Hydrogeologic framework of the Red River alluvial aquifer and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in northwestern Louisiana

Groundwater in northwestern Louisiana is a valuable resource needed for expanding public-supply needs as well as possible energy development needs arising from Haynesville Formation natural-gas production. The Red River alluvial and the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers are two of the most important and heavily pumped aquifers in northwestern Louisiana; however, little documentation of the regional hydrogeologic framework is available. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development have consolidated information from, and built upon, previous studies of the Red River alluvial and the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers to characterize and document the regional hydrogeologic framework of northwestern Louisiana.

The study area has been tectonically modified and includes abundant structural features such as salt domes and areally extensive faulting in addition to minor folding related to these features, all of which impact the sedimentological and hydraulic characteristics of the freshwater-bearing strata. The hydrogeologic framework of northwestern Louisiana comprises a sequence of structurally modifi ed, complexly interbedded, varyingly interconnected, clayey, sandy, and gravelly alluvial sediments. The important freshwater hydrogeologic units include the Quaternary Red River alluvial and upland terrace aquifers, and the underlying Tertiary Sparta, Cane River, and Carrizo-Wilcox aquifers. The Midway confining unit underlies the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer throughout the study area. No freshwater is present in or below the Midway Group.

Tertiary-age formations exposed at land surface in the study area have been incised by the Red River and are hydraulically connected to the Quaternary Red River alluvium in the Red River valley. In 2010, 7.73 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water were withdrawn from the Red River alluvial aquifer in the study area, representing an increase of 2.00 Mgal/d, or about 35 percent, over 2005 withdrawal rates.

The Tertiary Carrizo Sand and Wilcox Group crop out across much of the study area. The two units are hydraulically connected and function as a single hydrologic unit referred to as the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer. In 2010, 19.33 Mgal/d of water were withdrawn from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer in the study area, representing an increase of nearly 1.8 Mgal/d, or about 10 percent, over 2005 withdrawal rates. Any expansion in energy development, as well as water needs of an increasing population, could result in an increased demand on groundwater in northwestern Louisiana.