Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County, Utah, was completed in March 2002 and is operated for both surface-water storage and managed aquifer recharge via infiltration from surface basin spreading to the underlying Navajo Sandstone. From 2002 through 2014, about 216,000 acre-feet were diverted from the Virgin River to Sand Hollow Reservoir, and about 127,000 acre-feet of water seeped beneath the reservoir to recharge the underlying Navajo Sandstone aquifer. Groundwater levels in monitoring wells near the reservoir rose through 2006 but have fluctuated more recently because of variations in reservoir stage and nearby pumping from production wells.
In 2002, managed aquifer recharge rates were initially very high (1.5 x 10-4 cm/s) with the vadose zone becoming saturated beneath and surrounding the reservoir. During 2008, these rates declined to less than 3.5 x 10-6 cm/s. This decrease was likely associated with a declining regional hydraulic gradient and clogging. From mid-2009 through 2010, recharge rates increased. This change may have been partly caused by dissolution of air bubbles initially entrapped in the aquifer matrix. Theoretical gas dissolution rates, coupled with field evidence of a decline in total dissolved-gas pressure and dissolved oxygen from nearby monitoring wells, support the timing of this gas dissipation.
Water quality continued to be monitored at various wells in Sand Hollow from 2013 through 2014 to evaluate the timing and location of reservoir recharge as it moved through the aquifer. Changing geochemical conditions at monitoring wells WD 4 and WD 12 indicated rising groundwater levels and mobilization of vadose-zone salts, which could be a precursor to the arrival of reservoir recharge.
Between 2004 and 2014, about 29,000 acre-feet of groundwater was withdrawn from nearby wells for municipal supply. In addition, about 31,000 acre-feet of shallow seepage was captured by french drains adjacent to the North and West Dams and used for municipal supply, irrigation, or returned to the reservoir.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Assessment of managed aquifer recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions through 2014
Variably-saturated groundwater modeling for optimizing managed aquifer recharge using trench infiltration
Evaluation of potential gas clogging associated with managed aquifer recharge from a spreading basin, southwestern Utah, U.S.A.
Assessment of managed aquifer recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions in 2012
Numerical simulation of groundwater movement and managed aquifer recharge from Sand Hollow Reservoir, Hurricane Bench area, Washington County, Utah
Assessment of managed aquifer recharge from Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions in 2010
Trench infiltration for managed aquifer recharge to permeable bedrock
Assessment of managed aquifer recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions through 2007
Silt and gas accumulation beneath an artificial recharge spreading basin, Southwestern Utah, U.S.A.
Assessment of artificial recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, Updated to Conditions through 2006
Pre- and post-reservoir ground-water conditions and assessment of artificial recharge at Sand Hollow, Washington County, Utah, 1995-2005
- Overview
Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County, Utah, was completed in March 2002 and is operated for both surface-water storage and managed aquifer recharge via infiltration from surface basin spreading to the underlying Navajo Sandstone. From 2002 through 2014, about 216,000 acre-feet were diverted from the Virgin River to Sand Hollow Reservoir, and about 127,000 acre-feet of water seeped beneath the reservoir to recharge the underlying Navajo Sandstone aquifer. Groundwater levels in monitoring wells near the reservoir rose through 2006 but have fluctuated more recently because of variations in reservoir stage and nearby pumping from production wells.
In 2002, managed aquifer recharge rates were initially very high (1.5 x 10-4 cm/s) with the vadose zone becoming saturated beneath and surrounding the reservoir. During 2008, these rates declined to less than 3.5 x 10-6 cm/s. This decrease was likely associated with a declining regional hydraulic gradient and clogging. From mid-2009 through 2010, recharge rates increased. This change may have been partly caused by dissolution of air bubbles initially entrapped in the aquifer matrix. Theoretical gas dissolution rates, coupled with field evidence of a decline in total dissolved-gas pressure and dissolved oxygen from nearby monitoring wells, support the timing of this gas dissipation.
Figure showing water levels in Sand Hollow Reservoir and in nearby wells 1995-2014 (Public domain.) Water quality continued to be monitored at various wells in Sand Hollow from 2013 through 2014 to evaluate the timing and location of reservoir recharge as it moved through the aquifer. Changing geochemical conditions at monitoring wells WD 4 and WD 12 indicated rising groundwater levels and mobilization of vadose-zone salts, which could be a precursor to the arrival of reservoir recharge.
Collecting water sample from well near Sand Hollow Reservoir, Utah(Public domain.) Between 2004 and 2014, about 29,000 acre-feet of groundwater was withdrawn from nearby wells for municipal supply. In addition, about 31,000 acre-feet of shallow seepage was captured by french drains adjacent to the North and West Dams and used for municipal supply, irrigation, or returned to the reservoir.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Assessment of managed aquifer recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions through 2014
Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County, Utah, was completed in March 2002 and is operated primarily for managed aquifer recharge by the Washington County Water Conservancy District. From 2002 through 2014, diversions of about 216,000 acre-feet from the Virgin River to Sand Hollow Reservoir have allowed the reservoir to remain nearly full since 2006. Groundwater levels in monitoring wells nearAuthorsThomas M. Marston, Victor M. HeilweilVariably-saturated groundwater modeling for optimizing managed aquifer recharge using trench infiltration
Spreading-basin methods have resulted in more than 130 million cubic meters of recharge to the unconfined Navajo Sandstone of southern Utah in the past decade, but infiltration rates have slowed in recent years because of reduced hydraulic gradients and clogging. Trench infiltration is a promising alternative technique for increasing recharge and minimizing evaporation. This paper uses a variablyAuthorsVictor M. Heilweil, Jerome Benoit, Richard W. HealyEvaluation of potential gas clogging associated with managed aquifer recharge from a spreading basin, southwestern Utah, U.S.A.
Sand Hollow Reservoir in southwestern Utah, USA, is operated for both surface-water storage and managed aquifer recharge via infiltration from surface basin spreading to the underlying Navajo Sandstone. The total volume of estimated recharge from 2002 through 2011 was 131 Mm3., resulting in groundwater levels rising as much as 40 m. Hydraulic and hydrochemical data from the reservoir and various mAuthorsVictor M. Heilweil, Thomas MarstonAssessment of managed aquifer recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions in 2012
Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County, Utah, was completed in March 2002 and is operated primarily for managed aquifer recharge by the Washington County Water Conservancy District. From 2002 through 2011, surface-water diversions of about 199,000 acre-feet to Sand Hollow Reservoir have allowed the reservoir to remain nearly full since 2006. Groundwater levels in monitoring wells near the reseAuthorsThomas M. Marston, Victor M. HeilweilNumerical simulation of groundwater movement and managed aquifer recharge from Sand Hollow Reservoir, Hurricane Bench area, Washington County, Utah
The Hurricane Bench area of Washington County, Utah, is a 70 square-mile area extending south from the Virgin River and encompassing Sand Hollow basin. Sand Hollow Reservoir, located on Hurricane Bench, was completed in March 2002 and is operated primarily as a managed aquifer recharge project by the Washington County Water Conservancy District. The reservoir is situated on a thick sequence of theAuthorsThomas M. Marston, Victor M. HeilweilAssessment of managed aquifer recharge from Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions in 2010
Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County, Utah, was completed in March 2002 and is operated primarily for managed aquifer recharge by the Washington County Water Conservancy District. From 2002 through 2009, total surface-water diversions of about 154,000 acre-feet to Sand Hollow Reservoir have allowed it to remain nearly full since 2006. Groundwater levels in monitoring wells near the reservoirAuthorsVictor M. Heilweil, Thomas M. MarstonTrench infiltration for managed aquifer recharge to permeable bedrock
Managed aquifer recharge to permeable bedrock is increasingly being utilized to enhance resources and maintain sustainable groundwater development practices. One such target is the Navajo Sandstone, an extensive regional aquifer located throughout the Colorado Plateau of the western United States. Spreading-basin and bank-filtration projects along the sandstone outcrop's western edge in southwesteAuthorsV.M. Heilweil, D.E. WattAssessment of managed aquifer recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, updated to conditions through 2007
Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County, Utah, was completed in March 2002 and is operated primarily as an aquifer storage and recovery project by the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD). Since its inception in 2002 through 2007, surface-water diversions of about 126,000 acre-feet to Sand Hollow Reservoir have resulted in a generally rising reservoir stage and surface area. LarAuthorsVictor M. Heilweil, Gema Ortiz, David D. SusongSilt and gas accumulation beneath an artificial recharge spreading basin, Southwestern Utah, U.S.A.
Sand Hollow Reservoir in southwestern Utah, USA, is operated for both surface-water storage and artificial recharge to the underlying Navajo Sandstone. The total volume of estimated artificial recharge between 2002 and 2007 is 85 million cubic meters (69,000 acre-feet). Since 2002, artificial recharge rates have generally been declining and are inversely correlated with the increasing surface areaAuthorsV.M. Heilweil, D. K. Solomon, G. OrtizAssessment of artificial recharge at Sand Hollow Reservoir, Washington County, Utah, Updated to Conditions through 2006
Sand Hollow, Utah, is the site of a surface-water reservoir completed in March 2002 and operated by the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) primarily as an aquifer storage and recovery project. The reservoir is an off-channel facility that receives water from the Virgin River, diverted near the town of Virgin, Utah. Hydrologic data collected are described and listed in this reportAuthorsVictor M. Heilweil, David D. SusongPre- and post-reservoir ground-water conditions and assessment of artificial recharge at Sand Hollow, Washington County, Utah, 1995-2005
Sand Hollow, Utah, is the site of a surface-water reservoir completed in March 2002, which is being operated by the Washington County Water Conservancy District primarily as an aquifer storage and recovery project. The reservoir is an off-channel facility receiving water from the Virgin River, diverted near the town of Virgin, Utah. It is being operated conjunctively, providing both surface-waterAuthorsVictor M. Heilweil, David D. Susong, Philip M. Gardner, Dennis E. Watt