Straddle-packer determination of the vertical distribution of hydraulic properties in the Snake River Plain Aquifer at well USGS-44, Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, INEL

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Sep 23 04:00:00 EDT 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10190274· OSTI ID:10190274

Monks, John Irvin ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID (United States)

Many of the monitor wells that penetrate the upper portion of the Snake River Plain aquifer at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) are open over large intervals that include multiple water-bearing zones. Most of these wells are equipped with dedicated submersible pumps. Water of varying quality from different water-bearing zones is mixed within the wells. The hydrologic properties of individual water bearing zones are difficult to determine. Water quality and water-level data on organic, heavy metal, and radioactive contaminants have been collected, reported, and interpreted from these monitor wells for more than forty years. The problems associated with well completions over large intervals through multiple water-bearing zones raise significant questions about the data. A straddle-packer system was developed and applied at the INEL site to investigate the monitor well network. The straddle-packer system, hydraulic testing methods, data analysis procedures, and testing results are described in this report. The straddle-packer system and the straddle-packer testing and data evaluation procedures can be improved for future testing at the INEL site. Recommended improvements to the straddle-packer system are: (1) improved transducer pressure sensing systems, (2) faster opening riser valve, and (3) an in-line flowmeter in the riser pipe. Testing and data evaluation recommended improvements are: (1) simultaneous valve opening during slug tests, (2) analysis of the ratio of the times for head change and recovery to occur, (3) constant-drawdown tests of high transmissivity intervals, (4) multiple-well aquifer tests, and (5) long term head monitoring.

• Research Organization: Idaho State Univ., Pocatello, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FG07-91ID13042
• OSTI ID: 10190274
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/13042--38; ON: DE95001650
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

054000
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220
540230
AQUIFERS
CHEMICALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
HYDROLOGY
IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
MONITORING
PUMPS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
SNAKE RIVER PLAIN
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
VARIATIONS
WATER POLLUTION MONITORS
WATER QUALITY