The U.S. Army at Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) obtains all of its potable water supply from Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins within the base boundaries. Groundwater pumping, since as early as 1941, has resulted in water-level declines in all of these basins and the disposal of treated wastewater in the Irwin Basin has resulted in elevated nitrate concentrations in some wells in Irwin Basin.
Land-surface deformation, consisting of an earth fissure and sink-like depressions, occurred in 2005 on the Bicycle Lake (dry) playa in the southern part of the Bicycle Basin. Earth fissures are a major concern to the NTC because aircraft runways constructed on the playa are used for transporting troops and supplies.
In 1992, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) entered into an agreement with the NTC to evaluate the long-term availability and quality of groundwater in the Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins. The objectives of the study were to describe the geohydrologic and geochemical frameworks of these basins; develop groundwater flow models to help refine the understanding of the geohydrology; and evaluate the long-term availability and quality of groundwater at the base. The evaluations of Irwin and Langford Basins have been completed, and the evaluation of Bicycle Basin is scheduled to be completed in 2011. In 2008, the USGS began a study to evaluate the location, extent, and magnitude of land-surface deformation on the Bicycle Lake playa in Bicycle Basin. Monitoring of the Bicycle Lake playa is ongoing.
The NTC is planning to expand the area of the base in the near future. The base expansion will involve training additional troops, which will increase the water demand at the base. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has selected the NTC for the construction of the largest solar power plant proposed to date within the Department of Defense. Treated wastewater will be used as the cooling water for the solar power plant. Currently the treated wastewater is a major source of recharge to the Irwin Basin (Densmore and Londquist, 1997). To effectively plan for the base expansion and the solar plant, there will be a need to update and utilize the groundwater-flow models developed for the Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins to evaluate the effect of future recharge and pumping on the available water resources at the base. In addition, groundwater basins that have not been previously studied on the base need to be evaluated to determine their potential for providing additional water supply.
The objectives of this study are to evaluate the current and long-term availability of groundwater resources at the NTC. The study will involve (1) collecting and compiling existing hydrologic data for the entire NTC; (2) updating the groundwater-flow models for Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins to 2010 conditions; (3) collecting new hydrologic data to improve the understanding of groundwater availability at the base with special emphasis on groundwater basins not previously investigated by the USGS (Superior Basin, Coyote Basin, “Central Corridor” area, Goldstone Basin, Leach Basin, Red Pass Basin, Nelson Basin, and Drinkwater Basin); (4) evaluating the cause of land-surface deformation on the Bicycle Lake playa and its impact on water supply from Bicycle Basin; and (5) utilizing the updated Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basin models and hydrologic information collected from the groundwater basins not previously studied to evaluate the long-term availability of water at the NTC. The proposed study will be completed in a phased approach depending on the availability of funding.
The study approach involves evaluating the water resources at each of the major groundwater basins overlain by the NTC. Previous studies have investigated in detail the groundwater resources of the Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins; therefore, work on these basins will involve updating the existing data and models developed for the basins and collecting new data where the previous studies indicated data gaps. Few data are available in the previously unstudied basins; therefore, the investigations of these basins will involve the collection of geophysical data to characterize the size and shape of the basins, well drilling to characterize the aquifer properties and water quality, and preliminary groundwater models to evaluate the long-term availability of groundwater. The order of investigation will be determined by the NTC.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Unsaturated zone soil properties near a dry well and Four-plex baseball field, Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2019-2020
Irrigated field characterization at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2018-2020
Electrical Resistivity Tomography Data at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2015 and 2017
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Summary of hydrologic testing, wellbore-flow data, and expanded water-level and water-quality data, 2011–15, Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California
Evaluation of land subsidence and ground failures at Bicycle Basin, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, 1992–2017
Geohydrology, geochemistry, and numerical simulation of groundwater flow and land subsidence in the Bicycle Basin, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California
Water-resources and land-surface deformation evaluation studies at Fort Irwin National Training Center, Mojave Desert, California
Laboratory electrical resistivity analysis of geologic samples from Fort Irwin, California
Gravity survey and interpretation of Fort Irwin and vicinity, Mojave Desert, California
Introduction to the geologic and geophysical studies of Fort Irwin, California
Generalized surficial geologic map of the Fort Irwin Area, San Bernardino County, California
Aeromagnetic data, processing, and maps of Fort Irwin and vicinity, California
Construction, water-level, and water-quality data for multiple-well monitoring sites and test wells, Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2009-12
Analysis of potential water-supply management options, 2010-60, and documentation of revisions to the model of the Irwin Basin Aquifer System, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California
Airborne electromagnetic data and processing within Leach Lake Basin, Fort Irwin, California
- Overview
The U.S. Army at Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) obtains all of its potable water supply from Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins within the base boundaries. Groundwater pumping, since as early as 1941, has resulted in water-level declines in all of these basins and the disposal of treated wastewater in the Irwin Basin has resulted in elevated nitrate concentrations in some wells in Irwin Basin.
Map showing Fort Irwin National Training Center boundary, drainage basin boundaries, and areas of interest. Land-surface deformation, consisting of an earth fissure and sink-like depressions, occurred in 2005 on the Bicycle Lake (dry) playa in the southern part of the Bicycle Basin. Earth fissures are a major concern to the NTC because aircraft runways constructed on the playa are used for transporting troops and supplies.
In 1992, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) entered into an agreement with the NTC to evaluate the long-term availability and quality of groundwater in the Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins. The objectives of the study were to describe the geohydrologic and geochemical frameworks of these basins; develop groundwater flow models to help refine the understanding of the geohydrology; and evaluate the long-term availability and quality of groundwater at the base. The evaluations of Irwin and Langford Basins have been completed, and the evaluation of Bicycle Basin is scheduled to be completed in 2011. In 2008, the USGS began a study to evaluate the location, extent, and magnitude of land-surface deformation on the Bicycle Lake playa in Bicycle Basin. Monitoring of the Bicycle Lake playa is ongoing.
The NTC is planning to expand the area of the base in the near future. The base expansion will involve training additional troops, which will increase the water demand at the base. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has selected the NTC for the construction of the largest solar power plant proposed to date within the Department of Defense. Treated wastewater will be used as the cooling water for the solar power plant. Currently the treated wastewater is a major source of recharge to the Irwin Basin (Densmore and Londquist, 1997). To effectively plan for the base expansion and the solar plant, there will be a need to update and utilize the groundwater-flow models developed for the Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins to evaluate the effect of future recharge and pumping on the available water resources at the base. In addition, groundwater basins that have not been previously studied on the base need to be evaluated to determine their potential for providing additional water supply.
The objectives of this study are to evaluate the current and long-term availability of groundwater resources at the NTC. The study will involve (1) collecting and compiling existing hydrologic data for the entire NTC; (2) updating the groundwater-flow models for Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins to 2010 conditions; (3) collecting new hydrologic data to improve the understanding of groundwater availability at the base with special emphasis on groundwater basins not previously investigated by the USGS (Superior Basin, Coyote Basin, “Central Corridor” area, Goldstone Basin, Leach Basin, Red Pass Basin, Nelson Basin, and Drinkwater Basin); (4) evaluating the cause of land-surface deformation on the Bicycle Lake playa and its impact on water supply from Bicycle Basin; and (5) utilizing the updated Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basin models and hydrologic information collected from the groundwater basins not previously studied to evaluate the long-term availability of water at the NTC. The proposed study will be completed in a phased approach depending on the availability of funding.
The study approach involves evaluating the water resources at each of the major groundwater basins overlain by the NTC. Previous studies have investigated in detail the groundwater resources of the Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins; therefore, work on these basins will involve updating the existing data and models developed for the basins and collecting new data where the previous studies indicated data gaps. Few data are available in the previously unstudied basins; therefore, the investigations of these basins will involve the collection of geophysical data to characterize the size and shape of the basins, well drilling to characterize the aquifer properties and water quality, and preliminary groundwater models to evaluate the long-term availability of groundwater. The order of investigation will be determined by the NTC.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Unsaturated zone soil properties near a dry well and Four-plex baseball field, Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2019-2020
The U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), approximately 35 miles north-northeast of Barstow, California, obtains all of its potable water supply from three groundwater basins (Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins) within the NTC boundaries. In these basins, groundwater withdrawals exceed natural recharge, resulting in water-level declines. However, managed aquifer recharge using recyIrrigated field characterization at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2018-2020
The U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), approximately 35 miles north-northeast of Barstow, California, obtains all of its potable water supply from three groundwater basins (Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle Basins) within the NTC boundaries. In these basins, groundwater withdrawals exceed natural recharge, resulting in water-level declines. However, managed aquifer recharge using treaElectrical Resistivity Tomography Data at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2015 and 2017
The U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), approximately 35 mi north-northeast of Barstow, California, covers approximately 1,177 square miles, and is comprised of ten groundwater basins, three of which have been subdivided into subbasins on the basis of additional hydrologic testing. Since the early 1990s, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been studying water resources issues at - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 17Summary of hydrologic testing, wellbore-flow data, and expanded water-level and water-quality data, 2011–15, Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California
In view of the U.S. Army’s historical reliance and plans to increase demands on groundwater to supply its operations at Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), California, coupled with the continuing water-level declines in some developed groundwater basins as a result of pumping, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army, evaluated the water resources, including wateAuthorsJoseph M. Nawikas, Jill N. Densmore, David R. O'Leary, David C. Buesch, John A. IzbickiEvaluation of land subsidence and ground failures at Bicycle Basin, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, 1992–2017
Groundwater has been pumped in the Bicycle Basin at Fort Irwin National Training Center since the 1960s, and the amount pumped has generally increased since the 1990s. After a large crack (approximately 0.5-kilometer long) formed at the surface of Bicycle Lake playa during 2005–06 in the area used as an aircraft runway, a monitoring study was initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperationAuthorsJill N. Densmore, Kevin M. Ellett, Michelle Sneed, Justin T. Brandt, James F. Howle, Andrew Y. Morita, Rodrigo Borela, Antonio Bobet, Drew C. ThayerGeohydrology, geochemistry, and numerical simulation of groundwater flow and land subsidence in the Bicycle Basin, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California
Groundwater pumping from Bicycle Groundwater Basin (referred to as Bicycle Basin) in the Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, began in 1967. From 1967 to December 2010, about 46,000 acre-feet of water had been pumped from the basin and transported to the Irwin Basin. During this time, not only did water levels in the basin decline by as much as 100 feet, the quality of the groundwaterAuthorsJill N. Densmore, Linda R. Woolfenden, Diane L. Rewis, Peter M. Martin, Michelle Sneed, Kevin M. Ellett, Michael Solt, David M. MillerWater-resources and land-surface deformation evaluation studies at Fort Irwin National Training Center, Mojave Desert, California
The U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), in the Mojave Desert, obtains all of its potable water supply from three groundwater basins (Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle) within the NTC boundaries (fig. 1; California Department of Water Resources, 2003). Because of increasing water demands at the NTC, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army, completed severalAuthorsJill N. Densmore, Justine E. Dishart, David M. Miller, David C. Buesch, Lyndsay B. Ball, Paul A. Bedrosian, Linda R. Woolfenden, Geoffrey Cromwell, Matthew K. Burgess, Joseph Nawikas, David O'Leary, Adam Kjos, Michelle Sneed, Justin T. BrandtLaboratory electrical resistivity analysis of geologic samples from Fort Irwin, California
Correlating laboratory resistivity measurements with geophysical resistivity models helps constrain these models to the geology and lithology of an area. Throughout the Fort Irwin National Training Center area, 111 samples from both cored boreholes and surface outcrops were collected and processed for laboratory measurements. These samples represent various lithologic types that include plutonic aAuthorsBenjamin R. Bloss, Paul A. BedrosianGravity survey and interpretation of Fort Irwin and vicinity, Mojave Desert, California
In support of a hydrogeologic study of the groundwater resources on Fort Irwin, we have combined new gravity data with preexisting measurements to produce an isostatic residual gravity map, which we then separated into two components reflecting (1) the density distribution in the pre-Cenozoic basement complex and (2) the distribution of low-density Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary deposits that lAuthorsRobert C. Jachens, Victoria E. LangenheimIntroduction to the geologic and geophysical studies of Fort Irwin, California
Geologic and geophysical investigations in the vicinity of Fort Irwin National Training Center, California, have been completed in support of groundwater investigations, and are presented in eight chapters of this report. A generalized surficial geologic map along with field and borehole investigations conducted during 2010–11 provide a lithostratigraphic and structural framework for the area duriAuthorsDavid C. BueschGeneralized surficial geologic map of the Fort Irwin Area, San Bernardino County, California
The geology and landscape of the Fort Irwin area, typical of many parts of the Mojave Desert, consist of rugged mountains separated by broad alluviated valleys that form the main coarse-resolution features of the geologic map. Crystalline and sedimentary rocks, Mesozoic and older in age, form most of the mountains with lesser accumulations of Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks. In detail, theAuthorsDavid M. Miller, Christopher M. Menges, David J. LidkeByEnergy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science CenterAeromagnetic data, processing, and maps of Fort Irwin and vicinity, California
Aeromagnetic data help provide the underpinnings of a hydrogeologic framework for Fort Irwin by locating inferred structural features or grain that influence groundwater flow. Magnetization boundaries defined by horizontal-gradient analyses coincide locally with Cenozoic faults and can be used to extend these faults beneath cover. These boundaries also highlight the structural grain within the cryAuthorsVictoria E. Langenheim, Robert C. JachensConstruction, water-level, and water-quality data for multiple-well monitoring sites and test wells, Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2009-12
Because of increasing water demands at the U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Army carried out a study to evaluate the water quality and potential groundwater supply of undeveloped basins within the U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center. In addition, work was performed in the three developed basins—Langford, Bicycle, and IAuthorsAdam R. Kjos, Jill N. Densmore, Joseph M. Nawikas, Anthony A. BrownAnalysis of potential water-supply management options, 2010-60, and documentation of revisions to the model of the Irwin Basin Aquifer System, Fort Irwin National Training Center, California
The Fort Irwin National Training Center is considering several alternatives to manage their limited water-supply sources in the Irwin Basin. An existing three-dimensional, finite-difference groundwater-flow model—the U.S. Geological Survey’s MODFLOW—of the aquifer system in the basin was updated and the initial input dataset was supplemented with groundwater withdrawal data for the period 2000–10.AuthorsLois M. Voronin, Jill N. Densmore, Peter MartinAirborne electromagnetic data and processing within Leach Lake Basin, Fort Irwin, California
From December 2010 to January 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys of Leach Lake Basin within the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. These data were collected to characterize the subsurface and provide information needed to understand and manage groundwater resources within Fort Irwin. A resistivity stratigraphy was developed usingAuthorsPaul A. Bedrosian, Lyndsay B. Ball, Benjamin R. Bloss