-Quality Studies
Land Subsidence
Subsidence, in the vicinity of dry lakebeds, within the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins has been evaluated using InSAR, ground-based measurements, geology, and analyses of water levels between 1992 and 2009 (years in which InSAR data were collected). The investigation focused on determining the location, extent, and magnitude of changes in land-surface elevation.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Data, Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California, 2014-19
Regional Water Table (2014) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California (ver. 1.2, September 2020)
Regional Water Table (2016) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California
Below are publications associated with this project.
Land subsidence in the southwestern Mojave Desert, California, 1992–2009
Preliminary hydrogeologic assessment near the boundary of the Antelope Valley and El Mirage Valley groundwater basins, California
Regional water table (2014) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, southwestern Mojave Desert, California
Subsidence (2004-2009) in and near lakebeds of the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins, southwest Mojave Desert, California
Delta Chromium-53/52 isotopic composition of native and contaminated groundwater, Mojave Desert, USA
Status of groundwater quality in the California Desert Region, 2006-2008: California GAMA Priority Basin Project
Regional Water Table (2010) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California
Groundwater quality data in the Mojave study unit, 2008: Results from the California GAMA Program
Geospatial Data Used in Water-Level and Land-Subsidence Studies in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins for 2008
Chromium, chromium isotopes and selected trace elements, western Mojave Desert, USA
Water-level and land-subsidence studies in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins
Regional water table (2004) and water-level changes in the Mojave River and Morongo ground-water basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
The Mojave River: Lifeblood of the Desert
Take a 3D tour along the Mojave River and learn about its contribution to groundwater and surface water supply and the geologic characteristics that control it.
Mojave Groundwater Data
Interactive map of the Mojave and Morongo groundwater basins. Data layers include sites and data for groundwater levels, water quality, and land subsidence. Groundwater data spans 1994 to the present.
- Overview
Groundwater has been the primary source of domestic, agricultural, and municipal water supplies in the southwestern Mojave Desert, California, since the early 1900s. The population of the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins has grown rapidly during the last several decades, increasing from an estimated population of almost 273,000 in 1990 (Mojave Water Agency, 2004) to more than 453,000 in 2010 (Mojave Water Agency, 2014). Increased demands on water supplies have caused groundwater-level declines of more than 100 feet (ft) in some areas of this desert between the 1950s and the 1990s (Stamos and others, 2001; Sneed and others, 2003).
Groundwater Levels
Regional water-table maps of the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins have been published in reports by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) every two years since 1992. The water-level studies include water-level contour maps drawn from data measured from wells during each study. Most of the studies demonstrate water-level changes by hydrographs that show long-term and short-term water-level changes, and by maps that compare water levels at individual wells between two consecutively published reports.
>> Mojave Groundwater-Level Studies
Groundwater Quality
Since 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has collected water-quality data annually from a network of wells and has provided quality-assurance for Mojave Water Agency (MWA) data that are stored in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) database. The USGS compiled maps and time-series plots of concentrations of selected water-quality constituents (arsenic, boron, chromium-6, total chromium, dissolved oxygen, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitriate plus nitrite as nitrogen, total dissolved solids, uranium, and vanadium) in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins using data collected by the USGS and MWA from 2000 to 2012.
>> Mojave Groundwater-Quality Studies
Land Subsidence
Subsidence, in the vicinity of dry lakebeds, within the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins has been evaluated using InSAR, ground-based measurements, geology, and analyses of water levels between 1992 and 2009 (years in which InSAR data were collected). The investigation focused on determining the location, extent, and magnitude of changes in land-surface elevation.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Data, Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California, 2014-19
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel-1A satellite were acquired for this study from the Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) and used to generate spatially detailed land-surface deformation maps (interferograms) for the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins during 2014–19 using InSAR methods.Regional Water Table (2014) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California (ver. 1.2, September 2020)
During 2014, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies made approximately 2,500 water-level measurements in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins. These data document recent conditions and, when compared with previous data, changes in groundwater levels. A water-level contour map was drawn using data from about 610 wells, providing coverage for most of the basins. Twenty-four hydrogrRegional Water Table (2016) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California
During spring 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies made water-level measurements in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins. These data document recent conditions and, when compared with previous data, changes in groundwater levels. A water-level contour map was drawn using data from about 646 wells, providing coverage for most of the basins. In addition, a water-level-chang - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 26Land subsidence in the southwestern Mojave Desert, California, 1992–2009
Groundwater has been the primary source of domestic, agricultural, and municipal water supplies in the southwestern Mojave Desert, California, since the early 1900s. Increased demands on water supplies have caused groundwater-level declines of more than 100 feet (ft) in some areas of this desert between the 1950s and the 1990s (Stamos and others, 2001; Sneed and others, 2003). These water-level deAuthorsJustin T. Brandt, Michelle SneedPreliminary hydrogeologic assessment near the boundary of the Antelope Valley and El Mirage Valley groundwater basins, California
The increasing demands on groundwater for water supply in desert areas in California and the western United States have resulted in the need to better understand groundwater sources, availability, and sustainability. This is true for a 650-square-mile area that encompasses the Antelope Valley, El Mirage Valley, and Upper Mojave River Valley groundwater basins, about 50 miles northeast of Los AngelAuthorsChristina L. Stamos, Allen H. Christensen, Victoria E. LangenheimRegional water table (2014) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, southwestern Mojave Desert, California
Data for static water-levels measured in about 610 wells during March-April 2014 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Mojave Water Agency (MWA), and other local water districts were compiled to construct a regional water-table map. This map shows the elevation of the water table and general direction of groundwater movement in and around the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins. Water-AuthorsNick F. Teague, Meghan C. Dick, Sally F. House, Dennis A. ClarkSubsidence (2004-2009) in and near lakebeds of the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins, southwest Mojave Desert, California
Subsidence, in the vicinity of dry lakebeds, within the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins of the southwest Mojave Desert has been measured by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR). The investigation has focused on determining the location, extent, and magnitude of changes in land-surface elevation. In addition, the relation of changes in land-surface elevation to changes in grAuthorsMike Solt, Michelle SneedDelta Chromium-53/52 isotopic composition of native and contaminated groundwater, Mojave Desert, USA
Chromium(VI) concentrations in groundwater sampled from three contaminant plumes in aquifers in the Mojave Desert near Hinkley, Topock and El Mirage, California, USA, were as high as 2600, 5800 and 330 μg/L, respectively. δ53/52Cr compositions from more than 50 samples collected within these plumes ranged from near 0‰ to almost 4‰ near the plume margins. Assuming only reductive fractionation of CrAuthorsJohn A. Izbicki, Thomas D. Bullen, Peter Martin, Brian SchrothStatus of groundwater quality in the California Desert Region, 2006-2008: California GAMA Priority Basin Project
Groundwater quality in six areas in the California Desert Region (Owens, Antelope, Mojave, Coachella, Colorado River, and Indian Wells) was investigated as part of the Priority Basin Project of the Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program. The GAMA Priority Basin Project is being conducted by the California State Water Resources Control Board in collaboration with the U.S. GeolAuthorsBarbara J. Milby Dawson, Kenneth BelitzRegional Water Table (2010) in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California
Since 1992, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Mojave Water Agency (MWA), has constructed a series of regional water-table maps for intermittent years in a continuing effort to monitor groundwater conditions in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins. The previously published data, which were used to construct these maps, can be accessed on the interactive map. TheAuthorsGregory A. Smith, Christina L. Stamos, Carolyn S. Glockhoff, Sally F. House, Dennis A. ClarkGroundwater quality data in the Mojave study unit, 2008: Results from the California GAMA Program
Groundwater quality in the approximately 1,500 square-mile Mojave (MOJO) study unit was investigated from February to April 2008, as part of the Priority Basin Project of the Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program. The GAMA Priority Basin Project was developed in response to the Groundwater Quality Monitoring Act of 2001 and is being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (UAuthorsTimothy M. Mathany, Kenneth BelitzGeospatial Data Used in Water-Level and Land-Subsidence Studies in the Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins for 2008
During 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies made approximately 2,500 water-level measurements in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins. These data document recent conditions and, when compared with previous data, changes in groundwater levels. A water-level contour map was drawn using data from about 700 wells, providing coverage for most of the basins. Twenty-four hydrogrAuthorsCarolyn Glockhoff, Christina L. StamosChromium, chromium isotopes and selected trace elements, western Mojave Desert, USA
Chromium(VI) concentrations in excess of the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 50 μg/L occur naturally in alkaline, oxic ground-water in alluvial aquifers in the western Mojave Desert, southern California. The highest concentrations were measured in aquifers eroded from mafic rock, but Cr(VI) as high as 27 μg/L was measured in aquifers eroded from granitic rock. Chromium(VI) concentratAuthorsJ. A. Izbicki, J. W. Ball, T.D. Bullen, S. J. SutleyWater-level and land-subsidence studies in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins
Since 1992, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Mojave Water Agency (MWA), has constructed a series of regional water-table maps for intermittent years in a continuing effort to monitor groundwater conditions in the Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins. The previously published data, which were used to construct these maps, can be accessed on the interactive map. TheAuthorsChristina L. Stamos, Carolyn S. Glockhoff, Kelly R. McPherson, Raymond J. JulichRegional water table (2004) and water-level changes in the Mojave River and Morongo ground-water basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, California
The Mojave River and Morongo ground-water basins are in the southwestern part of the Mojave Desert in southern California. Ground water from these basins supplies a major part of the water requirements for the region. The continuous population growth in this area has resulted in ever-increasing demands on local ground-water resources. The collection and interpretation of ground-water data helps loAuthorsChristina L. Stamos, Julia A. Huff, Steven K. Predmore, Dennis A. Clark - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
The Mojave River: Lifeblood of the Desert
Take a 3D tour along the Mojave River and learn about its contribution to groundwater and surface water supply and the geologic characteristics that control it.
Mojave Groundwater Data
Interactive map of the Mojave and Morongo groundwater basins. Data layers include sites and data for groundwater levels, water quality, and land subsidence. Groundwater data spans 1994 to the present.