John Ellis (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Groundwater Modeling at the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
The Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center performs computer simulations using MODFLOW to simulate groundwater/surface-water interaction, quantify groundwater resources, and evaluate the effects of withdrawals on future groundwater supplies for aquifers in Oklahoma and Texas.
Rush Springs Aquifer Study
The objectives of this project are to quantify the groundwater resources of the Rush Springs aquifer by developing a numerical groundwater-flow model, evaluate the effects of estimated equal proportionate share (EPS) on aquifer storage and streamflow for time periods of 20, 40, and 50 years into the future by using numerical groundwater-flow models, and evaluate the effects of present-day...
Salt Fork Red River Alluvial Aquifer Study
The objectives of this project are to describe the hydrogeology of the Salt Fork Red River alluvial aquifer and to produce numerical groundwater-flow models that can be used to simulate the transient groundwater-flow system. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) will use the outcomes from this project to determine the MAY and effects of future water extraction and drought. The geographic scope...
MODFLOW-NWT model data used to simulate base flow and groundwater availability under different future climatic conditions for reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir, western Oklahoma
A previously calibrated MODFLOW-NWT groundwater-flow model (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205118) was used to determine the effects of climate variability under a range of future climatic conditions on groundwater resources in the reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer in western Oklahoma. The study area focuses on reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer; the entire Washita...
MODFLOW-NWT model used to evaluate groundwater withdrawal scenarios for the Rush Springs aquifer upgradient from the Fort Cobb Reservoir, western Oklahoma, 1979-2015, including streamflow, base flow, and precipitation statistics
A previously published MODFLOW-NWT groundwater-flow model for the Rush Springs aquifer in western Oklahoma (using 1 steady state stress period followed by 444 monthly stress periods representing 1979-2015; Ellis, 2018a) was used as the basis of several groundwater-use scenarios. The model is a 3-layer model including the Cloud Chief formation (confining unit of the Rush Springs aquifer)...
MODFLOW-NWT model used to assess historical and future trends in groundwater availability in the Trinity River alluvium aquifer, Texas
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Trinity River Authority, the Tarrant Regional Water District, the City of Dallas, and the North Texas Municipal Water District, constructed a finite-difference numerical groundwater-flow model of the Trinity River alluvium aquifer using MODFLOW with the Newton formulation solver (MODFLOW-NWT). This model, along with a surface water...
MODFLOW 6 model and ensemble used in the simulation of groundwater flow and land subsidence in the northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer, 1897-2018 (ver. 2.0, September 2023)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District and Fort Bend Subsidence District, constructed a finite-difference numerical groundwater-flow model of the northern Gulf Coast aquifer region for 1897 through 2018 using MODFLOW 6 with the Newton formulation solver to simulate groundwater flow and land-surface subsidence. Model parameter...
MODFLOW-NWT model used in Simulation of Groundwater Flow, and Analysis of Projected Water Use for the Washita River Alluvial Aquifer, Western Oklahoma
In 2020 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, published a calibrated numerical groundwater-flow model and associated model documentation report that evaluated the effects of potential groundwater withdrawals on groundwater flow and availability in the Washita River alluvial aquifer in western Oklahoma. The results of groundwater-availability...
MODFLOW-NWT model used in simulations of selected climate scenarios of groundwater availability in the North Fork Red River aquifer, southwestern Oklahoma
A previously developed model (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175098) was coupled with downscaled climate model data to determine the impact of climate variability on base flow and groundwater storage in the North Fork Red River aquifer, Oklahoma. The North Fork Red River aquifer is an alluvial aquifer that discharges groundwater to the North Fork Red River, which provides inflow to Lake...
Simulation of Groundwater Flow, and Analysis of Projected Water Use for the Rush Springs Aquifer, Western Oklahoma
In 2018 The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, published a calibrated numerical groundwater- flow model and associated model documentation report that evaluated the effects of potential groundwater withdrawals on groundwater flow and availability in the Rush Springs aquifer in western Oklahoma. The results of...
Use of a numerical groundwater-flow model and projected climate scenarios to simulate the effects of future climate conditions on base flow for reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir storage, western Oklahoma
To better understand the relation between climate variability and future groundwater resources in reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir in western Oklahoma, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, used a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model and climate-model data to investigate changes in base flow and...
Authors
Laura G. Labriola, John H. Ellis, Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, Pierre-Emmanuel Kirstetter, Yang Hong
Streamflow, base flow, and precipitation trends and simulated effects of Rush Springs aquifer groundwater withdrawals on base flows upgradient from Fort Cobb Reservoir, western Oklahoma
To better understand the relation between groundwater use in the Rush Springs aquifer and inflows to the Fort Cobb Reservoir, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, used a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model and historical streamflow records to evaluate four scenarios to investigate how changing groundwater withdrawals could affect...
Authors
A.R. Trevisan, L.G. Labriola, J.H. Ellis
Hydrogeology, land-surface subsidence, and documentation of the Gulf Coast Land Subsidence and Groundwater-Flow (GULF) model, southeast Texas, 1897–2018
Executive SummaryAs a part of the Texas Water Development Board groundwater availability modeling program, the U.S. Geological Survey developed the Gulf Coast Land Subsidence and Groundwater-Flow model (hereinafter, the “GULF model”) and ensemble to simulate groundwater flow and land-surface subsidence in the northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer system (the study area) in Texas from...
Authors
J.H. Ellis, Jacob E. Knight, Jeremy T. White, Michelle Sneed, Joseph D. Hughes, Jason K. Ramage, Christopher L. Braun, Andrew Teeple, Linzy K. Foster, Samuel H. Rendon, Justin T. Brandt
Treatment of the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers as a single hydrogeologic unit and use of geostatistical interpolation methods to develop gridded surfaces of water-level altitudes and water-level changes in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers (undifferenti
The greater Houston area of Texas includes approximately 11,000 square miles and encompasses all or part of 11 counties (Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Chambers, Grimes, Liberty, San Jacinto, Walker, and Waller). From the early 1900s until the mid-1970s, groundwater withdrawn from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot...
Authors
Jason K. Ramage, Christopher L. Braun, John H. Ellis
Potential effects of out-of-basin groundwater transfers on spring discharge, base flow, and groundwater storage pertaining to the Rush Springs aquifer in and near the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Tribal jurisdictional area, western Oklahoma
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and Bureau of Indian Affairs, assessed four groundwater-withdrawal scenarios and their potential effects on the Rush Springs aquifer in and near the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Tribal jurisdictional area in western Oklahoma. Increases in industrial and public water supply needs have led to increased...
Authors
L.G. Labriola, Cory A. Russell, John H. Ellis
Hydrogeology and model-simulated groundwater availability in the Salt Fork Red River aquifer, southwestern Oklahoma, 1980–2015
The 1973 Oklahoma Water Law (82 OK Stat § 82-1020.5) requires that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) conduct hydrologic investigations of the State’s groundwater basins to support a determination of the maximum annual yield for each groundwater basin (hereinafter referred to as an “aquifer”). The maximum annual yield allocated per acre of land is known as the equal-proportionate...
Authors
S. Jerrod Smith, John H. Ellis, Nicole Paizis, Carol Becker, Derrick L. Wagner, Jessica S. Correll, R. Jacob Hernandez
Hydrogeology, numerical simulation of groundwater flow, and effects of future water use and drought for reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer, Roger Mills and Custer Counties, western Oklahoma, 1980–2015
The Washita River alluvial aquifer is a valley-fill and terrace alluvial aquifer along the valley of the Washita River in western Oklahoma that provides a productive source of groundwater for agricultural irrigation and water supply. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) has designated the westernmost section of the aquifer in Roger Mills and Custer Counties, Okla., as reach 1 of the...
Authors
John H. Ellis, Derek W. Ryter, Leland T. Fuhrig, Kyle W. Spears, Shana L. Mashburn, Ian M.J. Rogers
Evaluating the effects of downscaled climate projections on groundwater storage and simulated base-flow contribution to the North Fork Red River and Lake Altus, southwest Oklahoma (USA)
Potential effects of projected climate variability on base flow and groundwater storage in the North Fork Red River aquifer, Oklahoma (USA), were estimated using downscaled climate model data coupled with a numerical groundwater-flow model. The North Fork Red River aquifer discharges groundwater to the North Fork Red River, which provides inflow to Lake Altus. To approximate future...
Authors
L.G. Labriola, J.H. Ellis, Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, Tom Pruitt, Pierre Kirstetter, Yang Hong
Simulation of groundwater flow and analysis of projected water use for the Rush Springs aquifer, western Oklahoma
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, (1) quantified the groundwater resources of the Rush Springs aquifer in western Oklahoma by developing a numerical groundwater-flow model, (2) evaluated the effects of estimated equal-proportionate-share (EPS) pumping rates on aquifer storage and streamflow for time periods...
Authors
J.H. Ellis
Hydrogeology and simulated groundwater flow and availability in the North Fork Red River aquifer, southwest Oklahoma, 1980–2013
On September 8, 1981, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board established regulatory limits on the maximum annual yield of groundwater (343,042 acre-feet per year) and equal-proportionate-share (EPS) pumping rate (1.0 acre-foot per acre per year) for the North Fork Red River aquifer. The maximum annual yield and EPS were based on a hydrologic investigation that used a numerical groundwater...
Authors
S. Jerrod Smith, John H. Ellis, Derrick L. Wagner, Steven M. Peterson
Hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow and analysis of projected water use for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer, western and central Oklahoma
This report describes a study of the hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer in western and central Oklahoma conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The report (1) quantifies the groundwater resources of the Canadian River alluvial aquifer by developing a conceptual model, (2)...
Authors
John H. Ellis, Shana L. Mashburn, Grant M. Graves, Steven M. Peterson, S. Jerrod Smith, Leland T. Fuhrig, Derrick L. Wagner, Jon E. Sanford
Science and Products
Groundwater Modeling at the Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
The Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center performs computer simulations using MODFLOW to simulate groundwater/surface-water interaction, quantify groundwater resources, and evaluate the effects of withdrawals on future groundwater supplies for aquifers in Oklahoma and Texas.
Rush Springs Aquifer Study
The objectives of this project are to quantify the groundwater resources of the Rush Springs aquifer by developing a numerical groundwater-flow model, evaluate the effects of estimated equal proportionate share (EPS) on aquifer storage and streamflow for time periods of 20, 40, and 50 years into the future by using numerical groundwater-flow models, and evaluate the effects of present-day...
Salt Fork Red River Alluvial Aquifer Study
The objectives of this project are to describe the hydrogeology of the Salt Fork Red River alluvial aquifer and to produce numerical groundwater-flow models that can be used to simulate the transient groundwater-flow system. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) will use the outcomes from this project to determine the MAY and effects of future water extraction and drought. The geographic scope...
MODFLOW-NWT model data used to simulate base flow and groundwater availability under different future climatic conditions for reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir, western Oklahoma
A previously calibrated MODFLOW-NWT groundwater-flow model (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205118) was used to determine the effects of climate variability under a range of future climatic conditions on groundwater resources in the reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer in western Oklahoma. The study area focuses on reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer; the entire Washita...
MODFLOW-NWT model used to evaluate groundwater withdrawal scenarios for the Rush Springs aquifer upgradient from the Fort Cobb Reservoir, western Oklahoma, 1979-2015, including streamflow, base flow, and precipitation statistics
A previously published MODFLOW-NWT groundwater-flow model for the Rush Springs aquifer in western Oklahoma (using 1 steady state stress period followed by 444 monthly stress periods representing 1979-2015; Ellis, 2018a) was used as the basis of several groundwater-use scenarios. The model is a 3-layer model including the Cloud Chief formation (confining unit of the Rush Springs aquifer)...
MODFLOW-NWT model used to assess historical and future trends in groundwater availability in the Trinity River alluvium aquifer, Texas
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Trinity River Authority, the Tarrant Regional Water District, the City of Dallas, and the North Texas Municipal Water District, constructed a finite-difference numerical groundwater-flow model of the Trinity River alluvium aquifer using MODFLOW with the Newton formulation solver (MODFLOW-NWT). This model, along with a surface water...
MODFLOW 6 model and ensemble used in the simulation of groundwater flow and land subsidence in the northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer, 1897-2018 (ver. 2.0, September 2023)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District and Fort Bend Subsidence District, constructed a finite-difference numerical groundwater-flow model of the northern Gulf Coast aquifer region for 1897 through 2018 using MODFLOW 6 with the Newton formulation solver to simulate groundwater flow and land-surface subsidence. Model parameter...
MODFLOW-NWT model used in Simulation of Groundwater Flow, and Analysis of Projected Water Use for the Washita River Alluvial Aquifer, Western Oklahoma
In 2020 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, published a calibrated numerical groundwater-flow model and associated model documentation report that evaluated the effects of potential groundwater withdrawals on groundwater flow and availability in the Washita River alluvial aquifer in western Oklahoma. The results of groundwater-availability...
MODFLOW-NWT model used in simulations of selected climate scenarios of groundwater availability in the North Fork Red River aquifer, southwestern Oklahoma
A previously developed model (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175098) was coupled with downscaled climate model data to determine the impact of climate variability on base flow and groundwater storage in the North Fork Red River aquifer, Oklahoma. The North Fork Red River aquifer is an alluvial aquifer that discharges groundwater to the North Fork Red River, which provides inflow to Lake...
Simulation of Groundwater Flow, and Analysis of Projected Water Use for the Rush Springs Aquifer, Western Oklahoma
In 2018 The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, published a calibrated numerical groundwater- flow model and associated model documentation report that evaluated the effects of potential groundwater withdrawals on groundwater flow and availability in the Rush Springs aquifer in western Oklahoma. The results of...
Use of a numerical groundwater-flow model and projected climate scenarios to simulate the effects of future climate conditions on base flow for reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir storage, western Oklahoma
To better understand the relation between climate variability and future groundwater resources in reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer and Foss Reservoir in western Oklahoma, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, used a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model and climate-model data to investigate changes in base flow and...
Authors
Laura G. Labriola, John H. Ellis, Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, Pierre-Emmanuel Kirstetter, Yang Hong
Streamflow, base flow, and precipitation trends and simulated effects of Rush Springs aquifer groundwater withdrawals on base flows upgradient from Fort Cobb Reservoir, western Oklahoma
To better understand the relation between groundwater use in the Rush Springs aquifer and inflows to the Fort Cobb Reservoir, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, used a previously published numerical groundwater-flow model and historical streamflow records to evaluate four scenarios to investigate how changing groundwater withdrawals could affect...
Authors
A.R. Trevisan, L.G. Labriola, J.H. Ellis
Hydrogeology, land-surface subsidence, and documentation of the Gulf Coast Land Subsidence and Groundwater-Flow (GULF) model, southeast Texas, 1897–2018
Executive SummaryAs a part of the Texas Water Development Board groundwater availability modeling program, the U.S. Geological Survey developed the Gulf Coast Land Subsidence and Groundwater-Flow model (hereinafter, the “GULF model”) and ensemble to simulate groundwater flow and land-surface subsidence in the northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer system (the study area) in Texas from...
Authors
J.H. Ellis, Jacob E. Knight, Jeremy T. White, Michelle Sneed, Joseph D. Hughes, Jason K. Ramage, Christopher L. Braun, Andrew Teeple, Linzy K. Foster, Samuel H. Rendon, Justin T. Brandt
Treatment of the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers as a single hydrogeologic unit and use of geostatistical interpolation methods to develop gridded surfaces of water-level altitudes and water-level changes in the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers (undifferenti
The greater Houston area of Texas includes approximately 11,000 square miles and encompasses all or part of 11 counties (Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Chambers, Grimes, Liberty, San Jacinto, Walker, and Waller). From the early 1900s until the mid-1970s, groundwater withdrawn from the three primary aquifers that compose the Gulf Coast aquifer system—the Chicot...
Authors
Jason K. Ramage, Christopher L. Braun, John H. Ellis
Potential effects of out-of-basin groundwater transfers on spring discharge, base flow, and groundwater storage pertaining to the Rush Springs aquifer in and near the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Tribal jurisdictional area, western Oklahoma
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and Bureau of Indian Affairs, assessed four groundwater-withdrawal scenarios and their potential effects on the Rush Springs aquifer in and near the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Tribal jurisdictional area in western Oklahoma. Increases in industrial and public water supply needs have led to increased...
Authors
L.G. Labriola, Cory A. Russell, John H. Ellis
Hydrogeology and model-simulated groundwater availability in the Salt Fork Red River aquifer, southwestern Oklahoma, 1980–2015
The 1973 Oklahoma Water Law (82 OK Stat § 82-1020.5) requires that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) conduct hydrologic investigations of the State’s groundwater basins to support a determination of the maximum annual yield for each groundwater basin (hereinafter referred to as an “aquifer”). The maximum annual yield allocated per acre of land is known as the equal-proportionate...
Authors
S. Jerrod Smith, John H. Ellis, Nicole Paizis, Carol Becker, Derrick L. Wagner, Jessica S. Correll, R. Jacob Hernandez
Hydrogeology, numerical simulation of groundwater flow, and effects of future water use and drought for reach 1 of the Washita River alluvial aquifer, Roger Mills and Custer Counties, western Oklahoma, 1980–2015
The Washita River alluvial aquifer is a valley-fill and terrace alluvial aquifer along the valley of the Washita River in western Oklahoma that provides a productive source of groundwater for agricultural irrigation and water supply. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) has designated the westernmost section of the aquifer in Roger Mills and Custer Counties, Okla., as reach 1 of the...
Authors
John H. Ellis, Derek W. Ryter, Leland T. Fuhrig, Kyle W. Spears, Shana L. Mashburn, Ian M.J. Rogers
Evaluating the effects of downscaled climate projections on groundwater storage and simulated base-flow contribution to the North Fork Red River and Lake Altus, southwest Oklahoma (USA)
Potential effects of projected climate variability on base flow and groundwater storage in the North Fork Red River aquifer, Oklahoma (USA), were estimated using downscaled climate model data coupled with a numerical groundwater-flow model. The North Fork Red River aquifer discharges groundwater to the North Fork Red River, which provides inflow to Lake Altus. To approximate future...
Authors
L.G. Labriola, J.H. Ellis, Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, Tom Pruitt, Pierre Kirstetter, Yang Hong
Simulation of groundwater flow and analysis of projected water use for the Rush Springs aquifer, western Oklahoma
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, (1) quantified the groundwater resources of the Rush Springs aquifer in western Oklahoma by developing a numerical groundwater-flow model, (2) evaluated the effects of estimated equal-proportionate-share (EPS) pumping rates on aquifer storage and streamflow for time periods...
Authors
J.H. Ellis
Hydrogeology and simulated groundwater flow and availability in the North Fork Red River aquifer, southwest Oklahoma, 1980–2013
On September 8, 1981, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board established regulatory limits on the maximum annual yield of groundwater (343,042 acre-feet per year) and equal-proportionate-share (EPS) pumping rate (1.0 acre-foot per acre per year) for the North Fork Red River aquifer. The maximum annual yield and EPS were based on a hydrologic investigation that used a numerical groundwater...
Authors
S. Jerrod Smith, John H. Ellis, Derrick L. Wagner, Steven M. Peterson
Hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow and analysis of projected water use for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer, western and central Oklahoma
This report describes a study of the hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow for the Canadian River alluvial aquifer in western and central Oklahoma conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The report (1) quantifies the groundwater resources of the Canadian River alluvial aquifer by developing a conceptual model, (2)...
Authors
John H. Ellis, Shana L. Mashburn, Grant M. Graves, Steven M. Peterson, S. Jerrod Smith, Leland T. Fuhrig, Derrick L. Wagner, Jon E. Sanford