Surface-water and Groundwater Interaction at Air Force Plant 4
The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center is monitoring sediment, surface-water, and groundwater properties at Air Force Plant 4.
Air Force Plant 4 (AFP4) and adjacent Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, in Fort Worth, Texas, constitute a contractor-owned, government-operated facility that has been in operation since 1942. The USGS and other federal, state, and private agencies have been monitoring ground water, surface water, and water quality conditions since 1996. Data collected from the 3,600-acre facility indicate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals, have entered parts of the ground-water-flow system through leakage from waste-disposal sites and from manufacturing processes. Since detection, remedial actions have been conducted to prevent human and ecological exposure. Potential pathways are being managed by institutional controls. To ensure safety, long-term monitoring programs have been implemented to monitor sediment, surface-water, and groundwater properties at the site.
► Learn More at the Water Monitoring at Air Force Plant 4 Website
Hydrogeologic Setting
Three hydrogeologic units—from land surface downward, the alluvial aquifer, the Goodland-Walnut confining unit, and the Paluxy aquifer—compose the subsurface of interest at the site. The alluvial aquifer consists primarily of clay and silt with sand and gravel channel deposits that might be interconnected or interfingered. The Goodland-Walnut confining unit directly underlies the alluvial aquifer and consists of limestone, marl, shale, and clay. The Paluxy aquifer is composed of dense mudstone and fine- to coarse-grained sandstone.
Recent USGS Activities
Continuous groundwater gages at 2 locations
Surface-water data collection along Meandering Road Creek and Farmers Branch Creek during 4 measurement events to support ongoing surface-water/groundwater interaction studies.
Borehole geophysical data collection at 7 deep groundwater wells to confirm well construction and casing integrity and to improve the understanding of hydrogeologic structure and hydraulic properties of the site.
The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center is monitoring sediment, surface-water, and groundwater properties at Air Force Plant 4.
Air Force Plant 4 (AFP4) and adjacent Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, in Fort Worth, Texas, constitute a contractor-owned, government-operated facility that has been in operation since 1942. The USGS and other federal, state, and private agencies have been monitoring ground water, surface water, and water quality conditions since 1996. Data collected from the 3,600-acre facility indicate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals, have entered parts of the ground-water-flow system through leakage from waste-disposal sites and from manufacturing processes. Since detection, remedial actions have been conducted to prevent human and ecological exposure. Potential pathways are being managed by institutional controls. To ensure safety, long-term monitoring programs have been implemented to monitor sediment, surface-water, and groundwater properties at the site.
► Learn More at the Water Monitoring at Air Force Plant 4 Website
Hydrogeologic Setting
Three hydrogeologic units—from land surface downward, the alluvial aquifer, the Goodland-Walnut confining unit, and the Paluxy aquifer—compose the subsurface of interest at the site. The alluvial aquifer consists primarily of clay and silt with sand and gravel channel deposits that might be interconnected or interfingered. The Goodland-Walnut confining unit directly underlies the alluvial aquifer and consists of limestone, marl, shale, and clay. The Paluxy aquifer is composed of dense mudstone and fine- to coarse-grained sandstone.
Recent USGS Activities
Continuous groundwater gages at 2 locations
Surface-water data collection along Meandering Road Creek and Farmers Branch Creek during 4 measurement events to support ongoing surface-water/groundwater interaction studies.
Borehole geophysical data collection at 7 deep groundwater wells to confirm well construction and casing integrity and to improve the understanding of hydrogeologic structure and hydraulic properties of the site.