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
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