The rate of groundwater flow past underground nuclear testing areas in Yucca Flat at the Nevada National Security Site, southern Nevada, was estimated using results from the ER-6-1-2 main multiple-well aquifer test (MWAT), done during February 5–July 23, 2004. Drawdowns in 13 observation wells were evaluated from pumping in well ER-6-1-2 main and used as observations in a regional groundwater-flow model to estimate the groundwater-flow rate. Flow from southern Yucca Flat regionally was constrained by detecting drawdown in Tracer Well 3, which is 33 miles south-southwest of pumping well ER-6-1-2 main. Predevelopment flow, the ER-6-1-2 main MWAT, and regional groundwater pumping were simulated in separate models that jointly informed estimates of transmissivity and specific-yield distributions. Predevelopment flow constrained groundwater-flow estimates from southern Yucca Flat because the steady-state model correctly simulated regional groundwater discharges in the Ash Meadows groundwater basin and the surrounding basins. Less than 600 acre-feet per year of groundwater moves from underground nuclear testing areas and flows south of well ER-6-1-2 main in southern Yucca Flat.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Title | Estimation of groundwater flow through Yucca Flat based on a multiple-well aquifer test at well ER-6–1–2 main, Nevada National Security Site, southern Nevada |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20195038 |
| Authors | Tracie R. Jackson, Keith J. Halford |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series Number | 2019-5038 |
| Index ID | sir20195038 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Nevada Water Science Center |
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Supplemental data for Estimation of Groundwater Flow through Yucca Flat based on a Multiple-Well Aquifer Test at Well ER-6-1-2 Main, Nevada National Security Site
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Supplemental data for Estimation of Groundwater Flow through Yucca Flat based on a Multiple-Well Aquifer Test at Well ER-6-1-2 Main, Nevada National Security Site
This data release consists of two directories: DepthToWater and WaterLevelModels. The DepthToWater directory contains five Microsoft Excel workbooks that present depth-to-groundwater data and drawdown analyses from five wells during an aquifer test at well ER-6-1-2 main (USGS site identification number 365901115593501). The WaterLevelModels directory contains 11 Microsoft Excel workbooks that pres - Connect