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Title: Hydrogeologic framework of the Boise Aquifer system, southwestern Idaho

Abstract

The City of Boise relies upon the underlying groundwater resource (38,000 acre-feet/year) for 90% of its public water-supply. Basin-fill sediments which comprise this system of aquifers are divisible into five distinct hydrogeologic settings which differ on the basis of sediment type, geophysical log character, and hydraulic properties. A large buried alluvial-fan/fan-delta complex (the Boise Fan) occupies the eastern head of the basin. Down-valley gradations in sediment type show a general increase in unit thickness and sediment color more typically gray; reflecting transition to the lake environment of deposition. Basinward (northwestward), the ancient fan materials grade into lake/fan transitional sediments which grade to predominantly lake sediment which grade to gray mudstones and fine sand layers of the deep lake environment. The depth to which drinking-water aquifers extend is limited by an underlying sequence of relatively impermeable volcanic rocks. Specific capacities of efficient wells, 400--1,200 feet deep and open to 80--100 feet of sand are highest in the lake/fan transition and the lacustrine aquifers of central Boise, lowest for the Boise Fan and intermediate for the deep artesian sand aquifers of west Boise. As a result of screen and filter-pack design based upon attention to sampling drill cuttings, sieve analysis of sands,more » and geophysical log location of aquifers, efficiency and productivity of new wells has been greatly increased. Groundwater recharge to the deeper aquifers is via permeable surface gravels. Increased groundwater withdrawals have possibly accelerated recharge by increasing vertical hydraulic gradients. Overbored wells with continuous surface-to-depth gravel packs, wells open to multiple aquifers, and improperly abandoned wells with deteriorating casing are also conduits for polluted shallow groundwater to enter the deeper aquifers.« less

Authors:
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Boise State Univ., ID (United States)
  2. Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5055324
Report Number(s):
CONF-9305259-
Journal ID: ISSN 0016-7592; CODEN: GAAPBC
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 25:5; Conference: 89. annual meeting of the Cordilleran Section and the 46th annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA), Reno, NV (United States), 19-21 May 1993; Journal ID: ISSN 0016-7592
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 58 GEOSCIENCES; AQUIFERS; GEOLOGY; HYDROLOGY; IDAHO; ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS; GROUND WATER; HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY; RECHARGE; WATER REQUIREMENTS; WATER RESOURCES; DEMAND; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; NORTH AMERICA; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; RESOURCES; USA; WATER; 540250* - Environment, Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (1990-); 580000 - Geosciences

Citation Formats

Squires, E, Wood, S H, and Osiensky, J L. Hydrogeologic framework of the Boise Aquifer system, southwestern Idaho. United States: N. p., 1993. Web.
Squires, E, Wood, S H, & Osiensky, J L. Hydrogeologic framework of the Boise Aquifer system, southwestern Idaho. United States.
Squires, E, Wood, S H, and Osiensky, J L. 1993. "Hydrogeologic framework of the Boise Aquifer system, southwestern Idaho". United States.
@article{osti_5055324,
title = {Hydrogeologic framework of the Boise Aquifer system, southwestern Idaho},
author = {Squires, E and Wood, S H and Osiensky, J L},
abstractNote = {The City of Boise relies upon the underlying groundwater resource (38,000 acre-feet/year) for 90% of its public water-supply. Basin-fill sediments which comprise this system of aquifers are divisible into five distinct hydrogeologic settings which differ on the basis of sediment type, geophysical log character, and hydraulic properties. A large buried alluvial-fan/fan-delta complex (the Boise Fan) occupies the eastern head of the basin. Down-valley gradations in sediment type show a general increase in unit thickness and sediment color more typically gray; reflecting transition to the lake environment of deposition. Basinward (northwestward), the ancient fan materials grade into lake/fan transitional sediments which grade to predominantly lake sediment which grade to gray mudstones and fine sand layers of the deep lake environment. The depth to which drinking-water aquifers extend is limited by an underlying sequence of relatively impermeable volcanic rocks. Specific capacities of efficient wells, 400--1,200 feet deep and open to 80--100 feet of sand are highest in the lake/fan transition and the lacustrine aquifers of central Boise, lowest for the Boise Fan and intermediate for the deep artesian sand aquifers of west Boise. As a result of screen and filter-pack design based upon attention to sampling drill cuttings, sieve analysis of sands, and geophysical log location of aquifers, efficiency and productivity of new wells has been greatly increased. Groundwater recharge to the deeper aquifers is via permeable surface gravels. Increased groundwater withdrawals have possibly accelerated recharge by increasing vertical hydraulic gradients. Overbored wells with continuous surface-to-depth gravel packs, wells open to multiple aquifers, and improperly abandoned wells with deteriorating casing are also conduits for polluted shallow groundwater to enter the deeper aquifers.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5055324}, journal = {Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)},
issn = {0016-7592},
number = ,
volume = 25:5,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}

Conference:
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