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Melissa D. Masbruch

Melissa is a valuable member of the Utah Water Science Center.

Science and Products

Numerical model simulations of potential changes in water levels and capture of natural discharge from groundwater withdrawals in Snake Valley and adjacent areas, Utah and Nevada Numerical model simulations of potential changes in water levels and capture of natural discharge from groundwater withdrawals in Snake Valley and adjacent areas, Utah and Nevada

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are concerned about cumulative effects of groundwater development on groundwater-dependent resources managed by, and other groundwater resources of interest to, these agencies in Snake Valley and adjacent areas, Utah and Nevada. Of particular concern to the NPS and BLM are withdrawals from all existing approved...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Evaluation of groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley Watershed, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah Evaluation of groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley Watershed, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah

Groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley watershed in southern Utah were quantified for the first time since the early 1970s. The primary objectives of this study were (1) to better understand sources of recharge to, groundwater flow directions within, and discharge points for both the valley-fill and Glen Canyon Group aquifers (VFA and GCGA), and (2) to quantify groundwater budget...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch, Philip M. Gardner, Nora C. Nelson, Victor M. Heilweil, John E. Solder, Michael D. Hess, Tim S. McKinney, Martin A. Briggs, D. Kip Solomon
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Potential effects of existing and proposed groundwater withdrawals on water levels and natural groundwater discharge in Snake Valley and surrounding areas, Utah and Nevada Potential effects of existing and proposed groundwater withdrawals on water levels and natural groundwater discharge in Snake Valley and surrounding areas, Utah and Nevada

Several U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) agencies are concerned about the cumulative effects of groundwater development on groundwater resources managed by, and other groundwater resources of interest to, these agencies in Snake Valley and surrounding areas. The new water uses that potentially concern the DOI agencies include 12 water-right applications filed in 2005, totaling...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch, Lynette E. Brooks
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Analyses of infrequent (quasi-decadal) large groundwater recharge events in the northern Great Basin: Their importance for groundwater availability, use, and management Analyses of infrequent (quasi-decadal) large groundwater recharge events in the northern Great Basin: Their importance for groundwater availability, use, and management

There has been a considerable amount of research linking climatic variability to hydrologic responses in the western United States. Although much effort has been spent to assess and predict changes in surface water resources, little has been done to understand how climatic events and changes affect groundwater resources. This study focuses on characterizing and quantifying the effects of...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch, Christine Rumsey, Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, David D. Susong, Tom Pruitt
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Hydrogeologic and geochemical characterization of groundwater resources in Deep Creek Valley and adjacent areas, Juab and Tooele Counties, Utah, and Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada Hydrogeologic and geochemical characterization of groundwater resources in Deep Creek Valley and adjacent areas, Juab and Tooele Counties, Utah, and Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada

The water resources of Deep Creek Valley were assessed during 2012–13 with an emphasis on better understanding the groundwater flow system and groundwater budget. Surface-water resources are limited in Deep Creek Valley and are generally used for agriculture. Groundwater is the predominant water source for most other uses and to supplement irrigation. Most groundwater withdrawal in Deep...
Authors
Philip M. Gardner, Melissa D. Masbruch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system Steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system

This report describes the construction, calibration, evaluation, and results of a steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system that was developed as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Census Initiative to evaluate the nation’s groundwater availability. The study area spans 110,000 square miles across five states...
Authors
Lynette E. Brooks, Melissa D. Masbruch, Donald S. Sweetkind, Susan G. Buto
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center
Simulated reduction in flow in the Malad River as a result of groundwater pumping. 

Groundwater Models

Groundwater is an important resource, but availability, quality, and sustainability during growth have become major concerns. Groundwater models are numerical representations that help hydrologists better understand groundwater systems. These models also provide tools for water managers. The Utah Water Science Center has groundwater models for many seperate areas in Utah as well as two regional...
By
Utah Water Science Center
Groundwater Models

Groundwater Models

Groundwater is an important resource, but availability, quality, and sustainability during growth have become major concerns. Groundwater models are numerical representations that help hydrologists better understand groundwater systems. These models also provide tools for water managers. The Utah Water Science Center has groundwater models for many seperate areas in Utah as well as two regional...
Learn More
Map of the Colorado Plateau, including the San Juan River pilot study area.

Colorado Plateau Regional Groundwater Availability

Study goals This project seeks to quantify the status of groundwater as an integrated resource with surface water in the arid and semiarid region of the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. Surface-water resources that originate in this region are over allocated and serve 35 million people, 4.5 million acres of farmland, and are used to generate 12 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in...
By
Utah Water Science Center
Colorado Plateau Regional Groundwater Availability

Colorado Plateau Regional Groundwater Availability

Study goals This project seeks to quantify the status of groundwater as an integrated resource with surface water in the arid and semiarid region of the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. Surface-water resources that originate in this region are over allocated and serve 35 million people, 4.5 million acres of farmland, and are used to generate 12 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in...
Learn More
Map of the Colorado Plateau, including the San Juan River pilot study area.

Colorado Plateaus Regional Groundwater Availability

Pilot phase This study is in a pilot phase during fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The purpose of the pilot phase is to identify possible technical challenges of using the USGS code GSFLOW for simulating groundwater and surface-water flow in the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. During the pilot phase, the project will evaluate GSFLOW in the San Juan River Basin (SJRB). The SJRB was selected...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Arizona Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center
Colorado Plateaus Regional Groundwater Availability

Colorado Plateaus Regional Groundwater Availability

Pilot phase This study is in a pilot phase during fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The purpose of the pilot phase is to identify possible technical challenges of using the USGS code GSFLOW for simulating groundwater and surface-water flow in the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. During the pilot phase, the project will evaluate GSFLOW in the San Juan River Basin (SJRB). The SJRB was selected...
Learn More

Digital subsurface data of Paleozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis Digital subsurface data of Paleozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis

The Upper Colorado River Basin has a drainage area of about 113,500 square miles in western Colorado, eastern Utah, southwestern Wyoming, northeastern Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the Upper Colorado River Basin was a study area under of the U.S. Geological Survey's Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) program (Sun and Johnston, 1994; Sun and Weeks...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Digital subsurface data of Mesozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis Digital subsurface data of Mesozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis

The Upper Colorado River Basin has a drainage area of about 113,500 square miles in western Colorado, eastern Utah, southwestern Wyoming, northeastern Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. In the 1980's and 1990's, the Upper Colorado River Basin was a study area under of the U.S. Geological Survey's Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) program (Sun and Johnston, 1994; Sun and Weeks...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Uinta Basin Ground and Surface Water Quality Records Uinta Basin Ground and Surface Water Quality Records

This database includes water quality records compiled at the request of the Bureau of Land Management for the Uinta Basin in Utah and Colorado. All data contained within this database are publically available via the United States Geological Survey's National Water Information System (NWIS) database (available at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis). Data collected and provided by the states...
By
Utah Water Science Center
Groundwater in Moab Area Less than Previously Reported

Groundwater in Moab Area Less than Previously Reported

A new assessment of groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley watershed in southern Utah shows an amount that is about 30–40% lower than previously...

Read Article
Large Precipitation Events are Critical in Replenishing Groundwater Resources

Large Precipitation Events are Critical in Replenishing Groundwater Resources

Large precipitation events that occur about every 10 years are a critical source of recharge for replenishing groundwater resources, according to a ne...

Read Article

Science and Products

Numerical model simulations of potential changes in water levels and capture of natural discharge from groundwater withdrawals in Snake Valley and adjacent areas, Utah and Nevada Numerical model simulations of potential changes in water levels and capture of natural discharge from groundwater withdrawals in Snake Valley and adjacent areas, Utah and Nevada

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are concerned about cumulative effects of groundwater development on groundwater-dependent resources managed by, and other groundwater resources of interest to, these agencies in Snake Valley and adjacent areas, Utah and Nevada. Of particular concern to the NPS and BLM are withdrawals from all existing approved...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Evaluation of groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley Watershed, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah Evaluation of groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley Watershed, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah

Groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley watershed in southern Utah were quantified for the first time since the early 1970s. The primary objectives of this study were (1) to better understand sources of recharge to, groundwater flow directions within, and discharge points for both the valley-fill and Glen Canyon Group aquifers (VFA and GCGA), and (2) to quantify groundwater budget...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch, Philip M. Gardner, Nora C. Nelson, Victor M. Heilweil, John E. Solder, Michael D. Hess, Tim S. McKinney, Martin A. Briggs, D. Kip Solomon
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Potential effects of existing and proposed groundwater withdrawals on water levels and natural groundwater discharge in Snake Valley and surrounding areas, Utah and Nevada Potential effects of existing and proposed groundwater withdrawals on water levels and natural groundwater discharge in Snake Valley and surrounding areas, Utah and Nevada

Several U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) agencies are concerned about the cumulative effects of groundwater development on groundwater resources managed by, and other groundwater resources of interest to, these agencies in Snake Valley and surrounding areas. The new water uses that potentially concern the DOI agencies include 12 water-right applications filed in 2005, totaling...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch, Lynette E. Brooks
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Analyses of infrequent (quasi-decadal) large groundwater recharge events in the northern Great Basin: Their importance for groundwater availability, use, and management Analyses of infrequent (quasi-decadal) large groundwater recharge events in the northern Great Basin: Their importance for groundwater availability, use, and management

There has been a considerable amount of research linking climatic variability to hydrologic responses in the western United States. Although much effort has been spent to assess and predict changes in surface water resources, little has been done to understand how climatic events and changes affect groundwater resources. This study focuses on characterizing and quantifying the effects of...
Authors
Melissa D. Masbruch, Christine Rumsey, Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, David D. Susong, Tom Pruitt
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Hydrogeologic and geochemical characterization of groundwater resources in Deep Creek Valley and adjacent areas, Juab and Tooele Counties, Utah, and Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada Hydrogeologic and geochemical characterization of groundwater resources in Deep Creek Valley and adjacent areas, Juab and Tooele Counties, Utah, and Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada

The water resources of Deep Creek Valley were assessed during 2012–13 with an emphasis on better understanding the groundwater flow system and groundwater budget. Surface-water resources are limited in Deep Creek Valley and are generally used for agriculture. Groundwater is the predominant water source for most other uses and to supplement irrigation. Most groundwater withdrawal in Deep...
Authors
Philip M. Gardner, Melissa D. Masbruch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Utah Water Science Center

Steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system Steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system

This report describes the construction, calibration, evaluation, and results of a steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system that was developed as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Census Initiative to evaluate the nation’s groundwater availability. The study area spans 110,000 square miles across five states...
Authors
Lynette E. Brooks, Melissa D. Masbruch, Donald S. Sweetkind, Susan G. Buto
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center
Simulated reduction in flow in the Malad River as a result of groundwater pumping. 

Groundwater Models

Groundwater is an important resource, but availability, quality, and sustainability during growth have become major concerns. Groundwater models are numerical representations that help hydrologists better understand groundwater systems. These models also provide tools for water managers. The Utah Water Science Center has groundwater models for many seperate areas in Utah as well as two regional...
By
Utah Water Science Center
Groundwater Models

Groundwater Models

Groundwater is an important resource, but availability, quality, and sustainability during growth have become major concerns. Groundwater models are numerical representations that help hydrologists better understand groundwater systems. These models also provide tools for water managers. The Utah Water Science Center has groundwater models for many seperate areas in Utah as well as two regional...
Learn More
Map of the Colorado Plateau, including the San Juan River pilot study area.

Colorado Plateau Regional Groundwater Availability

Study goals This project seeks to quantify the status of groundwater as an integrated resource with surface water in the arid and semiarid region of the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. Surface-water resources that originate in this region are over allocated and serve 35 million people, 4.5 million acres of farmland, and are used to generate 12 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in...
By
Utah Water Science Center
Colorado Plateau Regional Groundwater Availability

Colorado Plateau Regional Groundwater Availability

Study goals This project seeks to quantify the status of groundwater as an integrated resource with surface water in the arid and semiarid region of the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. Surface-water resources that originate in this region are over allocated and serve 35 million people, 4.5 million acres of farmland, and are used to generate 12 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in...
Learn More
Map of the Colorado Plateau, including the San Juan River pilot study area.

Colorado Plateaus Regional Groundwater Availability

Pilot phase This study is in a pilot phase during fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The purpose of the pilot phase is to identify possible technical challenges of using the USGS code GSFLOW for simulating groundwater and surface-water flow in the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. During the pilot phase, the project will evaluate GSFLOW in the San Juan River Basin (SJRB). The SJRB was selected...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Arizona Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center
Colorado Plateaus Regional Groundwater Availability

Colorado Plateaus Regional Groundwater Availability

Pilot phase This study is in a pilot phase during fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The purpose of the pilot phase is to identify possible technical challenges of using the USGS code GSFLOW for simulating groundwater and surface-water flow in the Colorado Plateau principal aquifer system. During the pilot phase, the project will evaluate GSFLOW in the San Juan River Basin (SJRB). The SJRB was selected...
Learn More

Digital subsurface data of Paleozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis Digital subsurface data of Paleozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis

The Upper Colorado River Basin has a drainage area of about 113,500 square miles in western Colorado, eastern Utah, southwestern Wyoming, northeastern Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the Upper Colorado River Basin was a study area under of the U.S. Geological Survey's Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) program (Sun and Johnston, 1994; Sun and Weeks...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Digital subsurface data of Mesozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis Digital subsurface data of Mesozoic rocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from USGS Regional Aquifer System Analysis

The Upper Colorado River Basin has a drainage area of about 113,500 square miles in western Colorado, eastern Utah, southwestern Wyoming, northeastern Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. In the 1980's and 1990's, the Upper Colorado River Basin was a study area under of the U.S. Geological Survey's Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) program (Sun and Johnston, 1994; Sun and Weeks...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Uinta Basin Ground and Surface Water Quality Records Uinta Basin Ground and Surface Water Quality Records

This database includes water quality records compiled at the request of the Bureau of Land Management for the Uinta Basin in Utah and Colorado. All data contained within this database are publically available via the United States Geological Survey's National Water Information System (NWIS) database (available at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis). Data collected and provided by the states...
By
Utah Water Science Center
Groundwater in Moab Area Less than Previously Reported

Groundwater in Moab Area Less than Previously Reported

A new assessment of groundwater resources in the Spanish Valley watershed in southern Utah shows an amount that is about 30–40% lower than previously...

Read Article
Large Precipitation Events are Critical in Replenishing Groundwater Resources

Large Precipitation Events are Critical in Replenishing Groundwater Resources

Large precipitation events that occur about every 10 years are a critical source of recharge for replenishing groundwater resources, according to a ne...

Read Article
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